Free Travel Newsletter : March 2016

Written by Steph Kendall

Brought to you by New Zealand Tourism Guide www.tourism.net.nz.

Lucky Subscriber

Congratulations to Samantha Keene, this month's lucky Free Travel Newsletter subscriber, winning a "Kiwi Country New Zealand" DVD.

This month's newsletter is set to inspire artistic types, especially those with a love of photography. For the first time ever, the photographic collection of artist Frida Kahlo is being exhibited in New Zealand. And as most travellers already know, New Zealand's extraordinary natural beauty makes it the dream destination for photographers - professionals, keen amateurs and point-n-shoot artists. It's almost impossible for visitors to go home without an impressive photo collection. Check out our suggestion for a must-visit, must-photograph location, plus ten more, famed for their photogenic qualities.

Frida Kahlo - Her Photos

Location: Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and History, 326 Main St, Palmerston North
Date: Saturday 26 March – Sunday 24 July

In 2016, images from Frida Kahlo's personal and historic collection of photographs will be exhibited in New Zealand for the first time. Frida Kahlo's distinctive colourful self-portraits and extraordinary life have made her one of the most recognised artists of the 20th century. Less well known is her interest in photography.

Upon Kahlo's death in 1954, more than 6,500 personal photographs belonging to her and husband/artist Diego Rivera were sealed and stored at the Casa Azul, her home in Mexico City. For more than half a century this collection of personal memorabilia remained hidden from the public. Curated by the renowned Mexican photographer and historian Pablo Ortiz Monasterio, the exhibition includes images by many noted photographers including Man Ray, Nickolas Murray, Gisèle Freund, Martín Munkácsi, Tina Modotti, Guillermo Kahlo and more.

This is a unique opportunity to delve into the life and artistic practice of Frida Kahlo from this important collection of personal memorabilia, which remained hidden from the public for over fifty years.

Visit the museum website for more information and ticketing.

Lyttleton Farmers Market

Location: London Street, Lyttelton
Date: Saturdays

Stallholders with fresh fruit and vegetables, free range eggs, bread, meat, fish, cheese, juices, herbs and plants sell at the market every week. Local bands play every Saturday at the market and special events are run several times a year alongside our festivals, birthday and Christmas.

View the farmers' market web page for more information.

Rose Express - Mother's Day

Location: Feilding Railway Station, Aorangi St, Feilding
Date: Sunday 8 May 9:30am – 4:45pm

Mums do so much through the year and this is a lovely treat for Mother's Day. This trip on a steam train, riding in vintage carriages everything from the 1930s, hauled by a 1927 Wab Steam Engine is a wonderful experience.

At a leisurely pace, the train rides quietly down towards Horowhenua. Mums will receive a complimentary glass of red or white wine and a small on board gift to mark the day. Arriving at Levin, a scrumptious two course lunch will be served.

Make your Rose Express bookings online.

Go See... Nugget Point, Catlins

A short, well-maintained pathway leads down to Nugget Point, it suits all ages and leads to a viewing platform beside the lighthouse and great seascapes. The rock nuggets protruding from the water make for spectacular and dramatic photography.

This area is rich in wildlife with several seabird species nesting on the rock stacks. New Zealand fur seals/kekeno also breed here, and other marine mammal species can sometimes be seen. In summer the ocean can be covered in large flocks of sooty shearwater. Nugget Point is regarded as a treasured site for Kāi Tahu.

There are a number of short walks for visitors to enjoy in the nearby area.

Where to go: Nugget Point, North Catlins, Otago
When to go: All year round

Find out more about the Catlins in Otago and Southland.

10 Top Photographic Destinations

New Zealand is a photographer's dream destination with some of the most beautiful, natural landscapes and scenery in the world more or less around every corner! Whether you are taking holidays snaps on your smartphone or are a more 'serious' photographer, you may wish to visit all of our ten top photogenic suggestions – and of course there are many, many more – to create a photo album that will continue to inspire you long after your trip finishes.

Photographic Destinations on the North Island

Emerald Lakes, Tongariro National Park - The startling colour of the Emerald Lakes needs no filter! This is a favourite spot for many photographers enjoying one of the best day hikes the country has to offer.
Cathedral Cove, Coromandel Peninsula - One of the best times to visit is shortly after sunrise – the natural beauty of the cave and cove will remind you that you're in "God's Own Country."
Pohutu Geyser, Rotorua - This geyser can be seen at Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. Located in an extraordinary geothermal landscape, this geyser is the largest in the area spurting up to twenty times per day – it can reach heights of up to 30 metres.

Photographic Destinations on the South Island

Purakaunui Falls, Catlins - This is the most photographed New Zealand waterfall and located in the heart of the Catlins Forest Park. An easy walk to the waterfall's lookout and unique beauty make this waterfall one of the best places to visit with family.
Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo - Picturesque by day and dazzling by night, Lake Tekapo is part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing and the church is a beautiful focal point.
Wharariki Beach, Cape Farewell - Wharariki beach in the far north of the South Island at sunset is the perfect end to a day's picnic. You might spot some seal pups hanging around the place, but hang onto your hat and your camera bag, Wharariki is all about big waves, big cliffs, big sand dunes, big caves and even bigger winds!
Hooker Glacier, Aoraki/Mt Cook - Ice is photogenic, especially in winter! One of the more accessible glaciers, Hooker Glacier is no exception and can be seen clearly from the end of the Hooker Valley Track, close to the Hermitage in Aoraki/Mt Cook village.
Lake Matheson, West Coast - The unsurpassed views and mountain reflections from the forested shores of Lake Matheson make this easy walk one of the most popular on the West Coast. Its mirror views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman are justifiably famous.
Moeraki Boulders, Otago - These geological marvels, exposed by erosion of sedimentary rocks laid down from 65 to 13 million years ago, are much photographed – fun with 'models', beautiful without.
Milford Sound, Fiordland - The iconic image of Mitre Peak is regarded as the poster-boy, the talisman, the icon of New Zealand's South Island – the image that sparks the imagination, the reason many travellers head to New Zealand.

Share Your Taste Sensation

Where did you take your favourite photographs in New Zealand? Why not let other NZTG readers know about it newsletter editor or visit our Facebook page and post your top pictures.

New Zealand Fast Facts

New Zealand has a bit of history in regards of debate about whether its national flag should be changed. Recently two New Zealand flag referendums were held by the New Zealand government in November/December 2015 and March 2016 - at an estimate cost of just under $26 million – these referendums resulted in the retention of the current flag of New Zealand.

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