Living in a tourist resort you see and meet many visitors in all manor of touring mode. From the rental car or campervan, the package bus tourist or the traveller that has many months to meander through New Zealand. One thing is common, visitors rarely get off the beaten track to explore some of the lesser but equally awe inspiring sights or activities.
Most scenic hot spots have visitor ‘i-SIGHT’ and Dept. of Conservation (DOC) offices that will supply travellers with information.
i-SIGHT’s are usually located in the prime centre of towns, where as DOC offices may not be as obvious in some locations.
The i-SIGHT or visitor information sights are accredited member of New Zealand’s official Visitor Information Network endorsed by Tourism New Zealand. That said, i-SITE’s are also commission based booking offices. They have good local knowledge but are primarily there to book tours and accommodation. They offer impartial advice within this field but they are there to sell the services of the local businesses that are registered with them.
i-SIGHT’s are funded by local council rates and charge businesses a registration fee. If a business is not registered with these visitor information sights, then these businesses will not be promoted by the i-SIGHT.
There is no advantage to the local business community in promoting the word “free”, however some of New Zealand’s best gems are tucked away down little dirt roads, often not even sign posted.
For example, if you were to enquire at the official i-SIGHT about trout fishing at Lake Wanaka, you would be given a run down on all the commercial operators. You would be asked what type of fishing you wish to do, fly, trawling, remote heli guided etc etc. You would not be told that you can purchase a daily fishing licence, rod and reel and take yourself down a well formed road to a well known river and fish for free.
The cost of the rod and reel will be a fraction of the cost of a fishing tour operator. The Clutha river has some of the best trout fishing in the world and is located only five kilometres from the town centre and the i-SIGHT.
To get good local information on activities and sights you are best to visit the Dept of Conservation office. DOC has no commercial incentive and offers good free advice and information booklets containing maps about local attractions. Once equipped with this information you can then decide if you require a commercial operator to experience the desired activity or attraction by visiting the i-SIGHT.