Category: Travel Tips

The area where amazing mountain ranges embrace the unbelievably clear water of Lake Wakatipu, where the flavors of Chardonnay become more citrusy and where Pinot Noir vineyards roll over the hills. The self-proclaimed “home of adventure bucket list”. Welcome to Queenstown, New Zealand.

Why spring?

Because the days are longer, colours change and you have a wide range of offers. For example, you can hit the slopes (usually until mid-October) and make the most of the abundance of sunshine in comparison with winter. Also, all of a sudden, you have so many more options for dining out (and by “out” we really mean “out”). This is the time when keen beach-goers start flocking at numerous beaches in the area.

Where can I stay?

Depending on the type of traveler you are and your budget, you may choose anything from campgrounds to luxurious hotels and resorts. The best starting point for choosing accommodation is most likely this.

I want adventure

Apart from the traditional skiing and snowboarding, Queenstown prides itself on whitewater rafting, river surfing, canyon swinging and thrills on a jet boat. However, real adrenalin addicts say that you haven’t been to Queenstown if you haven’t tried bungee jumping.

I want even more adventure

Well, you can organize a wedding here and springtime is the perfect season. Just imagine you and your loved one amidst some of the most breath-taking landscapes. When it comes to the atmosphere, anything goes. From cheerful bridesmaids’ dresses and outstanding groomsmen suits to completely informal dress code. From classical music to dubstep. You just need to make up your mind.

Culinary delights and night out

With over 150 restaurants, bars and cafes, the Queenstown region caters to everyone’s taste. What’s more, you’ll find many specialized food shops, wineries and local farmers’ markets selling organic produce.

There is nothing better than enjoying a nice night out following a nice dinner. Whether you choose some of the vibrant nightclubs with live music and DJs, or a more quiet place, you’re guaranteed a great time.

Visit movie locations

There aren’t many people who don’t know that The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed in New Zealand. It was only logical to shoot the Hobbit trilogy here, as well, right? And what about Wolverine?

So, if you’d like to visit some of the locations featured in these and many more movies and to experience the scenery that inspired many famous filmmakers, you’ve come to the right place. Many local agencies will offer various types of tours and they promise no dragon will wake up during the tour. And if you prefer to explore these awe-inspiring places on your own, you can do so in a free transfer car.

Shopping

If this is what you like to do to relax, Queenstown will oblige. There are internationally renowned luxury brands, as well as local stores offering souvenirs. Naturally, you can buy all types of clothes and equipment for any of the activities offered in the area.

The best part about the shopping experience is that everything is located in the very center of the city, in the pedestrian friendly central business district (CBD).

Needless to say, the city also has the inevitable visitor booking services, post offices, internet cafes, exchange offices, ATMs and banks, should you need any of them.

Though it was early Maori who first inhabited the region, it was the discovery of gold in the local waterways in the late 19^th century that started drawing many more people to this piece of heaven on Earth. Some have come to stay, some only to visit. Nowadays, almost three million people visit the city and the area each year.

You probably won’t come here to search for gold, but even if you do, chances are you won’t get rich overnight. Still, that shouldn’t dissuade you from coming here. Visiting Queenstown for fun, adrenalin rush, relaxation or wine tasting will surely make the trip worthwhile. Visiting it is spring is only going to enhance the experience.

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Featured

Basket of Dreams

Rafting 

Night

Gondola

Sail

If you’re planning to take a short vacation with your family or friends, Christchurch and its surroundings may just be the perfect destination. Settled on the River Avon, this is the largest city of New Zealand’s South Island and third biggest in the country.

Once it was famous as the most English city out of England, but nowadays it’s known as the Earthquake City (the reason for this being a big earthquake which hit the town in 2011), but this should in no way deter you from visiting it, knowing that Lonely Planet listed it as one of the top 10 cities to visit in 2013 and  the New York Times ranked it second on its list of 52 places to go in 2014.

The combination of historic elegance and contemporary culture creates plenty of interesting venues and even more ways to spend a couple of fun days, make this place and the Canterbury region ideal for your trip.

The Must-Sees

• Garden City

Christchurch was once also known as the “Garden city”, so you may start your trip by exploring why it was called like that. It abounds in public parks and residential gardens, like famous, over 150 years old Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park, Willowbank or Burwood. You may also visit an Edwardian township at Ferrymead Heritage Park. If you’re a sport type, here you can play golf, cricket or rugby, or, if you prefer easier vacation, take a cycle tour or make a picnic. If you’re lucky, you may catch some of the open-air concerts by local bands and orchestras which are usually held at one of these parks.

• Art Venues

If you want to learn about the history of Christchurch and its people, you should visit Canterbury Museum. One of its most fascinate exhibitions is the world’s greatest collection of artefacts from the Antarctic, the Māori collections in the Iwi Tawhito and Ngā Taonga galleries, and the quirky kiwiana of Fred & Myrtle’s Paua Shell House at Canterbury Museum. The town’s cultural diversity is represented by institutions on one hand and the street art gallery on the other. At the city centre you will find many colourful canvas made at walls of abandoned buildings.

• Cathedral

Placed at the centre of Cathedral Square, the cathedral was built in 1864 and since then has been the pride of this town, but now it’s just a ruin, a shadow of old days. The so-called “Green Chapel” stands as a symbol of post-earthquake history of Christchurch and is put in juxtaposition with the present. Subsequently, one can observe the changes which this town has went through.

• Memorials

Some of the city’s monuments, like the installation of 185 different white chairs or Cardboard Cathedral made from industrial cardboard and corrugated plastic, are built as memorials to the victims of the earthquake. It would be good to visit them and give the honour. The Quake City museum will give you the complete understanding of events in this area’s recent history.

Popular Spots

• Flea Markets

All around the city you will find flea marketplaces, where you can buy almost everything you want, from unique arts and crafts to jams and jewellery.

• Re:Start Cashel Mall

Placed at the very center of Christchurch this mall has everything you may need. Made from colourful shipping containers, Re:Start Cashel Mall was built to replace a shopping center after the earthquake. There you can find boutiques with designer clothes or some unusual homeware, but also coffee houses and quirky eateries, post office, banks, etc.

• The Diamond Bar

For a night out, visit the Diamond Bar, an elegant cocktail lounge decorated with more than 3500 hanging crystals. As the place itself shines, you should also, so don’t forget to check their dress-code.

• Gig at the Darkroom

Live music and sometimes even comedians are hosted in one of the Christchurch best clubs, the Darkroom. This is another, definitely a more casual option for an exciting night out.

Fun and Active Vacation

• Adrenalin Forest

If you need an adrenalin injection – Christchurch covers that. Pick one of the 100 challenges of the Fun Park and dare yourself and your friends to share it. You can also climb, fly, jump and scream at the Adrenalin Forest.

• Ballooning

Have you ever flown in the Hot Air Balloon? Now you have a chance. Christchurch and  the places in its vicinity is a unique place in the world where you can fly over the mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other.

• Akaroa Magic

Situated on Banks Peninsula, just an hour’s drive from the Christchurch, this small town offers you a unique chance to enjoy spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife, including the rare Hectors dolphins, fur seals and penguins, as well as herds of grazing alpacas. For more family fun, you should definitely visit the Giant’s House, and check out local vineyards if you are a hedonistic type.

All these pieces of information are just a part of the many more of what you can find in Christchurch and its surroundings, but they should be more than enough to intrigue you into visiting it. So, now may be a good opportunity score a free car rental and start the adventure.

 

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Botanic Gardens

Canterbury Museum

Cardboard Cathedral

Akaroa

Re:Start Cashel Mall

Article by Lillian Connors

Who said you have to stay at home this winter? New Zealand is a great place to explore even during the cold months, as the roads are not congested, the snow-capped mountains look at their best and the thermal areas are particularly enjoyable at that time of the year.
Transfercar has plenty of good deals in winter; check them out!

Thermal pools

Known as the pulsating heart of Maui’s fish, Lake Taupo is a former volcano that changed the shape of this part of the world in 181 AD. Apart from lake cruises, fishing, kayaking and biking, this region is known for its majestic thermal pools, as well. Geothermal wonders should be the first attraction on your itinerary when exploring New Zealand in winter.

The waters of the Wairakei Terraces thermal pools were highly praised by the Maori for their health benefits. In addition, the Wairakei Terraces offer fantastic massage services. However, children under the age of 14 are not permitted. For a family-friendly hot pool experience, visit the DeBretts thermal pools. Children can enjoy playing in freshwater pools with a hydroslide. The third option is AC Baths, with a small private pool and a swimming complex connecting indoor and outdoor pools as the prime attractions of this spa resort.

Whale watching

Winter is perfect for whale watching as June and July are the main migration periods. Drop by Hauraki Gulf Marine Park boasting 50 islands and 5 marine reserves. The marine park protects the Hauraki Gulf, where you can spot the critically endangered Bryde’s whale. Kaikoura on the South Island definitely merits a visit, too – sperm whales, orcas and humpback whales are waiting for you. If you are lucky you can also see several dolphin species.

Wine Trails 

Although vineyards are bare in winter, do know that the autumn vintage has just ended. In winter, you are guaranteed some of the best cellar-door experiences. The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail includes travelling From the Hawkes Bay region in the North Island to Marlborough in the South Island, you can be a guest of 120 wineries.

If you would like to take the island by island, take the Christchurch – Hanmer Springs road trip and stop by Waipara, famous not only for its vineyards, but for olive groves, as well. The Central North Island road trip is known for its Rotorua – Waikaremoana circular route. Your itinerary should include Napier and its vineyards.

Some of the best Skiing in the world

That one is obvious. With four ski areas, including Christchurch, Mount Cook Mackenzie, Queenstown – Wanaka and Central North Island, New Zealand is famous for a variety of ski terrains. Even though the first three ski areas have fantastic snow, beautiful ski fields and the spectacular scenery, Central North Island is truly one of a kind because its two ski fields, Turoa and Whakapapa are located on a volcano. New Zealand particularly stands out for its heli skiing and unparalleled off-piste experiences, but this comes with a hefty price tag.

Discover new food

What about making the most of the cold weather to take part in a cooking class. There is plenty of those now in Auckland and Wellington. However, one cuisine experience is particularly unique. A Maori chef Charles Royal and his company Kinaki Wild Herbs are famous for forest food trails and indigenous ingredients. On your way back, do not forget to pick a cookbook by Annabel Langbein, or Peter Gordon, New Zealand’s celebrity chefs so that you can try delicious recipes at home.

From thermal pools to whale watching down to excellent food and wines, New Zealand is a true winter destination. The cultural heritage and majestic landscapes intertwine so beautifully that you would wish to rent a free car, pack your things, and set off for this fascinating adventure right now.

 

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Lake Taupo

Thermal pools

Mount Cook