Glaciers in New Zealand
Maori children
Northland, New Zealand
Queen Charlotte Sound
Routeburn Track
Boating in Taupo
Tongariro, New Zealand
Wellington, New Zealand

Free Travel Newsletter : April 2013

Written by Steph Kendall

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

Lucky Subscriber

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

Why not celebrate your Mum this month - even if you can't be with her – and choose from an extreme array of goodies, treats and fun things to do: eat exquisite little cakes in style or cook your snags over the fire; go for adrenalin pumping skydiving or playing golf on some of the world's best golf courses; hike like a hobbit or plan your trip from the comfort of your armchair – you may only believe it when you see it... and do it!


Mother's Day High Tea, Sunday 12th May

Copyright: New Zealand Tourism Guide. Mother's Day High Tea

Treat Mum (and the rest of the family) to an afternoon tea that she can well and truly sit back and relax for. Tiffin or afternoon tea was made famous by the English Duchess of Bedford and can often be a suitably grand occasion featuring tiered platters and cake stands laden with delicate slices and delicious scones, exquisitely made sandwiches, mouth-watering cakes and sweet treats. Full silver service, fine china and table linens complete the experience.

In Auckland, try: the Langham Hotel, Cotter House, Cornwall Park or Stamford Hotel.
In Wellington, try: Hippopotamus, Hotel Grand Chancellor or Martha's Pantry, 276 Cuba Street.
In Christchurch, try: Sweethearts, Hampton Lea Gardens or Beaufort House.

Auckland High Tea

In Auckland, book early to celebrate high tea with the Dulcie May Kitchen & Nosh Food Market as well as: other exquisite refreshments, Natalie Oldfield memoirs, high tea demonstration and recipes, goodie bags and spot prize lucky draws. See their website for more details.

New Zealand's Highest Skydive

Copyright: New Zealand Tourism Guide. Skydiving in Abel Tasman

Enjoy a scenic flight with stunning views as you climb to altitude over snow-capped mountains, golden beaches and turquoise oceans... paradise. At 16,500ft the aircraft door opens and the fun begins... With a drop zone ranked within the top 10 greatest skydive operations in the world, Skydive Abel Tasman can offer you one of the best skydive experiences in New Zealand.

  • 16,500 feet - Enjoy freefall from 16,500 feet, taking in views of both the North and South Islands of beautiful New Zealand.
  • Movie memories - Take home a DVD your experience – a great souvenir to show the folks back home!
  • Bird's eye view - Golden beaches, turquoise oceans, meandering rivers, snow-capped mountains and two National Parks.

View about skydiving in Nelson with Skydive Abel Tasman.

10 Top Golf Courses

With nearly 400 golf courses to choose from, amateur and professional-level golfers will really enjoy playing golf in New Zealand. We've highlighted just ten recommended golf courses, but the one of the beauties about golf in New Zealand is that you can come across courses – or even just one hole - in the most unexpected of places. So keep an eye on your travels and enjoy the view.

Copyright: New Zealand Tourism Guide. Wairakei Golf Course, Taupo
  1. Wairakei Golf Course, Taupo – Set against the majestic backdrop of the Wairakei Geothermal Park, this championship course was created by British Golf Course Architect Commander John Harris, Mike Wolveridge and one of the great playing professionals Peter Thomson, five time winner of the British Open.
  2. Kauri Cliffs Golf Course, Kerikeri - Kauri Cliffs was designed and built by David Harman of Golf Course Consultants, Orlando, Florida. The par 72 championship golf course offers five sets of tees to challenge every skill level. 15 holes view the Pacific Ocean, six of which are played alongside cliffs which plunge to the sea.
  3. Kinloch Golf Club, Taupo - The Kinloch Club is the only Jack Nicklaus designed golf course in Australasia. It has been named among the top 10 new courses in the world by United States-based Travel and leisure golf magazine for 2007 (the only course outside of North America to be included).
  4. Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, Havelock North - Designed by legendary golf architect Tom Doak, the Cape Kidnappers par 71 golf course measures 7,119 yards (6,510 metres) and will challenge golfers of all skill levels. Completed in 2004, this spectacular New Zealand golf course has been hailed as one of the great modern marvels in golf.
  5. Paraparaumu Golf Club, Paraparaumu Beach- Regarded by many as one of the greatest links course in the southern hemisphere, this golf club on the undulating dune land of the Kapiti Coast is world renowned. The course has hosted the New Zealand Open 12 times. Designed in 1949 by former Australian Open champion Alex Russell.
  6. Jacks Point Golf Course, Queenstown - With an outstanding lake and mountain backdrop, this 18-hole, par 72 championship course offers golfers of any calibre a challenging and unforgettable experience. Designed with minimal excavation, the course measures 6,388 metres (6,906 yards) from the championship tees and is built on the most spectacular of Jack's Point terrain, weaving through tussock grasslands, dramatic rock outcrops, steep bluffs and swathes of native bush to the edge of Lake Wakatipu.
  7. The Hills, Arrowtown - The Hills was designed by Darby Partners and opened in 2007 to host the New Zealand Open. Set over 500 acres of land across a glacial valley, The Hills is home to native brown top grasses and wild native mountain tussocks. Winter snow and frost conditions provide the ideal climate for the finest grasses suited to the modern day game of golf.
  8. Titirangi Golf Club, Auckland - A par 70 world-class golf featuring elevated tees, rolling fairways, challenging bunkers and greens with pronounced undulations. It's par 3s face the four points of the compass so no matter what the weather conditions, you experience a different test on each hole. Ranked as one of New Zealand's top courses and is the only one designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie.
  9. Auckland Golf Club, Auckland - Royal Auckland Golf Club is one of the top parkland courses in New Zealand. Many national and international tournaments have been held on the course including New Zealand Opens, New Zealand Amateurs and the Bonallack Trophy which was held in 2006.
  10. Wellington Golf Club, Upper Hutt - Situated on a parkland site adjacent to the Hutt River, the club became the first golf club in New Zealand to receive Royal status. It's current par 72, 18-hole championship course is a demanding test of golf for players of all standards

Share Your Experience

If you and your family really enjoyed an activity together in New Zealand, why not let other NZTG readers know about it. Simply send details of your experience to the newsletter editor.

Off the Beaten Track to... Earnslaw Burn

Copyright: New Zealand Tourism Guide. Earnslaw Burn, Queenstown

When you're visiting Queenstown, why not detour off the beaten track for a few hours and follow in the footsteps (be they small ones) of dwarves and hobbits and take the track to Earnslaw Burn glacier. One of the most magical locations in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Earnslaw Burn is a glacier that has created a number of cascading waterfalls that tumble down a huge rock face... (more)

See It, Do It - Planning Your Trip to New Zealand

Sometimes New Zealand sounds too good to be true – you'll have read about its stunning scenery and opportunity for adventure and exploration, as well as adrenalin pumping and more relaxing activities. But sometimes, seeing is believing, so why not take a trip around New Zealand with a video tour or two before you get here! You can check out what you can expect in different regions and cities throughout the country and start planning your trip of a lifetime.

New Zealand Fast Facts

Copyright: New Zealand Tourism Guide. Balloons Over Waikato, Hamilton

Did you know that behind some of the most beautiful skin in the world lies a flock of New Zealand sheep? Lanolin is a highly refined oil derived from wool grease washed out from sheep's wool and is the key ingredient in lanolin moisturising creams. The beneficial properties of lanolin have been known since the times of the ancient Greeks and shearers and wool workers in New Zealand, are well known for having soft and supple hands that retain their youthful look due to contact with Lanolin-rich sheep's wool.

(Lanolin creams are available from souvenir shops throughout New Zealand or online. Also a great gift for Mothers all year round!)

Featured
 
New Zealand Coach Tours

New Zealand Coach Tours

The largest range of escorted & small group tours

New Zealand road trips - Let's go on an adventure

New Zealand Road Trips

Let's go on an adventure

New Zealand self-drive tours

NZ Self-Drive Tours

Explore NZ on a custom self-drive package holiday

Bluebridge Ferry

Bluebridge Cook Strait ferries

Cross Cook Strait and enjoy Kiwi hospitality.

World Nomads Travel Insurance

Get Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for independent travellers.

Featured
 
New Zealand Coach Tours

New Zealand Coach Tours

The largest range of escorted & small group tours

New Zealand road trips - Let's go on an adventure

New Zealand Road Trips

Let's go on an adventure

New Zealand self-drive tours

NZ Self-Drive Tours

Explore NZ on a custom self-drive package holiday

Bluebridge Ferry

Bluebridge Cook Strait ferries

Cross Cook Strait and enjoy Kiwi hospitality.

World Nomads Travel Insurance

Get Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for independent travellers.