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Winter adrenaline feast at Lake Wanaka

inter is here to stay, and if I could give one piece of advice to you adrenaline junkies out there, that’s to go to Lake Wanaka for your winter escape. Seriously, I had no idea that winter activities could be so exciting and bit frightening at the same time before I hit the slopes at Lake Wanaka

Whether you’re going with your significant other, your crazy friends, or you’re taking your family for some rest and relaxation, this Kiwi gem has something to offer to everyone. So here are my top picks for an unforgettable winter experience.

Cardrona Alpine Resort

One of the best and most thrilling alpine resorts for me was definitely the Cardrona Alpine Resort. The resort is one of the biggest in the country, and hosts an international snow sports school, a kid’s centre (for those family travellers among you), a myriad of cafes and restaurants along with the most extensive terrain parks and pipes in the Southern Hemisphere.

Treble Cone Ski Area

The largest ski area in the South Island famous for its long runs and views of Lake Wanaka is the Treble Cone ski area. Treble Cone seems to have something for everyone – kids and adults, novices and elite skiers. You can find everything from comfortable runs to massive 700 metre vertical groomed trails. For those advanced skiers among you, there’s the Saddle Basin, Summit Slopes and Motatapu Chutes that offer fun and scary drops, open powder faces, and natural half pipes.

Snow Farm

Probably one of the most exciting winter resorts is the Snow Farm, the only Nordic Ski area in New Zealand. This resort offers just about any activity you can imagine and is perfect for individual and family trips alike. You can enjoy dog sledding, leave the kids at the fun zone, go either classic or ski skating, snow shoeing, ski touring and ride the fat bikes – there is no shortage of adrenaline here.

Heli Skiing

If you’re looking for a true adrenaline rush to spice up your winter trip, then look no further, because if anything says adrenaline, it’s the fact that my girlfriend had to push me out of the helicopter, because I wouldn’t budge!

In case you want to follow in our footsteps, you should go with the Southern Lakes Heliski, they have a lot of experience, and although I peed a bit my pants several times, I’ve never felt safer in my life than with those guys.

Backcountry Skiing

Again, for those of you somewhat more experienced than the rest, diving into the wild regions of the backcountry of Wanaka will be an adventure of a lifetime. Backcountry skiing offers plenty for those with a passion and a flair for the extreme, with its ice-climbing, heli-skiing and extreme mountaineering.

This was definitely one of the most exciting experiences of my life, not so much because it was frightening, but because I got to see the raw side of nature. We went on a winter mountaineering course at Adventure Consultants, because I had no prior experience, and before I knew it I was climbing the icy mountainside.

Family Skiing and First Timers

Now, if there is something Lake Wanaka has to offer, it’s a memorable family experience. Not only can you leave the little critters somewhere while you take your significant other skiing or dogsledding, you can also give the kids the chance to roll around in the snow and actually learn how to ski from trained professionals.

You can get some of the best instructors at Wanaka Ski Guides to teach you the basics if you’re a beginner, or even the elite moves if you’re an experienced skier. After you’ve mastered the moves, the guides can take you on runs and trails to test out your skills.

As you can see, Lake Wanaka has plenty to offer, and now you can even get a free transfer car to move quickly and conveniently from one destination to another.

Image credits

Featured

Cardrona

Treble Cone

The best travel videos of New Zealand

New Zealand is an incredibly beautiful country, so you may think everybody knows that… The truth is some people don’t! That’s why Tourism New Zealand and others are producing amazing videos to showcase the beauty of our country. Here’s our selection.

Obviously Tourism New Zealand has a huge budget for this, and it shows. Their latest campaign is one of the best they’ve ever made:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWOwe_n-2Gw

Tourism New Zealand has just produced amazing 360 degrees videos! Use your mouse to move the image around! Here’s the one from Doubtful Sound:

Here’s the one showcasing how fun Auckland can be:

Air New Zealand is equally or even more famous for producing fantastic safety videos that showcase the country. Our favourite is the one of Middle Earth:

Producing great videos isn’t just limited to the professionals! There are tons of young people out there who film their holidays with their GoPros and the like. We particularly liked that one:

To finish, it’s easy to find videos of timelapses in ultra high quality (4K) on Youtube, check out this one for instance:

Camping at its best at the DOC campsites

If you want to enjoy the country and enjoy the many regional and national parks of the North Island and the South Island, you can spend your nights in the amazing DOC campgrounds. DOC (Department Of Conservation) manages the nature reserves of New Zealand and allows you to spend your nights in beautiful locations for around $10 NZD per night.

These campsites are often in some of the best locations around the country – in national parks, alongside the Great Walks and in tranquil and secluded spots. They are quite basic, offering ‘back to nature’ style accommodation and facilities – that’s why they’re so cheap. A full list of campsites by region can be found on the DoC website. Here are some of our favourites:

Rerewhakaaitu, Brett Road – Rotorua

Camp on the shores of Lake Rerewhakaaitu. Take binoculars for bird watching. There is good fishing, swimming and walking nearby.

Address :
Rerewhakaaitu Lake is 29 km south of Rotorua. Turn the state highway 5 on State Highway 38, thenRerewhakaaitu Road. Follow Brett Road, Awaatua Bay.

Website: www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/conservation-campsites-by-region/bay-of-plenty/rotorua-lakes/rerewhakaaitu-brett-road/
Price: $6 per adult per night – unpowered site
$3 per child (5 – 17) $0 – child (0 – 4)

Curio Bay Camping Ground (featured image)

DOC Campsite Curio Bay offers a magnificent view of the Catlins in the South Island. By the sea, the site offers the basic facilities. Curio Bay is known for its surfing beaches and for Hector dolphins who regularly play with the surfers. The terrain offers 75 tent pitches without electricity and 25 sites with power and a dump station. Kitchen and laundry facilities available.

Address : 601 Waikawa-Curio Bay Rd, Tokanui 9884
Telephone : 03-246 8897
Price : starts from $11 – $20 per night / per person
Reservations preferred.

Cascade Creek in Fiordland

From this campsite you can enjoy a wonderful view of the mountains and fjords. A stream runs through the middle of the camp. You can also enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, or a one-hour walk that will take you to the picturesque Lake Gunn. This location is ideal to prolong the experience of a cruise in the fjords, or before reaching the beautiful region of turquoise lakes.

Address : Cascade Creek – DOC Campsite Fiordland,
Adjacent to SH 94, 76 km north of Te Anau
Website: www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/conservation-campsites-by-region/fiordland/northern-fiordland/cascade-creek/
Price: $6 per adult per night – non powered site

Matata Conservation Campsite – Eastern Bay of Plenty

The Matata campsite is a paradise for fishermen and nature lovers. This DOC campsite is right next to the Matata wildlife sanctuary. An impressive number of birds are found here and you can see them through many viewing points put in place by DOC. There are also many walks inside the park.

Address :
Off Arawa Street in Matata township, head across the causeway to the campground, 200 m
Website: www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/conservation-campsites-by-region/bay-of-plenty/eastern-bay-of-plenty/matata/
Price : 6NZ$/night per adult, unpowered site.

Fantail Bay Campsite – Coromandel

Fantail Bay is a small campsite surrounded by large Pohutukawas. The rocky beach is ideal for lovers of fishing and diving.

Address :
From Coromandel take Colville Road for 22 km to Whangaahei Junction, then turn left and follow the signs to Port Jackson Road for 28 km. Tel : +64 7 866 6685
Website : www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/conservation-campsites-by-region/coromandel/fantail-bay/
Price : 10NZ$/night, per adult, unpowered site.

New Zealand’s Secret Havens for Dreamy Summer Getaways

This time of year is perfect for exploring the scenic landscapes of New Zealand, the land of majestic mountains and sandy beaches. Whether you’re looking for an adventure of a lifetime, or you just want to unwind on a secluded beach, New Zealand certainly won’t leave you disappointed. Here are some truly amazing off-the-beaten track destinations to help you in your summer quest.

Earnslaw Burn

Although this alpine region is among the most popular destinations in New Zealand, you can still get off the beaten track and enjoy it in solitude. Located on the Glenorchy, 40 kilometres from Queensland, Earnslaw Burn is a glacier and one of the locations where The Hobbit was filmed.

After a challenging hike of four to six hours, you’ll have an opportunity to admire beautiful waterfalls that the glacier has created and retrace the footsteps of Bilbo and his company. In addition, there’s a variety of activities that you can try, including horse-riding through river crossings and unspoiled beach forests, paragliding in the Glenorchy area, and kayaking in some of the most beautiful waters of New Zealand.

Himatangi

The coastal climate providing plenty of sunshine, high temperatures, beautiful sun-drenched sandy beaches, and almost no rain will welcome you to Himatangi. You can get to know the small local community, learn how to surf among the waves and explore the coastline that was once a Maori gathering place.

The Maori used to catch fish and shellfish there, and then they would leave the shells in piles known as middens, thus creating the archaeological record of the place. If you head inland, you’ll come across a series of lagoons and the oldest middens in the area. Other activities that you can participate in are hiking, fishing, whitebaiting, bowling, golfing, camping or just relaxing and sleeping.

Mokoia Island

The Mokoia Island, which is just 1.35 square kilometres large, is located in Lake Rotorua, on the North Island. You can access the Island only by joining a small boat tour group, since it’s considered sacred by the locals. The Mokoia Island has the reputation of the location where the most famous love stories have taken place.

This area is also renowned for its many natural wonders, including the eruption of a rhyolite lava dome approximately 200,000 years ago and many geothermal springs, one of them being the famous Hinemoa pool or Waikimihia, as the locals call it. You can go on a cruise around the island, soak in the Waikimihia pool and find out more about the Maori history.

Mount Hikurangi

Mount Hikurangi is located southwest of the East Cape, on the North Island and it’s the area of the highest non-volcanic peak of New Zealand. If you’re ready for an adventure, you can hike for seven hours following the Mt Hikurangi Track and reach its peak. However, keep in mind that this is quite an endeavour, so make sure to be fit and prepared for undertaking it.

Mount Hikurangi is considered sacred by Ngati Porou Maori, since they believe that it’s the resting place of Maui’s waka (canoe). While you’re in Eastland, you can explore the wild Urewera national park, known for many lakes and unspoiled forests, or enjoy panoramic views from the East Cape Lighthouse.

Waipu Caves

If you’re ready to try something daring, then exploring the Waipu Caves is right up your street. Since there aren’t paths and tracks in the cave that you can follow, you’ll have to go through water, mud, and narrow passages. Don’t worry about getting a bit dirty – there’s a cold shower waiting for you outside the cave. If you ever imagined what a cave would look like, the Waipu Caves will be just like that – stalactites hanging from the ceiling, bones of birds, bats, reptiles and amphibians lying around and pitch dark.

After exploring the caves, you can go bird, dolphin and whale-watching. Make sure to include a decent camera in your equipment to take some truly memorable pictures of the local flora and fauna at its finest. You should also take some time to visit the nearby Waipu town and discover the Waipu history at the local museum.

Rere Falls

Down the Wharekopae River you’ll come across the beautiful Rere Falls and the Rere Rock Slide, one of the main attractions in the area. The running water of the Wharekopae River has smoothed the rocks, thus providing tourists with the opportunity to slide on boogie boards and inflatable mattresses.

The picturesque Rere Falls are on the other side of the river and you can walk behind its cascading water. Afterwards, relax and enjoy the view by having a picnic next to the Rere Falls. While in the area, you should visit the New Zealand’s National Arboretum Eastwoodhill, where you can take a look at both the exotic and native trees, shrubs and other plants.

Summertime is the perfect period to pack your bags, get your free transfer car, and explore the secret natural wonders that New Zealand has to offer. This land of countless breath-taking sites won’t make it easy for you to choose some of them, but whatever choice you make, you won’t regret it. On the contrary.

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Summer in the Coromandel Peninsula

Thanks to its golden beaches, relaxed seaside villages and stunning coastline, the Coromandel is a favourite holiday spot for Kiwis over summer. Providing the perfect complement to the Coromandel summer is the fine local food and fresh produce. Artisan producers are dotted throughout the region – cheesemakers, brewers, and a few nice vineyards…

The east coast boasts the best white-sand beaches in the area, extremely popular with the people from Auckland. On the west coast we have quaint gold-mining towns, wetlands and stony bays that tourists seem to be a little less interested in, but definitely worth a visit. Right in the middle of the peninsula, there is a web of walking tracks allowing you to inspect the breath-taking nature.

gemstone-bay

Accommodation

There’s plenty to choose from, ranging from campgrounds and holiday parks to luxury holiday resorts. If you’re looking for something more intimate, there are many B&Bs and self-contained apartments. We recommend you stay at Coromandel Town, Hahei or Whitianga, because they are perfect bases for any trips you wish to make around the area. For a comprehensive list of the accommodation categories available and reviews, please have a look at this.

Things to do

Depending on what you’re after, you might enjoy one of the attractive options, such as the Goldmine Experience (a walk through a mine tunnel, followed by you giving it a go at panning for gold), Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway (4.5 km along a disused railway line to the Ohinemuri River Waikino station, where you may take a vintage train to Waihi) or Lost Spring (a thermal complex consisting of a number of hot pools surrounded by lush, tropical greenery and an erupting volcano).

There is also the famous Cathedral Cove, whose stone arch is recognized worldwide. If you want to enjoy the natural waterfall shower, we recommend being there either early in the morning or late in the day to avoid crowds. Quite close to it is Gemstone Bay, a place great for snorkelling.

ohinemuri-river

Food and drinks

Since pretty much all locals have a boat, fish and other seafood are not only fresh and of exceptional quality, but you also won’t have to break the bank. You may try Coromandel Mussel Kitchen, Bistro at the Falls or Luke’s Kitchen for various types of food served in unusual and memorable environment.

When it comes to drinks, apart from the internationally renowned wines, New Zealand is famous for its craft beers and this region is no exception. Check out Hot Water Brewing or the Pour House to get a taste of what’s on offer.

For the most comprehensive and updated list of events in the area this summer, please visit this site.

New Zealand and the Coromandel Peninsula have been attracting millions of tourists every year. In case you have issues with financing your trip, it is good to know that now you can get a free transfer car there and redirect the extra cash towards something that could easily turn out to be the holiday of your lifetime.

karangahake-gorge

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5 Reasons You Should (Re)Visit NZ’s North Island This Spring

If you live in the South Island, a trip up North is always worthwhile. Even if you live on the North Island, you haven’t seen it all. The variety of wonderful natural attractions and interesting cities is just too great. Here are 5 reasons why you should plan a spring road trip!

Spring Festival in Wellington

ships-in-the-bay-in-wellington-new-zealand

It’s logical that your spring visit to New Zealand and its North Island starts in its capital – Wellington. Due to its southernmost position, this town is a great starting point for a tour de Te Ika-a-Māui for people coming from the South Island.

Apart from being the gate of the North Island, Wellington also hosts a wide range of interesting spring events, the most important being the Spring Festival. Here you can see the natural treasures of the local Botanic Garden, as well as buy plants for your home collection. When your feet start to hurt from all the plant-seeing, relax and try some tasty food and first-class wines at Picnic Café, inside the Garden.

Moreover, if you’re in Wellington’s Botanic Garden this spring, don’t miss the Victory Medal cultural installation, in memory of the New Zealand’s soldiers who died in WWI. It’s going to be on display from 9 September to 13 November this year.

Taranaki Garden Spectacular

This region is situated on the geographical horn that dominates the middle of the North Island. It was named for Mount Taranaki – the dominant geographical feature of the entire area. Since this mountain is actually an old volcano, the slopes around it have fertile soil. Thanks to a God-given combination of volcanic rocks and rainforests, Taranaki is famous for its lush gardens, the most prominent being Te Kainga Marire. If you want to see some endemic rhododendrons or samples of original New Zealand-grown roses, come and observe how these and other plants create one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.

Garden-lovers should come to Taranaki at the end of October, to witness the Taranaki Garden Spectacular – a large garden festival, during which you can visit more than 50 enchanting gardens and see some fine examples of garden design and landscaping. The easiest way to get to Taranaki region is to rent a free car and enjoy a 250-mile drive along the west coast of the North Island.

The Waitomo Caves are Less Crowded

waitomo-caves

Situated in the continental part of New Zealand’s northwest, The Waitomo Caves are famous for Black Water cave rafting, which is an endemic extreme sport – a blend of mountaineering and rafting. Check out this ideo to See what this thrill-provoking activity looks like.

Since you can’t squeeze the visit to this site in one day, you’ll need some fine accommodation. Although you can find dozens of hotels and bungalows in this area, try camping in Waitomo. Combined with a cave rafting tour, it will give you the best experience this region can offer.

The easiest way to get here is to go along the coast from New Plymouth to Awakino and then follow the signs to Waitomo.

Blossoming Orchards in The Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty is a great follow-up to a visit to The Waitomo Caves. The reason this part got such a sound name is definitely the plentitude of natural wonders it displays. First of all, there are eight rivers that flow into the sea in The Bay of Plenty (take a look at the map). Apart from the rivers, in spring, you can see the beautiful sights of blossoming kiwi orchards throughout the region. It’s interesting that this branch of agriculture is developing rapidly there, so use this opportunity to visit those orchards of plenty.

As for sea activities, surfing is the most popular sport in this region. But the real eye candy and a holiday treat every visitor to this part of the North Island should experience is definitely White Island. It’s a volcanic island located about 35 miles from Whakatane. You can visit it by boat or by helicopter. Here you can read more about the island and the preparations necessary for a visit to this Pacific gem.

Rotorua: It’s always good there!

If you’re visiting Bay of Plenty for the first time, you might be surprised that this waterfront region also hides some wonderful attractions in the continental part, too. The most interesting inland area of this bay is located around the town of Rotorua. In spring, you can go for endless strolls around one of 18 beautiful lakes located in the vicinity of this town.

Moreover, you can go to river jet tours, hiking adventures and casual walks. Finally, when every single muscle in your body starts aching from all these activities, visit one of numerous geothermal pools and relax your mind and soul.

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Mount Taranaki

Waitomo Caves

Rotorua