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September 2014 Issue 745

IN W IGHTS TO

FL MACKAY WITH TIGERAIR!

“F***K WHAT THE INDUSTRY THINKS” Tina Arena is back, and she’s not a pop princess anymore

TOP 10 TRAIN JOURNEYS Why fly when you can watch the world go by?

E R I P M E T A C E TH

r. Hoorah! u to e id w n o ti ack with a na b re a d n a b l a vourite festiv Australia’s fa + TOP 5 AUSSIE LANDMARKS HOP TO HOBART CHRISTCHURCH RISES SOUTH AFRICA BEACHES

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- SCORE YOURSELF -

$50 OFF YOUR TRIP AT STA TRAVEL Book in store today or phone 134 782

Terms and conditions apply. Valid on all new confirmed bookings made in conjunction with a minimum of $500 worth of accommodation, touring and/or travel insurance. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Not redeemable for cash. Non refundable if part used. Offer expires 30 December 2014.

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EDITORIAL Editor Caroline Garnar caroline.garnar@tntmagazine.com Online Ian Armitage ian.armitage@tntmagazine.com Contributors Michael Gadd, Alex Harmon, Rory Platt, Francesca Baker, Lisa Young, Kristen Batey, Vicky Anscombe, James Ferron.

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Design and production manager Lisa Ferron

FROM THE EDITOR

SALES Sales manager Jaqui Ward jaqui.ward@tntmagazine.com STARTRACK MEDIA LTD CEO Kevin Ellis Chairman Ken Hurst PUBLISHER Startrack Media Ltd PRINTED BY Rural Press PICTURES Getty Images | Thinkstock | TNT Images | Tourism New Zealand | Tourism Fiji TNT Magazine online tntdownunder.com

WHERE TO GET TNT

SEE tntdownunder.com/magazine-location.html for pick-up points

Spring is here! Woop! And what better way to celebrate than a good-old dance?

Luckily, that’s just what our cover stars The Cat Empire are after. “Our fans have that dancing spirit,” frontman Felix tells TNT as he readies himself for a nationwide tour of Australia (p24). Indeed, we’ll certainly be rocking out in the front row.

And how about a bit of a sing-song? No one can deny the guilty pleasure of belting out Tina Arena’s hit ‘Chains’ back in 1994 (yep, 20 years ago, can you bloody believe it?), and now she’s back with more tunes for us to croon to with a nationwide tour of her latest album, RELOAD. Arena takes pride in the honesty of her lyrics, and we can certainly say she speaks the truth in her interviews. Turn to page 18 for the songstress’s views on why Celine Dion hasn’t moved on musically and what she thinks of Miley Cyrus’s ‘gyrating’.

Elsewhere, we look to explore this fine part of the world by checking out the top 10 train journeys across Australia and New Zealand (although we do sneak the Trans-Siberian in there too, p52). It’s great for seeing as much of these countries as you can, but without spending too much time or money on it – like travel’s answer to window shopping. We’ll be sure, however, to at least stop off at the top five landmarks across Australia listed on page 42.

If you’re a Brit in New Zealand there are few places that feel more like home than Christchurch. With a punt down the River Avon, quacking ducks and buildings that looked plucked from Oxford’s college campus, it offers familiarity, while at the same time lots of exciting and innovative pop-ups, which have resulted from the city’s literal collapse three years ago when it was hit by a six-pointer earthquake (p74).

In Australia, be sure to explore Adelaide, hailed as one of this year’s ‘must-visit’ cities, and Hobart in Tasmania, one of the ‘Top 10 cities in the world’, no less (p46).

See you in the front row,

caroline.garnar@tntmagazine.com

TNT Magazine is printed on paper from sustainable forests.

There is no business connection between the proprietors of this magazine and TNT Ltd, the worldwide transportation group.

TNT Magazine does not assume responsibility for unsolicited submissions – material is sent at the owner’s risk. TNT Magazine accepts advertising material and other contributions in good faith, and takes no responsibility for claims, errors or omissions. Copyright here and abroad of all original materials is held by TNT Magazine.

Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden, except with permission of the publishers.

Joel Edgerton

Awesome Auckland

Underwater jobs

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THIS MONTH DIARY 6 FOOD 10 DRINK 11 GIGS 12 PUBS

14

TINA ARENA

18

CHATROOM

22

THE CAT EMPIRE

24

18

SPORT ROUND-UP 28 RUGBY WORLD CUP 30 TRAVEL

42

TRAVEL DIARY 34

ON THE COVER

HOTSHOTS

36

TRAVEL REVIEW

38

‘I DON’T GIVE A FUCK WHAT THE INDUSTRY THINKS’ 18

TOP 5: OZ LANDMARKS 42

Tina Arena is no longer a pop princess

OZ: HOBART & ADELAIDE

46

TOP 10: TRAIN JOURNEYS 52 NZ: CHRISTCHURCH

74

BIG TRIP: SAFFA BEACHES 90

THE CAT EMPIRE

24

Australia’s fave festival band is back

TOP 5 OZ LANDMARKS

42

22

From Uluru to Sydney Bridge

HOP TO HOBART

46

Tasmania’s capital + Adelaide

TOP 10 TRAIN JOURNEYS 52 AUSTRALIA LISTINGS

58

NEW ZEALAND LISTINGS

78

CAREERS 96 DESPERATELY SEEKING 4

98

Why fly? Watch the world go by

CHRISTCHURCH RISES

74

The city is rebuilding after the ’quake

SOUTH AFRICA BEACHES 90 Sharks, surf, whales and penguins

46

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Time for Taiwan

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OZDIARY

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OUR TOP PICKS SYDNEY FRINGE Sep 1-30 Sydney, NSW Now into its fourth year, the Sydney Fringe Festival is one for those who aren’t afraid to get a little bit weird. With an impressively massive line-up boasting some top Australian and international stand-up comedians, visual artists, cabaret singers and much, much more. $15+

Times vary Various, Sydney sydneyfringe.com

AFL FINALS SERIES Sep 5-27 Nationwide The spectacular crescendo of 23 weeks of fantastic competition in the AFL, eight teams will qualify for the finals series. AFL is a truly unique Australian experience and you should try to catch a live game. $25+

Times vary Nationwide afl.com.au

MUST DO BIFFY CLYRO TOUR Sep 4-12 Nationwide Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro are big fans of TNT as we are of there’s – you might remember we interviewed bassist James Johnston a couple of months back? Anyways, we loved them at Soundwave and now they’re coming back, as promised, with a national headline tour. We’ll see you there, yeah? $70

Times vary

Scot on the rocks anyone?

biffyclyro.com

SHINJU MATSURI FESTIVAL

BRISBANE FESTIVAL

FLORIADE FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL OF THE WINDS

Sep 5-14 Broome, WA

Sep 6-27 Brisbane, QLD

Sep 13-Oct 12 Cbr, ACT

Sep 14 Sydney, NSW

Nowhere else in the world can you visit an Australian festival, with a Japanese name, where a traditional Chinese dragon is the centre-piece. It’ll tempt your senses with an exciting whirlwind of colour, sound, taste and smell.

On the festival’s opening night Brisbane literally lights up to celebrate the coming exciting programme: more than 83 free and paid events full of music, theatre, dance, comedy, cabaret, opera, circus and more.

Floriade showcases one million flowers in bloom and is Australia’s biggest celebration of spring. It includes Nightfest (Sep 24-28), which will welcome 400,000 visitors and features live music, comedy and night markets.

Fighter kites, cartoon characters and giant animals will be just some of the crazy creations to enjoy on the beautiful Bondi Beach. This promises to be one of the most colourful festivals on Sydney’s spring calendar. Let’s go fly a kite!

Times vary Various, Broome shinjumatsuri.com.au

Times vary Various, Brisbane brisbanefestival.com.au

Times vary Commonwealth Park, Canberra floriadeaustralia.com/nightfest

11am-4pm Bondi Park, Bondi Beach waverley.nsw.gov.au

FREE

6

Nationwide

VAR

FREE

FREE

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MELBOURNE FRINGE FESTIVAL Sep 17-Oct 5 Melbourne, VIC Every September the Melbourne Fringe rolls into town featuring the next big things in art, comedy, theatre, film, dance... in fact every kind of performance you can think of. You’ll never have a boring night.

VAR

Times vary Various, Melbourne melbournefringe.com. au

PERTH FASHION WEEK Sep 17-22 Perth, WA

Sep 25-Oct 12 Melb, VIC

Fashionistas rejoice for this celebration of Western Australian fashion designers and national and international talent. High fashion events at a range of unique venues, and the line-up keeps getting better.

For the first time ever, Rolling Stone magazine will bring its own pop-up venue, the Rolling Stone Live Lodge, to Fitzroy’s iconic Workers Club. Three entertainment-packed weeks. Have a drink and watch some bands. Score!

VAR

Photos: Getty & Melbourne Fringe Festival

ROLLING STONE LIVE LODGE

Times vary Various Perth telstraperthfashionfestival. com.au

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VAR

Times vary 51 Brunswick St, Fitzroy rollingstoneaus.com/live-lodge

2/09/2014 7:33 pm

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Yeezus wept, Kanye is in town...

A couple of Bogans playing with their balls

Get swinging with Robbie Williams

NORTH

WEST

SOUTH

ALICE DESERT FESTIVAL SEP 10-14 / VAR TIMES / FREE+ The stories, songs and the unique lifestyle of Central Australia’s arid region. Don’t miss the parade on September 10!

ROBBIE WILLIAMS THE SWING TOUR SEP 11 & 12 / 7.30PM / $109+ Robbie Williams Swings Both Ways? Well, we had our suspicions (jokes).

OZASIA FESTIVAL SEP 3-20 / VAR TIMES / $VAR Celebrate the many cultures of Asia.

Various, Alice Alice Springs

Perth Arena 700 Wellington Street Perth

alicedesertfestival.com.au

DARWIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL SEP 17-24 / 6.30PM / $TBC Showcasing an amazing selection of Australian and international films.

Darwin Deckchair Cinema

RED CENTRE BIRD FESTIVAL SEP 28-OCT 5 / FREE+ Your chance to get to know the Northern Territory’s plumed inhabitants better.

Alice Springs Desert Park

8

Adelaide

adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/

ozasia-festival

premier.ticketek.com.au

BOGAN BINGO SEP 12 / TBC / $30+ Half game show. Half party. A whole lot of ridiculous fun.

Currambine Community Centre Perth

boganbingo.com

Various, Darwin darwinfilmfest.com.au

Adelaide Festival Centre

ROYAL ADELAIDE SHOW SEP 5-14 / $20 The Royal Adelaide Show is action-packed with carnival rides, attractions, handicraft, produce, cookery and more. Celebrations go off with a bang thanks to a nightly fireworks display.

Adelaide Showgrounds Adelaide

ROTTNEST ISLAND CARNIVALE SEP 28 / TIMES VARY / $25 Rottnest Carnivale is a special open day showcasing Rottnest Island to start the holiday season with a big bang. Includes free trials of island activities, tours and more (we’re looking forward to the mermaids...).

Alice Springs

Rottnest Island

alicespringsdesertpark.com.au

rottnestisland.com/carnivale

theshow.com.au

KANYE WEST SEPT 7 / 7PM / $99 He’s just got married and celebrated his daughter’s 1st birthday. In September he’s heading Down Under. He might be a prat but he makes good music. Tickets will sell fast.

Adelaide Entertainment Centre Adelaide

livenation.com.au

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NEW ZEALAND

SYDNEY UNDERGROUND FILM FEST SEP 4-7 / $14+ Love film? Then you’ll love the Sydney Undergroud Film Festival. It’s a diverse range of indie, experimental, unique, artistic, boundarypushing and mind-bending films as well as special events, live guests and Q&As – oh, and awesome opening and closing parties.

THE ILLUSIONISTS 2.0 SEP 2-13 / VARIOUS TIMES / $69+ Labelled ‘the next generation of magic’ this is a follow up to the huge hit that was the Illusionists (the clue’s in the name). Exciting!

WATCH THIS

The Civic Cnr Queen & Wellesley Streets, Auckland eventfinder.co.nz

The Factory Theatre 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204 suff.com.au

BIRDSVILLE RACES SEP 5-6 / VAR TIMES / $20-25 Dust off the frock, shake out the tux and don your betting hat for this weekend of drinking, punting and bootscooting.

THE ROOM SEP 5 / 8.30PM / $14 Okay so, if you like films that are so bad that they’re actually good then you need to see this.

It’s the KING. A cult classic. So bad.

Crystal Palace Theatre Auckland crystalpalace.co.nz

Birdsville Regional Queensland birdsvilleraces.com

BONDI WINTER MAGIC ENDS OCT 31 / VARIOUS Bondi isn’t all about the beach y’know. In winter you will find art, music and even an ice rink.

THE NORTH FACE FREESKI OPEN ENDS SEP 8 / 10AM-7.30PM / $40 The ninth edition of this world-class event, an important one for the freeski community.

Westpac Stadium 15 Main North Road, Christchurch nzfreeskiopen.com

Bondi Beach Sydney, NSW bondiwintermagic.org.au

MILDURA COUNTRY MUSIC FEST SEP 26-OCT 5 / VAR TIMES / $33 This 10-day festival is Australia’s biggest showcase of independent country music artists.

ALL BLACKS V SOUTH AFRICA SEP 13 / 7PM-9PM / $35+ The All Blacks take on South Africa for what promises to be an entertaining game of rugby.

Part of the 2014 Investec Rugby Championship.

Westpac Stadium Wellington

allblacks.com

Around Mildura Mildura

milduracountrymusic.com.au

ALT-J OCT 6-7 / 7.30PM / $85 The return of acclaimed UK trio Alt-J, performing two special headline shows in Melbourne and Sydney this October.

Forum Theatre/Enmore Theatre

ATOMIC PRESENTS: ILLUMINATE PAINT PARTY SEP 26 / 6PM / FROM $34.90 Bigger and better than ever... more paint and more action.

Hawke’s Bay A & P Showgrounds Hastings facebook.com/paintparty

Melbourne/Sydney

Photos: Getty & Facebook

frontiertouring.com/altj

BUSHIDO: WAY OF THE SAMURAI UNTIL NOV 4 / 10AM-5PM / FREE We’re absolutely fascinated by Japanese culture; if you are too this is the event for you. Learn about the Samurai and Bushido, their strict code of conduct which honoured virtues of honesty, courage, benevolence, respect, self-sacrifice, self-control, duty and loyalty.

NGV International St Kilda

ngv.vic.gov.au

ROSEBANK OKTOBERFEST OCT 3-5 / VAR TIMES / $10 Like in Bavaria, all the rooms will be decked out in true Oktoberfest/German style to create an atmosphere similar to the big tents in Munich, just on a smaller scale. There will be an oom-pah band, delicious German food, and waitresses (and waiters) wearing traditional Dirndls too... grab your lederhosen and go!

Rosebank Estate 180 Johns Rd, Northwood, Chirstchurch

THE INBETWEENERS 2: SOZ, OZ The verdict is pretty unanimous: The Interbetweeners 2 is actually better than the first installment; that is if you like jokes about dicks, being grossed out or jokes that’ll offend most ‘grown ups’ (like a koala bear being punched in the face or a dolphin being given CPR after choking on a burger).

In truth, though, most of us can relate to these lads. We either were them once upon a time, or knew a bunch very much like them, which is what makes it so brilliant. Even better, we can relate to Inbetweeners 2 as this time the British foursome head to Australia.

Backpackers will love it and the opening dream sequence involving Jay is a brilliantly executed moment of Australian cliche mockery.

This is a quick, breezy comedy which will make you laugh and it won’t disappoint long-time devotees of the series. If you are yet to see it, get a move on.

It’s only in cinemas for a couple more weeks.

rosebank.co

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WINE NOT? Take a tour of Queensland’s vineyards

GOLDEN DROP WINERIES This is the world’s first commercial mango winery. Near Mareeba in north Queensland, this is worth a visit as the process of making wine from mangoes is vastly different to grape wines. Guests can visit the winery to try a range of mango still and sparkling wines produced from the sweet Kensington red mango. goldendrop.com.au

Meatball joint, Sydney

SHANNONVALE

If the abundance of Brooklyn-style bars and the introduction of the word ‘amazeballs’ into the dictionary haven’t made you lose faith in humanity, then you’ll probably enjoy Sydney’s newest craze – the meatball. You’ll find the Original Meatball Co hidden in an arcade on York Street (or by searching for #amazeballs on Instagram); and you might be pleasantly surprised at how versatile the humble meatball can be. As long as you’re not put off by the ‘eat balls’ signage on the walls.

THE GRUB This little joint serves up a tasty chipotle chick ($12.90) – chicken meatballs with chipotle mayo, caramelised onions, mushrooms and Swiss cheese.

Even the more standard Yankee ($11.90) is literally oozing with saucy flavour, with its beef balls served on a soft brioche. You can also get salads such as The Captain ($11.90), which is loaded with barra belly fish balls, tartare and gherkins.

Its Poutine ($7.90) isn’t very Canadian, but it is very good, with ragu and Parmesan cream sauce.

BEHIND THE BAR At the moment it is unlicensed but there are plans for a ‘beers and balls’ menu soon. Right now you can get some pretty amazeballs shakes: choose your cookie and then your ice-cream, and they’ll blend it into a shake.

My pick is the salted caramel ice-cream with dark chocolate chip cookies.

BILL PLEASE It can be as cheap or as expensive as you want, it depends on how hard you want to roll with your sizes. Or you can always become a ‘loyal baller’ for life-long discounts.

VERDICT The restaurant may be very ‘in the gutter’ but the quality is definite top shelf. A little piece of New York City goodness wrapped in a bun. Alex Harmon THE SCENE

Wine can be made from just about any fruit that can be fermented. At Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery near Port Douglas, they transform passionfruit, mango, lime, orange, grapefruit and even ginger into a range of fresh, fruity wines and ports. Sweet. shannonvalewine.com.au

SIRROMET WINES

Photos: Thinkstock and spplied

ORIGINAL MEATBALL CO

Queensland’s largest and most awarded winery became the first in Australia to release a wine in an environmentally friendly PET plastic bottle. Even the labels and cartons of the wine are made from 100% recycled materials. Situated a short drive from Brisbane, Sirromet combines a vineyard, winery, cellar and restaurant. sirromet.com For more see restaurant.australia.com

Shop 3, 56 York Street, Sydney

originalmeatballcompany.com.au

THE GERMAN CLUB TIVOLI CLUB

I TIVOL

welcomes all visitors

GERMAN & AUSTRALIAN BEERS. German meals served for lunch & dinner.

OPEN 7 DAYS.

(03) 9529 5211. 291 DANDENONG ROAD,WINDSOR, 3181.

E-mail admin@germanclubtivoli.com.au wwwfacebook/germanclubtivoli 10

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TAPS Bar, Sunshine Coast

Taps hurls a totally unique pub theme onto the table, the likes of which have never been seen in Australia before (a fortunate byproduct of ambitious Aussies travelling abroad). You’ll notice the difference as you step into the bar and eye up a favourable table: each one has a set of taps built into it. It’s a friendly bar and growing in popularity among locals thanks to attentive and chatty bartenders with a good memory for names. There are also plenty of games to liven up your drinking sessions.

BEHIND THE BAR Depending on where you plant yourself you’ll have a selection of different beers pumped ice-cold through to your table. They have a good nose for craft beers, so don’t be boring. Head to the bar (the main one that is) to add credit to an ‘iButton’ device and use it to activate your taps. From there you pull the drink of choice yourself – charged per ml so you don’t even need to fill up if you’re a bit of a drink nurser.

THE GRUB Taps has put a spin on Australian pub fare and refuses to be boring. We’d recommend the wangus burger (wagyu and black angus blend) with chunky chips ($12), the sloppy José ($14) or the posh panini ($18). The chef designed the menu with local produce in mind, so dig in!

BILL PLEASE You’ll pay a little more than other places – beers are about $7.50 a schooner. Learn to pour a pint properly and keep the head to a minimum to get the best value.

VERDICT A quirky bar with mass appeal. With any luck it’s the start of a new wave of interesting pubs. Rory Platt THE SCENE

Cnr The Esplanade, Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba QLD

3 OF THE BEST SYDNEY FOOD TRUCKS

tapsaustralia.com.au

EAT ART TRUCK

VEGGIE PATCH

CANTINA MOBIL

Providing delicious street food and promoting street art – that’s the philosophy behind the Eat Art Truck.

The menu is American BBQ with a Japanese influence – slow-cooked meats and sweet and sour flavours – while the black truck gets a street art style makeover every month. @EatArtTruck

Sydney’s chief vegetarian and vegan food truck serves up an awesome plump and filling zucchini burger; plus its sweet potato fries are a less guilty way of getting your chip fix. Even if you’re a confirmed carnivore, this cute shed-style van is worth a punt for something new.

We all know that the best Mexican food is its street food, and these guys have taken this quite literally as they whizz around the streets of Sydney in their bright orange van. The soft shell tacos are fab filled with chipotle beef, chicken or pinto beans and smothered in sauce. @Cantina_Mobil

@Veggiepatchvan

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Photo: Getty

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE Nationwide & NZ, September 18-October 15 Hot on the heels of the release of his two 20/20 Experience albums, Justin Timberlake will hit Australian shores during September and October, hitting Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth before headings across the Tasman to New Zealand. justintimberlake.com/events

THU SEP 4 Bob Dylan $99 State Theatre, Sydney ticketmaster.com.au Biffy Clyro $67.60 Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane biffyclyro.com

FRI SEP 5 Bob Dylan $99 State Theatre, Sydney ticketmaster.com.au Kanye West $104+ Perth Arena, Perth premier.ticketek.com.au Biffy Clyro $68.70 Enmore Theatre, Sydney biffyclyro.com

SAT SEP 6 TLC & Beyce Avenue $150+ Enmore Theatre, Sydney viagogo.com Tina Arena $108+ Llewellyn Hall, Canberra premier.ticketek.com.au

SUN SEP 7 Bob Dylan $99 Opera House, Sydney sydneyoperahousecom

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Biffy Clyro $67.22 Palais Theatre, Melbourne biffyclyro.com Tina Arena $83+ Civi Theatre, Newcastle premier.ticketek.com.au Kanye West $101+ Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide premier.ticketek.com.au

MON SEP 8 Bob Dylan $99 Opera House, Sydney sydneyoperahousecom

TUE SEP 9 Biffy Clyro $70 HQ, Adelaide biffyclyro.com Kanye West $101+ Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne premier.ticketek.com.au

WED SEP 10 Bob Dylan $99 CBS Canterbury Arena, Christchutch ticketek.co.nz Kanye West $101+ Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne premier.ticketek.com.au

THU SEP 11 Tina Arena $83 Star Event Centre, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au

FRI SEP 12

MON SEP 15 Kanye West $101+ Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane premier.ticketek.com.au

WED SEP 17

Joe Bonamassa $99 Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall, Auckland jbonamassa.com

Joe Bonamassa $99 Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide jbonamassa.com

Biffy Clyro $69 Metro City, Perth biffyclyro.com

Tina Arena $107 Palais Theatre, St Kilda ticketmaster.com.au

Tina Arena $83 Star Event Centre, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au Kanye West $100+ Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au

SAT SEP 13 Tina Arena $200 Win Entertainment Centre, Wollongong ticketmaster.com.au Kanye West $100+ Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au

SUN SEP 14 Joe Bonamassa $99 State Theatre, Sydney jbonamassa.com

THU SEP 18 Tina Arena $200 Palais Theatre, St Kilda ticketmaster.com.au Justin Timberlake $100+ Etihad Stadium, Melbourne justintimberlake.com/events

FRI SEP 19 Justin Timberlake $100+ Etihad Stadium, Melbourne justintimberlake.com/events Ash Grunwald $29 Collector Hotel, Parramatta tickets.oztix.com.au Miami Horror $25 Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney moshtix.com.aur

Joe Bonamassa $99 Palais Theatre, Melbourne, jbonamassa.com

MON SEP 22 Justin Timberlake $101+ Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide justintimberlake.com/events

TUE SEP 23 Justin Timberlake $101+ Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide justintimberlake.com/events

FRI SEP 26 Justin Timberlake $101+ Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall justintimberlake.com/events

SAT SEP 27 Justin Timberlake $101+ Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall justintimberlake.com/events

WED OCT 1 Justin Timberlake $101+ Allphones Arena, Sydney justintimberlake.com/events

THU OCT 2 Justin Timberlake $101+ Allphones Arena, Sydney justintimberlake.com/events

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OZPUBS SYDNEY Anchor Bar 8 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach anchorbarbondi.com Bar Century 1/640, George St, CBD barcentury.com.au Beach Road Hotel 71 Beach Road, Bondi Beach beachroadbondi.com.au Candy’s Apartment 22 Bayswater Road, Potts Point candys.com.au Coogee Palace Hotel 169 Dolphin St, Coogee beachpalacehotel.com.au DOME Bar 589 Crown Street, Surry Hills domefunctions.com Donny’s Bar 7 Market Ln, Manly donnys.com.au Flinders Hotel 63-65 Flinders St, Surry Hills theflindershotel.com.au Hotel Bondi 178 Campbell Parade, Bondi hotelbondi.com.au Hotel Steyne 75 The Corso, Manly steynehotel.com.au In Situ 1/18 Sydney Rd, Manly insitumanly.com.au Kinselas Hotel 383 Bourke St, Darlinghurst kinselas.com.au Marlborough Hotel 145 King St, Newtown marlboroughhotel.com.au

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Mount Batten Hotel 701 George Street, CBD sydneycityhostels.com.au New Brighton Hotel 71 The Corso, Manly newbrightonhotel.com.au Oxford Art Factory 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst oxfordartfactory.com Ryan’s Paragon Hotel Loftus St, CBD hotelparagon.com.au Scary Canary 469 Kent St, CBD scarycanarybar.com Scubar 4 Rawson Place, CBD scubar.com.au Side Bar 509 Pitt St, CBD wakeup.com.au/sidebar The Beresford 354 Bourke St, Surry Hills merivale.com.au/ theberesfordhotel The Palace Hotel George St, CBD palacehotelsydney.com.au The Vanguard 42 King St, Newtown thevanguard.com.au The White Horse 381 Crown St, Surry Hills thewhitehorsesurryhills.com.au Trinity Bar 505 Crown St, Surry Hills trinitybar.com.au 3 Wise Monkeys 555 George St, CBD 3wisemonkeys.com.au 4 Pines 29/43-45 East Esplanade, Manly 4pinesbeer.com.au

MELBOURNE Asian Beer Cafe Level 3 Melbourne Central, CBD asianbeercafe.com.au Bar Humbug 586 Little Bourke St, CBD barhumbug.com.au Brutale 18 Corrs Lane, CBD brutale.com.au Black Pearl 304 Brunswick St, Fitzroy blackpearlbar.com.au Cherry Bar 103 Flinders Lane, CBD cherrybar.com.au

The Night Owl 35 Elizabeth Street, CBD facebook.com

The Windsor 112 Mill Point Rd, thewindsorsouthperth.com.au

The Night Cat 137-141 Johnston St, Fitzroy thenightcat.com.au

Voodoo Lounge 174 James St, Northbridge thevoodoolounge.com.au

The Penny Black 420 Sydney Road, Brunswick thepennyblack.com.au The Tote 67-71 Johnston Street, Coll. thetotehotel.com Turf Bar 131 Queen St, CBD turfbar.com.au

ADELAIDE

Corner Hotel 57 Swan Street, Richmond cornerhotel.com

The Apple Bar 5-9 Synagogue Pl, CBD theapplebar.com.au

Eden Bar and Nightclub 1/163 Russell Street, CBD edenbar.com.au

Earl of Leicester Hotel 85 Leicester Street, Parkside earl.com.au

Esplanade Hotel 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda espy.com.au

Electric Circus 17 Crippen Place, CBD crippenplace.com

Northcote Social Club 301 High Street, Northcote northcotesocialclub.com

Grace Emily Hotel 232 Waymouth St, CBD yourbars.com.au

Palace Theatre 20-30 Bourke St, CBD palace.com.au

The Promethean 116 Grote St, CBD theprom.com.au

Shamiana 420 Lonsdale St, CBD shamiana.com.au Star Bar 160 Clarendon Street starbarhotel.com.au The Gin Mill 173 High St, Prahran theginmillprahran.com The Hi-Fi 125 Swanston Street, CBD thehifi.com.au

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PERTH The Clink 14-16 South Terrace, Fremantle theclink.com.au

BRISBANE Canvas Club 16b Logan St, Woolloongabba canvasclub.com.au GPO Hotel 740 Anne St, Fortitude Valley gpohotel.com.au Hotel LA 68 Petrie Terrace, CBD hotella.com.au Iceworks 157 Given Terrace, Paddington iceworks.com.au Pig ‘N’ Whistle Riverside 123 Eagle Street, CBD pignwhistle.com.au The Exchange Hotel 131 Edward St, CBD theexchange.com.au The Fringe Bar Cnr Ann St & Constance St, Fortitude Valley fringebar.com.au The Met Nightclub 56a/256 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley themet.com.au

Subiaco Hotel 465 Hay Street, Subiaco subiacohotel.com.au

Toro Bar 416 Milton Rd, Auchenflower facebook.com

The Shed 69-71 Aberdeen St, Northbr. the-shed.com.au

Super Whatnot 48 Burnett Lane superwhatnot.com

WORK IN PROGRESS If you think the CBD is only for suits, the guys at Merivale want you to think again. The company has opened a brand new bar in the heart of the city with the feel of a pop-up and the energy of a low-slung Surry Hills dive bar; Work In Progress is shaking things up in a good way. 50 King St, Sydney merivale.com/wipbar

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Photo: Supplied

COCKTAILS...

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WIN

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HOW TO ENTER

Go to tntmagazine.com/competitions. See webpage for terms and conditions. Winners will be selected at random.

WIN A MEET AND GREET WITH HARDWELL! The world’s #1 DJ, Hardwell, is bringing his epic outdoor shows to Australia this October with mega stage productions, state-of-the-art sound, and energy to burn.

Future Music Group is giving one lucky winner and a friend their chance to meet the man himself! That’s not all, you’ll also score a double pass to the biggest party of the October long weekend!

Get in quick – entries close midnight September 30.

T&Cs: Total prize consists of one meet and greet for one winner and one friend of their choosing in their closest capital city (Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane). Flights and accommodation not included. Competition commences midnight September 1, 2014 and entries close midnight September 30, 2014.

Enter at tntdownunder.com/competitions futuremusicgroup.com.auoffeeshack.co.za/html/learnto-surf

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PREVIOUS TNT WINNERS A PAIR OF TICKETS TO SOLAR FESTIVAL Neil Broomes / IPAD MINI & BEATS HEADPHONES Helen Atkins / THREE-DAY DETOX PROGRAMME WITH SLIMMERIA Kelly-Ann McGuinness IAMHARDWELL NATIONAL PRESS AD 195mm x 270mm + 5mm bleed.indd 1

5/09/2014 12:19:07 PM

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OZPUBS GOLD COAST Benowa Tavern 117 Ashmore Rd, Benowa benowatavern.com.au Blush Nightclub 21 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise blushnightclub.com.au Coolangatta Sands Hotel Griffith St, Coolangatta coolangattasandshotel.com.au Shooters Superclub Shop 46 The Mark, Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise shooterssuperclub.com

CAIRNS Ba8 Lounge Bar Shangri-La Hotel, The Pier at the Marina, Pier Point ba8.com.au

follow us on Vibe Bar and Lounge 39-49 Lake St. CBD vibebarcairns.com pub

HOBART Bar Celona 23 Salamanca Sq, CBD barcelonahobart.com Raincheck Lounge 392-394 Elizabeth St, North Hobart rainchecklounge.com.au Republic Bar & Cafe 299 Elizabeth St, North Hobart republicbar.com Shipwrights Arms 29 Trumpeter St, Battery Point shipwrightarms.com.au The Duke 192 Macquarie Street CBD theduke.com.au

NEWCASTLE

theburwood.com.au Cambridge Hotel 789 Hunter St, CBD yourcambridge.com Cricketers Arms 61 Bruce St, Cooks Hill cricketersarmshotel.com.au Hamilton Hotel 442 Kingsford Smith Dve, Ham hamiltonhotel.com.au Hamilton Station Hotel 2-6 Beaumont St, Islington hamiltonstation.com.au Hotel Delany 134 Darby St, CBD hoteldelany.com Kent Hotel 59-61 Beaumont St, Hamilton thekenthotel.com.au King Street Hotel 15 Steel St, Newcastle West kingstreethotel.com.au

Premier Hotel 1 Brunker Rd, Broadmeadow hotelpremier.com.au Royal Inn Hotel Waratah 61/69 Station St, Waratah truelocal.com.au Silo Restaurant and Lounge 18/1 Honeysuckle Dr, CBD silolounge.com.au Sunnyside Tavern 20 Broadmeadow Rd, Broadmeadow sunnysidetavern.com.au The Northern Star 112 Beaumont St, Hamilton northernstarhotel.com.au Wickham Park Hotel 61 Maitland Rd, Islington thewicko.com.au

BYRON BAY

Dunwoody’s Tavern 317 Sheridan St, North Cairns dunwoodys.com.au

Albion Hotel 72 Hannell St, Wickham thealbion.com.au

Lass O’Gowrie 14 Railway St, Wickham lassogowriehotel.com.au

Beach Hotel Bay St beachhotel.com.au

Salt House 6/2 Pier Point Rd, CBD salthouse.com.au

Bar Petite 5 King St, CBD barpetite.com.au

Mary Ellen Hotel 57 Railway St, Mereweather maryellenhotel.com.au

Byron Bay Brewery 1 Skinners Shoot Road byronbaybrewery.com.au

The Woolshed 24 Shields Street, CBD thewoolshed.com.au

Burwood Inn Hotel 77 Berner Street, Merewether

Oriental Hotel 53 Bull St, Cooks Hill facebook.com/theorihotel

NO BINGO TODAY...

Cheeky Monkey’s 115 Jonson St cheekymonkeys.com.au La La Land Level 1/6 Lawson St lalalandbyronbay.com.au The Northern 35-43 Jonson St thenorthern.com.au Treehouse on Belongil 25 Childe St treehouseonbelongil.com Woody’s Surf Shack 90-96 Jonson St woodysbyronbay.com

CANBERRA Academy Club 15 Bunda St academyclub.com.au Cube Nightclub 33 Petrie Plaza cubenightclub.com.au ICBM Bar 50 Northbourne Ave icbmbar.com Mooseheads 105 London Circuit mooseheads.com.au

Photo: Supplied

GRANDMA’S BAR

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The fun begins in finding the place (it is located underneath a shop with no obvious signage), but when you do you’ll fall in love because it’s the home you wished you always had. As the owners put it, “There’s no place like home, except Grandma’s”. And there really isn’t. Basement, 275 Clarence Street, Sydney grandmasbarsydney.com.au

@tnt_downunder Glasshouse Nightclub 90 Crown Street facebook.com/ sucasawollongong Grand Hotel 234 Keira Street wollongongnightlife.com.au Harp Hotel 124 Corrimal Street wollongongnightlife.com.au Ivory Nightclub 77 Crown Street wollongongnightlife.com.au OneFiveOne 150 Keira Street wollongongnightlife.com.au Questions Unit 5 123-125 Corrimal Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

DARWIN Ducks Nuts 76 Mitchell St, CBD ducksnuts.com.au Squires Tavern 3 Edmunds St, CBD squirestavern.com.au Shenannigans 69 Mitchell St, CBD shenannigans.com.au The Deck Bar 22 Mitchell St, CBD thedeckbar.com.au The Tap Bar 58 Mitchell St, CBD thetap.com.au

ALICE SPRINGS Bojangles Saloon 80 Todd St yourbars.com.au Chifley Alice Springs Resort 34 Stott Tce chifleyhotels.com.au Firkin & Hound 21 Hartely St yourbars.com.au

P.J O’Reilly’s 52 Alinga St pjoreillys.com.au

Monte’s Lounge Corner of Todd St & Stott Tce montes.net.au

Transit Bar 7 Akuna St transitbar.com.au

The Juicy Rump @ Lasseters 93 Barret Dr, Desert Springs lasseters.com.au

WOLLONGONG Alibi 76 Crown Street wollongongnightlife.com.au Castros 5 Victoria Street facebook.com/castros

The Rock Bar 78 Todd St therockbar.com.au Todd Tavern 1 Todd St toddtavern.com.au

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AUCKLAND Albion Hotel 119 Hobson St albionhotel.co.nz Brew on Quay 102 Quay St brewonquay.co.nz Bluestone Room 9-11 Durham Lan thebluestoneroom.co.za Cassette 9 9 Vulcan Ln cassettenine.com Cavalier Tavern 68 College Hill thecavalier.co.nz Currach Irish Pub 78 Blackwell Dr currachirishpub.co.nz De Fontein 77 Tamaki Dr, Mission Bay defontein.co.nz Doolan Brothers 414 Khyber Pass Rd, Newmarket doolanbrothers.co.nz Father Ted’s 1 Wellesley St W fatherteds.co.nz Fort Street Union 16 Fort St fortstreetunion.co.nz Gables Speights Ale House 248 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay gablesspeightsalehouse.co.nz Galbraith’s Alehouse 2 Mt Eden Rd, Grafton alehouse.co.nz Garrison Public House 61/286 Mt Wellington Hwy, Mt Wellington South garrisonpub.co.nz La Zeppa Kitchen 33 Drake St, Freemans Bay lazeppa.co.nz The Lumsden 444/448 Khyber Pass Rd, Newmarket thelumsden.co.nz

BACK IN BLACK

Malt Bar 442 Richmond Rd maltbar.co.nz Normanby Hotel 37 Normandy Rd, Mt Eden thenormanbyhotel.co.nz Parnell Bar & Grill 196 Parnell Rd, Parnell parnellbarandgrill.co.nz Queens Ferry Hotel 12 Vulcan Ln queensferryhotel.co.nz Shakespeare Brewery 61 Albert St shakespearehotel.co.nz Spitting Feathers 16 Wyndham St spittingfeathers.co.nz Sprig & Fern 2 Drake St, Freemans Bay

sprigandferntaverns.co.nz Tainui Tavern 33 Morrin Rd menumania.co.nz The Fox 85/87 Customs St W thefox.co.nz The Zookeeper’s Son 715 Mt Albert Rd zookeepersson.co.nz Three Lamps 1-3 St Marys Rd, St Marys Bay threelamps.co.nz 4.20 bar 373 Karangahape Rd 420.co.nz

WELLINGTON Arbitrageur Wine Room 125 Featherston St arbitrageur.co.nz Bangalore Polo Club 63 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro bangalorepoloclub.co.nz Bodega 101 Ghuznee St bodega.co.nz Four Kings Sports Bar 7-11 Dixon St fourkings.co.nz Havana Coffee Works 163 Tory St, Te Aro havana..co.nz Hawthorn Lounge 82 Tory St, Te Aro hawthornlounge.co.nz J J Murphy & Co 119 Cuba St, Te Aro jjmurphy.co.nz

48 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro themalthouse.co.nz The Welsh Dragon Bar 10/12 Cambridge Terrace, Mt Victoria welshdragonbar.co.nz

CHRISTCHURCH Bealey’s Speight’s Ale House 263 Bealey Ave bealeysalehouse.co.nz Bailies Bar 1066 Colombo St, St Albans bailiesbar.co.nz Becks Southern Alehouse 155 Colombo St beckssouthernalehouse.co.nz The Brewers Arms 177 Papanui Rd, Merivale thebrewersarms.co.nz Burgers & Beers Inc 355 Colombo St, Sydenham burgersandbeersinc.co.nz Calendar Girls 196 Hereford St calendargirls.co.nz Darkroom 336 St Asaph St darkroombar.co.nz Empire Hotel Lyttelton 9 London St, Lyttelton empirelyttelton.co.nz Fox & Ferret Palms Palms Shopping Centre, 1 New Brighton Rd, Shirley foxpalms.co.nz Garden Hotel Bar 110 Marshland Rd, Shirley

gardenhotel.co.nz

Mac’s Brewbar 4 Taranaki St thebrewerybar.co.nz

Pegasus Arms 14 Oxford Terrace pegasus-arms.com

Matterhorn 106 Cuba St, Te Aro matterhorn.co.nz

Tequila Mockingbird 98 Victoria St tequilamockingbird.co.nz

MIghty Mighty 104 Cuba St, Te Aro mightymighty.co.nz Molly Malones 134 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro mollymalones.co.nz

The Brewery 3 Garlands Rd, Woolston casselsbrewery.co.nz The Twisted Hop Pub 616 Ferry Rd thetwistedhop.co.nz

San Francisco Bath House 171 Cuba St, Te Aro sfbh.co.nz

Monteiths Brewery Bar 53 Merrin St mbbmerrinst.co.nz

Southern Cross Garden Bar 39 Abel Smith St, Te Aro thecross.co.nz

No. 4 Bar 4 Mansfield Ave, St Albans no4bar.co.nz

Sprig & Fern 342 Tinakori Rd sprigandferntaverns.co.nz The Apartment 25 Allen St, Te Aro theapartment.co.nz The Establishment Cnr of Courtenay Pl and Blair St theestablishment.co.nz The Green Man 25 Victoria St thegreenmanpub.co.nz The Malt House

HAMILTON Axces Bar 28 Alexandra St yellow.co.nz Bar 101 118 Victoria St bar101.co.nz Cock & Bull 1 Cnr Maui & Church St, Pukete cockandbull.co.nz CBD Corner Pub 26 Hood St

cbdpub.co.nz Easy Tiger Cocktail Bar 186 Victoria St easytigerbar.co.nz Foundation Bar Maahanga Dr, Te Awa foundationbar.co.nz

Soho 2 Crawford Rd, Inner Kaiti sohobar.co.nz The Poverty Bay Club 57/65 Customhouse St thepovertybayclub.co.nz

The Bank Bar & Brasserie Cnr Victoria St & Hood St thebank.co.nz

The Jolly Stockman 3 Saleyards Rd yellow.co.nz

The Cook 7 Cook St, Hamilton East thecook.net.nz

Verve Cafe & Bar 121 Gladstone Rd facebook.com

Speights Ale House 30 Liverpool St speights-hamilton.co.nz Wonder Horse 236 Victoria St wonderhorse.co.nz

WHANGAREI Dickens Inn 71 Cameron St, Vinetown dickensinn.co.nz Killer Prawn 26-28 Bank St killerprawn.co.nz

NAPIER Guffle Bar 29A Hastings St, Napier South guffle.co.nz The Bank Sports Lounge 106 Hastings St facebook.com The Dutch at The Bluewater 10 W Quay, Ahuriri thedutch.co.nz

McCool’s 14 Rust Ave mccools.co.nz pub

The Gintrap Restaurant & Bar 64 W Quay, Ahuriri gintrap.co.nz

McMorrisseys Irish Pub 7 Vine St, Vinetown mcmorrisseys.co.nz

The Rose Irish Pub 64 Hastings St masonic.co.nz

Parua Bay Tavern 1034 Whangarei Heads Rd, Parua Bay paruabaytavern.co.nz Split Bar Rathbone St splitrestaurant.co.nz s The Old Stone Butter Factory 8 Butter Factory Lane butterfactory.co.nz

DUNEDIN Angus Restaurant & Bar 7 St Andrew St angusdunedin.co.nz Alibi Bar 1 Princes St alibibar.co.nz Captain Cook Tavern 354 Great King St, N Dunedin thecaptaincook.co.nz Luna Bar 314 Highgate Roslyn lunaroslyn.co.nz Manny’s Level 1/91 St Andrew St mannysbar.co.nz Stilettos Revue Bar 319 Princes St stilettos.co.nz

GISBORNE Aladdin Bar/First Light Aikido 63 Peel St firstlighttaikido.net Lonestar Restaurant & Bar 60 The Esplanade, Inner Kaiti lonestar.co.nz

The Thirsty Whale 62 W Quay, Ahuriri thethirstywhale.co.nz

PLYMOUTH Crowded House Bar 93-99 Devon St E crowdedhouse.co.nz Gusto Restaurant, Cafe & Bar Ocean View Parade gustotaranaki.conz Peggy Gordon’s Celtic Bar 58 Egmont St peggygordons.com The Mayfair 69 Devon St W themayfair.co.nz West Bar & Cafe 41 Tukapa St, Westown westbar.co.nz

TAURANGA Imbibe Bar & Restaurant 19 Girven Rd facebook.com Inbargo Bar & Bistro 4 Palmer Pl, Te Puke inbargobarandbistro.co.nz Major Toms Bar 297 Maunganui Rd, Mt Maunganui majortomsbar.com

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745 OZ Interview TINA.indd 18

29/08/2014 10:41 pm

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CELEBINTERVIEW

Time for Tina Tina Arena is back in the spotlight, touring Australia with her first original album in 10 years, RESET. We meet the diminutive Aussie with the big voice and the even bigger opinions INTERVIEW CAROLINE GARNAR

Tina Arena is relaxation personified. From her easy smile to her long-lashed blink and the turn of her head, she appears to be moving in slow motion. Her silky Australian drawl is so smooth and slow she’s practically purring. Her red wedges are so high her knees are almost around her ears as she sits her petite frame back on the sofa, her feet planted on the floor, her legs wide, and her hands laid either side of her tailored black suit trousers. This is a woman so comfortable in her own skin she wears it like a onesie.

And why not? She’s in a very secure and happy place. Her latest album, RESET, has gone platinum in Australia, and she’s currently enjoying a successful nationwide tour. Before now we only really knew her from her 1994 hit ‘Chains’ (which we still have on our iPod), and we might have bought one of her cover albums for our mum on a particularly tight Christmas, but now she’s back, at the age of 46, with her first original album in more than a decade. So where the hell has she been? “I’ve made two French records, I gave birth to a little boy nearly nine years ago, I’ve done orchestral tours; I’ve had a very eclectic career that’s taken me to a lot of interesting places. I’ve toured France and Belgium extensively... I’ve done lots, my God,” she laughs.

This is a very different – and less spot-lit – path to her 1990’s pop ballad peers, such as Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston I point out... and I appear to have touched on a sore subject: “I think one of the greatest sufferances in the music industry is the perpetual assimilation of people – he sounds like this, she sounds like that. The only similarity, certainly between Celine, myself and Mariah, is that we were all Sony girls. Celine is still there. Mariah and I moved on a long time ago. And it’s quite hilarious that people still put us all in the same bracket. If we talk about evolution, Mariah’s done lots of new things, she’s moved musically, but Celine hasn’t really moved. I think all we share is that we’re big voices and we all come from an era when we made a mark.”

Perhaps Arena is bitter she hasn’t shared the commercial success of Celine and co? “I couldn’t give a shit about having 200 million bucks in the bank; I couldn’t think of anything worse actually, because then you’re surrounded by people who are trying to fleece you. There is nothing about that that interests me. What I have been able maintain is my integrity, what I believe in creatively, and musical experimentation. I’ve

couldn't give a shit what “theIindustry thinks ” had incredible creative freedom and kudos, and I can’t put a price on that.” That’s that then. Oh, hang on, no it isn’t...

“Also I’ve been doing this for nearly 40 years. Those girls have got nearly 20 years; I’ve got 40.”

She’s right, though. Arena started singing on TV variety show Young Talent Time as a child, along with Dannii Minogue, who she is still in touch with. And it was by choice that Arena didn’t sign on the 'big-time' line. Back in the ’90s Tommy Mottola, then-head of Sony, as well as Mariah Carey’s manager and husband, was ready to pitch Arena to America as the Australian Celine Dion, but Arena was going through a divorce and didn’t feel like the time was right. “I just think that the universe plays a role when it needs to play a role and it shows itself either by making TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Photos: Fairfax Syndication.

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your path really difficult, or making the elements that surround you unachievable.

Perhaps by putting you in the wrong human energies; and my group of people at the time... it was not a particularly harmonious period for me. So the button could have been pressed, but it would have come at a cost. I wasn’t prepared to pay that cost.” Any regrets? “No. I’m really glad that the train derailed because I wouldn’t have had the cultural encounters and fantastic collaborations that I have had, what with America being what it is. My musical tapestry is something I would never trade in for anything else. I feel so blessed to have had the journey that I’ve had, and it just continues to be more interesting as each day goes by.”

It does seem Arena has a good instinct for these things. The universe certainly seems to be agreeing with her decision to make her big comeback now. “It’s really great to come into a place I’ve wanted to work in for ages, but I didn’t think the timing was right for different reasons. I believe very heavily that there’s a right time for everything. When you’re writing something and you’re thinking ‘I’d really love to release this here or there, or I think this would be appropriate for this or that market’; what you think, what you feel, what you see, is not a mission that is necessarily shared by others. That’s the way it goes.”

So why now? “I’ve refined my craft. I’m probably a little bit like a bloody wine, really, in a cellar. But some wines you’ve got to drink (laughs). Also the right synergies of people have come together – I have a great little family that I believe in. Here in Oz, over in the UK, in France... we’re starting to grow teams and it’s just really gorgeous. It’s nice because we’re slowly building on that and forging relationships that are about evolution, not impact: get in and get out. It’s none of that.”

The result is an album of original, honest song writing with pop ballad melodies. “I am proud of it. I’m proud of its honesty. And I’m proud that people can find a connection with it.

That’s all you can hope for, that people can identify. Then it’s completely up to the listener to interpret that sentiment in a way that they want to.”

SWEET SUCCESS IS HOW ONE AUSTRALIAN NS’ IMPROVING UGANDA LIVES – WITH HONEY

RIGHT TURN

WARREN MUNDINE’S FOR CONSERVATIVE MISSION LIA INDIGENOUS AUSTRA

AFFA

FOREIGN

WHO BEC SHE WAS A CHILD STAR TO EUR THEN TINA ARENA MOVED ELLIOT . BY TIM A WHOLE NEW IMAGE

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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But, in an industry that today thrives on the shock and sex factor, can Arena’s sentimentality for honesty and connection survive? “I couldn’t give a shit what the industry thinks, and that’s really the honest truth. And that’s with all due respect to everybody too. I think that at my age you cannot be sitting there motivated by, and do things to surprise, the industry; you have to do them for yourself.”

And what does she think of today’s pop stars such as Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus? “Justin Beiber could be my son, as Miley Cyrus could be my daughter. [But] I think if they were my children they probably wouldn’t feel the need to have to expose themselves and leave themselves with nowhere to go.

My kids wouldn’t behave like that. You’ve got to seriously question what a 21-year-old’s motivation is when she’s gyrating on something. My greatest concern as a parent is the fact that there is such little left to the imagination. We tend to give people everything, so they don’t have to make up their minds, they don’t have to use their imagination to draw their own conclusions. Is there anything to learn in that?”

Arguably, though, Arena’s album promo shots are pretty sexy: basques, satin and PVC (“elegant PVC”, Arena interjects). Has she not intentionally sexed up her image to fit in? “For me, stylistically I do what I do. I don’t follow anything. I have a great appreciation for design and aesthetics. My mother was a dressmaker and always made beautiful clothes; I’ve lived in France for a long time, I’m from a line of Italians – Italian women have always known how to dress, French women know how to dress. It’s just a part of a culture. It’s not anything that I go out of my way to manipulate. I wear what I think is right for that situation.”

And how about the controversial shot of her smoking on the cover of Good Weekend magazine? “At the end of the day, people smoke and people know that it’s bad for you.

This presumptuousness of people always going, ‘you can’t possibly LIFE SAVERS highlight that’... What do you mean?

It’s art at the end of the day. It’s just a photo with a woman smoking in SINS OF THE FATHER it. What’s the problem? It’s okay for you guys to show women half naked and men behaving in a very inappropriate fashion and yet you’re pointing the finger at me – please, get your shit together.”

Whether you agree with her or not, you can’t argue that Arena says exactly what she thinks, and this translates into her music: “I’ve always been pretty revelatory when it comes to my work. Some people like it, some people don’t, and that’s fine. I’m just interested in change. I’ve never been interested in just giving people more of the same as that’s not what I’m attracted to.”

So she’s honest, evolving, and has the ability to wear PVC like a lady. Perhaps Tina Arena is just what the music industry needs right now after all...

See Tina live in concert from September 5-October 9 across Australia. See tinaarena.com/tours for dates and venues.

RESET is available to buy now.

OCTOBER 5, 2013

THE EMOTIONAL ROLLER-COASTER THAT IS ORGAN DONATION

SUCCESS

AUSTRALIAN IS G UGANDANS’ TH HONEY

PARENT WHEN A DEPRESSED KILLER TURNS INTO A CHILD

TURN

MUNDINE’S VATIVE MISSION FOR OUS AUSTRALIA

AFFAIR

OREIGN

ALIA’S POP PRINCESS. WHO BECAME AUSTR THE BIG TIME WITH SHE WAS A CHILD STAR TO EUROPE – AND HIT THEN TINA ARENA MOVED ELLIOTT . BY TIM A WHOLE NEW IMAGE

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM MUSTANG TNT ADS FOR SEPTEMBER.indd 3 745 OZ Interview TINA.indd 21

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21/08/2014 9:20 pm 29/08/2014 10:42 pm

CHATROOM

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Luke Arnold

Emmy-award-winning pirate drama Black Sails is pitched as the new Game of Thrones.

We chat to its Australian star(rrrr) who plays John Silver to find out more INTERVIEW CAROLINE GARNAR

Tell us about your character in the show, John Silver...

When we meet Silver he’s no pirate. Just a self-serving chancer who’s stumbled across a potential prize. He gets sucked up into the pirate world and always needs to be one step ahead to avoid getting run through.

You are already an accomplished swordsman. How did this come about and did it help you land this part?

I learnt sword fighting to play Romeo in a small production, and then kept up my training for a while. I ended up working on PJ Hogan’s Peter Pan film while I was still at high school.

Unfortunately John Silver is not yet the most accomplished fighter, so I haven’t been able to draw on those skills just yet...

[Caption]

Jack Sparrow helped make pirates sexy – do you think you rock it too?

On Black Sails we leave the eyeliner at home, but it’s definitely a sexy show. I don’t feel sexy on set though. Generally just sweaty, dirty, salty and sore.

For those who are yet to hear about it, what can we expect from Black Sails?

It’s a realistic, gritty pirate adventure that mixes historic pirates with the characters of Treasure Island. It’s a character-driven adventure on the high seas.

The show is pitching itself against Game of Thrones, and it shares director, Neil Marshall. This is a brave move as GoT has been so hugely successful. Do you believe Black Sails will be as big?

There is definitely room for more than one big budget action adventure television show. I am a huge Game of Thrones fan, but when I see John Snow trudging through the ice, it does make me happy our show is set in the Bahamas.

22

Black Sails has been dubbed as a ‘certified binge show’. Do you think its release as a DVD box set will help lure in those who are yet to download it?

Absolutely. This is not a simple story of buried treasure, it’s got a huge cast of characters who are always turning on each other, backstabbing, changing alliances. The show never goes where you think it will. And since there are only eight episodes in the first season, it’s hard not to drive through them in one sitting.

What box sets have you lost whole days on the sofa with?

I lost a weekend recently to True Detective. And I’ve recently gone back and started watching The Wire. That will eat some hours very easily.

Black Sails was mostly filmed in Cape Town. How did you enjoy your time there?

It’s a beautiful place. The weather is fantastic and the scenery is wonderful. The perfect place to set up our pirate life.

If you were a pirate, what would your treasure be?

Some quality aged rum.

Season one of Black Sails is available to download on iTunes or you can buy the DVD box set at Amazon.com

Photos: supplied

Michael Bay is an executive producer for the show – are there lots of impressive effects?

Absolutely. We just won an Emmy for the visual and special effects. The first time I saw a completed episode it blew my mind.

There are lots of sex scenes in Black Sails – are you involved in any of them?

If so, any awkwardness?

In the first episode there is a scene in a brothel.

It’s kind of Silver’s initiation into the island.

We had a lot of fun and it wasn’t really that awkward in the end.

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Felix, bottom left, with the rest of The Cat Empire crew

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CELEBINTERVIEW

The Cats that got the cream On a high from celebrating their 1,000th gig and touring Europe, The Cat Empire return to Oz to continue the party...

INTERVIEW NINA BERTOK

Talk about a pleasant surprise and one hell of a way to celebrate a major milestone.

When Australia’s favourite festival band, The Cat Empire, performed their 1,000th show at Melbourne’s Federation Square, more than 10,000 people showed up to rise to the special occasion. This made for one of the most fun and memorable experiences frontman Felix Riebl and his travelling crew of musos have ever had.

That was back in March of this year, and now, come this month and next, The Cat Empire are set to make a return to Australia after completing their European tour.

“It was a great way for us to start the year,” says the singer of the Federation Square milestone show. “We’d had a very relaxing three or four months at the start of 2014 where we just did a couple of gigs, including the Falls Festival, and then we had our 1,000th show, which was just amazing. It was a free outdoor concert in Melbourne and the turn out was incredible. It was such a surprise to us. We learnt that something like 10,000 people actually turned up and it was a really great range in terms of ages. Some of them had been with us for the last 10 years, so it was a real mixture of older people, adults and kids – a really amazing cross-section of the city for this big event.”

Never one to normally get worked up or make a big deal out of milestones, Riebl claims that in this case, it was near impossible to retain his composure. Witnessing a sea of people approaching the stage almost out of nowhere was nothing short of goose-bump inducing according to the singer. “We weren’t sure what kind of show it would be in general. I don’t tend to really think much of celebrating milestones or anything like that; I don’t plan things like that.

It’s just usually a spontaneous thing when I happen to have a good night. I really wasn’t expecting very much from this event, to be honest.

“At first I had a peek out to the stage and I saw there were some people out the front, but then about 15 minutes before we walked onto the stage and began to play, literally a sea of people arrived out of the blue and we were faced with this complete surprise! I believe that’s the best way to deal with milestones – to be genuinely surprised by them,

Our fans have that “ dancing spirit ” to let the whole process happen naturally and to just go with the flow. I think that’s basically the way that most good things happen anyway.”

Virtually impossible to categorise due to their melting pot of sounds and influences, The Cat Empire are best described as a festival band who are akin to a travelling troupe of musical showies. A strong festive spirit has always defined the band at its core, and the effect this has had on their audiences over the last decade has cemented The Cat Empire’s reputation as one of the ‘must-see’ live bands to ever come out of Australia.

“There is definitely a festive spirit in the band and that translates really went into the festival setting,” offers Riebl.

“I think when you take all of our influences and the music ››

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we like, and when you fuse them together, you embrace all those contrasts and you end up with something that is entirely unique. If you express that festive attitude as well, then it really does begin to feel like you’re putting on a small, private festival of your own night after night.

“If you think about it, festivals are made up of contrasts that are slammed against each other – often you’ll get bands that are of very different genres billed one after another – and that’s what makes that special dynamic and theatrical space. To have a bunch of musicians who can improvise quite a lot on stage and fans who want to hear something a little bit different, then that’s where that spirit of The Cat Empire is at its most alive. Our fans have one very important thing in common – they have that dancing spirit.

They want to move their bodies and they want to take in that powerful energy that only music can bring.”

As in a live setting, so on record, as far as The Cat Empire are concerned. Peculiarly, Riebl and his band of everrotating musicians have always managed to translate the festive energy of their performances into the recording sessions; something that only a few artists could ever hope to achieve to perfection. Touring on the back of their 2013 album Steal The Light, Riebl says of the band’s sixth fulllength record that The Cat Empire have done a bit of a 360 – and long-time fans will have no trouble spotting where.

“Our debut album [self-titled, 2003] had a travelling, adventurous spirit about it and, since we did that in Cuba, it had that raw sound to it. Then the few albums in between that, we explored a more melancholy sound, which was maybe a little more removed and touched on a few emotional places. With this album, I think there is still a reference to the melancholy aspect somewhat, but there is much more of a return to something more festive again, reminiscent of the first album. You can’t be too sad with your music and you don’t want to take it too seriously because, at the end of the day, you want people to sing and dance to it.

Besides, music is meant to be experienced and not scrutinised too closely. Everyone in this band has evolved as a person and has experienced a range of emotional dips and rises, but in the end we’ve finished up at this place that is exciting again, and that’s what we want to express.”

Exciting indeed: The Cat Empire's European tour has 26

taken them to Portugal and Romania for the first time, and they performed at London's beautiful Somerset House....

“It has been amazing. It’s easy to fall into clichés here – talking about tours that are going well is usually boring – but summer festivals and The Cat Empire go together well, and being in Europe and the UK at this time of year is a lot of fun for us. There have been a couple of indoor shows without air-con after a hot day, where we’ve walked off stage about five kilos lighter and completely drenched; those ones are a challenge, but overall it’s been killer.”

And how is he feeling about heading back to Oz soon?

“It’s always good to get home, especially to start writing and using some of the images from the road for new songs.

I think for the other guys with young families it’s also tough being away.” However, Reibl adds he’s not as psyched to be performing in Australia again... “I find touring in Australia harder than in Europe; probably because we’ve been there more, and instead of being introduced to new people, we’re playing to people who’ve known us a long time, so I can’t help feeling more pressure.”

What this does mean, though, is that The Cat Empire have more freedom to experiment with their act, and it looks like they are keen to get back to their roots in terms of performance as well as sound. “The Cat Empire started off with so many different musicians and performers – one of our first ever tours was at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and on any given night some of the most amazing performers and musicians and even acrobats would just jump on stage – and that’s how we operated! The band was always very good at adapting to different things, so we are planning on playing with more people and getting back into that.

Although I can’t really name any names just yet, I can say that I hope people stay tuned and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for when we announce more details.”

And, before our interview draws to a close, Riebl makes a promise to the Aussie fans he’s so keen to impress: “We’ll get into rehearsals and try to develop a show that’s better than the last.” We’re sure it’ll be the cat’s pyjamas. ❚ See thecatempire.com for The Cat Empire’s upcoming tour dates between September 26 and October 24 with gigs happening across Australia

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SPORTROUND-UP

Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin is in line to achieve the remarkable, if not impossible, and win back-to-back AFL Premierships with two different teams. His new side, the Sydney Swans, led the ladder after 21 rounds, ahead of who else but Franklin’s old mates and defending champions at Hawthorn. There’s a long way to go until September 27 though, and Geelong, last year’s grand finalists Fremantle, and four other teams in the finals will have something to say about that fairytale.

CAN RABID RABBITS END THE DROUGHT? RUGBY LEAGUE

Even in second place after 22 games, with two to go, South Sydney were favourites to take out the NRL Premiership.

And that was the week after being done over by the North Queensland Cowboys.

But could this really be the year the cardinal red and myrtle green Bunnies win their first title since 1971?

Manly and arch rivals the Sydney 28

Roosters are likely to have the biggest say in that not happening as the finals get underway this month in the lead up to the grand final.

And just like last year, Souths round 26 showdown with the Roosters – to be played Thursday, September 4, could even decide the the minor premiership. Last year the Rabbitohs weren’t up to the mark in that match, or the semi-final, and their nemeses went on to win the Premiership.

Finals start September 12, grand final is October 5.

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BIG MONTH FOR...

Australia and South Africa’s rugby teams have plenty to prove when they take each other on in two matches that will, let’s face it, decide who will come second in The Rugby Championship.

The Wallabies were spanked by the All Blacks, who are miles ahead in class. Captain Michael Hooper (pictured) was the only man in gold up to the mark.

And the Proteas struggled to dominate lowly Argentina in their openers.

They clash on September 6 and September 27.

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HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH

Words: Michael Gadd. Photos: Getty

PREVIEW

New hope: England ace Ross Barkley

Socceroo Tim Cahill

ROY’S BOYS CONFIDENCE CAMPAIGN ENGLAND V SWITZERLAND, EURO QUALIFIER, SEP 8 After the disaster in Brazil, which saw England return home with their tails between their legs, Roy Hodgson’s lads are back in business as they bid to qualify for Euro 2016.

It begins on September 8 with what should be the only genuinely tough fixture in the group E against Switzerland, who went one better and made it to the round of 16 before being beaten by finalists Argentina.

Also in their group is Slovenia (world

No 39), Estonia (93), Lithuania (103) and San Marino (208). To make the tournament in France England must be in the top two in their group after a series of home and away fixtures – even if they somehow manage to come third, which would almost surely end in Hodgson’s sacking, they can still go into a play-off with the other thirdplaced sides for the last spot in the tournament.

Against Switzerland, Hodgson comes face to face with the side he led at the 1994 World Cup in the USA.

LET’S GET TRIVIAL | Ricciardo on a roll Before Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo (right) dominated the Belgian Grand Prix for his third win of the season, it was believed his next best chance for a win would be Singapore.

He’s certainly driving the right colours, with his Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel the only winner of the past three years.

Those three wins makes Vettel the most successful driver at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, equalled only by New Zealander Graeme Lawrence. Lawrence also won his races in a row between 1969 and 1971.

While he’ll have the ultimate ambition to claim victory, any result for Ricciardo will be an improvement on last year when he spun off after his best ever qualifying effort of ninth.

The Aussie then won new fans when he refused to make excuse, blaming his own driving error on the crash.

2 Cricket ODI: England v India 3 Foot friendly: England v Norway 4 Foot friendly: Belgium v Australia 4 Super League: St Helens v Warrington 5 Cricket ODI: England v India 5-7 F1: Italian Grand Prix 5-7 AFL: Finals Week One 6 Rugby C’ship: Australia v South Africa; New Zealand v Argentina 7 Tennis: US Open Final 7 Cricket T20: England v India 8 Foot friendly: Saudi Arabia v Australia 8 Foot friendly: Uzbek. v New Zealand 8 Euro qual: England v Switzerland 11 Super League: Wigan v Warrington 12-14 NRL: Finals Week One 12-13 AFL: Semi-Finals 13 EPL: Arsenal v Manchester City 13 Rugby C’ship: New Zealand v South Africa; Australia v Argentina 13 Super League: Catalan v Castleford 14 EPL: Manchester United v QPR 19-21 F1: Singapore Grand Prix 19-20 AFL: Preliminary Finals 20-21 NRL: Finals Week Two 20 EPL: West Ham v Liverpool 21 EPL: Manchester City v Chelsea 27 Rugby C’ship: South Africa v Australia; Argentina v New Zealand 27 EPL: Arsenal v Tottenham 27 EPL: Liverpool v Everton 27 AFL GRAND FINAL 27-28 NRL: Finals Week Three Oct 4 Rugby C’ship: South Africa v New Zealand; Argentina v Australia Oct 5 NRL GRAND FINAL TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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SPORTFOCUS

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Words: Michael Gadd. Photos: Getty

Unfinished Business

England star Mike Brown won every individual prize he could last season, but it means nothing to the full-back without silverware... and his sights are on the big one: the 2015 Rugby World Cup No northern hemisphere rugby player made a bigger impact in 2013-14 than England and Harlequins’ ace Mike Brown.

The explosive full-back was immense for club and country, with accolades including Six Nations player of the championship and the Aviva Premiership’s player of the season.

He couldn’t have done much more individually but, as he explains, that means little in rugby union without something to celebrate with team-mates.

His England side finished the Six Nations second behind Ireland, and Harlequins bowed out of the Premiership in 30

the semi-finals to eventual winners Northampton.

“I really enjoyed last year. I showed everyone what I can do at the highest level, but it’s about lifting my game again this year,” Brown says.

“It was nice to win [the Six Nations and Premiership awards] but I’d have swapped them both for an Aviva Premiership Rugby winner’s medal and a Six Nations winner’s medal.”

“It was a positive for me from what could have been a negative season otherwise, but it was just great to pull the 15 shirt on at club and international level and show everybody what I could do leading into this year.

“It’s something to build on and something I’m massively looking forward to doing.”

With the 12-month countdown now on for the pinnacle of the sport, the World Cup being held in England and Wales, the stakes have been raised even higher this season.

Brown says any performance last year is rendered irrelevant if it’s not backed up over the next year and, with the general sale ticket window open this month for all 48 matches in the tournament, the anticipation is all the more real.

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WORLD CUP 2015 PROGRESS REPORT Tickets for the 2015 Rugby World Cup go on general sale for a limited time only from September 12 to 29 with seats to all 48 matches available to fans.

The Cup will be played in 13 venues in England and Wales from September 18 to the final on October 31, 2015.

To get your seat visit rugbyworldcup.com.

With the world’s best teams already ramping up preparations, we look at how the contenders are fairing and who’s the best of the rest.

Brown with his player of the season trophy

NEW ZEALAND The defending champions are still the world’s best by some way and will expect nothing less than victory in England.

They put Australia to the sword with a 51-20 thrashing in their second Bledisloe Cup clash, and it could have been worse. And this with the return of Dan Carter still to come.

AUSTRALIA Uh oh. Just when we thought a resurgence was on the cards with the 12-12 draw in the mud against the All Blacks, the Wallabies wilted under pressure the next week. The likes of Kurtley Beale don’t look like permanent fixtures and Ewen McKenzie’s rebuild might need to start again.

SOUTH AFRICA

The full back rises above the All Blacks

“It’s a massive year for every English player and there’s no point playing well last year and not doing it again this year,” Brown says. “I’m massively looking forward to getting back into things domestically and internationally.”

“This Premiership season will be so exciting with the World Cup on the horizon.

“It all starts with playing well for your club, and if you do that and the club’s successful, then it puts you in a good place in terms of England selection. And if you’re playing for England it puts you in a good place confidence-wise to do well there.”

Brown’s Harlequins campaign kicks off against London Irish in the second match of the traditional London Double Header at Twickenham, England, following Saracens and Wasps, on September 6.

“It’s a great start to the season at Twickenham, the home of English rugby, and it provides a great day for players and fans.

“Hopefully we can get off to a good start there and build on that because we left ourselves with too much to do last season and we can make it easier on ourselves. It will be tough but we are looking forward to it.”

The Proteas aren’t blowing the world away and will rely heavily on the boot of Handre Polland, but the way they’ve played badly and yet still won against the Pumas shows their ability to win when it’s not all going right for them.

ENGLAND The dark horses for the World Cup at home – they’ve come close in the past two Six Nations (runners up twice) – and that’s been with a squad put together with an eye on 2015.

In Autumn they beat Australia, Argentina and pushed the All Blacks – they’ll have learned from their absurd tour of New Zealand.

THE REST For the Home Nations, Ireland have big tournament form after Six Nations victory, but the loss of a veteran like Brian O’Driscoll isn’t minor; Wales rugby need to put their political woes to one side and get everyone on the same page; and Scotland are destined to be also-rans.

Elsewhere, France will be a lottery as ever, but last time out against the Aussies showed little sign of anything worth worrying about in 2015. But Argentina are showing improvement in spades – their 33-31 loss to South Africa in the Rugby Championship was nothing short of phenomenal, so they could be a handful come next year.

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TRAVEL NEWS | DIARY DATES | TOP 5 | OZ TRIP | TOP 10 | LISTINGS SUNSET SUPREME /46

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“No trip to Adelaide is complete without a vintage tram ride from Victoria Square, to the relaxed seaside town of Glenelg. Walk along Jetty Road and duck into the local shops to browse before relaxing on the beach with a delicious cocktail to watch the setting sun.”

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TRAVELDIARY

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ASK THE EXPERT

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Photos: Thinkstock and James Ferron

STAY HEALTHY ON YOUR TRAVELS There’s little worse than getting sick whole travelling. Author and global nomad Macca Sherifi gives his tips on staying healthy during your global wandering.

Before you go: Get the vaccinations you need well before you go, sort out antimalarial tablets (if necessary), and wise up on what to eat and drink. Also, make sure you take precautions against sexually transmitted infections. That means taking a few condoms (yes, you too ladies). Trust me; you will be glad you do.

Get insured: It’s just not worth running the risk of shelling out for hundreds or, gulp, thousands of dollars when a simple policy bought in advance would have covered you for all eventualities.

Take a medical kit: A fairly comprehensive medical kit (you can get these from most pharmacies and supermarkets these days) can make life a lot easier when in some of the more remote areas of the globe, since it gives you a degree of self-sufficiency as well as peace of mind. But try to divide up items between your backpack and luggage in case one or the other get stolen or lost.

Watch out for the water One thing you always need to check is whether it is safe to drink the water of not. Typically, a lot of backpackers and travellers get ill from something simple such as brushing their teeth with tap water, or eating a salad that has been washed in the sink beforehand. Make sure you read up on whether it is safe to drink water. If not, buy bottled water. Lots of it.

If you are looking for more advice and information on how to stay healthy on your travels, you can download Macca Sherifi’s ebook Your Round the World Trip Planner for free.

In it, he goes into much more detail on what to do before you go.

SCULPTURE BY THE SEA Sydney Every year the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition transforms the epic coastal path between Sydney’s famed Bondi Beach and its glamorous neighbour 23-9 Tamarama into a outdoor exhibition, showcasing works from more than 100 artists from Australia and all across the world. Many of the works are site specific and even those who would normally turn their noses up at a gallery trip will give these installations a thumbs up. Tip: go early to avoid the heat and crowds.

OCT-NOV

WHERE: Sydney, Australia WHY GO: You get to meander along a two kilometre cliff path enjoying some sensational modern art as you go.

WHAT ELSE? If you need more of an excuse other than the gorgeous sculptures and the incredible views, consider it your opportunity

FALLS FESTIVAL Tasmania, Australia

Held over three nights on a in Tasmania, Falls 29-31 farm Festival offers a diverse line-up of DJs, top bands and comedians.

Tickets entitle holders to three nights’ camping and three days of music on two stages. With the beach just a short walk away you can have a sunbake between sets. fallsfestival.com.au DEC

SURIN ELEPHANT ROUND-UP

to skip the gym that day as you’ll give your gluteus maximus a terrific work out on all the steep stone steps that litter the pathway.

HOW MUCH: Entry is free, although if you want a brochure you’ll have to drop a few dollars, plus you will buy coffee and ice cream! sculpturebythesea.com

SOULFEST

Sydney, Brisbane & Auckland This chilled festival is a 18,25 & 26 celebration of some of the finest contemporary neo-soul, jazz and hip-hop artists. Live acts and DJs will feature throughout the 10-hour day.

Soulfest will be a unique opportunity to see and hear some great artists in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

OCT

soulfest.com.au

CANOE AND KUNDU

Alotau, Papua New Guinea

Thailand

Canoes and kundu drums an important part in 8-9 play this country’s ancient rituals and this festival is a celebration of their culture and its long tradition of war canoes. The event climaxes with a canoe race in which rival clans compete against each other for prize money and fame. Some canoes have up to 50 paddlers all competing for glory.

NOV

The Thai’s affinity with the beasts is celebrated 14 majestic in a three-day festival that includes a banquet, street dancing, a light and sound show and culminates in around 40,000 people gathering in the Srinarong Stadium to witness games and the re-enactment of battles in traditional dress. Oh, and there are elephants. Yay! tourismthailand.org NOV

pngtourism.org

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whitsundays for less

convenient, affordable and the only direct air link between Sydney and Whitsunday Coast Airport.

fares from $85*

*one way fare conditions. checked baggage not included. terms and conditions apply. see website for details.

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HOTSHOTS

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WINNER

WINNER WARRIEWOOD BEACH, NSW Sue Whitlock, 27, READING, UK

TELL US MORE I took this perfect beach shot to tease a friend of mine who had recently returned to the UK after living here for a number of years. Very mean I know but, hey, she shouldn’t have left!

RUNNER-UP PERTH, WA Rachel Musseleck, 31, FRANCE

TELL US MORE I took this picture in Perth City to show how this painting is linking together various materials (steel, wood, brick, concrete), making of it one unified landscape.

WANT TO SEE YOUR TRAVEL SHOTS IN PRINT? Send high-res (300 dpi) jpegs with name, age, nationality and a description to: lisa.ferron@tntmagazine.com. Photos are judged by the TNT team at their own discretion. Photos will also be placed on TNT’s Facebook page. For terms and conditions, see tntdownunder.com.

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RUNNER-UP

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TRAVELREVIEW

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Did you spot this guy? To celebrate the world’s first undersea art exhibition, this giant inflatable sea turtle bobbed on by the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Bridge on August 14. Sydney Aquarium’s Great Barrier Reef exhibit has been transformed into an art gallery with a collection of single-edition prints submerged in the water with the fishes, on until Sept 11. We’re sure they’ll appreciate a Pollock. sydneyaquarium.com.au

Lake Toba, Sumatra

RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE

worldexpeditions.com

GO TIGER

WHITSUNDAYS Enjoy a long weekend on the stunning tropical coast of Queensland and bask in the beauty of the gorgeous Whitsundays thanks to Tigerair’s newly launched route.

A weekend escape to paradise has never been easier or quicker, with Tigerair’s new route between Sydney and the Whitsunday Coast Airport. Spend your weekend relaxing on a secluded beach, or exploring a welcoming coastal town.

Made up of 74 islands, be sure to take a cruise, stopping off to snorkel the clear 38

Words: Kristen Batey. Photos: Supplied, Getty and Thinkstock

SUMATRA

Journey deep into the lush North Sumatran jungle and experience one of the only remaining natural orangutan habitats in the world.

Revel in the beauty of Gunung Leuser National Park on this spectacular 13-day hike with World Expeditions. Marvel in the lush tropical surroundings of one of the few homes of the Sumatran orangutan and gain a personal insight into the country’s rich rainforest and wildlife.

You may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of some of the nation’s most unique and endangered species such as Sumatran tigers, elephants and rhinos.

Scramble to the summit of Sibayak volcano and visit the stunning volcanic Lake Toba, the world’s highest and deepest lake. This breathtaking tour full of natural wonder, cultural highlights and, of course, adorable monkeys, is priced at £1,190pp.

blue waters, or head for the hills and explore the mountainous national park trails on foot. The vast amount of leisure activities are endless, and with flights from just $85 per person each way with Tigerair, you’d be mad not to grrrrab this blissful opportunity with both paws. tigerair.com

CROCODILE ROCK

NORTHERN TERRITORY Take a quick jaunt out of Darwin to Lichfield National Park and explore a beautiful slice of the Northern Territory, complete with a croc cruise.

This remarkable day trip with Offroad Dreaming will leave you spellbound by stunning landscape views, thundering waterfalls and lush rainforest pockets.

Begin the day on the vast Adelaide River, cruising among the crocodiles in their natural habitat, then head straight into the heart of the national park for a cultural walk and talk with an Aboriginal guide.

Enjoy a picnic lunch and take a dip in the invigorating clear waters of the plunge pool at Flora. Wander the Shady Creek Walk and explore the Magestic and Cathedral Termite Mounds, an incredible sight that plays an important role in the tropical ecosystem. Snap to it, we say. offroaddreaming.com.au

MEET LOCAL MONKS THAILAND

Revel in a memorable and authentic Buddhist cultural experience at the luxurious Centara Grand Beach Resort in Karon, Phuket.

Take part in a traditional Thai ceremony and make offerings to local Buddhist monks, gaining an insightful glimpse into true Thai culture. Hotel guests and staff alike gather to present drinking water, food and other offerings to the local monks from Wat Ladithiwanaram in Phuket. All guests are able to take part in the ritual called ‘Tak Bart’ at no extra cost or reservation.

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MAD WORLD

TODDLER BREACHES WHITE HOUSE SECURITY USA

Explore the Indigenous Arnhem Land, NT The resort offers five meal options for the monks, and some staff even bring their own traditional home cooking along. If this isn’t enough of an incentive to stay here, we should mention that this stunning hotel is surrounded by its own water park. Cool.

White water raft in Bali

centarahotelsresorts.com

INDIGENOUS ADVENTURES

NORTHERN TERRITORY Journey through remote north-east Arnhem Land and experience true native Aboriginal tradition and culture.

Explore the striking and diverse landscapes of the Northern Territory as you visit three secluded Yolnu homelands. Revel in the presence of the oldest living culture in the world, discovering their sophisticated knowledge of the environment and unique creative skills. This seven-day journey with Lirrwi Tourism, developed by the Yolnu people, enables a solid source of income, allowing the generations to continue to live in this sacred place. Join in a sharing of culture between visitors and multiple family generations on this life-changing tour, priced at $3,000 per person. lirrwitourism.com.au

ROLLING ON A RIVER BALI

Grab your oars and get set to battle the white water rapids of Bali’s scenic Ayung River.

The White House was sent into lock down when a mischievous toddler slipped through the rails of the north gate.

Following strict security measures, armed officers tore across the famous lawn when the alarm was raised. Secret Services quickly restricted all access to Pennsylvania Avenue and the White House itself. After being caught, the little intruder was united with his family.

Spokesman for the US Secret Service stated, “We were going to wait until he learned to talk to question him, but in lieu of that he got a time out and was sent on his way with his parents.”

KING OF BLING INDIA Challenge Mother Nature on this exhilarating rafting tour with Bali Adventure Tours, at USD$79 per person.

Explore a stretch of previously unchartered river as you bash, thrash and crash your way through swirling whirlpools of water, natural ramps and sudden drops in height. Pump that adrenaline as you navigate your way through class II and III rapids, with a beautiful backdrop of lush rice paddy terraces, soaring gorges and pristine rainforest. Of course, prior to this, you will be equipped with state-of-the-art protective gear and an experienced guide to lead you through the ride of your life.

An Indian businessman celebrated his 45th birthday in style, sporting a shirt made from 18-22-carat gold, valued at £130,000.

Pankaj Parakh, owner of a prosperous textile company in Mumbai, was escorted by four bodyguards as he showed off his 4kg status symbol. The golden shirt took 3,200 hours to construct by a team of 20 people. Parakh admitted to India Times, “For my marriage 23 years ago, many guests considered me an embarrassment as I sported more gold than the bride.”

A long-time lover of the precious metal, the birthday boy’s new bling has a lifetime guarantee and is even washable. We guess it’s probably dry clean only….

baliadventurerafting.com

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TOPFIVE

AUSSIE LANDMARKS

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ULURU, NORTHERN TERRITORY

If you’re one of those people who has a picture of themselves pushing against the Leaning Tower of Pisa or doing an Egyptian dance outside the pyramids, you’ll love Australia.

We’ve compiled the top five sights that 42

you’ve got to see before you head back to Blighty. It was tough narrowing them down – and in truth there are many, many more – but every Aussie checklist should have these on. Get ready to be blown away...

This massive sandstone formation, also known as Ayer’s Rock, and is one of the two major features of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (the other is Kata Tjuta, a smaller group of rock formations).

It’s lucky this rock is so impressive as the journey to get there is epic; it’s effectively in the middle of nowhere, and is surrounded by thousands of miles of the outback. The nearest town is Alice Springs, a mere 280 miles away. You can hire a van and decide your own itinerary, but we recommend that you join a tour.

There’ll be plenty of early starts and you’ll need to avoid the scorching midday sun, even during winter, but to watch the sun setting behind Uluru is an experience you’ll never forget.

It’s probably best not to try to climb it; more than 40 people have died trying to complete the climb, and the native aboriginal people, the Anangu, struggle when accidents happen as they feel personally responsible. (There is a plan for a tethered balloon ride being mooted so you could soon see the rock from above that way.) Uluru is a place of wisdom – a place to be respectful, get close to nature, and witness some breathtaking views. therocktour.com.au

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MY EXPERIENCE

Andrea Johnston on the Great Barrier Reef

12 APOSTLES MARINE NP, GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Within a stone’s throw of each other, you can see these two in one day.

Completed in 1932 and able to hold eight lanes of traffic, Sydney Harbour Bridge is an awe-inspiring sight. Want to climb it? You can scale the southern half of the bridge in safety with BridgeClimb.

The 40-year-old Sydney Opera House is a stunner and holds thousands of events and shows every year. Bridgeclimb.com /

Head to the Great Ocean Road for a glimpse of the 12 Apostles – limestone towers that used to be connected to the mainland’s cliffs, but now rise imposingly out of the Southern Ocean.

To see the remaining eight Apostles being mauled by the sea on a windy day will make you feel very small indeed, and don’t miss catching a sunrise or sunset; the rocks glow yellow and orange under a full sun. visitgreatoceanroad.org.au

sydneyoperahouse.com

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KINGS PARK AND BOTANIC GARDEN, PERTH

GREAT BARRIER REEF, QUEENSLAND

This 1,000-acre park dwarfs NYC’s Central Park. If you can time your trip correctly, head down for April 25 to witness the dawn service for Anzac Day – which has its 100th anniversary in 2015 – held at the symbolic State War Memorial Precinct on Mount Eliza.

If you’re looking for a leisurely day out in the sun, come here, bring a picnic and relax on the well-maintained grounds. bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park

What can we say about the world’s most famous Unesco World Heritage Site that hasn’t already been said?

This gorgeous coral reef is home to thousands of species and stretches for 1,400 miles along the Queensland coast. If you’re into scuba diving, make sure you squeeze in as many dives as possible. Failing that, a cruise around the reef in a glass-bottomed boat is just as mesmerising. gbrmpa.gov.au

Who did you go with?

In this picture I was on a dive boat with about 15 people that sailed out of the Whitsundays.

What’s the reef like?

My first impression on a snorkelling trip out of Cairns was pretty disappointing.

I’m not a strong swimmer and I found it scary, as opposed to beautiful or relaxing. However, it was a totally different story after I got my PADI licence and took the Kiana dive boat out of Airlie Beach. We travelled to the outer reef and I saw all sorts of wildlife, as well as experiencing the cavernous drops, and intricate swimthroughs. The temperature is ideal for diving – about 27°, even at 20m down! People say it’s too hot to go in December, but I thought it was terrific.

Any recommendations for first-time visitors?

If you’re coming to Australia I would say don’t be too ambitious. Don’t try to do the rock, the reef and Sydney if you only have a month, unless you’ve got heaps of cash. I would think about what you want to experience, and maybe check out a few itinerary suggestions from travel guides – try TNT!

Photos: Supplied, Thinkstock, Bounce Sydney and Getty

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A tale of top cities

Travel tome stalwart Lonely Planet lists Hobart as one of the top 10 cities in the world, and hailed Adelaide as one of the top 10 cities to visit this year. Both are on our (very large) doorstep, so we thought we’d see what all the fuss is about... WORDS LISA YOUNG

Wonder at the view with Tasmanian Air Adventures

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Hobart Once a penal settlement for British prisoners in the early 1800s, Tasmania is Australia’s smallest state and even more isolated than mainland Australia.

Locally known as Tassie, it lies just 240km off the southernmost coast of Australia. To give you an idea of its remoteness, it’s the last port of call before reaching Antarctica.

Recently its capital, Hobart, has come into its own, becoming a hotbed of modern art, international awardwinning whiskies, innovative arts and crafts, maritime lifestyle, festivals and the annual ‘Bluewater Classic’, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Contemporary hotels and unique hostels have sprung up, and entrepreneurial young people are developing new, exciting places to see and be seen in, as well as eat.

We sent a writer to get a first-hand experience of one of the top cities in the world, right on our doorstep…

“I got my first taste of Hobart on a cool early morning, with a wee dram at the Lark Distillery Cafe on Davey Street, overlooking Hobart’s waterfront.

The café is the meeting point for Lark’s whisky tours; Hobartian Bill Lark first founded his international awardwinning boutique distillery in 1992, when he managed to obtain Tasmania’s first whisky distilling licence in 153 years.

After our early morning tipple and a talk on the history of the distillery, we climbed into a minibus for a 45-minute drive to the outskirts of Hobart. Here we found Bill’s small distillery stacked high with hundreds of barrels of ageing whisky.

We met the makers and went behind the scenes of the

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distillation process, sticking our noses into huge vats and, of course, tasting numerous single malt whiskies. The day tour costs $165 per person, which includes generous tastings measures (tasmanianwhiskytours.com.au).

Still just about standing after my whisky-infused morning, I spent the rest of my afternoon wandering around the Tasmanian Museum and Art gallery on Dunn Place, where I found rooms full of beautiful art created by some of the best early Australian artists, hanging in a happy union with humanities and science exhibits within this restored colonial building (tmag.tas.gov.au).

In the evening I quite literally went in search of dinner.

I checked Facebook for the location of the TacoTaco food truck, the latest trend to hit Hobart’s streets. Like a Mexican pied piper, the TacoTaco Mexican street-food truck draws fans out of their dwellings with their tantalising simple tacos.

Founder, Matt Hidding, creates fresh cash-only $5 tacos that are filled to the brim with deliciously prepared and locally sourced, free-range, gluten-free meat, fish and veggie fillings.

Pulled pork tacos are the most popular, followed by grilled chicken and braised beef cheek. I find the truck parked up at an abandoned petrol station, where fellow taco pilgrims gather around the vibrantly painted truck. You can visit facebook.com/tacotacotas for the daily location or call +61 (0) 488 060 636.

The following morning I take to the skies in a sea plane with Tasmanian Air Adventures. After a safety briefing, we board the plane and take off right on the Hobart waterfront. The flight takes us on a breath-taking tour over

Tasmania’s state capital, with a bird’s-eye view over Hobart, the towering Mount Wellington, and the River Derwent with its spectacular surrounding landscape. Although a little costly ($99 for a 30-minute flight), the exciting flight offers a fantastic view of the southernmost coastline in Australia that you simply can’t beat (tasmanianairadventures.com.au).

Just a short walk along the waterfront I arrive at the ferry service for the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). The 15-minute ferry boat ride passes along the River Derwent before reaching the museum jetty in Berriedale.

First opened in January 2011, MONA is Australia’s largest private museum and thousands of people flock to see the erratic and erotic collection every day. It is largely because of MONA that Lonely Planet listed Hobart as one of the world’s top 10 cities, and why so many new restaurants, bars and boutique hotels are opening to accommodate the influx of international visitors heading for the museum.

Museum owner, David Walsh, likens MONA to a ‘subversive adult Disneyland’. He’s not wrong. I take my time to wander through the three spectacular levels of subterranean art space built into a sandstone cliff face, looking at exciting, breathtaking and jaw-dropping contemporary installations and permanent exhibitions. You can of course drive, walk, cycle or take local transport to the museum too. Entrance costs $20 (mona.net.au).

A new day and a new experience; this time I take a Segway tour of Hobart’s waterfront and Salamanca Market with Segway Tasmania (segwaytasmania.com). Every Saturday morning Hobart’s famous Salamanca Market is in full swing. To get ›› TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Hobart waterfront and port

Take a bike ride down Mt Wellington

Go in search of the TacoTaco food truck

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there, I join a small group of people on the waterfront outside the Henry Jones Art Hotel (well worth a look), where we are introduced to our Segway machines. After a practice session, we head off cautiously along the harbour in the direction of the Salamanca Market, trying not to ride into the water.

The two-wheeled machine is fun and easy to control. The speed is regulated, so you can’t go too fast. I bumped up and down footpaths, past the fishmonger selling his daily catch, and along the harbour with its small bobbing fishing boats and icebreakers bound for Antarctica. At Salamanca Place, two street blocks are packed to overflowing with hundreds of stalls selling everything from food, music, arts and crafts, collectables, books, curios, clothing and jewellery.

I dismount my self-balancing personal transporter and join thousands of people who have come from all over Tasmania to browse the local produce and take in the aromas of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods coming from the market and surrounding cafés. It’s well worth including a Saturday in your visit to Hobart so you can experience the market.

The following morning I’m on two wheels again, but this time it’s a mountain bike provided by Wild Bike Tours ($80 for three hours, wildbiketours.com). We meet at Brooke Street Pier for an early morning guided ride down the 1,271-metre high Mt Wellington, the highest point in Tasmania.

Our bikes are loaded onto a trailer and we are driven to the top of the mountain. The higher we climb, the worse the weather becomes... hailstones tumble from the sky, the wind picks up, and thick cloud obscures our view. Not ideal.

Although wet at the summit, the conditions improve as we descend the mountain road. Halfway down, we trade in the Tarmac for a long section of beautiful rainforest, with lush vegetation, and twisting and turning rocky trails. Definitely worth a go, whatever the weather.

So, is Hobart one of the world’s top 10 cities? I don’t know about that. Give me a few more drams of whisky, though, and I’m sure I’d be happy to agree.”

WHERE TO STAY The Montacute Boutique Bunkhouse at 1 Stowell Street in Battery Point is Hobart’s first boutique hostel. Dedicated owner, Rose Flynn, first opened the beautifully renovated house in May this year. The Bunkhouse is the only hostel in Hobart’s historic Battery Point, making it the closest hostel to all of the restaurants, cafés and shops of Hobart’s famous Salamanca Place – everything is quite literally on your doorstep, well... a five-minute walk at most.

Private double rooms cost $100 per room, a private twobed bunkroom costs $90 per room and a bed in a shared bunkroom is $40 per person. montacute.com.au The MONA Pavilions (at the Museum of Old and New Art) are a work of modern art themselves. These fabulously hightech luxury dens are decked out with art from the museum’s collection. In addition, there are spectacular views across the River Derwent. Although pricey, a three-night stay, from $388 per person, includes museum entry. Each den has a luxury kitchen, laundry facilities, wine fridge, touchscreen lighting and more. There is also a heated infinity pool, as well as a sauna and well-equipped gym. mona.net.au The Alabama Hotel at 72 Liverpool Street offers basic

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OZTRIP budget rooms in the heart of Hobart. Constructed in 1830, the original pub’s rooms have been given a new lease of life in this latest version of an old Hobart institution. The hotel is comfortable, adequate and central, and although the 17 rooms lack atmosphere, they each have original local art and a few interesting vintage touches. alabamahobart.com.au WHERE TO EAT Crumb Street Kitchen on 144 Harrington Street is an overnight phenomenon. The décor is somewhat eclectic – all furniture comes from the tip shop and the floor is covered with salvaged Astro Turf. The meaty menu includes

smoked brisket and ribs slowly cooked for 18 hours, and the signature pulled pork sandwiches come highly recommended.

The small café has a few stools for diners to perch on, or food can be order to go. Everything is served in pizza boxes, and even though you eat with plastic cutlery and drink from paper cups, diners still queue up for the top-notch grub. The simple yet fabulous food is worth the wait.

The Roaring Grill at 301 Elizabeth Street in North Hobart specialises in beef and lamb dishes. It sources the best seasonal fruits and vegetables from local producers, while the grass-fed Wagyu beef is from Robbins Island, the juicy oysters ››

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“

I got my first taste of Hobart on a cool early morning, with a wee dram at the Lark Distillery Cafe on Davey Street, overlooking Hobart’s waterfront

”

Crumb Street Kitchen come from Bruny Island, and the Blue Eye Trevalla and fish are from the pristine waters of the Southern Ocean. A main course costs between $40 to $70. roaringgrill.com Smolt is located in the midst of Hobart’s bustling waterfront dining district at 2 Salamanca Square. With a similar approach to food taken by countries such as Spain and Italy, Smolt is a relaxed space serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. smolt.com.au WHERE TO DRINK There are a lot of good bars in Hobart boasting a healthy local live music scene. Being somewhat off the beaten track for visiting international bands, local live music is popular.

Hobart’s Salamanca area has some popular watering holes, including Preachers, with their wide range of Tasmanian wines, ciders and whiskies. The Grape Bar and Bottleshop, Cargo Bar Pizza Lounge, BarCelona, and Observatory (known as the ‘O’) have more of a clubbing scene and cater to all of your pop music needs (we’re sure you have them).

The busy New Sydney Hotel at 87 Bathurst Street houses the best Irish pub in town, and they always have a good stock of local Tasmanian liquor. There’s almost always a good live band playing, and a roaring fire on cold nights to boot.

North Hobart hotspots include The Republic Bar at 299 Elizabeth Street, one of Hobart’s biggest live music venues, while the nearby Winston Alehouse has a vast selection of craft beers and ciders from around the world, and plenty of live, quality music.

If you are after a party scene, head to Wunderland Rooftop Bar at 112 Murray Street. They open their doors on a Wednesday (6pm to late), Friday and Saturday (9pm to late). This is Hobart’s only rooftop bar, and sells pints of beer and cider for $5 – a bargain in Tassie.

ADELAIDE And so on to Adeleide which, according to Lonely Planet, is one of the top 10 cities to visit this year.

South Australia’s capital is indeed a great place to pop to at any time of year. It’s a young, vibrant Australian city, rich in recent history and with a passion for fine living.

The city boasts a superb climate, thriving cultural scene, 50

Hobart’s waterfront and more than 700 restaurants, bars and clubs. Trendy micro-bars, food trucks and pop-up parties all help to create a buzzing scene. The compact city centre is easy to navigate and most of Adelaide’s sights are within walking distance of the city centre or dotted along North Terrace.

THINGS TO DO Don’t miss out on the indoor Central Market, Adelaide’s main market that’s located near Victoria Street and known for its great value and sheer diversity – butchers sell kangaroo meat alongside Asian, Russian and other international foods stalls. Stop at Lucia’s, one of Adelaide’s most beloved market stalls, where they have been serving Italian pastries and coffee for more than half a century.

If you’re a cricket fan, visit the Bradman Collection at Parliament House and pore over the personal items of cricketing legend Sir Donald Bradman, then take in a cricket match at the revamped Adelaide Oval on King William Road, one of the country’s most notable grounds.

No trip to Adelaide is complete without a vintage tram ride from Victoria Square to the relaxed seaside town of Glenelg. Walk along Jetty Road and duck into the local shops to browse before relaxing on the beach with a cocktail or propping up on the pier to watch the sunset.

Landscape, history and wine inspire delightful trips outside the city. Barossa Valley is Australia’s best-known wine region,

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SHORTTRIP producing wine for over 160 years. More than 60 wineries are dotted throughout the region, all within close proximity to each other. Walk or cycle between the vineyards for a thoroughly enjoyable – and most likely drunken – day.

WHERE TO EAT Hungry burger fans should head to The Union Hotel at 70 Waymouth Street, where huge overloaded Angus beef burgers are served, oozing a secret sauce amongst Gruyere cheese, smoked bacon, pickles, fresh tomato and lettuce. Burgers cost between $18 to $21.

Minestra at 123 Churchill Street is a simple, family-oriented and homely café, where most of the ingredients used are from South Australia’s local producers. The ever-changing blackboard menu includes omelette with nettles, juicy meatball dishes, and particularly excellent braised lamb.

One of the hottest things to come out of Adelaide’s food and drink scene is the new trending dessert bars. Try The Editor on Waymouth Street, with their tantalising frozen margarita served with a drool-inducing praline platter, or freshly made macaroons served with a cool glass of Chablis.

Other top dessert bars include The Chocolate Bean (Union Street), Devour (Prospect Road), and Eggless (Goodwood Road); the latter serves egg-free recipes and specialises in vegan and lacto-vegetarian delicacies.

Wine tasting at Barossa Valley

WHERE TO STAY The brand-new Ibis Adelaide opened in July 2014 and is the first new-build Ibis in Australia for several years. Rooms start from £60 per night. ibis.com If you’re looking for fun and funky, check out the Majestic Minima Hotel in north Adelaide, although the rooms are small (prices from $55), the beds are big and each room has been decorated by a South Australian artist. majestichotels. com.au Glenelg Beach Hostel is located in one of Adelaide’s four beach suburbs with budget prices starting at $24 for a bed in a shared dorm, while individual rooms are priced from $60 to $120. glenelgbeachhostel.com.au

Glenelg Pier at sunset

Photos: Courtesy of Lisa Young and Thinkstock

WHERE TO DRINK It seems like a new bar opens every week in Adelaide. The Wheatsheaf Hotel, or ‘Wheaty’ as it’s known locally, is an Aladdin’s cave of craft beers. The Wheaty prides itself on serving what they call “real beers, real wine and the odd whisky”. They regularly host craft beer launches, live music, art exhibitions and a chance to meet local brewers.

The cosy and intimate Clever Little Tailor wine bar at 19 Peel Street is a popular choice with locals because of the friendly staff and wide range of wine and beer. Alternatively, try Udaberri at 11 Leigh Street, a wine bar awarded as South Australia’s ‘bar of the year’ in 2012.

NEED-TO-KNOW INFO GETTING TO TASMANIA Virgin Australia operates direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Launceston and Hobart. Fares start from AU$95 one way without baggage, or AU$109 with a checked-in bag.

T&Cs apply. For more information and to book visit virginaustralia.com.

GETTING TO ADELAIDE More airlines fly into Adelaide, including Emirates, which operates direct daily flights into the city, alongside Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas and Cathay Pacific. australia.com discovertasmania.com.au southaustralia.com

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TOPTEN

TRAIN JOURNEYS

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Words: James Ferron. Photos: Thinkstock, Great Southern Rail, KiwiRail Limited and Queensland Rail.

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Large distances between major cities generally make trains the poorer cousins to planes when it comes to getting around Australia. But if you can make the time to travel by train, Australia and New Zealand are home to some pretty incredible rail journeys that provide a brilliant way of seeing the country and allow you time to properly take in the views.

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THE GHAN Formally called the Afghan Express, but in accordance with Australians needing to shorten every bloody thing, the train was renamed The Ghan.

It takes its name from the pioneering Afghan cameleers who blazed their way up the centre of Australia more than 150 years ago.

Originally the plan was to carry supplies and passengers to Alice Springs in the NT (then known as Stuart) and on to Darwin. Its maiden voyage was on August 4, 1929, to Alice and over the years it has met with flash floods, intense heat and irregular services.

In 1980 it was decided the tracks would be uprooted and new ones laid further west to avoid all these problems. In 2004, the inaugural journey to Darwin was made with the new transcontinental service covering 2,979km from Adelaide through towns such as Port Augusta, Alice, Tennant Creek and Katherine. As well as passing impressive landscapes such as the MacDonnell Ranges, the Simpson Desert and Litchfield National Park, mobs of big red kangaroos and the dramatic desert sunrise and sunset also litter the stunning horizon. And while you’re busy catching your breath, it’s time to turn around and do it in reverse. theghantrain.com.au

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3 TOP TIPS FOR TRAIN TRAVEL

INDIAN PACIFIC

TRANZALPINE, NZ

Australia’s second greatest railway journey is the trans-continental Indian Pacific, which joins two great oceans.

The 4,352km trip involves spending three nights on board and stops at Broken Hill, Adelaide and gold-rich Kalgoorlie. Travelling along the Nullarbor Plain you’ll also stop in the outpost of Cook, boasting a population of just two.

Few people won’t love one of the longest and most spectacular train journeys in the world. greatsouthernrail.com.au

It’s often said it’s all about the journey and not the destination, and – while we aren’t bagging either Christchurch or Greymouth – this is some journey.

It’s a mere four-and-half-hour trip but it packs a punch as the train traverses the Southern Alps, an unspoilt region of mighty glaciers, wild rivers and the famous Punakaiki pancake rocks. The landscape will take your breath away as you pass over deep gorges and rivers.

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kiwirailscenic.co.nz

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THE OVERLAND

THE SUNLANDER

The Overland, which commenced service between Melbourne and Adelaide in 1887, came from the term for an adventurer who had travelled across the country. Today, the Overland is a comfortable and convenient way to travel between these two great southern cities.

Passing through Geelong and Dimboola, through golden crops and over vast open plains, it’s an utterly stunning trip. greatsouthernrail.com.au

Some 31 hours and 1,681km after you leave Brisbane you’ll rock up in Cairns, but they will have been 31 hours well spent.

The breathtaking range of scenery from historic towns, tropical islands, the Great Barrier Reef (well, okay, strictly speaking you can’t see that through the train window but you get our drift), and the Daintree all pass before your eyes as you track gently along the magnificent Queensland coastline. queenslandrailtravel.com.au

DAVE ATHERTON OF GREAT SOUTHERN RAIL GIVES HIS TOP TRAIN TRAVEL TIPS:

BUY BEFORE YOU FLY Great Southern Rail offers Rail Explorer Passes so travellers can cross Australia with ease (two months unlimited travel across The Ghan, Indian Pacific and The Overland from AU$445). Be sure to book your pass through your travel agent before you make your way to Australia, as it’s cheaper than buying the pass once you’re Down Under.

MAXIMISE YOUR SPACE. Make do with an overnight bag where possible so you can check in heavier luggage.

Fewer bags means more space in your cabin to relax.

GET IN EARLY Booking your trip on The Ghan more than six months in advance for Gold and Platinum Service secures you up to 20% off your fare. Bonus.

ALWAYS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL-INCLUSIVE TRAVEL The Ghan offers all on-board dining, refreshments and off-train excursions as part of your fare – so make sure you eat/drink/do it all!

HIT THE TRACKS FOR LONG DISTANCES The best way to cross long distances in Australia is by rail. Jump aboard to cover stretches such as the Nullarbor Plain, then mix up your journey with domestic flights or self-drive options. The Ghan can now get you to even more far-flung places such as Coober Pedy, so there’s no need to miss out on Outback gems just because they’re remote.

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TOPTEN

TRAIN JOURNEYS

Photos: Thinkstock, KiwiRail Limited and Queensland Rail Travel.

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THE SPIRIT OF THE OUTBACK

NORTHERN EXPLORER, NZ

If you are looking for a journey to reveal the heart of this great Southern land, a trip on The Spirit of the Outback might be just the ticket.

You’ll depart from Brisbane and take a sharp left inland some 1,325km through the rich red soils and pioneer towns of Blackwater, Emerald and Barcaldine before arriving in Longreach, home of the famous – relatively speaking – Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. Once at your destination you can join the local graziers for a visit to a working station (think cattle not trains) and soak up the atmosphere and spirit of the deep outback. queenslandrailtravel.com.au

Set off on the Northern Explorer and travel through the heartland of New Zealand’s North Island. From Auckland (Orcland? sorry couldn’t help myself) in the north to Wellington in the south of the island, it’s one superb train ride.

The journey will take you through Tongariro National Park, with its three volcanic peaks, snow fields (in the right season), ancient lava flows and dense beech forests, and drop you off to explore Wellington or the majestic Kapiti Coast or vineyards of Wairarapa.

Spoilt for choice much? kiwirailscenic.co.nz

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COASTAL PACIFIC NZ

THE PROSPECTOR, WA

TRANS-SIBERIAN

If you have ever fancied taking a train breathtakingly close to the pounding ocean and crossing 175 bridges en route, then this is the trip for you.

The Coastal Pacific on New Zealand’s South Island connects Christchurch and Picton, takes in the magnificent Marlborough Sounds and even lets you off in Kaikoura for some whale watching or a spot of swimming with the dolphins.

Should you decide you want to go panning for gold in WA, The Prospector is the train you want.

Even if the only nuggets you get out west are chicken ones, you’ll have a great train ride to remember.

Originally an old steam train that lumbered for 14 hours between Perth and Kalgoorlie, today’s version is modern and sophisticated and cuts the journey to a mere seven hours.

Okay so it’s not in the Southern Hemisphere but we couldn’t compile this list without including the world’s longest – and perhaps most famous – railway.

Going a third of the way around the world and spanning seven time zones; that should be enough of a draw for most travellers. The cabins are comfortable and the scenery will keep you occupied for hours on end.

kiwirailscenic.co.nz

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See the best See the best of New Zealand of New Zealand by train by train

WELLINGTON – NATIONAL PARK – AUCKLAND

CHRISTCHURCH – KAIKOURA – PICTON – WELLINGTON

CHRISTCHURCH – ARTHURS PASS – GREYMOUTH

WELLINGTON – NATIONAL PARK – AUCKLAND

CHRISTCHURCH – KAIKOURA – PICTON – WELLINGTON

CHRISTCHURCH – ARTHURS PASS – GREYMOUTH

Our three iconic train journeys take you through breathtaking landscapes that can only be seen by rail.

Roll past majestic volcanoes, encounter the rugged Pacific coastline, traverse the pristine Southern Alps, Our iconic journeyscontrolled take you through breathtaking landscapes that can only be seen by rail. and dothree it all from thetrain temperature comfort of our world class carriages.

Roll past majestic volcanoes, encounter the rugged Pacific coastline, traverse the pristine Southern Alps, A licensed allows you to completely relaxcomfort on board, and world panoramic sky-view windows and open air viewing platforms and do it allcafé from the temperature controlled of our class carriages. ensure there is nothing between you and the very best of New Zealand.

A licensed café allows you to completely relax on board, and panoramic sky-view windows and open air viewing platforms ensure there is nothing between you and the very best of New Zealand.

Book your unforgettable journey at

kiwirailscenic.co.nz Book your unforgettable journey at kiwirailscenic.co.nz 01_745p 100pp.indd 55

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WIN WIN

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HOW TO ENTER

Go to tntdownunder.com and click on the WIN page. See webpage for terms and conditions. Winners will be selected at random.

Photos: Thinkstock and James Morgan

ence for less

darwin o alice springs win two pairs of ce springs tickets to mackay

courtesy of tigerair TNT Down Under has teamed up with Tigerair to offer two lucky readers the chance to win flights for you and a friend from Melbourne to the fabulous Mackay in the Whitsundays.

Just south of the Whitsundays lies Mackay, the sugar-producing capital of Australia. With 31 fabulous beaches and several tropical islands, Mackay is an awesome place for work and play. There are numerous hostels, bars, restaurants and shops in town. If you want a meal with a view, head to the café overlooking the lagoon in the Botanical Gardens.

Another great place to eat is the palmfringed esplanade of the Mackay Marina Village, where you can book a multitude of watersport activities, including parasailing, jet skiing, snorkelling day cruises and whale watching trips.

Even if you don’t get lucky and win your tickets this time, don’t forget that Tigerair provides consistently greatvalue fares and the only direct air travel between Melbourne and Mackay.

Fares are consistently on sale from just $89 each way.

We recommend planning ahead and booking early to guarantee the bestvalue deals. As demand increases closer to the travel date, so does the price of the fare.

Web check-in has launched recently to make flying Tigerair better than ever.

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Total prizes worth over

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OZLISTINGS TOUR FIRMS Adventure Tours Australia-wide tours 1800 068 886, adventuretours.com.au Airliebeach.com Whitsundays packages 1800 677 119, airliebeach.com Autopia Tours Tours around Victoria 03 9391 0261, autopiatours.com.au Awesome Adventures Oz Whitsundays packages 1800 293 7663, awesomeoz.com Tours in Tasmania Tours around Tasmania 1800 777 103, tourstascom.au Bunyip Tours Tours around Victoria 1300 286 947, bunyiptours.com

linking Adelaide, Alice Springs & Melbourne 1800 661 177, groovygrape.com.au

Ocean Rafting Whitsundays tours 07 4946 6848, oceanrafting.com

Heading Bush Adelaide to Alice Springs outback tours 1800 639 933, headingbush.com

Oz Experience Hop on-hop off Australia-wide tours 1300 300 028, ozexperience.com

Jump Tours Tours around Tasmania 0422 130 630, jumptours.com

Surfcamp Sydney to Byron surfing tours 1800 888 732, surfcamp.com.au

Kakadu Dreams Kakadu tours 1800 813 266, kakadudreams.com.au

The Rock Tour Red centre tours 1800 246 345, therocktour.com.au

Kangaroo Island Adventure Tours Adelaide to KI tours 13 13 01, sealink.com.au

Topdeck Tours covering all of Oz 1300 886 332, topdeck.travel

Kangaroo Island Wildlife Adventures South Australia 1800 786 386, surfandsun.com.au

Cool Dingos Fraser Island Tours 1800 072 555, cooldingotour.com

Whitsundays Sailing Adventures Whitsundays sailing 07 4940 2007 WhitsundaysSailingAdventures. com.au

Explore Whitsundays Whitsundays packages 1800 675 790, explorewhitsundays.com Groovy Grape Getaways Tours

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Mojosurf Sydney to Byron surfing tours 1800 113 044, mojosurf.com

RENTAL FIRMS Apollo Motorhomes 1800 777 779, apollocamper.com Mighty Cars and Campers (Formerly Backpacker Campervan Rentals) 1800 809 944 mightycampers.com.au Boomerang Cars 0414 882 559, boomerangrentacar.net Hippie Camper 1800 777 779, hippiecamper.com

Under Down Under Tours Tours around Tasmania 1800 064 726, underdownunder.com.au

Spaceships 1300 132 469, spaceshipsrentals.com.au

Western Xposure WA tours 08 9414 8423, westernxposure.com.au Wilderness 4WD Adventures Top end tours 1800 808 288, wildernessadventures.com.au Wildlife Tours Tours around Victoria 1300 661 730, wildlifetours.com.au

Kings Cross Car Market For buying and selling vehicles. 110 Bourke St, Woolloomooloo.

02 9358 5000, carmarket.com.au

Standbycars.com 1300 789 059, standbycars.com Travellers Auto Barn 1800 674 374, travellers-autobarn.com.au Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickedcampers.com

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TRANSPORT CO Greyhound Australia Buses around Australia.

13 20 30, greyhound.com.au Jetstar Airline.

131 538, jetstar.com.au Premier Transport Group Buses along the east coast.

13 34 10, premierms.com.au Qantas Airline. 13 13 13, qantas.com.au Regional Express Airline.

13 17 13, rex.com.au Spirit of Tasmania Ferries to Tasmania.

03 6336 1446, spiritoftasmania.com Tiger Airways Airline.

03 9999 2888, tigerairways.com Redline Coaches For getting around Tasmania. 03 6336 1446, tasredline.com.au Virgin Australia Airline.

13 67 89, virginaustralia.com

With great fares every day! . . . why not travel PREMIER class!

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if you have a genuine backpacker’s card

• Flexible travel on a budget to suit you • One, three and six month PaSSeS available • Daily ServiceS from Melbourne to cairns

MElbOuRnE • SydnEy • byROn bay • GOld COaSt bRISbanE • aIRlIE bEaCh • MISSIOn bEaCh • CaIRnS

www.premierms.com.au or phone 13 13 34 34 10 10 www.premierms.com.au or ph 58

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NSWLISTINGS

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SYDNEY STAY Base Sydney 477 Kent St. CBD.

SYDNEY MUSIC

CHECK IN

Hordern Pavillion playbillvenues.com

Sydney Opera House sydneyoperahouse.com

Bounce Budget Hotel 28 Chalmers St. CBD.

City Resort Hostel 103-105 Palmer St. Woolloomooloo 02 9357 3333 cityresort.com.au Sydney Central YHA 11 Rawson Place. CBD. Westend Backpackers 412 Pitt St. CBD. Boomerang Backpackers 141 William Street, Kings Cross.

02 8354 0488, boomerangbackpackers.com Dlux Hostel 30 Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross.

1800 236 213 dluxbudgethotel.com.au Kangaroo Bak Pak 665 South Dowling St. Surry Hills.

02 9318 0902 Avalon Beach Hostel 59 Avalon Pde, Avalon Beach.

02 9918 9709, avalonbeach.com.au Bondi Shores Level 1. 283 Bondi Road, Bondi bondishores.com.au Bondi YHA 63 Fletcher Street.

Tamarama.

Lamrock Lodge 19 Lamrock Ave. Bondi.

02 9130 5063, lamrocklodge.com

35 Pine St, Manly.

A small cosy hostel. Each and every room has its own bathroom and kitchenette equipped with mini fridge and kettle. There’s a a huge common room, free WiFi and a BBQ area.

Manly

bunkhouse.com.au

Glebe Point YHA 262-264 Glebe Point Road.

Glebe.

Sydney Aquarium Darling Harbour. sydneyaquarium.com.au

Boardrider Backpacker Rear 63, The Corso, Manly.

02 9977 6077 boardrider.com.au

Sydney Wildlife World Darling Harbour. sydneywildlifeworld.com.au

The Bunkhouse 35 Pine St, Manly.

1800 657 122, bunkhouse.com.au

Taronga Zoo Mosman. taronga.org.au

Manly Backpackers 24-28 Raglan St. Manly.

02 9977 3411 manlybackpackers.com.au

Waves Surf School wavessurfschool.com.au

Cammeray Gardens 66 Palmer St, North Sydney.

02 9954 9371 sydneyboardinghouse.com

The Metro metrotheatre.com.au

Nomads Byron Bay Lawson Lane.

Blue Mountains YHA 207 Katoomba St, Katoomba.

CENTRAL COAST Newcastle Beach YHA 30 Pacific St, Newcastle.

Byron Bay YHA 7 Carlyle St. Skydive the Beach Byron Bay Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina 1800 302 005 skydivethebeachbyronbay.com

COFFS HARB

Terrigal Beach YHA 9 Ocean View Dr, Terrigal.

Coffs Harbour YHA 51 Collingwood St.

The Entrance Backpackers 2/56 The Entrance Road, The Entrance, 2261 02 4334 5005 theentrancebackpackers.com Skydive Central Coast Warnervale. skydivethecentralcoast.com.au

BYRON BAY Backpackers Holiday Village

Harbour City Holiday Park 123 Pacific Highway

coffsholidaypark.com.au Hoey Moey Backpackers 80 Ocean Pde hoeymoey.com.au Solitary Islands Marine Resort North St, Wooli NSW 1462 1800 003 031 solitaryislandsresort.com.au

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

SYDNEY DO Manly Surf School Manly Beach. 02 9977 6977, manlysurfschool.com Maritime Museum Darling Harbour. anmm.gov.au My Sydney Detour Unique city tours. mysydneydetour.com

Aegean Coogee Lodge 40 Coogee Bay Rd. Coogee.

04 0817 6634, aegeancoogee.com.au

Powerhouse Museum Darling Harbour. powerhousemuseum.com.au

Surfside Backpackers 186 Arden Street. Coogee.

02 9315 7888, surfsidebackpackers.com.au

The Arts Factory 1 Skinners Shoot Rd.

Wake Up! 509 Pitt St, CBD.

Oceanworld Manly West Esplanade. oceanworld.com.au

Coogee Beachside 178 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee.

02 9315 8511, sydneybeachside.com.au

The Enmore enmoretheatre.com.au

BLUE MTNS

THE BUNKHOUSE

Lochner’s Guesthouse 27 Paul St. Bondi.

02 9389 5421

Coogee Beach House 171 Arden St. Coogee.

02 9665 1162, coogeebeachhouse.com

Byron Bay Accom 02 6680 8666, byronbayaccom.net

The Annandale annandalehotel.com

Easy Go Backpackers 752 George St. CBD. 02 9211 0505, easygobackpackers.com.au Eva’s Backpackers 6-8 Orwell Street Kings Cross 02 9358 2185, evasbackpackers.com.au

Backpackers Inn 29 Shirley St 1800 817 696 backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au

Oxford Art Factory oxfordartfactory.com

Big Hostel 212 Elizabeth St. CBD. 02 9281 6030 bighostel.com

116 Jonson St 1800 350 388, byronbaybackpackers.com.au

Skydive the Beach Wollongong. skydivethebeach.com Sydney Olympic Park Darling Harbour. sydneyolympicpark.nsw.gov.au Sydney Tower and Skytour 100 Market St, CBD. sydneytowereye.com.au Sydney Harbour Bridge The Rocks. bridgeclimb.com

BYRON BAY One of our absolute favourite spots on the Australian east coast is the booming town of Byron Bay, with its lively arts, music, surfing and tourism industry. Beautiful beaches, tranquil hinterland and a relaxed vibe means it’s easy to come here for three days and end up staying ‘til the immigration men come a-knockin’. Byron Bay has an excellent nightlife – with pubs like the Great Northern and the Beach Hotel putting on awesome live bands and DJs over the weekend as well as the nightclub Cheeky Monkey’s, which has different themed party nights almost every night of the week.

byron-bay.com

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Photo: Thinkstock

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

STRADBROKE ISLAND A 25-minute ferry ride from Brisbane will take you to the picturesque North Stradbroke Island, one of the largest sand islands in the world. It is an ideal spot for interacting with nature, especially scuba diving if you want to safely experience a vast array of marine life in close quarters.

BRISBANE STAY Aussie Way Backpackers 34 Cricket St. 07 3369 0711, aussiewaybackpackers.com Banana Bender Backpackers 118 Petrie Terrace.

07 3367 1157, bananabenders.com Brisbane Backpackers Resort 110 Vulture St, West End. 1800 626 452, brisbanebackpackers.com.au Brisbane City Backpackers 380 Upper Roma St 1800 062 572, citybackpackers.com Bunk Backpackers Cnr Ann & Gipps Sts, 1800 682 865, katarzyna.com.au The Deck 117 Harcourt Street, New Farm.

04 3270 6666 Balmoral House 33 Amelia St, Fortitude Valley vipbackpackers.com

Tin Billy Travellers 462 George St tinbilly.com

BRISBANE DO Australia Zoo Glasshouse Mountains, Tourist Drive, Beerwah.

07 5436 2000, australiazoo.com.au Gallery of Modern Art Australian and international paintings, sculptures and decorative art.

07 3840 7303, qag.qld.gov.au Riverlife Adventure Centre Kayaking & rock climbing.

Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point.

07 3891 5766, riverlife.com.au Story Bridge Adventure Climb 170 Main St, Kangaroo Point.

1300 254 627, storybridgeadventureclimb. com.au XXXX Brewery Tours & Ale House Brewery tours.

Cnr Black & Paten St, Milton.

07 3361 7597, xxxxalehouse.com. au

Brisbane City YHA 392 Upper Roma St The Elephant Hotel 230 Wickham St elephanthotel.com.au Somewhere to Stay Cnr Brighton Rd & Franklin St somewheretostay.com.au The Palace Backpackers Cnr Anne & Edward St backpackbrisbane.com

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GOLD COAST Aquarius Backpackers 44 Queen St, Surfers Paradise.

1800 22 99 55, aquariusbackpackers.com.au Backpackers in Paradise 40 Peninsula Drive, Surfers Paradise.

1800 268 621, backpackersinparadise.com.au

Coolangatta YHA Pl, 230 Coolangatta Rd, Bilinga.

Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World wetnwild.myfun.com.au

Gold Coast International BP 28 Hamilton Ave, Surfers.

1800 816 300, goldcoastbackpackers.com.au

Warner Bros Movie World movieworld.com.au

Islander Backpackers Resort 6 Beach Rd, Surfers.

1800 074 393, islander.com.au Sleeping Inn Surfers 26 Peninsular Dr, Surfers Paradise.

1800 817 832, sleepinginn.com.au

Zorb 07 5547 6300

SUNSHINE CST Mooloolaba Backpackers 75-77 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba.

1800 020 120 mooloolababackpackers.com

RAINBOW BEACH

Surfers Paradise Backpackers Resort 2837 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers.

1800 282 800, surfersparadisebackpackers. com.au

Dingos Backpacker Adventure Resort 20 Spectrum St. 1800 111126, dingosresort.com

Surfers Paradise YHA Mariners Cove, 70 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise.

Pippies Beach House 22 Spectrum St. 1800 425 356, pippiesbeachhouse.com

Trekkers Backpackers 22 White St, Southport.

07 5591 5616, trekkersbackpackers.com.au

Skydive Rainbow Beach 0418 218 358, skydiverainbowbeach.com

Nomads Islander Resort 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surf & Sun Backpackers 3323 Surfers Paradise Blvd surfnsun-goldcoast.com

GC DO Dreamworld Theme park. dreamworld.com.au Get Wet Surf School 1800 438 938 Seaworld

seaworld.com.au

HERVEY BAY Aussie Woolshed 181 Torquay Rd 07 4124 0677 woolshedbackpackers.com.au Next at Hervey Bay 10 Bideford St. 1800 102 989, nextbackpackers.com Palace Backpackers 184 Torquay, 1800 063 168, palaceadventures.com.au

FRASER ISLAND Eurong Beach Resort 07 4120 1600, eurong.com.au Palace Adventures 184 Torquay St, Hervey Bay, 1800 063 168 palaceadventures.com.au Barefoot Lodge Long Island barefootlodge.com.au Colonial Village YHA 820 Boat Harbour Drive, Urangan, Hervey Bay Cool Dingo’s Rainbow Beach 20 Spectrum St dingosresort.com Dropbear Adventures Williams Ave, Fraser Island.

QLD 61 487 333 606 dropbearadventures.com.au Frasers On Rainbow Beach 195 Torquay Terrace, Torquay, flashpackersherveybay.com Kingfisher Bay Resort River Heads Road, Fraser Island kingfisherbay.com Fraser Coast Top Tourist Park 21 Denmans Camp Road, Scarness, Hervey Bay frasercoasttouristpark.com.au Fraser Island Backpackers Cathedral Beach, Fraser Island fraserislandco.com.au Fraser’s on Rainbow 18 Spectrum Av, Rainbow Beach frasersonrainbow.com The Friendly Hostel 182 Torquay Rd, Hervey Bay

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E R E H Y L L A IN F E ’R YOU friendlyhostel.com.au Woolshed Backpackers 181 Torquay Road woolshedbackpackers.com.au

BUNDABERG Federal Backpackers 221 Bourbong St. 07 4153 3711 federalbackpackers.com.au Northside Backpackers 12 Queen St. 07 4154 1166 Bundaberg Bondstore Distillery tours.

07 4131 2999 bundabergrum.com.au

TOWN OF 1770 1770 Backpackers 6 Captain Cook Dr. 1800 121 770, the1770backpackers.com 1770 Undersea Adventures 1300 553 889, 1770underseaadventures.com.au

AIRLIE BEACH airliebeach.com 259 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 677 119 Airlie Beach YHA 394 Shute Harbour Rd. Backpackers by the Bay 12 Hermitage Dr. 1800 646 994, backpackersbythebay.com

7 Marine Parade, Arcadia Bay. 07 4778 5177, hotelaracadia.com.au Pleasure Divers 07 4778 5788

MISSION BEACH Absolute Backpackers 28 Wongaling Beach Road.

07 4068 8317, absolutebackpackers.com.au Beach Shack 86 Porters Promenade missionbeachshack.com Scotty’s Beach House 167 Reid Rd. 07 4068 8676, scottysbeachhouse.com.au

LIAʼS N TO DIVE WITH AUSTRA TAKE THE PLUNGE, LEAR VE PROFESSIONALS GREAT BARRIER REEF DI

Jackaroo Hostel Mission Beach Frizelle Rd, Bingil Bay jackaroohostel.com Mission Beach Retreat 49 Porters Promenade missionbeachretreat.com.au

CAIRNS STAY Bohemia Central Cairns 100 Sheridan St. 1800 558 589, bhacentral.com.au Bohemia Resort Cairns 231 McLeod St. 1800 155 353 bohemiaresort.com.au Calypso Backpackers 5 Digger St. 1800 815 628, calypsobackpackers.com.au

and fast food joints to help with yourJJ’s Gilligan's Backpackershangover.

Hostel Base Airlie Beach Resort 11 Charles St. land in 13:00: Continuing north of Port Douglas you’ll 336 Shute Harbour Rd 07 4051 7642, Mossman Gorge (mossmangorge.com.au).

At Daintree jjsbackpackers.com Magnums Whitsunday Village Resort National366 Park the gorge Once you’ve trekked Shute Harbour Rd. is a must-see.NJoy Backpackers Hostel 1800 624 634 Harbourfeet 141 Sheridan along the path you’ll be able to give your a restSt. and magnums.com.au 1800 807 055, admire the crystal clear Mossman River njoy.net.au that cascades over granite boulders.BOWEN Nomads Beach House 15:00: Heading back to the car and continuing 239 Sheridan St.north Bowen Backpackers Beach end of Herbert St. Tribulation. Check out Ferntree you’ll find yourself at Cape Northern Greenhouse 07 4786 3433 117 Grafton Street. bowenbackpackers.net Rainforest Lodge (ferntreerainforestlodge.com.au) 1800 229 228, which has classic huts with a bar and wooden tables. They northerngreenhouse.com.au TOWNSVILLE serve scrumptious meals night and day. After eating it’s Adventurers time to enjoy theResort delights of the Cape withCAIRNS a Croc cruise DO 79 Palmer St. (daintreerivercruises.com.au) A one hour wildlife cruise 1800 211 522, AJ Hackett Bungy jumping & canyon adventurersresort.com swinging. that lets you spot wild animals in their natural habitat. Be 1800 622 888 Dive too close to any mangroves, warned: Adrenalin don’t walk you might cairns.ajhackett.com 07 4724 0600, get an unwanted snap. adrenalindive.com.au Go Wild Jungle Tours Day to tours to Daintree 19:00: With allDive that excitement it’s time head backRainforest.

Yongala 07 4041 9440, towards Yongala Cairns.diving.

As the evening settles, head straight jungletours.com.au into the 07 4783 1519, city centre yongaladive.com.au where there is wide array of restaurants for you Pro Dive 07 4031 5255 to pick from along the main strip. prodivecairns.com IS Cairns experience 19:00: And it MAGNETIC wouldn't be true without Raging Thunder Adventures Base Magnetic Island dancing the night away at The Woolshed (thewoolshed.

Whitewater rafting.

1 Nelly Bay Rd. com.au). With themed nights on every night, 07 4030 7990, try your luck ragingthunder.com.au Bungalow Baycompetitions Backpackers in the wet T-shirt or see how you fare in their Horseshow Bay. Skydive Cairns 285 577, games. Either way you'll Mexican 1800 drinking end your Cairns POBOX 105N Cairns bungalowbay.com.au trip on a high.

07 4052 1822, Hotel Arcadia

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!

skydivecairns.com.au

Our 5 Day PADI Open water course is the most popular way to do it.

We also specialise in Liveaboard dive trips and all levels of dive education.

www.prodivecairns.com SHOP: Cnr Shields & Grafton Sts, Cairns FREECALL: 1800 353 213 PHONE: +617 4031 5255 RES: info@prodivecairns.com TNTDOWNUNDER.COM53 61 tntdownunder.com

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QLDLISTINGS CAPE TRIB

MORETON ISLAND

Crocodylus Village Lot 5, Buchanan Creek Rd, Cow Bay. 07 4098 9166, crocodyluscapetrib.com

Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort tangalooma.com

PK’s Jungle Village Cnr Avalon & Cape Trib Rd. 1800 232 333,

pksjunglevillage.com.au

INNISFAIL Innisfail Budget Backpackers Worker’s Hostel 125 Edith St. 07 4061 78337 Walkabout Motel & ackpackers 07 4061 2311 walkaboutbackpackers.com

PORT DOUGLAS Parrotfish Backpackers Resort 37 Warner St, Kuranda.

07 4099 5011, parrotfishlodge.com

GULF SAVANNAH Emu Creek Cattle Station 08 9943 0534

DAINTREE Koala Beach Resort Lake St, 07 4051 4933

NOOSA STAY Flashpackers Noosa 102 Pacific Avenue, Sunshine Beach flashpackersnoosa.com

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Kanu Kapers Australia Noosa Everglades kanukapersaustralia.com Noosa Learn to Surf Noosa Main Beach, Noosa Heads learntosurf.com.au

PORT DOUGLAS

Nomads Noosa Backpackers 44 Noosa Dr Noosa Inland

Dougies Backpackers Resort 111 Davidson St dougies.com.au

Noosa Backpackers 9-13 William St, Noosaville noosabackpackers.com

Global Port Douglas 38 Macrossan St globalbackpackerscairns.com. au/port-douglas

Halse Lodge YHA 2 Halse Lane, Noosa.

1800 242 567, halselodge.com.au

Parrot Fish Lodge 37 Warner St parrotfishlodge.com

Dolphins Beach House Noosa 14 – 16 Duke Street, Sunshine Beach dolphinsbeachhouse.com

NOOSA DO Australia Zoo 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Sunshine Coast australiazoo.com The Discovery Group Noosa Everglades thediscoverygroup.com.au Drop Bear Adventures Fraser Island from Noosa dropbearadventures.com.au

Port O’Call YHA 7 Craven Close portocall.com.au

INNISFAIL Codge Lodge 63 Rankin St codgelodge.com Crown Hostel 25 Ernest St (07) 4061 2266 Backpackers Shack 7 Ernest St fbackpakershack.com Farm work, Innisfail farmwork.tv/farmwork/innisfail

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AGNES WATER 1770 Beachside Backpacker 12 Captain Cook Drive independentbackpackers.com 1770 Southern Cross Backpackers 2694 Round Hill Rd 1770southerncross.com

ROCKHAMPTON Emu Park Resort 92 Patterson St, Emu Park emusbeachresort.com Rockhampton Backpackers YHA 60 Macfarlane St Childers Eco-Lodge Off the Princess Highway childersecolodge.com.au

SUNSHINE COAST Amore on Buderim 27 Earlybird Dr, Buderim amoreonbuderim.com.au Buderim Motor Inn 45 King St, Buderim buderimmotorinn.com Bli Bli House B&B 600 David Low Way, Pacific Paradise. buderimmotorinn.com Beach Front Towers 4 Aerodrome Rd, Marochydore beachfronttowers.com.au

Cotton Tree Beachouse 15 the Esplanade cottontreebackpackers.com The Duporth 6 Wharf St, Maroochydore theduporth.com.au

TOWNSVILLE Adventurers Backpackers 79 Palmer St adventurersresort.com Civic Guest House Backpackers Hostel 262 Walker St civicguesthousetownsville. com.au Foreign Exchange Accommodation Beachside 19 Eyre St, North Ward foreignx.com.au

MACKAY Gecko’s Rest 34 Sydney St geckosrest.com.au

MAGNETIC IS Base Magnetic Island 1 Nelly Bay Rd Bungalow Bay Koala Village 40 Horseshoe Bay Rd bungalowbay.com.au

Photo: Thinkstock

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

FRASER ISLAND Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island and one of the shining stars on the Unesco’s World Heritage List. Home to dingoes, the sandy coloured Asian wolves are almost synonymous with Fraser and every backpacker who has spent some time on the island has their own story. From “I could hear them circulating my tent like savage beasts” to “I was too scared to use the toilet at night, I could see them around the toilet block, their evil eyes glowing against the fluorescent light.” Eek! But don’t be put off. The Butchulla people called the island ‘K’gari’, meaning paradise, for a reason! fraserisland.net

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Australia’s

Gold Coast

Famous for fun

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HOBART STAY

LAUNCESTON DO

Backpackers Imperial Hobart 138 Collins St. 03 6229 5215, centralbackpackers.com.au

Cataract Gorge launcestoncataractgorge.com.au Centre for Beer Lovers Boag’s Brewery, 39 William St. 03 6332 6300, boags.com.au

Hobart Hostel 41 Barrack St. 1300 252 192, hobarthostel.com

Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery 2 Invermay Rd & 2 Wellington St. 03 6323 3777, qvmag.tas.gov.au

Montgomery’s YHA 9 Argyle St. Narrara Backpackers 88 Goulburn St. 03 6234 8801, narrarabackpackers.com

Tasmania Zoo 1166 Ecclestone Rd. 03 6396 6100, tasmaniazoo.com.au

Pickled Frog 281 Liverpool St. 03 6234 7977, thepickledfrog.com

CHECK IN

Transit Backpackers 251 Liverpool St. 03 6231 2400, transitbackpackers.com

TRANSIT BACKPACKERS 251 Liverpool St, Hobart Transit Backpackers offers a unique relaxed and homely atmosphere within minutes of Hobart and Salamanca Market.

HOBART DO Cascade Brewery 140 Cascade Rd. 03 6224 1117 cascadebreweryco.com.au Mt Wellington Descent Bike tours. 03 6274 1880 mtwellingtondescent.com.au

Hobart

Photos: Thinkstock & Transit Backpackers

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transitbackpackers.com

PORT ARTHUR Port Arthur Historic Ghost Tours 1800 659 101, portarthur.org.au

Salamanca Markets Every Saturday, Salamanca Place. salamanca.com.au Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery 5 Argyle St. tmag.tas.gov.au

DEVONPORT

LAUNCESTON Arthouse Backpacker Hostel 20 Lindsay St. 1800 041 135, arthousehostel.com.au

Launceston Backpackers 103 Canning St. 03 6334 2327, launcestonbackpackers.com.au Lloyds Hotel 23 George St. 03 6331 9906, backpackersaccommodation.com.au

Tasman Backpackers 114 Tasman St. 03 6423 2335, tasmanbackpackers.com.au

BICHENO Bicheno Backpackers 11 Morrison St. 03 6375 1651, bichenobackpackers.com Bicheno Penguin Tours 03 6375 1333, bichenopenguintours.com.au

CRADLE MTN Discovery Holiday Parks Cradle Mountain Rd. 1800 068 574 discoveryholidayparks.com. au/TAS

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Mt Roland Budget Backpacker Rooms 1447 Claude Rd, Gowrie Park. 03 6491 1385

CRADLE DO Devils @ Cradle Tassie devil sanctuary. 3950 Cradle Mountain Rd. 03 6492 1491. devilsatcradle.com Overland Track Six-day walk parks.tas.gov.au

FREYCINET Big 4 Iluka Reserve Rd. Freycinet National Park Brewery, Wineglass Bay camping. 03 6256 7000 wineglassbay.com

STRAHAN, Strahan YHA 43 Harvey St.

STRAHAN DO Wild Rivers Jet Jet Boat Cruises.

0364717396 wildriversjet.com.au Water by Nature Extreme multiday whitewater rafting. 1800 111 142, franklinrivertasmania.com

IN THE SPOTLIGHT PORT ARTHUR Unseen eyes will watch you from every dark doorway. Malevolent forces stay hidden in the blackness, ready to strike at any moment. Is the former penal site Australia’s most haunted spot?

Dunno, but it is bloody creepy and people love it – it’s Tassie’s top tourist attraction. portarthur.org.au

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Wildlife Tours Australia Specialising in Victorian tours +61 3 9314 2225 wildlifetours.com.au

MELBOURNE STAY All Nations Nomads 2 Spencer St.

GREAT OCEAN RD

Home Travellers Motel 32 Carlisle St, St Kilda.

1800 008 718, homehostels.com.au Discovery Melbourne 167 Franklin St. 03 9329 7525 discoverymelbourne.com Melbourne Central YHA 562 Flinders St. Nomads Melbourne 198 A’beckett St. Space Hotel 380 Russell St. 1800 670 611, spacehotel.com.au The Spencer 475 Spencer St. 1800 638 108, spencerbackpackers.com.au Back of Chapel 50 Green St, Windsor College Lawn Hotel 36 Greville St, Prahran collegelawnhotel.com.au Claremont Guesthouse 189 Toorak Rd, South Yarra hotelclaremont.com City Centre Budget Hotel 22-30 Little Collins St citycentrebudgethotel.com

03 5952 6718,

visitphillipisland.com Beach Park Tourist Caravan Park

Great Ocean Road Backpackers 10 Erskine Av, Lorne.

03 5289 1070, greatoceanroadcottages.com

Flinders Station Hotel 35 Elizabeth St. 03 9620 5100, flindersbackpackers.com.au

CHECK IN SURFSIDE BACKPACKER

Corner Great Ocean Road & Gambier Street Apollo Bay Surfside Backpacker is located in Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road, three hours south west of Melbourne and right on the beach.

Great Ocean Road surfsidebackpacker.com

Lords Lodge Backpackers 204 Punt Rd lordslodge.com.au

St Kilda Beach House 169B Fitzroy St stkildabeachhouse.com.au

Melbourne Oasis YHA 76 Chapman St St Arnaud 99 Park St, South Yarra, starnaudguesthouse.com The Spencer City Central BP 475 Spencer St spencerbackpackers.com.au The Nunnery 116 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy nunnery.com.au Victoria Hotel Backpackers Victoria Hotel, 380 Victoria St vichotelbrunswick.com.au

ST KILDA Back of Chapel Backpackers 50 Green St backofchapel.com Base St Kilda 17 Carlisle St

Elephant Backpackers 250 Flinders St elephantbackpacker.com.au

Coffee Palace Backpackers 24 Grey St coffeepalacebackpackers.com.au

Elizabeth Hostel 490 Elizabeth St elizabethhostel.com.au

Habitat HQ 333 St Kilda Rd, thehabitathq.com.au

King St Backpackers 160 King Street kingstreetbackpackers.com.au

Oslo Hotel 38 Grey St oslohotel.com.au

03 5952 22113,

beachpark.com.au BIG4 Inverloch Holiday Park

Port Campbell Hostel 18 Tregea St, Port Campbell.

03 5598 6305, portcampbellhostel.com.au

2 Cuttriss St, Inverloch.

03 5674 1447,

inverlochholidaypark.com.au

Surfside Backpackers Cnr Great Ocean Rd & Gambier St, Apollo Bay. 1800 357 263, surfsidebackpacker.com

BIG4 Phillip Island Caravan Park 24 Old Bridge Dr, Newhaven.

03 5956 7227,

The Ritz for Backpackers 109 Barkly St ritzbackpackers.com

Melbourne Metro YHA 78 Howard St

2 McKenzie Rd, Cowes.

MORNINGTON

Hotel Discovery 167 Franklin St hoteldiscovery.com.au

Melbourne International Backpackers 450 Elizabeth St mibp.com.au

Avenue Apartments 204 Thompson Avenue, Cowes.

Apollo Eco Beach YHA 5 Pascoe St.

Exford Hotel 199 Russell St. 03 9663 2697, exfordhotel.com.au

Home at the Mansion 66 Victoria Parade.

03 9663 4212 homemansion.com.au

03 5952 2258,

Anglesea Backpackers 40 Noble St, Anglesea.

03 5263 2664, angleseabackpackers.com.au

Central Melbourne Accommodation 21 Bromham Place, Richmond.

03 9427 9826, centralaccommodation.net

Habitat HQ 333 St Kilda Road, St Kilda. 1800 202 500, habitathq.com.au

272 Church St, Cowes.

anchorbelle.com.au

Base Melbourne 17 Carlisle St, St. Kilda.

The Greenhouse Backpacker Level 6, 228 Flinders Lane.

1800 249 207, greenhousebackpacker.com.au

Anchor Belle Holiday Park

MELBOURNE DO Australian Centre for the Moving Image Federation Square.

03 8663 2200, acmi.net.au Melbourne Aquarium Cnr of Flinders St & King St. 03 9923 5999, melbourneaquarium.com.au Discovery Melbourne 167 Franklin St. discoverymelbourne.com

phillipislandcpk.com.au

Bayplay Lodge 46 Canterbury Jetty Rd, Blairgowrie.

03 5988 0188, bayplay.com.au

Cowes Caravan Park

Sorrento Foreshore Reserve Nepean Hwy. 1800 850 600, mornpen.vic.gov.au

Koala Park Resort

164 Church St, Cowes.

03 5952 2211,

cowescaravan.com.au

1825 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes.

03 5952 2176,

koalaparkresort.com.au

Sorrento YHA 3 Miranda St, Sorrento.

The Island Accommodation

Tortoise Head Lodge French Island.

03 5980 1234, tortoisehead.net

10-12 Phillip Island Tourist Road. 03 5956 6123

theislandaccommodation.com. au

DANDENONG

San Remo Holiday Park

Emerald Backpackers 03 5968 4086

4 Mary Grove, San Remo.

03 5678 5024

visitphillipisland.com

MURRAY RIVER

Melbourne Cricket Ground Brunton Av. 03 9657 8888 mcg.org.au

Echuca Gardens YHA 103 Av, Mitchell St, Echuca.

Melbourne Museum 11 Nicholson St, Carlton.

13 11 02 melbourne.museum.vic.gov.au

Mildura City Backpackers 50 Lemon Ave, Mildura.

03 5022 7922, milduracitybackpackers.com.au

National Gallery of Victoria Federation Square. ngv.vic.gov.au

Oasis Backpackers 230 Deakin Av, Mildura.

04 0734 4251, milduraoasisbackpackers.com.au

Old Melbourne Gaol 377 Russell St. 03 8663 7228, oldmelbournegaol.com.au Official Neighbours Tours 570 Flinders St. neighbourstour.com.au Skydive the Beach Melbourne 1300 798 843 skydivethebeachmelbourne.com Tourism Victoria Backpacking ideas. backpackmelbourne.com

GIPPSLAND Prom Coast YHA Backpackers 0427 875 735 Cambrai Hostel Maffra 117 Johnson St, Maffra.

1800 101 113 maffra.net.au/hostel

PHILLIP ISLAND Amaroo Park YHA 97 Church St, Cowes.

GRAMPIANS Grampians YHA Eco Hostel Cnr Grampians & Buckler Rds, Halls Gap. Tim’s Place 44 Grampians Road, Halls Gap. 03 5356 4288,

timsplace.com.au

MILDURA Mildura City Backpackers 50 Lemon Avenue

milduracitybackpackers.com.au

STRATHMERTON Riviera Backpackers YHA 669 Esplanade

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PERTH STAY

CHECK IN

Billabong Backpackers Resort 381 Beaufort St. 08 9328 7720, billabongresort.com.au Britannia on William 253 William St, Northbridge.

08 9227 6000, perthbritannia.com

Ocean Beach Backpackers 1 Eric St, Cottesloe oceanbeachbackpackers.com.au

EMPEROR’S CROWN

Perth Beach YHA 256 West Coast Hwy, Scarbrough

85 Stirling St, Perth Just five minutes’ walk from the Perth city centre and the night life of Northbridge, a historical and exciting area of Perth. They’re nominated in this year’s Golden Backpack Awards.

Planet Inn Backpackers 496 Newcastle St planetinn.com.au

Perth

emperorscrown.com.au

Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, Northbridge.

08 9228 3755, undergroundbackpackers.com.au The Witch’s Hat 148 Palmerston St. 08 9228 4228, Witchs-hat.com

Backpack City and Surf 41-43 Money St backpacker.com.au Beatty Lodge 235 Vincent St beattylodge.com.au Cheviot Lodge 30 Bulwer St cheviotlodge.com

The Shiralee Hostel 107 Brisbane St, Northbridge shiralee.com.au

Coolibah Lodge 194 Brisbane St

coolibahlodge.com.au Easy Perth Backpacker

Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, undergroundbackpackers.com.au Wickham Retreat Backpackers 25-27 Wickham St, East Perth 08 9325 6398

4 Francis Street, Northbridge

easyperthbackpackers.com.au

YMCA Jewell House

Photo: Emperor’s Crown

Ocean Beach Backpackers 1 Eric St, Cottlesloe.

08 9384 5111, oceanbeachbackpackers.com.au

The Old Swan Barracks 2-8 Francis St. 08 9428 0000, theoldswanbarracks.com

Hay Street Backpackers 266-268 Hay St haystbackpackers.com

Mountway Holiday Apartments 36 Mount St mountwayapartments.com.au

Globe Backpackers & City Oasis Resort 561 Wellington St. 08 9321 4080, globebackpackers.com.au

Perth City YHA 300 Wellington St.

Grand Central Hotel Backpackers 379 Wellington St 08 9421 1123

Hotel Bambu Backpackers 75 - 77 Aberdeen St, Northbridge bambu.net.au

Emperor’s Crown 85 Stirling St, Northbridge.

1800 991 553, emperorscrown.com.au

One World Backpackers 162 Aberdeen St, Northbridge.

1800 188 100, oneworldbackpackers.com.au

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Book online at www.integritycoachlines.com.au or call 08 9274 7464 (1800 226 339 free call W.A only)

Karijini Experience Travel to Karijini with Integrity Coach Lines THE ONLY COACH SERVICE TO KARIJINI IN AUSTRALIA Always wanted to experience the real Western Australia?

Integrity Coach Lines and The Flying Sandgroper have teamed up to bring you an Australian adventure you will never forget.

Book online at www.integritycoachlines.com.au

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HOP ON HOP OFF TICKET $365 valid for 12 months in one direction with unlimited stops!

With unlimited stopovers on all our services and Hop on Hop off ticket now available between Perth, Broome, Monkey Mia, Exmouth, Kalbarri, Karijini National Park and many more, there is no better way to travel Western Australia than with Integrity Coach Lines!

Integrity Coach Lines provide an excellent reliable coach service at a competitive price. Cheap prices for backpackers YHA VIP & Nomad members! Check us out online.

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180 Goderich St ymcajewellhouse.com.au Coolibah Lodge 194 Brisbane St coolibahlodge.com.au

PERTH DO Aquarium of Western Australia 91 Southside Drive, Hillarys.

08 9447 7500, aqwa.com.au Art Gallery of Western Australia Perth Cultural Centre/Roe St, Perth. 08 9492 6600, artgallery.wa.gov.au Aviation Heritage Museum Bull Creek Drive, Air Force Memorial Estate, Perth.

08 9311 4470, raafawa.org.au Crown Perth Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood. 08 9362 7777, crownperth.com.au Kings Park & Botanic Garden bgpa.wa.gov.au Moonlight Cinema Synergy Parklan, Kings Park, Perth. moonlight.com.au Perth Mint 310 Hay St. 08 9421 7223, perthmint.com.au Perth Zoo

20 Labouchere Road, South Perth. 08 9474 3551, perthzoo.wa.gov.au Penguin Island 153 Arcadia Drive (corner of Penguin Road), Shoalwater, Perth.

08 9591 1333, penguinisland.com.au Perth Concert Hall 5 St George’s Terr., Perth. 08 9231 9900, perthconcerthall.com.au St Mary’s Cathedral 17 Victoria Square,, Perth.

08 9223 1350, perthcatholic.org.au St George’s Cathedral 38 St George’s Terrace, Perth. 08 9325 5766, perthcathedral.org The Perth Mint 310 Hay Street, Perth. 08 9421 7376, perthmint.com.au The WACA Nelson Crescent, East Perth.

08 9265 7222,, waca.com.au Western Australian Museum James St, 08 9212 3700, museum.wa.gov.au

Photo:Thinkstock

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

THE AQUARIUM OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Explore 12,000km of coastline in just one day. From the icy waters of the Southern Ocean to the tropical wonderland of coral reefs in the far north, come on an underwater journey to discover incredible and unique marine life.

aqwa.com.au

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WALISTINGS PERTH MUSIC Amplifier Capital amplifiercapitol.com.au Astor liveattheastor.com.au Belgian Beer Cafe belgianbeer.com.au Perth Arena pertharena.com.au Metro Cityl metroconcertclub.com The Bakery nowbaking.com.au The Ellington Jazz Club ellingtonjazz.com.au The Rosemount Hotel rosemounthotel.com.au The Newport Hotel thenewport.com The Beat Megaclub thebeatmegaclub.com.au Universial Bar universalbar.com.au

Backpackers Inn Freo 11 Pakenham St. 08 9431 7065, backpackersinnfreo.com.au Old Firestation Backpackers 18 Phillimore St. 08 9430 5454, oldfirestation.com.au

Fremantle Arts Centre 1 Finnerty Street.

08 9432 9555, fac.org.au Spare Parts Puppet Theatre 1-9 Short St. 08 9335 5044, backpackersinnfreo.com.au

ROTTNEST ISL

Sundancer Backpackers Resort 80 High St. 08 9336 6080, sundancerbackpackers.com

Rottnest Island YHA Kingstown Barracks.

Pirates Backpackers Resort 11 Essex St. 08 9335 6653, piratesbackpackers.com.au

Rottnest Express 1 Emma Place North Fremantle 1300 Go Rotto rottnestexpress.com.au

FREO DO

MARGARET RIVER

ALBANY Albany Bayview Backpackers YHA 49 Duke St Cruize-Inn 122 Middleton Rd. 08 9842 9599, cruise-inn.com

Kimberley Club 62 Fredrick St 08 9192 3233,

kimberleyklub.com

CORAL BAY

MONKEY MIA Monkey Mia Dolphin Lodge Monkey Mia Road 1800 653 611, monkeymia.com.au

NINGALOO REEF Blue Reef Backpackers 3 Truscott Crescent, Exmouth 1800 621 101, aspenparks.com.au

Fremantle Markets Henderson Street Fremantle 08 9335 2515, fremantlemarkets.com.au

Margaret River Lodge YHA 220 Railway Tce.

Fremantle Prison 1 The Terrace.

08 9336 9200, backpackersinnfreo.com.au

Harmony Forest 248 Sebbes Rd. 08 9757 7055, harmonyforest.com.au

Excape Backpackers YHA Murat Rd, Exmouth.

The Shipwreck Galleries Cliff St, 08 9212 3700, museum.wa.gov.au

Surfpoint 12 Riedle Drive Prevally 08 9757 1777 surfpoint.com.au

Cable Beach Backpackers 12 Sanctuary Road.

1800 655 011, cablebeachbackpackers.com

Ningaloo Club Coral Bay 08 9948 5100, ningalooclub.com

Ningaloo Club Robinson St

ningalooclub.com

ESPERANCE Blue Waters Lodge YHA 299 Goldfields Rd,

EXMOUTH Pete’s Exmouth Backpackers

BROOME STAY

YHA Cnr Truscott Cres & Murat Rd

Photos: Thinkstock & Kangaroo Island Central Backpackers

Ya-Ya’s ya-yas.com.au

FREO STAY

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

KANGAROO ISLAND Joey may be the star of the show, but sea lions, koala bears, echidnas and penguins often steal the limelight on Kangaroo Island.

ADELAIDE STAY Adelaide Backpackers Inn 112 Carrington St. 1800 24 77 25, abpi.com.au Adelaide Central YHA 135 Waymouth St. Adelaide Travellers Inn 220 Hutt St. 08 8224 0753, adelaidebackpackers.com.au Annie’s Place 239 Franklin St. 1800 818 011, anniesplace.com.au Backpack Oz 144 Wakefield St. 1800 633 307, backpackoz.com.au Blue Galah Backpackers Lvl 1, 52-62, King William St. 08) 8231 9295, bluegalah.com.au

Adelaide Oval Home to the Donald Bradman collection.

War Memorial Drive.

08 8300 3800 adelaideoval.com.au Adelaide Zoo Frome Rd. 08 8267 3255, zoossa.com.au Haigh’s Chocolates Factory tours.

153 Greenhill Rd, Parkside 1800 819 757, haighschocolates.com.au Temptation Sailing Dolphin swimming, Glenelg.

04 1281 1838 dolphinboat.com.au

BAROSSA VAL Barossa Backpackers 9 Basedow Road, Tanunda.

08 8563 0198, barossa backpackers.com.au

COOBER PEDY Opal Cave Coober Pedy Hutchinson St. 08 8672 5028, opalcavecooberpedy.com.au Radeka Down Under 1 Oliver St. 1800 633 891, radekadownunder.com.au Riba’s Underground 1811 William Creek Rd. 08 8672 5614, camp-underground.com.au

tourkangarooisland.com

KANGAROO IS Kangaroo Island YHA 33 Middle Terrace, Penneshaw.

Riverland Backpackers Labour Hire Services 08 8583 0211

Vivonne Bay Lodge 66 Knofel Drive, Vivonne Bay 13 13 01 sealink.com.a

Port Elliot Beach House YHA 13 The Strand, Port Elliot.

Harvest Trail Lodge Loxton.

08 8584 5646, harvesttrail.com.au Nomads on Murray Sturt Highway,

Photos: Thinkstock & Kangaroo Island Central Backpackers

EYRE PENINSULA Coodlie Park Farmstay Flinders Highway, Port Kenny.

08 8687 0411 coodliepark.com Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience Sea lion and dolphin swims.

08 8626 5017 bairdbay.com Calypso Star Charters Great white shark cage diving.

08 8682 3939, sharkcagediving.com.au

CHECK IN

Port Lincoln Tourist Park 11 Hindmarsh St. 08 8621 4444, portlincolntouristpark.com.au

Hostel 109 109 Carrington St. 1800 099 318, hostel109.com

Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions Great white shark cage diving.

08 8363 1788 rodneyfox.com.au

My Place 257 Waymouth St. 1800 221 529, adelaidehostel.com.au

ADELAIDE DO

FLEURIEU PEN

RIVERLAND Berri Backpackers Sturt Highway, Berri.

08 8582 3144, berribackpackers.com.au

Glenelg Beach Hostel 5-7 Moseley St. Glenelg.

1800 359 181, glenelgbeachhostel.com.au

Shakespeare Hostel 123 Waymouth St. 1800 556 889, shakeys.com.au

Kingston on Murray.

FLINDERS RANGES KANGAROO ISLAND CENTRAL BACKPACKERS 19 Murray Street, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island Kangaroo Island is a fantastic place to visit and if you want to be right in the thick of things, go for Kingscote.

Kangaroo Island Central Backpackers is a good bet and beds cost $25 per night.

Kangaroo Island

kicentralbackpackers.com

Angorichina Tourist Village 08 8648 4842, angorichinavillage.com.au Wilpena Pound Resort Wilpena Rd. 08 8648 0004, wilpenapound.com.au

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DARWIN STAY Banyan View Lodge Darwin 119 Mitchell St. 08 8981 8644, banyanviewlodge.com.au

KATHERINE STAY

MUST SEE

BIG4 Katherine Holiday Park 20 Shadforth Road.

1800 501 984, big4.com.au

Darwin YHA 97 Mitchell St.

Palm Court Kookaburra Backpackers Third St. 08 8972 2722

Elkes Backpackers 112 Mitchell St. 1800 808 365, elkesbackpackers.com.au

KATHERINE DO

Frogshollow Backpackers 27 Lindsay St. 1800 068 686, frogs-hollow.com.au

Airborne Solutions Scenic helicopter flights.

08 8972 2345 airbornesolutions.com.au

Gecko Lodge 146 Mitchell St. 1800 811 250, geckolodge.com.au

HENLEY-ON-TODD REGATTA

Melaleuca on Mitchell 52 Mitchell St. 1300 723 437, momdarwin.com

If you didn’t catch it in August, this annual boat race with an absolutely unique feel to it, because there’s no actual water. In the dry, sandy bed of the Todd River, men and women fashion themselves bottomless boats and race up and down the course. Fun!

Youth Shack 69 Mitchell St. 1300 793 302, youthshack.com.au

DARWIN DO Crocosaurus Cove Crocodile park and cage of death. 58 Mitchell St. 08 8981 7522, crocosauruscove.com Deckchair Cinema Jervois Rd, Darwin Waterfront.

08 8981 0700, deckchaircinema.com.au

Alice Springs

henleyontodd.com

Fannie Bay Gaol Heritage prison. East Point Road, Fannie Bay. 08 8941 2260, nt.gov.au Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory 19 Conacher St, Bullocky Point.

08 8999 8264, magnt.nt.gov.au

Oz Jet Boating Stokes Hill Wharf.

1300 135 595, ozjetboating.com.au Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise Adelaide River.

08 8978 9077, jumpingcrocodile.com.au Wave Lagoon Waterfront Precinct. waterfront.nt.gov.au

Nitmiluk Tours Gorge cruises and kayak hire. 1300 146 743 nitmiluktours.com.au

TENNANT CREEK Tourist Rest Leichardt St. 08 8962 2719, touristrest.com.au

ALICE SPRINGS Alice Lodge 4 Mueller St. 08 8953 1975, alicelodge.com.au Alice Springs YHA Cnr Parsons St & Leichhardt Tce. Annie’s Place 4 Traeger Ave. 1800 359 089, anniesplace.com.au

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Haven Resort 3 Larapinta Drive.

1800 794 663, alicehaven.com.au Toddy’s Resort 41 Gap Rd. 1800 027 027, toddys.com.au

ALICE DO Alice Springs Desert Park Larapinta Drive.

08 8951 8788, alicespringsdesertpark.com.au Alice Springs Reptile Centre Meet and hold lizards.

9 Stuart Terrace.

08 8952 8900, reptilecentre.com.au Outback Ballooning Hot air balloon rides.

1800 809 790, outbackballooning.com.au Royal Flying Doctor Service Base Museum and operations room.

Stuart Terrace. 08 8952 1129, flyingdoctor.net School of the Air Long-distance schooling museum.

80 Head St. 08 8951 6834, assoa.nt.edu.au The Rock Tour Uluru tours.

78 Todd St. 1800 246 345, therocktour.com.au

PYNDAN CAMEL TRACKS Saddle up on a camel and ride through Ilparpa Valley to see the MacDonnell Ranges glow red under orange sunset skies, and feed your camel afterwards. Pyndan Camel Tracks is the only camel riding tour operator in Alice Springs, run by Marcus ‘The Camel Man’ Williams. cameltracks.com

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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NTLISTINGS

Photo: Skyring/WIkipdeia (under Creative Commons)

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PINE GAP Australia’s most secretive location, Pine Gap is a secretive facility nearly 20km south-west of Alice Springs which has been there since 1970. Run by both Australia and the United States, its official name is the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap, even though our government really hates to admit it exists. Dun du duuuuun.

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NZ TRAVEL NZ TRIP | NORTH & SOUTH ISLAND LISTINGS

A TASTE OF HOME /74 “Walking the banks, dodging wispy branches from the weeping willows and feeding crusts to the quacking ducks, it would be easy to believe you were in one of the UK’s university cities. For true immersion in the experience, go punting on the Avon.”

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NZTRIP

In February 2011, a 6.3 Richter-scale earthquake ripped Christchurch apart.

Some three years later, it’s slowly but surely getting back on its feet WORDS FRANCESCA BAKER

Cardboard Cathedral

Christchurch is in transition. The largest city in the South Island is still reeling three years after the 6.3 Richter-scale earthquake killed 185 people in February 2011, and both the physical devastation and emotional memory of this event have had a profound effect on the composition and character of the town.

Building sites, road closures and crumbled paths are all around, and finding dinner after 8pm is nigh on impossible. There’s a frustration to proceedings, as you discover that the street on your pub is now fenced off by warning cones.

But local people are seeing the disaster as an opportunity to create a new city that reflects the character and tenacity of the city. Street art, pop-up malls, festivals and events fill the streets and every corner reveals something a bit different.

It is becoming one of the country’s most vibrant and creative hubs as

a passionate population work to rebuild and recreate their city.

Start off your day in the centre of town at the Cardboard Cathedral (cardboardcathedral.org.nz), just one example of emergency architecture that is actually sustainable. Designed

by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban and built of industrial cardboard and corrugated sheets, it’s set to last 50 years, and every day crowds of people are seen gathering for both religious and secular events.

It’s a very English city, established in 1850 by settlers, and their stamp is still evident. (Maori history does suggest, however, that the area has been inhabited for more than a thousand years – the Maori name is Tautahi).

The River Avon runs through the centre, and walking the banks, dodging wispy branches from the weeping willows and feeding crusts to the quacking ducks, it would be easy to believe you were in one of the ›› TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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NZTRIP

Photos: Thinkstock, Tourism Christchurch, Jahn Vannisselroy.

Revival pop-up bar

Punting along the river UK’s university cities. For true immersion in the experience, go punting on the Avon, a relaxing ride through the quaint little city on this most sedate of transport modes.

‘The Garden City’, Christchurch is home to the largest Botanic Garden in the southern hemisphere. Along with the 161-acre Hagley Park, Victoria Square and Avon banks, there are plenty of green spaces in which to take in the clean air which blows across from the hills. The gardens are home to not only a vast array of flowers and fauna, but events throughout the year, making it a vibrant space for locals and visitors.

There are also plans to turn the entire 11km ‘red zone’ along the Avon river into an ecological and recreational reserve for the community; turning what was once a scar on the landscape into an emblem of hope. Temporary public spaces are being generated all over by local enterprise Greening The Rubble (greeningtherubble.org.nz/wp/), which is attempting to do just that – converting the grey crumbling spaces into green areas for residents.

Just at the entrance of the Botanic Gardens you can find the Canterbury Museum (canterburymuseum.com), which tells the story of Christchurch and Canterbury from its very early days right up until recent years, with immersive experiences, artefacts and a full Victorian streetscape. It’s also home to natural history exhibitions, and New Zealand’s tectonic environment is one filled with ecological tales to tell.

Even travelling around Christchurch has a distinctly English feel to it. Hopping aboard the tram is both fun and educational, with a full commentary pointing out pertinent sites. Rambling through the city centre taking tourists around the highlights, the red-and-gold vehicles are local icons. If you specifically want a British icon, though, a company called Hassle Free Tours (hasslefreetours.co.nz) now runs trips on London buses.

For views, head a few miles west towards Lylleton and ascend or descend in the gondola. Taking you a kilometre up to the summit of Mount Cavendish in the Port Hills, the sights across the sparkling harbour and the vast Southern Alps are, for many, one of the first glimpses they have of the epic New Zealand scenery – utterly breathtaking.

For more mountain views, when departing consider the TranzAlpine Scenic Rail to Greymouth. The journey is an impressive one to undertake, meandering through gorges, ›› lush forests, craggy rocks, Arthur’s Pass and the highest 76

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK Check out Revival (revivalbar.co.nz), a trendy new bar constructed using recycled materials. Sit on suitcases in the shipping container structure and quaff innovative cocktails. Amazing pizza can be found at Base (basepizza.co.nz), where the base is indeed the central feature, cooked to perfection in 400°C ovens, adorned with fresh and local ingredients. The cleverly named Tequila Mockingbird (tequilamockingbird.co.nz) not only stocks an extensive range of the Mexican tipple, but cooks some great meals, including coconut and lime-coated market fish and wakanui beef cheek.

Locally sourced and seasonal ingredients are on the menu at Strawberry Fayre (strawberryfare.com), and the restaurant also runs cooking schools for those inspired to try for themselves.

WHERE TO PARTY Many of the clubs are closed, but keep your ears to the ground and eyes on local listings for pop-up parties. There are gigs nearly every night at Dark Room (darkroom.bar), where heavy bands, chilled acoustic acts and pop groups all play to delighted punters. The Bedford (thebedford.co.nz) at the university hosts touring acts and is available to hire for various events. If you want to stay up late and fancy your luck, then there’s always the Casino (chchcasino.co.nz), NZ’s first.

For more on what to see and do visit welcomeaboard.co.nz

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NZTRIP peaks on the South Island, right to the east coast and its wholly different landscape of rainforests and glaciers.

It’s hard to recommend where to shop, as the pop-up culture means that things are always changing, as entrepreneurs and creators seize the opportunity to start afresh. At Re: Start in the very centre of the city, a whole variety of boutiques, cafes and retailers can be found in the brightly hued shipping container shopping village. Spanish Mission Revival architecture remains on New Regent Street, one of the most beautiful in this very beautiful city. Colourful timber-clad buildings, pretty little planters, and quirky coffee shops, as well as an outdoor reading room, make this one of the city’s most photographed spots.

A particularly exciting aspect of the regenerating city is its vibrant arts scene.

Testament to the old adage that out of adversity comes creativity, things have flourished. With the main art gallery still closed, imagination has found its way onto the streets in the resourceful fashion also seen elsewhere. The whimsical Sound Garden where recycled materials create improvised instruments and the coinoperated Dance-O-Mat, an ex-laundromat washing machine now converted into a dance machine, are examples of reinvigorated uses of salvaged scrap materials. On building walls and crumbling fences are beautiful and vibrant pieces of street art, some making political statements and some simply aesthetically pleasing, but all part of the reclamation of a space that was claimed by tragedy.

‘BRInG YOUR CRew TO THe MUSeUM’ DISPLAYS FLIGHT SIMULATOR GUIDeD TOURS CAFé & SHOP

FRee enTRY 45 Harvard Ave, Wigram, Christchurch p 03 343 9532 OPEN DAILY 10am - 5pm

airforcemuseum.co.nz

The future looks bright for Christchurch. Tagged as ‘a city reimagined’ there are certainly grand plans for the future, and an enthusiastic approach to its achievement. Stilted by bureaucracy and paperwork, but fuelled by imagination and drive, interesting times are ahead.

It will be fascinating to see whether this new stage in its development will see the classic English heritage preserved, a more Kiwi stamp put upon the city, or whether a wholly new direction will be taken. Whatever the direction it takes, Christchurch is a city to watch.

WHERE TO STAY Foley Towers (hostelworld.com) was one of the first hostels in New Zealand, and the original of the BBH chain.

There are Foley’s reunions happening all around the world, such good friends have been made in the amiable atmosphere here. The gardens are well maintained, budding and blooming, with the rooms centred around the greenery and picnic tables. The main building is filled with a happy hum, and the gentle clinking of cooking, making it a contented homely place.

Old Country House (oldcountryhousenz.com) is certainly one to rest, relax and rejuvenate in before the next stage of the journey. Very much of an old Oxford or Durham-style college, with cobbled winding paths, flowering gardens, vast wooden kitchens and quiet spaces. An eco-friendly outlook means that native NZ plants are used (they need less support), as well as recycled landscaping materials, and sensor lighting and heating.

Run by a European couple who fell in love with Christchurch after travelling for four-and-a-half years, they’ve managed to create a home from home, as clichéd as that sounds.

Homestead The Grange (thegrange.co.nz) is a classic well-preserved Victorian mansion offering chic B&B accommodation with an interesting history, explored in the Peter Jackson movie Heavenly Creatures, starring Kate Winslet. A little further out, and also a little different, is Pete’s Farm Stay (petesfarm.co.nz). Cows, goats and sheep all roam the farm, and the snow-capped alpine backdrop makes for an inspiring view.

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AUCKLAND

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

In Maori language the city’s name is Tamaki Makau Rau, which translates as “the city of 100 lovers”. Auckland is admired for its cosmopolitan flavour, its sunny harbour for the fact that it makes every other city in NZ feel like a small town.

Auckland Zoo See kiwi birds in the nocturnal house and over 900 animals.

09 360 3800, aucklandzoo.co.nz Coast to Coast Walkway A walk between Waitemata Harbour and Manukau Harbour.

It takes about four hours and takes in Albert Park, Auckland Uni, Auckland Domain, Mt Eden, and One Tree Hill.

i-SITE Auckland Atrium, skycity, Cnr Federal & Victoria Sts Backpackers World Travel 16-20 Fort St, 09 300 9999, backpackersworld.com i-SITE Visitor Information 287 Queen St, 09 979 2333, aucklandnz.com Ferry Tickets Online (For inter-island ferry services) 39 Beach Rd, 0800 500 660, ferrytickets.co.nz Department of Conservation Auckland Details on tramping, camping grounds, the Gulf Islands and exploring the regional parks.

137 Quay St Cnr, Princes Wharf, open Mon-Fri (9am-5am); SatSun (10am-4pm), 09 379 6476 Airport Transport The airport is 21km from the city and shuttle buses run every half an hour.

Airbus Airport is every 20 mins.

0800 247 287, airbus.co.nz City buses Tickets and timetables are available from the 10 central city Star Mart stores.

09 366 6400, maxx.co.nz Auckland InterCity Travel Centre Buses around Auckland and the rest of New Zealand leave from here. Located beside the casino, Hobson St, 09 583 5780, intercity.co.nz Train Intercity trains arrive and depart from Britomart, 12 Queen St, Auckland.

09 366 6400, transdev.co.nz

AUCKLAND STAY Airport Skyway Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 30 Kirkbride Road, Mangere.

09 275 4443, skywaylodge.co.nz Auckland International Backpackers (BBH) 2 Churton St, Parnell. +64358 4584, aucklandinternationalbp.com Base Backpackers Auckland 229 Queen St. 09 358 4877, stayatbase.com Bamber House (BBH) 22 View Rd, Mt Eden.

09 623 4267, bbh.com BK Hostel (BBH) 3 Mercury Ln, Central.

09 307 0052, bkhostel.co.nz

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ever lived and experience a Maori cultural show.

09 309 0443, aucklandmuseum.com

ROTORUA CANOPY TOURS You will give Tarzan a run for his money zipping through this magical, untouched New Zealand forest. The guided three-hour adventure will see you travelling a 1.2 kilometre network of zip-lines, swing-bridges and treetop platforms, 40 metres above the forest floor. canopytours.co.nz City Garden Lodge (BBH) 25 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell.

09 302 0880 citygardenlodge.co.nz City Groove Backpackers (BBH) 6 Constitutional Hill, Parnell.

09 303 4768.

Kiwi International Hotel 411 Queen St. 0800 100 411, kiwihotel.co.nz Auckland Airport Kiwi Hotel 150 McKenzie Road, Mangere.

09 256 0046, kiwiairporthotel.co.nz

09 378 8990, uenukulodge.co.nz Surf ‘n’ Snow Backpackers 102 Albert St. 09 363 8889, surfandsnow.co.nz The Brown Kiwi (BBH) 7 Prosford St, Ponsonby.

09 378 0191, brownkiwi.co.nz Verandahs (BBH) 6 Hopetown St. 09 360 4180, verandahs.co.nz

Lantana Lodge (BBH) 60 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell.

09 373 4546, lantanalodge.co.nz

YHA Auckland City 18 Liverpool St. 09 309 2802, yha.co.nz

The Fat Camel (Nomads) 38 Fort St. 09 307 0181, nomadsworld.com

YHA Auckland International 5 Turner St. 09 302 8200, yha.co.nz

Borders Beyond 8 Nixon St, Grey Lynn.

09 360 9880, bordersbeyond.co.nz Nomads Auckland 16-20 Fort St. 09 300 9999, nomadshostels.com Oaklands Lodge (BBH) 5A Oaklands Rd, Mt Eden.

09 638 6545, oaklands.co.nz Pentlands (BBH) 22 Pentland Ave, Mt Eden. +64 9638 7031 pentlands.co.nz Ponsonby Backpackers (BBH) 2 Franklin Rd, Ponsonby.

09 360 1311, ponsonby-backpackers.co.nz Princeton Backpackers 30 Symonds St. 09 963 8300, princeton.net.nz Queen Street Backpackers 4 Fort St. 09 373 3471, qsb.co.nz Uenuku Lodge (BBH) 217 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby.

AUCKLAND DO Explorer Bus Sightseeing around Auckland, 0800 439 756 explorerbus.co.nz Sealink Ferries can take you all over the harbour. Info about timetables and destinations are available online on the Sealink website.

0800 732 546, sealink.co.nz America’s Cup Sailing Experience A unique opportunity to participate as crew on an actual America’s Cup yacht. Take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or simply sit back and enjoy the action as you sail the beautiful Waitemata Harbour.

The two hour sails departs daily from the Auckland Viaduct. No experience necessary.

09 359 5987, explorenz.co.nz Auckland Museum See the world’s finest collection of Maori and Pacific Island artefacts. Explore New Zealand’s natural history, discover the largest bird that

Devonport A 15-minute ferry or bus ride across the harbour on the north shore, Devonport is an idyllic setting for a picnic or a stroll along the beach.

Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World A seawater aquarium with a moving walkway through a transparent underwater cavern.

Antarctic Encounter is a recreation of an Antarctic environment where you jump on a snow mobile and tour a penguin colony, get attacked by an orca whale.

Orakei Wharf, Tamaki Drive.

0800 80 50 50, kellytarltons.co.nz Mt Eden The highest point in the city, 4km south of the city centre with spectacular views. Get there by bus.

NZ National Maritime Museum The museum celebrates NZ’s maritime heritage.

09 373 0800, nzmaritimemuseum.co.nz

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sheltered waters of Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour and is world famous for its sailing and dining cruises. Join them for a coffee, lunch, dinner, Waiheke sailing experience cruise or a full-day sailing adventure and experience the “City of Sails” for what it is known for.

0800 397 567, exploregroup.net Auckland Bridge Climb Up and over the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Westhaven Reserve, Curran St, Herne Bay. 09 360 7748, bungy.co.nz Auckland Harbour Bridge Jump NZ’s only ocean touch bungy, 40m high. Westhaven Reserve, Curran St, Herne Bay. 09 360 7748, bungy.co.nz Canyonz Ltd Explore subtropical canyons and abseil down crashing waterfalls.

0800 422 696, canyonz.co.nz New Zealand Surf Tours Learn to surf on uncrowded, beautiful beaches.

09 828 0426, newzealandsurftours.com Sky Jump Fall from the top of the 192m Sky Tower, 0800 759 586, skyjump.co.nz Sky Walk Walk around the external 1.2m wide platform, 192m up.

0800 759925, skywalk.co.nz Fullers Bay of Islands Tours One, two and three-day tours from Auckland.

09 367 9111, fullers.co.nz

Ponsonby West of the city, explore Victorian architecture and narrow streets with cafés, bars, clothes shops, art galleries and Awesome Adventures Three-day Bay of Islands tours. some lively nightlife.

0800 658 058, awesomenz.com Queen Street Auckland’s main boulevard with Beaches shops, cafés and restaurants.

Auckland is surrounded by great beaches, including Judges Bay, Whale & Dolphin Safari Kohimarama, Okahu Bay, St See whales and dolphins from Heliers Bay and popular Mission Auckland’s doorstep. The Hauraki Gulf is considered one Bay. of the most biologically and Aotea Square Markets geographically diverse marine Every Friday and Saturday at parks in the world. See Aotea Square, Queen St. NZ dolphins, whales, sea birds and/ fashion labels, retro gear, foods, or even penguins. Dolphins are Pacific-style crafts, jewellery viewed on over 90% and whales and furniture, on 75% of trips. Departs daily 09 309 2677, from the Auckland Viaduct. the-edge.co.nz Dolphin viewing guaranteed.

09 357 6032, Victoria Park Market exploregroup.co.nz 3km from the CBD, an outdoor market with fruit, veggies, Fullers Cruises books, clothes and handicrafts.

Inner harbour cruises and longer cruises to Hauraki Gulf islands, with all-day passes and hop-on, GREAT BARRIER hop-off options.

09 367 9111, This unique island destination is fullers.co.nz dominated by a native forest a network of criss-crossing tracks.

Pride of Auckland thebarrier.co.nz The Pride of Auckland operates an impressive fleet of large, Orama Oasis purpose-built yachts on the Karaka Bay Rd,

Photo: Rotorua Canopy Tours

NORTHISLAND

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09 429 0063, orama.org.nz Stray Possum Lodge (VIP) Stray Possum Lodge is situated on the beautiful Hauraki Gulf 09 429 0109, straypossum.co.nz

BARRIER DO Fullers Cruises Depart from the Ferry Building.

09 367 9111, fullers.co.nz Great Barrier Airlines Fly out of Auckland Airport or Auckland Shore Airfield.

09 275 6612, greatbarrierairlines.co.nz Fullers Great Barrier Explorers Cruise and tours, summer only (October-April).

09 367 9111, fullers.co.nz

WAIHEKE ISLAND A 35-minute ferry ride from Auckland. It is popular for its long sweeping beaches and craft shops.

Hekerua Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 11 Hekerua Rd, Oneroa, 09 372 8990, hekerualodge.co.nz Kina Backpackers 421 Seaview Road, Onetangi, 09 372 8971, kinabackpackers.co.nz

HELENSVILLE The hot springs here have indoor and outdoor thermal pools and waterslides.

Malolo House (BBH) 110 Commercial Rd, 09 420 7262, helensville.co.nz

HIBISCUS COAST Orewa Beach Hillary Square, Orewa 09 426 2638, orewabeach.co.nz Marco Polo Backpackers Inn (BBH) 2d Hammond Ave, Orewa North, 0800 426 8455, orewabackpackers.co.nz

SAIL ROCK Hen & Chickens Island and Sail Rock These offshore areas offer great sailing and diving. Boat trips leave from the area daily.

Waipu Wanderer (BBH) 25 St Marys Rd, 09 432 0532 bbh.co.nz

WHANGAREI Whangarei I-SITE Visitor Centre 92 Otaika Rd, 09 438 1079 whangareinz.com

WHANGAREI STAY Bunkdown Lodge (BBH) 23 Otaika Road, 09 438 8886, bunkdownlodge.co.nz Little Earth Lodge (BBH) 85 Abbey Caves Road, 09 430 6562, littleearthlodge.co.nz Piano Hill Farm (BBH) Piano Hill, Kauri, 09 433 7090, thefarm.co.nz YHA Whangarei Manaakitanga 52 Punga Grove Ave, 09 438 8954, yha.co.nz

WHANGAREI DO Dive! Tutukaka Poor Knights Islands dives, plus tours with kayaking, cave explorations, snorkelling, swimming, sea mammal-spotting.

PAIHIA Paihia is one of the most beautiful towns on the North Island with equal parts love for adventure, nature and a raucous nightlife.

AwesomeNZ Tours include Maori mythology, dolphin swimming and fast boats. Maritime Building, on the waterfront, 09 402 7421, awesomenz.com Bay of Islands i-Site The Wharf, Marsden Rd, 09 402 7345, paihia.co.nz

PAIHIA STAY Base Backpackers Bay of Islands 18 Kings Rd 09 402 7111, stayatbase.com Captain Bob’s Beachhouse (BBH) 44 Davis Crescent, 09 402 8668, capnbobs.co.nz Centabay Lodge (BBH) 27 Selwyn Rd, 09 402 7466, centabay.co.nz Admirals View Motel 2 MacMurray Rd, 09 402 6236, admiralviewlodge.co.nz Mousetrap (BBH) 11 Kings Rd, 09 402 8182, mousetrap.co.nz Peppertree Lodge (BBH) 15 Kings Rd, 09 402 6122, peppertree.co.nz Pickled Parrot Backpackers Grey’s Lane, 09 402 6222, pickledparrot.co.nz Saltwater Lodge (BBH) 14 Kings Rd, 09 402 7075, saltwaterlodge.co.nz

PAIHIA DO Haruru Falls Picturesque falls offering swimming, camping and kayaking opportunities – and a pub!

Opua Forest The DOC provides a leaflet of forest walks, which features a small stand of Kauri trees. Drive into the forest via Oromahoe Rd or walk from School Rd. Te Rawhiti Cape Brett Walkway Guided tours include experienced local Maori guides, all meals, hut accommodation, transport by boat to hut taking in the famous Hole in the Rock, Maori culture, myths and legends and hangi, capebrettwalks.co.nz Waitangi Treaty Grounds The site where the historic Treaty of Waitangi was signed.

Also see carvings that represent all Maori tribes in NZ and one of the largest ceremonial waka (canoe) in the world, launched every Waitangi Day (Feb 6).

09 402 7437, waitangi.net.nz Boat cruises & dolphin watching Cape Brett “Hole in the Rock” Cruise Four-hour cruises, dolphincruises.co.nz Dolphin Discoveries With the warmest water and friendliest dolphins (bottlenoses), this is a great place for swimming with the dolphins (conditions permitting).

The high-speed luxury catamaran offers easy access to the water and hot showers. Or do a “Hole in the Rock and Dolphin Viewing Experience” and see dolphins, whales, birds and other wildlife. Visit Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island during your island stop and explore this amazing place.

0800 000 784, exploregroup.co.nz Dune Rider Unique Adventure Tour Make your way up to Cape Reinga while traveling to the Gumdiggers Park and drive along the famous Ninety Mile Beach. Climb huge sand dunes and boogie board back down on the way and stop at the world famous Mangonui Fish Shop for fish and chips. Departing daily from Paihia. exploregroup.co.nz Sale Lion New Zealand: “The Ultimate Day Sail in the Bay” Join Lion New Zealand, NZ’s legendary maxi yacht. The friendly crew will show you the ropes and share the stories of the Bay and Legend of Sir Peter Blake.

0800 000 784, exploregroup.co.nz Awesome Cape Reinga Via Ninety Mile Beach – learn Maori myths and legends, navigate the quicksand stream, ride the dunes, visit a thousand year old forest.

0800 653 339, awesomenz.com

RUSSELL

KARIKARI PENIN

Catch a ferry to Russell, originally a sprawling fortified Maori settlement.

Information Centre End of the Pier, Russell 09 403 8020, exploregroup.co.nz

KAITAIA

RUSSELL STAY

The ideal starting point for Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach.

The Coast Road Farm Coast Rd, Whangaruru, 09 433 6894, thefarm.co.nz Pukeko Cottage 14 Brind Rd, 09 403 8498, pukekocottagebackpackers.co.nz Pipi Patch Backpackers 18 Kings Road, 09 403 7111.

A highlight of the sparsely populated town is the wonderful Maori village.

There is also an historic Maori pa (fortress) and the Kerikeri Mission Station. kerikeri.co.nz

KERIKERI STAY

Mainstreet Lodge 235 Commerce St, 09 408 1275 mainstreetlodge.co.nz

Ancient Kauri Kingdom Giant kauri tree stumps are fashioned into furniture and other trinkets.

Far North Regional Museum Featuring all kinds of goodies, like the skeleton of a giant moa bird and salvages from local shipwrecks.

Pack or Paddle Thoms Landing, 09 4098 445, packorpaddle@hotmail.com

Kerikeri Top 10 Holiday Park & Aranga Backpackers Aranga Drive off Kerikeri Rd, 0800 272 642, kerikeritop10.co.nz

AHIPARA Ahipara Holiday Park 168-170 Takehe St, 09 409 4864, ahiparaholidaypark.co.nz

Hideaway Lodge Wiroa Rd, 0800 562 746 kerikeri.co.nz Hone Heke Lodge (BBH) 65 Hone Heke Rd, 09 407 8170, honeheke.co.nz

Endless Summer Lodge (BBH) 245 Foreshore Rd, 09 409 4181, endlesssummer.co.nz

Kerikeri Farm Hostel (BBH) Springbank Rd, 09 407 6989, kerikeri.co.nz

AHIPARA DO

MATAURI BAY A very well-kept tourist secret, Matauri Bay is Maori land, home to the Ngati Kura people, and has beautiful, quiet beaches.

The Welcome Swallow Backpackers 249 Hikuru Rd, Off Matauri Bay Rd, 09 405 1019, welcomeswallow.com

Tuatua Tours Guided quad tours of Ninety Mile Beach sand dunes. 3 Main Road, 0800 494 288, tuatuatours.co.nz

HOKIANGA Heading south, you’ll hit Hokianga Harbour and the quiet twin towns of Omapere and Opononi. The Koutu Boulders are worth a look.

The Rainbow Warrior A monument to the noble but doomed Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior, sits on the site of a Maori pa on the headland at Matauri Bay. Travellers come here to dive the ship’s wreck.

WHANGAROA This area was once well known for its Kauri forests, but these days it’s more about game fishing. The scenery is ruggedly spectacular and sailing cruises are popular.

Sunseeker Lodge (BBH) Old Hospital Rd, 09 405 0496, sunseekerlodge.co.nz

Pukenui Lodge Corner Wharf Rd & State Hwy 1, Houhora, 09 409 8837, pukenuilodge.co.nz

KAITAIA DO

KERIKERI

Tourist info centre Boyd Gallery, 09 405 0230, whangaroa.co.nz

The Rusty Anchor (BBH) 1 Tokerau Beach Rd, 09 406 7141, rustyanchor.hostel.com

Hokianga Information 09 405 8869, hokianga.co.nz

HOKIANGA STAY Okopako Lodge (BBH) 140 Mountain Rd, Whirinaki, 09 405 8815, bbh.co.nz Globetrekkers Lodge (BBH) 281 State Highway 12, Omapere, 09 405 8183, globetrekkerslodge.com The Tree House Backpackers Lodge 168 West Coast Rd, Motukaraka 09 405 5855, treehouse.co.nz

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DARGAVILLE

OTOROHANGA

TE KUITI STAY

On the road from Hokianga, the famous “Big Trees”, the native kauri trees of Waipoua Kauri Forest. Once in Dargaville, attractions include the masts from the ill-fated Rainbow Warrior and the fascinating bird sanctuary nearby.

Just 59km south of Hamilton, many travellers use this small farming community as a base for visiting the Waitomo Caves.

Casara Mesa Backpackers (BBH) Mangarino Rd, 07 878 6697, bbh.co.nz

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Otorohanga Visitor Info Centre 27 Turongo St, 07 873 8951, otorohanga.co.nz

Dargaville Info Centre 4 Murdoch St, 09 439 4975, dargaville.co.nz

Otorohanga kiwi House & Native Bird Park 20 Alex Telfer Drive, 07 873 7391, kiwihouse.org.nz

DARGAVILLE STAY Dargaville Holiday Park 10 Onslow St, 09 439 8296, kauriparks.co.nz

The Greenhouse Hostel (BBH) 15 Gordon St, 09 439 6342, bbh.co.nz

MATAKOHE Travellers Lodge (BBH) 64 Jellicoe Rd, Ruawai, 09 439 2283, bbh.co.nz Matakohe House B&B Hotel 24 Church Rd, RD1, 0800 492 452, matakohehouse.co.nz

WAIKATO Waikato District Info Centre 160 Great South Rd, Huntly, 07 828 6406, info@waikatodistrict.govt.nz, waikatodistrict.govt.nz Shekinah (BBH) 122 Pungapunga Rd, Pukekawa, 09 233 4464, shekinahbackpackers.co.nz Raglan Kopua Holiday Park Marine Parade, Raglan, 07 825 8283, stay@raglanholidaypark.co.nz, raglanholidaypark.co.nz

HAMILTON NZ’s largest inland city and is known for its parks and gardens.

Hamilton Visitor Centre Corner Caro and Alexandra St, Hamilton, 07 839 3580 visithamilton.co.nz DOC Office 73, Rostrevor St. 07 858 1000

HAMILTON STAY Backpackers Central 846 Victoria Street, 07 839 1928, backpackerscentral.co.nz Forty Winks (BBH) 267 River Rd, Claudelands, 07 855 2033, bbh.co.nz

WAITOMO

RAGLAN BEACH Widely regarded as a surf spot to rival Piha Beach, Raglan is a worldclass location for surfers and body boarders alike because of its consistent conditions. It’s most famous for having one of the longest left-hand breaks at Manu Bay.

Kaihu Farm (BBH) 334 State Highway 12, Kaihu, 09 439 4004.

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Waikato, North Island

J’s Backpackers (BBH) 8 Grey Street, 07 856 8934, jsbackpackers.co.nz Eagle’s Nest Backpackers 937 Victoria St, 07 838 2704, eaglesbackpackers.co.nz Microtel YHA 140 Ulster St, 07 957 1848, microtel.co.nz YWCA Hostel Cnr Clarence & Pembroke St, 07 838 2219, hamilton.ywca.org.nz

HAMILTON DO Waikato Museum of Art & History Cnr Victoria and Grantham Sts. More than 3,000 items, with a permanent Maori War canoe.

Gold coin donations welcomed.

MATAMATA Rural town famous for being turned into Hobbiton in those films – some of the set still stands.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tours 501 Buckland Rd, Hinuera, 07 888 1505, office@hobbitontours.com

CAMBRIDGE This very Olde English town with its town square and abundance of trees is in the heart of Waikato. The region is famous for its horses and jetboating.

Cambridge Info Centre Cnr Queen and Victoria Sts, 07 823 3456 cambridge.co.nz

RAGLAN One of New Zealand’s best-known surfing beaches, Raglan is situated 48km west of Hamilton.

Raglan Information Centre 2 Wainui Rd,

07 825 7076, ragland.org.nz

RAGLAN STAY Solscape Eco Retreat Backpackers 611 Wainui Rd, 07 825 8268, solscape.co.nz Raglan Backpackers 6 Wi Neera St, 07 825 0515, raglanbackpackers.co.nz Karioi Backpacker Lodge (VIP, BBH) & Raglan Surfing School 5 Whaanga Rd, Whale Bay, 07 825 7873, karioilodge.co.nz Dream View Farmstays 430 Te Hutewai Rd, 07 825 8186 dreamview.co.nz Raglan Kopua Holiday Park 61 Marine Parade, 07 825 8283, raglanholidaypark.co.nz Raglan Farmhouse and Flashpackers 61 Marine Parade, 07 825 8747, raglanfarmstay.com

TE AWAMUTU Given that it calls itself the “Rose Town of New Zealand”, it’s not surprising the 2,000-strong Rose Garden is the town’s major attraction.

Te Awamutu Info Centre 1 Gorst Ave, 07 871 3259, teawamutuinfo.com Te Awamutu District Museum 135 Roche St. 07 872 0085 tamuseum.org.nz

KAWHIA The main attraction of this peaceful port town, 55km south of Raglan, is the Maketu Marae where you can experience the rich cultural tapestry of NZ’s indigenous history.

Definitely one of the best adventure spots in New Zealand. There are a range of caving adventures here.

Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre 21 Waitomo Caves Rd, 0800 474 839, waitomocaves.com

WAITOMO STAY Juno Hall (BBH) 600 Waitomo Caves Rd, 07 878 7649 junowaitomo.co.nz Kiwi Paka Hotel Caves 256, Access Rd, 07 878 3395 waitomokiwipaka.co.nz Rap Raft & Rock Backpackers (BBH) 95 Waitomo Caves Rd, 07 873 9149, bbh.co.nz

WAITOMO DO Dundle Hill Walk A two-day walk through native bush; limestone outcrops includes overnight with spectacular views at Kays Cabin.

07 878 7640 dundlehillwalk.com Marakopa Falls, Managapohue Natural Bridge and Piri Piri Cave, 30 minutes drive from Waitomo.

Rap Raft ‘n’ Rock Blackwater adventures combining abseiling, rafting, glowworms, caving and rockclimbing all in one five-hour adventure.

0800 228 372, caveraft.com The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co Cave tubing in the blackness of the Ruakuri Cave river. 585 Waitomo Caves Rd, 07 878 6219, waitomo.com

TE KUITI

OTOROHANGA Just 59km south of Hamilton, many travellers use this small farming community as a base for visiting the Waitomo Caves.

Otorohanga Visitor Info Centre 27 Turongo St, otorohanga.co.nz

OROMANDEL PEN A series of towns loop around the peninsula, broken by rolling green hills. Highlights include Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove and the cosy little Coromandel township.

THAMES A great canyoning spot, with loads of natural pools and waterslides.

Information Thames 206 Poland St, 07 868 7284 thamesinfo.co.nz DOC Office Pahau St, 07 867 9180 doc.govt.nz

THAMES STAY Dickson Holiday Park 115 Victoria St, 07 868 7308, Gateway Backpackers (BBH) 209 Mackay St, 07 868 6339, bbh.co.nz Sunkist International Backpackers 506 Brown St, 07 868 8808, sunkistbackpackers.co.nz Te Aroha YHA Hostel Miro Street, Te Aroha (south of Thames), 07 884 8739, yha.co.nz

COROMANDEL Some 55km north of Thames is the town of Coromandel, home to the popular Driving Creek Railway.

Coromandel Information Centre 335 Kapanga Rd, 07 866 8598, coromandeltown.co.nz

CORO STAY Anchor Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 448 Wharf Rd, 07 866 7992, anchorlodgecoromandel.co.nz Black Jack Backpackers (BBH) Kuaotunu, 07 866 2988, black-jack.co.nz

Te Kuiti Information Centre Rora St, 07 878 8077.

Colville Farm (BBH) 2140 Colville Road, Colville, 07 866 6820

Dept of Conservation 78 Taupiri Street, 07 878 1080.

Mahamudra Retreat Colville Rd, 07 866 6851 mahamudra.org.nz

Tiffany’s Cafe, 241 Rora St, 07 878 7640

Lions Den (BBH) 126 Te Tiki St, 07 866 8157 ionsdenhostel.co.nz

Photo: Thinkstock

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Coromandel Top 10 Holiday Park (BBH) 636-732 Rings Rd, 07 866 8830, coromandeltop10.co.nz Tui Lodge (BBH) 60 Whangapoua Rd, 07 866 8237, coromandeltuilodge.co.nz

OPOUTERE This is a good place to go to just chill out. The beach here is glorious and generally empty. Skinny dip anyone?

YHA Opoutere 389 Opoutere Rd, 07 865 9072, yha.co.nz

WHANGAMATA A real surfie town, Whangamata has one of the best surf beaches in New Zealand and a laidback atmosphere to match.

Whangamata Info Centre 616 Port Rd, 07 865 8340 Southpacific Accommodation 245 Port Rd, 07 865 9580, thesouthpacific.co.nz Whangamata Backpackers Hostel (BBH) 227 Beverley Tce, 07 865 8323 Whangamata-backpackers.co.nz

WHITIANGA Whitianga, perched on pretty Mercury Bay, is the most popular stop-off point for travellers on the Coromandel. You can learn to make your very own bone carving, dive and surf to your heart’s content.

Whitianga Information Centre 118 Oceanview Rd, 09 372 1234 whitianga.co.nz Baywatch Backpackers (VIP) 22 The Esplanade, 07 866 5481, whitianga.co.nz/baywatch Cathedral Cove Lodge 41 Harsant Ave, Hahei Beach, 07 866 3889, cathedralcove.co.nz Cat’s Pyjamas Backpackers (BBH) 12 Albert St, 07 866 4663, cats-pyjamas.co.nz Fernbird (BBH) 24 Harsant Ave, Hahei, 07 866 3080, bbh.co.nz On the Beach Backpackers Lodge (BBH, YHA) 46 Buffalo Beach Rd, 07 866 5380, onthebeachbackpackers.co.nz Seabreeze Tourist Park (BBH) 1043 SH25 Tairua-Whitianga Rd, 07 866 3050

Tatahi Lodge (BBH) 9 Grange Rd, Hahei, 07 866 3992, tatahilodge.co.nz

TAURANGA One of the fastest growing places in NZ, Tauranga combines a young population with a harbourside atmosphere. Enjoy diving, sailing, fishing and surfing.

Tauranga i-site 95 Willow St, 07 578 8103 bayofplenty.co.nz Department of Conservation 253 Chadwick Rd West, 07 578 7677

TAURANGA STAY Appletree Cottage 47 Maxwell Rd, 07 576 4001 appletreebackpackers.co.nz

Just The Ducks Nuts Backpackers (BBH) 6 Vale St, 07 576 1366, justtheducksnuts.co.nz

TE PUKE STAY Hairy Berry Backpacker Hostel 2 No One Rd, Te Puke, 07 573 8015, work@hairyberrynz.com

Loft 109 (BBH) 8/109 Devonport Rd, 07 579 5638, loft109.co.nz

Kiwi Corral Backpackers 26 Young Road, 07 573 4530, kiwicorral.co.nz

Tauranga Central Backpackers 64 Willow St, 07 571 6222, tgabackpack.co.nz

Blue Tide Beachfront Retreat 7 Te Awhe Rd, Maketu Beach, 07 533 2033, bluetides.co.nz

YHA Tauranga 171 Elizabeth St, 07 578 5064, yha.co.nz

TE PUKE DO Kiwifruit Country Young Rd, 07 573 6340, kiwifruitcountry.co.nz

TAURANGA DO Butler’s Swim With Dolphins 101 Te Awanui Dr, 0508 288 537 Waimarino Adventure Park 07 576 4233, waimarino.com

Harbourside City Backpackers (BBH) 105 The Strand, 07 579 4066, backpacktauranga.co.nz

Coyote Bar and Restaurant 107 The Strand, 07 578 8968.

Bell Lodge (BBH) 39 Bell St, Judea, 07 578 6344, bell-lodge.co.nz

Te Puke Information Centre 130 Jellicoe St, 07 573 9172 tepuke.co.nz

TE PUKE

Gotcha Paintball, 720 State Highway 33, Paengaroa, 022 649 1158

WHAKATANE For a very different adventure, visit White Island, an active volcano where sulphur-lipped fumeroles and roaring steam vents create a stark wonderland. whakatane.com Karibu Backpackers (BBH) 13 Landing Rd, 07 307 8276 Whakatane Hotel 79 The Strand, 07 307 1670

CATHEDRAL COVE MARINE RESERVE A popular holiday destination for Kiwis, in particular Aucklanders, the Coromandel Peninsula boasts scenic bushland, superb beaches and cosy villages. While there is a huge summer pilgrimage to the Coromandel – about an hour’s drive south-east of Auckland – there’s plenty of room for everyone.

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NORTHISLAND Windsor Lodge Backpackers 10 Merritt St, Whakatane, 07 308 8040, windsorlodge-backpackers.co.nz

WHAKATANE DO Dive White 168 The Strand, 0800 348 394, divewhite.co.nz White Island Tours Departs Whakatane daily.

15 The Strand.

07 308 9588 whiteisland.co.nz The Wharf Shed Restaurant 2/2 The Strand E. 07 308 5698 Roquette Restaurant & Bar 23/29 Quay St. 07 307 0722 Wallys on the Wharf 2 The Strand, 07 307 0722, wallysonthewharf.co.nz

ROTORUA Rotorua is a must for three reasons: the abundance of accessible Maori culture, the steaming volcanic scenery and adrenalin thrills.

Tourism Rotorua & Visitor Info Centre 1167 Fenton St, 07 348 5179 rotoruanz.com

ROTORUA STAY Base Backpackers Rotorua 1286 Arawa St, 07 348 8636, stayatbase.com Cactus Jack Backpackers 1210 Haupapa St, 0800 122 228 cactusjackbackpackers.com YHA Rotorua 1278 Haupapa St, 07 349 4088, yha.co.nz Astray Motel & Backpackers 1202 Pukuatua St, 07 348 1200, astray.co.nz Blarney’s Rock Backpackers 1210 Tutanekai St, 07 343 7904, blarneysrock.com Crash Palace Backpackers 1271 Hinemaru St, 07 348 842, crashpalace.co.nz Kiwipaka 60 Tarewa Rd, 07 347 0931, kiwipaka.co.nz

Hell’s Gate Mud baths to heal and stimulate your body hellsgate.co.nz Kaitiaki Adventures Extreme whitewater activities.

Sledging and rafting trips on the Kaituna and Rangitaiki Rivers, 0800 338 736, kaitiaki.co.nz Off Road NZ Sprint car racing, Monster 4X4, 4WD Bush Safari and more, 07 332 5748, offroadnz.co.nz Polynesian Spa Historical hot mineral water bathing spa on the edge of Lake Rotorua, 07 348 1328, polynesianspa.co.nz Raftabout Whitewater rafting and sledging, 0800 723 822, raftabout.co.nz Skyline Skyrides Spectacular Get the best views and luge down 5km of tracks, or take the 150ft skyswing, 07 347 0027, skylineskyrides.co.nz

Tamaki Maori Village New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Experience!

Experience an evening of ceremonial ritual, powerful cultural performance, storytelling & hangi feasting.

Hinemaru St, 07 349 2099 tamakimaorivillage.co.nz Whakarewarewa Thermal Village Maori village set amidst a landscape of geothermal wonders. Take a guided tour, see a cultural performance, check out Maori art.

07 349 3463, whakarewarewa.com

LAKE TAUPO Taupo Visitor Centre 30 Tongariro St, 07 376 0027, greatlaketaupo.com

TAUPO STAY Berkenhoff Lodge 75 Scannell St, 07 378 4909, berkenhofflodge.co.nz Riverstone Backpackers 222 Tautahanga Rd, 07 386 7004, riverstonebackpackers.com Rainbow Lodge 99 Titiraupenga St, 07 378 5754, rainbowlodge.co.nz Finns Global Backpackers 8 Tuwharetoa St, 07 377 0044, finnsglobal.co.nz

Waikite Hot Pools Natural hot spring water bathing. Provides private spas, BBQ area and campground facilities, 20 minutes south of Rotorua. hotpools.co.nz

Wairakei Lodge State Highway, 0800 737 678, budgetaccommodationtaupo. co.nz

Waimangu Volcanic Valley The location of the Pink and White Terraces which were destroyed in the 1886 volcanic eruption. waimangu.co.nz

Sportsman Lodge Backpackers Retreat 15 Taupahi Rd, 0800 366 208, sportsmanslodge.co.nz

Wet ‘n’ Wild Rafting Guided rafting options on five different rivers – the Wairoa, Rangitaiki, Kaituna, Motu and Mohaka, 0800 462 7238, wetnwildrafting.co.nz

Base Taupo 7 Tuwharetoa St, 07 377 4464, stayatbase.com

Zorb Rotorua Get harnessed inside the perspex Zorb before rolling head-over-heels downhill, 07 357 5100, zorb.com

MAORI CULTURE

Oasis Hostel/Backpackers 33A Tarewa Rd, 07 343 6563, oasishostel.co.nz

While you’re here, take the opportunity to see how the Maori lived before European settlment.

The Maori Arts and Crafts Institute in Whakarewarewa is a good place to begin . nzmaori.co.nz.

Rotorua Central Backpackers 1076 Pukuatua St, 07 349 3285, rotoruacentralbackpackers.co.nz

NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute 07 348 9047 tepuia.com

Planet Nomad Backpackers 1080 Eruera St, 07 350 2550, rotoruaplanetbackpackers.co.nz

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ROTORUA DO Agroventures Five adrenalin activities in one adventure park, including bungy jumping, sprint boats and a wind tunnel.

1335 Paradise Valley Rd. 07 357 4747, agroventures.co.nz

BOOK NOW!

Taupo Urban Retreat 65 Heu Heu St, 0800 872 261, tur.co.nz Tiki Lodge 104 Tuwharetoa St, 0800 845 456, tikilodge.co.nz YHA Taupo 56 Kaimanawa St, 07 378 3311, yha.co.nz Silver Fern Lodge 118 Tamamutu St, 07 377 4929, silverfernlodge.co.nz Lake Maraetai Lodge 5 Totara Terrace, 07 882 8940, lake-maraetai-lodge.co.nz

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TAUPO DO Craters of the Moon One of the most geothermally active areas in the region, full of boiling mud and steaming craters. Wairakei Park. cratersofthemoon.co.nz Huka Falls Take a relaxing walk up to Huka Falls where the water pours over the 35ft drop at up to 62,000 gallons per second. hukafalls.com

@tnt_downunder The Crossing Backpackers Erua Rd East, 07 892 2894, thecrossingbackpackers.co.nz Howards Lodge (BBH) Carroll St, National Park, 07 892 2827, howardslodge.co.nz Skotel Alpine Resort Whakapapa Village, 07 892 3715, skotel.co.nz

Hukafalls Jet Jetboating by the falls, 0800 485 2538, hukafallsjet.com

National Park Backpackers YHA (BBH) 4 Finlay St. The hostel runs transport to the Tongariro Crossing, 07 892 2870, npbp.co.nz

Rock ‘n’ Ropes Ropes Courses including the trapeze and Giant Swing. At Crazy Catz on Highway 5. 0800 244 508, rocknropes.co.nz

Pipers Lodge 18 Millar St, National Park Village, 07 8922 777, piperslodge.co.nz

Taupo Bungy Bungy from a platform 47m above the Waikato River. 202 Spa Rd. 0800 888 408, taupobungy.com

Ski Haus Carroll St, McKenzie St, 07 892 2854, skihaus.co.nz

Tongariro Crossing Transport and National Park Links From Taupo and Turangi during summer months (NovMay). 07 377 0435, thetongarirocrossing.co.nz Taupo Tandem Skydiving Skydive from up to 15,000 feet (over one minute freefall). Free shuttle, DVD and digital photos.

Yellow Hangar, Taupo Airport.

0800 275 934, taupotandemskydiving.com

TURANGI On the southern shores of Lake Taupo, Turangi is known as the trout fishing capital of the world. It offers heaps of outdoor adventure activities and is a good base for venturing into the Tongariro National Park.

Turangi Visitor Centre Tongariro St, 07 376 0027, turangi.co.nz

TURANGI STAY Turangi Kiwi Holiday Park 13 Te Reiti Tamara Grove, 07 386 8754, turangiholidaypark.co.nz Judges Pool Motel 92 Taupahi Rd, 07 386 7892, judgepoolmotel.co.nz Settlers Motel 24 Arahori St, 07 386 7745, settlersmotelturangi.co.nz Asure Parklands Motorlodge Cnr Arahori St & State Hwy 1, 07 386 7515, parklandsmotorlodge.co.nz

MT RUAPEHU The park’s showcase is Mt Ruapehu, an active volcano towering at 2,796m.

Ruapehu Visitors’ Centre 54 Clyde St, 06 385 8427 visitruapehu.com Whakapapa Visitor Centre SH 48, Whakapapa Village, 07 892 3729 visitruapehudc.govt.nz

RANGITIKEI The Rangitikei District is a top destination for adventure sports.

Amongst stunning scenery, you can navigate grade five whitewater and take the leap of elasticated faith from an 80m bungy.

Rangitikei Farmstay 422 Makuhou Rd, 06 327 4495, rangitikeifarmstay.govt.nz River Valley Dorms Makuhou Rd 06 388 1444, rivervalley.co.nz

RANGITIKEI DO Mokai Gravity Canyon Extreme flying fox, bridge swing and bungy jump.

0800 802 864 River Valley Rafting and horse trekking.

06 388 1444, thelodge@rivervalley.co.nz

OPOTIKI

TONGARIRO

Opotiki Information Centre Cnr St John and Elliot Sts, 07 315 3031 opotikinz.com

Adventure Lodge & Motel (VIP) Carroll Street, National Park, 07 892 2991, adventurenationalpark.co.nz

Central Oasis Backpackers 30 King St, 07 315 5165, centraloasis@hotmail.com

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Fruit Forest Studio 197 Omarumutu Rd, 07 315 8143, fruitforest.co.nz

EAST CAPE As you head around the Cape the towns get tinier and the scenery more dramatic. At Te Araroa, you can thead around to the East Cape Lighthouse.

Brians Place (BBH) 21 Potae St, Tokomaru Bay, 06 864 5870, bbh.co.nz Maraehako Bay Retreat (BBH) SH35, Whanarua Bay, 07 325 2648. maraehako.co.nz Wainui Beach Motel 34 Wairere Rd, 06 868 5882, wainuibeachmotel.co.nz

GISBORNE Flying Nun Backpackers (BBH) 147 Roebuck Rd, 06 868 0461, bbh.co.nz YHA Gisborne 32 Harris St, 06 867 3269, yha.co.nz

WAIROA Wairoa Visitor Information Centre Queen St, 06 838 7440 Haere Mai Cottage (BBH) 49 Mitchell Rd, 06 838 6817 DOC office for hut bookings Lake Waikaremoana, 06 837 3900

NAPIER Napier is a beautiful, surprising city.

Its “pleasing to the eye” status is actually the result of an enormous earthquake which meant the entire town had to be rebuilt.

Visitor Info Centre 100 Marine Parade, 06 834 1911 Depart of Conservation Office Marine Parade, 06 834 3111

NAPIER STAY Aqua Lodge (BBH) 53 Nelson Cres, 06 835 4523, bbh.co.nz Criterion Art Deco Backpackers (VIP, Roamfree) 48 Emerson St, 06 835 2059, criterionartdeco.co.nz Napier Prison Backpackers (BBH) 55 Coote Rd, 06 835 9933, getnicked@napierprison.com Waterfront Lodge & Backpackers (BBH) 217 Marine Pd, 06 835 3429, napierbackpackers.co.nz YHA Napier 277 Marine Parade, 06 835 7039, yha.co.nz

HASTINGS Hastings is 20km south of Napier and most notable for its fertile plains, which have given birth to a multitude of beautiful parks, gardens and farms.

A1 Backpackers (BBH) 122 Stortford St, 06 873 4285, bbh.co.nz Glenross Lodge (BBH) Route 52, Rakaunui, 06 376 7288, bbh.co.nz Lochlea Farmstay (BBH) 344 Lake Rd, Wanstead, 06 8554 816 bbh.co.nz The Rotten Apple Backpackers (BBH) 114 Heretaunga St, 06 878 4363, rottenapple.co.nz AJ’s Backpackers Lodge (BBH) 405 Southland Rd, 06 878 2302, bbh.co.nz

TARANAKI Best known for its snow-capped mountain, Mt Taranaki. Peaceful and impressive, Taranaki has skifields, excellent surf beaches, great walking and climbing.

MOKAU Palm House Backpackers (BBH) 06835 7039, taranaki-bakpak.co.nz

NEW PLYMOUTH Taranaki’s major town is New Plymouth. One of NZ’s finest art galleries is here (the GovettBrewster Art Gallery). It hosts a great café.

Department of Conservation 55A Rimu Street, 06 759 0350 New Plymouth Info Centre Puke Ariki, 65 St Aubyn Street, 06 759 0897, visitnewplymouth.co.nz

PLYMOUTH STAY Eco Inn (BBH) 671 Kent Rd, between Egmont Village and New Plymouth on SH3.

06 752 2765 bbh.co.nz Egmont Lodge (BBH, YHA) 12 Clawton St, 06 753 5720, yha.co.nz bbh.co.nz Seaspray House (BBH) 13 Weymouth St, 06 759 8934, bbh.co.nz Ducks & Drakes Backpackers (BBH) 48 Lemon St, 06 758 0404 bbh.co.nz Sunflower Lodge (BBH) 33 Timandra St, 06 758, 2842 bbh.co.nz

PLYMOUTH DO Brooklands Zoo Brooklands, New Plymouth, 06 759 6060, info@npdc.govt.nz

MT TARANAKI Stratford Heritage Lodge 103 Miranda St, 06 765 7482, eastern-taranaki.co.nz Taranaki Accommodation Lodge (BBH) 7 Romeo St, Stratford, 06 765 5444, info@mttaranakilodge.co.nz

TARANAKI DO Climbing Mount Taranaki It is possible to climb it and return to civilisation in one day, however the weather is notoriously volatile and you must always notify the DOC.

STRATFORD Stratford Information Centre Broadway Stratford (State Hwy 3), 06 765 6708, stratford.govt.nz Department of Conservation Pembroke Rd, 06 765 5144

SOUTH TARANAKI Information South Taranaki 55 High St, Hawera, 0800 111 323, southtaranaki.com Wheatly Downs Farmstay Backpackers (BBH) 484 Ararata Rd, Hawera, 06 278 6523, bbh.co.nz

WHANGANUI

Department of Conservation Office 717 Tremaine Ave, 06 350 9700

WELLY DO Cable car Walk down Lambton Quay and you will see a sign for the cable car which departs every 10 minutes past Kelburn Park to the Botanic Gardens, 04 472 2199

Grandma’s Place (BBH) 146 Grey St, 06 358 6928, bbh.co.nz Peppertree Hostel (BBH) 121 Grey St, 06 355 4054, bbh.co.nz

Cosmic Corner Funk Store The funkiest store in the universe. Check out the legal highs and chat to the staff, who will happily point you in the right direction for parties, events and scenic spots.

215 Cuba St, 04 801 6970, cosmiccorner.co.nz

WELLINGTON The nation’s capital is to many people, New Zealand’s most interesting city.

Wellington Visitor Info Centre Corner of Victoria & Wakefield Sts, 04 802 4860, wellingtonnz.com DOC Information Centre 18 Manners St, 04 384 7770 Ferry to the South Island Boats to Picton on the South Island. Ferries can be booked up well in advance in holiday periods.

Ferry Tickets Online 186 Victoria St, 0800 500 660, ferrytickets.co.nz

WELLY STAY Base Wellington 21-23 Cambridge Tce. 04 801 5666 stayatbase.com Cambridge Hotel (BBH) 28 Cambridge Tce. 04 385 8829, cambridgehotel.co.nz Downtown Wellington Backpackers (BBH) 1 Bunny St. 04 473 8482 bbh.co.nz

Zealandia Many of New Zealand’s rarest birds, reptiles and insects are living freely in this awardwinning conservation safe haven. Look for kiwis on a guided tour by torchlight. Times vary and bookings are essential.

Waiapu Rd, Karori. 04 920 9200, visitzealandia.com Mount Victoria The views are breathtaking. It’s damn windy so make sure you’re wearing heavy shoes. Walk, drive or bus it.

Museum of Wellington City & Sea Queens Wharf, 04 472 8904 Parliament House Free tours. Visit the Beehive, a uniquely designed centre of government with a distinct style of architecture, 04 471 9503 Te Papa – The National Museum Experience the earthquake simulation room, find out what the early settlers went through and visit Te Marae, Te Papa’s living modern marae.

Free entry, Cable St, 04 381 7000, tepapa.govt.nz

YHA Whanganui 2 Plymouth St, 06 348 2301, yha.co.nz

Lodge in the City (VIP) 152 Taranaki St. 04 385 8560 lodgeinthecity.co.nz

Tamara Backpackers Lodge (BBH) 24 Somme Pde, 06 347 6300, tamaralodge.com

Wellywood Backpackers 58 Tory St, 04 381 3899, wellywoodbackpackers.co.nz

Wellington Zoo Located in Newtown and home to a wide variety of weird and wonderful animal and bird life, 04 381 6755

Nomads Capital 118/120 Wakefield St. 0508 666 237, nomadscapital.com

Harbour cruises The harbour is a handsome thing and the best way to fully appreciate its beauty is by boat.

Rosemere Backpackers (BBH) 6 McDonald Cres.

04 384 3041, backpackerswellington.co.nz

Wellington Rover Tours Small group day tours exploring Wellington, its stunning rugged coastline and the Lord of the Rings locations. 021 426 211, wellingtonrover.co.nz

Whanganui National Park The major attraction is the Whanganui River, snaking through picturesque scenery.

Explore with a kayak or riverboat tour.

Wanganui Information Centre 31 Taupo Quay, Whanganui, 06 349 0508, wanganui.com Department of Conservation Office 74 Ingestre St, 06 348 8475

PALMERSTON NTH Palmerston North Visitor Centre The Square, 06 350 1922, manawatunz.co.nz

Rowena’s Lodge 115 Brougham St. 04 385 7872, wellingtonbackpackers.co.nz Worldwide Backpackers (BBH) 291 The Terrace.

04 802 5590, worldwidenz.co.nz YHA Wellington City 292 Wakefield St. 04 801 7280 yha.co.nz

Beaches Wellington’s waterfront has cafés, restaurants and parks.

Oriental Bay is good for a dip, but the water is cold and not always clean. It’s also good for a walk along the foreshore. If you are desperate for a swim, Scorching Bay is good or head up the coast towards Otaki where the best beaches in the region are found.

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SOUTHISLAND ABEL TASMAN The Abel Tasman National Park has great tramping with 56,000 acres to explore. The Coastal Track is one of the most popular walks in New Zealand, especially in summer when you can cool down at the stunning beaches. Nelson, Motueka and Marahau are all good bases for visiting the park. Sea kayaking is excellent here too.

ABEL DO Wilsons Abel Tasman Sea kayaking, water taxis and lodge accommodation.

03 528 2027, abeltasman.co.nz Abel Tasman Kayaks Ltd 0800 527 8022 abeltasmankayaks.co.nz

NELSON Nelson is seen as the “sunshine capital” of NZ. Home to a string of attractive beaches, Nelson is only a short drive away from the famous Abel Tasman National Park. The town boasts great cafés and a strong artistic subculture. Nelson’s great climate is conducive to fruit growing and travellers can find plenty of work in the area.

Nelson Visitor Centre Cnr Trafalgar & Halifax St, 03 548 2304, nelsonnz.com Airport Shuttle supershuttles.co.nz Nelson City Taxis 03 548 8225

NELSON STAY Amber House B&B 46 Weka St, 021 202 4961, amberhouse.co.nz Accents on the Park (BBH/VIP) 335 Trafalgar Square.

03 548 4335, accentsonthepark.com Almond House (BBH) 63 Grove St. 03 545 6455, almondbackpackers.co.nz Alpine Lodge St Arnaud.

03 521 1869, alpinelodge.co.nz Beach Hostel (BBH) 25 Muritai St. 03 548 6817, nelsonbeachhostel.50megs.com The Bug (BBH) 226 Vanguard St. 03 539 4227 thebug.co.nz The Customhouse (BBH) 252 Haven Rd. 03 545 8365, customhousenelson.co.nz Footprints by the Sea (BBH) 31 Beach Rd, Tahuna Beach.

03 546 5441, footprints.co.nz Tramways Hotel Nelson 66 Trafalgar St, 03 548 7049, tramwayshotel.co.nz Honey Suckle House (BBH) 125 Tasman St. 03 548 7576 bbh.co.nz

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Hu Ha Bikerpackers (BBH) State Highway 6, Glenhope.

03 548 2707, bbh.co.nz The Palace Backpackers (BBH) 114 Rutherford St. 03 548 4691, thepalace.co.nz Paradiso (BBH) 42 Weka St. 0800 269 667, backpackernelson.co.nz Courtesy Court Motel 26/30 Gold Rd, 03 548 5114, courtesycourt.co.nz The Honesy Lawyer Country Pub 1 Point Rd, Monaco, 03 547 4070, honestlawyer.co.nz

BOOK NOW! MOTUEKA STAY Happy Apple 500 High St, 03 528 8652, happyapplebackpackers.co.nz Avalon Manor Motels 314/316 High St, 0800 282 566 avalonmotels.co.nz Eden’s Edge Backpackers (BBH) 137 Lodder Lane, Riwaka.

03 528 4242, motuekabackpackers.co.nz Motueka Garden Motel 71 King Edward St, 0800 101 911, motmotel.co.nz

Shortbread Cottage (BBH) 33 Trafalgar St. 03 546 6681

Hat Trick Lodge Backpackers 25 Wallace St. 03 528 5353, hattricklodge.co.nz

Tasman Bay Backpacker Hostel 10 Weka St. 03 548 7950, tasmanbaybackpackers.co.nz

Laughing Kiwi (BBH) 310 High St. 03 528 9229, laughingkiwi.co.nz

Trampers Rest (BBH) 31 Alton St. 03 545 7477

Old Macdonald’s Farm Holiday Park 03 527 8288, oldmacs.co.nz

Idesia B&B 14 Idesia Grove, Richmond, 03 544 0409

The White Elephant (BBH) 55 Whakarewa St. 03 528 6208, whiteelephant.co.nz

YHA Nelson 59 Rutherford St, 03 545 9988, yha.co.nz

Equestrian Lodge Motel 2 Avalon Ct, 03 528 9369

NELSON DO Abel Tasman Kayaks Ltd 0800 527 8022 abeltasmankayaks.co.nz Happy Valley 4x4 Motorbike Adventures Tours around spectacular private farm on chunky fourwheel motorbikes.

03 545 0304, happyvalleyadventures.co.nz Kaiteriteri kayaks Transport from Nelson.

03 527 8383, seakayak.co.nz Skydive Abel Tasman Tandem jumps from 13,000ft over Abel Tasman.

0800 422 899, skydive.co.nz

NELSON LAKES Located 118km south-west of Nelson, the park comprises Lake Rotoroa and Lake Rotoiti, and is surrounded by forests and mountains. Apart from tramping and skiing at Rainbow Valley and Mt Robert in winter, the lakes offer fishing and other water activities.

MOTUEKA This is an alternative hang-out for creative types and those seeking to veer off life’s fast lane. Most people use Motueka as a base to launch an assault on Abel Tasman National Park, but if you take the time to look around your efforts will be well rewarded. Try Marahau Beach and Cobb Valley.

Motueka i-SITE Visitors Centre 20 Wallace St, 03 528 6543, motuekaisite.co.nz

MOTUEKA DO Wilsons Abel Tasman 265 High St, 03 528 2027, abeltasman.co.nz Abel Tasman Kayaks Ltd 0800 527 8022 abeltasmankayaks.co.nz

TAKAKA Known as the “Heart of the Parks”, the much underrated Golden Bay region is a place of considerable natural beauty. If you venture slightly out of Takaka you will see the Te Waikoropupu (Pupu Springs), one of the largest freshwater springs in the world.

Information Centre Willow St, 03 525 9136 Dept of Conservation Office 62 Commercial St, 03 525 8026

TAKAKA STAY Nirvana Lodge (BBH, YHA) 25 Motupipi St. 03 525 8766, nirvanalodge.co.nz Aquapackers (BBH) Anchorage Bay, Marahau, Abel Tasman National Park. 0800 430 744, aquapackers.co.nz Golden Bay Barefoot Backpackers (BBH) 114 Commercial St. 03 525 7005, bare-foot.co.nz

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The Rocks chalets 2086 Takaka Valley Hwy, 03 525 8096, travelbug.co.nz

The Jugglers Rest (BBH) 8 Canterbury St. 03 573 5570, bbh.co.nz

River Inn (BBH) Golden Bay. 03 525 9425 riverinn.co.nz

Fat Cod Backpackers 9 Auckland St, 03 573 7788, fatcodbackpackers.co.nz

Shambhala Retreat Hwy 60, Onekaka. 03 525 8463, shambhala.co.nz

KAHURANGI NP The second-largest national park in NZ, Kahurangi includes the Heaphy Track. There are more than 100 bird species and an impressive cave system to be seen here. For info see the Nelson DOC office.

COLLINGWOOD North-west of Takaka is the tiny community of Collingwood (the people aren’t particularly small, their numbers are), a good base for expeditions to Farewell Spit.

The Innlet (BBH) 839 Pakawau Main Rd, 03 524 8040, bbh.co.nz Somerset House (BBH) 10 Gibbs Rd. 03 524 8624, backpackerscollingwood.co.nz

FAREWELL SPIT Arching east from the top of Golden Bay, this is a sand bar of epic proportions, home to some of the largest sanddunes in the world and some amazing birdlife.

Golden Bay Visitor Centre 03 524 8454

MARLBOROUGH The Marlborough Sounds are a beautiful labyrinth of islands and bays, serving as an impressive gateway to the South Island. Hire a kayak to paddle the coves in style, or go swimming with the dolphins.

Anakiwa Backpackers (BBH) 410 Anakiwa Rd. 03 574 1388, anakiwabackpackers.co.nz Hopewell (BBH) Kenepuru Rd. 03 573 4341, hopewell.co.nz The Partage Resort Hotel Kenepuru Sound. 0800 275 373, portage.co.nz

PICTON This pretty town is the opening to the South Island, where the North Island ferry comes in, a centre for the many activities in Queen Charlotte Sound.

Airport shuttle bus 03 573 7125

PICTON STAY

Kiwiana (BBH) 73 Motuipipi St. 03 525 7676

Atlantis Backpackers (BBH) 42 London Quay, 03 573 7390, atlantishostel.co.nz

Kanuka Ridge (BBH) 21 Moss Rd, Marahau, Abel Tasman National Park. 03 527 8435, abeltasmanbackpackers.co.nz

The Buccaneer Lodge 314 Waikawa Rd, 03 573 5002, buccaneerlodge.co.nz

Sequoia Lodge (BBH, VIP) 3 Nelson Sq. 03 573 8399, sequoialodge.co.nz Atlantis Backpackers 42 London Quay, 03 573 7390, atlantisbackpackers.co.nz The Villa (BBH) 34 Auckland St. 03 573 6598, thevilla.co.nz Tombstone Backpackers (BBH) 16 Gravesend Place. 03 573 7116, tombstonebp.co.nz Parklands Marina Holiday Park 10 Beach Rd, 03 573 6343, parktostay.co.nz

PICTON DO Dolphin Watch Encounters Picton Foreshore, 03 573 8040, naturetours.co.nz Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company 03 573 6078, malboroughsounds.co.nz Southern Wilderness NZ Guided walk, wine trek and sea kayaking specialists.

0800 666 044, southernwilderness.com EcoWorld Aquaium Discover the animals that make NZ unique.

03 573 6030 ecoworldnz.com

QUEEN CHARLOTTE On the road-free outer Queen Charlotte Sound, everyone and everything travels by boat. The Queen Charlotte Track covers 71km and passes through magnificent forest, at times allowing spectacular views over the Marlborough Sounds. The whole track can be walked in four days, though you can also ride it by mountain bike.

Endeavour Express Water Taxi Day-trips, round-trips and luggage transfers.

03 573 5456

HAVELOCK Nestled at the head of Pelorus Sound, Havelock is the best place from which to explore the Marlborough Sounds. For trampers and mountain bikers there’s the beautiful Nydia Track.

DOC Office Mahakipawa Rd, 03 574 2019 Explore Pelorus Sea Kayaks 03 576 5251

HAVELOCK STAY Bluemoon Lodge (BBH) 48 Main Rd. 03 574 2212, bluemoonhavelock.co.nz

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Linkwater Motel 1594 Queen Charlotte Dr, 03 574 2600 linkwatermotel.co.nz

Sunrise Lodge (BBH) 74 Beach Rd, 03 319 7444, bbh.co.nz

Okiwa Bay Lodge 169 Anakiwa Rd, 03 574 2527, okiwabaylodge.co.nz

The Fairways at Ocean Ridge 1 Kersage Drive, 03 319 3055

PELORUS SOUND The largest waterway within the Marlborough Sounds, it can be accessed from Havelock, Linkwater or Rai Valley.

BLENHEIM The largest town in Marlborough, and considered (ahem, also) the“sunshine capital of New Zealand”. Whitewater rafting on the Buller and Gowan Rivers is great fun.

Blenheim I-Site 8 Sinclair Street Railway Station 03 577 8080 Honi-B-Backpackers (BBH) 18 Parker St. 03 577 8441, honi-b.com Koanui Backpackers (BBH) 33 Main St. 03 578 7487, koanui.co.nz The Grapevine 29 Park Terrace, 03 578 6062, thegrapevine.co.nz Arrow Backpackers 107 Budge St, 03 577 9857, bbh.co.nz Leway Backpackers 33 Lansdowne St, 03 579 2213, bbh.co.nz

KAIKOURA Kaikoura is famous for its large sperm whale population and picturesque mountain range. You can also snorkel with dolphins or swim with the inquisitive NZ fur seals (Sept-May).

Kaikoura Visitor Info Centre, West End, 03 319 5641

KAIKOURA STAY Adelphi Lodge (BBH, VIP) 26 West End. 0800 423 574, adelphilodge.co.nz Albatross Backpacker Inn (BBH) 1 Torquay St. 03 319 6090, albatross-kaikoura.co.nz Bad Jelly Backpackers (BBH) 11 Churchill St. 03 319 5538, bbh.co.nz Dolphin Lodge (BBH) 15 Deal St. 03 319 5842, dolphinlodge.co.nz Dusky Lodge (BBH) 67 Beach Rd. 03 319 5959 duskylodge.co.nz The Lazy Shag (BBH) 37 Beach St. 03 319 6662 lazy-shag.co.nz Lyell Creek Lodge (BBH) 193 Beach Rd. 03 319 6277, lyellcreeklodge.co.nz

YHA Kaikoura 270 Esplanade. 03 319 5931, yha.co.nz

KAIKOURA DO Kaikoura is famous for its large sperm whale population and picturesque mountain r Albatross Encounter Enjoy the sight of the magnificent albatross so close to the boat you can almost touch them. 96 Esplanade, 0800 733 365 albatrossencounter.co.nz Dolphin Encounter Swim with the acrobatic dusky dolphins or if you prefer, join the tour to view them from the boat. 96 Esplanade, 0800 733 365, dolphin.co.nz Fyffe House 62 Avoca St, Kaikoura’s oldest building, 03 319 5835.

Kaikoura Kayaks Paddle with the playful fur seals, dusky dolphins and marine life of Kaikoura. Seal kayaking, kayak school, hire, retail and kayak fishing.

19 Killarney St, 0800 452 456, kaikourakayaks.co.nz Seal Swim Kaikoura Swim with wild NZ Fur Seals. 58 West End, 0800 732 579, sealswimkaikoura.co.nz

Dorset House (BBH) 1 Dorset St, 03 366 8268, dorset.co.nz Chester Street Backpackers (BBH) 148 Chester St East.

03 377 1897, chesterst.co.nz Foley Towers (BBH) 208 Kilmore St. 03 366 9720, backpack.co.nz/foley Haka Lodge 518 Linwood Ave. 03 980 4252 hakalodge.com Jailhouse Accommodation (BBH) 338 Lincoln Rd. 0800 524 546 jail.co.nz Kiwi Basecamp (BBH) 69 Bealey Ave. 03 366 6770 kiwibasecamp.com Kiwi House 3 Devon St, Hanmer Springs. 03 315 5111, kiwihouse.co.nz Jack in the Green 26 Nayland St. 03 326 6609 bbh.co.nz Point Break Backpackers (BBH) 99 Seaview Road.

03 388 2050 pointbreakbackpackers.co.nz The Old Countryhouse (BBH) 437 Gloucester St. 03 381 5504 oldcountryhousenz.com Tranquil Lodge (BBH) 440 Manchester St. 03 366 6500 tranquil-lodge.co.nz Rucksacker Backpacker Hostel (BBH) 70 Bealey Ave. 03 377 7931, rucksacker.com Vagabond Backpackers (BBH) 232 Worcester St. 03 379 9677 vagabondhostel.com

CHRISTCHURCH Christchurch is the South Island’s major city and a lively, pretty base with a distinctly English feel to it.

Throw in Mount Cook and Mount Hutt with their skifields (early June to late October) and the Canterbury area is well worth spending some time discovering.

Christchurch & Canterbury i-Site Visitor Centre Rolleston Avenue (Next to the Canterbury Museum) Christchurch 8011 03 379 9629 christchurchnz.com Department of Conservation 7 Rolleston Ave, 09 526 9743

C’CHURCH STAY Around the World Backpackers 314 Barbadoes Street. 03 365 4363 aroundtheworld.co.nz At The Right Place 85 Bealey Street. 03 366 1633 atrp.co.nz Avon City Backpackers Worcester Street. 03 389 6876, avoncitybackpackers.com

C’CHURCH DO

chock full of mountains and wildlife.

The two harbours of Akaroa and Lyttelton are craters of a once majestic volcano.

LYTTELTON

AKAROA

Akaroa Information Centre 80 Rue Lavaud, 03 304 8600

Christchurch Backpackers Haka Lodge 518 Linwood Av, Woolston,. 03 980 4252, hakalodge.co.nz

BANKS PENINSULA Banks Peninsula is a beautiful region with a stunning coastline

Akaroa French Connection Tours and shuttle bus, 0800 800 575

Jack in the Green 3 Devon St. 03 315 5111, jackinthegreen.co.nz

CASTLE HILL Gateway to the Craigieburn Range.

AKAROA STAY

Chill Adventures Multi-mountain snow passes. chillout.co.nz

Bon Accord Backpackers (BBH) 57 Rue Lavaud.

03 304 7782, bon-accord.co.nz

Springfield Hotel State Highway 73, Springfield. 03 318 4812, springfieldhotel.co.nz

Chez La Mer (BBH) 50 Rue Lavaud. 03 304 7024, chezlamer.co.nz

ARTHUR’S PASS This township is the HQ for the magnificent national park which offers tramping expeditions to skiing.

Double Dutch (BBH) 32 Chorlton Road, Okains Bay. 03 304 7229, doubledutch.co.nz

National Park Visitor Centre 03 318 9211

Halfmoon Cottage (BBH) SH25 Barrys Bay. 03 304 5050, halfmoon.co.nz

Rata Lodge Backpackers (BBH) State Highway 73, Otira Arthur’s Pass National Park, 03 738 2822 rata-lodge.co.nz Smylies Accommodation (YHA) 03 318 9258, yha.co.nz

AKAROA DO

METHVEN Methven is a small, friendly town popular with fishermen, hunters and backpackers. The area provides a variety of adrenalin thrills, including hot air ballooning, bungy jumping and skydiving. Mt Hutt also has the longest ski run in Australasia.

Black Cat Cruises Offer a number of cruises in Akaroa. See Akaroa Harbour or swim with dolphins. blackcat.co.nz Dolphin Experience Swim with dolphins in Akaroa Harbour. 61 Beach Rd, 0508 365 744, dolphinsakaroa.co.nz

Methven i-SITE Visitor Centre 160 Main St, Methven, 03 302 8955,

LEWIS PASS About 200km north of Christchurch, the Lewis Pass connects the west and east coasts on the SH7, with stunning surrounding scenery.

HANMER SPRINGS Hanmer Springs boasts the Hanmer

Kakapo Lodge (YHA) 14 Amuri Avenue. 03 315 7472, kakapolodge.co.nz

Waipara Sleepers (BBH) 12 Glenmark Dr, Waipara.

03 314 6003, waiparasleepers.co.nz

Akaroa Shuttle Christchurch to Akaroa buses.

0800 500 929

Akaroa Museum 71 Rue Lavard, 03 304 1013

SUMNER

HANMER STAY Hanmer Backpackers 41 Conical Hill Rd. 03 315 7196, www.hanmerbackpackers.co.nz

Swim with dolphins, horse-ride and paraglide. If your tastes are a little more sedate, the foreshore is lined with cafes, galleries and boutiques.

Skydivingnz.com Skydiving and training courses, 0800 697 593 skydivingnz.com

This surf beach is also a great place to chill for a while. If you’re feeling adventurous, mountain biking, paragliding and surfing are just some of the activities you can try.

The Hanmer Connection Christchurch to Hanmer Springs buses. hanmerconnection.co.nz

Lyttelton Information Centre 20 Oxford St, 03 328 9093

Onuku Farm Hostel (BBH) 03 304 7066, onuku.co.nz

Aoraki Balloon Safaris Hot air ballooning, 03 302 8172, nzballooning.com

Department of Conservation 115 Ludstone Rd, Kaikoura 03 319 5714

Lyttelton is a quaint township with a beautiful scenic harbour and historic buildings. The harbour is a great place for boating, while the surrounding hills are good for mountain biking and walking.

Black Cat Cruises Wildlife Cruises on Lyttelton Harbour. Free shuttle bus from Christchurch, 03 328 9078. blackcat.co.nz

Springs Thermal Reserve, where the water can reach 40°C (03 315 7511, hotfun.co.nz). Mt Lyford offers good winter skiing and is a cheaper option to the South Island resorts.

NZ Ski.com Info on Coronet Peak, the Remarkables and Mt Hutt. nzski.com

METHVEN STAY Brinkley Resort 43 Barkers Rd, Mt Hutt, 03 302 8885, brinkleyresort.co.nz

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SOUTHISLAND Big Tree Lodge 25 S Belt, 03 302 9575, bigtreelodge.co.nz Mt Hutt Bunkhouse (BBH) 8 Lampard St. 03 302 8894, mthuttbunkhouse.co.nz Pinedale Backpacker Lodge (BBH) 11 Alford St. 0800 638 483, pinedalelodge.co.nz Redwood Lodge (BBH) 3 Wayne Place. 03 302 8964, bbh.co.nz Skiwi House (BBH) 30 Chapman St. 03 302 8772, skiwihouse.com Breckenridge Lodge 49 S Belt, 03 302 8902, breckenridgelodge.co.nz

TIMARU Despite being industrial, it’s picturesque with views of the Southern Alps, plains and sea.

1873 Wanderer Backpackers (BBH) 24 Evans St. 03 688 8795 Timaru Top 10 Holiday Park 154A Selwyn St, Waimataitai 0800 242 121 Anchor Motel 44 Evans St, 03 684 5067 anchormotel.co.nz

GERALDINE As well as a wonderful old movie theatre and whitewater rafting on the Rangitata River, visiting the mighty Emily Falls is recommended.

Geraldine Information Centre Talbot Street, 03 693 1006 Peel Forest Horse Trekking Wilderness adventures trekking through some gorgeous country, 03 696 3703, peelforesthorsetrekking.co.nz Rangitata Rafts Peel Forest, 0800 251 251 rafts.co.nz Rawhiti Backpackers (BBH) 27 Hewlings St. 03 693 8252 rawhitibackpackers.co.nz

LAKE TEKAPO A stunning turquoise-coloured lake, 100km west of Timaru. The tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935, frames the view beautifully.

Activities include walking, watersports, fishing and skiing.

Tailor-Made-Tekapo Backpackers (BBH) 10/11 Aorangi Cres.

03 680 6700 tailor-made-backpackers.co.nz YHA Lake Tekapo 3 Simpson Lane. 03 680 6857, yha.co.nz

MT COOK Mount Cook National Park is part of a World Heritage area that forms one of the most amazing sights anywhere in New Zealand. The showcase is the majestic Mt Cook (Aoraki). NZ’s greatest climber Sir Edmund Hillary used it as a practice ground before conquering Mt

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Everest, but Mt Cook has claimed the lives of more than 160 people.

Discuss climbing plans with park rangers before you go.

Department of Conservation Visitor Information Centre Aoraki/Mt Cook Alpine Village, 03 435 1819 The Cook Connection Day trips to Mt Cook from Tekapo. Ph: 021 583 211, cookconnect.co.nz

MT COOK STAY YHA Franz Josef Glacier 2 Cron St, Franz Josef, 03 752 0754, mt.chalets@xtra.co.nz YHA Mt Cook Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. 03 435 1820, yha.co.nz

WEST COAST Rugged is the word often used when it comes to the South Island’s west coast. It’s quite an amazing place, sparsely inhabited, untouched in many areas and studded with geographical wonders. Don’t miss the two mighty glaciers, Fox and Franz Josef, or the Pancake Rocks.

KARAMEA Karamea contains pleasant walks, interesting caves and the Oparara River, a great trout fishing spot.

Walk along the wonderful Fernian Track or, try the more challenging hike up Mt Stormy.

Karamea Information Centre 106 Bridge St, 03 782 6652.

Rongo Backpackers 03 782 6667, rongobackpackers.com

MURCHISON With crazy terrain skewed by mining and earthquakes, one of the major attractions of Murchison is its proximity to Buller Gorge, a wonderfully scenic cluster of cliffs and trees. Activities include rafting on the Gowan River and mountain biking on the Matakitaki.

Buller Gorge Swingbridge Adventure and Heritage Park 03 523 9809, bullergorge.co.nz The Lazy Cow Accommodation (BBH) 37 Waller St. 03 523 9451, thelazycownz.wordpress.com

REEFTON The centrepiece of the town is Victoria Forest Park, the largest forest park in New Zealand.

Reefton Visitor Centre 67 Broadway, 03 732 8391 Reefton Old Bread Shop 155 Buller Rd, 03 732 8420, reeftonbackpackers.co.nz The Old Nurses Home 104 Shiel St, 03 789 8881

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BOOK NOW! WESTPORT Visitor Information Westport 1 Brougham St, 03 789 6658 Bazil’s Hostel (VIP) 54/56 Russell St. 03 789 6410, bazils.co.nz Beaconstone Eco Lodge Birds Ferry Road Charleston 027 431 0491 beconstoneecolodge.co.nz TripInn (BBH) 72 Queen St. 03 789 7367 tripinn.co.nz

PAPAROA NP This park is home to the amazing Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki. These are a series of eroded limestone rocks moulded into what appears to be a giant stack of pancakes.

Visitor Information Punakaiki 03 731 1895 punakaiki.co.nz Barrytown Knife Making 2662 Coast Road, Barrytown, 03 731 1053, barrytownknifemaking.com

PAPAROA STAY Punakaiki Beach Hostel (BBH) 4 Webb St. 03 731 1852, punakaikibeachhostel.co.nz

Greymouth KIWI Holiday Park & Motel 318 Main South Rd, 03 762 6768, southbeach.co.nz Kainga-RA YHA 15 Alexander St, Ph: (03) 768 4951, yha.co.nz

HOKITIKA Greenstone, a form of practically indestructible rock that was used by the Maori to make weapons and ornaments, is the main attraction here. There’s also the Westland Water World for all things wet, the Glowworm Dell and some excellent whitewater rafting.

Hokitika Visitor Info Centre Carnegie Building, corner of Hamilton & Tancred Street, 03 755 6166

HOKITIKA STAY Hokitika Holiday Park 242 Strafford St, 03 755 8172

GREYMOUTH STAY Duke Hostel (BBH) 27 Guiness St. 03 768 9470 bbh.co.nz Global Village (BBH) 42-54 Cowper St, 03 768 7272, globalvillagebackpackers.co.nz Neptunes International Backpackers (BBH) 43 Gresson St, 0800 003 768, neptunesbackpackers.co.nz Noahs Ark Backpackers (BBH) 16 Chapel St, 03 768 4868, noahs.co.nz

Glow Worm Cottages (BBH) 27 Cron St, 0800 151 027, budgetaccommodation.co.nz Montrose (BBH) 9 Cron St, 03 752 0188, bbh.co.nz

YHA Franz Josef 2-4 Cron St, 03 752 0754, yha.co.nz

Riverview Cottage & Cabins (BBH) 154 Kaniere Rd, 03 755 7440 bbh.co.nz

TranzAlpine Scenic railway from Christchurch to Greymouth, travelling through Canterbury Plains and the Alps. Departs 9am every morning. 0800 872 467 tranzscenic.co.nz

FRANZ STAY Chateau Franz (VIP, BBH) 8-10 Cron St, 0800 728 372, chateaufranz.co.nz

Drifting Sands Backpackers (BBH) 197 Revell St, 03 755 7624,

Punakaiki Beach Camp Owen Street, 03 731 1894, punakaiki.co.nz

Visitor Information Herbert and Mackay Sts, 03 768 5101

DOC Visitors Information Centre Westland National Park, Hwy 6, 03 752 0796

Rainforest Retreat (VIP) Cron St, 0800 873 346 rainforestretreat.co.nz

Mountain Jade Backpackers (BBH) 41 Weld St, 03 755 5185, mountainjadebackpackers.co.nz

GREYMOUTH

FRANZ JOSEF The glacier is about 12km long and offers a wide variety of challenging activities. To get the ultimate perspective on the magnitude of Franz Josef, head for Sentinel Rock, which gives a sweeping view over both the Waiho Valley and the mighty glacier.

Birdsong (BBH) 124 SH6, 03 755 7179 birdsong.co.nz

Te Nikau Retreat (BBH, YHA) 03 731 1111, tenikauretreat.co.nz

The west coast’s largest town is dominated by the Grey River.

Highlights include the Monteith’s brewery tour, as well as aquatic activities like rafting and canyoning.

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Stumpers Accommodation 2 Weld St, 03 755 6154, stumpers.co.nz

HOKITIKA DO Whitewater Kayaking hokitika.org Hokitika Gorge Sometimes you see photos of a tourist spot and think yeah right, it can’t look as good as that in real life. Hokitika Gorge is one of those places. hokitika.org

WHATAROA About 35km south of Harihari and one of the South Island’s prime fishing spots. Also the magnificent white heron (Kotuku) colony which thrillseekers can reach by jet boat.

OKARITO

FRANZ DO Alpine Adventure Centre Footage on a helimax screen, 03 752 0793 scenic-flights.co.nz Franz Josef Glacier Guides Guided walks and heli-hikes on the Franz Josef Glacier 0800 484 337, franzjosefglacier.com Glacier Country Kayaks Explore the glaciers from the water 03 752 0230, glacierkayaks.com Skydive Franz At 18,000ft, they currently offer NZ’s highest skydive.

0800 458 677, skydivefranz.co.nz

FOX GLACIER Similiar activities to Franz Josef only with fewer crowds. The best walk is up to the Welcome Flat Hot Springs.

For stunning views, head up the wonderfully scenic Chalet Lookout Walk. Look out for the beautiful kea (grey-green mountain parrot).

Nearby is Lake Matheson, with its stunning twin mountain reflection.

The tiny beach settlement of Okarito, near Franz Josef Glacier, sits at the mouth of New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetland – the Okarito Lagoon. Hike up to the Okarito Trig for excellent views.

DOC Visitor Centre State Hwy 6, 03 752 0796

Okarito Nature Tours 03 753 4014, okarito.co.nz

Fox Glacier Inn 03 751 0088 foxglacierinn.co.nz

Royal Hostel (BBH) The Strand, 03 753 4080, okaritohostel.com

Ivory Towers (BBH) 03 751 0838, ivorytowerslodge.co.nz

FOX STAY

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FOX DO Fox Glacier Guiding Guided walks and heli-hikes on the FoxGlacier. 0800 111 600, foxguides.co.nz Glacier Country Kayaks 20 Cron St, 0800 423 262, glacierkayaks.com Skydive NZ: Fox Glacier 0800 751 0080, skydivingnz.co.nz

HAAST PASS Running through Mt Aspiring National Park, this stretch of road is among the most scenic that you’ll come across in New Zealand, showing off pristine lakes, magnificent forests and waterfalls.

DOC Centre Cnr SH 6 and Jackson Bay Rd, 03 750 0809 Wilderness Backpackers (BBH) Marks Rd, 03 750 029, bbh.co.nz

SOUTHLAND The top of your chest will quickly get sore as the South Island’s jaw-dropping scenery becomes more prevalent. From the adrenalin thrills of Queenstown to the achingly beautiful Milford Sound, there’s never a dull moment down south. Stop frequently, take deep breaths and enjoy one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Mt Aspiring National Park Visitor Info Centre Mt Earnslaw, 03 443 7660

LAKE WANAKA The cosy town and its crystal-clear waters which reflect the dramatic landscape is the gateway to Mount Aspiring Park. The World Heritage area has magnificent tramping and mountaineering. Lake Wanaka boasts almost as many adrenalintastic activities as neighbouring Queenstown, such as mountain biking, jet-boating, canyoning, and whitewater sledging. It’s a favourite with snowboarders in winter, and has lively nightlife year-round.

Boasting the most sceneray from those films with wizards and hairyfooted hobbits, there are great Lord of the Rings tours, too.

Lake Wanaka Visitors Centre The Log Cabin, Lakefront, 100 Ardmore Street.

03 4431 1233

WANAKA STAY Albert Town Lodge (BBH) Cnr SH6 and Kingston St, Albert Town, 03 443 9487, alberttownlodge.co.nz Holly’s Backpackers (BBH) 71 Upton St, 03 443 8187, hollys-backpacker.co.nz Mountain View Backpackers (BBH) 7 Russell St, 0800 112 201, wanakabackpackers.co.nz

The Purple Cow (BBH) 94 Brownston St, 03 443 1880, purplecow.co.nz Wanaka Bakpaka (BBH) 117 Lakeside Rd, 03 443 7837, wanakabakpaka.co.nz YHA Wanaka 181 Upton St, 03 443 7405, yha.co.nz

WANAKA DO Adventure Consultants Mountaineering instruction courses and guided ascents, 03 443 8711, adventure.co.nz Aspiring Guides Guided mountain climbing and ice climbing instruction courses, 03 443 9422, aspiringguides.com Classic Flights Vintage Tiger Moth flights over Lake Wanaka. 03 443 4043, classicflights.co.nz Deep Canyon Canyoning in the Matukituki Valley.

Adventure Wanaka, 23 Dunmore St, Wanaka. 03 443 7922, deepcanyon.co.nz Frogz Have More Fun Sledge down either the Clutha, Hawea or Kawarau Rivers.

0800 437 649, frogz.co.nz The Silver Demon Aerobatic flights.

03 443 4043, silverdemon.co.nz Skydive Lake Wanaka Freefall from 12,000 or 15,000ft with views of NZ’s highest mountains. 0800 786 877, skydivenz.com

up to the peaks of the aptly-named Remarkables (which you can ski in winter). In winter, the town is a centre for nearby skifields and in summer adventure activities and tramping take over. There’s also a hectic social scene which extends well into the wee small hours.

Info & Track Guided Walks 37 Shotover St, 03 442 9708 Peterpans Adventure Travel 27 Shotover St Queenstown. peterpans.com.au Queenstown Travel & Visitor Centre Corner of Shotover & Camp Sts, 03 442 4100

Q’TOWN STAY Alpine Lodge (BBH) 13 Gorge Rd. 03 442 7220, bbh.co.nz Aspen Lodge (BBH) 11 Gorge Rd. 03 442 9671, aspenlodge.co.nz Base Discovery Lodge Queenstown 49 Shotover St. 03 441 1185, stayatbase.com Black Sheep Lodge (BBH/VIP) 13 Frankton Rd. 03 442 7289, blacksheepbackpackers.co.nz Bungi Backpackers (VIP, BBH) 15 Sydney St. 0800 728 286, bungibackpackers.co.nz Butterfli Lodge (BBH) 62 Thompson St. 03 442 6367, butterfli.co.nz Cardrona Alpine Resort Between Queenstown and Wanaka.

03 443 7341, cardrona.com Deco Backpackers (VIP, BBH) 52 Man St. 03 442 7384, decobackpackers.co.nz

Treble Cone Ski Field 03 443 7443, treblecone.co.nz

Flaming Kiwi Backpackers (BBH) 39 Robins Rd. 03 442 5494, flamingkiwi@xtra.co.nz

Wanaka Rock Climbing One, three and five-day rock climbing courses for everyone.

03 443 6411, wanakarock.co.nz

Hippo Lodge (BBH) 4 Anderson Hts. 03 442 5785, hippolodge.co.nz

Wanaka Flightseeing Milford Sound flight and cruise from Wanaka, 03 443-8787, flightseeing.co.nz Wanaka Sightseeing Includes Lord of the Rings tours, 2 Anderson Rd, 03 338 0982, wanakasightseeing.co.nz

LAKE HAWEA Thirty-five kilometres long and more than 400m deep, Lake Hawea is a great source of salmon and rainbow trout.

QUEENSTOWN Paradise for the energetic traveller, Queenstown is one of the world’s most action-packed towns. The town, which is surprisingly small compared to its big reputation, is located on Lake Wakatipu and rises

Nomads Queenstown 5-11 Church St. 03 441 3922, nomadshostels.com Pinewood Lodge (VIP) Queenstown’s best value accommodation. We offer an excellent variety of accommodation, everything from deluxe en-suite rooms with private bathroom amenities, inexpensive double and twin rooms, dorm beds and selfcontained family cabins. 48 Hamilton Rd. 0800 746 396, 03 442 8273, pinewood.co.nz Southern Laughter (BBH, VIP) 4 Isle St. 0800 728 448, southernlaughter.co.nz Hippo Lodge 4 Anderson Heights.

03 442 5785, hippolodge.co.nz Flaming Kiwi Backpackers 39 Robins Rd, 03 442 5494

YHA Queenstown Central 48A Shotover Street.

03 442 7400, yha.co.nz

excursions. TSS Earnslaw vintage steamship cruises and Walter Peak High Country Farm.

0800 65 65 01, realjourneys.co.nz

YHA Queenstown Lakefront 88-90 Lake Esplanade.

03 442 8413, yha.co.nz

Q’TOWN DO There are hundreds of activities to keep you occupied in Queenstown.

Bungy, jetboating and rafting are all experiences not to be missed, and in winter, skiing the Remarkables is a must. To really appreciate the beauty of the region, take a scenic flight, or even jump out the plane.

AJ Hackett Bungy Queenstown Jump off one or all of New Zealand’s most well-known sites. Nevis Highwire Bungy, the highest in New Zealand – 134m above the Nevis River. The Kawarau Bridge, the world’s first bungy – 43m above the Kawarau River. The 47m Ledge, 400m above the town which you can jump day or night. Access is

by Skyline Gondola.

0800 286 4958 bungy.co.nz

Shotover Canyon Swing Jump or be released 109m off the world’s highest cliff jump.

0800 279 464, canyonswing.co.nz Shotover Jet Jetboat ride. 0800 746 868 shotoverjet.com Sky Trek Hang Gliding 03 442 9551, skytrek.co.nz Vertigo Mountain Biking Heli-bike and gondola downhill.

0800 837 8446, vertigobikes.co.nz

GLENORCHY Just out of Queenstown is Glenorchy (or “Isengard”) which has some of the best walks in the area, including the Greenstone and Caples tracks.

Department of Conservation Beech St, 03 442 7933

Awesome Foursome Bungy (Nevis – 134m), jetboat, helicopter, whitewater rafting, combos.co.nz

Glenorchy Backpackers Retreat (VIP) Cnr Mull and Argyle Streets, Glenorchy, glenorchynz.com

Dart River Safaris Jetboating wilderness tours, 0800 327 8538, dartriver.co.nz

Kinloch Lodge (BBH) 862 Kinloch Rd, 03 442 4900, kinlochlodge.co.nz

Fat Tyre Adventure Mountain biking/heli biking, 0800 328 897, fat-tyre.co.nz

ARROWTOWN Poplar Lodge (BBH) 4 Merioneth St, 03 442 1466, spoplarlodge.co.nz

Fergburger Best burgers in NZ. Shotover St, fergburger.com

Arrowtown Holiday Park 12 Centennial Ave, 03 442 1876

Flight Park Tandem Paragliding Operates from Coronet Peak 0800 467 325, tandemparagliding.com

TE ANAU Home to the second largest lake in NZ, Te Anau is a beautiful little town, a good jumping off point for the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. The park is the largest in New Zealand and offers some spectacular sightseeing. The Milford Track is one of the most famous in the world, but often booked out. The Routeburn, ReesDart and Kepler are ace alternatives. doc.govt.nz

Haka Adventure Snow Tours 03 980 4250, hakatours.com Mad Dog River Boarding River sledging & other actionpacked water activities, 03 442 7797, riverboarding.co.nz Milford Sound Flightseeing Scenic flights to Milford Sound, 0800 65 65 01, realjourneys.co.nz

Fiordland I-site Visitor Centre Lakefront Drive, Te Anau, 03 249 8900

NZONE Skydive Skydive from 15,000ft. 35 Shotover St, 03 442 5867, nzone.biz

Department of Conservation 03 249 8514 Te Anau Glowworm Caves realjourneys.co.nz

NZ Ski.com Info on Coronet Peak, the Remarkables and Mt Hutt, nzski.com

Air Fiordland Flights to Queenstown, Milford and Mt Cook, 03 249 7505, airfiordland.co.nz

Queenstown Rafting Raft the Shotiver, Kawarau and Landsborough rivers. 35 Shotover St. 03 442 9792 rafting.co.nz Real Journeys Visitor Centre Doubtful Sound & Milford Sound daytime and overnight cruises.

Te Anau glow-worm cave

Real Journeys Coaches to Milford Sound, 0800 656 503 realjourneys.co.nz Scenic Shuttle Daily between Te Anau and Invercargill in summer

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SOUTHISLAND months, twice weekly in winter. Connects with the Catlins Coaster from Invercargill to Dunedin 0800 277 483 Top Line Tours Coach to and from Te Anau and Queenstown, 03 249 8059

TE ANAU STAY Barnyard Backpackers (BBH) 80 Mt York Rd, Rainbow Downs, 03 249 8006, barnyard.moonfruit.com Bob & Maxine’s (BBH) 20 Paton Place, 03 931 3161, bbh.co.za Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers 48/50 Lakefront Dr, 03 249 7713, teanaubackpackers.co.za Te Anau Lakeview Kiwi Holiday Park & Motel 77 Manapouri, 03 249 7457, teanauholidaypark.co.nz YHA Te Anau 29 Mokonui St, 03 249 7847, yha.co.nz

TE ANAU DO Adventure Fiordland 72 Town Centre, 03 249 8500 fiordlandaventure.co.nz High Ride Adventures Quad riding and scenic horse trekking. 03 249 8591, highride.co.nz Luxmore Jet Jetboating on the Waiau River, 0800 253 826, luxmorejet.co.nz Real Journeys Doubtful Sound daytime wilderness, small boat and overnight cruises. Milford Sound daytime, overnight scenic, nature and small boat cruises. 0800 656 501, realjourneys.co.nz Milford Track Day Walk Lake cruise and guided walk, 0800 656 501 milfordlodge.co.nz Rosco’s Milford Sound Sea Kayaks 0800 476 726, roscosmilfordkayaks.com Skydive Fiordland Dive 44 Caswell Rd, Te Anau, 0800 829254, tawakidive.co.nz

ANAU TO MILFORD The distance between Te Anau and Milford Sound may be 119km but the breathtaking scenery along the way makes the journey extremely enjoyable. Along the road watch out for the Mirror Lakes and the disappearing mountain. Another highlight is the 1.2km rough-hewn Homer Tunnel. It’s pitch black, having no lighting plus it’s pretty darn steep – a thrilling experience for those afraid of the dark.

MILFORD SOUND Green, wet and breathtakingly beautiful, Milford Sound is one of

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the most picturesque sights in the world. Much of the action in the Milford Sound takes place on the water and the best way to appreciate the beauty on show is on a cruise or kayak. Bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and Fiordland crested penguins all hang out there.

Milford Sound Lodge (BBH) 03 249 8071, milfordlodge.co.nz

MILFORD DO Real Journeys 0800 656 501, realjourneys.co.nz Great Sights On and under the water, 03 442 9445 greatsights.co.nz Milford Sound Underwater Observatory Discover a coral reef beneath Milford Sound, 03 249 9442 Milford Sound Cruise & Observatory Visit 0800 656 501 Milford Wanderer Cruises Day and overnight options with kayaking, etc. Coach connections, 0800 656 501, realjourneys.co.nz Tawaki Dive See Fiordland’s unique marine life on a day-trip with two guided dives in Milford Sound.

Rental gear available, max four divers. 0800 829254, tawakidive.co.nz TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak Farm tours, barbecue lunches, horse treks and cycling. realjourneys.co.nz Wanaka Flightseeing Milford Sound flight and cruise, 0800 105 105, flightseeing.co.nz 

MANAPOURI Manapouri is the proud owner of arguably New Zealand’s most beautiful stretch of water. This is where the boat trip on Doubtful Sound leaves from – most start the trip in Queenstown or Te Anau. From the boat you may see seals and possibly dolphins and penguins.

Adventure Charters and Hires fiordlandadventure.co.nz Real Journeys 03 249 6602 realjourneys.co.nz

MANAPOURI STAY Freestone Backpackers (BBH) 270 Hillside Rd, 03 249 6893, bbh.co.nz Manapouri Lakeview Motor Inn 68 Cathedral Drive, 03 249 6652, manapouri.co.nz Possum Lodge (BBH) 13 Murrel Ave, 03 249 6623,

BOOK NOW! possumlodge.co.nz

DOUBT SOUND If you’re not one for crowds, an alternative Fiordland option is Doubtful Sound – the deepest of the fiords, made up of 100km of waterways. Where Milford is all pointy peaks and endless cascading falls, Doubtful is rounded mountains – a serene sanctuary, inhabited by loads of interesting critters.

Real Journeys Daytime wilderness, small boat and overnight cruises.

0800 656 502 realjourneys.co.nz Fiordland Navigator Pearl Harbour, Manapouri 03 249 6602, doubtfulsound.co.nz Deep Cove Hostel Doubtful Sound, 03 249 7713, deepcovehostel.co.nz

INVERCARGILL The southernmost city in New Zealand, Invercargill is a farmingorientated community with a pleasant collection of parks and museums to keep you busy.

Invercargill I-site Visitors Centre 108 Gala St, 03 214 6243 Dept of Conservation Office Don St, 03 214 4589 Catlins Coaster Invercargill to Dunedin via the Catlins with many stops to the main natural attractions and wildlife encounters. Farmstay options are available, 0800 304333, catlinscoaster.co.nz Stewart Island Flights Flights to Stewart Island, 03 218 9129, stewartislandflights.co.nz

INVERCARG STAY Southern Comfort (BBH) 30 Thompson St, 03 218 3838 bbh.co.nz Tuatara Backpacker Lodge 30 Dee St, 03 214 0956, tuataralodge.co.nz

SOUTH SCENIC

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The Globe Backpackers (VIP) 144 Palmerston St, Riverton, 03 234 8527, globebackpackers@xtra.co.nz Harbison Backpackers (BBH) 5 Harbison St, Otautau, 03 225 8715, michdale@xtra.co.nz Shooters Backpackers 73 Main St, Tuatapere, 03 226 6250

GORE Gore spans the Mataura river and boasts some lovely scenery in the Hokonui Hills and the Country and Western festival each June.

Old Fire Station Backpackers (BBH) 19 Hokonui Dr, 03 208 1925, thefirestation.co.nz Oakleight Motels 70 Hokonui Dr, 03 208 4863, oakleighmotel.co.za

THE CATLINS The beautiful Catlins is a sprawling mass of bush, forest and rivers, stretching all the way from Waipapa Point in Southland to Nugget Point in Otago. The best bit about the Catlins is the abundance of wildlife.

Catlins Community Info Centre 3 Main Rd, Owaka, South Otago, 03 415 8371, catlins.org.nz Elm Lodge Wildlife Tours Two-day camping trips, 0800 356 563, elmwildlifetours.co.nz

CATLINS STAY Wrights Mill Lodge (BBH) 865 Tahakopa Valley, 03 204 8424, bbh.co.nz Lazy Dolphin 529 Curio Bay Rd, 03 246 8579. bbh.co.nz Fernlea Backpackers (VIP) Moana St, Kaka Point, 03 412 8834 The Split Level (BBH) 9 Waikawa Rd, Owaka, 03 415 8304, brianwayne@clear.net.nz Surat Bay Lodge (BBH) Surat Bay Rd, New Haven, 03 415 8099, suratbay.co.nz

The beautiful road west of Invercargill towards Fiordland is known as the Southern Scenic Route.

Penguin Paradise Holiday Lodge (BBH) 612 Waikawa-Niagara Rd, Waikawa Village South Catlins, 03 2468 552, dolphinsurf@xtra.co.nz

Pepper Tree Hostel 121 Grey St, Palmerston, 06 335 4054, peppertreehostel.co.nz

Thomas Catlins Lodge & Holiday Park, 8 Clark St, Owaka 03 415 8333, thomascatlins.co.nz

Grandma’s Place 146 Grey St, Palmerston North, 06 358 6928, grandmas-place.co.nz

Wright’s Mill Lodge (BBH) 865 Tahakopa Valley Rd, 03 204 8424 catlinsaccommodation.co.nz

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DUNEDIN Dunedin is Celtic for “Edinburgh” and many Scottish principles endure here. One thing the locals do much better than their Scots ancestors is play rugby, so if there’s a game on at Carisbrook (the “House of Pain”) while you’re in town, beg, borrow or steal to get yourself there.

Dunedin Visitor Centre 48 The Octagon, 03 474 3300 Dept of Conservation Office 77 Stuart St, 03 477 0677 Penguin Patch 9 the Octagon, 03 471 8571, Email: penguinpatch@xtra.co.nz

DUNEDIN STAY The Asylum Lodge (BBH) 36 Russell Rd, Seacliff, 03 465 8123, bbh.co.nz Bus Stop backpackers (BBH) 252 Harrington Point Rd, Portobello, 03 478 0330, bbh.co.nz Chalet Backpackers (BBH) 296 High St, 03 479 2075 bbh.co.nz Dunedin Central Backpackers (BBH) 243 Moray Pl, 03 477 9985, bbh.co.nz The Jolly Poacher (BBH) 74 Elm Row, 03 477 3384 bbh.co.nz Hogwartz (BBH) 277 Rattray St, 03 474 1487, bbh.co.nz The Jolly Poacher (BBH) 54 Arthur St, 03 477 3384, bbh.co.nz Kiwis Nest (BBH) 597 George St, 03 471 9540, bbh.co.nz Leviathan Hotel 27 Queens Gardens, 0800 773 773, dunedinhotel.co.nz Manor House (BBH) 28 Manor Place, 03 477 0484, manorhousebackpackers.co.nz On Top Backpackers (BBH) 12 Filleul St, cnr Moray Pl, 03 477 6121, bbh.co.nz Pennys Backpackers (BBH) 6 Stafford St, 03 477 6027, bbh.co.nz Next Stop Backpackers 2 View St, 03 477 0477, nextstop.co.nz Ramsay Lodge (BBH) 60 Stafford St, 03 477 6313, bbh.co.nz YHA Dunedin, Stafford Gables 71 Stafford St, 03 474 1919, yha.co.nz

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DUNEDIN DO Baldwin Street In the Guinness Book of Records as the steepest street in the world.

Cadbury World 280 Cumberland St, 0800 223 2879, cadbury.co.nz Cosmic Corner Funk Store Check out the legal highs and chat to the staff about where to go for parties, events and the beautiful parts of New Zealand.

355 George St, 03 479 2949 Dunedin Public Art Gallery 30 The Octagon, 03 474 3240, dpagmail@dcc.govt.nz Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony View blue penguins just metres away every evening at dusk. Waterfront Rd, 1-1/2 hrs north of Dunedin, 03 433 1195, penguins.co.nz Parachute Experience Skydiving from a great height 03 489 4113, dropzone.com Sinclair Wetlands and Educational Centre Freedom or conducted walks over 5km of walkways. Backpacker and camping facilities. Rapid no 854 Clarendon/Berwick Rd (signposted on SH1 30km south of Dunedin), 03 486 2654 Speights Brewery Heritage Tours 03 477 7697, speights.co.nz Royal Albatross Centre 03 478 0499, albatross.org.nz

OTAGO PENINSULA The Otago Peninsula is a beautiful stretch of rugged coast, home to a fascinating collection of rare and native birds such as the albatross and yellow-eyed penguin.

Billy Browns (BBH) 423 Aramoana Rd, Port Chalmers, 03 472 8323, billybrowns.co.nz McFarmers Backpackers (BBH) 774 Portobello Rd, Portobello, 02 5206 0640, bbh.co.nz

OTAGO DO

Larnach Castle Australasia’s only castle. The architecture is amazing and the intricate details (including a foyer ceiling that took nearly seven years to build) are breathtaking.

NZ Marine Studies Centre and Aquarium Run by the University of Otago, the Portobello Aquarium and Marine Biology Centre (near Quarantine Point) is a refuge for a diverse collection of fish and reptile life. 03 479 5826

ALEXANDRA Alexandra and Roxburgh are the two main towns for fruit-picking work in the Central Otago region.

Grasshopper Rock One of the world’s southernmost vineyards, situated on the Earnscleugh Rd. grasshopperrock.co.nz

ROXBURGH Villa Rose Backpackers (BBH) 79 Scotland St, 03 446 8761, remarkableorchards@xtra.co.nz

OAMARU A charming little place noted for both its interesting collection of white granular limestone buildings and its large penguin population.

Visitor Information Centre Thames St, 03 434 1656 Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony View blue penguins at dusk. Waterfront Rd, 03 433 1195, penguins.co.nz Chillawhile Backpackers (BBH) & Art Gallery 1 Frome St, Roberts Park, 03 437 0168, chillawhile.co.nz

NEVIS UmNetreGsY B 134 G IN W S NthEe woVIS rld’s biggest swing

Coastal Backpackers (BBH) The Hall, Waianakarua Rd, All Day Bay, 03 439 5411, coastalbackpackers.co.nz Buscot Station (BBH) 732 Omarama, 03 438 9646, buscotstn@xtra.co.nz Empire Hotel (BBH) 13 Thames St, 03 434 3446, empirehotel@hotmail.com Old Bones Backpackers (BBH) Rapid Number 468 Beach Rd, Kakanui, 03 434 8115, simon@oldbones.co.nz YHA Oamaru, Red Kettle Seasonal (open September/October to May/ June only). Corner of Reed and Cross Sts, 03 434 5008, yha.co.nz Swaggers Backpackers (BBH) 25 Wansbeck St, 03 434 9999, swaggers@es.co.nz

MOERAKI Just 30km south of Oamaru lies a remarkable collection of eerie giant boulders.

Olive Grove Lodge (BBH) 2328 SH1, Waianakarua, 03 439 5830, info@olivebranch.co.nz The Dubliner 105 Tiverton St, Palmerston, 03 465 8123

www.bungy.co.nz

Photos: Tourism New Zealand, Winter Festival

Historic Fort Taiaroa An underground complex built in the 1880s, this fortified stronghold has been inhabited since earliest Maori settlement of the area.

Tours available at the Visitor Centre.

Fletcher House, Broad Bay, 03 478 0180

Elm Wildlife Tours 0800 356 563, elmwildlifetours.co.nz

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Saffa’s up From killer waves to killer whales, South Africa’s beaches offer a plethora of adventures and a chance to dive into the wild side WORDS HEATHER RICHARDSON

With 3,000 miles of coastline, South Africa suffers no shortage of incredible beaches. Whether you’re hoping to witness a 40-ton humpback whale breaching, surf world-class waves or simply work on that tan, there is a beach in South Africa to suit every purpose.

South Africans will be at pains to remind you that these are some of the best shores in the world, and there’s strong evidence to back this claim: some of the biggest pro-surfing competitions are held here, Hermanus is the best land-based whale watching site in the world, and great white shark breaching tours are unique to the Western Cape.

Cape Town is South Africa’s most popular city, and rightfully so. Located on the southwest coast, the city serves as a perfect base for surfing, cage diving with great white sharks, visiting the tiny, brilliantly named Jackass penguins, and simply admiring the views of iconic Table Mountain while soaking up the sunshine.

Further east along the coast is where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic. This area is arguably the best place in the world for spotting whales, often without ever having to leave the shore (a big relief for anyone prone to seasickness). The Whale Coast, as it’s often termed, is also where you can spot the Marine Big Five – the ocean’s answer to the famous safari Big Five – consisting of sharks, seals, penguins, dolphins and, of course, whales. Hermanus is the most popular launch-pad for sea-based adventures.

The scenic Garden Route stretches around the Western Cape coast and is home to Plettenberg Bay, one of the most popular staycation spots for South Africans. It’s a great place for swimming, long walks along the clean beaches, sailing and kayaking. Just east of Plettenberg, crossing into the Eastern Cape province, is the site of the annual Billabong Pro ASP World Tour, which puts this area high on the list for surfers keen to tackle the waves in this world-class surfing spot.

Follow the Eastern Cape coast and you’ll reach the KwaZulu-Natal coast in between Durban and the Mozambique border. This is an amazing environment for divers: Sodwana Bay is commonly cited as one of the world’s top 10 dive sites. If you’re visiting between November and January, you can also watch the loggerhead and leatherback

Wilderness Beach on the Garden Route

turtles laying their eggs on these north-eastern beaches.

Whether you’re travelling to South Africa for the sunshine, the wildlife, or the surf, we’ve got your ideal beach right here.

Best for… surfing JEFFREY’S BAY, EASTERN CAPE Named as the second-greatest surfing destination in the world, Jeffrey’s Bay (‘J-Bay’ if you want to sound like a local) is the surfing Mecca of South Africa.

Every July, the Billabong Pro ASP World Tour is held in this bay on Supertubes Beach, which is famed for its right-hand point break. The waves in Jeffrey’s Bay can reach between 10 and 12 feet, they’re very fast, and the swell is best TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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in the winter months (from May to July). It’s going to be chilly at that time of year, but it’s worth it, especially because the surf isn’t as crowded as other world-class breaks, and you’ll have a lot more space than if you were to visit in the summer.

Learn how to conquer the waves with Surf-Jbay (surf-jbay. co.za), which offers lessons for everyone from beginners to advanced surfers. The team can also arrange your transfers and make sure you’re out of the water before sunset, around which time it’s the domain of South Africa’s famous white sharks.

Get to J-Bay by flying into Port Elizabeth (one hour, 40 minutes from Johannesburg) and then driving down the N2 highway for about an hour (77 kilometres).

WHERE TO STAY Cristal Cove Backpackers (cristalcove.co.za) is right on the beach and close to the main strip. It’s clean, chilled and modern, with plenty of tours offered, too.

WHERE TO EAT Aside from the surf, J-Bay is widely known for its calamari, which you can sample at friendly Hey Jude, on the beachfront Drommedaris Street.

WHERE TO PARTY J-Bay is a laidback surfer town, so don’t expect the nightlife to be particularly crazy. Bag a window seat and enjoy a few leisurely evening drinks at the Moroccan Lounge bar, on the corner of Da Gamma and Good Hope Street.

Best for… sun worshipping Clifton Beaches and the 12 Apostles

Sodwana Bay, diving with sand tiger shark and golden trevally

Southern right whale breaching 92

CLIFTON BEACH, CAPE TOWN Swanky Clifton Beach is just 10 minutes outside Cape Town and it’s a favourite haunt of city-based sun-seekers during the summer (October to February). This is the slightly quieter version of Camps Bay, perhaps Cape Town’s most popular beach, which is located just around the corner.

These pristine white sandy coves have views of the 12 Apostles and are protected from the wind, so it’s a great spot for settling down to top up your tan, while admiring some of Cape Town’s most beautiful residents parading around the beach in their smalls.

There are four coves at Clifton: the aptly named Fourth Beach has more of a family vibe, so if you’re single and looking to mingle, stick to the first three; in particular the equally aptly named Second Beach, which has a younger crowd.

If you’re planning to swim, bear in mind that the water here is the ice-cold Atlantic variety, so don’t expect a warm welcome. However, for landlubbers – or those with a thick skin – Clifton is ideal, and as there are vendors with a constant supply of cold water and ice lollies, you can quite happily spend the entire day prostrate.

However long you spend here, don’t leave before sunset, as Clifton witnesses some dazzling sinking suns. Sadly, booze is prohibited on the beach, which is something to consider if you’re bringing an evening picnic, as many of the locals do.

To get to Clifton, take the Hout Bay bus, which runs from the Civic Centre via Sea Point. It’s not a great idea to drive during the summer, as finding a place to park will be next to impossible.

WHERE TO STAY From Atlantic Point Backpackers (atlanticpoint.co.za), by the V&A Waterfront, it’s just a 25-minute journey by public transport to Clifton Beach. This hostel is newly built, has friendly staff, and a great location; it’s also good for socialising.

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Camps Bay WHERE TO EAT Take a break from the beach with lunch or dinner at Marika’s, a little Greek restaurant in Camps Bay, on Upper Buitenkant Street. This rooftop joint has views of Table Mountain and is a refreshing alternative to the super-sleek restaurants and bars that are so prevalent in this affluent area.

WHERE TO PARTY When the sun has gone down, brush off the sand and head to The Assembly, in District Six. This cool club is based in an old warehouse and is one of the best places to catch live music in Cape Town, serving up all kinds of alternative beats from local and international DJs. Best for… diving SODWANA BAY, KWAZULU-NATAL Bordered by verdant forest and white sand, Sodwana Bay is one of the best diving sites in the world and a must-visit for keen divers. On the KwaZulu-Natal coast, Sodwana Bay’s coral reefs (some of the most southerly on earth) are surrounded by caves, pinnacles and walls that create whirlpools scooping up yellow, dory and blue-banded snapper, potato bass and soldier fish.

Whales (humpback, southern right and minke) frequent these shores from June to November and you can swim with the enormous whale sharks year-round; these gentle giants – the world’s biggest fish – are actually best seen with a mask and snorkel rather than diving gear, as they tend to swim very close to the surface. You might also encounter manta rays, sharks, dolphins and turtles.

Try to avoid visiting during the summer holidays (December to January) when it gets very busy. The weather’s good year round, so you won’t be uncomfortable diving in the winter months, when temperatures average out at

around the low 20s. The best visibility, though, is in May. Sodwana Bay is a four-hour drive north from Durban on the N2, or you can fly to Richard’s Bay airport and pick up a shuttle.

If you’re staying at Coral Divers (recommended below), they can organise all your dives. If you’re not certified or would like to progress to the next level, Coral Divers is also a PADI centre.

WHERE TO STAY Coral Divers (coraldivers.co.za) is a camp site with a variety of tents and cabins, plus catering and selfcatering options for all budgets. Be aware that there isn’t much privacy for those staying in the tents. Aside from diving, there are also plenty of other tours to do with Coral Divers, including quad bike riding and buffalo tracking.

WHERE TO EAT Most people self-cater in Sodwana, but the Lighthouse Restaurant on Main Road is a welcome place to get a good, hearty meal after a day of diving. They serve delicious gourmet pizzas and a variety of cocktails.

WHERE TO PARTY Sodwana isn’t quite the rave capital of South Africa, with it being in the middle of a national park. There’s a sports bar at Maak ‘n Jol, but that’s about as hedonistic as it’s going to get.

Best for… shark cage diving GANSBAAI, WESTERN CAPE Just outside Cape Town, the Western Cape bays are famed worldwide for their great white sharks. These sleek hunters assemble in this area to feast upon the thousands of fur seals that live here. This is also one of the only places in the world that it’s possible to see the sharks breaching; this hunting technique sees the huge sharks launch themselves clean out of the water as they surprise their prey from beneath. Many TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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BIGTRIP operators offer a combined cage diving and breaching tour.

Gansbaai is a popular base from which cage diving tours depart, just a couple of hours outside Cape Town. It’s going to be an early start, because the great white sharks are at their most active first thing in the morning. After a briefing, you’ll head out on the boat for your first encounter with these amazing creatures, which are initially attracted to the boat by the smell of chum. For God’s sake, don’t forget your seasickness medication. The cruises in False Bay are notorious for causing bad bouts of motion sickness, due to the size of the boats, the smell of the mushed up chum, and the choppy water.

Seeing these sharks within an arm’s reach is an unforgettable experience and definitely worth braving the bitterly cold water. You don’t need to be a certified diver to get in the cages, which are attached to the side of the boat and sit just below the water’s surface.

The best time to go is in winter, between February and September, although the white sharks are prevalent yearround. Shark Cage Diving KZN (sharkcagedivingkzn.com) has great respect for the natural underwater world and ensures there is no disruption to the sharks’ natural habitat. It also guarantees you will see sharks or they will give you your money back.

WHERE TO STAY Gansbaai Backpackers (gansbaybackpackers. com) has a great location right in the centre of town, and also benefits from awesome ocean views and a beer garden. The team there can arrange cage diving tours.

WHERE TO EAT Steady your stomach back on dry land with a visit to Coffee on the Rocks, where you can take in the view from its brilliant terrace that overlooks the bay. They’re open until 5pm, so you can have a leisurely lunch with plenty of time to get back to Cape Town if you’re not staying overnight.

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WHERE TO PARTY After your cage diving experience (don’t go out drinking the night before your tour: trust me), you can grab a few sundowner cocktails to sip on Oppidek’s harbourfront terrace, or have some beers at Seaview Sports Bar, which is located in the town centre. If you’re hankering for a full-on night out, your best bet is to head back to Cape Town.

Best for… whale watching GROTTO BEACH, WESTERN CAPE Southern right whales visit South African shores between July and November, and the pretty seaside town of Hermanus – just two hours from Cape Town – is probably the best place in the world for watching these massive mammals without even having to step foot on a boat.

Landlubbers can see whales playing in the water right from Grotto Beach, which also boasts spotless white sand and great facilities. If you fancy a longer walk, the 11km coastal cliff trail around Hermanus affords spectacular views of Walker Bay and an easy way to spot a breaching whale or two.

If you want to get enviably up close and personal to the whales, you can board a boat with a tour operator such as Southern Right Charters, which is highly regarded for its ecocredentials (southernrightcharters.co.za). The curious whales will often swim right up to the boats, affording passengers an amazing vantage point.

If you’re visiting at the end of September or the beginning of October, there is a huge three-day Whale Festival held yearly, with activities, music, food, and a lively atmosphere.

WHERE TO STAY Hermanus Backpackers on Flower Street (hermanusbackpackers.co.za) is a really friendly hostel just outside Hermanus. It has loads of information about the tours you can do around this wildlife-rich area.

Shark Cage Diving with KZN

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WHERE TO EAT Take advantage of the great coastal views this town offers and enjoy a fresh, healthy brunch on the rooftop of Just Pure, on the corner of Marine Driver and Park Lane, which overlooks the bay. The eggs Benedict is delicious.

WHERE TO PARTY Shimmi, in Village Square, combines cocktails with incredible views across Walker Bay. Best for… penguin spotting BOULDERS BEACH, CAPE TOWN With its clean, soft sand and clear, calm water, Boulders Beach is not only a lovely beach, but also the place to see the tiny Jackass penguins that live around these shores – so-named, not because of their lousy temperament, but because their cry resembles that of a donkey’s ‘heehaw’.

This breeding colony of African penguins, numbering around 3,000, tend to potter around the rocks when they’re not in the water, but they are also free to come and go from the beach as they please, which is why you’ll often find one or two wandering around the car park. Although they are wonderfully cute, when you get close enough to smell them, you’ll probably be glad of a little distance!

Boulders is also a great beach from which to swim. The water of False Bay is much warmer than the Atlantic Ocean, so you can happily join the penguins in the sea, where you’ll find them calmly observing swimmers or torpedoing past them, mocking our comparative inelegance in the water.

In Table Mountain National Park, Boulders Beach is just over a kilometre away from Simon’s Town on Cape Peninsula, and most Cape Peninsula tours stop at Boulders. There’s a small charge to get into the national park, which goes towards protecting the colony.

WHERE TO STAY The laid-back Cape Town Backpackers (capetownbackpackers.com) has a great central location, close to Long Street. They also offer tours around Cape Peninsula, which stop at Boulders Beach.

WHERE TO EAT Have fish and chips for lunch at the charming Lighthouse Café on St George’s Street in Simon’s Town, just over a mile from Boulders Beach.

WHERE TO PARTY Back in Cape Town after your tour, head to Fiction DJ Bar & Lounge on Long Street. The dance floor is always packed, and there’s a great wraparound terrace if you need a breather.

Best for… turtle tracking KOSI BAY, KWAZULU-NATAL On the northeast coast near the Mozambique border, Kosi Bay is one of the only places in South Africa where you can watch leatherback and loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, followed by the hatchlings then breaking free of their nests and crawling down the beach to the ocean a couple of months later.

Turtle egg-laying season is from November until January.

After dark, you and your guide will head out to search for turtles on the beach. Female turtles are very cautious upon exiting the surf, so if you spot one, you’ll have to sit in the dark until she is safely in her nesting site, after which she falls into a sort of trance while laying her eggs (if only it were so easy for us humans). At this point low lighting can be used,

A Jackass penguin at Boulders Beach but photos aren’t allowed because the flash can scare her.

If you’re visiting later in the season (December to March), you’ll be able to watch hundreds of tiny hatchlings flipflopping down the beach, all guided by the sparkle of the water. It’s estimated that only four of every 1,000 hatchlings survive to adulthood, so this is a crucial stage in the turtles’ lives. Twenty years later, the survivors return to the exact same spot to lay their own eggs; nobody knows how their navigational skills are so accurate.

During the day, you’ll be treated to the region’s stunning white beaches and warm waters that you might have all to yourself due to the remoteness of the location. Snorkelling and diving are great in this area, too.

Always use an official operator to observe the turtles, such as Kosi Bay Lodge (see the accommodation section below).

Get to Kosi Bay by flying into Richard’s Bay, taking the N2 North from Durban, or the N12 from Johannesburg. From Durban, the drive normally takes about six hours.

WHERE TO STAY Kosi Bay Lodge (kosibaylodge.co.za) offers turtle tours and either catered or self-catered options in its lodges and chalets.

WHERE TO EAT Most people will be self-catering in Kosi Bay; there’s a Superspar in eManguzi and a daily market in the town for fresh fruit and vegetables. Kosi Bay Lodge offers full-board accommodation, so you can also dine at its Umdoni restaurant.

WHERE TO PARTY Reward yourself with a beer at the lodge after a night camped out on the beach spotting turtles. Kosi Bay Lodge’s Nhlange Pub is good for a few sundowners.

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OZCAREERS

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Cash in on Christmas

It’s always better to give than receive over the Christmas holidays, and luckily for you, the Aussie job market is rather generous at the end of the year. It’s a good idea to take advantage of this and use the opportunity to make a few extra pennies while on your travels.

A word to the wise, though – lots of backpackers arrive in Oz in November and December as summer kicks off, so if you want to make sure you find employment easily and you’ve got the edge, start looking in September or October to beat the rush. Oh, and don’t forget you need to be on a working visa in order to get a job over here.

Sorting mail As it’s commonly a time of mass card sending, Australia Post tends to struggle at Christmas, and so there are a variety of jobs available. If you don’t mind getting up off your backside, you can deliver mail by walking, bicycle or motorbike, and you can also take shifts sorting out mail and van driving. The downside? Mail sorting jobs tend to be overnight, and there will always be pesky dogs that take a dislike to you, but pay is good and you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll land a role if you’re punctual and show willing. auspost.com.au

Sales assistant The need for sales assistants starts to ramp up in September.

It’ll be tiring work, but you should be able to get your hands on a nifty staff discount, all training will be provided, and the work will be flexible so you’ve got a bit of time to stuff your family’s stocking too (no incest jokes, please).

You can expect to earn around AU$18.19 an hour, but the good news is experience within retail doesn’t often translate to much bigger bucks – so the average newbie will only be on a bit less than a manager. retailchoice.com/ JobSeeking/Australia

Office work Businesses always need temporary staff over Christmas when full-time staff head off on their holidays. Admin, accounting, secretarial and data entry jobs are always plentiful. They’re not 96

Words: Vicky Anscombe. Image: Thinkstock

Ho ho holy crap Christmas is an expensive time of year.

Make sure you’re not out of pocket by getting one of these temporary holiday positions

necessarily the most exciting jobs in the world, but you will be doing fairly easy work in an air-conditioned office, most likely from 9-5 with one hour for lunch. Even though your prospective employer will be aware that you’re a traveller, never turn up wearing casual clothing – and always bring a hard copy of your CV. Expect to earn around AU$19 an hour. Try seek.com.au for office work and finite.com.au for IT work.

Hospitality and bar work If you’re after a challenge, fast on your feet and adept at making tips, bar work during the Christmas rush can pay off. In order to work with booze, you’ll need an RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) certificate, which is a oneday course that costs around AU$65. Keep your eye out in hostels and local papers for openings (naturally, we list bar vacancies too) and don’t be afraid to ask other backpackers if they know of any openings. If you’re working in the outback, you may find yourself better off – you can earn up to AU$300 in tips every week, and your accommodation and meals are paid for. However, your basic rate will be lower. backpackerjobboard.com.au/jobs/bar-work-jobs

Au pair/nannying If you’re a dab-hand at a bedtime story and happy to have your nails painted pink, you’ll find plenty of nannying work over and around the Christmas period as parents’ work and social schedules pick up. Most nannies get to live with the family, so look on the bright side; yes, you’ll work long hours, but your commute’s a breeze. Expect to earn around AU$230 per week, with all meals included. nannyaustralia.com

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DESPERATELYSEEKING

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Are you desperately seeking someone or something? Email ian.armitage@tntmagazine.com with your message

SAY WHAT?!

THINGS TONY ABBOTT SHOULD DO, JUST BECAUSE

bananas are definitely not a fruit, they are a nut. don’t even get me started on carrots.

if you shine a light on the back of your knee it cures jet lag. honest, try it.

i smiled so much i felt like my eyes had turned into peanuts.

I was only called a c**t three times on my birthday this year, a record low.

Seriously nipples, what the fuck is going on? I’m all out of plasters and Vaseline!

i met this really hot guy the other night. he looked like boris johnson but with tattoos.

if there’s such a thing as trench fanny, I’ve got it.

Seriously nipples, what the fuck is going on? I’m all out of plasters and Vaseline!

where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever had sex? up the bum.

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Join The Cat Empire. He looks like a man who could play a ukulele...

Sick as a cat: Rick, your cat threw up in my room again.

Have you trained it to do that or something? If it happens again I’ll cook you dinner that night. I hope you like cat stew. Lucy Nobody nose: You’re my friend’s younger brother but I really fancy you. I thought you were going to kiss me the other night but instead you just stuck your finger up my nose. Does that mean you don’t fancy me back? Let me know. Your sister’s best friend x One night band: Dave, I regret sleeping you with you on our first date. I blame Eric Clapton and your ukulele skills – that finger work was impressive. I haven’t heard from you since... please call me. Regretful Racheal Not-so sweet: Babes, I know you read this every month and so I thought it was the best way to do this: you’re dumped. Love, well not really, your sorry sugarlump x Silent witness: I saw you pinch my girlfriend’s bum at the Cherry Bar the other night. I didn’t get annoyed because I thought you were hot, and I’m bi-curious. Fancy

a three-way? I’m sure my girlfriend will be up for it. She’s a bit of a slag. Curious George.

Stairway to heaven? I know I fell down the stairs and spat water all over you on our first date, but do you fancy a second? Charlie Picture this: Why do men insist on sending girls pictures of their cocks? We don’t want to look at it.

It’s ugly. That’s why God gave us a hole to hide it away in : ) Soph Reunited: ’Pedro’, the matter at hand has been ‘taken care of’. Now we can be together. Meet me at Sydney Airport departures at 7pm on September 10. Bring your travel clothes! Red Fox No fancy for Nancy: Nancy, I don’t fancy you. Please stop trying to ‘accidentally’ sit on my lap whenever you sit on the sofa and I know you are stealing my knickers.

Straight Sarah Shy guy: We’ve been really good mates for 10 years now and I’ve never found the courage to tell you I love you. God I hope you don’t read this. Stevo Ex-factor: I saw my ex with his new girlfriend last night. I just

wanted to tell the world that she’s fatter than me. Haha!

Love me Tinder: I accidentally swiped left when I saw your picture on Tinder. Now I can’t get you out of my mind. Mystery hot girl who had a reindeer hat on in her main pic, please find me! In my picture I am naked apart from a cake covering my modesty.

Train reaction: We get the same train every morning. I elbowed you in the face last week. Fancy it?

You’re hired: I’ve just lost my job. I am excellent at writing funny lists, I love cats and I am a generally awesome person. Anyone want to hire me?

Childhood zeros: Rolf Harris – really? Who’s next, Barney the Purple Dinosaur? Let-down Larry Getting cocky: You may have been on your hen do but you looked so sexy in your cock-nose glasses.

Please jilt the groom and marry me!

The guy who helped you re-attach the plastic cock to your glasses xx Shower shame: James I’m sorry I walked in on you in the shower the other day. I was just curious.

Now I am just disappointed.

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