750

February 2015 Issue 750

IN W YON SWING

CAN PACKAGE WORTH $500!

TOTAL WANAKA You’ll love this place, but it may make you sh*t yourself

TASSIE’S TOP 10 Hop across the Strait for these must-dos

WE

S A R G I MARD

s festival u lo u b fa ’s y e dn , embrace Sy n e e tw e b in or anything Gay, straight, + BEST BUNGY JUMPS RED CENTRE DAN SULTAN TASTE OF THAILAND

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

WIN A CENTENARY ANZAC TOUR IN TURKEY FOR TWO PEOPLE! TNT and Samyeli Travel are giving you and a friend the chance to experience a four-day Alternative ANZAC Tour this April!* Samyeli Travel offers 2015 ANZAC Tours for ballot ticket holders and for those who missed out. With 11 tours available, ranging from 4-16 days, you’ll be sure to find one that’s perfect for you.

Ballot ticket holders will spend the 24th and 25th of April at ANZAC Cove. While those without a ballot ticket will watch the ANZAC Centenary Ceremonies live on the big screen, from a private location in Gallipoli.

All tours include entrance fees, luxury coaches, English-speaking tour guides, quality accommodation, a commemorative shirt, plus much more.

Come and join us to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the ANZAC spirit in Gallipoli. Check the website for the full itineraries. Good luck in the competition! *Flights & optional activities are not included.

Enter at tntmagazine.com/competitions samyelitravel.com

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EDITORIAL Editor Caroline Garnar caroline.garnar@tntmagazine.com Contributors Andrew Westbrook, Michael Gadd DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Design and production manager Lisa Ferron SALES Sales manager Jaqui Ward jaqui.ward@tntmagazine.com STARTRACK MEDIA LTD CEO Kevin Ellis Chairman Ken Hurst PUBLISHER Startrack Media Ltd PRINTED BY Spotpress PICTURES Getty Images | iStock | TNT Images | Supplied COVER IMAGE: Credit for our cover image to Dean Hood, image taken for Unicorns.

TNT Magazine online tntdownunder.com

WHERE TO GET TNT

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

FROM THE EDITOR Sometimes, I wish I was gay. It looks like so much fun – y’know, nowadays anyway.

Luckily for me, and any other straight/in-the-closet/curious types out there, the Sydney Mardi Gras, a celebration of all things LGBTQI, is well and truly open to all.

And thank goodness for that.

From high-heel races to fabulous drag quizzes to more serious talks about the issues and prejudices the LBGTQI community still faces today, the 16-day long festival culminates in a flamboyant parade you simply can’t miss. Turn to p18 for details.

If you like to celebrate the anything-but-ordinary in other areas of your life too, you’ll be pleased to hear Heston Blumenthal has set his sights on Australia. First, he is bringing his famous Berkshire restaurant, The Fat Duck, to Melbourne; then he plans to open Dinner later this year. Known for his, er, experimental dishes (ice cream curry, anyone?), we talk to Blumey (as he doesn’t let us call him) over on page 22 about what he thinks of the culinary scene Down Under.

Best not to try one of his concoctions before launching yourself off one of our top five bungy sites listed on page 34 and 36 – from swings to swan dives, New Zealand, in particular, offers numerous ways to shit your pants.

Talking of which, Lake Wanaka (p64) enjoys proving the theory of ‘what goes up must come down’, offering sky diving, flying in a vintage war plane, canyoning and skiing, all in one picture-perfect place.

For something on ground level – and below – journey to the Red Centre to be stunned by the awesome Uluru, and the epic King’s Canyon (p38). Never will you be so impressed by a big rock and an even bigger hole.

Beyond this, we check out the top 10 things to do in Tasmania (p44), climbing and island hopping in Thailand (80) and more.

I’ll see you at the parade. I’ll be the one in high heels and sequins... try and spot me!

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.

Kangaroo Island

Waitomo Caves

Amazing Africa

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THIS MONTH DIARY 6 FOOD 10 DRINK 11 GIGS 12 PUBS

14

SYDNEY MARDI GRAS

18

HESTON BLUMENTHAL

22

34

CHATROOM 25

SPORT ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 26

TRAVEL TRAVEL BITES 30

TOP 5: BUNGY JUMPS 34 OZ: RED CENTRE

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TOP 10: TASMANIA 44 NZ: LAKE WANAKA BIG TRIP: THAILAND

64 80

ON THE COVER WE HEART MARDI GRAS 18 Embrace Sydney’s fabulous festival

DAN SULTAN

We chat to Dan ahead of his Oz tour

BEST BUNGY JUMPS

48 68

CAREERS 88 DESPERATELY SEEKING 4

90

44

Hop over the Strait for these must dos

TOTAL WANAKA NEW ZEALAND LISTINGS

34

The top five places to fling yourself

TASSIE’S TOP 10 AUSTRALIA LISTINGS

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64

Love this place, then shit yourself

TASTE OF THAILAND

80

Island hop and climb to new heights

18

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HOTSHOTS 32

44

80

38

Other images: iStock

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OUR TOP PICKS CHINCHILLA MELON FESTIVAL Feb 12-15 Chincilla, QLD

PERTH INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL Feb 13-Mar 7 Perth, WA

Found about 300km west of Brisbane, unsurprisingly in a melonfarming region, Melonfest is one of the more weird and wonderful dates on the Aussie festival calendar.

Expect melon races, dances, street parades and a rodeo.

From giant puppets parading the streets to augmented reality displays in parks, via the usual dance, music and theatre offerings, it’s looking like a fortnight unlike any other on the west coast.

Times vary Various Chinchilla locations melonfest.com.au

Times vary Various Perth locations perthfestival.com.au

FREE+

FREE+

MUST DO VALENTINE’S DAY February 14 Nationwide Love it or hate it, it’s happening. If you’re coupled up, see our romantic restaurant suggestions on page 10, if you’re single, there are parties galore to celebrate your singledom – or maybe put an end to it. In the spirit of Mardi Gras, our party of choice is the Unicorns ‘Date with your dark fantasy’ party for the gay community.

Here they promise to greet you with roses before a bevvy of babes smother you in body paint. Saucy.

VAR

Have a date with your dark fantasy at Unicorns’ Valentine’s Day party

8pm-3am

The Red Rattler Theatre, NSW

BETWEEN THE BAYS FESTIVAL

facebook.com/unicornsparty

ADELAIDE FRINGE

SOUNDWAVE

Feb 13-Mar 15 Adelaide

Feb 21-Mar 1 Nationwide

FUTURE MUSIC

This open-access arts festival is not just the biggest of its kind Down Under, but on a global scale, it’s second only to the might of Edinburgh. There will be more than 900 events, with everything from circus acts to cabaret taking to the city’s streets, parks and theatres.

If you like your metal, it doesn’t get bigger than this. Hitting Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide across two weekends will be the likes of Slipknot, Faith No More, Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins, Slash, Marilyn Manson and way, way more.

Back for a tenth year, this super-chilled music festival an hour south of Melbourne is set within 35 gorgeous acres on the Mornington Peninsula.

Expect an Aussie-heavy line-up, headlined by James Reyne, and a laidback atmos.

If dance music is your thing, this is one festival you don’t want to miss. Touring between Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide, the always stellar cast this year includes Avicii, The Prodigy, Example, Sven Väth, Drake and Afrojack.

Times vary Various Adelaide locations adelaidefringe.org.au

Times vary Nationwide (four cities) soundwavefestival.com

From 1pm Penbank, Mornington Peninsula betweenthebays.com

Times vary Nationwide (five cities) futuremusicfestival.com.au

Feb 28-Mar 9 Nationwide

Feb 28 Victoria FREE+

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$69+

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The greatest thing to happen to the beautiful queer community since glitter was invented! facebook.com/UnicornsParty SYDNEY MARDI GRAS Feb 20-Mar 8 Across Sydney Dig out your feather boas and get glittered up to the max as Sydney’s most outrageous party is coming to town. Having evolved from the annual gay rights marches that started in 1978, Mardi Gras is now a full-blown 17-day festival celebrating all things LGBTQI, with stacks of boozing, markets and the arts thrown in, and a sparkly parade at the end. See p18-21 for our pick of what to do.

VAR

Times vary

Sydney

mardigras.org.au

WOMADELAIDE Mar 6-9 Adelaide, SA It’s no surprise SA is known as the Festival State. With the Fringe taking place around town, Adelaide also plays host to this four-day extravaganza of global music billed as ‘the world’s festival’. Neneh Cherry is among the acts from dozens of nations.

Mar 6-15 Byron Bay

Times vary Botanic Park, Adelaide womadelaide.com.au

Times vary Byron Bay, NSW bbff.com.au

$131+

Photos: Tourism NSW, iStock

BYRON BAY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

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In between chilling on the beach and planning your Nimbin trip, take time to check out some of the more than 200 films from 35-plus countries being shown at this 10-day event.

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With home advantage, the Aussies will be fancying their Cricket World Cup chances

Macy Gray is playing the NT for the first time

It’s already being billed as one of the films of 2015 & an instant cult classic – you can catch Inherent Vice at Moonlight Cinema

NORTH

WEST

SOUTH

IMPARJA CUP FEB 8-14 / $TBC The nation’s best Aboriginal players go for glory in Australia’s Indigenous Cricket Carnival.

CRICKET WORLD CUP SCREENINGS FEB 14 / 11.20AM-7PM / FREE Catch all the action by joining the crowds to watch the games on the big screen. Get going with the Australia v England blockbuster.

KANGAROO ISLAND CUP CARNIVAL FEB 15/ 10.30AM / $20 Dress to impress and join 5,000 people trackside for one of the top country racing events of the Aussie horseracing calendar.

Northbridge Piazza

Cygnet River Racecourse

Traeger Park Speed Street, Alice Springs imparjacup.com.au

Cnr James & Lakes streets, Perth

Kingscote

kiracingclub.com.au

visitperthcity.com

TRAVELLING FILM FESTIVAL FEB 20-23 / $14 Four jam-packed days of movies representing the highlights of the Sydney Film Festival.

11 Todd Street, Alice Springs

NANNUP MUSIC FESTIVAL FEB 27-MAR 2 / FREE+ Held on WA’s Labour Day long weekend, this laidback music festival has stacks of free and ticketed events in the state’s south-west.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL FEB 21-22 / 2.20PM / FREE Check out the hundreds of old boats and steamships that descend on the Fleurieu Peninsula, just south of Adelaide.

sff.org.au/alice-springs

Various venues

Goolwa Wharf Precinct

Alice Springs Cinema

Nannup

MACY GRAY MAR 10 / 8PM / $84 The big-haired croaky-voiced pop princess is including the Northern Territory in her Aussie tour for the first time.

The Playhouse Darwin Entertainment Centre yourcentre.com.au

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nannupmusicfestival.org

BILLY CONNOLLY MAR 10 & 11 / $127+ The Scottish funnyman is back Down Under for his High Horse Tour. He’s hugely popular in Oz so expect tickets to go double fast.

Perth Arena 700 Wellington St, Perth

Goolwa

woodenboatfestival.com.au

STARRY NIGHT CINEMA FEB 28 / 7PM / $6 Enjoy a screening of The Grand Budapest Hotel out among the vines of the Clare Valley.

Taylors Winery Winery Road, Auburn, Clare Valley

ticketek.com.au

taylorswines.com.au

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EAST

NEW ZEALAND

SUMMERSALT OUTDOOR ARTS FESTIVAL UNTIL FEB 21 / FREE+ Art takes to the streets of Melbourne’s Southbank for five weekends in a row as part of this new festival. There will be interactive theatre, concerts, art installations and more.

NEWTOWN FESTIVAL FEB 13-MAR 8 / FREE An annual celebration of one of Wellington’s most vibrant and diverse communities. Sunday March 8 sees the Street Fair Day, which is always massive, as 75,000 people flock to the 12 stages.

Newtown

Melbourne

Wellington, South Island

summersaltfestival.com.au

newtownfestival.org.nz

MOONLIGHT CINEMA UNTIL MAR 29 / DUSK / $19+ There’s still stacks of time to catch one of the almost-nightly screenings under the stars in one of Moonlight’s five cities. Films yet to come include Whiplash, Birdman and Inherent Vice.

GYPSY TRAVELLER FAIR FEB 22-23 / FREE The original wanderers are rolling into Hamilton to showcase all things gypsy for two days. Grab a henna tattoo, indulge in some arts and crafts or simply enjoy the live entertainment.

Various locations

Innes Common

moonlight.com.au

Hamilton, North Island eventfinder.co.nz

CRICKET WORLD CUP FEB 14-MAR 29 / $20+ Australia and New Zealand are playing host to the ICC Cricket World Cup this year, with matches being played in seven Aussies cities.

Some big early clashes worth catching will be South Africa vs India in Melbourne (Feb 22), Australia vs Sri Lanka in Sydney (Mar 8) and, er, England vs Afghanistan in Sydney (Mar 13).

Various locations icc-cricket.com

CRICKET WORLD CUP FEB 14-MAR 29 / $20+ Many of the big fixtures of this year’s premier cricketing event are actually taking place over in Kiwiland. Interesting meets include West Indies vs Ireland in Nelson (Feb 16), England vs New Zealand in Wellington (Feb 20), Australia vs New Zealand in Auckland (Feb 28), England vs Sri Lanka in Wellington (Mar 1) and clash of the titans Bangladesh vs Scotland in Nelson (Mar 5).

Various locations

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS VS SYDNEY FC FEB 28 / 7.30M / $22+ It’s getting to the business end of the A-League season meaning there’s everything to play for in the big Sydney derby. Relative newcomers the Wanderers might be reigning Asian Champions League winners, but are just about bottom of the Aussie table. Marc Janko’s Sydney FC, meanwhile, are on the cusp of securing a place among the play-off finals positions.

Pirtek Stadium

icc-cricket.com

WOMAD TARANAKI MAR 13-15 / 2PM / $79+ It might be smaller than the giant WOMAD event taking place in Adelaide, but NZ certainly doesn’t scrimp when it comes to putting on a massive show with stacks of global talent, including Sinead O’Connor and Youssou N’Dour.

TSB Bowl of Brooklands New Plymouth, North Island womad.co.nz

Parramatta, Sydney

LONDON GRAMMAR MAR 7 / 6PM / $70 Back in Queensland after having to cancel their Splendour in the Grass appearance, the Ivor Novello-winning electronic pop trio will no doubt sell-out fast.

PACIFIKA MAR 14-15 / FREE Celebrate all things Pacific as Western Springs Park is transformed into 10 ‘villages’, each representing an individual Pacific island. Do the rounds trying out all the traditional foods and watching musical performances and hakas from the different cultures.

Riverstage

Western Springs Park

Photos: iStock, Tourism NSW, supplied

ticketmaster.com.au

WATCH THIS

59 Gardens Point Road, Brisbane

Auckland, North Island

ticketmaster.com.au

aucklandnz.com

SUPER 15 RUGBY UNION Yes, the summer months are dwindling, but fear not, as that means Australia’s major sporting leagues are scrumming back into action, and first off the line is rugby union’s Super 15s. This competition, however, is one with a difference, as taking part are the best of the best from three nations – Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, each of which have five teams. The season gets going on Friday Feb 13, with games played each weekend until the final on July 4. For newcomers, get ready for nobody ever referring to where teams are from (using only the more catchy part of their names), so for one time only, remember the Aussie contingent are the Sydney Waratahs, Canberra Brumbies, Brisbane Reds, Melbourne Rebels and Perth Force. Historically, it’s generally a league dominated by the Kiwis, but the Waratahs should be high on confidence having lifted the title last year.

Nationwide (five cities) superxv.com

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FOOD OF LOVE Try these romantic spots this V-day...

CAPTAIN COOK CRUISES, SYDNEY It may be a bit cheesy, but it’s hard not to get swept up by a boat trip around Sydney Harbour. You can enjoy a long lunch, a sunset dinner or a set Valentine’s dinner. Go for the Captain’s dinner if you want to finish your night with a live band and a dance. captaincook.com.au/ sydney-harbour-cruises/dinner-cruises/

MATILDA BAY RESTAURANT, PERTH With a gorgeous setting looking out over Swan River (they mate for life y’know), sip on your welcome glass of champagne and dine on a threecourse meal At Matilda’s. You can even take away a lasting memory of the evening by saying cheese and making goo-goo faces in the restaurant’s very own photo booth. matildabayrestaurant.com.au

MISS KATIE’S CRAB SHACK Deep South US grub, Melbourne

Let’s call it mid ’90s-seafarer grunge. Boats and cray nets on the ceiling, peeling painted pillars of black and red. The tables are clothed in newspaper.

On mine, the Australian Chinese weekly displays quarter page ads for ladies who almost definitely sleep through lunch.

THE GRUB Deep South fare inspired by chef Katie Marron’s US heritage. This is no-nonsense food served in a box (along with a bib, if you choose the crab). Start with the Clarence River school prawns ($9), crisp and crunchy in a paprika-spiked corn masa batter and served with homemade hot sauce. Add some crunchyon-the-outside-soft-in-the-middle fried green tomatoes ($9) and a $3 serve of corn bread and you’ve started the night rolling. Move onto Katie’s Low Country boil ($25) – blue swimmer crab floating in butter and Old Bay seasoning and accompanied by smoked sausage and corn on the cob. Get some goodly greens into you via the cobb salad ($12) and admire its most interesting feature, a pink pickled egg. Katie’s fried chicken ($17) was a bit of a let down: less-thanflavourful meat beneath an under-spiced batter. But, on the whole, food worth wearing a bib for.

BEHIND THE BAR Miss Katie’s is attached to North Melbourne’s Public Bar so there’s a selection of beers and cider on tap, plus wine and bubbles by the bottle or glass.

BILL PLEASE $75 for two plus drinks.

VERDICT We’re not talking fine dining, but Miss Katie’s serves darn tasty fare that makes you want to get your pirate on. Go hungry, skip the chicken and order big. Cath Ferla THE SCENE

Matilda Bay

LAKE HOUSE, VICTORIA The Lake House is a tranquil retreat in Victoria, perfect for a weekend getaway. Start the romance on Friday with a drink at the exclusive Champagne Bar on the waterfront deck accompanied with a live jazz performance. Then relish in a special lunch and dinner at the awardwinning Lake House restaurant on Valentine’s Day itself. lakehouse.com.au

10

238 Victoria St, North Melbourne

misskatiescrabshack.com

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DEVITA Pizzeria, Manly Beach, Sydney

The De Vita family – made up of several generations of Neapolitan chefs – opened a genuine trattoria pizzeria two years ago smack bang in the middle of Sydney’s most iconic beach hangout.

Thanks to them, Manly – with its legendary surf, golden sand, pine trees, city ferries and relaxed, cosmopolitan vibe – now also boasts the most incredible, authentic, fresh Southern Italian flavours and melt-inthe-mouth produce to satisfy locals and travellers alike.

THE GRUB deVita is the real deal, and the proof is in the tasting.

Whether you’ve only got time for a $5 takeaway wrap oozing with warm Italian goodness, or you want to be wowed by the a la carte menu, this relaxed, friendly establishment has all the goods. From the moreish deep-fried pizza dough fingers doused in chilli, oil and cherry tomatoes, to the light, soft-stuffed pizzas with ricotta and mushrooms; from the traditional pizzas with their doughy, delicate, slightly charred bases to the generous lasagna sporting layers of fresh pasta, lashings of ricotta and meatballs… sorry, we’re drooling...

BEHIND THE BAR Their rock-star Italian barista froths up a perfect Illy coffee, or for evening, you can’t go wrong with a glass of Italian wine.

BILL PLEASE $15 for a full-sized lunchtime pizza.

VERDICT Everything from flour to sauce, marble work bench to woodfired oven, is authentic and direct from the source – passionate Naples.

Niyati Libotte THE SCENE

2-8 Darley road, Manly, NSW

3 OF THE BEST DISHES TO SHARE

devita.net.au

YOU A-MEZZE ME

FONDUE DATE

PROFITEROLE PLAY

Order numerous dishes and learn each other’s tastes by tucking into a variety of authentic and mouthwatering Middle Eastern mezze. Head over to Agraba in Melbourne for a variety of authentic options, from hummus to moutabal to cheese pastries. Drool.

Indulge in a caquelon of rich melted chocolate with dippers including fresh strawberries, blondies, marshmallows and brownies.

Feed each other sexily, or comically, depending on your skills. The Melting Pot in Melbourne serves up this treat perfect for Valentine’s.

The traditional French dessert of choux pastry filled with whipped cream and smothered in chocolate sauce is the perfect treat for you and your love to indulge in. Italian restaurant Frattini in Leichhardt, NSW, offers a luscious plate of profiteroles to get messy with.

agraba.com.au

meltingpot.com

frattinirestaurant.com.au

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GOING HARD It’s fair to say that with the Soundwave gang in town, this month is very much metal month Down Under. It’s an acquired taste perhaps, but there’s arguably no other Aussie festival that so consistently dominates its genre and pulls in so many of the biggest international names. And the good news is that, even if you don’t get to the festival itself, many of the acts will be doing sideshows, at least in Sydney and Melbourne. So keep your eyes peeled to see the likes of Marilyn Manson, Smashing Pumpkins or Slash in a more intimate venue.

FRI FEB 13

ticketmaster.com.au

Angus & Julia Stone $70 Riverstage, Brisbane ticketmaster.com.au

One Direction $100+ Patersons Stadium, Perth ticketmaster.com.au

Carl Cox $50+ Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak, Vic ticketmaster.com.au

The Veronicas $80 Enmore Theatre, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au

SAT FEB 21

SAT FEB 14 One Direction $83+ Etihad Stadium, Melbourne ticketmaster.com.au Chet Faker $63 Brisbane Convention Centre premier.ticketek.com.au

SUN FEB 15 One Direction $83+ Etihad Stadium, Melbourne ticketmaster.com.au

TUE FEB 17 One Direction $101+ AAMI Stadium, Adelaide ticketmaster.com.au

THU FEB 19 Peter Hook & The Light $70 Metro Theatre, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au

FRI FEB 20 Angus & Julia Stone $90 Sydney Opera House Forecourt

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Roxette $129+ Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley, Vic adayonthegreen.com.au

SUN FEB 22 Paul Simon & Sting $142+ Sir James Mitchell Park, Perth ticketmaster.com.au

MON FEB 23 The Smashing Pumpkins $106 Festival Hall, Melbourne ticketmaster.com.au

TUE FEB 24 Angus & Julia Stone $70 Adelaide Entertainment Centre theaec.net Judas Priest $101 Enmore Theatre, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au Slash $126 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au Soundgarden $93

Festival Hall, Melbourne ticketmaster.com.au Foo Fighters $98+ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane premier.ticketek.com.au

WED FEB 25 The Smashing Pumpkins $109 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au Marilyn Manson $97 Enmore Theatre, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au Drake $109+ Allphones Arena, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au Chet Faker $60 Palais Theatre, Melbourne ticketmaster.com.au

THU FEB 26 Slash $122+ Festival Hall, Melbourne ticketmaster.com.au Foo Fighters $93+ ANZ Stadium, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au

FRI FEB 27

SAT FEB 28 Foo Fighters $97+ Etihad Stadium, Melbourne ticketmaster.com.au Roxette $105+ Bimbadgen Winery, Hunter Valley adayonthegreen.com.au

MON MAR 2 Foo Fighters $151+ Derwent Ent. Centre, Hobart frontiertouring.com

TUE MAR 3 Drake $112+ Perth Arena, Perth premier.ticketek.com.au Chet Faker $62 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au

WED MAR 4 Foo Fighters $117+ Coopers Stadium, Adelaide premier.ticketek.com.au

THU MAR 5

FRI MAR 6 DJ Shadow $75 Forum, Melbourne ticketmaster.com.au

SUN MAR 8 Foo Fighters $121+ nib Stadium, Perth ticketmaster.com.au

MON MAR 9 Rufus Wainwright $99 State Theatre, Sydney ticketmaster.com.au

FRI MAR 13 Jesse J $71 Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane oztix.com.au

SAT MAR 14 London Grammar $70+ Festival Hall, Melbourne ticketmaster.com.au Kylie $112+ Perth Arena, Perth premier.ticketek.com.au

Angus & Julia Stone $103 Margaret Court, Melbourne ticketmaster.com.au

Village People $86 Enmore Theatre, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au

Billy Idol $109+ Kings Park, Perth adayonthegreen.com.au

Drake $107+ Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne premier.ticketek.com.au

Drake $110+ Brisbane Entertainment Centre premier.ticketek.com.au

Jesse J $71 Big Top Luna Park, Sydney ticketmaster.com.au

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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

Photo: Facebook

ANCHORS AWAY!

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ANCHOR BAR, BONDI, SYDNEY The team over at Anchor Bar have got your health at heart, with a predominantly gluten-, wheat- and dairy-free menu of locally sourced wholesome goodies. They don’t appear to be too worried about your liver, though, with tequila-heavy cocktail offerings at the bar, including a guava and jalepeno-infused margarita, the Machete.

8 Campbell Parade, Bondi the-shed.com.au

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WIN AN ISLAND HOPPER PASS FOR TWO $ Worth

Awesome Whitsundays is offering four lucky winners the chance to win an Island Hopper Pass for two people.

Explore the Whitsundays at your leisure. Your Island Hopping pass lets you cruise around Airlie Beach, Daydream Island and Hamilton Island as and when you please. Your pass is valid for a day and the only thing you need to worry about is keeping an eye on the boat schedule! Just hop off and on as you please.

Book and pay for your own flights, accommodation, and any additional travel expenses. The passes cannot be redeemed for cash and travel must be redeemed by November 30, 2015.

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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 Dunwoody’s Tavern 317 Sheridan St, North Cairns dunwoodys.com.au Salt House 6/2 Pier Point Rd, CBD salthouse.com.au

follow us on The Woolshed 24 Shields Street, CBD thewoolshed.com.au

5 King St, CBD barpetite.com.au

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

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

Burwood Inn Hotel 77 Berner Street, Merewether theburwood.com.au

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

HOBART

Cambridge Hotel 789 Hunter St, CBD yourcambridge.com

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

Cricketers Arms 61 Bruce St, Cooks Hill cricketersarmshotel.com.au

Premier Hotel 1 Brunker Rd, Broadmeadow hotelpremier.com.au

Bar Celona 23 Salamanca Sq, CBD barcelonahobart.com Raincheck Lounge 392 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 Albion Hotel 72 Hannell St, Wickham thealbion.com.au Bar Petite

Hamilton Hotel 442 Kingsford Smith Dve, Ham hamiltonhotel.com.au Hamilton Station Hotel 2-6 Beaumont St, Islington hamiltonstation.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

Castros 5 Victoria Street facebook.com/castros Glasshouse Nightclub 90 Crown Street facebook.com/ sucasawollongong Grand Hotel 234 Keira Street wollongongnightlife.com.au Harp Hotel 124 Corrimal Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

Sunnyside Tavern 20 Broadmeadow Rd, Broadmeadow sunnysidetavern.com.au

Kent Hotel 59-61 Beaumont St, Hamilton thekenthotel.com.au

The Northern Star 112 Beaumont St, Hamilton northernstarhotel.com.au

OneFiveOne 150 Keira Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

King Street Hotel 15 Steel St, Newcastle West kingstreethotel.com.au

Wickham Park Hotel 61 Maitland Rd, Islington thewicko.com.au

Questions Unit 5 123-125 Corrimal Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

BYRON BAY

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

Squires Tavern 3 Edmunds St, CBD squirestavern.com.au

Cheeky Monkey’s 115 Jonson St cheekymonkeys.com.au

Shenannigans 69 Mitchell St, CBD shenannigans.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

Affectionately known as ‘The Sands’, this hotel is just 100m from the surf and has a relaxed atmosphere, regular live music and backpacker accommodation upstairs so you can even crash for the night. Cnr Griffith & McLean Sts coolangattasandshotel.com.au

DARWIN Ducks Nuts 76 Mitchell St, CBD ducksnuts.com.au

The Northern 35-43 Jonson St thenorthern.com.au

COOLANGATTA SANDS HOTEL

Ivory Nightclub 77 Crown Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

Beach Hotel Bay St beachhotel.com.au

La La Land Level 1/6 Lawson St lalalandbyronbay.com.au

Photo: Facebook

WOLLONGONG Alibi 76 Crown Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

Hotel Delany 134 Darby St, CBD hoteldelany.com

BEER DAYS

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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 Monte’s Lounge Corner of Todd St & Stott Tce montes.net.au The Juicy Rump @ Lasseters 93 Barret Dr, Desert Springs lasseters.com.au

PJ O’Reilly’s 52 Alinga St pjoreillys.com.au

The Rock Bar 78 Todd St therockbar.com.au

Transit Bar 7 Akuna St transitbar.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 Welsh Dragon Bar 10/12 Cambridge Terrace, Mt Victoria welshdragonbar.co.nz

CHRISTCHURCH

The Zookeeper’s Son 715 Mt Albert Rd zookeepersson.co.nz

Bealey’s Speight’s Ale House 263 Bealey Ave bealeysalehouse.co.nz

Three Lamps 1-3 St Marys Rd, St Marys Bay threelamps.co.nz

Bailies Bar 1066 Colombo St, St Albans bailiesbar.co.nz

4.20 bar 373 Karangahape Rd 420.co.nz

Becks Southern Alehouse 155 Colombo St beckssouthernalehouse.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

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

Four Kings Sports Bar 7-11 Dixon St fourkings.co.nz

Empire Hotel Lyttelton 9 London St, Lyttelton empirelyttelton.co.nz

Havana Coffee Works 163 Tory St, Te Aro havana..co.nz

Fox & Ferret Palms Palms Shopping Centre, 1 New Brighton Rd, Shirley foxpalms.co.nz

Hawthorn Lounge 82 Tory St, Te Aro hawthornlounge.co.nz J J Murphy & Co 119 Cuba St, Te Aro jjmurphy.co.nz Mac’s Brewbar 4 Taranaki St thebrewerybar.co.nz Matterhorn 106 Cuba St, Te Aro matterhorn.co.nz MIghty Mighty 104 Cuba St, Te Aro mightymighty.co.nz Molly Malones 134 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro mollymalones.co.nz San Francisco Bath House 171 Cuba St, Te Aro sfbh.co.nz Southern Cross Garden Bar 39 Abel Smith St, Te Aro thecross.co.nz Sprig & Fern 342 Tinakori Rd sprigandferntaverns.co.nz

Garden Hotel Bar 110 Marshland Rd, Shirley

gardenhotel.co.nz Pegasus Arms 14 Oxford Terrace pegasus-arms.com Tequila Mockingbird 98 Victoria St tequilamockingbird.co.nz The Brewery 3 Garlands Rd, Woolston casselsbrewery.co.nz The Twisted Hop Pub 616 Ferry Rd thetwistedhop.co.nz Monteiths Brewery Bar 53 Merrin St mbbmerrinst.co.nz No. 4 Bar 4 Mansfield Ave, St Albans no4bar.co.nz

HAMILTON Axces Bar 28 Alexandra St yellow.co.nz

Foundation Bar Maahanga Dr, Te Awa foundationbar.co.nz The Bank Bar & Brasserie Cnr Victoria St & Hood St thebank.co.nz The Cook 7 Cook St, Hamilton East thecook.net.nz 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 McCool’s 14 Rust Ave mccools.co.nz pub McMorrisseys Irish Pub 7 Vine St, Vinetown mcmorrisseys.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

The Apartment 25 Allen St, Te Aro theapartment.co.nz

Bar 101 118 Victoria St bar101.co.nz

The Establishment Cnr of Courtenay Pl and Blair St theestablishment.co.nz

Cock & Bull 1 Cnr Maui & Church St, Pukete cockandbull.co.nz

The Green Man 25 Victoria St thegreenmanpub.co.nz

CBD Corner Pub 26 Hood St cbdpub.co.nz

Lonestar Restaurant & Bar 60 The Esplanade, Inner Kaiti lonestar.co.nz

The Malt House 48 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro themalthouse.co.nz

Easy Tiger Cocktail Bar 186 Victoria St easytigerbar.co.nz

Soho 2 Crawford Rd, Inner Kaiti sohobar.co.nz

GISBORNE Aladdin Bar/First Light Aikido 63 Peel St firstlighttaikido.net

The Poverty Bay Club 57/65 Customhouse St thepovertybayclub.co.nz The Jolly Stockman 3 Saleyards Rd yellow.co.nz Verve Cafe & Bar 121 Gladstone Rd facebook.com

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 The Gintrap Restaurant & Bar 64 W Quay, Ahuriri gintrap.co.nz The Rose Irish Pub 64 Hastings St masonic.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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BE PROUD BE LO Top 10 ways to celebrate the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras COMPILED BY CAROLINE GARNAR

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MARDIGRAS

From February 20 to March 8, Sydney is going to be painted all the colours of the rainbow and dipped in glitter. The whole of the city will be well and truly out of the closet to celebrate the LBGTQI community across Sydney, nay the country, nay the world.

Gay, straight, curious or anything in between, this festival is a celebration of all things fabulous, and sends out an important and inspirational message, as well as being a hell of a lot of fun.

From moving talks to poignant exhibitions, to fun runs to drag cabaret nights, the Sydney Mardi Gras is packed with awesome events, spanning just over two weeks. For the full programme of events, visit mardigras.org.au. Here, though, we’ve picked our top 10 Mardi Gras must-dos.

Enjoy, darlings....

D LOUD

MARDI GRAS FILM FESTIVAL When FEBRUARY 19-MARCH 5 From ballerinas to roller derby players, rodeo cowboys to surf lifesavers, the 22nd Mardi Gras Film Festival will deliver the best in LGBTQI cinema.

Queer Screen is taking over Sydney’s Event Cinemas George Street with a wide-ranging medley of classic and contemporary queer films hailing from Australia and countries as far-reaching as Philippines, Kenya, and even the very first queer feature film from Sri Lanka.

There will even be a screening for kids, with a Disney princess film of a different kind, a Frozen sing-a-long riddled with pro-gay subtext teaching the empowering lesson to ‘let it go!’ and feel proud in your own skin.

While you’re not watching films, hang out at the event’s pop-up bar with top dance and electro acts, including Cunningpants and the Heaps Gay DJ, spinning the tunes from 6pm until late.

Tickets: $19 for standard tickets; Feb 19-Mar 5, times vary; Event Cinemas, 505-525 George Street. queerscreen.org.au RAINBOW RUN When FEBRUARY 21 Dress up in your rainbow colours and join the fun run around Sydney Park to help raise money for the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby. You can walk or run two, four or six kilometres around the park, even donning your heels if you can. With a DJ, mischievous queens trying to ‘drag’ you down, and a barbecue afterwards, this is a brilliantly fun event, as well as a tick against your exercise chart.

Tickets: $50; Saturday February 21, 8am-11am; Sydney Park, St Peter’s mardigras.org.au/events/rainbow-run GENDER TRAILBLAZERS, FEATURING CALPERNIA ADDAMS When FEBRUARY 21

Gender Trailblazers invites LGBTQI icons to share their inspirational stories, and they don’t get much more TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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MARDIGRAS

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to relax, unwind and enjoy a day in the sun. More than 80,000 people are expected to gather for this year’s festivities with many heading down to King Street afterwards for the DJ and BBQ shindigs at The Newtown Hotel and the Bank Hotel.

Tickets: Free; Sunday February 22, 10am-8pm; Victoria Park, Chippendale mardigras.org.au/events/fair-day DISCO BRIDGE CLIMB When FEBRUARY 25-MARCH 1

We’ve all had a drunken karaoke sing-song and dance off, but have you ever done it on the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge? We’re guessing no, unless it happened that night you got really wasted and woke up on the North Shore... Best lay off the grog this time though, as you don’t want to be seeing double as you climb to the top of the iconic structure. Once at the top, you can belt out some disco tunes under a disco ball, and it will all be recorded on tape... did we lose you there? Come on, you don’t have to show it to anyone!

Tickets: From $218; Feb 25-March 1, 6am-8pm; Sydney Harbour Bridge bridgeclimb.com/mardigras HARBOUR PARTY When FEBRUARY 28

inspirational than that of American Transgender actress, artist and activist, Calpernia Addams.

In 1999, Addam’s lover Barry Winchell was beaten to death while asleep in a US military barracks by a fellow soldier who had spent months vilifying Barry as “gay” for dating a Transgender woman. A film based on the story, A Soldier’s Girl, received Golden Globe and Emmy nominations and played a pivotal role in the case to end the US Military oppressive ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ policy.

Today, Addams works with top celebrities and directors to consult on gender identification roles in various film and television projects – Jared Leto personally thanked Calpernia in his Oscar speech for his role in Dallas Buyers Club. Catch her moving story at the Seymour Centre.

Tickets: $20+; Saturday February 21, 7.30pm-10.30pm; Seymour Centre, Chippendale mardigras.org.au/events/gender-trailblazers-featuringcalpernia-addams/ FAIR DAY When FEBRUARY 22

Fair Day is like the older, more responsible brother (or sister, whatever it wants to be) of the Mardi Gras Parade.

Held in Victoria Park, this event is much more relaxed.

With fairground stalls, comedy acts, drag routines, live music and some amazing competitions, Fair Day is a queer-friendly family day out for people (and their dogs) 20

The 2015 Sydney Harbour party is the hottest event on the Mardi Gras calendar (and we don’t just mean temperature-wise). Attracting thousands of party-goers from around the world, the Harbour Party is set up at the Botanic Gardens, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House as fabulous backdrops for the day’s festivities. This year’s special guests include singer of ‘Hideaway’ Kiesza, Bimbo Jones fronted by Lee Dagger, Kitty Glitter, Dan Murphy and Du Jour. Picture minimal clothing, beautiful tans, sunnies and that just-got-outof-bed-but-secretly-it-took-two-hours-to-look-this-way look. When the sun goes down, the real party starts heating up, so make sure you check out the view (and the landscape too).

Tickets: $139; Saturday Feb 28, 3pm-11pm; Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Harbour mardigras.org.au/events/harbour-party SUNSET CRUISE When MARCH 3

What’s a cruise around Sydney Harbour without a drag act, we say? Step aboard the MV Sydney Glass Island, which, as the name suggests, has floor-to-ceiling windows so you can take in sweeping views of the city, and sip on champagne and nibble on canapés as the sun sets. Once the night has arrived, head downstairs for a musical drag act with host, Summer Salt, keeping the gags coming all night, so to speak.

Tickets: $49, or $60 on the door; March 3, 6pm-10pm; Man’o’War Warf, Sydney Opera House mardigras.org.au/events/sunset-cruise

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PANTI BLISS ON LIFE AFTER ‘PANTIGATE’ When MARCH 4 & 5

Ireland’s ‘accidental activist’ Panti Bliss is headed to Sydney to perform her smash hit comedy show, ‘High Heels in Low Places’ at The Vanguard.

Panti landed in the middle of a media shit storm christened ‘Pantigate’ that rocked Ireland in 2014. Soon after, she became a Youtube sensation when a speech she made about homophobia went viral, was debated in parliament and remixed by the Pet Shop Boys.

‘High Heels in Low Places’ is Panti’s riotous stand-up about life after ‘Pantigate’, which has played to rave reviews and chock-a-block houses across Ireland. Panti tells us, “I can’t wait to bring my old lady glamour to Sydney for Mardi Gras and make a fool of myself over some cheeky Aussie bloke I meet at a barbie. That has been my lifelong dream!” When she’s not sucking face by the barbie, look out for her on the Irish Australian float at the parade.

Tickets: $32.80 general admission, packages available; March 4-5, 6.30pm for 9pm show thevanguard.com.au

Panti Bliss

THE PARADE When MARCH 7

Glitter litters the street, feather boas hang off every limb and sequins sparkle in the night light as the parade entices and excites thousands of onlookers. Originally established in 1978 as a protest march, the parade has become the main attraction for Mardi Gras activities and more importantly, a celebration of diversity. The parade collects hundreds of queer groups from around Australia – totalling more than 10,000 people – and shoves them into one fabulous three-hour show-stopping spectacular.

You’ll want to get there early to grab yourself a good vantage point along Oxford Street or Flinders Street.

There are few parties like this around the world so you won’t want to miss out on what’s guaranteed to be a suitably fabulous night.

Free; Saturday March 7, 7.30pm-10.30pm; Oxford Street mardigras.org.au/events/parade-2

The parade

MARDI GRAS PARTY When MARCH 7

After watching the parade, you’re sure to be pepped up for a party, so you should head to the not-verycatchy-but-does-what-it-says-on-the-tin Playbill Venues and Entertainment Quarter. Here you will find DJs keeping the party going until 8am – yep, you read that right – across various venues, with more than 15,000 revellers getting together for one hell of a party. Line up announced so far includes Adam Love, Dan Murphy, DJ grind, Kitty Glitter, Paul Mac and special guests, YO! MAFIA and more.

Tickets: $139.16+; Saturday March 7, 10pm-8am; Playbill Venues and Entertainment Quarter, 122 Lang Road, Moore Park mardigras.org.au/events/party-15/

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Interview supplied by interviewhub.co.uk. Images: Alisa Connan

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CELEBINTERVIEW

The fat duck flies south Famous for his mad scientist foodie creations, chef Heston Blumenthal has brought his culinary circus Down Under. Our UK team caught him on a brief visit back in London to find out why...

WORDS: NICK HARMAN

You can’t miss Heston. The last time I saw him we were both on the same EasyJet plane to Spain and every Brit, young and old, clocked the glasses, the bone dome and the face that launched a thousand crazy food concoctions.

He’s as famous as Jamie or Gordon and everyone seems to love him and his story – going from a nobody in the kitchen to one of the world’s most respected chefs, with a galaxy of Michelin stars to his name. And it was all achieved on his own – he’s a man who plays by his own rules.

The Fat Duck, the legendary restaurant in Bray, Berkshire, is his home, but like any top chef he has many other strings to his business bow. And now, with the Fat Duck undergoing a serious refurbishment, he’s done something remarkable (even for him) and moved the whole shebang to Australia for a short time.

When he was back in the UK to take care of business for a while, our London team caught him flitting about the city in order to put him under a gentle grill. He’s enjoying the Australian project – he believes Oz is currently experiencing “the greatest food explosion on the planet” – but setting up in Melbourne has been a challenge.

“It’s a big job,” he explains, “and while we’ve been planning it a few years now there was a lot of building work involved. We moved out to Australia in January and open this month. Bray is now closed for six months to redo the kitchen, knock it down and build a new one. Then when that’s done everyone will fly back to Bray to open the new Fat Duck. But for now, the focus is on Melbourne.

“I absolutely love Australia,” he adds, “and will never fall out of love with it.”

What with being on TV all the time and putting in appearances all over the world, this new venture means Heston is clocking up the air miles. I wondered what his diary was looking like at the moment; Heston pauses and then ticks off his to do list with a bit of help from his PR who’s standing protectively by.

“Now that we’ve opened, I’m back to the UK for a month and a half and then go back to Melbourne then back to UK

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CELEBINTERVIEW

and back to Melbourne for the closing of the Duck…” he pauses for breath, “then back to Bray with the team to get ready for the reopening of the UK Fat Duck in September then back to Australia to open Dinner in October.”

Dinner, for those that don’t know, is the ‘historical British dish’ Heston restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge, but as Heston is always keen to point out, it is very much the restaurant of chef Ashley Palmer Watts – a former head chef at the Duck. What the Australian eating public will make of having marrowbone, savoury porridge and ‘meat fruit’ on the menu is anyone’s guess…

Of course like most chefs, Heston takes the supplier side of his food very seriously and there are ingredients unavailable to him in Australia, as well as new things to try, so I ask him if he been personally involved in sourcing, or at least doing as much as his schedule allows. “Yes I have been visiting places myself,” he says firmly, “and some of my guys have been out there checking out suppliers and another is going out very soon to spend six weeks checking out some more.”

Although he is yet to make an appearance, I question whether he’ll be personally cooking in Melbourne. “I will be in the kitchen,” he says slowly; but then he elaborates, explaining that while he won’t personally be slinging pans about, he will be there to oversee. “You know, it will be 20 years that I’ve been cooking by next year, so I’ve certainly done my time. And I’m still working in the development kitchen, of course, I’m just not doing service; but any idea that I’d never cook again is unimaginable.”

At least on his multiple travels to Australia, Heston has had a chance to sample a bit of what’s going on food-wise here. For the best café or coffee and breakfast spot in 24

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Australia he can only say that there’s a classic one in Bondi Beach looking out over the sea that he’s fond of, but the name escapes him. When it comes to late-night dining he’s quicker off the mark; “Golden Century in Sydney, a great Chinese restaurant and they’re open until something like 2am,” he enthuses. “Australia is where it’s all happening.”

He has very good things to say about Neil Perry’s Rockport in Sydney, Attica in Melbourne, and Udon in Melbourne.

“There are quite a few great special occasion restaurants like that actually,” he adds cheerfully, “and I really think Neil Perry should open in the UK. His food should be better known over here.”

And with that he’s off, no doubt already planning some new mad scheme to surprise us all anew. thefatduckmelbourne.com

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CHATROOM

Dan Sultan

We talk emotional moments, supporting important causes and getting sweaty ahead of the Aussie singer/songwriter’s nationwide solo tour INTERVIEW MARK MUGGERIDGE Dan Sultan reckons 2014 has definitely been his best year so far. Among many notable career highs, such as supporting Bruce Springsteen on his Australian tour, Dan admits releasing his third LP Blackbird, was the icing on the cake.

The long-awaited album shot to number four on the iTunes charts, and spent more than seven weeks in the Top 40 ARIA album charts.

With the arrival of Dan’s new solo EP, Dirty Ground, the Melbourne muso is also embarking on a solo tour across Australia this month and next, including a very special show at Twilight at Taronga. We caught up with Dan to find out what made last year so special, and what we can expect in 2015.

Did you meet any particularly interesting characters during your time in Nashville?

Music has a remarkable way of transcending cultures and crossing borders. One of the Nashville-based session players on Blackbird is a Russian-born bluegrass player Ilya Toshinsky, who played banjo on ‘The Same Man’. He’s an incredible musician. The song goes from this hillbilly sound to Arabic scales to just flat-out shredding, and it’s on an Australian rock-and-roll song recorded in Nashville. That’s pretty weird, but it all comes together.

What did you learn from supporting

Photo: Supplied

Were there any special moments for you during the recording of Blackbird?

We were recording the guide-track to the final cut on the album, ‘Gullible Few’, and in truth we weren’t sure that the feeling of the song would fit the rest of the record. It was a late-night session and I recorded it with just piano and voice. When I stepped back into the control room, Jacquire and his engineer Lowell were sitting there with tears welling up in their eyes.

We formed a strong bond during the recording and when it came time to wrap up I was asked to sign a guitar that they have at Blackbird.

Not everyone gets to leave their mark; it was something I’ll never forget as they asked me to place my signature between those of Buddy Guy and Neil Young.

Bruce Springsteen on his Oz tour?

I’ve taken on a new health regimen after watching Bruce wow audiences with his legendary sets. One show he was on stage for at least four hours and you have to be healthy to have that kind of stamina. His performances were a masterclass in showmanship and how to structure a set, and as I continue to grow as an artist and develop my live show, I’d love to find ways to put those lessons into practise.

Tell us about the Recognise organisation that you’re involved with, and Go Foundation...

I don’t consider myself a particularly political person, but I think it’s incredible that in this day and age Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are still not recognised in our constitution. Recognise.org.au is the people’s movement that is aiming to change that.

I’m not that keen on hitting folk over the head with causes that I support, but I’ve had the Recognise folk set up at shows to speak to fans and hand out information. The really nice thing is that people are keen to support

Recognise when they find out what it’s about.

My work with the Go Foundation is pretty new, but it’s a great organisation that exists to provide Indigenous children with scholarships to quality schools, and to meet expenses for students attending these schools. I can relate to the situation that a lot of kids who benefit from involvement with Go Foundation find themselves in. My personal history is of growing up with not a lot, in an urban landscape as part of a marginalised people, so it’s good to be able to support this group’s work.

Your shows have a reputation for being good to work a sweat up at. Is that what we can expect from your Twilight at Taronga show and 2015 tour?

I really enjoy putting on a high-energy show and I’m looking forward to bringing that to Twilight at Taronga. My solo shows will be a little more stripped-back, like my EP Dirty Ground.

Dan is touring Australia in February and March. For dates and locations visit dansultan.com TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum hits past Eoin Morgan of England during 3rd NatWest Series ODI match between England and New Zealand

Six of the best Who to watch and why in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup WORDS MICHEAL GADD

The first of two World Cups, contested mostly by remnants of the British Empire, fires off its first delivery white missile on February 14.

The ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand should be a beauty with it being played in countries that reward both the bat and the ball, whether it be pace or even spin – no bias at all, it’s the truth.

The team from the sport’s motherland, England, were seeded first for the pool stage in the tournament because they were ranked top on New Year’s Eve in 2012 – yep, 2012 – of the 10 full ICC members. But they go into the four-yearly showdown anything but favourites and even after ditching their weakest link – captain Alastair Cook – are looking all sorts of shaky.

Here are the top six teams for the Cup and how they’re shaping up: 26

ENGLAND A hot mess but on the right track after replacing Cook with Eoin Morgan, who grows an extra few limbs when he’s in charge. Ian Bell is a cool head and Moeen Ali is a true talent, also Joe Root is hugely underrated in this format. But along with a skitty bowling attack they don’t seem able to pull it together, especially at big 50-over tournaments.

X-FACTOR: Captain fantastic Morgan and fighter Stuart Broad BEST EFFORT: Final in 1979, 1987, 1992

NEW ZEALAND If the bookies have their way the Black Caps will be the fourth semi-finalist, and it’s a position they’ve become accustomed to. In 10 World Cups they’ve been a win from decider no less than six times. Unfortunately, the other co-hosts rely heavily

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have far greater depth and diversity, with a potentially lethal pace attack led by Dale Steyn.

X-FACTOR: Explosive and tricky De Villiers.

BEST EFFORT: Semi-final in 1992, 1999, 2007

Photo credit: TONY ASHBY/AFP/Getty Images

SRI LANKA

Mitchell Johnson (L) runs in to celebrate during the first one day international (ODI) cricket match of the series between Australia and South Africa. on captain Brendan McCullum. On the flipside, they have Brendan McCullum... and a host of others who can produce a big performance. Kiwi legend Martin Crowe reckons they might have the best chance ever to win it. Why not? They’re a dead-set dark horse with most games on home turf.

X-FACTOR: McCullum’s experience and Tim Southee’s control BEST EFFORT: Semi-finals 1975, 1979, 1992, 1999, 2007, 2011

AUSTRALIA The co-hosts are wearing favouritism well if their opening triseries performance against England was an indicator. A bonus point smashing of England with Mitchell Starc the star in the absence of that other left-arm quick who scares the bejesus out of everyone, especially the Poms. Along with a brilliant pace arsenal (when fit) there is batting firepower in spades for the four-time champions, but as with every side they’re conducive to a collapse and pressure will be intense in Oz. X-FACTOR: Pants wetter Mitchell Johnson and firecracker David Warner.

BEST EFFORT: Champions 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007

INDIA The third favourites will give a good idea of how they’ll handle Aussie conditions in the tri-series, but have shown plenty with the bat in the Test series with guys who will be continuing in the ODIs. A lack of world-class bowlers cost them the Test series against the Aussies and they have the same worries in ODIs, especially with an inconsistent pace attack with very little bite.

X-FACTOR: Voracious Virat Kohli.

BEST EFFORT: Champions 1983, 2011

SOUTH AFRICA When it comes to match winners, the Proteas have a bundle of them, and they quite like the Aussie conditions. AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla are the first and third-ranked batsmen in the world for starters. Although the third-ranked ODI side in the world, they’re only behind India due to the boys in blues’ lop-sided home and away form. South Africa

Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, outstanding ambassadors for Sri Lanka cricket over many years retire after the World Cup, so the plucky side from the sub-continent have plenty to play for. Fifth favouritism probably doesn’t do them justice with such experience in their batting line-up, however their bowling lets them down at times and can be a bit to pedestrian on potentially lively Aussie wickets especially. But not to be discounted at all.

X-FACTOR: Ever-green Sangakarra BEST EFFORT: Champions: 1996

THE REST Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe round out the 10 ‘big’ nations at the World Cup, though the latter two are lucky to be there and the Windies are a shambles. Pakistan can giant kill, but not away from the dead UAE wickets they’re used to playing on now. But it’s the other four that should be interesting.

After the 2011 cup the ICC, in its non-existent wisdom, decided only the top 10 countries would qualify. This was obviously revealed as stupid and a qualification series was set-up.

A tied match with the Netherlands, who you’ll recall beat England at the T20 World Cup, saw Ireland go through as the first qualifier. Then in 2013 Afghanistan qualified for their first major tournament after beating Kenya. Scotland and the United Arab Emirates took the other two spots in great opportunities for emerging nations.

POOLS A: England, Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Scotland B: South Africa, Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland, United Arab Emirates How it works from there: The top four teams in each pool go through to the quarter finals, with the top team in one pool playing the fourth-placed team in the other group in a straight knock out from this point. The semis will be played in Auckland and Sydney, with the final on March 29 at the MCG. TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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THIS THING TOTALLY ROCKS / 38 ‘It is a unique experience watching Uluru’s hue change in the setting sun, turning from the usual, famous rust-red colour most people associate the place with, through to darker shades of vermillion, brown and finally a deep purple as the last light fails. It is quite a haunting moment and even those in the group who have seen the same spectacle before fall silent as we watch intently.’

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REV UP FOR A RICKSHAW RUN ACROSS INDIA STA Travel Group has teamed up with extreme travel experts The Adventurists to take adventure travel up a gear.

The Rickshaw Run is a noholds-barred road trip on a glorified lawnmower in India, run three times a year.

Teams land in India, get to know their rickshaw and learn some basic mechanical skills, test drive it, decorate it and then set off. Each team has to get from the start line to the finish line however they choose.

“There’s no on-the-road support, no accommodation booked for participants on the way, no set route.

This isn’t a rally, it’s an adventure – and one that our customers are just going to love,” said Tim Fryer, STA Travel’s UK product and marketing director.

Dan Wedgwood, managing director of The Adventurists, said: “Teaming up with STA Travel is excellent news for our fight to make the world less boring. Their customers are made of the right stuff for proper, 30

old-school adventuring.

“Now that every corner of the planet has been mapped and piped into your smartphone and guidebooks can tell you everything before you leave home, driving yourself across India in a tiny rickshaw is the antidote. It’s impossible to predict and planning is futile – it’s about pointing your comically unsuitable rickshaw towards a finish line thousands of miles away and bracing yourself for a healthy slice of chaos and everything else India chucks at you along the way.”

STA Travel and The Adventurists believe that giving back as you travel is the responsible thing to do, so each team taking part in the Rickshaw Run is encouraged to raise a minimum of £2,000 for charity. A minimum amount must be donated to the official charity, Cool Earth, which works

alongside indigenous villages to halt rainforest destruction, and the rest is to be donated to the STA Travel Foundation or a charity of the team’s choice.

There are three Rickshaw Runs to choose from in 2015/16: The Everything-IndiaCan-Throw-At-You One: Jaisalmer to Shillong, it covers 2,700km in two weeks; April 3-18 The Long Run: Shillong to Cochin, it covers 3,500km in three weeks; August 2-20 The Party One: Cochin to Jaisalmer, it covers 2,500km in just over two weeks; December 29-January 14, 2016 Prices start from $3,000 per team, with a maximum of three people in a team.

Price includes insurance, rickshaw driving lessons, and of course the famous pre- and post-adventure parties. The price does not include flights. statravel. com.au/rickshaw-run.htm

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Spend the night in a ‘haunted’ jail The transformation of a supposedly haunted Fremantle jail into backpacker accommodation is nearing completion.

The defunct Fremantle prison, which is said to have more than its fair share of ghosts flitting around the corridors with “numerous sightings reported”, will see YHA offering beds in the former female wing of the old jail from as early as April this year.

The 196-bed hostel will offer private and shared dorms and cottage accommodation designed for families or groups.

Watch out, though, as those bumps in the night may not be your bunk mate getting lucky...

YHA WA chief executive Domenic Pimpinella told West Australian that he wanted visitors to get an insight into the prison’s significance in WA’s history through displays around the hostel with stories, pictures and artefacts. The idea of staff wearing prison outfits was also being looked at.

YHA says existing nighttime torch-lit tours focus on the ghoulish, examining “grizzly goings-on of the past”, the main cell block, solitary confinement, the whipping post, the gallows and the prison morgue.

It warns, “It’s best to stay aware – it might not just be people with torches walking the blood-stained corridors.”

Jail tours are expected to be included in package accommodation deals.

Pimpinella said he hoped the accommodation will be complete by April, with online bookings available in March.

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TOP FIVE CONSERVATION TRIPS Is one of your resolutions to make a difference? And another to have an adventure? Try going on a conservation holiday to combine the two...

Conservation holidays provide hands-on experiences for wildlife enthusiasts and novices alike. With unrivalled access to wildlife and experts, travellers make a direct contribution to the on-going studies of a threatened species and gain a greater scientific understanding of the challenges faced. They also gain valuable skills and increase practical knowledge of working in-the-field, while boosting knowledge with lectures and workshops.

With that in mind, here are some conservation trips you can try...

SAVE THE RHINOS AND TRACK LEOPARDS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Photos: iStock

Get involved alongside the Zulu community in the conservation of two of the most charismatic African mammals: the critically endangered black rhino and the elusive leopard. While staying at a comfortable lodge in peaceful Kwazulu Natal, take part in a worthwhile expansion project in Somkhanda Game Reserve and uncover the challenges faced by the leopard. With poaching issues and a high rate of calf mortality, the project is essential if the recently introduced founder population of black rhino are to survive and the leopard are to thrive.

STUDY THE SPERM WHALE AND BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN IN THE AZORES From the comfort of a

Help save the black rhino in South Africa catamaran by day and a four-star hotel by night, uncover the mysteries of the deepest diving whales that have the largest brains on earth. During the summer, when the Azores host the greatest concentration of sperm whales, join experts in whales and dolphins and learn about their ecology, population, habitat and behaviour under the guidance of cetacean biologist, Dr Lisa Steiner. Highlights include exhilarating dives with elusive blue sharks, acoustic recordings, and an on-board whale and dolphin survey.

LAND OF THE LEMURS: CONSERVATION IN ACTION, MADAGASCAR While staying in simple rainforest accommodation alongside the research team in Madagascar’s Ranomafana National Park, learn about threats to the lemur population such as the decline in bamboo vegetation – the main diet of this species. Interaction

with the local community and close encounters with the lemurs are on the menu of this exotic ecological and cultural journey.

BLUE WHALE RESEARCH IN MINGAN ISLANDS The blue whale, the most imposing animal on Earth, lives in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the world’s largest estuary and the outlet of the Great Lakes of North America. Join the scientific team as a research assistant to study these mysterious marine mammals, helping to collect critical information for a better understanding, while experiencing the authentic life of scientists in the field.

One of the challenges they face comes from the oil and gas industries willing to drill for oil in the Gulf.

Stay in a simple, traditional guesthouse.

CARNIVORES OF NAMIBIA The Namibian lion is the most threatened of the

carnivores, and this physical adventure in the Namibia wilderness focuses on a lion survey on the boundary of Etosha National Park, mapping their habitat and movements and setting up camera traps. While staying in lodge and bushcamp accommodation, visitors also get their hands dirty as they help farmers to build a kraal (enclosure) to protect their livestock from the wild cat predators.

For more information, date and prices, visit wildlifeworldwide.com

Look after lemurs in Madagascar

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WINNER WINNER LUNA PARK, MELBOURNE Dale Brown, UK TELL US MORE I’ve been in Australia travelling now for just over a year but am still blown away by the light and colour here. The sky in photos looks like it’s been filtered but it hasn’t – it really is that blue and colours just scream against it.

RUNNER-UP JACARANDA TREES, KIRRIBILLI, SYDNEY Sunday Stewart, Sydney TELL US MORE Jacaranda trees cover Sydney in a purple haze during their time in flower and it makes spring a magical time of year to walk the streets of the city.

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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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Centenary ANZAC Tours from $599 SAMYELI TRAVEL are offering 2015 ANZAC Tours for ballot ticket holders & for those without ballot tickets. With 11 tours available, ranging from 4-16 days, you’ll be sure to find one that’s perfect for you.

All tours include entrance fees, luxury coaches, english speaking tour guides, a commemorative shirt, quality accommodation, plus more.

Check out www.samyelitravel.com for full itineraries.

Book with Samyeli Travel for a truly memorable experience marking the 100th Anniversary of The ANZAC Spirit.

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The Ledge, Queenstown

words: Caroline Garnar. Images: supplied

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We’re pretty sure we don’t have to tell you that flinging yourself off a skyhigh ledge with nothing but a rubber band on steroids attached to you is pretty damn terrifying/awesome in equal measure.

If you’ve done it before and you want to do it again, good on you, you crazy fool.

If you are yet to experience the power of bungy, the good news is that it is such a huge thing out here that there are tons of options, so you will likely find one that doesn’t scare the bejeesus out of you; for example, a harness bungy strapped to your torso rather than feet, options to swing rather than straight-down plummet, or there’s always the tandem jump – hey if you’re going down, you may as well drag someone with you.

Read on to find out the top five places to get your falling fix in Australia and New Zealand.

AJ HACKETT CAIRNS AJ Hackett is literally the king of bungy, as its founder – Mr Hackett himself – brought the first ever commercial bungy jump to the world in 1988. It started in New Zealand, but Cairns is our number one as it’s the best in Oz. Voted as the second best activity in the whole of Queensland at our Golden Backpack Awards, travellers go mad for launching off the 50m-high platform with 16 jump varieties on offer from their very own ‘jump menu’.

Take in the views of lush rainforest, mountains and waterfalls – even the Great Barrier Reef in the distance – before all this natural beauty blurs before your eyes as you freefall through the sky.

The Cairns base is also widely known for being an awesome place to chill out pre- and post-jump – it even has a bar on site. Nerves? Sorted. $169

ajhackett.com/cairns

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THE LEDGE, QUEENSTOWN

CANYON SWING, QUEENSTOWN

The Ledge is a great option either for those who have bungeed before and just want to have fun with it, or those who don’t like the idea of perching on the edge of a platform before dropping like a stone.

With this bungy you are attached around the torso, so you can take a run-up and jump. This means you get a better launch and you can mix your dive up with somersaults, twists and turns, or for you, er, ‘cool’ guys, there’s the karate kick and ‘Matrix’ backwards jump (complete with finger guns). You can even start with a handstand a la Tom Daley.

This one is perfect for bungy novices – as it’s not technically a bungy. Rather than bouncing you up and down after you freefall, you swing like a giant pendulum.

You are fastened into a chest and seat harness, which means you can jump in a variety of ways, so feet first, upside down – even attached to a chair. You can even avoid the actual jump by first of all being suspended out in a sitting position before releasing yourself (not, relieving yourself, hopefully) or getting the guys to do it.

Just check the menu for their ‘clean pants’ scare scale of one to five to help you choose.

$195

$215

bungy.co.nz/the-ledge/the-ledge-bungy

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5

NEVIS BUNGY, QUEENSTOWN

TAUPO BUNGY, TAUPO

This is New Zealand’s highest bungy, at a whopping 134m, meaning you get 8.5 seconds of freefall. That’s a long time to get your scream on.

You start off in what looks like a Portakabin in the sky, before stepping into a cable trolley which takes you to the drop zone. Surrounded by craggy mountains, you dive down towards a winding river, which looks like little more than a thin piece of ribbon from so high up. You can watch divers before you through a glass area in the floor – it should help your nerves, seeing that they at least survive – but it doesn’t. Our advice? Don’t think, just go!

Jumping down over the River Waikato, you can even opt to get dunked with this 47m-high bungy. At least that way you can pass off that wet patch as a result of your dip in the river...

You jump from a platform jutting out from the cliff face here, so there’s no wobbly cable trolly to worry about, and you can do a tandem jump if you want moral support.

The guys in charge of your bungy can control how far you drop, so whether you want a full-body dunk, a fingertip dip or you’d rather not get wet as you’ve just washed your hair, they can customise it accordingly.

$275

$169

bungy.co.nz/the-nevis/the-nevis-bungy

taupobungy.co.nz

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Photos: Tourism New Zealand, Winter Festival

Taupo Bungy

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Rock ‘n’ hole We never thought we’d be quite so impressed by what is basically a big rock and an even bigger hole, but Uluru and Kings Canyon are downright humbling

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The 36 sandstone domes that make up Kata Tjuta bubble suddenly out of the deep red sands of the Northern Territory outback as the bus swings out of our campsite in Yulara onto the Lasseter Highway. From a distance they look strange, alien even, in the way they seem to have been dolloped on the horizon, growing larger and larger in the bus windscreen.

All 23 of us in the tour group find ourselves turning and twisting in our seats, struggling to decide whether to focus solely on the lofty peak of Mt Olga and Kata Tjuta growing steadily in front of us, or the hulking, sandstone monolith of Uluru disappearing into the distance behind.

This is my first time in the Northern Territory and we have only been in the Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park for a few hours, but already I am in awe of the landscape around me.

There is surely no place on Earth quite like it, certainly not anywhere I’ve ever been to before anyway.

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Each armed with a water bottle, hat, enclosed walking shoes and a camera, we clamber off the bus and stand at the entrance to the Valley of the Winds walk, a fairly gentle 7.2km hike taking in a few beautiful lookouts surrounded on all sides by the magnificent rising domes of Kata Tjuta.

We follow one of our guides into the valley, picking our way slowly down the ancient rocky trail. On this terrain one quickly learns not to try and take photographs while walking at the same time. The loose shale of the hiking track is dotted with hundreds of rocks and stones buried in the ground, all of which seem perfectly designed for catching a trailing foot.

Once in the valley proper I am amazed at how green it is. There are trees, scrubby bushes and a few patches of greenish, tussocky-looking grass jutting out of the red desert sands. There is even a body of slowly moving water that warrants fording via a bridge. Desert finches are in full voice as the morning sun climbs high in the sky and the

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temperature as we walk is warm without being too hot. In short, it is perfect hiking weather.

In a stretched-out column we move through the thin trail, periodically stopping to take photos of particularly distinct formations in the sacred rocks, including one that looks remarkably like an elephant’s head. None of us are quite prepared for what is waiting at the top of the final lookout though – not by a long shot.

Framed on either side by two giant rocky shapes, one bathed in sunlight the other in dark shadow, a reddish green carpet of scrub grass and stunted desert pines stretch luxuriously out in front of us towards a further outlying crop of Kata Tjuta, more red-rock sandstone domes standing proudly in the distance.

It is beautiful in a rugged, hard sort of way and we are all loathed to get back on the bus, even with the promise of champagne and an Uluru sunset ahead of us. ››

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This sunset rocks After the beauty of Kata Tjuta, our guides whisk us back on to the bus and we begin the drive back to the Uluru sunset viewing area to try and beat the tourist rush. Our guides assure us they know of a special spot and promise us that nobody else will be there.

Sure enough, as the sun begins to dip, we arrive at the viewing area. The number of buses already parked about the place looks to be quite alarming. Trestle tables covered in white sheets and champagne glasses have sprouted up everywhere and the whir of closing camera shutters and the chatter of hundreds of people from half the countries in the world fill the air.

We head up a sandy path carrying an Esky full of sparkling wine, boxes of nibbles (an assorted variety of Shapes) and some plastic tubs of dip and take up residence on a bit of high ground. It is relatively tourist-free, and to the right, the red rock is darkening in front of us.

It is a unique experience watching Uluru’s hue change in the setting sun, turning from the usual, famous rust-red colour most people associate the place with, through to darker shades of vermillion, brown and finally a deep purple as the last light fails. It is quite a haunting moment and even those in the group who have seen the same spectacle before fall silent as we watch intently.

Back at the base after a few beers, tired as I was and with a 5am wake-up call ahead, I spend quite some time lying in my swag after everyone has gone to bed staring up at the thousands of stars, so many tiny pinpricks of light in a sky black as ink.

The next morning, we are woken with stars still in the sky and after a bracing cup of coffee, drive to the start of the 10km Uluru base walk in the morning gloom. Even in the half-light of dawn the immensity of the rock is breathtaking; a hulking shadow looming over us the closer we get to it, 40

dark against the crimson desert horizon. Having only seen Uluru from a distance the day before, I am struck by how large it is up close and as I climb off the bus and gaze up at a section of it in the twilight I can almost feel the immenseness of the ancient stone pushing down on me like a weight.

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We all set off in the gloom, our guide leading us at a leisurely pace around the rock, pausing every now and then to tell us snippets of creation stories from the local Anangu people and facts about the local fauna, flora and the composition of the mighty rock itself.

The rock is very sacred to the Anangu, and in many parts, photography is forbidden. In Anangu culture, men and women could not visit or even look upon some sacred sites without being punished.

While the rock itself is beautiful up close, it’s the stories and history of the people who used to live in its shadow that make Uluru one of the most amazing places I’ve ever been.

Even though the Anangu have only disclosed a fraction of their creation stories concerning Uluru, they are still fascinating and represent something unique to Australian indigenous culture. Each story represents tens of thousands of years-worth of living history, passed down from person to person over the millennia. It is stunning to think that anything at all managed to live and flourish in such a stark, desolate and harsh environment as this, let alone a society as ancient as any on Earth.

We finish our day at Uluru with a guided tour of some of the most ancient and sacred sites around the area with an Anangu guide and her interpreter. Speaking in the local Pitjantjatjara language she explains to us the story of the ancient Mala people who had once called Uluru their home.

It is a wonderful experience and one I cannot recommend highly enough. ››

WHILE YOU ARE HERE Even if you’re in ‘neighbouring’ Cairns, reaching the Red Centre is a mission. So while you’re in the area, you may as well explore the rest of what the Northern Territory has to offer. Here are our top 10 suggestions...

WYCLIFFE WELL It claims more UFO sightings (per capita) than anywhere in Oz. The local roadhouse/campsite pays homage to all things alien and boasts a vast collection of beers. Get pissed with ET.

TAKE PART IN AN ABORIGINAL CORROBEREE Get painted up in charcoal and gather around the campfire in a traditional Corroberee ceremony. You’ll learn the songs and dances passed down through time.

BALLOONING Take an early morning hot air balloon flight over the Western MacDonnell Ranges, near Alice Springs. The ranges spread out like the spine of a giant sleeping beast.

Breathtaking.

DEVIL’S MARBLES Lean against, push or jump inside these fantastic rock formations for some photographic tomfoolery.

KATHERINE GORGE

ELLERY CREEK BIG HOLE No matter how much you want to cool off from the sweltering heat, the water here is ice cold (due to the heavy tri-quartzite rock). We defy you to stay in longer than a minute.

ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES The NT is dotted with Aboriginal communities, which you can visit on your travels. Hermannsburg is home to the country’s best-known Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira.

TENNANT CREEK A settlement that began when a cart carrying beer to workers broke down (well, you may as well hang around if there’s beer to be drunk), nowadays it’s a major town on the Stuart Highway, and a good place to stop for a true flavour of the Outback.

GOSSE BLUFF CRATER A massive 140 million-year-old comet crater near the Western MacDonnell Ranges. Created by an asteroid crash a thousand times more powerful than Hiroshima, you can see the ripples in the surrounding landscape.

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A welcome oasis on the road between Alice Springs and Darwin, Katherine Gorge is a series of inter-connected gorges which can be hiked, kayaked or seen by helicopter.

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Saving the best ’til last After all the excitement of the previous two days and another beautiful night spent under the stars listening to the dingoes howling at the new moon, the prospect of a second 5am wake-up call in a row and another long hike isn’t exactly appealing. Our guides keep repeating over and over that if we don’t have a minimum of a litre and a half of water on us for the next trek we might die, which does little to ease my tired mind and weary legs.

Thankfully though, my reservations are quickly dispelled when we arrive at the start of the beautiful Kings Canyon circle walk. It would seem that the way our guides had staggered the trip meant that they had saved the very best place until last.

There is no other word to describe Kings Canyon other than ‘staggering’. Sure it’s nowhere near as cavernous or famous as the Grand Canyon, but like everywhere else in the Northern Territory, it is completely unique.

Millions of years ago it was a giant seabed and the stone of the canyon’s walls appear cut sheer and flat along the sides as they fall away into the heavily foliaged floor. On the walking trails, however, the surface is anything but smooth with angular crags and ziggurat-like domes erupting out of the jagged rock like the remnants of some ancient, abandoned city.

Our guide occasionally stops to point out the fossilised remains of trilobites (prehistoric crustaceans) who had pulled themselves across the ground when it had been the bottom of a primeval waterway aeons ago. Today they are forever preserved in the living rock.

After a few kilometers of walking, we come to the ‘Garden of Eden’, a kind of oasis in the canyon proper, where 42

there is constantly shade and water (a great rarity in the semi-arid country around us). We stop briefly there by a great stagnant pool and listen to the call of the birds and the splashing of a touring group of school kids swimming around in the murky-looking water.

The walk through the Canyon is easily my favourite part of the whole trip, a place of rare and terrible beauty all of its own. The 7km trek is challenging in parts (the very start of the walk is a steep stone stairway cut into the rock that Doc colourfully refers to as “Heart Attack Hill”) but it isn’t so hard that you have to be a seasoned nature hiker or phenomenally fit to enjoy it, and the vistas are absolutely incredible to behold.

After a quick lunch we find ourselves back on the bus heading towards Alice Springs and I can’t help but feel sad at the trip’s imminent end. The Red Centre is a diverse, harsh and beautiful place, unlike anywhere I’ve ever been, and my visit was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. It sticks in your memory bank for life – make sure you stick it in yours.

Take a tour to the Red Centre with Adventure Tours Australia (adventuretours.com.au), The Rock Tour (therocktour.com.au Wayoutback Safaris (wayoutback.com.au) or Contiki (contiki.com)

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Photos: Tourism Tasmania, Alice Hansen, Alastair Betts, Darren Longbottom, Hobart City Council

1 Australia’s ‘Apple Isle’, too often ignored by mainland-hugging backpackers, is like nowhere else in Oz. Which perhaps explains why the locals are mocked by those on the ‘North Island’ so much. Not that Tasmanians care – they know how good they’ve got it. Indeed, this magical wilderness of forests, mountains and waterfalls is in many ways more similar to New Zealand than it is the rest of its own country. Crammed with colonial history, incredible food and nature at its most spectacular (20 per cent of the state is World Heritage-listed national park) – and all in a handily-sized and generally fairly cheap package – it’s hard to know where to start. So here’s our top 10 to-do list, in no particular order…

CRADLE MOUNTAIN The imposing, craggy peaks of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park are like something straight out of a Rings movie. Only you’ll find no orcs lurking here. Just the occasional walker. And a few wombats.

Sat almost in the middle of Tassie, just south-west of second city Launceston, the jagged contours rise from a wild landscape of ancient rainforest and alpine heathlands. It’s truly stunning stuff. Climbing to the top and back can be done in a strenuous day and will offer plenty in rewards.

The more hardy, however, should take on the six-day Overland Track, which is widely considered Australia’s best walk, a worthy rival to New Zealand’s legendary nine Great Walks.

At the other end of the park, looking up at the forest-clad mountains, wallows Lake St Clair, which happens to be Australia’s deepest. parks.tas.gov.au

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3 TASSIE’S TOP ISLANDS

BICHENO

BAY OF FIRES

This east coast fishing village, with a population of less than 1,000, is brilliant for one small reason. Well, lots of small reasons actually, as it’s home to a colony of unbearably cute little penguins.

Whether you join a tour or just potter about shiftily after dark, you can’t help but meet a few of the waddling locals as they head home after a strenuous day of swimming around and guzzling fish.

The diving’s also good, as is the blowhole.

This idyllic sweep of white sand dotted with flame-coloured boulders was named one of the world’s best beaches

by Lonely Planet a few years ago. And it’s not hard to see why.

But despite the sumptuous feast of glowing publicity, this glorious corner of north-eastern Tassie isn’t that crowded, largely because it’s quite tricky to get there and facilities are minimal. You can even camp there for free. Maximum stay? Four weeks! parks.tas.gov.au

bichenopenguintours.com.au

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PORT ARTHUR

SALAMANCA MARKETS

History buffs, take note. Port Arthur is arguably the most fascinating glimpse of Australia’s convict past that you could find in the land Down Under.

Once known simply as “Hell on Earth”, this huge site with its partly ruined buildings was home to Australia’s worst convicts between the 1830s and 1870s. It’s now strangely peaceful, with the odd spooky vibe, and is somewhere you can easily lose a day. portarthur.org.au

Tasmania is famous for its gourmet produce plus arts and crafts, so Hobart’s stunningly located weekly market is as good a place as any to check them out.

Held every Saturday under the watchful gaze of Mt Wellington, 300 stallholders, selling everything from antiques to fruit, take their positions in front of the row of splendidly preserved Georgian warehouses that are now filled with shops, restaurants and galleries.

THERE’S MORE TO THE APPLE ISLE THAN JUST THE ‘MAINLAND’…

BRUNY ISLAND Actually two islands that collectively stretch 100km and are connected by a narrow isthmus, Bruny (pictured) is an easy getaway from Hobart, offering fantastic seafood plus penguin watching, surfing and great bushwalking. There are miles and miles of neardeserted beaches to explore as well. But be warned, the wind in southern Tasmania tends to arrive from the next landmass to the south. That’s Antarctica.

FLINDERS ISLAND Sitting in the Bass Strait, about 50km off Tasmania’s northeastern coast, Flinders has a reputation for being a place to go if you don’t want to be found. It’s sublimely peaceful, comprising mainly of rolling green hills and a huge amount of bird life. Indeed, if checking out birds is your thing, this is the place to come. There are two main towns – Whitemark and Lady Barron – with barely 1,000 people between them.

KING ISLAND Also found in the Bass Strait, but off the mainland’s north-west coast, the slight change in positioning has a dramatic effect, as King Island is squarely in the way of the consistently bracing Roaring Forties winds. But it’s another stunning place though, and the locals’ devotion to all things organic have made it a serious foodie destination, especially if you’re keen on cheese and seafood.

salamanca.com.au

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MONA

WINEGLASS BAY

A relative newcomer on the scene, Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art, or MONA, only opened in 2011 but has made an impression quickly. The biggest privately funded museum in Oz, MONA has rapidly become one of the country’s most exciting cultural destinations.

Indeed, as the man with the cash, David Walsh, famously said, it’s like a “subversive adult Disneyland”. The museum houses hundreds of top-notch works from Walsh’s own eclectic, unusual collection, while also hosting festivals and giving a home to regular, often fairly outhere, visiting exhibitions. If you’re not from Tassie, entry is $20. mona.net.au

Along with Cradle Mountain, this spellbinding corner of Freycinet National Park is Tasmania’s major postcard pin-up. And yet the pictures still can’t do it justice.

A mainstay on lists naming the best beach in Australia, sometimes the planet, Wineglass Bay really does have it all. Well, it could be a few degrees warmer at times… There’s a bit of a trek to get there, which means you get some gawp-tastic views of it on the way, plus the coach trip crowds don’t bother. Once there, it’s suddenly huge, and there are dolphins. And there’s even a campsite at the far end. parks.tas.gov.au

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HENTY SAND DUNES

MEET A TASSIE DEVIL

MT WELLINGTON

Sweeping over western Tassie, a few clicks from tourist central Strahan, rises the state’s largest dune system.

And there’s no better way to explore the shifting landscape than on the back of a quad bike. Roaring over the sand is serious fun. As is much of the stuff that can be done from Strahan. The town may be a little plastic, but there’s no denying the south-west is where adventures are to be had. adventuretours.com.au

You can’t go to Tasmania and not check out a Tasmanian devil. End of.

Don’t even think about it.

Sadly a massive decline in population in recent years, due in part to a grim facial tumour disease, means you’re unlikely to spot Taz in the wild nowadays. Your best bet is to head somewhere like the devil sanctuary by Cradle Mountain. Try to see (and hear) them eating – you won’t forget it! devilsatcradle.com

Get your fill of stunning views of both Hobart and the Derwent River, with as much adrenalin as you’d like thrown in.

Yes, this mountain ain’t really that big and a road goes right to the top. You can even catch a bus there! But that also means you can cycle it. Do it all yourself, or take the sensible option – join a tour, drive up and cycle all the way down. mtwellingtondescent.com

Photos: Tourism Tasmania, Joe Shemesh, Paul Fleming, MONA, Wineglass Bay Cruises, iStock

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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 08 8202 8678, kiadventuretours.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 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

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SYDNEY STAY Base Sydney 477 Kent St. CBD.

SYDNEY MUSIC

LIVE IT UP

Hordern Pavillion playbillvenues.com Oxford Art Factory oxfordartfactory.com

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

Sydney Opera House sydneyoperahouse.com

Bounce Budget Hotel 28 Chalmers St. CBD.

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 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. yha.com.au Lamrock Lodge 19 Lamrock Ave. Bondi.

02 9130 5063, lamrocklodge.com

The Enmore enmoretheatre.com.au The Metro metrotheatre.com.au

BONDI ICEBERGS CLUB Whether you want to lap up the stunning views, spot the likes of Nicole Kidman, or simply go for a swim, few Aussie bars are as famous as Icebergs. And the club part is actually reasonably priced.

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

Newcastle Beach YHA 30 Pacific St, Newcastle. yha.com.au Terrigal Beach YHA 9 Ocean View Dr, Terrigal. yha.com.au The Entrance Backpackers 2/56 The Entrance Road, The Entrance, 2261 02 4334 5005 theentrancebackpackers.com Skydive Central Coast Warnervale. skydivethecentralcoast.com.au

Cammeray Gardens 66 Palmer St, North Sydney.

02 9954 9371 sydneyboardinghouse.com

Backpackers Inn 29 Shirley St 1800 817 696 backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au Byron Bay Accom 02 6680 8666, byronbayaccom.net The Arts Factory 1 Skinners Shoot Rd. Nomads Byron Bay Lawson Lane.

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

COFFS HARB Coffs Harbour YHA 51 Collingwood St. 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

Wake Up! 509 Pitt St, CBD.

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

CENTRAL COAST

Glebe Point YHA 262-264 Glebe Point Road.

Glebe. yha.com.au

Oceanworld Manly West Esplanade. oceanworld.com.au

Coogee Beachside 178 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee.

02 9315 8511, sydneybeachside.com.au

Blue Mountains YHA 207 Katoomba St, Katoomba. yha.com.au

icebergs.com.au

Lochner’s Guesthouse 27 Paul St. Bondi.

02 9389 5421

Coogee Beach House 171 Arden St. Coogee.

02 9665 1162, coogeebeachhouse.com

BLUE MTNS

BYRON BAY Backpackers Holiday Village 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

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS Situated about a 90-minute drive west from Sydney, the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains are a favourite escape for Sydneysiders, with the main gateway town being Katoomba. Once you’ve experienced the spectacular blue-hazed beauty, dramatic cliffs and deep canyons, you’ll come away refreshed and invigorated.

While bushwalking and canyoning in this wilderness area are top pastimes, it’s also famous for fine food and wines, arts and crafts, and, of course, welcoming pubs. A string of townships form a vibrant cultural community where artists, musicians and writers flourish. visitbluemountains.com.au

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HOBART STAY

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CHECK OUT!

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

DEVONPORT

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

THE TASMAN PENINSULA Sitting in Tassie’s south-east corner, also home to Port Arthur, the Peninsula is full of dramatic scenery, such as Paterson’s Arch in Devils Kitchen. It’s well worth making a few stops along the road.

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

discovertasmania.com.au

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

Cataract Gorge launcestoncataractgorge.com.au

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

Photos: Tasmania Tourism, Chris Crerar, Geoffrey Lea

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

50

LAUNCESTON With its vibrant culture, cool street art like that found in Tevelein Place, plus great food and wine scenes, it’s perhaps not surprising that little Launie is sometimes likened to its big northern neighbour Melbourne, in atmosphere at least. Centrally located in the state, Launceston is Tassie’s second largest city and the country’s third oldest. It’s surrounded by imposing mountains, has earned its title of ‘Garden City’ and has an interesting history, plus is just a swift walk from Cataract Gorge, which is great for strolling, checking out the views and swimming. discovertasmania.com.au

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MELBOURNE STAY

DON’T MISS!

All Nations Nomads 2 Spencer St.

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

2 McKenzie Rd, Cowes.

03 5952 22113,

beachpark.com.au BIG4 Inverloch Holiday Park

Port Campbell Hostel 18 Tregea St, Port Campbell.

03 5598 6305, portcampbellhostel.com.au

THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD

The 12 Apostles, heading west from Melbourne, are quite simply one of Australia’s must-see destinations. Ideally spend a few days exploring the area on your way to Adelaide.

Hotel Discovery 167 Franklin St hoteldiscovery.com.au

The Ritz for Backpackers 109 Barkly St ritzbackpackers.com

Lords Lodge Backpackers 204 Punt Rd lordslodge.com.au

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

Melbourne Metro YHA 78 Howard St 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

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,

MORNINGTON

visitgreatoceanroad.org.au

Melbourne International Backpackers 450 Elizabeth St mibp.com.au

Avenue Apartments 204 Thompson Avenue, Cowes.

Apollo Eco Beach YHA 5 Pascoe St.

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

Home Travellers Motel 32 Carlisle St, St Kilda.

1800 008 718, homehostels.com.au

03 5952 2258,

GREAT OCEAN RD

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

Home at the Mansion 66 Victoria Parade.

03 9663 4212 homemansion.com.au

272 Church St, Cowes.

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

Anchor Belle Holiday Park

anchorbelle.com.au

Base Melbourne 17 Carlisle St, St. Kilda.

The Greenhouse Backpacker Level 6, 228 Flinders Lane.

1800 249 207, greenhousebackpacker.com.au

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

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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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

BORDER RANGES NATIONAL PARK Most people think the Gold Coast is all about beaches, partying and theme parks, and… well, it kind of is, but there’s actually a whole lot more to it if you put your back to the sea and head into the hinterland. There are some stunning national parks, such as Border Ranges, which straddles the border with New South Wales. These guys are checking out the McPherson Range, near Rathdowney, an area of subtropical rainforest that’s brilliant for bushwalking. visitgoldcoast.com

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

Photos: Tourism Queensland/Darren Jew

Balmoral House 33 Amelia St, Fortitude Valley vipbackpackers.com

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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

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 friendlyhostel.com.au

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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 Base Airlie Beach Resort 336 Shute Harbour Rd

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 Jackaroo Hostel Mission Beach Frizelle Rd, Bingil Bay jackaroohostel.com

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!

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

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 JJ’s Backpackers Hostel 11 Charles St. 07 4051 7642, jjsbackpackers.com NJoy Backpackers Hostel

141 Sheridan St. and fast food joints to help with yourHarbour Gilligan's hangover.

1800 807 055, Magnums Whitsunday Village Resort 13:00: Continuing north of Port Douglas you’ll land in njoy.net.au 366 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800Gorge 624 634 (mossmangorge.com.au). At Daintree Mossman Nomads Beach House magnums.com.au Sheridan St. National Park the gorge is a must-see.239 Once you’ve trekked along the path you’ll be able to give your feet a rest and Northern Greenhouse BOWEN 117that Grafton Street. admire the crystal clear Mossman River cascades over Bowen Backpackers 1800 229 228, Beach end of Herbert St. granite boulders. northerngreenhouse.com.au 07 4786 3433 15:00: Heading back to the car and continuing north bowenbackpackers.net CAIRNS DO you’ll find yourself at Cape Tribulation. Check out Ferntree AJ Hackett Bungy jumping & canyon Rainforest Lodge (ferntreerainforestlodge.com.au) TOWNSVILLE swinging. 1800 622 888 Adventurers Resort with a bar and wooden which has classic huts tables. They cairns.ajhackett.com 79 Palmer St. serve scrumptious After eating 1800 211 522, meals night and day.

Go Wild Jungle Tours it’s adventurersresort.com tours a to Croc Daintreecruise Rainforest. time to enjoy the delights of the CapeDaywith 07 4041 9440, Adrenalin Dive (daintreerivercruises.com.au) A onejungletours.com.au hour wildlife cruise 07 4724 0600, that lets you spot wild animals in their habitat. Be adrenalindive.com.au Pronatural Dive 07 4031 5255 warned: Yongala don’t Dive walk too close to any mangroves, you might prodivecairns.com Yongala diving. get an unwanted snap.

07 4783 1519, Raging Thunder Adventures 19:00: Withyongaladive.com.au all that excitement it’s time to head back Whitewater rafting.

07 head 4030 7990, towards Cairns. As the evening settles, straight into the ragingthunder.com.au city centre where there is wide MAGNETIC IS array of restaurants for you Skydive Cairns to pick from along Island the main strip.

Base Magnetic POBOX 105N Cairns 1 Nelly Bay Rd. 4052 1822, 19:00: And it wouldn't be true Cairns 07 experience without skydivecairns.com.au Bungalow Bay Backpackers dancing the night away at The Woolshed (thewoolshed.

Horseshow Bay. com.au).1800 With themed nights on every night, try your luck 285 577, CAPE TRIB in the wet bungalowbay.com.au T-shirt competitions or seeCrocodylus how you fare in their Village Arcadia games. Either way you'll Lot 5, Buchanan Creek Cairns Rd, Mexican Hotel drinking end your 7 Marine Parade, Arcadia Bay. Cow Bay. trip on a07high.

4778 5177, 07 4098 9166,

hotelaracadia.com.au

. . .

E R E H Y L L A IN F E ’R YOU

crocodyluscapetrib.com

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 53 tntdownunder.com

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QLDLISTINGS 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

MORETON ISLAND Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort tangalooma.com

NOOSA STAY

Flashpackers Noosa 102 Pacific Avenue, Sunshine Beach flashpackersnoosa.com Nomads Noosa Backpackers 44 Noosa Dr Noosa Inland Noosa Backpackers 9-13 William St, Noosaville noosabackpackers.com Halse Lodge YHA 2 Halse Lane, Noosa.

1800 242 567, halselodge.com.au 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 Kanu Kapers Australia Noosa Everglades kanukapersaustralia.com Noosa Learn to Surf Noosa Main Beach, Noosa Heads learntosurf.com.au

follow us on PORT DOUGLAS Dougies Backpackers Resort 111 Davidson St dougies.com.au Global Port Douglas 38 Macrossan St globalbackpackerscairns.com. au/port-douglas Parrot Fish Lodge 37 Warner St parrotfishlodge.com 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

AGNES WATER 1770 Beachside Backpacker 12 Captain Cook Drive independentbackpackers.com

1770 Southern Cross Backpackers 2694 Round Hill Rd 1770southerncross.com

@tnt_downunder TOWNSVILLE Adventurers Backpackers 79 Palmer St

ROCKHAMPTON

adventurersresort.com

Emu Park Resort 92 Patterson St, Emu Park emusbeachresort.com

Civic Guest House Backpackers

Rockhampton Backpackers YHA 60 Macfarlane St

262 Walker St

Childers Eco-Lodge Off the Princess Highway childersecolodge.com.au

Foreign Exchange

Amore on Buderim 27 Earlybird Dr, Buderim amoreonbuderim.com.au

Accommodation Beachside 19 Eyre St, North Ward

foreignx.com.au

Buderim Motor Inn 45 King St, Buderim buderimmotorinn.com

MACKAY Gecko’s Rest

Bli Bli House B&B 600 David Low Way, Pacific Paradise. buderimmotorinn.com

34 Sydney St

geckosrest.com.au

Beach Front Towers 4 Aerodrome Rd, Marochydore beachfronttowers.com.au

The Duporth 6 Wharf St, Maroochydore theduporth.com.au

civicguesthousetownsville.

com.au

SUNSHINE COAST

Cotton Tree Beachouse 15 the Esplanade cottontreebackpackers.com

Hostel

MAGNETIC IS Base Magnetic Island 1 Nelly Bay Rd Bungalow Bay Koala Village 40 Horseshoe Bay Rd

bungalowbay.com.au

Photos: Tourism Queensland

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

54

DIVING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF The Great Barrier Reef’s 2,000km stretch of individual reefs, islands and countless coral sand cays and shipwrecks offer amazing diving opportunities – it’s popular for a reason. Most people get tanked up in Cairns, where you’ll generally find the best deals. Try to avoid the Inner Reef though as it’s very busy and quite damaged. Nearer the action, but slightly more expensive, is Port Douglas. Another good option is the southern tip of the reef, off the islands near Bundaberg, for example Lady Elliott Island. padi.com

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Australia’s

Gold Coast

Famous for fun

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DARWIN STAY

CHECK OUT!

Banyan View Lodge Darwin 119 Mitchell St. 08 8981 8644, banyanviewlodge.com.au Darwin YHA 97 Mitchell St.

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

Deckchair Cinema Jervois Rd, Darwin Waterfront.

08 8981 0700, deckchaircinema.com.au

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

THE GHAN Travelling between Adelaide, Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, Katherine Gorge and Darwin, the Ghan is one of the world’s great railway journeys. It’s also a decent price if you’ve got a backpacker card.

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

Crocosaurus Cove Crocodile park and cage of death. 58 Mitchell St. 08 8981 7522, crocosauruscove.com

BIG4 Katherine Holiday Park 20 Shadforth Road.

1800 501 984, big4.com.au Palm Court Kookaburra Backpackers Third St. 08 8972 2722

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

DARWIN DO

KATHERINE STAY

greatsouthernrail.com.au 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

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

ALICE SPRINGS

@tnt_downunder

Toddy’s Backpackers 41 Gap Rd. Rock & dorm specials.

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

Alice Springs YHA Cnr Parsons St & Leichhardt Tce.

School of the Air Long-distance schooling museum.

80 Head St. 08 8951 6834, assoa.nt.edu.au

Haven Resort 3 Larapinta Drive.

1800 794 663, alicehaven.com.au

Toddy’s Backpackers 41 Gap Rd. Rock & dorm specials.

1800 027 027 toddys.com.au

Alice Lodge 4 Mueller St. 08 8953 1975, alicelodge.com.au

KAKADU This Aboriginal-owned, jointly-managed World Heritage area is listed for both natural and cultural values and has immense scenic beauty. Its sandstone escarpments – most famously at Ubirr (where some of Crocodile Dundee was filmed) – house some of the world’s greatest rock art dating back over 20,000 years. And you’ll be hard pressed to find a more stunning place than Jim Jim Falls – a massive waterfall accessible only by 4WD and trek by foot. Twin Falls is another popular spot – a white beach beneath a double cascade waterfall. Also, some of the Aboriginal owners now work as rangers and there are a number of Aboriginal tours. backpackthent.com

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Photos: Tourism NT, Tourism WA

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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PERTH STAY Billabong Backpackers Resort 381 Beaufort St. 08 9328 7720, billabongresort.com.au

Coolibah Lodge 194 Brisbane St coolibahlodge.com.au

CHECK OUT!

One World Backpackers 162 Aberdeen St, Northbridge.

1800 188 100, oneworldbackpackers.com.au Perth City YHA 300 Wellington St. The Old Swan Barracks 2-8 Francis St. 08 9428 0000, theoldswanbarracks.com

Wickham Retreat Backpackers 25-27 Wickham St, East Perth 08 9325 6398

Grand Central Hotel Backpackers 379 Wellington St 08 9421 1123

Emperor’s Crown 85 Stirling St, Northbridge.

1800 991 553, emperorscrown.com.au

Ocean Beach Backpackers 1 Eric St, Cottlesloe.

08 9384 5111, oceanbeachbackpackers.com.au

Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, undergroundbackpackers. com.au

Easy Perth Backpacker 4 Francis Street, Northbridge easyperthbackpackers.com.au

Britannia on William 253 William St, Northbridge.

08 9227 6000, perthbritannia.com

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

Northbridge shiralee.com.au

YMCA Jewell House 180 Goderich St ymcajewellhouse.com.au

Hay Street Backpackers 266-268 Hay St haystbackpackers.com

Coolibah Lodge 194 Brisbane St coolibahlodge.com.au

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

MARGARET RIVER Top gourmet region Margaret River, just to the south of Perth, has great surfing and scenery, but also some of Australia’s best wineries, cheeses and chocolates. Mmm… this is the place to spoil yourself. margaretriver.com Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, Northbridge.

08 9228 3755, underground backpackers.com.au

Backpack City and Surf 41-43 Money St backpacker.com.au

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

Cheviot Lodge 30 Bulwer St cheviotlodge.com

Beatty Lodge 235 Vincent St beattylodge.com.au

PERTH DO

Mountway Holiday Apartments 36 Mount St mountwayapartments.com.au Ocean Beach Backpackers 1 Eric St, Cottesloe oceanbeachbackpackers.com.au Perth Beach YHA 256 West Coast Hwy, Scarbrough Planet Inn Backpackers 496 Newcastle St planetinn.com.au The Shiralee Hostel 107 Brisbane St,

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

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

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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WALISTINGS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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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

Photos: Tourism WA

THE BUNGLE BUNGLE One of WA’s key attractions, found deep within the Kimberley region, is the World Heritage-listed Bungle Bungle (Purnululu) National Park, which is reachable only by 4WD vehicle and was amazingly not known about (except by the locals of course) until the 1980s. In the wet season (November-March) the area is inaccessible. The ancient, rounded, orange and black-striped sandstone formations of the Bungle Bungle are truly one of Australia’s most spectacular sights and well worth the effort. It’s a bit like Uluru, only without the crowds.

This is one of the best areas to splash out and take a scenic flight to appreciate the enormity of the landscape. adventuretours.com.au

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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,

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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

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 Ya-Ya’s ya-yas.com.au

FREO STAY

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

ROTTNEST ISL Rottnest Island YHA Kingstown Barracks.

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

MARGARET RIVER Margaret River Lodge YHA 220 Railway Tce. Harmony Forest 248 Sebbes Rd. 08 9757 7055, harmonyforest.com.au Surfpoint 12 Riedle Drive Prevally 08 9757 1777 surfpoint.com.au

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

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

NINGALOO REEF

Backpackers Inn Freo 11 Pakenham St. 08 9431 7065, backpackersinnfreo.com.au

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

Old Firestation Backpackers 18 Phillimore St. 08 9430 5454, oldfirestation.com.au

Ningaloo Club Coral Bay 08 9948 5100, ningalooclub.com

Sundancer Backpackers Resort 80 High St. 08 9336 6080, sundancerbackpackers.com Pirates Backpackers Resort 11 Essex St. 08 9335 6653, piratesbackpackers.com.au

FREO DO Fremantle Markets Henderson Street Fremantle 08 9335 2515, fremantlemarkets.com.au Fremantle Prison 1 The Terrace.

08 9336 9200, backpackersinnfreo.com.au

Excape Backpackers YHA Murat Rd, Exmouth.

BROOME STAY Cable Beach Backpackers 12 Sanctuary Road.

1800 655 011, cablebeachbackpackers.com Kimberley Club 62 Fredrick St 08 9192 3233, kimberleyklub.com

CORAL BAY Ningaloo Club Robinson St ningalooclub.com

ESPERANCE

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

Blue Waters Lodge YHA 299 Goldfields Rd,

Fremantle Arts Centre 1 Finnerty Street.

08 9432 9555, fac.org.au

Pete’s Exmouth Backpackers YHA Cnr Truscott Cres & Murat Rd

EXMOUTH

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SALISTINGS

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

FLINDERS RANGES About six hours’ drive north of Adelaide, the Flinders Ranges are some of the world’s oldest and most amazing mountains. And huge; 500km long, 250km wide and surrounded by vast salt lakes. There are tours from Adelaide that will take you through the mountains. The gateway town is Port Augusta, while Rawnsely Bluff is spectacular on the Ranges’ southeastern edge. Wilpena Pound is a huge natural amphitheatre with great bushwalking. tourism.sa.gov.au

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

KANGAROO IS Kangaroo Island YHA 33 Middle Terrace, Penneshaw.

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

Harvest Trail Lodge Loxton.

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

Glenelg Beach Hostel 5-7 Moseley St. Glenelg.

1800 359 181, glenelgbeachhostel.com.au

Photos: SATC

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

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

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

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

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

ADELAIDE DO

Riverland Backpackers Labour Hire Services 08 8583 0211

RIVERLAND Berri Backpackers Sturt Highway, Berri.

08 8582 3144, berribackpackers.com.au

CHECK OUT!

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

Sturt Highway, Kingston on Murray.

FLINDERS RANGES EYRE PENINSULA Perhaps most famous for being home to tuna capital Port Lincoln, where you can also set out to go cage diving with great white sharks, the Eyre Peninsula, to the west of Adelaide, is also a great place for meeting other creatures of the ocean, namely sea lions. Hugely friendly, swimming with sea lions is actually often more rewarding than swimming with dolphins. And they get even more playful if you tell them that. bairdbay.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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Check out TNT online for the latest news, gossip, gigs, bizarre headlines and awesome features

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T N T E R O M T WAN team! ourite travel v fa r u o y m r fro hat’s on offe w f o te s ta a Here’s

TRAVEL FEATURES & STORIES...

+ NEWS & REVIEWS

NZdiary Trip TRAVEL FEATURES & STORIES...NZ

JOBS, JOBS & MORE JOBS...

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TOUR SEARCH DESIGN 1

TOUR SEARCH

For the last 30 years TNT Magazine has brought travel advice and news to a growing audience of travellers.

18 to 35 year olds from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have been using TNT as their guide to living and working in the UK. With a growing audience comes growing demand and over quarter of a million users are now demanding travel offers and information for tours across the globe from their base in the UK.

Here at TNT we have listened to the demands of our readers and we’re excited to launch TNT Tours. Whether you’re looking for a weekend in Dublin, a group tour across North Africa, or a ten day epic adventure in South America, the TNT Tour Search facility is here to meet your travel wishes.

With tours being added on a daily basis and reviews to give you peace of mind, TNT Tours will become your primary destination when looking to travel anywhere around the globe and you know the process will be as good as you can get anywhere else, if not better. Oh! and you don’t have to be Australian.

t a ki n g y ou w h e re y ou d rea m t o be...

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NZ TRAVEL NZ TRIP | NORTH & SOUTH ISLAND LISTINGS

WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN / 64 ‘I find myself sitting on the edge of an aeroplane with my legs dangling out of the door. Someone said “smile” and pointed to a camera. I did the opposite. And we were gone...’

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Photos: Lake Wanaka Tourism, Anna Allan at Alpine Images alpineimages.co.nz, Deep Canyon, Sky Dive Wanaka and iStock

NZTRIP

The only way is doooooown Whether it’s jumping out of a plane, plunging into water, or skiing down a snowy mountainside, Wanaka will turn you into a human yo-yo – and you’ll love it

An hour from Queenstown, you will find its younger, smaller, more softly-spoken, equally attractive brother, Wanaka.

Its more famous sibling can be too hectic for some and Wanaka is the perfect antidote. That’s not to say it’s dull.

Far from it. There’s barrel loads of fun to be had – mostly involving descending at great speed.

From skydiving to skiing to canyoning to flying in a war plane, we sent a bunch of writers to check out the ways of getting high, and then hurtling back down again...

Words by Damian Hall, Adele Rogers and Francesca Baker

Photos: Lake Wanaka Tourism, Anna Allan at Alpine Images alpineimages.co.nz, Deep Canyon, Sky Dive Wanaka and iStock

Canyoning Why, oh why can’t I keep my mouth shut? You know that kid at school who always put his hand up first, but never knew the answer? Well, that was me.

The worst thing is, I haven’t changed. Bedecked in helmet, wet suit and large cushion-nappy thing, I’m standing at the top of a 12m waterfall.

“Right,” says Alister, our guide, “we can abseil down this waterfall, or...” he adds, with a challenging twinkle in his eye, “you can jump.”

My head says, “Jump? I’d rather extract my teeth with a shotgun.” But my arm is in the air and my mouth has made some noises that sound very much like, “Yeah, okay then.”

Everyone else has abseiled down and is staring up at me with looks that say, “he’s going to chicken out. Or become a lump of jelly.”

I had to jump soon – bungy jumping has taught me that time is the enemy of courage. So I shut my eyes and step out...

Fear factor conquered, along with Alister and a young doctor called Chloe (if a doctor’s doing it, it must be safe, right?), we jumped from another five ridiculously high ledges into swirling black pools. Canyoning is sensational and exhausting fun.

Full-day canyoning with Deep Canyon costs from $240 deepcanyon.co.nz

Sky diving With a skydive, you’re not really thinking about the vistas so much – more about whether you’ll live or die.

I find myself sitting on the edge of an aeroplane with my legs dangling out of the door. Someone said “smile” and pointed to a camera. I did the opposite. And we were gone...

A backward somersault. Then down, down, down... and I realise I’m screaming. Not in panic, but in sheer, unadulterated... whatever it is.

“ACCCEEIINNNTHEHHOLLLEE....IIICCCAAANNFFLLLYY.....

IIII’MMMAAABIRRRRDDDDDD.” Forty seconds later the parachute pops open and it feels like being shot back upwards. We drift for another four glorious minutes towards the safety of terra firma.

Definitely one of the best experiences of my life.

Tandem jumps with Skydive Lake Wanaka cost from $329 skydivewanaka.com ››

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NZTRIP

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Plane cool: Fly in a vintage plane Flying in a war plane Arguably the best way to appreciate the stunning landscape of Lake Wanaka is by air, and from a Tigermoth Bi-plane ZK-ALJ, no less; flown in service for the first time in 1941 as a military trainer.

I’m flying with Classic Flights and I have to admit I look the part: dressed in a warm leather and sheepskin jacket and Biggles-style goggles. Seeing the hand on the altitude dial move to the right as the wind blows in your face is a thrill that not many experience, especially not with a background of snow-dusted mountains, streaks of clouds and a sunshine haze that sheers off the mountains surrounding the turquoise lake.

Peter, the pilot and owner, tells me how grown men often sob as they reminisce, but even without memories it is an emotional experience, as the beauty of the vista is heightened by the exhilaration of flying in such a nostalgic vehicle. Indeed, back in the hangar, you can even read letters that reveal a personal side to the events that these wartime planes were part of. Reading them is as heartwarming as it is breaking. Flying among these clouds in these wings over Lake Wanaka is a privilege indeed.

Flights with Classic Flights classicflights.co.nz cost from $249

Skiing and snowboarding Wanaka is surrounded by gorgeous peaks which, come winter, are sprinkled with snow by Mother Nature – or 66

blasted with the manufactured stuff. Either way, they make for some of the best skifields in the world.

Cardrona is a great mountain for the average skier or boarder but it’s especially good for those who want to try their hand at freestyle stuff, with four halfpipes and two terrain parks full of jumps and rails.

I came out worse for wear but felt I had pushed myself that little extra because Cardrona’s technical courses have a smooth learning curve. With wide open spaces, there are also plenty of lines to be had on a powder day.

Then there’s Treble Cone, where it’s not unusual to see blue skies above and a foot-and-a half of snow beneath your toes – perfect conditions to fall all over the place as you try to find your mountain legs again. TC to the cool kids, this mountain has excellent terrain, especially off-piste action. Be prepared to have your lungs explode from the crisp yet almost nonexistent air.

There are runs for all levels of snow lovers, with a quaint chalet for the hot chocolate afterwards. There’s even a new Jazz Fun Park full of rails and jumps.

Cardrona, $101 for a day, with discounted packages available down to $90pd for five days. cardrona.com Treble Cone, $106 for a day, with discounted packages available down to $90pd for five days. treblecone.com For more information visit lakewanaka.co.nz

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TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

Our beds fill up early and clever guests book ahead to secure the best beds and rooms.

Those clever guests also know our beds are cheaper as a member. So join YHA now from only NZ$25 and get 10% off accommodation, free WiFi and other great benefits too.

www.yha.co.nz

BOOK YOUR BED AHEAD AND START SAVING NOW!

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AUCKLAND 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.

follow us on experience necessary.

09 359 5987, explorenz.co.nz

DO THIS

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 ever lived and experience a Maori cultural show.

09 309 0443, aucklandmuseum.com

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 Auckland Airport Kiwi Hotel 150 McKenzie Road, Mangere.

09 256 0046, kiwiairporthotel.co.nz Airport Skyway Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 30 Kirkbride Road, Mangere.

09 275 4443, skywaylodge.co.nz Auckland International Backpackers 2 Churton St, Parnell. +64358 4584, aucklandinternationalbp.com

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

09 360 3800, aucklandzoo.co.nz

SKYJUMP It’s not strictly a bungy, but jumping off New Zealand’s tallest building and plummeting 192m towards central Auckland at 85km/ hr, attached only to a wire, is not to be sniffed at. Jumps cost $225. skywalk.co.nz

Auckland, North Island

BK Hostel (BBH) 3 Mercury Ln, Central.

09 307 0052 bkhostel.co.nz

Queen Street Backpackers 4 Fort St. 09 373 3471, qsb.co.nz

Borders Beyond 8 Nixon St, Grey Lynn.

09 360 9880, bordersbeyond.co.nz

Uenuku Lodge (BBH) 217 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby.

09 378 8990, uenukulodge.co.nz

City Garden Lodge (BBH) 25 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell.

09 302 0880 citygardenlodge.co.nz

Surf ‘n’ Snow Backpackers 102 Albert St. 09 363 8889, surfandsnow.co.nz

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

Brown Kiwi (BBH) 7 Prosford St, Ponsonby.

09 378 0191, brownkiwi.co.nz

Freemans Backpackers (BBH) 65 Wellington Street.

09 376 5046 freemanbackpackers.co.nz Freinz Backpackers (BBH) 27-31 Vitoria St. East.

09 307 6437 frienz.com Nomads Auckland 16-20 Fort St. 09 300 9999, nomadshostels.com Jandal Palace (BBH) 38 Glenesk Rd, RD2.

09 812 8381, pihabeachstay.co.nz JJ House (BBH) 4 MacMurray Road.

09 214 9791 jjhouse.co.nz

KR City Travellers (BBH) 146 Karangahape Rd. 09 377 6027, kroadcitytravellers.co.nz Verandahs (BBH) 6 Hopetown St. 09 360 4180, verandahs.co.nz YHA Auckland City 18 Liverpool St. 09 309 2802, yha.co.nz YHA Auckland International 5 Turner St. 09 302 8200, yha.co.nz

AUCKLAND DO

Kiwi International Hotel 411 Queen St. 0800 100 411, kiwihotel.co.nz

Explorer Bus Sightseeing around Auckland, 0800 439 756 explorerbus.co.nz

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

09 373 4546, lantanalodge.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

Oaklands Lodge (BBH) 5a Oaklands Rd, Mt Eden.

09 638 6545, oaklands.co.nz

Base Backpackers Auckland 229 Queen St. 09 358 4877, stayatbase.com

Ponsonby Backpackers 2 Franklin Rd, Ponsonby.

09 360 1311, ponsonby-backpackers.co.nz

Bamber House (BBH) 22 View Rd, Mt Eden.

09 623 4267, bamberhouse.co.nz

Princeton Backpackers 30 Symonds St. 09 963 8300, princeton.net.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

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.

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 Ponsonby West of the city, explore Victorian architecture and narrow streets with cafés, bars, clothes shops, art galleries and some lively nightlife.

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cruises to Hauraki Gulf islands, with all-day passes and hop-on, hop-off options. fullers.co.nz 09 367 9111, Pride of Auckland The Pride of Auckland operates an impressive fleet of large, purpose-built yachts on the 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. fullers.co.nz 09 367 9111, Awesome Adventures Three-day Bay of Islands tours.

0800 658 058, awesomenz.com

Beaches Auckland is surrounded by great beaches, including Judges Queen Street Bay, Kohimarama, Okahu Bay, Auckland’s main boulevard with St Heliers Bay and popular shops, cafés and restaurants.

Mission Bay. Whale & Dolphin Safari Aotea Square Markets See whales and dolphins from Every Friday and Saturday at Auckland’s doorstep. The Aotea Square, Queen St. NZ Hauraki Gulf is considered one fashion labels, retro gear, foods, of the most biologically and Pacific-style crafts, jewellery geographically diverse marine and furniture, 09 309 2677, parks in the world. See the-edge.co.nz dolphins, whales, sea birds and/ or even penguins. Dolphins are Victoria Park Market viewed on over 90% and whales 3km from the CBD, an outdoor on 75% of trips. Departs daily market with fruit, veggies, from the Auckland Viaduct. books, clothes and handicrafts.

Dolphin viewing guaranteed.

09 357 6032, exploregroup.co.nz GREAT BARRIER Fullers Cruises This unique island destination is Inner harbour cruises and longer dominated by a native forest a

Photo: Tourism New Zealand

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network of criss-crossing tracks. thebarrier.co.nz Orama Oasis Karaka Bay Rd, 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. fullers.co.nz 09 367 9111, 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.

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 Coastal Cow Backpackers (BBH) 299 Molesworth Drive, Mangawai Heads 09 431 5246, mangawhaibackpackers.com Little Earth Lodge (BBH) 85 Abbey Caves Road, 09 430 6562, littleearthlodge.co.nz Whangarei Falls Backpacker (BBH) 12 Ngunguru Rd, Whareora, 09 437 0609, whangareifalls.co.nz YHA Whangarei Manaakitanga 52 Punga Grove Ave, 09 438 8954, yha.co.nz

WHANGAREI DO

Hekerua Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 11 Hekerua Rd, Oneroa, 09 372 8990, hekerualodge.co.nz

Dive! Tutukaka Poor Knights Islands dives, plus tours with kayaking, cave explorations, snorkelling, swimming, sea mammalspotting.

Kina Backpackers 421 Seaview Road, Onetangi, 09 372 8971, kinabackpackers.co.nz

PAIHIA

HELENSVILLE The hot springs here have indoor and outdoor thermal pools and waterslides.

Malolo House 110 Commercial Rd, 09 420 7262, malolohouse.co.nz

HENDERSON BAY North Wind Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 88 Otaipango Road, RD4, 09 409 8515 northwind.co.nz

HIBISCUS COAST Orewa Beach Hillary Square, Orewa 09 426 2638, orewabeach.co.nz Pillows Backpackers Lodge (BBH) 412 Hibiscus Coast Highway, 0800 426 6338, pillows.co.nz

SAIL ROCK

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 Cap’n Bob’s Beach House (BBH) 44 Davis Crescent, 09 402 8668, capnbobs.co.nz Centabay Lodge (BBH) 27 Selwyn Rd, 09 402 7466, centabay.co.nz

Hen & Chickens Island and Sail Rock These offshore areas offer great sailing and diving. Boat trips leave from the area daily.

Admirals View Motel 2 MacMurray Rd, 09 402 6236, admiralviewlodge.co.nz

Waipu Wanderer (BBH) 25 St Marys Rd, 09 432 0532 waipu-hostel.co.nz

Mousetrap (BBH) 11 Kings Rd, 09 402 8182, mousetrap.co.nz

Peppertree Lodge 15 Kings Rd, 09 402 6122, peppertree.co.nz Pickled Parrot Backpackers (BBH) Grey’s Lane, 09 402 6222, pickledparrot.co.nz Saltwater Lodge (BBH) 14 Kings Rd, 09 402 7075, saltwaterlodge.co.nz Seabeds (BBH) 46 Davis Cres, 09 402-5567 seabeds.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

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.

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

Tourist info centre Boyd Gallery, 09 405 0230, whangaroa.co.nz

RUSSELL Catch a ferry to Russell, originally a sprawling fortified Maori settlement.

Information Centre End of the Pier, Russell 09 403 8020, exploregroup.co.nz

Sunseeker Lodge (BBH) 12 Old Hospital Rd, 09 405 0496, sunseekerlodge.co.nz

KARIKARI PENIN The Rusty Anchor 1 Tokerau Beach Rd, 09 406 7141, rustyanchor.hostel.com

RUSSELL STAY

KAITAIA

Wainui Lodge (BBH) 92D Te Wahapu Rd, 09 403 8278, wainuilodge-russell-nz.com

The ideal starting point for Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach.

Pukenui Lodge Hotel (BBH) Cnr SH1 & Pukenui Wharf Rd 09 409 8837, pukenuilodge.co.nz

Ferry Landing (BBH) 395 Aucks Rd, Okiato Point 09 403 7985, ferrylandingrussell.co.nz

Mainstreet Lodge (BBH) 235 Commerce St, 09 408 1275 mainstreetlodge.co.nz

Pipi Patch Backpackers 18 Kings Road, 09 403 7111.

KERIKERI

KAITAIA DO

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

Ancient Kauri Kingdom Giant kauri tree stumps are fashioned into furniture and other trinkets.

KERIKERI STAY Kerikeri Top 10 Holiday Park & Aranga Backpackers Aranga Drive off Kerikeri Rd, 0800 272 642, kerikeritop10.co.nz

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

AHIPARA

Hideaway Lodge Wiroa Rd, 0800 562 746 kerikeri.co.nz

Kahoe Farms Hostel (BBH) 1266 State Highway 10, 09 405 1804, kahoefarms.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

Relax a Lodge (BBH) 1574 Springbank Rd (SH10) 09 407 6989 relaxalodge.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

The Rainbow Warrior A monument to the noble but doomed Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior, sits on the site of a Maori

Heading south, you’ll hit Hokianga Harbour and the quiet twin towns of Omapere and Opononi. The Koutu Boulders are worth a look.

Hokianga Information 09 405 8869, hokianga.co.nz

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HOKIANGA STAY Okopako Lodge (BBH) – Farm Hostel 140 Mountain Rd, Whirinaki, 09 405 8815, homepages.paradise.net. nz/njandlv/

follow us on Te Awamutu District Museum 135 Roche St. 07 872 0085 tamuseum.org.nz

DON’T MISS

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.

Globetrekkers Lodge (BBH) 281 State Highway 12, Omapere, 09 405 8183, globetrekkerslodge.com The Tree House Backpackers Lodge (BBH) 168 West Coast Rd, Motukaraka 09 405 5855, treehouse.co.nz

OTOROHANGA THE WETA CAVE

DARGAVILLE 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.

Dargaville Info Centre 4 Murdoch St, 09 439 4975, dargaville.co.nz

DARGAVILLE STAY Dargaville Holiday Park 10 Onslow St, 09 439 8296, kauriparks.co.nz

Found in the Wellington suburb of Miramar, aka Wellywood, is the HQ of Weta Digital, basically the current world leader of movie special effects. Tours of the workshop cost $24. wetaworkshop.com

Eagle’s Nest Backpackers 937 Victoria St, 07 838 2704, eaglesbackpackers.co.nz

WAIKATO Waikato District Info Centre 160 Great South Rd, Huntly, 07 828 6406, info@waikatodistrict.govt.nz, waikatodistrict.govt.nz Shekinah Farm (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

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

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

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Otorohanga kiwi House & Native Bird Park 20 Alex Telfer Drive, 07 873 7391, kiwihouse.org.nz

Backpackers Central 846 Victoria Street, 07 839 1928, backpackerscentral.co.nz

Greenhouse Backpackers (BBH) 15 Gordon St, 09 439 6342, bbh.co.nz

Matakohe House B&B Hotel 24 Church Rd, RD1, 0800 492 452, matakohehouse.co.nz

07 823 3456 cambridge.co.nz

HAMILTON STAY

Kaihu Farm 334 State Highway 12, Kaihu, 09 439 4004.

MATAKOHE

Wellington, North Island

Otorohanga Visitor Info Centre 27 Turongo St, 07 873 8951, otorohanga.co.nz

DOC Office 73, Rostrevor St. 07 858 1000

Central Green (BBH) 846 Victoria St, 07 839 1928, backpackerscentral.co.nz

Travellers Lodge (BBH) 64 Jellicoe Rd, Ruawai, 09 439 2283, bbh.co.nz

Just 59km south of Hamilton, many travellers use this small farming community as a base for visiting the Waitomo Caves.

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,

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 (BBH) 611 Wainui Rd, 07 825 8268, solscape.co.nz Raglan Backpackers & Waterfront Lodge (BBH) 6 Wi Neera St, 07 825 0515, raglanbackpackers.co.nz Karioi Backpacker Lodge (VIP) & 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

WAITOMO 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 Kiwi Cave Rafting (BBH) 95 Waitomo Caves Rd, 07 873 9149, caveraft.com

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, 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

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TE KUITI Te Kuiti Information Centre Rora St, 07 878 8077.

Dept of Conservation 78 Taupiri Street, 07 878 1080.

Tiffany’s Cafe, 241 Rora St, 07 878 7640

TE KUITI STAY Casara Mesa Backpackers (BBH) Mangarino Rd, 07 878 6697, bbh.co.nz Coromandel Top 10 Holiday Park 636-732 Rings Rd, 07 866 8830, coromandeltop10.co.nz

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

COROMANDEL 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,

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07 866 7992, anchorlodgecoromandel.co.nz Black Jack Backpackers Kuaotunu, 07 866 2988, black-jack.co.nz

Fernbird (BBH) 24 Harsant Ave, Hahei, 07 866 3080, bbh.co.nz

Colville Farm (BBH) 2140 Colville Road, Colville, 07 866 6820

On the Beach Backpackers Lodge (BBH, YHA) 46 Buffalo Beach Rd, 07 866 5380, onthebeachbackpackers.co.nz

Mahamudra Retreat Colville Rd, 07 866 6851 mahamudra.org.nz

Seabreeze Holiday Park (BBH) 1043 SH25 Tairua-Whitianga Rd, 07 866 3050

The Pinnacles Backpackers (BBH) 305 Main Road (SH25), 07 864 8448, pinnaclesbakpak.co.nz

Tatahi Lodge (BBH) 9 Grange Rd, Hahei, 07 866 3992, tatahilodge.co.nz

Lions Den (BBH) 126 Te Tiki St, 07 866 8157 ionsdenhostel.co.nz Tui Lodge (BBH) 60 Whangapoua Rd, 07 866 8237, coromandeltuilodge.co.nz Tairua Backpackers (BBH) 200 Main Road, 07 864 8345, tairuabackpackers.com

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

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 Apple Tree Backpackers (BBH) 47 Maxwell Rd, 07 576 4001 appletreebackpackers.co.nz Harbourside City Backpackers 105 The Strand, 07 579 4066, backpacktauranga.co.nz Bell Lodge (BBH) 39 Bell St, Judea, 07 578 6344, bell-lodge.co.nz

Southpacific Accommodation 245 Port Rd, 07 865 9580, thesouthpacific.co.nz

Just The Ducks Nuts Backpackers 6 Vale St, 07 576 1366, justtheducksnuts.co.nz

NZ Surf n Stay (BBH) 227 Beverley Tce, 07 865 8323 whangamata-backpackers.co.nz

Kingfisher Backpackers Lodge (BBH) 122b Word Road,

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

07 552 0388, kingfisher-backpack.co.nz Loft 109 (BBH) 8/109 Devonport Rd, 07 579 5638, loft109.co.nz Seagulls Guesthouse (BBH) 12 Hinau Street, 07 574 2099, seagullsguesthouse.co.nz Tauranga Central Backpackers 64 Willow St, 07 571 6222, tgabackpack.co.nz YHA Tauranga 171 Elizabeth St, 07 578 5064, yha.co.nz

TAURANGA DO Butler’s Swim With Dolphins 101 Te Awanui Dr, 0508 288 537

Waimarino Adventure Park 07 576 4233, waimarino.com Coyote Bar and Restaurant 107 The Strand, 07 578 8968.

TE PUKE Te Puke Information Centre 130 Jellicoe St, 07 573 9172 tepuke.co.nz

TE PUKE STAY Hairy Berry Backpacker Hostel 2 No One Rd, Te Puke, 07 573 8015, work@hairyberrynz.com Kiwi Corral Backpackers 26 Young Road, 07 573 4530, kiwicorral.co.nz Blue Tide Beachfront Retreat 7 Te Awhe Rd, Maketu Beach, 07 533 2033, bluetides.co.nz

TE PUKE DO Kiwifruit Country Young Rd, 07 573 6340, kiwifruitcountry.co.nz 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 Otapawa Farmstay (BBH) 255 Haunui Road, 06 376 7250 otapawafarmstay.co.nz/ backpackers

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 Astray Motel & Backpackers (BBH) 1202 Pukuatua St, 07 348 1200, astray.co.nz Base Backpackers Rotorua 1286 Arawa St, 07 348 8636, stayatbase.com Blarney’s Rock Backpackers 1210 Tutanekai St, 07 343 7904, blarneysrock.com Cactus Jack Backpackers 1210 Haupapa St, 0800 122 228 cactusjackbackpackers.com Crash Palace Backpackers 1271 Hinemaru St, 07 348 842, crashpalace.co.nz Funky Green Voyager (BBH) 4 Union St, 07 346-1754, funkygreenvoyager.co.nz Kiwipaka 60 Tarewa Rd, 07 347 0931, kiwipaka.co.nz Planet Nomad Backpackers 1080 Eruera St, 07 350 2550, rotoruaplanetbackpackers.co.nz Oasis Hostel/Backpackers 33A Tarewa Rd, 07 343 6563, oasishostel.co.nz

Whakatane Hotel 79 The Strand, 07 307 1670

Rotorua Central Backpackers (BBH) 1076 Pukuatua St, 07 349 3285, rotoruacentralbackpackers.co.nz

The Windsor 10 Merritt St, Whakatane, 07 308 8040, windsorlodge-backpackers.co.nz

Rotorua Downtown Backpackers (BBH) 1193 Fenton St, 07 347 1170, rotorua-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

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 Waikite Hot Pools Natural hot spring water bathing. Provides private spas, BBQ area and campground facilities, 20 minutes south of Rotorua. hotpools.co.nz Waimangu Volcanic Valley The location of the Pink and White Terraces which were destroyed in the 1886 volcanic eruption. waimangu.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 Zorb Rotorua Get harnessed inside the perspex Zorb before rolling head-over-heels downhill, 07 357 5100, zorb.com

MAORI CULTURE

Spa Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 1221 Amohau Street, 07 348 3486, spalodge.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.

YHA Rotorua 1278 Haupapa St, 07 349 4088, yha.co.nz

NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute 07 348 9047 tepuia.com

Roquette Restaurant & Bar 23/29 Quay St. 07 307 0722

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

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

Wallys on the Wharf 2 The Strand, 07 307 0722, wallysonthewharf.co.nz

Hell’s Gate Mud baths to heal and stimulate your body hellsgate.co.nz

Whakarewarewa Thermal Village Maori village set amidst a landscape of geothermal

The Wharf Shed Restaurant 2/2 The Strand E. 07 308 5698

ROTORUA DO

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NORTHISLAND 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 Blackcurrant Backpackers (BBH) 20 Taniwha St, 07 378 9292, blackcurrantbp.co.nz Rainbow Lodge 99 Titiraupenga St, 07 378 5754, rainbowlodge.co.nz Finns Global Backpackers 8 Tuwharetoa St, 07 377 0044, finnsglobal.co.nz Wairakei Lodge State Highway, 0800 737 678, budgetaccommodation taupo.co.nz Sportsman Lodge Backpackers Retreat 15 Taupahi Rd, 0800 366 208, sportsmanslodge.co.nz Base Taupo 7 Tuwharetoa St, 07 377 4464, stayatbase.com 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

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.

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BOOK NOW! TONGARIRO

Hukafalls Jet Jetboating by the falls, 0800 485 2538, hukafallsjet.com

Adventure Lodge & Motel (VIP) Carroll Street, National Park, 07 892 2991, adventurenationalpark.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

The Crossing Backpackers Erua Rd East, 07 892 2894, thecrossingbackpackers.co.nz

Taupo Bungy Bungy from a platform 47m above the Waikato River. 202 Spa Rd. 0800 888 408, taupobungy.com 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 A Plus Samurai Lodge (BBH) 41 Iwiheke Place, 07 386 8979, tongariro-hostel.co.nz Asure Parklands Motorlodge Cnr Arahori St & State Hwy 1, 07 386 7515, parklandsmotorlodge.co.nz Extreme Backpackers (BBH) 26 Ngawaka Place, 07 386 8949, extremebackpackers.co.nz Judges Pool Motel 92 Taupahi Rd, 07 386 7892, judgepoolmotel.co.nz The Lazy Dog (BBH) 3 Rangipoia Place, 07 386 0317, lazydogbackpackers.co.nz Riverstone Backpackers (BBH) 222 Tautahanga Rd, 07 386 7004, riverstonebackpackers.com Settlers Motel 24 Arahori St, 07 386 7745, settlersmotelturangi.co.nz Turangi Kiwi Holiday Park 13 Te Reiti Tamara Grove, 07 386 8754, turangiholidaypark.co.nz

daKune Lodge (BBH) 42 Park Ave, Ohakune 06 385 8448, dakunelodge.co.nz Howards Mountain Lodge (BBH) 43 Carroll St, National Park, 07 892 2827, howardslodge.co.nz Skotel Alpine Resort Whakapapa Village, 07 892 3715, skotel.co.nz National Park Backpackers YHA (BBH) 4 Findlay St. The hostel runs transport to the Tongariro Crossing, 07 892 2870, npbp.co.nz

follow us on swing and bungy jump.

0800 802 864 River Valley Rafting and horse trekking.

06 388 1444, thelodge@rivervalley.co.nz

OPOTIKI Opotiki Information Centre Cnr St John and Elliot Sts, 07 315 3031 opotikinz.com Central Oasis Backpackers 30 King St, 07 315 5165, centraloasis@hotmail.com Fruit Forest Studio 197 Omarumutu Rd, 07 315 8143, fruitforest.co.nz Opotiki Beach House (BBH) 7 Appleton Road, 07 315 5117 opotikibeachhouse.co.nz

EAST CAPE

Pipers Lodge 18 Millar St, National Park Village, 07 8922 777, piperslodge.co.nz

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.

Plateau Lodge 17 Caroll St, National Park Village, 07 8922 993, plateaulodge.co.nz

Maraehako Bay Retreat SH35, Whanarua Bay, 07 325 2648. maraehako.co.nz

Ski Haus (BBH) Carroll St, McKenzie St, 07 892 2854, skihaus.co.nz

Stranded in Paradise (BBH) 21 Potae Street, 06 864 5870, stranded-in-paradise.net

Station Lodge (BBH) 60 Thames Street, The Junction, Ohakune, 06 385 8797, stationlodge.co.nz

MT RUAPEHU

Wainui Beach Motel 34 Wairere Rd, 06 868 5882, wainuibeachmotel.co.nz

GISBORNE

The park’s showcase is Mt Ruapehu, an active volcano towering at 2,796m.

Flying Nun Backpackers (BBH) 147 Roebuck Rd, 06 868 0461, flynun.co.nz

Ruapehu Visitors’ Centre 54 Clyde St, 06 385 8427 visitruapehu.com

YHA Gisborne 32 Harris St, 06 867 3269, yha.co.nz

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

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.

@tnt_downunder 53 Nelson Cres, 06 835 4523, bbh.co.nz Archie’s Bunker (BBH) 15 Herschell Street, 06 833 7990, archiesbunker.co.nz The Art House (BBH) 259 Marine Parade, 06 835 5575, arthousenapier.co.nz Blue Water Lodge (BBH) 471 Marine Parade, 06 835 8593, arthousenapier.co.nz Criterion Art Deco Backpackers (VIP, Roamfree) - (BBH) 60 Whangapoua Rd, 07 866 8237, coromandeltuilodge.co.nz 48 Emerson St, 06 835 2059, criterionartdeco.co.nz Stable Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 370 Hastings Street, 06 835 6242, bluewaterlodge.co.nz Toad Hall Backpackers (BBH) 11 Shakespeare Road, 06 835 5555, toadhall.co.nz Waterfront Lodge & Backpackers 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, a1backpackers.co.nz Glenross Lodge (BBH) Route 52, Rakaunui, 06 376 7288, tararua.net/glenross Lochlea Farmstay 344 Lake Rd, Wanstead, +6468554816 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, ajs.backpackerslodge.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.

Visitor Info Centre 100 Marine Parade, 06 834 1911

MOKAU

Depart of Conservation Office Marine Parade, 06 834 3111

Palm House Backpackers taranaki-bakpak.co.nz

NAPIER STAY Aqua Lodge (BBH)

NEW PLYMOUTH Taranaki’s major town is New

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people, New Zealand’s most interesting city.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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

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

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

WELLY STAY Barnacles Seaside Inn (BBH) 3 Marine Parade.

04 902 5856 seasideyha.co.nz

PAKIRI BEACH Found just 90 minutes north of central Auckland, Pakiri Beach is an idyllic expanse of sand that’s the perfect place to get taken for a ride. By a horse that is. The 14km stretch of windswept beach, looking out to the Hauraki Gulf on the one side and in to coastal native forests on the other, boasts spectacular scenery in every direction, as well as generally good yearround weather. Horse rides can be as short as just an hour along the beach ($65) to full-on and pricey coast-to-coast seven-day treks ($3,999). horseride-nz.co.nz 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 EcoInn (BBH) 671 Kent Rd, between Egmont Village and New Plymouth on SH3. 06 752 2765 ecoinnovation. co.nz/t-Accommodation.aspx 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, seasprayhouse.co.nz

Photo: Tourism New Zealand/Chris McLennan

Ducks & Drakes Backpackers (BBH) 48 Lemon St, 06 758 0404 ducksanddrakes.co.nz Sunflower Lodge (BBH) 33 Timandra St, 06 758, 2842 sunflowerlodge.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, mttaranaki.co.nz/retreat/ wheatly_downs_farmstay/

WHANGANUI College House 42b Campbell Street, 021 852 100 42b.co.nz Hikurangi Stay Place

1 Mount View Road, 06 343 333 stayplace.co.nz YHA Whanganui 2 Plymouth St, 06 348 2301, yha.co.nz Tamara Backpackers Lodge (BBH) 24 Somme Pde, 06 347 6300, tamaralodge.com Whanganui National Park The major attraction is the Whanganui River, snaking through picturesque scenery.

Explore with a kayak or riverboat tour.

Base Wellington 21-23 Cambridge Tce. 04 801 5666 stayatbase.com

Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (BBH) 1 Bunny St. 04 473 8482 hotelwaterloo.co.nz

Moana Lodge (BBH) 49 Moana Road.

04 233 2010 lmoana-lodge-accommodation. co.nz Wellywood Backpackers 58 Tory St, 04 381 3899, wellywoodbackpackers.co.nz

Department of Conservation Office 74 Ingestre St, 06 348 8475

Rosemere Backpackers (BBH) 6 MacDonald Crescent.

04 384 3041, backpackerswellington.co.nz

PALMERSTON NTH

Rowena’s Lodge 115 Brougham St. 04 385 7872, wellingtonbackpackers.co.nz

Department of Conservation Office 717 Tremaine Ave, 06 350 9700 Grandma’s Place (BBH) 146 Grey St, 06 358 6928, grandmas-place.com Pepper Tree Hostel (BBH) 121 Grey St, 06 355 4054, peppertreehostel.co.nz

WELLINGTON The nation’s capital is to many

Museum of Wellington City & Sea Queens Wharf, 04 472 8904

Lodge in the City (BBH) 152 Taranaki St. 04 385 8560 lodgeinthecity.co.nz

Nomads Capital 118/120 Wakefield St. 0508 666 237, nomadscapital.com

Palmerston North Visitor Centre The Square, 06 350 1922, manawatunz.co.nz

Mount Victoria The views are breathtaking. It’s damn windy so make sure you’re wearing heavy shoes. Walk, drive or bus it.

Cambridge Hotel (BBH) 28 Cambridge Tce. 04 385 8829, cambridgehotel.co.nz

Wanganui Information Centre 31 Taupo Quay, Whanganui, 06 349 0508, wanganui.com

Worldwide Backpackers (BBH) 291 The Terrace.

04 802 5590, worldwidenz.co.nz YHA Wellington City 292 Wakefield St. 04 801 7280 yha.co.nz

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 Wellington Zoo Located in Newtown and home to a wide variety of weird and wonderful animal and bird life, 04 381 6755 Harbour cruises The harbour is a handsome thing and the best way to fully appreciate its beauty is by boat.

The Setup (BBH) Level 3/15, Dixon Street, Te Aro 04 802 4779 setupdixon.co.nz Wild Zebra Backpackers (BBH) 58 Tory Street. wellingtonbackpacker.com

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 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 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 Abba Lodge (BBH) 11 Awaroa Bay, 03 528 8758, abbalodge.co.nz 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 Aurora Backpackers (BBH) 161-163 Trafalger Square.

03 929 5553, aurorabackpackers.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 Villa by the Sea (BBH) 252 Haven Rd. 03 545 8365, villabythesea.co.nz Footprints by the Sea 31 Beach Rd, Tahuna Beach.

03 546 5441,

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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 honeysucklehouse. weebly.com/ 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 The Prince Albert Backpackers (BBH) 113 Nile St. 03 548 8477 theprincealbert.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 Shortbread Cottage (BBH) 33 Trafalgar St. 03 546 6681 shortbreadcottage.co.nz Tasman Bay Backpacker Hostel (BBH) 10 Weka St. 03 548 7950, tasmanbaybackpackers.co.nz Trampers Rest (BBH) 31 Alton St. 03 545 7477 Idesia B&B 14 Idesia Grove, Richmond, 03 544 0409 YHA Nelson 59 Rutherford St, 03 545 9988, yha.co.nz

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.

BOOK NOW! 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 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, edensedge.co.nz Motueka Garden Motel 71 King Edward St, 0800 101 911, motmotel.co.nz Hat Trick Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 25 Wallace St. 03 528 5353, hattricklodge.co.nz Laughing Kiwi (BBH) 310 High St. 03 528 9229, laughingkiwi.co.nz Old Macdonald’s Farm Holiday Park 03 527 8288, oldmacs.co.nz The White Elephant (BBH) 55 Whakarewa St. 03 528 6208, whiteelephant.co.nz Equestrian Lodge Motel 2 Avalon Ct, 03 528 9369

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 Annie’s Nirvana Lodge (BBH, YHA) 25 Motupipi St. 03 525 8766, nirvanalodge.co.nz

follow us on Aquapackers 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 Kiwiana (BBH) 73 Motuipipi St. 03 525 7676 kiwianabackpackers.co.nz Kanuka Ridge (BBH) 21 Moss Rd, Marahau, Abel Tasman National Park. 03 527 8435, abeltasmanbackpackers.co.nz The Rocks chalets 2086 Takaka Valley Hwy, 03 525 8096, travelbug.co.nz River Inn Golden Bay. 03 525 9425 riverinn.co.nz Shambhala (BBH) 1234 Takaka-Collingwood Highway. 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.

@tnt_downunder portage.co.nz Watson Way Backpackers (BBH) 56 High Street 03 572 8228 watsonswaylodge.com

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 Atlantis Backpackers (BBH) 42 London Quay, 03 573 7390, atlantishostel.co.nz The Buccaneer Lodge 314 Waikawa Rd, 03 573 5002, buccaneerlodge.co.nz The Jugglers Rest (BBH) 8 Canterbury St. 03 573 5570, jugglersrest.com Fat Cod Backpackers (BBH) 9 Auckland St, 03 573 7788, fatcodbackpackers.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

The Innlet (BBH) 839 Pakawau Main Rd, 03 524 8040, theinnlet.co.nz

Tombstone Backpackers (BBH) 16 Gravesend Place. 03 573 7116, tombstonebp.co.nz

Somerset House (BBH) 10 Gibbs Rd. 03 524 8624, backpackerscollingwood.co.nz

Parklands Marina Holiday Park 10 Beach Rd, 03 573 6343, parktostay.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 401 (BBH) 401 Anakiwa Rd. 03 574 1388, anakiwabackpackers.co.nz Copperbeech (BBH) 73 Maxwell Rd. 03 579 2246, copperbeechbackpackers@hotmail. com Hopewell (BBH) Kenepuru Rd. 03 573 4341, hopewell.co.nz The Partage Resort Hotel Kenepuru Sound. 0800 275 373,

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.

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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 Linkwater Motel 1594 Queen Charlotte Dr, 03 574 2600 linkwatermotel.co.nz Okiwa Bay Lodge 169 Anakiwa Rd, 03 574 2527, okiwabaylodge.co.nz

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 Koanui Lodge & Backpackers (BBH) 33 Main St. 03 578 7487, koanui.co.nz The Grapevine (BBH) 29 Park Terrace, 03 578 6062, thegrapevine.co.nz Arrow Backpackers (BBH) 107 Budge St, 03 577 9857, bbh.co.nz Leeways Backpackers (BBH) 33 Lansdowne St, 03 579 2213, leeways.byethost22.com

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 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 Sunrise Lodge (BBH) 74 Beach Rd, 03 319 7444, bbh.co.nz The Fairways at Ocean Ridge 1 Kersage Drive, 03 319 3055 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

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

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.

LEWIS PASS

Around the World Backpackers 314 Barbadoes Street. 03 365 4363 aroundtheworld.co.nz

Christchurch Backpackers Haka Lodge 518 Linwood Av, Woolston,. 03 980 4252, hakalodge.co.nz

At The Right Place (BBH) 85 Bealey Street.

03 366 1633 atrp.co.nz

BANKS PENINSULA

Avon City Backpackers Worcester Street. 03 389 6876, avoncitybackpackers.com Dorset House (BBH) 1 Dorset St, 03 366 8268, dorset.co.nz Celtic Backpackers (BBH) 12 Dublin St, 03 377 4417, celticbackpackers.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 Point Break Backpackers 6 Union Street.

03 388 2050 pointbreakbackpackers.co.nz The Old Countryhouse (BBH) 437 Gloucester St. 03 381 5504 oldcountryhousenz.com Tranquil Lodge 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

C’CHURCH DO

Banks Peninsula is a beautiful region with a stunning coastline chock full of mountains and wildlife.

The two harbours of Akaroa and Lyttelton are craters of a once majestic volcano.

LYTTELTON

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 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.

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.

The Hanmer Connection Christchurch to Hanmer Springs buses. hanmerconnection.co.nz

Lyttelton Information Centre 20 Oxford St, 03 328 9093

HANMER STAY

AKAROA Swim with dolphins, horse-ride and paraglide. If your tastes are a little more sedate, the foreshore is lined with cafes, galleries and boutiques.

Hanmer Backpackers 41 Conical Hill Rd. 03 315 7196, www.hanmerbackpackers.co.nz Jack in the Green (BBH) 3 Devon St. 03 315 5111, jackinthegreen.co.nz

Akaroa Information Centre 80 Rue Lavaud, 03 304 8600

Kakapo Lodge (YHA) 14 Amuri Avenue. 03 315 7472, kakapolodge.co.nz

Akaroa Shuttle Christchurch to Akaroa buses.

0800 500 929

Waipara Sleepers (BBH) 12 Glenmark Dr, Waipara.

03 314 6003, waiparasleepers.co.nz

Akaroa French Connection Tours and shuttle bus, 0800 800 575

AKAROA STAY Bon Accord Backpackers (BBH) 57 Rue Lavaud.

03 304 7782, bon-accord.co.nz Chez La Mer (BBH) 50 Rue Lavaud. 03 304 7024, chezlamer.co.nz Double Dutch (BBH) 32 Chorlton Road, Okains Bay. 03 304 7229, doubledutch.co.nz Halfmoon Cottage (BBH) SH25 Barrys Bay. 03 304 5050, halfmoon.co.nz

Black Cat Cruises Wildlife Cruises on Lyttelton Harbour. Free shuttle bus from Christchurch, 03 328 9078. blackcat.co.nz

Onuku Farm Hostel (BBH) 03 304 7066, onuku.co.nz

Skydivingnz.com Skydiving and training courses, 0800 697 593 skydivingnz.com

Akaroa Museum 71 Rue Lavard, 03 304 1013

Aoraki Balloon Safaris Hot air ballooning, 03 302 8172, nzballooning.com

Black Cat Cruises Offer a number of cruises in Akaroa. See Akaroa Harbour or swim with dolphins. blackcat.co.nz

SUMNER

Swim with dolphins in Akaroa Harbour. 61 Beach Rd, 0508 365 744, dolphinsakaroa.co.nz

AKAROA DO

Dolphin Experience

CASTLE HILL Gateway to the Craigieburn Range.

Chill Adventures Multi-mountain snow passes. chillout.co.nz Springfield Hotel State Highway 73, Springfield. 03 318 4812, springfieldhotel.co.nz

ARTHUR’S PASS This township is the HQ for the magnificent national park which offers tramping expeditions to skiing.

National Park Visitor Centre 03 318 9211 Mountain House (BBH) Main Road, Arthur’s Pass National Park. 03 318 9258 trampers.co.nz Rata Lodge Backpackers (BBH) State Highway 73, Otira Arthur’s Pass National Park, 03 738 2822 rata-lodge.co.nz The Sanctuary (BBH) 126 Main Road, Arther’s Pass National Park 03 942 2230, thesanctuary.co.nz Smylies Accommodation (YHA) 03 318 9258, yha.co.nz

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SOUTHISLAND METHVEN

LAKE TEKAPO

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.

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.

Methven i-SITE Visitor Centre 160 Main St, Methven, 03 302 8955, 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 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 11 Alford St. 0800 638 483, pinedalelodge.co.nz Redwood Lodge (BBH) 3 Wayne Place. 03 302 8964, snowboardnz.com Skiwi House 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

YHA Lake Tekapo 3 Simpson Lane. 03 680 6857, yha.co.nz

MT COOK Mt Cook National Park is part of a World Heritage area that forms one of the most amazing sights in NZ. The showcase is Mt Cook (Aoraki).

NZ’s greatest climber Sir Edmund Hillary used it for practice before conquering Mt Everest, but Mt Cook has claimed the lives of more than 160 people. Discuss climbing plans with 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

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.

Beaconstone Eco Lodge Birds Ferry Road Charleston 027 431 0491 beconstoneecolodge.co.nz The Old Slaughterhouse (BBH) Dean Creek, RD1, Highway 67, Hector 03 782 8333 oldslaughterhouse.co.nz TripInn (BBH) 72 Queen St. 03 789 7367 tripinn.co.nz

PAPAROA NP

Karamea Information Centre 106 Bridge St, 03 782 6652.

Rongo Backpackers 03 782 6667, rongobackpackers.com

Rangitata Rafts Peel Forest, 0800 251 251 rafts.co.nz

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

MURCHISON

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.

Noahs Ark Backpackers (BBH) 16 Chapel St, 03 768 4868, noahs.co.nz

Bazil’s Hostel (VIP) – (BBH) 54/56 Russell St. 03 789 6410, bazils.co.nz

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 Te Nikau Retreat (BBH, YHA) 03 731 1111, tenikauretreat.co.nz Punakaiki Beach Camp Owen Street, 03 731 1894, punakaiki.co.nz

GREYMOUTH The west coast’s largest town is dominated by the Grey River.

Highlights include the Monteith’s

WHATAROA

GREYMOUTH STAY

The Old Nurses Home 104 Shiel St, 03 789 8881

WESTPORT

right, it can’t look as good as that in real life. Hokitika Gorge is one of those places. hokitika.org

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.

Global Village (BBH) 42-54 Cowper St, 03 768 7272, globalvillagebackpackers.co.nz

Visitor Information Westport 1 Brougham St, 03 789 6658

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TranzAlpine Scenic railway from Christchurch to Greymouth, travelling through Canterbury Plains and the Alps. Departs 9am every morning. 0800 872 467 tranzscenic.co.nz

Reefton Old Bread Shop 155 Buller Rd, 03 732 8420, reeftonbackpackers.co.nz

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.

KARAMEA

Visitor Information Herbert and Mackay Sts, 03 768 5101

Duke Hostel (BBH) 27 Guiness St. 03 768 9470 duke.co.nz

WEST COAST

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.

brewery tour, as well as aquatic activities like rafting and canyoning.

Reefton Visitor Centre 67 Broadway, 03 732 8391

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.

Peel Forest Horse Trekking Wilderness adventures trekking through some gorgeous country, 03 696 3703, peelforesthorsetrekking.co.nz

Rawhiti House (BBH) 27 Hewlings St. 03 693 8252 rawhitibackpackers.co.nz

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Tailor-Made-Tekapo Backpackers (BBH) 10/11 Aorangi Cres.

03 680 6700 tailor-made-backpackers.co.nz

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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 Birdsong (BBH) 124 SH6, 03 755 7179 birdsong.co.nz Drifting Sands Backpackers (BBH) 197 Revell St, driftingsands.kiwi Mountain Jade Backpackers (BBH) 41 Weld St, 03 755 5185, mountainjadebackpackers.co.nz Riverview Cottage & Cabins (BBH) 154 Kaniere Rd, 03 755 7440 riverviewcottageandcabins.co.nz 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

OKARITO

Okarito Nature Tours 03 753 4014, okarito.co.nz Okarito Beach House Close to Franz Josef Glacier, 03 753 4080 okaritohostel.com

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.

DOC Visitors Information Centre Westland National Park, Hwy 6, 03 752 0796

FRANZ STAY Chateau Franz: Sir Cendrics (VIP, BBH) 8-10 Cron St, 0800 728 372, sircedrics.co.nz Glow Worm Cottages (BBH) 27 Cron St, 0800 151 027, glowwormcottages@xtra.co.nz Montrose Lodge (BBH) 9 Cron St, 03 752 0188, montroselodge.co.nz Rainforest Retreat (VIP) Cron St, 0800 873 346 rainforestretreat.co.nz YHA Franz Josef 2-4 Cron St, 03 752 0754, yha.co.nz

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,

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SOUTHISLAND

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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.

DOC Visitor Centre State Hwy 6, 03 752 0796

FOX STAY Fox Glacier Inn (BBH) 03 751 0088 foxglacierinn.co.nz Ivory Towers (BBH) 03 751 0838, ivorytowerslodge.co.nz

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, wildernessaccommodation.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 Holly’s Backpackers (BBH) 71 Upton St, 03 443 8187, hollys-backpacker.co.nz LHH (BBH) 1 Capell Ave, 03 443 1224, lakehawea.co.nz Mountain View Backpackers (BBH) 7 Russell St, 0800 112 201, wanakabackpackers.co.nz Matterhorn South (BBH) 56 Brownston St, 03 443 1119, matterhornsouth.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

Wanaka Rock Climbing One, three and five-day rock climbing courses for everyone.

03 443 6411, wanakarock.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 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, alpinelodgebackpackers.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 (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

The Silver Demon Aerobatic flights.

03 443 4043, silverdemon.co.nz

Cardrona Alpine Resort Between Queenstown and Wanaka.

03 443 7341, cardrona.com

Skydive Lake Wanaka Freefall from 12,000 or 15,000ft with views of NZ’s highest mountains. 0800 786 877, skydivenz.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.co.nz Hippo Lodge (BBH)

4 Anderson Hts. 03 442 5785, hippolodge.co.nz

0800 467 325, tandemparagliding.com

The Last Resort Queenstown (BBH) 6 Memorial St. 03 442 4320, tlrqtn.com

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

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: Sir Cedrics (BBH, VIP) 4 Isle St. 0800 441 8828, sircedrics.co.nz

Milford Sound Flightseeing Scenic flights to Milford Sound, 0800 65 65 01, realjourneys.co.nz NZONE Skydive Skydive from 15,000ft. 35 Shotover St, 03 442 5867, nzone.biz NZ Ski.com Info on Coronet Peak, the Remarkables and Mt Hutt, nzski.com Queenstown Rafting Raft the Shotover, Kawarau and Landsborough rivers. 35 Shotover St. 03 442 9792 rafting.co.nz

Scallywags Travellers’ Guesthouse (BBH) 27 Lomond Crescent.

03 442 7083, bbh.co.nz

Real Journeys Visitor Centre Doubtful Sound & Milford Sound daytime and overnight cruises.

Te Anau glow-worm cave excursions. TSS Earnslaw vintage steamship cruises and Walter Peak High Country Farm.

0800 65 65 01, realjourneys.co.nz

YHA Queenstown Central 48A Shotover Street.

03 442 7400, yha.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 862 Kinloch Rd, 03 442 4900, kinlochlodge.co.nz

Fat Tyre Adventure Mountain biking/heli biking, 0800 328 897, fat-tyre.co.nz Fergburger Best burgers in NZ. Shotover St, fergburger.com Flight Park Tandem Paragliding Operates from Coronet Peak

ARROWTOWN Poplar Lodge 4 Merioneth St, 03 442 1466, poplarlodge.co.nz Arrowtown Holiday Park 12 Centennial Ave, 03 442 1876

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SOUTHISLAND 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 Fiordland I-site Visitor Centre Lakefront Drive, Te Anau, 03 249 8900 Department of Conservation 03 249 8514 Te Anau Glowworm Caves realjourneys.co.nz Air Fiordland Flights to Queenstown, Milford and Mt Cook, 03 249 7505, airfiordland.co.nz Real Journeys Coaches to Milford Sound, 0800 656 503 realjourneys.co.nz Scenic Shuttle Daily between Te Anau and Invercargill in summer 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 Rosie’s Backpacker Homestay (BBH) 23 Tom Plato Drive, Lake Te Anau, 03 249 8431, rosiesbackpackers.co.nz Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers (BBH) 48/50 Lakefront Dr, 03 249 7713, teanaubackpackers.co.za Steamers Beach Backpackers (BBH) 77 Manapouri- Te Anau Hwy, 03 249 7737, smarturl.it/steamersbeach 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,

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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 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 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

BOOK NOW! 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, freestone.co.nz Manapouri Lakeview Motor Inn 68 Cathedral Drive, 03 249 6652, manapouri.co.nz Possum Lodge 13 Murrel Ave, 03 249 6623, 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

Milford Wanderer Cruises Day and overnight options with kayaking, etc. Coach connections, 0800 656 501, realjourneys.co.nz

The southernmost city in New Zealand, Invercargill is a farmingorientated community with a pleasant collection of parks and museums to keep you busy.

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

Invercargill I-site Visitors Centre 108 Gala St, 03 214 6243

TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak Farm tours, barbecue lunches, horse treks and cycling.

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wildlife encounters. Farmstay options are available, 0800 304333, catlinscoaster.co.nz

STEWART ISLAND Stewart Island Flights Flights to Stewart Island, 03 218 9129, stewartislandflights.co.nz Bunkers Backpackers (BBH) 13 Argyle St, Halfmoon Bay, Stweart Island, 027 738 1796 bunkersbackpackers.co.nz

INVERCARG STAY

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CATLINS STAY Wrights Mill Lodge 865 Tahakopa Valley, 03 204 8424 Lazy Dolphin 529 Curio Bay Rd, 03 246 8579. lazydolphinlodge.co.nz Cedar Tree Lodge (BBH) 36 Hosptial Road, 027 611 7932. goldbox.catering@gmail.com Happy Inn Backpackers (BBH) 11 Shakespeare St, 03 417 4161. happyinn@clear.net.nz

Southern Comfort (BBH) 30 Thompson St, 03 218 3838 bbh.co.nz

Fernlea Backpackers (VIP) Moana St, Kaka Point, 03 412 8834

Tuatara Backpacker Lodge 30 Dee St, 03 214 0956, tuataralodge.co.nz

The Split Level (BBH) 9 Waikawa Rd, Owaka, 03 415 8304, thesplitlevel.co.nz

SOUTH SCENIC The beautiful road west of Invercargill towards Fiordland is known as the Southern Scenic Route.

Surat Bay Lodge (BBH) Surat Bay Rd, New Haven, 03 415 8099, suratbay.co.nz

Pepper Tree Hostel 121 Grey St, Palmerston, 06 335 4054, peppertreehostel.co.nz

Penguin Paradise Holiday Lodge (BBH) 612 Waikawa-Niagara Rd, Waikawa Village South Catlins, 03 2468 552, catlins-surf.co.nz/736.html

Grandma’s Place 146 Grey St, Palmerston North, 06 358 6928, grandmas-place.co.nz

Thomas Catlins Lodge & Holiday Park, 8 Clark St, Owaka 03 415 8333, thomascatlins.co.nz

The Globe Backpackers (VIP) 144 Palmerston St, Riverton, 03 234 8527, globebackpackers@xtra.co.nz

Wright’s Mill Lodge 865 Tahakopa Valley Rd, 03 204 8424 catlinsaccommodation.co.nz

Harbison Backpackers 5 Harbison St, Otautau, 03 225 8715, michdale@xtra.co.nz Shooters Backpackers (BBH) 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.

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.

Dept of Conservation Office Don St, 03 214 4589

Catlins Community Info Centre 3 Main Rd, Owaka, South Otago, 03 415 8371, catlins.org.nz

Catlins Coaster Invercargill to Dunedin via the Catlins with many stops to the main natural attractions and

Elm Lodge Wildlife Tours Two-day camping trips, 0800 356 563, elmwildlifetours.co.nz

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 Chalet Backpackers (BBH) 296 High St, 03 479 2075 chaletbackpackers.co.nz Dunedin Central Backpackers (BBH) 243 Moray Pl, 03 477 9985, centralbackpackers.co.nz Pavlova Palace (BBH) 74 Elm Row, 03 477 34728 pavlovapalace.co.nz Hogwartz (BBH)

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277 Rattray St, 03 474 1487, hogwartz.co.nz Kiwis Nest (BBH) 597 George St, 03 471 9540, kiwisnest.co.nz Leviathan Hotel 27 Queens Gardens, 0800 773 773, dunedinhotel.co.nz Manor House 28 Manor Place, 03 477 0484, manorhousebackpackers.co.nz On Top Backpackers (BBH) 12 Filleul St, cnr Moray Pl, 03 477 6121, ontopbackpackers.co.nz Pennys Backpackers (BBH) 6 Stafford St, 03 477 6027, pennys.co.nz Next Stop Backpackers 2 View St, 03 477 0477, nextstop.co.nz YHA Dunedin, Stafford Gables 71 Stafford St, 03 474 1919, yha.co.nz

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 774 Portobello Rd, Portobello, 02 5206 0640, mcfarmers@xtra.co.nz Pinot Lodge (BBH) 102 Barry Avenue, Cromwell, Fiordland 03 445 1260, pinotlodgenz.com

OTAGO DO

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

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ROXBURGH Villa Rose Backpackers 79 Scotland St, 03 446 8761, villarose.co.nz

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 Elm Wildlife Tours 0800 356 563, elmwildlifetours.co.nz

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.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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 Ahuriri Backpackers (BBH) 5 Clay Cliffs Lane 03 438 9451 ahuririmotels.co.nz Chillawhile Backpackers (BBH) & Art Gallery 1 Frome St, Roberts Park, 03 437 0168, chillawhile.co.nz 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 Lodge (BBH) 468 Beach Rd, 03 434 8115, 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

Photo: Tourism New Zealand/Julian Apse

Swaggers Backpackers (BBH) 25 Wansbeck St, 03 434 9999, swaggersbackpackers.co.nz

MOERAKI

ABEL TASMAN A major South Island attraction, the Abel Tasman National Park houses one of New Zealand’s favourite Great Walks, following a tranquil coastal path through lush native forest and around beautiful, golden sandy bays. As well as walking the track, you can go swimming with seals or paddle around bays in hired sea kayaks. The bays are generally sheltered and peaceful while seals and dolphins are regularly sighted when the waters are calm.

Kayakers can pull their craft up on a beach and camp free in places, or alternatively doss down in one of the huts used by trampers. The options of what to do in the national park are varied. There are three to five-day walks, three to five-day (guided) kayak/trekking packages as well as day trips, which will drop you at several points around the track. Even if time is short, go for at least a couple of hours along the park. You’ll find it’s well worth it. doc.govt.nz South Island

Just 30km south of Oamaru lies a remarkable collection of eerie giant boulders.

Riverside Haven (BBH) 2328 SH1, Waianakarua, 03 439 5830, olivebranch.co.nz The Dubliner 105 Tiverton St, Palmerston, 03 465 8123

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My Thai Whether you want to see temples, lie on a beach, drink booze from a bucket or rock climb in a rainforest, Thailand has it all...

The Thai island of Koh Tao may have been in the press recently for tragic reasons, but this shouldn’t overshadow the country as a stunning holiday destination, with peaceful temples, gorgeous beaches and plenty of raucous fun too.

Of course Bangkok has been infamous for a while, with ladyboys, ping-pong shows and The Hangover II helping to cement its reputation as a ‘What happens in...’ kind of destination.

But after a few nights in the chaos, there are a number of ways to spend the rest of your time in Thailand.

You can head north to explore the luscious rainforest, perhaps from a high like we did, on a rock climbing course; alternatively you could head to one of the many idyllic islands dotted around the coast.

This is our first port of call, so sling your flip-flops into your bag and head to one of these perfect island paradises...

THE ISLANDS

Words: Helen Elfer and Ian Armitage. Photos: Thinkstock and InfidiaStudioio

Best for watersports: Koh Samui This island isn’t for everyone, particularly not if what you’re after is an unspoilt, serenely beautiful corner of the world to relax in.

But if you don’t mind your tropical paradises filled with blaring night clubs, crowds of tourists, fast food chains and a bit of a seedy underbelly, then there is actually plenty of fun to be had on Samui – especially in the form of watersports.

There’s sailing, snorkelling, kayaking and kiteboarding for starters, as well as a few more extreme options – ever fancied a go on a Jetlev-Flyer? This uses powerful jets of water to blast you into the air, Iron Man-style. Book yourself a session with Water Edge Sports.

What else? Always wanted to tick ‘bungee jump’ off your bucket list? Chaweng Beach is the place to do it. The 50m jumping platform is suspended over a giant plunge pool, and you can choose whether or not you want to get dunked.

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If you’re after something a little more laid-back, consider the fishing village of Hat Bo Phut on Koh Samui, where the many local bars and restaurants will host parties, and at midnight there is a celebration with pretty lanterns and fireworks on the beach. kosamui.com Best for diving: The Similan Islands Practically every list of the world’s top diving locations rates the Similan Islands near the top, and that’s because they have some of the most jaw-dropping underwater sights.

The archipelago of nine islands is a National Marine Park with calm, clear waters (up to 30m visibility) that are ideal for underwater explorations.

The west coast is famous for its huge granite boulders that peek above the water’s surface and drop up to 50m underwater, creating tunnels and swim-throughs for divers to investigate.

Keep an eye out for the clown triggerfish and the whitetip reef sharks here, along with rare oriental sweetlips and harlequin sweetlips (both psychedelic-looking creatures).

On the east coast of the island there are lush coral gardens with sea anemones and a wide variety of reef fish, and if you’re lucky you might catch glimpses of ghost pipefish, sea moths, frogfish and ribbon eels.

Of the many famous dive sites here, Elephant Head, East of Eden and Christmas Point are three of the most popular.

What else? The best beach in the Thai Islands is, naturally, hotly disputed, but many agree that Donald Duck Bay on Koh Similan, the most developed of the nine islands, is a strong contender.

It’s so named because you can see a huge boulder out to 82

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sea that is bizarrely shaped a lot like the cartoon character.

If you want a few hours’ break from diving, this is a great place to lay down your towel and enjoy the scenery. kohsimilan.net Best for full moon parties: Koh Pha Ngan Haad Rin, the beach on the far south of Koh Pha Ngan, is notorious for having the wildest, most debauched full moon parties in Thailand.

Long-standing traditions for a night out here include tripping out on magic mushroom shakes (not that we’d recommend it), drinking buckets (yes, actual buckets) of Sang Som rum with Thailand’s version of Red Bull, painting faces with fluorescent squiggles, jumping through burning skipping ropes and watching fire poi. That’s in no particular order, but is always followed by a rave on the beach that lasts until the sun comes up.

What else? If you’re feeling a little toxic after a few days of partying here, give the boozing a break and make the most of all the sports.

There are two Muay Thai boxing schools on the island where you can sign up for lessons (kobramuaythai.com) or you can join in games of beach football, table tennis or volleyball at sundown on most of the bigger beaches. kohphangan.com Best for wildlife: Koh Tarutao Once upon a time, the Thai government used to send its crooks to the island of Tarutao – to look at it now, this seems like the last thing that would put anyone off a life of crime.

The island is full of dense forest that’s teeming with

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Thai island hopper easT 9 days from $912

Culturally vibrant, fast-paced & eye opening. Everyone knows that Asia is the largest continent; we know it’s where adventures begin.

Travelling Asia is all about discovery – whether that’s on a junk boat in Halong Bay, at a Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai, or hitting Shibuya Street for the best shopping in Tokyo. With so many adventures to be had, in small groups of amazing people like you, an Asia travel experience with Contiki is a must on any traveller’s bucketlist.

Japan UnriValled 13 days from $4347

VieTnam experience 12 days from $1693

Call us now on 1300 188 635, head to contiki.com or speak to your local travel agent.

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wildlife: on the land and in the surrounding waters you can see sea turtles, whales, monitor lizards, crab-eating macaques, mouse deer and countless species of birds. Not much of a punishment, hey?

Some of the island is sign-posted in English, making it easy to follow wildlife trails, either on foot or by mountain bike (it’s easy to hire these on the island).

Just be sure to ask the island’s rangers before planning a lengthy trek, as parts of the island are more difficult to navigate than others.

Full Moon Party on Koh Pha Ngan

What else? There is plenty of budget guesthouse accommodation on Tarutao, but it’s also very popular with campers as there are decent facilities and it rarely gets too crowded. It only costs 65p per night to camp if you have you own tent and other roughing-it equipment. kotarutaothailand.com Best for exploring: Phuket Spend the day strolling around Phuket Old Town to see shrines, temples, quirky cafes, museums and even a mini ex-red light district. Built during the tin boom in the last century, you will also see Sino-colonial mansions, once occupied by Phuket’s tin barons.

What else? To get out on the water, take a boat trip from the northern end of Phuket and wind around the stunning limestone islands, stopping off at beaches and to check out James Bond Island, so named for its starring role in The Man with the Golden Gun. phuket.com Best for Temples: Koh Sirey It wouldn’t be right to visit Thailand without checking out at least some of its fabulous monuments to Buddhism.

Most of the really impressive temples and statues are on the mainland, but the tiny Koh Sirey, which is connected to Phuket by a bridge, has one that’s well worth exploring.

Wat Sirey, located at the top of a hill, is an unusual Buddhist temple with a series of rooms housing golden Buddha images. There’s also a giant reclining Buddha statue here. Once you’re at the top of the hill, the views of the island are every bit as impressive as the Wat itself.

Photo: The Adventure Club.

What else? The island is home to hundreds of cheeky wild monkeys. Every evening islanders and tourists go to the recreation park near a mangrove swamp to feed the savvy primates their favourite bananas. phuket.com/attractions/koh-sirey Best for swimming: Koh Phi Phi

Dive with the Black Tips at Phi Phi

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Ko Phi Phi is probably best known for a combo of diving and partying, but the most exciting activity on the island is The Adventure Club’s shark watch tour (diving-in-thailand.net).

This is an early morning three-hour trip on which you get to swim with black tip reef sharks.

You’re taken out on a long-tail boat to an area of shallows

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BIGTRIP THAI THIS...

Asia, in general, is famed for being a culinary exploration, with amazing dishes, from the delicious to the downright weird and disgusting (chicken foetus on a stick anyone?) and Thailand is no exception. Here are some of our weird and/or wonderful favourites...

STEAMED DUCK AND SOUP: On Phi Phi Island there’s a little Thai market directly in front of the pier.

Here you can find an amazing little place that does a huge portion of steamed duck with rice, along with a soup starter. It’s always packed with locals and at 50 Baht (around $1.50) it’s great place for a bargain feed.

THE PAD THAI LADY: On Koh San Road there’s an abundance of epic street food, but there’s one little old lady who resides down near the Burger King end and serves up the best Pad Thai in the entire country. Opt for the vegetarian version which comes in at around $1.

MASSAMAN CURRY: This curry is one of the tastiest dishes we’ve eaten on our around-the-world travels, and each restaurant has its own in-house tweak on it. The best curry we found was on Phi Phi. It was laden with crushed peanuts and had a sweet, yet spicy flavour.

THE HOTTEST CURRY EVER: Up in Chang Mai there’s a great rooftop eatery called THC. You scale a crazy UV staircase and arrive on a great open air reggae cafe. The menu isn’t the cheapest but it contains some amazing food, including the hottest curry we’ve ever eaten – it made a vindaloo taste like a cold glass of milk! Ask for the green curry with coconut milk – you’ve been warned.

BUGS: Yes, you can’t come to Asia without chowing down on some creepy crawlies! There are a lot of places that sell them, but the easiest and cheapest is on Koh San Road in Bangkok. We crunched down on some crickets and meal worms. We can’t say it was our favorite snack, but it’s definitely one for the bucket list and makes for some rather amusing pictures.

Snake anyone?

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where the sharks like to swim, then you’re given the opportunity to do some snorkelling and swimming in the water with them.

The company is known for being environmentally conscious and promoting sustainable tourism. Plus, they’re so confident that the sharks will be there that if you don’t see any, you get a full refund.

What else? Toughen up those muscles by scaling limestone cliffs at one of Ko Phi Phi’s top rock climbing spots, such as Hin Taak Climbing Area or Ton Sai Tower. phi-phi.com Best for deserted beaches: Koh Kood Well there certainly aren’t many of these left in Thailand, but there is one sandy spot that you can genuinely call secluded.

Koh Kood is an absolute pain to get to (from Bangkok it’s a flight to Trat airport, then an hour’s boat ride from the mainland), which puts off lots of tourists but explains its serenity.

But once you get there ... no land lines, virtually no internet access or electricity, just clean white sands, the odd hammock tied to a palm tree and plenty of blue waters if you fancy a dip.

Aow Pharo, Bang Bao and Siam Beach are some of the most pristine stretches, perfect for a lazy day sunbathing, while Tapao Beach is also known for being a top swimming and snorkelling spot.

What else? If you can be bothered to climb out of your hammock, Koh Kood island has lots of pretty waterfalls to visit.

Klong Chao Waterfall is a top spot for splashing about and has the royal seal of approval, as it was once visited by Thailand’s King Mongkut in the 1850s. kohkood.com

THE NORTH An alternative adventure to exploring Thailand’s islands is to head north to go climbing and look out over the lush jungle.

Novice Lucy Winstanley Norris went from trembling to topof the world in no time...

The view across the Mae On Valley is spectacular, even for northern Thailand, where waves of lush tropical jungle rising into misty hills are an everyday sight. But there’s something about this vista that is especially knee-trembling: the fact that I am 40ft up, clinging to a sheer rock face with nothing but a rope for reassurance should my fingertips fail me.

More significant than the rope, it suddenly occurs to me, is the knot, which begins to gnaw at my mind – did I fasten it tightly enough? Will it hold me if I fall?

Truth be told, at the beginning of the day I had not expected to be supported at such heights by a rope I had tied myself. Enrolling for a day’s beginner rock climbing course in the northern city of Chiang Mai, I anticipated much in the way of balancing exercises and rope-tying practice, with a little climbing in the afternoon, if I was good and impressed the instructor with my figure-of-eights.

In fact, once we’d been shown our way around a rope and harness and taught how to belay a climber, we found

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Photo: Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures

Rising out of the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, Mae On’s limestone crags loom out of the foliage somewhat abruptly. Known as Crazy Horse Buttress (we’re told the rock formation resembles a horse’s head, though I can’t see the likeness), the site we’re at is home to a vibrant community of Thais, expats and travellers of all ages – as well as Buddhist monks who come here to meditate in the caves in peace.

We spend our day practising abseiling down the rock face, popping into dark caves and clambering back out again.

By our final climb, we’ve learned to stay close to the rock so that, with careful balancing, the smallest of mantles will suffice to leverage our weight towards a better grip.

The distance between hand-holds is greater than before and I have to stretch further, with less to grip onto. At times only the very tips of my toes are touching the wall as I lean towards ever scarcer, and ever smaller, ledges and outcrops.

My fingers and forearms scream with the strain. By the time I reach the top, I am physically and mentally exhausted, but looking out makes it all worthwhile. The miles of bamboo forest roll out beneath me like an emerald carpet, broken only by the sky in the distance. Unlike some of the other vistas I’ve seen in Thailand, this view I feel I’ve earned.

Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures offers one-day courses from $125pp thailandclimbing.com ourselves at the foot of what appeared to be a mighty tall cliff, squinting against the sun at the faraway summit.

This brevity is essential, I later realise: there’s very little you can learn about rock climbing from ground level. To progress at all, there’s nothing for it but to put feet and hands on solid rock and start upwards.

And so, after stepping forward (well, being shoved by my husband when the instructor asked who wants to go first), I gingerly grasp an outlying lump of rock that appears to be firmly attached to the rest of the cliff face. Jabbing the opposite foot at a narrow shelf about three inches high, I step off the ground.

Our instructor, Mario, shouts words of encouragement as I scramble for purchase on the craggy rock. “Good job!” he calls up enthusiastically when I stretch beyond my comfort zone to clip in a carabiner.

As I reach higher, and the hand-holds become shallower and seemingly invisible to the naked eye, he calls out potential places where I can re-position my fingers and feet: like magic, ledges and small protuberances emerge from the cliff, which I grab gratefully.

I’m just starting to think I’m getting the hang of it when, after about 20 minutes’ climbing, I realise I’m at the top of the route. Satisfaction soaks in and I pause for a minute, hugging the rock with my forearms for balance, and turn my head to look down. I can see two small blobs at the foot of the rock, but thankfully I am distracted from getting the wobbles by an incredible view.

While many enthusiasts head to the south – to Railay or Tonsai in Krabi, where white karsts rise out of a clear aquamarine sea – for me, the vast expanse of untamed forest is unbeatable.

GET AWAY FROM THE CROWDS If you want to stay far away from the Thai tourist trail, only 1% of foreign travellers go to the northeast, which is known as Isan.

This area is the Thailand of yesteryear – rice paddies, pedal rickshaws and incredible history.

Restored Khmer ruins, similar to those found at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, can be found at Phanom Rung and Phimai historical parks.

There are buses to both parks, but you will need to take a motorcycle taxi for the final leg of the journey to Phanom Rung from the bus stops at Ban Tako or Ban Ta Pek. To really experience rural Thailand, look for accommodation in a homestay. The village of Ban Prasat in Nakhon Ratchasima province runs a great scheme with some of its residents welcoming visitors in their homes.

At a cost of around £10 per night, it really is a terrific, budget-friendly way to get to meet local people. Organise your homestay through the Tourism Authority of Thailand (tourismthailand.org).

You could also try going during monsoon season (June-October) when it’s much quieter and the only occasional sacrifice you make is to endure heavy downpours; but it’s still warm and the sun dries everything up again straight afterwards.

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Tools of the trade If you’re good with your hands, put them to use in Australia.

We mean by working as a tradie – what did you think we meant?

Don’t hang up your boots when you’re travelling Australia, bring them along!

If you have trade skills and experience, you can put them to good use during your working holiday Down Under.

The good news for backpackers is that Australian employers will happily hire travellers on 12-month working holiday visas to work the six-month approved period. Generally speaking, though, you need a minimum of 12 months’ work under your tool belt, but if you are willing to be flexible and take an entry-level job, the chances of gaining employment are a lot higher.

Fields with high demand include the mining and mechanical trades, and the heating and ventilating industry, as well as general labouring. If you’re a big dawg, there’s also demand for the higher-end of the spectrum thanks to numerous billion-dollar projects, particularly in WA. Due to a country-wide skills shortage, engineers and surveyors can land themselves packages upwards of $100,000 a year.

If you’re hoping to stay in Oz and gain sponsorship, having a trade is one of the best ways to ensure your holiday destination becomes a home. But some may find it easier than others; a minimum of two years is normally required for electricians and carpenters to gain sponsorship, unless they’re willing to step up into management.

Using your trade is a great way to save those much-needed dollars for your travels as well. Pay rates will ultimately depend on your skills and experience but generally speaking, electricians are looking at $30-$35p/ hr, carpenters $28-$34p/hr and general construction workers $22-$26p/hr. So why not use those highly sought-after skills and earn some pretty decent money while you’re at it.

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RECRUITMENT Q&A We ask Nik Hardiman of Hays Construction and Property what recruiters look for and what you can expect from being a tradie in Oz. What sorts of positions do you recruit for?

We recruit for the construction industry, and we recruit for anything from qualified tradesman to skilled and unskilled labour.

Are there many positions available?

In what sector is there casual work?

Construction is a bug industry here so we are always looking for carpenters, electricians, plumbers, bricklayers, ground workers, and labourers.

What qualifications and experience are you looking for in a candidate?

Candidates will have to have relevant trades qualifications, construction experience or labouring experience.

How long are the work placements?

Contracts can vary. We have long and short-term contracts depending on the individual candidate.

Is there work available across Australia?

Yes, we have offices all around Australia and New Zealand.

What are the rates of pay? And what are the variables?

Rates of pay vary due to experience, which trade you are in and the length of your contract.

What are the benefits of getting some Australian work experience?

If you can show that you are able to use your trade in another country it demonstrates that you are flexible and able to adapt to different environments. This will enhance your CV for future job opportunities. hays.com

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WANT TO STAY LONGER? • Are you looking to come and work in a regional area, to satisfy the requirements of your 2nd Working Holiday Visa?

• Are you looking for 457, employer based sponsorship?

• Do you currently have a working holiday visa and want to find out workable options for you?

• Do you have experience in the Building or Hospitality sectors?

If you want to find out more about this and more exiting opportunities, please call our offices during office hours or visit our website.

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10/11/2014 10:38 pm

ARE YOU JOB HUNTING?

Visit tntdownunder.com/jobs for vacant positions in all industries across Australia and New Zealand.

At tntdownunder.com/jobs you’ll find out how to land your perfect job, an A-Z list of employers, job alerts, career news and information, visa advice and details of recruiters.

JOBS www.tntdownunder.com/jobs

Solving your recruitment problems

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DESPERATELYSEEKING

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Are you desperately seeking someone or something? Email caroline.garnar@tntmagazine.com with your message

SAY WHAT?!

THINGS TONY ABBOTT SHOULD DO, JUST BECAUSE...

i’m going to tell you a story about a little girl who had spontaneous combustion. once upon a bang! The end.

i’m so tired i think my vagina has fallen asleep. Listen, she’s snoring... (makes squeaky snore noise)

i slept in my dog’s bed the other day. it wasn’t as comfy as I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. ARE YOU GOING TO SEE 50 SHADES OF GREY? NO, MY MUM WON’T LET ME (SAID BY A 30-YEAR-OLD WOMAN)

i watch adverts with my eyes closed and try to guess what it’s advertising before they say IT. it’s like a game. i call it ‘guess the advert’.

your lips are so soft, i want to peel them off and make them into a sofa cushion.

BABE, GET OFF ME – YOU SMELL LIKE OLD WOMAN MIXED WITH SAUSAGE.

i sent him a pic of me on a climbing wall made of cocks, but he thought i wAS IN A ROOM OF GLORY HOLES.

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Celebrate Waitangi Day with a tribal dance Be my Valentine: Sophie, you’ve been nagging me to propose for months, so here we go – and I’m doing it in your favourite mag on your favourite page: will you marry me? Dave x Die for emmental cause?

I am looking for a human who is willing to be sacrificed to the God of Cheese. She came to me in my dreams last night and said if I do this I will have cheese delivered directly to my door every day of

my life. I love cheese. I need the sacrifice to be voluntary, otherwise it would just be wrong. Any takers?

Sofa so good: I’m selling my sofa for $200. It only has a few dodgy-looking stains. It’s from chocolate, orange juice and red wine... honest.

Simon towel: After I’ve had a shower I love to wrap my towel high around my waist and pretend I’m Simon Cowel. I say things like ‘I didn’t like it, I loved it!’ to myself

in the mirror. I’m just sharing because I have so much fun doing it I wanted to recommend others do the same so I can spread the joy.

Fairest of the mall: I saw you in Orchid Plaza shopping mall. You were well hot but you were with a guy. He looked like a douche, so why not get in touch and try me out for size like you were those shoes?

Doh!-nut: Why oh why can’t I resist donuts? I seriously need to go on a diet but they just look at me with their jammy squidginess and I just have to have them in my mouth. Maybe I could just eat the ones with the holes as they are a fifth-or-so air...?

Chicken titta: I was so excited to get you back to my place – you’d made me wait five dates.

Then, when I finally got to second base, I found that your ‘big’ boobs consisted of two rubbery chicken fillet things. Not sexy. You could have at least slipped them out beforehand. I nearly had a heart attack as I thought half your boob had come off in my hand. No sixth date for me, thanks.

Paperback writer: I saw you on the bus and you were making notes in the margins of your 50 Shades of Gray book. It was very sweet and a massive turn-on. If you’re curious, I could teach you all you need to know. Your Christian.

Pussy lover: I am looking for a flatmate for my one-bed in central Sydney (yes, we will have to share a room – and bed. Rent in Sydney is expensive). Must love cats. I have eight of them. And they all sleep on the bed. Apply via TNT if you’re interested. Thx Wedding crasher: You were the best man at my old school friend’s wedding. I really fancied you but just when I plucked up the courage to talk to you I tripped on someone’s handbag strap and fell onto a table, tipping it over, contents and all. I think you’ll remember as you laughed. A lot.

Still wondered if you would like to go out sometime?

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One of our amazing overnight stops - Lake Tekapo, South Island, NZ

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