New Zealand rugby world cup guide

FOLLOWING the Wallabies can be lots of fun When the Australians take on Italy in Auckland in spring, it won't be just rugby fans who will be cheering,

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FOLLOWING the Wallabies can be lots of fun When the Australians take on Italy in Auckland in spring, it won't be just rugby fans who will be cheering,

The good news is there are still opportunities for rugby fans to buy match tickets and be part of one of the biggest sporting events hosted in New Zealand. But you don't need to be a rugby fan to have a ball across the ditch this September and October. The Kiwis are putting their best foot forward both on and off the field. There's an extensive program of off-field festivities planned right around the country. Under the banner of the Real New Zealand Festival, which kicks off in 23 centres to coincide with the cup, fans will be wowed with rugby flavoured merriment, cultural events, music, fashion and Kiwi food and wine.

The Australian team is in Pool C and will play their first four matches in Auckland, Wellington and Nelson, where the Real New Zealand Festival will be at its best.

From savouring seafood at the Whitianga Scallop Festival in the Coromandel to walking the lamb's-wool carpet at the Mutton Dressed as Lamb Ball; from side-splitting laughs at the Rugby Comedy Festival to learning the haka at the Tribal Rugby Festival in Rotorua, here are some suggestions on how to get into the spirit of rugby, food, fun and frivolity.

THE MAIN GAME

AUCKLAND
New Zealand's largest city is the hub of the Rugby World Cup 2011. Auckland's restaurants, cafes, bars and nightspots that is sure to be packed. But there are also plenty of other distractions for all the family, from jumping off Auckland's Sky Tower to exciting animal adventures at Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter. With islands, vineyards, forests and beaches within half an hour of the city, taking a break between games is easy to do.

See live: Australia vs Italy (Sept 11); Australia vs Ireland (Sept 17);

Australia vs USA (Sept 23); semi finals and finals (TBA).

Don't miss: Heroes (Sept 22-Oct 1), a new play that highlights how rugby is a national obsession; Rugby Comedy Festival (Oct 22) for rugby laughs with Eric Rush, Ian Robertson and Oscar Kightley.

Beyond rugby: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa performs with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra on Oct 22; Style Pasifika (stylepasifika.co.nz, Oct 18, 19) showcases Pacific innovation and creativity through music, fashion, film, entertainers, designers and technology.

WELLINGTON 
There are good reasons why New Zealand's capital bills itself as the "coolest little capital in the world". Wellington has a fabulous choice of cafes, bars, restaurants, shops and galleries. Also known as 'Wellywood', Wellington is home to Peter Jackson and the Weta Workshop where films such as The Lord of the Rings and Avatar are produced. The country's capital is a beautiful harbour city with breathtaking hilltop viewpoints. The neighbouring wine region of Marlborough is only a three-hour ferry ride away.

See live: Australia vs USA (Sept 23).

Don't miss: New Religion (www.blackgrace.co.nz; Oct 3-15), a humorous look at the nation's obsession with rugby performed by Zealand's leading contemporary dance company, Black Grace.

Beyond rugby: The World of WearableArt Awards Show (WOW) is a fashion extravaganza that attracts international designers from around the world (worldofwearableart.com, Aug 25-Sept 10); Footnote Dance Best of Made in New Zealand (Sept 21, 22) presents works by top New Zealand choreographers.

NELSON 
Plenty of sunshine, world-class wines and boutique beers are some of the ingredients of the Real New Zealand Festival in Nelson.

This lovely sun-drenched region offers national parks, boutique wineries and an artist community; many artists welcome visitors to their studios.

Home to New Zealand's first rugby club, the Nelson Rugby Football Club, Nelson is also the birthplace of rugby in New Zealand.

It's where the first official rugby game was played in May 1870 and was the birthplace of Charles Monro, described as the father of New Zealand rugby.

See live: Australia vs Russia (Oct 1)

Don't miss: The historical re-enactment of the first rugby game played in New Zealand (Sept 20); RugBeer HopFest (Sept 17-Oct 1), a craft beer event celebrating hop growing and boutique brewing.

Beyond rugby: Visit the World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum for a theatrical display of stunning designer garments; Nelson Arts Festival (Oct 7-24) opens with masked parade followed by a program of theatre, dance, cabaret and music.

OTHER RUGBY-INSPIRED HAPPENINGS 

You may not be able to barrack for Australia while visiting the destinations below but there are plenty of other ways to get into the rugby spirit.

Best of all, many of the activities and festivals on offer are free.

ROTORUA 
The Tribal Rugby Festival (Oct 11-13; tribalrugby2011.com) is going to be a feast of food, wine and fun in the cultural home of the Maori, with a host of wacky events such as the Waka Warrior Canoe Races and the International Fan Tug 'o War.

HAMILTON 
If you ever doubted that rugby is the national religion, visit Waikato Museum's exhibition Red, Yellow, (All) Black a local look at our national game (until Jan 30; waikatomuseum.org.nz) for creative and interactive displays that will wow rugby fans.

WHANGAREI
Waitangi Welcomes the World The Festival (Oct 18-20) offers three days of Maori cultural events, rugby-inspired happenings and quintessential Kiwi experiences.

NAPIER 
Art deco architecture and local wines are the stars of this region. The Rugby, Haka and Hangi Festival (Sept 25, 26) is the event where you can rub shoulders with local rugby fans and learn about the real people at the grassroots of New Zealand rugby.

NEW PLYMOUTH
Plant a native tree in honour of the rugby legends in the Great Living Legends Muck-In Taranaki/Wanganui (Sept 17; livinglegends.co.nz).

PALMERSTON NORTH
New Zealand Rugby Museum is re-opening in Palmerston North after a $2 million upgrade that will showcase a comprehensive collection of memorabilia some of the world's rarest rugby artefacts.

DUNEDIN 
The Waitaki Golden Oldies Rugby Festival (Sept 3-Oct 2; waitakigoldenoldiesrugby.co.nz) brings together former international rugby players and 40 teams from New Zealand and overseas to battle it out on the field.

INVERCARGILL
A Taste of Southland (Sept 7-21) showcases the best of New Zealand's southernmost region when the streets come alive with music, theatre and markets.

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NEW ZEALAND

Fly: Air New Zealand, Qantas, Virgin Blue, Emirates and Jetstar fly to New Zealand.

Cruise: Score match tickets to the Rugby World Cup 2011 aboard a quarter-finals cruise with footy legends Nick Farr-Jones, Mark Ella, Bob Dwyer and voice of rugby Gordon Bray. The six-night luxury cruise aboard the 5-star MS Volendam from Sydney to Wellington costs $2949 a person and includes a Category B match ticket to Rugby World Cup 2011 quarter-final 1 and quarter-final 3. Phone Flight Centre on 1300 939 414; www.flightcentre.com.au

Drive: Air New Zealand (www.airnewzealand .com.au) has a comprehensive network for flights within the country. Another option is to hire a car or caravan and plan a driving holiday.

More: The Rugby World Cup 2011 is on from Sept 9-Oct 23. Plan your activities at the Real New Zealand Festival by using the planner at nz2011.govt.nz/experiencerealnz

Also see rugbyworldcup.com and newzealand.com