New Zealand is an absolutely stunning country, but often people
don’t seem to know exactly what there is to do out there. For a
relatively small nation, the variety of things to do is simply
amazing – a luxury holiday to New Zealand has something for
everyone, whether you want culture, wildlife, history or sports!
To illustrate the point, here are a handful of examples:
Wine Tasting In Marlborough
New Zealand has gone from being an upstart in the wine world,
to providing some of the better modern wines. Marlborough is the
sunniest spot in the country and offers the perfect climate for
growing grapes and cultivating fine wines – and that’s exactly
what it has been doing for the past 40 years. The region is full
of vineyards open to the public, and New Zealand holiday makers
with a love of wine should be sure to take one of the tours.
There they can soak up the atmosphere, learn about the wine
manufacturing process, and, most importantly, sample the
delightful beverages.
Night Time Kiwi Watching
There’s only one place in the world you can see the endangered
flightless bird known as the kiwi – and that’s New Zealand. They
have gone from being a common part of the country’s ecosystem to
becoming endangered due to intensive farming, deforestation and
predation from stoats, ferrets and feral cats. For New Zealand
holiday makers with a love of nature, there are trips out to see
the nocturnal bird in its natural habitat. There’s something
about watching the fascinating critters scavenging for food
against a night sky backdrop that makes this an unforgettable
experience – and one that’s unique to New Zealand.
Extreme Sports in Queensland
As well as being home of bungee jumping, Queensland is renowned
as being an adventure holiday hot spot. There’s plenty of choice
here, with everything from white water rafting to paragliding
and skiing represented – as well as the legendary bungee
jumping.
Of course, if you grow a taste for bungee jumping, and find the
spots around Queensland a little too tame, there’s plenty of
options for the more adventurous – everything from the Kawarau
Brudge (43 metres to the water) to the New Zealand town
observation deck (450 metres) can be leapt off, if you’re daring
enough. For those thrill seekers who really want to match the
Queensland spirit, there’s even heli-bungee – which as the name
suggests is bungee jumping from a moving helicopter. Not
everyone’s idea of a good time, but something a little different
for a New Zealand holiday!
The thrill of the gold rush at Skipper’s Canyon
There was once gold in them there hills – all the way back in
1862. Now the drive down to the canyon is a treacherous treat,
not made any easier by some tremendous views of the canyon
itself. The rocky outcrops and impressive stones walls once
fashioned by backbreaking labour, and then remains of the
community of itself. Once home to thousands of miners and their
families, the remnants remain here, and are best appreciated
with the guided tours available to New Zealand’s holiday makers.
The road leading down is not open to rental cars, though many of
the tours will give you the ride down on the back of a 4x4 which
is the best (and safest!) way to enjoy it. Leave the tricky
driving to the experts, and concentrate on the magnificent
views…
International Festival of Arts in Wellington
This is a real treat for visitors who fancy a bit of culture on
their luxury New Zealand holiday. The International Festival of
Arts is held every other year in Wellington and is an enjoyable
mix of street theatre, music, dance, comedy and film. For three
weeks, there are over 100 different events taking place,
ensuring that there is something for everyone, no matter what
their artistic preference.
This is actually just scratching the surface of what a New
Zealand holiday can offer. With attractions for families,
cultural tourists, sports enthusiasts and those who just want to
visit an unspoilt area of natural beauty, a trip around the
world for a New Zealand holiday could be just what the doctor
ordered.
About the Author: Kieron Sellens is the marketing manager of
the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AiTO). With
AITO’s luxury New Zealand holidays
http://www.aito.co.uk/australasia-holiday.asp you can
tailor-make the dream holiday.
