>>116192Do these actually have less condensation issues? I was tossing between a hammock and a free standing tent for my next buy anyway, and that might swing the decision.
>>116186I live in the north where it's mostly beaches (we have A LOT of beaches if you surf) and few mountains, so I don't know as much as I should, but:
There are hikes and camping literally everywhere (
http://www.teararoa.org.nz/ extends the entire length of the country, and it includes most of the 'big walks'). There's no dangerous animals or anything, and in December the weather is usually sunny but not too hot every where. The mosquitoes don't carry any diseases or anything, but buy some spray anyway.
If you're an out door noob you might enjoy the area in the central North Island around Tongariro, Ruapehu, and lake Taupo. You could probably get a good 4 days to a week just chilling around the national parks there, doing the Tongariro crossing and a few other day walks. The Whanganui river's also nice if you want a week kayaking. Although I've never been to them myself, my friend speaks highly of the Tararua ranges north of Wellington.
If you're experienced with the outdoors the north island won't be that interesting, so you should just head South to where all the big stuff is. There's a too many alpine climbs there to name. Milford Sound is beautiful but always wet. Queenstown is nice if you have friends (although I've only been there during the ski season).
Depending on your time frame I would do this from either top to bottom or bottom to top (don't fly both ways, most of the country is scenic even from the road side): bike the length (about 4 weeks), hitchike (relatively easy 1-2 weeks? New Zealanders like tourists so hitchhiking is very easy, people should offer you a bed too quite often if you aren't weird), or catch a bus (3-4 days).
If you really want to go bush I'd suggest finding a local to take you pig or deer hunting. I am not one of these people though.
