Escape to...
New Zealand Pictures courtesy of sxc.hu
Although New Zealand is the youngest country on Earth, it is the home of the adrenaline junkies. They are making up for the country’s short history by putting New Zealand on the map for the place to go for wild experiences, and boasts some of the worlds most dangerous and scariest activities. Tunnel beach, near the city of Dunedin.
“Nowhere in the world can offer such stunning views.”
Key Websites: PG 10 / ESCAPE & EXPLORE
http://www.viator.com/tours
http://www.rotorua.nz.com
http://www.skycityauckland.co.nz
http://www.waitomo.com
http://www.dolphincruises.co.nz
http://www.taupotandemskydiving.com
JAN/FEB 2011
Pictures courtesy of sxc.hu, wallpaper-s.org and key webistes listed.
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scaping may be relaxing, but in New Zealand escaping is about getting away from the nine to five and doing something incredible! Auckland features two big experiences that appeal to the thrill seekers. Firstly the Auckland Harbour bridge bungy jump: this forty metre jump has its own jump pod, and is the quickest way to view Waitamata Harbour, that’s if you manage to keep your eyes upon. For the extreme there is a water touch option, literally touching the Waitamata water beneath. Stunning scenery and captivating for all thrill enthusiasts. The Sky Tower in Auckland is its other big attraction. Here there is the sky lounge to recline in and the Orbit restaurant; a 360 degree revolving restaurant offering beautiful views. But while this may be all very relaxing, the 328 metre tower is the tallest man made structure in New Zealand and offers a sky walk round the pergola at 192 metres, or for the extra brave, a jump off the tower. A more relaxing explorer in New Zealand might prefer a gentle thrill. In north New Zealand, the Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise round the Bay of Islands is an experience anyone would love. The cruise guarantees seeing dolphins, and offers a free cruise if the dolphins are not spotted. As well as dolphins, the cruise offers whale spotting, a stunning view of the Cape Brett lighthouse and the Grand Cathedral cave. There are 144 islands to pass by on this scenic route in the catamaran, with the departure points being Russell and Paihia, both by the wharf, near the
PG 11 / ESCAPE & EXPLORE
waterfront. unforgettable. Tongariro National Park, And finally, the scariest a dual world heritage activity for tourists in site, is the oldest national New Zealand has to be park in New Zealand. skydiving. With the lush The area offers skiing terrain below and the and snowboarding down clear sky surroundings, Mount Ruapehu, an active nowhere in the world can volcano. Not for the faint offer such stunning views. hearted, the park is home Located at Taupo airport, to three of the world’s and conveniently offering most active volcanoes; coaches around Taupo, the Ruapehu, Tongariro and tandem Taupo company Ngauruhoe. The park is makes this leap of faith as easy to access, having four easy and calm as possible. state highways nearby. Jumping from three miles While skiing down grey above the ground and lava flowing mountains being strapped in with an is extreme, Tongariro expert, this really is the also offers serious hiking one thing every traveller routes and hot springs should experience. The along the way to relax company even boasts the body. A must if you that children as young as travel to the north of New eight, and pensioners aged Zealand. ninety have completed Another hidden gem in their tandem sky dive, the north of the country is the Black Abyss Tour; cave exploring for the Sky Tower in brave. It seems as though Auckland. the descent will never end, and the only light is the headlamps and the ethereal glow worms below. The Ruakuri Cave adventure includes a thirty five metre descent, climbing and cave tubing in five hours, surrounded by the eerie glow worms that make this experience
proving that it is never too late to really live, or too early! Many see New Zealand as a new country that has a bygone lifestyle. New Zealand however is the place to go for a real holiday with memories, moments and the best holiday snaps ever.
Tandem sky dive above Taupo
Mount Ruapehu.
Waitomo Black Abyss cave crawling.
Night sky of Auckland city.
JAN/FEB 2011