Norwegian Spirit’s maiden arrival marks a significant milestone for the Australian cruise industry’s comeback, as well as the chance for Australian cruisers to experience NCL’s unique Freestyle Cruising concept from their doorstep, with a choice of eight sailings between December 2022 and March 2023 from Sydney and Auckland. NCL media release SYDNEY WELCOMES NORWEGIAN SPIRIT Norwegian CruiseContinue reading “CRUISE – NORWEGIAN’S AUSSIE RETURN”
Category Archives: New Zealand
VISIT – AUCKLAND
There’s so much for travellers to do in New Zealand’s biggest settlement, and lots of stuff can be seen for free … AUCKLAND FOR FREE AUCKLAND is one of the world’s most vibrant non-capital cities. The New Zealand metropolis, which is the country’s largest settlement by size and population, may yield capital status to sleepyContinue reading “VISIT – AUCKLAND”
INSIDER – TOP TRAINS
Rail Plus announces its top five train journeys for 2019 RIDE THE RAILS ON TOP TRAINS THE team at Rail Plus has come up with a list of the top train trips for travellers to do in 2019 and while there are a couple of old favourites on the list there’s also a fab newContinue reading “INSIDER – TOP TRAINS”
Milford Sound cruising …
→ Experience luxury cruise operator Fiordland Discovery’s new Milford Sound overnight winter cruise … FIORDLAND Discovery’s new Milford Sound overnight cruise is offering travellers a reason to get out on the water this winter. The boutique cruise operator – which offers unrivalled access to Milford Sound and Fiordland on the vessel Fiordland Jewel – launchedContinue reading “Milford Sound cruising …”
Numbers show Air NZ service …
AIR New Zealand is beginning the next financial year by looking back at customer data from the past 12 months and revealing some interesting insights into guest travel preferences. The Kiwi carrier, which operates around 176,000 flights every year to facilitate more than 15 million customer journeys, took care of its youngest fliers by issuingContinue reading “Numbers show Air NZ service …”
SQ291 sightseeing …
Where … Flying above the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island in a Singapore Airline’s 777 on approach to Wellington’s airport. When … Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 1.31pm What … The journey from Canberra to Wellington takes my Singapore Airline’s flight right over the Marlborough Sounds with the settlement of Picton passing belowContinue reading “SQ291 sightseeing …”
Queenstown’s new Holiday Inn …
INTERCONTINENTAL Hotels Group has opened its first Holiday Inn hotel in Queenstown following the conversion of the former Goldridge Resort. The multi-million-dollar refurbishment sees an upgrade to all 75 rooms – with potential for 50 rooms to be added in 2017 – and other amenities include a fully-furnished deck with BBQ facilities, a bar andContinue reading “Queenstown’s new Holiday Inn …”
Air NZ’s Hollywood-style safety …
AIR New Zealand is continuing its tradition of making quirky safety videos with Anna Faris and Rhys Darby teaming up to craft a Hollywood themed before-takeoff briefing. The video is called Safety in Hollywood and was filmed at Warner Bros Studios in Los Angeles with Rhys, a New Zealand actor and comedian, attempting to convince theContinue reading “Air NZ’s Hollywood-style safety …”
Hotels bathrooms with a view …
IT’S not unusual for a hotel room to come complete with a remarkable view. But what about the bathroom? Long gone are the days when this most functional space was placed in a dark corner, out of sight and out of mind, with today’s architects and interior designers positioning the bathroom so those occupying theContinue reading “Hotels bathrooms with a view …”
New tracks in 2016 …
AUSSIE travellers are always enthusiastic about going off the beaten track but a lack of transport, absence of accommodation, or scant supply of tours often make it hard to plan a holiday. However, new air routes, hotels, ferry services and guided tours mean some quiet corners of the planet – as far-flung as the ArcticContinue reading “New tracks in 2016 …”
Where to wander …
THERE are more ways than ever to explore a holiday destination – trams, horse-drawn carts, Segways, vintage cars, bicycles – but there are some streets that should be seen on foot so pack your walking shoes and prepare to pound the pavement. Budapest Budapest’s Andrassy Ut stretches 2.5km from Heroes Square to Erzsebet Square withContinue reading “Where to wander …”
On the mail run …
JULIAN Stilles is a mailman, but don’t expect to see this New Zealand postie peddling a bicycle or pushing a cart. Stilles is the postman in Queen Charlotte Sound — the most eastern waterway in the Marlborough Sounds at the top of New Zealand’s South Island — and six days a week he pilots aContinue reading “On the mail run …”
Riding the rails …
FROM The Oriental Express to the Rocky Mountaineer, the romance of train journeys have long captured the imaginations of travellers the world over. We’ve chosen the top ten rail experiences that will bring out the explorer in you. 1. Peru’s Andean Explorer (below) takes 10 hours to rattle from Cuzco to Puno, making for aContinue reading “Riding the rails …”
New Zealand’s luxury lodges …
I’M spending the night in a treehouse. I grant you it’s not technically a treehouse balanced in the branches of a forest giant, but this suite is perched high above a rough copse of tall New Zealand fauna on a bucolic block between the snow-capped peaks of the Kaikoura Range and the Pacific Ocean onContinue reading “New Zealand’s luxury lodges …”
Shades of green …
I HAVE never seen so many shades of green. The bucolic vista filling my window has more tones than the green portion of a paint chart, with every hue from emerald and jade to mint, khaki and lime combining in a scene that deserves to be captured in a whimsical watercolour. I’m so close toContinue reading “Shades of green …”
Bay of Many Coves …
Where … Bay of Many Coves, New Zealand When … Friday, November 20, 2014 What … The view from the sitting room in my suite at the Bay of Many Coves Lodge, sitting in a quiet corner of Queen Charlotte Sound at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, as day descends into evening. VisitContinue reading “Bay of Many Coves …”
Queen Charlotte Sound …
Where … Queen Charlotte Sound, the water feature crowning New Zealand’s South Island. When … Saturday, November 22, 2014. What … The wild water of Queen Charlotte Sounds disappears behind the Interislander ferry Kaitaki as it cruises from Picton To Wellington across the Cook Strait on a stormy New Zealand afternoon. Visit the Interislander websiteContinue reading “Queen Charlotte Sound …”
Montreal charm in Christchurch …
→ The recovering city welcomes a stylish new hotel … THE Hotel Montreal, which sits in Montreal Street on one side of Cramner Square, is the newest luxury hotel to open in central Christchurch. The 27-room property joins the nearby Hotel George as the only two five-star hotels in the South Island city which isContinue reading “Montreal charm in Christchurch …”
Coastal Pacific …
Where … The coast between Kaikoura and Blenheim When … Friday, November 21, 2014 What … The view from my window seat on the Coastal Explorer, the scenic train that runs between Christchurch and Picton on New Zealand’s South Island, as we follow the coast around a bay on the north side of Kaikoura.Continue reading “Coastal Pacific …”
Kaikoura views …
Where … Kaikoura, New Zealand When … Thursday, November 20, 2014 What … Standing on a hill above Kaikoura, looking across to the Kaikoura Range, and taking in the view at the spot on the South Island where the mountains meet the ocean. Visit the Kaikoura website … Thursday, November 20, 2015
Akaroa Harbour …
Where … Akaroa Harbour, New Zealand When … Tuesday, November 18, 2014 What … A volcanic eruption that happened six million years created Akaroa Harbour, by blowing the side of the caldera and letting the water in to create the bay, with the steep slopes behind the town reminding all of this pretty destination’s violentContinue reading “Akaroa Harbour …”
Stewart Island …
Where … Boulder Beach, Stewart Island, New Zealand When … Tuesday, August 24, 2010 What … Looking across Boulder Beach’s golden sand to the mountains of Stewart Island in the distance. Visit the Stewart Island website … posted Saturday, September 20, 2014
Kiwi pedal power …
GRETCHEN Bunny has a simple rule for people who want to use her bicycles to explore Martinborough, and that’s no Lycra allowed. “Lycra is discouraged, and wedges are firmly encouraged,” Bunny says with a laugh, referring to her footwear as we cycle around her home patch on New Zealand’s North Island. “Riding a bike inContinue reading “Kiwi pedal power …”
In the vines …
→ Peppers Parehua offers wine-loving travellers a play to stay right in the vines … PEPPERS Parehua sits in the heart of a Martinborough vineyard with the cottage-style suites perfectly positioned so guests can explore the delights of the pretty New Zealand settlement – including dozens of wineries, restaurants, and cafes – on foot orContinue reading “In the vines …”
Far Near Or Here 