TNT New Zealand #91

September-October 2012 Issue 91 tntdownunder.com

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WTIAN NDEM

TWO SKYDIVESER WORTH OV $1,000

BUBBLE AND SQUEAK Swimming with dolphins in Kaikoura

MUD SLIDES Slipping into Rotorua

ISLAND MAGIC Walking on sunshine in Fiji

S K C A R T G N I MAK

i classic s iw K e th te a r eleb or e a s w e c h s ff o d n a south m nor th to o fr s + WHAT’S ON NORTH ISLAND ACTION u w o ll Fo TRIVIA THE BAY OF PLENTY

The original Kiwi Experience, since 1989 100% awesome Kiwi Driver Guides Stacks of inclusions and exclusive discounts Get immersed in nature, adventure and kiwi culture

Phone 09 336 4286 or www.kiwiexperience.com

Hot Water Beach, New Zealand

www.kiwiexperience.com

ALEX HARMON EDITOR editor@tntdownunder.com

EDITOR’S LETTER The biggest mistake you can make is in assuming that New Zealand is just a mini version of Australia. Although the Aussies like to claim Russell Crowe as their own and sponge Olympic medals from the Kiwis, the two countries couldn’t be more different. For starters, it’s spring and the ski season is still going strong! Turn to pg6 where we list all of the things we love about the land of the long white cloud.

THIS WEEK NZ DIARY

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HOT SHOTS

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TRAVEL

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COMPETITION

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LISTINGS TRANSPORT

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LISTINGS NORTH ISLAND

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LISTINGS SOUTH ISLAND

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LISTINGS TRAVELLING ON

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TRIVIAL PURSUITS

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FEATURES

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KIWI CLASSICS

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From the rolling hills to the crashing waves (in one day) we have NZ covered

STAYIN’ ALIVE

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We reveal the lucky people who have beat the odds and cheated death

RIPPER FLIPPER

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Dive into some squeaky clean fun with the dolphins of Kaikoura

NORTHERN DELIGHTS

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Enjoying all that the north island has to offer, including the Bay of Plenty

MUD-TASTIC

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Explore the mud baths and white water rafts of downtown Rotorua

ISLES OF SMILES

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Escape the cold and bounce around from one Fijian island to the next

TRIVIAL PURSUITS Need to test your new found knowledge? Try our Kiwi classics quiz

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EDITORIAL Editor Alex Harmon Contributors Robert Burton-Bradley, Carol Driver, Luke O’Brien, Matt Risely, Tom Sturrock Intern Priyal Dadhania

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Design and production manager Lisa Ferron SALES Account manager Justin Steinlauf MARKETING & EVENTS Business development manager Tom Wheeler ACCOUNTS Financial controller Trish Bailey Accountant Hannah Waters

TNT MULTIMEDIA LTD CEO Kevin Ellis Chairman Ken Hurst PUBLISHER TNT Multimedia Limited PRINTED BY Rural Press PICTURES Getty Images | Thinkstock | TNT Images | Tourism New Zealand | Tourism Fiji TNT Magazine , 126 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale, Sydney, NSW, 2008, Australia tntdownunder.com General enquiries Phone +61 2 8332 7500 Fax +61 2 9690 1314 Email enquiries@tntdownunder.com SALES ENQUIRIES

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If you’ve been travelling for a while and missing the good old British humour – after all there is nothing quite like it – book your tickets for Billy Bailey’s Qualmpeddler at New Zealand’s International Comedy Festival. He is set to take to stage and talk about his qualms on modern life at the Michael Fowler Centre from 8pm. This festival comes to trendy Welly after selling out shows in Auckland. $79

September 28 Michael Fowler Centre Wellington

AUCKLAND CARNIVAL

NEW ZEALAND FILM FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL OF LIGHT AND ART

This festival runs for a day, is free and offers travellers and local visitors a chance to celebrate multicultural Auckland with stalls, street entertainment, carnival rides and DJs. The highlight will always be the street Carnival costume parade. Don’t miss it!

This festival screens all around NZ from July to November. It is halfway through its tour and hits the town of Hamilton from late August. Don’t miss the closing night film Bully, a documentary about the shocking effects of bullying in US schools.

For three days this event showcases art and provides entertainment for all. For as little or as much as you want (gold coin entry) you’re able to spend the evening enjoying craggy rock faces and open meadow spaces where artists will run riot with light and colour.

October 15 Glenn Innis, Auckland aucklandinternationalcarnival.co.nz

Until September 16 Lido Cinema, Hamilton nzff.co.nz

September 21-23 Whangarei quarryarts.org

FREE

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.

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KAIKOURA SEAFEST Situated between Picton and Christchurch, Kaikoura is known for its dolphin swimming, whale watching and its annual food and wine festival.

You could spend a day in one of the cooking classes and demonstrations, or catch some of the bands on show, and of course, drink and eat to your heart’s content. $40

seafest.co.nz

Photos: Getty Images

October 6 Kaikoura

NELSON ARTS FESTIVAL

SILENT FILM FESTIVAL

The masked parade launches this 17 day festival and this year’s theme is Myths and Legends: From Zeus and Aphrodite to Rangi and Papa, bringing fairytales to life as well as the chance to visit other cultures. All set to a background of music, movement, mask and costume. Punters can look forward to theatre, music, dance, reading, writing, comedy, workshops and a stack of community events, and best of all, entry is free.

Embrace your quiet side with Opotiki’s annual Silent Film Festival. This year, the Del Luxe Theatre will celebrate its 86th anniversary and will kick off with Harold Lloyd’s The Kid Brother, a 1927 classic from one of the best in the business. There’s also a short film competition and a ‘Hitchcock Masterclass’ to see how the legendary director made his mark in silent films.

October 12-28 Nelson CBD

September 14-15 Opotiki silentfilmfest.org.nz

FREE

nelsonartsfestival.co.nz

$16

FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL

NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA

FARMERS’ MARKET

WEARABLE ARTS AWARDS

Among the more obvious showcasing of food and wine there will be performances from Hello Sailor, Dragon and the Thomas Oliver Band. The event will be held at Waiohika Estate, Gisborne between 11am – 7pm, get in fast to secure tickets.

Go around the world in 80 minutes with the cream of New Zealand’s orchestral crop. Soak up the concert by Christchurch composer Anthony Ritchie, who describes it as “a sort of jumbled diary that lurches from farce to despair in rapid succession.” Sounds divine.

Celebrate the beginning of Spring with a day at the farmers’ market. Live music part of the fun with performers ranging from ukulele band to folk to jazz to blues. Head over, grab a coffee or some fruit and sit down for a listen!

NZ’s single largest arts show, with more than 50,000 show goers from around the world attending. Catch this two-hour spectacular of dance, theatre, music, and art, incredible garments as they’re brought to life on stage.

October 21 Gisborne feast.awop.co.nz

September 22 Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington ticketek.co.nz

Every Saturday Britomart, Auckland cityfarmersmarket.co.nz

September 27 – October 7 Queen’s Wharf, Wellington worldofwearableart.com

$75

$15

FREE

$50

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Islands in the clouds Fiords, glaciers, whales, geysers, volcanoes, islands and golden beaches, a jealous person might say that New Zealand has it all WORDS PRIYAL DADHANIA + ALEX HARMON

People often argue about their favourite Kiwi island – is it set to be the north island or south? Or is it Stewart, or the little Waiheke Island?

(Yes, there are more than just two.)

Well, we’re here to tell you there’s no need to pick. You’ll find rolling hills, sky scraping mountains and adventure dotted all over New Zealand. And, in the adrenalin capital of the world, they’re not to be admired solely from the ground – skydive, bungy, anyone?

For such a small country there certainly is a lot on offer in New Zealand. The biggest mistake you can make is to assume that it’s just a smaller version of Australia. In fact they couldn’t be more different. There’s a melting pot of cultures with the native Maori populations and the growing influx from the South Pacific islands and Asia which give life in New Zealand a unique flavour.

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Plus New Zealand is a land where you can go swimming in the morning and skiing in the afternoon.

If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, there are plenty of hikes and walks. Not far from Taupo you’ll spot sinister looking mountains – for those Lord of the Rings fans does Mount Doom sound familiar? The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the highly recommended walks worldwide.

Even for the physically fit, the climb up Mount Doom, known as Mount Ngauruhoe, has proved challenging.

If this sounds physically exerting maybe Franz Josef’s glacier hike will be less strenuous. Half day, or full day hikes are available, split into ability groups so you’ll find yourself walking at your own personal pace.

If, after all this excitement, you’d rather chill, a trip up to the Bay of Islands is recommended. On a small

boat you can admire the beauty of the islands and even catch a glimpse of a dolphin or two. If you’d rather stick to some whale watching, Kaikoura won’t fail you – full of whales and seals you can chose to swim up close or stay dry on board the boat.

Finally, Auckland and Wellington, like all good cities have a number of clubs and bars. But in the unassuming south island the place to party is most definitely Queenstown. You’ll find yourself in sub-zero temperatures enjoying a chilled vodka at Ice Bar before saddling up to ride the mechanical bull in Cowboys and ordering tea-pots at the World Bar. If you need something to soak up the booze, the infamous burger joint in Queenstown is open till late: Fergburger. You must conquer it.

For 33 more reasons why the land of the long white cloud is great, read on...

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BUNGYYY!

CONQUER MORDOR

FLY HIGH

Queenstown is home of the bungy jump, but also canyon swings, jetboating, hanggliding, whitewater rafting, skydiving and more.

Bring spare undercrackers.

Tongariro National Park has live volcanoes, bizarrely-coloured lakes and post-apocalyptic landscapes – Mordor was filmed here for those films. If you do one tramp in New Zealand, make it the Tongariro Crossing.

A scenic flight around here is an unforgettable experience. And then there’s the far larger but much less touristy Doubtful Sound around the corner. You can even stay overnight on a house boat.

SEALY GOOD

SOUNDS SPECTACULAR

Much-underrated swims with the highly-sociable seals are excellent in Kaikoura. Plus, there’s dolphin swimming, where you take the plunge with literally hundreds of the friendly blighters – go on, make ‘em jealous

Half the visual pleasure of Milford Sound is the journey there; winding roads plunge into dense, moss-plastered woodland, snake along gaping drops and pass waterfalls crashing to the floor from way up somewhere.

SPERM Kaikoura is a hot spot for all sorts of water-based creatures, especially whales, dolphins and seals. Watch whales – sperm, humpback and more – call in year round.

IT IS SPECTACULAR

HAVE A WANAKA An hour from Queenstown is its younger, smaller, but equally attractive brother. It boasts: wineries, wonderful lakeside scenery, ski fields, mountain biking, skydiving, jetboating, canyoning, Lord of the Rings lark...

Silly name though.

A boat trip edges you out onto the Sound’s water, home to dolphins, fairy penguins and New Zealand fur seals, all looking like ants next to the immense Mitre Peak. Onwards to the open sea, passing all sorts of waterfalls; some twist in the air, others thunder from impossible heights.

ICE TO SEE YOU

ASPIRATIONAL The spectacular Mount Aspiring National Park is also nearby – great for mountaineering and “tramping”.

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New Zealand has gazillions of glaciers, but the colossal ice tongues of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are the most accessible. It’s like stepping into a different world as your crampons crunch through an ice labyrinth of caves, frozen waves and crevasses. Make the most of it by doing the full-day hike.

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The TNT Golden Backpack Awards recognise those companies who make backpacking around Australia and New Zealand that extra bit special.

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GET TO THE CHOPPER

EGGS-ELLENT SMELL

If you have the cash to splash, a helicopter trip to land near the top of the glacier is unforgettable.

Then there are geysers and bubbling mud pools to admire and a spa pool or mud bath to relax in later.

After some hair-whitening adrenalin thrills, such as zorbing.

TAUPO CAN YOU GO Just up the road there’s Taupo, which combines more thermal fun, plenty of adrenalin thrills, water sports and some great scenery, for tramping or simply gawping at.

WEST IS BEST Also, many people make the glacial-sized error of speeding down the west coast and not stopping to peruse a little, in Hokitika (where you can make your own jade pendant), Greymouth and the pancake rocks of Punakaiki. Lonely Planet rate it as one of the world’s top 10 roadtrips.

HIT THE HUT If you’re not much of a mountaineer, there are several short walks near Mt Cook, all yielding good mountain and/or glacier views. Or stay overnight in the Mueller Hut (book at DOC), with wondrous mountain views at sunrise and sunset.

GIVE IT SOME WELLY IWith green hills reaching up behind the capital and the shimmering harbour below it, New Zealand’s most attractive city is awash with cafés and culture. The Windy City has festivals aplenty, day-stealing museums, and good nightlife.

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WILLING AND ABEL

PEAK TIME As long as the clouds haven’t hooded its handsome head, your first full sighting of Mt Cook should stop you in your tracks. New Zealand’s highest is one dashing mountain.

HAKA TIME It smells a bit like a rotten egg, but Rotorua is a great place to swot up on Maori culture, geothermal wonder and adrenalin thrills. Don’t miss seeing a haka and try to chow down on a hangi while you’re there.

Arguably the finest spot for some kayaking is Abel Tasman National Park, at the top of the South Island.

The water can be a curious glowing green, the beaches all golden little curves and the sea full of seals. Choose the back seat to do less work.

MARLBOROUGH MAN Too crowded? Nearby Marlborough Sounds is an appealing alternative, offering similar kayaking and hiking options, plus the mandatory seals and dolphins.

GET AGRO New Zealand is known for its adrenalin activities and most of you would say Queenstown and Auckland are king, but have you heard of Rotorua’s Agroventures?

This amusement park has the world’s only human powered monorail, a bungy and an NZ icon, the Agrojet, the fastest jet sprint experience in NZ. Go wild!

HIT THE NORTH

CAVE IN

ALL WHITE

Ever seen two oceans collide? Sand dunes the size of small mountains?

A 90-mile beach? Dolphins dashing in between golden beach-fringed islands (Bay of Islands)? Even if you have, it’s unlikely you’ve seen them all in such close proximity. Welcome to the “winterless” Northland.

Sensational caving and blackwater rafting at Waitomo’s extraordinary underground cave network.

Volcanic White Island is another unique and bizarre place. An island and smoking volcano crater in one. Like Mars.

SLAP AND TIPPLE Get a bit of slap and tipple from the many, very tasty wine regions. Hic.

FAREWELL SPIT

GREAT WALKS

Rather than a gesture of disdain, it’s a unique sandbar – the world’s largest – and wildife reserve stretching out from the tip of the South Island like a claw. A fascinating 4WD experience full of raw beauty.

The nine official Great Walks got their name for a reason.

All of them come highly recommended, especially those in spectacular Fiordland

SKYDIVE

FEELING HIP Cosy Coromandel caters for every hippie whim, with Hot Water Beach – where you can dig your own hot bath in the sand – arguably the pick of the bunch.

WAY TO OTAGO Sneak up to the sea lions and other amazing wildlife – especially the adorable penguins – on the Otago Peninsula, before testing out Dunedin’s much vaunted nightlife. .

Jump out of a perfectly good plane at 14,000ft. Go on, dare you. Those of you after bragging rights should head to Franz Josef, where the friendly locals will chuck you out from 18,000ft, New Zealand’s highest dropzone.

Oddly, many people find this less frightening than bungy jumping.

LAST YEAR’S NEW ZEALAND WINNERS... $20 to spend on any DVD or clothing product at Skydive Lake Wanaka, with this voucher!

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NEWSFOCUS

Die another day A few weeks ago a US teen was speared through the head with a harpoon, this prompted us to look at the worst accidents survived WORDS CAROL DRIVER

"It's a striking injury. It’s not everyday someone is brought in and speaking with three feet of a spear protruding [from their head],” Yasser Lopez’s doctor George Garcia said, in something of an understatement. In June, Lopez, 16, had been mucking around with a speargun when it accidentally went off, shooting a metal spear into the front of his skull, an inch above his eye, through his brain, out the back of his head. He had been swimming at the time in Florida, touching the weapon’s trigger by mistake as he loaded the gun. Lopez lost consciousness and his friend passed out in shock, before coming to and raising the alarm.

Arriving at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Hospital, Lopez was fully awake. Doctors had to use rebar cutters and vise grips from the fire department to remove 18 inches from the shaft protruding from the teen’s head so they could X-ray him (pictured on left). Surgeons then spent three hours taking out the harpoon from Lopez, who is now in a serious but stable condition.

“It’s a miracle the spear missed all the main blood vessels of the brain,” neurosurgeon Ross Bullock said. “The most important thing is to resist that temptation to pull that thing out.

“The amazing thing is the boy is able to speak a little now.

He is saying short sentences, he’s out of bed, he’s able to make his needs felt. His words are easy to understand.”

Amazingly enough, Lopez is expect to make a full recovery after staying in hospital for the next few months.

“Where he is right now is really a modern miracle,” Dr Anders Cohen, chief of neurosurgery and spine surgery at the Brooklyn Hospital Center, said. “He had a lot of good factors ... a perfect storm – he got very lucky.”

It’s the latest in a long line of gruesome, life-threatening incidents where the victim manages to cheat death by, in many cases, just inches. Here, TNT looks at some of the most shocking incidents from which people have walked away.

However, her adrenaline turned to fear as the cord snapped in two, plunging the Australian 111 metres nose-first into the crocodile-infested water. She was forced to swim, the rope around her feet, as the cord had got stuck in debris.

Langworthy broke her collarbone and suffered bruising.

“I think it’s definitely a miracle that I survived,” she said.

Supratim Dutta, Car crash Supratim Dutta defied the odds and survived after he was impaled by a five-foot-long, two-inch thick, iron bar. The rod shot through the upper half of his body and pierced out of his back when the then 23-year-old was involved in a car crash in India in 2008. He underwent six hours of surgery at the Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre. Professor Biplab Mishra said: “He was in excruciating pain with blood oozing out from both the entry and exit wounds.” Dutta survived to tell the tale – the rod had missed his vital organs.

Michael Holmes, Skydiving Michael Holmes was spinning out of control as he plummeted towards the ground after skydiving 12,000ft. The then 25-year-old skydiving champion, from Jersey, had leapt from a plane above Lake Taupo, New Zealand, only to have both his parachutes fail. He recorded a farewell message on his camera before crashing into a tangle of bushes and branches at 80mph. His skydive buddy found him bleeding and unconscious with a shattered ankle and punctured lung, but alive. “I should be dead, absolutely,” he said in 2007.

Erin Langworthy, Bungee jumping Tourists cheered as Erin Langworthy, then 22, jumped head-first from the Victoria Falls Bridge into the Zambezi River on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia this year.

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When baths go wrong: Yi Zhao removing pipework from his eye

Yi Zhao, Having a bath When Yi Zhao arrived at hospital with a tap and 16 inches of pipework stuck in his eye, he was expecting doctors to help.

However, the patient, who had slipped in the bath, impaling his left eye on the tap at home, was forced to pull it out himself. Firefighters had rushed Zhao, then 57, to casualty, only for surgeons to take three hours to send for a plumber to remove it. “I felt I could stand the pain, and it wouldn’t be a problem. It didn’t look too complicated,” said Zhao, of Chongqing, central China, in 2009. He made his decision after studying the X-ray with his good eye.

‘Ahmad’, Being a hero

Nicholas Holderman, Falling down One-year-old Nicholas Holderman was left with keys embedded in his eye and brain after falling on to them while toddling around at home. Hearing him cry, the boy’s parents saw the metal had punctured his eyelid, but didn’t dare to pull it out, calling paramedics to their house in Kentucky, America, instead. The first responders were pretty horrified.

“Not something I ever want to see again,” Boyle County firefighter Chris Coffman, who was first on the scene, said.

However, Holderman had to be flown to hospital, where it took an experienced surgeon 30 minutes to remove the key.

The baby experienced no brain damage or sight loss. “It was pretty horrifying,” Coffman added.

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‘LIFE IS GOOD’ SURVIVING BEING CUT IN TWO It might seem impossible, but the human body can survive being cut in half. Two cases prove this theory.

Peng Shulin and Truman Duncan both lived after being sliced across their waists.

Shulin was cut in two by a truck in 1995. It took a team of 20 doctors to save his life, sealing his torso, leaving him 2ft 6in tall. He amazed medical professionals at the China Rehabilitation Research Center in Beijing, walking again with the use of specially made bionic legs.

Truman Duncan was swept underneath a train and cut in two in 2006. Despite losing both legs and a kidney, the then 34-year-old called for an ambulance on his mobile phone – telling them, “I think I’m cut in two” – survived a 45-minute wait, and then persevered through 23 surgeries. Two years later he was mobile, using a wheelchair. “Life is good,” he said.

Photos: Jackson Memorial Hospital, Getty Images

An X-ray of 15-year-old ‘Ahmad’ reveals how he cheated death after being stabbed in the head while trying to stop his friend’s phone being stolen. The attacker lodged a fiveinch blade into the front of the victim’s skull during the incident. The attack on the victim, known only as ‘Ahmad’, removed five per cent of his total brain matter. Surgeons said if anyone had tried to remove the knife, the boy would have died. A 17-year-old was jailed over the incident, which happened outside a supermarket in Walworth, south London, in 2008.

Photos: Jackson Memorial Hospital, Getty Images

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HOTSHOTS WINNER

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WINNER TWILIGHT RETURNS Alex Phan, 24, UK

ALEX SAYS: “I took this photo during the twilight hours in Glenorchy, New Zealand. I waited three hours for the perfect shot. The wait was an experience in itself, it was cold and windy but the breathtaking scenery more than made up for the weather.”

WE SAY: “This moody shot won our hearts for its colour, framing and overall magic feel. Alex tells us it took him hours to capture the perfect second in time, but we say it’s worth it. It’s so good I might have to use it as my computer’s screen saver.”

RUNNER-UP

RUNNER-UP SOUL SURFER Ben Proctor, 30, UK

BEN SAYS: “I took this photo of an early morning surfer in Byron Bay.” WE SAY: “We love the solitary surfer and strolling seagulls in this early morning shot. Again, there’s a peaceful element to the photo. We appreciate the calm theme going on here. No one has hurt themselves to capture a Hot Shot this month – thanks guys!”

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HOT TIPS: Framing

TWO NORTHLAND TOURS

Good framing is fundamental to great photography and makes the difference between boredom and fascination.

Bear in mind that what you leave out is as important as what you include. When shooting, you should think about what it is that makes this scene interesting to you. What caught your eye? Was it something tangible? A building, a door-handle, a person? Or was it more abstract: a reflection, a juxtaposition, a perspective? Through the use of proper framing, you are allowing the viewer to see what you saw.

Call it a window of opportunity.

Alex wins a Total Northland Pass for him and a friend from Magic Travellers Network (magicbus.co.nz), while runnerup Ben wins a Black Labyrinth rafting voucher from the Legendary Black Water Rafting Co (waitomo.com). Winners are chosen by the TNT team, with the editor’s decision being final. To enter the next Hot Shots competition, send your best travel photos (300 dpi jpegs), along with your name, age, nationality and a description, to alex@tntdownunder.com

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ON THE ROAD WITH TRAVEL

TALK DANIËLLA A-TJAK 25, Netherlands

YOU ASKED FOR IT...

WE ANSWER YOUR TRAVEL QUESTIONS

heard NZ is amazing for hiking.

Q I’ve Where’s a good place to start?

Ryan Patterson, Canada can’t go to New Zealand without A You doing some tramping. No, that doesn’t mean looking for ladies of the night. Tramping is what Kiwis call hiking. Touted by many as the country’s best one-day walk is the Tongariro Crossing, just south of Taupo on the North Island. Start early as it’s a long day, but the 19km hike, past smouldering volcanic rocks and sparkling green lakes, is well worth the effort.

If you fancy something more strenuous than perhaps take on one of New Zealand’s nine Great Walks. The Great Walks are well organised multi-day treks with huts to overnight in. The Milford Track suffers from its fame and is often booked up months in advance, though the nearby Routeburn and Kepler tracks are excellent alternatives. Fiordland probably provides the finest tramps, but there’s also the Abel Tasman Coast Track, The Heaphy, the Tongariro Northern Circuit and others. Abel Tasman is also another

great option for just doing a day hike. Rather than walking the whole track you can simply take the water taxi part of the way along the coast and stroll back. is zorbing and why do I have to Q What do it in NZ? Billie Dern, UK you hop inside a big plastic ball A Basically, and go careering down a hill, rolling headover-heels until stopping safely at the bottom of the slope. (See picture). If it doesn’t sound like it would make you a bit ill, you should head to Rotorua to join in the madcap fun of zorbing.

On the North Island, Rotorua is the birthplace of this roly-poly adventure and proudly brandishes its credentials as the best place in the world to take a protracted tumble. And they’re not letting the grass grow under them – already, there are a bunch of different routes you can take: you can go zig-zagging down one or end up splashing through water on another. That’s why you should do it in New Zealand! Be warned, though – it’s pretty hard to take a photo during your ride.

CHECKING IN BLACK SHEEP QUEENSTOWN With a pool tables, a spa, the latest DVDs and a comfy lounge area with bean bags, you couldn’t ask for much more. Kick off your night at the hostel bar for cheap drinks. Plus it’s only a short walk into OVERVIEW

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the lively Q-town.

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BILL PLEASE A bed in a mixed dorm from NZ$27/night.

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN NZ? About two months. It’s been amazing!

I’ve been to the Bay of Islands, then the rest of the North Island and South Island.

MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE? I’ve got to say two things. First, the Tongariro Crossing. The walk is eight hours but so worth it! You feel like you are walking in The Lord of The Rings. Also, Franz Josef Glacier. It feels as if you’ve landed in another world, surrounded by ice!

ANY SURPRISES? My biggest surprise was walking Tongariro in the snow, when just two weeks earlier I was in my bikini on the beach enjoying the sun.

FAVOURITE DAY SPOT? We went to Maketu and had a Maori culture night that was really special.

They all did a performance for us and taught the boys how to do the Haka while us girls learnt how to do the Poi. CRAZIEST EXPERIENCE? I did my skydive in Taupo. The company pick you up in a white limo, it was so awesome! Rafting was also very cool.

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TRAVELLERSTALE GRACELESS GLACIER

English traveller PRIYAL DADHANIA looked forward to the picturesque Franz Josef glaciers. But all it took was one person in the group with a dodgy stomach to ruin the serenity.

When you think of New Zealand it’s difficult to refrain from imagining mountains and lakes. These postcard worthy features are not be missed, especially not the glaciers with their crevasses and ice caves ready for us to explore. Franz Josef, on the west coast of New Zealand’s south island is continuously inundated with tourists in their 20-somethings as the Kiwi Bus pulls in for two nights at a time. The majority of people will partake in some sort of glacier related activity – whether it’s a hike or an ice climb. In my case it was an eight hour hike storming through the ice and snow.

Waking up hangover-free, everyone on the Kiwi Experience was brimming with excitement. Unlike the usual hushed voices trying not to alarm anyone’s banging head the head cradling was thrown aside as there was no need to work out the antics of the night before. Instead, like mature adults we were in bed by 11pm and ready for this early morning start (well, most of us were – there’s always one!)

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Bursting with energy we walked down in groups to check-in for the mission which lay ahead.

The next step: the outfit. Shorts or swimming trunks were advised, and layering up was a smart move seeing as it was set to be freezing the further up we went. As we put on our gloves and hats, and packed our lunches in an orderly fashion it bought us back to the days of school trips. This was the last toilet stop for a large part of the day – where are you going to find toilets on a glacier? Marching around with our hiking boots we jumped on the bus and began the hike through the rainforest and on toward the glacier.

Fast, medium, slow – we all split off into ability groups. The boys, wanting to show their manly abilities, bundled into the fast group. Similarly, the Essex girl – dressed with her fake lashes and full face of make-up (to attract who exactly?) bundled into the slow group.

We began to make pace getting into the swing of things and stamping into the ice with the clawed hiking boots, better known as crampons, curiosity got the better of me.

“Has anyone ever needed to pee on the ice?” I asked, slightly intrigued.

While this wasn’t too bad for boys,

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girls can you imagine having to get your tush out in the freezing cold while balancing in the squat position, it doesn’t sounds like fun does it?

I was told that the number one rule of the hike was no pollution. If you have a chocolate, you take the wrapper with you. If you want a mandarin, you carry the peel around till you’re back on firm ground. Similarly, if you need to poo, you do it in a plastic bag and carry the stinking bag around with you the whole day.

It’s definitely not an activity for a dodgy stomach – well, you’d think. This once in a lifetime opportunity got the better of someone in the group. Can you see where this is going? With a dodgy stomach due to some interesting Chinese the night before, a girl in our group couldn’t quite make it through the day without a toilet stop. And another. And another.

Most people would have called it off, asked for a refund and curled up in the foetal position for the day. On a glacier you’ve got no privacy.

Needless to say after the first couple of hours she decided, thankfully for the group, it was time for her to turn around and head home.

Luckily I had a bit more control over my bladder. The only thing I had to complain of was a couple of aching muscles and a few stiff joints, which were well worth the views.

Besides, it was easily cured later that night by relaxing in the hot pools, followed by a couple of drinks at the bar, of course.

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Kaikoura MARLBOROUGH REGION

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Squeaky clean fun The picture-perfect peninsula of Kaikoura offers travellers a chance to swim with dolphins, much better than a slap to the face WORDS MATT RISELY

The Bavarian girl in the wetsuit had just kicked me in the face whilst enthusiastically squeaking the tune to “Yellow Submarine” through her snorkel. A little stunned, I shot her a look that I’m confident would have crossed the language barrier. But she carried on oblivious, happily squealing away and paddling straight past me.

I’d been drawn to Kaikoura by my other half – a vegetarian hippie who’s animal-loving obsession meant our road map had taken on a mildly Se7en-esque vibe.

Numerous crude animal drawings encircled in erratic red felt-tip dotted the landscape, creating a veritable animal hit-list (of the spectator variety).

Just a couple of hours north of Christchurch, the manic red scribble over Kaikoura meant there was little chance I’d end up escaping a trip to New Zealand’s best opportunity to see dolphins, whales, albatrosses and seals in their natural habitat.

Keeping my manly bravado in check was proving difficult though, and the prospect of swimming with dolphins was causing a squeaky. girl-like glee to bubble under the surface.

“

Swim and squeak like a dolphin, and try and make eye contact

”

had clearly gone to her head, I kept it in mind and headed out.

On the boat ride out there, I was able to appreciate why both tourists and animals flock to the area.

Pre-Bavarian flipper slap, I’d sat in an orientation meeting that had set me right on the nature of the dusky dolphins frequenting the shores.

Good natured and highly sociable, they were drawn to the area for the same reason as the other wildlife.

With an oceanic valley almost 1km deep, Kaikoura’s natural currents create upward swells that propel the nutrients usually found on the ocean floor to the top, laying out a communal aquatic smorgasbord that everyone can enjoy.

Concluding the orientation, our guide leant over with sober eyes and imparted the most important bit of information: “If you want them to take interest, act dolphin-y. Swim and squeak like a dolphin, and try and make eye contact.”

While I toyed with the idea that too much sea water

Photo: Tourism New Zealand, Whale Watch Kaikoura

The underwater buffet

Now you’re just showing off

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[Caption]

With the boat coasting over crystal clear, icy blue waters and the winter air producing snow-capped mountain views of unparalleled clarity, I sat back with the sun on my face and fully enjoyed the downtime.

That is, until we’d been sailing 25 minutes with nary a peep of a blowhole. Our skipper finally yelled the (wallet) relieving cry of “dolphins sighted” and we raced to the side of the boat.

I (see a) pod A pod of roughly 300 dolphins could be seen splashing away in a reverie of acrobatic fervour. It was magnificent.

More than a little eager, I attached my snorkel and flopped out into the ocean. Any worries I’d had of not seeing a dolphin had instantly been replaced by the frightening thought that I’d end up kicking one in the face. They were absolutely everywhere.

Darting around me yet forever staying just out of reach, it felt like I’d been dropped into an underwater whirlwind.

Armed with an education at the hands of David Attenborough and the BBC, my mind began to shuffle through a series of encyclopaedic flashcards in the hope of giving me an edge.

Just what the hell do I know about dolphins? Let’s see.

Friendly to humans. Enjoy sex just for the hell of it. Prone to gang rape. Can swim whilst asleep.

Woah woah woah. Back up there brain. Gang rape?!

Better not act too dolphin-y then.

Still, I’m nothing if not adventurous (or foolhardy, I get them confused) and slowly swimming into the flipper tornado, I began to find my feet.

I eventually locked eyes with one swimming past (admittedly a bulging, stalker-kind of eye contact) and was amazed by the seemingly human emotion that stared back.

It was phenomenal. Ball-eyeing me with incredible

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intensity, I began to swim to the right in a bid to keep up.

Cautious I wasn’t giving him too much of the eye (tabloid headlines of dolphin/backpacker gangbang still at the forefront of my thoughts), I held my own and saw the snap moment where interest changed to mischievousness.

Steadily building up speed, Ecco (as I liked to call him) was toying with me, circling around me ever faster as my rather pathetic limbs struggled to keep up.

As the dizziness began to overwhelm me, he gave me

Happy to see you too

one last wink and spiralled beneath my feet into the depths of the ocean.

With Ecco well and truly bored with my company, I was left to try out my garbled underwater voice to attract others. A random combination of high pitch squeaks only seemed to succeed in driving them away, so changing tact, I thought I’d sing something harmonious. Melodic.

Timeless.

So off I went alternately switching between squeaking the Muppets and Friends theme tunes through my snorkel. Both seemed appropriate.

By the time the captain’s boat-horn blasted, I’d started to feel like a cat in a washing machine – soggy, bewildered and spinning around but ever so perversely loving it.

The view from above the water was just as impressive.

Witnessing hundreds of dolphins leaping, somersaulting and spinning in perfect aerial synchronicity was astounding.

Even without the threat of dolphin violation, it was one of the most exciting and awe-inspiring moments of my trip, and I didn’t even have to rely on my proposed Bavarian-kicking retribution to leave me feeling satisfied.

Damage and details: Matt travelled with Kiwi Experience on a Funky Chicken pass which costs from $1,099. Minimum travel time is 20 days.

See: kiwiexperience.com

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North Island

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North island antics The north island is brimming with action no matter what floats your boat, it may even retrieve your winter mojo from hibernation WORDS LUKE O’BRIEN

After working like a dog through a long Sydney winter, I was worn out and depressed. It was too cold to surf and I was too tired to play rugby. I needed a holiday to get rid of all that pent up testosterone. I’m not the kind of guy who gets off on yoga or health food. I needed to do something dangerous. I needed some eye-popping, testical-tightening action. So when a colleague of mine told me about the mental adrenalin adventures he did in New Zealand, I thought it was just the ticket. It was time for my most excellent adventure yet.

I was trading burnt-out Oz for a country made up of fresh mountain air, laidback locals and of course beautiful, sexy if sometimes temperamental sheep.

Touching down in Wellington, I was soon copping grief for wearing a Wallabies jumper. Despite that, the city is definitely one of the most picturesque cities I have ever seen. Surrounded by lush mountain ranges, which descend steeply into a buzzing city cornered off by a gorgeous harbour, this city has it all.

Some travellers treat Wellington mainly as a stopover point for heading between the two main islands. But after a couple of heavy nights out on the tiles, I can safely say that if you don’t stay in the capital for at least a couple of days you are about as bright as a Kiwi’s favourite farm animal.

“

Bungy jumping is like the first time you have sex

”

of seconds and the only thing between you and a very awkward situation is a little bit of rubber between your legs. Un-fucking-believable!

Skydiving in NZ is another must-do – one of the most breathtaking experiences that you can undertake.

Along with the unparalleled adrenalin rush you experience on the way down, it is a great way to see pretty much the whole of the North Island.

So what better way to calm my already overworked

This is fun in any context

Gone Waikato After a long, yet amazing drive into Taupo, all I was looking for was a nice cold beer and a comfy bed for the night. What I stumbled across however was a tourist destination second to none. I was swift to discard my bags, shower up, splash some of my finest Old Spice on and cruise out.

The night rolled by on a sea of mixed beverages. As far as hangover remedies go, there is nothing quite like hurling yourself off a platform, suspended 47 metres above the ominous, freezing waters of Waikato River.

Bungy jumping is like the first time you have sex. You get extremely nervous beforehand, it’s over in a matter

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[Caption]

Superman. Almost.

adrenal glands than a nice peaceful (yeah right!) boat ride along the Waikato River to the Huka Falls. Jet boats can speed along at 60mph in water levels as shallow as six inches.

Rotarua rocks As I steamed in to Rotorua (pardon the pun), there was a strange aroma in the air. No it wasn’t the abundance of foul smelling hot rock springs, it was fear. After Taupo I didn’t know if my body was up for it.

So I decided to go straight to the gnarliest place on Earth and find out: Agrodome adventure park.

Butterflies were doing summersaults in my stomach, as I approached what appeared to be the largest building crane in the world, I couldn’t help but casually wonder what it would be like to throw myself off it.

I wasn’t being serious... but once the boys strapped me into a sleeping bag, hoisted me up to this flimsy looking apparatus and told me to yank a rip chord, it felt serious enough.

Hurtling towards the ground at freefall speed was absolutely terrifying! (That said, I would do the Swoop again in a heart beat.) Agrodome also offers a range of breathtaking activities. After trying each and every one out I was spent and once again in search of that purifying ale.

Auckland bunnies New Zealand’s largest city is the starting point for the majority of travellers who cruise into NZ. One of the first stops for travellers in Auckland should be Kelly Tarlton’s aquarium. This is the place where the saying “getting back to nature” is a reality.

For those more adventurous travellers like myself you have the option of feeding 250kg rays, swimming

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with mean-ass looking sharks and sussing out a penguin enclosure that even had me saying the little devils were cute.

That night I went to the Globe bar, where it was my duty to host a Playboy party. I felt like Hugh Hefner on viagra. I had found my mojo again. By the time I got back to Sydney I was like a new man.

Reflecting on a good time

BAY OF PLENTY WHERE THE GLASS IS NEVER HALF EMPTY When 18th Century navigator Captain James Cook calls a place The Bay of Plenty, you know it’s a bit special.

Wauranga (meaning “safe anchor”) and with more than 100km of glittering white sand, crystal clear, rolling surf beaches, beautiful harbours and an unbeatable lifestyle, the region is still living up to its name.

The Bay of Plenty lies two-and-a-half hours from Auckland and Mount Maunganui is a popular seaside resort town just a fiveminute drive from Tauranga.

Located on the East Coast of New Zealand’s beautiful North Island, the Bay of Plenty offers so much choice. Head for the coast and take the opportunity to surf, fish, hire a boat or just dig your toes in the sand and read your book. The choice is yours.

In this laidback corner of New Zealand, everything slows down a pace. Surfers take to the beaches, packs of women in chatty walking groups gossip about their neighbours and young couples cosy up over a cappuccino in a trendy café.

The Bay of Plenty basks in a year-long warm climate and is also one of the sunniest regions in New Zealand. It was this combination of good weather and chilled atmosphere that initially attracted retirees from around the world, but now overtaking Dunedin as New Zealand’s fifth-largest urban area, it’s very much a young, vibrant and happening place.

On my recent visit to Tauranga, I did what most locals seem to do on a sunny day: I climbed a mountain.

Xxxxxxxx Mount Maunganui appears to be actually more of a hill than a mountain, and the locals take to walking to its peak – or simply around the flat base – for a spot of exercise. I’d been out drinking it up along The Strand in Tauranga the night before and was keen to sweat off some alcohol fumes, so off I set towards the peak.

OUR PICK

Some 30 minutes or so later, I stood at the top, sweat towel in hand, and surveying the surrounding landscape. And seriously, those Kiwis are onto something good. Long stretches of golden sand stretched out in all directions. The sun was streaming down over the sparkling water and the town looked every bit the pleasant sort of place I wouldn’t mind sticking around a while.

You simply can’t ignore the pristine water here, so it’s no surprise that most of the activities involve the wet stuff. Enjoy trips to Matakana Island, which acts as a barrier to Tauranga Harbour, and Tuhua (Mayot) Island, a stunning bush-clad retreat in the Bay of Plenty. Otherwise, there are plenty of boats to take you swimming with or spotting dolphins, or to just cruise around the harbour.

For the more adventurous, there’s paragliding, jet-skiing, sea kayaking, hiking and mountain biking. But you’ve absolutely got to try blo-carting while you’re in town. Like go-carts with a sail, these things totally scream around the tracks with super fast manoeverability. The inventer is a Kiwi and he’s been selling the blo-carts around the world, but if you head down to the factory, you can have a race with your mates around the purpose-built track for just $15.

Venturing away from Tauranga and towards the Eastern Bay of Plenty, the urban influence diminshes and in it’s place a more Maori feel, which is appropriate since some of the first Maori to reach New Zealand arrived here in their great waka (war canoes).

Raging from the coast of Whakatane is the active volcanic White Island, billowing white plumes of steam into the sky and really is a sight to behold. With more swimming with dolphin opportunities and incredible views, it’s also the ideal place to let of some steam, if you pardon the pun.

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Rotorua BAY OF PLENTY

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Thermal spring awakening There’s more to Rotorua than mud pools – they just happen to come in handy after an adventurous day of zorbing, rafting and biking WORDS ROBERT BURTON-BRADLEY

I’m in a raft with a middle-aged mother and her son who looks to be about 13. Our rafting guide is a wiry red head in his late 20s who sports an impressive beard and goes by the name Raana. As he talks us through the basics of rafting I note that he seems to be slightly wired. Whether this is because of the river we’re about to fly headlong down or for a more sinister reason I can’t tell. I look wistfully at the other raft of young people travelling downriver with us: two energetic female American students, a young laconic Kiwi guy and his friendly South African companion. All are probably aged less than 21. Meanwhile the middle-aged woman, Julie, increasingly apprehensive, starts making all sorts of demands for special treatment. At this point Raana turns to me and says: “Don’t worry, everyone capsizes the first time”.

“Great,” I think to myself as I retighten my life jacket.

Yet strangely enough by the end of the first rapid a bond is forming between my three unlikely companions and me. We’re in this together, and all of us have a sense of apprehension tinged with a slightly sickening mix of dread and exhilaration. Julie makes no secret of her fear of what lies ahead. The son and I both try and do the male thing and internalise our feelings and put on our best stoic adventurer personas. This is living on the edge.

Well, at least the edge of a raft on thick swirling rapids that are icy cold to the touch. Our guide is something of an anachronism; a ginger haired free spirit who probably moves from country to country hosting extreme adventure sports. He makes constant references to Maori culture and spirituality. At one point Raana has us stop right before a roaring rapid to offer some kind of vague prayer of thanks and blessing. “We don’t want to offend the river or make it angry,” he chides us. All I can hear is my heart pounding in time to the crashing of the water on solid rock around the corner. I think he’s doing this to heighten the suspense.

Other than a penchant for native spirituality there’s little about him that’s Maori. His wiry red beard and pale lanky frame scream several generations Nu Zuland with some kind of Scottish ancestry back through the mists of time.

“

We don’t want to offend the river or make it angry

”

Yet he’s a good guide who reads each passenger’s mood perfectly. Raana knows exactly when to praise, cajole or yell depending on who’s rowing the wrong way, working too hard, or too little. I feel safe with this guy. And then just as

Is anybody paddling?

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[Caption]

Thar she blows!

I’m lulled into thinking I can manage this confidently, Raana reveals I’m about to plunge vertically down more than seven metres of rushing white water into a churning foaming pit of angry cold foam.

“It’s the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall,” he tells me with an evil gleam in his eyes.

Mud pie A few hours later I’m lying on my back in a pool of thick viscous grey mud. A small agitated Indian man is yelling at me to rub it into my skin before he “gets the hose”.

No, I’m not in some kind of Rotoruan Silence of the Lambs re-enactment. I’m in one of the geothermal mud pools New Zealand is famous for, soaking in the mineral goodness and trying not to feel like a complete freak.

The pool I’m in slopes down at a 45-degree angle towards one end. My head is in the deeper end, so while my feet are sticking up into the air, my head is just above the water and despite my best efforts I already have sulphur-tasting muck in my mouth.

Afterwards I’m hosed down by my Indian friend, who tells me between blasts of icy cold water that this is for my own good as the acidic mud combined with the heat leaves my blood pressure dangerously elevated.

Later, my guide for the boiling thermal pools, who thankfully bears no resemblance to Hannibal Lecter, escorts me through bubbling geothermal pools, mud volcanoes and boiling acid, in what can only be described as fascinating and nightmarish at the same time. The reek of sulphur fills the nostrils as thick plumes of steam vent into the air and roll across the ground.

This particular park, about 20 minutes outside Rotorua, is known as Hell’s Gate, named so by the playwright George Bernard Shaw on a visit here in the early nineteenth century.

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Never was a name more apt. Truly, if anywhere on earth resembled the stereotypical entrance to the underworld, this is it.

The moonscape is essentially desolate except for little manuka bushes which are so shallow rooted they can grow right down to where sulphur thrusts up through the earth.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s Europeans flocked to this area during the height of the obsession with hot springs and mineral baths where they would “take the cure” as it was known. This consisted of bathing in pools of varying temperature and PH, some acidic, some alkaline. Indeed it’s still true today that bathing in the mineral rich waters and mud, is good for a variety of aches, pains, skin conditions and other afflictions. By the end of my week after several visits to different hot springs, I have the soft supple skin of my former 13-year-old self.

King of the mountain I glide through stands of tall sentinel like red woods in the hills above Rotorua, it’s beautiful and awe inspiring. I keep thinking how much this reminds me of Return of the Jedi and I expect Han Solo and a group of George Lucas’ Ewoks to jump out from behind the trees and challenge me with laser blasters and wooden arrows. I must confess I’m disappointed when this does not eventuate.

The trails in the hills behind Rotorua cater to all levels of biking experience, from broad flat trails to steep hikes and some seriously dangerous down hill sprints. The day I went there was mud and ice all over the tracks in places and I had at least one muddy landing.

The forests are made up of Douglas Fir trees, Radiata Pines and North American Redwoods. This odd mishmash is something to do with an experiment by the early European settlers to determine which trees suited the climate here

Congratulations it’s triplets!

best. The result is a wonderland for bikers to play in.

Beneath the trees are crystal clear streams flowing through ravines of fluorescent tree ferns. As I sit astride my bike during a moment of rest and watch water trickle along a streambed beneath a small wooden bridge, I honestly wonder why anyone in this town would ever bother to join a gym when you have this for exercise.

It’s a hard place to top

Damage and details: Robert travelled as a guest of Rotorua Tourism. See: rotoruaNZ.com

JETBOAT - SLEDGE - KARTING - ZORB - MONSTER TRUCK - SWOOP - LUGE

Human washing machine To the uninitiated, Zorbing is a strange concept.

Take a plastic hollow ball, fill it with warm water then suspend it inside a larger hollow plastic ball. Then you enter the ball before someone pushes it down a steep hill.

Where was this activity when I was a child? This was an absolute highlight of my time in Rotorua. Most people just wear swimmers but being winter some were wearing T-shirts as well. The two Japanese girls who went before me “foolishly” wore tight white tops. My minder for the day Helen, a former tour guide who’s seen a thousand Contiki tours in her time, warns me off staging an impromptu wet T-shirt competition.

Before I even have time to protest, I’m whisked to the top of the hill in a four-wheel drive and then ushered into my ball. The ball teeters for what seems an eternity before lurching over the edge. They tell me to “try and stay upright and run with the ball,” like some kind of rodent on a wheel.

This lasts two seconds before I’m swept up in a wave of warm water and uncontrollable bouncing.

As I roll down the hill laughing, crying and screaming all at once, I notice through the semi-transparent plastic that Helen is happily checking emails in the sun, oblivious to my fate.

At the end the operators release the circular opening and out you, and all the water, gush.

At a guess I would say it’s kind of like being born. ❚

COMBINE ROTORUA’S LEADING ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES!

RAFT - SKYDIVE - MUD POOL - HANGI - HELI/RAFT - MOUNTAINBIKING & MORE

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Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands FIJI

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Another day in paradise Island-hopping in Fiji is one of the most relaxing holidays you’ll ever have and is a perfect way to banish the winter blues WORDS TOM STURROCK

The coconut leaves seem certain to break apart but Mali’s hands work them expertly, weaving them between one another in a deceptively strong tapestry that forms the basin of our traditional Fijian bushman’s basket. Some of the leaves splinter slightly as he forces them into place but they’re reinforced by the combined strength of the lush, green carapace already built around them. I finish the second side of the basket – with only the occasional pointer from Mali – and then begin to tie off the loose ends to make sure the basket is enclosed.

Mali shows me once, twice, three times: “It’s just like plaiting your girlfriend’s hair – now you finish the job.”

I’m terrible at it. The old left-to-middle, right-to-middle pattern is familiar enough, but the constant gathering of extra strands, to be dragged in with one hand and then the other, leaves me all fingers and thumbs. Eventually, we get there, tieing the ends off and then creating the basket’s opening by hacking the fibrous stalk away with a machete to leave the smart, functional finished product.

“You fill it with yams, tell your story and you go home,” Mali grins, holding the basket casually over one shoulder.

Next is coconut-carving. With machete still in hand, Mali chips away the hard shell, exposing the husk, before impaling the coconut on sharpened stick, custom-made for this very exercise. I do my best to tear away the coconut’s thick inner shell but it proves a struggle, raising peals of laughter from the resort’s watching staff. At Funky Fish on Fiji’s Malolo Island, watching coconuts leave travellers utterly defeated is top-shelf matinee entertainment.

Finally, the husk comes away in small, inelegant chunks and we’re into the tasty part of the coconut. Mali chops it up into cubes and mixes it with a plate of salt and garlic, which he assures me is perfect for marinating fish.

But, as though not yet satisfied with his demonstration of the humble coconut’s versatility, Mali shows me how part of the shell can be used as a hairbrush and how the stringy pieces of the husk can be roped together into string strong enough to bind the walls of huts together. After a week

travelling through Fiji’s tropics, I’m reminded once again that these islands are full of surprises.

Love songs and broken thongs A week earlier, my island-hopping adventure begins in Nadi, a coastal town on the western edge of Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island. After boarding the Yasawa Flyer in Port Denarau, we’re soon zooming through the open sea, heading north toward the island of Waya Lailai, the first port in our whistlestop tour. There, the Ecohaven resort is one of the few in Fiji owned entirely by the local villagers – most are part-owned and still dependent on some foreign investment.

Upon our arrival – we coast ashore in a battered metal dinghy – the staff gather on the beach to sing a Fijian welcome song, their voices raised, accompanied by a small ukulele. Accommodation on Fiji’s islands is often billed as a resort but it actually sells many of the establishments short – they are fairly basic but no less comfortable and have far more charm than any sparkling four-star chain hotel. The Ecohaven, for its part, is made up of huts – bures, in Fiji – dotted along a vast lawn overlooking a pristine beachfront.

After settling in, I introduce myself to Jerry, an enormous Fijian who runs the activity shack – he’s quite a sight down there, sporting a pencil-thin moustache, resplendent in his bright-red, XXXL Hawaiian shirt, seemingly filling every inch of space behind his desk. After locking me in for an afternoon hike to the island’s summit, Jerry offers his own take on the relaxed pace on Waya Lailai.

“All the villagers, they used to work six days a week – fishing, going to the mainland, rest on Sunday and then do it all again,” he explains, leaning back in a creaking chair.

“But now we have a resort, we have big smiles and just play the guitar all day; ‘Bula’ when tourists come.”

The hike to the island’s summit is considerably harder work – it is, admittedly, mostly my fault, my decision to attempt the hike wearing thongs soon proving foolhardy.

Following several days of heavy rain before our arrival, the ground is slick and spongey and, five minutes in, I suffer

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a disastrous double blow-out and am forced to discard the pair of busted flip-flops. Still, even in bare feet, the hike through the island’s hinterland, up its rugged, rocky slopes and through its pockets of thick jungle is worth it for the exquisite views from atop its jagged escarpment; the surrounding islands visible against the pinkish-orange sunset smeared across an uncluttered sky.

The expression ‘Fiji time’ may encapsulate the unhurried approach in this part of the world: if the boat’s running late or you want to take a nap – no problem, everyone’s on Fiji time. Relax. And it’s great, but on the second leg of the hike, the way back down, I discover that, although schedules might be flexible on Fiji time, it still gets dark at about 6pm.

I finally return to camp, under the cover of darkness, my legs coated in mud almost to the knee, having well and truly earned my dinner.

Mary, who runs the resort’s kitchen, has, since lunch, decided I look like Prince William – she appears to mean it as a compliment but I remain unconvinced – so there’s no chance of me slinking in unnoticed. “Prince Weel-yam,” she exclaims loudly. “Where have you been?”

I mutter something about Fiji time and start drinking.

In the corner, some of the staff have struck up a barbershop quartet; big Jerry plays a dinky little guitar, dwarfed in his hands, like a bear strumming a fiddle, while his mates sing.

At the intermission, he sidles over and I ask him to translate the last song’s lyrics.

“It’s saying, ‘if you cut my heart open, your photo would be inside’,” Jerry explains, suddenly very serious. “It’s a love song. They’re all love songs.”

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And so my first night in the Fijian islands, warm with island ballads, closes in around me, barefoot, bedraggled and with a belly full of beer.

A place to party There is an enjoyable rhythm to island-hopping in Fiji. The region’s main boat companies provide a hop-on, hop-off service, the boats tracking north from the mainland in the morning, all the way to the top of the Yasawas, before turning around and coming south in the afternoon, back past the Mamanucas before docking again at Port Denarau.

Travellers simply hitch a ride as far as they want to go; when the ferry draws close to each new island it drops anchor before motorboats, driven by staff at each resort, arrive to collect disembarking guests and carry them back to shore.

All that remains is for the island-hoppers to choose where they want to spend their time and, broadly speaking, the islands are divided into places to party and quieter, more low-key places that are big with couples. As it happens, my next stop, the Mantaray, on Nanuya Balavu, is a place to party. Even in a period that is generally slower for Fijian tourism, the Mantaray is often full, a mixture of Brits, Canadians, Americans, Aussies, Kiwis and Europeans arriving in droves to spend a few nights in its neat bures, some on stilts in the jungle, others mounted just metres from the sea.

The beach bar is where much of the action happens at the Mantaray, the open-fronted pavilion, surrounded by benches and hammocks, is an inviting place to share a Fiji Bitter and a conversation with fellow travellers. It’s also where punters gather for daily activities.

I immediately sign up for the kayaking, which takes us out from the resort’s sheltered inlet to a deserted beach – not exactly a rarity in Fiji – on the other side of the water.

There, after dragging our kayaks ashore, we snorkel on coral reefs and skim stones. Before sunset, a boat from the resort comes past to collect passengers for the sunset cruise.

It sounds terribly genteel but there’s neither a dinner jacket nor an hors d’oeuvre in sight. Instead, as dusk descends, we find ourselves in the open sea, bobbing in tyre tubes, collecting beers from a full esky.

The signature activity, though, is, as the resort’s name suggests, swimming with the island’s resident mantarays.

The timing of their presence is unpredictable but as soon as they’re sighted offshore a call goes around and the resort’s drums begin to beat, signalling that a swimming expedition

“

Some of the staff have struck up a barbershop quartet

”

is about to depart. The rays are alien-looking creatures with ‘wingspans’ of several metres, wide-spaced eyes and weird, gawping mouths that afford a line of sight straight down their gullets. Their movement through the water – during their visit to a so-called cleaning station, where smaller fish nibble at their skin and gills, clearing away parasites – looks completely effortless, arcing loops completed without the rays perceptibly moving a single muscle.

And, after dark, the fun and games only escalate – Nesi, the resort’s appointed master of ceremonies, herds the guests down from the dining hall to the beach where a limbo contest begins proceedings. Competitors are divided up by nationality, raising the stakes and ensuring all involved treat the contest with deadly seriousness. After all, bragging rights are on the line. After the limbo, won, perhaps unsurprisingly, by the sole Brazilian entrant, Nesi introduces a new game, played in pairs, where one partner must lower the other while holding their hand, allowing them to push a small stone as far along the ground as they can, before hauling them back to their feet without collapsing in a tangled pile. It’s a bizarre spectacle, with all manner of tactics employed, before Nesi weighs in at the last minute with an expert display to claim first place.

Last of all is the notorious ‘box game’, in which competitors, standing on one leg, take it in turns to bend down and lift a cardboard box off the ground using only their teeth. After each round, an inch or so of cardboard is torn from the box, making it ever harder to retrieve.

After some impressive efforts, Nesi once again confounds the watching throng by nimbly doubling over, barely even wobbling, and lifting the remaining sliver of cardboard off the deck. It’s freakish, but never in doubt.

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Get to the chopper!

constantly for the extent of my stay. There is the welcome song – which is continued all the way up from the beach and into the foyer – and the farewell song, which gets a couple of runs, and a stack of other island ditties in between. The Fijians, there can be no mistaking, love to sing.

Tavewa is remarkable among the Fiji islands for the variety and vivacity of its marine life. The resort, on a narrow peninsula, is a short boat ride from the aptly named blue lagoon, a stunning, secluded alcove where radiantly coloured fish dart in and out of the brilliant coral.

JETSET ACCOMMODATION JetSet Accommodation is one of Nadi's premier choice for upscale accommodations desirably located in Nadi Bay. The exceptional location of our hotel places you amidst the famous Wailoaloa Beach and the Nadi International Runway.

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Further afield, where the sea floor falls away into yawning, reef-lined caverns, I detect a flicker of movement out of the corner of my eye. When I look more closely, there’s no mistaking the grey skin and telltale dorsal fin – there’s a bloody shark about 20 metres from me. It’s not too big, I tell myself, nothing to worry about.

“What kind of sharks are down there?”, I ask our skipper, known only as Mr S, once back in the safety of the bow.

“They’re just reef sharks,” he shrugs, casually.

“Would they ever have a crack at a person swimming in the area?”, I ask, seeking reassurance.

Mr S just laughs – the mere idea of a shark attack is, apparently, ridiculous. I suppose that’s meant to be heartening. The rest of the afternoon is spent fishing – what better way to reassert my status at the top of the food chain than to hook the shark that scared me shitless earlier?

Alas, though, my chunk of herring, used as bait, remains utterly untouched for several hours. Fishing is an exercise in patience, I tell myself – it doesn’t matter if you don’t catch anything, right? It’s just nice to be out on the water with a line dangling over the side of the boat. Another day in paradise and all that.

Still, I can’t help but feel a pang of indignation when Mr S ambles over next to me and, about 10 minutes after casting his line out, whoops with excitement after attracting a bite.

“Keep a lid on it, champ,” I think to myself. “No need to throw a party over hooking a piddly little garfish.”

But then, as Mr S reels his line in, it becomes clear that there’s no garfish on the other end. Instead, Mr S reaches over the side and wrestles an octopus into the boat. It doesn’t come quietly – its head is about twice the size of a man’s hand and its tentacles wrap around Mr S’s heavily tattooed arm, all the way to his shoulder. The other anglers, myself included, are stunned, the calm of our fishing expedition shattered by the sight of an octopus writhing around in the boat, desperately squirting its ink as Mr S proceeds to kill it with his bare hands, smashing and tearing its head apart. It is, at the risk of understatement, not something you see every day.

“Octopus,” Mr S grins, with a raised, satisfied eyebrow.

“Will make good bait.” ❚

BAREESSENTIALS BANKS

Wellington

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Nationwide banks like Westpac, ANZ and Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) have the most branches and, if you are planning on spending a long period of time here, issue cards for use at ATMs (cashpoints).

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INSURANCE

You can change money at any bank.

American Express, Visa, Mastercard and Thomas Cook travellers’ cheques are all widely recognised.

Banks will give cash advances on Visa and Mastercard credit cards but for American Express you must go to a designated Amex office.

Foreign exchange is available for all international flights at airports.

Downunder Worldwide Travel Insurance 09 376 8292, dunder@internet.co.nz

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Auckland Metro Doctors Travelcare

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POST Post Offices are open 9am-5pm on weekdays. Mail can be sent to ‘Poste Restante, CPO’ in the relevant city. CPO stands for Chief Post Office. Mail will be held for 30 days. Delivery time is two days between major centres, a bit longer for rural areas.

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The type of visa you will need to enter NZ is determined by how long you want to stay and what you want to do while you’re there. If you are only entering New Zealand as a tourist you may need a visa depending on what country you are from. If you intend to work while you are in New Zealand you can apply for one online, once you’re here. Citizens of many countries can get a 23-month Working Holiday visa. immigration.govt.nz Visitor’s Visas Citizens of a number of countries do not require visas if they are visiting NZ for three months or less. On arrival, all visitors must be in possession of a valid ticket or enough funds to purchase a ticket out of NZ to a country they have the right of entry to, ie: you must already hold a visa for that country if one is required – you cannot expect to get the visa once you are in New Zealand. Your passport must be valid for three months beyond when you expect to leave NZ, and

@tnt_downunder you must also have sufficient money (NZ$1000 for each month of your visit) to support yourself during your stay. If you wish to stay longer than three months, you should apply for a Visitor’s Visa (which will allow you to stay in NZ for up to nine months) before you arrive in New Zealand, although British passport holders on arrival in NZ may be issued a permit valid for a stay of up to six months.

Extensions If you like New Zealand and decide you’d like to stay here longer you may extend your stay to a maximum of nine months in an 18 month period. To do this you need to apply for a further visitor permit. You can apply for these permits online ( immigration.govt. nz). If you do need to apply in person, New Zealand Immigration Service offices are located in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. The Auckland office is very busy and you may experience long delays when applying there. When applying, you need to show your outward ticket or prove your ability to purchase such a ticket; your current passport, a recent passport-sized photo and evidence that you still have sufficient funds to support yourself. If you do not have the required funds, you will need a guarantee of accommodation and maintenance from a NZ friend or relative who is willing to be your sponsor.

Photo: Tourism New Zealand

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BUNGY JUMPING We’re pretty certain that no country can match New Zealand’s dedication to scaring its visitors senseless, which is why no trip to Kiwiland is complete without some form of scream-inducing adrenalin activity. There’s no shortage of weird and wacky thrills available throughout the country, but there’s no doubting that the purest, and arguably scariest, experience is good old fashioned bungy jumping. You can do a bungy jump in just about every NZ town nowadays, but the original fear factory is Queenstown. AJ Hackett runs various jumps in the area, including the world’s first commercial bungy, the Kawarau (pictured), plus the ledge jump, towering 400m above Queenstown, and of course, the daddy of them all, the 134m Nevis jump. While in town, make sure you also check out Shotover Canyon Swing. It may not match the height of the Nevis, but the unique jumping styles and, er, sadistic tendencies of the jump masters make it a match for any adrenalin activity in New Zealand.

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BUSES & TOURS Atomic Shuttles South Island buses. 03 349 0697, atomictravel.co.nz Bottom Bus Far south tours.

03 477 9083, bottombus.co.nz

RENTAL FIRMS Ace Rental Cars 0800 502 277, acerentalcars.com.nz Apex Car Rentals 0800 939 597 , apexrentals.co.nz

Spaceships 0800 772 237, spaceshipsrentals.co.nz

United Campervans 09 275 9919, unitedcampervans.co.nz

Flexi-Pass Combines InterCity and Newmans. 0800 222 146, flexipass.co.nz

Mighty Cars and Campers (Formerly Backpacker Campervan & Car Rentals) 0800 081 026 mightycampers.co.nz

Wicked Campers 0800 246 870, wickedcampers.co.nz

Flying Kiwi Wilderness Expeditions 0800 693 296, flyingkiwi.com

Bargain Rental Cars 0800 001 122, bargainrentals.co.nz

Air New Zealand 1800 737 000, airnewzealand.co.nz

Darn Cheap Rentals 0800 800 327, dcrentals.co.nz

Air Pacific Fiji flights 0800 800 178, airpacific.com

Econo Campers 09 275 9919, econocampers.co.nz

Emirates 050 836 4728, emirates.com

Escape Rentals 0800 216 171, escaperentals.co.nz

Jetstar 0800 800 995, jetstar.com

Kiwi Experience 09 336 4286 kiwiexperience.com Magic Travellers Network 09 358 5600, magicbus.co.nz Nakedbus.com 0900 62533, nakedbus.com

Jucy Rentals 0800 399 736, jucy.co.nz

NZ Travelpass 0800 339 966, travelpass.co.nz

Nationwide Rental Cars 0800 803 003, nationwiderentalcars.co.nz

Stray 09 526 2140, straytravel.com

Pegasus Rental Cars 0800 803 580, rentalcars.co.nz

West Coast Shuttle Greymouth to Christchurch buses.

03 768 0028, westcoastshuttle.co.nz

Rent-A-Dent 0800 736 823, rentadent.co.nz Rental Car Village 09 376 9935, hire-vehicles.co.nz

ON THE ROAD

Standby Cars 0800 789 059, standbycars.co.nz

AIRLINES

Qantas 0800 808 767, qantas.com.au Virgin Australia 0800 670 000, virginaustralia.com Webjet Flights comparison website. webjet.com.au

FERRIES Interislander Linking Wellington and Picton. 0800 802 802, interislander.co.nz

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GET YOUR OWN WHEELS Whether it’s a campervan, car or even a bike, try to get your own transport for at least part of your Kiwi travels. There are few countries in the world that are so consistently stunning, safe and sparsely populated, so take advantage of the situation to get a bit of freedom and explore it for yourself, in your own time. You won’t regret it.

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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.

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Base Travel Level 3, 229 Queen St, 09 358 4874, basetravel.com

NICKI MINAJ Vector Arena. Sept 28. From $99.

Rapper, singer-songwriter and the self-confessed new queen of pop is bringing her super bass to New Zealand.

i-SITE Visitor Information 287 Queen St, 09 979 2333, reservations@aucklandnz.com Ferry Tickets Online (For inter-island ferry services) 39 Beach Rd, 0800 500 660, ferrytickets.co.nz Parks Information Centre Details on tramping, camping grounds, the Gulf Islands and exploring the regional parks. 21 Pitt St, open Mon-Fri, 09 366 2000 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 Auckland InterCity Travel Centre Buses around Auckland and the rest of New Zealand leave from here. Located beside the casino, Hobson St, 09 623 1503 Train Intercity trains arrive and depart from Britomart, 12 Queen St, Auckland.

09 270 5211

AUCKLAND STAY

Photo: Tourism New Zealand, Arno Gasteiger

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

09 275 4443, skywaylodge.co.nz

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Mahuhu Cresent, Auckland

3 Mercury Ln, Central. 09 307 0052, helpdesk@bkhostel.co.uk Central City Backpackers 26 Lorne St. 09 358 5685, backpacker.net.nz City Garden Lodge 25 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell.

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

09 303 4768, bed@backpackersco.nz

Princeton Backpackers 30 Symonds St. 09 963 8300, nigel@princeton.co.uk Queen Street Backpackers (VIP) 4 Fort St. 09 373 3471, enquiries@qsb.co.nz Uenuku Lodge (BBH) 217 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby.

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

09 378 0191, brownkiwi.co.nz

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

Verandahs (BBH) 6 Hopetown St. 09 360 4180

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

09 373 4546, lantana@xtra.co.nz The Fat Camel (Nomads) 38 Fort St. 09 307 0181, nomadshostels.com New Zealand Backpackers 8 Nixon St, Ponsonby.

09 376 3871, ajlodge@xtra.co.nz

Albert Park Backpackers (VIP) 27-31 Victoria St East.

09 309 0336, bakpak@albertpark.co.nz

Nomads Auckland 16-20 Fort St. 09 300 9999, nomadshostels.com

Auckland International Backpackers (BBH) 2 Churton St, Parnell. +64358 4584,

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

09 638 6545, oaklands.co.nz

Base Auckland 229 Queen St. 0800 227 369, stayatbase.com

Pentlands (BBH) 22 Pentland Ave, Mt Eden. +64 9638 7031

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

09 623 4267, hostelbackpacker.com

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Georgia Parkside Backpackers 189 Park Rd, Grafton.

09 309 8999, bacpacgeorgia@xtra.co.nz

Kiwi International Airport 150 McKenzie Road, Mangere.

0800 801 919, kiwiairport@xtra.co.nz

Ponsonby Backpackers (BBH) 2 Franklin Rd, Ponsonby.

09 360 1311, info@ponsonby-backpackers.co.nz

BK Hostel (BBH)

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

The two hour sails departs daily from the Auckland Viaduct. No experience necessary. 0800 397 567, explorenz.co.nz

Fullers Cruises Inner harbour cruises and longer cruises to Hauraki Gulf islands, with all-day passes and hop-on, hop-off options.

09 367 9111.

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

09 360 3800, aucklandzoo.co.nz

Auckland Bridge Climb Up and over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Westhaven Reserve, Curran St, Herne Bay, 0800 286 4958, ajhackett.com

Pride of Auckland The Pride of Auckland operates an impressive fleet of large, purpose-built yachts on the sheltered waters of Auckland’s Auckland Museum Waitemata Harbour and is See the world’s finest collection world famous for its sailing and of Maori and Pacific Island dining cruises. Join them for a artefacts. Explore New coffee, lunch, dinner, Waiheke Zealand’s natural history, sailing experience cruise or a discover the largest bird that full-day sailing adventure and ever lived and experience a experience the “City of Sails” Maori cultural show. 09 306 for what it is known for.

7067, 0800 397 567, aucklandmuseum.com explorenz.co.nz

i-SITE Auckland Atrium, skycity, Cnr Federal & Victoria Sts Backpackers World Travel 16-20 Fort St, 09 379 4126, backpackersworld.com

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Yaping’s House (BBH) 79 Owens Rd, Epsom.

09 623 4486, yapinghouse@hotmail.com Uenuku Lodge (BBH) 217 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby.

09 378 8990 YHA Auckland City Cnr City Rd & Liverpool St. 09 378 8990 YHA Auckland International 5 Turner St. 09 302 8200, yha.co.nz

AUCKLAND DO Explorer Bus Sightseeing around Auckland, 0800 439 756 explorerbus.co.nz On the Road Tours and Charters Sightseeing bus tours of Auckland and the north shore.

0800 486 877, ontheroad.co.nz Harbour Ferries Ferries can take you all over the harbour. Info about timetables and destinations available at the Ferry Building on Quay St. 09 424 5561 America’s Cup Sailing Experience

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, 09 528 0603, 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, nzmaritime.org Ponsonby West of the city, explore Victorian architecture and narrow streets with cafés, bars, clothes shops, art galleries and some lively nightlife.

Auckland Harbour Bridge Jump NZ’s only ocean touch bungy, 40m high. Westhaven Reserve, Curran St, Herne Bay, 0800 286 4958, ajhackett.co.nz Canyonz Ltd Explore subtropical canyons and abseil down crashing waterfalls.

0800 422 696, canyonz.co.nz New Zealand Surf Tours 09 832 9622, 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.

09 368 1835, skywalk.co.nz Fullers Bay of Islands Tours One, two and three-day tours from Auckland.

09 358 0259, boitc.co.nz Awesome Adventures Three-day Bay of Islands tours.

0800 658 058, awesomenz.com Beaches Auckland is surrounded by great beaches, including Judges Bay, Kohimarama, Okahu Bay, St Heliers Bay and popular Mission Bay.

Queen Street Auckland’s main boulevard with Aotea Square Markets shops, cafés and restaurants.

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

Dolphin viewing guaranteed.

GREAT BARRIER 0800 397 567, explorenz.co.nz

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The island is dominated by a native forest a network of criss-crossing tracks. greatbarrier.co.nz

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DON’T MISS!

Orama Resort (YHA) Karaka Bay Rd, 09 429 0063, yha.co.nz

YHA Paihia Cnr Kings and MacMurray Rds, Paihia, 09 402 7487, yha.co.nz

BARRIER DO Fullers Cruises Depart from the Ferry Building.

09 367 9102

Fullers Great Barrier Explorers Cruise and tours, summer only (October-April).

09 367 9111

WAIHEKE ISLAND A 35-minute ferry ride from Auckland. It is popular for its long sweeping beaches and craft shops.

Hekerua Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 11 Hekerua Rd, Oneroa, 09 372 8990, hekerualodge.co.nz Waiheke Island Hostel Seaview Road, Onetangi, Ph: (09) 372 8971, waihekehostel.co.nz

NORTHLAND The “winterless north” is Northland’s famous tag. The subtropical climate is good all year round and the area boasts some of the best beaches in NZ. Highlights include Ninety Mile Beach, Kerikeri and the beautiful Bay of Islands.

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

Malolo House (BBH) 110 Commercial Rd, 09 420 7262, helensville.co.nz/malolo.htm

HIBISCUS COAST Whangaparaoa Peninsula. A popular holiday spot, the peninsula offers water sport opportunities from windsurfing to boating. Busy in summer, this whole area is popular with bushwalkers.

Hisbiscus Coast Visitor Info Hibiscus Coast Hwy, 09 426 0076.

Marco Polo Backpackers Inn (BBH) 2d Hammond Ave, Hatfields Beach, 09 426 8455, marcopolo.co.nz

PAKIRI BEACH Famous for its white sand and isolation, there are several coastal walks here and gorgeous views.

Lion New Zealand – “The Ultimate Day Sail in the Bay” Join Lion New Zealand, NZ’s most famous maxi yacht. Enjoy a fresh BBQ lunch and activities such as kayaking, snorkelling, natural walks at Otehei Bay or simply kick back and enjoy the island atmosphere.

0800 365 744, bayofislands@explorenz.co.nz

Saltwater Lodge (BBH) 14 Kings Rd, 0800 002 266, saltwaterlodge.co.nz

Stray Possum Lodge (VIP) 09 429 0109, straypossum@acb.co.nz

Great Barrier Airlines Fly out of Auckland Airport or Auckland Shore Airfield.

0800 900 600,

0800 653 339, excitor.co.nz

Pickled Parrot Backpackers (BBH) Grey’s Lane, 09 402 6222, theparrot@paradise.net.nz

Overnight Cruises The Rock 24-hour cruise featuring kayaking, snorkelling with stingrays, fishing for your dinner, dolphin spotting.

0800 762 527, rocktheboat.co.nz

PAIHIA DO MARY POPPINS THE MUSICAL The Civic Theatre. October. From Oct 13. From $55 The world’s most super-cali-fradg-okay you get it, the magical musical arrives in Auckland this October after sell-out shows in Oz. Auckland CBD

eventfinder.co.nz

WAIPU Come to Waiku for snorkelling, fishing and exploring the caves. The Bream Bay Coast is a magnificent expanse of white sparkling sand just 30 mins drive from the city.

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

Waipu Wanderer (BBH) 25 St Marys Rd, 09 432 0532.

WHANGAREI The waterfront has been developed in the style of the early settlers (except with cafés, restaurants and galleries) and Mount Parahaki towers 241m above the city. Stroll along enticing beaches and dive at Poor Knights Islands. one of the world’s top diving sites. Also pay a visit to petty Whangerei Falls.

Whangarei I-SITE Visitor Centre 92 Otaika Rd, 09 438 1079

WHANGAREI STAY Bunkdown Lodge (BBH) 23 Otaika Road, 09 438 8886, bunkdownlodge.co.nz Coastal Cow Backpackers (BBH) 299 Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai Heads, 09 431 5444, coastalcow@xtra.co.nz Little Earth Lodge (BBH) 85 Abbey Caves Road, 09 430 6562, littleearthlodge.co.nz Piano Hill Farm (BBH) Piano Hill, Kauri, 09 433 7090, thefarm.co.nz Whangarei Falls Backpackers (BBH) Ngunguru Road, Glenbervie, 09 437 0609, whangereifalls.co.nz YHA Whangarei, Manaakitanga

52 Punga Grove Ave, 09 438 8954, yha.co.nz

WHANGAREI DO Dive! Tutukaka Poor Knights Islands dives, plus tours with kayaking, cave explorations, snorkelling, swimming, sea mammal-spotting.

PAIHIA Paihia is one of the most beautiful towns on the North Island with equal parts love for adventure, nature and a raucous nightlife.

AwesomeNZ Tours include Maori mythology, dolphin swimming and fast boats. Maritime Building, on the waterfront, 0800 653 339, awesomenz.com Bay of Islands i-Site The Wharf, Marsden Rd, Freephone: 09 402 7345 Base Travel 18 Kings Rd, 09 402 7111, basetravel.com

PAIHIA STAY Base Pipi Patch 18 Kings Rd 09 402 7111, stayatbase.com Captain Bob’s Beachhouse (BBH) 44 Davis Cres, 09 402 8668, capnbobs@xtra.co.nz Centabay Lodge (BBH) 27 Selwyn Rd, 09 402 7466, centaby@xtra.co.nz Mayfair Lodge (BBH) 7 Puketona Rd, 09 402 7471, bay-of-islands.co.nz/accomm/ mayfair.html Mousetrap (BBH) 11 Kings Rd, 09 402 8182, info@mousetrap.co.nz Peppertree Lodge (BBH) 15 Kings Rd, 09 402 6122,

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, 09 403 7248 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, 09 402 7421 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 365 744, explorenz.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. 0800 365 744, explorenz.co.nz Excitor “Hole in the Rock” Adventure One-and-a-half hours,

Awesome Cape Reinga Via Ninety Mile Beach – learn Maori myths and legends, navigate the quicksand stream, ride the dunes, visit a thousand year old forest. 0800 653 339, awesomenz.com

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

Information Centre End of the Pier, 09 403 8020

RUSSELL STAY The Coast Road Farm (BBH) Coast Rd, Whangaruru, 09 433 6894, thefarm.co.nz Ferry Landing (BBH) 395A Aucks Rd, Okiato Point, 09 403 7985, ferrylanding@clear.net.nz Wainui (BBH) 92D Te Wahapu Rd, 09 403 8278, stocked@xtra.co.nz

KERIKERI 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.

Dept of Conservation Office 09 407 8474

KERIKERI STAY Kerikeri Top 10 Holiday Park & Aranga Backpackers Aranga Drive off Kerikeri Rd, 09 407 9326, kerikeritop10.co.nz Hideaway Lodge Wiroa Rd, 0800 562 746 Hone Heke Lodge (BBH) 65 Hone Heke Rd, 09 407 8170, kerikeri.net/honeheke Kerikeri Farm Hostel (BBH) Ph: (09) 407 6989, kkfarmhostel@xtra.co.nz

NRTH BAY OF ISL i-Site Far North South Rd in Jaycee Park.

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NORTHISLAND 09 408 0879, kaitaiainfo@xtra.co.nz Farm Backpackers (BBH) End of Lamb Rd, Pukenui, 09 409 7863, farmbackpackers@xtra.co.nz North Wind Lodge Backpackers (BBH) Otaipango Rd, Henderson Bay, 09 409 8515, northwindlodge@xtra.co.nz Pukenui Lodge Hostel (BBH) Cnr SH1 & Wharf Rd, Pukenui, 09 4098837, stay@pukenuilodge.co.nz

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 Off Matauri Bay Road, 09 4051 019, welcomeswallow.com The Rainbow Warrior A monument to the noble but doomed Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior, sits on the site of a Maori pa on the headland at Matauri Bay. Travellers come here to dive the ship’s wreck.

WHANGAROA This area was once well known for its Kauri forests, but these days it’s more about game fishing. The scenery is ruggedly spectacular and sailing cruises are popular.

Tourist info centre Boyd Gallery, 09 405 0230.

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

DOUBTLESS BAY Less touristy than the Bay of Islands, the area around Doubtless is made up of tiny bays and coves, beach resorts and historical villages.

KARIKARI PENIN The Rusty Anchor (BBH) 1 Tokerau Beach Rd, 09 406 7141, info@rustyanchor.co.nz

TAIPA A tiny village with a boat-dotted harbour. You can swim with dolphins, hire boats or kayaks, and swim at the beautiful Coopers Beach. Taipa is worth visiting for its pretty beach.

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

Backpackers Heaven (VIP) Wagener Holiday Park, Houhora Heads, 09 409 8564, wagenerpark@xtra.co.nz

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Pukenui Lodge (YHA) Corner Wharf Rd & State Hwy 1, Houhora, 09 409 8837, yha.co.nz

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.

Rural town famous for being turned into Hobbiton in those films – some of the set still stands.

Waitiki Landing Far North Rd, 09 409 7508

Dargaville Info Centre 61 Normanby St, 09 439 8360.

Main Street Lodge (BBH) 235 Commerce St, 09 408 1275, mainstreet@xtra.co.nz

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

Far North Regional Museum Featuring all kinds of goodies, like the skeleton of a giant moa bird and salvages from local shipwrecks.

Pack or Paddle Thoms Landing, 09 4098 445, packorpaddle@hotmail.com

90 MILE BEACH The west coast of the Far North Peninsula is Ninety Mile Beach,a beautiful strip of coastline that takes you way up to Cape Reinga.

AHIPARA This is the best spot for sandtobogganing, located at the south end of Ninety Mile Beach.

YHA Ahipara Backpackers & Motor Camp 168-170 Takehe St, 09 409 4864, yha.co.nz Farm Backpackers (BBH) End of Lamb Rd, Pukenui, 09 409 7863 farmbackpackers@xtra.co.nz Endless Summer Lodge (BBH) 245 Foreshore Rd, 09 409 4181, endlesssummer.co.nz

AHIPARA DO Tuatua Tours Guided quad tours of Ninety Mile Beach sand dunes. 3 Main Road, 0800 494 288, tuatuatours.co.nz

HOKIANGA

DARGAVILLE STAY Dargaville Holiday Park (VIP) 10 Onslow St, 09 439 8296, dargavilleholidaypark@xtra.co.nz Kaihu Farm (BBH) RD6, Kaihu, 09 439 4004, kaihufarm@clear.net.nz The Greenhouse Hostel (BBH) 13 Portland St, 09 439 6342, m.stevens@clear.net.nz

MATAKOHE Travellers Lodge (BBH) 64 Jellicoe Rd, Ruawai, 09 439 2283 Kauri Country Northland 3hr 4WD eco-adventures, including free ticket to Kauri Museum. Devon Grove, Matakohe, 09 431 6007

WAIKATO Waikato District Info Centre 160 Great South Rd, Huntly, 07 828 6406 Shekinah (BBH) 122 Pungapunga Rd, Pukekawa, 09 233 4464, shekinah@ps.gen.nz

HAMILTON Hamilton is NZ’s largest inland city and is known for its parks and gardens.

Hamilton Visitor Centre 5 Garden Place, Hamilton 07 958 5960 visithamilton.co.nz DOC Office Level 5, Rostrevor St.

HAMILTON STAY

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

Colts n Fillies (BBH) 37 Smith Rd, Karamu, 07 825 9809, ktt.co.nz

Hokianga Information 09 405 8869, hokiangainfo@xtra.co.nz

Forty Winks (BBH) 267 River Rd, Claudelands, 07 855 2033, forty_winks@ihug.co.nz

HOKIANGA STAY Okopako Lodge (BBH) 140 Mountain Rd, South Hokianga, 09 405 8815, Globe Trekkers Lodge (BBH) SH12, Omapere, 09 405 8183.

Waitawa Farm Hostel (BBH) 164 Pukemiro Rd, 09 409 5809, valleyfarm@xtra.co.nz

J’s Backpackers (BBH) 8 Grey Street, 07 856 8934, jsbackpackers.co.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.

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26 Maniapoto St, otorohanga.co.nz

WAITOMO

Definitely one of the best adventure Hobbiton Backpackers spots in New Zealand. There are a 81 Arawa St, 07 888 9972, steve@hobbitonbackpackers.co.nz range of caving adventures, from glowworm ogling, to long dramatic abseils deep towards the centre of the earth and excellent blackwater CAMBRIDGE rafting (jump in an inner tube and This very Olde English town with its let the underwater current carry town square and abundance of you). trees is in the heart of Waikato. The region is famous for its horses and Waitomo Caves Discovery jetboating.

Centre 21 Waitomo Caves Rd, 0800 474 839.

Cambridge Tourist Info Centre waitomodiscovery.org Cnr Queen and Victoria Sts, 07 823 3456

WAITOMO STAY

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 0556

RAGLAN STAY Ewe Dream’Inn (BBH) 2458 State Highway 22, Glen Murray, 09 233 3144, glenmurray.net Raglan Backpackers & Waterfront Lodge (BBH) 6 Wi Neera St, 07 825 0515, raglanbackpackers.co.nz Karioi Backpacker Lodge (VIP, BBH) & Raglan Surfing School 5 Whaanga Rd, Whale Bay, 07 825 7873, karioilodge.co.nz Solcape Accommodation Centre (BBH) 611 Wainui Rd, 07 825 8268 Waikatoa Beach Lodge (BBH) 8 Centreway Rd, Sunset Beach, Port Waikato, 09 232 9961, sunsetbeach.co.nz

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.

Te Awamutu District Museum 135 Roche St. 07 872 0085

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.

OTOROHANGA

Juno Hall (BBH) 07 878 7649 Kiwipaka School Rd, 07 878 3395 Rap Raft & Rock Backpackers (BBH) 95 Waitomo Caves Rd, 07 873 9149, rapraftnrock@xtra.co.nz

WAITOMO DO Dundle Hill Walk A two-day walk through native bush; limestone outcrops includes overnight with spectacular views at Kays Cabin.

0800 924 866 Marakopa Falls, Managapohue Natural Bridge and Piri Piri Cave, 30 minutes drive from Waitomo.

Rap Raft ‘n’ Rock Blackwater adventures combining abseiling, rafting, glowworms, caving and rockclimbing all in one five-hour adventure. 0800 228 372, caveraft.com The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co Cave tubing in the blackness of the Ruakuri Cave river. 585 Waitomo Caves Rd, 0800 228 464, blackwaterrafting.co.nz Woodlyn Park Pioneer Show, caving adventure, and quirky accommodation in a 1950s train carriage. Waitomo Valley Road, 07 878 6666.

TE KUITI Located 19km south of Otorohanga, Te Kuiti is known as “The Shearing Capital of the World”. There’s also a magnificent Maori marae (meeting house) here.

Te Kuiti Information Centre Rora St, 07 878 8077.

Dept of Conservation 78 Taupiri Street, 07 878 1080.

Tiffany’s Tearooms, Rora St, 07 878 7640

Just 59km south of Hamilton, many travellers use this small farming TE KUITI STAY community as a base for visiting the Casara Mesa Backpackers (BBH) Waitomo Caves.

Mangarino Rd, 07 878 6697, Otorohanga Visitor Info Centre casara@xtra.co.nz

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NORTHISLAND KING COUNTRY The King Country is the region south of the Waikato and the Maori influence has remained strong with the opportunity to experience Maoritanga (the Maori way).

Backpackers (BBH, VIP, YHA) 506 Brown St, 07 868 8808, sunkist@xtra.co.nz Te Aroha YHA Hostel Miro Street, Te Aroha (south of Thames), 07 884 8739, yha.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.

FOREST PARK There are heaps of walks to choose from. The Colville Range is the most popular but the Department of Conservation in the Kauaeranga Valley is the place to begin.

THAMES A great canyoning spot, with loads of natural pools and waterslides.

Information Thames 206 Poland St, 07 868 7284 DOC Office 07 868 6381 Canyonz Ltd 0800 422 696, canyonz.co.nz

THAMES STAY Dickson Holiday Park Victoria St, 07 868 7308, Gateway Backpackers (BBH) 209 Mackay St, 07 868 6339, gatewayb@wave.co.nz The Sunkist International

COROMANDEL Some 55km north of Thames is the town of Coromandel, home to the popular Driving Creek Railway.

Coromandel Information Centre Kapanga Rd, 07 866 8598.

CORO STAY Anchor Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 448 Wharf Rd, 07 866 7992, anchorlodgecoromandel.co.nz Black Jack Backpackers (BBH) Kuaotunu, 07 866 2988, black-jack.co.nz Colville Farm (BBH) 2140 Colville Road, Colville,

BOOK NOW! 07 866 6820 Coromandel Town Backpackers (BBH) 732 Rings Road, 07 866 8830 Lions Den (BBH) 126 Te Tiki St, 07 866 8157 Tidewater Tourist Park (YHA) 270 Tiki Rd, 07 866 8888, yha.co.nz Tui Lodge (BBH) 60 Whangapoua Rd, 07 866 8237, tuilodge@paradise.net.nz

OPOUTERE This is a good place to go to just chill out. The beach here is glorious and generally empty. Skinny dip anyone?

YHA Opoutere 389 Opoutere Rd, 07 865 9072, yha.co.nz

follow us on (BBH) Cnr Port Rd and Mayfair Avenue, 07 865 9580, thesouthpacific.co.nz Whangamata Backpackers Hostel (BBH) 227 Beverley Tce, 07 865 8323

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 66 Albert St, 07 866 5555 Baywatch Backpackers (VIP) 22 The Esplanade, 07 866 5481, anchorage@ihug.co.nz

TAURANGA STAY Appletree Cottage 47 Maxwell Rd, 07 5767404, appletreebackpackers @hotmail.com Bell Lodge (BBH) 39 Bell St, 07 578 6344, bell-lodge.co.nz Harbourside City Backpackers (BBH) 105 The Strand, 07 579 4066, backpacktauranga.co.nz Just The Ducks Nuts Backpackers (BBH) 6 Vale St, 07 576 1366, justtheducksnuts.co.nz

A real surfie town, Whangamata has one of the best surf beaches in New Zealand and a laidback atmosphere to match.

Cat’s Pyjamas Backpackers (BBH) 12 Albert St, 07 866 4663.

Tuaranga Central Backpackers 64 Willow St, 07 571 6222, tgabackpack.co.nz

Whangamata Info Centre 616 Port Rd, 07 865 8340

Fernbird (BBH) 24 Harsant Ave, Hahei, 07 866 3080, fernbird@xtra.co.nz

YHA Tauranga 171 Elizabeth St, 07 578 5064, yha.co.nz

WHANGAMATA

Southpacific Accommodation

On the Beach Backpackers Lodge (BBH, YHA) 46 Buffalo Beach Rd, 07 866 5380, yha.co.nz Seabreeze Tourist Park (BBH) 1043 SH25 Tairua-Whitianga Rd, 07 866 3050

WHITIANGA DO Hot Water Beach & Cathedral Cove Rated as one of the world’s 10 best beaches, Hot Water Beach is an unusual phenomenon. For two hours either side of low tide you can dig a hole in the sand and sit in your very own thermal spa pool.

BAY OF PLENTY The Bay of Plenty, extending from the Coromandel Peninsula to the East Cape, was named by Captain Cook in honour of both the fertile nature of the region and the friendly local Maoris he encountered.

Activities include paragliding, sky diving, white water rafting, 4WD safaris, gliding, jet boating and swimming with dolphins.

WELLINGTON Arguably New Zealand’s coolest city, the capital Wellington boasts an enviable nightlife and cultural scene.

It’s very easy to lose a day in the country’s best museum, Te Papa, while the interesting mix of government employees and bohemians that make up the local population make it an always lively place for a night out, especially in the area around Cuba Street. Don’t miss getting the cable car up to the botanic gardens for some spectacular views over the city.

TAURANGA DO Butlers Swim With Dolphins 0508 288 537 Waimarino Adventure Park 07 576 4233 Coyote Bar and Restaurant 107 The Strand, 07 578 8968, coyotes.com

MT MAUNGANUI Home to Ocean Beach which, at 15km long, is considered by locals to be among the finest surfing in the country. The town stands at the foot of Mt Maunganui, a slab of rock 232m high, around which you can appreciate stunning views.

Mt Maunganui Visitor Centre Salisbury Ave, 07 575 5099 Te Puke Information Centre 130 Jellicoe St, 07 573 9172

MAUNGA STAY Hairy Berry Backpackers (BBH) 2 No One Rd, Te Puke, 07 573 8015, work@hairyberrynz.com Mount Backpackers (BBH) 87 Maunganui Rd, 07 575 0860, mountbackpackers.co.nz

Pacific Coast Backpackers (BBH) 432 Maunganui Rd, 0800 666 622, One of the fastest growing places in pacificcoastlodge.co.nz NZ, Tauranga combines a young population with a harbourside atmosphere. Enjoy diving, sailing, MAUNGA DO fishing and surfing.

Kiwifruit Country Young Rd, Te Puke, 07 573 6340, Tauranga i-site 95 Willow St,

TAURANGA

Photo: TNT Images

Department of Conservation 253 Chadwick Rd West, 07 578 7677

Loft 109 (BBH) 8/109 Devonport Rd, 07 579 5638, loft109.co.nz

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

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07 578 8103

Cathedral Cove Lodge Villas (VIP) 41 Harsant Ave, Hahei Beach, 07 866 3889.

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kiwifruitcountry.co.nz Te Puke Vintage Auto Barn, 26 Young Rd, 07 573 6547

WHAKATANE For a very different adventure, visit White Island, an active volcano where sulphur-lipped fumeroles and roaring steam vents create a stark wonderland.

Karibu Backpackers (BBH) 13 Landing Rd, 07 307 8276 Lloyds Lodge (BBH) 10 Domain Rd, 07 307 8005 The Windsor (BBH) 10 Merritt St, Whakatane, 07 308 8040, whaka_bpack@xtra.co.nz

WHAKATANE DO Dive White 168 The Strand, 0800 348 394, divewhite.co.nz White Island Tours Departs Whakatane daily.

0800 733 529

ROTORUA

Rotorua is a must for three reasons: the abundance of accessible Maori culture, the steaming volcanic scenery and adrenalin thrills. Visit the bubbling mud at Whaka, take a dip in a thermal bath and pig out on a hangi at a Maori concert. Even the air here is special – it’s heavy with sulphur. You’ll smell it the moment you arrive.

Tourism Rotorua & Visitor Info Centre 1167 Fenton St, 07 348 5179

ROTORUA STAY Base Rotorua 1286 Arawa St, 0800 227 369, stayatbase.com Cactus Jack Backpackers (BBH) 1210 Haupapa St, 07 348 3121, cactusjackbp@xtra.co.nz

Rotorua Central Backpackers (BBH) 1076 Pukuatua St, 07 349 3285, rcbenquiry@slingshot.co.nz Spa Lodge (BBH) 1221 Amohau St, 07 348 3486, spalodge@wave.co.nz

ROTORUA DO Agroventures Five adrenalin activities in one adventure park, including bungy jumping, sprint boats and a wind tunnel. 1335 Paradise Valley Rd. 07 357 4747, agroventures.co.nz Hell’s Gate Mud baths to heal and stimulate your body 07 345 3151

07 332 5748, offroadnz.co.nz Polynesian Spa Historical hot mineral water bathing spa on the edge of Lake Rotorua.

07 348 1328, info@polynesianspa.co.nz Raftabout Whitewater rafting and sledging.

0800 723 822, raftabout.co.nz

Crank Backpackers 1140 Hinemoa St, 07 348 0852, crankbackpackers.co.nz

Kaitiaki Adventures Extreme whitewater activities.

Sledging and rafting trips on the Kaituna and Rangitaiki Rivers, 0800 338 736, kaitiaki.co.nz

Crash Palace Backpackers (BBH, VIP) 1271 Hinemaru St, 07 348 8842, info@crashpalace.co.nz

NZONE Skydive Skydive from 15,000ft over Rotorua, 07 345 7250, nzone.biz

Waimangu Volcanic Valley The location of the Pink and White Terraces which were destroyed in the 1886 volcanic eruption.

Planet Nomad Backpackers (VIP) 1193 Fenton St, 07 346 2831, downtown-rotorua@xtra.co.nz

Off Road NZ Sprint car racing, Monster 4X4, 4WD Bush Safari and more.

Wet ‘n’ Wild Rafting Guided rafting options on five different rivers – the Wairoa,

Zorbing Get harnessed inside the perspex Zorb before rolling head-over-heels downhill.

07 357 5100, zorb.com

MAORI CULTURE

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.

07 333 1861

Rangitaiki, Kaituna, Motu and Mohaka. 0800 462 7238, wetnwildrafting.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.

NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute 07 348 9047 The Realm of Tane A blend of guided tour, character theatre and story telling within a series of magical sets. 1220 Hinemaru St, 07 349 2999, maoriculture.co.nz Rotoiti Tours 0800 476 864 Tamaki Maori Village Tours, hangi and concert.

Hinemaru St, 07 349 2999, maoriculture.co.nz

WORD FROM THE STREET

Set amidst a geothermal landscape is The Living Thermal Village of Te Whakarewarewa.

Join a guided tour and discover how our people have learnt to live in harmony with Mother Earth.

Sit back and relax at our Maori Cultural Performances.

Indulge in the unique geothermal cuisine that can only be found at Whakarewarewa.

Harry Meeuwsen, Netherlands SEEN MUCH ON THE NZ? I’ve been travelling for two weeks. We’ve driven around the South Island, starting and ending in Christchurch CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE DONE? I did a canyon swing in Queenstown. It was absolutely marvellous ANY RUN-INS WITH WILDLIFE? We’ve met the weka, a flightless bird, a nice little animal. We first thought that we saw a Kiwi and we were taking as many pictures as possible, till somebody told us that it wasn’t! We must have looked quiet foolish

www.whakarewarewa.com Phone +64 7 349 3463

Email: info@whakarewarewa.com

10% OFF General Admission Present advert in store for discount. Excludes Family Pass and Combos.

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NORTHISLAND Whakarewarewa Thermal Village Maori village set amidst a landscape of geothermal wonders. Take a guided tour, see a cultural performance, check out Maori art.

07 349 3463, whakarewarewa.com

LAKE TAUPO Lake Taupo used to be a hidden gem, but nowadays it’s the place to visit in the North Island, thanks to its wicked mix of adrenalin adventures, sedate lake life and after-dark partying.

Taupo Visitor Centre 30 Tongariro St, 07 376 0027 laketauponz.com

TAUPO STAY Berkenhoff Lodge (BBH) 75 Scannell St, 07 378 4909, bhoff@reap.org.nz Blackcurrant Backpackers (BBH) 20 Taniwha St, Ph: (07) 378 9292, blackcurrantbackpackers@xtra. co.nz Rainbow Lodge (BBH) 133 Summers St, Ph: (08) 9227-1818, rainbowlodge@clear.net.nz Finns Global Backpackers (VIP) Cnr Tongariro & Tuwharetoa Sts, 07 377 0044, go-global.co.nz Silver Fern Lodge Flash-Packers (VIP) Cnr Tamamutu & Kaimanawa Sts, 07 377 4929, silverfernlodges.co.nz Sunset Lodge (BBH) 27 Tremain Ave, 07 378 5962, info@sunsetlodgetaupo.co.nz Base Taupo 7 Tuwharetoa St, 07 377 4464, stayatbase.com Taupo Urban Retreat 65 Heu Heu St, 0800 872 261, taupourbanretreat.co.nz Tiki Lodge 104 Tuwharetoa St, 0800 845 456, tikilodge.co.nz YHA Taupo 56 Kaimanawa St, 07 378 3311, yha.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.

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. The more energetic will enjoy the trek up Mt Tauhara where you will be rewarded with sweeping views.

Hukafalls Jet Jetboating by the falls.

0800 485 2538, hukafallsjet.com Rock ‘n’ Ropes Ropes

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Courses including the trapeze and Giant Swing. At Crazy Catz on Highway 5. 0800 244 508, rocknropes.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 Ngawaka Place, 07 386 8999

TURANGI STAY A Plus Backpackers (BBH) 41 Iwiheke Pl, Turangi, 07 386 89 79, makoto0305@xtra.co.nz Club Habitat Backpackers Assoc YHA 25 Ohuanga Rd, 07 386 7492, yha.co.nz

BOOK NOW! National Park Backpackers YHA (BBH) Finlay St. The hostel runs transport to the Tongariro Crossing, 07 892 2870, npbp.co.nz Plateau Lodge & Motel (BBH) Carroll St, National Park, 07 892 2993, plateaulodge@xtra.co.nz Ski Haus (BBH) Carroll St, McKenzie St, 07 892 2854, skihaus.co.nz

Maraehako Bay Retreat (BBH) SH35, Whanarua Bay, 07 325 2648.

Ruapehu Visitors’ Centre 54 Clyde St, 06 385 8427

Mel’s Place (BBH) Onepoto Beach Rd, Hicks Bay, 06 864 4694, eastcapefishing@xtra.co.nz

Whakapapa Visitor Centre SH 48, Whakapapa Village, 07 892 3729

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.

The Stockmans Lodge (BBH) 9 Dixon Way, 06 388 1584, stockmanslodge@xtra.co.nz River Valley Dorms 06 388 1444, thelodge@rivervalley.co.nz

RANGITIKEI DO

River Valley Rafting and horse trekking. 06 388 1444, thelodge@rivervalley.co.nz

Forest Lodge (BBH) Cnr Omaki and Ohorere Rds, Owhango, 07 895 4773, forest.lodge@xtra.co.nz Howards Lodge (BBH) Carroll St, National Park, 07 892 2827, howardslodge.co.nz YHA Matai Lodge (BBH) 1 Rata St, Ohakune, 06 385 9169, matai.lodge@xtra.co.nz

Brians Place (BBH) Potae St, Tokomaru Bay, 06 864 5870, briansplace1@hotmail.com

MT RUAPEHU

Riverstone Backpackers (BBH) 222 Tautahanga Rd, 07 386 7004, riverstonebackpackers.com

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

EAST CAPE As you head around the Cape the towns get tinier and the scenery more dramatic. At Te Araroa, you can thead around to the East Cape Lighthouse.

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

Extreme Backpackers (BBH) 26 Ngawaka Place, 07 386 8949, extremebackpackers.co.nz

The World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park, an extraordinary volcanic landscape which became Mordor in those films. Pop into the national park headquarters in Whakapapa.

hangout@paradise.net.nz

Eastender Backpacker & Horse Treks (BBH) 836 Rangitukia Rd, Tikitiki, 06 864 3820, horsetreks@xnet.co.nz

Mokai Gravity Canyon Extreme flying fox, bridge swing and bungy jump.

0800 802 864

TONGARIRO

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GISBORNE Gisborne is a peaceful surfie town that boasts diving, windsurfing, kayaking and whitewater rafting; try Wainui, Midway and Makarori beaches. You can also soak up the Maori heritage at one of the largest carved maraes in NZ.

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WAIROA Wairoa is a large town, great as a stop-over before heading into the area’s main attraction: the gorgeous Te Urewera National Park.

Wairoa Visitor Information Centre Queen St, 06 838 7440 Haere Mai Cottage (BBH) 49 Mitchell Rd, 06 838 6817 DOC office for hut bookings Lake Waikaremoana, 06 837 3900

NAPIER Napier is a beautiful, surprising city.

Its “pleasing to the eye” status is actually the result of an enormous earthquake which meant the entire town had to be rebuilt.

Visitor Info Centre 100 Marine Parade, 06 834 1911 Depart of Conservation Office Marine Parade, 06 834 3111

NAPIER STAY Aqua Lodge (BBH) 53 Nelson Cres, 06 835 4523, aquaback@inhb.co.nz

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

Criterion Art Deco Backpackers (VIP, Roamfree) 48 Emerson St, 06 835 2059, criterionartdeco.co.nz

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

Napier Prison Backpackers (BBH) 55 Coote Rd, 06 835 9933,

WORD FROM THE STREET

EAST COAST The East Coast is among the first places in the world to see the sun rise each morning. This is a relatively tourist-free area of New Zealand that has so much to offer that it can only be a matter of time before visitors begin to flock here.

OPOTIKI A summer holiday town which was once a large Maori settlement and the indigenous people maintain a strong presence here.

Opotiki Information Centre Cnr St John and Elliot Sts, 07 315 3031 Central Oasis Backpackers (BBH) 30 King St, 07 315 5165, centraloasis@hotmail.com Opotiki Backpackers Beach House (BBH) 7 Appleton Rd, Waiotahi Beach, 07 315 5117,

Joakim Lindhout, Netherlands HEY JOAKIM. DONE MUCH TRAVELLING? I’ve travelled around the South Island for 10 days by car. We travelled around both the north and south island. It’s been amazing GOT A FAVOURITE PLACE? Mount Cook. It was spectacular AND AFTER DARK? Definitely Queenstown. You could easily party seven nights of the week there

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WAIRARAPA

Waterfront Lodge & Backpackers (BBH) 217 Marine Pd, 06 835 3429, napierwaterfront.co.nz

The Wairarapa is a green, tree-lined region north-east of Wellington, famous for its wine and its many sheep – quintessential NZ.

YHA Napier 277 Marine Parade, 06 835 7039, yha.co.nz

MASTERTON

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@xtra.co.nz Glenross Lodge (BBH) Route 52, Rakaunui, 06 376 7288, glenross@xtra.co.nz Lochlea Farmstay (BBH) 344 Lake Rd, Wanstead, 06 8554 816 info@lochleafarm.co.nz The Rotten Apple Backpackers (BBH) 114 Heretaunga St, 06 878 4363, rottenapple.co.nz Travellers Lodge Hastings (BBH) 608 St Aubyn St, West Hastings, 06 878 7108, tlodge.co.nz

Home to the impressive Queen Elizabeth Park, the Wairarapa Arts Centre, and the best-tasting icecream in New Zealand.

Chanel Backpackers 14-18 Herbert St, 06 378 2877

TARANAKI Best known for its snow-capped mountain, Mt Taranaki. Peaceful and impressive, Taranaki has skifields, excellent surf beaches, great walking and climbing.

MOKAU Palm House Backpackers (BBH) 06 278 6523, taranaki-bakpak.co.nz

NEW PLYMOUTH Taranaki’s major town is New Plymouth. One of NZ’s finest art galleries is here (the GovettBrewster Art Gallery). It hosts a

great café.

Department of Conservation 220 Devon St West, 06 758 0433

PLYMOUTH STAY Eco Inn (BBH) 671 Kent Rd, between Egmont Village and New Plymouth on SH3.

06 752 2765 Egmont Lodge (BBH, YHA) 12 Clawton St, 06 753 5720, yha.co.nz Seaspray House (BBH) 13 Weymouth St, 06 759 8934, seaspray@maxnet.co.nz Shoestring Backpackers (BBH) 48 Lemon St, 06 758 0404 Sunflower Lodge (BBH) 33 Timandra St, 06 758, 2842 The Missing Leg (BBH) 1082 Junction Rd, Egmont Village, 06 752 2570, jo.thompson@xtra.co.nz

PLYMOUTH DO Taranaki Surf Charters 20 Beach Road, 025 592 306, taracoastal@hotmail.com

MT TARANAKI

SOUTH TARANAKI

The Camphouse (BBH) 6 Egmont Rd, 02 74 538 975, camphouse@taranaki-bakpak.co.nz

Information South Taranaki 55 High St, Hawera, 0800 111 323, visitorinfo@stdc.govt.nz

Taranaki Accommodation Lodge (BBH) 7 Romeo St, Stratford, 06 765 5444, mttaranakilodge@hotmail.com

Wheatly Downs Farmstay Backpackers (BBH) 484 Ararata Rd, Hawera, 06 278 6523, wheatlydowns@taranakibakpak.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. North Egmont Visitors Centre, 06 758 3222.

STRATFORD Stratford Information Centre Broadway Stratford (State Hwy 3), 06 765 6708, stratford@info.stratford.govt.nz New Plymouth Info Centre Puke Ariki Complex, St Aubyn Street, 06 759 6080, info@newplymouth.govt.nz Department of Conservation Pembroke Rd, 06 765 5144

WHANGANUI Braemar House (YHA) 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.

Wanganui Information Centre 101 Guyton St, 06 349 0508, info@wanganui.govt.nz Department of Conservation Office Cnr Ingestre and St Hill Sts, 06 345 2402

WORD FROM THE STREET

Grace Petre, Australia HI GRACE. SEEN MUCH OF NZ? I certainly have: Christchurch, Lake Wanaka, Queenstown, Greymouth, Milford Sound, Hanmer Springs and Fox Glacier GOT A FAVOURITE PLACE? My favourite spot was Queenstown. I enjoyed all of the adventure activities they have one offer including jet boat riding on the Shotover River, bungy jumping and parasailing on Lake Wakatipu. I also believe that Queenstown’s natural beauty is unrivalled FAVOURITE NIGHT SPOT? Again, Queenstown gets my vote

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NORTHISLAND PALMERSTON NTH

stayatbase.com

BOOK NOW!

Manawatu Visitor Centre 101 Guyton St, 06 490-508, manawatu.visitor-info@xtra.co.nz

Grandma’s Place (BBH) 146 Grey St, 06 358 6928, ak1@clear.net.nz

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

Peppertree Hostel (BBH) 121 Grey St, 06 355 4054.

Maple Lodge (BBH) 52 Ellice St. 04 385 3771

WELLINGTON

Wellington Visitor Info Centre Corner of Victoria & Wakefield Sts, 04 802 4860, wellingtonnz.com DOC Information Centre Lambton Quay,

BONE THUGS N HARMONY Studio, Auckland. Sept 12. $80 Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone, the god fathers of rap are back for one exclusive show in Auckland. Don’t miss it.

Karangahape Rd, Newton 04 472 7356 Ferry to the South Island Boats to Picton on the South Island. Ferries can be booked up well in advance in holiday periods. 0800 802 802, interislandline.co.nz

dammmoneyent.com Ferry Tickets Online 186 Victoria St, 0800 500 660, errytickets.co.nz

WELLY STAY Base Wellington 21-23 Cambridge Tce. 04 801 5666

WORD FROM THE STREET

Sarah Wallington, England HEY SARAH. BEEN MANY PLACES IN NZ? I’ve spent nearly five weeks making my way around the North and South Islands GOT A FAVE DAY SPOT? So many beautiful places to choose from, but it has to be the Tongariro Crossing, over Mt Ngauruhoe. It took about six or seven hours of climbing, but was well worth it!

AND A FAVOURITE NIGHT SPOT? Most places in NZ seemed pretty quiet, but I guess it would have to be Queenstown with all their drinks promotions

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Cambridge Hotel (BBH) 28 Cambridge Tce. 04 385 8829 cambridgehotel.co.nz Downtown Wellington Backpackers (BBH) 1 Bunny St. 04 473 8482 db@downtownbackpackers.co.nz

Department of Conservation Office 717 Tremaine Ave, 06 358 9004

The nation’s capital is to many people, New Zealand’s most interesting city. Te Papa, the multimillion dollar museum, has sealed its position as cultural capital too.

Wellington has a small centre, is easily navigated on foot and as any Wellingtonian will tell you, it has more cafés per head than New York.

The nightlife in “Welly” is pretty special too.

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Nomads Capital 118 Wakefield St. 0508 666 237, nomadscapital.com Rosemere Backpackers (BBH) 6 McDonald Cres.

04 384 3041, backpackerswellington.co.nz Rowena’s Backpackers (VIP) 115 Brougham St. 0800 80 1414 Wellywood Backpackers 58 Tory St. 0508 00 58 58 Worldwide Backpackers (BBH)

@tnt_downunder 291 The Terrace.

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

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 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, funk@cosmiccorner.co.nz Karori Wildlife Sanctuary 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.

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Waiapu Rd, Karori.

04 920 9213, sanctuary.org.nz

The harbour is a handsome way can be reached within an thing and the best way to fully hour or so, appreciate its beauty is by boat. 04 498 3000

DON’T MISS!

Wellington Rover Tours Small group day tours exploring Wellington, its stunning rugged coastline and the Lord of the Rings locations.

0800 426 211, wellingtonrover.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.

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

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.

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 6750

PLIMMERTON Moana Lodge (BBH) 49 Moana Rd, 04 233 2010, moanalodge.co.nz

MUMFORD AND SONS Wellington Town Hall. Nov 4-5. $89 It’s not until November but join the sons: Marcus, Country Winston, Ben and Ted when they hit the stage in Wellington.

Wakefield St, Wellington

mumfordandsons.com

PAEKAKARIKI Paekakariki Backpackers (BBH) 11 Wellington Rd, 04 902 5967, wellingtonbeachbackpackers.co.nz

PARAPARAUMU The beach here is glorious and the scene of most of the action in town.

Barnacles Seaside Inn (BBH, YHA) 3 Marine Parade, Paraparaumu, 0800 555 856, yha.co.nz

KAPITI IS A sanctuary for rare native birds.

There’s a good chance of seeing elusive kiwis and blue penguins.

KAPITI COAST Tranz Rail The best way to explore the Kapiti Coast is by train and most places along the

Harbour cruises

Stillwater Lodge (BBH) 34 Mana Esplanade, Mana, 04 233 6628

Kapiti Island Nature Tours Tours and accommodation, 06 362 6606, kapitiislandnaturetours.co.nz

SKI & SNOWBOARDING HOLIDAYS within New Zealand’s Northern Island SNOMAD Adventures offers custom-made ski and snow boarding holiday packages in picturesque Ohakune, based within New Zealand’s Northern Island. Group sizes from 4 to 14 people can be accommodated.

New Zealand is said to be the ultimate outdoor playground, so depending on what you’re into, SNOMAD can take you there.

SNOMAD will arrange all your ski lift passes, lessons, rental of equipment and clothing. They also provide all return transport, daily mountain shuttles, accommodation in a stunning alpine chalet, a personal host/ driver and breakfast to fuel you for an epic day on the mountain. So really, all you need to organize is your way to Wellington!

Group sizes are deliberately kept low to ensure the best holiday H[SHULHQFH \RX FDQ ðQG

OFFER RLY SEASON SPECIAL EA (breakfast included) tion oda mm acco ts nigh

5 days and 6 Saturday Arrive Sunday, depart following Wellington Airport from kune Oha to t spor Return tran Daily mountain shuttles 2 days lift passes For more details: Call 0800 766 623 Personal host/driver International call +64 275 827 113 AUS $749 per person

www.snomad.co.nz

(free call within NZ) or

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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.

Hu Ha Bikerpackers (BBH) State Highway 6, Glenhope.

03 548 2707, smidgley@ihug.co.nz

ABEL DO

Rylands’ Retreat 163 Trafalgar St. 03 548 4691, thepalace.co.nz

Wilsons Abel Tasman Sea kayaking, water taxis and lodge accommodation.

0800 223 582, abeltasman.co.nz Abel Tasman Kayaks Ltd 0800 732 529 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 03 547 5782 Nelson City Taxis 03 548 8225

NELSON STAY Abode of the Buddha 181 Nile St East. 03 546 6890, cynthia@abodefthebuddha.co.nz Accents on the Park (BBH/VIP) 335 Trafalgar Square.

03 548 4335, accentsonthepark.com Almond House (BBH) 63 Grove St. 03 545 6455, almondbackpackers.co.nz Alpine Lodge St Arnaud.

03 521 1869, alpinelodge.co.nz Beach Hostel (BBH) 25 Muritai St. 03 548 6817, nelsonbeachhostel.co.nz The Bug (BBH) 226 Vanguard St. 03 539 4227, thebug.co.nz The Customhouse (BBH) 252 Haven Rd. 03 545 8365, customhousenelson.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 Palace Backpackers (BBH) 114 Rutherford St. 03 548 9001, rylands@kol.co.nz Shortbread Cottage (BBH) 33 Trafalgar St. 03 546 6681 Tasman Bay Backpacker Hostel (BBH) 10 Weka St. 03 548 7950, tasmanbaybackpackers.co.nz Trampers Rest (BBH) 31 Alton St. 03 545 7477 Welcome House (BBH) 108 Parkers Road, Tahunahui.

03 548 5462 YHA Nelson Central 59 Rutherford St. 03 545 9988, yha.co.nz

NELSON DO Abel Tasman Kayaks 0800 527 8022, kayaktours.co.nz Happy Valley 4x4 Motorbike Adventures Tours around spectacular private farm on chunky fourwheel motorbikes.

03 545 0304, happyvalleyadventures.co.nz Kaiteriteri kayaks Free transport from Nelson.

03 527 8383, seakayak.co.nz Skydive Abel Tasman Tandem jumps from 13,000ft over Abel Tasman.

0800 422 899, skydive.co.nz

NELSON LAKES Located 118km south-west of Nelson, the park comprises Lake Rotoroa and Lake Rotoiti, and is surrounded by forests and mountains. Apart from tramping and skiing at Rainbow Valley and Mt Robert in winter, the lakes offer fishing and other water activities.

MOTUEKA

03 528 6543, motuekaisite.co.nz

MOTUEKA STAY Bakers Lodge (YHA) 4 Poole St. 03 528 0102, yha.co.nz The Barn (BBH) Harvey Road, Marahau.

03 527 8043 Eden’s Edge Backpackers (BBH) 137 Lodder Lane, Riwaka.

03 528 4242, edens.edge@xtra.co.nz Lagoon Lodge (BBH) 500 High St. 03 528 8652, happyapplebackpackers.co.nz Hat Trick Lodge (BBH) 25 Wallace St. 03 528 5353, hattricklodge.co.nz The Laughing Kiwi (BBH) 310 High St. 03 528 9229, laughingkiwi.co.nz Old Macdonald’s Farm Holiday Park 03 527 8288, oldmacs@xtra.co.nz The White Elephant (BBH) 55 Whakarewa St. 03 528 6208, whiteelephant.co.nz Vineyard Tourist Units & Cabins 328 High St. 03 528 8550

MOTUEKA DO Wilsons Abel Tasman 265 High St, 0800 223 582, abeltasman.co.nz Southern Exposure Abel Tasman Sea Kayaking & Water Taxis 0800 695 292, southern-exposure.co.nz

Kanuka Ridge (BBH) 21 Moss Rd, Marahau, Abel Tasman National Park. 03 527 8435, abeltasmanbackpackers.co.nz The Nook (BBH) Abel Tasman Dr. 03 525 8501, thenook@paradise.net.nz River Inn (BBH) Golden Bay. 03 525 9425 Shambhala (BBH) Hwy 60, Onekaka. 03 525 8463, shambhala.co.nz

KAHURANGI NP The second-largest national park in NZ, Kahurangi includes the Heaphy Track. There are more than 100 bird species and an impressive cave system to be seen here. For info see the Nelson DOC office.

COLLINGWOOD North-west of Takaka is the tiny community of Collingwood (the people aren’t particularly small, their numbers are), a good base for expeditions to Farewell Spit.

The Innlet (BBH) Main Rd, Pakawau.

03 524 8040, goldenbayindex.co.nz/theinnlet Somerset House (BBH) Gibbs Rd. 03 524 8624, backpackerscollingwood.co.nz

TAKAKA STAY Annie’s Nirvana Lodge (BBH, YHA) 25 Motupipi St. 03 525 8766, nirvanalodge@paradise.net.nz

The Green Monkey (BBH) 129 Milton St. 03 545 7421, thegreenmonkey.co.nz Honey Suckle House (BBH) 125 Tasman St.

Motueka i-SITE Visitors Centre 20 Wallace St,

Kiwiana (BBH) 73 Motuipipi St. 03 525 7676

Golden Bay Barefoot Backpackers (BBH) 114 Commercial St. 03 525 7005, bare-foot.co.nz

Bayview Backpackers (BBH) 318 Waikawa Rd. 03 573 7668, truenz.co.nz/bayviewbackpackers The Jugglers Rest (BBH) 8 Canterbury St. 03 573 5570, info@jugglersrest.com Picton Lodge (VIP) 9 Auckland St. 03 573 7788, pictonlodge.co.nz Sequoia Lodge (BBH, VIP) 3 Nelson Sq. 03 573 8399, sequoialodge.co.nz Picton Lodge (VIP) 9 Auckland St. 03 573 7788, pictonlodge.co.nz The Villa (BBH) 34 Auckland St. 03 573 6598, thevilla.co.nz Tombstone Backpackers (BBH) 16 Gravesend Place. 03 573 7116, rest@tombstonebp.co.nz Wedgwood House (YHA) 10 Dublin St. 03 573 7797, yha.co.nz

PICTON DO Dolphin Watch Encounters Picton Foreshore, 03 573 8040, naturetours.co.nz

FAREWELL SPIT

Southern Wilderness NZ Guided walk, wine trek and sea kayaking specialists.

0800 666 044, southernwilderness.com

Golden Bay Visitor Centre 03 525 9136

Waka Whenua Tours Wine tours. Sightseeing/ historical/ cultural tours also available.

03 573 7877

MARLBOROUGH

Dept of Conservation Office 62 Commercial St, 03 525 8026

atlantishostel.co.nz

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.

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.

Information Centre Willow St, 03 525 9136

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Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company 03 573 6078

TAKAKA

Aquapackers (BBH) Anchorage Bay, Marahau, Abel Tasman National Park. 0800 430 744, aquapackers.co.nz

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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.

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.

Footprints by the Sea (BBH) 31 Beach Rd, Tahuna Beach.

03 546 5441, info@footprints.co.nz

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03 548 7576

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Anakiwa Backpackers (BBH) 410 Anakiwa Rd. 03 574 1388, anakiwabackpackers.co.nz Hopewell (BBH) Kenepuru Rd. 03 573 4341, hopewell.co.nz The Partage Resort Hotel Kenepuru Sound. 03 573 4309, portage.co.nz

PICTON This pretty town is the opening to the South Island, where the North Island ferry comes in, a centre for the many activities in Queen Charlotte Sound.

Airport shuttle bus 03 573 7125

PICTON STAY Atlantis Backpackers (BBH) London Quay.

03 573 7390,

QUEEN CHARLOTTE On the road-free outer Queen Charlotte Sound, everyone and everything travels by boat. The Queen Charlotte Track covers 71km and passes through magnificent forest, at times allowing spectacular views over the Marlborough Sounds. The whole track can be walked in four days, though you can also ride it by mountain bike.

Endeavour Express Water Taxi Day-trips, round-trips and luggage transfers.

03 573 5456

HAVELOCK Nestled at the head of Pelorus Sound, Havelock is the best place from which to explore the Marlborough Sounds. For trampers and mountain bikers there’s the beautiful Nydia Track.

DOC Office Mahakipawa Rd, 03 574 2019 Explore Pelorus Sea Kayaks 03 576 5251

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HAVELOCK STAY Bluemoon Lodge (BBH) 48 Main Rd. 03 574 2212, bluemoonhavelock.co.nz Nikau Cottages 48 Main Rd. 03 443 9010 Rutherford YHA Hostel 46 Main Road. 03 574 2104, yha.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 Information Centre The Forum Building, Queen St, 03 578 9904 Honi-B-Backpackers (BBH) 18 Parker St. 03 577 8441, honi-b.com Koanui Backpackers (BBH) 33 Main St. 03 578 7487, koanui.co.nz

Leeways Backpackers (BBH) 33 Lansdowne St. 03 579 2213, leewaysbackpackers.co.nr Peacehaven Backpackers (BBH) 29 Budge St. 03 577 9750, hrnz@naver.com Stoney Acre 9 Marldene Avenue, Seddon. 03 578 6303, enquiries@stoneyacre.co.nz

KAIKOURA Kaikoura is famous for its large sperm whale population and picturesque mountain range. You can also snorkel with dolphins or swim with the inquisitive NZ fur seals (Sept-May).

Kaikoura Visitor Info Centre, West End, 03 319 5641

KAIKOURA STAY Adelphi Lodge (BBH, VIP) 26 West End. 0800 423 574, adelphilodge.co.nz Albatross Backpacker Inn (BBH) 1 Torquay St. 03 319 6090, albatross-kaikoura.co.nz Bad Jelly Backpackers (BBH) 11 Churchill St. 03 319 5538, duskyjack@hotmail.com Dolphin Lodge (BBH) 15 Deal St. 03 319 5842,

dolphinlodge@xtra.co.nz Dusky Lodge (BBH) 67 Beach Rd. 03 319 5959 The Lazy Shag (BBH) 37 Beach St. 03 319 6662 Lyell Creek Lodge (BBH) 193 Beach Rd. 03 319 6277, jedwards120@hotmail.com Sunrise Lodge (BBH) 74 Beach Rd. 03 319 7444 Top Spot Backpackers (BBH) 22 Deal St. 03 319 5540 YHA Kaikoura, Maui 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

0800 423 783 christchurchnz.com Department of Conservation 133 Victoria St, 03 379 9758

Fyffe House 62 Avoca St, Kaikoura’s oldest building, 03 319 5835.

C’CHURCH STAY Around the World Backpackers 314 Barbadoes Street.

03 365 4363 aroundtheworld.co.nz

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

At The Right Place 85 Bealey Street. 03 366 1633 atrp.co.nz Avon City Backpackers Worcester Street. 03 389 6876, avoncitybackpackers.com

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 Cnr Deans Av & Kilmarnock St

Canterbury House (BBH) 257 Bealey Ave. 03 377 8108, canterburyeh257@hotmail.com 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

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BACKPACKING

Swim with the

dolphins Main wharf Akaroa Just a 90min scenic drive from Christchurch

dolphins or if you prefer, join the tour to view them from the boat.

96 Esplanade, 0800 733 365, dolphin.co.nz

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ADULTS

$145 kids $115

TRAVELLERS’ PARADISE just a short walk form the city but behind the garden gates you will feel a million miles away. Rest, relax and enjoy our hostel or indulge in a little luxury at our recently added Spa Pool and Sauna area while experiencing the excitement of the South Island’s largest city. Tranquil gardens, lovingly restored villas, custom hand-made furniture, warm cozy central heating plus the company of Max, the hostel puppy.

FREE WiFi vouchers worth $5 per night FREE Sauna & Spa Pool FREE Tour, Activity & Bus Pass Booking Service

Call today 0800 436 574 or book online at www.blackcat.co.nz

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SOUTHISLAND Ave. 03 366 6770 stay@kiwibasecamp.com Kiwi House 373 Gloucester St. 03 381 6645 kiwihouse.co.nz Marine Backpackers 26 Nayland St. 03 326 6609 themarine.co.nz Point Break Backpackers (BBH) 99 Seaview Road. 03 388 2050 pointbreakbackpackers.co.nz The Old Countryhouse (BBH) 437 Gloucester St. 03 381 5504 oldcountryhousenz.com Tranquil Lodge (BBH) 440 Manchester St. 03 366 6500 tranquil-lodge.co.nz Rucksacker Backpacker Hostel (BBH) 70 Bealey Ave. 03 377 7931 rucksacker.com Vagabond Backpackers (BBH) 232 Worcester St. 03 379 9677 vagabondbackpackers @hotmail.com

C’CHURCH DO Black Cat Cruises Wildlife Cruises on Lyttelton Harbour. Free shuttle bus from Christchurch, 03 328 9078. blackcat.co.nz Skydivingnz.com Skydiving and training courses, 0800 697 593 skydivingnz.com Up Up and Away Hot air ballooning, 03 381 4600, ballooning.co.nz

SUMNER This surf beach is also a great place to chill for a while. If you’re feeling adventurous, mountain biking, paragliding and surfing are just some of the activities you can try.

The Marine Backpackers (BBH) 26 Nayland St. 03 326 6609, themarine.co.nz

BANKS PENINSULA 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 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.

Lyttelton Information Centre 20 Oxford St, 03 328 9093

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.

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Akaroa Information Centre 80 Rue Lavaud, 03 304 8600 Akaroa Shuttle Christchurch to Akaroa buses.

0800 500 929 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 Onuku Farm Hostel (BBH) 03 304 7066, onukufarm.com

AKAROA DO Akaroa Museum 71 Rue Lavard, 03 304 1013 Black Cat Cruises Offer a number of cruises in Akaroa. See Akaroa Harbour or swim with dolphins.

03 328 9078.

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

LEWIS PASS About 200km north of Christchurch, the Lewis Pass connects the west and east coasts on the SH7, with stunning surrounding scenery.

HANMER SPRINGS Hanmer Springs boasts the Hanmer 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 Cnr Amuri Rd & Jacks Pass Rd, 03 315 7128 The Hanmer Connection Christchurch to Hanmer Springs buses.

0800 242 663

HANMER STAY Hanmer Backpackers (BBH) 41 Conical Hill Rd. 03 315 7196, info@hanmerbackpackers.co.nz Kakapo Lodge (YHA) 14 Amuri Avenue. 03 315 7472, yha.co.nz Le Gite Backpackers (BBH) 3 Devon St. 03 315 5111, legite.co.nz

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BOOK NOW! Waipara Sleepers (BBH) 12 Glenmark Dr, Waipara.

03 314 6003, lewaiparasleepers.co.nz

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 Rata Lodge Backpackers (BBH) State Highway 73, Otira Arthur’s Pass National Park.

03 738 2822 Smylies Accommodation (YHA) 03 318 9258, yha.co.nz

METHVEN Methven is a small, friendly town popular with fishermen, hunters and backpackers. The area provides a variety of adrenalin thrills, including hot air ballooning, bungy jumping and skydiving. Mt Hutt also has the longest ski run in Australasia.

Methven i-SITE Visitor Centre 121 Main St, Methven, 03 302 8955, NZ Ski.com Info on Coronet Peak, the Remarkables and Mt Hutt. nzski.com

METHVEN STAY Big Tree Lodge (BBH) 25 South Belt. 03 302 9575, bigtree@xtra.co.nz Backpacker Heaven (YHA) Cnr Bank & McMillan Sts. 03 302 8999, yha.co.nz Kowhai House (BBH) 17 McMillan St. 03 302 8887, kowhaihouse.co.nz Mt Hutt Bunkhouse (BBH) 8 Lampard St. 03 302 8894, mthuttbunks.co.nz Pinedale Backpacker Lodge (BBH) 11 Alford St. 0800 638 483, pinedalelodge.co.nz Redwood Lodge (BBH) 3 Wayne Place. 03 302 8964, skired@xtra.co.nz Skiwi House (BBH) 30 Chapman St. 03 302 8772, skiwihouse.com Snow Denn Lodge (YHA, VIP) Cnr Bank & McMillan Sts. 03 302 8999, yha.co.nz

TIMARU

follow us on 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 Old Bank Backpackers 232 Stafford St. 03 684 4392 Timaru Backpackers 44 Evans St. 03 684 5067 Toru Toru Wha Backpackers 334 Stafford St. 03 684 4729

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 4x4 New Zealand Wilderness adventures and The Lord of the Rings tours, 03 693 7254, 4x4newzealand.co.nz

@tnt_downunder Day trips to Mt Cook from Tekapo. Ph: 021 583 211, cookconnect.co.nz

MT COOK STAY Mountain Chalets (VIP) Wairepo Rd, Twizel. 03 435 0785, mt.chalets@xtra.co.nz YHA Mt Cook Cnr Bowen and Kitchener Drives. 03 435 1820, yha.co.nz

WEST COAST Rugged is the word often used when it comes to the South Island’s west coast. It’s quite an amazing place, sparsely inhabited, untouched in many areas and studded with geographical wonders. Don’t miss the two mighty glaciers, Fox and Franz Josef, or the Pancake Rocks.

KARAMEA

Rangitata Rafts Peel Forest, 0800 251 251

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.

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

Karamea Information Centre Bridge St, 03 782 6652

FAIRLIE Mt Dobson Ski Area, 03 685 8039, dobson.co.nz Tallyho Lodge & Backpackers 7 School Rd. 03 685 8723

LAKE TEKAPO A stunning turquoise-coloured lake, 100km west of Timaru. The tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935, frames the view beautifully.

Activities include walking, watersports, fishing and skiing.

Tailor-Made-Tekapo Backpackers (BBH) 9-11 Aorangi Cres. 03 680 6700, rtailor-made-backpackers@ xtra.co.nz Lake Tekapo Backpackers (VIP) SH8. 03 680 6808, stay@laketekapo.bix YHA Lake Tekapo 3 Simpson Lane. 03 680 6857, yha.co.nz

MT COOK Mount Cook National Park is part of a World Heritage area that forms one of the most amazing sights anywhere in New Zealand. The showcase is the majestic Mt Cook (Aoraki). NZ’s greatest climber Sir Edmund Hillary used it as a practice ground before conquering Mt Everest, but Mt Cook has claimed the lives of more than 160 people.

Discuss climbing plans with park rangers before you go.

Department of Conservation Visitor Information Centre Aoraki/Mt Cook Alpine Village, 03 435 1819 The Cook Connection

Rongo (BBH) 03 782 6667, rongo@actrix.co.nz

MURCHISON With crazy terrain skewed by mining and earthquakes, one of the major attractions of Murchison is its proximity to Buller Gorge, a wonderfully scenic cluster of cliffs and trees. Activities include rafting on the Gowan River and mountain biking on the Matakitaki.

Buller Gorge Swingbridge Adventure and Heritage Park 03 523 9809, bullergorge.co.nz The Lazy Cow Accommodation (BBH) 37 Waller St. 03 523 9451, lazycow@paradise.net.nz

REEFTON The centrepiece of the town is Victoria Forest Park, the largest forest park in New Zealand.

Reefton Visitor Centre 67 Broadway, 03 732 8391 Reefton Backpackers 64 Shiel St. 03 732 8133, armsstat@hotmail.com The Old Nurses Home (BBH) 204 Shiel St. 03 789 8881

WESTPORT Visitor Information Westport 1 Brougham St, 03 789 6658 Basils Hostel (VIP) 54 Russell St.

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03 789 6410, basils.backpackers@xtra.co.nz

Visitor Information Punakaiki 03 731 1895

Beaconstone (BBH) Birds Ferry Road, Charleston.

03 715 5760

Barrytown Knife Making 2662 Coast Road, Barrytown, 03 731 1053, barrytownknifemaking.com

Berlins Café & Lodgings (BBH) 1205 Lower Buller Gorge, Inangahua Junction.

03 789 0295, info@xtremeadventures.co.nz

PAPAROA STAY

Pounamu Backpackers (BBH) Section 406, S H’way 6m Charleston. 03 789 8011, paulhoney@xtra.co.nz Robyn’s Nest Hostel 42 Romilly St. 03 789 6565, robyns.nest@xtra.co.nz Swaines (BBH) Inangahua Landing Bridge, Highway 69, Inangahua Jnctn. 03 789 0226, cathy.swaine@gmail.com TripInn (BBH) 72 Queen St. 03 789 7367 The Old Slaughterhouse (BBH) Highway 67, Hector.

03 782 8333

PAPAROA NP This park is home to the amazing Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki. These are a series of eroded limestone rocks moulded into what appears to be a giant stack of pancakes.

Punakaiki Beach Hostel (BBH) 4 Webb St. 03 731 1852, punakaikibeachhostel.co.nz Te Nikau Retreat (BBH, YHA) 03 731 1111, tenikauretreat.co.nz All Nations Hotel & Backpackers (VIP) SH6, Barrytown.

03 731 1812, allnations@xtra.co.nz

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

Highlights include the Monteith’s brewery tour, as well as aquatic activities like rafting and canyoning.

Visitor Information Herbert and Mackay Sts, 03 768 5101 TranzAlpine Scenic railway from Christchurch to Greymouth, travelling through Canterbury Plains and the Alps. Departs 9am every morning.

0800 872 467

tranzscenic.co.nz

GREYMOUTH STAY The west coast’s largest town is dominated by the Duke Backpackers (BBH) 27 Guiness St. 03 768 9470 Global Village (BBH) 42-54 Cowper St, Ph: (03) 768 7272, globalvillage@minidata.co.nz The Hairy Lemon 128-130 Mawhera Quay, 03 768 4022, Neptunes International Backpackers (BBH) 43 Gresson St, 0800 003 768, info@neptunesbackpackers.co.nz Noahs Ark Backpackers (BBH) 16 Chapel St, 03 768 4868, noahsark@xtra.co.nz The Ranch 37 MacDougall Ave, 03 762 7801, dunolliebackpackers@hotmail.com YHA Greymouth Kainga-ra 15 Alexander St, Ph: (03) 768 4951, www.yha.co.nz

HOKITIKA

HOKITIKA DO

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 Beach House BPs 137 Revell St, 03 755 6859 Birdsong (BBH) 124 SH6, 03 755 7179 Drifting Sands Backpackers (BBH) 197 Revell St, 03 755 7612, www.madkiwi.co.nz Mountain Jade Backpackers (BBH) 41 Weld St, 03 755 8007, mtjade@minidata.co.nz Riverview Cabins (BBH) 154 Kaniere Rd, 03 755 7440 Stumpers Accommodation 2 Weld St, 03 755 6154, www.stumpers.co.nz

Alpine Rafts Freephone: 0800 223 456.

The Just Jade Experience Design and create your own treasures with NZ jade/ greenstone. Allow at least 6-10 hours. 197 Revell St, 03 755 7612, madkiwi.co.nz

WHATAROA About 35km south of Harihari and one of the South Island’s prime fishing spots. Also the magnificent white heron (Kotuku) colony which thrillseekers can reach by jet boat.

OKARITO 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.

Okarito Nature Tours 03 753 4014, kayaks@okarito.co.nz Royal Hostel (BBH) The Strand, 03 753 4080, okaritohostel.com YHA Okarito Palmerston St, Whataroa, 03 753 4347, yha.co.nz

SHUTTLE BUS TRANSPORT 1st October 2012 - 31st May 2013

TEKAPO Daily MT COOK TWIZEL 2 x Day MT COOK Bookings Essential. Call our Reservations Freephone:

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FRANZ JOSEF

get sore as the South Island’s jawdropping 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.

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.

Mt Aspiring National Park Visitor Info Centre Cnr Ballantyne Rd & Ardmore St, 03 443 8372

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

FRANZ STAY

CHECK OUT!

Black Sheep (VIP) SH 6, 03 752 0007 Chateau Franz (VIP, BBH) 8-10 Cron St, 0800 728 372, www.chateaufranz.co.nz Glow Worm Cottages (BBH) 27 Cron St, 0800 151 027, www.budgetaccommodation.co.nz Montrose (BBH) 9 Cron St, 03 752 0188, montrosebackpackers@xtra.co.nz Rainforest Retreat (VIP) Cron St, 0800 873 346 YHA Franz Josef 2-4 Cron St, 03 752 0754, www.yha.co.nz

FRANZ DO Alpine Adventure Centre Footage on a helimax screen, 03 752 0793 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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SOLA ROSA World Bar. Sept 8. $27.50 After the success of Get It Together and its accompanying remix album, Sola Rosa are ready to rock Q-Town’s infamous World Bar.

Shotover St, Queenstown skydivefranz.co.nz The Guiding Company 0800 800 102, nzguides.com

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, 03 751 0807

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

FOX DO Fox Glacier Guiding Guided walks and heli-hikes on

ticketmaster.co.nz 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

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

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.

Albert Town Lodge (BBH) Cnr SH6 and Kingston St, Albert Town, 03 443 9487, alberttownlodge.co.nz

DOC Centre Cnr SH 6 and Jackson Bay Rd, 03 750 0809

Holly’s Backpackers (BBH) 71 Upton St, 03 443 8187, hollys@xtra.co.nz

Haast Highway Accommodation Marks Rd, 03 750 0703

Mountain View Backpackers (BBH) 7 Russell St, 0800 112 201, stay@mtnview.co.nz

Wilderness Backpackers (BBH) Marks Rd, 03 750 029, whitesnalex@xtra.co.nz

The Purple Cow (BBH) 94 Brownston St, 03 443 1880, purplecow.co.nz

SOUTHLAND The top of your chest will quickly

Wanaka Bakpaka (BBH) 117 Lakeside Rd, 03 443 7837, wanakabakpaka@xtra.co.nz YHA Wanaka 181 Upton St,

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03 443 7405, yha.co.nz

WANAKA DO Adventure Consultants Mountaineering instruction courses and guided ascents, 03 443 8711, adventure.co.nz Aspiring Guides Guided mountain climbing and ice climbing instruction courses, 03 443 9422, aspiringguides.com Classic Flights Vintage Tiger Moth flights over Lake Wanaka. 03 443 4043, classicflights.co.nz Deep Canyon Canyoning in the Matukituki Valley. Adventure Wanaka, 23 Dunmore St, Wanaka. 03 443 7922, deepcanyon.co.nz Frogz Have More Fun Sledge down either the Clutha, Hawea or Kawarau Rivers.

0800 437 649, frogz.co.nz The Silver Demon Aerobatic flights. 03 443 4043, silverdemon.co.nz Skydive Lake Wanaka Freefall from 12,000 or 15,000ft with views of NZ’s highest mountains. 0800 786 877, skydivenz.com Treble Cone Ski Field 03 443 7443, treblecone.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

SOUTHISLAND 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 Walking Centre 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, alpinelodge@xtra.co.nz Aspen Lodge (BBH) 11 Gorge Rd. 03 442 9671, aspenlodge.co.nz Base Discovery Lodge Queenstown 49

Shotover St. 03 441 1185, stayatbase.com Black Sheep Lodge (BBH/VIP) 13 Frankton Rd. 03 442 7289, blacksheepbackpackers.co.nz Bungi Backpackers (VIP, BBH) 15 Sydney St. 0800 728 286, bungibackpackers.co.nz Butterfli Lodge (BBH) 62 Thompson St. 03 442 6367, butterfli.co.nz Cardrona Alpine Resort Between Queenstown and Wanaka. 03 443 7341, cardrona.com Deco Backpackers (VIP, BBH) 52 Man St. 03 442 7384, decobackpackers.co.nz Flaming Kiwi Backpackers (BBH) 39 Robins Rd. 03 442 5494, flamingkiwi@xtra.co.nz Hippo Lodge (BBH) 4 Anderson Hts. 03 442 5785, hippolodge.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 self-contained family cabins. 48 Hamilton Rd. 0800 746 396,

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

QUEENSTOWN People flock from all over the world to enjoy the vast array of outdoor activities available in and around Queenstown. The town is located by 77km-long Lake Wakatipu, the second largest in New Zealand, and rises up to the aptly named Remarkables. It is one of the most picturesque and exciting towns in the world, and only a complete halfwit would neglect to see Queenstown.

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SOUTHISLAND 03 442 8273, pinewood.co.nz Resort Lodge (BBH) 6 Henry St. 03 442 4970, resortlodge.co.nz Scallywags Traveller’s Guesthouse (BBH) 27 Lomond Crescent.

03 442 7083 Southern Laughter (BBH, VIP) 4 Isle St. 0800 728 448, southernlaughter.co.nz The Last Resort (BBH) 6 Memorial St. 03 442 4320, thelastresort@xtra.co.nz Thomas’s Hotel & BPs (VIP) 50 Beach St. 03 442 7180 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 Awesome Foursome Bungy (Nevis – 134m), jetboat, helicopter, whitewater rafting, 03 442 7318 Dart River Safaris Jetboating wilderness tours, 0800 327 8538, dartriver.co.nz Fat Tyre Adventure Mountain biking/heli biking, 0800 328 897, fat-tyre.co.nz Fergburger Best burgers in NZ. Shotover St, 03 441 1232 Flight Park Tandem Paragliding Operates from Coronet Peak 0800 467 325, tandemparagliding.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 Milford Sound Flightseeing Scenic flights to Milford Sound, 0800 65 65 01, realjourneys.co.nz

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Nevis Snowmobile Safaris Helicopter ride & snowmobile adventure, 03 442 4250, snowmobilenz.com

alternatives. doc.govt.nz

NZONE Skydive Skydive from 15,000ft. 35 Shotover St, 03 442 5867, nzone.biz

Department of Conservation 03 249 8514

NZ Ski.com Info on Coronet Peak, the Remarkables and Mt Hutt, nzski.com

Air Fiordland Flights to Queenstown, Milford and Mt Cook, 03 249 7505

Queenstown Rafting Raft the Shotiver, Kawarau and Landsborough rivers. 35 Shotover St. 03 442 9792 rafting.co.nz Real Journeys Visitor Centre Doubtful Sound & Milford Sound daytime and overnight cruises.

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

0800 65 65 01, realjourneys.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 Glenorchy Backpackers Retreat (VIP) Cnr Mull and Argyle Streets, Glenorchy, Ph: (03) 442 9902 Kinloch Lodge (BBH) 862 Kinloch Rd, 03 442 4900, kinlochlodge.co.nz

ARROWTOWN Poplar Lodge (BBH) 4 Merioneth St, 03 442 1466, stay@poplarlodge.co.nz Riverdown Guesthouse (BBH) 7 Bedford St, 03 409 8499

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

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Fiordland I-site Visitor Centre Lakefront Drive, Te Anau, 03 249 8900

Te Anau Glowworm Caves realjourneys.co.nz

Real Journeys Coaches to Milford Sound, 0800 656 503 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

cruises. 0800 656 501, realjourneys.co.nz Milford Track Day Walk Lake cruise and guided walk, 0800 656 501 Rosco’s Milford Sound Sea Kayaks 0800 476 726, roscosmilfordkayaks Skydive Fiordland Dive 44 Caswell Rd, Te Anau, 0800 829254, tawakidive.co.nz Tracknet 03 249 7737, res@tracknet.net.au

ANAU TO MILFORD

Top Line Tours Coach to and from Te Anau and Queenstown, 03 249 8059

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.

TE ANAU STAY

MILFORD SOUND

Barnyard Backpackers (BBH) 80 Mt York Rd, Rainbow Downs, 03 249 8006, rainbowdowns@xtra.co.nz

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.

Bob & Maxines (BBH) 20 Paton Place, 03 931 3161, bob.anderson@woosh.co.nz Grumpy’s Backpackers Te Anau-Milford Sound Highway, 03 249 8133, grumpys@xtra.co.nz Rosies Backpacker Homestay (BBH) 23 Tom Plato Drive, 03 249 8431, backpack@paradise.net.nz Steamers Beach Backpackers (BBH) 77 Manapouri Rd, 03 249 7457, teanau.info Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers (BBH) 48 Lakefront Dr, 03 249 7713, teanaubackpackers.co.nz YHA Te Anau 29 Mokonui St, 03 249 7847, yha.co.nz

TE ANAU DO Adventure Fiordland 72 Town Centre, 03 249 8500 Fiordland Ecology Holidays 3-10 day cruises, all Southern Fiords. Mammal watching permit, 0800 249 660, fiordland.gen.nz High Ride Adventures Quad riding and scenic horse trekking. 03 249 8591, highride.co.nz Luxmore Jet Jetboating on the Waiau River, 0800 253 826, luxmorejet.co.nz Real Journeys Doubtful Sound daytime wilderness, small boat and overnight cruises. Milford Sound daytime, overnight scenic, nature and small boat

Milford Sound Lodge (BBH) 03 249 8071, milford.sound.lodge@xtra.co.nz

MILFORD DO Real Journeys 0800 656 501, reservations@realjourneys.co.nz Great Sights On and under the water, 03 442 9445 Kiwi Reel Rifle Guided fishing & hunting.

Kayaking on Lakes Te Anau, Manapouri and Milford Sound.

Rental kayaks and mountain bikes, 03 249 9071 Milford Sound Underwater Observatory Discover a coral reef beneath Milford Sound, 03 249 9442 Milford Sound Cruise & Observatory Visit 0800 656 501 Milford Wanderer Cruises Day and overnight options with kayaking, etc. Coach connections, 0800 656 501, realjourneys.co.nz Tawaki Dive See Fiordland’s unique marine life on a day-trip with two guided dives in Milford Sound.

Rental gear available, max four divers. 0800 829254, tawakidive.co.nz

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TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak Farm tours, barbecue lunches, horse treks and cycling. realjourneys.co.nz Wanaka Flightseeing Milford Sound flight and cruise, 0800 105 105, flightseeing.co.nz

MANAPOURI Manapouri is the proud owner of arguably New Zealand’s most beautiful stretch of water. This is where the boat trip on Doubtful Sound leaves from – most start the trip in Queenstown or Te Anau.

From the boat you may see seals and possibly dolphins and penguins.

Adventure Charters and Hires 03 249 6626 Real Journeys 0800 656 502

MANAPOURI STAY Freestone Backpackers (BBH) 270 Hillside Rd, 03 249 6893, freestone@xtra.co.nz Manapouri Lakeview Backpackers (VIP) 68 Cathedral Drive, 03 249 6652, manapouri@clear.net.nz Possum Lodge (BBH) 13 Murrel Ave, 03 249 6623.

DOUBTFUL 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 Fiordland Navigator Pearl Harbour, Manapouri 03 249 6602, yha.co.nz Deep Cove Hostel Doubtful Sound, 03 249 7713, hostel.co.nz

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

Invercargill I-site Visitors Centre 108 Gala St, 03 214 6243 Dept of Conservation Office Don St, 03 214 4589 Catlins Coaster Invercargill to Dunedin via the Catlins with many stops to the main natural attractions and

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wildlife encounters. Farmstay options are available, 0800 304333, catlinscoaster.co.nz Stewart Island Flights Flights to Stewart Island, 03 218 9129, sif@xtra.co.nz

INVERCARG STAY

CATLINS STAY Blowhole Backpackers (BBH) 24 Main Rd, Owaka, 03 415 5635, catlinsbackpackers@xtra.co.nz Curio Bay Backpacker Accommodation (BBH) 501 Curio Bay Rd, 03 246 8797.

Kackling Kea Backpackers (BBH) 225 Tweed St, 03 214 7950

The Falls Backpackers (BBH) Purakaunui Falls Rd, Owaka, 03 415 8724, sparx@es.co.nz

Southern Comfort (BBH) 30 Thompson St, 03 218 3838

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

Tuatara Lodge (VIP) 30 Dee St, 03 214 0956, tuataralodge.co.nz

The Split Level (BBH) 9 Waikawa Rd, Owaka, 03 415 8304, brianwayne@clear.net.nz

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

The Dubliner (BBH) 105 Tiverton St, Palmerston, 03 465 1896, andreas69@xtra.co.nz Dustez Bak Paka’s (BBH) 15 Colac Bay Rd, Riverton, 03 234-8399 dustez@xtra.co.nz The Globe Backpackers (VIP) 144 Palmerston St, Riverton, 03 234 8527, globebackpackers@xtra.co.nz Harbison Backpackers (BBH) 5 Harbison St, Otautau, 03 225 8715, michdale@xtra.co.nz Shooters Backpackers 73 Main St, Tuatapere, 03 226 6250

GORE Gore spans the Mataura river and boasts some lovely scenery in the Hokonui Hills and the Country and Western festival each June.

Old Fire Station Backpackers (BBH) 19 Hokonui Dr, 03 208 1925, oldfirestation@ispnz.co.nz Anglem House 20 Miro Crescent, 03 219 1552, yha.co.nz

THE CATLINS The beautiful Catlins is a sprawling mass of bush, forest and rivers, stretching all the way from Waipapa Point in Southland to Nugget Point in Otago. The best bit about the Catlins is the abundance of wildlife.

Catlins Community Info Centre 3 Main Rd, Owaka, South Otago, 03 415 8371, info@catlins-nz.com Elm Lodge Wildlife Tours Two-day camping trips, 0800 356 563, elmwildlifetours.co.nz

Surat Bay Lodge (BBH) Surat Bay Rd, New Haven, 03 415 8099, www.suratbay.co.nz/ Penguin Paradise Holiday Lodge (BBH) 612 Waikawa-Niagara Rd, Waikawa Village South Catlins, 03 2468 552, dolphinsurf@xtra.co.nz Thomas Catlins Lodge & Holiday Park, 03 415 8333, yha.co.nz Wright’s Mill Lodge (BBH) 865 Tahakopa Valley Rd, 03 204 8424 catlinsaccommodation.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 The Asylum Lodge (BBH) 36 Russell Rd, Seacliff, 03 465 8123 Bus Stop backpackers (BBH) 252 Harrington Point Rd, Portobello, 03 478 0330, backpacker@slingshot.co.nz Chalet Backpackers (BBH) 296 High St, 03 479 2075 Dunedin Central Backpackers (BBH) 243 Moray Pl, 03 477 9985, duncb_nz@yahoo.co.nz The Jolly Poacher (BBH)

74 Elm Row, 03 477 3384 Hogwartz (BBH) 277 Rattray St, 03 474 1487, hogwartz@actrix.co.nz The Jolly Poacher (BBH) 54 Arthur St, 03 477 3384, jollypoacher@ihug.co.nz Kiwis Nest (BBH)597 George St, 03 471 9540.

Leviathan Heritage Hotel 27 Queens Gardens, 0800 773 773, leviathan@xtra.co.nz Manor House (BBH) 28 Manor Place, 03 477 0484, manorhousebackpackers.co.nz On Top Backpackers (BBH) 12 Filleul St, cnr Moray Pl, 03 477 6121.

Pennys Backpackers (BBH) 6 Stafford St, 03 477 6027, info@pennys.co.nz Queens Garden Backpackers (VIP) 42 Queens Garden, 03 479 2175, dunedinbackpackers@xtra.co.nz Ramsay Lodge (BBH) 60 Stafford St, 03 477 6313, ramsay.lodge@xtra.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

Visitor Information Centre Thames St, 03 434 1656

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@actrix.co.nz McFarmers Backpackers (BBH) 774 Portobello Rd, Portobello, 02 5206 0640, mcfarmersbackpackers @hotmail.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 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

TAIAROA HEAD Taiaroa Head is the place to see the albatross colony, the only mainland colony in the world inside the bounds of a city.

ALEXANDRIA Alexandra and Roxburgh are the two main towns for fruit-picking work in the Central Otago region.

Two Bob Flashpackers (BBH) Marshalll Rd, 03 449 3188, twobobs@xtra.co.nz

ROXBURGH Villa Rose Backpackers (BBH) 79 Scotland St, 03 446 8761, remarkableorchards@xtra.co.nz

OAMARU A charming little place noted for both its interesting collection of white granular limestone buildings and its large penguin population.

Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony View blue penguins at dusk.

Waterfront Rd, 03 433 1195, penguins.co.nz Chillawhile Backpackers (BBH) & Art Gallery 1 Frome St, Roberts Park, 03 437 0168, chillawhile.co.nz Coastal Backpackers (BBH) The Hall, Waianakarua Rd, All Day Bay, 03 439 5411, coastalbackpackers.co.nz Buscot Station (BBH) 732 Omarama, 03 438 9646, buscotstn@xtra.co.nz Empire Hotel (BBH) 13 Thames St, 03 434 3446, empirehotel@hotmail.com Old Bones Backpackers (BBH) Rapid Number 468 Beach Rd, Kakanui, 03 434 8115, simon@oldbones.co.nz YHA Oamaru, Red Kettle Seasonal (open September/ October to May/June only).

Corner of Reed and Cross Sts, 03 434 5008, yha.co.nz Swaggers Backpackers (BBH) 25 Wansbeck St, 03 434 9999, swaggers@es.co.nz

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

Olive Grove Lodge (BBH) 2328 SH1, Waianakarua, 03 439 5830, info@olivebranch.co.nz The Dubliner 105 Tiverton St, Palmerston, 03 465 8123

KUROW Glenmac Farm Hostel (BBH) Gards Rd, 03 436 0200, glenmac@xtra.co.nz

STEWART ISLAND The third major island of New Zealand, Stewart is home to wide array of wildlife and some good tramping. Much of Stewart Island is uninhabitable, not surprising given that the island contains 1,680km2 of thick, unrelenting bush.

DOC Stewart Island Visitor Centre Main Rd, Half Moon Bay, 03 219 0002 Real Journeys Stewart Island Ferry Services, Paterson Inlet cruises (including Ulva Island), village and bays tours, guided walks and rental services (motor scooters, mountain bikes and cars), realjourneys.co.nz

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ONWARDSFIJI NADI & WEST Aquarius Pacific Hotel +679 672 6000 Beach Escape Villas +679 672 4442, beachscape@ connect.com.fj Cathay Hotel +679 666 0566, fiji4less.com Horizon Beach Resort +679 672 2832, horizonbeachfiji.com Nadi Bay Resort Hotel +679 672 3599, fijinadibayhotel.com Nadi Down Town Backpackers Inn +679 670 0600, pacvalley@connect.com.fj Nadi Hotel +679 670 0000, ndht@connect.com.fj

Coconut Bay Resort +679 666 6644 coconutbay_fiji2002@yahoo.com Korovou Eco Tour Resort +679 666 6644 korovoultk@connect.com.fj Kuata Resort +679 666 6644 Long Beach Backpackers Resort +679 666 6644 Manta Ray Island +679 672 6351 mantarayisland@connect.com.fj Nabua Lodge +679 666 9173 nabualodge@connect.com.fj Oarsmans Bay Lodge +679 672 2921 nacula@hotmail.com

Nomads Skylodge Hotel +679 672 2200

Octopus Resort +679 666 6337 reservations@octopusresort.com

Saweni Beach Apartment Hotel +679 666 1777, fiji4less.com

Sunrise Lagoon Resort +679 666 6644

Smugglers Cove Beach Resort +679 672 6578, smugglers beachfiji.com

Wayalailai Island Resort +679 672 1377 wayalailai@connect.com.fj

Travellers Beach Resort +679 672 3322, beachvilla@connect.com.fj

White Sandy Beach Dive Resort +679 666 4066

YASAWA ISLANDS Awesome Adventures Fiji +679 675 0499, awesomefiji.com

MAMANUCA ISL Beachcomber Island Resort +679 666 1500, beachcomberfiji.com

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BOOK NOW! Bounty Island Resort +679 666 6999, fiji-bounty.com Rau Kini’s Hostel +679 672 1959, rtkinihostel@connect.com.fj The Funky Fish Beach Resort +679 628 2333, funkyfishresort.com The Resort Walu Beach +679 665 1777, walubeach.com

CORAL COAST Beachouse +679 653 0500, fijibeachouse.com Mango Bay Resort +679 653 00690, mangobayresortfiji.com Pacific Safaris Club +679 345 0498, safariclub@connect.com.fj Rendezvous Dive Resort +679 628 4427, surfdivefiji.com Robinson Crusoe +679 629 1999, robinsoncrusoeislandfiji.com Seashell Cove Resort +679 670 6100, seashellresort.com Tabukula Beach Bungalows +679 650 0097, fiji4less.com The Uprising Beach Resort +679 345 2200, uprisingbeachresort.com

Tsulu Luxury Backpackers & Apartments +679 345 0065, tsulu.com Vakaviti Motel & Dorm +679 650 0526, bulavakaviti@connect.com.fj Vilisite Place +679 650 1030

SUVA

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Morrison’s Beach Cottagess +679 669 4516, tipple@connect.com.fj Safari Lodge Fijis +679 669 3333 safarilodge.com.fj Volivoli Beach Resort +679 669 4511, volivoli.com

VANUA LEVU

Colonial Lodge +679 92 75248, sailevukaga@yahoo.co.nz

Bayside Backpacker Cottage +679 885 3154, tripntour@connect.com.fj

Lami Lodge Backpackers +679 336 2240, volau@connect.com.fj

Hidden Paradise Guest House +678 885 0106

Leleuvia Island Resort +679 331 9567, eleen@leleuvia. com

Naveria Heights Lodge +679 851 0157, justnaveria@connect.com.fj

Raintree Lodge +679 332 0562, raintreelodge.com

Savusavu Hot Springs +679 885 0195, hotspringshotel@connect.com.fjj

Royal Hotel +679 344 0024 royal@connect.com.fj South Seas Private Hotel +679 331 2296, fiji4less.com Tailevu Hotel +679 343 0028

NORTH VITI LEVU Bethams Cottage +679 669 4132, bethams.com.fj Macdonalds Beach Cottages +679 669 4633

TAVEUNI Albert’s Sunrise +679 333 7555 Matava Resort +679 330 5222, matava.com Reece’s Place +679 362 6319 Waisalima Beach Resort +679 738 9236, waisalima.com

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Fiji is thought to be amongst the best destinations in the world for diving. With over 400 species of corals, as well as plenty of sea walls, drops and caves, there’s something for the advanced diver, as well as perfect conditions for the beginner. There’s an abundance of tropical fish, as well as reef sharks, dolphins, manta rays and turtles while visibility is excellent too, often stretching to 50 metres. Plus, to top it off, sea temperatures average about 26°C all year around. Head to Beq Lagoon for the legendary shark dives, where it’s not unknown for a tiger shark to turn up. Nothing’s gone wrong, to date...

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SYDNEY STAY Base Sydney 477 Kent St. CBD. 02 9267 7718, stayatbase.com

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

DON’T MISS!

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

Big Hostel 212 Elizabeth St. CBD. 02 9267 7718, bighostel.com Bounce Budget Hotel 28 Chalmers St. CBD. 02 9281 2222, bouncehotel.com.au

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

City Resort Hostel 103-105 Palmer St. Woolloomooloo 02 9357 3333, cityresort.com.au The Furnished Property Group 02 8669 3678, furnishedproperty.com.au Sydney Central YHA 11 Rawson Place. CBD. 02 9218 9000 www.yha.com.au Sydney Harbour YHA 110 Cumberland Street. The Rocks.

02 9261 1111, yha.com.au Westend Backpackers 412 Pitt St. CBD. 1800 013 186 nomadshostels.com 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 9261 1111 Avalon Beach Hostel 59 Avalon Pde, Avalon Beach.

02 9918 9709, avalonbeach.com.au Bondi YHA 63 Fletcher Street.

Tamarama. 02 9365 2088, yha.com.au

Glenworth Valley. 29Dec-1 Jan. From $110 Pitch your tent, stoke up the campfire and wind up the year bringing in the bells with Gossling, John Buttler Trio, Goldfields and more.

Glenworth Valley

peatsridgefestival.com.au

Manly Backpackers 24-28 Raglan St. Manly. 02 9977 3411 manlybackpackers.com.au Cammeray Gardens 66 Palmer St, North Sydney. 02 9954 9371 sydneyboardinghouse.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 Base Brisbane Embassy 214 Elizabeth St. 07 3166 8000, stayatbase.com Base Brisbane Central 308 Edward St. 07 3211 2433, stayatbase.com Brisbane Backpackers Resort 110 Vulture St, West End. 1800 626 452, brisbanebackpackers.com.au

Lochner’s Guesthouse 8 Gowrae Ave. Bondi.

02 9387 2162,

Brisbane City Apartments 1800 110 443, brisbanecityapartments.com

Aegean Coogee Lodge 40 Coogee Bay Rd. Coogee.

04 0817 6634, aegeancoogee.com.au

Brisbane City Backpackers 380 Upper Roma St 1800 062 572, citybackpackers.com

Surfside Backpackers 186 Arden Street. Coogee.

02 9315 7888, surfsidebackpackers.com.au Glebe Point YHA 262-264 Glebe Point Road. Glebe. 02 9692 8418, yha.com.au Boardrider Backpacker Rear 63, The Corso, Manly.

02 9977 3411 boardrider.com.au The Bunkhouse 35 Pine St, Manly.

1800 657 122, bunkhouse.com.au

Home at the Mansion 66 Victoria Parade. 03 9663 4212, homemansion.com.au

PEATS RIDGE FESTIVAL

Lamrock Lodge 19 Lamrock Ave. Bondi.

02 9130 5063, lamrocklodge.com

Coogee Beachside 178 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee. 02 9315 8511, sydneybeachside.com.au

Darwin YHA 97 Mitchell St. 08 8981 5385, yha.com.au

The Greenhouse Backpacker Level 6, 228 Flinders Lane.

1800 249 207, greenhousebackpacker.com.au

Easy Go Backpackers 752 George St. CBD. 02 9211 0505, easygobackpackers.com.au

Brisbane City YHA 392 Upper Roma St 07 3236 1947, yha.com.au Chill Backpackers 328 Upper Roma St. 1800 851 875, chillbackpackers.com Bunk Backpackers Cnr Ann & Gipps Sts, Fortitude Valley.

1800 682 865, bunkbrisbane.com.au The Deck Budget Accommodation 117 Harcourt Street, New Farm.

04 3377 7061 Tinbilly Travellers Cnr George and Herschel Sts. 1800 446 646, tinbilly.com

CAIRNS STAY Bohemia Central Cairns 100 Sheridan St. 1800 558 589, bohemiacentral.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 Dreamtime Travellers Rest 189 Bunda St. 1800 058 440, dreamtimehostel.com Gilligans Backpackers and Hotel Resort 57-89 Grafton St. 1800 556 995, gilligans.com.au

Home Travellers Motel 32 Carlisle St, St Kilda. 1800 008 718, hometravellersmotel.com.au Hotel Bakpak Melbourne 167 Franklin St. 1800 645 200, hotelbakpak.com Melbourne Central YHA 562 Flinders St. 03 9621 2523, yha.com.au Nomads Melbourne 198 A’beckett St. 1800 447 762, nomadshostels.com

Urban Central 334 City Rd, Southbank. 1800 631 288, urbancentral.com.au

PERTH STAY

Emperor’s Crown 85 Stirling St, Northbridge. 1800 991 553, emperorscrown.com.au

Nomads Cairns 341 Lake St. 1800 737 736, nomadshostels.com

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

Central Melbourne Accommodation 21 Bromham Place, Richmond.

03 9427 9826, centralaccommodation.net

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

HOBART STAY Central City Backpackers 138 Collins St. 1800 811 507, centralbackpackers.com.au Hobart Hostel 41 Barrack St. 1300 252 192, hobarthostel.com

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

Nomads Beach House 2 39 Sheridan St. 1800 229 228, nomadshostels.com

Base Melbourne 17 Carlisle St, St. Kilda.

1800 242 273, stayatbase.com

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

Narrara Backpackers 88 Goulburn St. 03 6234 8801, narrarabackpackers.com

Britannia on William 253 William St, Northbridge. 08 9227 6000, perthbrittania.com

MELBOURNE STAY

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

The Spencer 475 Spencer St. 1800 638 108, hotelspencer.com

NJOY Travellers Resort 141 Sheridan St. 1800 807 055, njoy.net.au

All Nations Backpackers Hotel & Bar 2 Spencer St. 1800 222 238, allnations.com.au

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

Montgomery’s YHA 9 Argyle St. 03 6231 2660, yha.com.au

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

Northern Greenhouse 117 Grafton St. 1800 000 541, northerngreenhouse.com.au

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

Space Hotel 380 Russell St. 1800 670 611, spacehotel.com.au

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

Nomads Esplanade 93 The Esplanade. 1800 175 716, nomadshostels.com

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

Ocean Beach Backpackers 1 Eric St, Cottlesloe. 08 9384 5111, oceanbeachbackpackers.com.au One World Backpackers 162 Aberdeen St, Northbridge.

1800 188 100, oneworldbackpackers.com.au Perth City YHA 300 Wellington St. 08 9287 3333, yha.com.au The Old Swan Barracks 6 Francis St. 08 9428 0000, theoldswanbarracks.com Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, Northbridge.

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

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

ADELAIDE STAY Adelaide Oval Home to the Adelaide Backpackers Inn 112 Carrington St. 1800 24 77 25, adpi.com.au Adelaide Central YHA 135 Waymouth St. 08 8414 3010, yha.com.au 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 Glenelg Beach Hostel 5-7 Moseley St. Glenelg. 1800 359 181, glenelgbeachhostel.com.au Hostel 109 109 Carrington St. 1800 099 318, hostel109.com My Place 257 Waymouth St. 1800 221 529, adelaidehostel.com.au Shakespeare Hostel 123 Waymouth St. 1800 556 889, shakeys.com.au

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

65

TOTALLYTRIVIAL

follow us on

@tnt_downunder

MYTHBUSTERS FOUL PLAY?

THIS MONTH’S QUIZ

FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW a) Hi c) Bye

b) Yes d) No

a) 1983 c) 1977

What is NZ’s capital city?

Q 2.a) Auckland b) Wellington c) Queenstown

a) The Big Dipper b) Scorpious c) Orion d) The Southern Cross

mountain is the highest?

Q 3.a) Which Mount Hamilton b) Douglas Peak d) Mount Tasman

Q 4. What body of water separates North and South Island? a) Cook Strait b) Atlantic Ocean c) Tasman Sea d) Pacific Ocean

the national symbol of NZ? Q 8.a)What’s Sheep b) Kiwi c) Whale d) Crayfish

Q 9. Which mountain features in Lord of the Rings as Mount Doom? a) Mount Ngauruhoe b) Mount Cook c) Mount Darwin d) Glacier Peak

Q 5. How many metres is the highest bungy in New Zealand? a) 125m b) 134m c) 110m d) 156m

SUDOKU PUZZLE

ANSWERS: 1. a 2. b 3. c 4. a 5. b 6. b 7. d 8. b 9. a

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KIWI-ISM

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b) 1987 d) 1999

What constellation features on New Q 7.Zealand’s flag?

d) Wanaka

c) Mount Cook

which year did New Zealand win Q 6.theInfirst ever Rugby World Cup?

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

8 1

As appealing as this may sound, it’s really not all that nice. It occurs after a big night out and basically means vomit. So, if a Kiwi says to you, “Whoa bru, I’m about to have a technicolour yawn” – watch out!

OF THE MONTH

Was racehorse Phar Lap really murdered?

Ever since the Kiwi-born thoroughbred dropped dead during an American tour, rumours have abounded that “Australia’s wonder horse” was poisoned. For decades nobody could prove the theories, and many assumed the truth to be a more mundane case of a stomach condition caused by rotten feed. But in 2006 there was a breakthrough, with scientists proving, from testing hair, that he had been killed by a massive dose of arsenic. So who’s to blame? Most popular suspects are American gangsters keen to kill off an unbeatable outsider to protect the profits from illegal bookies.

ANAGRAM-ARAMA

THIS TIME IT’S...

NZ REGIONS 1. BY OF PENALTY 2. WELL NOTING 3. HOMO BURGLAR 4. NEARBY CURT ANSWERS: 1. Bay of Plenty 2. Wellington 3. Marlborough 4. Canterbury

What does the Maori word ‘Kia Ora’ Q 1.roughly translate to?

MYTH

Tongariro National Park, New Zealand

www.kiwiexperience.com

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