Fun Travels in New Zealand
NEWS (Please note: Cities and Towns Follow After the News
Walter Peak, Queenstown
Cruise on a vintage steamer, the TSS Earnslaw, to historic Walter Peak Station and enjoy 'The Great Kiwi Carvery' at the Colonel's Restaurant.
Winter will end in NZ, but the winter prices won't !!
Springtime is a great time to visit downunder
Book a New Zealand Guaranteed departure in October and November and SAVE
Valid on all APT New Zealand *Premier, *Superior and Affordable Escorted tours
Booking Conditions:
*Book by July 31 and SAVE on all guaranteed APT Escorted tours for travel in October and November.
Just ask for “Spring Deal” at time of booking to get the Low Season rates.
No other discounts apply. Subject to availability.
Savings ($US) shown are based on a couple booking the meal program for October and November.
See APT 2010 brochure for full booking information.
Guaranteed departure dates are also available at Low Season rates during July, August and September. Call your professional travel agent or APT at 1 800 290 8687; e-mail reservations@aptouring.com or go to web site www.aptouring.com
Wonderful Summer Events
• Spa experience: Manuka Honey Spa Retreat Experiences on Cavalli Island. Experience the magical benefits of indigenous Maori well-being remedies and a range of unique organic treatments delivered by New Zealand’s very best spa therapists. They carefully combine the renowned microbacterial properties of wild Manuka honey with locally sourced blossoms, herbs and china clay in supremely restful and reviving therapies for men and women – each individually designed. www.cavalliislandretreat.co.nz
• Culture: Legendary Love Experiences at Kawaha Point Lodge. The award-winning luxury of Kawaha Point Lodge sits serenely on the water’s edge of Lake Rotorua. Your day of romance and unforgettable scenery starts by private helicopter direct from Kawaha Point Lodge to Mokoia Island where a knowledgeable guide takes you deeper into this triumphant love story. Then a luxury motor yacht takes you back across Lake Rotorua to the Kawaha Point Lodge private jetty. www.kawahalodge.co.nz
• Wilderness: Walks on the Wilderness Side at Treetops Lodge & Wilderness Experience. Every guest also receives a map with guides to extensive safe, self-guided walks that helpfully identifies native birds and introduced animals you might see. With seven trout fishing streams, four lakes, riding, mountain-bike expeditions and over 70 kilometers of hiking or walk trails, Treetops offers every guest a new unforgettable walk – and much more – on its wilderness side. www.treetops.co.nz
• Adventure: Abel Tasman & West Coast Wilderness by Sea & Air at Edenhouse. Enter the world-renowned Abel Tasman by boat to experience golden beaches, turquoise waters, native bush and pristine marine reserves. After lunch take off from Awaroa Beach by fixed-winged aircraft or helicopter and then fly for up to two hours. Share unforgettable bird’s-eye views of Abel Tasman National Park, flying over Golden Bay to Farewell Spit, the longest natural sandbar in the world. Your air-expedition flies on down the West Coast following the route where it meets the crashing Tasman Sea, seeing coastal forests and New Zealand’s unique Nikau palms. Land at Karamea, probably New Zealand’s most isolated town, to enjoy a drink with the West Coasters at the Karamea Village Hotel. www.edenhouse.co.nz
• Discover: Whale, Fossil Fossicking and Wine Experiences at Claremont Country Estate. First, fly scenically to Kaikoura by private light aircraft where you will share the astonishing experience of whale watching in the Pacific Ocean, by boat or aircraft. Your second day starts with a fascinating guided Land Rover safari through the 2,400 acre Claremont Estate to view the astounding natural formations called God’s Marbles and then you go fossil fossicking with local paleontologist Leigh Love who guides you to areas of the Waipara riverbed known to contain marine fossils and remarkable geological features. www.claremont-estate.com
• South Pacific: Legendary Fire-walking Experiences at Royal Davui Island, Fiji. Your Fijian-firewalking experience begins with a boat ride across the lagoon waters from Royal Davui Island to Dakuibeqa on Beqa Island. Here you must first request permission to gain access to the ancient fire-walking site by sharing a traditional Fijian Kava Ceremony at the chief’s residence. Only then will you be initiated into the secret rituals that the men must undertake in order to cross the hot stones safely – like remaining celibate from their wives for 14 days. Then, safely back across the lagoon to the relaxing sanctuary of Royal Davui, where this privileged experience concludes with an authentic firewalking ceremony. www.royaldavui.com
• Wine: Cycles & Vines Experiences at Greenhill Lodge. Pedal power is a fun and eco-friendly way to explore vineyards, and the world-renowned Ngatarawa Triangle region and Gimblett Gravels appellation are within a few minutes of Greenhill. First you choose to be ‘On Yer Bike’ from mountain bikes, tandems or rickshaws and then we help you select a suitable route. www.greenhill.co.nz
• Gourmet: Tasting the True Wharekauhau Experience at Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate. See the day-to-day life of classic sheep raising, and dine on the estate’s prize-winning Texel lamb that uniquely marbles delicate fat throughout its fine flesh. It’s complemented with home-grown produce from the estate’s pesticide-free gardens, including asparagus, tomatoes, herbs, the tasty Pajaro strawberry – even watercress. The terroir of the Wairarapa’s exceptional pinot noir wines perfectly underpins the nature-true flavours from Wharekauhau’s pastures and gardens. www.wharekauhau.co.nz
HUKA LODGE RECIPIENT OF TATLER ENDURING EXCELLENCE AWARD 2010
At a gala awards dinner attended by leading travel editors, writers and hospitality leaders held at The Ritz Hotel in London, Huka Lodge was honored as the recipient of the Tatler Enduring Excellence Award for 2010. This highly-regarded and prestigious international award honors Huka Lodge, New Zealand, for its outstanding consistency in maintaining the highest standards of excellence for the last 25 years.
Alex van Heeren purchased Huka Lodge in 1984 and with his renowned energy and passion shaped it into the internationally recognized exclusive retreat it is today. Huka Lodge has been and continues to be ranked amongst the best in the world and the Tatler Enduring Excellence Award 2010 certainly bears testament to this.
Huka Lodge is a sister property to Dolphin Island, Fiji and Grande Provence Estate in South Africa. All three properties comprise The Huka Retreats, all sharing an unrivalled commitment to providing an extraordinary hospitality experience for guests within global locations of great unspoiled beauty.
New Zealand's Award-Winning Huka Lodge Unveils Exceptional New Accommodation
Within the beautifully manicured 17-acre grounds at Huka Lodge another wonderful new enhancement to this iconic New Zealand retreat has opened. The Alan Pye Cottage, named after the charming Irishman who established Huka Lodge, opened to guests in early 2009. Designed by interior designers Virginia Fisher and Christian Anderson and Sumich Architects, the Alan Pye Cottage builds on and continues many of the themes established in the stunning Ownerís Cottage, which opened on the Huka Lodge grounds in 2005.
Privacy for guests staying in the Alan Pye Cottage is paramount and to this end the property has its own entrance and is gated. It is sited to take every advantage of the unrivaled Huka Lodge aspect of the deep turquoise green waters of the Waikato River. The Alan Pye Cottage has been built to exacting standards using the finest heritage materials ñ cedar and various heart timbers, stone and brick. It draws on design elements from the 1920s and 1930s and is a slightly eclectic yet very elegant retreat with a definite English Arts and Crafts influence pervading the interior and exterior design.
The Cottage boasts two large and stylishly appointed bedrooms, each with fireplaces, en suite bathrooms and generous dressing rooms. Both bedrooms are superbly decorated and offer a highly considered level of comfort. A generous open plan living room features a large brick fireplace, decadently comfortable furniture and everything guests need to feel this is a true ìhome away from home.î
A well-equipped kitchen is set up for a personal chef ñ guests may choose to stay in or to wander over to the main Lodge and dine there. Guests of the Cottage have use of all Huka Lodge facilities and services. A study is tucked away with desk, plasma flat screen television and sound system. This room also has its own complete bathroom should it be required to accommodate and accompanying party. A laundry is also available within the Cottage.
For outdoor pleasures, a heated infinity-style swimming pool and a separate private spa pool have been integrated into the outdoor landscape. There is also a fabulous stone outdoor pavilion within a courtyard garden.
The Alan Pye Cottage is certain to carry on the fine tradition of generous hospitality and elegant living established by Alan Pye and his wife at Huka Lodge so long ago. A legacy that drives Huka Lodge to this day to continue to find more ways to define the experience for its guests and to make it extraordinary. With the recent strength in the U.S. dollar it has never been a better time for the U.S. traveler to visit New Zealand. The NZ dollar has weakened by almost 35% in the last 6 months and is currently almost NZ $2.00 for US $1.00.
Depending on the season, nightly rates for the Alan Pye Cottage range from NZD $3,060 to $7,640 for two guests to NZD $4,595 to $8,075 for four guests. Rate includes pre-dinner drinks, a five-course dinner and full country breakfast. Taxes not included.
For additional information on the Alan Pye Cottage or Huka Lodge, please visit www.thehukaretreats.com or call + 64 7 378 5791.
From Wellington to Wharekauhau -- UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE
For those who want to taste just a slice of what Wharekauhau offers, travel by helicopter from Wellington City to Wharekauhau Lodge.
Light Aircraft Strip Now Open
A new grass small aircraft airstrip has been opened exclusively to Wharekauhau guests with full Civil Aviation Authorisation, allowing guests arriving by private aircraft to land in front of the lodge after a few minutes from New Zealand's capital city, Wellington. For details, check web site www.smartmailpro.co.nz/redirect.aspx?xr99
Taste & Flavor at Wharekauhau
The food philosophy at Wharekauhau is simple: What's fresh, in season and in the neighbourhood. Dishes are largely created from the lodge gardens, the farm and the region, wherever possible. Wharekauhau lies in the exceptional region of Martinborough, renowned for its Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir grapes.
Wharekauhau 'Taste & Flavour' Cookbook
Now available from the lodge, the Wharekauhau Cookbook. Learn culinary secrets that make this a truly special lodge experience. Signature dishes are European contemporary with a New Zealand twist. Ingredients are truly regional.
For more information contact Western Lake Road, Palliser Bay, RD3 Featherston, Wairarapa, New Zealand; Telephone: +64 6 307 7581 Facsimile: +64 6 307 7799
Email: reservations@wharekauhau.co.nz?subject
Ski at Blanket Bay, Glenorchy
A scenic, 15-minute helicopter flight up the lake from Queenstown, Blanket Bay lies in a sheltered inlet surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Southern Alps. Commanding spectacular views of the lake and rugged countryside this lodge enjoys a private, unrivalled lakeside location. From here you can experience the Southern Alps in all their glory, skiing completely untouched snow on mountain terrain never before explored. With exclusive use of a helicopter, join a guide and spend a day on the powder scaling the spectacular mountainsides and enjoy lunch in a picnic spot of your choice. At the end of an action-packed day return for cocktails on the balcony and a delicious candlelit dinner beside a crackling log fire.
For more information, check Web site www.slh.com/blanketbay)
Windhawk Helicopters Offers The Best Of Marlborough, New Zealand - By Air!
Windhawk Helicopters - the new adventure tourism operator based in Marlborough, New Zealand – now offers “The Best of Marlborough”, a unique scenic flight which showcases the spectacular scenery of Marlborough’s wine region and Sounds from a new perspective.
Lifting-off from Windhawk’s own base within the vineyards (and minutes from Blenheim), “The Best of Marlborough” scenic flight takes in Marlborough’s world-famous wineries, rivers and peaks before tracking North to the beautiful Marlborough sounds. The flight lasts nearly an hour and affords plenty of opportunities to pause high above some of New Zealand’s most magnificent scenery before touching-down back at Windhawk for a glass of Marlborough wine.
Windhawk Helicopters already offers professional flight services within the Marlborough region. These include guided trout fishing, heli-hikes, lakeside/mountain picnics, wedding photography, frost protection and corporate charters, in addition to bespoke scenic flights to suit all individuals.
Ben Barnett, company director and pilot, grew up in Marlborough and accumulated a thousand hour’s flying time as a pilot overseas before returning to the region in 2006 to start Windhawk Helicopters. “We are so lucky that the Marlborough region has so much to offer – from the rugged high country, the vineyards and the beautiful Marlborough Sounds – and a helicopter puts it all within reach”, explains Ben.
For more information, contact Windhawk helicopters, Pip Walsh, Marketing Manager, 179 Brookby Road, Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand; T: + 64 (0)3 5729132; F: + 64 (0)3 5729139 or via e-mail fly@windhawkhelicopters.com, or check web site www.windhawkhelicopters.com