AUS7 feb6 3/2/09 15:41 Page 2
knowledge Australasia
ttglive.com
Myth-busting New Zealand
Clients fear New Zealand has nothing but
rugby, rain and rams? Nona Jackson, UK
manager at Kirra Tours, gives you the
ammunition to change their minds
MYTH
.
New Zealand’s too far away – it’s everyone! The country offers a vast range
only worth going if you’re a backpacker of diverse activities such as wine tasting:
with a month or more to spare art trails; historic tours; panning for gold;
Nona says: There’s no getting round the fact hot air ballooning; cycle tours; Maori
that it takes a good 24 hours to get there; cultural tours and activities; relaxing in
however it is possible to get a good feel for thermal springs; kayaking; trout fishing;
the country and see many of the highlights guided forest walks.
in a two or three-week trip. I recommend
you focus on visiting one island – don’t be MYTH
.
It’s always raining, I might as
tempted to try and do both on a short trip. well stay at home
Nona says: The maritime climate means that
MYTH
.
I can’t afford to go – it’s just too the general rule is the west coast of the
expensive country is wetter than the east, especially
Nona says: Travelling in the shoulder seasons on the south island where it can be
is a great way to reduce costs and there are extraordinarily wet resulting in stunning
some fantastic earlybird deals out there on lush native rainforest. Summer temperatures New Zealand’s Bay of Islands is teeming with wildlife
coach tours and self drive packages. Once can hit the early 30s. The best advice is take
you actually get there the exchange rate still sunscreen and a rain jacket! MYTH
.
I love experiencing great cuisine,
works pretty well in UK visitors’ favour and if I want lamb I can go to Wales
you can have some exceptional meals out at MYTH
.
I want to see amazing wildlife Nona says: Most of the produce used is
very reasonable prices. so I’ll head for Australia instead locally grown from the fruit and veg to the
Nona says: The diversity of its birdlife makes dairy, meat and seafood so the raw materials
MYTH
.
There aren’t many options for it appealing for ornithologists and viewing are certainly in place to ensure excellent
“normal” holidaymakers, it’s all about penguins, albatross, gannets, native parrots dining.
bungy jumping students and even kiwi in their natural habitat is
Nona says: Bungy jumping is one of the possible for many visitors. There are also MYTH
.
I hear there’s more sheep
things that New Zealand is undoubtedly fur seals, dolphins and whales and even than people, but I’d much rather visit
famous for, however it is certainly not for a “dinosaur” – the tuatara. buzzing cities
Nona says: Yes, there are a lot of sheep. But,
aside from Auckland, the other smaller cities
have their own take on nightlife, cafe culture,
shopping and historic buildings.
MYTH
.
I want to stay in luxury hotels
and there aren’t any in New Zealand
Nona says: Select Hotels of the World has
several properties in New Zealand as do Relais
& Chateaux. Sofitel has a property in Queen-
stown, there is a Hilton in Auckland and there
are also independent luxury properties.
MYTH
.
I don’t know anything about rugby
Nona says: Nor do I and I lived there for
seven years! Rugby is as an important
cultural activity (playing and watching)
as football is to the Brits, but it is relatively
New Zealand is not just about bungy jumping as there are plenty of other outdoor activities, such as walking the Abel Tasman Coastal track easy to avoid it if you want to!
52 06.02.2009
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