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In-depth Knowledge
Marlborough, on New A picture postcard South Pacific beach
Zealand’s South Island,
is a gourmet hotspot
BALES WORLDWIDE TRAVEL 2
AUCKLAND TO CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH PACIFIC
New Zealand is made for touring – whether by The region inspires the same travel
coach or on a self-drive itinerary. There’s so much cliches as the Indian Ocean with its
to see and do without having to drive for hours pretty volcanic islands, white sandy
between attractions. beaches and clear waters.
Though it’s not a huge country there are plenty Traditionally most backpackers
of different routes between Auckland and have visited Fiji on the South
Christchurch, so former backpackers can visit Pacific leg of their round-the-world
new places instead of just retracing their steps. journey, but there are several other
Before heading south, the Bay of Islands, a islands worth visiting. These
3.5-hour drive north of Auckland, is worth a visit.
TAHITI TOURISME
include the Cook Islands and
This sub-tropical area enjoys some of the country’s the French Polynesian destina-
best weather. It’s a great place for swimming with tions of Tahiti and Bora Bora.
dolphins, whale-watching, sea kayaking or diving Laid-back luxury in picture
– divers can explore the wreck of the Rainbow postcard surroundings is the
Warrior, the Greenpeace ship sunk by the order of the day at these
French secret service in 1985. islands, which feature several
The classic backpacking route usually takes in upmarket resorts.
the thermal hotspot of Rotorua with its geysers, The Cook Islands archipelago
and then further south to the activities centre of is made up of 15 volcanic atolls
Taupo. But there are other places worth checking including the capital
out for those with more time.
COOK ISLANDS TOURISM CORPORATION
Rarotonga, which is surround-
These include the Coromandel Peninsula, which ed by lagoon, coral reef and rainforest. Upmarket
features some of the country’s best beaches, and Above: dancers in Tahiti; resorts include the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa
the art deco city of Napier on the North Island’s Aututaki atoll with its over-water bungalows.
east coast. On the far west coast is the Taranaki French Polynesia, often known as Tahiti, features
region, which has rich Maori history and featured 118 islands and atolls including Tahiti itself, which
in Tom Cruise movie The Last Samurai. is the largest island and features Papeete, the
On South Island, most tours head to the capital city and gateway to the region.
adventure capital of Queenstown, Other notable islands include Bora Bora with
which is also party central for high-end properties such as Bora Bora Nui Resort
backpackers. Clients seeking & Spa and St Regis Resort, while the atoll of Motu
more serenity can stay in nearby Tautau features Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa.
upmarket lakeside resorts such Food is one of the main attractions of the South
as Blanket Bay and Matakauri Pacific, with local specialities cooked in traditional
Lodge. pit ovens as well as European and Far Eastern
For gourmets, the influences. Popular activities include watersports,
Marlborough region north of surfing, diving and game fishing.
Christchurch has won world- Air New Zealand offers flights to Rarotonga and
wide acclaim for the quality of Papeete as well as other South Pacific destinations.
its wines and seafood.
TOURISM NZ
Sample: Travel 2 offers a six-night package
Sample: Bales Worldwide offers a 14-day to the Cook Islands from £715 including
Gourmet Food and Wine self-drive tour from Upmarket: Blanket Bay accommodation and internal flights. Flights
Auckland to Christchurch starting at £2,995 resort, New Zealand with Air New Zealand to Rarotonga are
including flights. www.balesworldwide.com priced from £959. www.travel2.com
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TTG Knowledge AUSTRALASIA December 2008 For all contact details go to www.ttglive.com
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