- New Zealand
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The third largest of NZ's islands is what New Zealand would have been like pre-Maori and pre-European. Thick bush, golden sands, blue water, more wildlife than anywhere I have ever been on the planet. The Best place to go kiwi spotting in NZ!
The only settlement on the island is the tiny town (pop 300) of Oban/halfmoon bay. The rest of this quite sizeable island is bush. Hire a canoe and paddle over to one of the many other islands in the area. I recommend Ulva Island, with its history and wildlife. The island is now designated predator free so many birds flourish. It was incredible.
Also have a night out at Gary's Church on the hill restaurant and sample some delicious sea food made by the friendliest chef in NZ. Wash it down with a few handles at the pub down by the hotel with all the locals.
The ferry ride over from bluff is an experience in itself ... massive waves toss you around and loads of people are sick! You would pay 200 dollars for that in Queenstown or Rotorua!
If you are there mid winter be sure to check out the Singles Ball for some great food, drink and some company ;) Just remember that everyone on the island will know who you hooked up with and will taunt you about it for the whole of your stay!
Stewart Island is south of the "South Island" of NZ, get there by ferry or flying from Bluff/Invercargill!
www.stewart-island.nz.com/
Google map: tinyurl.com/y9r4aul
For those touring New Zealand Kaiteriteri is a beautiful spot in Abel Tasman, and for those travelling in a motor home, the Kaiteriteri Beach Motor Camp is the perfect place to stay and base your adventures from. Stay right on the beachfront and hop straight into your kayak!
www.kaiteriteribeach.co.nz/
Kaiteriteri 7160, Nelson, New Zealand
Phone: +64-3-527 8010
Google map: tinyurl.com/ya4b8qw
Wanaka is a smaller, less 'touristy' town around an hour from Queenstown. It is quite simply a magical place. Located on the shores of Lake Wanaka it looks out over the lake towards the beautiful Mt Aspiring and arguably the best skifield in New Zealand - Treble Cone. Queenstown gets all the press, but Wanaka is the real jewel in Central Otago's crown.
Just north of Napier (the so called Art Deco capital of the world) is the Esk Valley. This is a beautiful valley covered with pine trees on its steep sides, quite distinct to the rolling river plains on which most of Napier is built. Where the river meets the Pacific there is excellent surf casting and further up the river, trout abound. Hunters shoot deer and pigs in the forest and garden lovers visit the renowned Trelinnoe Park that has been compared to Bodnant.
But it is the food and wine that make this small region special. There are many vineyards and you can sample the local red (mostly Merlot and Cabernet) and white (Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc)wines. The local cafes offer great coffee and cakes and in season you can buy a kilo of just picked asparagus for under £2. If you are staying at the nearby Esk Valley Lodge you might get fresh asparagus with a new laid poached egg for dinner or even (if you ask) for breakfast!
8km north of Napier airport on SH2 to Taupo.
www.eskvalleylodge.co.nz
Google map: tinyurl.com/yjctswb
This half day tour took us to the most incredible beaches where we saw wildlife in it's natural environment and this is so much nicer than zoo conditions.
As with most Kiwis the guide was passionate about conservation and bringing back the wildlife that not that long ago roamed free in NZ.
The highlight was seeing the yellow eyed penguins come home after a day out at sea. They run towards their partners with their flippers out as if to give them a giant hug - very cute!
Check out the local tourism board's website www.dunedinnz.com. There are a few other wildlife operators there too.
Google map: tinyurl.com/yks76fb
Most people just do the Tongariro Crossing, which, don't get me wrong, is absolutely stunning. Not enough people do the full Norther Circuit Great Walk, though! Plus, the crossing is flooded with tourists, less people tramp the overnight walk.
Take sidetrips to climb Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe. The latter is a bloody difficult and initially disheartening scramble up nothing but scree. 2.5 hours up, 20 minutes down. Still, I've been able to tell my friends ever since that I climbed Mt. Doom.
The Emerald Lakes also bear a mention. That whole region is magical... no other word for it. Let's hope Ruapehu doesn't go off again and cover the whole area in ash and lava...
www.ruba.com: UGC travel guides, tours, & tour reviews
Paekakariki is a little town in New Zealand, generally off the major tourist route. However, it is amazingly beautiful. Stay at the Paekakariki Backpackers (a BBH hostel, the only ones you should use) to have possibly the most beautiful view ever for sunset. A perfect place to sit, relax, and recharge if you're in the midst of a whirlwind Kiwi adventure and need a day off. Also, with little light pollution, at night the stars are INCREDIBLE.
www.bbh.co.nz/
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Just a short drive or train ride from New Zealand's capital city, Wellington, is the up-and-coming wine region of the Wairarapa. Pretty, sleepy Martinborough is the main wine town - surrounded by vineyards, and with a deli and wine-tasting centre in the middle. The area is just small enough to walk around, but biking or driving are options too.
The Wairarapa's wineries are small and boutique; they're developing a particular reputation for fantastic Pinot Noir. There are a number of nice winery restaurants (try the Alana Estate) and in March the area is host to wine and food festival Toast Martinborough. At the end of your day's wine-tasting, catch an arthouse film and pizza, washed down with local wine, at the Circus Cinema. Perfect.
Take the train from Wellington or drive north on SH2 and turn off at Featherston.
Established in 1868 this wonderful brewery on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island produces a wide variety of tasty beers, from "summer" to "black". The local population boycotted its main rival's beer a few years ago when the brewery was threatened with closure, saving it!
The best part of the tour is at the end when, after already tasting all the beers, the guide leaves you in the bar and says "do what you like for 10 minutes....." It's amazing how much can be drunk in such a short time!!
corner Turamaha & Herbert Streets, Greymouth, www.monteiths.com/nz (03)7684149
Simply the best beer in the world, and in Greymouth you get to visit the home of Monteiths.
This is a laid-back west coast brewery on the South Island in sleepy Greymouth. Have a tour, taste the superb collection of beers, hope to get 10 minutes of "back-turning" from the guide, a visit to the beer keg urinals, before heading off to find the nearest bar to continue supping and meet the locals.
Top tip is to try the Radler - a lager with a tasty zing of lemon/lime. Or the summer ale, or the...
Get out of the backpackers rut and use some imagination when it comes to places to stay! Farming is a great choice to see some of the hidden gems of NZ. You make great new friends, learn new skills and gain a sense of achievement.
Become a member of Farm Helpers in New Zealand or WOOFFing for lists of farmers who are willing to take on backpackers (both skilled and unskilled in farming) to stay at their farms for 3-4hrs work a day in return for a bed and food.
I have just returned from doing the Tongariro Crossing in the North Island.
This company provides a guided crossing in the winter, when the snow requires a guide for all of those but the most experience. In the summer they will take you to the base camp and pick you up on the other side.
As oppose to other agencies they have got a concession from the maori iwi that allows them to do the full crossing. Be aware of other agencies that may take you to the top but you will have to return the same way back
www.tongariroexpeditions.com/
My account of the day
adegreeaday.blogspot.com/2009/07/mount-doom-and-one-ring.html
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/
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