Category Archives: New Zealand

The Joys of Visiting New Zealand during winters

With the onset of winter in June, the North and South islands of New Zealand witness a huge influx of winter enthusiasts. Join the horde of holidaymakers to enjoy the stunning natural retreats, snowy landscapes, and wildlife. Also, ski or snowboard down the slopes and hike along the empty trails or go whale watching.

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Besides, there is the Queenstown Winter Festival in June to look forward to. It is one of the most popular winter events, which attracts thousands of visitors. Read on to know some of the top winter highlights of New Zealand.

Experience Adventure at Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman ranks among New Zealand’s finest coastal national parks with water sports, sky diving, trail walking and day trips as its main attractions. Hit the beach to soak up the sun by the day and lie under the night sky to admire the beauty of the place. Stay at a beachfront lodge to enjoy the coast. Various boating companies offer single day or multi day tours of the park. While professionals can rent a kayak and explore the wilderness of the sea on their own, amateurs may seek the expertise of a number of kayaking agencies.

Whale Watching, Kaikoura

Also known as the whale watching capital of New Zealand, Kaikoura is a fabulous place to watch these gigantic primitive mammals in their natural habitat. Ranging from the largest of dolphins, the Orca, to the smallest, the place has it all. A spectacular variety of sea birds makes this place all the more appealing.

Snowboarding and Skiing in the Alps

Home to the Southern Alps, New Zealand offers one of the best snowboarding and skiing experiences in the world. Snowboarding gear is available on hire and experienced instructors are there to teach you priceless lessons. Choose from a variety of places like Queenstown, Coronet peak and Treble Cone to snowboard to your heart’s content.

Train Journey with the TranzAlpine Express

No journey to New Zealand is complete without a tour of the beautiful landscapes of the country. The TranzAlpine Express, one of best in its class, offers a beautiful winter experience by taking you through the snow clad Canterbury Plains, the cascading slopes of the Alps, and the meandering rivers. Operated by Kiwi Rail, this train runs daily between Christchurch and Greymouth. The entire journey takes less than 5 hours.

Queenstown Winter Festival

Queenstown celebrates one of the best winter festivals of the southern hemisphere with lights, sound, music and fireworks by the end of June. A spectacular display of fireworks marks the opening of the festival followed by a host of other fun filled activities like live street music, comedy shows, mountain races and street parties. This festival is all about celebrating the city’s unique culture with pomp and grandeur. Get ready to enthral yourself for 10 full days from 24th June to 3rd July.

Handy Information for a Skiing Holiday in Christchurch, New Zealand

New Zealand is home to some of the most amazing mountain slopes. Furthermore, its proximity to the Antarctic largely keeps the lower side of the country frozen throughout the year.

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The frozen fields with even slopes have led to establishment of many commercial ski clubs and skiing enthusiasts from all across the world head to these places. To make the most of your experience, check out some useful tips.

Best Time for the Trip

Winters in New Zealand start in July and last till September. The onset of this season is an invitation to all skiing enthusiasts. July does not witness much snowfall. So, the month of August and the first half of September are ideal to visit this country, if skiing is high on your agenda.

Family-friendly Accommodation

A family trip is quite different from an individual expedition. So, while booking a ski resort, a lot of things like safety, proper accommodation and suitability for the kids have to be considered. For instance, Cardona Ski Resort is a perfect family friendly option. They also offer packages for beginners. Treble Cone is another family friendly resort, well known for the special attention it gives to children.

Fitness is Essential

Skiing in New Zealand is indeed fun but make sure that you are at your physical best. If possible, try to acclimatize to the cold adventure conditions by practising at indoor winter sport facilities before your trip. Plan your journey months ahead and be particular about maintaining your health. If you are suffering from any kind of ailment, take proper advice from the doctor before booking your flight.

Being Safe and Sound

Safety comes first when you embark on such an adventure. Travellers not comfortable with high altitude climate conditions should hire guides. Wearing proper clothing, helmets, protective gear, taking proper rest the day before and maintaining communication with other members while skiing are some of the important safety tips to be observed at all times.

Transport

Queenstown is definitely the place to go to if you want to have an unforgettable skiing experience. It is well connected by domestic as well as international flights. Rental cars can be hired straight from the airport.

Immerse Yourself in the Winetopia of New Zealand

Presented by Singapore Airlines, Winetopia is perhaps the most comprehensive public wine tasting event in New Zealand. This globally popular event has won the 2015 Business Traveller Gold Medal for Best overall Wine Cellar and also the Gold Medal for Best First Class and Best Business Class Sparkling.

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Without beating around the bush, let us know more about Winetopia, especially the exclusive elements it promises this year.

Introduction

Winetopia is an ultimate wine tasting event, wherein travellers from around the world can savour marvellous wines from various regions of New Zealand, thus getting an idea of the new varieties and food matches. One may buy wines by the bottle, while hardcore enthusiasts even end up buying cases of wine to carry home as fond reminders of their trip. Besides wine, the event will also offer numerous entertainment facilities to ensure a fun-packed experience for one and all.

Basic Information of Winetopia, 2016:

When: 20th May, 2016 (05:00 PM to 08:30 PM)
21st May, 2016 (12:00 PM to 03:30 PM)
21st May, 2016 (04:30 PM to 08:00 PM)
Location: Shed 10, Queens Wharf, CBD, Auckland

Ticket Details: General Admission – 5 tastings + wine glass: $30.00
Premium MiNDFOOD Ticket ($150 Value): $65.00
Door Sales – $40.00 (Subject to Availability)
Buy Tickets – 0508 484-253

Winetopia 2016: More in Detail

With over 200 wines on offer to taste and take home, Winetopia is definitely one of the best places to discover your favourite wine. Guests may thoroughly explore the opulent world of reds and whites as well as the exciting varieties that lie between them. Not only this, there will be sommelier-led tasting classes and live music at the end of the session to add more value to the overall experience.

This is a great occasion for travellers to mingle with the locals and people of different countries. Attendees get an exclusive chance to share a glass with popular personalities. Famous artists who will grace Winetopia this year include Russell Brown, Colin Mathura-Jeffree, Melodie Robinson and Shane Cortese. To entice guests further, the event will declare one lucky visitor who’ll get two return Economy tickets to Vietnam!

Interested travellers should visit the official website of Winetopia for more information and updates.

Wellington Jazz Festival 2016 is Round the Corner

The yearly Wellington Jazz Festival is extremely popular. After all, world renowned jazz artists belt out memorable performances. The mood of the festival is all the more elevated by great food, craft beer and exquisite wine.

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This year, the festival will be held from 8th to 12th June and will offer the privilege of experiencing the music of the likes of Wayne Shorter Quartet and Lisa Fischer.

Performances to Look Forward to

Soak in the mesmerizing music of Wayne Shorter Quartet, the multi-Grammy winner. Of course, you will see lead members of his orchestra. They are none other than Danilo Perez, John Patitucci and Brian Blade. Lisa Fischer, the academy award winner brings to the audience her enigmatic fusion of rock and soulful compositions. Snarky Puppy from USA, with a contemporary mix of jazz and synthesizers is bound to enthral the audience.

Venues

Opera House, Wellington is the nerve centre of the festival and lures the best of Jazz artists. Matterhorn, a venue with historical significance lets you enjoy music as well as heady cocktails and food. Some of the other venues are The Rogue and Vagabond, CQ Bar, The Realm, Basque, Havana, The Lido Cafe, Meow, Hotel Bristol, New Zealand School of music, The Third Eye and Cin Cin among others.

Bookings

Visitors can book tickets online, in person and also over phone for events at the Opera House. Tickets can be booked by logging on to the official website. For phone bookings, call 0800 842 538. Tickets can also be booked by visiting any of the Ticketek agencies across the country. Free events at many of the venues can be enjoyed on a first-come first-serve basis. So it is advisable to reach such venues well in advance.

How to reach?

The nearest airport to Wellington is Wellington International Airport. It caters to both domestic and international flights. Another major airport is the Kapiti Coast Airport which is about 55 kms from Wellington.

Transport and Accommodation during the Festival

Going around the city is pretty easy and the popular places are easily accessible by public transport. Hiring a bike is also another good way of moving around the city. There are different cabs and taxi shuttles which provide excellent commuting facilities and can be hired on an hourly basis.

Wellington, the third most populous city in New Zealand offers a wide range of accommodation facilities. Budget hotels come with a tariff of about 100 NZD while dorm rooms come with a pretty cheap tariff of about 25 NZD.

Highlights of Queenstown Winter Festival, 2016

Travellers planning to explore New Zealand this year should visit the fun and adventure-obsessed country in the months of June and July.

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Queenstown’s iconic celebration, called ‘Queenstown Winter Festival’, will be held from 24th June to 3rd July, 2016. It is a 10-day festival propagating the town’s culture, community, street party, fireworks and lots more!

Tickets and Venues

The tickets for the festival will be on sale from 9th May, 2016. Some of the chosen venues are 1876 Bar and Restaurant, Coronet Peak, Skyline Restaurant and Village Green. Needless to say, every spot has a charm of its own and offers plenty of interesting activities. For example, Village Green will display fairy lights and playful penguins especially for kids.

Exclusive Accommodation Deals

Travellers, particularly budget travellers, won’t have to bother about accommodation. The festival has several ‘accommodation partners’ like Blue Peaks Apartments, Crowne Plaza Queenstown, Heartland Hotel and Hotel St Moritz that are based out of superb locations and have special packages for festival visitors.

Historical Significance of Queenstown Winter Festival

Queenstown Winter Festival started in 1975 as an excuse for a party. With more than 45,000 visitors annually, this festival – in its first season – featured races, entertainment and a ball with beer for adults and soda for kids. The people of the town heartily liked it and continued to celebrate the festival year after year. It has evolved over time. A consumer survey of 500 respondents last year indicated that most of the attendees of Queenstown Winter Festival 2015 rated the occasion as ‘Excellent’ and ‘Very Good’. Unsurprisingly, Queenstown Winter Festival has a special place in the hearts of the residents.

Festival Partners and Awards

Its title sponsor is American Express. Key sponsors are well-known brands like iHeartRadio, Auckland Airport and Atomic Coffee Roasters. Queenstown Winter Festival has won many significant awards and has even made it to the ‘World’s Top 10 Must-Do Festivals’ by ‘Yahoo!7 Travel’.

Top Four Adventure Activities in South Island, New Zealand!

South Island in New Zealand is an impressive place, packed with opportunities for adventure amidst challenging and inspiring landscapes.

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Popular for its different adventure sports and outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking, it is an unusual place to visit.

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Be it the shoreline or mountain ranges and valleys and plains, the destination has infinite scope for adventure and fun.

Skydiving, Queenstown

The surrounding areas of Queenstown are full of stunning attractions. One can go for a short trip across the river or enter the jungle. The first skydive experience is a scary thing but there is no looking back once you do it. The best thing about skydiving is that you can enjoy Queenstown’s scenery and even capture yourself flying high in a video. There are numerous tour agents who arrange skydiving.

Freestyle Ledge Bungy in Queenstown

The Ledge Bungy is a perfect example of the ‘up-for-anything’ Kiwi attitude and one of the most famous adventure attractions in Queenstown. It’s truly a fast & furious experience and absolutely not to be missed during your Queenstown holiday. Check out the different deals and offers before booking your tickets!

Shotover Jet, Queenstown

Try an ultimate Jet Boating experience with Shotover Jet; the adrenaline rush makes it unforgettable. Enjoy an amazing white water ride as you speed through the dramatic and narrow canyons. The total ride duration is 1 hour 30 minutes. Wearing Life jacket is a must.
Please note: Entry on the jet is on first come first serve basis; try to reach 15 minutes before your time. If you are late, send an email stating your confirmation so that you are put on the next available boat.

Wanaka Skiing

If you are in South Island during winters, you must try Wanaka Skiing, which features the longest ski and snowboard runs of the Queenstown. Treble Cone’s is the longest ski run with a vertical drop of 700m. The complete ski dive can be completed in 40 minutes. Travel a little further and you will find the dedicated cross country ski field of Snow Farm and Cardrona ski area. Before you book your tickets, don’t forget to browse complete information on the official website of Treble Cone, Lake Wanaka in South Island of New Zealand.

Balloons over Waikato Festival Prepares to Win Hearts

Colourful balloons will again conquer the sky over New Zealand. Get ready to cherish the morning sky full of attractive balloons, enhancing the panoramic view of the landscape.

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The alluring sight of balloons with distinct designs and sizes will beautifully complement the sunrise. The Hamilton City will soon play host to this most admired and treasured festival.

What’s Hot at the Show?

The 17th edition of Balloons over Waikato Festival will spread its wings in March 2016. The festival will welcome balloonists and balloon lovers from New Zealand and across the world. Commenced with an endeavour to provide a platform for balloonists in the country, it is now delineated as the most iconic event of Waikato. The fact that the event is successfully running for the past sixteen years speaks volumes about its popularity. Attend this most admired festival by the people of Hamilton and Waikato in New Zealand.

The festival will entertain around 13,000 excited spectators for five days. It is worth mentioning that the fifth day will end with a celebratory fireworks show.

Where to Go and When?

The magnificent event will be held at Hamilton Lake, Innes Common, and The University of Waikato grounds. Don’t miss the morning balloon inflation and lift-off at Hamilton Lake and Innes Common.

The Zuru Nightglow

Apart from the breathtaking views and rides of creatively designed balloons, enjoy live performances by The Vibes and Brendon Thomas during the festival. Join the fun night to enjoy hot air balloon glow show and amusement rides. Also, treat yourself at the food stalls dishing out scrumptious preparations.

Balloon Rides

The festival is expected to be graced by a huge number of spectators and participants. Enjoy the 45 minute balloon flight by booking your flight through the visitors information centre.
An attractive collection of hot air balloons will be seen here such as Baby Dino, Race Car, Princess Carriage, Dragon Fly, and Strata. Balloons like Baby Dino and Princess Carriage are especially loved by kids.

This magnificent and unique festival gives you the chance to meet other balloon lovers and professionals from across the world. Mark your presence to witness a variety of activities that will commence at the festival.

Three Spectacular Waterfalls in New Zealand

Waterfalls are an integral part of the dazzling natural scenery of New Zealand. Some of these are named among the most stunning waterfalls in the world. There are numerous tours that take you through the lush surroundings of the Kiwi nation while featuring a pit stop some such splendid waterfall.

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You can step under a waterfall or hike up the mountain to enjoy the views from the top.  Moreover, you can be a part of various activities at the waterfalls. Read on to know about some of the most popular waterfalls in New Zealand.

Sutherland Falls

Often named as the most spectacular waterfall in New Zealand, Sutherland Falls are located near Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park. Take a walk along the Milford Track to reach this gorgeous three-tiered waterfall which features a vertical 580 metre long fall. Hiking, trekking, and kayaking are a few popular activities you can enjoy here. Helicopter rides over Sutherland Falls are sure to add a unique experience to your trip to this part of South Island.

Huka Falls

Rolling down a height of 11 metres, Huka Falls drop around 220,000 litres of water per second. You can admire the beauty of the falls from walking tracks that are located along the Waikato River. One of the most eminent highlight near the falls is Huka Falls Spa Park Walk, which takes you above the falls. While walking here, you would come across Taupo Bungy site and a natural hot stream. Consider adding Huka Falls River Cruise to your itinerary to admire the falls from a different perspective.

Devils Punchbowl Falls

Another popular waterfall in South Island, Devils Punchbowl Falls is a significant feature of Arthur’s Pass National Park. If you are on a family trip to Southern Alps, this waterfall must be there on your travel plan. You can enjoy a walk to the waterfall from Arthur’s Pass village on a family-friendly track and enjoy sweeping views of Bealey River and other parts of the national park from footbridges located over the river.

Three Popular Annual Food Festivals in New Zealand

New Zealand is well known for its penchant for delicious food and has also been defined as a haven for food buffs.

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With their immense love for lamb and fish and chips to quirky preparations like Huhu Grub and the often debated yet loved Pavlova, the Kiwis sure know how to celebrate food and whatever comes along with it. If you happen to be in New Zealand, do buy tickets for these popular food festivals.

Auckland Seafood Festival (February)

The Auckland Seafood Festival commenced about eight years ago to celebrate New Zealand Seafood and Auckland Anniversary weekend. Apart from the delicious seafood, the festival also has a noble cause as the proceeds are given to charity. Over time, the festival has grown considerably due to the help of various stallholders and sponsors. This three-day festival of New Zealand seafood also includes live cooking demonstrations, musical acts and various contests. It is set on Wynyard Quarter, Halsey Wharf, and an operational port, which marks the centre of the fishing industry in Auckland.

Cheesefest

If you are a cheese lover and happen to be holidaying in Auckland, Cheesefest is just your thing. The festival provides the ultimate experience for the cheese-lovers and gives you an opportunity to meet some of the most popular faces in the cheese industry from across the globe. You can visit the different stalls and sample cheese from some of the best local cheese-makers.

Wildfoods Festival

The Annual Wildfoods Festival is one of the most popular food festivals in the whole of New Zealand. It includes various traditional varieties, including Maori Hangi, which is the traditional Maori way of preparing food. The method has been in use since more than 2000 years. The food also includes some dishes which an outsider might find quirky. One example is Huhu Grub, which is prepared from the larvae of the Huhu beetle.

Splore 2016 – A Colourful Music and Arts Festival at Tapapakanga Regional Park, New Zealand

New Zealand’s Splore is a wonderful summer festival which celebrates the art and music of the country. It is held annually at the Tapapakanga Regional Park, an attractive coastal farm park located at a short drive from Auckland.

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Splore 2016, scheduled from 19th to 21st February, promises a lot of fun and many great performances from top artists. Find out more details about the Splore 2016!

Performances

Artists from all across the globe will be here in New Zealand to perform at Tapapakanga Regional Park. The party will start early in the morning on the 19th of February. There will powerful rock performances as well as terrific acts by  international DJs. Joe Revell, Tommy Flowers, DJ Takas, Tkay Maidza and Ragga Twins are some of the famous artists and bands that are scheduled to perform this time around at Splore.

Camping

Free camping is available on first come first serve basis. Or, you can choose to book your spot at the reserved site for camping and RVs. Special camping facilities are available for families at Family Camping area and Family Vans area. There is also an option for glamping (glamorous camping) for the ones who want to do it in style.

Rumpus Room

Rumpus Room makes Splore an ideal event for families. A range of activities for both kids and adults are organised here, promising them a fun-filled experience. Kid-centric activities such as giant bubbles, sand sculptures, and DanceArama are big hits at the festival. One can learn hula hoop, circus tricks, and juggling at Circus Skills & Unicycle Workshop.

Tickets

Tickets for Splore 2016 are available online. On arrival, you will get your all-purpose wristband which is needed to buy drinks, food as well as the tremendous merchandise. Also, the wristband provides free access to the unreserved campsite.