Free Travel Newsletter : April 2009

Written by Steph Kendall

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

Green is giving way to golden splendour as New Zealand heads into autumn, typically a little cooler than summer with temperatures ranging from 6 to 21 C (43-70 F). However, the fresh autumn air and blue skies have started us thinking about autumn/winter delights such as steaming hot jazz, ski and snowboarding fun and two of the nation's best-loved sports, rugby and fishing...

Find out about:

National Jazz Festival, Tauranga 9th - 13th April
Rugby Union World Cup, Sept - Oct 2011
Off the Beaten Track to... Stewart Island
New Zealand's Ski & Snowboarding Season
New Zealand Trout Fishing
New Zealand Fast Facts

National Jazz Festival, Tauranga 9th - 13th April

Jump on the jazz steam train and head to the longest running jazz festival in New Zealand. Held in Tauranga over the Easter weekend (9-13th April), this national jazz festival features top international and local musicians and brand new attractions including the steam train, jazz village, jazz workshops, carnival and riverboat.

There is of course plenty more to do in the Bay of Plenty, home to the heart of the kiwifruit industry in Te Puke, the mural and art town of Katikati, quiet coastal village of Waihi Beach, historic Maketu and the tourist activity centre of Paengaroa.

Discover more about the easy-going pace of life in the Bay.

View your Tauranga accommodation options.
Find out more about the Tauranga National Jazz Festival.

Rugby World Cup, New Zealand September - October 2011

If you are a fan of rugby union, where better to come and enjoy the beautiful game than in New Zealand, rugby's 'spiritual home'. The much anticipated tournament kicks off on Friday 9 September in Auckland on the North Island and finishes on Sunday 23 October.

With pool matches being played in 13 different venues across New Zealand, you will have ample opportunity to explore the country, as well as watching the world's top 20 nations compete in what promises to be the best rugby world cup yet.

View more about the Rugby World Cup 2011.
View accommodation and transport options.

Off the Beaten Track to... Stewart Island

Stepping onto Stewart Island, literally the anchor stone of Māori mythology, is like arriving in another country. It's a place where you could (literally) lose yourself in rugged terrain of swamps, rainforest, rivers, peaks, valleys and wild beaches.

With its population of less than 400 people, 20 kilometres of roads and 700 kilometres of coastline, Stewart Island provides a sense of isolation and a safe retreat for many...

View more about Stewart Island, New Zealand.

New Zealand's Ski & Snowboarding Season

The skiing and snowboarding season in New Zealand typically starts in June and goes through to November. Skiing and snowboarding centres in New Zealand cater for all abilities, ages and experience levels. It's a great place to learn to ski or snowboard, polish up on old skills or push oneself to the limit on world-class runs.

Many skifields use state of the art technology, such as snow-makers and snow-groomers to help them create enviable skiing and snowboarding terrain. However, during the school holidays ski and snowboarding slopes can get busy, so if you can, avoid the winter school holidays (4th - 19th July) and spring school holidays (26th September – 11 th October).

Find out more about New Zealand skiing and snowboarding.

New Zealand Trout Fishing

Plan ahead and arrive in New Zealand for the start of a new trout fishing season (1 October). If you're here in winter (June, July, August), then we suggest you head off to the West Coast on the South Island for winter fishing.

New Zealand is generally accepted to be the best trout fishing destination in the world. So even if you've never held a rod before, are a keen amateur or a seasoned professional, fishing in one of New Zealand's abundant rivers, lakes, streams or creeks should be an unforgettable and hugely enjoyable experience.

New Zealand trout, both rainbow and brown, tend to be plentiful, big and healthy, none of which is surprising, as they live in a truly beautiful environment. Trout fishing in New Zealand is a great sport, challenging and fun, excellent value for money and takes you into the heart of the great outdoors.

View more information on New Zealand fishing regulations, licencing, seasons, catch limits and fishing methods.

View more on:

New Zealand Fast Facts

Rainbow trout were first introduced to New Zealand from North America in the late 1800s. Nowadays more rainbow trout (between 2 to 3kg) are caught annually in New Zealand than in the rest of the world put together. Rainbow trout in New Zealand lakes can weigh more than 30kg.

View more about angling and fishing in New Zealand.

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