July 20th, 2011
Melbourne is the perfect stopover point when you’re on your way to New Zealand and you want to include a short visit to Australia. Melbourne is a foodies wonderland, with more restaurants and bars than you can ever hope to visit, more fresh food markets and cafes near any station, hotel or suburb…they’re not hard to find.
Along with all that good food is the ambiance the central city of Melbourne holds, it’s vibrant and it’s SHOPPING HEAVEN! From the Bourke St Mall to Melbourne Central to the discount retail district beside the convention centre. Oh and lets not forget the Museums, Victoria Markets, Federation Square and the Botanical gardens!
There are also great ways to spend time and only a short train ride to the suburbs of St Kilda by the beach, Richmond and South Yarra for endless fashion. Further out is the Melbourne Zoo, where you can get pretty close to the resident Kangaroos and Koalas. To get here take a 10 minute train ride and get off at Royal Park Station.
While in this neck of the woods, a day has to taken to explore the Great Ocean Road. It is a stretch of road built by the veterans of World War II designed to provide employment and camaraderie for these men while opening up one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in Australia. I took a day tour with Escape Discovery Adventures, and it was without doubt one of the best day tours I have experienced. This is a must do tour if you are visiting Australia and the Melbourne region and you will experience the true Aussie way of life while exploring the beautiful Great Ocean Road. Visit www.escapediscoveryadventures.com.au
With so easy access around the city using the train and tram system there is so much to do and see you will need at least 3 nights to feel like you’ve got a taste of this lively place. If you are looking to include a few days in Melbourne, talk to us here at Vacations New Zealand regarding your stopover and we can give you the best advice on what to do and where to stay while in this exciting and lively city.
April 13th, 2011
New Zealand’s only Gondola lift assisted mountain biking… how long have us locals been waiting for this?! The Queenstown Skyline gondola opened late January for keen downhillers and XC riders to access the great terrain of the Ben Lomond forest and a hand full of downhill tracks carved out by the dedicated Queenstown Mountain Bike club and Vertigo Bike store over the years.
After the recent closure of the Port Hills tracks in Christchurch, I was as keen as a bean to get my Giant back into good use, and headed down to the adventure capital of the world: Queenstown. I am a big fan of this place and now even bigger as I strolled up to the ticket booth and paid only $40 for a half days of unlimited riding from 10am to 3pm. Wheeled my bike around the rear fo the station and a friendly staff member hooked my bike onto the outside of the Gondola and away we go up the hill. The views are fantastic, lake Wakatipu, Remarkables mountain range and beautiful sunny weather….just superb.
Reaching the top are well laid out signage directing you to the tracks, the Vertigo Bike rental crew, a repair station, picnic tables and easy access to the main building to buy your supplies of drinks, food and souvenirs. Heading left on my bike the first section is a small uphill to the starting line up of tracks, where you can catch your breath before diving into the forest.
There are bike tracks for all abilities, the green run is a fun flowy warm up of 6km mostly down hill, the blue track Vertigo is super fun and gets you in the mood to explore the more serious black graded rides. There is a pit stop half way down the hill where everyone meets for a breather before choosing their next challenge. All these tracks meet up at the wide road back to the Gondola base.
As a huge fan of the Whistler mountain bike park in Canada, I can see the similarities and also fantastic potential in this place. Currently with only a handfull of tracks it is a super fun couple of days riding, even the Athertons of this world are spending a chunk of time here. And with the dedication of the local bike club, the Queenstown council and Skyline Gondola coming on board to assist and make this place the next mountain bike mecca…I look forward to saving myself a huge airfare and having another excuse to visit my favourite local resort town.
December 2nd, 2010
Visiting Franz Josef last week for brief photo session of the glacier, I was pleasantly surprised to see the new Wild life center and exhibit has opened in time for the busy summer season. The Wild life center is home to New Zealand’s rarest Kiwi, the Rowi. Its usual home is located 25 clicks north ofFranz in a area called Okarito, but due to low numbers a kiwi breeding programme in conjunction with the Department of Conservation (DOC) has just been hatched.
The wildlife centre lets you get up and close to the kiwi, without big windows, you can a enjoy a rare experience with our national bird. The centre also houses a really interesting exhibit highlighting the regions other wildlife, history, flora, fauna and of course an area dedicated to the mighty glaciers.
There is also a cafe serving tasty food and great coffee, as well as 30 min free wi-fi for cafe purchases.
The West Coast wild life center is a definite must see for all age groups when you are visiting Franz Josef, and a great way to support our national breeding programme of the Rowi Kiwi. And, I hear there are plans for a penguin colony…..watch this space.
September 10th, 2010
UPDATE: 22 Feb earthquake.
The recent aftershock that has occurred in Christchurch has left the central business district heavily damaged, with many historic buildings destroyed, businesses and hotels without access, power or other essential services. This state of the central city is likely to been in effect for the coming few months, so visitors are advised not to visit central Christchurch for holiday purposes, but they can still use the international and domestic airport for travel to and around the South Island.
We are running tours throughout New Zealand as normal, but we are utilising other tourist towns and cities for overnight stays that would have originally been destined for Christchurch. As our business is based here in Christchurch, we have felt the effects of the loss of our beautiful city. We hope to have many of the historic buildings restored to their former glory and once again share the garden city with you as our guest.
Thank you to all who have expressed their concerns and care, it is much appreciated. New Zealand is open, still beautiful as always and looks forward to those who are planning to travel to our corner of the world,
Kia Ora!
It has been a week of rockin and rollin here in Christchurch city, as the 7.1 magnitute earthquake struck here in the early hours of Saturday morning. Over 300 aftershocks have rattled the city and most of the 400,000 inhabitants have had little sleep, so we are all a little tired to some degree. Thankfully no lives were lost, but many suburban homes and rural farms have had damage to their properties. The central business district has been in the thick of demolishing a number of irrepairable buildings this past week meaning many roads are blocked off and some businesses are still yet to open.
But thankfully we have come through relatively unscathed, the city is not flattened, chimneys are the most commonly damaged household features, and some of those living near the beaches will walk away from there homes forever. The trauma of losing your home to the earth, is more than many can handle, but the citizens of Christchurch have pulled together with large groups of volunteers and in particular the hundreds of Canterbury University students, who have helped dig out those homes. Well done, and well done.
In the coming weeks, we hope our city will become fully operational again. Most businesses are open, tours are running and most restaurants and hotels are fully functional. If there is one good thing about this quake, it is that for the building industry things are looking rosy, maybe the end of the recession is in sight!
July 26th, 2010
Arriving in the central region of the North Island of New Zealand, visitors cannot help but notice the numerous number of steam vents that waft from the landscape. It is not so much the sulphurous smell that greets you on arrival into Rotorua but the realisation that you are wandering amongst a very active and living volcanic environment.
This volcanic region extends from the south as far as Ohakune, where the now famous Mt Doom (Mt Ngauruhoe), Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro all actively sit. From Turangi a day walk of the Tongariro crossing can be made and which is now New Zealand’s most visited track. Further north beckons Lake Taupo, the largest lake in the North Island and here is where most visitors spend a day or two relaxing on the lake or visiting the magnificent Huka falls.
If you want to visit a geothermal site of steaming vents then the Craters of the Moon park is a short drive north out of town and the entry fee of $6 is the least expensive of all the sites to visit. Highly recommended is the Wai-o-tapu geothermal reserve located about 30 minutes drive north of Lake Taupo. Although it is very touristy, the park is well set out and the champagne pool (pictured above) is spectacular. If you can handle the sulphur smell and make it on time to see the Lady Knox geyser then it is well worth the $30 entry.
Further north in Rotorua, this small city is well known as the cultural capital of New Zealand with its strong Maori cultural history the Government gardens and museum are well worth a visit. There are also numerous cultural performances and traditional hangi dinners to experience. I highly recommend a visit to the Whakarewarewa village, it combines a living village of Maori peoples set amongst a geothermal wonderland.
With all this geothermal activity there are also numerous hot springs and mud bathing facilities where one can soak and experience pure relaxation. Try the Polynesian spa in central Rotorua or not far from there are the Waikete valley thermal pools or Hells Gate Waiora mud and sulphur spas.
Whatever your time frame while visiting New Zealand this region is a definite must visit for a truly cultural and geothermal insight to New Zealand.
