New Zealand | Transfercar Blog

Winter Escapade in and around Hawke’s Bay

If you’ve heard tales of the magical scenery that awaits you in and around Hawke’s Bay during the summer, wait until you’ve experienced its beauty during the winter months. Now is the perfect time to steal a peace of heaven just for you and experience the magnificent winter escapade in and around Hawke’s Bay, from wine tastings and tours in Napier to staring down into the edge of the world from Portland Island.

A wine connoisseur’s safe haven

Firstly, I would recommend situating yourself in the most vibrant town in Hawke’s Bay, Napier. A coastal city that has kept its intimate charm and old-town appeal transforms from a tourist’s favourite summer vacation destination into a winter wonderland during the colder part of the year. The Town is situated between the world-renowned wine regions of Hawke’s Bay and it is a central stop for all wine lovers and thirsty travellers.

Wintertime in Napier is perfect for enjoying a long wine tasting tour. A six-hour event entailing tours of four Napier wineries, professional guidance through the vast assortment of white and red vintages, and a chef’s platter lunch create a unique and rewarding experience of taste, aroma, warmth and intimacy. If you decide on this mouth-watering feast, make sure to get some proper rest before continuing your journey.

A Countryside Museum Experience

Open year-round to visitors from all over the world is a modern museum called Birdwoods, built on the grounds of the original church hall from St Peter’s in Waipawa built in 1894. In the wintertime, the breathtaking scenery of the open sculpture garden is complemented with the warmth and hospitality of the Birdwoods café, where you will be able soak in the beautiful surrounding nature after a tour of the museum’s gallery.

A Bike Tour to Remember

Winter in Hawke’s Bay is the perfect opportunity to experience the open scenery of the region’s seaside by renting a bike at Napier City Bike Hires and going on self-guided scenic rides to and from the Coastal Wineries outside Napier. The path will take you down a beautiful off-road trail, following the magnificent Hawke’s Bay coastline. You will be given a map and a set of directions, and you can take the 26km long adventure from there on your own. Upon your arrival to your destination, you can enjoy wine tastings and have a shuttle take you back to Napier.

Climb Te Mata Peak

The Te Mata peak lies at the south of Hastings, easily reachable by a sealed road that will take you straight up to the popular 399m summit, overlooking the breathtaking countryside bellow. The peak is home to the Te Mata Park as well, where you will be able to set down for a mid-day picnic and go on walking trails around the park as well. For those looking for a kick of adrenaline, you will be able to on mountain biking tours and road cycling tours as well, while hang gliding and paragliding is reserved for true adventurers.

Head on to the Lake

Whether you decide to camp for the weekend or simply enjoy a picnic for a day, Lake Waikaremoana, is the perfect place to be. The popular trekking routes will take your through the lake’s lush forests, following lakeside view trails that will steal your heart and make you fall in love with this secluded peace of heaven. The entire Lake Waikaremoana region portrays a perfect setting for photographers looking to capture a piece of raw natural beauty, so don’t forget to bring your cameras!

Hawke’s Bay truly is a winter wonderland, with something beautiful to offer to everyone, from wine aficionados to adrenaline junkies. Knowing that now you can even get a free car transfer to make your journey as convenient and cost-effective as possible, you are bound to have an adventure of a lifetime in one of New Zealand’s most prominent travel destinations.

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Capturing the Beauty of NZ’s Landscapes: A Photographer’s Guide

A photographer never stops searching for inspiration in every corner of the world – this is something I’ve been telling myself ever since I’ve picked up my first camera more than a decade ago. I was a city kid, too used to the concrete jungle, and I’ve never had that much of a deep connection with nature.

Until one day my friends and I decided to do our damned best to make some different and exciting memories. I’ve never stopped exploring the beauties of our landscapes since then. I fell in love, determined to capture every piece of breathtaking scenery that New Zealand had to offer. Armed with my trusted and all-to-powerful hand-held Nikon D800 DSLR, with Nikkor 24-85 f/3.5-4.5 VR and 16-35 f/4 VR lenses, I set off on this spectacular eye feast. Here’s what I saw.

Cathedral Cove (Te Whanganui-A-Hei)

One of the first and dearest destinations to my heart that I’ve discovered early on, and the one I’m still coming back to, is the Cathedral cove. I’ve actually asked the love of my life to marry me on the beach right next to the cove itself. So I might be a bit biased here, but the fact is that this place stands as a true testament to the power of nature. The view is breathtaking and you can even go inside the cove.

Glenorchy

Wanting to explore the southern region of the country, I decided on Queenstown as the starting point. Nothing could have prepared me for the charm and beauty of the small town of Glenorchy, where I stayed at the Glenorchy Lake House. The valleys and mountain peaks surrounding a town that seems to be stuck in some other time and place in this world will make you want to stay in its fairytale forever.

Lake Tekapo

You’ve probably heard of the famous Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo that has become popular among tourists in the past few years, and although it’s constantly surrounded by curious travelers, you shouldn’t miss your chance to experience the beauty of the church and its surrounding nature. Pro tip: make sure you get there at sunrise, when people are few and unforgettable moments are many.

Nugget Point

Want to feel like you’re standing on the edge of the Earth itself? No problem, just go to the Nugget Point at the Catlins. The truly breathtaking scenery will leave you standing there for hours, watching the waves hit the shore and listening to the cry of local seals and the song of the birds coming from every direction. You will be able to enjoy a beautiful sunrise in relative isolation, as crowds aren’t common here.

Milford Sound

If enchanting forests, various wildlife, waterfalls and mountains that rise from the sea are your cup of tea, then this must be the place that will steals your heart. It’s best to go there by car, as the drive itself is breathtaking and also make sure to catch the magnificent view at sunset.

Purakaunui and Mclean Falls

Back to the Catlins again, the lush and remote forests seem to be secluded from the rest of the world, as if they were created by some powerful and generous force, just for your, in that very moment. I stayed two days at the Kaka Point Camping Ground from where I was able to explore the beautiful Purakaunui and Mclean waterfalls.

New Zealand has so many wonders to offer that I don’t think I’ll be able to experience them all in this lifetime, but I am going to try. If you are ready to capture the mesmerising beauty of this spectacular country, you’d be best advised to rent a free car to get around quickly and safely.

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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.

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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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