- New Zealand
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The world famous Mangonui Fish Shop is situated on piles over the harbour. It is the most popular fish shop in New Zealand. This is because the fish is landed at the wharf next door and filleted on the premises. They cook it, and a good variety of other sea food, wrap it in newsprint and you take it over to a vacant table and enjoy it and the great views.
They have a full liquor license and have several draft beers on tap and a large wine selection which you can buy by the glass.
We were there in early June and thought it was fantastic the place has a great atmosphere and very friendly staff.
137 Waterfront drive, Mangonui.
I travelled to the Marlborough Wine Region last year and spent two days wine tasting. The Sauvignon Blancs are famous in this area and I found the staff at Nautilus Winery really helpful and the wine a cut above the rest. I bought an amazing Winemakers Selection Sauvignon Blanc. In Marlborough, there is also a great chocolate shop and in the nearby town of Renwick a British Style Pub called the Cork and Keg serving locally brewed beers (if the wine gets too much!)
www.nautilusestate.com/
www.travelpod.com/travel-photo/nlbrtw/new_zealand_06/1151036940/dscn1070.jpg/tpod.html
Had a fantastic day. Went to several vineyards in the Waimea Plains. Beautiful scenary, amazing lunch at a vineyard then onto drink more (and more) amazing wines.
Many of New Zealand, and the world's, finest Sauvignon Blancs come from one flat valley floor in the north of New Zealand's south island. I spent a month based in Blenheim hand picking grapes for Montana wineries, and in my opinion by far the best way to explore this area is by bike hire. A circular tour of various cellar doors can be undertaken, with easy rides between the grape rows (between 1-2km) for each tasting session. Of particular note is Highfield Estate winery with a lovely restaurant with great views, and a climbable tower. Red wine lovers shouldn't fear exclusion because there are some lovely Pinot Noirs to taste as well as all the whites. It may not just be the exercise that gives you wobbly legs by the end of the day!
www.highfield.co.nz/profile/
www.tourism.net.nz/new-zealand/attractions/recreation/cycling-and-mountain-biking/blenheim/spokesman-bike-hire/index.html
There are about a dozen major vineyards on this charming island.
Just get the ferry from down town Auckland and you're there in about 30 minutes.
On a beautiful summer's day there's nothing better than ambling around the island drinking wine, eating food and having fun.
Take a right at the Viaduct, Auckland.
Obviously New Zealand is famous for its wines and the wineries there are something special, but Cloudy Bay in particular deserves a mention.
The reason why this winery is so special is that not only does it have fantastic wine (particularly the Pinot Noir) and offer tastings, but it's the added extras that distinguish it. It has a lovely outside area where you can sit and sample brilliant food from the restaurant, or, and this is what we enjoyed, you can go to the on-site cheesery and order a cheese platter made to your specifications with some lovely cured meats as well.
The winery also has a lovely shop on site selling all sorts of crafts, food and local souvenires. A truly lovely place to enjoy a bottle and spend a few hours, if not a whole afternoon!
Beautiful location, food, wine and great staff. Most memorable.
www.gvwines.co.nz/
Short drive from Queenstown.
I was here in April 2009.
This is a wine estate making what they term 'ultra premium wine'. It's certainly very good indeed and better value than some of the top NZ labels. However, the estate itself is utterly spectacular. There is a seriously good restaurant, overlooking acres of vineyards, although prices are moderate, making it very, very good value for money. It seems to be a family-friendly place but I can think of few better settings for a romantic meal for two.
Accommodation is also available although we didn't stay there.
Rising above the main buildings is a mock-Italianate tower which you can climb for even more beautiful views. There is also public access to the winery itself and they conduct guided tours and demonstrations of the winemaking process.
Blenheim has more than its share of really famous wineries, but Highfield is in a class of its own.
Highfield Estate
Brookby Rd, RD2
Blenheim
Marlborough
New Zealand
Tel. +64 (3) 572 9244
Fax. +64 (3) 572 9257
www.highfield.co.nz/
Set in a beautful location on the Banks Peninsular (the sticky-out bit of the South Island), French Farm is an unpretentious and laid-back winery with amazing wines. We went for a 10 minute taste and left three hours later clutching our bellies having enjoyed an incredible meal with great wines!
The restaurant has stunning views over the vineyards and surrounding area. You can enjoy exceptional food and sample the award winning wine made there. It is well worth the trip!
www.mtdifficulty.co.nz
Mt Difficulty
73 Felton Road
Bannockburn
Cromwell
New Zealand
New Zealand's Prana Festival is a music festival that is an antidote to the commercial European events.
The Location: a secluded beach on the beautiful Coromandel peninsula. Festival goers pretty much have the beach to themselves because there is no access by public road. You can't see the stages from the water but you can certainly take a dip in between bands or have a fire at night.
The event: laid back world music. No big names, but a very relaxed antipodean atmosphere. Great for families.
The (organic) food is reasonably priced and the (compost) toilets are clean. You will actually leave this festival refreshed rather than exhausted.
Opoutere, Coromandel.
2 hours from Auckland.
www.prana.co.nz
One of the last blue\brown collar communities in Nelson City, Victory Square is a 10 minute walk south of the city centre. The early signs of gentrification are just starting to show with an excellent cafe and sushi bar opening recently and some of the formerly run down colonial period homes being tastefully refurbished. The Square itself is a cricket pitch/ football field and is rumoured to have been location of the first rugby game in NZ. There is also a brand new children's playground.
The popular fish and chip shop serves a good meal for five bucks and the local pub (the Pickled Parrot on the Park) is a great place to meet some of the local characters (don't worry they are friendly!).
An annual Multicultural festival is also held in Victory Square.
A slice of real Kiwi life.
On the way to Bug backpackers, past the industrial wastelands and New World supermarket.
The home of craft beer in Nelson. The Free House serves ales from many local brewers (Mussel Inn, Founders, Renaissance, Twisted Hop, Monkey Wizard) in cosy and welcoming surroundings. Give the sweet fizzy stuff a rest and come and try some real beers. Food available.
95 Collingwood Street, Nelson
www.thefreehouse.co.nz/
For Ashtanga Yoga devotees you can have a week with John and Lucy Scott (senior Ashtanga Yoga teachers - he has taught Madonna and Sting) as your teachers at their beautiful retreat centre near Nelson for a non-celebrity price of £355 a week, accommodation included. Find a deal on a flight and this is almost affordable.
www.stillpointyoga.co.nz/
Nearest airport is Nelson and their retreat is only a 40 min drive through some great scenery.
This is a stunning place with a huge garden surrounded by vineyards. The rooms are large, clean and well decorated. We were welcomed by the host with nibbles and wine like friends and not like paying guests. They provided us with all kind of information even for our way back home. I especially loved the breakfast with all kinds of hot and cold food, freshly picked out of the garden. It was a fantastic stay and we will definitely come back.
Starting in Christchurch can rent a campervan and drive in a loop around the NZ South Island. Amazing and budget way to expore the diverse lanscapes. From driving along the coast seal spotting to spectacular lakes, snow peaked mountains, fossilised forests and glaciers... can take it all in without meeting another car on the road.
Wicked campervans: 37 Allen Street, Canterbury 8011, Christchruch. For a quote or booking; www.wicked-campers.co.nz/
Devonport is Auckland's maritime village, just across the harbour from downtown via a 10 minute ferry ride. As one of the first settled areas of Auckland it is full of history, graceful homes and buildings, parks, cafes, art galleries and fantastic views of the city.
This audio guide provides a more in depth experience and covers the main sightseeing and boutique shopping areas.
On a sunny day, or at least one that is not raining, Devonport is a must see place.
When doing a road trip on the South Island of New Zealand, plan a stopover at Pah Road - a self-catering straw bale studio only 5 minutes from Kaiteriteri - the gateway to Abel Tasman Park. At NZ$120 it's much more affordable than B&B's in Kaiteriteri itself and much closer to Abel Tasman than accommodation in Nelson. Included in the price is a delicious organic breakfast, anything you can eat from the organic veggie garden and orchard, a bottomless bowl of organic eggs, milk in the fridge, real fair trade coffee, but best of all: the unique New Zealand "fire bath" experience (don't ask - just go do it!). Pah Road also provides kayaks and bicycles. Close-by are numerous boutique wineries, a brewery, New Zealand's highest flying fox and a refreshing fresh water swimming spot. Do not miss this friendly and romantic place when next in New Zealand!
Ph:+64 (0)3 528 5410
Email: pahrd@xtra.co.nz
Website: www.pahrd.co.nz/
Lovely little place, located between Kaeo and Mangonui. Run by Lyndsey and football fanatic Stefano, on their fifth-generation Northland family farm. Dorms, singles and doubles with a warm homely feel.
After a trek over the farm to historic Kauri dams where you can bathe in natural rockpools or a day at the beach in beautiful and remote Doubtless Bay, treat yourself to one of Stefano's legendary homemade pizzas - yum yum.
A cut above any other hostel I've ever stayed in - a real gem.
Kahoe Farms Hostel, RD 2 Kaeo, New Zealand. Tel: (09) 4051 804
Email: kahoefarms@xtra.co.nz
In among the hive of sushi and Japanese eateries that litter the area, there is a little gem that stands out from the rest. The food here is probably of the cheapest and most generous in Christchurch - that alone is enough to make it a joy for any traveler, but in our eyes only acts as a bonus, as the quality and authentic taste of it is truly wonderful. Miss this delight at your peril and don't forget to pick up a portion of their legendary goyza!!
Gloucester Street
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