New Zealand Travel Guide

I was rather taken with this cone - I think they call it the Chalice - and was surprised to see it there in the Square still in March 2015. I hadn't expected it to survive the quake (maybe it's been restored - great to see it again)

Update 21 November 2012 The Dux de Lux is back - somehow: It is now the Dux Dine (because the name Dux de Luxe will be kept for the hoped-for re-opening of the legendary place at its original site at the Arts Centre) and located at 28 Riccarton Road. As at the original Dux you will also get a good selection of vegetarian food and fresh seafood....

Queen Street starts from Auckland Harbour and runs for nearly three kilometers in a virtual straight line. As the commercial as well as shopping hub area, there are a full range of shopping option the souvenir shops are mainly concentrated at the harbour end and there are a number of arcades and side streets with boutique stores and eateries

Sarah and I needed an excuse to come visit Auckland, and there was just such a reason when Kiwi decided to throw a mid-winter VT meeting. Her choice for the restaurant was the Waterfront Cafe, which is considered the most reasonably priced restaurant in a high price region of Auckland called the Viaduct Basin. The evening was very exciting,...

For the most spectacular view of Queenstown, visit the Skyline Gondola. This takes you to Bob's Peak, offering a panoramic vista over the entire town and its environs. This is the best thing to see if you have only a very short time in Queenstown, and want to make the most of it. In addition to the view, there is a restaurant (which I didn't...

The Cow Restaurant is a local pizza and spaghetti house and the menu has remained unchanged since 1976. They hand roll their own pizza bases and make their own breads. It's a bit of an insitution and well known to the locals who come back again and again. I would recommend making a booking as it remains very well patronised. The Cow Restaurant...

Wanna go for a walk? How about hiking? Don’t worry you don’t need a hiking shoes or a guide. Just take a bus to Mt. Victoria and then walk yourself back to the city. No trolls in the forest, promise! Just an awesome view of Wellington!

This restaurant has a perfect location - situated at the waterfront of Oriental Bay, only a short distance to Wellingtons city center, it has a splendid view of the bay and the harbour district. The restaurant is very popular among both locals and tourists. So it is highly recommended to reserve a table in advance. Service and quality were...

Even if you have been to Yellow stone park, here is still a must see wonder. The large area covered with various geothermal craters and hot springs and unlike in Yellow Stone, the color come from minerals instead of bacterias. NZ$32 an adult, well worth it.

This attraction consists of a serious of geothermal pools and bush walks and the infamous Lady Knox Geyser. They are located just south of Rotorua and are best reached by car. You should buy your ticket at the main location and then drive back to the geyser. The geyser goes off only once a day at 10.15am. The interesting thing about the Wai-o-Tapu...

This solid establishment is world famous in Dunedin for its yummy doorstep toasted sandwiches. You can get other hearty pub fare at student prices. The Albert is a nice plcae to while away a windy Otago afternoon watching the rugby or cricket. Doorstep toasted sandwich of course!!

Waipapa Point is one of several places along the Catlins Coast where it is possible to see Hooker’s Sea Lions. These endangered animals are found mostly at the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands, but a few live on the Otago Peninsula, the Catlins Coast, and on and around Stewart Island. Much larger and more aggressive than the shy New Zealand Fur Seal,...

Marine Parade, as the name suggests, runs along the sea front. The area is very nice. The fountain here, we only saw in the day time, but at night it is lit, I think in different colours. THE NEW NAPIER ARCH (1938) commemorates the rebuilding of the city, is not very new any more! There is a colonnade, with two smaller arches, the Veronica...

today two French tourists were attacked whilst in their camper in NapierThe man was badly beaten by a Maori man and woman, he was whipped with a pistolNZ is not a safe placebe very careful see my other warningsthis is 20th Oct 2013

Every Saturday morning 8.00am - 1.00pm, the Island holds a community market at the RSA in Ostend. Lots of gifts, arts and crafts, second-hand goods, and even entertainment, organic produce, books, plants, jewellery. This is a popular activity on a Saturday morning, showing typical flair of a lot of Islanders. Experience the character of Waiheke...

Frequent ferries connect the island of Waiheke with downtown Auckland. I caught one of these ferries, operated by "Fullers", for a daytrip to the island during my visit to Auckland in March 2006. The following information is correct as at that time: Ferry times Ferries leave for Waiheke Island approximately hourly during the day from Auckland's...

No one ventures that drive through the Homer tunnel unless they plan to venture into Milford Sound, and so after enjoying some adventures en route, we pulled into the little enclave of Milford (pop. 170) at the head of the Sound around 12:30 -- giving us time for a pleasant lunch and shore stroll before our 3:00 PM trip. It was scheduled to be a...

If you already have a car in New Zealand before taking this trip to Milford take the car with you. I find having your own wheel is the easiest way to get toIs a long drive to Milford but it is a very scenic drive. You are going to stop a few times on the way. We drove to Te Anau the night before, and the next morning we have an early start We took...

If you think that Clock Museum sounds really dull...visit Claphams Clocks. It is great fun, even if you never gave clocks one thought. The friendly staff will show you around and demonstrate the most amazing movements. You will never look at clocks the same way again!It is for all ages and all levels of clock appreciation. Make sure you have at...

The only good thing about this cafe was the location. I ordered the Mondo's breakfast asking for no mushrooms specifying I'm allergic, surprise surprise there was mushrooms. When I asked that it go back to the kitchen the server rolled his eyes and pushed mushrooms off with his fork leaving mushroom sauce and juice all over the rest of the food....

The 'Hole in the Rock', properly known as Piercy Island is a rocky island at the northern tip of Cape Brett in the Bay of Islands. This natural feature has been caused by years of water and wind erosion. It is a popular trip for visitors to the Bay of Islands and on calm days some boats will drive through it. The weather on the day I took the...

I believe this place may have changed names or at least goes by an alternative than you'll find on Google. Old name was Vinnies Fish & Chips Takeaway but when I was there, the signboard said "Slice".Regardless, the street views are the same, the ambiance is the same and location is the same. It has a few tables on the sidewalk, but the doors open...

Look familiar? Castle Hill was the site of the battle scens in the movie 'Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe'. It is in a privately owned station on the road from Christchurch across Arthur's Pass. It is a popular spot for 'bouldering' - climging over the huge limestone boulders. Limestone from this region was used in the...

On leaving Arthur's Pass State Highway 73 runs through Otira Gorge over the Otira Viaduct. After climbing down from the mountains you have a choice.Follow SH 73 along the Taramakau River to Kamara Junction and the intersection with SH 6 along the West coast. ORTake the turn to the right into Lake Brunner Road which takes you past picturesque Lake...

After leaving Arhtur's Pass township traveling west there is a lookout on the left. From here you can get a great view of the Otira Gorge and the new viaduct. What an amazing piece of engineering. It takes much time off the journey for big trucks and is much safer.The lookout is also a favourite haunt of the cheeky mountain parrot - the Kea. He...

Why did they name French Bay? when we drove into town for lunch it became immediately apparent that the French had played a greater role in Akaroa’s history.Be amazed by the spectacular views of Akaroa Harbour and the Canterbury Plains on the high scenic drive from ChristchurchHalf the street names were French, and nearly all of the neat colonial...

Just 90 minutes drive from Christchurch it is popular with day trippers, although the Banks Peninsula’s wealth of attractions. The scenic Summit Road which winds along the hills of the volcanic peninsular offered spectacular views of Akaroa Bay and the Pacific oceanThe beautiful harbour dominates the landscape. There is lots of exploring to do in...

Update 2013You can still walk the streets of Lyttelton and pass the sites I had described in the tip below - but instead of the beautiful historic buildings you will find mostly empty sites. Nearly all big old buildings have been demolished in the meantime. One exception: at the site of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Winchester Street you will...

Update April 2011 - Update 2013Unfortunately the Timeball Station that had just been renovated was terribly damaged in the 22 February 2011 earthquake and even worse in June 2011. So instead of being dismantled and restored at some point, the beautiful mini-castle-like building was demolished. However, efforts are being made to fund the...

Update 2013The Harbour Lights Theatre has been one of the historic buildings that have been demolished soon after the February 2011 earthquake. All you can see there right now is an empty space :-( Although it sits intriguingly on busy London Street you cannot just visit or have a coffee at the Harbour Light Theatre - although it is a licensed...

When it comes to big sheep, I'm reminded of the one on the outskirts of Goulburn in N.S.W. but this is certainly a worthy challenger. Situated right beside the tourist centre it offers all sorts of woollen items, even ones with possum fur mixed in.

Approaching Tirau from the south, you will see a big castle on a hill. Of course we don't have castles in New Zealand and this one is actually a cafe where you can stop for a cup of coffee and something to eat. Being a castle freak, I was intrigued enough to go up and have a look, but I didn't stop for food. There is a gift shop inside and the...

The Christmas Heirloom Company sells Christmas decorations all year round. They have the most incredible selection of trees and themed decorations - some traditional stuff, and more quirky ideas too. I saw a tree decorated with surfing santas and penguines wearing shades! Lots of glitter, sparkle and all things Christmassy. A lot of people like to...