The Catlins is one of the most beautiful areas in South Island, New Zealand. Visit this remote part of the country to explore the rugged natural beauty, rich wildlife and captivating culture of the region. A holiday here is your chance to participate in various outdoor activities, check out interesting collections at small museums and dine in style at sophisticated restaurants. Let’s check out some of the finest attractions at the Catlins.

Nugget Point by Russellstreet CC BY

Nugget Point

One of the oldest lighthouses in New Zealand can be found at Nugget Point. This is probably the best place to admire the dazzling views of The Nuggets, wave-ordered rocks that look like gold nuggets. It is also famous for its fur seal colony. Visit Roaring Bay, located just a walk away from the Nugget Point to take a look at the cute, yellow-eyed penguins.

Curio Bay

Curio Bay is popular for its fossil forest, wildlife as well as its gorgeous waters. According to experts, the fossils here belong to the Jurassic era. Visitors can often spot yellow-eyed penguins at this bay. Enjoy a leisure walk to reach Porpoise Bay which is home to Hector’s dolphins, a species which is found only in New Zealand.

Cathedral Caves

This is probably the most prominent coastal attraction in the Catlins. These majestic 30-metre high caves are accessible only during the low tide and that’s why it is always recommended to check the official website before planning a day out here. The entrance is located on a private beach, and you need to pay nominal entry fee.

Purakaunui Falls

These falls are among the most popular waterfalls in New Zealand and are probably the most photographed attraction in the Catlins. It is located in the Catlins Forest Park. From the top viewing platform, you can admire the stunning beauty of three-tiered Purakaunui Falls. Purakaunui Beach is located in close proximity to the falls.

Owaka Museum

Owaka Museum and the Catlins Information Centre are located in the same premises. Visit the information centre to know about the landscape and the wildlife of the Catlins. Spend some time at the Owaka Museum to explore interesting exhibits that represent various aspects of the Catlins and New Zealand. The museum also hosts a range of research and educational programmes.

December is a time, when the people of New Zealand spend nice sunny days at the beach and enjoy some of the most happening events in the country.

If you are in New Zealand in December, you wouldn’t want to miss some of these events.  Have a look at our pick of top 3 events in December.

An Evening with Oprah

If you are a fan of Oprah and would be in Auckland in December, you are in luck, as Oprah will be coming to Auckland with “An Evening With Oprah” where she would bring her own story and understandings of life on Wednesday, 16th December.  Through television and other mediums, Oprah, for the past 25 years, has created an extremely powerful connection with people throughout the globe. She is the CEO and the chairman of OWN and along with her humanitarian work, she is also continuing to produce and act in award winning feature films.  You can book the tickets online. Visa cardholders get the special privilege of jumping the queue.

Ed Sheeran

Starting on 28th November in Brisbane, and touring through venues like Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland and Perth, throughout December, the Grammy nominated British talent Ed Sheeran is going to be the first musician to have ever performed a New Zealand and Australian tour solo. All the sounds on the stage, during the performance, will be produced by his guitar, voice and loop pedals. This tour celebrates his sophomore album x. Ed Sheeran, with his innovative music techniques promises to make you sway and tap your feet in sync and sing along with the British star.  The tickets are available online and can be booked in advance.

Fleetwood Mac

After the Unleashed Tour at 2009, which was a big success and a sold out event, Fleetwood Mac is bringing On With The Show Tour to Mt Smart Stadium. This is the first time since 1998 that Fleetwood Mac, one of the most loved groups of all time, will be touring as a five-piece band. All of the 5 original members in the band will be together as Christine McVie is reuniting with Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, John McVie and Lindsey Buckingham after 16 years. The tour will witness Fleetwood Mac performing hits and classics from their career such as “Dreams”, “The Chain”, “Go Your Own Way” “Don’t Stop” and many more songs, which have inspired and entertained 4 decades of followers.

The month of September marks the onset of spring in New Zealand and an array of colourful events and festivals are celebrated to welcome the season.

In fact, there are events and festivals for various tastes and interests. For instance, there are events for food and wine lovers, art enthusiasts as well as music freaks. The Kiwi nation hosts several events and festivals in the month of October as well. Let’s check out some of the most popular events during these two months.

Alexandra Blossom Festival

This more than half a century old festival features a variety of events such as The News Mardi Gras, Round the Clock Race and Princesses. But the main highlight is Contact Saturday in the Park. This family friendly event is scheduled for 26th September, 2015 at Pioneer Park where you will find two stages; one for kids and another for music concerts. Kids can enjoy the performances of jugglers and clowns. If you are a souvenir hunter, look forward to great moments at the craft markets.

Kaikoura Seafest

The town of Kaikoura becomes a hot destination among seafood lovers during Kaikoura Seafest, a popular annual event which was started in 1995. This food festival is held on the first Saturday of October and this year round, 03rd October will be the day to gorge on seafood and enjoy live shows. All through the day, you can enjoy action-packed performances by artists and bands like The New Entrants, Steve McDonald and Ricochet.

Bay of Islands Food and Wine Festival

If you are fond of food, wine, dance, music and also love to interact with the locals, this festival must be a part of your wish list. It is scheduled to be held on 24th October at Paihia Village Green.  A number of exciting activities and lots of good food and booze at the event will lure people of all ages. You can savour delicious food and vintage wines while enjoying live performances by popular Kiwi artists. Kids have a range of entertainment options such as face painting and magic shows to look forward to at the Children’s Area. Competitions like Oyster Shucking and Eating, Kina Sucking and Pie Eating add another exciting dimension to the Bay of Islands Food and Wine Festival.

New Zealand is home to many national parks but Tongariro National Park is somewhat special as it features a dual world heritage area. It is also the oldest national park in the Kiwi nation and is home to the most popular hiking sites in the country. Let’s check out what entices travellers to this national park.

Volcanic Mountains

Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro are three volcanic mountains in this national park.

Mt Ruapehu: If you are a ski lover, you will end up spending most of your time at Whakapapaa and Turao, the largest ski fields in New Zealand. The Sacred Crater Lake is surrounded by snow and ice; there are only three such lakes in the world.

Mt Ngauruhoe: This is the most active volcano in New Zealand and the youngest among the three volcanic mountains in the national park. Hikers often climb the mountain from the western side but if you are looking for a challenging trek, try from the northern side.

Mt Tongariro: The most notable aspect of this mountain is Tongariro Alpine Crossing tracks that allure numerous hikers and trekkers all through the year.

Ohakune

Besides being the Carrot Capital of New Zealand, Ohakune also serves as an important base for adventure activities in Tongariro National Park. Summer is the best time to visit this town as you can be a part of various activities such as white water rafting, 4WD driving, mountain biking, canoeing and of course, hiking. Ohakune also hosts popular events such as Annual Carrot Carnival and Mardi Gras.

Whakapapa Village Area

This area is located at the base of Mt Ruapehu and serves as the main entrance to the Tongariro National Park. From here you can capture the captivating views of the volcanic mountains. It also has a variety of tracks for hiking and trekking. These tracks are suitable for people with different skill levels. The range of service here includes a visitor centre, bars, cafés and restaurants.

Tongariro National Park is one of the few places that have dual World Heritage Site status. UNESCO considered Maori’s fascinating cultural and spiritual elements as well as the region’s breathtaking volcanic features equally worthy of the title. The park has some of the most contrasting and dramatic landscapes across New Zealand.

Highlights of the Park

Tongariro’s prime attractions can be classified under three categories – the spectacular volcanoes, incredible flora and fauna, and the fascinating history and culture.

Tongariro National Park by Jason Pratt/ CC BY

The park has three andesitic volcanoes named as Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. If you have a love for skiing, you must visit Mt Ruapehu. Boasting two of the largest ski fields in New Zealand, Mt Ruapehu offers gorgeous views. Mt Tongariro is famous for the iconic Tongariro Alpine Crossing tracks. Mt. Ngauruhoe is the youngest and the most active volcano amongst the three.

When it comes to flora and fauna, there is a bewildering variety to see. Endangered birds like Whio, alpine plants, mountain beech forests and a wide variety of flowers are to be found at the park. Some of flowers that you may look forward to are sundews, orchids, and mistletoes to name just a few.

Maori culture and the history of the park is another draw among the holidaymakers. It is said that the Maoris gifted Tongariro National Park to the country. Visitors can explore the fascinating Maori way of life by visiting their villages and sampling tantalising tribal cuisines.

Important things to know

• Before you book tickets, check the latest weather alerts.
• Tongariro National Park is a place of both natural and cultural importance. Plan your trip in the most eco-friendly way possible.
• Being a mountain area, avalanches are not uncommon here. Though not frequent, Avalanches may occur during any season.
• Wildfires can have devastating effects. Call 111 if you see a wildfire.

New Zealand currently has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and all of them draw hordes of visitors. It’s tough to rank them in terms of popularity or priority. So, we have simply tried to describe these sites here and leave it to the readers to pick their favourites.

Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand

Fiordland National Park by Vašek Vinklát/ CC BY

Te Wahipounamu is a treasure trove of dramatic landscapes, shaped by fjords, rugged coasts, gorgeous lakes, and stunning waterfalls. Stretched across 2.6 million hectares, the world heritage area includes Fiordland National Park, Westland Tai Poutini, Mount Aspiring, and Aoraki/Mount Cook. The ice carved fjords, lakes, and valleys here are among the finest of landforms in the Southern Hemisphere. Besides these, the area boasts incredible flora and fauna that includes rare plants and animals. For example, the kea, which is the only alpine parrot specie in the world, is found here.

Tongariro National Park

Tongariro National Park by katarina_dzurekova/ CC BY

From overwhelming herb fields to serene lakes to extinct volcanoes, Tongariro National Park features a diverse range of ecosystems that are unique to this place. The park is home to the three mountains – Ruapehu, the largest mountain in the North Island; Ngauruhoe, the youngest volcano; and Tongariro, a place of dramatic landscapes developed over the last 300,000 years. Maori people symbolize these mountains as spiritual links between their community and environment.

New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands

Comprising five southernmost island groups (the Snares, Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island), New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands are admired for the huge number and diversity of pelagic seabirds and of course, the penguins. The islands feature an incredible biodiversity that attracts a large number of nature lovers from all around the world. Over 125 bird species that include 40 seabirds inhabit these islands. Among them, there are eight species of seabirds that breed nowhere else in the world. The islands are also a breeding hub for more than 95% of the total population of New Zealand’s sea lions.

Gone are the days of Hawke’s Bay being passed off as just another colonial province; the destination has now become one of the most sought after weekend getaways in New Zealand. While the award-winning wineries here are the show stoppers now, other attractions such as picturesque beaches, fabulous art deco architecture, and discerning culinary culture offer loads of delightful distractions. Located on the East Coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Hawke’s Bay welcomes you with a fascinating blend of nature, history, and culture. Here is a quick guide on some must-do activities in the region.

Hawke’s Bay by itravelNZ®/ CC BY

Explore Art Deco Napier

No visit to Hawke’s Bay is complete without admiring Napier’s exquisite art deco architecture. So striking is the design and look of the city’s buildings that even the ones who have no inertest in architecture are impressed. Head to the Art Deco Centre to see some of these spectacular buildings! The architectural marvels found in the CBD and around Marine Parade are also worth exploring.

Biking Tour to the Nearby Vineyards

Wine enthusiasts would be glad to know that the Hawke’s Bay is home to over 70 vineyards, many of which are nationally acclaimed. Rent a bike and paddle your way to some of these award-winning wineries. Mission Estate is one of the local favourites and also among the oldest wineries in New Zealand. Apart from their excellent wines and overall hospitality, you will be awed by the gorgeous views en route. The Gimblett Gravels and the Ngatarawa Triangle, two neighbouring wine regions, are other favourite biking destinations.

Beach Hopping

The coastal beauty of Hawke’s Bay is rare and timeless. The 360 km long coastline here boasts a variety of beaches that appeal to one and all. Some are serene and secluded, while others are crowded with locals and tourists. Waimarama Beach is a popular coastal resort, famous for its gorgeous beauty. Waipatiki Beach is another picturesque venue that attracts tourists with its lively settlement of native bush and a vast stretch of soft sands. Ocean Beach is relatively less developed and is popular among surfing enthusiasts as well as couples.

Drink and Dine to Your heart’s Content

Hawke’s Bay’s dining and clubbing scene is also impressive. Head to the West Quay, and you’ll be baffled with the choice of swanky bars, clubs, and restaurants, serving excellent local fare along with a wide selection of wines. Napier is also considered a party town, with its eclectic array of dining and drinking avenues. Some popular places to quench your thirst here are the Gintrap, Thirsty Whale, and Emporium.