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Get FREE detailed New
Zealand travel information
on accommodation, attractions, things to do and see . . .
This guide is the big picture, the overall view, but if you want detailed information on what to see, where to go, where to eat, where to stay go to my (Not quite) Complete Guide to New Zealand Travel Where to stay, where to eat, what to see. Yes, all that. But much more. It is aimed primarily at self-drive travellers and they need to know much more. The problem is how to deliver this information in a logical way - and I have decided to serve it up as the road rolls under you. That is, the information is given kilometre by kilometre for each of the state highways. It is a work in progress. And so far it has been seven years in the making. It is far from complete, but if you are touring NZ you may find it useful. Click here to visit the (Not quite) Complete Guide To New Zealand Travel. |
A New Zealand Travel Guide
Arrowtown's
Autumn Festival is a must if you are If you are on a New Zealand travel adventure, arrange your schedule to be in Arrowtown, Central Otago, on the weekend of April 16/18. It's the annual Arrowtown Autumn Festival and it is a couple of days of history, fun, music, food and all round good times.
Arrowtown, 20km from Queenstown, is at the very heart of that autumnal finery . . . and the good folk of the town celebrate it in down home country style. Let's put it this way: I am specially arranging my travel affairs to be there again. It's that good.
And, just as an extra sweetener, there's $4000 in prize-money up for grabs. Saturday is market day, family day and a parade. A village wide market experience with over 120 stalls selling some of the best NZ made products ranging from arts and crafts, to farmers and artisan food. Set amongst the canopy of autumn trees, this vibrant market is full of atmosphere and with live entertainment throughout the day. It's on the village green and admission is a gold coin donation. Priceless!
I've been to this festival before. Take it from me it really is a great day out. For the traveller it's something you'll fondly remember for the rest of your days. You can get more information and tickets from the Arrowtown Autumn Festival Website. For more on Central Otago attractions go to the Queenstown and Central Otago page. 11 Feb 10.
A New Zealand Travel Guide is written by David Morris and published by 148 Hillsborough Rd, Hillsborough,
Auckland 1042,
New Zealand. Last updated 24 July 2011 [Return to the top of A New Zealand Travel Guide] |
Get inside tips on New Zealand rental cars If you want to rent a car in New Zealand you could spend a long time trawling the net looking at options and finish up totally confused. Get expert local advice by clicking here. Here's the problem: New Zealand car rental is unlike most other places in the world because the country is split into two islands with a sizeable stretch of water between. Taking a car across Cook Strait is expensive. Some rental companies allow you to drop a vehicle in Wellington and collect another in Picton (or vice versa). Some don't. Along with a host of other complications it means if you are trying to sort out car rental in New Zealand you may need a cup of tea and a lie down long before you've figured it all out. Find out more about New Zealand car rental at http://new-zealand-rental-cars.com/New-Zealand-rental-cars.htm.
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Auckland
time and temperature
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That
time in April is when the Central Otago foliage is at its glorious
finest. Like any climate which has hard winters, the summer
foliage in Central turns to firey displays of colour in autumn. 
Proceedings
kick off on Friday night, April 16, with an art exhibition at the Lakes
District Museum. Given that Central is home to some of NZ's finest
artists this will be a good night out even if you "don't know much
about art, but know what you like". Entry is a miserable $5 .
. . and that includes your first drink. What's more you can have a
wander around one of the best small museums in the country. How
good is that!!
Jazz
bands, international street performers, aerobatic displays - you can
even go gold panning to see if you make your fortune. (Don't bet
the ranch on it). And that night is the 70s Disco Inferno at the
Athenaeum Hall. $30 gets you in, cash bar and a light supper
served. Heartland fun at its best. 
