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New Zealand town dubbed one of ‘World’s Greatest Places’

Queenstown has been named one of the “World’s Greatest Places” by Time Magazine, making it one of 50 “extraordinary travel destinations” from around the world that have been recognised. The South Island town is the only New Zealand destination to make the list, joining the likes of the Galapagos Islands, Seoul, Detroit, Nairobi, and Toronto. Time compiled the list from a collection of nominations from its international network of correspondents and contributors that included countries, regions, cities and towns that offer new and exciting experiences. Mat Woods, the chief executive of Destination Queenstown, was delighted by the news. “International recognition like this is a great reminder that we live in one of the world’s greatest places … It’s fantastic to be acknowledged internationally, especially after a tough couple of years,” he said. As for Australia, two locations made the list. Unsurprisingly, the Great Barrier Reef made the list, along with Fremantle in Western Australia. To see Time’s full list of the World’s Greatest Places, head <a href="https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image: @federico_pinna_photography (Instagram)

Domestic Travel

Best places to view the stars in New Zealand

Who doesn’t love a night staring at the stars? For some of the best astro-views on the planet – you should consider New Zealand. New Zealand is home to the only island granted dark sky sanctuary status – the north’s Great Barrier Island. Head to the south and you could catch a glimpse of the Aurora Australis. The night sky is woven into the culture of the New Zealand Maori people. Matariki, the rise of the Pleiades constellation, signals the start of the Maori New Year. Here are some of the best places to view the stars in New Zealand. Great Barrier Island (Aotea) Great Barrier Island (yes island, not reef) is an International <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.darksky.org/idsp/sanctuaries/" target="_blank">Dark Sky Sanctuary</a>. It’s one of only four places in the world (and the only island) to be granted sanctuary status. A dark sky sanctuary is defined as public or private land that has “an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights”. Great Barrier Island the largest of the Hauraki Gulf islands north east of Auckland. It’s isolated, has a small resident population and is free from the electricity grid. What this means for travellers is less light pollution and more protected stargazing. At night the Milky Way spans the sky and the Magellanic Clouds, not visible in the Northern Hemisphere, are easily seen. For the roughly 1000 residents, a dark night sky has become a way of life and you’ll find yourself slowing down and appreciating life on any visit here. But star gazing isn’t the only thing you can do. Aotea is also a boating paradise, a popular destination for diving, fishing, surfing, mountain bike riding and hiking. Aoraki Mackenzie Another top spot to search for shooting stars is Aoraki Mackenzie, in the middle of the South Island. Aoraki Mackenzie is a designated International Dark Sky Reserve. The difference between names is that a sanctuary is usually in a remote place with little threat to its night skies. It includes Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, and the villages of Lake Tekapo, Twizel and Mt Cook. Aoraki Mackenzie isn’t remote – but it is still a prime place to admire the constellations. It is the largest dark sky reserve in the world. Spend one night doing a classic guided tour to the observatory to learn about the stars. And then the next just soaking up the view while relaxing in the hot pools at Tekapo Springs. Or for something really special, check out SkyScape Lodge, an architecturally designed, glass-roofed accommodation building on a 6000-acre high country station about 12 kilometres from Twizel. Lake Tekapo Lake Tekapo is home to New Zealand’s premier scientific astronomy observatory, Mt John Observatory. The observatory site was chosen in 1963 for the clarity and darkness of the night sky after three years of site testing. About three hours drive south-west of Christchurch in the Mackenzie Basin, Earth and Sky Tours at Mt John Observatory offers a range of astro-tours. On a clear night several telescopes are set up outside. If you bring your DSLR camera, the observatory’s astro-photographers may capture the night sky for you. If the sky is cloudy, don’t worry. Mount John also offers a fascinating behind the scenes tour of what life is like for an astronomer. It offers the chance to see the research equipment that is usually off limits to the general public and to learn about the research conducted at Mt John. In the day time, the views at Lake Tekapo are just as stunning. The remarkable turquoise colour lake is framed by snow-capped mountains. Lake Tekapo gets its intense milky-turquoise colour from the fine rock-flour (ground by glaciers) which is suspended in the water. Stewart Island Head south if you want to see the Southern Lights, also known as Aurora Australis. The aurora occurs when electrically charged solar particles collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing those gases to emit light. The most common colour is a yellow-green, but the aurora can also be pink or purple. Despite the name, you don’t have to be in Australia to see them. The auroras happen in ovals around the earth’s two magnetic poles. The further south you go, the more likely you are to see the Aurora Australis. The furthest south you can go in New Zealand is Stewart Island. Up to 80 per cent of the island is made up of the Rakiura National Park – meaning there’s little light polution and a great chance for star-gazing. Auroras can happen at any time, but they are more common in the winter months. The website <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.aurora-service.net/aurora-forecast/" target="_blank">Aurora Service offers hourly aurora forecasts</a>, using real time solar wind data from Nasa’s Ace Spacecraft. The aurora strength is measured in Kp. Kp ranges between zero and nine. Zero is the weakest and nine is the strongest. Anything Kp5 or above is considered a geomagnetic storm and a good chance of an aurora occuring. Dunedin in New Zealand is one of the best larger cities to catch the colourful night-time display. Queenstown has also been known to have incredible southern lights displays. And Lake Tekapo (see above) is also known for spectacular displays. Written by Alison Godfrey. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/dark-parks-the-best-places-in-new-zealand-to-view-the-stars/">MyDiscoveries</a>.

International Travel

Why you should revisit Queenstown

The ‘adventure capital’ Queenstown is reinventing itself as New Zealand’s sophisticated travel destination. Very few arrivals are as dramatic as flying into Queenstown from Australia. After a three-hour flight from Sydney the featureless ocean gives way to the western rampart of the alps of the South Island and the deep fiord of Milford Sound. Minutes later the aircraft flies along Lake Wakatipu, circles snow-capped peaks and drops into Queenstown airport. Friendly New Zealand immigration procedures (as long as you aren’t carrying honey or fruit) and prompt baggage delivery follow then you’re in the self-proclaimed Adventure Capital of the World. If you are related to an adrenaline-seeking teen, you probably have already heard about the delights of snowboarding the Remarkables, jet boating the Shotover and bungee jumping off Kewara Bridge. But if, like us, your days of lining up for an hour for a Fergburger before tandem skydiving are behind you, you’ll be gratified to know Queenstown has matured over the past decade into a travel destination of much broader appeal to a wider age range and level of urbanity. Mark Rose, the general manager of the Rees Hotel that overlooks the lake, credits at least some of the newfound sophistication of the city to Australian visitors. “You simply arrived with greater food expectations and demanded that they be met,” he says. “We have long great wines and now we offer a dining experience to match them.” The Rees Hotel certainly adds to the upmarket ‘nothing-is-too-much-trouble’ atmosphere. Bags disappear only to reappear in our room that features a wall of windows overlooking the mountains, lake and the golf course on the other side of Frankton Arm. While only a few minutes’ drive from town, the Rees offers a beautiful half-hour lakeside walk past Queenstown Gardens to the quaint, yet bustling, town. The region may have a population of less than 30,000 residents but at peak summer and winter season they can be outnumbered three to one with about two million visitors a year. Stargazing Queenstown’s clear air and mountain location is well suited to stargazing. And it’s easy to do at the top of the Skyline Gondola. While just about every visitor will take the gondola for a bird’s-eye view of the city only the canny will do it at sunset and stay for the stargazing. Fortunately, there’s a restaurant at the top with a very extensive buffet and wonderful views over the town and lake to watch the last lights over the mountains as the stars come out. After meeting the astronomer guides, a short walk from the top station complex leaves the city lights behind and the sky comes to life. Under expert tutelage the heavens start to make sense. Then you have a chance to examine them in detail through several high-powered telescopes. Whether viewing beautiful constellations, craters on the moon or the rings of Saturn it’s a powerful experience. Exploring In winter, Queenstown is a dormitory for the surrounding ski fields. In the warmth of summer the options are greatly extended. Yes, you can jet boat while recalling that it was invented in NZ in 1954 by Sir William Hamilton – who later took one up the Ganges with Sir Edmund Hillary. Or, you can take a leisurely cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnshaw steam ship. There are several nearby golf courses to select from and even more fishing options. Queenstown’s climate, particularly in spring and autumn, is perfect for hiking or biking and the combination of lakes and mountains ensure you’re never without a view. For an even more dramatic panorama take to the sky in a hot-air balloon, a helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. A local flight is thrilling enough but it’s not far beyond Glenorchy into Milford Sound. There’s the chance to take a thrilling flight in an overpowered warbird, too. Of course, in New Zealand where helicopters are regarded as mere extensions to your legs, you can opt for a tour of local wineries by helicopter. You won’t be in Queenstown long before you learn that the surrounds were the real stars in many scenes of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. A location tour will be able to give more specific information than you could ever glean on your own. Inevitably, you can combine that with a helicopter flight in a Heli-Hobbit tour. Self-drive Exploring the area in a rental vehicle is the perfect way to do it at your own pace. The hardest decision will be what direction to head first. Along the eastern side of the lake to a village simply called Paradise and beyond to Glenorchy takes you through Hobbit country and it’s just as spectacular in natural 3D. It’s hard to go past heading north to the quaint old gold rush town of Arrowtown where wandering around the shops, down to the river or into a café is all within range of a leisurely stroll. From Queenstown you drive out past the bungy jumping at Kawaru Gorge and Skippers Canyon. Here, too, is the Cardrona Hotel with a beautiful mountain backdrop that harks back to an earlier era. After a great mountain pass drive you arrive in Wanaka that, like Queenstown, is also on a lake and boasts excellent local skiing in winter. While many see the two towns as competitors they really complement each other. Wanaka is the more tranquil alternative to Queenstown. Queenstown is the more vibrant city, with a lot more going on. Wineries The South Otago region boasts more than 200 wineries and there’s much more to it than just pinot noir and sauvignon blanc, though they do dominate. While you are spoiled for choice – and many have restaurants attached – Rippon just outside Wanaka is certainly different. It is a biodynamic vineyard that is fertiliser- and fungicide-free and uses natural fermentation. To explore the wineries you can self-drive, take an escorted tour, or one of a range of heli-wine tours. Dining At dinner in downtown Queenstown in the beautiful stone-and-timber Sasso Italian restaurant I marvelled at how far service, hospitality and cuisine has come in such a short time in Queenstown. It seems not long ago that dining in Queenstown was mainly about consuming enough carbs to get through the next day’s activities. Now we found a sophisticated, distinctly New Zealand menu with an Italian flavour presented with real appreciation of the pleasure food can bring. On our last night in Queenstown we joined Mark Rose at dinner at the True South restaurant in the Rees Hotel. Besides running the most urbane hotel in Queenstown, Mark’s advice on wineries suggested his wine choices would be something special. They were. Looking out over the still waters of the lake while sipping a local Surveyor Thompson pinot noir, he outlined his philosophy of hospitality. It was to build on the natural setting that lured us here by extending the natural warmth of NZ congeniality, a building that blends with its surrounds and, especially, providing fine food and wine. True South’s menu lists the names and websites of its suppliers from Cardrona lamb to Gibbston Valley cheese. It also boasts that “Sourcing high quality suppliers south of Christchurch, buying local not only assures freshness and quality control, it reduces food miles and encourages sustainable practices.” The <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.queenstownnz.co.nz/" target="_blank">Queenstown website</a> is a great place to discover all there is to do – for all ages – in this increasingly impressive little town. Have you been to Queenstown? Join the conversation below. Written by David McGonigal. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/why-you-should-re-visit-queenstown.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a>.

International Travel

Cycling Queenstown's stunning Paradise Trail

Justine Tyerman, 61, is a New Zealand journalist, travel writer and sub-editor. Married for 36 years, she lives in rural surroundings near Gisborne on the East Coast of New Zealand with her husband Chris. They were whimpering in their box – my trusty tramping boots – not able to comprehend why they had been passed over for a pair of leather lightweights. “We’ve served you well for 10 years and now you’ve decided you would rather cycle than tramp,” they grizzled. “We always go with you to the Great Outdoors – how could you leave us behind in favour of those… flimsy sneaky things with no tread?” I tried to explain that cycling was vastly different from tramping and the pedalling movement would make them horribly dizzy… but they were soles-up and sulking. I promised them a lovely muddy tramp as soon as I returned but they had pulled the box lid shut, muttering “traitor”. The sneakers were not the only new item of clothing I donned on day one of my first-ever cycling expedition. I also pulled on a pair of padded pants which felt like nappies. Setting off on a late summer cycle trip instead of a tramp was a radical departure from the norm for me – but the Paradise Trail near Queenstown was irresistible. For someone whose spiritual home is the mountains, lakes and rivers of the South Island, this four-day guided trip had it all. I confess I was so mesmerised by the breath-taking photos on the <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.paradisetrail.co.nz" target="_blank">Revolution Tours website</a>, I developed convenient amnesia about the fact I had not been on a bicycle since school days, and just kept chanting the words I had read on the home page of owner-guides Matt and Kate Belcher: “If you can ride a bike then you can do this trip.” Midway up the first gentle incline, I realised why the machine I was riding is commonly referred to as a push bike… because when the puffing set in, I became a pusher. But the panorama of jagged peaks and gleaming glaciers unfolding with each turn of the pedals was so spectacular, my soaring spirits drowned out the protestations of my thigh muscles… and every day the cycling became easier. I quickly bonded with my ‘hybrid bike’, perfectly pre-set for my height, with its superbly comfortable padded seat, step-through frame, easy-to-manage handgrip gears and ‘upright geometry’ to allow riders to appreciate the views. I even grew to like my nappies. And I never once felt tempted to get in the support vehicle which trundles along with the cyclists, loaded to the gunwales with enough food and drinks for an army, emergency medical equipment including a defibrillator, a portaloo and tent, rain shelter, spare wet weather gear and the personal belongings of the cyclists. But the presence of the van and the hugely-capable Matt and Kate were so reassuring, half way through day one I felt confident that even in my state of extreme cycle-unfitness I would manage the trip. The van driver was also in constant radio contact with the guide about road conditions and hazards so all risk factors were well under control. After coffee at Pier 19 in Queenstown on a crisp late summer morning, we steamed across the satin waters of Lake Wakatipu on the iconic TSS Earnslaw, the ‘Lady of the Lake’, watching the muscly young stoker feed a tonne of coal an hour into the hot jaws of the four hungry furnaces that power the 102-year-old vintage steamer. We had morning tea in bright sunshine at historic Walter Peak Station, founded in 1860, and wandered around the stunning gardens and homestead before cycling along the lake on gently undulating deserted farm tracks, through ancient beech forests to Kinloch at the head of the lake. We cheated en route with a brief but thrilling water taxi ride where the track was unbikeable from Mt Nicholas Station to the Greenstone Valley. Wakatipu was like a mirror and Matt and the skipper joked about skiing barefoot behind the boat. The lovely, restored Kinloch Lodge, a tourist destination since 1868, was our luxurious accommodation for the first night. A delightful hot tub on the hill overlooking the lake eased complaining muscles in all sorts of places I never knew I had. Next day, we meandered up the beautiful braided river valleys of the Dart and Rees which cut deep into the backbone of the Southern Alps. We watched jet boats hoon up the Dart while we ate our picnic lunch in a sunny spot beside the river, gazing spellbound at towering snow-covered peaks named after Greek gods. Talking of lunch, the Paradise Trail comes with a serious warning. Don't for a moment imagine you will lose weight with all the hearty exercise you are doing, à bicyclette, because delicious gourmet food lurks around every corner. After hearty country breakfasts, yummy lunches and morning and afternoon teas appear on tartan rugs by gorgeous streams and rivers as if by magic… not to mention the veritable feasts we were treated to at the end of every day. After lunch, we rode through the famous Lord of the Rings’ Forest of Lothlorian, posing for silly photos in Gollum's hollow tree trunk, skirted the shores of glistening Diamond Lake, and by mid-afternoon on day two, found ourselves literally in Paradise, so named for the eponymous duck not the staggering scenery. The historic Paradise Homestead, built in the 1880s in the most heavenly location, was our home for day two and three. The deeply-weathered Mt Earnslaw, 2189m, with a crown of silver schist was right on our doorstep and a short walk beyond the trees, a necklace of startling peaks as improbable as a child's scribble of the horizon. Sadly the kitchen, lounge and dining room of the homestead are no longer there. The building was struck by lightning and burnt down a few months after our visit but the facilities have since been rebuilt to a high standard by the Paradise Trust who own the property. On the third day we left our bikes behind and hiked up the Routeburn Track alongside an alpine river with colours so intense our Aussie bike mates believed me when I said DoC rangers poured turquoise food colouring into the pools to ‘wow’ the trampers. A light frost still lingered in the shade as we cycled towards Chinaman’s Bluff on our final day, surrounded by the giants we had seen in the distance as we steamed up the lake four days earlier. The air was so crisp and bright and clear, it made my eyes water. At road’s end, we walked up the grassy valley on the Rees-Dart tramping track and ate our last picnic on a log by the Dart River in the hallowed company of Pluto, Cosmos, Chaos, Minos, Nox and Amphion. We dawdled as long as we could, reluctant to leave Paradise and return to civilisation, but the drive back to Queenstown along the edge of Lake Wakatipu was as stunning as the trip itself. Matt pointed out the track we had ridden a few days earlier on the far side of the lake and stopped at a lookout for us to take last photos of the lake and mountains, bathed in sunshine on another glorious cloudless day. We had obviously pleased those mighty Greek gods because the weather was near-perfect for the whole four days. Remote it may be but Paradise is not undiscovered. The secret of its astonishing beauty was out 130 years ago when adventurous travellers in their hundreds came up Lake Wakatipu by steamer and on by dray to stay at Paradise Homestead. For nearly 50 years, an early owner ‘Granny’ Aitken fed up to 120 for lunch and often looked after 28 overnight guests . . . well before electricity. Sir Peter Jackson also ‘discovered’ Paradise 15 years ago and the area became one of his favourite settings for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. Years later, Tolkien fans are still clamouring for tours of the iconic sites by 4WD, jet boat, foot and even horseback. I had an epiphany on the Paradise Trail which may well see my faithful tramping boots side-lined more often. For every short burst of exertion, there was the heady reward of effortless freewheeling downhill through dappled beech forests with the shafts of sunlight flickering like frames in an old movie, whizzing fast down country lanes ringing my bell and yelling ‘wheee’ to the merino sheep, horses and Angus cattle along the way, charging through clear mountain streams with feet in the air to avoid the splash… and doing it again just for the thrill of it and to capture the scene on video to brag to doubting family members. Such pedal-powered delights cannot happen on foot – short of fitting wheels to one's feet. I also discovered you can cover great distances on bikes and not miss out on the views. I’m just not sure how to break the news to my old tramping mates… *The four-day, three-night, fully-guided Paradise Trail with Revolution Tours covers 70 kilometres by bike over three days and includes a one-day hike up the Routeburn Track. *Justine Tyerman was a guest of Revolution Tours. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/domestic-travel/2016/07/guide-to-queenstown-new-zealand/">Travel guide: Queenstown</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/domestic-travel/2016/07/hidden-gems-uncovered-at-palliser-bay/">Hidden gems uncovered at Palliser Bay</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/domestic-travel/2016/06/10-lesser-known-new-zealand-holiday-spots/">10 lesser-known New Zealand holiday spots</a>

Domestic Travel

Travel guide: Queenstown

Justine Tyerman, 61, is a New Zealand journalist, travel writer and sub-editor. Married for 36 years, she lives in rural surroundings near Gisborne on the East Coast of New Zealand with her husband Chris. Queenstown is known as the ‘adventure capital of the world’, a place where thrill-seekers and outdoor sports aficionados of all ages are thoroughly spoilt for choice – it’s New Zealand’s premier all-seasons’ tourist resort, an area of breath-taking natural beauty. We stayed at the <a href="http://www.luxehouses.com.au/holiday-house/jagged-edge/" target="_blank">Jagged Edge</a> 10 minutes from Queenstown, where you have peace and seclusion away from the bustling crowds and coach tours, but you also have the opportunity to try a dazzling array of activities and excursions to suit all tastes. Try an adrenaline-pumping trip up the spectacular Shotover Canyon in the world-famous <a href="http://www.shotoverjet.com/" target="_blank">Shotover River Jets</a>, a favourite of Prince William and Kate when they visited Queenstown in 2014; or a more leisurely jet-boat expedition up the braided Dart River, deep in the Mt Aspiring National Park, combined with a dreamy drift downstream in inflatable kayaks aptly known as Funyaks amid scenery made famous by Sir Peter Jackson in the Lord of the Rings trilogy… a trip I’ve done twice, I loved it so much. If you have a day or two to spare and enjoy cycling, the delightful Kate and Matt Belcher from Revolution Tours will guide you on an unforgettable experience starting with a cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station on the ‘Lady of the Lake’, the 104-year old steamer TSS Earnslaw, cycling along the lake edge to Mt Nicholas Station or up the pristine Rees and Dart Rivers to a place aptly named Paradise where you are encircled by a necklace of mountains named after Greek gods. A cruisy ride made even easier by electric bikes (by arrangement) if your fitness, like mine, is not up to hills. Return to Queenstown by road, boat or helicopter. Also on your doorstep are world-class ski fields, Coronet Peak, the Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone, and the best heli-skiing and snowshoeing in the country. Last winter, I went <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/nz/74081456/Men-in-high-heels-Tramping-The-Remarkables" target="_blank">snowshoeing with NZ Snowshoe</a> and had a ball. Queenstown is the base for three of New Zealand’s Great Walks: the Routeburn, Hollyford and Milford Tracks (I’ve hiked them all and so should you), and scenic flights to Milford Sound and other Fiordland wonders. An overnight cruise on Milford Sound, passing close by famous Mitre Peak, Stirling and Bowen Falls and seal and penguin colonies en route to the Tasman Sea is an absolute must. It’s magic. For those who like to hurtle from high places (count me out!), there’s bungy jumping at AJ Hackett’s original 43m Kawarau River bridge site and others, tandem hang gliding, sky diving and canyon swinging. Quieter pastimes include wine tours to Gibbston Valley, Wanaka and Bannockburn, famous for their pinot noir and mind-boggling scenery. Stop off at Hollywood actor Sam Neill’s Two Paddock’s Winery and Amisfield’s gorgeous cellar door at Lake Hayes too. Arrowtown, the boom town of the 1860s gold rush, is now a quaint but stylish holiday destination where you can meander up the Arrow River, pan for gold during the day, dine at the world-renowned Saffron restaurant in the evening and then visit the subterranean wine bar, the Blue Door, for a nightcap by the roaring fire. If golfing is your passion, Michael Hill’s golf course, ‘The Hills’, is a PGA-rated course where many celebrities and VIPs have played. Former US President Bill Clinton played at Millbrook near Arrowtown when he visited New Zealand in 1999 and described the region as: “Breath-taking ... I wish I had weeks to spend here… everyone was just gasping when we saw the landscape. It’s so beautiful.” Wanaka and Kelvin Heights also have picturesque golf courses. If time permits, a day trip to Wanaka up the zig-zag road and over the Crown Range stopping at the historic Cardrona Hotel for a pint of Speights, ‘Southern Man’ beer, followed by wine-tasting at the extraordinarily scenic Rippon Vineyard overlooking Lake Wanaka is the stuff of dreams. Depending on the season, a whiz around the award-winning international winter car testing track on the Mt Pisa range might be possible. The round trip takes you home via the stunning Kawarau Gorge, the celebrated vineyards and wineries of the Gibbston Valley and AJ Hackett’s bungy jump. The Skippers Canyon road is not for the faint-hearted but the history and scenery are mind-boggling. Take an organised tour if you are not a confident driver. Queenstown has a myriad of excellent fine dining restaurants and is home to the famous gourmet burger joint, Fergburger. There are plenty of up-market boutiques, a casino or two and a quirky wine-tasting bar, The Winery, that serves 80 of New Zealand’s best wines – and a few great whiskies too, my husband tells me. The fly fishing is fabulous too, and white water rafting, and the Skyline Gondola up to Bob’s Peak... and the luge… but one of my favourite ‘activities’ is relaxing in the sun, drinking in the mountains and the lake, and a glass of chilled Terra Sancta Rosé from Bannockburn. All things are possible in Queenstown. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/domestic-travel/2016/04/guide-to-wairarapa-new-zealand/">Travel guide: New Zealand’s spectacular Wairarapa region</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/domestic-travel/2016/05/10-breathtaking-photos-new-zealand-beautiful-roads/">10 breathtaking photos of New Zealand’s beautiful roads</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/domestic-travel/2016/06/10-lesser-known-new-zealand-holiday-spots/">10 lesser-known New Zealand holiday spots</a>

Domestic Travel

10 lesser-known New Zealand holiday spots

There’s so much more to New Zealand than just the tourist-brochure hotspots like Auckland, Queenstown and Milford Sound. These are the best off the radar spots to visit. 1. Kapiti Island Sitting just off the coast of the Wellington region, Kapiti is one of the country’s oldest and most important nature reserves. You’ll need to visit as part of an approved tour group so only a small number of people are on the island each day. Camp over night for the chance to see the NZ national emblem, the kiwi, in the wild. 2. Little Kaiteriteri The seaside resort of Kaiteriteri is quite well known and often referred to as the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. This means it’s can also be quite crowded. A bit further down the coast, Little Kaiteriteri is a hidden gem, an absolutely stunning stretch of beach that is completely deserted most of the time. 3. East Cape Covering the easternmost point of New Zealand’s North Island, the East Cape is ruggedly beautiful and yet receives hardly any visitors – just 1% of tourists make it this far. That means deserted beaches, coastal jungle, scenic roads and a fascinating Maori culture just for you. 4. Te Mata Peak The Hawke’s Bay region is known for its food and wine, so work up an appetite with a hike to the top of Te Mata Peak. Standing nearly 400 metres above sea level there are incredible views of the Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharuru Ranges, Cape Kidnapper, and even the volcano Ruapehu on a clear day. It’s also a significant place in Maori history and is said to be formed from the body of the giant Te Mata. 5. New Plymouth Coastal Walkway NZ is a great walking destination and New Plymouth is one of the lesser known trails. The 10-kilometre promenade runs along the coast with ever changing views of the city, beaches, forests and mountains. There’s even outdoor sculptures along the way. 6. Ohau Waterfall This picturesque waterfall along the Ohau Stream is a popular spot for playful young fur seal pups from the nearby colony to take a dip. You’ll need to stay calm and quiet so as not to scare them, and hopefully you’ll be able to see a happy band of them frolicking under the falls. 7. Waipapa Point Another one for the animal lovers, this secluded point in the Catlins, on the southeast corner of the South Island, is home to one of the rarest species of seal in the world, the critically endangered New Zealand sea lion. Watch for them just hanging out on the beach. 8. Raglan This lively coastal town has managed to stay off the tourist radar, though it can’t stay that way forever. Nearby Manu Bay has what many believe to be the longest, most accessible and consistent left-hand break in the world and, if you’re skilled enough, you can catch a wave and surf it for up to two kilometres. 9. Arrowtown Think of it as Queenstown without the hype. It’s a charming, gold rush-era town with many of its colonial buildings still standing and easily one of New Zealand’s most picturesque settlements. Plus it’s right next to the adventure playground of Coronet Peak. 10. Forgotten World Highway This winding stretch of road runs through King Country in the North Island and is one of the world’s great drives (even if it is a little ‘up and down’ as the locals say). Gorgeous vistas look over remote, untouched wilderness in a forgotten corner of New Zealand. Just don’t expect phone service. Have you been to any of the locations mentioned above? Where’s your favourite place to go on holidays in New Zealand? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/domestic-travel/2016/05/10-breathtaking-photos-new-zealand-beautiful-roads/">10 breathtaking photos of New Zealand’s beautiful roads</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/domestic-travel/2016/05/why-you-need-to-visit-the-spectacular-otago-central-rail-trail/">Why you need to visit New Zealand’s spectacular Otago Central Rail Trail</a> <a href="/travel/cruising/2016/05/new-zealand-by-a-cruise-ship/">Wine, wonder and Lord of the Rings – New Zealand by cruise ship</a>

Domestic Travel

Gondola to link Queenstown to ski fields NZ

Plans are afoot for a $50 million, 9.8km gondola from Queenstown's Remarkables Park Town Centre to the Remarkables Ski Area. The gondola would operate from a Gondola Events Plaza, adjacent to the centre in Frankton, and link to NZSki's base building at the ski field. The ride would take about 27 minutes. Queenstown investment and development company Porter Group chairman Alastair Porter said the project, the longest gondola in Australasia, would be a "significant" investment in regional and national tourism infrastructure and the resort played a key role in attracting tourists to the country. <img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11179/gondola-planned_497x280.jpg" alt="Gondola Planned" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Image credit: Stuff.co.nz "However, we live in a world where tourism is highly competitive, and it's extremely important for New Zealand to continue to invest in major tourist infrastructure to keep refreshing and enhancing our international appeal," he said. The gondola would enhance Queenstown as an international four-season destination by enabling sightseers, hikers, climbers, mountain bikers and wedding couples or conference and incentive groups looking for an unforgettable venue to visit the Remarkables in spring, summer and autumn, Porter said. The gondola was based on a design by Leitner Poma, one of the world's most experienced gondola and chairlift companies. "The gondola will also integrate well with the proposed Convention Centre at Remarkables Park Town Centre," Porter said. Porter said that determining the gondola location and building had delayed development of a Queenstown Convention Centre at Remarkables Park Town Centre. "Importantly the Convention Centre and the new Remarkables mountain facilities building can work together to host conferences," he said. New Zealand tourism consultant Stephen Hamilton said he was "very supportive" of the vision to connect hotels and urban areas of Queenstown to The Remarkables. "In winter the proposed gondola will give skiers, boarders and sightseers easy access to NZSki's facilities. It will further boost Queenstown's world-class visitor experience, and has the potential to deliver immeasurable economic benefits to the resort town's many businesses," he said. Porter said there was a widely-recognised need for Queenstown to develop more hotels to cope with visitor growth. The gondola and convention centre would act as "significant catalysts" for new hotels and retail in the wider region and at Remarkables Park, Queenstown's largest zoned area for high-rise hotel and retail expansion, he said. Submissions have been lodged with the Queenstown Lakes District Council for the project, and a resource consent application would be lodged in early 2016. Porter said it could be built and operational within three years, subject to further consultation and the resource consent process. First appeared on <a href="http://www.Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

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