753 by TNT MAGAZINE

May 2015 Issue 753

INJU!MP W NDEM

A TA WITH SKYDIVE THE BEACH & BEYOND

TOP NZ TIPS FROM KIWI CABIN CREW Explore New Zealand with help from the stopover pros

NICE ICE, BABY Franz Josef Glacier: the coolest of climbs

! E E R F R O F Y A HOLID

ay nothing p d n a – s e r tu d epic adven n a s ip tr l a v tours, festi Go on sailing

+ KICK BACK IN CAIRNS TOP 5 SKYDIVES TOP 10 WHITSUNDAYS JOSH LAWSON

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ADVERTORIAL Spend the night in lock-up at

Fremantle Prison YHA!

Recently opened, Fremantle Prison YHA provides exceptional accommodation for travellers desiring a unique hostel experience! Originally the women’s division of the World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison, YHA WA has converted the nineteenth century property into a 200-bed hostel for the adventurous travellers. Through a heritage-sensitive renovation, historic charm is combined with purpose built facilities, while retaining the original fabric of the prison. Its history is interpreted and displayed throughout the building, and guests can even sleep in original cells and prison warders’ cottages, as well as brand new purpose-built private rooms or dormitory-style accommodation. Fremantle Prison YHA offers all the facilities that budget travellers need, including a self-catering kitchen, large common areas, TV rooms, a laundry and luggage storage. The 24 hour reception offers travel and tour bookings, and there is ample parking, lockers, a pool table, ping pong and computers/ Wi-Fi. Groups are catered for with dedicated facilities, including a conference room. Plans also include a giant chess set, giant jenga, volleyball and an outdoor movie screen.

The history of the site dates back to 1829 when the area, dubbed the Swan River Colony, was designated for freesettlers. However, the settlement’s fledgling agricultural industry soon floundered, and with the colony’s future looking bleak, convict labour was introduced and Fremantle Prison was created for the newly constituted penal settlement. Built in the 1850s, with convicts and local lawbreakers occupying the site from 1855 until 1991, Fremantle Prison was a place where hangings, floggings, escapes and riots were etched in history. When Perth Prison closed, female inmates were moved to Fremantle Prison in 1889. The laundry, bakehouse and cookhouse division of the prison was sectioned off and extended to accommodate the women, forming Female Division - a prison within a prison – and now a YHA! Just a few minutes’ walk from the hostel is the vibrant port city centre of Fremantle with its untouched nineteenth century streetscape, colourful markets, bohemian cafes, buzzing nightlife and remarkable local attractions. Visit yha.com.au for more information and to book.

YHA is a membership-based, not-for-profit organisation, and part of the world's largest budget accommodation network, Hostelling International, with 4,000 hostels in more than 90 countries

Present this voucher to receive

%OFF

A CELL / DORM BED

Expires 31/7/2015 Subject to availability

%OFF

A PRIVATE ROOM

Expires 31/7/2015 Subject to availability

Fremantle Prison YHA • 6A The Terrace, Fremantle • Ph: (08) 9433 4305 • yha.com.au YHA Fremantle advertorial_752.indd 1

18/05/2015 3:59 pm

EDITORIAL Editor Caroline Garnar caroline.garnar@tntmagazine.com Contributors Mariah Mathews DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Design and production manager Lisa Ferron SALES Sales manager Jaqui Ward jaqui.ward@tntmagazine.com STARTRACK MEDIA LTD CEO Kevin Ellis Chairman Ken Hurst PUBLISHER Startrack Media Ltd PRINTED BY Spotpress PICTURES Getty Images | iStock | TNT Images | Supplied TNT Magazine online tntdownunder.com COVER IMAGE MedSailors

WHERE TO GET TNT

SEE tntdownunder.com/magazine-location.html for pick-up points

FROM THE EDITOR I’ll admit it: I don’t know everything. I know, I know; it’s hard to believe. But sometimes, someone comes along and imparts a piece of information to me and I cry, ‘Why the bloody hell didn’t I ever think of that?’ On this occasion, it was actually one of our readers who bestowed her wisdom upon me. She told me how every season she would volunteer with a tour company so she got to travel with them for free. Bloody genius. So simple, and yet – now I know about it – it seems so obvious. Just help out with putting tents up and down, cooking, admin, repping, even helping to sell tours, and in way of a salary, you will go on the trip for free. Even better, you get to spend summer in Europe and return in time for summer in Oz. You need never see a drop of rain again! If you don’t mind the cold, though, you should take a trip to the epic Franz Josef or Fox Glaciers in New Zealand (p66). Spend the day in the boots of a mountaineer without the effort of climbing to the summit of a mountain, and enjoy the views from the top of the giant, ever-expanding ice block. If it’s warmth you crave, the sun (nearly) always shines in Cairns (p38). Get your adrenalin and alcohol fix before heading on a boat trip around the Whitsunday Islands to recuperate. See page 46 for our top 10 of the Great Barrier Reef stepping stones. If you are feeling the pinch, no matter how much you scrimp and save, remember that money can’t buy you happiness – unless you spend it on travelling.

caroline.garnar@tntmagazine.com P.S. Don’t be so busy booking travel you forget to read my interview with Australian actor Josh Lawson about the international release of his directorial debut. Delving into the world of kink, if your fetish is having your funny bone tickled, I think you’ll find his film orgasmic (p24).

TNT Magazine is printed on paper from sustainable forests. There is no business connection between the proprietors of this magazine and TNT Ltd, the worldwide transportation group. TNT Magazine does not assume responsibility for unsolicited submissions – material is sent at the owner’s risk. TNT Magazine accepts advertising material and other contributions in good faith, and takes no responsibility for claims, errors or omissions. Copyright here and abroad of all original materials is held by TNT Magazine. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden, except with permission of the publishers.

Wild Kakadu

Top 5 wine regions

Sri Lanka

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THIS MONTH DIARY 6 FOOD & DRINK 10 GIGS 12 PUBS

HOLIDAY FOR FREE

JOSH LAWSON

CHATROOM

TRAVEL TRAVEL BITES 32 TOP 5: SKYDIVES 34 OZ: CAIRNS

HOTSHOTS 44 TOP 10: WHITSUNDAYS 46

NZ: FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER 66 BIG TRIP: CABIN CREW’S NZ 82 AUSTRALIA LISTINGS

NEW ZEALAND LISTINGS

CAREERS 88 DESPERATELY SEEKING

ON THE COVER HOLIDAY FOR FREE

Go on sailing tours, festival trips and epic adventures – and pay nothing

JOSH LAWSON

The Aussie actor gets kinky

TOP 5 SKYDIVES

Where to throw yourself out of a plane

KICK BACK IN CAIRNS

Get your adrenalin and alcohol fix

TOP 10 WHITSUNDAYS

Our favourite reef stepping stones

NICE ICE, BABY

Franz Josef Glacier: coolest of climbs

TOP NZ TIPS FROM KIWI CABIN CREW

06 4

Help from the stopover pros

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46 TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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OZDIARY

@tntdownunder

OUR TOP PICKS HEAD ON PHOTO FESTIVAL

WICKED THE MUSICAL

With more than 50 exhibitions, Head On showcases works from talented international and local photographers in one of the world’s most prestigious photography festivals, plus you can sit in on photography workshops.

Wicked is back touring Oz (hah!) with the characters and songs we’ve fallen in love with. Watch them sing their way down the yellow brick road, with vocal performances that will make you emerald with envy.

Various times

Various times Crown theatre, Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood, Perth, WA 6100 wickedthemusical.com.au

Until May 31, Sydney VAR

Various Locations headon.com.au

Until June 28, Perth $92+

MUST DO GOOD BEER WEEK 2015 May 16-24, Melbourne

At Good Beer Week there’s everything to get you into the festival spirit: music, dancing, comedy acts, food, games and, of course, a LOT of beer. Meet brewers, watch demonstrations and learn about pairing your beers with food. Sample some (or all) of the 300 beers on offer and learn about what makes them unique. Then the following day when you can’t remember, return and learn all over again.

FREE+

Various times and locations

THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK

PYRMONT FESTIVAL

LEARNTOLIVE COMEDY GALA

May 15-24, Sydney

May 29, Melbourne

Preceding shows in Perth and Sydney, Adelaide is stripping back for this unique Star Wars burlesque parody. From the lady’s who brought you ‘Dame of Thrones’, this is every Star Wars geek’s fantasy. Enjoy.

This annual celebration showcases the best of Australian food, wine and design (that rhymes). Sample food and wine, watch live music, peruse pop-up art galleries, and have a spin on the fairground rides.

Comedy by the likes of Adam Hills, Denise Scott, Ronny Chieng and Nick Cody will have you laughing while raising money for LearnToLive’s Indonesian Health Initiative. There’s also live music, silent auctions, and great food.

8pm Her Majesty’s Theatre, 58 Grote Street, Adelaide empirestripsback.com

11am Pirrama Park, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont pyrmontfestival.com.au

7pm Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury, Victoria learntoliveglobal. org/2015-comedy-gala

May 15, Adelaide $60+

goodbeerweek.com.au

FREE

$40+

RED DOG FESTIVAL May 29-31, Karratha, WA Register as a team or challenge yourself on a solo adventure through the Pilbara region of WA following in the paw prints of Australia’s beloved Red Dog. Run, drive, cycle, walk, swim, and paddle your way over the 380 kilometre track and camp at Millstream Chichester National Park. $600

Various times Karratha Leisureplex, WA reddogfestival.com.au

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VIVID SYDNEY FESTIVAL 2015 May 22-June 8, Sydney FREE+ This unique event of light and music is back for another year and bigger than ever. With an array of light-up projections and features, you can also hear talks from authors and film creators, dance along to DJ sets and see live performances from Sufjan Stevens, The Preatures, Daniel Johns, Flume, and Morrissey, to name a few. Various times and venues

vividsydney.com

SUMMER SESSION June 6, Darwin In its fifth year, this annual festival showcases some of the best DJs, MCs and entertainers from Australia and beyond. This fun and relaxed beach party is the best way to celebrate everything summer, in, er, winter. Grab a brewskie and embrace it – summer’s back for the day! $75+

12pm Mindil Beach, Darwin, NT summersession.com.au

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A BALLET REVOLUCION

June 17-21, Auckland Ballet with a twist, this dance spectacular brings explosive performances to the stage with fast-paced Cuban energy. Latin-American beats meet hits from Sia, Lorde, Beyoncé and more. $70+

Various times The Civic, Corner Queen Street & Wellesley Street, Auckland balletrevolucion.com.au

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North: The Beatles are back (well, some guys who look and sound a lot like them)

West: Get your GOT gear on for the Perth Medieval Fayre

East: Have an interesting dinner with the Fawlty Towers crew

NORTH

WEST

SOUTH

LA SOIREE MAY 28-JUNE 14 / VAR / $55+ Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, this Laurence Olivier Award-winning show is a cocktail of cabaret, burlesque and circus.

PERTH MEDIEVAL FAYRE 2015 MAY 16 / FROM 10AM / $10 Get a taste of medieval life with jesters, singers, jugglers and more food stalls than you can shake a turkey leg at.

RSPCA MILLION PAWS WALK MAY 17 / 10AM / $20 Walk against animal cruelty while spending the day with your furry best friend. The event features stalls, free vet checks, a photobooth, a dog wash station and entertainment.

Darwin Entertainment Centre, 93 Mitchell Street, Darwin

yourcentre.com.au/#!/events

Supreme Court gardens, Riverside drive, Perth WA 6000 wama.asn.au

Bonython Park, Adelaide, SA millionpawswalk.com.au

THE BEATLES 50 YEARS ON MAY 30 / 8PM / $70 The Beatle Boys are touring with their tribute to the legendary Beatles; its a 50-year throwback to rock’n’roll history. Darwin Entertainment Centre, 93 Mitchell Street, Darwin

youcentre.com.au#!/events

TRIVIARRR QUIZ NIGHT MAY 16 / 7.30PM / $15 Put your trivia knowledge to the test at this pirate themed quiz raising money for The Cancer Council of Western Australia. Atom Stadium, East Fremantle facebook.com/events/871761232891528/

ADELAIDE CABARET FESTIVAL JUNE 5-20 / VAR / FREE+ The most comprehensive cabaret festival in the world opens its doors with a variety performance welcome from Barry Humphries himself. Various, Adelaide

adelaidefestivalcentre.

com.au/adelaide-cabaret-festival/

BARUNGA FESTIVAL JUNE 5-7 / FROM 10AM / $44 For the 30th year running, Barunga festival allows a unique opportunity to engage with a remote Indigenous community and celebrate Indigenous Australian culture. 70kms south-east of Katherine on Central Arnhem Rd

barungafestival.com.au

CLUB ATLANTIS JUNE 6 / 10PM / $51+ DJs Paul Van Dyk, MaRLo, Mark Sixma, Roxanne Emery and Driftmoon are celebrating the Queen’s Birthday long weekend with all things electronic music.

BURLESQUE AFTER DARK JUNE 19 / 9.30PM / $15 Watch a handful of Tasmania’s favourite burlesque artists explore a range of performance genres from neo to classic.

Metro City, 146 Roe Street , Northbridge 6003, Perth totemonelove.com.au

Hobart

The Grand Poobah, 142 Liverpool Street, misskittysmeow.com/events.htm

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NEW ZEALAND

ROUND SHE GOES VINTAGE MARKET MAY 16 / 10AM / $2 This award-winning fashion market is dedicated to women’s vintage clothing and preloved designer threads. With more than 60 stalls of local suppliers selling quality vintage clothing, jewellery and accessories, you’re bound to find something unique for your wardrobe.

AUCKLAND WRITERS FESTIVAL MAY 13-17 / VAR / FREE+ The Auckland Writer’s Festival is back with a programme of speakers and events set to impress, challenge and educate. With more than 150 literary greats, including Australia’s own Tim Winton, the calendar is packed with conversations, concerts, theatrical performances, debates, and readings.

Marrickville Town Hall, 303 Marrickville Road, Marrickville NSW 2204 roundshegoes.com.au

EAT STREET MELBOURNE MAY 19 / 6PM / $160 Journey around the world in 40 dishes at the annual charity event raising money for the children’s charity Variety. Eat Street features unique dishes from more than 30 of Melbourne’s best chefs and 25 of Australia’s top wine and beverage companies. Sofitel Melbourne, 25 Collins Street, Melbourne eatstreetmelbourne.com

DATING HIJINKS AT MADAME TUSSAUDS MAY 29 / 7PM / $89 Dress up as your favourite iconic star and meet your matched counterparts via City Swoon. Watch comedy acts, drag shows, and live music and spend the night dancing with your own Marilyn or Elvis. Madame Tussauds, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour cityswoon.com

FAWLTY TOWERS DINNER SHOW MAY 30 / 6PM / $145 In the midst of a four-course dinner and entertainment let Basil, Sybil, and Manuel cater to your ever dining whim in this tribute to impeccable customer service – just ‘don’t mention the war!’ Bungunyah Manor Resort, Mt Tamborine bungunyahmanor.com.au

Photos: iStock and Wikicommons

OZDIARY

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SING-A-LONG SOUND OF MUSIC JUNE 13 / 7.30PM / $59 A celebrity host warms up your vocal chords and guides you through a fantastically fun night screening our favourite musical with accompanying lyrics to sing-a-long with. Tear up your ugly drapes and sew yourself some play clothes for the costume parade. WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, New South Wales ticketmaster.com.au

WATCH THIS

Various locations writersfestival.co.nz

EASTEND CABARET MAY 12-16 / 7.15PM / $27 Featuring in NZ’s International Comedy Festival, these one-and-a-half ladies have returned to make us laugh, blush, and sing-a-long. Previously described as “a high-powered ‘Flight of the Concords’, dipped in acid, drenched in smut”, it’s the kind of praise one can only hope emblazons their tombstone. Loft at Q Theatre on 305 Queen Street, Auckland comedyfestival.co.nz

STEAMPUNK FESTIVAL NZ MAY 28-31 / VAR / FREE+ The premier Steampunk event of the southern hemisphere spans over four days filled with markets, music, feasting, teapot racing, airships and magic carpets, topped off with a fashionshow and gala. Various locations steampunkz.co.nz

WELLINGTON JAZZ FESTIVAL JUNE 3-7 / FROM 9AM / FREE+ Heating up Wellington’s laneways and music venues is the buzz of live jazz for your midwinter culture fix. From the smooth and soulful to downright righteous, there are more than 100 shows over five days, which will satisfy your every craving of cool. Various locations jazzfestival.co.nz

AUCKLAND FAIR JUNE 14 / FROM 10AM / $5+ One of New Zealand’s biggest and best design, art and craft markets, you’ll find the best locally made and produced homewares, designs, ceramics, jewellery, clothing, candles, skincare, prints, toys, and much more. Great to get some inspiration for your home. Shed 10, Queens Wharf, Auckland

SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL 2015 Sydney’s 62nd annual film festival is once again giving film buffs a 12-day window into the most exciting new films on release this year. From documentaries to fictional films of every genre, the 200+ titles on show this year leave audiences spoilt for choice. Amid the new season of cinema enjoy the whirlwind of premieres, red-carpet openings, panel discussions, and international guest appearances on offer, just to name a few perks. Some of the leading titles this year include Strangerland, winner of the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, Slow West, Mr Holmes, and A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting Existence, winner of the Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival. Documentaries on offer range from Beach Boys biopics to investigating Scientology’s sway over Hollywood, just to scrape the surface. At their many cinema venues, both indoor and outdoor, it’s a great way to spend an evening with friends, or to spend an evening treating yourself, with an array of films that will let anyone find their niche. June 3-14, $19.50+, sff.org.au

aucklandfair.com

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NZEATS

@tnt_downunder

TOP THREE... ...Happy Hours FATHER’S OFFICE, MELBOURNE Spot these tucked-away doors and climb down a precarious set of stairs to find yourself transported to the prohibition era. Not only does the booze flow here, but some of it freely. Enjoy the 5-7pm and 8-10pm ‘extra happy’ happy hours on every evening, and all day Sunday, with a selection of bottled beers, and both house and higher-shelf spirits on special offer. Don’t forget the dress code and suit up in your finest vintage. fathersoffice.com.au

BACK BAR COCKTAIL LOUNGE, VICTORIA Between 5pm and 7pm from Wednesday to Saturday, visit this trendy cocktail bar offers special prices on domestic beers, house wines, basic spirits, and cocktails. The shining star of the venue is Sunday’s Siesta Happy Hour that will have you sipping 2-for-1 cocktails at lunch from 2-4pm, just in time for an afternoon siesta. backbar.com.au

Words: Mariah Mathews. Photos: Supplied, iStock and Facebook

FRIEND IN HAND, SYDNEY

In what other bar can you find comedy nights, poetry nights, crab racing, free ping pong, and life drawing classes? With more knickknacks than you could fit into an episode of Hoarders, this is one of the quirkiest pubs around that also boasts the cheapest beer in Glebe Monday to Friday from 4-6pm. friendinhand.com

WINNIES Gourmet pizza restaurant and bar, Queenstown

Located in New Zealand’s breathtaking Queenstown and equipped with one of the world’s most picturesque backdrops, Winnies is a local hot spot for food and entertainment. Dine on delicious homemade wood-fired pizzas for lunch, or spend the evening enjoying live bands and Kiwi beers. It is by no means ‘fine dining’ but for incredibly tasty pizzas, a relaxed yet uplifting atmosphere, and good value for money, it is definitely worth a visit. THE GRUB Do not visit here if your stomach isn’t crying out for pizza. Not because Winnies traditional alternatives like BBQ ribs, burgers, steaks or pasta aren’t up to standard, but because the pizzas are simply that good. Ranging in small, medium and large sizes, each pizza is classically topped with just the right amount of ingredients, meaning one small per person is plenty. But to experience Winnies in all its glory, opt for a few medium sizes between a group so you can dabble in uniquely tantalising flavours. Whatever you choose, be sure to include Winnies’ famous Montonara pizza: fillet of chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, brie and spring onions, drizzled with sweet chilli sauce and topped with pistachio sour cream. The undisputed favourite among punters. BEHIND THE BAR Its beer, e wine and cocktail selection is good, but at tourist prices. A selection of Kiwi beers are available on tap for a cool $7, including Winnies’ own ale, while a bottle of Queenstown’s fave Monteith’s sets you back $8. BILL PLEASE: Approximately $60 for two people and two beers. VERDICT: Best pizza in Queenstown. A bit dark and dingy during the day, but has a great balcony and an opening roof if weather permits! Kelly Bowen THE SCENE

7-9 The Mall, Queenstown

winnies.co.nz

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@BANGKOK Beating off the Auckland competition with beautifully authentic Thai

In Auckland, Thai restaurants are as available as corner shops – which means finding the best of the best authentic Thai food can prove a mission. Enter from stage left, @Bangkok. Situated in Kingsland, @Bangkok presents all that is delicious about Thailand on a plate. Its decor is incredibly simple, which is a refreshing change from the often tacky gold-everywhere interiors. Instead, your entire focus is on the food; exactly where it should be. THE GRUB The food is insanely authentic. Packed with a perfect balance of spicy, sweet and sour in every dish, they even import their chillies from Thailand. Begin your Thai-tasting adventure with a selection of sharing starters. You really can’t look past the handmade prawn cakes, curry puffs and chicken skewers with a delicious sweet satay sauce. For mains, the menu is vast and can be a little overwhelming, but ask for advice and – again – sharing is caring as these dishes are the perfect size for it. The beef nam tok salad is all sorts of sweet and sour deliciousness. Partner with the traditional spicy duck panang curry and the sizzling seafood hot plate. Order a side of steamed rice and your Thai experience is complete. BEHIND THE BAR There’s a great selection of well-priced NZ wines and the standard, but expected, Asian beers for around $7 a bottle. BILL PLEASE Approximately $25 per person for a starter, main and drink. VERDICT For seriously good, affordable and authentic Thai cuisine, this cannot be beaten. Kelly Bowen THE SCENE

438 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland

3 OF THE BEST DOUGHNUTS

Facebook: At Bangkok NZ

BREWTOWN NEWTOWN, SYDNEY

CANDIED BAKERY, MELBOURNE

The cronut, the love-child of croissant pastry and doughnut frying, is sweeping the nation, and you’ll find some of the best in Newtown. Grab the dulce de leche or Nutella cronut – preferably both – while enjoying a cup of expertly brewed coffee.

Snatch up and gorge yourself on a cinnamon-sugared, custard-filled doughnut. In a store where you’re spoiled for choice of sweets, this classic every-man’s dessert, among their many other doughnut varieties, is not one to be missed.

brewtownnewtown.com

candiedbakery.com.au

FLOUR AND CHOCOLATE, BRISBANE Try Flour and Chocolate’s variety of cronut, nattily named a ‘gonut’. Be sure to try as many flavours as your insulin levels can tolerate, from chocolate ganache and peanut praline to salted caramel or peanut butter. flourandchocolate.com.au

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GIGLISTINGS

@tnt_downunder

STEP BACK IN TIME Dubbed ‘the world’s first timetravelling dance party’, Hot Dub Time Machine is the brainchild of DJ Tom Loud. Presented in strict chronological order, Mashed Potato, Moonwalk and Macarena your way through the night with top tracks from each decade accompanied by awesome visuals. moshtix.com.au

TUE MAY 12 Mötley Crüe Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne $102+ premier.ticketek.com.au

WED MAY 13 Mötley Crüe Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne $102+ premier.ticketek.com.au

FRI MAY 15 Nickelback Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne $102+ premier.ticketek.com.au San Cisco Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast, QLD, $29 oztix.com.au

SAT MAY 16 Nickelback Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne $102+ premier.ticketek.com.au San Cisco The Triffid, Brisbane $41 oztix.com.au Mötley Crüe Allphones Arena, Sydney $120+ premier.ticketek.com.au

SUN MAY 17 San Cisco The Triffid, Brisbane $41 oztix.com.au

MON MAY 18 Nickelback Adelaide Entertainment Centre

$102+ premier.ticketek.com.au

TUE MAY 19 Mötley Crüe Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane $102+ premier.ticketek.com.au

WED MAY 20 San Cisco Club 54, Launceston, TAS $29 oztix.com.au Nickelback Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane $102+ premier.ticketek.com.au

THU MAY 21 San Cisco Hellenic Hall, Hobart $35 oztix.com.au Mötley Crüe Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide $102+ premier.ticketek.com.au

FRI MAY 22 The Jungle Giants The Brightside, QLD $35 Oztix.com.au Sufjan Stevens Opera House, Sydney $69 sydneyoperahouse.com Nickelback Allphones Arena $102+ premier.ticketek.com.au

SAT MAY 23

THU MAY 28

Sufjan Stevens Opera House, Sydney $69 sydneyoperahouse.com

Ben Howard The Tivoli, Brisbane $71 ticketmaster.com.au

Nickelback Newcastle Entertainment Centre, NSW $102+ premier.ticketek.com.au

Daniel Johns Opera House, Sydney $59 sydneyoperahouse.com

Mötley Crüe Perth Arena, Perth $105+ premier.ticketek.com.au Bass In The Grass Darwin Ampitheatre, Darwin $70+ Bassinthegrass.com.au Hot Dub Time Machine The Hi-Fi, Brisbane $51 thehifi.com.au The Jungle Giants Oxford Art Factory, NSW $34 Moshtix.com.au

SUN MAY 24 Sufjan Stevens Opera House, Sydney $69 sydneyoperahouse.com

MON MAY 25 Hozier $55 Metro Theatre, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au

TUE MAY 26 Nickelback Perth Arena, Perth $105+ premier.ticketek.com.au

FRI MAY 29 Hot Dub Time Machine Villa Nightclub, Perth $51 moshtix.com.au San Cisco Uni Bar, Wollongong $29 oztix.com.au Ben Howard The Tivoli, Brisbane $71 ticketmaster.com.au Daniel Johns Opera House, Sydney $59 sydneyoperahouse.com/ The Jungle Giants Amplifier Bar, Perth $34 Oztix.com.au

SAT MAY 30 The Jungle Giants Adelaide UniBar, Adelaide $35 Oztix.com.au Hot Dub Time Machine Villa Nightclub, Perth $51 moshtix.com.au Ben Howard Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park, NSW $71 ticketmaster.com.au

San Cisco Enmore Theatre, Sydney $41 premier.ticketek.com.au SOTA Festival Perth Cultural Centre, WA $55 celebratewa.com.au

MON JUN 1 Ben Howard Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne $71 ticketmaster.com.au

TUE JUN 3 Ben Howard Fremantle Arts Centre, Perth $71 ticketmaster.com.au Birds of Tokyo 170 Russell, Melbourne $50 ticketscout.com.au

WED JUN 4 Jebediah The Metro, Sydney $45 Premier.ticketek.com.au Birds of Tokyo The Gov, Adelaide $51 oztix.com.au

THU JUN 5 Hot Dub Time Machine The Hi-Fi, Melbourne $51 thehifi.com.au Jebediah The Metro, Sydney $45 Premier.ticketek.com.au

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OZPUBS SYDNEY Anchor Bar 8 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach anchorbarbondi.com Bar Century 1/640, George St, CBD barcentury.com.au Beach Road Hotel 71 Beach Road, Bondi Beach beachroadbondi.com.au Candy’s Apartment 22 Bayswater Road, Potts Point candys.com.au Coogee Palace Hotel 169 Dolphin St, Coogee beachpalacehotel.com.au DOME Bar 589 Crown Street, Surry Hills domefunctions.com Donny’s Bar 7 Market Ln, Manly donnys.com.au Flinders Hotel 63-65 Flinders St, Surry Hills theflindershotel.com.au Hotel Bondi 178 Campbell Parade, Bondi hotelbondi.com.au Hotel Steyne 75 The Corso, Manly steynehotel.com.au In Situ 1/18 Sydney Rd, Manly insitumanly.com.au Kinselas Hotel 383 Bourke St, Darlinghurst kinselas.com.au

Photo: Facebook

Marlborough Hotel 145 King St, Newtown marlboroughhotel.com.au

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Mount Batten Hotel 701 George Street, CBD sydneycityhostels.com.au New Brighton Hotel 71 The Corso, Manly newbrightonhotel.com.au Oxford Art Factory 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst oxfordartfactory.com Ryan’s Paragon Hotel Loftus St, CBD hotelparagon.com.au Scary Canary 469 Kent St, CBD scarycanarybar.com Scubar 4 Rawson Place, CBD scubar.com.au Side Bar 509 Pitt St, CBD wakeup.com.au/sidebar The Beresford 354 Bourke St, Surry Hills merivale.com.au/ theberesfordhotel The Palace Hotel George St, CBD palacehotelsydney.com.au The Vanguard 42 King St, Newtown thevanguard.com.au The White Horse 381 Crown St, Surry Hills thewhitehorsesurryhills.com.au Trinity Bar 505 Crown St, Surry Hills trinitybar.com.au 3 Wise Monkeys 555 George St, CBD 3wisemonkeys.com.au 4 Pines 29/43-45 East Esplanade, Manly 4pinesbeer.com.au

MELBOURNE Asian Beer Cafe Level 3 Melbourne Central, CBD asianbeercafe.com.au Bar Humbug 586 Little Bourke St, CBD barhumbug.com.au Brutale 18 Corrs Lane, CBD brutale.com.au Black Pearl 304 Brunswick St, Fitzroy blackpearlbar.com.au Cherry Bar 103 Flinders Lane, CBD cherrybar.com.au

The Night Owl 35 Elizabeth Street, CBD facebook.com

The Windsor 112 Mill Point Rd, thewindsorsouthperth.com.au

The Night Cat 137-141 Johnston St, Fitzroy thenightcat.com.au

Voodoo Lounge 174 James St, Northbridge thevoodoolounge.com.au

The Penny Black 420 Sydney Road, Brunswick thepennyblack.com.au The Tote 67-71 Johnston Street, Coll. thetotehotel.com Turf Bar 131 Queen St, CBD turfbar.com.au

ADELAIDE

Corner Hotel 57 Swan Street, Richmond cornerhotel.com

The Apple Bar 5-9 Synagogue Pl, CBD theapplebar.com.au

Eden Bar and Nightclub 1/163 Russell Street, CBD edenbar.com.au

Earl of Leicester Hotel 85 Leicester Street, Parkside earl.com.au

Esplanade Hotel 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda espy.com.au

Electric Circus 17 Crippen Place, CBD crippenplace.com

Northcote Social Club 301 High Street, Northcote northcotesocialclub.com

Grace Emily Hotel 232 Waymouth St, CBD yourbars.com.au

Palace Theatre 20-30 Bourke St, CBD palace.com.au

The Promethean 116 Grote St, CBD theprom.com.au

Shamiana 420 Lonsdale St, CBD shamiana.com.au Star Bar 160 Clarendon Street starbarhotel.com.au The Gin Mill 173 High St, Prahran theginmillprahran.com The Hi-Fi 125 Swanston Street, CBD thehifi.com.au

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PERTH The Clink 14-16 South Terrace, Fremantle theclink.com.au

BRISBANE Canvas Club 16b Logan St, Woolloongabba canvasclub.com.au GPO Hotel 740 Anne St, Fortitude Valley gpohotel.com.au Hotel LA 68 Petrie Terrace, CBD hotella.com.au Iceworks 157 Given Terrace, Paddington iceworks.com.au Pig ‘N’ Whistle Riverside 123 Eagle Street, CBD pignwhistle.com.au The Exchange Hotel 131 Edward St, CBD theexchange.com.au The Fringe Bar Cnr Ann St & Constance St, Fortitude Valley fringebar.com.au The Met Nightclub 56a/256 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley themet.com.au

Subiaco Hotel 465 Hay Street, Subiaco subiacohotel.com.au

Toro Bar 416 Milton Rd, Auchenflower facebook.com

The Shed 69-71 Aberdeen St, Northbr. the-shed.com.au

Super Whatnot 48 Burnett Lane superwhatnot.com

CANDY’S APARTMENT Evolving with the times, this spot was a French cabaret club post-World War II, in the 50s it became a rock and roll venue, and as the 60s swung by the vibe became more underground bohemian. Welcoming jazz, swing and later rock onto its stages, Iggy Pop and Kurt Cobain have both partied here. Now the venue prides itself on pushing the limits and barriers on music genres. Expect nu-wave, underground and cutting-edge house, rock, and hip hop. 22 Bayswater Road, Potts Point candys.com.au

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OZPUBS GOLD COAST Benowa Tavern 117 Ashmore Rd, Benowa benowatavern.com.au Blush Nightclub 21 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise blushnightclub.com.au Coolangatta Sands Hotel Griffith St, Coolangatta coolangattasandshotel.com.au Shooters Superclub Shop 46 The Mark, Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise shooterssuperclub.com

CAIRNS Ba8 Lounge Bar Shangri-La Hotel, The Pier at the Marina, Pier Point shangri-la.com Dunwoody’s Tavern 317 Sheridan St, North Cairns dunwoodys.com.au Salt House 6/2 Pier Point Rd, CBD salthouse.com.au

5 King St, CBD barpetite.com.au

Lass O’Gowrie 14 Railway St, Wickham lassogowriehotel.com.au

Vibe Bar and Lounge 39-49 Lake St. CBD vibebarcairns.com pub

Burwood Inn Hotel 77 Berner Street, Merewether theburwood.com.au

Mary Ellen Hotel 57 Railway St, Mereweather maryellenhotel.com.au

HOBART

Cambridge Hotel 789 Hunter St, CBD yourcambridge.com

Oriental Hotel 53 Bull St, Cooks Hill facebook.com/theorihotel

Cricketers Arms 61 Bruce St, Cooks Hill cricketersarmshotel.com.au

Premier Hotel 1 Brunker Rd, Broadmeadow hotelpremier.com.au

Bar Celona 23 Salamanca Sq, CBD barcelonahobart.com Raincheck Lounge 392 Elizabeth St, North Hobart rainchecklounge.com.au Republic Bar & Cafe 299 Elizabeth St, North Hobart republicbar.com Shipwrights Arms 29 Trumpeter St, Battery Point shipwrightarms.com.au The Duke 192 Macquarie Street CBD theduke.com.au

NEWCASTLE Albion Hotel 72 Hannell St, Wickham thealbion.com.au Bar Petite

Hamilton Hotel 442 Kingsford Smith Dve, Ham hamiltonhotel.com.au Hamilton Station Hotel 2-6 Beaumont St, Islington hamiltonstation.com.au

Royal Inn Hotel Waratah 61/69 Station St, Waratah truelocal.com.au Silo Restaurant and Lounge 18/1 Honeysuckle Dr, CBD silolounge.com.au

Castros 5 Victoria Street facebook.com/castros Glasshouse Nightclub 90 Crown Street facebook.com/ sucasawollongong Grand Hotel 234 Keira Street wollongongnightlife.com.au Harp Hotel 124 Corrimal Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

Sunnyside Tavern 20 Broadmeadow Rd, Broadmeadow sunnysidetavern.com.au

Kent Hotel 59-61 Beaumont St, Hamilton thekenthotel.com.au

The Northern Star 112 Beaumont St, Hamilton northernstarhotel.com.au

OneFiveOne 150 Keira Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

King Street Hotel 15 Steel St, Newcastle West kingstreethotel.com.au

Wickham Park Hotel 61 Maitland Rd, Islington thewicko.com.au

Questions Unit 5 123-125 Corrimal Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

The Woolshed is the place to go if you don’t take yourself too seriously and you’re simply up for a good time. Cheesy tunes, tables you can dance on and a tin roof you can bang to the beat make for an unbeatable night of drunken ridiculousness. Enjoy. 24 Shields St, CBD thewoolshed.com.au

BYRON BAY

Ivory Nightclub 77 Crown Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

DARWIN

Beach Hotel Bay St beachhotel.com.au

Ducks Nuts 76 Mitchell St, CBD ducksnuts.com.au

Byron Bay Brewery 1 Skinners Shoot Road byronbaybrewery.com.au

Squires Tavern 3 Edmunds St, CBD squirestavern.com.au

Cheeky Monkey’s 115 Jonson St cheekymonkeys.com.au

Shenannigans 69 Mitchell St, CBD shenannigans.com.au

La La Land Level 1/6 Lawson St lalalandbyronbay.com.au The Northern 35-43 Jonson St thenorthern.com.au Treehouse on Belongil 25 Childe St treehouseonbelongil.com Woody’s Surf Shack 90-96 Jonson St woodysbyronbay.com

CANBERRA Academy Club 15 Bunda St academyclub.com.au Cube Nightclub 33 Petrie Plaza cubenightclub.com.au ICBM Bar 50 Northbourne Ave icbmbar.com Mooseheads 105 London Circuit mooseheads.com.au Photo: Facebook

WOLLONGONG Alibi 76 Crown Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

Hotel Delany 134 Darby St, CBD hoteldelany.com

WOOLSHED, CAIRNS

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The Deck Bar 22 Mitchell St, CBD thedeckbar.com.au The Tap Bar 58 Mitchell St, CBD thetap.com.au

ALICE SPRINGS Bojangles Saloon 80 Todd St yourbars.com.au Chifley Alice Springs Resort 34 Stott Tce chifleyhotels.com.au Firkin & Hound 21 Hartely St yourbars.com.au Monte’s Lounge Corner of Todd St & Stott Tce montes.net.au The Juicy Rump @ Lasseters 93 Barret Dr, Desert Springs lasseters.com.au

PJ O’Reilly’s 52 Alinga St pjoreillys.com.au

The Rock Bar 78 Todd St therockbar.com.au

Transit Bar 7 Akuna St transitbar.com.au

Todd Tavern 1 Todd St toddtavern.com.au

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AUCKLAND Albion Hotel 119 Hobson St albionhotel.co.nz Brew on Quay 102 Quay St brewonquay.co.nz Bluestone Room 9-11 Durham Lan thebluestoneroom.co.za Cassette 9 9 Vulcan Ln cassettenine.com Cavalier Tavern 68 College Hill thecavalier.co.nz Currach Irish Pub 78 Blackwell Dr currachirishpub.co.nz De Fontein 77 Tamaki Dr, Mission Bay defontein.co.nz Doolan Brothers 414 Khyber Pass Rd, Newmarket doolanbrothers.co.nz Father Ted’s 1 Wellesley St W fatherteds.co.nz Fort Street Union 16 Fort St fortstreetunion.co.nz Gables Speights Ale House 248 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay gablesspeightsalehouse.co.nz Galbraith’s Alehouse 2 Mt Eden Rd, Grafton alehouse.co.nz Garrison Public House 61/286 Mt Wellington Hwy, Mt Wellington South garrisonpub.co.nz La Zeppa Kitchen 33 Drake St, Freemans Bay lazeppa.co.nz The Lumsden 444/448 Khyber Pass Rd, Newmarket thelumsden.co.nz

BACK IN BLACK

Malt Bar 442 Richmond Rd maltbar.co.nz

Normanby Hotel 37 Normandy Rd, Mt Eden thenormanbyhotel.co.nz Parnell Bar & Grill 196 Parnell Rd, Parnell parnellbarandgrill.co.nz Queens Ferry Hotel 12 Vulcan Ln queensferryhotel.co.nz Shakespeare Brewery 61 Albert St shakespearehotel.co.nz Spitting Feathers 16 Wyndham St spittingfeathers.co.nz Sprig & Fern 2 Drake St, Freemans Bay sprigandferntaverns.co.nz

Tainui Tavern 33 Morrin Rd menumania.co.nz The Fox 85/87 Customs St W thefox.co.nz

The Welsh Dragon Bar 10/12 Cambridge Terrace, Mt Victoria welshdragonbar.co.nz

CHRISTCHURCH

The Zookeeper’s Son 715 Mt Albert Rd zookeepersson.co.nz

Bealey’s Speight’s Ale House 263 Bealey Ave bealeysalehouse.co.nz

Three Lamps 1-3 St Marys Rd, St Marys Bay threelamps.co.nz

Bailies Bar 1066 Colombo St, St Albans bailiesbar.co.nz

4.20 bar 373 Karangahape Rd 420.co.nz

Becks Southern Alehouse 155 Colombo St beckssouthernalehouse.co.nz

WELLINGTON Arbitrageur Wine Room 125 Featherston St arbitrageur.co.nz Bangalore Polo Club 63 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro bangalorepoloclub.co.nz Bodega 101 Ghuznee St bodega.co.nz

The Brewers Arms 177 Papanui Rd, Merivale thebrewersarms.co.nz Burgers & Beers Inc 355 Colombo St, Sydenham burgersandbeersinc.co.nz Calendar Girls 196 Hereford St calendargirls.co.nz Darkroom 336 St Asaph St darkroombar.co.nz

Four Kings Sports Bar 7-11 Dixon St fourkings.co.nz

Empire Hotel Lyttelton 9 London St, Lyttelton empirelyttelton.co.nz

Havana Coffee Works 163 Tory St, Te Aro havana..co.nz

Fox & Ferret Palms Palms Shopping Centre, 1 New Brighton Rd, Shirley foxpalms.co.nz

Hawthorn Lounge 82 Tory St, Te Aro hawthornlounge.co.nz J J Murphy & Co 119 Cuba St, Te Aro jjmurphy.co.nz Mac’s Brewbar 4 Taranaki St thebrewerybar.co.nz Matterhorn 106 Cuba St, Te Aro matterhorn.co.nz MIghty Mighty 104 Cuba St, Te Aro mightymighty.co.nz Molly Malones 134 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro mollymalones.co.nz San Francisco Bath House 171 Cuba St, Te Aro sfbh.co.nz Southern Cross Garden Bar 39 Abel Smith St, Te Aro thecross.co.nz Sprig & Fern 342 Tinakori Rd sprigandferntaverns.co.nz

Garden Hotel Bar 110 Marshland Rd, Shirley

gardenhotel.co.nz Pegasus Arms 14 Oxford Terrace pegasus-arms.com Tequila Mockingbird 98 Victoria St tequilamockingbird.co.nz The Brewery 3 Garlands Rd, Woolston casselsbrewery.co.nz The Twisted Hop Pub 616 Ferry Rd thetwistedhop.co.nz Monteiths Brewery Bar 53 Merrin St mbbmerrinst.co.nz No. 4 Bar 4 Mansfield Ave, St Albans no4bar.co.nz

HAMILTON Axces Bar 28 Alexandra St yellow.co.nz

Foundation Bar Maahanga Dr, Te Awa foundationbar.co.nz The Bank Bar & Brasserie Cnr Victoria St & Hood St thebank.co.nz The Cook 7 Cook St, Hamilton East thecook.net.nz Speights Ale House 30 Liverpool St speights-hamilton.co.nz Wonder Horse 236 Victoria St wonderhorse.co.nz

WHANGAREI Dickens Inn 71 Cameron St, Vinetown dickensinn.co.nz Killer Prawn 26-28 Bank St killerprawn.co.nz McCool’s 14 Rust Ave mccools.co.nz pub McMorrisseys Irish Pub 7 Vine St, Vinetown mcmorrisseys.co.nz Parua Bay Tavern 1034 Whangarei Heads Rd, Parua Bay paruabaytavern.co.nz Split Bar Rathbone St splitrestaurant.co.nz s The Old Stone Butter Factory 8 Butter Factory Lane butterfactory.co.nz

DUNEDIN Angus Restaurant & Bar 7 St Andrew St angusdunedin.co.nz Alibi Bar 1 Princes St alibibar.co.nz Captain Cook Tavern 354 Great King St, N Dunedin thecaptaincook.co.nz Luna Bar 314 Highgate Roslyn lunaroslyn.co.nz Manny’s Level 1/91 St Andrew St mannysbar.co.nz Stilettos Revue Bar 319 Princes St stilettos.co.nz

The Apartment 25 Allen St, Te Aro theapartment.co.nz

Bar 101 118 Victoria St bar101.co.nz

The Establishment Cnr of Courtenay Pl and Blair St theestablishment.co.nz

Cock & Bull 1 Cnr Maui & Church St, Pukete cockandbull.co.nz

The Green Man 25 Victoria St thegreenmanpub.co.nz

CBD Corner Pub 26 Hood St cbdpub.co.nz

Lonestar Restaurant & Bar 60 The Esplanade, Inner Kaiti lonestar.co.nz

The Malt House 48 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro themalthouse.co.nz

Easy Tiger Cocktail Bar 186 Victoria St easytigerbar.co.nz

Soho 2 Crawford Rd, Inner Kaiti sohobar.co.nz

GISBORNE Aladdin Bar/First Light Aikido 63 Peel St firstlighttaikido.net

The Poverty Bay Club 57/65 Customhouse St thepovertybayclub.co.nz The Jolly Stockman 3 Saleyards Rd yellow.co.nz Verve Cafe & Bar 121 Gladstone Rd facebook.com

NAPIER Guffle Bar 29A Hastings St, Napier South guffle.co.nz The Bank Sports Lounge 106 Hastings St facebook.com The Dutch at The Bluewater 10 W Quay, Ahuriri thedutch.co.nz The Gintrap Restaurant & Bar 64 W Quay, Ahuriri gintrap.co.nz The Rose Irish Pub 64 Hastings St masonic.co.nz The Thirsty Whale 62 W Quay, Ahuriri thethirstywhale.co.nz

PLYMOUTH Crowded House Bar 93-99 Devon St E crowdedhouse.co.nz Gusto Restaurant, Cafe & Bar Ocean View Parade gustotaranaki.conz Peggy Gordon’s Celtic Bar 58 Egmont St peggygordons.com The Mayfair 69 Devon St W themayfair.co.nz West Bar & Cafe 41 Tukapa St, Westown westbar.co.nz

TAURANGA Imbibe Bar & Restaurant 19 Girven Rd facebook.com Inbargo Bar & Bistro 4 Palmer Pl, Te Puke inbargobarandbistro.co.nz Major Toms Bar 297 Maunganui Rd, Mt Maunganui majortomsbar.com

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Have you been crying into your Cornflakes every morning because you can’t afford to go away this winter? Then cry no more, as you can get your accommodation, meals and more for free, or at one heck of a discount, by volunteering your services (no, not those ones) to tour companies. From helping out at European festivals to spreading the word back home to working as a guide, you’ll be joining in all the fun and feeling all the more smug inside as you know everyone else will have empty bank accounts to go home to, while yours, well it will still be empty too, but what’s new? Most tour companies are open to volunteers, but we’ve rounded up a few here to show you the unique opportunities that are out there so you can find something that suits you and your skill set. Of course the season is just around 18

the corner, so if you’re interested, get in touch ASAP. Or start working on those tent-erecting skills for next year.

BEST FOR… FREE FESTIVALS We all know tour guides – many intimately, ahem – but what about those other guys who spring up from behind the scenes? They’re the magical pixies who put up your tents, and take them down again, cook your food, check you in and generally help everything run smoothly – oh, and they party with you too. These guys don’t get paid, but they’re doing what you’re doing for free – just for a bit of helping out on the side. Stoke Travel (stoketravel.com) offers you the chance to volunteer at any of its festivals in Europe, such as Running of the Bulls, La Tomatina and Oktoberfest, and in return you get free camping accommodation, meals, unlimited beer

and sangria, and festival entry. We talk to some of their current volunteers to find out more… DAN ‘This will be my third year with Stoke Travel. I work for them during the summer festivals – I also work for a restaurant in Portugal during the summer, but my work is flexible so I can take off the time and it works pretty well. ‘For Stoke, I work behind reception to check in guests, give general information, do admin and make sure everyone’s ‘Stoked’ with their stay. ‘Doing this, I’ve had some of the best times in my life so far. I get to meet and work with some of the best, likeminded and crazy cool people. ‘My best memory so far would have to be when I stood up on a table in Oktoberfest and downed my stein of beer in a packed beer hall. After I had

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Image courtesy: MedSailors

finished – in 12 seconds, just saying – I was cheered by the whole beer hall, around all my new Stoke mates, like the Hero of the Day! ‘I would 100% without a shadow of a doubt recommend volunteering with Stoke to every and any 20/30-somethingyear-old! Unless you hate beer, sangria, good times, friends, rides, food fights, travelling, puppies, ice cream and smiling. Then don’t bother.’ COLE ‘I’ve worked for Stoke throughout the summers for the last two years after showing up as a guest three years ago. ‘My duties mainly include having the time of my life as it’s the best damn holiday anyone could ask for – but you can do anything from the set up/pack down of tents and camp amenities, bar tending, cooking, reception, welcome team, guide… and in return you get

free accommodation, free food, free beer, and you have the pleasure of spending time with absolute legends. ‘Why do it? Because this is probably the best thing that can happen to you!’ STEPHANIE (Crowned as ‘Bacon’ by Stoke) ‘I was dead broke and living off of twominute noodles in San Sebastian, when I met a couple of weirdos who were working in my hostel who also worked for Stoke. They told me I should join up and they’d take me to Oktoberfest, and there you go – cheers Josh and Jake! ‘I work in the Guru and Merch tent during the festivals, which is basically the info booth as well as where you get all your Stoke goodies. I’m also part of the Art Team, where we get to run wild and make the campsites look fucking sick before guests arrive. Oh yeah, then your main duty after that is to party with the guests!

‘Between Stoke festivals last year I was working in a bar and hostel in Lagos in Portugal. They see loads of travellers come through so are always fine with you leaving for a few weeks. I’ve now come back to Australia for the summer and am working full time in a cafe, but they don’t know I’m about to escape and head overseas again soon! ‘My best memory? Honestly the whole five weeks of Oktoberfest 2014 was the best time of my life! Or maybe the three-day bender of La Tomatina, or even the time a newbie got so drunk each day he shat himself four days in a row. That was great. ‘I’ve already talked the ears off everyone I’ve met over the past two years about how they should join up. I couldn’t ever recommend it enough. ‘Thanks Stoke for the best times I could have ever have imagined you putrid humans.’ TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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HOLIDAYFORFREE

COLE BEST FOR… GETTING SERIOUS BUCKS OFF WORLDWIDE TRAVEL There are a lot of travel companies out there, and it’s tough to pick who to spend your money with, so a lot of companies need to have innovative ways of marketing themselves, as well as relying on good-old word of mouth. This is why Free & Easy Traveler (FNEZ, freeandeasytraveler.com) offers discounted travel to people who are willing to help spread the good word about its trips. If they sell a trip, the rep gets commission – how much is dependent on the length of the trip sold. The commission is stored as ‘Travel Bucks’ in the rep’s account and can be used for their future trips with Free & Easy. Many of the reps end up travelling for free, or close to it. Pretty clever, hey? These guys have been earning a discount and saving hundreds – even thousands – and appear to be feeling pretty happy about it… ERICA ‘I have been working with Free & Easy since September 2013 after my lifechanging experience on their Thailand trip. Ever since then I have been helping run tables, events and postering the

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DAN walls of my school back home. ‘I am currently planning a 10-day Costa Rica to Panama trip, and I’ve been able to reduce the price by more than US$600 (AU$770) due to the amount of trip sign ups and table hours I’ve accumulated. ‘There have been so many perks to this job. I have not only met amazing, like-minded individuals, but I have been able to support my travelling addiction without too much of the stress a regular job would bring. They have worked around my crazy schedule at school and allowed me to be in charge of my own hours, while still saving for a trip.’ KARL ‘I became a rep for Free & Easy in January 2012 and a few months after that I went on my first trip with them. I decided on the 40-day Greece & Turkey trip, which turned out to be the most incredible 40 days of my life! ‘How much effort you put in to earn Travel Bucks is really up to you, which is great because I have a full-time job but I have the flexibility to do poster missions when it’s convenient for me. I also help run fresher events and host pub nights at university and college campuses in the area.

‘I have been to Nicaragua, Thailand and Vietnam with FNEZ and have the Croatia yacht trip lined up for this summer. Needless to say, I’m hooked!’ NICOLE ‘Social Media and postering around town has been my biggest pay off. In less than a year of repping for Free & Easy I have accumulated about 20 sign-ups! ‘Knowing that I am responsible for persuading somebody to go on a trip makes me happy because I know that they are going to come home and spread the FNEZ name everywhere they go. And the fact that it also benefits me makes me even happier! ‘We are essentially getting to go on these trips almost for free by telling the world just how awesome they are. The past eight months have been incredible and I don’t plan on ending my journey with Free & Easy anytime soon.’ MEGAN ‘From the moment I first touched down in Bangkok, I knew I had to be a part of this family. Since then, I have returned to Thailand, toured Laos, Cambodia and, most recently, Nicaragua. ‘While repping for FNEZ, I’ve

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NICOLE FRANKIE participated in wild fresher weeks, awesome festivals, college pub nights, countless hours at info tables inspiring people to take the leap, and everything in between. ‘The rep program is a well-oiled machine and allows all of us aspiring globetrotters the opportunity to make their dreams reality. I personally have redeemed thousands of dollars from years of dedicated repping and I continue to spread the love with anyone who will listen!’

BEST FOR… WATER BABIES Anyone who’s anyone is going on a sailing trip this year, but they don’t come cheap. So why not work as part of the crew and get your holiday on the water for free? This year, MedSailors has introduced a new volunteer role to its seasonal staff. The Crew Representatives take on the traditional holiday rep aspect of the trips, ensuring guests are on top of the best activities, places to go and what to do throughout their trip. This role is ideal if you are fun and outgoing. It also means, rather than just making yourself useful where needed, you are actually gaining valuable skills and experience. Frankie and Connie are both taking

a few months out this year to help MedSailors’ guests have the best time possible as they sail around Croatia and Greece... it’s a tough life. FRANKIE ‘My initial placement with MedSailors was only a few weeks long at the end of last summer, but this year I will be away working with them for more than three months. ‘They have been very understanding of my prior commitments to university and my studies, and have allowed me to begin the season slightly later than most other employees. ‘I will work as a Crew Rep, assisting the Guest Manager with their weekly duties and ensuring that the guests have as enjoyable a holiday as possible. ‘I will be on hand to help with any queries, as well as showing the guests around the islands, taking them to the best bars and restaurants in the evenings and making sure that everyone is catered for. ‘In return I get three months on a beautiful boat in my favourite part of the world, surrounded by like-minded, enthusiastic young people. ‘I am most looking forward to meeting some fantastic new people, both among the guests and the other

staff that I will be working alongside, as in my opinion that’s really what the whole thing is about. ‘I also can’t wait to be out in the sunshine and learn a bit more about sailing, see the beautiful Greek islands where I will be working, and generally have a brilliant summer.’ CONNIE ‘This year I’ll be in Croatia from midJune until the end of August. I didn’t get to choose dates but I was given the chance to offer an idea of which dates would be most suitable for me. ‘I’m actually going to quit my job to work for MedSailors. It seems drastic, but when you enjoy working seasons, everything is temporary and uncertain. I find it exciting. ‘There will be a variety of jobs to keep me busy. From sourcing fresh bread every morning to organising guest transfers, showing guests the local hotspots, updating all social media platforms for marketing purposes, plus some finance and admin work. ‘For this I get a summer in Croatia! It’s a good deal. With jobs like this, I don’t take them with the intention of saving money. It’s all about the experiences you gain and the people you meet along the way.’

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HOLIDAYFORFREE

BEST FOR… SOMETHING A LITTLE DEEPER If you want something a bit more meaningful than sun, sex and sangria, then there are other ways to travel for free, or on very little. Australian Ciaran Elsworthy relied on the kindness of strangers as he hitchhiked his way from Bucharest to Madrid, travelling through the Middle East and North Africa. Although there was more than the opportunity for a cheap trip on his mind. “The Middle East and Africa always intrigued me, what with their diverse landscapes, thousands of years of history and spiritual significance,” the 21-yearold told TNT.“It therefore saddened me that these beautiful places were being ravaged by Western media with tales of extremists and political unrest deterring tourists from visiting. By hitchhiking through this region, I had a self-imposed mission to show people that this fear was misplaced.” Indeed, he found the strangers he encountered to be more than generous, offering him lifts, a bed for the night, money… a man named Armin whom he met in Cyprus even paid for one of his flights. “The people I met during my journey are easily the most kind and generous people I have ever encountered,” tells Ciaran. “On a daily basis I was offered a ride in their car or truck, to share in their food, and even to sleep in their homes. “It didn’t matter that my skin was a different colour, that I

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didn’t share the same religious beliefs, or that I didn’t speak the same language. To those people, I was just another human being in need. You don’t find that anywhere else.” Of course there is an element of danger putting that much trust in strangers. Hitchhiking in particular has a bad rep. Did Ciaran ever feel at risk? “I never truly felt in danger, no. Uneasy? Sure, sometimes. You always need to be wary about the people who pick you up, but for the most part I was very comfortable.” He tells us, in fact, it’s when you’re on the side of the road with your thumb out that you feel most alone. “Hitching a ride is generally simple, though you can be waiting for several hours. The challenging part is keeping yourself in high spirits, focusing on the task at hand, and forgetting about the loneliness that can creep up on you. I hitchhiked the entire distance by myself, and, while I did meet incredible people and had some inspiring conversations, I would suggest going with another person.” When it came to places to rest his head, he would stay with people he met on the street, or a driver who had picked him up, but generally he organised couchsurfing in advance. “The fantastic thing about couchsurfing is not the free bed, it’s the local people you get to meet and the opportunity to experience the real culture of a place.” But if all else failed? “I had a tent and sleeping bag with me, so in the rare instances that I had nowhere to go, I would simply set up camp on the side of the road or on the beach and that would be that.”

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He also did the volunteer thing, but rather than for tour groups, he worked in hostels in Romania, on a farm in Turkey and a Bedouin desert camp in Jordan, all in return for somewhere to stay plus food and drink. In total, Ciaran spent AU$1,500 on four-and-a-half months of travel, and that was just on visas and flights when borders were closed, or the cheaper option of a boat was unavailable. Although Ciaran’s money bank may have remained healthy, it’s his memory bank that is fit to bursting. The most memorable experience of a stranger’s generosity, he tells us, is when he had passed through the checkpoint into Palestine and was walking to the Church of Nativity in the centre of Bethlehem. In the distance he could hear shots, which he soon found out were military personnel firing canisters of tear gas at people throwing rocks. This is a semi-regular occurrence due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, though people are rarely injured. So while it wasn’t incredibly dangerous, it was still advisable to avoid it. Having taken a wrong turn close to this conflict, he found himself enclosed on three sides by the giant concrete wall that cuts through the city. It was at that point he was greeted by a woman named Claire Anastas. “She immediately showed concern, and upon learning that I had no money on me, insisted that I take a portion of the little she had in order to catch a taxi and avoid the conflict,” tells Ciaran. “Initially I was taken back. I was but a stranger to

HOLIDAYFORFREE

her, and yet she didn’t even hesitate to help me. “I soon learned of her story; how the wall has ruined her business and engulfed her home in darkness, of how the military prevent her from using the roads, even when her children are home alone. But, above it all, she believes in helping those in need. “I’ll never forget that moment.”

CIARAN’S MONEY-SAVING TIPS Accommodation: Couchsurf and consider travelling with a tent and sleeping bag to avoid spending any money on accommodation. I was homeless for a year abroad and rarely paid to sleep in a hostel. Food: Eat cheap. Go to the supermarket and talk to locals about good prices. Transport: All you need is your thumb and a smile and you can hitch across the world. TNT warning: Hitch hike at your own risk. We would advise you never do it alone, trust your instincts and whenever you can, get cheap public transport instead. Miscellaneous (activities and souvenirs): This is up to you, but you can find a lot of things for free or cheaper by doing some research. And try to leave the tourist tat behind.

To read more about Ciaran’s adventures, visit crowd-funding travel website trevolta.com, and type his name into the search engine TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Photos: iStock and supplied

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CELEBINTERVIEW

‘I find fetishes fascinating’ Aussie Josh Lawson’s directorial debut, The Little Death, is set for international release. Delving into the world of kink Down Under, what will the world think? INTERVIEW BY CAROLINE GARNAR

Cast your minds back to 1997. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery was groovying up our cinema screens, with Mike Myers the undoubted star of the show. But there was another face in that film that caught our eye, and it looked a lot like Will Ferrell. Hold the fez, it was Will Ferrell! Of course back then, we didn’t know who the mighty Will was, as he had only appeared in a couple of TV series. Now, he is the comic legend whom actors would give their right funny bone to work with. The reason I am mentioning this, in case you are wondering, is that I have a feeling we will be saying the same thing about Josh Lawson in a few years. In Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Will Ferrell himself holds the spotlight, but there’s a memorable appearance from Kench Allenby, the Australian no one can understand. Played by real-life Aussie Josh Lawson, the actor is little known outside of his character in US drama House of Lies. His rough-andready rom-com directorial debut, however, could be about to change things. Already a hit in Australia (if you haven’t seen it yet, watch it), the film is set for release in the UK on May 8 and US on June 26 under the new title of A Funny Kind of Love (‘the little death’, or ‘le petit mort’, is French slang for an orgasm; apparently too sophisticated a title for the English and Americans. No comment.) As writer, director and one of the stars, Lawson’s debut – for those who haven’t seen it yet – tells the stories of four loosely interwoven couples in Australia, with appearances from the friendly neighbourhood sex offender and a deaf translator who is forced to sign for a sex line caller with brilliantly hilarious consequences. The film looks at what can happen when people give in to their fetishes; from a man who has an affair with his wife without her even realising, to a woman who gets off on making her partner cry, it’s an honest, dry and often surprisingly touching film, which has plenty of slap and tickle for your funny bone too. With the possibility of international acclaim at his doorstep, we had a chat with Lawson from his current base in LA to find out how he’s doing...

So Josh, your film’s about to be released in the UK and US. How do you think it’s going to be received? Will foreign audiences get it? I certainly don’t think I made a film that has a – quote, unquote – Australian sense of humour about it. There’s nothing necessarily Australian about the film – I think it’s just very human. I think there’s a reason why it’s been sold to so many countries internationally; because relationships, love and sex – they’re such human things, and I don’t think the way I approached the comedy was quintessentially Australian. I tried to make it a very universal story. It’s not all sequins and drama and strong accents… Certainly not, and that’s mainly because that’s not the Australia I grew up in. I know the films you are talking about, and some of them are great, and I connect with some of them, but I felt like I wanted to make a film about Australia that felt very truthful to me – and that doesn’t TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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CELEBINTERVIEW

necessarily involve crocodiles or koalas (laughs). There is another part of Australia that I don’t think is often represented in film, which is the middle class, and it’s just as vibrant and rich and complicated as any other parts, so I thought it might be time to do a comedy set in that world. How do you feel about the response to it in Australia? It’s been fantastic. I really tried to make a film for the audience, and a film that I hadn’t seen before. I think it was a talked-about film in Australia and I was very happy I was able to make it there and with a lot of my friends. You’ve worked with Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis in Anchorman 2 and The Campaign; what was that like? Quite honestly it’s much the same as when you work with anyone else. After the flash of standing in front of your idol goes away – and it does, really quickly, because you’ve all got a job to do – it honestly feels like any other job. You do feel like you’re working with one of the greats, though, when you work with someone like Will Ferrell. You can understand why he’s so successful – well at least I could anyway. He really does have something very special, that can’t be denied. He’s very talented, but above all he’s such a lovely man; he really is a generous actor. He doesn’t make you feel like you’re standing in front of a titan at all, he make you feel like you’re standing in front of a colleague. I think that’s why so many people do their best work with Will, because he really allows the atmosphere to foster that. Is he always cracking jokes or is he ever the professional? He’s a bit of both. He’s nothing but professional, but as he’s making a comedy, being a professional also means he’s a laugh a minute, so it’s not one or the other. He has an off switch though if that’s what you mean. You can have a real conversation with him; he’s not always cracking gags. He just 26

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feels like a good friend, I don’t know how else to describe it. This is your first feature film as a director; what made you decide to branch into filmmaking? I’ve always been a writer – I wrote for theatre and I write for TV in Australia, and I had written this screenplay and I loved it. I felt so close to this story – this collection of stories – and I just felt like I didn’t want anyone else to make it. I was too close to it. So it was out of selfishness really. But now I’ve got the taste for it, because I really did enjoy the process; although it’s a real grind. Filmmaking is not what you would call fun, but it’s so wonderfully challenging that I can’t wait to do it again and again and challenge myself in new and exciting ways. Is it difficult to direct something and act in it at the same time? Is it a case of running from behind the camera, to in front of it, to behind it, to in front of it… (Laughs) Yeah, it is. We were on a really tight schedule, so we didn’t have time for playback – when you play back what you’ve just recorded on a monitor – so it was a bit of a leap of faith. I had a great crew who I trusted, I had a script supervisor who I could check with and say ‘did you pick up anything?’ and my other actors and producers. [When I was acting] I had to look at them and go, ‘Guys I have to trust you at this point’. I set up the shot with a stand-in, who also happened to be one of our producers – that was the kind of job it was, a team effort (laughs). Once I had run through the shot a couple of times with the crew, they knew what it was that I was chasing, then I would step in front of the camera and they replicated that. It’s not the most ideal situation, to jump between the two, but it is challenging and I do enjoy a challenge. Where did the idea for the film come from? Is it based on couples you know? Yeah, there were a couple of conversations I had with friends

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over a few bottles of wine, and I just found the subject of fetishes… I think fetish is the wrong word… kinks really, I found it fascinating. It’s interesting how frightened people are of revealing their fetishes. But also we were discussing at what stage in a relationship do you decide it’s time to say, ‘Hey, by the way I’m into this, please don’t judge me’. It doesn’t have to be extreme – in fact so many of my friends’ stories were not extreme at all, but I don’t think that really matters. That is why this is such a real film. It’s not saying, ‘These fetishes are super common and I’m sure this is one of yours’; it’s saying that no matter what your predilection, we’re all a little frightened about revealing who we are sexually, so you’re not alone; but perhaps the method is honesty and communication, and if you can do that with your partner then I think you stand a good chance of having a healthy relationship. The couples who were honest with each other are the ones it ends well for, so was that the message you wanted to get across? Honesty is the best policy… Completely. It’s not a revelation, I’m not saying anything we don’t know, but they’re little parables I suppose in a way. It’s not to say there aren’t problems with being honest – for example the woman who has the rape fantasy, there are obviously hurdles to overcome, but in the end love conquers all, yeah (laughs). How much research did you do for the film, and what kind of research did you do…? Yeah I did quite a lot of research. I’d actually been trying to make the film for about seven years before it went into production, so there was a lot of time to refine the script, and in that time I did plenty of research, not the least of which was talking with fetishists themselves and going to fetish clubs, doing a lot of reading and finding case studies. I also went to the phone service, which has pride of place in the film, and talked to the deaf translators about their experiences.

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And were there any fetishisms you discovered where you thought, ‘I can’t cover that, that’s just freaky’? No, if they didn’t make the cut it wasn’t because I thought it was too freaky; I never judged anyone on their fetishisms, and I don’t in the film. I don’t think anyone’s weird or abnormal for having a fetish, providing it’s not illegal and people are consenting. So I wasn’t like ‘what a bunch of weirdos I’m not gonna cover that’, I just couldn’t cover them all. I hope one day I can do a sequel because there were just too many to include. Were the people you spoke to open and honest with you about their fetishes? Absolutely – the people I talked to were very comfortable with their feelings, plus they were anonymous, so there was no fear of me exposing their secrets. I think in a lot of ways they were happy to talk about it. So what are you working on currently, and what can we expect from you in the future? I’m still doing House of Lies, which is a show that I do here in the States about management consultancy, so the fourth season’s on air at the moment and fingers crossed we’re going for a fifth later this year. So that’s as an actor. As a director I’ve got a couple of features in development; there’s a TV series I’m working on as well. I do love writing and I just hope that I can make lots of different projects for TV, film and even theatre – I hope to go back and do some more of that. So I can safely say you can expect something completely different next time, and I hope that I can keep surprising people. And maybe A Funny Kind of Love Part II…? You never know. If it’s a hit in the rest of the world then why not! TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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CHATROOM

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Pete Evans

We talk to the Aussie chef of 25 years about living the Paleo lifestyle, debunking its reputation as the ‘caveman diet’, and how it helps not just you, but the planet... INTERVIEW CAROLINE GARNAR

What’s the theory behind Paleo? At its essence, living a Paleo lifestyle is about taking the most natural dietary approach possible to support optimal physical and emotional health so that we can all live our best lives. Sure, it might take cues from our ancestors, but it’s also mixed with the most up-todate nutritional research. What can and can’t you eat? It’s really important to understand that Paleo isn’t about thinking of what you can and can’t eat. Paleo is a celebration of fresh, organic, local, seasonal vegetables combined with moderate good-quality protein sources from land and sea and good-quality fats, such as coconut oil, avocados and olives. The reason you eliminate grains, dairy and refined

sugars and carbohydrates is because all of these contribute to inflammation throughout the body and, as so many studies have proven, it is this inflammation that is at the root of the Western world’s alarming rates of obesity and chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer and type-2 diabetes. Also, the way food is manufactured in the modern world is almost unrecognisable from what our ancestors once consumed. With the rise of toxins and genetic modification, a lot of food we find on supermarket shelves isn’t conducive to good health. I understand not eating processed food – but what’s wrong with farmed food, such as dairy – if it’s organic? For those who have an allergenic response, dairy can cause issues with everything from congestion to bloating, wind and other digestion issues. Also, humans are the only ones who migrate from consuming our own species’ milk as babies to suddenly switching to that of another species, whose milk is designed for their young. With the growth of fastproduction dairy, it doesn’t do any good for the cow’s welfare either.

Do you not ever just want to stick your head in a big vat of chocolate? Once I tuned my body, any sugar cravings evaporated, and as a chef I’ve found ways of re-creating some of my favourite meals in a Paleo way, like pizza using a cauliflower crust. As a result, I really don’t get cravings. If we don’t want to go the whole hog, what small changes should we make? Ditch all processed food, refined sugars and carbohydrates and start to listen to your body and how it feels after you’ve eaten different foods. Also support your locals by heading to the farmers’ market to stock up on veggies, or visit your fishmonger or butcher to select a cut you may never have tried before. What affect has the Paleo lifestyle had on your life? Because I feel well and have lots of energy, I have lots more time for my family and I can surf for four or five hours now without even feeling it. At 41, I’m in the best shape physically and mentally that I’ve ever been in. My mind is sharp and I have real focus, drive and determination for what I want to achieve.

Visit thepaleoway.com for more info. Pete’s book, Paleo Every Day is available to buy now

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Photos: supplied

Is it easy to live the Paleo lifestyle? I’ve discovered a whole well of recipes which use ingredients that nourish the body and mind and taste great, so I want to inspire others by sharing these and to show how easy it is to shop, cook and prepare meals. This isn’t

about making life complicated – it’s as simple as preparing foods, putting time aside and really understanding the impact using different ingredients can have on our overall wellbeing.

Photos: supplied

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TRAVEL NEWS | TOP 5 | OZ TRIP | TOP 10 | LISTINGS

PLANE MADNESS?

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‘Despite being less likely to end fatally than pulling out of your driveway, there is a death-defying reputation that skydiving has which, perhaps unfairly so, reversing out of your garage just doesn’t share.’ See out top five places to throw yourself out of a plane on page 34.

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TRAVELBITES Walk to Vietnamese cooking school Walking operator Twelve Apostles has teamed with Chef Ha Nguyen of cooking school OTAO Kitchen, to offer overnight cooking experiences. Participants in the overnight experience will make their own way to the Johanna-based lodge in time for an afternoon class, before a wine matched interactive five-course dinner and overnight boutique lodge stay. The following morning, they join Chef Nguyen and make a Yum Cha-style brunch before departing to explore the Great Ocean Road further or return to Melbourne. One-night weekend dates at Johanna, along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, have been scheduled between June and August, with twonight retreats available mid-week on request for private groups. Twelve Apostles owner Dana Ronan explains, “Our walkers finish our four-day walk with memories of the landscape and the food fused together. Chef Ha showcases a stunning array of local produce across a stylish menu that has low GI slow release energy at its core: perfect for walking. “Having Ha return to the Lodge in winter is a win-win for both. Our walk season tapers off at the end of May, and OTAO Kitchen is looking to offer special clients a way to deepen their cooking experience in a beautiful location.” Accommodation is at the exclusive lodge owned by Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk, normally only open to guests who join their four day/three night walk experience between September and May. The classes start from $435 per person and operate on most Fridays and Saturdays between June and August. There is a maximum of 10 people in each class.

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Visa row: Aussie husband of ex-British squash champ refused UK entry Six-time British squash champion Cassie Thomas has been told she can’t bring her family back to the UK after her Australian husband was refused a visa.

The 42-year-old former world number one – better known as Cassie Jackman during her playing days – is reeling from a decision which has effectively left her stranded in Melbourne with her husband Matt and their two daughters. Norfolk-born Cassie – who was awarded an MBE for her sporting achievements – left England with her family in 2010. She owns a house near Norwich, but her civil engineer husband Matt has been denied a visa despite a guaranteed job offer in Norfolk. The couple met when Matt was over playing cricket for village team Saham Toney, and were married in 2004. Their daughters were both born at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. But their hopes of returning to Norfolk were crushed when the couple were told by the Home Office that Mr Thomas’s application would not be granted because he had left the UK more than two years ago through “personal choice”, and now wished to come back through “personal choice”. After five years in Australia the couple wanted to move back to Norfolk, where Cassie’s parents still live. She said she was shocked, angry

and “a bit disgusted” by the snub. “I know immigration is a big issue over there, especially with the coming election,” she said, quoted in the Daily Express. “Because there is no control over people from the EU coming into Britain they are targeting non-EU people instead, to try to keep immigration numbers down. “My husband is from a Commonwealth country for heaven’s sake. We have a house in Norfolk, he has a job waiting for him. He’s never claimed benefits and we’ve always paid our taxes. The girls and I were born in Norfolk and I’ve represented my country at world level – what more do they want? Why is it okay for a Romanian to bring his family to Britain, but I can’t bring mine?” Cassie, who is currently working as a part-time squash coach in Melbourne, said an immigration lawyer had told them an appeal would be lengthy, costly, and unlikely to succeed. The only other options were to prove they had a minimum of £62,500 in savings for at least six months, or to try to get her husband in on a spouse visa. However, this would mean she had to break up her family by working in England for six months, earning at least £18,600. They would then face a lengthy application process. Cassie reached four world open squash finals, winning the title in 1999 when she beat Australian Michelle Martin in the final in Seattle. She won gold and silver medals at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, followed by silver and bronze medals at the 2002 Games. She was presented with her MBE by Prince Charles in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 2004. She retired in 2004 due to recurring back problems.

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The world’s top travel destinations for 2015 How many of the world’s most popular cities have you ticked off your list?

Menara gardens, Marrakech

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Mosques and the Bosphorus in Istanbul

Hanoi street life, Vietnam

The folk at TripAdvisor decided they wanted to find out the ultimate destinations for travellers this year – like they do every year – and this is what they discovered: Marrakech claimed the number one spot for the first time, while Siem Reap in Cambodia jumped up to second in the rankings. Istanbul, Hanoi and Prague completed the world top five list. Rome, named runner up in the awards last year, dropped five places to seventh, while New York, the best-rated US destination, failed to make the top 10 for the second year running. London slipped from third to sixth place, although the UK capital does have the

honour of being one of only three destinations to have retained a top 10 ranking five years in a row. Of the top 10, Hanoi offers the cheapest hotel value with average summer room rates at less than AU$60 a night – one sixth of the price of an average room over the same period in London. The full top 10 are: 1. Marrakech 2. Siem Reap 3. Istanbul 4. Hanoi 5. Prague 6. London 7. Rome 8. Buenos Aires 9. Paris 10. Cape Town

The awards also revealed the UK’s rated destinations. It was a great year for smaller UK destinations with Llandudno, Torquay, Blackpool and Keswick all named in the top 10. Llandudno and Torquay placed in the UK’s top five taking third and fourth place respectively, beating Liverpool, Belfast and York. Keswick, a market town in the Lake District, is a newcomer to the top 10 this year and ranks ninth place, beating Glasgow. Among the top 10 UK destinations, Blackpool offers the cheapest rooms with £76.21 (AU$145) as the average summer rate – less than half the price of a

comparable room in London. The Top 10 UK destinations are: 1. London 2. Edinburgh 3. Llandudno 4. Torquay 5. Liverpool 6. Blackpool 7. Belfast 8. York 9. Keswick 10. Glasgow

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SKY DIVES

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Photos: Skydive Australia, Woollongong.

TOPFIVE

Despite being less likely to end fatally than pulling out of your driveway, there is a death-defying reputation that skydiving has which, perhaps unfairly so, reversing out of your garage just doesn’t share. Maybe it’s because throwing yourself from a plane at 15,000ft goes against every instinct we humans have to stay on the ground, and to stay alive. But ask anyone who has skydived before and chances are they’ll tell you it was one of the most incredible experiences of their life. Thankfully for these people, modern society has the capacity to cater to their inclination to hurl themselves from the sky towards the ground, when in a previous time Darwinian Evolution may not have worked in their favour. Oh, what a time to be alive! Australia’s wide open spaces and New Zealand’s luscious rainforests and mountains present some of the most interesting sights for the skydivers bucketlists. And here are a few of our favourites...

FOX GLACIER, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND At the top of our list, you’ll soar over one of the most beautiful drop zones in the world. Take in panoramic views of Westland National Park, rainforests, rivers, lakes, and the Tasman Sea. Dive from above the peaks of some of New Zealand’s highest mountains, Mount Tasman and Mount Cook, and admire the largest glaciers and snow fields in the Southern Alps. Be it winter of summer, the sights will be beautiful, with snow-capped mountain tops visible yearround. Four hours from Queenstown, either make a day trip or spend some time in the nearby Fox Glacier Village, with plenty of accommodation and activities for a small-town getaway. The most popular and highest jump is from 16,500ft, which takes you 4000ft above Mount Cook, and gives you 70 seconds of freefall. Or jump from 12,000ft which takes you to the peaks of Mt Cook and gives you 45 seconds of freefall. skydivefox.co.nz

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HOME TO SOME OF

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1300 663 634 www.skydive.com.au *Terms and conditions: valid at any location, one voucher per person, not available with any other TNTDOWNUNDER.COM discount or offer, valid on 35 14,000ft tandem skydives only. TNT15.

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SKY DIVES

Images: Skydive Australia, Skydive Taupo,and Skydive Wanaka. Words: Mariah Matthews

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LAKE WANAKA, SOUTH ISLAND, NZ

MISSION BEACH, QUEENSLAND

A little under 150km away from our number one spot, we come to another spectacular skydiving sight over Lake Wanaka. With views over Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring, you’ll see another side of the most beautiful skydive New Zealand has to offer. With mountains that descend into rainforests, and glaciers that trickle down to rivers and lakes, you’ll see every kind of landscape New Zealand has to proudly boast. From either 15,000ft or 12,000ft, strap yourself onto a stranger, apologise to your mum, and throw yourself literally and figuratively into something truly spectacular. skydivewanaka.com

Once you’ve visited Queensland, snorkelled the Great Barrier Reef, and seen it from the bottom of the ocean floor, next up on your bucket list should be to see it from the sky. Tandem jumping from 14,000ft, the Mission Beach skydive gives you views of Queensland’s tropical rainforests, off-shore islands, the Great Barrier Reef, and the long, white beach front that stretches out alongside it. Take the 20-minute scenic flight up to the jumping point and enjoy a comfy descent as your feet kick up sand on a soft beach landing. skydivemissionbeach.com.au

TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

WOLLONGONG BEACH, NSW

Keeping in theme with New Zealand’s unbelievably beautiful landscapes, Taupo is no exception. Choose from 12,000ft or 15,000ft jumps where you’ll gaze upon snow-capped peaks, National parks, New Zealand’s central plateau, and Lake Taupo, the country’s largest lake. With so much landscape to take in as your soar to the ground, you’ll be itching to get back on the plane and do it all over again to take in what you’ve missed. And rest assured, the best way to take in all the elements of New Zealand’s nature is as you’re hurling yourself towards it. skydivetaupo.co.nz

Find the only skydive with a beach landing in Sydney about an hour out of the CBD. The views of this jump are a little different however, as they offer you incredible views of where the peaceful coastline meets the bustling city and all its sights. If you’re lucky, you might get the chance to spot a whale or dolphins. When your friends brag about having seen Sydney from the top of the Harbour Bridge, remind them about that time you fell from 14,000ft above it. And for not too much more money either. skydive.com.au

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WIN

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HOW TO ENTER

Go to tntdownunder.com/deals-and-competitions/competitions/ See webpage for terms and conditions. Winners will be selected at random.

WIN A TANDEM SKYDIVE! Skydive the Beach and TNT are offering one lucky winner the chance to win a tandem skydive!

WIN

Experience the ultimate thrill of freefall from up to 14,000 feet for up to an insane 60 seconds, and then float under canopy for 5-7 minutes soaking up the spectacular views. Skydiving really is an experience of a lifetime! Our lucky winner can choose to jump at any of the following locations: Airlie Beach QLD, Byron Bay NSW, Brisbane QLD, Cairns QLD, Great Ocean Road VIC, Hunter Valley NSW, Melbourne VIC, Mission Beach QLD, Newcastle NSW, Perth WA, Rockingham WA, Sydney-Wollongong NSW, Yarra Valley VIC, York WA For more information about skydiving, visit www.skydive.com.au or call 1300 663 634.

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Cairns calling In Australia’s tourist capital, you’ll spend your days in freefall and your nights looking for action at storied bars. TNT shows you the way to go… 38

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Photos:AJ Hackett Bungy, Raging Thunder Adventures, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures and Cairns Zoom

AJ Hackett bungy jump

Get an adrenalin rush...

Tully River rafting

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures

Cairns is all about AJ Hackett’s 50m bungy jump. Part of the appeal of the world’s second-oldest commercial jump – after Queenstown in New Zealand – is its spectacular surroundings (think jungle, wildlife and lapping water). The idea of tying a dangling rope around your ankle might sound scary but the rush you’ll get as you fly through the air before bouncing around like a demented doll is indescribable. Trust us, you’ll want to do it again and again. However, rather than go for a repeat performance, opt for trying out the other trick up Hackett’s sleeve, the Minjin Swing. Expect to be harnessed up again before being lifted 45m into the air. Hover for a few tranquil moments and then pull the release cord: in approximately three seconds, you’ll be screeching through the trees at 120km/hr before rising back beyond the canopy and down again. When you finally come to a rest, you’ll be buzzing! If you don’t mind heights, but would rather not be jumping off them, Cairns Zoom (main pic) is a good alternative. Climb, crawl and zipline your way around a course before checking out the wildlife in its indoor dome. Talking of wildlife, North Queensland is literally crawling with crocodiles and several operators will allow you to get up close safely. One of the best is Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures about 30 minutes north of Cairns, which is a commercial crocodile farm. Not only do they have crocodile but there are also plenty of other native fauna for you to check out. You can also see crocodiles in the wild on the Daintree River with a Bruce Belcher Daintree River Cruise. For a wet adventure, travel two hours south of Cairns to Tully where you whitewater raft on the Tully River. Most operators run day tours to take on the grade 3-4 rapids and cost about $150. TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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DO SOMETHING SIMILAR DIVE TO ADVENTURE WITH CONTIKI Go down under at the world’s premiere underwater playground, the Great Barrier Reef. See the flora and fauna that call this natural wonder home for the next three days. Live aboard a ship and dive or snorkel your way around magnificent coral formations, you can participate in up to 11 dives at 16 exclusive dive sites. The value is unmatched! Book it: tnttoursearch.com/ tours/dive-to-adventure

Life on the water It would be a crime to visit Cairns and not sign up for a snorkelling or scuba diving session given Cairn’s proximity to a spot called the Great Barrier Reef. You may have heard of it. Home to 2,900 individual reefs, 1,500 species of fish, 411 hard corals and 134 species of sharks and rays, as well as whales, plants, cucumbers and the like, it’s the common denominator for the thousands of tourists who flood the region each week. Chances are you’ll have seen photos or a doco on television, but nothing comes close to seeing the bewildering colours which form this extraordinary wonder. There are dozens of operators in the region that run snorkelling or diving trips which will have you floating among the bright coral and even brighter fish, but TNT can vouch for Passions of Paradise who promise top-notch snorkelling, an ecofriendly trip, compassionate and friendly guides – oh and a great lunch. Running trips out to the reef, their smooth 40

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TROPICAL SUNTANNER WITH TOPDECK You’ll want to pack plenty of sunscreen as you come and get your tan on with us on this great tour of Australia’s East Coast. Three days sailing the brilliant Whitsunday Islands and the spectacular Great Barrier Reef, plus two days in tropical Cairns. Book it: tnttoursearch.com/tours/ tropical-suntanner-ex-airlie-beach-2015-16

ISLAND AND RAINFOREST WITH CONTIKI Get the most of Australia’s East Coast with this tour to explore and relax. Take in the crystal clear waters and the lush tropical settings. Ride the Captain Cook Highway – with rainforest on one side and the Great Barrier Reef on the other, it’s not your typical road trip. You’ll make friends

catamarans carry passengers out to see the dizzying array of wildlife that occupies these waters. Whether you choose to snorkel or dive, the sights (school fish and turtles) are amazing – the way the coral grows and lives creates a magnificent trippy spectacle unlike anything even the lost avant-garde artist could dream up. However if all you want to do is fly and flop, then rest assured that Cairns is chock full of brilliant beaches. On your doorstep you’ve got Trinity Beach – characterised by its calm water. Alternatively for a little more luxury, push on up the coast to Palm Cove, which is framed by palm trees and al fresco restaurants. Yet arguably the best beach is Mission Beach – an underrated spot, a few hours south of Cairns, that boasts kilometres of spectacular beaches happily clashing with World Heritage-listed rainforest. After a swim and a sunbathe, we recommend wandering through the lush green wonderland looking for endangered cassowaries.

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for life as you explore Down Under with this Contiki Australia travel package. Book it: tnttoursearch.com/ tours/island-and-rainforest-start-cairns

There are no tour leaders and no accommodation included. These decisions are up to you. Book it: tnttoursearch.com/tours/full-koala-ways-from-cairns

FULL KOALA WAYS (FROM CAIRNS) WITH BAMBA

SNORKEL TO ADVENTURE WITH CONTIKI

Travel freely and explore the world as you have always dreamed. The Hop-On Hop-Off bus passes with Bamba Experience are a flexible and independent way to travel on different types of transport (public buses, shuttle vans, ferries, trains and planes) to exciting destinations with daily departures and the flexibility of unlimited changes to your departure dates anytime. Enjoy tons of experiences encompassing a variety of adventure, cultural, historical and natural activities.

Escape into the big blue beyond at the world’s premiere underwater playground, the Great Barrier Reef. See the flora and fauna that call this natural wonder home, which is exactly what you’ll do for the next three days as you snorkel your way around magnificent coral formations before returning to dry land. Haven’t had enough? Check out the Rainforest Adventure tour and stay on solid ground for four days of tropical exploration. Book it: tnttoursearch.com/tours/snorkel-to-adventure

Trips out of Cairns Cairns is a brilliant base to explore North Queensland. Good day trips include Port Douglas, a pretty little town that is rightly popular with visitors. If you’re just dropping in for a day-trip make it a Sunday for the local markets and then take a wander along Four Mile Beach. There’s also a couple of decent golf courses to have a hit on. Or opt for a walk in the forest because, for all the hype that the Great Barrier Reef gets, the Daintree Rainforest is also incredibly impressive. Expect to see trees thousands of years old and spiders the size of your head. Daintree Rainforest has the largest range of flora and fauna on the planet and with an array of walks you could spend days exploring it. Alternatively take a trip to The Atherton Tablelands – a beautiful place to go for a drive. About 600-1100 metres above sea-level the area is a mixture of farmland, forests and rivers. Mossman Gorge also rewards a visit: it’s a lovely

place in which to enjoy a picnic against the backdrop of the breathtaking Daintree Rainforest. Water flows down the Mossman River over huge boulders making it a great spot for a swim – free from crocodiles. Elsewhere, for a spectacular view in the region take a ride on the Skyrail at Kuranda. It’s a 7.5km cable car across tropical rainforest and is situated about 20 minutes from Cairns. However the jewel in North Queensland’s crown is arguably Cape Tribulation. Located a couple of hours north of Cairns, it’s affectionately known as ‘Cape Trib’ and is basically the end of the road. While it is possible to head further north to Cooktown from here, you’ll need a 4WD to go beyond Cape Tribulation and go in the dry season, because the roads are often impassable in the wet. Up at Cape Tribulation you can join dive boats, though they’re expensive, go sea kayaking, do night-time jungle walks, and there’s a bat zoo. TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Shangri-La hotel and marina

Photo: The Woolshed

The Woolshed

Getting your drink on Cairns nightlife isn’t flashy, but it is fun. If you’re a pub person, you’ll be in your element as the town is chock full of ’em. The Woolshed is a rowdy affair with loads of backpackers having a good time. There’s a number of bars and restaurants which line the esplanade making it a nice spot for a drink in the afternoon. If you’re looking for something with a view head to Ba8 Lounge Bar at the Shangri-La Hotel – a trendy bar overlooking the marina. It’s close to heaps of restaurants at The Pier which is a shopping/restaurant complex under the hotel. The Pier Bar and Grill is a popular spot for Friday evening and Sunday sessions as it overlooks parkland and the ocean. If it’s sports you’re after The Cock and Bull is an English pub with loads of televisions. It also has great steaks at reasonable prices. On the food front, be sure to book a table at Tamarind – a modern Asian restaurant at the Reef Casino that isn’t far off fine-dining. The Baby Baramundi (served up 42

whole with teeth and everything) done in their special sweet tamarind sauce is to die for. Situated one block back from the Esplanade in the city-centre Perrottas at The Gallery is another popular spot – particularly for breakfast, brunch and lunch. All dining is on a huge balcony overlooking the street. Other hot spots include Fetta’s Greek Taverna, where you can zorba dance between courses, and Ocean World, a fresh seafood market on the highway which has awesome fresh seafood and supports the local fishermen. Even better, you can order fish and chips – choose any bit of fish you want and have it cooked right there. Later, body bop until you drop at any of the pit stops along the Esplanade, aka Cairns’ main tourist street that stretches the length of the town’s coastal side. After something more civilised? Jump in a cab to the outskirts of town, where you’ll find the Tanks Arts Centre. Located within the Cairns Botanical Gardens precinct, the Tanks is a much-celebrated multi-arts centre housed in three converted Second World War naval oilstorage tanks. Look out for live music, from jazz to rock.

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WINNER WINNER PURAKAUNUI WATERFALL, NZ Holly Mead, Arizona USA TELL US MORE Coming from the desert of the US, New Zealand is just this incredible lush, green wilderness, like nothing I have ever experienced before.

RUNNER-UP NELSON, NZ Lara Ward, Somerset UK TELL US MORE Hiking in the dark can be challenging to say the least but it’s worth it to get to the top and wait for the sunrise.

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Send high-res (300 dpi) jpegs with name, age, nationality and a description to: lisa.ferron@ tntmagazine.com. Photos are judged by the TNT team at their own discretion. Photos may also be placed on TNT’s Facebook page. For terms and conditions, see tntdownunder.com.

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QUEENSLAND ISLANDS WHITSUNDAY

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Images: Tourism & Events Queensland and iStock. Words: Xxxxx

WHITSUNDAY ISLAND If you’ve seen postcards or read pamphlets on Australian beaches, chances are you’ve seen the number one reason for visiting Whitsunday Island – Whitehaven Beach. The pure white silica sand dramatically contrasts the pristine blues of the water making it one of the most dramatically beautiful beaches in the world. While there are several camping grounds on the island itself for those who wish to stay longer and snorkel, it’s an unmissable day trip for visitors staying on any of the other Whitsunday islands. At the end of the 7km strip of beach is Hill Inlet, a beautiful cove where the shifting low tide exposes the sand through shallow waters. The reflective white sand and the water blend to create a seamless swirl of every shade of ocean blue the Whitsundays have to boast. For an unforgettable sight and photo op, head to Tongue Point to take in views of Hill Inlet during a sunset. AW5569

As the year drags on, and winter brings with it grey skies and rain, we find ourselves imagined on a tropical island somewhere, sprawled on a beach with a drink in each hand. But while Fiji and the Maldives are all very well and good, why go any further than Queensland’s back doorstep? Comprised of 74 islands, the Whitsunday Islands make up a beautiful archipelago dotted throughout the Coral Sea just off the shores of the Gold Coast. They lie amidst the Great Barrier Reef and have sand, sun, and pristine shores that could rival any island paradise. With only a handful of islands offering accommodation, the rest are mostly beautifully tropical and deserted. Sheltered by surrounding reefs, the waves are gentle, rippling, and perfect for diving and water sports. Whatever your interests may be, you’ll find them at the Whitsundays, where the islands vary in character but all share an indiscriminate natural beauty. TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Truly one of the great wonders of the natural world and a “must-see” for any visitor to the region. Our pontoons at the outer reef include an underwater viewing chamber, snorkelling, reef experts, diving and much more. Includes an all you can eat buffet lunch departs Airlie Beach from $169pp*

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XXXXXX TOP 10 WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS

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Image: Tourism & Events Queensland

HOOK ISLAND Hook Island is the second largest of the Whitsundays and remains 95% national parkland. Instead of luxury resorts, you’ll find beach campsites and one semi-operable grounds for lodging for a no frills yet affordable experience, better suited to the self-sufficient camper not looking for a self-contained resort weekend. It instead offers some of the best sights for confident snorkellers and divers and doesn’t require you to fight crowds of tourists for your own spot of beach.

4 Image: Paradise Bay Eco Resort

HAMILTON ISLAND

LONG ISLAND

Hamilton Island is one of the most recognisable names among the Whitsundays, boasting the most tourism developments and infrastructure. This allows it to offer the greatest range of island activities for visitors such as sailing, kayaking, jet skiing and skydiving, just to scratch the surface. If you don’t mind sharing your holiday with crowds and are looking for a modern, pampering resort that offers the qualities of a small city rather than an island getaway, Hamilton Island beckons and its possibilities leave you spoilt for choice.

For a back-to-basics holiday, Long Island offers the perfect spot for beach-front relaxation. While there is little opportunity for adventure sports or high-end pampering, you’ll find plenty of time to snorkel offshore and find some native animals on their many walking trails. There are several options for lodging that are suitable for any budget, however Paradise Bay Eco Resort offers a unique and environmentally friendly way to travel with its solar power, natural gas, and collected rainwater that make it selfsufficient and promotes sustainable tourism.

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Enjoying your time in Australia and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want the adventure to end?

SOUTH MOLLE South Molle is the largest of the Molle Island group that are all in close proximity to one another. A highlight is to walk to the Mid Molle Island during low tide when the sandbar is exposed, which makes for a beautifully picturesque walk and offers great opportunities for bird watching. The island has many hills and bush walks making it very popular among hikers, while offering more privacy due to the fewer number of tourists.

Images: Tourism & Events Queensland

Queensland is looking for skilled workers to fill a range of occupations from social workers to farmers, midwives to tradespeople. Apply for State Nominated permanent residency and regional visas at www.migration.qld.gov.au

HAYMAN ISLAND For the travellers with deeper pockets, this island is a self-contained paradise that is dedicated to pampering and putting your feet up to be massaged in luxury. Ideal for honeymooners and those looking for a relaxing escape, the island offers every indulgent comfort you could want, with a price tag to match. The island itself is dedicated solely to the one resort, not offering too many activities outside of it as the spa treatments, pool-side drinking, and high-end accommodation are the most attractive draws of a Hayman Island stay.

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TOP 10 WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS

Images: Tourism & Events Queensland

HASLEWOOD ISLAND Haslewood Island’s greatest draw is Chalkies Beach, which offers an uncrowded alternative to its neighbouring Whitehaven Beach. Chalkies is made up of the same white silica sand, beautiful to look at and soft underfoot, though receives much less publicity than Whitehaven. A perfect location for an undisturbed snorkel and relaxation session, this underrated spot is untouched by commercialisation and makes for a great day trip from a stay on one of the surrounding island resorts. The seclusion of Chalkies Beach makes it a true embodiment of an island getaway – even if just for a day.

DAYDREAM ISLAND

BORDER ISLAND

THOMAS ISLAND

Daydream Island is a mere 30-minute boat ride from Australia’s mainland, which makes it a popular destination for day visitors. As a result, it’s very busy and, while not well-suited to those looking to relax in privacy, the island offers a great range of activities that will cater to most. As well as your pick of water activities, there are many walking tracks through rainforests, and Living Reef Aquariums for those who want to pet stingrays, fish, and sharks. You didn’t need your fingers anyway...

Border Island is a small, mountainous island that is most acclaimed for being a fantastic snorkelling destination. It’s officially designated a ‘green zone’ which allows for its immaculate preservation. As a result, the undisturbed nature produces waters brimming with a wide range of corals and fish that are the competent diver and snorkellers’ dream. For those wanting to relax, there is a stunning bay on the northern end of the island that allows for a relaxing day trip, as there is no accommodation on the island itself.

Further away from most of the major built up islands, Thomas is quite easy to access, though is much less visited. It’s covered by national park and while there are almost no facilities available, there are camping grounds for the self-sufficient traveller seeking isolation and privacy. The rich waters are renowned for having a large population of sea turtles, which allows for some interesting and exciting snorkelling and diving opportunities.

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OZLISTINGS TOUR FIRMS Adventure Tours Australia-wide tours 1800 068 886, adventuretours.com.au Airliebeach.com Whitsundays packages 1800 677 119, airliebeach.com Autopia Tours Tours around Victoria 03 9391 0261, autopiatours.com.au Awesome Adventures Oz Whitsundays packages 1800 293 7663, awesomeoz.com Tours in Tasmania Tours around Tasmania 1800 777 103, tourstascom.au Bunyip Tours Tours around Victoria 1300 286 947, bunyiptours.com

linking Adelaide, Alice Springs & Melbourne 1800 661 177, groovygrape.com.au

Ocean Rafting Whitsundays tours 07 4946 6848, oceanrafting.com

Heading Bush Adelaide to Alice Springs outback tours 1800 639 933, headingbush.com

Oz Experience Hop on-hop off Australia-wide tours 1300 300 028, ozexperience.com

Jump Tours Tours around Tasmania 0422 130 630, jumptours.com

Surfcamp Sydney to Byron surfing tours 1800 888 732, surfcamp.com.au

Kakadu Dreams Kakadu tours 1800 813 266, kakadudreams.com.au

The Rock Tour Red centre tours 1800 246 345, therocktour.com.au

Kangaroo Island Adventure Tours Adelaide to KI tours 08 8202 8678, kiadventuretours.com.au

Topdeck Tours covering all of Oz 1300 886 332, topdeck.travel

Kangaroo Island Wildlife Adventures South Australia 1800 786 386, surfandsun.com.au

Cool Dingos Fraser Island Tours 1800 072 555, cooldingotour.com

Whitsundays Sailing Adventures Whitsundays sailing 07 4940 2007 WhitsundaysSailingAdventures. com.au

Explore Whitsundays Whitsundays packages 1800 675 790, explorewhitsundays.com Groovy Grape Getaways Tours

Mojosurf Sydney to Byron surfing tours 1800 113 044, mojosurf.com

RENTAL FIRMS Apollo Motorhomes 1800 777 779, apollocamper.com Mighty Cars and Campers (Formerly Backpacker Campervan Rentals) 1800 809 944 mightycampers.com.au Boomerang Cars 0414 882 559, boomerangrentacar.net Hippie Camper 1800 777 779, hippiecamper.com

Under Down Under Tours Tours around Tasmania 1800 064 726, underdownunder.com.au

Spaceships 1300 132 469, spaceshipsrentals.com.au

Western Xposure WA tours 08 9414 8423, westernxposure.com.au Wilderness 4WD Adventures Top end tours 1800 808 288, wildernessadventures.com.au Wildlife Tours Tours around Victoria 1300 661 730, wildlifetours.com.au

Kings Cross Car Market For buying and selling vehicles. 110 Bourke St, Woolloomooloo. 02 9358 5000, carmarket.com.au

Standbycars.com 1300 789 059, standbycars.com Travellers Auto Barn 1800 674 374, travellers-autobarn.com.au Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickedcampers.com

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TRANSPORT Greyhound Australia Buses around Australia. 13 20 30, greyhound.com.au Jetstar Airline. 131 538, jetstar.com.au Premier Transport Group Buses along the east coast. 13 34 10, premierms.com.au Qantas Airline. 13 13 13, qantas.com.au Regional Express Airline. 13 17 13, rex.com.au Spirit of Tasmania Ferries to Tasmania. 03 6336 1446, spiritoftasmania.com Tiger Airways Airline. 03 9999 2888, tigerairways.com Redline Coaches For getting around Tasmania. 03 6336 1446, tasredline.com.au Virgin Australia Airline. 13 67 89, virginaustralia.com

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Bounce Budget Hotel 28 Chalmers St. CBD.

The Annandale annandalehotel.com

Easy Go Backpackers 752 George St. CBD. 02 9211 0505, easygobackpackers.com.au Eva’s Backpackers 6-8 Orwell Street Kings Cross 02 9358 2185, evasbackpackers.com.au City Resort Hostel 103-105 Palmer St. Woolloomooloo 02 9357 3333 cityresort.com.au Sydney Central YHA 11 Rawson Place. CBD. Westend Backpackers 412 Pitt St. CBD. Boomerang Backpackers 141 William Street, Kings Cross. 02 8354 0488, boomerangbackpackers.com Dlux Hostel 30 Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross. 1800 236 213 dluxbudgethotel.com.au Kangaroo Bak Pak 665 South Dowling St. Surry Hills. 02 9318 0902 Avalon Beach Hostel 59 Avalon Pde, Avalon Beach. 02 9918 9709, avalonbeach.com.au Bondi Shores Level 1. 283 Bondi Road, Bondi bondishores.com.au Bondi YHA 63 Fletcher Street. Tamarama. yha.com.au Lamrock Lodge 19 Lamrock Ave. Bondi. 02 9130 5063, lamrocklodge.com

The Enmore enmoretheatre.com.au The Metro metrotheatre.com.au

JACKAROO KINGS CROSS 107-109 Darlinghurst Rd, Sydney. Dorms from $36 This is one of Sydney’s top-rated hostels – there is more to it than a few benches. It is located in the bustling nightlife spot of Kings Cross.

Sydney

kingscross.jackaroohostel.com

Glebe Point YHA 262-264 Glebe Point Road. Glebe. yha.com.au

Sydney Aquarium Darling Harbour. sydneyaquarium.com.au

Boardrider Backpacker Rear 63, The Corso, Manly. 02 9977 6077 boardrider.com.au

Sydney Wildlife World Darling Harbour. sydneywildlifeworld.com.au

The Bunkhouse 35 Pine St, Manly. 1800 657 122, bunkhouse.com.au

Taronga Zoo Mosman. taronga.org.au

Manly Backpackers 24-28 Raglan St. Manly. 02 9977 3411 manlybackpackers.com.au

Waves Surf School wavessurfschool.com.au

Cammeray Gardens 66 Palmer St, North Sydney. 02 9954 9371 sydneyboardinghouse.com

Terrigal Beach YHA 9 Ocean View Dr, Terrigal. yha.com.au The Entrance Backpackers 2/56 The Entrance Road, The Entrance, 2261 02 4334 5005 theentrancebackpackers.com Skydive Central Coast Warnervale. skydivethecentralcoast.com.au

The Arts Factory 1 Skinners Shoot Rd. Nomads Byron Bay Lawson Lane. Byron Bay YHA 7 Carlyle St. Skydive the Beach Byron Bay Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina 1800 302 005 skydivethebeachbyronbay.com

COFFS HARB Coffs Harbour YHA 51 Collingwood St. Harbour City Holiday Park 123 Pacific Highway

coffsholidaypark.com.au Hoey Moey Backpackers 80 Ocean Pde hoeymoey.com.au Solitary Islands Marine Resort North St, Wooli NSW 1462 1800 003 031 solitaryislandsresort.com.au

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

SYDNEY DO

Maritime Museum Darling Harbour. anmm.gov.au My Sydney Detour Unique city tours. mysydneydetour.com

Aegean Coogee Lodge 40 Coogee Bay Rd. Coogee. 04 0817 6634, aegeancoogee.com.au

Powerhouse Museum Darling Harbour. powerhousemuseum.com.au

Surfside Backpackers 186 Arden Street. Coogee. 02 9315 7888, surfsidebackpackers.com.au

CENTRAL COAST Newcastle Beach YHA 30 Pacific St, Newcastle. yha.com.au

Byron Bay Accom 02 6680 8666, byronbayaccom.net

Manly Surf School Manly Beach. 02 9977 6977, manlysurfschool.com

Oceanworld Manly West Esplanade. oceanworld.com.au

Coogee Beachside 178 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee. 02 9315 8511, sydneybeachside.com.au

Blue Mountains YHA 207 Katoomba St, Katoomba. yha.com.au

Backpackers Inn 29 Shirley St 1800 817 696 backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au

Wake Up! 509 Pitt St, CBD.

Lochner’s Guesthouse 27 Paul St. Bondi. 02 9389 5421

Coogee Beach House 171 Arden St. Coogee. 02 9665 1162, coogeebeachhouse.com

BLUE MTNS

BYRON BAY Backpackers Holiday Village 116 Jonson St 1800 350 388, byronbaybackpackers.com.au

Skydive the Beach Wollongong. skydivethebeach.com Sydney Olympic Park Darling Harbour. sopa.nsw.gov.au Sydney Tower and Skywalk 100 Market St, CBD. sydneytowereye.com.au Sydney Harbour Bridge The Rocks. bridgeclimb.com

TERRIGAL Located under two hours from Sydney, Terrigal beach is known as a relaxing destination for people of all ages. The area prides itself on the local wildlife and fishing culture. Feed the pelicans up at the entrance or take a dip in the seawater rockpool after an exciting day grabbing bargains at the weekend markets. The best attraction of the area would have to be the artificial dive reef created off the coast. Ex HMAS-Adelaide, the former Australian Naval Warship, was purposely sunk to create an unforgettable experience for divers of all levels. Some of the memories you will have consist of the captain’s chair, shells of weapons and all of the crew’s quarters.

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TASLISTINGS PORT ARTHUR

HOBART STAY Backpackers Imperial Hobart 138 Collins St. 03 6229 5215, centralbackpackers.com.au

Port Arthur Historic Ghost Tours 1800 659 101, portarthur.org.au

Hobart Hostel 41 Barrack St. 1300 252 192, hobarthostel.com

LAUNCESTON

Montgomery’s YHA 9 Argyle St. Narrara Backpackers 88 Goulburn St. 03 6234 8801, narrarabackpackers.com Pickled Frog 281 Liverpool St. 03 6234 7977, thepickledfrog.com Transit Backpackers 251 Liverpool St. 03 6231 2400, transitbackpackers.com

HOBART DO Cascade Brewery 140 Cascade Rd. 03 6224 1117 cascadebreweryco.com.au Mt Wellington Descent Bike tours. 03 6274 1880 mtwellingtondescent.com.au

DEVONPORT Tasman Backpackers 114 Tasman St. 03 6423 2335, tasmanbackpackers.com.au

BICHENO

Arthouse Backpacker Hostel 20 Lindsay St. 1800 041 135, arthousehostel.com.au

Bicheno Backpackers 11 Morrison St. 03 6375 1651, bichenobackpackers.com

Launceston Backpackers 103 Canning St. 03 6334 2327, launcestonbackpackers.com.au

Bicheno Penguin Tours 03 6375 1333, bichenopenguintours.com.au

Lloyds Hotel 23 George St. 03 6331 9906, backpackersaccommodation.com.au

LAUNCESTON DO Cataract Gorge launcestoncataractgorge.com.au Centre for Beer Lovers Boag’s Brewery, 39 William St. 03 6332 6300, boags.com.au

Salamanca Markets Every Saturday, Salamanca Place. salamanca.com.au

Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery 2 Invermay Rd & 2 Wellington St. 03 6323 3777, qvmag.tas.gov.au

Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery 5 Argyle St. tmag.tas.gov.au

Tasmania Zoo 1166 Ecclestone Rd. 03 6396 6100, tasmaniazoo.com.au

CRADLE MTN

Big 4 Iluka Reserve Rd. Freycinet National Park Brewery, Wineglass Bay camping. 03 6256 7000 wineglassbay.com

STRAHAN, Strahan YHA 43 Harvey St.

STRAHAN DO Wild Rivers Jet Jet Boat Cruises. 0364717396 wildriversjet.com.au

Discovery Holiday Parks Cradle Mountain Rd. 1800 068 574 discoveryholidayparks.com. au/TAS

Water by Nature Extreme multiday whitewater rafting. 1800 111 142, franklinrivertasmania.com

Mt Roland Budget Backpacker Rooms 1447 Claude Rd, Gowrie Park. 03 6491 1385

MELBOURNE STAY

CRADLE DO Devils @ Cradle Tassie devil sanctuary. 3950 Cradle Mountain Rd. 03 6492 1491. devilsatcradle.com Overland Track Six-day walk parks.tas.gov.au

FREYCINET

All Nations Nomads 2 Spencer St. Base Melbourne 17 Carlisle St, St. Kilda. Central Melbourne Accommodation 21 Bromham Place, Richmond. 03 9427 9826, centralaccommodation.net Exford Hotel 199 Russell St. 03 9663 2697,

@tnt_downunder

exfordhotel.com.au Flinders Station Hotel 35 Elizabeth St. 03 9620 5100, flindersbackpackers.com.au The Greenhouse Backpacker Level 6, 228 Flinders Lane. 1800 249 207, greenhousebackpacker.com.au Habitat HQ 333 St Kilda Road, St Kilda. 1800 202 500, habitathq.com.au Home at the Mansion 66 Victoria Parade. 03 9663 4212 homemansion.com.au Home Travellers Motel 32 Carlisle St, St Kilda. 1800 008 718, homehostels.com.au Discovery Melbourne 167 Franklin St. 03 9329 7525 discoverymelbourne.com Melbourne Central YHA 562 Flinders St. Nomads Melbourne 198 A’beckett St. Space Hotel 380 Russell St.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

BICHENO Bicheno, first established as a whaling town, is a picturesque laid-back area on the east coast of Tasmania. It is home to a wide variety of marine life and leisure activities, including deep-sea fishing. A highlight of a trip to the region would have to be the guided penguin tours. Each night the fairy penguins return to the shore after a hard day catching their dinner. East Coast Natureworld is just around the corner, and a visit will enlighten and give you the opportunity to see the rare Tasmanian devil. Other Aussie mammals at the park consist of koalas, wombats, wallabies and kangaroos with their baby joeys. If your visit happens to be on a day with a big ocean swell, head down to the Bicheno Blowhole to watch nature at it’s finest.

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VICLISTINGS

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1800 670 611, spacehotel.com.au

DON’T MISS

The Spencer 475 Spencer St. 1800 638 108, spencerbackpackers.com.au Back of Chapel 50 Green St, Windsor College Lawn Hotel 36 Greville St, Prahran collegelawnhotel.com.au Claremont Guesthouse 189 Toorak Rd, South Yarra hotelclaremont.com City Centre Budget Hotel 22-30 Little Collins St citycentrebudgethotel.com Elephant Backpackers 250 Flinders St elephantbackpacker.com.au Elizabeth Hostel 490 Elizabeth St elizabethhostel.com.au King St Backpackers 160 King Street kingstreetbackpackers.com.au Hotel Discovery 167 Franklin St hoteldiscovery.com.au Lords Lodge Backpackers 204 Punt Rd lordslodge.com.au Melbourne International Backpackers 450 Elizabeth St mibp.com.au Melbourne Metro YHA 78 Howard St Melbourne Oasis YHA 76 Chapman St St Arnaud 99 Park St, South Yarra, starnaudguesthouse.com The Spencer City Central BP 475 Spencer St spencerbackpackers.com.au The Nunnery 116 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy nunnery.com.au Victoria Hotel Backpackers Victoria Hotel, 380 Victoria St vichotelbrunswick.com.au

ST KILDA

TORQUAY Pronounced Tor-key (although UK peeps should know that), you may not have heard of this place, despite its positioning by one of the planet’s most scenic drives. Marking the start of the Great Ocean Road, Torquay is also a legendary surf spot, thanks in part to its close proximity to the worldfamous Bells Beach (Keanu and Patrick pretended to be there in the final scene of Point Break). It is also where several of the world’s leading surf brands, like Rip Curl and Quiksilver, call home, making it a great place to pick up a bargain. Make sure you do the Surf Coast Walk while you’re there too. It’s pretty spectacular. It’s about a 90-minute drive south-west of Melbourne. 109 Barkly St ritzbackpackers.com St Kilda Beach House 169B Fitzroy St stkildabeachhouse.com.au

MELBOURNE DO Australian Centre for the Moving Image Federation Square. 03 8663 2200, acmi.net.au Melbourne Aquarium Cnr of Flinders St & King St. 03 9923 5999, melbourneaquarium.com.au Discovery Melbourne 167 Franklin St. discoverymelbourne.com Melbourne Cricket Ground Brunton Av. 03 9657 8888 mcg.org.au Melbourne Museum 11 Nicholson St, Carlton. 13 11 02 melbourne.museum.vic.gov.au

Back of Chapel Backpackers 50 Green St backofchapel.com

National Gallery of Victoria Federation Square. ngv.vic.gov.au

Base St Kilda 17 Carlisle St

Old Melbourne Gaol 377 Russell St. 03 8663 7228, oldmelbournegaol.com.au

Coffee Palace Backpackers 24 Grey St coffeepalacebackpackers.com. au Habitat HQ 333 St Kilda Rd, thehabitathq.com.au Oslo Hotel 38 Grey St oslohotel.com.au The Ritz for Backpackers

Official Neighbours Tours 570 Flinders St. neighbourstour.com.au Skydive the Beach Melbourne 1300 798 843 skydivethebeachmelbourne.com Tourism Victoria Backpacking ideas. backpackmelbourne.com

Wildlife Tours Australia Specialising in Victorian tours +61 3 9314 2225 wildlifetours.com.au

GREAT OCEAN RD Anglesea Backpackers 40 Noble St, Anglesea. 03 5263 2664, angleseabackpackers.com.au Apollo Eco Beach YHA 5 Pascoe St. Great Ocean Road Backpackers 10 Erskine Av, Lorne. 03 5289 1070, greatoceanroadcottages.com Port Campbell Hostel 18 Tregea St, Port Campbell. 03 5598 6305, portcampbellhostel.com.au Surfside Backpackers Cnr Great Ocean Rd & Gambier St, Apollo Bay. 1800 357 263, surfsidebackpacker.com

MORNINGTON Bayplay Lodge 46 Canterbury Jetty Rd, Blairgowrie. 03 5988 0188, bayplay.com.au Sorrento Foreshore Reserve Nepean Hwy. 1800 850 600, mornpen.vic.gov.au Sorrento YHA 3 Miranda St, Sorrento. Tortoise Head Lodge French Island. 03 5980 1234, tortoisehead.net

03 5674 1447, inverlochholidaypark.com.au

DANDENONG Emerald Backpackers 03 5968 4086

BIG4 Phillip Island Caravan Park 24 Old Bridge Dr, Newhaven. 03 5956 7227, phillipislandcpk.com.au

MURRAY RIVER Echuca Gardens YHA 103 Av, Mitchell St, Echuca.

Cowes Caravan Park 164 Church St, Cowes. 03 5952 2211, cowescaravan.com.au

Mildura City Backpackers 50 Lemon Ave, Mildura. 03 5022 7922, milduracitybackpackers.com.au Oasis Backpackers 230 Deakin Av, Mildura. 04 0734 4251, milduraoasisbackpackers.com.au

GIPPSLAND Prom Coast YHA Backpackers 0427 875 735 Cambrai Hostel Maffra 117 Johnson St, Maffra. 1800 101 113 maffra.net.au/hostel

PHILLIP ISLAND Amaroo Park YHA 97 Church St, Cowes. Anchor Belle Holiday Park 272 Church St, Cowes. 03 5952 2258, anchorbelle.com.au Avenue Apartments 204 Thompson Avenue, Cowes. 03 5952 6718, visitphillipisland.com Beach Park Tourist Caravan Park 2 McKenzie Rd, Cowes. 03 5952 22113, beachpark.com.au BIG4 Inverloch Holiday Park 2 Cuttriss St, Inverloch.

Koala Park Resort 1825 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes. 03 5952 2176, koalaparkresort.com.au The Island Accommodation 10-12 Phillip Island Tourist Road. 03 5956 6123 theislandaccommodation.com. au San Remo Holiday Park 4 Mary Grove, San Remo. 03 5678 5024 visitphillipisland.com

GRAMPIANS Grampians YHA Eco Hostel Cnr Grampians & Buckler Rds, Halls Gap. Tim’s Place 44 Grampians Road, Halls Gap. 03 5356 4288, timsplace.com.au

MILDURA Mildura City Backpackers 50 Lemon Avenue milduracitybackpackers.com.au

STRATHMERTON Riviera Backpackers YHA 669 Esplanade

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QLDLISTINGS

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

TANGALOOMA DOLPHIN RESORT With just a 75-minute boat ride from Brisbane on Moreton Island, you can experience the tranquillity of an island offering an experience like no other. Tangalooma’s pristine soft sandy beaches have many-a secluded spot for reading a book or a warm comfortable swim. The main feature is the option to feed the dolphins. Every evening without fail they swim up to the beach waiting for dinner. There are mothers swimming with their babies, all happily frolicking around in this safe and friendly location. Tangalooma offers eco-cruises for whale watching and also shipwreck snorkelling and diving, just off the main beach. Don’t forget to hire a boat, jet ski or paddle board, and soak up the sunshine before returning home feeling rejuvenated and regret free.

BRISBANE STAY Aussie Way Backpackers 34 Cricket St. 07 3369 0711, aussiewaybackpackers.com Banana Bender Backpackers 118 Petrie Terrace. 07 3367 1157, bananabenders.com Brisbane Backpackers Resort 110 Vulture St, West End. 1800 626 452, brisbanebackpackers.com.au Brisbane City Backpackers 380 Upper Roma St 1800 062 572, citybackpackers.com Bunk Backpackers Cnr Ann & Gipps Sts, 1800 682 865, katarzyna.com.au The Deck 117 Harcourt Street, New Farm. 04 3270 6666

Photos: Tourism Queensland/Darren Jew

Balmoral House 33 Amelia St, Fortitude Valley vipbackpackers.com

Tin Billy Travellers 462 George St tinbilly.com

BRISBANE DO Australia Zoo Glasshouse Mountains, Tourist Drive, Beerwah. 07 5436 2000, australiazoo.com.au Gallery of Modern Art Australian and international paintings, sculptures and decorative art. 07 3840 7303, qag.qld.gov.au Riverlife Adventure Centre Kayaking & rock climbing. Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point. 07 3891 5766, riverlife.com.au Story Bridge Adventure Climb 170 Main St, Kangaroo Point. 1300 254 627, storybridgeadventureclimb. com.au XXXX Brewery Tours & Ale House Brewery tours. Cnr Black & Paten St, Milton. 07 3361 7597, xxxxalehouse.com. au

Brisbane City YHA 392 Upper Roma St The Elephant Hotel 230 Wickham St elephanthotel.com.au Somewhere to Stay Cnr Brighton Rd & Franklin St somewheretostay.com.au The Palace Backpackers Cnr Anne & Edward St backpackbrisbane.com

GOLD COAST Aquarius Backpackers 44 Queen St, Surfers Paradise. 1800 22 99 55, aquariusbackpackers.com.au Backpackers in Paradise 40 Peninsula Drive, Surfers Paradise. 1800 268 621, backpackersinparadise.com.au

Coolangatta YHA Pl, 230 Coolangatta Rd, Bilinga.

Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World wetnwild.myfun.com.au

Gold Coast International BP 28 Hamilton Ave, Surfers. 1800 816 300, goldcoastbackpackers.com.au

Warner Bros Movie World movieworld.com.au

Islander Backpackers Resort 6 Beach Rd, Surfers. 1800 074 393, islander.com.au Sleeping Inn Surfers 26 Peninsular Dr, Surfers Paradise. 1800 817 832, sleepinginn.com.au

Zorb 07 5547 6300

SUNSHINE CST Mooloolaba Backpackers 75-77 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba. 1800 020 120 mooloolababackpackers.com

RAINBOW BEACH

Surfers Paradise Backpackers Resort 2837 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers. 1800 282 800, surfersparadisebackpackers. com.au

Dingos Backpacker Adventure Resort 20 Spectrum St. 1800 111126, dingosresort.com

Surfers Paradise YHA Mariners Cove, 70 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise.

Pippies Beach House 22 Spectrum St. 1800 425 356, pippiesbeachhouse.com

Trekkers Backpackers 22 White St, Southport. 07 5591 5616, trekkersbackpackers.com.au

Skydive Rainbow Beach 0418 218 358, skydiverainbowbeach.com

Nomads Islander Resort 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surf & Sun Backpackers 3323 Surfers Paradise Blvd surfnsun-goldcoast.com

GC DO Dreamworld Theme park. dreamworld.com.au Get Wet Surf School 1800 438 938 Seaworld

seaworld.com.au

HERVEY BAY Aussie Woolshed 181 Torquay Rd 07 4124 0677 woolshedbackpackers.com.au Next at Hervey Bay 10 Bideford St. 1800 102 989, nextbackpackers.com Palace Backpackers 184 Torquay, 1800 063 168, palaceadventures.com.au

FRASER ISLAND Eurong Beach Resort 07 4120 1600, eurong.com.au Palace Adventures 184 Torquay St, Hervey Bay, 1800 063 168 palaceadventures.com.au Barefoot Lodge Long Island barefootlodge.com.au Colonial Village YHA 820 Boat Harbour Drive, Urangan, Hervey Bay Cool Dingo’s Rainbow Beach 20 Spectrum St dingosresort.com Dropbear Adventures Williams Ave, Fraser Island. QLD 61 487 333 606 dropbearadventures.com.au Frasers On Rainbow Beach 195 Torquay Terrace, Torquay, flashpackersherveybay.com Kingfisher Bay Resort River Heads Road, Fraser Island kingfisherbay.com Fraser Coast Top Tourist Park 21 Denmans Camp Road, Scarness, Hervey Bay frasercoasttouristpark.com.au Fraser Island Backpackers Cathedral Beach, Fraser Island fraserislandco.com.au Fraser’s on Rainbow 18 Spectrum Av, Rainbow Beach frasersonrainbow.com The Friendly Hostel 182 Torquay Rd, Hervey Bay friendlyhostel.com.au

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Woolshed Backpackers 181 Torquay Road woolshedbackpackers.com.au

BUNDABERG Federal Backpackers 221 Bourbong St. 07 4153 3711 federalbackpackers.com.au Northside Backpackers 12 Queen St. 07 4154 1166 Bundaberg Bondstore Distillery tours. 07 4131 2999 bundabergrum.com.au

TOWN OF 1770 1770 Backpackers 6 Captain Cook Dr. 1800 121 770, the1770backpackers.com 1770 Undersea Adventures 1300 553 889, 1770underseaadventures.com.au

AIRLIE BEACH airliebeach.com 259 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 677 119 Airlie Beach YHA 394 Shute Harbour Rd. Backpackers by the Bay 12 Hermitage Dr. 1800 646 994, backpackersbythebay.com Base Airlie Beach Resort 336 Shute Harbour Rd

Pleasure Divers 07 4778 5788

MISSION BEACH Absolute Backpackers 28 Wongaling Beach Road. 07 4068 8317, absolutebackpackers.com.au Beach Shack 86 Porters Promenade missionbeachshack.com Scotty’s Beach House 167 Reid Rd. 07 4068 8676, scottysbeachhouse.com.au Jackaroo Hostel Mission Beach Frizelle Rd, Bingil Bay jackaroohostel.com

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!

LIAʼS N TO DIVE WITH AUSTRA TAKE THE PLUNGE, LEAR VE PROFESSIONALS GREAT BARRIER REEF DI

Mission Beach Retreat 49 Porters Promenade missionbeachretreat.com.au

CAIRNS STAY Bohemia Central Cairns 100 Sheridan St. 1800 558 589, bhacentral.com.au Bohemia Resort Cairns 231 McLeod St. 1800 155 353 bohemiaresort.com.au Calypso Backpackers 5 Digger St. 1800 815 628, calypsobackpackers.com.au JJ’s Backpackers Hostel 11 Charles St. 07 4051 7642, jjsbackpackers.com NJoy Backpackers Hostel

141 Sheridan St. and fast food joints to help with yourHarbour Gilligan's hangover. 1800 807 055, Magnums Whitsunday Village Resort 13:00: Continuing north of Port Douglas you’ll land in njoy.net.au 366 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800Gorge 624 634 (mossmangorge.com.au). At Daintree Mossman Nomads Beach House magnums.com.au Sheridan St. National Park the gorge is a must-see.239 Once you’ve trekked along the path you’ll be able to give your feet a rest and Northern Greenhouse BOWEN 117that Grafton Street. admire the crystal clear Mossman River cascades over Bowen Backpackers 1800 229 228, Beach end of Herbert St. granite boulders. northerngreenhouse.com.au 07 4786 3433 15:00: Heading back to the car and continuing north bowenbackpackers.net CAIRNS DO you’ll find yourself at Cape Tribulation. Check out Ferntree AJ Hackett Bungy jumping & canyon Rainforest Lodge (ferntreerainforestlodge.com.au) TOWNSVILLE swinging. 1800 622 888 Adventurers Resort with a bar and wooden which has classic huts tables. They cairns.ajhackett.com 79 Palmer St. serve scrumptious After eating 1800 211 522, meals night and day. Go Wild Jungle Tours it’s adventurersresort.com tours a to Croc Daintreecruise Rainforest. time to enjoy the delights of the CapeDaywith 07 4041 9440, Adrenalin Dive (daintreerivercruises.com.au) A onejungletours.com.au hour wildlife cruise 07 4724 0600, that lets you spot wild animals in their habitat. Be adrenalindive.com.au Pronatural Dive 07 4031 5255 warned: Yongala don’t Dive walk too close to any mangroves, you might prodivecairns.com Yongala diving. get an unwanted snap. 07 4783 1519, Raging Thunder Adventures 19:00: Withyongaladive.com.au all that excitement it’s time to head back Whitewater rafting. 07 head 4030 7990, towards Cairns. As the evening settles, straight into the ragingthunder.com.au city centre where there is wide MAGNETIC IS array of restaurants for you Skydive Cairns to pick from along Island the main strip. Base Magnetic POBOX 105N Cairns 1 Nelly Bay Rd. 4052 1822, 19:00: And it wouldn't be true Cairns 07 experience without skydivecairns.com.au Bungalow Bay Backpackers dancing the night away at The Woolshed (thewoolshed. Horseshow Bay. com.au).1800 With themed nights on every night, try your luck 285 577, CAPE TRIB in the wet bungalowbay.com.au T-shirt competitions or seeCrocodylus how you fare in their Village Arcadia games. Either way you'll Lot 5, Buchanan Creek Cairns Rd, Mexican Hotel drinking end your 7 Marine Parade, Arcadia Bay. Cow Bay. trip on a07high. 4778 5177, 07 4098 9166,

hotelaracadia.com.au

. . . E R E H Y L L A IN F E ’R YOU

crocodyluscapetrib.com

Our 5 Day PADI Open water course is the most popular way to do it.

We also specialise in Liveaboard dive trips and all levels of dive education.

www.prodivecairns.com SHOP: Cnr Shields & Grafton Sts, Cairns FREECALL: 1800 353 213 PHONE: +617 4031 5255 RES: info@prodivecairns.com TNTDOWNUNDER.COM53 57 tntdownunder.com

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QLDLISTINGS PK’s Jungle Village Cnr Avalon & Cape Trib Rd. 1800 232 333,

pksjunglevillage.com.au

INNISFAIL Innisfail Budget Backpackers Worker’s Hostel 125 Edith St. 07 4061 78337 Walkabout Motel & ackpackers 07 4061 2311 walkaboutbackpackers.com

PORT DOUGLAS Parrotfish Backpackers Resort 37 Warner St, Kuranda. 07 4099 5011, parrotfishlodge.com

GULF SAVANNAH Emu Creek Cattle Station 08 9943 0534

DAINTREE Koala Beach Resort Lake St, 07 4051 4933

MORETON ISLAND Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort tangalooma.com

NOOSA STAY Flashpackers Noosa 102 Pacific Avenue, Sunshine Beach flashpackersnoosa.com Nomads Noosa Backpackers 44 Noosa Dr Noosa Inland Noosa Backpackers 9-13 William St, Noosaville noosabackpackers.com Halse Lodge YHA 2 Halse Lane, Noosa. 1800 242 567, halselodge.com.au Dolphins Beach House Noosa 14 – 16 Duke Street, Sunshine Beach dolphinsbeachhouse.com

NOOSA DO

PORT DOUGLAS Dougies Backpackers Resort 111 Davidson St dougies.com.au Global Port Douglas 38 Macrossan St globalbackpackerscairns.com. au/port-douglas Parrot Fish Lodge 37 Warner St parrotfishlodge.com Port O’Call YHA 7 Craven Close portocall.com.au

INNISFAIL

AGNES WATER 1770 Beachside Backpacker 12 Captain Cook Drive independentbackpackers.com 1770 Southern Cross Backpackers 2694 Round Hill Rd 1770southerncross.com

ROCKHAMPTON Emu Park Resort 92 Patterson St, Emu Park emusbeachresort.com Rockhampton Backpackers YHA 60 Macfarlane St Childers Eco-Lodge Off the Princess Highway childersecolodge.com.au

SUNSHINE COAST

@tnt_downunder Cotton Tree Beachouse 15 the Esplanade cottontreebackpackers.com The Duporth 6 Wharf St, Maroochydore theduporth.com.au

TOWNSVILLE Adventurers Backpackers 79 Palmer St adventurersresort.com Civic Guest House Backpackers Hostel 262 Walker St civicguesthousetownsville. com.au Foreign Exchange Accommodation Beachside 19 Eyre St, North Ward foreignx.com.au

Australia Zoo 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Sunshine Coast australiazoo.com

Codge Lodge 63 Rankin St codgelodge.com

The Discovery Group Noosa Everglades thediscoverygroup.com.au

Crown Hostel 25 Ernest St 07 4061 2266

Drop Bear Adventures Fraser Island from Noosa dropbearadventures.com.au

Backpackers Shack 7 Ernest St fbackpakershack.com

Bli Bli House B&B 600 David Low Way, Pacific Paradise. buderimmotorinn.com

Base Magnetic Island 1 Nelly Bay Rd

Kanu Kapers Australia Noosa Everglades kanukapersaustralia.com

Farm work, Innisfail farmwork.tv/farmwork/innisfail

Beach Front Towers 4 Aerodrome Rd, Marochydore beachfronttowers.com.au

Bungalow Bay Koala Village 40 Horseshoe Bay Rd bungalowbay.com.au

Amore on Buderim 27 Earlybird Dr, Buderim amoreonbuderim.com.au Buderim Motor Inn 45 King St, Buderim buderimmotorinn.com

MACKAY Gecko’s Rest 34 Sydney St geckosrest.com.au

MAGNETIC IS

MUST VISIT

Photos: iStock

PORT DOUGLAS

About an hour’s drive north of the backpacker mosh-fest that is Cairns, this is a town where “nothing is taller than a palm tree”. The point is that Port Douglas is not an over-developed skyscraper celebration. “Port” is coming of age as a backpacker hangout as Cairns’ crazy scene becomes a little too much for the more mellow traveller. Closer to the reef than its more famous neighbour, the people of Port Douglas will boast that their town still has a small village atmosphere. Otherwise, it has many of the same attractions: you can learn to dive here, you can go snorkelling, swim at the town’s beaches or hang out at the pretty Low Isles, you can take bush walks around the town, do daytrips up to the Mossman Gorge and perhaps best of all, it’s within half an hour’s drive of the Daintree, a mouthwatering rainforest paradise.

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Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Gold Coast

Famous for fun

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NTLISTINGS

DARWIN STAY

KATHERINE STAY

Banyan View Lodge Darwin 119 Mitchell St. 08 8981 8644, banyanviewlodge.com.au

BIG4 Katherine Holiday Park 20 Shadforth Road. 1800 501 984, big4.com.au

Darwin YHA 97 Mitchell St.

Palm Court Kookaburra Backpackers Third St. 08 8972 2722

Elkes Backpackers 112 Mitchell St. 1800 808 365, elkesbackpackers.com.au

KATHERINE DO

Frogshollow Backpackers 27 Lindsay St. 1800 068 686, frogs-hollow.com.au

CHECK IN

Gecko Lodge 146 Mitchell St. 1800 811 250, geckolodge.com.au Melaleuca on Mitchell 52 Mitchell St. 1300 723 437, momdarwin.com

YOUTHSHACK BACKPACKERS HOSTEL

69 Mitchell St, Darwin. Dorms from $35 In the heart of Darwin city close to the nightlife, Youthshack is also a short walk to the lagoon and wave pool where you can spend your days lying in the sun.

Youth Shack 69 Mitchell St. 1300 793 302, youthshack.com.au

DARWIN DO Crocosaurus Cove Crocodile park and cage of death. 58 Mitchell St. 08 8981 7522, crocosauruscove.com Deckchair Cinema Jervois Rd, Darwin Waterfront. 08 8981 0700, deckchaircinema.com.au

Darwin

youthshack.com.au

Fannie Bay Gaol Heritage prison. East Point Road, Fannie Bay. 08 8941 2260, nt.gov.au Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory 19 Conacher St, Bullocky Point. 08 8999 8264, magnt.nt.gov.au

Oz Jet Boating Stokes Hill Wharf. 1300 135 595, ozjetboating.com.au Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise Adelaide River. 08 8978 9077, jumpingcrocodile.com.au Wave Lagoon Waterfront Precinct. waterfront.nt.gov.au

Airborne Solutions Scenic helicopter flights. 08 8972 2345 airbornesolutions.com.au Nitmiluk Tours Gorge cruises and kayak hire. 1300 146 743 nitmiluktours.com.au

TENNANT CREEK Tourist Rest Leichardt St. 08 8962 2719, touristrest.com.au

ALICE SPRINGS Alice Lodge 4 Mueller St. 08 8953 1975, alicelodge.com.au Alice Springs YHA Cnr Parsons St & Leichhardt Tce. Haven Resort 3 Larapinta Drive. 1800 794 663, alicehaven.com.au

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Toddy’s Backpackers 41 Gap Rd. ONLINE Rock & Dorm SPECIALS FREECALL 1800 027027 toddys.com.au

ALICE DO Alice Springs Desert Park Larapinta Drive. 08 8951 8788, alicespringsdesertpark.com.au Alice Springs Reptile Centre Meet and hold lizards. 9 Stuart Terrace. 08 8952 8900, reptilecentre.com.au Outback Ballooning Hot air balloon rides. 1800 809 790, outbackballooning.com.au Royal Flying Doctor Service Base Museum and operations room. Stuart Terrace. 08 8952 1129, flyingdoctor.net School of the Air Long-distance schooling museum. 80 Head St. 08 8951 6834, assoa.nt.edu.au The Rock Tour 74 Todd St “3day Uluru only $350” FREECALL 1800 246345 therocktour.com.au

FLY JETSTAR TO ULURU AIRPORT FROM $99 BOOK YOUR TOUR TODAY! 60

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PERTH STAY Billabong Backpackers Resort 381 Beaufort St. 08 9328 7720, www.billabongresort.com.au

Coolibah Lodge 194 Brisbane St coolibahlodge.com.au

STAY HERE

One World Backpackers 162 Aberdeen St, Northbridge. 1800 188 100, oneworldbackpackers.com.au Perth City YHA 300 Wellington St. The Old Swan Barracks 2-8 Francis St. 08 9428 0000, theoldswanbarracks.com

Wickham Retreat Backpackers 25-27 Wickham St, East Perth 08 9325 6398

Grand Central Hotel Backpackers 379 Wellington St 08 9421 1123

Emperor’s Crown 85 Stirling St, Northbridge. 1800 991 553, emperorscrown.com.au

Ocean Beach Backpackers 1 Eric St, Cottlesloe. 08 9384 5111, oceanbeachbackpackers.com.au

Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, undergroundbackpackers. com.au

Easy Perth Backpacker 4 Francis Street, Northbridge easyperthbackpackers.com.au

Britannia on William 253 William St, Northbridge. 08 9227 6000, perthbritannia.com

Globe Backpackers & City Oasis Resort 561 Wellington St. 08 9321 4080, globebackpackers.com.au

Northbridge shiralee.com.au

YMCA Jewell House 180 Goderich St ymcajewellhouse.com.au

Hay Street Backpackers 266-268 Hay St haystbackpackers.com

OCEAN BEACH BACKPACKERS 2 Eric St, Cottesloe. Beds from $22.50 Situated right on the beach, this hostel features a big screen movie room, WiFi, kitchen, bike hire, fishing rods, free surfboards and more.

Perth

oceanbeachbackpackers.com.au

Underground Backpackers 268 Newcastle St, Northbridge. 08 9228 3755, underground backpackers.com.au

Backpack City and Surf 41-43 Money St backpacker.com.au

The Witch’s Hat 148 Palmerston St. 08 9228 4228, Witchs-hat.com

Cheviot Lodge 30 Bulwer St cheviotlodge.com

Beatty Lodge 235 Vincent St beattylodge.com.au

Coolibah Lodge 194 Brisbane St coolibahlodge.com.au

Hotel Bambu Backpackers 75 - 77 Aberdeen St, Northbridge bambu.net.au

PERTH DO

Mountway Holiday Apartments 36 Mount St mountwayapartments.com.au Ocean Beach Backpackers 1 Eric St, Cottesloe oceanbeachbackpackers.com.au Perth Beach YHA 256 West Coast Hwy, Scarbrough Planet Inn Backpackers 496 Newcastle St planetinn.com.au The Shiralee Hostel 107 Brisbane St,

Aquarium of Western Australia 91 Southside Drive, Hillarys. 08 9447 7500, aqwa.com.au Art Gallery of Western Australia Perth Cultural Centre/Roe St, Perth. 08 9492 6600, artgallery.wa.gov.au Aviation Heritage Museum Bull Creek Drive, Air Force Memorial Estate, Perth. 08 9311 4470, raafawa.org.au

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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Crown Perth Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood. 08 9362 7777, crownperth.com.au Kings Park & Botanic Garden bgpa.wa.gov.au Moonlight Cinema Synergy Parklan, Kings Park, Perth. moonlight.com.au Perth Mint 310 Hay St. 08 9421 7223, perthmint.com.au Perth Zoo 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth. 08 9474 3551, perthzoo.wa.gov.au Penguin Island 153 Arcadia Drive (corner of Penguin Road), Shoalwater, Perth. 08 9591 1333, penguinisland.com.au Perth Concert Hall 5 St George’s Terr., Perth. 08 9231 9900, perthconcerthall.com.au

BUNBURY Bunbury, first discovered in 1803, is a historical waterfront town situated an hour-and-a-half from Perth by car. With more than 100 resident bottlenose dolphins, it is a perfect spot for a boat cruise to watch and observe them in their natural habitat. Pay a visit to the Dolphin Discovery Centre, for only $10 per adult. For those of you looking for more interaction, you can also book a swim encounter to get right up among the beauty of these magical creatures. On the adventurous side, Bunbury caters for water activities such as jet skiing, windsurfing and canoeing. You can even give abseiling a go on the quarry face of Wellington Dam. Waterfront dining and shopping is another attraction the town prides itself on, so be sure to go for lunch at one of the famous fish and chips spots, or country pub options.

St Mary’s Cathedral 17 Victoria Square,, Perth. 08 9223 1350, perthcatholic.org.au St George’s Cathedral 38 St George’s Terrace, Perth. 08 9325 5766, perthcathedral.org The Perth Mint 310 Hay Street,

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Perth. 08 9421 7376, perthmint.com.au The WACA Nelson Crescent, East Perth. 08 9265 7222,, waca.com.au Western Australian Museum James St, 08 9212 3700, museum.wa.gov.au

PERTH MUSIC Amplifier Capital amplifiercapitol.com.au Astor liveattheastor.com.au Belgian Beer Cafe belgianbeer.com.au Perth Arena pertharena.com.au Metro Cityl metroconcertclub.com The Bakery nowbaking.com.au The Ellington Jazz Club ellingtonjazz.com.au The Rosemount Hotel rosemounthotel.com.au The Newport Hotel thenewport.com The Beat Megaclub thebeatmegaclub.com.au Universial Bar universalbar.com.au Ya-Ya’s ya-yas.com.au

FREO STAY Backpackers Inn Freo 11 Pakenham St. 08 9431 7065, backpackersinnfreo.com.au Old Firestation Backpackers 18 Phillimore St. 08 9430 5454, oldfirestation.com.au Sundancer Backpackers Resort 80 High St. 08 9336 6080, sundancerbackpackers.com Pirates Backpackers Resort 11 Essex St. 08 9335 6653, piratesbackpackers.com.au

FREO DO Fremantle Markets Henderson Street Fremantle 08 9335 2515, fremantlemarkets.com.au Fremantle Prison 1 The Terrace. 08 9336 9200, backpackersinnfreo.com.au

fac.org.au Spare Parts Puppet Theatre 1-9 Short St. 08 9335 5044, backpackersinnfreo.com.au

ROTTNEST ISL Rottnest Island YHA Kingstown Barracks. Rottnest Express 1 Emma Place North Fremantle 1300 Go Rotto rottnestexpress.com.au

MARGARET RIVER Margaret River Lodge YHA 220 Railway Tce. Harmony Forest 248 Sebbes Rd. 08 9757 7055, harmonyforest.com.au Surfpoint 12 Riedle Drive Prevally 08 9757 1777 surfpoint.com.au

ALBANY Albany Bayview Backpackers YHA 49 Duke St Cruize-Inn 122 Middleton Rd. 08 9842 9599, cruise-inn.com

MONKEY MIA Monkey Mia Dolphin Lodge Monkey Mia Road 1800 653 611, monkeymia.com.au

NINGALOO REEF Blue Reef Backpackers 3 Truscott Crescent, Exmouth 1800 621 101, aspenparks.com.au Ningaloo Club Coral Bay 08 9948 5100, ningalooclub.com Excape Backpackers YHA Murat Rd, Exmouth.

BROOME STAY Cable Beach Backpackers 12 Sanctuary Road. 1800 655 011, cablebeachbackpackers.com Kimberley Club 62 Fredrick St 08 9192 3233, kimberleyklub.com

CORAL BAY Ningaloo Club Robinson St ningalooclub.com

ESPERANCE

The Shipwreck Galleries Cliff St, 08 9212 3700, museum.wa.gov.au

Blue Waters Lodge YHA 299 Goldfields Rd,

Fremantle Arts Centre 1 Finnerty Street. 08 9432 9555,

Pete’s Exmouth Backpackers YHA Cnr Truscott Cres & Murat Rd

EXMOUTH

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SALISTINGS

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

COOBER PEDY Coober Pedy’s 2,000 residents weather the region’s extreme heat by living underground, mostly in old, refurbished opal mines. Spend a day exploring Indiana Jones style.

ADELAIDE STAY

adelaideoval.com.au

Adelaide Backpackers Inn 112 Carrington St. 1800 24 77 25, abpi.com.au

Adelaide Zoo Frome Rd. 08 8267 3255, zoossa.com.au

Adelaide Central YHA 135 Waymouth St.

Haigh’s Chocolates Factory tours. 153 Greenhill Rd, Parkside 1800 819 757, haighschocolates.com.au

Adelaide Travellers Inn 220 Hutt St. 08 8224 0753, adelaidebackpackers.com.au Backpack Oz 144 Wakefield St. 1800 633 307, backpackoz.com.au

Temptation Sailing Dolphin swimming, Glenelg. 04 1281 1838 dolphinboat.com.au

Blue Galah Backpackers Lvl 1, 52-62, King William St. 08) 8231 9295, bluegalah.com.au Glenelg Beach Hostel 5-7 Moseley St. Glenelg. 1800 359 181, glenelgbeachhostel.com.au

BAROSSA VAL

Barossa Backpackers 9 Basedow Road, Tanunda. 08 8563 0198, barossa backpackers.com.au

COOBER PEDY Opal Cave Coober Pedy Hutchinson St. 08 8672 5028, opalcavecooberpedy.com.

KANGAROO IS Kangaroo Island YHA 33 Middle Terrace, Penneshaw. Vivonne Bay Lodge 66 Knofel Drive, Vivonne Bay 13 13 01 sealink.com.a

RIVERLAND

Radeka Down Under 1 Oliver St. 1800 633 891, radekadownunder.com.au

Berri Backpackers Sturt Highway, Berri. 08 8582 3144, berribackpackers.com.au

Riba’s Underground 1811 William Creek Rd. 08 8672 5614, camp-underground.com.au

Harvest Trail Lodge Loxton. 08 8584 5646, harvesttrail.com.au

CHECK IN

Photos:iStock

EYRE PENINSULA Coodlie Park Farmstay Flinders Highway, Port Kenny. 08 8687 0411 coodliepark.com Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience Sea lion and dolphin swims. 08 8626 5017 bairdbay.com

Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions Great white shark cage diving. 08 8363 1788 rodneyfox.com.au

Shakespeare Hostel 123 Waymouth St. 1800 556 889, shakeys.com.au

FLEURIEU PEN Port Elliot Beach House YHA 13 The Strand, Port Elliot.

Port Lincoln Tourist Park 11 Hindmarsh St. 08 8621 4444, portlincolntouristpark.com.au

My Place 257 Waymouth St. 1800 221 529, adelaidehostel.com.au

ADELAIDE DO

Riverland Backpackers Labour Hire Services 08 8583 0211

Calypso Star Charters Great white shark cage diving. 08 8682 3939, sharkcagediving.com.au

Hostel 109 109 Carrington St. 1800 099 318, hostel109.com

Adelaide Oval Home to the Donald Bradman collection. War Memorial Drive. 08 8300 3800

Nomads on Murray Sturt Highway, Kingston on Murray.

FLINDERS RANGES GLENELG BEACH HOSTEL 1-7 Moseley Street, Glenelg. Winer time dorms from $24. A heritage-listed unique building with open fireplaces, basement bar, beer garden, free wifi and complimentary light breakfast. Adelaide glenelgbeachhostel.com.au

Angorichina Tourist Village 08 8648 4842, angorichinavillage.com.au Wilpena Pound Resort Wilpena Rd. 08 8648 0004, wilpenapound.com.au

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NZ TRAVEL NZ TRIP | NORTH & SOUTH ISLAND LISTINGS

THIS GLACIER IS MINT / 66 ‘Maori legend tells of how two young lovers were walking in the peaks when the boy lost his footing and fell, leaving her crying endlessly for her lost love. The Maori god froze her tears, creating the glacier which is now known as “the tears of the avalanche girl”.’ Turn to page 66 to explore Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers

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Photos: Franz Josef Glacier Guides. Words: This article has been updated from the TNT archives

NZTRIP

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NZTRIP

Nice ice, baby “It’s new”, says Trevor our guide, as I run my bare hand down the smooth, slippery surface, recoiling with a chill. The cave glows with delicate shades of topaz blue, like an idyllic tropical beach except here the water is distinctly cooler. “We’ve just found it today, but in a day or two it’ll be gone again”. Up here, cracks and arches appear and melt away daily. That such exquisite beauty is so transient seems quite tragic, but it’s exactly what gives ice so much appeal. One of just three glaciers worldwide to extend down to levels where the average traveller can tramp all over them, Franz Josef offers us a glimpse of what is usually only the realm of mountaineers. Maori legend tells of how two young lovers were walking in the peaks when the boy lost his footing and fell, leaving her crying endlessly for her lost love. The Maori god froze her tears, creating the glacier which is now known as “the tears of the avalanche girl”.

Everybody’s shufflin’ Reaching the front end of her ‘tears’, our large group of glacier trampers is split into five groups depending on our preference for step size. The nimble among us who can ascend on little more than a nick in the ice go into group one. Those with oversized hobbit feet, needing shelves of ice to clamber up, go into group five. Everyone else drops in between, forming handy-sized parties of just 11. Strapping on crampons, we stomp our way up the mush of ice and gravel via steps chopped into the ice by whoever drew the short straw that morning. The staircase literally melts away every day and some poor sod has to come out at 7am to re-cut it. In a few hours we get far up into the incredible land of caves, pinnacles and crevasses. The giant icy tongue cracks as it slides over uneven rock hundreds of metres below and splits into the most dramatic shapes – towering waves frozen in midcurl, deep scars which only the fearless can peer down. We follow Trevor diligently through tracks of ice cubes left by the crushing footsteps of the advance party, aptly called crunchies. He screws in hand-lines if we have to go up and teaches us the ‘Franz shuffle’ to go down – simply turning sideways to step down with a stylish shimmy. I wonder if there’s any angle these crampons can’t traverse. Someone foolishly puts my thought to the test, walking straight up a vertical wall, but gravity eventually wins out and drops him back down in a heap nursing two bloody knees.

Image: Tourism New Zealand, Julian Apse.

A hike on Franz Josef Glacier gives the average traveller a glimpse through the eyes of a mountaineer – without all the hard work, says Rebecca Coales

True blue The guides carefully pick out routes through the ice field to avoid hazards, and with the scenery changing daily, no one trek is the same. Trevor seems just as thrilled as us when fellow guide, Shaun, finds the ice cave. We’re shown bubbles trapped in the ice – a permanent record of winters gone-by when snow piled thickly on the mountains above. It’s the weight of so much snow that gives the ice its characteristic hue. With all the air pushed out, the ice reflects only blue. But don’t go expecting to be dazzled – Franz’s front-end is filthy on account of all the rock it pushes down the hillside, “a bit like a bulldozer” Trevor explains. With milky-white water gushing from the lower slopes of the glacier, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Franz is disappearing like all the other big chunks of ice around the world. But it’s actually growing – creaking and groaning its way down the valley at about 20cm a day. It’s now a mile closer to the village than it was back in the ‘80s. It’s still a long walk, though, and eventually the cold and gradient take their toll. “If you’re feeling really lazy you can just sit here and in a year you’ll be back where you started,” Trevor says. He relates the story of a plane that crashed high up on the glacier, only to reappear in bits seven years later out the front end. I’ll take the walk down, thanks. As we hit the valley floor I think to myself, in both meanings of the word, this is the coolest thing I’ve ever done. And it’s an adventure never to be repeated. Just as you never step into the same river twice, every walk on the shifting ice is unique, which probably makes this tramp as ‘franztastic’ as the guides make out. Ice Explorer glacier hike with Franz Josef Glacier Guides lasts up to four hours and costs $325. For more info, visit franzjosefglacier.com. TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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FEELING FOXY

Fox Glacier is just 25km down the road from Franz Josef, and despite lacking the dramatic gradient of Franz, it offers arguably better views. The less dramatic gradient also makes for an easier climb, and so those looking for something less arduous than Franz Glacier but equally as impressive should book in with tour company, Fox Glacier Guiding. They also offer heli-trips, choppering you higher up the ice to enjoy the ice caves and arches. There’s even an overnight option where you stay 1,270 metres up at Chancellor Dome, surrounded by lush alpine plants, mountain antelope and views of the mountains. You can also walk freely to and around the glacier – although you’re not allowed to walk right to the face of Fox Glacier, the flimsy rope fence deters few. Enjoy picture-postcard scenes such as the mirror-like Lake Matheson, reflecting Mounts Cook and Tasman in the tea-stained waters – but get there early to avoid getting stuck behind plump, waddling tourists spilling out from the numerous tour buses. Less easy to avoid, and more likely to put you into the same category, are the cakes at the cafe with views across the fields to the Southern Alps. Better views of Fox in all its glory can be found at the end of the Chalet Lookout trail, reached by crossing the river swing-bridge and strolling up through steep rainforest. The short Moraines Walk zig-zags over gravel mounds left behind by the glacier in 1600 and 1750AD, now cloaked by damp, moss-encrusted beech trees, giving a ‘Lothlorian’ feel to the forest. foxguides.co.nz

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TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

Our beds fill up early and clever guests book ahead to secure the best beds and rooms. Those clever guests also know our beds are cheaper as a member. So join YHA now from only NZ$25 and get 10% off accommodation, free WiFi and other great benefits too.

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BOOK YOUR BED AHEAD AND START SAVING NOW!

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NORTHISLAND

AUCKLAND In Maori language the city’s name is Tamaki Makau Rau, which translates as “the city of 100 lovers”. Auckland is admired for its cosmopolitan flavour, its sunny harbour for the fact that it makes every other city in NZ feel like a small town. i-SITE Auckland Atrium, skycity, Cnr Federal & Victoria Sts

MUST VISIT

Backpackers World Travel 16-20 Fort St, 09 300 9999, backpackersworld.com

AUCKLAND ZOO Boasting New Zealand’s largest collection of animals, this zoo has also been called one of the most progressive in the world. It is home to 138 different species and over 860 animals and has its very own native New Zealand section with unique, regional plants and animals. The rainforest section is very popular as you can get up close and personal with the primates. Just west of Downtown Auckland. Adult tickets are $28. aucklandzoo.co.nz

i-SITE Visitor Information 287 Queen St, 09 979 2333, aucklandnz.com Ferry Tickets Online (For inter-island ferry services) 39 Beach Rd, 0800 500 660, ferrytickets.co.nz Department of Conservation Auckland Details on tramping, camping grounds, the Gulf Islands and exploring the regional parks. 137 Quay St Cnr, Princes Wharf, open Mon-Fri (9am-5am); SatSun (10am-4pm), 09 379 6476 Airport Transport The airport is 21km from the city and shuttle buses run every half an hour. Airbus Airport is every 20 mins. 0800 247 287, airbus.co.nz City buses Tickets and timetables are available from the 10 central city Star Mart stores. 09 366 6400, maxx.co.nz Auckland InterCity Travel Centre Buses around Auckland and the rest of New Zealand leave from here. Located beside the casino, Hobson St, 09 583 5780, intercity.co.nz Train Intercity trains arrive and depart from Britomart, 12 Queen St, Auckland. 09 366 6400, transdev.co.nz

AUCKLAND STAY Auckland Airport Kiwi Hotel 150 McKenzie Road, Mangere. 09 256 0046, kiwiairporthotel.co.nz Airport Skyway Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 30 Kirkbride Road, Mangere. 09 275 4443, skywaylodge.co.nz Auckland International Backpackers 2 Churton St, Parnell. +64358 4584, aucklandinternationalbp.com

Auckland Museum See the world’s finest collection of Maori and Pacific Island artefacts. Explore New Zealand’s natural history, discover the largest bird that ever lived and experience a Maori cultural show. 09 309 0443, aucklandmuseum.com

BK Hostel (BBH) 3 Mercury Ln, Central. 09 307 0052 bkhostel.co.nz

Queen Street Backpackers 4 Fort St. 09 373 3471, qsb.co.nz

Borders Beyond 8 Nixon St, Grey Lynn. 09 360 9880, bordersbeyond.co.nz

Uenuku Lodge (BBH) 217 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby. 09 378 8990, uenukulodge.co.nz

City Garden Lodge (BBH) 25 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell. 09 302 0880 citygardenlodge.co.nz

Surf ‘n’ Snow Backpackers 102 Albert St. 09 363 8889, surfandsnow.co.nz

The Fat Camel (Nomads) 38 Fort St. 09 307 0181, nomadsworld.com

Brown Kiwi (BBH) 7 Prosford St, Ponsonby. 09 378 0191, brownkiwi.co.nz

Freemans Backpackers (BBH) 65 Wellington Street. 09 376 5046 freemanbackpackers.co.nz Freinz Backpackers (BBH) 27-31 Vitoria St. East. 09 307 6437 frienz.com Nomads Auckland 16-20 Fort St. 09 300 9999, nomadshostels.com Jandal Palace (BBH) 38 Glenesk Rd, RD2. 09 812 8381, pihabeachstay.co.nz JJ House (BBH) 4 MacMurray Road. 09 214 9791 jjhouse.co.nz

KR City Travellers (BBH) 146 Karangahape Rd. 09 377 6027, kroadcitytravellers.co.nz Verandahs (BBH) 6 Hopetown St. 09 360 4180, verandahs.co.nz YHA Auckland City 18 Liverpool St. 09 309 2802, yha.co.nz YHA Auckland International 5 Turner St. 09 302 8200, yha.co.nz

AUCKLAND DO

Kiwi International Hotel 411 Queen St. 0800 100 411, kiwihotel.co.nz

Explorer Bus Sightseeing around Auckland, 0800 439 756 explorerbus.co.nz

Lantana Lodge (BBH) 60 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell. 09 373 4546, lantanalodge.co.nz

Sealink Ferries can take you all over the harbour. Info about timetables and destinations are available online on the Sealink website. 0800 732 546, sealink.co.nz

Oaklands Lodge (BBH) 5a Oaklands Rd, Mt Eden. 09 638 6545, oaklands.co.nz

Base Backpackers Auckland 229 Queen St. 09 358 4877, stayatbase.com

Ponsonby Backpackers 2 Franklin Rd, Ponsonby. 09 360 1311, ponsonby-backpackers.co.nz

Bamber House (BBH) 22 View Rd, Mt Eden. 09 623 4267, bamberhouse.co.nz

Princeton Backpackers 30 Symonds St. 09 963 8300, princeton.net.nz

America’s Cup Sailing Experience A unique opportunity to participate as crew on an actual America’s Cup yacht. Take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or simply sit back and enjoy the action as you sail the beautiful Waitemata Harbour. The two hour sails departs daily from the Auckland Viaduct. No

Auckland Zoo See kiwi birds in the nocturnal house and over 900 animals. 09 360 3800, aucklandzoo.co.nz Coast to Coast Walkway A walk between Waitemata Harbour and Manukau Harbour. It takes about four hours and takes in Albert Park, Auckland Uni, Auckland Domain, Mt Eden, and One Tree Hill. Devonport A 15-minute ferry or bus ride across the harbour on the north shore, Devonport is an idyllic setting for a picnic or a stroll along the beach. Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World A seawater aquarium with a moving walkway through a transparent underwater cavern. Antarctic Encounter is a recreation of an Antarctic environment where you jump on a snow mobile and tour a penguin colony, get attacked by an orca whale. Orakei Wharf, Tamaki Drive. 0800 80 50 50, kellytarltons.co.nz Mt Eden The highest point in the city, 4km south of the city centre with spectacular views. Get there by bus. NZ National Maritime Museum The museum celebrates NZ’s maritime heritage. 09 373 0800, nzmaritimemuseum.co.nz Ponsonby West of the city, explore Victorian architecture and narrow streets with cafés, bars, clothes shops, art galleries and some lively nightlife.

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cruises to Hauraki Gulf islands, with all-day passes and hop-on, hop-off options. fullers.co.nz 09 367 9111, Pride of Auckland The Pride of Auckland operates an impressive fleet of large, purpose-built yachts on the sheltered waters of Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour and is world famous for its sailing and dining cruises. Join them for a coffee, lunch, dinner, Waiheke sailing experience cruise or a full-day sailing adventure and experience the “City of Sails” for what it is known for. 0800 397 567, exploregroup.net Auckland Bridge Climb Up and over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Westhaven Reserve, Curran St, Herne Bay. 09 360 7748, bungy.co.nz Auckland Harbour Bridge Jump NZ’s only ocean touch bungy, 40m high. Westhaven Reserve, Curran St, Herne Bay. 09 360 7748, bungy.co.nz Canyonz Ltd Explore subtropical canyons and abseil down crashing waterfalls. 0800 422 696, canyonz.co.nz New Zealand Surf Tours Learn to surf on uncrowded, beautiful beaches. 09 828 0426, newzealandsurftours.com Sky Jump Fall from the top of the 192m Sky Tower, 0800 759 586, skyjump.co.nz Sky Walk Walk around the external 1.2m wide platform, 192m up. 0800 759925, skywalk.co.nz Fullers Bay of Islands Tours One, two and three-day tours from Auckland. fullers.co.nz 09 367 9111, Awesome Adventures Three-day Bay of Islands tours. 0800 658 058, awesomenz.com

Beaches Auckland is surrounded by great beaches, including Judges Queen Street Bay, Kohimarama, Okahu Bay, Auckland’s main boulevard with St Heliers Bay and popular shops, cafés and restaurants. Mission Bay. Whale & Dolphin Safari Aotea Square Markets See whales and dolphins from Every Friday and Saturday at Auckland’s doorstep. The Aotea Square, Queen St. NZ Hauraki Gulf is considered one fashion labels, retro gear, foods, of the most biologically and Pacific-style crafts, jewellery geographically diverse marine and furniture, 09 309 2677, parks in the world. See the-edge.co.nz dolphins, whales, sea birds and/ or even penguins. Dolphins are Victoria Park Market viewed on over 90% and whales 3km from the CBD, an outdoor on 75% of trips. Departs daily market with fruit, veggies, from the Auckland Viaduct. books, clothes and handicrafts. Dolphin viewing guaranteed. 09 357 6032, exploregroup.co.nz GREAT BARRIER Fullers Cruises This unique island destination is Inner harbour cruises and longer dominated by a native forest a

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network of criss-crossing tracks. thebarrier.co.nz Orama Oasis Karaka Bay Rd, 09 429 0063, orama.org.nz Stray Possum Lodge (VIP) Stray Possum Lodge is situated on the beautiful Hauraki Gulf 09 429 0109, straypossum.co.nz

BARRIER DO Fullers Cruises Depart from the Ferry Building. fullers.co.nz 09 367 9111, Great Barrier Airlines Fly out of Auckland Airport or Auckland Shore Airfield. 09 275 6612, greatbarrierairlines.co.nz Fullers Great Barrier Explorers Cruise and tours, summer only (October-April). 09 367 9111, fullers.co.nz

WAIHEKE ISLAND A 35-minute ferry ride from Auckland. It is popular for its long sweeping beaches and craft shops.

WHANGAREI Whangarei I-SITE Visitor Centre 92 Otaika Rd, 09 438 1079 whangareinz.com

WHANGAREI STAY Bunkdown Lodge (BBH) 23 Otaika Road, 09 438 8886, bunkdownlodge.co.nz Coastal Cow Backpackers (BBH) 299 Molesworth Drive, Mangawai Heads 09 431 5246, mangawhaibackpackers.com Little Earth Lodge (BBH) 85 Abbey Caves Road, 09 430 6562, littleearthlodge.co.nz Whangarei Falls Backpacker (BBH) 12 Ngunguru Rd, Whareora, 09 437 0609, whangareifalls.co.nz YHA Whangarei Manaakitanga 52 Punga Grove Ave, 09 438 8954, yha.co.nz

WHANGAREI DO

Hekerua Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 11 Hekerua Rd, Oneroa, 09 372 8990, hekerualodge.co.nz

Dive! Tutukaka Poor Knights Islands dives, plus tours with kayaking, cave explorations, snorkelling, swimming, sea mammalspotting.

Kina Backpackers 421 Seaview Road, Onetangi, 09 372 8971, kinabackpackers.co.nz

PAIHIA

HELENSVILLE The hot springs here have indoor and outdoor thermal pools and waterslides. Malolo House 110 Commercial Rd, 09 420 7262, malolohouse.co.nz

HENDERSON BAY North Wind Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 88 Otaipango Road, RD4, 09 409 8515 northwind.co.nz

HIBISCUS COAST Orewa Beach Hillary Square, Orewa 09 426 2638, orewabeach.co.nz Pillows Backpackers Lodge (BBH) 412 Hibiscus Coast Highway, 0800 426 6338, pillows.co.nz

SAIL ROCK

Paihia is one of the most beautiful towns on the North Island with equal parts love for adventure, nature and a raucous nightlife. AwesomeNZ Tours include Maori mythology, dolphin swimming and fast boats. Maritime Building, on the waterfront, 09 402 7421, awesomenz.com Bay of Islands i-Site The Wharf, Marsden Rd, 09 402 7345, paihia.co.nz

PAIHIA STAY Base Backpackers Bay of Islands 18 Kings Rd 09 402 7111, stayatbase.com Cap’n Bob’s Beach House (BBH) 44 Davis Crescent, 09 402 8668, capnbobs.co.nz Centabay Lodge (BBH) 27 Selwyn Rd, 09 402 7466, centabay.co.nz

Hen & Chickens Island and Sail Rock These offshore areas offer great sailing and diving. Boat trips leave from the area daily.

Admirals View Motel 2 MacMurray Rd, 09 402 6236, admiralviewlodge.co.nz

Waipu Wanderer (BBH) 25 St Marys Rd, 09 432 0532 waipu-hostel.co.nz

Mousetrap (BBH) 11 Kings Rd, 09 402 8182, mousetrap.co.nz

Peppertree Lodge 15 Kings Rd, 09 402 6122, peppertree.co.nz Pickled Parrot Backpackers (BBH) Grey’s Lane, 09 402 6222, pickledparrot.co.nz Saltwater Lodge (BBH) 14 Kings Rd, 09 402 7075, saltwaterlodge.co.nz Seabeds (BBH) 46 Davis Cres, 09 402-5567 seabeds.co.nz

PAIHIA DO Haruru Falls Picturesque falls offering swimming, camping and kayaking opportunities – and a pub! Opua Forest The DOC provides a leaflet of forest walks, which features a small stand of Kauri trees. Drive into the forest via Oromahoe Rd or walk from School Rd. Te Rawhiti Cape Brett Walkway Guided tours include experienced local Maori guides, all meals, hut accommodation, transport by boat to hut taking in the famous Hole in the Rock, Maori culture, myths and legends and hangi, capebrettwalks.co.nz Waitangi Treaty Grounds The site where the historic Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Also see carvings that represent all Maori tribes in NZ and one of the largest ceremonial waka (canoe) in the world, launched every Waitangi Day (Feb 6). 09 402 7437, waitangi.net.nz Boat cruises & dolphin watching Cape Brett “Hole in the Rock” Cruise Four-hour cruises, dolphincruises.co.nz Dolphin Discoveries With the warmest water and friendliest dolphins (bottlenoses), this is a great place for swimming with the dolphins (conditions permitting). The high-speed luxury catamaran offers easy access to the water and hot showers. Or do a “Hole in the Rock and Dolphin Viewing Experience” and see dolphins, whales, birds and other wildlife. Visit Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island during your island stop and explore this amazing place. 0800 000 784, exploregroup.co.nz Dune Rider Unique Adventure Tour Make your way up to Cape Reinga while traveling to the Gumdiggers Park and drive along the famous Ninety Mile Beach. Climb huge sand dunes and boogie board back down on the way and stop at the world famous Mangonui Fish Shop for fish and chips. Departing daily from Paihia. exploregroup.co.nz Sale Lion New Zealand: “The Ultimate Day Sail in the Bay”

Join Lion New Zealand, NZ’s legendary maxi yacht. The friendly crew will show you the ropes and share the stories of the Bay and Legend of Sir Peter Blake. 0800 000 784, exploregroup.co.nz

pa on the headland at Matauri Bay. Travellers come here to dive the ship’s wreck.

WHANGAROA This area was once well known for its Kauri forests, but these days it’s more about game fishing. The scenery is ruggedly spectacular and sailing cruises are popular.

Awesome Cape Reinga Via Ninety Mile Beach – learn Maori myths and legends, navigate the quicksand stream, ride the dunes, visit a thousand year old forest. 0800 653 339, awesomenz.com

Tourist info centre Boyd Gallery, 09 405 0230, whangaroa.co.nz

RUSSELL Catch a ferry to Russell, originally a sprawling fortified Maori settlement. Information Centre End of the Pier, Russell 09 403 8020, exploregroup.co.nz

Sunseeker Lodge (BBH) 12 Old Hospital Rd, 09 405 0496, sunseekerlodge.co.nz

KARIKARI PENIN The Rusty Anchor 1 Tokerau Beach Rd, 09 406 7141, rustyanchor.hostel.com

RUSSELL STAY

KAITAIA

Wainui Lodge (BBH) 92D Te Wahapu Rd, 09 403 8278, wainuilodge-russell-nz.com

The ideal starting point for Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach. Pukenui Lodge Hotel (BBH) Cnr SH1 & Pukenui Wharf Rd 09 409 8837, pukenuilodge.co.nz

Ferry Landing (BBH) 395 Aucks Rd, Okiato Point 09 403 7985, ferrylandingrussell.co.nz

Mainstreet Lodge (BBH) 235 Commerce St, 09 408 1275 mainstreetlodge.co.nz

Pipi Patch Backpackers 18 Kings Road, 09 403 7111.

KERIKERI

KAITAIA DO

A highlight of the sparsely populated town is the wonderful Maori village. There is also an historic Maori pa (fortress) and the Kerikeri Mission Station. kerikeri.co.nz

Ancient Kauri Kingdom Giant kauri tree stumps are fashioned into furniture and other trinkets.

KERIKERI STAY Kerikeri Top 10 Holiday Park & Aranga Backpackers Aranga Drive off Kerikeri Rd, 0800 272 642, kerikeritop10.co.nz

Far North Regional Museum Featuring all kinds of goodies, like the skeleton of a giant moa bird and salvages from local shipwrecks. Pack or Paddle Thoms Landing, 09 4098 445, packorpaddle@hotmail.com

AHIPARA

Hideaway Lodge Wiroa Rd, 0800 562 746 kerikeri.co.nz

Kahoe Farms Hostel (BBH) 1266 State Highway 10, 09 405 1804, kahoefarms.co.nz

Hone Heke Lodge (BBH) 65 Hone Heke Rd, 09 407 8170, honeheke.co.nz

Endless Summer Lodge (BBH) 245 Foreshore Rd, 09 409 4181, endlesssummer.co.nz

Relax a Lodge (BBH) 1574 Springbank Rd (SH10) 09 407 6989 relaxalodge.co.nz

AHIPARA DO

MATAURI BAY A very well-kept tourist secret, Matauri Bay is Maori land, home to the Ngati Kura people, and has beautiful, quiet beaches. The Welcome Swallow Backpackers 249 Hikuru Rd, Off Matauri Bay Rd, 09 405 1019, welcomeswallow.com

Tuatua Tours Guided quad tours of Ninety Mile Beach sand dunes. 3 Main Road, 0800 494 288, tuatuatours.co.nz

HOKIANGA

The Rainbow Warrior A monument to the noble but doomed Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior, sits on the site of a Maori

Heading south, you’ll hit Hokianga Harbour and the quiet twin towns of Omapere and Opononi. The Koutu Boulders are worth a look. Hokianga Information 09 405 8869, hokianga.co.nz

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NORTHISLAND HOKIANGA STAY Okopako Lodge (BBH) – Farm Hostel 140 Mountain Rd, Whirinaki, 09 405 8815, homepages.paradise.net. nz/njandlv/

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KAWHIA The main attraction of this peaceful port town, 55km south of Raglan, is the Maketu Marae where you can experience the rich cultural tapestry of NZ’s indigenous history.

Globetrekkers Lodge (BBH) 281 State Highway 12, Omapere, 09 405 8183, globetrekkerslodge.com The Tree House Backpackers Lodge (BBH) 168 West Coast Rd, Motukaraka 09 405 5855, treehouse.co.nz

OTOROHANGA

DARGAVILLE On the road from Hokianga, the famous “Big Trees”, the native kauri trees of Waipoua Kauri Forest. Once in Dargaville, attractions include the masts from the ill-fated Rainbow Warrior and the fascinating bird sanctuary nearby. Dargaville Info Centre 4 Murdoch St, 09 439 4975, dargaville.co.nz

DARGAVILLE STAY Dargaville Holiday Park 10 Onslow St, 09 439 8296, kauriparks.co.nz

JAILHOUSE ACCOMMODATION This hostel is situated in an old prison building but it’s certainly not spartan. It’s in a great central location too. Voted Top Hostel in Oceania once again by hostelworld guests this year. 338 Lincoln Rd, Christchurch. Dorms from $33 jail.co.nz DOC Office 73, Rostrevor St. 07 858 1000

HAMILTON STAY Backpackers Central 846 Victoria Street, 07 839 1928, backpackerscentral.co.nz

Kaihu Farm 334 State Highway 12, Kaihu, 09 439 4004.

Central Green (BBH) 846 Victoria St, 07 839 1928, backpackerscentral.co.nz

Greenhouse Backpackers (BBH) 15 Gordon St, 09 439 6342, bbh.co.nz

Eagle’s Nest Backpackers 937 Victoria St, 07 838 2704, eaglesbackpackers.co.nz

MATAKOHE Travellers Lodge (BBH) 64 Jellicoe Rd, Ruawai, 09 439 2283, bbh.co.nz Matakohe House B&B Hotel 24 Church Rd, RD1, 0800 492 452, matakohehouse.co.nz

WAIKATO Waikato District Info Centre 160 Great South Rd, Huntly, 07 828 6406, info@waikatodistrict.govt.nz, waikatodistrict.govt.nz Shekinah Farm (BBH) 122 Pungapunga Rd, Pukekawa, 09 233 4464, shekinahbackpackers.co.nz Raglan Kopua Holiday Park Marine Parade, Raglan, 07 825 8283, stay@raglanholidaypark.co.nz, raglanholidaypark.co.nz

Microtel YHA 140 Ulster St, 07 957 1848, microtel.co.nz YWCA Hostel Cnr Clarence & Pembroke St, 07 838 2219, hamilton.ywca.org.nz

HAMILTON DO Waikato Museum of Art & History Cnr Victoria and Grantham Sts. More than 3,000 items, with a permanent Maori War canoe. Gold coin donations welcomed.

MATAMATA Rural town famous for being turned into Hobbiton in those films – some of the set still stands. Hobbiton Movie Set Tours 501 Buckland Rd, Hinuera, 07 888 1505, office@hobbitontours.com

CAMBRIDGE

HAMILTON NZ’s largest inland city and is known for its parks and gardens. Hamilton Visitor Centre Corner Caro and Alexandra St, Hamilton, 07 839 3580 visithamilton.co.nz

This very Olde English town with its town square and abundance of trees is in the heart of Waikato. The region is famous for its horses and jetboating. Cambridge Info Centre Cnr Queen and Victoria Sts,

07 823 3456 cambridge.co.nz

RAGLAN One of New Zealand’s best-known surfing beaches, Raglan is situated 48km west of Hamilton. Raglan Information Centre 2 Wainui Rd, 07 825 7076, ragland.org.nz

RAGLAN STAY Solscape Eco Retreat Backpackers (BBH) 611 Wainui Rd, 07 825 8268, solscape.co.nz Raglan Backpackers & Waterfront Lodge (BBH) 6 Wi Neera St, 07 825 0515, raglanbackpackers.co.nz Karioi Backpacker Lodge (VIP) & Raglan Surfing School 5 Whaanga Rd, Whale Bay, 07 825 7873, karioilodge.co.nz Dream View Farmstays 430 Te Hutewai Rd, 07 825 8186 dreamview.co.nz Raglan Kopua Holiday Park 61 Marine Parade, 07 825 8283, raglanholidaypark.co.nz Raglan Farmhouse and Flashpackers 61 Marine Parade, 07 825 8747, raglanfarmstay.com

TE AWAMUTU Given that it calls itself the “Rose Town of New Zealand”, it’s not surprising the 2,000-strong Rose Garden is the town’s major attraction. Te Awamutu Info Centre 1 Gorst Ave, 07 871 3259, teawamutuinfo.com

Just 59km south of Hamilton, many travellers use this small farming community as a base for visiting the Waitomo Caves. Otorohanga Visitor Info Centre 27 Turongo St, 07 873 8951, otorohanga.co.nz Otorohanga kiwi House & Native Bird Park 20 Alex Telfer Drive, 07 873 7391, kiwihouse.org.nz

WAITOMO Definitely one of the best adventure spots in New Zealand. There are a range of caving adventures here. Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre 21 Waitomo Caves Rd, 0800 474 839, waitomocaves.com

WAITOMO STAY Juno Hall (BBH) 600 Waitomo Caves Rd, 07 878 7649 junowaitomo.co.nz Kiwi Paka Hotel Caves 256, Access Rd, 07 878 3395 waitomokiwipaka.co.nz Kiwi Cave Rafting (BBH) 95 Waitomo Caves Rd, 07 873 9149, caveraft.com

WAITOMO DO Dundle Hill Walk A two-day walk through native bush; limestone outcrops includes overnight with spectacular views at Kays Cabin. 07 878 7640 dundlehillwalk.com Marakopa Falls, Managapohue Natural Bridge, Piri Piri Cave, 30 minutes drive from Waitomo. Rap Raft ‘n’ Rock Blackwater adventures combining abseiling, rafting, glowworms, caving and rockclimbing all in one five-hour adventure. 0800 228 372, caveraft.com The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co Cave tubing in the blackness of the Ruakuri Cave river. 585 Waitomo Caves Rd, 07 878 6219, waitomo.com

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TE KUITI Te Kuiti Information Centre Rora St, 07 878 8077. Dept of Conservation 78 Taupiri Street, 07 878 1080. Tiffany’s Cafe, 241 Rora St, 07 878 7640

TE KUITI STAY Casara Mesa Backpackers (BBH) Mangarino Rd, 07 878 6697, bbh.co.nz Coromandel Top 10 Holiday Park 636-732 Rings Rd, 07 866 8830, coromandeltop10.co.nz

OTOROHANGA Just 59km south of Hamilton, many travellers use this small farming community as a base for visiting the Waitomo Caves. Otorohanga Visitor Info Centre 27 Turongo St, otorohanga.co.nz

COROMANDEL PEN A series of towns loop around the peninsula, broken by rolling green hills. Highlights include Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove and the cosy little Coromandel township.

THAMES A great canyoning spot, with loads of natural pools and waterslides. Information Thames 206 Poland St, 07 868 7284 thamesinfo.co.nz DOC Office Pahau St, 07 867 9180 doc.govt.nz

THAMES STAY Dickson Holiday Park 115 Victoria St, 07 868 7308, Gateway Backpackers (BBH) 209 Mackay St, 07 868 6339, bbh.co.nz Sunkist International Backpackers 506 Brown St, 07 868 8808, sunkistbackpackers.co.nz Te Aroha YHA Hostel Miro Street, Te Aroha (south of Thames), 07 884 8739, yha.co.nz

COROMANDEL Some 55km north of Thames is the town of Coromandel, home to the popular Driving Creek Railway. Coromandel Information Centre 335 Kapanga Rd, 07 866 8598, coromandeltown.co.nz

CORO STAY Anchor Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 448 Wharf Rd,

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07 866 7992, anchorlodgecoromandel.co.nz Black Jack Backpackers Kuaotunu, 07 866 2988, black-jack.co.nz

Fernbird (BBH) 24 Harsant Ave, Hahei, 07 866 3080, bbh.co.nz

Colville Farm (BBH) 2140 Colville Road, Colville, 07 866 6820

On the Beach Backpackers Lodge (BBH, YHA) 46 Buffalo Beach Rd, 07 866 5380, onthebeachbackpackers.co.nz

Mahamudra Retreat Colville Rd, 07 866 6851 mahamudra.org.nz

Seabreeze Holiday Park (BBH) 1043 SH25 Tairua-Whitianga Rd, 07 866 3050

The Pinnacles Backpackers (BBH) 305 Main Road (SH25), 07 864 8448, pinnaclesbakpak.co.nz

Tatahi Lodge (BBH) 9 Grange Rd, Hahei, 07 866 3992, tatahilodge.co.nz

Lions Den (BBH) 126 Te Tiki St, 07 866 8157 ionsdenhostel.co.nz Tui Lodge (BBH) 60 Whangapoua Rd, 07 866 8237, coromandeltuilodge.co.nz Tairua Backpackers (BBH) 200 Main Road, 07 864 8345, tairuabackpackers.com

OPOUTERE This is a good place to go to just chill out. The beach here is glorious and generally empty. Skinny dip anyone? YHA Opoutere 389 Opoutere Rd, 07 865 9072, yha.co.nz

WHANGAMATA A real surfie town, Whangamata has one of the best surf beaches in New Zealand and a laidback atmosphere to match. Whangamata Info Centre 616 Port Rd, 07 865 8340

TAURANGA One of the fastest growing places in NZ, Tauranga combines a young population with a harbourside atmosphere. Enjoy diving, sailing, fishing and surfing. Tauranga i-site 95 Willow St, 07 578 8103 bayofplenty.co.nz Department of Conservation 253 Chadwick Rd West, 07 578 7677

TAURANGA STAY Apple Tree Backpackers (BBH) 47 Maxwell Rd, 07 576 4001 appletreebackpackers.co.nz Harbourside City Backpackers 105 The Strand, 07 579 4066, backpacktauranga.co.nz Bell Lodge (BBH) 39 Bell St, Judea, 07 578 6344, bell-lodge.co.nz

Southpacific Accommodation 245 Port Rd, 07 865 9580, thesouthpacific.co.nz

Just The Ducks Nuts Backpackers 6 Vale St, 07 576 1366, justtheducksnuts.co.nz

NZ Surf n Stay (BBH) 227 Beverley Tce, 07 865 8323 whangamata-backpackers.co.nz

Kingfisher Backpackers Lodge (BBH) 122b Word Road,

WHITIANGA Whitianga, perched on pretty Mercury Bay, is the most popular stop-off point for travellers on the Coromandel. You can learn to make your very own bone carving, dive and surf to your heart’s content. Whitianga Information Centre 118 Oceanview Rd, 09 372 1234 whitianga.co.nz Baywatch Backpackers (VIP) 22 The Esplanade, 07 866 5481, whitianga.co.nz/baywatch Cathedral Cove Lodge 41 Harsant Ave, Hahei Beach, 07 866 3889, cathedralcove.co.nz Cat’s Pyjamas Backpackers (BBH) 12 Albert St, 07 866 4663, cats-pyjamas.co.nz

07 552 0388, kingfisher-backpack.co.nz Loft 109 (BBH) 8/109 Devonport Rd, 07 579 5638, loft109.co.nz Seagulls Guesthouse (BBH) 12 Hinau Street, 07 574 2099, seagullsguesthouse.co.nz Tauranga Central Backpackers 64 Willow St, 07 571 6222, tgabackpack.co.nz YHA Tauranga 171 Elizabeth St, 07 578 5064, yha.co.nz

TAURANGA DO Butler’s Swim With Dolphins 101 Te Awanui Dr, 0508 288 537

Waimarino Adventure Park 07 576 4233, waimarino.com Coyote Bar and Restaurant 107 The Strand, 07 578 8968.

TE PUKE Te Puke Information Centre 130 Jellicoe St, 07 573 9172 tepuke.co.nz

TE PUKE STAY Hairy Berry Backpacker Hostel 2 No One Rd, Te Puke, 07 573 8015, work@hairyberrynz.com Kiwi Corral Backpackers 26 Young Road, 07 573 4530, kiwicorral.co.nz Blue Tide Beachfront Retreat 7 Te Awhe Rd, Maketu Beach, 07 533 2033, bluetides.co.nz

TE PUKE DO Kiwifruit Country Young Rd, 07 573 6340, kiwifruitcountry.co.nz Gotcha Paintball, 720 State Highway 33, Paengaroa, 022 649 1158

WHAKATANE For a very different adventure, visit White Island, an active volcano where sulphur-lipped fumeroles and roaring steam vents create a stark wonderland. whakatane.com Karibu Backpackers (BBH) 13 Landing Rd, 07 307 8276 Otapawa Farmstay (BBH) 255 Haunui Road, 06 376 7250 otapawafarmstay.co.nz/ backpackers

ROTORUA Rotorua is a must for three reasons: the abundance of accessible Maori culture, the steaming volcanic scenery and adrenalin thrills. Tourism Rotorua & Visitor Info Centre 1167 Fenton St, 07 348 5179 rotoruanz.com

ROTORUA STAY Astray Motel & Backpackers (BBH) 1202 Pukuatua St, 07 348 1200, astray.co.nz Base Backpackers Rotorua 1286 Arawa St, 07 348 8636, stayatbase.com Blarney’s Rock Backpackers 1210 Tutanekai St, 07 343 7904, blarneysrock.com Cactus Jack Backpackers 1210 Haupapa St, 0800 122 228 cactusjackbackpackers.com Crash Palace Backpackers 1271 Hinemaru St, 07 348 842, crashpalace.co.nz Funky Green Voyager (BBH) 4 Union St, 07 346-1754, funkygreenvoyager.co.nz Kiwipaka 60 Tarewa Rd, 07 347 0931, kiwipaka.co.nz Planet Nomad Backpackers 1080 Eruera St, 07 350 2550, rotoruaplanetbackpackers.co.nz Oasis Hostel/Backpackers 33A Tarewa Rd, 07 343 6563, oasishostel.co.nz

Whakatane Hotel 79 The Strand, 07 307 1670

Rotorua Central Backpackers (BBH) 1076 Pukuatua St, 07 349 3285, rotoruacentralbackpackers.co.nz

The Windsor 10 Merritt St, Whakatane, 07 308 8040, windsorlodge-backpackers.co.nz

Rotorua Downtown Backpackers (BBH) 1193 Fenton St, 07 347 1170, rotorua-backpackers.co.nz

WHAKATANE DO Dive White 168 The Strand, 0800 348 394, divewhite.co.nz White Island Tours Departs Whakatane daily. 15 The Strand. 07 308 9588 whiteisland.co.nz

Kaitiaki Adventures Extreme whitewater activities. Sledging and rafting trips on the Kaituna and Rangitaiki Rivers, 0800 338 736, kaitiaki.co.nz Off Road NZ Sprint car racing, Monster 4X4, 4WD Bush Safari and more, 07 332 5748, offroadnz.co.nz Polynesian Spa Historical hot mineral water bathing spa on the edge of Lake Rotorua, 07 348 1328, polynesianspa.co.nz Raftabout Whitewater rafting and sledging, 0800 723 822, raftabout.co.nz Skyline Skyrides Spectacular Get the best views and luge down 5km of tracks, or take the 150ft skyswing, 07 347 0027, skylineskyrides.co.nz Waikite Hot Pools Natural hot spring water bathing. Provides private spas, BBQ area and campground facilities, 20 minutes south of Rotorua. hotpools.co.nz Waimangu Volcanic Valley The location of the Pink and White Terraces which were destroyed in the 1886 volcanic eruption. waimangu.co.nz Wet ‘n’ Wild Rafting Guided rafting options on five different rivers – the Wairoa, Rangitaiki, Kaituna, Motu and Mohaka, 0800 462 7238, wetnwildrafting.co.nz Zorb Rotorua Get harnessed inside the perspex Zorb before rolling head-over-heels downhill, 07 357 5100, zorb.com

MAORI CULTURE

Spa Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 1221 Amohau Street, 07 348 3486, spalodge.co.nz

While you’re here, take the opportunity to see how the Maori lived before European settlment. The Maori Arts and Crafts Institute in Whakarewarewa is a good place to begin . nzmaori.co.nz.

YHA Rotorua 1278 Haupapa St, 07 349 4088, yha.co.nz

NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute 07 348 9047 tepuia.com

Roquette Restaurant & Bar 23/29 Quay St. 07 307 0722

Agroventures Five adrenalin activities in one adventure park, including bungy jumping, sprint boats and a wind tunnel. 1335 Paradise Valley Rd. 07 357 4747, agroventures.co.nz

Tamaki Maori Village New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Experience! Experience an evening of ceremonial ritual, powerful cultural performance, storytelling & hangi feasting. Hinemaru St, 07 349 2099 tamakimaorivillage.co.nz

Wallys on the Wharf 2 The Strand, 07 307 0722, wallysonthewharf.co.nz

Hell’s Gate Mud baths to heal and stimulate your body hellsgate.co.nz

Whakarewarewa Thermal Village Maori village set amidst a landscape of geothermal

The Wharf Shed Restaurant 2/2 The Strand E. 07 308 5698

ROTORUA DO

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NORTHISLAND wonders. Take a guided tour, see a cultural performance, check out Maori art. 07 349 3463, whakarewarewa.com

LAKE TAUPO Taupo Visitor Centre 30 Tongariro St, 07 376 0027, greatlaketaupo.com

TAUPO STAY Berkenhoff Lodge 75 Scannell St, 07 378 4909, berkenhofflodge.co.nz Blackcurrant Backpackers (BBH) 20 Taniwha St, 07 378 9292, blackcurrantbp.co.nz Rainbow Lodge 99 Titiraupenga St, 07 378 5754, rainbowlodge.co.nz Finns Global Backpackers 8 Tuwharetoa St, 07 377 0044, finnsglobal.co.nz Wairakei Lodge State Highway, 0800 737 678, budgetaccommodation taupo.co.nz Sportsman Lodge Backpackers Retreat 15 Taupahi Rd, 0800 366 208, sportsmanslodge.co.nz Base Taupo 7 Tuwharetoa St, 07 377 4464, stayatbase.com Taupo Urban Retreat 65 Heu Heu St, 0800 872 261, tur.co.nz Tiki Lodge 104 Tuwharetoa St, 0800 845 456, tikilodge.co.nz YHA Taupo 56 Kaimanawa St, 07 378 3311, yha.co.nz Silver Fern Lodge 118 Tamamutu St, 07 377 4929, silverfernlodge.co.nz Lake Maraetai Lodge 5 Totara Terrace, 07 882 8940, lake-maraetai-lodge.co.nz

TAUPO DO Craters of the Moon One of the most geothermally active areas in the region, full of boiling mud and steaming craters. Wairakei Park. cratersofthemoon.co.nz Huka Falls Take a relaxing walk up to Huka Falls where the water pours over the 35ft drop at up to 62,000 gallons per second.

hukafalls.com

BOOK NOW! TONGARIRO

Hukafalls Jet Jetboating by the falls, 0800 485 2538, hukafallsjet.com

Adventure Lodge & Motel (VIP) Carroll Street, National Park, 07 892 2991, adventurenationalpark.co.nz

Rock ‘n’ Ropes Ropes Courses including the trapeze and Giant Swing. At Crazy Catz on Highway 5. 0800 244 508, rocknropes.co.nz

The Crossing Backpackers Erua Rd East, 07 892 2894, thecrossingbackpackers.co.nz

Taupo Bungy Bungy from a platform 47m above the Waikato River. 202 Spa Rd. 0800 888 408, taupobungy.com Tongariro Crossing Transport and National Park Links From Taupo and Turangi during summer months (NovMay). 07 377 0435, thetongarirocrossing.co.nz Taupo Tandem Skydiving Skydive from up to 15,000 feet (over one minute freefall). Free shuttle, DVD and digital photos. Yellow Hangar, Taupo Airport. 0800 275 934, taupotandemskydiving.com

TURANGI On the southern shores of Lake Taupo, Turangi is known as the trout fishing capital of the world. It offers heaps of outdoor adventure activities and is a good base for venturing into the Tongariro National Park. Turangi Visitor Centre Tongariro St, 07 376 0027, turangi.co.nz

TURANGI STAY A Plus Samurai Lodge (BBH) 41 Iwiheke Place, 07 386 8979, tongariro-hostel.co.nz Asure Parklands Motorlodge Cnr Arahori St & State Hwy 1, 07 386 7515, parklandsmotorlodge.co.nz Extreme Backpackers (BBH) 26 Ngawaka Place, 07 386 8949, extremebackpackers.co.nz Judges Pool Motel 92 Taupahi Rd, 07 386 7892, judgepoolmotel.co.nz The Lazy Dog (BBH) 3 Rangipoia Place, 07 386 0317, lazydogbackpackers.co.nz Riverstone Backpackers (BBH) 222 Tautahanga Rd, 07 386 7004, riverstonebackpackers.com Settlers Motel 24 Arahori St, 07 386 7745, settlersmotelturangi.co.nz Turangi Kiwi Holiday Park 13 Te Reiti Tamara Grove, 07 386 8754, turangiholidaypark.co.nz

daKune Lodge (BBH) 42 Park Ave, Ohakune 06 385 8448, dakunelodge.co.nz Howards Mountain Lodge (BBH) 43 Carroll St, National Park, 07 892 2827, howardslodge.co.nz Skotel Alpine Resort Whakapapa Village, 07 892 3715, skotel.co.nz National Park Backpackers YHA (BBH) 4 Findlay St. The hostel runs transport to the Tongariro Crossing, 07 892 2870, npbp.co.nz

follow us on swing and bungy jump. 0800 802 864 River Valley Rafting and horse trekking. 06 388 1444, thelodge@rivervalley.co.nz

OPOTIKI Opotiki Information Centre Cnr St John and Elliot Sts, 07 315 3031 opotikinz.com Central Oasis Backpackers 30 King St, 07 315 5165, centraloasis@hotmail.com Fruit Forest Studio 197 Omarumutu Rd, 07 315 8143, fruitforest.co.nz Opotiki Beach House (BBH) 7 Appleton Road, 07 315 5117 opotikibeachhouse.co.nz

EAST CAPE

Pipers Lodge 18 Millar St, National Park Village, 07 8922 777, piperslodge.co.nz

As you head around the Cape the towns get tinier and the scenery more dramatic. At Te Araroa, you can thead around to the East Cape Lighthouse.

Plateau Lodge 17 Caroll St, National Park Village, 07 8922 993, plateaulodge.co.nz

Maraehako Bay Retreat SH35, Whanarua Bay, 07 325 2648. maraehako.co.nz

Ski Haus (BBH) Carroll St, McKenzie St, 07 892 2854, skihaus.co.nz

Stranded in Paradise (BBH) 21 Potae Street, 06 864 5870, stranded-in-paradise.net

Station Lodge (BBH) 60 Thames Street, The Junction, Ohakune, 06 385 8797, stationlodge.co.nz

MT RUAPEHU

Wainui Beach Motel 34 Wairere Rd, 06 868 5882, wainuibeachmotel.co.nz

GISBORNE

The park’s showcase is Mt Ruapehu, an active volcano towering at 2,796m.

Flying Nun Backpackers (BBH) 147 Roebuck Rd, 06 868 0461, flynun.co.nz

Ruapehu Visitors’ Centre 54 Clyde St, 06 385 8427 visitruapehu.com

YHA Gisborne 32 Harris St, 06 867 3269, yha.co.nz

Whakapapa Visitor Centre SH 48, Whakapapa Village, 07 892 3729 visitruapehudc.govt.nz

RANGITIKEI The Rangitikei District is a top destination for adventure sports. Amongst stunning scenery, you can navigate grade five whitewater and take the leap of elasticated faith from an 80m bungy. Rangitikei Farmstay 422 Makuhou Rd, 06 327 4495, rangitikeifarmstay.govt.nz River Valley Dorms Makuhou Rd 06 388 1444, rivervalley.co.nz

RANGITIKEI DO Mokai Gravity Canyon Extreme flying fox, bridge

WAIROA Wairoa Visitor Information Centre Queen St, 06 838 7440 Haere Mai Cottage (BBH) 49 Mitchell Rd, 06 838 6817 DOC office for hut bookings Lake Waikaremoana, 06 837 3900

NAPIER Napier is a beautiful, surprising city. Its “pleasing to the eye” status is actually the result of an enormous earthquake which meant the entire town had to be rebuilt.

@tnt_downunder 53 Nelson Cres, 06 835 4523, bbh.co.nz Archie’s Bunker (BBH) 15 Herschell Street, 06 833 7990, archiesbunker.co.nz The Art House (BBH) 259 Marine Parade, 06 835 5575, arthousenapier.co.nz Blue Water Lodge (BBH) 471 Marine Parade, 06 835 8593, arthousenapier.co.nz Criterion Art Deco Backpackers (VIP, Roamfree) - (BBH) 60 Whangapoua Rd, 07 866 8237, coromandeltuilodge.co.nz 48 Emerson St, 06 835 2059, criterionartdeco.co.nz Stable Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 370 Hastings Street, 06 835 6242, bluewaterlodge.co.nz Toad Hall Backpackers (BBH) 11 Shakespeare Road, 06 835 5555, toadhall.co.nz Waterfront Lodge & Backpackers 217 Marine Pd, 06 835 3429, napierbackpackers.co.nz YHA Napier 277 Marine Parade, 06 835 7039, yha.co.nz

HASTINGS Hastings is 20km south of Napier and most notable for its fertile plains, which have given birth to a multitude of beautiful parks, gardens and farms. A1 Backpackers (BBH) 122 Stortford St, 06 873 4285, a1backpackers.co.nz Glenross Lodge (BBH) Route 52, Rakaunui, 06 376 7288, tararua.net/glenross Lochlea Farmstay 344 Lake Rd, Wanstead, +6468554816 The Rotten Apple Backpackers (BBH) 114 Heretaunga St, 06 878 4363, rottenapple.co.nz AJ’s Backpackers Lodge (BBH) 405 Southland Rd, 06 878 2302, ajs.backpackerslodge.co.nz

TARANAKI Best known for its snow-capped mountain, Mt Taranaki. Peaceful and impressive, Taranaki has skifields, excellent surf beaches, great walking and climbing.

Visitor Info Centre 100 Marine Parade, 06 834 1911

MOKAU

Depart of Conservation Office Marine Parade, 06 834 3111

Palm House Backpackers taranaki-bakpak.co.nz

NAPIER STAY Aqua Lodge (BBH)

NEW PLYMOUTH Taranaki’s major town is New

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people, New Zealand’s most interesting city.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

WELLY DO Cable car Walk down Lambton Quay and you will see a sign for the cable car which departs every 10 minutes past Kelburn Park to the Botanic Gardens, 04 472 2199

Wellington Visitor Info Centre Corner of Victoria & Wakefield Sts, 04 802 4860, wellingtonnz.com DOC Information Centre 18 Manners St, 04 384 7770 Ferry to the South Island Boats to Picton on the South Island. Ferries can be booked up well in advance in holiday periods. Ferry Tickets Online 186 Victoria St, 0800 500 660, ferrytickets.co.nz

Zealandia Many of New Zealand’s rarest birds, reptiles and insects are living freely in this awardwinning conservation safe haven. Look for kiwis on a guided tour by torchlight. Times vary and bookings are essential. Waiapu Rd, Karori. 04 920 9200, visitzealandia.com

WELLY STAY Barnacles Seaside Inn (BBH) 3 Marine Parade. 04 902 5856 seasideyha.co.nz

ROTORUA This central North Island town is famous for its geothermal activity and hot spring mud pools, thanks to a number of regularly spouting geysers. It is nature at its most exciting, but also most pungent, with all the volcanic goings on being to blame for the town’s infamous sulphur scent. The most renowned geyser in the region, the Pohutu Geyser, which means ‘big splash or explosion’, usually erupts up to 30 metres high every hour. Just over a third of Rotorua’s population is Maori and the locals take full advantage of all the geothermal activity for their cooking and heating. It is also a great place to indulge in a spa treatment or two, with the bubbling mud pools being full of natural ingredients that are wonderful for the skin. Plymouth. One of NZ’s finest art galleries is here (the GovettBrewster Art Gallery). It hosts a great café. Department of Conservation 55A Rimu Street, 06 759 0350 New Plymouth Info Centre Puke Ariki, 65 St Aubyn Street, 06 759 0897, visitnewplymouth.co.nz

PLYMOUTH STAY EcoInn (BBH) 671 Kent Rd, between Egmont Village and New Plymouth on SH3. 06 752 2765 ecoinnovation. co.nz/t-Accommodation.aspx Egmont Lodge (BBH, YHA) 12 Clawton St, 06 753 5720, yha.co.nz bbh.co.nz Seaspray House (BBH) 13 Weymouth St, 06 759 8934, seasprayhouse.co.nz Ducks & Drakes Backpackers (BBH) 48 Lemon St, 06 758 0404 ducksanddrakes.co.nz Sunflower Lodge (BBH) 33 Timandra St, 06 758, 2842 sunflowerlodge.co.nz

PLYMOUTH DO Brooklands Zoo Brooklands, New Plymouth, 06 759 6060, info@npdc.govt.nz

MT TARANAKI Stratford Heritage Lodge 103 Miranda St, 06 765 7482,

eastern-taranaki.co.nz Taranaki Accommodation Lodge (BBH) 7 Romeo St, Stratford, 06 765 5444, info@mttaranakilodge.co.nz

TARANAKI DO Climbing Mount Taranaki It is possible to climb it and return to civilisation in one day, however the weather is notoriously volatile and you must always notify the DOC.

STRATFORD Stratford Information Centre Broadway Stratford (State Hwy 3), 06 765 6708, stratford.govt.nz Department of Conservation Pembroke Rd, 06 765 5144

SOUTH TARANAKI Information South Taranaki 55 High St, Hawera, 0800 111 323, southtaranaki.com Wheatly Downs Farmstay Backpackers (BBH) 484 Ararata Rd, Hawera, 06 278 6523, mttaranaki.co.nz/retreat/ wheatly_downs_farmstay/

WHANGANUI College House 42b Campbell Street, 021 852 100 42b.co.nz Hikurangi Stay Place

1 Mount View Road, 06 343 333 stayplace.co.nz YHA Whanganui 2 Plymouth St, 06 348 2301, yha.co.nz Tamara Backpackers Lodge (BBH) 24 Somme Pde, 06 347 6300, tamaralodge.com Whanganui National Park The major attraction is the Whanganui River, snaking through picturesque scenery. Explore with a kayak or riverboat tour.

Base Wellington 21-23 Cambridge Tce. 04 801 5666 stayatbase.com

Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (BBH) 1 Bunny St. 04 473 8482 hotelwaterloo.co.nz

Moana Lodge (BBH) 49 Moana Road. 04 233 2010 lmoana-lodge-accommodation. co.nz Wellywood Backpackers 58 Tory St, 04 381 3899, wellywoodbackpackers.co.nz

Department of Conservation Office 74 Ingestre St, 06 348 8475

Rosemere Backpackers (BBH) 6 MacDonald Crescent. 04 384 3041, backpackerswellington.co.nz

PALMERSTON NTH

Rowena’s Lodge 115 Brougham St. 04 385 7872, wellingtonbackpackers.co.nz

Department of Conservation Office 717 Tremaine Ave, 06 350 9700 Grandma’s Place (BBH) 146 Grey St, 06 358 6928, grandmas-place.com Pepper Tree Hostel (BBH) 121 Grey St, 06 355 4054, peppertreehostel.co.nz

WELLINGTON The nation’s capital is to many

Museum of Wellington City & Sea Queens Wharf, 04 472 8904

Lodge in the City (BBH) 152 Taranaki St. 04 385 8560 lodgeinthecity.co.nz

Nomads Capital 118/120 Wakefield St. 0508 666 237, nomadscapital.com

Palmerston North Visitor Centre The Square, 06 350 1922, manawatunz.co.nz

Mount Victoria The views are breathtaking. It’s damn windy so make sure you’re wearing heavy shoes. Walk, drive or bus it.

Cambridge Hotel (BBH) 28 Cambridge Tce. 04 385 8829, cambridgehotel.co.nz

Wanganui Information Centre 31 Taupo Quay, Whanganui, 06 349 0508, wanganui.com

Worldwide Backpackers (BBH) 291 The Terrace. 04 802 5590, worldwidenz.co.nz YHA Wellington City 292 Wakefield St. 04 801 7280 yha.co.nz

Parliament House Free tours. Visit the Beehive, a uniquely designed centre of government with a distinct style of architecture, 04 471 9503 Te Papa – The National Museum Experience the earthquake simulation room, find out what the early settlers went through and visit Te Marae, Te Papa’s living modern marae. Free entry, Cable St, 04 381 7000, tepapa.govt.nz Wellington Zoo Located in Newtown and home to a wide variety of weird and wonderful animal and bird life, 04 381 6755 Harbour cruises The harbour is a handsome thing and the best way to fully appreciate its beauty is by boat.

The Setup (BBH) Level 3/15, Dixon Street, Te Aro 04 802 4779 setupdixon.co.nz Wild Zebra Backpackers (BBH) 58 Tory Street. wellingtonbackpacker.com

Cosmic Corner Funk Store The funkiest store in the universe. Check out the legal highs and chat to the staff, who will happily point you in the right direction for parties, events and scenic spots. 215 Cuba St, 04 801 6970, cosmiccorner.co.nz

Wellington Rover Tours Small group day tours exploring Wellington, its stunning rugged coastline and the Lord of the Rings locations. 021 426 211, wellingtonrover.co.nz Beaches Wellington’s waterfront has cafés, restaurants and parks. Oriental Bay is good for a dip, but the water is cold and not always clean. It’s also good for a walk along the foreshore. If you are desperate for a swim, Scorching Bay is good or head up the coast towards Otaki where the best beaches in the region are found.

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SOUTHISLAND ABEL TASMAN The Abel Tasman National Park has great tramping with 56,000 acres to explore. The Coastal Track is one of the most popular walks in New Zealand, especially in summer when you can cool down at the stunning beaches. Nelson, Motueka and Marahau are all good bases for visiting the park. Sea kayaking is excellent here too.

ABEL DO Wilsons Abel Tasman Sea kayaking, water taxis and lodge accommodation. 03 528 2027, abeltasman.co.nz Abel Tasman Kayaks Ltd 0800 527 8022 abeltasmankayaks.co.nz

NELSON Nelson is seen as the “sunshine capital” of NZ. Home to a string of attractive beaches, Nelson is only a short drive away from the famous Abel Tasman National Park. The town boasts great cafés and a strong artistic subculture. Nelson’s great climate is conducive to fruit growing and travellers can find plenty of work in the area. Nelson Visitor Centre Cnr Trafalgar & Halifax St, 03 548 2304, nelsonnz.com Airport Shuttle supershuttles.co.nz Nelson City Taxis 03 548 8225

NELSON STAY Abba Lodge (BBH) 11 Awaroa Bay, 03 528 8758, abbalodge.co.nz Amber House B&B 46 Weka St, 021 202 4961, amberhouse.co.nz Accents on the Park (BBH/VIP) 335 Trafalgar Square. 03 548 4335, accentsonthepark.com Almond House (BBH) 63 Grove St. 03 545 6455, almondbackpackers.co.nz Alpine Lodge St Arnaud. 03 521 1869, alpinelodge.co.nz Aurora Backpackers (BBH) 161-163 Trafalger Square. 03 929 5553, aurorabackpackers.co.nz Beach Hostel (BBH) 25 Muritai St. 03 548 6817, nelsonbeachhostel.50megs.com The Bug (BBH) 226 Vanguard St. 03 539 4227 thebug.co.nz Villa by the Sea (BBH) 252 Haven Rd. 03 545 8365, villabythesea.co.nz Footprints by the Sea 31 Beach Rd, Tahuna Beach. 03 546 5441,

footprints.co.nz Tramways Hotel Nelson 66 Trafalgar St, 03 548 7049, tramwayshotel.co.nz Honey Suckle House (BBH) 125 Tasman St. 03 548 7576 honeysucklehouse. weebly.com/ Hu Ha Bikerpackers (BBH) State Highway 6, Glenhope. 03 548 2707, bbh.co.nz The Palace Backpackers (BBH) 114 Rutherford St. 03 548 4691, thepalace.co.nz Paradiso (BBH) 42 Weka St. 0800 269 667, backpackernelson.co.nz The Prince Albert Backpackers (BBH) 113 Nile St. 03 548 8477 theprincealbert.co.nz Courtesy Court Motel 26/30 Gold Rd, 03 548 5114, courtesycourt.co.nz The Honesy Lawyer Country Pub 1 Point Rd, Monaco, 03 547 4070, honestlawyer.co.nz Shortbread Cottage (BBH) 33 Trafalgar St. 03 546 6681 shortbreadcottage.co.nz Tasman Bay Backpacker Hostel (BBH) 10 Weka St. 03 548 7950, tasmanbaybackpackers.co.nz Trampers Rest (BBH) 31 Alton St. 03 545 7477 Idesia B&B 14 Idesia Grove, Richmond, 03 544 0409 YHA Nelson 59 Rutherford St, 03 545 9988, yha.co.nz

NELSON DO Abel Tasman Kayaks Ltd 0800 527 8022 abeltasmankayaks.co.nz Happy Valley 4x4 Motorbike Adventures Tours around spectacular private farm on chunky fourwheel motorbikes. 03 545 0304, happyvalleyadventures.co.nz Kaiteriteri kayaks Transport from Nelson. 03 527 8383, seakayak.co.nz Skydive Abel Tasman Tandem jumps from 13,000ft over Abel Tasman. 0800 422 899, skydive.co.nz

NELSON LAKES Located 118km south-west of Nelson, the park comprises Lake Rotoroa and Lake Rotoiti, and is surrounded by forests and mountains. Apart from tramping and skiing at Rainbow Valley and Mt Robert in winter, the lakes offer fishing and other water activities.

BOOK NOW! MOTUEKA This is an alternative hang-out for creative types and those seeking to veer off life’s fast lane. Most people use Motueka as a base to launch an assault on Abel Tasman National Park, but if you take the time to look around your efforts will be well rewarded. Try Marahau Beach and Cobb Valley. Motueka i-SITE Visitors Centre 20 Wallace St, 03 528 6543, motuekaisite.co.nz

MOTUEKA STAY Happy Apple 500 High St, 03 528 8652, happyapplebackpackers.co.nz Avalon Manor Motels 314/316 High St, 0800 282 566 avalonmotels.co.nz Eden’s Edge Backpackers (BBH) 137 Lodder Lane, Riwaka. 03 528 4242, edensedge.co.nz Motueka Garden Motel 71 King Edward St, 0800 101 911, motmotel.co.nz Hat Trick Lodge Backpackers (BBH) 25 Wallace St. 03 528 5353, hattricklodge.co.nz Laughing Kiwi (BBH) 310 High St. 03 528 9229, laughingkiwi.co.nz Old Macdonald’s Farm Holiday Park 03 527 8288, oldmacs.co.nz The White Elephant (BBH) 55 Whakarewa St. 03 528 6208, whiteelephant.co.nz Equestrian Lodge Motel 2 Avalon Ct, 03 528 9369

MOTUEKA DO Wilsons Abel Tasman 265 High St, 03 528 2027, abeltasman.co.nz Abel Tasman Kayaks Ltd 0800 527 8022 abeltasmankayaks.co.nz

TAKAKA Known as the “Heart of the Parks”, the much underrated Golden Bay region is a place of considerable natural beauty. If you venture slightly out of Takaka you will see the Te Waikoropupu (Pupu Springs), one of the largest freshwater springs in the world. Information Centre Willow St, 03 525 9136 Dept of Conservation Office 62 Commercial St, 03 525 8026

TAKAKA STAY Annie’s Nirvana Lodge (BBH, YHA) 25 Motupipi St. 03 525 8766, nirvanalodge.co.nz

follow us on Aquapackers Anchorage Bay, Marahau, Abel Tasman National Park. 0800 430 744, aquapackers.co.nz Golden Bay Barefoot Backpackers (BBH) 114 Commercial St. 03 525 7005, bare-foot.co.nz Kiwiana (BBH) 73 Motuipipi St. 03 525 7676 kiwianabackpackers.co.nz Kanuka Ridge (BBH) 21 Moss Rd, Marahau, Abel Tasman National Park. 03 527 8435, abeltasmanbackpackers.co.nz The Rocks chalets 2086 Takaka Valley Hwy, 03 525 8096, travelbug.co.nz River Inn Golden Bay. 03 525 9425 riverinn.co.nz Shambhala (BBH) 1234 Takaka-Collingwood Highway. 03 525 8463, shambhala.co.nz

KAHURANGI NP The second-largest national park in NZ, Kahurangi includes the Heaphy Track. There are more than 100 bird species and an impressive cave system to be seen here. For info see the Nelson DOC office.

COLLINGWOOD North-west of Takaka is the tiny community of Collingwood (the people aren’t particularly small, their numbers are), a good base for expeditions to Farewell Spit.

@tnt_downunder portage.co.nz Watson Way Backpackers (BBH) 56 High Street 03 572 8228 watsonswaylodge.com

PICTON This pretty town is the opening to the South Island, where the North Island ferry comes in, a centre for the many activities in Queen Charlotte Sound. Airport shuttle bus 03 573 7125

PICTON STAY Atlantis Backpackers (BBH) 42 London Quay, 03 573 7390, atlantishostel.co.nz The Buccaneer Lodge 314 Waikawa Rd, 03 573 5002, buccaneerlodge.co.nz The Jugglers Rest (BBH) 8 Canterbury St. 03 573 5570, jugglersrest.com Fat Cod Backpackers (BBH) 9 Auckland St, 03 573 7788, fatcodbackpackers.co.nz Sequoia Lodge (BBH, VIP) 3 Nelson Sq. 03 573 8399, sequoialodge.co.nz Atlantis Backpackers 42 London Quay, 03 573 7390, atlantisbackpackers.co.nz The Villa (BBH) 34 Auckland St. 03 573 6598, thevilla.co.nz

The Innlet (BBH) 839 Pakawau Main Rd, 03 524 8040, theinnlet.co.nz

Tombstone Backpackers (BBH) 16 Gravesend Place. 03 573 7116, tombstonebp.co.nz

Somerset House (BBH) 10 Gibbs Rd. 03 524 8624, backpackerscollingwood.co.nz

Parklands Marina Holiday Park 10 Beach Rd, 03 573 6343, parktostay.co.nz

FAREWELL SPIT Arching east from the top of Golden Bay, this is a sand bar of epic proportions, home to some of the largest sanddunes in the world and some amazing birdlife. Golden Bay Visitor Centre 03 524 8454

MARLBOROUGH The Marlborough Sounds are a beautiful labyrinth of islands and bays, serving as an impressive gateway to the South Island. Hire a kayak to paddle the coves in style, or go swimming with the dolphins. Anakiwa 401 (BBH) 401 Anakiwa Rd. 03 574 1388, anakiwabackpackers.co.nz Copperbeech (BBH) 73 Maxwell Rd. 03 579 2246, copperbeechbackpackers@hotmail. com Hopewell (BBH) Kenepuru Rd. 03 573 4341, hopewell.co.nz The Partage Resort Hotel Kenepuru Sound. 0800 275 373,

PICTON DO Dolphin Watch Encounters Picton Foreshore, 03 573 8040, naturetours.co.nz Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company 03 573 6078, malboroughsounds.co.nz Southern Wilderness NZ Guided walk, wine trek and sea kayaking specialists. 0800 666 044, southernwilderness.com EcoWorld Aquaium Discover the animals that make NZ unique. 03 573 6030 ecoworldnz.com

QUEEN CHARLOTTE On the road-free outer Queen Charlotte Sound, everyone and everything travels by boat. The Queen Charlotte Track covers 71km and passes through magnificent forest, at times allowing spectacular views over the Marlborough Sounds. The whole track can be walked in four days, though you can also ride it by mountain bike.

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Endeavour Express Water Taxi Day-trips, round-trips and luggage transfers. 03 573 5456

HAVELOCK Nestled at the head of Pelorus Sound, Havelock is the best place from which to explore the Marlborough Sounds. For trampers and mountain bikers there’s the beautiful Nydia Track. DOC Office Mahakipawa Rd, 03 574 2019 Explore Pelorus Sea Kayaks 03 576 5251

HAVELOCK STAY Bluemoon Lodge (BBH) 48 Main Rd. 03 574 2212, bluemoonhavelock.co.nz Linkwater Motel 1594 Queen Charlotte Dr, 03 574 2600 linkwatermotel.co.nz Okiwa Bay Lodge 169 Anakiwa Rd, 03 574 2527, okiwabaylodge.co.nz

PELORUS SOUND The largest waterway within the Marlborough Sounds, it can be accessed from Havelock, Linkwater or Rai Valley.

BLENHEIM The largest town in Marlborough, and considered (ahem, also) the“sunshine capital of New Zealand”. Whitewater rafting on the Buller and Gowan Rivers is great fun. Blenheim I-Site 8 Sinclair Street Railway Station 03 577 8080 Koanui Lodge & Backpackers (BBH) 33 Main St. 03 578 7487, koanui.co.nz The Grapevine (BBH) 29 Park Terrace, 03 578 6062, thegrapevine.co.nz Arrow Backpackers (BBH) 107 Budge St, 03 577 9857, bbh.co.nz Leeways Backpackers (BBH) 33 Lansdowne St, 03 579 2213, leeways.byethost22.com

KAIKOURA Kaikoura is famous for its large sperm whale population and picturesque mountain range. You can also snorkel with dolphins or swim with the inquisitive NZ fur seals (Sept-May). Kaikoura Visitor Info Centre, West End, 03 319 5641

KAIKOURA STAY Albatross Backpacker Inn (BBH) 1 Torquay St. 03 319 6090,

albatross-kaikoura.co.nz Bad Jelly Backpackers (BBH) 11 Churchill St. 03 319 5538, bbh.co.nz Dolphin Lodge (BBH) 15 Deal St. 03 319 5842, dolphinlodge.co.nz Dusky Lodge (BBH) 67 Beach Rd. 03 319 5959 duskylodge.co.nz The Lazy Shag (BBH) 37 Beach St. 03 319 6662 lazy-shag.co.nz Lyell Creek Lodge (BBH) 193 Beach Rd. 03 319 6277, lyellcreeklodge.co.nz Sunrise Lodge (BBH) 74 Beach Rd, 03 319 7444, bbh.co.nz The Fairways at Ocean Ridge 1 Kersage Drive, 03 319 3055 YHA Kaikoura 270 Esplanade. 03 319 5931, yha.co.nz

KAIKOURA DO Kaikoura is famous for its large sperm whale population and picturesque mountain r Albatross Encounter Enjoy the sight of the magnificent albatross so close to the boat you can almost touch them. 96 Esplanade, 0800 733 365 albatrossencounter.co.nz Dolphin Encounter Swim with the acrobatic dusky dolphins or if you prefer, join the tour to view them from the boat. 96 Esplanade, 0800 733 365, dolphin.co.nz Fyffe House 62 Avoca St, Kaikoura’s oldest building, 03 319 5835. Kaikoura Kayaks Paddle with the playful fur seals, dusky dolphins and marine life of Kaikoura. Seal kayaking, kayak school, hire, retail and kayak fishing. 19 Killarney St, 0800 452 456, kaikourakayaks.co.nz Seal Swim Kaikoura Swim with wild NZ Fur Seals. 58 West End, 0800 732 579, sealswimkaikoura.co.nz

CHRISTCHURCH Christchurch is the South Island’s major city and a lively, pretty base with a distinctly English feel to it. Throw in Mount Cook and Mount Hutt with their skifields (early June to late October) and the Canterbury area is well worth spending some time discovering. Christchurch & Canterbury i-Site Visitor Centre Rolleston Avenue (Next to the Canterbury Museum) Christchurch 8011. 03 379 9629 christchurchnz.com

Department of Conservation 7 Rolleston Ave, 09 526 9743

C’CHURCH STAY

This surf beach is also a great place to chill for a while. If you’re feeling adventurous, mountain biking, paragliding and surfing are just some of the activities you can try.

LEWIS PASS

Around the World Backpackers 314 Barbadoes Street. 03 365 4363 aroundtheworld.co.nz

Christchurch Backpackers Haka Lodge 518 Linwood Av, Woolston,. 03 980 4252, hakalodge.co.nz

At The Right Place (BBH) 85 Bealey Street. 03 366 1633 atrp.co.nz

BANKS PENINSULA

Avon City Backpackers Worcester Street. 03 389 6876, avoncitybackpackers.com Dorset House (BBH) 1 Dorset St, 03 366 8268, dorset.co.nz Celtic Backpackers (BBH) 12 Dublin St, 03 377 4417, celticbackpackers.co.nz Chester Street Backpackers (BBH) 148 Chester St East. 03 377 1897, chesterst.co.nz Foley Towers (BBH) 208 Kilmore St. 03 366 9720, backpack.co.nz/foley Haka Lodge 518 Linwood Ave. 03 980 4252 hakalodge.com Jailhouse Accommodation (BBH) 338 Lincoln Rd. 0800 524 546 jail.co.nz Kiwi Basecamp (BBH) 69 Bealey Ave. 03 366 6770 kiwibasecamp.com Kiwi House 3 Devon St, Hanmer Springs. 03 315 5111, kiwihouse.co.nz Point Break Backpackers 6 Union Street. 03 388 2050 pointbreakbackpackers.co.nz The Old Countryhouse (BBH) 437 Gloucester St. 03 381 5504 oldcountryhousenz.com Tranquil Lodge 440 Manchester St. 03 366 6500 tranquil-lodge.co.nz Rucksacker Backpacker Hostel (BBH) 70 Bealey Ave. 03 377 7931, rucksacker.com Vagabond Backpackers (BBH) 232 Worcester St. 03 379 9677 vagabondhostel.com

C’CHURCH DO

Banks Peninsula is a beautiful region with a stunning coastline chock full of mountains and wildlife. The two harbours of Akaroa and Lyttelton are craters of a once majestic volcano.

LYTTELTON

About 200km north of Christchurch, the Lewis Pass connects the west and east coasts on the SH7, with stunning surrounding scenery.

HANMER SPRINGS Hanmer Springs boasts the Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve, where the water can reach 40°C (03 315 7511, hotfun.co.nz). Mt Lyford offers good winter skiing and is a cheaper option to the South Island resorts. Department of Conservation 115 Ludstone Rd, Kaikoura 03 319 5714

Lyttelton is a quaint township with a beautiful scenic harbour and historic buildings. The harbour is a great place for boating, while the surrounding hills are good for mountain biking and walking.

The Hanmer Connection Christchurch to Hanmer Springs buses. hanmerconnection.co.nz

Lyttelton Information Centre 20 Oxford St, 03 328 9093

HANMER STAY

AKAROA Swim with dolphins, horse-ride and paraglide. If your tastes are a little more sedate, the foreshore is lined with cafes, galleries and boutiques.

Hanmer Backpackers 41 Conical Hill Rd. 03 315 7196, www.hanmerbackpackers.co.nz Jack in the Green (BBH) 3 Devon St. 03 315 5111, jackinthegreen.co.nz

Akaroa Information Centre 80 Rue Lavaud, 03 304 8600

Kakapo Lodge (YHA) 14 Amuri Avenue. 03 315 7472, kakapolodge.co.nz

Akaroa Shuttle Christchurch to Akaroa buses. 0800 500 929

Waipara Sleepers (BBH) 12 Glenmark Dr, Waipara. 03 314 6003, waiparasleepers.co.nz

Akaroa French Connection Tours and shuttle bus, 0800 800 575

AKAROA STAY Bon Accord Backpackers (BBH) 57 Rue Lavaud. 03 304 7782, bon-accord.co.nz Chez La Mer (BBH) 50 Rue Lavaud. 03 304 7024, chezlamer.co.nz Double Dutch (BBH) 32 Chorlton Road, Okains Bay. 03 304 7229, doubledutch.co.nz Halfmoon Cottage (BBH) SH25 Barrys Bay. 03 304 5050, halfmoon.co.nz

Black Cat Cruises Wildlife Cruises on Lyttelton Harbour. Free shuttle bus from Christchurch, 03 328 9078. blackcat.co.nz

Onuku Farm Hostel (BBH) 03 304 7066, onuku.co.nz

Skydivingnz.com Skydiving and training courses, 0800 697 593 skydivingnz.com

Akaroa Museum 71 Rue Lavard, 03 304 1013

Aoraki Balloon Safaris Hot air ballooning, 03 302 8172, nzballooning.com

Black Cat Cruises Offer a number of cruises in Akaroa. See Akaroa Harbour or swim with dolphins. blackcat.co.nz

SUMNER

Swim with dolphins in Akaroa Harbour. 61 Beach Rd, 0508 365 744, dolphinsakaroa.co.nz

AKAROA DO

Dolphin Experience

CASTLE HILL Gateway to the Craigieburn Range. Chill Adventures Multi-mountain snow passes. chillout.co.nz Springfield Hotel State Highway 73, Springfield. 03 318 4812, springfieldhotel.co.nz

ARTHUR’S PASS This township is the HQ for the magnificent national park which offers tramping expeditions to skiing. National Park Visitor Centre 03 318 9211 Mountain House (BBH) Main Road, Arthur’s Pass National Park. 03 318 9258 trampers.co.nz Rata Lodge Backpackers (BBH) State Highway 73, Otira Arthur’s Pass National Park, 03 738 2822 rata-lodge.co.nz The Sanctuary (BBH) 126 Main Road, Arther’s Pass National Park 03 942 2230, thesanctuary.co.nz Smylies Accommodation (YHA) 03 318 9258, yha.co.nz

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SOUTHISLAND METHVEN

LAKE TEKAPO

Methven is a small, friendly town popular with fishermen, hunters and backpackers. The area provides a variety of adrenalin thrills, including hot air ballooning, bungy jumping and skydiving. Mt Hutt also has the longest ski run in Australasia.

A stunning turquoise-coloured lake, 100km west of Timaru. The tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935, frames the view beautifully. Activities include walking, watersports, fishing and skiing.

Methven i-SITE Visitor Centre 160 Main St, Methven, 03 302 8955, NZ Ski.com Info on Coronet Peak, the Remarkables and Mt Hutt. nzski.com

METHVEN STAY Brinkley Resort 43 Barkers Rd, Mt Hutt, 03 302 8885, brinkleyresort.co.nz Big Tree Lodge 25 S Belt, 03 302 9575, bigtreelodge.co.nz Mt Hutt Bunkhouse (BBH) 8 Lampard St. 03 302 8894, mthuttbunkhouse.co.nz Pinedale Backpacker Lodge 11 Alford St. 0800 638 483, pinedalelodge.co.nz Redwood Lodge (BBH) 3 Wayne Place. 03 302 8964, snowboardnz.com Skiwi House 30 Chapman St. 03 302 8772, skiwihouse.com Breckenridge Lodge 49 S Belt, 03 302 8902, breckenridgelodge.co.nz

TIMARU Despite being industrial, it’s picturesque with views of the Southern Alps, plains and sea. 1873 Wanderer Backpackers (BBH) 24 Evans St. 03 688 8795 Timaru Top 10 Holiday Park 154A Selwyn St, Waimataitai 0800 242 121 Anchor Motel 44 Evans St, 03 684 5067 anchormotel.co.nz

GERALDINE As well as a wonderful old movie theatre and whitewater rafting on the Rangitata River, visiting the mighty Emily Falls is recommended. Geraldine Information Centre Talbot Street, 03 693 1006

YHA Lake Tekapo 3 Simpson Lane. 03 680 6857, yha.co.nz

MT COOK Mt Cook National Park is part of a World Heritage area that forms one of the most amazing sights in NZ. The showcase is Mt Cook (Aoraki). NZ’s greatest climber Sir Edmund Hillary used it for practice before conquering Mt Everest, but Mt Cook has claimed the lives of more than 160 people. Discuss climbing plans with rangers before you go. Department of Conservation Visitor Information Centre Aoraki/Mt Cook Alpine Village, 03 435 1819 The Cook Connection Day trips to Mt Cook from Tekapo. Ph: 021 583 211, cookconnect.co.nz

MT COOK STAY YHA Franz Josef Glacier 2 Cron St, Franz Josef, 03 752 0754, mt.chalets@xtra.co.nz YHA Mt Cook Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. 03 435 1820, yha.co.nz

biking on the Matakitaki. Buller Gorge Swingbridge Adventure and Heritage Park 03 523 9809, bullergorge.co.nz The Lazy Cow Accommodation (BBH) 37 Waller St. 03 523 9451, thelazycownz.wordpress.com

REEFTON The centrepiece of the town is Victoria Forest Park, the largest forest park in New Zealand.

Beaconstone Eco Lodge Birds Ferry Road Charleston 027 431 0491 beconstoneecolodge.co.nz The Old Slaughterhouse (BBH) Dean Creek, RD1, Highway 67, Hector 03 782 8333 oldslaughterhouse.co.nz TripInn (BBH) 72 Queen St. 03 789 7367 tripinn.co.nz

PAPAROA NP

Karamea Information Centre 106 Bridge St, 03 782 6652. Rongo Backpackers 03 782 6667, rongobackpackers.com

Rangitata Rafts Peel Forest, 0800 251 251 rafts.co.nz

With crazy terrain skewed by mining and earthquakes, one of the major attractions of Murchison is its proximity to Buller Gorge, a wonderfully scenic cluster of cliffs and trees. Activities include rafting on the Gowan River and mountain

MURCHISON

The tiny beach settlement of Okarito, near Franz Josef Glacier, sits at the mouth of New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetland – the Okarito Lagoon. Hike up to the Okarito Trig for excellent views.

Noahs Ark Backpackers (BBH) 16 Chapel St, 03 768 4868, noahs.co.nz

Bazil’s Hostel (VIP) – (BBH) 54/56 Russell St. 03 789 6410, bazils.co.nz

Visitor Information Punakaiki 03 731 1895 punakaiki.co.nz Barrytown Knife Making 2662 Coast Road, Barrytown, 03 731 1053, barrytownknifemaking.com

PAPAROA STAY Punakaiki Beach Hostel (BBH) 4 Webb St. 03 731 1852, punakaikibeachhostel.co.nz Te Nikau Retreat (BBH, YHA) 03 731 1111, tenikauretreat.co.nz Punakaiki Beach Camp Owen Street, 03 731 1894, punakaiki.co.nz

GREYMOUTH The west coast’s largest town is dominated by the Grey River. Highlights include the Monteith’s

WHATAROA

GREYMOUTH STAY

The Old Nurses Home 104 Shiel St, 03 789 8881

WESTPORT

right, it can’t look as good as that in real life. Hokitika Gorge is one of those places. hokitika.org

About 35km south of Harihari and one of the South Island’s prime fishing spots. Also the magnificent white heron (Kotuku) colony which thrillseekers can reach by jet boat.

Global Village (BBH) 42-54 Cowper St, 03 768 7272, globalvillagebackpackers.co.nz

Visitor Information Westport 1 Brougham St, 03 789 6658

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TranzAlpine Scenic railway from Christchurch to Greymouth, travelling through Canterbury Plains and the Alps. Departs 9am every morning. 0800 872 467 tranzscenic.co.nz

Reefton Old Bread Shop 155 Buller Rd, 03 732 8420, reeftonbackpackers.co.nz

This park is home to the amazing Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki. These are a series of eroded limestone rocks moulded into what appears to be a giant stack of pancakes.

KARAMEA

Visitor Information Herbert and Mackay Sts, 03 768 5101

Duke Hostel (BBH) 27 Guiness St. 03 768 9470 duke.co.nz

WEST COAST

Karamea contains pleasant walks, interesting caves and the Oparara River, a great trout fishing spot. Walk along the wonderful Fernian Track or, try the more challenging hike up Mt Stormy.

brewery tour, as well as aquatic activities like rafting and canyoning.

Reefton Visitor Centre 67 Broadway, 03 732 8391

Rugged is the word often used when it comes to the South Island’s west coast. It’s quite an amazing place, sparsely inhabited, untouched in many areas and studded with geographical wonders. Don’t miss the two mighty glaciers, Fox and Franz Josef, or the Pancake Rocks.

Peel Forest Horse Trekking Wilderness adventures trekking through some gorgeous country, 03 696 3703, peelforesthorsetrekking.co.nz

Rawhiti House (BBH) 27 Hewlings St. 03 693 8252 rawhitibackpackers.co.nz

Tailor-Made-Tekapo Backpackers (BBH) 10/11 Aorangi Cres. 03 680 6700 tailor-made-backpackers.co.nz

BOOK NOW!

Greymouth KIWI Holiday Park & Motel 318 Main South Rd, 03 762 6768, southbeach.co.nz Kainga-RA YHA 15 Alexander St, Ph: (03) 768 4951, yha.co.nz

HOKITIKA Greenstone, a form of practically indestructible rock that was used by the Maori to make weapons and ornaments, is the main attraction here. There’s also the Westland Water World for all things wet, the Glowworm Dell and some excellent whitewater rafting. Hokitika Visitor Info Centre Carnegie Building, corner of Hamilton & Tancred Street, 03 755 6166

HOKITIKA STAY Hokitika Holiday Park 242 Strafford St, 03 755 8172 Birdsong (BBH) 124 SH6, 03 755 7179 birdsong.co.nz Drifting Sands Backpackers (BBH) 197 Revell St, driftingsands.kiwi Mountain Jade Backpackers (BBH) 41 Weld St, 03 755 5185, mountainjadebackpackers.co.nz Riverview Cottage & Cabins (BBH) 154 Kaniere Rd, 03 755 7440 riverviewcottageandcabins.co.nz Stumpers Accommodation 2 Weld St, 03 755 6154, stumpers.co.nz

HOKITIKA DO Whitewater Kayaking hokitika.org Hokitika Gorge Sometimes you see photos of a tourist spot and think yeah

OKARITO

Okarito Nature Tours 03 753 4014, okarito.co.nz Okarito Beach House Close to Franz Josef Glacier, 03 753 4080 okaritohostel.com

FRANZ JOSEF The glacier is about 12km long and offers a wide variety of challenging activities. To get the ultimate perspective on the magnitude of Franz Josef, head for Sentinel Rock, which gives a sweeping view over both the Waiho Valley and the mighty glacier. DOC Visitors Information Centre Westland National Park, Hwy 6, 03 752 0796

FRANZ STAY Chateau Franz: Sir Cendrics (VIP, BBH) 8-10 Cron St, 0800 728 372, sircedrics.co.nz Glow Worm Cottages (BBH) 27 Cron St, 0800 151 027, glowwormcottages@xtra.co.nz Montrose Lodge (BBH) 9 Cron St, 03 752 0188, montroselodge.co.nz Rainforest Retreat (VIP) Cron St, 0800 873 346 rainforestretreat.co.nz YHA Franz Josef 2-4 Cron St, 03 752 0754, yha.co.nz

FRANZ DO Alpine Adventure Centre Footage on a helimax screen, 03 752 0793 scenic-flights.co.nz Franz Josef Glacier Guides Guided walks and heli-hikes on the Franz Josef Glacier 0800 484 337, franzjosefglacier.com Glacier Country Kayaks Explore the glaciers from the water 03 752 0230, glacierkayaks.com Skydive Franz At 18,000ft, they currently offer NZ’s highest skydive. 0800 458 677,

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SOUTHISLAND

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FOX GLACIER Similiar activities to Franz Josef only with fewer crowds. The best walk is up to the Welcome Flat Hot Springs. For stunning views, head up the wonderfully scenic Chalet Lookout Walk. Look out for the beautiful kea (grey-green mountain parrot). Nearby is Lake Matheson, with its stunning twin mountain reflection. DOC Visitor Centre State Hwy 6, 03 752 0796

FOX STAY Fox Glacier Inn (BBH) 03 751 0088 foxglacierinn.co.nz Ivory Towers (BBH) 03 751 0838, ivorytowerslodge.co.nz

FOX DO Fox Glacier Guiding Guided walks and heli-hikes on the FoxGlacier. 0800 111 600, foxguides.co.nz Glacier Country Kayaks 20 Cron St, 0800 423 262, glacierkayaks.com Skydive NZ: Fox Glacier 0800 751 0080, skydivingnz.co.nz

HAAST PASS Running through Mt Aspiring National Park, this stretch of road is among the most scenic that you’ll come across in New Zealand, showing off pristine lakes, magnificent forests and waterfalls. DOC Centre Cnr SH 6 and Jackson Bay Rd, 03 750 0809 Wilderness Backpackers (BBH) Marks Rd, 03 750 029, wildernessaccommodation.co.nz

SOUTHLAND The top of your chest will quickly get sore as the South Island’s jaw-dropping scenery becomes more prevalent. From the adrenalin thrills of Queenstown to the achingly beautiful Milford Sound, there’s never a dull moment down south. Stop frequently, take deep breaths and enjoy one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Mt Aspiring National Park Visitor Info Centre Mt Earnslaw, 03 443 7660

LAKE WANAKA The cosy town and its crystal-clear waters which reflect the dramatic landscape is the gateway to Mount Aspiring Park. The World Heritage area has magnificent tramping and mountaineering. Lake Wanaka boasts almost as many adrenalintastic activities as neighbouring Queenstown, such as mountain

biking, jet-boating, canyoning, and whitewater sledging. It’s a favourite with snowboarders in winter, and has lively nightlife year-round. Boasting the most sceneray from those films with wizards and hairyfooted hobbits, there are great Lord of the Rings tours, too. Lake Wanaka Visitors Centre The Log Cabin, Lakefront, 100 Ardmore Street. 03 4431 1233

WANAKA STAY Holly’s Backpackers (BBH) 71 Upton St, 03 443 8187, hollys-backpacker.co.nz LHH (BBH) 1 Capell Ave, 03 443 1224, lakehawea.co.nz Mountain View Backpackers (BBH) 7 Russell St, 0800 112 201, wanakabackpackers.co.nz Matterhorn South (BBH) 56 Brownston St, 03 443 1119, matterhornsouth.co.nz The Purple Cow (BBH) 94 Brownston St, 03 443 1880, purplecow.co.nz Wanaka Bakpaka (BBH) 117 Lakeside Rd, 03 443 7837, wanakabakpaka.co.nz YHA Wanaka 181 Upton St, 03 443 7405, yha.co.nz

WANAKA DO Adventure Consultants Mountaineering instruction courses and guided ascents, 03 443 8711, adventure.co.nz Aspiring Guides Guided mountain climbing and ice climbing instruction courses, 03 443 9422, aspiringguides.com Classic Flights Vintage Tiger Moth flights over Lake Wanaka. 03 443 4043, classicflights.co.nz Deep Canyon Canyoning in the Matukituki Valley. Adventure Wanaka, 23 Dunmore St, Wanaka. 03 443 7922, deepcanyon.co.nz Frogz Have More Fun Sledge down either the Clutha, Hawea or Kawarau Rivers. 0800 437 649, frogz.co.nz

Wanaka Rock Climbing One, three and five-day rock climbing courses for everyone. 03 443 6411, wanakarock.co.nz Wanaka Flightseeing Milford Sound flight and cruise from Wanaka, 03 443-8787, flightseeing.co.nz Wanaka Sightseeing Includes Lord of the Rings tours, 2 Anderson Rd, 03 338 0982, wanakasightseeing.co.nz

LAKE HAWEA Thirty-five kilometres long and more than 400m deep, Lake Hawea is a great source of salmon and rainbow trout.

QUEENSTOWN Paradise for the energetic traveller, Queenstown is one of the world’s most action-packed towns. The town, which is surprisingly small compared to its big reputation, is located on Lake Wakatipu and rises up to the peaks of the aptly-named Remarkables (which you can ski in winter). In winter, the town is a centre for nearby skifields and in summer adventure activities and tramping take over. There’s also a hectic social scene which extends well into the wee small hours. Info & Track Guided Walks 37 Shotover St, 03 442 9708 Peterpans Adventure Travel 27 Shotover St Queenstown. peterpans.com.au Queenstown Travel & Visitor Centre Corner of Shotover & Camp Sts, 03 442 4100

Q’TOWN STAY Alpine Lodge (BBH) 13 Gorge Rd. 03 442 7220, alpinelodgebackpackers.co.nz Aspen Lodge (BBH) 11 Gorge Rd. 03 442 9671, aspenlodge.co.nz Base Discovery Lodge Queenstown 49 Shotover St. 03 441 1185, stayatbase.com Black Sheep Lodge (VIP) 13 Frankton Rd. 03 442 7289, blacksheepbackpackers.co.nz Bungi Backpackers (VIP, BBH) 15 Sydney St. 0800 728 286, bungibackpackers.co.nz Butterfli Lodge (BBH) 62 Thompson St. 03 442 6367, butterfli.co.nz

The Silver Demon Aerobatic flights. 03 443 4043, silverdemon.co.nz

Cardrona Alpine Resort Between Queenstown and Wanaka. 03 443 7341, cardrona.com

Skydive Lake Wanaka Freefall from 12,000 or 15,000ft with views of NZ’s highest mountains. 0800 786 877, skydivenz.com

Deco Backpackers (VIP, BBH) 52 Man St. 03 442 7384, decobackpackers.co.nz

Treble Cone Ski Field 03 443 7443, treblecone.co.nz

Flaming Kiwi Backpackers (BBH) 39 Robins Rd. 03 442 5494, flamingkiwi.co.nz Hippo Lodge (BBH)

4 Anderson Hts. 03 442 5785, hippolodge.co.nz

0800 467 325, tandemparagliding.com

The Last Resort Queenstown (BBH) 6 Memorial St. 03 442 4320, tlrqtn.com

Haka Adventure Snow Tours 03 980 4250, hakatours.com Mad Dog River Boarding River sledging & other actionpacked water activities, 03 442 7797, riverboarding.co.nz

Nomads Queenstown 5-11 Church St. 03 441 3922, nomadshostels.com Pinewood Lodge (VIP) Queenstown’s best value accommodation. We offer an excellent variety of accommodation, everything from deluxe en-suite rooms with private bathroom amenities, inexpensive double and twin rooms, dorm beds and selfcontained family cabins. 48 Hamilton Rd. 0800 746 396, 03 442 8273, pinewood.co.nz Southern Laughter: Sir Cedrics (BBH, VIP) 4 Isle St. 0800 441 8828, sircedrics.co.nz

Milford Sound Flightseeing Scenic flights to Milford Sound, 0800 65 65 01, realjourneys.co.nz NZONE Skydive Skydive from 15,000ft. 35 Shotover St, 03 442 5867, nzone.biz NZ Ski.com Info on Coronet Peak, the Remarkables and Mt Hutt, nzski.com Queenstown Rafting Raft the Shotover, Kawarau and Landsborough rivers. 35 Shotover St. 03 442 9792 rafting.co.nz

Scallywags Travellers’ Guesthouse (BBH) 27 Lomond Crescent. 03 442 7083, bbh.co.nz

Real Journeys Visitor Centre Doubtful Sound & Milford Sound daytime and overnight cruises. Te Anau glow-worm cave excursions. TSS Earnslaw vintage steamship cruises and Walter Peak High Country Farm. 0800 65 65 01, realjourneys.co.nz

YHA Queenstown Central 48A Shotover Street. 03 442 7400, yha.co.nz YHA Queenstown Lakefront 88-90 Lake Esplanade. 03 442 8413, yha.co.nz

Q’TOWN DO There are hundreds of activities to keep you occupied in Queenstown. Bungy, jetboating and rafting are all experiences not to be missed, and in winter, skiing the Remarkables is a must. To really appreciate the beauty of the region, take a scenic flight, or even jump out the plane. AJ Hackett Bungy Queenstown Jump off one or all of New Zealand’s most well-known sites. Nevis Highwire Bungy, the highest in New Zealand – 134m above the Nevis River. The Kawarau Bridge, the world’s first bungy – 43m above the Kawarau River. The 47m Ledge, 400m above the town which you can jump day or night. Access is by Skyline Gondola. 0800 286 4958 bungy.co.nz

Shotover Canyon Swing Jump or be released 109m off the world’s highest cliff jump. 0800 279 464, canyonswing.co.nz Shotover Jet Jetboat ride. 0800 746 868 shotoverjet.com Sky Trek Hang Gliding 03 442 9551, skytrek.co.nz Vertigo Mountain Biking Heli-bike and gondola downhill. 0800 837 8446, vertigobikes.co.nz

GLENORCHY Just out of Queenstown is Glenorchy (or “Isengard”) which has some of the best walks in the area, including the Greenstone and Caples tracks. Department of Conservation Beech St, 03 442 7933

Awesome Foursome Bungy (Nevis – 134m), jetboat, helicopter, whitewater rafting, combos.co.nz

Glenorchy Backpackers Retreat (VIP) Cnr Mull and Argyle Streets, Glenorchy, glenorchynz.com

Dart River Safaris Jetboating wilderness tours, 0800 327 8538, dartriver.co.nz

Kinloch Lodge 862 Kinloch Rd, 03 442 4900, kinlochlodge.co.nz

Fat Tyre Adventure Mountain biking/heli biking, 0800 328 897, fat-tyre.co.nz Fergburger Best burgers in NZ. Shotover St, fergburger.com Flight Park Tandem Paragliding Operates from Coronet Peak

ARROWTOWN Poplar Lodge 4 Merioneth St, 03 442 1466, poplarlodge.co.nz Arrowtown Holiday Park 12 Centennial Ave, 03 442 1876

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SOUTHISLAND TE ANAU Home to the second largest lake in NZ, Te Anau is a beautiful little town, a good jumping off point for the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. The park is the largest in New Zealand and offers some spectacular sightseeing. The Milford Track is one of the most famous in the world, but often booked out. The Routeburn, ReesDart and Kepler are ace alternatives. doc.govt.nz Fiordland I-site Visitor Centre Lakefront Drive, Te Anau, 03 249 8900 Department of Conservation 03 249 8514 Te Anau Glowworm Caves realjourneys.co.nz Air Fiordland Flights to Queenstown, Milford and Mt Cook, 03 249 7505, airfiordland.co.nz Real Journeys Coaches to Milford Sound, 0800 656 503 realjourneys.co.nz Scenic Shuttle Daily between Te Anau and Invercargill in summer months, twice weekly in winter. Connects with the Catlins Coaster from Invercargill to Dunedin 0800 277 483 Top Line Tours Coach to and from Te Anau and Queenstown, 03 249 8059

TE ANAU STAY Barnyard Backpackers (BBH) 80 Mt York Rd, Rainbow Downs, 03 249 8006, barnyard.moonfruit.com Bob & Maxine’s (BBH) 20 Paton Place, 03 931 3161, bbh.co.za Rosie’s Backpacker Homestay (BBH) 23 Tom Plato Drive, Lake Te Anau, 03 249 8431, rosiesbackpackers.co.nz Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers (BBH) 48/50 Lakefront Dr, 03 249 7713, teanaubackpackers.co.za Steamers Beach Backpackers (BBH) 77 Manapouri- Te Anau Hwy, 03 249 7737, smarturl.it/steamersbeach YHA Te Anau 29 Mokonui St, 03 249 7847, yha.co.nz

TE ANAU DO Adventure Fiordland 72 Town Centre, 03 249 8500 fiordlandaventure.co.nz High Ride Adventures Quad riding and scenic horse trekking. 03 249 8591, highride.co.nz Luxmore Jet Jetboating on the Waiau River, 0800 253 826,

luxmorejet.co.nz Real Journeys Doubtful Sound daytime wilderness, small boat and overnight cruises. Milford Sound daytime, overnight scenic, nature and small boat cruises. 0800 656 501, realjourneys.co.nz Milford Track Day Walk Lake cruise and guided walk, 0800 656 501 milfordlodge.co.nz Rosco’s Milford Sound Sea Kayaks 0800 476 726, roscosmilfordkayaks.com Skydive Fiordland Dive 44 Caswell Rd, Te Anau, 0800 829254, tawakidive.co.nz

ANAU TO MILFORD The distance between Te Anau and Milford Sound may be 119km but the breathtaking scenery along the way makes the journey extremely enjoyable. Along the road watch out for the Mirror Lakes and the disappearing mountain. Another highlight is the 1.2km rough-hewn Homer Tunnel. It’s pitch black, having no lighting plus it’s pretty darn steep – a thrilling experience for those afraid of the dark.

MILFORD SOUND Green, wet and breathtakingly beautiful, Milford Sound is one of the most picturesque sights in the world. Much of the action in the Milford Sound takes place on the water and the best way to appreciate the beauty on show is on a cruise or kayak. Bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and Fiordland crested penguins all hang out there.

MILFORD DO Real Journeys 0800 656 501, realjourneys.co.nz Great Sights On and under the water, 03 442 9445 greatsights.co.nz Milford Sound Underwater Observatory Discover a coral reef beneath Milford Sound, 03 249 9442 Milford Sound Cruise & Observatory Visit 0800 656 501

BOOK NOW! realjourneys.co.nz Wanaka Flightseeing Milford Sound flight and cruise, 0800 105 105, flightseeing.co.nz 

MANAPOURI Manapouri is the proud owner of arguably New Zealand’s most beautiful stretch of water. This is where the boat trip on Doubtful Sound leaves from – most start the trip in Queenstown or Te Anau. From the boat you may see seals and possibly dolphins and penguins. Adventure Charters and Hires fiordlandadventure.co.nz Real Journeys 03 249 6602 realjourneys.co.nz

MANAPOURI STAY Freestone Backpackers (BBH) 270 Hillside Rd, 03 249 6893, freestone.co.nz Manapouri Lakeview Motor Inn 68 Cathedral Drive, 03 249 6652, manapouri.co.nz Possum Lodge 13 Murrel Ave, 03 249 6623, possumlodge.co.nz

DOUBT SOUND If you’re not one for crowds, an alternative Fiordland option is Doubtful Sound – the deepest of the fiords, made up of 100km of waterways. Where Milford is all pointy peaks and endless cascading falls, Doubtful is rounded mountains – a serene sanctuary, inhabited by loads of interesting critters. Real Journeys Daytime wilderness, small boat and overnight cruises. 0800 656 502 realjourneys.co.nz Fiordland Navigator Pearl Harbour, Manapouri 03 249 6602, doubtfulsound.co.nz Deep Cove Hostel Doubtful Sound, 03 249 7713, deepcovehostel.co.nz

INVERCARGILL

Milford Wanderer Cruises Day and overnight options with kayaking, etc. Coach connections, 0800 656 501, realjourneys.co.nz

The southernmost city in New Zealand, Invercargill is a farmingorientated community with a pleasant collection of parks and museums to keep you busy.

Tawaki Dive See Fiordland’s unique marine life on a day-trip with two guided dives in Milford Sound. Rental gear available, max four divers. 0800 829254, tawakidive.co.nz

Invercargill I-site Visitors Centre 108 Gala St, 03 214 6243

TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak Farm tours, barbecue lunches, horse treks and cycling.

wildlife encounters. Farmstay options are available, 0800 304333, catlinscoaster.co.nz

STEWART ISLAND Stewart Island Flights Flights to Stewart Island, 03 218 9129, stewartislandflights.co.nz Bunkers Backpackers (BBH) 13 Argyle St, Halfmoon Bay, Stweart Island, 027 738 1796 bunkersbackpackers.co.nz

INVERCARG STAY

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CATLINS STAY Wrights Mill Lodge 865 Tahakopa Valley, 03 204 8424 Lazy Dolphin 529 Curio Bay Rd, 03 246 8579. lazydolphinlodge.co.nz Cedar Tree Lodge (BBH) 36 Hosptial Road, 027 611 7932. goldbox.catering@gmail.com Happy Inn Backpackers (BBH) 11 Shakespeare St, 03 417 4161. happyinn@clear.net.nz

Southern Comfort (BBH) 30 Thompson St, 03 218 3838 bbh.co.nz

Fernlea Backpackers (VIP) Moana St, Kaka Point, 03 412 8834

Tuatara Backpacker Lodge 30 Dee St, 03 214 0956, tuataralodge.co.nz

The Split Level (BBH) 9 Waikawa Rd, Owaka, 03 415 8304, thesplitlevel.co.nz

SOUTH SCENIC The beautiful road west of Invercargill towards Fiordland is known as the Southern Scenic Route.

Surat Bay Lodge (BBH) Surat Bay Rd, New Haven, 03 415 8099, suratbay.co.nz

Pepper Tree Hostel 121 Grey St, Palmerston, 06 335 4054, peppertreehostel.co.nz

Penguin Paradise Holiday Lodge (BBH) 612 Waikawa-Niagara Rd, Waikawa Village South Catlins, 03 2468 552, catlins-surf.co.nz/736.html

Grandma’s Place 146 Grey St, Palmerston North, 06 358 6928, grandmas-place.co.nz

Thomas Catlins Lodge & Holiday Park, 8 Clark St, Owaka 03 415 8333, thomascatlins.co.nz

The Globe Backpackers (VIP) 144 Palmerston St, Riverton, 03 234 8527, globebackpackers@xtra.co.nz

Wright’s Mill Lodge 865 Tahakopa Valley Rd, 03 204 8424 catlinsaccommodation.co.nz

Harbison Backpackers 5 Harbison St, Otautau, 03 225 8715, michdale@xtra.co.nz Shooters Backpackers (BBH) 73 Main St, Tuatapere, 03 226 6250

GORE Gore spans the Mataura river and boasts some lovely scenery in the Hokonui Hills and the Country and Western festival each June. Oakleight Motels 70 Hokonui Dr, 03 208 4863, oakleighmotel.co.za

THE CATLINS The beautiful Catlins is a sprawling mass of bush, forest and rivers, stretching all the way from Waipapa Point in Southland to Nugget Point in Otago. The best bit about the Catlins is the abundance of wildlife.

Dept of Conservation Office Don St, 03 214 4589

Catlins Community Info Centre 3 Main Rd, Owaka, South Otago, 03 415 8371, catlins.org.nz

Catlins Coaster Invercargill to Dunedin via the Catlins with many stops to the main natural attractions and

Elm Lodge Wildlife Tours Two-day camping trips, 0800 356 563, elmwildlifetours.co.nz

DUNEDIN Dunedin is Celtic for “Edinburgh” and many Scottish principles endure here. One thing the locals do much better than their Scots ancestors is play rugby, so if there’s a game on at Carisbrook (the “House of Pain”) while you’re in town, beg, borrow or steal to get yourself there. Dunedin Visitor Centre 48 The Octagon, 03 474 3300 Dept of Conservation Office 77 Stuart St, 03 477 0677 Penguin Patch 9 the Octagon, 03 471 8571, Email: penguinpatch@xtra.co.nz

DUNEDIN STAY Chalet Backpackers (BBH) 296 High St, 03 479 2075 chaletbackpackers.co.nz Dunedin Central Backpackers (BBH) 243 Moray Pl, 03 477 9985, centralbackpackers.co.nz Pavlova Palace (BBH) 74 Elm Row, 03 477 34728 pavlovapalace.co.nz Hogwartz (BBH)

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277 Rattray St, 03 474 1487, hogwartz.co.nz Kiwis Nest (BBH) 597 George St, 03 471 9540, kiwisnest.co.nz Leviathan Hotel 27 Queens Gardens, 0800 773 773, dunedinhotel.co.nz Manor House 28 Manor Place, 03 477 0484, manorhousebackpackers.co.nz On Top Backpackers (BBH) 12 Filleul St, cnr Moray Pl, 03 477 6121, ontopbackpackers.co.nz Pennys Backpackers (BBH) 6 Stafford St, 03 477 6027, pennys.co.nz Next Stop Backpackers 2 View St, 03 477 0477, nextstop.co.nz YHA Dunedin, Stafford Gables 71 Stafford St, 03 474 1919, yha.co.nz

DUNEDIN DO Baldwin Street In the Guinness Book of Records as the steepest street in the world.

Cadbury World 280 Cumberland St, 0800 223 2879, cadbury.co.nz Cosmic Corner Funk Store Check out the legal highs and chat to the staff about where to go for parties, events and the beautiful parts of New Zealand. 355 George St, 03 479 2949 Dunedin Public Art Gallery 30 The Octagon, 03 474 3240, dpagmail@dcc.govt.nz Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony View blue penguins just metres away every evening at dusk. Waterfront Rd, 1-1/2 hrs north of Dunedin, 03 433 1195, penguins.co.nz Parachute Experience Skydiving from a great height 03 489 4113, dropzone.com Sinclair Wetlands and Educational Centre Freedom or conducted walks over 5km of walkways. Backpacker and camping facilities. Rapid no 854 Clarendon/Berwick Rd

(signposted on SH1 30km south of Dunedin), 03 486 2654 Speights Brewery Heritage Tours 03 477 7697 speights.co.nz Royal Albatross Centre 03 478 0499, albatross.org.nz

OTAGO PENINSULA The Otago Peninsula is a beautiful stretch of rugged coast, home to a fascinating collection of rare and native birds such as the albatross and yellow-eyed penguin. Billy Browns (BBH) 423 Aramoana Rd, Port Chalmers, 03 472 8323, billybrowns.co.nz McFarmers Backpackers 774 Portobello Rd, Portobello, 02 5206 0640, mcfarmers@xtra.co.nz Pinot Lodge (BBH) 102 Barry Avenue, Cromwell, Fiordland 03 445 1260, pinotlodgenz.com

OTAGO DO Historic Fort Taiaroa An underground complex built

in the 1880s, this fortified stronghold has been inhabited since earliest Maori settlement of the area. Tours available at the Visitor Centre. Fletcher House, Broad Bay, 03 478 0180

ROXBURGH Villa Rose Backpackers 79 Scotland St, 03 446 8761, villarose.co.nz

Larnach Castle Australasia’s only castle. The architecture is amazing and the intricate details (including a foyer ceiling that took nearly seven years to build) are breathtaking. NZ Marine Studies Centre and Aquarium Run by the University of Otago, the Portobello Aquarium and Marine Biology Centre (near Quarantine Point) is a refuge for a diverse collection of fish and reptile life. 03 479 5826 Elm Wildlife Tours 0800 356 563, elmwildlifetours.co.nz

ALEXANDRA Alexandra and Roxburgh are the two main towns for fruit-picking work in the Central Otago region. Grasshopper Rock One of the world’s southernmost vineyards, situated on the Earnscleugh Rd. grasshopperrock.co.nz

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

OAMARU A charming little place noted for both its interesting collection of white granular limestone buildings and its large penguin population. Visitor Information Centre Thames St, 03 434 1656 Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony View blue penguins at dusk. Waterfront Rd, 03 433 1195, penguins.co.nz Ahuriri Backpackers (BBH) 5 Clay Cliffs Lane 03 438 9451 ahuririmotels.co.nz Chillawhile Backpackers (BBH) & Art Gallery 1 Frome St, Roberts Park, 03 437 0168, chillawhile.co.nz Coastal Backpackers (BBH) The Hall, Waianakarua Rd, All Day Bay, 03 439 5411, coastalbackpackers.co.nz Buscot Station (BBH) 732 Omarama, 03 438 9646, buscotstn@xtra.co.nz Empire Hotel (BBH) 13 Thames St, 03 434 3446, empirehotel@hotmail.com Old Bones Lodge (BBH) 468 Beach Rd, 03 434 8115, oldbones.co.nz YHA Oamaru, Red Kettle Seasonal (open September/ October to May/June only). Corner of Reed and Cross Sts, 03 434 5008, yha.co.nz Swaggers Backpackers (BBH) 25 Wansbeck St, 03 434 9999, swaggersbackpackers.co.nz

Photo: Penguin Place/NZ Tourism

MOERAKI Just 30km south of Oamaru lies a remarkable collection of eerie giant boulders.

MOUNT COOK It’s the tallest mountain in Australasia, at 3,754m, and the drive there, past the stunning blue Lake Pukaki is almost as jaw-droppingly gorgeous as the destination itself. Worth a photo stop or 10.

Riverside Haven (BBH) 2328 SH1, Waianakarua, 03 439 5830, olivebranch.co.nz The Dubliner 105 Tiverton St, Palmerston, 03 465 8123

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Up in the long white clouds The must dos of New Zealand by those who know it best: Air New Zealand cabin crew

Few know travel like cabin crew. Often in a destination for less than 24 hours, they know where to go to make the most of their time in each port. To celebrate the airline’s 75th anniversary, Air New Zealand’s cabin crew have spoken with TNT about their favourite stopovers on the North and South Island, and the travel tips they would give to visitors planning a trip in the land of the long white cloud. Plus, there’s the most important decision of all – chucken or fush?

QUEENSTOWN According to Emma Hardy Flight Attendant Premium Service (FAPS) Emman Hardy

Alistar Hammond

Queenstown is a nature lover’s dream, situated on glacierformed Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by breath-taking views of mountain ranges including The Remarkables, Cecil Peak and Ben Lomond. I’ve spent a lot of time there, both on lay-overs with work and personal holidays; I leave loving it even more with every visit – it really does have something for everyone. Things to see and do

Roxy Begum & Ceara Phillips

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Mike Guthrie

Queenstown’s variety is not just limited to its landscape. There is so much to see and do, from adrenaline-pumping activities including bungy jumping, jet boating and world-

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class skiing to laid back options of lounging at the town’s fantastic range of wineries, day spas, shops and restaurants.

Queenstown has a great party atmosphere, from cosy wine bars to top nightclub venues. Can’t decide which venue to pick? Don’t worry – everything is within walking distance, making it the perfect place for a budget bar crawl! Restaurants I would recommend are: Botswana Butchery: Enjoy their speciality of fine cut beef and organic foods paired with local wines while overlooking Lake Wakatipo. Winnies: Gorge on delicious pizzas and pastas in a relaxed environment. As the night goes on, the roof opens up and the music starts pumping, so you can dine and party the night away all at the same time. Amisfield Winery & Bistro: This bistro is a must-visit for anyone travelling to Queenstown. Travel just 15 minutes outside of Queensland and snuggle up beside the bistro’s fireplace in its stunning courtyard while sampling local wines and food. Vudu Cafe: Perfect for laid-back brunches and coffee stops while you’re exploring the town. Eichardt’s Hotel: Treat yourself to this gorgeous lake front hotel’s extensive cocktail menu. Their Bloody Marys are the perfect morning-after cure!

Photo credit: TNZ, Julian Apse

Wining and dining

Lunch by the lake

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Wellington

WELLINGTON According to Alistair Hammond Flight Attendant Premium Service (FAPS) Maori legend refers to Wellington, New Zealand’s buzzing capital, as ‘TeUpokoteIka a Maui’, which translates to ‘the head of Maui’s fish.’ But don’t let its fishy nature put you off – Wellington might just be the coolest little capital in the world. Things to see and do

The Kelburn Cable Car

The city crowds around the harbour, lined with parks and beaches. At the centre of it all is Te Papa, the national museum and art gallery of New Zealand, where you can visit Air New Zealand’s 75th anniversary exhibition until June to try out an Air New Zealand Business Premier seat – or even a cabin crew uniform! If you’re visiting New Zealand you have to take a journey to Middle Earth. Wellington is home to both Sir Peter Jackson and the special effects company behind the Lord of the Rings movies, Weta Workshop. At Weta Workshop you can visit the Weta Cave, a dream location for movie lovers full of props, outfits and collectibles from many famous

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films. There are also plenty of film locations that can be easily spotted in and around the city. For a really memorable Kiwi experience, make time to visit the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier. Franz Josef is one of the world’s steepest glaciers and is located in the Westland Tai Poutini Park on New Zealand’s South Island. The views from the top of the glacier really are breathtaking. You can participate in a large range of hiking tours designed to suit all levels of fitness and abilities. Or if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can take in the spectacular ice formations and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains by taking a helicopter tour. See page 66 for more. Party the night away Courtenay Place: Filled with bars, restaurants, cafes, theatres and cinemas from end to end – no room to be bored! Cuba Street: This area is creative and bohemian with some fantastic nightspots. Check out the buskers, boutiques and bucket fountain first before venturing further into its night time entertainment. Lastly, if for no other reason, go for the coffee! It’s the best I’ve had anywhere.

Franz Josef Glacier

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KAIKOURA According to Ceara Phillips Flight Attendant Premium Service (FAPS) Kaikoura is a great little town on the east coast of the South Island with a deep sea trench close to shore. It is home to an abundance of marine life including sperm whales, fur seals and, at certain times of the year, you’ll also see orca and blue whales. Things to see and do Dolphin spot in Kaikoura

If you’re visiting from mid-April to October, drive north to visit Ohau Point seal colony or do an easy bushwalk to Ohau Waterfall, where you can see pups frolicking in a natural nursery pool. My ultimate Kaikoura experience was swimming among wild but friendly dusky dolphins with dolphin encounter. They’ll provide wetsuits, snorkels and equipment and you don’t need to be a strong swimmer. On the boat ride to the dolphins, expert guides will tell you all about the local environment. You’ll see royal albatross and possibly the world’s smallest dolphin, Hector’s dolphin. Truly magical.

ROTORUA According to Mike Guthrie Flight Service Manager (FSM)

Maori Haka dancing

Rotorua is a mid-sized North Island city tucked away behind the beautiful Lake Rotorua. It is an ideal halfway point for those travelling through the North Island and contains the bulk of New Zealand’s main thermal and volcanic tourist sights. I would recommend staying for two to three days to get the full experience of what this city has to offer. Rotorua is very accessible with Air New Zealand flying daily in and out of the city from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. It is also an easy two-and-ahalf hour drive from the main city of Auckland. Things to see and do The city is steeped in history, having been originally built around the original Maori village of Whakawerawera. The village is well worth a visit as it contains a thermal park with boiling mud pools, hot pools that are still used for cooking and the world famous Pohutu geyser. Rotorua is also home to the Polynesian Spa where Victorians came to visit from England to bathe in the city’s hot mineral waters. There are a number of thermal areas just outside the city including Waimangu and Hells Gate and a variety of lake districts. A little further afield are the North Island’s only ski fields, which are located on the sometimes active volcano of Ruapehu.

a st k, ng

Dining and accommodation

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Champagne pool, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland 86

The city is full of cafes serving great Kiwi food and wine. There is also accommodation to fit everybody’s preferences, varying from backpacker hostels to newly built five star hotels.

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THE BEST BEACHES…

Photo credit: TNZ, Adam Bryce

According to Roxy Begum Flight Attendant Pacific Class (FAPC)

Kayaking at Cathedral Cove

CATHEDRAL COVE Cathedral Cove is hands down one of my favourite beaches, and it is without a doubt one of the most stunning in the world. I could sit on the sand all day taking in the picturesque views that can be seen from every angle and the tranquility they provide.

A trip to Hot Water Beach is a very unique experience and takes a little DIY work. Here you can dig your own personal hot pool metres from the Pacific Ocean. As you dig, naturally heated mineral water will bubble up from deep within the earth and emerge through the sand. Once you’ve made the hole big enough, you can settle in for a hot mineral water spa bath! Both beaches are a must see while you’re travelling in the North Islands and can be easily done in a day if you’re short on time. Plan your trip to Hot Water Beach around the tide times as the hot pools can naturally only be experienced when the tide is out. When I last visited, I started my day with a trip to Hot Water beach and then did a hike to Cathedral Cove which took just under an hour. I fully recommend the hike as it’s very scenic, making it a great place for taking photos. Bring lots of water and maybe even a picnic to break up the journey. If you don’t fancy the idea of a hike, you can also visit Cathedral Cove by tour boat, kayak or helicopter.

Cathedral Cove

Photo credit: TNZ, Adam Bryce

HOT WATER BEACH

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OZCAREERS

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Take your pick Want to stay Down Under a bit longer? If you do a stint of field work a visa extension will be the tasty fruit of your labour If you’re looking to get a 12-month extension on your Working Holiday Visa then you are in luck, the Australian government wants you to stay. But in return you must complete 88 days of work in what it calls a “specific industry in regional Australia”. Fruit picking is a great way of meeting that requirement and on assignment you’ll be housed, fed and watered for free. Here’s where to go...

Shepparton – Victoria Shepparton is the hub of the thriving Goulbourn Valley. When you’re not picking fruit, explore the forest tracks, hit a round of golf, or for the road-trip enthusiast, Shepparton is ideally located only a couple of hours’ drive from buzzing Melbourne or you could even head up to the Snowy Mountains. Jan-Mar: Stonefruits Jan-May: Tomatoes Mar-May: Apples Apr-Oct: Tree pruning Nov-Dec: Cherries Dec: Apricots

The Riverland – South Australia Riverland, located on the mighty Murray River, is a large agricultural region well known for its orchards and vineyards. If you can still muster the energy after a hard day slogging it in the orchard, make the most of the Riverland’s natural adventure playground. Hire a boat or jet ski and test your water sport prowess, enjoy a spot of fishing or camp on the banks of the Murray. Jan-Apr: Apples, pears and grapes May-Feb: Citrus fruits May-Aug: Vine pruning Oct-Mar: Oranges and stone fruits

Huonville – Tasmania Almost a fifth of Australia’s apples 88

are grown and harvested in Tasmania. While sometimes overlooked, the lone state is arguably the most serene and picturesque of all. On a well-earned day off, take a hike through the valley, visit the Cygnet Art Gallery, or stick to the theme by visiting the local Apple Museum. Yep. Apple. Museum. Jan-Feb: Apricots Mar-Apr: Grapes Mar-May: Apples Dec-Feb: Cherries Dec-May: Strawberries

Margaret River region – Western Australia This beautiful, relaxed beachside region is a popular tourist destination for folks chasing the sun. Home to more than 130 wineries, you’ll never be short of finding vineyard employment. If you can tear yourself away from the wine, head to the coast and learn to surf, or simply relax and top up the tan. Feb-Apr: Grape picking June-Aug: Vine pruning

Bundaberg – Queensland Bundaberg is one of Australia’s major seasonal work destinations, absolutely jam packed full of harvest workers, travellers, fruit pickers and backpackers. Bundy is the place to meet plenty of people with whom to split a bottle of rum and, it has loads of opportunities for your leisure time including fishing, cycling, golfing, kayaking, camping, surfing and, of course, visiting the Bundaberg Rum Distillery. Jan-Dec: Sweet potatoes Feb-Sep: Avocados Mar-Jul: Citrus fruit May-Apr & Oct-Nov: Beans Apr-Aug & Oct-Dec: Capsicum Apr-Jun & Oct-Nov: Cucumbers Apr-Aug & Oct-Dec: Tomatoes May-Jul & Oct-Dec: Pumpkins Aug-Nov: Cherry tomatoes Aug-Sep: Strawberries Dec-Feb: Mangoes For jobs, check out jobsearch.gov.au/ harvesttrail or fruitpickingjobs.com.au

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For the last 30 years TNT Magazine has brought travel advice and news to a growing audience of travellers. 18 to 35 year olds from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have been using TNT as their guide to living and working in overseas. With a growing audience comes growing demand and over quarter of a million users are now demanding travel offers and information for tours across the globe. Here at TNT we have listened to the demands of our readers and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re excited to have launched TNT Tour Search. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a weekend in away, a group tour across North Africa, or a ten day epic adventure in South America, the TNT Tour Search facility is here to meet your travel wishes. With tours being added on a daily basis and reviews to give you peace of mind, TNT Tour Search will become your primary destination when looking to travel anywhere around the globe and you know the process will be as good as you can get anywhere else, if not better.

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DESPERATELYSEEKING

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Are you desperately seeking someone or something? Email caroline.garnar@tntmagazine.com with your message

SAY WHAT?! ‘why can’t I eat it?’ ‘Because it’s a bowl.’

i wAs with a guy for a year before i realised he was circumcised.

Why would you drink champagne out of your shoe? then you’re just left with a wet shoe.

THINGS TONY ABBOTT SHOULD DO, JUST BECAUSE... He may have skulled a pint, but could he do a Bob Hawke...?

Your washing machine sounds like children.

Be happy: Dear Sydneysiders, I fail to understand when you live in such an awesome city how you can all be so fucking miserable. Cheer the hell up. Thanks, Luke. ‘i thought you just said, i’m gonna cook up my pet cat.’ ‘i did’ ‘oh.’

that guy was so hot he made my flaps twitch.

i can’t that night sorry, i already have plans to dress up as a russian sex witch.

I picked up the nickname ‘The Molester’ after an unfortunate incident with our ski instructor as I got on the chairlift.

Food for thought: I really love food. Like, REALLY love food. It turns me on. I would like to meet someone who is happy for me to cook delicious meals and then they can eat it off my body. For dessert, you can have me. Any takers? I want to ride my bicycle: How does everyone make cycling look so easy? You’re on two wheels and sitting on something the size of a wing mirror, which spends most of its time digging you in the groin. I also have a habit of aiming at cars rather than avoiding them. I really want to get to grips with it. Anyone got a spare day to teach me in Royal Park please? Foxy lady: You had fiery red hair in a white headband and green eyes; come to think of it you looked a bit like a fox. I wonder if you make sex noises like one. Can I find out?

STguy: My name’s Simon Potts and I’ve got chlamydia. Rather than call up all the girls I’ve slept with in the last few months, I thought I’d do a post here. Job done. Just say no to H2O: I had no idea you could die from water poisoning. I used to drink loads of it every day, and now I’m scared I’m going to die. Please help me. I’m really thirsty. Moral dilemma: Do men mind if their wife or girlfriend has a lesbian affair? I really fancy this woman I work with, but she’s married. I’ve never been with a woman before and I don’t want to ruin her marriage, but reckon he wouldn’t mind as we’re both pretty hot – maybe if we film it...? Call me: I overheard you arguing with your girlfriend on the phone. I hope you broke up with her as you’re hot and I’d be next in line. Get in touch if you want a new girl who will treat you better. Flour power: To the hot girl who works behind the bakery counter at Coles on Franklin Street, I’d like to put a bun in your oven. Am I your piece of cake?

RESPONSES TO LAST MONTH’S DESPERATELY SEEKING: Dear Geordie sore, you have to keep us fully informed of your escapades, the back page of TNT is here for a reason! And also tell us which positions you ended up in to give you such discomfort? You’ve hit the lottery – what’s there to be scared about? Every time you sit down must bring back pleasant memories. You may have a knack of attracting big peckers, this could be the start for you my girl. We want to hear more over the next few weeks, and finally, give the front a rest and try the back door for variety – sitting down will have a brand new meaning for you. To April showers, forget the amber nectar, amber rain is much better. You can’t beat a spot of watersports; a woman gets great delight pissing on a man – there’s a control factor there. Finally this bird at work asked me recently if I was a cavalier or roundhead... that’s my next topic for the back page. Keep looking and reading. Mr.E.P.D.

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One of our amazing overnight stops - Lake Tekapo, South Island, NZ

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ISLAND HOPPING

Island Hopping passes from only $246* (5 days) All inclusive packages from $536* (5 days /4 nights) Island Stayputs from $175* (3 days /2 nights) * Terms & conditions apply

For info and bookings see your Travel Centre or contact us AAF5570

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15/05/2015 8:11 pm