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Cushchine Cottage is a small, family-friendly, beautiful, self-catering rental set within an animal farm park. It's ideal as a base for all of Kaikoura's attractions (about a mile from the town centre) and includes free access to the Farm Park, and you can help out with their early morning feeding.
The cottage has two bedrooms (sleeps up to seven), an equipped kitchen, lounge with wood burner, sofas and TV, free use of a gas barbecue and fabulous views of Mt Fyffe. Towels and bedding are included, and it only costs $100-180 a night (depends on numbers and time of year).
We spent two nights in a more expensive motel, before staying an extra night in the rental cottage. We enjoyed it so much, we chose cottages for the rest of our NZ trip!
Ask them about a lovely walk to a nearby river, less than a mile away, with two huge natural swimming pools - it's a local secret!
12 Kowhai Ford Road (about 1 mile from Kaikoura town centre)
03 319 5033
www.cushchinecottage.co.nz
A superb family-oriented farm park run by a lovely english couple. They've a wide range of farm animals (wallabies, llamas, ponies, lambs, donkeys, rabbits, ducks, horses, peacocks, chickens and chicks, guinea pigs, chinchillas... the list is practically endless!).
The aminals are super-friendly, and come right up to you. They offer free pony cart rides, and you can help bottle feed their younger animals. It's a cute, small, personal kind of place, with magnificent views of snow-topped Mt Fyffe.
We ended up there when our Whale Watch trip was cancelled and, to be honest, our kids are still talking about it, and have long forgotten the whale trip which they didn't appreciate at all (amazing when you consider the whale trip was about ten times the price!). It's not as 'flash' as another park we visited in the UK, but the hands on experience was truly memorable, and became one of the highlights of our NZ holiday. They've also got a small beautiful self-catering rental cottage - we loved the place so much, we stayed an extra night in their cottage and benefited from free access to early morning feeding and free farm park entry. The kids loved it - shame we didn't know about it before we arrived.
12 Kowhai Ford Road (about 1 mile from Kaikoura town centre and railway station)
03 319 5033
www.cushchinecottage.co.nz
The plane in from Queenstown is spectacular, but the drive from Te Anau is easily its equal. The books say allow two hours for the 120km drive but to be honest, give yourself three and enjoy the spectacular journey. Best place to view keas (alpine parrots) is at the entrance to the Homer Tunnel.
There is fantastic food and wine at this well-known vineyard on Waiheke Island, with a spectacular view across to Auckland on the horizon.
Waiheke Island
When heading north out of Kerikeri most people will turn off to visit or camp at Matauri Bay. This place is fantastic for swimming, fishing, walking and diving amongst other activities. But make sure you follow the road around to the next bay for a visit. Te Ngaere Bay is a quieter and more secluded area which has lots to offer. There's easy access for boats so it's a great place to go fishing, kids will enjoy the rock pools for exploring and the beach is perfect for swimming. Allow a full day to properly enjoy the surroundings.
The Kai Iwi Lakes in the Taharoa Domain reserve are an absolute gem. The area itself feels like you're off the beaten track but it's not too far north from Dargaville township. Perfect for a day- or week-long trip. The campsite has great basic facilities but can get busy in summer so book ahead. The freshwater lakes are perfect for any watersports and there are great walking tracks around the area too.
Ngarunui is the main swimming beach in Raglan and is perfect if you're learning to surf. You can choose to go with a local surf school, or if you've had a few lessons and are keen to go along with a friend, hire boards and wetsuits individually by the hour (without making a booking) from the main entrance to the beach below the carpark. It's not too pricey either and there are usually people around so it's not too scary if you're just starting out.
It may be hidden up the far end of Cuba Street but don't let that put you off. Walk that little bit further because this place has some fantastic coffee and food especially their iced chocolates and savoury muffins. It has a cool kitsch interior as well as outdoor seating so is a great place to hang out and relax. Check out the great local clothing stores on the way down Cuba Street too, especially Frutti and Carly Harris.
Over a hundred islands, sunny weather (the locals call it 'The Winterless North'), and a generally relaxed disposition make the Bay of Islands a perfect place to visit.
Reliable winds, safe anchorages, and stunning viewpoints mean that any sailing trip is going to be amazing. There's quite a few old seadogs living in their boats in the Bay, taking people out for a day or a few days - the best way to see the islands.
When you're in NZ, you will come across pretty stamps that are often sold with postcards - they are marked "UNIVERSAL MAIL". Recommend that if you want your postcards to reach their destinations in a timely manner, you do NOT purchase these stamps (which are supposed to be posted in special mailboxes which are few and far between), but use the regular mail stamps.
Sublime Apartments is great value motel apartment accommodation in Paihia, Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand.
They provide a great budget (but only in terms of price) option in a lovely, lush, hillside location in Paihia.
It's about a five-minute walk from the centre of town and has a small pool and BBQ facilities. The hosts are very friendly and extremely helpful. The apartments are clean and well maintained.
Paihia itself has loads to do and the hosts can help organise tickets for the attractions and provide tips on where to head to.
All things considered, Sublime Apartments provide a great alternative to a hotel, is far quieter than a traditional looking motel (it's not based around the car park) and it's run by people who have lived in the area for many years - a good choice.
Sublime Apartments
58 School Road
Paihia
Bay of Islands
Tel / Fax : +64 (0)9 402 5289
Email: info@sublimeapartments.co.nz
Website: www.sublimeapartments.com
Six new eco accommodation cottages set in two hectares of award-winning subtropical gardens. A nontoxic printmaking studio and gallery onsite and interactive garden tours available. Three championship golf courses within half an hour.
190 Kerikeri road, Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, Northland.
www.accommodation-bay-of-islands.co.nz
Just walking distance to the boutique town of Kerikeri or the historic Stone Store Reserve. 7km from the Bay of Islands airport. 20km from Paihia and Waitangi
Accommodation in Piha. It has three choices from budget to the best and all very close to the beach.
This quirky little restaurant in the centre of Akaroa is justly recommended in guidebooks. It has precisely two sittings of dinner a day - 6pm and 8.30pm, and woe betide you if you arrive early, you'll have to wait - the menu is written on a blackboard outside the door, and the walls covered in thanks from satisfied customers. There isn't much room, so book in advance (however rumours of having to book six months in advance are exaggerated). Food is French-influenced but with local produce - the smoked salmon is divine. Prices are equivalent to bigger city restaurants (mains in the $30-35 range) but it's well worth it!
Rue Lavaud, Akaroa; (03) 3047314
Possibly the best thing to do in New Zealand! Its spectacular, tiring and surprisingly warm - try and get a guided tour because they know better and also they can show you a lot more that if you hiked alone. The pictures will really impress your friends!
The best chips in the world, at least if you're wet and bedraggled.
On the west coast, across the Waitakeres, at Piha surf beach
Off the beaten backpacker trail, this truly unique, extremely well-equipped backpacker accommodation is located on the idyllic East Cape, just a ten-minute drive to art deco Napier, Hastings or sleepy Havelock North.
With only 11 beds, it is important to book ahead but well worth a few days' stay to relax and enjoy the surrounding award-winning vineyards.
Those who enjoy cycling and wine (or even just a good day out) should book themselves on the 'on yer bike' wine tour for a unique and entertaining wine tasting experience (bookable through the hostel). The relaxed owners with a small, toy, farm holding and soon-to-be vineyard are a pleasure.
Birdwatchers, or those who enjoy another good day out should try Gannet Beach Adventures to get a background to the area, excellent views and a chance to see around 17,000 gannets.
www.bbh.co.nz/ for the hostel
www.gannets.com/index.html
Probably the best restaurant we visited in a three-week trip to NZ.
Fish restaurant - excellent choice of fish, beautifully cooked and served. A real star restaurant. Fish-themed decor and very relaxed atmosphere. 5 stars from me!
Dined here April 2007
7 Beach St Queenstown
Telephone (03)4426768
url: www.fishbonequeenstown.co.nz/
If you're desperate to see the whales and dolphins at Kaikoura, plan a few days in the area just in case. Our boat trip was called off for bad weather and the coach driver reckoned it happens about 30 per cent of the time.
Climb Mt Ngauruhoe while you do the Tongariro crossing. Awesome views.
Tongariro is NZ's first national park and one of the first in the world. Ski on another active volcano - Ruapehu - also the inspiration for Mt Doom in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings.
Send your feedback or queries to been.there@guardian.co.uk
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