Reviews (3)

get this book and take offfor an adventure.
definitely a must for a n.z. bound cycling adventure. this book keeps it all simple and clear without what you don't need. i cycled 4100km in n.z. by mixing and matching routes from the book and found it very useful. the only down side is the not very convenient format and the lack of good route maps which is not a big deal altogether. good luck.

This Kiwi bought this book from Amazon to go biking in NZ!!
Yes, I am a Kiwi [native New Zealander]and have found this book extremely valuable for planning a tour around both islands. I could find out all the information, but why reinvent the wheel?? It is all laid on here..includingan insight into our customs and language. Very useful
In February '97 me, my bike, and this book covered 1300 miles of New Zealand.I used this book extensively to plan my route by mixing & matching the routes covered in the book.obtw, in New Zealand you don'tneed a map, you only have a couple of roads to choose from and this bookcovers just about everything you need.I highly recommend it andappreciate the effort Bruce put into the book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - New Zealand    2. Bicycle touring    3. Cycling    4. Cycling - General    5. Europe - General    6. Guidebooks    7. New Zealand    8. Travel    9. Travel - Foreign    10. Travel Guides    11. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (4)

Confusing and boring at the same time!
The whole idea of a guide book is to "guide" you--to tell you how to do things, where to find things and how to get there. This book does none of these things!
Lonely Planet falls flat on a great city
Having never been to Sydney before, we stopped into a Dymock's to pick up a copy of what we thought would be the premier guidebook for Sydney, boy were we wrong! Lonely Planet should do Australia right as they are located there, but they miss the boat in this edition.
Go for it
Invaluable, this is the kind of book you'd want even if you lived in Sydney. It explains the different character of Sydney's neighborhoods and gives concise intelligent explanations of how Sydney has become the muti-faceted city it is. I've only been to Sydney twice, but with the help of this guide I'm beginning to get it. The maps are pretty good, but some lack detail. Hotel and restaurant sections are comprehensive, and in my experience extremely accurate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. New South Wales    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (14)

Complete Guide
This is the crown jewel of the Lonely Planet series.It's no wonder since Lonely Planet is based in Australia.This guide is much more comprehensive than any of the other Lonely Planet guides I have used.To get an idea, the Lonely Planet Australia guide is about the same thickness as the Lonely Planet Western Europe guide.Is there really as much to see in Australia as in Western Europe?I don't think so, but I'm not complaining.I just wish the other guidebooks were as complete as this one.This guide goes into great detail for every region of Australia.There even listings for minor towns with populations of 200 or 300.I don't think anything is left out. Don't buy this mistake riddled thing
This edition is a very poor effort by the Lonely Planet series.Year after year they get a lot of information completely wrong and no one seems to update it with the correct information.For example this edition lists Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta, Burleigh and practically every other suburb of the Australia's sixth largest city Gold Coast as towns. Obviously they are getting confused with the region north of Brisbane which is known as the Sunshine Coast which is made up of a lot of individual towns. Obviously the editor has never travelled to southern Queensland or this error would be corrected.The misleading thing then about this book is that it implies it is written by backpackers who have visited these places when clearly with such obvious mistakes someone just read a mistake somewhere while researching and reprinted it. very thorough book
This book had excellent maps to use while in the country.It was also very useful when planning because it had phone numbers for everything so I was able to book in advance.It had very good advice when it came to planning itineraries.I especially liked that it had all the main tourist attractions as well as numerous off-the-beat-and-track (and wonderful!) suggestions.Use THIS book to plan in advance and to guide you while you're there.It covers EVERYTHING. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia    2. Australia & New Zealand - Australia    3. Australia & Oceania - General    4. General    5. Guidebooks    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Australasia    9. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Description and travel    3. Papua New Guinea    4. Sepik River Region (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea)    5. Sepik River Region (New Guinea)   

Reviews (4)

Flaccid and politically naive
Congratulations, Mr Carey, on producing the only boring book on Sydney I have ever read.The stories you relate are, apart from the climbers dying in the Blue Mountains, mainly boring.You do not capture, in my opinion, the essence of Sydney.Your book is essentially about a group of your closest friends, who, frankly, could be living in any city in the world.I am not interested in what your mate thinks of Parramatta bleedin road?It may have had some historical significance in the 19th Century, but its just a road now, which leads through some pretty decrepit suburbs.I expected some really penetrating anecdotes about Sydney and Sydneysiders (I was one of them, having grown up on the North Shore).As for your politics - why oh why oh why do you liberals think that ordinary folk in the street should apologise for atrocities committed against the Aborigines?You are just another one of the `sorry' brigade, which gets a kick out of seeing young white children paint the word `sorry' on their foreheads.Disgusting.Mr Carey (and please stay in New York), there is no such thing as Inherited Guilt.You should never apologise, or force other people to apologise, for something you haven't done.If you want Inherited Guilt then I suggest you go live in North Korea.
Carey's catharsis
Any attempt to girdle a city within literature is doomed by the complexity and expanse of the topic.Carey delays this admission until the end, although by then his feelings are clear.Living and writing in New York City, only a deep inland residence could give him greater setting for contrast.His comparison with his current home is limited to the cramped quarters he endures there.Yet this limited contrast imparts the theme and import of this personal summary.Little of this book is about Australia's key city.Instead, the majority of Carey's essays here describe the Harbour, the Blue Mountains, the Pacific Coast, the Bridge and rivers.The characters are a melange of his personal friends and historical figures.There is a mystical episode on the Harbour Bridge and a passing critique of the CBD [Central Business District] and the values of those working there.The theme remains that the City is but one location in a region of contrasts.No other city is placed so uniquely.Perhaps no-one is better suited to attempt this unique task. A Great Writer's Love Affair with a Great City!
Peter Carey spent 30 days in Sydney in 2000 and we readers are the lucky recipients of his account. He clearly loves Sydney and demonstrates this love in every page of this little volume. His love is contagious. For example, on viewing what he calls "the great Pacific Ocean," he writes: "It is one of a hundred places you will find in Sydney which take your breath away, and I, familiar but disoriented, was in a state of constant amazement that any metropolis could be so blesssed." He also obviously cares deeply for his friends who still live there. About his friend Jack Ledoux he says: "I have lived in more than one house Jack has designed and would be a happy man if I could wake up in one tomorrow morning and live in it all my life. Every time I walk into one of his constructions, it makes me happy." What an extraordinary way to describe a friend!Read more

Subjects:  1. 1943-    2. Australia & New Zealand - Australia    3. Australia & Oceania - Australia    4. Carey, Peter,    5. Description    6. Description and travel    7. Essays & Travelogues    8. Sydney (N.S.W.)    9. Travel    10. Travel - General    11. Carey, Peter    12. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - Australia    2. Australia & Oceania - General    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Victoria   

Reviews (1)

an outstanding map of the Samoas
As the author of Tonga-Samoa Handbook, I've used James A. Bier's map of the Samoas many times to check dubious place name spellings or to verify geographical information. The detailed index makes finding places a breeze and the drawing is amazingly clear. I recommend this map highly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Australia & Oceania - South Pacific    3. Maps & Road Atlases    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Australasia, Oceania & Other Land Areas    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Hiking    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. New Zealand    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Walking, hiking, trekking   

Reviews (8)

Spot-on social observations from an adolescent personality
"Schlepping Through the Alps" opens a fascinating window for Americans into the little-discussed world of Austria's internal politics.Unfortunately, the view is clouded by Sam Apple's insistence on foisting descriptions on the reader of his neuroses, his sexual adventures with a "hip" Austrian woman, and the banal details of the protagonist's dysfunctional family.Woody Allen worked comic wonders with the neurotic secular Jewish character, but that persona lost its freshness nearly 30 years ago.If a reader may offer advice to Mr. Apple for his next book, it would be to share more of the results of his impressive interviewing and observation skills, and to keep his private life private.

A good book to schlep around
Sam Apple, a young, Jewish writer from Houston, decided to spend several weeks with Hans Breuer, a Yiddish-folksong-singing, Austrian, wandering shepherd. This books tells of his visit. We learn about Hans's personal history, and how he came to his most unusual occupation. We also learn quite a bit about anti-Semitism in Austria, both historical and present-day. Both of these are fascinating topics. Whether you enjoy this book will depend on whether you also find interesting its third topic, which is Apple's own rather extensive neuroses.
Understanding Austria and Germany
My understanding of my German parents and grandparents and their attitudes toward the European Jews has always been an enigma for me.Sam Apple has the same desires of knowledge that I have, the same questions.Did I receive any any answers?Not really, but life and books are about moving to the truth, and learning about mankind as we go along. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antisemitism    2. Australia & Oceania - General    3. Austria    4. Biography    5. Ethnic relations    6. General    7. Jews    8. Travel    9. Travel - General    10. Travel / General   

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Australia, Southeastern    3. Bicycle touring    4. Cycling - General    5. General    6. Guidebooks    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Australasia, Oceania & Other Land Areas    10. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Real Estate - Buying/Selling Homes    4. Travel    5. Housing & property for the individual    6. New Zealand    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (2)

Not horrible, but get the island-specific version instead
This book was all right. The intro general-info pages are really detailed (info for traveling with kids, international visitors, senior travelers, transportation options, etc.). However, there are scant few photos -- just a couple of pages' worth stuck in the middle, and they're more landscape-oriented than tourism-oriented, so they really aren't relevant to a guidebook. Frequently generic, omits any mass transit information for Oahu
I recently checked out this book (among others) from the local library prior to a trip to Oahu. For my trip, I was disappointed by this book, and found this to be one of the less-useful ones.
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Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. United States - Pacific - Hawaii    4. United States - West - Pacific (General)    5. Tahiti    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / United States / West / Pacific (AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA)   

Subjects:  1. Australia & New Zealand - General    2. Australia & Oceania - General    3. Australia - History    4. Customs & Traditions    5. Description And Travel    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Travel / Australia & Oceania   

Reviews (1)

Guide to New Zealand-Shadbolt & Brake
I've lived in New Zealand and after coming back to the U.S. I've had the privledge of taking groups back and I highly recomend this book for anyone traveling in NZ. It is better than most guide books although a little large as a guide book. I'd gladly take it because this books gives in detail information about almost every town in NZ from historical information to economic background. Gives places to see and where to see them.Now if they could shrink it you could through away the Lonely Plant book and Fodor's.For a photographer it is a must to read before traveling there.Both great writing and photography. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - New Zealand    2. Australia/Oceania - New Zealand    3. Description And Travel    4. Guidebooks    5. New Zealand    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign   

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Australia/Oceania - South Pacific    3. South America    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Australasia    7. Pacific Ocean    8. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

Map scale is too large to be of any use
I bought this map prior to a trip to Australia intending to use it while traveling.The scale is too large.If your doing a 6th grade report on Australia and need a good map for class, this map is perfect. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Maps    3. Reference    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Australia    6. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Reviews (2)

Geat Read
Anyone who knows a kiwi or has at least heard of one should read this book. A witty and insightful take on what makes New Zealanders so unique!

There isn't anything wrong with me!
This book was a delight to read!It made me realise that a lot of my traits have a lot to do with being a kiwi and growing up in New Zealand!
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Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Cultural studies    5. Humour    6. New Zealand    7. Places & peoples: general interest    8. Travel / Australia & Oceania   

Reviews (3)

Still as insightful in 2005 as when written in 1987
My mother mailed me this book from America to New Zealand because I have recently arrived in NZ and I will be living in New Zealand for the next year. I find Carol O'Bistro's insights about New Zealand culture relevent and insightful for a current long-term visitor.Her writing is lyrical and fun to read.I wonder what she is doing now.

Delightful
I bought this book when I was visiting New Zealand in 1988 where people kept recommending it, and I am just now rereading it for something like the fifth time--including one time with a discussion group.This time through I am finding new delights that I must have skimmed over before.Parts of the book are naively New-Agey, but even those parts are personal and honest and fun to read.It is the story of a woman whose job takes her into the middle of an enormous cultural shift, and she manages to stay in the middle--between the world views of American bureaucracy and a traditional people's values, and somehow to walk that precarious boundary and to be receptive to the ways it changes her.It's an amazing story.

First Light: Shedding the myth of working in museums
One of the most unexpected, wonderful and funny true day to day experiences of a woman who worked for one of the most prestigious museums in the world.Her journey, both physically and spiritually increating and formalizing a major exhibit of the Maori People of New Zealand on a world tour.Her writing style was easy to read and I am still searching for a copy of my own! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - New Zealand    2. Biography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Description and travel    5. General    6. Museum registrars    7. New Age / Parapsychology    8. New York    9. New York (State)    10. New Zealand    11. O'Biso, Carol    12. Travel    13. Journeys   

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Australia & Oceania - New Zealand    3. Fishing - Flyfishing    4. Fishing - General    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Travel - Foreign