NEW YORK (CNNfn) - New Zealand's got a lot of sheep, but don't let that pull the wool over your eyes.
Yes, there are about 68 million of the fuzzy little critters running around this South Pacific nation, which works out to about 20 sheep for every resident. But there's a lot more going on in New Zealand -- this is a vibrant, active place, with beaches, mountains, lakes, geysers, volcanoes and rivers.
Bungee jumping got its start here, and if dangling off a bridge by your ankles isn't your idea of fun, there's hiking -- or "tramping" as the locals, known as Kiwis, call it -- along with skiing, rafting and horseback riding. Heck, it's exhausting just thinking about it.
"Many overseas tourists discover New Zealand on their way to Australia and wish they had budgeted more time for it," said Jane King, author of the New Zealand Handbook from Moon Travel Handbooks. "New Zealanders are a friendly, relaxed people. They welcome visitors and enjoy sharing the country's beauty and lifestyle."
King also said New Zealand is a very kid-friendly spot, given the excellent playgrounds, parks, beaches and activities for kids in most campgrounds and motor camps.
"Taking children to New Zealand is a must," she said.
Some Northern Hemisphere types might be inclined to lump New Zealand and Australia, 1,234 miles to the northwest, into one category, since the two are in pretty much the same neighborhood. However, travel author Andrew Hempstead, who updated King's book, said you're way off the mark.
"It's completely different in everything from the landscape to what to see and do," he said. "It's very much its own country."
North and South
Legend has it that when Polynesian navigator Kupe laid eyes upon New Zealand, he called it Aotearoa, or, roughly, "Land of the Long White Cloud."
Today, about 3.8 million people call New Zealand home. The country consists of two narrow main islands, North Island and South Island. There is also Stewart Island, and several small island groups that are within New Zealand's territorial jurisdiction.
The North Island is more populated, while the South Island has more wilderness. The dominant cultural groups are the Pakeha, or Europeans of New Zealand descent, and the Maori, according to Lonely Planet, as well as Polynesians, Indians, Chinese and others.
"Despite its size, tourists need to know they can only see the main tourist destinations in a week or two and they'll be rushing to see them,  " King said.
King said a month is a reasonable time to see both islands, if you really want to get a taste of the country. The climate is relatively mild, so there is no real "bad" season to speak of.
Northern Hemispherians should know that the seasons are reversed down here, with winter and summer switching places.
"The majority of the visitors arrive in January and February," Hempstead said. "That's summer holiday for the kids, which means half of New Zealand's on the road."
Hempstead visitors can come to New Zealand in December or March and still enjoy nice weather. King said she prefers going in November, before Christmas vacations start and the airfares rise.
"Before booking a trip at any time of the year," King said, "ask if there is a public holiday weekend or school vacation during the time you wish to go. Avoid it if possible, or make firm plans well in advance."
The weather is unpredictable year round, King said, and suggested travelers pack a bathing suit, warm jacket and a raincoat.
Fodors travel writer Stu Freeman is partial to the spring -- September and October -- and the fall, which occurs in April and May.
"People traveling in the South Island in May will see spectacular colors among the vegetation, and the mountains are likely to have a sprinkling of snow, which make a picture postcard backdrop," Freeman said.
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Go for a burn
Auckland, located on the North Island, is New Zealand's largest city and usually the first place visitors see when they arrive. Auckland is also home to one of the world's largest Polynesian populations. Experts say the downtown area pretty much closes down on the weekends, so if you want to see the city in all its bustling glory, do it on a weekday.
Popular sights include Albert Park, the New Zealand Maritime Museum and the Domain, a large park that includes the Auckland Museum, the Planetarium and the Winter Garden.
Wonder where the America's Cup went? It's right here, after New Zealand won the famed yatching trophy and then successfully defended it. The America's Cup's home is on the waterfront, which Hempstead described as "the epicenter for tourists."
Freeman said the harbor was a must-see and recommended a wine tour of Waiheke Island. 
About an hour's drive south of Auckland is Rotorua, a resort city known for geysers, hot springs and mineral hot pools. The region is also a center for Maori culture. Hempstead said this is New Zealand's most popular tourist location.
North of Auckland is the Bay of Islands, sometimes called the "Riviera of New Zealand." Discovered by the legendary Captain James Cook, the explorer who claimed New Zealand for Great Britain in the 18th century, visitors can expect calm waters and year-round sunshine.
On the South Island, there's Queenstown, which King called the country's outdoor adventure capital.
"Queenstown is such a hub of outdoor adventure activity in peak season," King said. "It offers spectacular scenery for the photographer, awesome hiking trails, cosmopolitan restaurants and cafes, and a large variety of accommodations to suit all budgets."
Freeman called Queenstown the "jewel of the South" and recommended the views from Bob's Peak, which is accessible by gondola. You can also surf rapids, go on gold mining trails or take a jet boat ride on the Shotover River. If you're up to some hiking — er, tramping — the Milford Track is New Zealand's famous walking trail, visited by about 6,500 walkers during the summer season.
"Good on yer, mate"
Crime is comparatively low In New Zealand, according to the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, although it has increased in recent years. Theft from cars, camper vans and hostels is most prevalent, but violent crime against tourists is unusual, the Bureau said.
The U.S. dollar will convert to about 2.50 New Zealand dollars and Freeman said New Zealand will be easy on your wallet, with a top-end hotel going for about US$150 per night and budget places charging between US$20 and US$25.
Motels in New Zealand also have kitchens, so you can save on meals if you feel like cooking. If not, Freeman said you can get a great meal for US$10-$20 in many restaurants -- or, of course, you can spend a lot more.
But King said the cost of outdoor activities and tours has increased over the years. "I would pick and choose carefully between these adventures by planning and budgeting in advance," she said
If you're looking for a New Zealand vacation package, put on your bush hat and do a Web walkabout. There are New Zealand tourism sites, such as 100% Pure New Zealand, Discover New Zealand and New Zealand Tourism Online. Also, check the Air New Zealand Web site for deals.
Some of the package deals available:
- Pacific Adventures has a 12-day tour that includes a horseback journey, white water rafting and a deluxe "heli-tour." The tour costs $2,795 per person double occupancy, including meals, but not airfare.
- South Pacific Direct.com has a 9-day North and South Islands tour that takes in Mount Cook. The tour starts in Auckland and hits such sites as Rotorua, Christchurch and Queenstown. The tour costs $964 per person double occupancy, airfare not included.
- Abercrombie & Kent has a 10-day "Walking Adventure in New Zealand" package that combines guided walks with active options such whitewater rafting and horseback riding. The tour, which takes in Queenstown, Rotorua, and Lake Taupo, costs $3,880.
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