Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for new zealand
A Sky Walk in New Zealand
By Linda Tancs
What’s taller than the Eiffel Tower, has three circular public observation levels and a view of 51 miles (give or take) on a clear day? Why, it’s the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand. The twelfth tallest tower in the world, each of its observation decks offers 360-degree views of the city–and beyond. If you’re not content to admire the surroundings from the inside, you can walk or jump as well. The SkyJump lets you feel like Superman as you base jump 192 meters straight down. If that’s not enough of a rush for you, then consider the SkyWalk, a jaunt aruond the edge of Sky Tower’s pergola in a full body harness and overhead safety lines.
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Across the Gorge in New Zealand
By Linda Tancs
The Taieri Gorge in the South Island of New Zealand is a deep canyon carved by the Taieri River. A highlight of any visit is a journey on the Taieri Gorge Railway, a spectacular trek across wrought iron viaducts and hand-carved tunnels over 100 years old. The historic Dunedin Railway Station is your starting point for this unforgettable scenic ride lasting 77 kilometers. You can make the return journey to Pukerangi, or Middlemarch, or use the train as one leg of your journey to or from Queenstown and Central Otago on their connecting Track & Trail coach. Whatever you do, don’t miss the ride.
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The Finest Walk in the World
By Linda Tancs
New Zealand’s most famous walk is Milford Track, a 100-year-old treasure boasting a 53 kilometer journey from the head of Lake Te Anau to the misty array of Sutherland Falls, the tallest waterfall in New Zealand. Along the way, you’ll encounter suspension bridges, board walks, a mountain pass, lakes, sky-scraping mountain peaks and enormous valley views. No wonder the poet Blanche Baughan declared the Milford Track to be ‘the finest walk in the world’. Guided walkers take five days and four nights to complete the track; independent walkers usually take a day and night less. The track is always walked from south to north in an effort to minimize the environmental impact. There are three public accommodation huts and three private lodges on the track. Camping is not permitted, but why would you want to?
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Ziptrekking Through Queensland
By Linda Tancs
For those wanting a bird’s eye view on their next journey, one option is a treehouse. Another option is the Kea Tour, a three-hour zipline eco-adventure in Queenstown, New Zealand that includes a stunning 20-minute guided trek along an ancient native beech forest. Best of all, you’ll be promoting sustainability in a unique mode of travel that has no footfall or industrial noise. Just like nature intended.
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Rhodo Fest in New Zealand
By Linda Tancs
New Zealand’s only castle is located in Dunedin – Larnach Castle. Its castle gardens are a big draw for nature lovers, but this time of year it’s the rhododendrons at the Rhododendron Dell at the Botanic Gardens and the annual Rhododendron Festival this month that draws them in. Characterized as a giant outdoor playground, a flower festival is tame compared with some of the more unusual events taking place in this city, like a nude rugby international match and a race of 30,000 hard coated candy balls down Baldwin Street, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s steepest street. Get your game on.
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Winter Starts Here
By Linda Tancs
Ski racing is just one form of mountain mayhem awaiting you at the Queenstown Winter Festival in New Zealand, taking place now through 4 July. They’ll be skinning up the ski course at Coronet Park, mountain biking downhill and racing with their pooches. Events also include street parties, fireworks, and performances by local acts like The Cartel and Ukelele Orchestra. Get your chuckles with a comedic lineup of Jeremy Corbett, Dai Henwood, Ben Hurley, Steve Wrigley, Paul Ego, Jeremy Ellwood and Michele A’Court. Who says winter is no laughing matter?
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A New Decade of Celebration in New Zealand
By Linda Tancs
Matariki or Aotearoa Pacific New Year is a unique festival dictated by the rising of the Pleiades star formation, occurring this year on 14 June. Matariki is especially important to the Ngati Kahungunu people, the second largest tribal region which stretches from the Wharerata ranges in the Wairoa district to Cape Palliser in South Wairarapa. This tribal region is credited with reviving modern-day Matariki celebrations, naming Matariki 2010 “A New Decade of Celebration.” New Zealand’s national museum in Wellington, Te Papa, is developing a full events program that will run for 18 days from 10 – 27 June. Be sure to view Pleiades at Wellington’s newly refurbished Carter Observatory, which is organizing a public observation of the constellation from the top of Wellington’s Mount Victoria early on 14 June. Happy New Year!
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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Bizarre Foods
By Linda Tancs
In Hokitika, New Zealand, they don’t call it the Wildfoods Festival for nothing. On 13 March you’ll find various and sundry kiwis sampling such delights as worm sushi, pickled grubs, anyway-you-like beetles and crickets, and insect larvae. Top it off with some udderly divine desserts and wine made with flower petals to wash it all down. If you’ve got an iron will, you might need an iron stomach to match.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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Hawke’s Bay Kidnappers
By Linda Tancs
Although it might sound a bit like something out of a comic strip, Cape Kidnappers is a luxe destination on Hawke’s Bay on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island, a site said to be blessed with mucho hours of sunshine. The “kidnappers” part of the equation allegedly derives from an attempt in the 1700s by the local Māori to abduct the servant of a member of Captain Cook’s crew aboard the HMS Endeavor. Nowadays, you can steal away on your own at the resort occupying this site, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers. How about a tour of the 6,000 acre working sheep and cattle farm? Or maybe you’d rather commune with the 20,000-strong Booby gannet colony. Much rarer, of course, is the kiwi. Maybe you’ll see one on your discovery walk. Or discover your true handicap at the imposing golf course, hailed as one of the top 50 courses in the world, designed by the legendary Tom Doak. Whatever you do, better rattle your dags while the sun shines. It’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere, you know.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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Summer on the Coromandel
By Linda Tancs
They’re getting ready for summer in the Southern Hemisphere. From 20 November to 6 December comes the Pohutukawa Festival in New Zealand, timed to coincide with the flowering of the Pohutukawa trees. Taking place all around the Coromandel Peninsula (a mecca for vacationing New Zealanders), highlights include the Whangamata Jazz, Art and Blues Festival, celebrating the country’s jazz and blues musicians as well as contemporary artwork. Also occurring throughout the festival calendar on weekends are dive-related activities for everyone from the novice to the experienced. Better book now for the best accommodation. If hotels are sold out, don’t despair. You can always rent a camper.
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