Backpacker Essentials October 2013

BACKPACKER / ESSENTIALS / OCTOBER 2013

WELCOME NEW ZEALAND FEATURES, NEWS & DEALS INSIDE

FESTIVAL SEASON MUSIC AND MORE TALE OF 3 CITIES NORTHERN BRITAIN PHOTO FINALISTS VOTE NOW!

INSIDE

VOL 17 / No 5 OCTOBER 2013

BACKPACKER / ESSENTIALS

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AUSTRALIA/NZ Chris Sisarich

TASTES & TREATS

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SNAP

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PHOTO COMP FINALISTS

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GLOBAL

NEW YHAS & DEALS

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GETAWAYS

TOP DEALS IN OZ & NZ MANAGING EDITOR Janet McGarry

TASTE TESTING NZ

DEPUTY EDITOR Elinor Sheargold

NEW ZEALAND EDITOR

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Brindi Joy

YHA CONTRIBUTORS

GASTRONOMIC GOLD ON NEW ZEALAND'S NORTH ISLAND

Melinda Scott Rachel Seymour Tanya Heuke Francois LaJoie

ART DIRECTOR Dan Morley

GRAPHIC DESIGN Elinor Sheargold Nicolas Chua

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES

15

Cover Image: iStock

Backpacker Essentials is the member magazine for YHA Australia. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Association. No material may be reproduced without prior permission from the editor. All travel prices are subject to change and conditions apply. All hostel prices are YHA member rates and are subject to change. © YHA Australia ISSN 1328-6749. ®YHA Australia, Hostelling International and YHA house and tree logos are Registered Trademarks of YHA Australia Inc., PO Box A2462, Sydney South NSW 1235

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IN THE GROOVE SUMMER FESTIVALS

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HEAD NORTH

A TALE OF 3 U.K. CITIES

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ADELAIDE EASY SA'S COOL CAPITAL

The Editor, Backpacker Essentials, GPO Box 5276, Sydney NSW 2001.

T: +61 2 9261 1111 F: +61 2 9261 1969 E: backpackeressentials@ yha.com.au

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WHAT’S ON

AUSTRALIA/NZ EVENTS

EDITOR'S NOTE BRAND NEW AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND MAGAZINE

AUSTRALIA/ NZ

YHA GETAWAYS

SAY SMORGASBORD / YOUR NEW YHAS / SUMMER

ENU

ON THE M

Glacier Kaya

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TASTESTS & TREA FRANZ JOS

Mike Heydon

NOW Festival Toast Martinborough New Zealand

SMOOTH SA ILING IN MIL SOUND FORD

EF BY KA

YAK Enjoy the mirror lak es, soaring awesome mountain gla s and Mapourika ciers of the Westla nd. , sandwiche sea, and get d between Paddle Lake mountain up close to s and kiwi sanctu this protec ary. This ted habitat great-valu and u 2 nig e package hts multiincludes: share accommo dation at YHA Franz Josef u Glacier kayak tou r, including photos (equipme nt provide d) u 1 din ner at loca l hangout Mo nsoon Bar Priced at NZD $135 per Valid to 10 December person multi-share.

2013.

BOOK YHA FRANZ u +64

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3 752 075

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If you’ve onl y Zealand, cha seen one photo of New nces are it Milford Sou was of icon nd and Mit re Peak. Tur ic those pho tos into rea lity with this n short break from YHA experience Te Anau, and the sereni ty of Milford Sound, bou nded by ste dense rain ep cliffs and fore Package inc st, on a two- hour cruise. ludes: u 2 nig hts at YHA Te Anau u Milford Sound coa ch and cruise tou r Priced from NZD$165 share, and per person from NZD multi$378 per twin room double/ (based on two Standard rates availab people).

October to le. Valid 1 30 Novem ber 2013.

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YHA TE AN

BOOK NOW

AU

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With this issue of Backpacker Essentials, we welcome readers from New Zealand to the publication. Members of YHA New Zealand are now receiving it as their official member magazine.

YHA in Australia and New Zealand have long had many commonalities – a large and vibrant hostel network with great city and regional properties, many member services and discounts, and the same desire to offer quality hostels to both local and international travellers.

Backpacker Essentials keeps YHA members, and other budget travellers, up to date with the latest in YHA news, special offers and information; but it also aims to inspire us all to explore further and see more. Whether it is a weekend away with friends, a longer trip discovering our own country or that big overseas adventure, Backpacker Essentials will bring you great reading on the how, why and when of budget travel.

Regular readers will notice a few changes this issue. Firstly, we’ve expanded – more than a third more content per issue with a focus on New Zealand through features, news and deals.

We’ve also tweaked how we show key information like phone numbers and prices – to reflect the origin of the information. As usual, there are heaps of links to where you can get more details and make bookings.

Have a favourite YHA? Tell us which one (Australian, New Zealand or worldwide) and we’ve got a $100 Kathmandu voucher if we use your story (turn to page 4 of the Australia/NZ news section).

And don’t forget you can read Backpacker Essentials either online or on an iPad – find out more here.

Happy Reading!

Janet McGarry Managing Editor

AUSTRALIA/ NZ NEW YHAS / SUMMER SMORGASBORD / YOUR SAY

ON THE MENU

Mike Heydon

TASTES S T A E R T &

Toast Martinborough Festival New Zealand

Good Food Month Laneway Dinner Hamilton Lund Destination NSW

TASTE TOASTS & TREATS Australia and New Zealand have their fair share of food and wine worshipping events, but this season has cooked up a bumper crop.

For entrée, Sydney’s October-long Good Food Month menu is crammed with chef showcases, the iconic Night Noodle Markets, and pop-up gourmet events inviting you to taste, talk, drink and dine your way around town. This year, Good Food Month goes national, with Brisbane and Canberra sharing the table in October, and Melbourne tucking in from 1-30 November.

Paihia’s It! Bay of Islands Food and Wine Festival is a successful recipe of mouth-watering food, award-winning wines, beer and cider, entertainment, and kiwi competitions such as “Kina Sucking” and “Oyster Shucking and Eating” on 26 October.

There’s just enough time to digest the degustations, markets, Carnivore Carnival, and more than 50 events of the Hawkes Bay Food & Wine Classic Summer Series (F.A.W.C) (1-10 November), before indulging at the sophisticated Toast Martinborough (17 November).

So popular last year it’s back for more, the Margaret River Gourmet Escape promises to serve up the region’s famous chocolate, cheeses, olives, truffles and wines, from 22-24 November, with kitchen geniuses Heston Blumenthal, Rick Stein, Alex Atala, and Adriano Zumbo headlining.

The piece de resistance? Foodie favourites, the Marlborough and Melbourne Food and Wine Festivals return for a fortnight of foodie heaven in February and March, respectively. With more than 250 tastebud-tempting events, there’s something for every level of enthusiast, from the discerning bon viveur to noshing novices.

Book YHAs in all these locations at yha.com.au or yha.co.nz

Mike Heydon

/ SUMMER SMORGASBORD

Shutterstock

/ NEW YHAS

Emerald Lakes, Tongariro Park

OHAKUNE, NEW ZEALAND Say Kia Ora to New Zealand’s newest hostel in Ohakune, gateway to the North Island’s dramatic Central Plateau and Mt Ruapehu.

Described by Lonely Planet as their “top choice” in the beautiful alpine town, YHA Ohakune’s guests are sure to agree as they relax on the wide verandah, enjoy the volcano views, or soak in the hot tub after a day of adventure.

The lovingly-restored old station master’s house offers a range of shared and private rooms, full kitchen amentities, two lounges, native gardens, and a wood-fire pizza oven. The on-site bike rental and snow sports shop make it easy to gear up to explore the nearby mountain bike tracks or seek higher altitudes on the ski fields at Mt Ruapehu. Talk to your hosts about white water rafting the mighty Whanganui River, horse riding, canoeing or walking the Tongariro National Park’s lush forests.

BOOK NOW

YHA OHAKUNE u

ohakune@yha.co.nz

u

yha.co.nz

/ YOUR SAY AIRLIE BEACH YHA u +61 7 4946 6312 u airliebeach@yha.com.au

BOOK NOW

u yha.com.au

NOMINATED BY LIN MACLEAN, SA This YHA was a great find on our Whitsundays trip.

It’s only a couple of minutes from the main street, so you can get a good night’s sleep but still be close to the nightlife, lagoon, beach and bus transport.

Our dorm had its own bathroom and we loved having a sun deck for fresh air, though there’s aircon in the room. There are heaps of movies in the lounge and a pretty good kitchen. Didn’t try out the pool. Best of all are the staff, who talked us through the huge choice of tours, and booked us on the best snorkelling trip.

Thank you!

WIN! Got a place to nominate? Want to win a great travel prize? Lin will be receiving the inspiring Travel Photography Guide from Woodslane. For more information visit woodslaneonline.com.au. Tell us your favourite YHA (in less than 100 words) and send it, with your contact details, to backpackeressentials@yha.com.au

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU Have you stayed in a YHA hostel in Australia, New Zealand or overseas, had an awesome time and want to tell the world about it? Backpacker Essentials wants to hear about your hostel experience and every reviewer published in an issue of the magazine will receive a $100 Kathmandu voucher (AUD or NZD) to stock up on travel gear for your next trip. Simply send through your YHA review (in 100 words or less), along with your contact details, to backpackeressentials@yha.com.au

YOUR YHA YHA NEWS FOR MEMBERS IN AUSTRALIA

YHA MEMBERS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA HAVE VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY FOR A MERGER OF THE ORGANISATION YHA SOUTH AUSTRALIA INTO YHA LTD, MARKING A FURTHER SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARD THE GOAL OF A SINGLE NATIONAL YHA ORGANISATION. YHA in Australia is a not for profit organisation that was founded in each major city and which came together as a federation of State bodies to form YHA Australia. The national and state boards of directors have the objective of restructuring to one national organisation. In previous issues of Backpacker Essentials, YHA has reported on the steps within YHA to achieve this objective.

In January 2010, a merger was undertaken between YHA NSW and YHA Queensland into one organisation called YHA Ltd. This was followed by a further merger between YHA Ltd and YHA Victoria in January 2012. These mergers have been smoothly implemented and brought benefits including an integrated operation achieving greater efficiencies and delivering better services to YHA members. It has also allowed the consolidation of financial resources.

YHA Ltd encompasses NSW, Queensland, Victoria, the ACT and the Northern Territory, and as such the entity equates to about 80% of YHA’s operations in Australia. The main office is in Sydney and there are regional offices in Brisbane and Melbourne.

Besides the goal of a full merger, YHA has continued to proactively work on ways to ensure efficient business operations so that funds are available to maintain and enhance the YHA hostel network, and member services. In line with this aim, YHA has steadily increased the number of shared services between the state bodies and National Office in the areas of accounts, membership, marketing and IT. Backpacker Essentials itself is one such shared service.

This year (as reported in the February 2013 edition of Backpacker Essentials), YHA Ltd and YHA South Australia have worked on a proposal for a merger of the two bodies. Following a due diligence process, an Explanatory Memorandum was prepared, and sent with notice of a Special General Meeting to YHA SA members. This meeting was held in Adelaide on 11 September 2013 and those unable to attend in person were able to vote by proxy and more than 300 did so. We are pleased to report that the proposal achieved a yes vote of more than 96% which well exceeded the required 75% majority. The merger will come into effect on 1 January 2014. The merger steering committee included YHA SA CEO, Richard Mussell, who will now become the Manager of the new Central Region of YHA Ltd. The Chairperson of YHA SA, Tracy Powell, will join the Board of YHA Ltd in 2014.

At the time of writing YHA Ltd is starting to provide an accounting shared service to YHA in Tasmania and discussions are also planned with YHA Western Australia. YHA will continue to keep members up to date on news of changes within the organisation. Members can see current information, including annual reports, at the About YHA section of yha.com.au

SNAP YHA PHOTO COMPETITION

MONUMENT VALLEY, USA RACHEL BERTHOLD, NSW

Check out all the finalists in the YHA Photo Competition - click the link below.

Winners and runners up will be announced in the December issue of Backpacker Essentials, available from 4 December 2013. Plus, you can vote for your favourite photo in the Reader's Choice Award.

VIEW FINALISTS AS WEB PDF VIEW FINALISTS ONLINE A bit of bling - Kirsten Walla

Take a bow! Thanks to our fantastic prize sponsors.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PRIZE DETAILS.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTO

VOTE

GLOBAL NOW OPEN / OVERSEAS DEALS / HALLOWEEN

S L A E D D N A NEWS & Y A W R O N M FRO

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BRITAI N L I Z A R B O T

Seven Sisters, South Downs Way U.K

Shutterstock

/NOW OPEN

Lewes, East Sussex

SOUTH DOWNS, UK Nature lovers are in for a treat at the UK’s newest YHA. This former 13th Century farm near Beddingham, Lewes, has been given a £3 million makeover and new lease of life as the 68bed South Downs YHA. Superbly located on the South Downs Way National Trail, you’ll find the rolling hills, dramatic chalk cliffs and bays of the South Downs all on your doorstep. Don’t miss the famous Seven Sisters and Seaford Head.

Now fully kitted out with 16 modern bedrooms plus a selfcontained three-bed unit, the hostel also boasts, amongst the usual facilities, a brand new courtyard cafe, licensed bar, and South Downs visitor centre.

If you’re not into walking, cycling or horse riding a section of the 100-mile Trail, you can always pop next door to catch a train from Southease Station and explore the cobbled streets and Norman castle of Lewes, the harbour and echoing tunnels built into the chalk cliffs of Newhaven, or even head to nearby Brighton.

BOOK NOW SOUTH DOWNS YHA u

southdowns@yha.org.uk

u

hihostels.com.au

/NOW OPEN vichie81 - Shutterstock

ARACAJU, BRAZIL

National Opera House on Oslo Fjord

OSLO, NORWAY Gateway to this land of fjords and Vikings, midnight sun and northern lights, the Norwegian capital offers an enticing mix of 1,000 year-old history, dynamic modern culture, and an A-Z of outdoor activities.

Scenically set between the Oslo Fjord and acres of forest, the city is best explored from the new Oslo Central YHA. Here, guests can take advantage of 61 bright, modern rooms (shared, single, double and family), sleek common areas including lounge, TV room, and all-new kitchen, speedy internet, 24hour access, and loads more, right in the middle of Kvadraturen, in downtown Oslo.

The city’s world-class nightlife, shopping and cultural scene are only footsteps away. Step back in time at the Viking Ship or Folk Museums, marvel at the Vigeland Sculpture Park, Munch’s famous painting The Scream, or the Nobel Peace Centre. Cycling, hiking, kayaking, island-hopping, snow sports, and the Holmenkollen zipline are all within the city limits.

BOOK NOW

Brazil is blessed with beautiful beaches, and Atalaia Beach, in the north eastern city of Aracaju, is no exception. An immense stretch of golden sand, Atalaia is Aracaju’s urban playground. It is also home to the city’s first hostel.

Aju Hostel, located right at the beach, offers a range of multi-share, twin/double and family rooms, all featuring air-conditioning and their own bathroom. Free Wi-Fi, computer access, and breakfast are included in the price, and guests can take advantage of the comfy living room, full kitchen, laundry, and a garden courtyard with hammocks.

Free maps and friendly staff will help you explore the city’s attractions, from Robalo’s dunes and unspoilt Santa Luiza Island, to downtown’s markets and street stalls where you can try Brazilian treats like the “launche” (a meal in itself), washed down with cervaja (beer), and worked off with dancing.

HI Brasil is expanding its network of hostels around the country, so watch this space for news on new design hostels, a jungle YHA and surf hostel in development.

AJU HOSTEL

BOOK NOW OSLO CENTRAL HOSTEL u

oslo.central@hihostels.no

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hihostels.com.au

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ajuhostel@gmail.com

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hihostels.com.au

VIETNAM WRITING TOUR Where better to learn to write like a travel professional than in one of Asia’s most inspiring destinations, Vietnam? Travel Indochina has teamed up with award-winning Australian travel writer and Backpacker Essentials contributor, Rob McFarland, to offer an exciting literary journey to Vietnam.

The exclusive Vietnam Travel Writing Tour itinerary kicks off with four days of inspiring tuition in the craft of travel writing while based in Saigon. Then spend seven days visiting some of the most interesting parts of Vietnam, including Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, and Halong Bay. There’s also a private cooking class with culinary legend Miss Vy, and visit to Jimmy Pham’s KOTO Foundation.

Get insights into what makes great travel writing, how to take great photos, and commercial tips in an interactive ‘classroom’ that includes the streets of Saigon, the CuChi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta.

Travellers are also encouraged to submit a story inspired by their tour to Rob for detailed feedback.

The 12 day/11 night tour is limited 16 people and departs 12, 16, 22 and 26 March 2014. Priced from AUD$2,750 per person twin share or $3,635 per person single. For the full itinerary and inclusions visit travelindochina.com.au

BASEL ART & DESIGN DEAL Discover Basel’s love affair with art, architecture, culture and design with this package from the Swiss city’s designer hostel, Basel YHA, located on the St. Alban canal and right next to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Basel also boasts Europe’s longest illuminated Christmas Street and Switzerland’s largest popular festival, Basel Fasnacht, from 10-12 March 2014. Package includes: u 1 night’s accommodation in a double or 4-share room u Breakfast buffet u 24-hour museum pass u 1 day mobility ticket giving free public transport for duration of stay Priced: CHF 68.25 per person 4-share room (CHF 59.65 Nov-Feb), or CHF 81.80 per person double room (CHF 73.20 Nov-Feb). Valid to 31 May 2014. Booking code: Art Design 2013/2014.

Basel Tourismus

Shutterstock

/OVERSEAS DEALS

BASEL YHA u

basel@youthhostel.ch

u

youthhostel.ch/basel

BOOK NOW

/HALLOWEEN Shutterstock

GUILIN, CHINA Be enchanted by tales of dragons and the supernatural amongst the fairytale mountains of Guilin.

Flowers Blossom YHA

OTTAWA, CANADA Sleep in surprising comfort at Ottawa’s 150 year-old former jail, now a YHA. You can also see the gallows and possibly the local ghost.

Ottawa Jail Hostel

MEXICO CITY Processions of skeletons and candlelight picnics in the cemetery mark the Day of the Dead, 1-2 November.

MJ Catedral Hostel Day of the Dead, Mexico

CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN AT A SPOOKY YHA Whether you believe or not in ghosts, Halloween and all that, this time of year can be a lot of fun – an excuse for a party, and a great time to stay at some of YHA’s most atmospheric hostels. Quite a few claim to have a paranormal resident or two (who never pays or does their washing up!), while others make a great base to explore some of the region’s spooktacular traditions, myths and legends.

KILKENNY, IRELAND The ghost of a former owner’s daughter is said to roam the halls of this 16th Century medieval castle set amongst wild Irish countryside.

Foulksrath Castle YHA Book your bed ahead at all these YHAs at HIHOSTELS.COM.AU

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS Celtic folklore, the Loch Ness monster, and a Highland hostel not only famous for its turrets and towers, but also its resident ghosts.

Carbisdale Castle YHA

SIBIU, ROMANIA Where better to spend Halloween than in the heart of Transylvania, with its howling wolves and vampire legends.

Old Town Hostel

Carbisdale Castle YHA

FEATURE / NEW ZEALAND

NEW taste testing ZEALAND DAVID WHITLEY SETS OUT ON A GASTRONOMIC JOURNEY TO DISCOVER WHICH NEW ZEALAND LOCATIONS TASTE BEST.

Chris Sisarich

◆

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE ways to get to know a country is through its food. And I’d heard that New Zealand is a food-lovers paradise. That everything the locals sow, grow, rear and catch seems to turn to gastronomic gold. Oh, and what they ferment is pretty good too.

I wanted to taste it all. But rarely can good intentions have gone astray so quickly. The idea was to hop on the ferry from Auckland, go walking for a few hours, then head back. Unfortunately, it’s quite difficult to go for a walk on Waiheke Island without passing a winery. Pick the right circuit and you’ll end up trundling past a whole bunch of them.

The Cable Bay winery sums up the prevailing mood of Waiheke – it feels like a rich man’s escape, with helicopters landing outside and weekend breakers tucking into lunch on the terrace. Sampling a few wines doesn’t break the bank however – even if carrying the ones you buy afterwards makes the walk a bit more of a challenge.

TASTE TESTING TRAIL

WAIHEKE ISLAND

AUCKLAND

NORTH ISLAND TAUPO

NAPIER

HAWKES BAY

WELLINGTON

SOUTH ISLAND

Chris McLennan

Nick Servian

...EVERYTHING THE LOCALS SOW, GROW, REAR AND CATCH SEEMS TO TURN TO GASTRONOMIC GOLD.

NEW ZEALAND

Above: Mindil Beach Sunset Markets; left: Hawke's Bay countryside Kakadu National and top, one of Waiheke Park wetlands.

Island's many vineyards.

Rob Suisted

Great coffee and chocolate wait for you in Wellington.

THE CITY PROUDLY BOASTS OF HAVING MORE CAFÉS AND RESTAURANTS PER CAPITA THAN NEW YORK Mudbrick is the next along the route and again the lure of trundling up the hill for a few tastings is too strong to resist.

The guy behind the counter patiently explains the citrus and passionfruit flavours I should be looking for as I work my way through the list. I end up coming away with extra bottles of rosé and viognier, then clank my way round the rest of the walk like it’s an army training exercise (albeit with bottles weighing down the backpack instead of bricks).

It’s a fitting starting point for a drive across the North Island that becomes increasingly food and drink themed. The cowstrewn hillsides of the King Country show just how important the dairy and beef industries are to the country, while have-ago prawn and trout fisheries congregate around Lake Taupo.

After passing through the endless vineyards of Hawke’s Bay, Wellington quickly reveals itself as being almost nerdily obsessive about what it eats and drinks. The city proudly boasts of having more cafés and restaurants per capita than New York. A gourmet themed ramble through the city centre

The smell of freshly baked bread fills the air at one of the city's farmers markets

5 great kiwi

FOOD adventures

1

Fish for prawns plus take a tour of the nursery and hatchery at the Huka Prawn Park (hukaprawnpark.co.nz) in Taupo.

with Zest Food Tours hones in on the really good stuff, taking in waterfront coffee roasteries, honey tasting in a Maori art gallery and a Czech chocolatier. The latter – Bohemein on Featherston Street – insists on fresh ingredients designed to be consumed quickly and concocts flavour combinations such as pineapple and black pepper or balsamic vinegar and honey.

The tour moves on to what is arguably Wellington’s foodie high temple. Moore and Wilson’s is a supermarket in the same way that a tiger is a cat. Food is sourced from hundreds of high quality small suppliers and labelled so you know exactly where every cut of meat, bottle of extra virgin oil or block of cheese is from.

Moore and Wilson’s, Wellington

2

Go to the Bluff Oyster and Food Festival (bluffoysterfest.co.nz) at the bottom of the South Island.

And if the festival’s not on while you’re there, gorge on oysters anyway. It’s the rules.

3

Tuck in to a hangi – a meal cooked in an earth oven – after a ceremonial welcome at the Tamaki Maori Village (maoriculture.co.nz) near Rotorua.

4

Indulge your sweet tooth with a range of chocolatemaking classes at She Chocolat (shechocolat.com) in Christchurch. Lessons range from tempering and trufflemaking to mixing chocolate with savoury dishes.

5

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Auckland Fish Market (afm.co.nz), watching fish being filleted, taking an exclusive peek at the processing area and learning about the industry from boat to restaurant table. You can follow it up with a seafood cookery class upstairs.

5 classic kiwi

DRINK experiences

1

Wellington may be the craft beer consumption capital of New Zealand, but Nelson bills itself as the craft brewing capital – a lot of hops are grown round there.

We tuck into a selection of the latter – creamy blue cheese, nutty five year old cheddars – and wash them down with a selection of apple juices. These are real eye-openers, with each one being made from a particular variety of apple. The range of tastes is astonishing for anyone accustomed to generic supermarket apple juice.

For something a little stronger, Wellington has also forged a reputation as New Zealand’s craft beer capital. What was planned as one drink in the Little Beer Quarter pub on Edward Street turns into a multi-bar odyssey when I find a leaflet that maps Wellington’s specialist beer bars. In the last two or three years these have mushroomed as the city has applied its knowledgeable fussiness about wine, coffee and food to beer.

2

Delve into the world of bourbons, blends and single malts on one of the regular whisky tastings at the House of Whiskey (houseofwhiskey.co.nz) in Auckland. The 101 class goes through the basics – talking you through how whisky is made and why Scotches have such a range of tastes.

Master Classes are available for the advanced palate.

Small brewers from around the country are doing great business here. An increasingly fuzzy ramble of discovery takes in Bohemian Hipster Pilsner in the Fork and Brewer, a Yeastie Boys Gunnamatta IPA made with tea leaves in Hashigo Zake and a feisty Parrotdog Bitter Bitch American Pale Ale in the Malthouse.

It’s a very different walk from the one on Waiheke Island, but one with a disturbingly familiar end result …

Spoilt for choice at Hashigo Zake.

Jed Soane

JJ’s Quality Tours (jjstours. co.nz) has an option that dips into some of the area’s best craft breweries.

3

Central Otago is the world’s most southerly wine region. Appellation Central (appellationcentral. co.nz) runs seriously knowledgeable tasting tours through the area from Queenstown – with a focus on some of the planet’s best pinot noirs.

4

The perennially popular tour of the Speight’s Brewery (speights.co.nz) in Dunedin takes visitors through the history of beer and how it’s made before finishing with a generous sampling session.

5

For a wine tour with a twist, On Yer Bike (onyerbikehb.co.nz) offers self-guided cycling tours around the wineries of Hawke’s Bay. They give you the bike and a route map, then off you go …

BOOK NOW

WHERE TO STAY YHA AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL

YHA WELLINGTON ◆ wellington@yha.co.nz

◆ auckland@yha.co.nz

WELLINGTON DEAL YHA AUCKLAND CITY ◆ aucklandcity@yha.co.nz

YHA TAUPO ◆ taupo@yha.co.nz

YHA NAPIER ◆ napier@yha.co.nz

Special offer: Plan your visit to Wellington now and enjoy this great offer – free bagel and coffee breakfast for 2 people each morning of your stay. $80 for 2 in a private room with shared bathroom or $120 private ensuite room. Book now.

BOOK ALL OF THESE YHA'S ONLINE AT YHA.CO.NZ

YHA GETAWAYS

DEALS

YHA DEALS IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

MORETON ISLAND ADVENTURE A trip to Moreton Island is a must on any visit to Brisbane, and this package makes exploring easy: u

2 nights' multi-share or double/twin

Grampians Quadbikes

accommodation at Brisbane City YHA

GRAMPIANS ADRENALINE RUSH Get into gear with this adrenaline-pumping package and experience the Grampians' wilderness, nature and wildlife by quad bike: u

u

2 nights' four-share

u

Return transfers Brisbane CBD to Holt Street Wharf

u

Return catamaran Brisbane to Moreton Island

u

Your choice of 3 activities from: beach

accommodation at

segway tour; stand-up paddleboarding;

Grampians Eco YHA

guided snorkelling at Tangalooma Wrecks;

2 hour quad bike

catamaran sailing; banana boat rides;

adventure tour

kayak, snorkel and wetsuit hire; outrigger

Priced from AU$150 per person. Valid to 20 December 2013.

BOOK NOW

GRAMPIANS ECO YHA

canoe; motor boat hire; fish-feeding tour and cruise; fishing rod hire.

From AU$218 p.p multi-share, $252 per double/twin. Valid to 31 March 2014.

BRISBANE CITY YHA

u

+61 3 5356 4544

u

+61 7 3236 1004

u

grampians@yha.com.au

u

brisbanecity@yha.com.au

BOOK NOW

Shutterstock

Shutterstock

PORT STEPHENS FUN IN THE SUN Only 2.5 hours north of Sydney, Port Stephens makes the perfect escape this season. With a harbour double the size of Sydney’s, national parks, wineries, plus an A-Z of activities including kayaking, quad biking, horse riding and diving, it’s easy to spend several days here. Combine a scenic dolphin watching cruise and get your thrills flying down the region's famous sand dunes with this package including: u 3 nights at Port Stephens YHA u Sandboarding u 1.5

adventure on the sand dunes at Anna Bay

hour dolphin watch cruise

u Free

WiFi

Priced from AU$126 per person multi-share and from $318 per double/twin room.

Valid to 19 December 2013.

DAINTREE IN A DAY

BOOK NOW PORT STEPHENS YHA u

u

+61 2 4982 1921 portstephens_samurai@yha.com.au

PORT ELLIOT SURF AND STAY GETAWAY Ever wanted to learn how to surf? This getaway will help you master the waves in time for summer, and still give you plenty of spare time to practice your new skills on the sunny South Coast beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula, or even to explore that region’s many attractions. u 2

nights multi-share at

Port Elliot YHA

BOOK NOW

u 2

u 2

nights multi-share at Port

O'Call YHA, Port Douglas u Cape

Tribulation day tour

including river cruise u Free

WiFi

u Transfers

from Cairns to Port

Douglas (Sun-Fri) Priced from AU$230 per person.

Valid to 31 March 2014.

Coast Surf Academy

PORT ELLIOT (mornings or afternoons) BEACH HOUSE YHA Priced from AU$130 per

u +61

SATC

surf lessons with South

Explore the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest from the paradise that is Port Douglas.

Leave the driving to someone else and enjoy a full-day tour discovering the diversity of this 130 million-year-old rainforest, including a wildlife river cruise, and guided 45-minute walk along the Marrdja boardwalk.

This package includes:

8 8554 1885

u portelliot@yha.com.au

person. Private room upgrades available. Valid 12 October - 20 December 2013.

PORT O'CALL LODGE YHA u +61

7 4099 5422

u portdouglas@yha.com.au

BOOK NOW

Tourism WA

Shutterstock

THREDBO YOGA RETREAT WEEKEND 8-10 NOVEMBER Enjoy an exclusive weekend, from 8-10 November, full of relaxation and yoga in the inspiring surrounds of the Snowy Mountains.

Package Includes: u 3 nights' accommodation (four-share or twin share) u 6 yoga sessions with Kate Nirlipta who has 23 years yoga experience u Light supper on arrival, Friday night u Buffet brunches each morning of your stay u 2 course dinner Saturday

BUNBURY ESCAPE Cosmopolitan Bunbury is renowned for its friendly dolphins, golden beaches, and laid-back lifestyle.

Swim with dolphins at the Dolphin Discovery Centre, marvel at the nearby natural attractions, and make the most of a break with this package: u 3 nights double/twin, triple or family room, plus free toast & coffee breakfast

Priced from AU$321 per person. All catering is vegetarian. Friday 8 – Sunday 10 November 2013.

u Entry to Dolphin Discovery Centre u 1 day bike hire u 5 hours free internet Priced from AU$195 per double/twin room.

Valid 12 October to 20 December 2013.

BOOK NOW

BOOK NOW THREDBO YHA u

+61 2 6457 6376

u

+61 8 9792 4690

u

thredbo@yha.com.au

u

bunbury@yha.com.au

PHILLIP ISLAND STAY 4, PAY 3 Phillip Island, an easy 90 minutes from Melbourne, is packed with things to see and do. Luckily, Phillip Island YHA is offering four nights' accommodation for the price of three nights, giving you the chance to really tuck in to the seafood, scenery, nature, activities

Tourism Victoria

DOLPHIN RETREAT YHA

and attractions of this fantastic island.

Priced from only AU$81 per person for four nights. Deal available for six and 12-share rooms only. Valid to 23 December 2013 (excludes 16-22 October & 22 Nov to 1 December).

PHILLIP ISLAND YHA u

+61 3 5956 6123

u

phillipisland@yha.com.au

BOOK NOW

YHA GETAWAYS

Glacier Kayaks

SMOOTH SAILING IN MILFORD SOUND

accommodation at

If you’ve only seen one photo of New Zealand, chances are it was of iconic Milford Sound and Mitre Peak. Turn those photos into reality with this short break from YHA Te Anau, and experience the serenity of Milford Sound, bounded by steep cliffs and dense rainforest, on a two- hour cruise.

Package includes:

YHA Franz Josef

u

2 nights at YHA Te Anau

Glacier kayak tour,

u

Milford Sound coach and

FRANZ JOSEF BY KAYAK Enjoy the mirror lakes, soaring mountains and awesome glaciers of the Westland. Paddle Lake Mapourika, sandwiched between mountains and sea, and get up close to this protected habitat and kiwi sanctuary. This great-value package includes: u

u

2 nights' multi-share

including photos (equipment provided) u

1 dinner at local hangout Monsoon Bar Priced at NZ$135 per person multi-share.

Valid to 10 December 2013.

BOOK NOW

YHA FRANZ JOSEF u +64

3 752 0754

u franzjosef@yha.co.nz

cruise tour Priced from NZ$165 per person multishare, and from NZ$378 per double/ twin room (based on two people).

Standard rates available. Valid 1 October to 30 November 2013.

YHA TE ANAU u +64

3 249 7847

u teanau@yha.co.nz

BOOK NOW

Hit the water in Tauranga's Bay of Plenty. Discover canyons and waterfalls, take a sunset kayak through glow worm dells, or keep an eye out for stingrays, dolphins and seals around Mount Maunganui. Deal includes: u

McLarens Falls Trip, or

YHA Glenorchy is the perfect place for tramping enthusiasts to gear up or wind down at the start or end of their tramps.

The lakeside wilderness lodge even has an on-site shop selling tramping supplies for the nearby Routeburn and Greenstone Tracks. Best of all, the YHA is offering free transfers from the lodge to the start of either of these tracks, when you stay two consecutive nights.

Round-the-Mount half-day

u

1 night multi-share at YHA Tauranga

u

Choice of:

Glowworm Night Tour, or

BOOK NOW

u

YHA TAURANGA u +64

7 578 5064

u tauranga@yha.co.nz

refreshments, free photos Priced at NZ$112 per person* Valid to 30 November 2013. *YHA members only.

Paihia is the perfect base to explore New Zealand’s unrivaled Bay of Islands this season. Swim with the dolphins, explore by kayak, quad bike, horse or hike. Don’t miss New Zealand’s birthplace, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Take a ferry to the charming town of Russell, or cruise to the famous Hole in the Rock. With so much to do, you'll need an extra day to help you fit it all in. u Stay 3 nights get a 4th night free - that's 4 nights for

2 nights' accommodation at YHA Glenorchy

Kayak tour pickup from YHA,

BAY OF ISLANDS 4 FOR 3

GLENORCHY TRAMPERS DELIGHT

u

Free transfers to Glenorchy end of Routeburn Track or Greenstone Track

Priced from NZ$63 per person multi-share and from $153 per double/twin room (2 people) Not available with any other offer, or Easy As Card. Valid 26 October 2013 to 31 March 2014.

NZ$67.50 multi-share or $230 per double room!

Valid to 30 November 2013. Exclusive to YHA members.

Shutterstock

BOOK NOW

YHA BAY OF ISLANDS PAIHIA u +64

9 402 7487

u bayofislands.paihia@yha.co.nz

YHA GLENORCHY u +64

3 442 4900

u glenorchy@yha.co.nz

BOOK NOW

YHA New Zealand

Canoe & Kayak

TAURANGA PADDLE POWER PACKAGE

FEATURE / FESTIVALS

FestivalSeaso� ◆

Francesco Vicenzi

AN ENDLESS SUMMER OF MUSIC IS AHEAD WRITES ANDREW WESTBROOK.

IF YOU’RE A

Game of Thrones fan, you might be a little bit disappointed.

Those cheery Starks, you see, got one little detail wrong – forget winter, it’s summer that’s coming.

Yes, the season of long days on the beach, long weekends away and long drinks before the setting sun is, thankfully, not long off.

And as sure as spring follows winter, you can be sure the Antipodean festival calendar will be as overflowing as a beach-bound Esky come the sunny months. Whether it’s the cream of the Aussie and Kiwi crop, or top international acts chasing an endless summer, a week will barely go by without some opportunity for music lovers to get their live action fix.

The problem, of course, is there’s almost too much choice. That, trusty reader, is where we come in.

BEST OF THE REST - ACT I

Festival Of The Sun

SPRING INTO ACTION Don’t feel you have to wait until Christmas to get the grass between your toes. While it’s vital to be snapping up tickets for the bigger festivals sooner rather than later, there’s still plenty of fun to be had in October and November.

For those unable to survive without slide guitar until the main Byron Bay event over Easter, the Sydney Blues and Roots Festival is back for its fifth year, 24-27 October. Split between several venues in New South Wales’ Hawkesbury region, day tickets start at AU$79.

If jazz is more your bag, arguably the genre’s best Down Under event is Victoria’s Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues on 1-4 November. Limited entry tickets start at just AU$20.

However, if you prefer the sounds of current Aria chart stars, such as Bliss N Eso or Boy and Bear, set up camp on Newcastle’s foreshore for Fat as Butter on 26 October. Tickets start at AU$118.

FESTIVAL OF THE SUN: Held in a Port Macquarie holiday park, on 13-14 December, Festival of the Sun is a sun-soaked superchilled event, ideal for kicking back while enjoying the best of alternative Aussie acts, such as You Am I, The Rubens and Ash Grunwald.

FIELD DAY: Beat the New Year’s Day hangover by getting straight back on it at Field Day, in Sydney’s Domain. Already down to join the always-barmy atmosphere are Hot Chip and Mark Ronson.

SOUNDWAVE: Attending Soundwave is basically compulsory for heavy metal fans. No other Antipodean festival so dominates its genre. The lineup this year includes Green Day, Megadeth, Placebo, Korn, Alice in Chains and a million others. It tours five Aussie cities in February and March.

Rhythm and Vines Festival

STRANGE DAYS

TUNARAMA: South Australia’s Port Lincoln is a city that’s grown rich on catching some of the finest tuna you’ll ever taste, so if the locals want to get together for a four-day tunathemed festival each Australia Day weekend, you won’t hear us complaining. Now preparing for its 53rd year, Tunarama has music, an acrobatic air show plus stacks more entertainment and competitions. Let’s face it though, the prawn peeling contest and the tuna toss world championships are what we all want to see.

PARKES ELVIS FESTIVAL: It’s been 36 years since Elvis left the building (allegedly), but each January the population of New South Wales town Parkes doubles thanks to the sudden appearance of around 18,000 Elvis fans, most of them dressed as the King. Timed to coincide with the Hound Dog’s 8 January birthday, the five-day Parkes Elvis Festival has 150 Elvis-styled events for you to get stuck on, between bedding down at the Heartbreak Hotel of course.

Paul Hoelen

Forget the music and embrace the odd with a day out at one of these weird and wonderful events.

DANCE INTO 2014 No other week is as congested with festivals as the days running up to New Year’s Eve, so take your time finding the one that excites you most. Don’t take too long, however, as the good ones will sell out. Soon.

Pick of the bunch is Falls Festival. Set amidst the gorgeous surroundings of Marion Bay, Tasmania, Lorne in Victoria, and now also Byron Bay, Falls is a classic multi-day festival, with a laid-back arty atmosphere and an always interesting lineup.

The headliners this year include Vampire Weekend, MGMT and The Roots. Tickets start at AU$203.

Another favourite in a beautiful setting is Rhythm and Vines. This three-dayer has five stages set amongst the green hills and grapes of the Waiohika Estate, near Gisborne. The lineup so far includes Rudimental, Empire of the Sun and Shapeshifter, with more to be added. Tickets cost from NZ$229.

To find your inner-hippy, head for the Sunshine Coast hinterland in search of the Woodford Folk Festival. Back for a 27th year, the six-day event has music from the likes of Angus Stone, combined with a full arts program ranging from craft workshops to street theatre. Tickets start at AU$107.

Rainbow Serpent Festival Francesco Vicenzi

BEST OF THE REST - ACT II

PATRIOTIC PARTYING Like NYE, the Australia Day weekend is synonymous with festivals, and one festival in particular – Big Day Out. Travelling between Auckland, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth, BDO is undeniably a rite of passage for many maturing musos, even if older fans stay away for that exact reason. As always, it’s hard to argue with the lineup – there’s Pearl Jam, Arcade Fire, Blur and Snoop Dogg, just for starters. Tickets start at AU$185.

For the anti-BDO experience, try Rainbow Serpent Festival.

Based in Lexton, Victoria, the Serpent has plenty of ambient, progressive music (The Orb headline), but is based as much around a philosophy of Dreamtime escapism as it is the tunes. Tickets cost from AU$250.

To step even further from the mainstream, fire-twirl your way into Kiwiburn. Held at the Whakamaru Domain, just north of Taupo, Kiwiburn is New Zealand’s answer to the Burning Man festival in the US. Based around art installations and communal sharing, festival-goers are expected to set up self-sufficient themed camps that contribute to the event.

Tickets start at NZ$70.

RAGGAMUFFIN: Boasting the likes of UB40 and Lauryn Hill last time around, Raggamuffin is where the lion’s share of reggae fans are likely to be found, come 31 January to 1 February, when it rolls into Rotorua.

LANEWAY: If you like your jeans skinny and your bikes gearless, then hipster heaven St Jerome’s Laneway Festival is the one for you. Laneway tours five Aussie cities and Auckland in February.

Lineup will be announced soon.

FUTURE: Forget Big Day Out, the festival that delivers the most big name acts is Future Music. Already announced are the Stone Roses, Bloc Party, the Prodigy, Dizzee Rascal and Sven Vath. They hit five Aussie cities in early March.

WHERE TO STAY YHAs are the ideal spot to make sure you catch up on sleep and showers either en route to these festivals, or during them as an alternative to the inevitable mud-bath camping option. ◆ yha.com.au ◆ yha.co.nz

FEATURE / NORTHERN BRITAIN

N W

E S

©VisitBritain/ Rod Edwards

HEAD

NORTH

GETTING OUT OF LONDON AND HEADING NORTH, WRITES STEVE MCKENNA, OPENS UP A FEAST OF CULTURE IN THREE REJUVENATED BRITISH METROPOLISES.

◆

GLASGOW DISTANCE FROM LONDON: 4.5 hours by train

Finneston Crane

Shutterstock

GLASGOW FOR FREE

Shutterstock

“WHAT’S THE BEST thing to come out of Edinburgh?

The train to Glasgow!”

This is one of the cleaner jokes told by Glaswegians (or Weegies); a people renowned for their treacle black humour (Billy Connolly and Frankie Boyle are among the city’s edgiest funnymen).

A few years ago, it would have been almost laughable to put gritty Glasgow alongside elegant Edinburgh in the must-visit stakes. Not now. After decades in the doldrums, sparked by the demise of its once-mighty shipbuilding industry, Glasgow has re-emerged as one of Britain’s most fun and happening cities. In 2014 it’ll be under the spotlight as host of the Commonwealth Games.

For many Weegies, the symbol of Glasgow’s urban renewal is Merchant City – a revitalised zone of grand Georgian properties, tidily converted into chic bars, restaurants, shops and apartments. These photogenic sandstone buildings – whose previously weathered facades have been tickled clean - were constructed by the ‘Tobacco Lords’, a group of businessmen who earned a mint trading tobacco (and sugar) cultivated in the Americas in the 18th century.

A short ride away on the subway - the world’s third oldest underground rail system after London and Budapest - you can soak up the bohemian vibes of Glasgow’s West End. Home to a thriving student community, it’s a cracking place to cafe-hop, sip whiskey and snack on everything from haggis to vindaloo (Glasgow’s curry houses are among Britain’s best).

RIVERSIDE MUSEUM: Housed in one of the modern architectural pearls along the Clyde waterfront, the Riverside showcases Glasgow’s magnificent old street trams, vintage motors and models of vessels crafted in the Clyde shipyards. It’s the 2013 European Museum of the Year.

More Info: seeglasgow.com

BOOK NOW

GLASGOW YHA ◆ glasgow@syha.org.uk ◆ syha.org.uk

Shutterstock

Surprisingly green, Glasgow is dotted with leafy parks, while walking and cycling trails line the banks of the Clyde, Glasgow’s great river.

While Edinburgh – 75km east - is a UNESCO City of Literature, Glasgow has UNESCO City of Music status.

The birthplace of poppers and rockers like Lulu, Mark Knopfler, Primal Scream, Franz Ferdinand, Texas and Travis, Glasgow boasts as many live music venues as comedy clubs. Don’t miss King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, where Mancunian Brit-pop legends Oasis were ‘discovered’ in the early 1990s.

KELVINGROVE ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM: Sporting a $60 million makeover, this West End stalwart displays an eclectic range of national and international exhibits, including the work of iconic Glaswegian architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Catalan genius Salvador Dali.

The YHA is in the city’s West End in a handsome building.

Street Art Shutterstock

Steve McKenna

PEOPLE’S PALACE: Learn about the tumultuous social history of Glasgow in this terrific museum, which is nestled in Glasgow Green and shoulders the Winter Gardens, a Victorian greenhouse flush with tropical plants.

George Square Shutterstock

LIVERPOOL DISTANCE FROM LONDON: 2.5 hours by train

Albert Dock, a symbol of Liverpool's regeneration Steve McKenna

Shutterstock

LIVERPOOL FOR FREE

MUSEUM OF LIVERPOOL: A stone’s throw from the Three Graces, this snazzy new attraction mingles vintage exhibits and multimedia presentations to tell Liverpool’s topsy-turvy story, from its prehistoric origins to inspiring 21st century renaissance.

HALF A CENTURY after the release of their debut single, Love Me Do, The Beatles still cast an enchanting spell over their home city. It’s impossible to visit Liverpool without feeling the Fab Four’s nostalgic presence. Buskers of all ages strum Yesterday and Yellow Submarine in the streets, a resident cover band perform a medley of Beatles tracks in the atmospheric Cavern Club (a replica of the venue where John, Paul, Ringo and George used to play), and you can even get a ticket to ride the Magical Mystery Tour, which buses fans to the likes of Strawberry Field and Penny Lane.

Yet Liverpool is far from a one-trick pony and even non-Beatles lovers are won over by the city’s vibrant charms and its quick-witted residents (dubbed Scousers).

One of the wealthiest ports of the British Empire, Liverpool sunk into economic decline post-World War II, but its successful stint as 2008 European Capital of Culture has given it renewed confidence and led to the opening – or revamping – of an array of tempting spots in which to eat, drink and be merry. A cluster are found in and around Liverpool ONE, a shiny openair mall that sprawls across the formerly jaded city centre. It's a short stroll from the breezy, spruced-up banks of the River Mersey, which is lined with cultural treasures and lorded over by the awesome Three

Graces, a soaring trio of Edwardian skyscrapers erected at the zenith of Liverpool’s power.

Electrifying nightlife is Liverpool’s forte, especially in Ropewalks, a pumping district with endless barcrawling potential. Don’t miss Alma de Cuba. Set inside an old Catholic church, with stained-glass windows and wax-coated candelbras, Alma draws a varied clientele, including players from the city’s two soccer teams, Liverpool and Everton. Drinks prices are surprisingly reasonable for such a smart venue, whose entertainers include hip-gyrating Brazilian samba dancers.

TATE LIVERPOOL: A top-notch offshoot of the London art mecca, Liverpool’s Tate is one of myriad attractions in the refurbished warehouses of the Albert Dock. Another must-see here is the International Slavery Museum, which exposes Liverpool’s dark role in the transatlantic slave trade.

More Info: visitliverpool.com

BOOK NOW

LIVERPOOL YHA ◆ liverpool@yha.org.uk ◆ yha.org.uk

The YHA is a modern, purpose-built hostel near to the historic Albert Docks district.

Shutterstock

The Liver building Shutterstock

CATHEDRALS: Liverpool has two epic cathedrals; a Catholic one, dubbed Paddy’s Wigwam as it resembles a giant tepee, and an Anglican one - the biggest cathedral in Britain.

Beatles nostalgia

Steve McKenna

MANCHESTER

Salford Quays Shutterstock

DISTANCE FROM LONDON: 2 hours 10 mins. by train

Finneston Crane

Shutterstock

MANCHESTER FOR FREE

Shutterstock

JUST 50KM UP the M62 motorway – or a 50-minute rail journey away – Liverpool’s noisy neighbour, Manchester, makes a strong claim for being Britain’s second city (though the Brummies of Birmingham would disagree).

Known as ‘Cottonopolis’ in the 19th century, when its textile products accounted for around half of Britain’s exports, Manchester bathes in its rich industrial heritage. The compact city centre is strewn with majestic Victorian-era relics, including the monumental neo-Gothic town hall and the palazzoesque Manchester Art Gallery.

Weather-beaten mills and warehouses have been transformed into a raft of bars, eateries and cultural gems, with several overlooking the canals that once ferried goods across the city.

Manchester’s coolest district is the Northern Quarter, an uber-trendy hive of alternative clothes shops, hipster hangouts and gourmet dining spots, as well as second-hand record stores and live music haunts.

While the Mancunian gigging scene has dipped since the 1980s and 90s, when New Order, the Smiths and the Stone Roses fuelled the psychedelic Madchester period, you can still imbibe good live music every night, with everything from up-and-coming house DJs to Oasis tribute acts.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY: MOSI to Mancunians, this brilliant museum – fringed around the world’s first passenger railway station - stocks vintage locomotives, steam-powered mill wheels and colourful textile displays dating back to Manchester’s industrial pomp.

More info: visitmanchester.com

BOOK NOW

MANCHESTER YHA ◆ manchester@yha.org.uk ◆ yha.org.uk

Shutterstock

For a high-brow evening, try the Royal Exchange.

Once a trading point for textile merchants, this intimate 700-seat theatre hosts award-winning drama, ballet and opera in a splendidly opulent setting.

Manchester rivals Glasgow as Britain’s best retail therapy hotspot outside London. Rebuilt after being devastated by an IRA bomb in 1996, the heart of the city is peppered with glossy malls and department stores like Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.

THE LOWRY: Nestled on the Quays, in Manchester’s neighbouring city of Salford, this multi-use arts centre and gallery is dedicated to the late local painter LS Lowry, whose haunting seascapes and millscapes immortalised industrial northern England.

Fully refitted, this YHA is next to a canal within easy reach of all the sights and attractions.

Salford Quays Bridge

Shutterstock

Shutterstock

MUSEUM OF FOOTBALL: Home to two of the world’s richest clubs – Manchester United and City – Manchester also boasts the superb Museum of Football, which offers an absorbing, interactive insight into the beautiful game and its impact on Britain and beyond. It’s housed in the Urbis, a glossy, ski slope-shaped tower.

Industrial heritage Shutterstock

FEATURE /ADELAIDE

A ADELAIDE DELAIDE it's cool! ◆

SATC

SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S COOL CAPITAL PACKS SOME SERIOUS STREET CRED, WRITES DI CAUGHT.

THE PEOPLE OF

Adelaide have been

keeping a little secret all to themselves. But it would appear the word is spreading and it’s time to let the cat out of the bag – Adelaide is cool!

Not in a snobby “we’re too good for you” kind of way. Far from it!

Adelaide is often cited as one of the friendliest cities in the world. A city where people go out of their way to help a lost visitor with a map, look a stranger in the eye and say hello, or teach a newcomer the rules to AFL football.

No, we’re talking the kind of cool that comes from having the world’s only green belt of parks that wrap the entire city, free bike hire for everyone (yes everyone), the largest selection of food trucks*(mobile food vendors) in the country, the must-visit Adelaide Central Market jam-packed with local produce and food from around the world, and the expanding and uber cool “small bar” scene.

And the best thing about Adelaide?

It’s easy!

When Colonel William Light founded Adelaide in 1836, he had a simple plan: a one square mile city centre and lots of open space. He laid out the streets in a grid, surrounded by a ring of what are now State Heritage-listed parklands. The Adelaide Parklands were designed to be the ‘lungs of the city’ and now Adelaide is the only city in the world to be completely surrounded by parklands. Totalling 7.6 km² in green space, compared in size to London’s Hyde Park at 2.53 km² and New York’s Central Park at 3.41 km² - now that’s cool.

ADELAIDE IS THE ONLY CITY IN THE WORLD TO BE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY PARKLANDS From top: Botanic Gardens; the River Torrens; free bike hire. Main: a green belt of parks surrounds the city. SATC

And speaking of cool, the very generous free bike hire* scheme in Adelaide is an initiative of the Adelaide City Council to help create a cleaner, greener city. They have thousands of free bikes for everyone to hire, every day. Cycling is the perfect way to get to know the city and beyond, with an abundance of dedicated bike trails around the parklands and throughout the city. A distinct lack of hills makes the pedalling a breeze. If you prefer to watch someone else do the cycling, don’t miss January’s Tour Down Under – first stop on the world’s annual cycling calendar. An Aussie flavoured Tour de France!

Whether by bicycle or foot, exploring Adelaide’s streets and laneways is a little like a treasure hunt. Uncover a local Adelaide delicacy in the historic Adelaide Central Markets where the buzz is happening Tuesday through to Saturday. Friday nights are best, when a shopping expedition turns into a meal and a great people-watching exercise.

Stumbling upon one of Adelaide’s very popular food trucks is a sure way to unveil a gem. Offering a delicious variety of mobile food ranging from gourmet cuisine and nutritious juices to a shot of hot Italian coffee, these trucks, vans and carts can often be spotted in parks and laneways around the city. A monthly gathering of food trucks “Fork Free bike hire, top, Adelaide City Market, centre and bottom.

SATC, Adelaide City Council

Fork On the Road

on the Road” has become a popular way to experience multiple food truck experiences in one sitting. Little markets are also popping up everywhere with young designers, vintage collectors and local artists pimping their wares for all to delight in.

At the end of the day, when it's time to sit back and reflect FOOD, BIKES AND BARS on your great finds in this special little place, cosy on in to Find out more about all of one of the cool new wave of “small bars” dotted around the these from the experts: city. Small bars are a recent phenomenon in Adelaide, with FOOD TRUCKS archaic laws having recently been adjusted to accommodate Adelaide City Council these cosy, friendly and very individual little drinking holes Fork on the Road event with such offerings as wine straight from the barrel at Cantina FREE BIKES Sociale, a Basque tapas experience at Udaberri, old world There are nine handy hire charm and new world boutique beers (and ciders and wines) locations in the city and all you at Clever Little Tailor, and the list goes on. Well worth the need to bring is a valid driver’s search and sure to put the cherry on your bejewelled cake licence, passport or Australian of Adelaide. proof of age card. Your ID will be held as a deposit for the duration of the hire and will be given back to you when you return the bike to where you hired it. Find out more here Click here for a comprehensive map of Adelaide city’s bicycle paths network See the professionals in action on the Tour Down Under SMALL BARS Try out these great new small bars: Cantina Sociale Udaberri Clever Little Tailor Chihuahua Bar Little Miss Mexico Little Miss Miami

Main image, Cantina Sociale and bottom, Adelaide's nightlife.

Adelaide City Council

WHERE TO STAY ADELAIDE CENTRAL YHA ◆ (+618) 8414 3010 ◆ adlcentral@yha.com.au ◆ yha.com.au

Adelaide Central YHA is slap bang in the middle of town – an easy walk will get you to most sights and sounds.

BOOK NOW

WHAT'S ON HERE’S OUR PICK OF EVENTS COMING UP IN YOUR REGION

THE ASHES CRICKET SERIES November 2013January 2014

OZ

It just wouldn’t be an Aussie summer without the cricket. Pack a picnic, slap on your sunnies, hat, and green and gold and catch rivals Australia and England as they go head-to-head on the pitch as the 5-Test Ashes Series makes its way around the country. cricket.com.au Brisbane: Adelaide: Perth: Melbourne: Sydney:

21-25 November 2013 5-9 December 2013 13-17 December 2013 26-30 December 2013 3-7 January 2014

Lauren Cameo/Dreamstime.com

◆◆ Book YHAs in all these locations online at yha.com.au

BOOK NOW

Melbourne Cricket Ground

MELBOURNE FESTIVAL 11-27 October 2013

QUEENSCLIFF MUSIC FESTIVAL 22-24 November 2013 The John Butler Trio, San Cisco, The Living End, Spiderbait, The Grates and 60 more artists will take to the stage for three days of music magic in this picturesque seaside setting. Stay at Sorrento YHA to avoid traffic, and enjoy a scenic 50 minute ferry ride from Sorrento to Queenscliff. qmf.net.au u Stay at Sorrento YHA u +61 3 5984 4323 u sorrento@yha.com.au

WIN

Click here to find out how you could win a pass to the 2013 Festival.

SCULPTURE BY THE SEA 24 October -10 November 2013 Head down to Sydney's famous Bondi Beach to check out Australia's biggest outdoor art exhibition. For 18 days the spectacular 2km clifftop path between Bondi and Tamarama beaches becomes the dramatic setting for more than 100 unique sculptures by local and international artists. sculpturebythesea.com

BOOK NOW

◆◆ Stay at Bondi Beachouse YHA

Brett Winstone

◆◆ +61 2 9365 2088 ◆◆ bondi@yha.com.au

Melbourne Festival

Paul Smith

VI C

Australia’s flagship international arts festival offers 105 free and ticketed events, including 19 world premieres, covering contemporary and classical music, dance, theatre, visual arts, film, and encounters. Highlights include a tribute to film-maker John Landis, Gurrumul live at the Music Bowl, The Nature Theater of Oklahoma's epic Life and Times, and blind Malian duo Amadou & Mariam’s performance of Eclipse, staged in the dark. melbournefestival.com.au

BOOK NOW

Stay at Melbourne Metro YHA or Melbourne Central YHA u

N SW

NZ

2013 WORLD RAFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS 13-24 November 2013

Franz Roozendaal

The geothermal capital of New Zealand heats up with the world’s elite rafters hitting three of the region’s spectacular rivers, to battle wild rapids, waterfalls, and deep green gorges for the title of #1 in the world.

For adrenaline junkies (and adrenaline junkie spectators), the heartracing competition is sure to offer epic wild water action set in one of New Zealand’s top adventure sport and tourism destinations.

2013raftingworldsnz.com

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Stay at YHA Rotorua

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0800 278 299 (NZ) or 1800 242 191 (Aus)

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book@yha.co.nz

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Wanakafest Community Trust

WILLOWRIDGE WANAKAFEST 24-27 October 2013 With the unrivalled backdrop of Mount Aspiring National Park, Willowridge Wanakafest combines food, wine, fashion, extreme sport and entertainment all into one spectacular Labour Weekend event.

How many festivals let you compete in a 10-hour endurance mountain bike race before kicking back with a pinot noir, browsing market stalls, and cheering on a pet parade, wheelie bin and cardboard boat races, or taking part in the Polar Plunge? Events include music, art, entertainment, fashion, sport and award-winning Central Otago food and wine. Oh, and entry is free! wanakafest.co.nz u

Stay at YHA Wanaka

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0800 278 299 (NZ) or 1800 242 191 (Aus)

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book@yha.co.nz

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NZ

NELSON ARTS FESTIVAL 11-28 October 2013 Join the musicians, dancers, actors and acrobats for 17 days jam-packed with performances at Nelson’s iconic Arts Festival. Enjoy over 70 events including darkly passionate Cabaret Noir, an Australian contemporary circus spectacular, and the largest walking parade in the Southern Hemisphere. While the heart of the festival will be held at The Granary Festival CafÊ, event organisers are pushing boundaries and stepping outside traditional theatres. Quirky events will be held in a hairdressing salon and the Founders Livery, promising experiences unlike any other. nelsonartsfestival.co.nz BOOK

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Nelson City Council

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Stay at YHA Nelson 0800 278 299 (NZ) or 1800 242 191 (Aus) book@yha.co.nz

Tony Lewis

GORGEOUS FESTIVAL 22-23 November 2013 Gorgeous music, gorgeous wine, gorgeous food. Set in the beautiful McLaren Vale wine region on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, this annual festival welcomes the summer season with music, food, wine, beer and a whole lotta fun. This year, the festival includes performances from the John Butler Trio, Eskimo Joe, The Audreys and more hot talent. gorgeousfestival.com.au

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◆◆ Stay at Adelaide Central YHA or Port Elliot Beach House YHA

SA

◆◆ Book online at yha.com.au

QLD

Getty Images

GOLD COAST SEVENS FEVER PITCH 12-13 October 2013

Edge Photographics

The Rugby Sevens World Series kicks off with this exhilarating Gold Coast event not to be missed. Seven players per team and seven minutes each half equals super-fast rugby action from 16 of the world's top teams. Also famous for the off-pitch fancy dress, music and dancing, why not get your friends (and costumes) together for one crazy, entertaining weekend on the Gold Coast. rugby.com.au

ARMOR ALL GOLD COAST 600 25-27 October 2013 The Gold Coast’s biggest party is back with a show stopping week of celebrations on and off the track.

Experience three action-packed days of street racing as the V8 Supercar drivers battle through one of Australia’s most unforgiving street circuits to claim the inaugural Enduro Cup. Off-track there's the biggest entertainment program in the event’s history, including Gym Class Heroes Friday night and The Presets headlining Saturday night.

Tickets from Ticketek. v8supercars.com.au

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◆◆ Stay at Surfers Paradise YHA ◆◆ +61 7 5571 1776 ◆◆ surfersparadise@yha.com.au

WA

AND ALSO... oktoberfest wellington 11-12 October 2013 Stay YHA Wellington

Margaret River Gourmet Escape

byron bay Surf Festival 25-27 October 2013 Stay Byron Bay YHA or Cape Byron YHA

diwali festival of lights 9 November 2013 Stay Bunbury YHA

MARGARET RIVER GOURMET ESCAPE 22-24 November 2013 So popular last year it’s back for more! Margaret River Gourmet Escape promises to serve up the region’s famous chocolate, cheeses, olives, truffles and wines. And if the Gourmet Village, masterclasses, long lunches, pop-up restaurants, and beach barbecues haven’t got your lips smacking with excitement, the guest chefs will. Brazilian superstar and one of the world’s top-ranked chefs, Alex Atala, the mad scientist of the kitchen, Heston Blumenthal, and kitchen geniuses Rick Stein, Neil Perry and Adriano Zumbo all bring their culinary wizardry to the table. gourmetescape.com.au

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adelaide feast festival 9-24 November 2013 Stay Adelaide Central YHA

great victorian bike ride 23 November1 December 2013 Stay Port Fairy YHA on the ride's stopover in town on 25 November

◆◆ Stay at the new Margaret River Backpackers YHA ◆◆ +61 8 9757 9572 ◆◆ margaretriver@yha.com.au

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YHA.COM.AU YHA.CO.NZ

BACKPACKER / ESSENTIALS

YHA.COM.AU YHA.CO.NZ NEXT ISSUE AVAILABLE 4 DECEMBER 2013