New Zealand is one of the most isolated and beautiful countries in the world. Most people think of the country as being just off the coast of Australia and tend to lump the two together, in fact over 1200 miles of water separates the two countries.

On a visit to New Zealand, you can experience some of the most dramatic and unspoiled landscapes anywhere on earth. New Zealand boasts snow-capped mountains, deep blue lakes, forests, geysers and boiling pools of mud. The South Island contains most of the country's highest mountains, including Mount Cook at 12,000 feet; while the North Island has more volcanic activity.

I'm about to hurtle downhill on a bike from the summit of Mt Tarawera. That's 10km down a 4WD track carved out of a silky and slippery rock that you loll around on rather than stick to. Even though I'm fitted out in armour, with knee and elbow pads, shin and chest guards, and the obligatory helmet and gloves, it's still a little unnerving. It will be my fastest downhill.

We bumped and bounced our way slowly up the road to the summit in a Hilux and crikey, it's steep.

Felix is a movie star. Tom Cruise rode him in The Last Samurai and Felix had a body double and a makeup artist. He had professional Spanish horse trainers and can do tricks. He is used to better things.

Now Felix is lumped with me for a week as about 230 of us either ride, walk or bike our way through the back country from Rawene in the Hokianga to Pouto Point at the tip of the Kaipara Harbour.

Felix comes gratis of Steve Old, who was once horse co-ordinator for the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Last Samurai.