Free Travel Newsletter : March 2012

Written by Steph Kendall

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

Lucky Subscriber

Congratulations to Kiyasha Chattergoon, this month's lucky Free Travel Newsletter subscriber, winning "The Ultimate New Zealand DVD".

You'll be flying along in New Zealand this month after celebrating Easter, heading to the top of an historic 14-metre high lighthouse and enrolling in a chocolate school; not to mention nursing a stiff neck from watching the thrilling displays at the largest airshow in the southern hemisphere. April is one of the best months to visit New Zealand simply because there's so much to do and usually great weather to do it in. You'll find out more by talking to the locals and visiting region-specific information on our website, but we've picked a few of our favourites.

Coca Cola Easter Show, Auckland 5th - 9th April
Warbirds Over Wanaka, Queenstown Lakes 6th - 8th April
Amaze-ing Easter Eggcitement, NZ 6th - 9th April
Trace of Light – A Childhood on Cape Brett Lighthouse, NZ
NZTG.Mobi – NZTG Goes Mobile
Off the Beaten Track to... Cape Brett
New Zealand Fast Facts

Coca Cola Easter Show, Auckland, 5th - 9th April

If you're in Auckland, spend a day at the Coca-Cola Easter Show. It's New Zealand's largest and most varied family festival – this year, these five fun-filled days of entertainment and education include:

The Show is held at the ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane in Auckland between 5th and 9th April. Thurs – Sunday 10am – 10pm, Monday 10am – 6pm. Kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Find out more about the entertainment and ticketing at the Coca Cola Easter Show website.

Warbirds Over Wanaka, Queenstown Lakes, 6th - 8th April

If you're lucky enough to be in the Otago region of the South Island this Easter, then we recommend a visit to the Warbirds Over Wanaka aviation show. Lake Wanaka is worth a visit any day of the year, but for three days every second year, it plays host to one of the most spectacular international airshows in the world. It will delight aviation buffs, families and anyone who enjoys a great day out.

About 65,000 people will enjoy Warbirds Over Wanaka making it the largest Warbird airshow in the southern hemisphere. This year's show includes:

A 75th anniversary celebration of the Royal New Zealand Air Force
Display of aircraft types operated by servicemen of the RNZAF
Aviation trade stands and aircraft for sale
Market and food stalls, merchandise sales, local food and wine
Displays of vintage vehicles, tractors, warhorses
Ford Vehicles Through the Ages exhibition
Flights are also available in the DC3 seen in the airshow

Find out more at the Warbirds Over Wanaka website.

Amaze-ing Easter Eggcitement, 6th - 9th April

There's no need to let your kids miss out on hunting for chocolate eggs and the odd Easter bunny or two just because they're away from home. There are egg hunts and Easter-themed activities all over New Zealand during April including:

Giant Easter Egg Hunt, Auckland, 6th - 9th April – See www.maze.co.nz
Biggest, Trickiest Easter Egg Hunt in Hawke's Bay, Hastings, 6th - 9th April – See www.amazenfun.co.nz
Tothill's Mazes Great Easter Hunt, Christchurch, 6th - 9th April – See www.tothills.com

There are also some great Easter holiday activities for local and visiting children at museums, libraries and attractions throughout the country including: story-telling, zoo events, tram rides, bouncy castles, face painting, games, entertainment and exhibitions. Simply look at the local press or ask in the nearest library or tourist information office for details of Easter themed events near you.

Trace of Light – A Childhood on Cape Brett Lighthouse, NZ

German film student, Christoph Kirchner has made a fascinating film about Victoria Proebstel, (a New Zealand photographer now suffering from cancer) who spent her childhood at the remote Cape Brett Lighthouse in the beautiful Bay of Islands region on New Zealand's North Island. You can find out more about what life on the last working lighthouse in New Zealand was really like for the lighthouse keeper and his family. This short, independently made film has been awarded Best Documentary at the Boomtown Film & Music Festival in Texas, USA. It is also one of 100 films officially selected for the ÉCU – The European Independent Film Festival 2012 in Paris. Now available on DVD and Blu-ray, these links may be of interest to you:

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/30640858
Website: www.traceoflightmovie.com

See this month's Off the Beaten Track to... Cape Brett below.

NZTG.Mobi – NZTG Goes Mobile

Did you know that you can now browse the New Zealand Tourism Guide directory as you travel around New Zealand? This means you can quickly and easily find:

Somewhere to stay
Somewhere to eat
Something exciting to do!

It's as easy as 'nztg.mobi' whether you're in your rental car, campervan or accommodation. You'll be able to find details of tourism businesses including their location maps, phone numbers, addresses and descriptions.

nztg.mobi will work on any web enabled device, and you are not required to download or install an application. Simply enter "nztg.mobi" into any web enabled mobile phone or mobile device and you will instantly have the ability to search our database of tourism and travel businesses.

Off the Beaten Track to... Cape Brett

The Bay of Islands in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand is beautiful length of sand and rock coastline off which lie some 150 islands. This area is popular for chartered cruises and fishing trips, kayaking, swimming with dolphins and much more. Well worth making a small detour for is Cape Brett lighthouse, (as featured in 'Trace of Light'), with its outstanding scenic views including the 'hole in the rock' and beyond, plus an extensive historic and cultural landscape...(more)

New Zealand Fast Facts

What's Easter without chocolate? And where in the world would chocolate taste any better than New Zealand? Find out by taste-testing the chocolates, truffly and yummy things handcrafted by some of the country's best chocolatiers, who integrate the finest locally-sourced ingredients with the world's best cocoa beans.

Bella Chocolates – Makers of handcrafted chocolates including truffles, pralines, ganaches and traditional fondant cremes – shop online.
Bennetts of Mangawhai - Visit a chocolaterie unlike any other including a state-of-the art chocolate factory, showroom, café and a charming courtyard.
Devonport Chocolates – Visit one of their stores for a yummy treat - their Devonport store includes a window into the chocolate kitchen.
She Chocolat - A unique chocolate and culinary destination in the stunning surroundings of Governors Bay, Christchurch. On limited dates in April, families can catch the She double decker bus for a delicious Kids Chocolate Journey. You can also enrol in 'Chocolate School'.
The Seriously Good Chocolate Company - Invercargill. It's a place where dreams take root and flourish. Chocolate dreams. Come for the full on chocolate cafe experience, gourmet treats or book a chocolate making class.
Whittaker's - Since 1896, one of New Zealand's oldest chocolate company's boasting the world's first chocolate Web site.

If you're interested in hunting down other New Zealand chocolate makers, check out Chocolate Tourism.

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