New Zealand, with its "exquisite topography" and "extraordinary wilderness", has been rated one of the world's must-visit countries next year.
Guidebook publisher Lonely Planet, in its Best in Travel 2018 guide, has New Zealand at No.5 in a top 10 headed by Chile.
"Twenty-five years ago, long before it was retrofitted to resemble Middle-earth, New Zealand began actively attracting adventure-seekers," it said.
"A sweet suite of trails, the Great Walks, encouraged exploration of the country's exquisite topography, taking tramping travellers through some of the world's most extraordinary wilderness."
Lonely Planet said that in 2018, for the the first time since the nine-track network was launched, a new Great Walk would be under construction: the Paparoa Track on the West Coast.
The 55km route, which includes the Pike29 Memorial Track commemorating the 29 men who died in the Pike River Mine disaster in 2010, "will offer hikers and mountain bikers a sensational experience".
The Paparoa Track is scheduled to open in 2019.
LONELY PLANET'S TOP 10 COUNTRIES 2018:
1. Chile
2. South Korea
3. Portugal
4. Djibouti
5. New Zealand
6. Malta
7. Georgia
8. Mauritius
9. China
10. South Africa.
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