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November 2015 Issue 759

!Y IN W EPIC 5-DA

AN AUSSIE ADVENTURE WITH SURF CAMP AUSTRALIA

ALL THAT GLITTERS MUST BE GOLD Gold Coast shenanigans we show you the best that Goldie has to offer

SOUNDS OF SILENCE Chill out in the stunning Milford Sound

S R E N N I R G E R A S WINNER en Backpacks ld o G 5 1 0 2 e winners of th e th e c u d o tr Allow us to in

+ TOP TEN TOURS & ACTIVITIES CAIRNS CAREERS ADVICE BIG TRIP BELIZE

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- SCORE YOURSELF -

$50 OFF YOUR TRIP AT STA TRAVEL Book in store today or phone 134 782

Terms and conditions apply. Valid on all new confirmed bookings made in conjunction with a minimum of $500 worth of accommodation, touring and/or travel insurance. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Not redeemable for cash. Non refundable if part used. Offer expires 31 December 2015

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EDITORIAL Editor James Clark james.clark@tntmagazine.com DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Design and production manager Lisa Ferron SALES Sales manager Jaqui Ward jaqui.ward@tntmagazine.com

FROM THE EDITOR

STARTRACK MEDIA LTD CEO Kevin Ellis Chairman Ken Hurst PUBLISHER Startrack Media Ltd PRINTED BY Spotpress PICTURES iStock | TNT Images | Supplied TNT Magazine online tntdownunder.com

WHERE TO GET TNT

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

It’s been a busy month for us at TNT. The Golden Backpack Awards 2015 attracted more than 300 nominations, across more than 30 adventure travel categories, which adds up to a lot of travel operators that our loyal TNT readers have voted for and trust.

We have included the top five GBA visitor attractions, top ten GBA tours and a more detailed list of the companies that won to help you choose your next tour.

When backpackers think of the Gold Coast they tend to think of Surfers Paradise. As much as we love it there’s so much more on offer. Our travel writers’ have put together six pages to get your ideas flowing.

I love Queensland and Tash Levy’s 48 hours in Cairns feature has given me inspiration for a return visit. I think, it’s Croc Cruise that’s calling me.

We’ve got a real treat this month for New Zealand fans. A breath taking journey through the Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s absolute must-dos. Take a browse and you’ll see why.

Belize may not be as well-known as some of its Central American competitors, but what it may lack in Aussie visitors, it makes up for with diving hotspots, beaches, hotels and chickens. Oh let’s not forget the chickens.

It’s time for a bit of expansion here at TNT, we’re looking for restaurant, bar, theatre and club reviewers and travel writer. If you think you’ve got what it takes send me an email and I’ll come back to you.

Better dash, got a flight to catch to Mexico City.

James

james.clark@tntmagazine.com

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.

The Gold Coast

Cairns

Milford Sound

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KANGAROO ISLAND ADVENTURE TOURS

THIS MONTH EDS LETTER

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DIARY 6 FOOD & DRINK 10 PUBS

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GIGS 16 INTERVIEW

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GOLDEN BACKPACKS

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GOLDEN COAST SPECIAL

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48 HOURS IN CAIRNS

40

THE ROCK TOUR

TRAVEL TOP 5: VISITOR HOTSPOTS 44 TOP 10: TOURS & ACTIVITIES 50 68

BIG TRIP: BELIZE

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ON THE COVER

AUSTRALIA LISTINGS

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GOLDEN BACKPACKS

NEW ZEALAND LISTINGS

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CAREERS 90

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the 2015 Golden Backpacks are over for another year but don’t be sad as now we get to bring you all the winners! get travelling!

GOLD COAST SPECIAL

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If your trip to Oz isn’t complete without a Gold Coast adventure then check out the all it has to offer

48 HOURS IN CAIRNS

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Short of time as you travel up the East coast - allow us to help you cram in the maximum activities with our guide to spending 58 hours in Cairns

TOP 5 VISITOR ATTRACTIONS

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Our Golden Backpack winners

TOP 10 TOURS & ACTIVTIES

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Yet more winners, showing you guys the best of the best

FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER GUIDES

Photos: Photos supplied by Golden Backpack winners and Matt Wesley for the Rock Tour and visitgoldcoast.com

NZ: MILFORD SOUND

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TAMAKI MAORI VILLAGE

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VISITOZ

44

SURF CAMP AUSTRALIA

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OUR TOP PICKS MARGARET RIVER GOURMET ESCAPE Until Nov 25 Melbourne VAR The home of world-class surf, beaches, vineyards and food, will play host to chefs, foodie and wine buffs, with a festival of events to showcase the best wine and produce around.

Times vary Get a program events going on all over the city gourmetescape.com.au

EMIRATES AUS OPEN GOLF Until Nov 31,Melbourne Australia’s most prestigious golf championship and the one every player wants to win. It has a rich history and always draws the nation’s best players home to compete for the Stonehaven Cup. Catch it quick before it ends.

VAR

4.30pm-8pm

Australian

Golf Club, Kensington australianopengolf.com.au

MUST DO TROPFEST AUSTRALIA Dec 6, Across Australia

What began as a short film festival for friends and family at a Sydney café in 1993 has become the world’s biggest short film festival. A means of exposure for emerging Australian film-makers, Tropfest is also a free entertainment experience that has become an iconic part of the Australian summer screened at Sydney’s Centennial Park for the live event, and at various outdoor locations around the country.

Photo: Fairfax Media

FREE

Various tropfest.com.au

THE AGE GOOD FOOD MONTH

Until Nov 31, Melbourne FREE

Watch over 100 of the best kite boarders race from Phillip Point on Rottnest Island, speed across the Indian Ocean trough Gage Roads channel and finish at Leighton Beach.

At 19 kilometres, the kite surfing race is the longest in the world.

Times vary Various across Melbourne tasteofmelbourne.com.au

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LIGHTHOUSE TO LEIGHTON

START OF SUMMER PARTY!

Dec 5 WA

Dec 6, Perth

More than 330,000 people line the 3.3km route each year to watch fairy tale floats, 15 marching bands, dancing groups and enjoy the largest Aussie pageant. If this doesn’t get you in the festive mood nothing will.

Perth’s most iconic beach party is back on Sunday 6th December 2015 when Sets on the Beach makes its triumphant return to kickstart your summer. Celebrate the start of warmer weather on pristine white sands and the clear blue seas.

FREE

Times vary Phillip Point Rottnest, near Perth cvent.com

$69

1.30 -10pm North Fremantle setsonthebeach.com.au

CHERRY HARMONY FESTIVAL Dec 6 , Manjimup A cherry fashion parade, pie competition, log chops, pip spitting competition, cooking demonstrations and the popular long table lunch, the festival is a treat for all food lovers and is random as anything.

FREE

Times vary

Manjimup, WA, cherryfestival.com.au

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Photo: Margaret River Gourmet Escape

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day is nothing short of spectacular

SYDNEY SANTA SPECTACULAR WINTER WONDERLAND $40 Dec 6 - 24 Sydney

Included in the magical experience are super awesome amusement rides, Santa, elves, reindeer and just about everything else that you’d expect from this Christmas event.

Times vary Rosehill Gardens Grand Pavilion, Sydney sydneysantaspectacular.com

SAN CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Dec 13, Sydney

Carols start at 4pm, but if I was you I’d get there for 8pm (adult time). The event will provide free, safe and entertaining activities, and a wonderful celebration of Christmas performed by celebrity artists, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display. $24

8pm Sydney Adventist Hospital, 185 Fox Valley Road experiencesydneyaustralia.com

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ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART YACHT RACE Dec 26 ,Sydney to Hobart

The race has become an icon of Australia’s summer sport, starting in Sydney and finishing in Hobart. The distance is 630 nautical miles (1170 km) and attracts yachts from all around the globe.

VAR

Starts at1pm rolexsydneyhobart.com

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Photo: Fun Run Pink and Triathlon Pink

Christmas on the beach - nice...

PERTH

GOLD COAST

CAIRNS

VEG FEST 2015 DEC 5 / 2PM10AM -5PM / VARIOUS Ditch the junk-fuelled eating habits and lifestyle and visit Fremantle’s Veg Fest 2015. Pre Christmas detox never felt this good and nor did feeling healthy.

BEACH CARE PALM BEACH DEC 5 / 8.34AM + Make a difference to improve the beach environment by planting native species, removing invasive weeds and picking up litter.

UMI ARTS INDIGENOUS MARKET DEC 11 / 4.30PM - 9.30PM / FREE AN opportunity To enjoy the diverse talents and products created by the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples from the FNQ region.

Esplanade Park on the corner of Essex Street and Marine Terrace in Fremantle vegfest.com.au

TITANIC: THE EXHIBITION DEC 12 - FEB 9 / 6AM - 8PM / $31.60 The Exhibition will feature hundreds of artifacts and replicas, art work, music, and videos.

Convention & Exhibition Centre, premier.ticketek.com.au

TWILIGHT HAWKERS MARKET UNTIL APR 29 / 4.30PM - 9.30PM Around 40 stalls and food trucks there’s something to satisfy just about all tastes and trends.Look out for the pop-ups.

Perth city centre twilighthawkersmarket.com

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Palm Beach Parklands, Gold Coast theartscentregc.com.au

CHRISTMAS MARKETS DEC 18 / 4PM - 10PM / FREE Immerse yourself in the magic of Christmas.

If you’ve not seen Santa arrive by helicopter before then this is your chance.

Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast christmasmarketsgc.com.au

UMI Arts, 335 Sheridan Street umiarts.com.au

BRISBANE ROAR V WELLINGTON PHOENIX DEC 12 / 7 - 3PM - 7PM / $25 The team will be experiencing all that Cairns has to offer with several community events and promotions planned along the way.

Cazalys Stadium, 45-61 Tills Street brisbaneroar.com.au

SURFERS PARADISE CAROLS ON THE BEACH DEC 20 / 6.30PM / FREE Some of the biggest and best Australian ‘80s stars. We know you weren’t there the first time round, but it’s a lot of fun and we bet you’d love it. Surfers Paradise Beach, Gold Coast surfersparadise.com

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT DEC 13 / 11AM / FREE Carols by Candlelight attracts thousands of residents and visitors for a feast of Christmas cheer. Let’s get ready for Christmas.

Fogarty Park cairns.qld.gov.au

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EAST

NEW ZEALAND

FIRST FRIDAY FOODIE FEAST DEC 4 / FREE An evening pop up food market with great food stalls, lots of fun, live music, entertainment, restaurants, bowling, face painting, laser tag and more; all in Campbelltown’s very own ‘eat street’ Kellicar Lane at Macarthur Square.

CHRISTMAS AT THE ZOO DEC 5 / 5PM - 8PM, $20+ Christmas at the Zoo is always a great way to get together with your loved ones and our wild ones. Celebrate the festive season with roving entertainers, caroling elves, face-painting and the famous singing Santa.

Gilchrist Drive, Campbelltown, Sydney

Auckland Zoo, 99 Motions Rd, Auckland

eastshoplove.com.au

newtownfestival.org.nz

CAROLS BY THE SEA DEC 9 / 6PM / FREE The night kicks off with fantastic entertainment from local musicians followed by a night of Christmas favourites and carol singing.

Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach, Sydney waverley.nsw.gov.au

BANYULE’S CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT DEC 12 / FREE Carols by Candlelight is a friendly event held every year in Banyule. Local singers, bands and choirs take to the stage for a night of song and celebration. Warm up your vocal chords and get into the festive spirit with the ever-popular Carols by Candlelight as it returns.

S Ivanhoe Park, The Boulevard, Ivanhoe East, Melbourne

banyule.vic.gov.au

WATCH THIS

COLOUR DASH DEC 6 / 9AM - 2PM $50 The Colour Dash is a 5km fun run, walk for people of all ages, shapes and sizes with participants being splashed with special colourful dust along the way. Every Colour Dash in 2015 will be raising both awareness and colourful cash for Ronald McDonald House.

Barry Curtis Park, 163 Chapel Road, Auckland

eventfinder.co.nz

AUCKLAND FAIR DEC 6 / 10AM - 4PM / FREE The Auckland Fair is a destination event and is one of New Zealand’s biggest and best design, art and craft markets and a unique shopping experience. Showcasing a curated selection of independent, artisan talent from up and down the country that we have to offer in New Zealand.

Shed 10, Queens Wharf, Auckland

SYDNEY SIXERS T20 BIG BASH LEAGUE AT THE SCG DEC 20 - JAN 16 / 4.20PM / $20 The Sydney Sixers are the Rock Stars of the T20 Big Bash League, playing at the iconic SCG over summer. A night at the Sixers is the ultimate family entertainment experience. Enjoy fireworks, music and the excitement of T20 Cricket in a friendly atmosphere. This afternoon versus Hobart Hurricanes, bound to bring a storm.

Sydney Sixers, Driver Avenue, Moore Park, Sydney

sydneysixers.com.au

AWKWARD CHRISTMAS PORTRAITS AT MELBOURNE CENTRAL UNTIL DEC 20 / ALL DAY / VARIES The traditional Santa photos will be replaced this festive season with the return of Awkward Christmas Portraits. Bring your mates down and strike your best pose with hilarious props and old-fashioned backdrops.

Melbourne Central, Cnr LaTrobe & Swanston Street melbournecentral.com.au

icc-cricket.com

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOD TRUCKS EVERY FRI / 4PM - 9PM / FREE A variety of food trucks will be there each week. Grab some street food, relax in a fair-like atmosphere and make some new friends while you’re at it. Time to practise that festive cheer.

Cathedral Square, Cathedral Square, Christchurch

futurechristchurch.co.nz

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS HOUSE DEC 10 - 24 / FREE Every year the house and front lawn are decorted with Christmas lights, with a live Santa onsite from 10 Dec - 24 Dec (weather permitting). This year they will be raising money by donation to support the Pukekohe Volunteer Fire Brigade. Go along, enjoy the lights display and throw a few dollars into the donation bucket.

Christmas Lights House, 25 Prospect Terrace, Pukekohe, Auckland South

2015 HERO WORLD LEAGUE FINALS Fox Sports will broadcast the men’s matches live on Foxtel, 27 November to 6 December live from Raipur in India. They will also broadcast the women’s matches live on Foxtel, 5 December to 13 December live from Rosario in Argentina.

Nationwide (five cities) fih.ch

eventfinda.co.nz

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SYDNEY CAFÉS The Harbour City’s bad-ass brunch spots

BOURKE STREET BAKERY The stuff of legend. We’ve even got their cookbook to stare at dreamily during low moments. Found on a Surry Hills corner (633 Bourke St), there’s only a handful of tables and always a takeaway queue out the door. We recommend repeated visits, but start with the lamb, almond and harisa sausage roll. bourkestreetbakery.com.au

NELSON RD TUCK SHOP Loitering down a Bondi Junction sidestreet (60 Bronte Road), this skinny but stretched corner shop eatery will leave you stuffed, but healthy, thanks to its ex-personal trainer owner. Squeeze in among the eastern suburbs’ beautiful people for your protein shot – think trendy quinoa and plenty of meat, thanks to some pretty amazing pies. nelsonroad.com.au

ANVIL COFFEE CO Enjoying a spectacular north shore location on the water at Kirribilli (Commuter Wharf), Anvil combines great harbour views (you’ll almost feel like you’re on one of the ferries) with a laidback atmosphere and a short, but delicious, menu. The buttered Arabian eggs will have you coming back for more. Get in before 11am for breakfast. anvilcc.com.au

BONDI RESCUE HQ Eat like a lifeguard, Sydney

If you were to walk into a café created by the lifeguards of global hit TV show Bondi Rescue, what would you expect? If you said protein shakes, kale smoothies and tidal waves of coconut water, you’d be spot on. Throw in some healthy salads, backpacker waitresses and views of Bondi Beach and you have yourself Bondi Rescue HQ – the perfect place to pre-load before a day in the surf.

THE GRUB As head Bondi lifeguard Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins tells us, he’s been rescuing people for more than 23 years, but now he wants to help people with their eating habits. Start the day here with an ‘Acai bowl’ ($11.95) made with frozen blended acai berries, homemade granola, sliced banana, blueberries and strawberries. Couple that with a Hang 10 smoothie ($8) made from mango nectar, pineapple, passionfruit and coconut milk. If you’re serious about your physique then your drink should be green – try the ‘Grassy knoll’ ($8, named after the north Bondi ample perve spot of choice) with kiwi, banana, spinach, avocado and coconut water. If you need your carbs, tackle the pulled pork sandwich ($11.90), which also comes loaded with ham, cheese and slaw.

BEHIND THE BAR There is a license to serve alcohol but it’s not what this café is all about. Indeed, at one point someone came in and asked for cigarettes. The waitress paused, looking bemused, and said,“Absolutely not, mate.”

BILL PLEASE Pretty reasonable as far as healthy-living cafés with oceans views go.

VERDICT See it here first before it goes global, as Hoppo tells us there are plans to send the Bondi healthy way of life around the world. “The Brits will love it,” he predicts... Alex Harmon THE SCENE

128 Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi, Sydney

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THE SMOKING PANDA LA bar meets Chinese restaurant, Sydney

A CBD bar that dazzles with dimly lit oriental decor. You’ll probably look twice before realising you haven’t actually wandered into some seedy opium den hidden above the busy streets by Town Hall station. The bar is where the real action is, and the wall to wall bottles of spirits will likely draw your eyes.

BEHIND THE BAR A little cocktail theatrics never went amiss, and the Panda has just the show. Care for a whiff of some delicious burning wood chips? Not usually I imagine, but the smoked whiskey sour ($18) is an outstanding variant on the classic cocktail that will have noses all around the joint lifting in the air, in a good way of course. If you like your drinks in unusual containers then you’ll do well to order the ‘Smokin’ shake’ ($17), served in a classic stainless steel milkshake cup, or the ‘Dragon lime colada’ ($17) – all yours and in a Chinese takeaway box too.

THE GRUB Reminiscent of Asian street food, these are delightful bites for when you’re otherwise filling up on fruity, hard liquor mixes. Prawn toast ($12 for three) dipped in The Smoking Panda’s special sauce is a perfect warm-up; followed by a couple of BBQ pork pancakes ($11) dripping down your chin, you might just be full enough to grab another cocktail or two.

BILL PLEASE Unlikely to cause you to choke on your spring roll, as the venue is pleasantly well priced. Cocktails don’t hit the $20 mark and the food is nice and cheap, as street food should be.

VERDICT Just the right level of Chinese memorabilia to not be obnoxious, but just enough to make you wish your local takeaway could be this stylish. The cocktails are some of Sydney’s best while the bartenders are knowledgeable and chatty.

Rory Platt 5-7 Park Street, Sydney thesmokingpanda.com.au THE SCENE

3 OF THE BEST SYDNEY ROOFTOP BARS

GLENMORE HOTEL

IVY POOL CLUB

ROYAL HOTEL

A double winner thanks to having arguably better views than any other drinking establishment in Sydney, combined with being an old-fashioned unpretentious boozer. Ideal for post sightseeing beer with one last Opera House view. 96 Cumberland St, The Rocks.

Some will hate it, no doubt.

Full of pretentious posers?

Often. But there’s something irresistible about this Floridastyle rooftop pool bar bang in the middle of the city. If dancing in shallow water with half-naked strangers is you’re thing, welcome to heaven. 330 George St.

A long-time Paddington Fiveways institution. Upstairs lies the deck of the Elephant Bar, complete with great views of the city skyline and reasonable prices, even for their good range of cocktails. Join the after-work crowd to get into happy hour. 237 Glenmore Road.

theglenmore.com.au

merivale.com.au/poolclub

royalhotel.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 Pavilion 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

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In Situ 1/18 Sydney Rd, Manly insitumanly.com.au Kinselas Hotel 383 Bourke St, Darlinghurst kinselas.com.au Marlborough Hotel 145 King St, Newtown marlboroughhotel.com.au 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

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

blackpearlbar.com.au Cherry Bar 103 Flinders Lane, CBD cherrybar.com.au Corner Hotel 57 Swan Street, Richmond cornerhotel.com Eden Bar and Nightclub 1/163 Russell Street, CBD edenbar.com.au Esplanade Hotel 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda espy.com.au Northcote Social Club 301 High Street, Northcote northcotesocialclub.com Palace Theatre 20-30 Bourke St, CBD palace.com.au

MELBOURNE

Shamiana 420 Lonsdale St, CBD shamiana.com.au

Scary Canary 469 Kent St, CBD scarycanarybar.com

Asian Beer Cafe Level 3 Melbourne Central, CBD asianbeercafe.com.au

Star Bar 160 Clarendon Street starbarhotel.com.au

Scubar 4 Rawson Place, CBD scubar.com.au

Bar Humbug 586 Little Bourke St, CBD barhumbug.com.au

The Gin Mill 173 High St, Prahran theginmillprahran.com

Side Bar 509 Pitt St, CBD wakeup.com.au/sidebar

Brutale 18 Corrs Lane, CBD brutale.com.au

The Hi-Fi 125 Swanston Street, CBD thehifi.com.au

The Beresford 354 Bourke St, Surry Hills

Black Pearl 304 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

Ryan’s Paragon Hotel Loftus St, CBD hotelparagon.com.au

The Night Owl 35 Elizabeth Street, CBD facebook.com

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The Night Cat 137-141 Johnston St, Fitzroy thenightcat.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 The Apple Bar 5-9 Synagogue Pl, CBD theapplebar.com.au Earl of Leicester Hotel 85 Leicester Street, Parkside earl.com.au Electric Circus 17 Crippen Place, CBD crippenplace.com Grace Emily Hotel 232 Waymouth St, CBD yourbars.com.au The Promethean 116 Grote St, CBD theprom.com.au

PERTH The Clink 14-16 South Terrace, Fremantle

J&M J&M WHISKY BAR OPENS INSIDE SYDNEY’S HISTORY-LADEN ANGEL HOTEL House of Merivale was a swinging, multi-level retail and dining hub when it occupied The Angel Hotel in the ‘70s. This a chance to sip a whisky and soak up Sydney history in this brand new glamourous Sydney watering hole. J&M, Level 3, Angel Hotel, 125 Pitt Street, Sydney merivale.com.au

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follow us on 14 Railway St, Wickham lassogowriehotel.com.au

COOL AS ICE

Mary Ellen Hotel 57 Railway St, Mereweather maryellenhotel.com.au Oriental Hotel 53 Bull St, Cooks Hill facebook.com/theorihotel

Castros 5 Victoria Street facebook.com/castros

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

Glasshouse Nightclub 90 Crown Street facebook.com/ sucasawollongong

Silo Restaurant and Lounge 18/1 Honeysuckle Dr, CBD silolounge.com.au Sunnyside Tavern 20 Broadmeadow Rd, Broadmeadow sunnysidetavern.com.au

Street art and red Chinese lanterns in this tiny shipping container of a bar hidden away in Chinatown make Section 8 one of the classic go-to laneway drinking spots, popular with music industry types.

Tattersalls Lane, Chinatown, Melbourne theclink.com.au Subiaco Hotel 465 Hay Street, Subiaco subiacohotel.com.au The Shed 69-71 Aberdeen St, Northbr. the-shed.com.au The Windsor 112 Mill Point Rd, thewindsorsouthperth.com.au Voodoo Lounge 174 James St, Northbridge thevoodoolounge.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

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facebook.com/section8containerbar

facebook.com Super Whatnot 48 Burnett Lane superwhatnot.com

GOLD COAST Benowa Tavern 117 Ashmore Rd, Benowa benowatavern.com.au

Republic Bar & Cafe 299 Elizabeth St, North Hobart republicbar.com

HOBART Bar Celona 23 Salamanca Sq, CBD barcelonahobart.com

Toro Bar 416 Milton Rd, Auchenflower

Raincheck Lounge 392 Elizabeth St, North Hobart rainchecklounge.com.au

DARWIN

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

NEWCASTLE

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

The Met Nightclub 56a/256 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley themet.com.au

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

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

Shooters Superclub Shop 46 The Mark, Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise shooterssuperclub.com

The Woolshed 24 Shields Street, CBD thewoolshed.com.au

OneFiveOne 150 Keira Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

The Duke 192 Macquarie Street CBD theduke.com.au

Bar Petite 5 King St, CBD barpetite.com.au

Salt House 6/2 Pier Point Rd, CBD salthouse.com.au

BYRON BAY

Ivory Nightclub 77 Crown Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

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

Coolangatta Sands Hotel Griffith St, Coolangatta coolangattasandshotel.com.au

Dunwoody’s Tavern 317 Sheridan St, North Cairns dunwoodys.com.au

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

Harp Hotel 124 Corrimal Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

Beach Hotel Bay St beachhotel.com.au

Albion Hotel 72 Hannell St, Wickham thealbion.com.au

CAIRNS

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

Grand Hotel 234 Keira Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

Shipwrights Arms 29 Trumpeter St, Battery Point shipwrightarms.com.au

Blush Nightclub 21 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise blushnightclub.com.au

Ba8 Lounge Bar Shangri-La Hotel, The Pier at the Marina, Pier Point shangri-la.com

WOLLONGONG Alibi 76 Crown Street wollongongnightlife.com.au

Royal Inn Hotel Waratah 61/69 Station St, Waratah truelocal.com.au

SECTION 8

@tnt_downunder

Cambridge Hotel 789 Hunter St, CBD yourcambridge.com Cricketers Arms 61 Bruce St, Cooks Hill cricketersarmshotel.com.au

Cheeky Monkey’s 115 Jonson St cheekymonkeys.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

Hamilton Hotel 442 Kingsford Smith Dve, Ham hamiltonhotel.com.au

Academy Club 15 Bunda St academyclub.com.au

Hamilton Station Hotel 2-6 Beaumont St, Islington hamiltonstation.com.au

Cube Nightclub 33 Petrie Plaza cubenightclub.com.au

Hotel Delany 134 Darby St, CBD hoteldelany.com

ICBM Bar 50 Northbourne Ave icbmbar.com

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

Mooseheads 105 London Circuit mooseheads.com.au

King Street Hotel 15 Steel St, Newcastle West kingstreethotel.com.au Lass O’Gowrie

Shenannigans 69 Mitchell St, CBD shenannigans.com.au 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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GIGLISTINGS

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SUN NOV 29

MUST SEE!

Picnic Music #2 $25 Glebe Justice Centre, Sydney artsestate.com.au Lagwagon $47.45 The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay bluemurder.oztix.com.au

Frenzal Rhomb $124.90 The Domain, Sydney factorytheatre.com.au

Vanfest $92 Forbes Showground, Forbes vanfest.com.au

SAT DEC 5 The Plot - It’s Time To Get #THEPLOT2015 $74 Old Government House, Sydney theplot.co Elton John - All The Hits Tour $129+ Hope Estate Winery, Hunter Valley hopeestate.com.au Rise Against $82.38 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney playbillvenues.com.au Slum Sociable $18 Newtown Social Club, Sydney slum-sociable.com

SUN DEC 6 The California Honeydrops $44.92 Newtown Social Club, Sydney tombowler.com.au

WED NOV 25 Conrad Sewell - All I Know Tour $27.75 Metro Theatre, Sydney frontiertouring.com

THU NOV 26 Citizen Kay - With The People Tour $17

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Goodgod Small Club, Sydney moshtix.com.au

FRI NOV 27 The Coronas $45 The Factory Theatre, Sydney troubadour-music.com 5 Way Addiction - Play Loud Album Launch $15 St Marys RSL Club, Sydney 5wayaddiction.com.au The Bennies $18 The Factory Theatre, Sydney kingdomsounds.oztix.com.au

Gypsies & Gentlemen $16.80 The Vanguard, Sydney thevanguard.com.au

SAT NOV 28 Taylor Swift - The 1989 World Tour with Vance Joy $168.50 ANZ Stadium, Sydney anzstadium.com.au Riverfest Independent Music Festival 2015 $45 The Waterfront Hotel, Moruya oztix.com.au

FRI DEC 18

El Espiritu Del Flamenco $45 Camelot Lounge, Sydney stickytickets.com.au/15389

Sam Smith: SOLD OUT $76.46+ Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney premier.ticketek.com.au

TUE NOV 24

Richard In Your Mind $12.70 Rad Bar, Wollongong riceisnice.net

Models $47.80 Marlin Hotel, Ulladulla factorytheatre.com.au

Elton John - All The Hits Tour $129+ Hope Estate Winery, Hunter Valley hopeestate.com.au

November 28 at the Domain in Sydney.

We are pleased to announce that Taylor Swift will be appearing in Sydney with the 1989 World Tour with Vance Joy. anzstadium.com.au

Fraser A. Gorman $18 Goodgod Small Club, Sydney frasergor.mn

Andrew Russell & Simone Sontag: The Sunday Session Free Hotel Blue, Katoomba hotelblue.com.au

FRI DEC 4

TAYLOR SWIFT

@tnt_downunder

Aliyah Marie Free The Stoned Crow, Sydney stonedcrow.com.au Breakfast With Cletis Carr $20 Hotel Blue, Katoomba hotelblue.com.au

FRI DEC 11 Festival Of The Sun 2015 $20.50 Sundowner Breakwall Tourist Park, Port Macquarie tickets.fotsun.com

THU DEC 17

Smoke And Doom 2015 $15-20 Lewisham Hotel, Sydney lewishamhotel.com.au Jesse Davidson EP Launch $12 - $15 The World Bar , Sydney theworldbar.com Nicky Night Time $11.90 The Beery, Terrigal

SAT DEC 19 The Screaming Jets Rock n Roll Rampage Tour $34.50 DMetro Theatre, Sydney eventfinda.com.au Lime Cordiale - Road To Paradise EP Tour $12 Metro Theatre, Sydney ilimecordiale.com

SAT DEC 26 Doorly $28.50 Chinese Laundry, Sydney merivale.com.au Mental As Anything $25 Laurieton United Services Club, Laurieton laurietonclub.com.au El Vez Free 387 King Street, Newtown newtownsocialclub.com DJ T. $25 Return to Rio, Sydney gigs.gigatools.com

SUN DEC 27 From Street To Stage Free, but take money for $5 food and beers The Soda Factory, Sydney odafactory.com.au Reign Sydney $45 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont, Sydney moshtix.com.au

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TNTINTERVIEW

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Road after retirement After a stellar 17 year AFL career Spida Everitt and Kiwi wife Sheree decided to pack up their home to travel around Australia & New Zealand – by campervan and 4wd!

INTERVIEW JAMES CLARK

Since his retirement in 2008 Spida has made an outstanding Media Career with Southern Cross Austereo on the Gold Coast’s morning breakfast radio show “Richard, Bridge & Spida” which is the reigning #1 show in Queensland.

But his most prized assets are his Travel Television & Radio Shows, The Great Australian Doorstep. A travel show which has filmed extensively right around Australia and also internationally in New Zealand, USA, Canada, Alaska and China and soon to be in Europe. He travels the globe by 4wd, caravan, tent or motorhome showcasing some of the worlds most amazing destinations – all on a shoestring budget.

During his football career he spent every chance he could travelling through USA and Europe and from there the idea of having his own travel TV & Radio Shows was born.

Spida & kiwi wife Sheree also own a travel Radio Show by the same name, which is hugely successful and is the only Travel Radio Show in Australia. It airs every Sunday morning 7-8am on 38 stations Australia wide on the Southern Cross Austereo network or you can listen live via their website greataustraliandoorstep.com

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So Spida, tell us what gave you the Travel Bug? Well my wife Sheree was a travel agent when I met her, and I would see and hear all about her amazing travels all over the world, and being a professional football player I was limited to just 6 weeks a year that I could join her. So after 7 long years of her teasing me about her travels I was more than ready to hit the ground running and that has born a love and passion to travel to every inch of the globe.

Everyone is always on the look out for a travel bargain, how do you guys do it?

We spend hours and days researching every destination, we never film anything expensive, we always find the best attractions, accommodation and travel options that are the cheapest or in some cases free! We travel sometimes by campervan, sometimes with just the 4wd and tent. We want to show everyone that it is possible to travel Australia extremely cost effectively, you just have to know the secrets.

And hopefully our TV & Radio Shows will help lots of travellers enjoy this amazing country on a tight budget.

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What are some of the things that your shows touch on?

We showcase the cheapest accommodation options, freestays where possible, how to live and work on the road, the best companies to register with to be able to work your way around Australia and Sheree loves nothing better than finding all the free attractions!

TNTINTERVIEW

The Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef and the Adelaide Hills wine region.

Lowlights, are normally saved for break downs. Nothing

You have been filming your TV Show for 8 years now, where have you been to?

It is probably better to ask where haven’t we been! We film all over the world now but Australia is our mainstay. We have been around Australia 4 times, through the middle 3 times and zigzagged our way from bottom to top 5 times. But Australia is so big that I honestly think we could travel for the rest of our lives and never go to the same place twice! We also film in New Zealand, Alaska, Canada, USA and China.

If you could chose one destination in Australia, as your favourite, where would it be?

It would have to Cape York, the very tip of Australia. It’s a huge adventure just getting there as the roads are all unsealed and it’s a lot of fun each and every hour. And when you do finally arrive its so remote and so isolated that you feel like you are on top of the world. It’s a remarkable part of Australia.

As we all experience from time to time when travelling, there are lots of highlights, but then there are also low lights too. Do any stand out for you?

The highlights on any trip for me, are meeting new people.

Nothing beats meeting the locals who are born and bred in some of Australia’s most stunning places. The stories they tell, the lives they have lived. I love nothing more than sitting around the campfire having a few drinks and sharing stories.

Destination wise, Cape York, Uluru, Kakadu, Flinders Ranges, TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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Winners VISITOZ

SURF CAMP AUSTRALIA

MEET THE

From hostels to tour operators to campervan rentals, TNT Magazine brings you the top travel companies, as voted for by the backpackers themselves...

They attract well north of 300 nominations across more than 30 adventure travel categories – and that adds up to a whole lot of travel operators that you, our loyal TNT readers, can trust to deliver your dreams.

We’re not satisfied with cast-iron guarantees of a good time. Ours have to be golden.

The nominees and the winners of each year’s Golden Backpacks – the original and most established awards dedicated to the independent travel sector – are your kind of travel partner because it was you and your mates who put them on the rostrum.

After entering the awards through a simple nominating process, the awards are voted for by you during a national campaign in TNT Magazine, on www.tntdownunder.com and www.tntmagazine.com and our social media channels.

The voting process is closely monitored (we’re always on the lookout for cheats) and supplemented by secret shopper assessments.

Ultimately they justly reward those companies who work hardest to make backpacking around Australia and New Zealand that extra bit special.

And here they are; the 2015 Golden Backpack Award winners.

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AUSTRALIA Best Tour/Activity NEW SOUTH WALES SURF CAMP AUSTRALIA Surf lessons at surf camp that will get beginners ready for a surfing future. They offer surfing lessons every day that are designed for absolute beginners and classes available for the more experienced. surfcamp.com.au NORTHERN TERRITORY THE ROCK TOUR The Rock Tour refer to themselves as the first choice for budget conscious travellers and International backpackers, looking for a high quality tour and cultural experience, at an affordable price. therocktour.com.au QUEENSLAND RAGING THUNDER The Great Barrier Reef is a must visit vacation destination.

It’s also home to Raging Thunder Adventures who have been offering holidays since 1984. ragingthunder.com.au

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THE ROCK TOUR

UNDER DOWN UNDER TOURS

RAGING THUNDER

WILDLIFE TOURS AUSTRALIA

KANGAROO ISLAND ADVENTURE TOURS

ADVENTURE TOURS AUSTRALIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIA KANGAROO ISLAND ADVENTURE TOURS The two day all-inclusive Kangaroo Island Wilderness Explorer Tour covers what is considered to be all the essential experiences on Kangaroo Island. kiadventuretours.com.au TASMANIA UNDER DOWN UNDER TOURS Under Down Under specialises in small group tours throughout Tasmania. With the largest range of tours; we provide visitors with an eco-friendly way to experience the state on a budget. underdownunder.com.au VICTORIA WILDLIFE TOURS AUSTRALIA Wildlife Tours Australia offer an exciting range of Great

Ocean Road Tours, Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tours, Grampians Tours, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne to Adelaide tours. wildlifetours.com.au WESTERN AUSTRALIA ADVENTURE TOURS AUSTRALIA This award winning travel company specialises in small group Tours. The Company has been bringing adventure seekers together for over 20 years. They know Australia and New Zealand like the back of their hands and recruit the best guides, considered the best in the business. adventuretours.com.au OVERALL ADVENTURE TOURS AUSTRALIA We are pleased to announce the award winning Travel Company (more information above) as overall winner. venturetours.com.au TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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BASE

ALICE BASE LODGE BACKPACKERS

BRISBANE BACKPACKERS RESORT

Best Accommodation

NEW SOUTH WALES BASE Is where all the big down under fun begins and is the perfect Sydney hostel to work, travel and play. stayatbase.com.au

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PORT LINCOLN YHA

MONTACUTE BOUTIQUE BUNKHOUSE

UNITED BACKPACKERS MELBOURNE

SOUTH AUSTRALIA PORT LINCOLN YHA Multi-award-winning accommodation with a vibrant atmosphere. yha.com.au

NORTHERN TERRITORY ALICE LODGE BACKPACKERS Housed in an historic movie theatre in the centre of town. alicelodge.com.au

TASMANIA MONTACUTE BOUTIQUE BUNKHOUSE Set in an elegant residential area, this trendy hostel is an 8-minute walk from Salamanca Market. montacute.com.au

QUEENSLAND BRISBANE BACKPACKERS RESORT Offering cheap, high-quality backpacker and hostel accommodation. brisbanebackpackers.com.au

VICTORIA UNITED BACKPACKERS MELBOURNE Travellers voted United Backpackers Australia’s best hostel at the Australian Travel Awards in 2014. unitedbackpackers.com.au

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BILLABONG BACKPACKERS RESORT

THE WHITSUNDAYS

ADVENTURE CAIRNS CAIRNS & & BEYOND BEYOND ADVENTURE

UNITED BACKPACKERS MELBOURNE PETERPANS GREYHOUND PASSES

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF WESTERN AUSTRALIA BILLABONG BACKPACKERS RESORT Popular home away from home for backpackers since its 2001 opening. billabongresort.com.au OVERALL UNITED BACKPACKERS MELBOURNE Travellers voted United Backpackers Australia’s best hostel at the Australian Travel Awards in 2014. unitedbackpackers.com.au

AUSTRALIA Best Visitor Attraction THE GREAT BARRIER REEF Known worldwide for its abundance of marine life and tropical islands, travellers descend in their droves for a chance to snorkel, scuba dive or sail. greatbarrierreef.org

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Best Destination

THE WHITSUNDAYS Made up of 74 individual Islands scattered along the tropical coast of Queensland. tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Best Small/Independent Travel Agent

ADVENTURE CAIRNS & BEYOND There’s not much that these guys don’t know about Queensland, so if you’re in Cairns ACB should be your port of call. adventurecairnsandbeyond.com

Best large Travel Agent

PETERPANS Packages for Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia from Australia’s most trusted discount tour. peterpans.com.au

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Voted the best backpackers in NZ 2014 We find work for you, come live the dream at the Mount!

www.pacificcoastlodge.co.nz

z n . o c . e n i skyl et, Queenstown, NZ SKQ15842

Brecon Stre

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VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

STA TRAVEL

ADVENTURE CAIRNS & BEYOND BIRDEES

GREYHOUND CAIRNS HOLIDAY PARK

SPACESHIPS

Best online Travel Agent

STA TRAVEL More than 60 of the company’s 450 worldwide stores are dotted around Australia and New Zealand, offering a familiar port-of-call for people to pop into.

Believing that travel is the best education and a powerful agent of social change, STA Travel’s core purpose is to make travel both affordable and attainable. statravel.com

Best Transport provider GREYHOUND Greyhound Australia puts its 100 years of experience to good use, providing 26

comfortable, hassle-free and affordable coach services to people all over the country. greyhound.com.au

as well as the largest by fleet size to use the Virgin brand. virginaustralia.com

Best Campervan

BIRDEES Named after a scene from the movie “The Party”, Birdees has been a home away from home for backpackers and students alike since 2003. katarzyna.com.au

SPACESHIPS Campervans are available for hire from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns, Auckland and Christchurch. spaceshipsrentals.com.au

Best Airline

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA Virgin Australia Airlines, formerly Virgin Blue Airlines, is Australia’s second-largest airline

Best Backpacker Night

Best Holiday Park

CAIRNS HOLIDAY PARK Cheap holiday accommodation in Cairns that offers a fantastic range of great-value accommodation options. cairnsholidaypark.com.au

TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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VISITOZ

FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER GUIDES ADVENTURE CAIRNS & BEYOND

HAKA LODGE

GREAT LAKE TAUPO

LEGENDARY BLACK WATER RAFTING COMPANY

GREAT LAKE TAUPO

Best General-Training, Recruitment And Services

VISITOZ Visitoz has been training and preparing young workers for the adventure and challenges of working in rural Australia since 1991. Jobs are paid, and work is guaranteed for all who complete their 5 day training course successfully. This is a programme that guarantees access to a range of extraordinary working experiences, an Australian Working Adventure.

Discover how Australia can be the working experience of a lifetime. visitoz.org

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NEW ZEALAND Best Accommodation

Best Visitor Attraction NZ

HAKA LODGE Haka Lodge specialises in providing upmarket New Zealand hostels at affordable rates. hakalodge.com

FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER GUIDES A 12km-long glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on New Zealand’s South Island, Franz Josef allows travellers to experience a dynamic glacial environment, all within walking distance from the main highway. franzjosefglacier.com

Best Tour/Activity NZ

Best Destination NZ

LEGENDARY BLACK WATER RAFTING CO New Zealand’s first black water rafting adventure operator. They’ve been sharing thrills and excitement since 1987. waitomo.com

GREAT LAKE TAUPO Snow-capped mountains, crystal clear waters, raging rapids, thermal hot springs and lush greenery are just some of the incredible natural attributes on offer. greatlaketaupo.com

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JUCY

PIPPI PATCH ADVENTURE CAIRNS & BEYOND TAMAKI MAORI VILLAGE

CAIRNS HOLIDAY PARK

KIWI EXPERIENCE

Best Campervan NZ

JUCY Jucy provides car, campervan and motorhome rentals in most major New Zealand cities. jucy.co.nz

Best Transport Provider NZ

KIWI EXPERIENCE Kiwi Experience is the leading hop-on, hop-off backpacker bus New Zealand experience; designed by travellers for travellers. kiwiexperience.com

Best Travel Agent NZ

PETERPANS NZ peterpanstravel/new-zealand Has a huge range of fun and flexible package deals.

Backpacker Night NZ

PIPPI PATCH Known as Paihia’s party hostel, is a stone’s throw to the beach, shops, cafés and bars.

Best Cultural Experience NZ & AUS

TAMAKI MAORI VILLAGE The most award winning and mesmerizing Maori Culture attraction in New Zealand. tamakimaorivillage.co.nz

Lifetime Achievement Award

THE WOODWARD FAMILY (CAPTA GROUP) The Woodward family have been creating Cairns tour packages for 40 years.

Golden Achievement

NEIL GEDDES For over 25 years Neil Geddes has been actively involved in the establishment, development and operation of some of Australasia’s and the Adventure Tourism markets most innovative, awarded and well known tourism businesses.

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ADVERTORIAL

Tasmania’s UNDER DOWN UNDER TOURS

ADVENTURE CAIRNS & BEYOND

WINNER Best Tour/Activity - Tasmania UNDER DOWN UNDER TOURS Under Down Under Tours specialises in small group adventures throughout Tasmania. With the largest range of budget friendly tours on offer; we provide visitors with a hassle free, and eco friendly way to experience the magnificent island of Tasmania. Our tours range from 2 ½ hours through to 9 days; and have a focus on experiencing the very best of Tasmania’s inland and coastal Wilderness.

Under Down Under’s Guides are

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some of the best in the world. They are passionate about their island home and will enhance your trip with their knowledge and understanding of Tasmania. They all have their own personalities and stories to tell and will deliver a great experience for every guest. You can enjoy the wilderness, the wildlife, the history, the culture and the colourful people of Tasmania knowing you’re in safe hands.

At Under Down Under, we care about what matters most – YOU and Tasmania.

underdownunder.com.au

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2 Day Wilderness Explorer

Enjoy 2 days of fun and adventure!

• Departing Adelaide with pic set-down from selected hosk-up & • Return coach & ferry transf tels • Visit Rob’s Shearing & She ers ep Emu Ridge Eucalyptus DistilleDogs, Seal Bay, sandboarding at Litt ry, Sahara, Vivonne Bay, Hanso le Koala Sanctuary, Flinders Chn Bay ase National Park, Remarkable Roc ks & Admirals Arch • Accommodation at Vivonn e Bay Lodge with FREE use of kayaks , bikes & WiFi • Meals include 1 breakfast, 2 lunches & a BBQ dinner

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The Coast with the most

Photos: VisitGoldCoast.com, Tourism and Events Queensland, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and iStock

The Gold Coast best known for sun, surf and shots, but scratch the surface and you can find a different kind of paradise

When most people think of the Gold Coast, chances are the only thing they can think of is Surfers Paradise. Scalding sun, mile upon mile of golden sand and huge skyscrapers but you’d be missing a trick if that’s all you think there is.

For those fun seekers wanting to test their mettle and get the blood pumping, there are opportunities available right across the Gold Coast to put you squarely in the driver’s seat.

The many adrenalin charged activity options are only enhanced by making use of the amazing hinterland and beach landscapes plus spectacular man-made attractions of the region.

Or if you are looking for a quieter adventure, travelling south, near (sometimes even straddling) the border between Queensland and New South Wales, a number of once sleepy surfing towns have come into their own as outstanding holiday destinations in their own right and nowhere is that more the case than Coolangatta.

Only half an hour from Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta and its twin-town across the border, Tweed Heads, have emerged from out of the shadows and established themselves as a unique destination, with its own highlights and culture.

If nothing else, Coolangatta is a regional surfing powerhouse, with some of Australia’s best and most iconic breaks like Snapper Rocks, Kirra and Greenmount, to name just a few, right on the resident’s door step. People live, breathe and eat surfing in this part of the world.

Coolangatta and its near surrounds are a world away from bright ligts of Surfers Paradise. If you want all of the beautiful beaches and the weather without the crowds then Coolangatta is definitely the place for you.

Into the wild My adventure on the Gold Coast starts on the early morning Virgin to Coolangatta which is booked solid and due to an unforeseen drinking session the night before I am running a tiny bit late.

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roaming their enormous enclosure and even herd an errant emu out of a part of the park where he shouldn’t have been in the first place.

The final part of our Sanctuary experience takes us to the most important part of the whole organisation, Currumbin’s state of the art wildlife hospital.

While not only looking after the health and happiness of the animals on site, the hospital also takes in hundreds of different animals ranging from wombats, kangaroos and koalas to native birdlife and even the odd crocodile who get brought in by the locals with various injuries and maladies.

The behind the scenes look at the hospital is amazing, the way the veterinarians and staff on site care for their animal charges so deeply and with such skill. The fact that none of it is backed in any way financially by the state government boggles the mind, considering the great work they do for the wellbeing of so many of the regions native wildlife, in many cases keeping them from near extinction.

Life’s a beach Now, I like to think that I know a thing or two about surfing.

I grew up on the pristine, if somewhat swell shy, beaches of Sydney’s eastern suburbs and currently call North Bondi home. I own a board or two and have always thought that salt water ran in my blood as much as corpuscles.

That was until I chat with a few of the locals on the Coolangatta beachfront.

As a result I had been forced to muscle my unnecessarily large bag through security and on to the plane, where it took up a whole overhead locker and upset everybody around me, including a flight attendant.

In other words, when I landed at Coolangatta and met my guide, I was feeling a little sore and sorry for myself.

No time for wallowing though as we headed for Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, to undertake the Green Challenge, a brand new ropes course set high in the beautiful foliage around the Sanctuary’s grounds.

Between you and me, I absolutely loathe heights, and in truth even after a bracing cup of coffee and a sandwich I don’t complete a huge amount of the course (if any), but I do get the feel of it.

With 65 challenges, across four different courses graded on difficulty the Green Challenge is a nature-based adventure experience like no other. Being suspended amongst the colossal tree canopy with the call of birds in your ears is as beautiful as it is unique.

Back on to terra firma, I am introduced to John, one of the Sanctuary’s Managing Directors, who, along with one of the staff members, takes us on a guided safari of the whole site… On a Segway!

Let me just start by saying, that I love the fact that a Segway Safari even exists. Segways are, quite probably, one of the greatest inventions of all time! I’m not sure how they work (some kind of gyroscope thing) but they are huge amounts of fun, and they beat the hell out of walking.

We whiz around the Sanctuary, stopping off to cuddle a koala, hold a snake, feed some grey kangaroos and joeys 34

Good for the soul: Standup paddle boarding

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Segways: better than walking Surfing isn’t so much a pastime in these parts as it is a religion and it has produced some of Australia’s (and the world’s) best professional surfers including Joel Parkinson, Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore.

Heightening the surfing obsession to almost fever pitch is the fact that the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro are both being held over the weekend, the first events on the ASP world tour.

Before I get down to the Quiky though, I have a surf lesson of my very own lined up, with one of the Gold Coast’s most enigmatic of characters and one of his stand up paddle boards.

I have been lead to believe by my hosts that I would find Brad Holmes to be quite a character, and they weren’t wrong.

Linguist, artist, cartoonist, raconteur and Tai Chi guru, Brad Holmes is also a fully licensed surf instructor with over 50 years worth of experience. My first SUP lesson with Brad is one that I will certainly never forget.

By the scenic banks of Tallebudgerra Creek, we meet Brad, who takes us through a few Tai Chi warm up exercises, designed to loosen the muscles and focus the mind.

Then after a short introduction to the board itself, the correct way of holding the paddle and the best way to stand (start on your knees, build up a head of steam before going for it) Brad has us out on the water.

While SUP on flat water perhaps doesn’t quite bring the exhilarating rush of catching a wave on a short board, it’s certainly an interesting sensation.

Brad tells me that once you’ve mastered the flat water on a paddleboard you can take it to the surf and get the best of both worlds, something I am keen to do but unfortunately TNTDOWNUNDER.COM

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don’t have the time for.

Brad is also at the forefront of Tai Chi SUP, a blend of the ancient martial art and the discipline of balancing on a SUP, much more challenging than it sounds, believe me.

I bid Brad farewell with something of a heavy heart, and managed to scoot back to Snapper Rocks in time to catch some of the professionals at work.

One of the highlights of the day is seeing perennial men’s champion Kelly Slater catch a long right-hander from the point at Snapper Rocks across the beach to the other point at Greenmount during an expression session.

The 11-time world champion is something of a crowd favourite, and those along the beach and the Greenmount walkway go nuts when he finally bails out. The announcer gives him a perfect score and awards him the wave of the day.

In celebration of all things surfing the Gold Coast is holding its second annual Bleach Festival concurrently with the Pro events, showing off not just the competition but also the art and music that have gone hand-in-hand with surf culture over the years.

Where to surf If you are looking for a surf, the Gold Coast is home to some of the most consistent waves in the country, with more than 70km of coastline. While the true surfers won’t get an epic ride at Surfers Paradise beach, it is great for learning. Start off with a two-hour lesson and see if you catch the surfing bug.

For the more advanced wave rider, launch yourself into the ocean at Burleigh Heads, a classic right-hander and the home to many a surfing competition. Likewise with Kirra, you can be sharing the waves with some of the world’s best surfers, many who got their start in these very waters. The legendary ‘Superbank’ breaks here at Snapper Rocks and is one of the longest rideable waves in the world. Possibly one of the most crowded too. For a more peaceful surf, go south to Coolangatta, a small, relaxed surf town where you can also go diving (Kirra and Cook Island) or watch humpback whales along the jagged coastline.

The night is ours Part of the Bleach Festival is the Sway on Sunset night, a party held at the excellent Komune club.

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Komune is probably the closest thing you’ll find on the whole Gold Coast to a small, inner-city sort of bar. It also doubles as a trendy nightclub full of beautiful women and ultra-hip surf dudes and has a pretty solid pop-up Mexican eatery. There’s even a hostel on the floors above.

The place is heaving by the time I’ve showered some of the salt water off, and squeezed into my tightest pair of jeans. Canapés are being passed around, along with glasses of free bubbly, whilst photographers go from group to group, taking photos of all the tall, handsome guys and their statuesque girlfriends… Needless to say I wasn’t approached.

I grab a burrito at the Mexican place and make a valiant, if somewhat doomed attempt to eat it while still looking cool.

A DJ is spinning some chilled deep house in the corner and one of the guys behind the bar is wearing a Slayer singlet and an eye patch – very punk.

Outside, there’s a pool, which has been given over to a runway, which stretches out languidly into the water, around which everybody seems to be congregating, so I elbow my way in and take up a good vantage point.

I don’t really get fashion shows, but I clap along with everyone, guzzle champagne and chat. It’s all very pleasant.

All of a sudden it’s time to move on and I’m whisked down the road, back into Coolangatta proper.

Ah, the Coolangatta Hotel. A veritable one-stop shop for all things when the sun goes down.

Right across the road from main beach, the Cooly is big, much bigger than I had expected. Downstairs has two bars, a front bar with a stage that has a classic rock covers band playing when I walk in, a couple of pool tables and a hip-hop themed back bar, where the lights are dark and the beats are out of control.

The actual Bleach Festival gig is on upstairs though, so we climb the steps two at a time, as the sound of live rock’n’roll and milling people gets louder and louder.

Emerging in the upstairs room I’m shocked by its size.

The stage is big, the noise is even bigger, ripping guitars and the shouts of a few hundred people drown out any chance of conversation, so we make for the bar.

A couple of dark and stormys later and I’m on the dance floor, enjoying the music and (oddly enough) the crush of

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the people around me. I could quite happily have stayed all night, but there were other things to do, other places to be.

Besides, I was in the mood for dancing.

Never Land is the closest thing in Coolangatta to the sort of places you’ll find in Surfers Paradise. I don’t remember a huge amount about it, but they have a rainbow lit dance floor, à la Saturday Night Fever, and carpets sticky enough to bog down a charging rhino.

Steps were danced, drinks drunk and dreams dreamt. All in a good night’s work really.

Skypoint Climb on the Q1

All that glitters is Gold Coast Wondering what else to do? well the Goldie, as it’s affectionately known, is kind of like an adult’s Disneyland, where you’ll find thrills on every corner, colourful characters and a hedonistic atmosphere from dusk to dawn. Whether it’s theme parks or nightclubs, there’s action to suit all needs.

Some people like to refer to it as the Miami of Australia, because the city, just north of the New South Wales border, enjoys a subtropical climate all year round, perfect for getting that beach body out. You’ll see plenty of flesh on display in Surfers Paradise, which is the heart of the Goldie (but rather misleadingly, not the greatest spot in the area for surfing). You’ll also find shopping, nightclubs and dining on the Esplanade by the beach. If rollerblading was still cool, you’d see that here too. You get the picture.

To keep the adrenalin going…

Keep the momentum going at the theme parks. You have several to choose from including the quintessential theme park, Dreamworld (dreamworld.com.au), where you can test your nerve on the country’s most hair-raising rides, or Wet ‘n’ Wild (wetnwild.com.au) where you are in for some thrilling water slides, wave pools and dive-in movie nights.

Prefer DIY thrills? Why not strap yourself inside a big bouncy ball and roll down a hill in the phenomena known as zorbing?

Invented by the slightly unhinged Kiwis, it’s a must-do on your Gold Coast thrill-seeking itinerary (you can do it in Pimpana).

The three metre PVC ball has an opening on one side, big enough for a person to squeeze through and be harnessed up.

You’re then launched down the hill, spinning upside down and out of control. Don’t be hungover for this one.

If you’ve got the cash to splash (and you can stay away from the casino) lay it down on a Tiger Moth flight (tigermothjoyrides.com.au). The 1930’s-style red-and-silver Tiger Moth plane is iconic to the Gold Coast – it even features in the Tourism Australia commercials. It’s part of the Gold Coast mise-en-place as much as chiselled surfers and drunk teenagers. You’ll often see the vintage plane in the sky performing acrobatics and, if you can keep your food down, it’s the best way to see the city, the ocean and the hinterland all in one viewing – and from many a different angle. Take a 35-minute ‘Extreme Aerobatic’ flight and feel those G-forces in action.

If you want to see the city from up high, but prefer not to battle with keeping your lunch down, the Q1 building (Q1.com.au) is for you. It looks like a gun with a bayonet piercing the sky, but in actual fact it was inspired by the

Sydney 2000 Olympic torch. It’s the tallest residential building in the country and, if you can afford it, you can also rent a holiday apartment here too. But for most of us, a trip to Skypoint at the top of the building via the super fast elevator (77 floors in 43 seconds) is as good as it gets.

Since you’re here, treat yourself to the Skypoint Climb, an exhilarating outdoor climb 270m above sea level where you can see it all as you’re strapped onto the railing and dangled about. Up here you’ll feel like you’re vis à vis with the Tiger Moth planes.

There’s also the thinking man’s theme park, Thunderbird Park (thunderbirdpark.com), situated in the heart of Mount Tambourine, part of a mountain range that towers over the Gold Coast. The concept began in Europe when an exmilitary man decided to use his commando training to create a challenging ropes course – in fact it’s the largest in the country. You can spend hours here maneuvering your body through the extensive course, and you can’t cheat – we tried – you must make it to the end by completing every flying fox, every tunnel, every Tarzan swing and every suspended bridge.

Speaking of, these are the hills you should be running for if the going gets too tough. The Hinterland is only an hour away where Tamborine National Park awaits with hiking, mountain-biking and the odd distillery. Often referred to as the ‘green behind the gold’ it’s made up of the Gold Coast Hinterland, the Scenic Rim, Tamborine Mountain and the beautifully green Lamington National Park. Up here you’ll feel miles from the partying of Gold Coast.

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Jeep Magic Millions Gold Coast Airport Marathon

New Year’s Eve fireworks over the city

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Gold Coast sports & events Still looking for action? Look no further than the line-up of events that the Gold Coast have on offer

The Gold Coast knows how to throw a party; and our great city has plenty to celebrate. Lovers of food and wine, fashion, sport, music and the arts take to the streets, beaches and hinterland to celebrate an event calendar of international competitions and unique local festivals. The destination’s mix of man-made and natural assets, plus the incorporation of special events throughout the year is unmatched anywhere else in the country.

If sport is your passion, then you can get amongst it with fellow fans, whether it’s watching local teams compete in rugby league, AFL, or seeing celebrity athletes go head to head in international competitions like the Castrol Gold Coast 600, the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro, or the RACV Ladies Masters Golf. The Jeep Magic Millions horse racing extravaganza is as much about fashion as it is about the fillies, while the Gold Coast Airport Marathon celebrates all things physically active. If the arts or culture is more your style, we’ve got you covered with an eclectic mix of exhibitions and unique local festivals. Soak up the relaxed ambience of festivals like Blues on Broadbeach, Swell Sculpture Festival or Cooly Rocks On, or indulge your inner foodie at a range of culinary celebrations. Spectacular venues and ideal weather conditions provide Gold Coast events, exhibitions and festivals a real sense of occasion. Consider this your personal invitation to some of the biggest and best events across Australia. Whatever your passion, the Gold Coast has an event that celebrates it. So come and join us to see why we’re famous for fun.

For more info visit: www.VisitGoldCoast.com/whatson

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TRAVELWEEKENDER

Cairns Do Attitude This is Cairns in 48 hours WORDS TASH LEVY

DAY 1: SThe holidays see some of us venturing to near by island get aways, forgetting our own slice of sunny paradise, teaming with day time adventures and a truly Aussie sense of fun that carries us into the night. Beautiful weather, white sand, and clear snorkle-ready waters typify the Sunshine State experience.

7:30: Competetive accomodation rates during peak season (November - May) makes Cairns the ideal holiday spot for backpackers and fun seekers. Take your pick of very afordable hostels and backerpacker resdorts - the most central being the Cairns Holiday Park. As the closest caravan park to the Cairns city centre, the park offers excellent accommodation options and a range of excellent facilities including swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, kiosk, air conditioned TV room (cairnsholidaypark.com.au).

9:00: A quick half hour drive north will set you in the middle of dense tropical rainforest, mountains, and waterfalls. Amid all of this tranquillity it’s time to climb 196 stairs to the highest viewing point in Cairns – AJ Hackett’s Bungy (ajhackett.com). The sadistic bungy masters will have you looking out onto the Great Barrier Reef as they edge you toward the end of the platform and let you jump into a what promises to be a very memorable experience.

11:00: Back on the road now with adrenaline pumping through your body it’s time to let the real adventure begin back in Cairns. Pull up at the Marlin Marina and climb aboard for an epic cruise over the stunning reef.

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12:30: Back on land, but not for long, because there’s nothing like the high life. You get to enjoy the epic views of the reef from a different angle – on your very own helicopter ride (downunderheli.com). This is your own mission impossible and you’ll be flying over the Coral Sea and Green Island.

13:00: From up above to down below land, take a dip in the ocean waters. Snorkle, dive and sail your way into Australia's famous Great Barrier Reef with tourism award winner Passions of Paradise (passions.com). They'll take you out to the exclusive Paradise Reef, where you can dive and snorkel with turtles, colourful fish and a beautiful variety of amazingly diverse coral.

18:00: Arrive back in Cairns at dinner time, freshen up, get the sea water out of your hair, and knock back a few jugs of beer. We recommend Gilligan’s (thegspotcairns.com) for a good night out.

DAY 2: 8:30: Rise and shine, it's time to get high above Cairns with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (skyrail.com. au) the cable car takes you 7.5kms over the ancient tropical rainforest where you'll learn about one of the fascinating and diverse areas on earth.

10:30: After this it’s time to explore. Drive toward Port Douglas following a coastal road along Cairns’ northern beaches. Tease your facebook friends with endless selfies in the sunny, tropical scenery. Pulling up near the port there are a number of local cafes and fast food joints that'll put your Gilligan's hangover to rest.

DIVE SNORKEL SAIL

13:00: Continuing north of Port Douglas you’ll land in Mossman Gorge (mossmangorge.com). At Daintree National Park the gorge is a must-see. Once you’ve trekked along the path you’ll be able to give your feet a rest and admire the crystal clear Mossman River that cascades over granite boulders.

15:00: Heading back to the car and continuing north you’ll find yourself at Cape Tribulation. Check out Ferntree Rainforest Lodge (ferntreerainforestlodge.com. Classic huts with a bar and wooden tables give the place a great island feel. They serve scrumptious meals night and day.

After eating it’s time to enjoy the delights of the Cape with a Croc Cruise (daintreerivercruises.com) A one hour wildlife cruise that lets you spot wild animals in their natural habitat. Be warned: don’t walk too close to any mangroves, you might get an unwanted snap.

19:00: With all that excitement it’s time to head back to Cairns. As the evening settles, head straight into the city centre where there is wide array of restaurants for you to pick from along the main strip.

21:00: It wouldn't be true Cairns experience without dancing the night away at The Woolshed (thewoolshed.com).

With themed nights on every night, try your luck in the wet T-shirt competitions or see how you fare in their Mexican drinking games. Either way you'll end your Cairns trip on a definite (if somewhat groggy) high.

www.passions.com.au +617 4041 1600 1800 111 346 WITHIN AUSTRALIA

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TRAVEL TOP 5 | TOP 10 | LISTINGS

Photos: Spaceships

BEST CAMPERVAN AWARD WINNERS The annual TNT Golden Backpack Awards are voted by you, our lovely readers, so if you say something is the best, well, we are going to believe you, as you guys are the ones out there on the road, living the dream.

Campervan rental with Golden Backpack 2015 winners Spaceships: check, kangaroos: check, beach life: check. Looks like the best Australia has to offer to us...read on to find out more about this years winners.

TOP FIVE /42

TOP END TOP 10 /44

SOUNDS OF SILENCE /66

Take a look at the Top 5 visitor destinations as voted in the Golden Backpacks 2015.

From the Red Centre to the sparkling waters of the Whitsundays.

The Top 10 Tours/Activities as voted for in Golden Backpacks should take you a while to get through...enjoy every second of this handy ready-made bucket list!

If you a looking for an escape from it all then head south to Milford Sound in New Zealand. It’s natural beauty will leave you speechless.

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TOPFIVE

VISITOR DESTINATIONS

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Images: Tourism & Events Queensland, Passions of Paradise and iStock.

1

From areas of natural beauty to companies offering an experience that can’t be beat, TNT Magazine tells you the top five ways to fill your time while here.

Every year TNT Magazine hosts the Golden Backpack Awards, which recognise those in the travel industry who are working extra hard to make visitors to Australia and New Zealand have the experiences of a lifetime.

Even better? The finalists are voted for by the backpackers themselves, book your experience knowing these companies form Australia and New Zealand have been given the TNT seal of approval. Here are the top five visitor attractions voted for by our readers.

WHITSUNDAYS - BEST DESTINATION AUSTRALIA Sailing the Whitsundays hovers pretty close to the top of most backpackers’ “must-do” lists. People come for different reasons: some to dive by the Great Barrier Reef, some for Whitehaven Beach and others for the pure luxury of exploring this part of Australia without having to cook, clean or even lift a finger, apart from putting on suntan lotion that is. The trip can be as action-packed or chilled out as you want it to be.

Cruising through the Whitsunday Islands, by the Great Barrier Reef, and not giving diving a go is simply not an option.

A short walk to the nearest party, expect to spend some of the most memorable days of your travelling here. You’re guaranteed to leave with plenty of very happy memories and lots of very cool photographs. whitsundays.com.au 44

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F O R BAC K PAC K E R S

Great Barrier Reef Adventures

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 fromz $169pp*

Whitehaven Beach Camira Sailing Adventure

Swim at one of the best beaches in the world, sailing on one of the world’s fastest commercial catamarans. BBQ lunch and all refreshments included. An all inclusive day departs Airlie Beach from $150pp*

Reef & Beach Packages

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REEF & BEACH A choice of sailing to Whitehaven Beach and Island experiences, Great Barrier Reef Adventures with backpacker accommodation and Reefsleep under the stars. Combos start from $399pp* (3 days / 3 nights stay Airlie Beach)

* Backpacker price with valid bona fide Backpacker Card, terms & conditions apply.

See our website for full details.

For info and bookings see your Backpacker Travel Centre or contact us

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TOPFIVE

VISITOR DESTINATIONS

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3 Photo: The Rock Tour

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FRASER ISLAND

ULURU, KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK

Fraser Island is extraordinary – it has a World Heritage listing to prove it. The incomparable isle is the world’s largest sand island, with subtropical rainforests stubbornly thriving in a seemingly infertile environment.

There are no tarmac roads, so most people see the island on multi-day 4WD tours (though you can dodge the crowds, stay longer, and do it cheaper by walking around it if you’re feeling hardy). fraserisland.net

Take the time and effort to trek through the Outback to the country’s heart and you’ll finally see Australia for what it is: unique, awe-inspiring and magical.

Kata Tjuta stands resiliently in the face of Uluru and possesses a spiritual, calming ambience that ebbs out from every rock-face and crevasse. It’s hugely important to the Aboriginal people and numerous Pitjantjatjara Dreamtime stories centre on the site. therocktour.com.au

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12 APOSTLES LANDMARK

WHITEHAVEN BEACH

The Twelve Apostles is a collection of limestone rocks off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park, by the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Their proximity to one another has made the site a popular tourist attraction.

The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most spectacular and naturally maintained coastal drives, but many prefer to walk the 100 km Great Ocean walk along the coastline.

If you’ve got five days and some boots, you can conquer it. There are accommodation and food options available. visit12apostles.com.au

A 6km stretch of some of the whitest sand in Australia, filled with backpackers partying the night away.

Whitehaven Beach is just a thirty-minute trip on a highspeed catamaran, and Hamilton Island offers several day trips and tours. You can explore the beach via a helicopter or seaplane from the island, and can also sail to the beach on one of the island’s yachts.

It’s protected by the Whitsunday Islands National Park, and voted the world’s top eco-friendly beach, and Queensland’s cleanest beach. tourismwhitsundays.com.au

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VISITOR DESTINATIONS

TOP FIVE

Photo: The Rock Tour

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TASMANIA Although Tassie didn’t make it into our winners list for 2015 we at TNT think that’s purely because it often gets over-looked as a backpacker destination, and yet it shouldn’t! A truly epic little island with world heritage listed sites, incredible natural beauty, bustling little cities, a vibrant arts scene and bursting with adventures - you would be crazy to miss it. Notable shout-outs to Cradle Mountain, Hobart, MONA, Bruny Island....we could go on and on but actually you know what - go discover it for yourself, you won’t be disappointed. discovertasmania.com.au

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HOTSHOTS

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WINNER

WINNER SANDRA LINHARDT, 24, GERMANY

SANDRA SAYS: “This photo was taken while I was completing the Tongariro Crossing. It was the greatest walk I’ve ever done! I’ll not forget that experience as long as I live.”

RUNNER-UP SAM BLACKBURN, 22, UK

SAM SAYS: “I took this as the sun was setting over Cape Foulwind/ Tauranga Bay. The natural yellow and orange colours were simply unreal.”

RUNNER-UP 48

WANT TO SEE YOUR TRAVEL SHOTS IN PRINT? 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 T&Cs, see tntdownunder.com.

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TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

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ADVENTURE TOURS AUSTRALIA

in tropical Far North Queensland and winding up in Sydney. Learn to surf as you relax on some of Australia’s best This Golden Backpack award winning beaches and beach towns. This tour travel company specialises in small will take you to Airlie Beach, Byron Bay, group tours. The company has been Fraser Island and Noosa. Bet you’ve bringing adventure seekers together heard of a few of them and they’re for over 20 years. They know Australia like the back of their hands and recruit all as awesome as you’ve heard. Sail the Whitsundays and take a 4WD the best guides, considered the best in adventure around Fraser Island. The the business. tour ends in Sydney.

From the outback to the coast, Or how about doing it in reverse with Adventure Tours Australia offer three unique tour styles designed to deliver an the 14 day Sydney to Cairns unleashed unforgettable and authentic experience. tour. Learn to surf on the same beaches that we highlighted a moment ago and These guys will do everything that they yes you’ll get to sail the Whitsundays can to ensure you an amazing and and take a 4WD adventure around memorable trip.

Fraser Island as well.

With more than 150 tours and four The nine day Territory Unleashed exclusive to our 18-39 year old readers, North Ex Yulara tour starts in Alice what are you waiting for?

Springs for a unique experience that Just imagine two weeks fantastic you won’t have prepared yourself for. beach adventure departing from Cairns 50

They’ll take you out to the Red Centre to explore Uluru (Ayers Rock to your mum and dad), King’s Canyon and the Kata Tjuta. Then on to Darwin for more adventures in Katherine Gorge before heading to check out Litchfield National Park and Kakadu National Park, home to the unforgettable Jim Jim Falls.

There’s also the nine day Territory Unleashed South (Darwin to Alice Springs) tour. Three top experiences in one, this tour will give you a great taste of the Territory at a great price. Enjoy sleeping under the stars as you head south from Darwin in the Top End to the Red Centre. Along the way you’ll be exposed to plenty of Aboriginal culture as well as the Devil’s Marbles (Karlu Karlu), Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu National Park, Katherine Gorge and Litchfield National Park. All sound incredible what do you think? adventuretours.com.au

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NORTHERN TOURS ANDTERRITORY ACTIVITIES

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SURF CAMP AUSTRALIA

RAGING THUNDER

Surf lessons at surf camp that will get you ready for the future as a surf dude. They offer surfing lessons every day that are designed for absolute beginners. There are also classes available for the more experienced.

If you’re new to surf don’t worry, they will teach you paddling, standing up, dropping into waves and riding across them.

Whether you’re a first timer or looking for the surf trip of a life time, you should give Surf Camp Australia a call.

Located on the Great Barrier Reef and surrounded by the rainforests of tropical North Queensland, Cairns is a must visit vacation destination. It’s also home to Raging Thunder Adventures, they’ve been offering holidays since 1984.

It all began with the first white water rafting trip on the Tully River. Today you can spend an afternoon rafting on the Barron River and experience the natural beauty surrounding it, rafting through pristine World Heritage listed rainforest. ragingthunder.com.au

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THE ROCK TOUR The first choice for budget conscious travellers and International backpackers, looking for a high quality tour and cultural experience, at an affordable price. They’ve got some awesome deals, our advice, give them a shot.

The Rock Tour starts daily from Alice Springs at 5.30am.You also have the option of starting and finishing at Uluru (Ayers Rock Airport). Qantas fly in and out of Alice Springs from $230. Jetstar fly in and out of Uluru (Ayers Rock Airport) from $195. therocktour.com.au

KANGAROO ISLAND ADVENTURE The two day all-inclusive Kangaroo Island wilderness explorer tour covers what is considered to be all the essential experiences on Kangaroo Island.

If you’re a spirited traveller who likes to get off the beaten track and share your experience with likeminded adventurers, then this tour is definitely for you.

You get to stay at Vivonne Bay Lodge, which was voted best beach in Australia. It’s modern, well equipped and maintained and comes with free WiFi, bar, lounge, pool table and BBQ. kiadventuretours.com.au

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UNDER DOWN UNDER TOURS

LEGENDARY BLACK WATER RAFTING Co

Under Down Under specialises in small group tours throughout Tasmania. They offer a large range of tours and provide visitors with an eco-friendly way to experience the state on a budget.

Tours range from 2.5 hours through to 9 days; with a focus on sharing adventures through Tasmania’s wilderness with like-minded travellers. They offer everything from downhill bike adventures to extended state-wide tours; all aimed at showing backpackers what makes Tasmania such an amazing place for the outdoor lover.

The Legendary Black Water Rafting Company is New Zealand’s first black water rafting adventure operator.

They’ve been sharing thrills and excitement since 1987, and have experienced guides who will take you safely through the stunning underworld of Ruakuri Cave.

What began as a special treat for a brave few has developed into a spectacular tourism attraction that gives visitors of all ages the chance to abseil, weave, jump, climb, and float through a glowworm-studded subterranean wonderland at Waitomo Caves. waitomo.com

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FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER GUIDES

WILDLIFE TOURS AUSTRALIA

Franz Josef Glacier Guides gives you the opportunity to experience the most spectacular glacier environment available to the general public. Offering a range of glacier hiking tours and experiences that will get you up close to the ice like never before. Their guided tours are tailored to suit visitors of most abilities. The ultimate New Zealand adventure tour is now ready and available for everyone.

Wildlife Tours Australia has been entertaining travellers since 1996 and is one of the most experienced small group tour operators in Melbourne.

The one day Great Ocean Road and Rainforest tour shouldn’t be missed and at $109 it really is a bargain. The Twelve Apostles is a major highlight off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park, a must see for every

franzjosefglacier.com

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TAMAKI MAORI VILLAGE

Journey back to a time of proud warriors and ancient traditions. The Evening Experience offers ceremonial rituals, powerful cultural performances & hangi feasting. Sleeping in a whare moe (sleeping house) was a tradition reserved for when one tribe visited another tribe.

Be invited to experience an Overnight Marae Stay in the heart of Tamaki Maori Village, where you will share intimate customs, protocols and stories of yesteryear tamakimaorivillage.co.nz

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WIN

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HOW TO ENTER

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

Worth

$595

WIN AN EPIC 5 DAY ADVENTURE

WITH SURF CAMP AUSTRALIA There are a few essential things you have to tick off your list whilst travelling in Australia. Seeing Uluru at sunrise and sunset; drinking goon on Bondi Beach at Christmas time (or anytime really); and the other Aussie caper? Learning to surf. There is no reason why you can’t try it while you’re here, hell, you might even like it so much that you ending up transporting your board back to whatever cold, northern hemisphere place it is you call home. That’s where we come in. We’ve teamed up with Golden Back Pack winners Surf Camp Australia to offer one lucky reader the following package: Five full days of progressive surf course with four nights accommodation at surf camp in the uncrowded beauty of Seven Mile Beach National Park. All meals included and accommodation in modern beachside cabins. Get in!

Enter at tntdownunder.com/competitions Visit surfcamp.com.au for further information about Surf Camp Australia and all the awesome surf packages they offer.

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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

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

Wildlife Tours Tours around Victoria 1300 661 730, wildlifetours.com.au

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

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

Kings Cross Car Market For buying and selling vehicles. 110 Bourke St, Woolloomooloo.

02 9358 5000, carmarket.com.au

Western Xposure WA tours 08 9414 8423, westernxposure.com.au

Spaceships 1300 132 469, spaceshipsrentals.com.au

Wilderness 4WD Adventures Top end tours 1800 808 288, wildernessadventures.com.au Wings Whitsunday Adventures 1300 859 853 wings.com.au

Hippie Camper 1800 777 779, hippiecamper.com

Standbycars.com 1300 789 059, standbycars.com Travellers Auto Barn 1800 674 374, travellers-autobarn.com.au

@tnt_downunder Wicked Campers 1800 246 869, wickedcampers.com

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

With great fares every day! . . . why not travel PREMIER class!

Climate control air-conditioning • Experienced Coach Captains • Panoramic glare free windows • Comfy reclining seats Onboard video entertainment • Washroom • State of the art safety features • Seat belts

10% off

aiting for! w u o y e r a What

if you have a genuine backpacker’s card

• Flexible travel on a budget to suit you • One, three and six month PaSSeS available • Daily ServiceS from Melbourne to cairns

MElbOuRnE • SydnEy • byROn bay • GOld COaSt bRISbanE • aIRlIE bEaCh • MISSIOn bEaCh • CaIRnS

www.premierms.com.au or phone 13 13 34 34 10 10 www.premierms.com.au or ph 54

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SYDNEY MUSIC

SYDNEY STAY Base Sydney 477 Kent St. CBD.

Hordern Pavillion playbillvenues.com

Big Hostel 212 Elizabeth St. CBD. 02 9281 6030 bighostel.com

Oxford Art Factory oxfordartfactory.com Sydney Opera House sydneyoperahouse.com

Bounce Budget Hotel 28 Chalmers St. CBD.

The Annandale annandalehotel.com

Easy Go Backpackers 752 George St. CBD. 02 9211 0505, easygobackpackers.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 Metro metrotheatre.com.au

BASE WINNER BEST ACCOMMODATION NSW GOLDEN BACKBACKS 2015 Voted No.1 backpacker hostels by travellers world over for fun, comfort, security & a great travelling experience. stayatbase.com.au 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

Skydive Central Coast Warnervale. skydivethecentralcoast.com.au

BYRON BAY Backpackers Holiday Village 116 Jonson St

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

The Entrance Backpackers 2/56 The Entrance Road, The Entrance, 2261 02 4334 5005 theentrancebackpackers.com

The Arts Factory 1 Skinners Shoot Rd.

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

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

Byron Bay Accom 02 6680 8666, byronbayaccom.net

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

Backpackers Inn 29 Shirley St 1800 817 696 backpackersinnbyronbay.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

Photos: Surfcamp

Eva’s Backpackers 6-8 Orwell Street Kings Cross 02 9358 2185, evasbackpackers.com.au

The Enmore enmoretheatre.com.au

1800 350 388, byronbaybackpackers.com.au

SURF CAMP AUSTRALIA WINNER BEST TOUR/ACTIVITY NSW GOLDEN BACKBACKS 2015

If you want to be a pro surfer then you can’t go past these guys! The progressive surf lessons at Surf Camp Australia will have you well prepared for a surfing future. Fantastic surfing lessons that are designed for absolute beginners or all levels welcome - these guys teach everything you will need to know! Paddling, standing up, dropping into waves and riding across them. Plus surf etiquette, board design and wave types will ensure you leave confident and ready to surf forever! So whether it’s your 1st time, need to get to the next level or need contest strategy, we got you covered! surfcamp.com.au

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TASLISTINGS HOBART STAY

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CHECK OUT

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

Centre for Beer Lovers Boag’s Brewery, 39 William St. 03 6332 6300, boags.com.au

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

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

Montgomery’s YHA 9 Argyle St. Narrara Backpackers 88 Goulburn St. 03 6234 8801, narrarabackpackers.com

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

Pickled Frog 281 Liverpool St. 03 6234 7977, thepickledfrog.com

Despite being named as one of the world’s best beaches by Lonely Planet a few years ago, this undeveloped, idyllic corner of northeastern Tassie, from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point, is still, just about, hanging onto its off-the-beaten-track status. Kick back and enjoy the turquoise waters, white sands and fiery red granite rocks that give the area its name.

HOBART DO Cascade Brewery 140 Cascade Rd. 03 6224 1117 cascadebreweryco.com.au

bayoffires.com.au

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

Salamanca Markets Every Saturday, Salamanca Place. salamanca.com.au Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery 5 Argyle St. tmag.tas.gov.au

DEVONPORT

BAY OF FIRES

Transit Backpackers 251 Liverpool St. 03 6231 2400, transitbackpackers.com

Mt Wellington Descent Bike tours. 03 6274 1880 mtwellingtondescent.com.au

LAUNCESTON DO Cataract Gorge launcestoncataractgorge.com.au

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

Launceston Backpackers 103 Canning St. 03 6334 2327, launcestonbackpackers.com.au Lloyds Hotel 23 George St. 03 6331 9906, backpackersaccommodation.com.au

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

BICHENO Bicheno Backpackers 11 Morrison St. 03 6375 1651, bichenobackpackers.com Bicheno Penguin Tours 03 6375 1333, bichenopenguintours.com.au

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

@tnt_downunder

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

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

UNDER DOWN UNDER WINNER BEST TOUR/ACTIVITY TASMANIA GOLDEN BACKBACKS 2015 Under Down Under specialises in small group tours throughout Tasmania. With the largest range of tours; we provide visitors with a hassle free, and eco friendly way to experience the state on a budget. underdownunder.com.au

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MELBOURNE STAY 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, 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. 1800 670 611, spacehotel.com.au 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

Hotel Discovery 167 Franklin St hoteldiscovery.com.au

Melbourne International Backpackers 450 Elizabeth St mibp.com.au Melbourne Metro YHA 78 Howard St yha.com.au Melbourne Central YHA 562 Flinders St, Melbourne yha.com.au 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 Back of Chapel Backpackers 50 Green St backofchapel.com Base St Kilda 17 Carlisle St 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 169 Fitzroy St, St Kilda ritzbackpackers.com St Kilda Beach House 109 Barkly St, St Kilda stkildabeachhouse.com.au

MELBOURNE DO Australian Centre for the Moving Image Federation Square.

03 8663 2200, acmi.net.au

Claremont Guesthouse 189 Toorak Rd, South Yarra hotelclaremont.com

Melbourne Aquarium Cnr of Flinders St & King St. 03 9923 5999, melbourneaquarium.com.au

City Centre Budget Hotel 22-30 Little Collins St citycentrebudgethotel.com

Discovery Melbourne 167 Franklin St. discoverymelbourne.com

Elephant Backpackers 250 Flinders St elephantbackpacker.com.au

Melbourne Cricket Ground Brunton Av. 03 9657 8888 mcg.org.au

Elizabeth Hostel 490 Elizabeth St elizabethhostel.com.au King St Backpackers 160 King Street kingstreetbackpackers.com.au

CHECK IN

Lords Lodge Backpackers 204 Punt Rd lordslodge.com.au

UNITED BACKPACKERS

WINNER BEST ACCOMMODATION VICTORIA GOLDEN BACKBACKS 2015

250 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000. Come and find out why travellers keep rating and reviewing United Backpackers as the best hostel in Melbourne and even Australia! It’s no secret we have the best location in town right opposite the iconic Flinders Street Station in the absolute heart of Melbourne, but we also offer you brand new facilities, heaps of sweet spaces to chill or play including our cool basement bar and yes, rest assured we also have free Wi-Fi in our common areas.

Melbourne unitedbackpackers.com.au Federation Square. ngv.vic.gov.au Old Melbourne Gaol 377 Russell St. 03 8663 7228, oldmelbournegaol.com.au 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 Bay Eco YHA 5 Pascoe St. yha.com.au 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

Melbourne Museum 11 Nicholson St, Carlton.

13 11 02 melbourne.museum.vic.gov.au

Bayplay Lodge 46 Canterbury Jetty Rd, Blairgowrie.

03 5988 0188, bayplay.com.au

National Gallery of Victoria

Sorrento Foreshore Reserve

Nepean Hwy. 1800 850 600, mornpen.vic.gov.au

beachpark.com.au BIG4 Inverloch Holiday Park 2 Cuttriss St, Inverloch.

03 5674 1447, inverlochholidaypark.com.au

Sorrento YHA 3 Miranda St, Sorrento.

Tortoise Head Lodge French Island.

03 5980 1234, tortoisehead.net

BIG4 Phillip Island Caravan Park 24 Old Bridge Dr, Newhaven.

03 5956 7227, phillipislandcpk.com.au

DANDENONG Emerald Backpackers 03 5968 4086

Cowes Caravan Park 164 Church St, Cowes.

03 5952 2211, cowescaravan.com.au

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

Koala Park Resort 1825 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes.

03 5952 2176, koalaparkresort.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,

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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Photos: Raging Thunder Cairns

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

RAGING THUNDER WINNER BEST TOUR/ACTIVITY QLD GOLDEN BACKBACKS 2015 Raft the mighty Tully River, regarded as the best rafting river across Australia and New Zealand. Go Wild with the first company to raft the Tully back in 1985 .. Raging Thunder! ragingthunder.com.au

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 Balmoral House 33 Amelia St, Fortitude Valley vipbackpackers.com Brisbane City YHA 392 Upper Roma St The Elephant Hotel 230 Wickham St

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elephanthotel.com.au Somewhere to Stay Cnr Brighton Rd & Franklin St somewheretostay.com.au The Palace Backpackers Cnr Anne & Edward St backpackbrisbane.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

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.

Budds in Surfers 6 Pine Ave, Budds Beach, Surfers Paradise 07 5538 9661, buddsinsurfers.com.au Gold Coast International BP 28 Hamilton Ave, Surfers.

1800 816 300, goldcoastbackpackers.com.au Islander Backpackers Resort 6 Beach Rd, Surfers.

1800 074 393, islander.com.au Sleeping Inn Surfers 26 Peninsular Dr, Surfers Paradise.

07 5592 4455, sleepinginn.com.au Surfers Paradise Backpackers Resort 2837 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers.

1800 282 800, surfersparadisebackpackers. com.au Surfers Paradise YHA Mariners Cove, 70 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise.

Trekkers Backpackers 22 White St, Southport.

07 5591 5616, trekkersbackpackers.com.au

Zorb 07 5547 6300

SUNSHINE CST Mooloolaba Backpackers 75-77 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba.

1800 020 120 mooloolababackpackers.com

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

Nomads Islander Resort 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd,

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

Surf & Sun Backpackers 3323 Surfers Paradise Blvd surfnsun-goldcoast.com

Skydive Rainbow Beach 0418 218 358, skydiverainbowbeach.com

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

seaworld.com.au

Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World wetnwild.myfun.com.au Warner Bros Movie World movieworld.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

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FRASER ISLAND

AIRLIE BEACH

Eurong Beach Resort 07 4120 1600, eurong.com.au

airliebeach.com 259 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 677 119

Palace Adventures 184 Torquay St, Hervey Bay, 1800 063 168 palaceadventures.com.au

Airlie Beach YHA 394 Shute Harbour Rd.

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

Backpackers by the Bay 12 Hermitage Dr. 1800 646 994, backpackersbythebay.com Base Airlie Beach Resort 336 Shute Harbour Rd Magnums Whitsunday Village Resort 366 Shute Harbour Rd. 1800 624 634 magnums.com.au

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!

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

BOWEN Bowen Backpackers Beach end of Herbert St. 07 4786 3433 bowenbackpackers.net

TOWNSVILLE Adventurers Resort 79 Palmer St. 1800 211 522, adventurersresort.com Adrenalin Dive 07 4724 0600, adrenalindive.com.au Yongala Dive Yongala diving.

07 4783 1519, yongaladive.com.au

MAGNETIC IS

and fast food joints to help with yourBase Gilligan's hangover.

Magnetic Island 1 Nelly Bay Rd. The Friendly Hostel 13:00: Continuing north of Port Douglas you’ll land in 182 Torquay Rd, Hervey Bay Bungalow Bay Backpackers Mossmanfriendlyhostel.com.au Gorge (mossmangorge.com.au).

At Daintree Horseshow Bay. NationalWoolshed Park the gorge is a must-see.1800 Once you’ve trekked Backpackers 285 577, 181path Torquayyou’ll Road be able to give your bungalowbay.com.au along the feet a rest and woolshedbackpackers.com.au Hotel Arcadia admire the crystal clear Mossman River that cascades over 7 Marine Parade, Arcadia Bay. granite boulders.

07 4778 5177, BUNDABERG hotelaracadia.com.au 15:00: Heading back to the car and continuing north Federal Backpackers 221 Bourbong St. 07 4153 3711 Pleasure Divers you’ll find yourself at Cape Tribulation. Check out Ferntree federalbackpackers.com.au 07 4778 5788 Rainforest Lodge (ferntreerainforestlodge.com.au) Northside Backpackers which has classic tables.

They 12 Queen St.huts with a bar and wooden MISSION BEACH 07 4154 1166 meals night and day. After eating it’s serve scrumptious Absolute Backpackers Wongaling Bundaberg time to enjoy theBondstore delights of the Cape28 with a Croc cruise Beach Road.

Distillery tours.

07 4068 8317,wildlife cruise (daintreerivercruises.com.au) A one hour 07 4131 2999 absolutebackpackers.com.au bundabergrum.com.au that lets you spot wild animals in their natural habitat. Be Beach Shack DingoBlue Backpackers warned: don’t walk too close to any mangroves, you might 86 Porters Promenade 11 Burrum St, Bundaberg QLD 4670 missionbeachshack.com get an unwanted 07 4152 0100 snap.

19:00: Withdingobluebackpackers.com all that excitement it’s time to head back Scotty’s Beach House 167 Reid Rd. 07 4068 8676, Mid As Pointthe Backpackers towards Grand Cairns. evening settles, head straight into the scottysbeachhouse.com.au 87-89 Bourbong St, Bundaberg 4670 city centre where 07 4151 0003 there is wide array of restaurants for you Jackaroo Hostel Mission Beach grandhotelbundy.com.au to pick from along the main strip.

Frizelle Rd, Bingil Bay jackaroohostel.com 19:00: And it wouldn't be true Cairns experience without TOWN OF 1770 Mission Retreat dancing the night away at The Woolshed Beach (thewoolshed.

49 Porters Promenade 1770 Backpackers com.au).6 Captain With Cook themed nights on everymissionbeachretreat.com.au night, try your luck Dr. 1800T-shirt 121 770, competitions or see how you fare in their in the wet the1770backpackers.com CAIRNS STAY Mexican drinking games. Either way you'll end your Cairns 1770 Undersea Adventures Bohemia Central Cairns trip on a1300 high.

553 889, 100 Sheridan St. 1800 558 589, 1770underseaadventures.com.au

. . .

E R E H Y L L A IN F E ’R YOU

bhacentral.com.au

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 59 tntdownunder.com

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QLDLISTINGS Bohemia Resort Cairns 231 McLeod St. 1800 155 353 bohemiaresort.com.au

Lot 5, Buchanan Creek Rd, Cow Bay. 07 4098 9166, crocodyluscapetrib.com

Calypso Backpackers 5 Digger St. 1800 815 628, calypsobackpackers.com.au

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

pksjunglevillage.com.au

JJ’s Backpackers Hostel 11 Charles St. 07 4051 7642, jjsbackpackers.com

INNISFAIL

NJoy Backpackers Hostel Harbour 141 Sheridan St. 1800 807 055, njoy.net.au

Innisfail Budget Backpackers Worker’s Hostel 125 Edith St. 07 4061 78337

Nomads Beach House 239 Sheridan St.

Walkabout Motel & ackpackers 07 4061 2311 walkaboutbackpackers.com

Northern Greenhouse 117 Grafton Street.

1800 229 228, northerngreenhouse.com.au

CAIRNS DO AJ Hackett Bungy jumping & canyon swinging. 1800 622 888 cairns.ajhackett.com Go Wild Jungle Tours Day tours to Daintree Rainforest.

07 4041 9440, jungletours.com.au Pro Dive 07 4031 5255 prodivecairns.com Raging Thunder Adventures Whitewater rafting.

07 4030 7990, ragingthunder.com.au Skydive Cairns POBOX 105N Cairns 07 4052 1822, skydivecairns.com.au

CAPE TRIB Crocodylus Village

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

follow us on 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 Australia Zoo 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Sunshine Coast australiazoo.com The Discovery Group Noosa Everglades thediscoverygroup.com.au Drop Bear Adventures Fraser Island from Noosa dropbearadventures.com.au Kanu Kapers Australia Noosa Everglades kanukapersaustralia.com Noosa Learn to Surf Noosa Main Beach, Noosa Heads learntosurf.com.au

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

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

INNISFAIL Codge Lodge 63 Rankin St codgelodge.com

Cotton Tree Beachouse 15 the Esplanade cottontreebackpackers.com

Crown Hostel 25 Ernest St 07 4061 2266

The Duporth 6 Wharf St, Maroochydore theduporth.com.au

Backpackers Shack 7 Ernest St fbackpakershack.com Farm work, Innisfail farmwork.tv/farmwork/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 Amore on Buderim 27 Earlybird Dr, Buderim amoreonbuderim.com.au Buderim Motor Inn 45 King St, Buderim buderimmotorinn.com Bli Bli House B&B 600 David Low Way, Pacific Paradise. buderimmotorinn.com

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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

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

MAGNETIC IS Base Magnetic Island 1 Nelly Bay Rd Bungalow Bay Koala Village 40 Horseshoe Bay Rd bungalowbay.com.au

WHITSUNDAYS Wings Whitsunday Adventures 1300 859 853 wings.com.au Whitsundays Sailing Adventures Whitsundays sailing 07 4940 2007 WhitsundaysSailingAdventures. com.au

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

CAIRNS HOLIDAY PARK WINNER GOLDEN BACKBACKS 2015 BEST HOLIDAY PARK Cairns Holiday Park is located in the centre of Cairns, the only place where two World Heritage listed areas meet, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. As the closest caravan park to the Cairns city centre, the park offers excellent accommodation options and a range of excellent facilities including swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, kiosk, air conditioned TV room, tropical fruit and herb garden, camp kitchen and extensive tour desk. cairnsholidaypark.com.au

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For over 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 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 we’re excited to be able to offer you the brilliant TNT Tour Search. Whether you’re looking for a weekend in away, a group tour across North Africa, or a ten day epic adventure in South America, TNT Tour Search 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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NTLISTINGS DARWIN STAY

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KATHERINE STAY

CHECK IN

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

Airborne Solutions Scenic helicopter flights.

08 8972 2345 airbornesolutions.com.au

Gecko Lodge 146 Mitchell St. 1800 811 250, geckolodge.com.au

ALICE LODGE WINNER GOLDEN BACKBACKS 2015 BEST ACCOMMODATION NT

Melaleuca on Mitchell 52 Mitchell St. 1300 723 437, momdarwin.com

4 Mueller St, Alice Springs.

This quirky hostel offers superb access to the Red Centre and an outback full of wonder, red earth and giant monoliths just waiting to be explored.

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

Nitmiluk Tours Gorge cruises and kayak hire. 1300 146 743 nitmiluktours.com.au

Alice Springs

alicelodge.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

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! 62

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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

CHECK IN

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

BILLABONG BACKPACKERS RESORT WINNER GOLDEN BACKBACKS 2015 BEST ACCOMMODATION WA

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

Experience the best backpacker and traveller hostel in Perth. Billabong Backpackers Resort Hostel caters for anyone travelling to Perth. Whether you’re a backpacker working your way around Australia or just someone visiting this great city.

Perth billabongresort.com.au

Mountway Holiday Apartments 36 Mount St mountwayapartments.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

PERTH DO

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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WALISTINGS

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

@tnt_downunder

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 St Mary’s Cathedral 17 Victoria Square,, Perth. 08 9223 1350, perthcatholic.org.au

KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK Karijini in the Pilbara region has some of Australia’s most spectacular scenery and oldest rocks in the world. Head to the “Miracle Mile” for the best lookouts, gorges and waterfalls all in one day. We recommend taking a dip in the natural spa pool at Hamersley Gorge, pictured

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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 Vivonne Bay Lodge Kangaroo Island

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ADELAIDE STAY

FRE E

WiFi

Vivonne Bay Lodge is in a great central location on the island, close to all the main attractions.

Cook your own BBQ by the large deck and enjoy the great indoor and outdoor facilities provided.

• Twin, family and dormitory style rooms • Shared bathroom facilities • Well equipped lounge/dining and recreation room • Large undercover deck, bar and BBQ • Complimentary use of bikes and kayaks with 2 night stay • Close to Little Sahara for sand boarding, Raptor Domain, Seal Bay, Hanson Bay Wildllfe Sanctuary and Flinders Chase National Park

Adelaide Backpackers Inn 112 Carrington St. 1800 24 77 25, abpi.com.au Adelaide Central YHA 135 Waymouth St. Adelaide Travellers Inn 220 Hutt St. 08 8224 0753, adelaidebackpackers.com.au

ADELAIDE DO Adelaide Oval Home to the Donald Bradman collection.

War Memorial Drive.

08 8300 3800 adelaideoval.com.au Adelaide Zoo Frome Rd. 08 8267 3255, zoossa.com.au Haigh’s Chocolates Factory tours.

153 Greenhill Rd, Parkside 1800 819 757, haighschocolates.com.au

Sandboarding the dunes of Little Sahara is a must-do while you’re on Kangaroo Island.

The sand stretches for miles, rising 70m above sea level. As you climb one peak you’re confronted with another, like waves of sand that continue as far as they eye can see. Sure, it’s a poor man’s snowboarding, but it still has the fun, thrills and spills, plus no pricey bill at the end. kiadventuretours.com.au

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KANGAROO IS

Vivonne Bay Lodge Knoefel Drive, Vivonne Bay 13 13 01 vivonnebaylodge.com.au

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

WINNER BEST TOUR/ACTIVITY SA GOLDEN BACKBACKS 2015

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

Blue Galah Backpackers Lvl 1, 52-62, King William St. 08) 8231 9295, bluegalah.com.au

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

SANDBOARDING AT LITTLE SAHARA KANGAROO ISLAND ADVENTURE TOURS

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

Kangaroo Island YHA 33 Middle Terrace, Penneshaw.

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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

Backpack Oz 144 Wakefield St. 1800 633 307, backpackoz.com.au

Glenelg Beach Hostel 5-7 Moseley St. Glenelg.

1800 359 181, glenelgbeachhostel.com.au

Call 13 13 01 or visit sealink.com.au

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Temptation Sailing Dolphin swimming, Glenelg.

04 1281 1838 dolphinboat.com.au

BAROSSA VAL Barossa Backpackers 9 Basedow Road, Tanunda.

08 8563 0198, barossa backpackers.com.au

RIVERLAND Berri Backpackers Sturt Highway, Berri.

08 8582 3144, berribackpackers.com.au Harvest Trail Lodge Loxton. 08 8584 5646, harvesttrail.com.au Nomads on Murray Sturt Highway, Kingston on Murray.

Riverland Backpackers Labour Hire Services 08 8583 0211

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

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 Calypso Star Charters Great white shark cage diving.

08 8682 3939, sharkcagediving.com.au Port Lincoln Tourist Park 11 Hindmarsh St. 08 8621 4444, portlincolntouristpark.com.au Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions Great white shark cage diving.

08 8363 1788 rodneyfox.com.au

FLINDERS RANGES 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

Photo: Destination Great Lake Taupo

NZ TRIP | NORTH & SOUTH ISLAND LISTINGS

GREAT LAKE TAUPO Winners in our recent Golden Backpack Awards 2015 of the Best Destination category for New Zealand , it’s really not difficult to see why it won is it?

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Milford Sound SOUTHLAND

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Sounds like a plan The breathtaking journey through the Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s absolute must-dos WORDS ALEX SCRIVENGER

Cautiously, I put my ear to the porthole. There it is again: the huffing, puffing sounds of heavy breathing and the softest slap of water, just a couple of metres away in the inky blackness. I pad softly up the stairs into the cosy saloon where my travel buddies are polishing off a bottle of merlot while playing a game of Trivial Pursuit.

“Seals!” I whisper excitedly, jabbing my finger at the darkness outside. Within 10 seconds, we’re standing on deck, huddled in our coats and peering vainly into the utter blackness.

The seals are attracted to our anchor lights. Or rather, Milford Sound’s fish are attracted to our anchor lights and the seals are attracted to the fish. As our eyes adjust, we can just make out two or three fur seals – softly chomping on the odd unfortunate fish.

Slightly visible even in the darkness, mile-high walls of granite rear vertically out of the black, glassy waters of the Sound, split by dozens of plunging waterfalls. We’d seen it all from the deck as the sun set earlier and had even launched the on-board kayaks from the rear of the ship for a twilight paddle in the gathering dusk. I had never seen a landscape like it and today had been a big day for landscapes.

“

The road from Te Anau to Milford Sound is ridiculous

”

waterways and large, rounded peaks. As Tu worked his way up the coast, his craftsmanship improved until he created his masterpiece, Piopiotahi (Milford Sound), with jagged, sharp mountaintops as far as the eye can see.

These perfect, pointy peaks bear a precarious load of blueish snow and ice, ready to come crashing down at the slightest provocation. Endless mossy forests the size of Israel stretch silently across the lower slopes, perhaps harbouring mysterious species long thought extinct. None of these areas

Chopping it up The road from Te Anau to Milford Sound is just ridiculous.

Sure, I’ve seen mountains before, and waterfalls, and lakes and mossy forests. But nothing on this scale. The Milford Road winds along hairpin bends between sheer rock-faces.

Waterfalls plunge toward it from heights three-times higher than the Niagara Falls, sending clouds of spray cantering across the landscape.

It’s all located in Fiordland National Park, a beautiful World Heritage-listed area in the south-west of New Zealand’s South Island. Maori legend has it that the godly figure of Tu-te-raki-whanoa was given the task of creating the Fiordland coast with his mighty axe, Te Hamo. At first, he was still learning his chopping skills so the fiords to the south, including Doubtful Sound, were created with wide

Dropping anchor for the night

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[Caption]

The adventurous way to travel were explored until the late 1800s and much of it still hasn’t been fully charted.

The Homer Tunnel is a landmark – more than a kilometre long, its walls are of rough-hewn rock, complete with dripping water and glow-worms. It’s pretty steep, dark and quite snug, and when you finally emerge into the light, the whole landscape has totally changed.

Gone are the forests; it’s all bare rock, cliffs and snow.

There’s no way you could get beyond this solid rock ridge without the tunnel. It must have changed everything for the locals when it was finished in the 1950s. It meant they had a through-road for the first time, the only alternative to the gruelling four-day Milford Track, which is now New Zealand’s most popular walk and booked solid, months in advance.

You will get wet We arrive at the miniscule settlement of Milford and look upon the grand finale – the Sound itself – the perfect cone of Mitre Peak reflected in its mirror-like waters. How could that perfectly triangular mountain be so clearly reflected in the deep, dark glassy water at its base? Who painted in that airbrushed wisp of cloud?

The timing of the salmon-pink shaft of sunset hitting that thick, untouched snowcap is suspiciously spot-on. And whoever heard of a 150-metre waterfall freefalling straight off the edge of a cliff and into the seawater? None of it seems real. Now, a few hours later, we find ourselves snugly anchored in a lonely bay, an extraordinary day rounded off by an impromptu visit from the friendly seals.

Just before daybreak, I wake to see the landscape sliding past my porthole and rush out onto the rain-soaked deck just in time to see the bow approaching the most enormous waterfall – the 150m Stirling Falls, swollen from a night of rain. It shoots off the edge of the cliff in two massive jets, then tumbles, endlessly in freefall, taking several seconds

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to hit the water, sending a dense cloud of cold spray all over the boat and into our faces.

We are only a few metres from the base of the waterfall – whereas, after a rainy period, boats can’t get within 50 metres of it, such is the fury of the impact zone. This is followed by a comparatively leisurely cruise into the swells of the Tasman Sea, waves breaking over the bow and the rainclouds parting to admit a little blue sky into our morning. On the way back we see more seals; young ones cavorting on the rocks and frolicking in the water after fish.

I would happily stay on that boat for a week.

We’ve seen both sides of Milford – the setting of a glorious sunny day, and the majesty of the thousand waterfalls that spring into existence only during the rain.

The best of both worlds amid the world’s very best.

Rugged landscape surrounds the Sound

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Power OR Paddle. Sit back and cruise either Milford or Doubtful Sound in comfort on one of our day cruises OR into the wilderness on one of our guided sea kayak adventures. www.Goorange.co.nz 01_759p 88pp.indd 71

info@Goorange.co.nz

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It’s a hard place to top Big brother, little brother We wouldn’t for a moment try and deter you from visiting Milford Sound, but lean in, we’ll whisper a little secret. Milford has a bigger, quieter, very attractive and much more isolated brother, Doubtful Sound. Although it lacks the dramatic high peaks of Milford, Doubtful boasts rolling bushland, heaps of wildlife and is so peaceful that locals call it “the sound of silence”.

Like Milford, Doubtful is home to pods of dusky and bottlenose dolphins, penguins, New Zealand fur seals, but, crucially, not boat-loads of other tourists. There’s what must be the country’s most isolated hostel – it doesn’t even have a telephone. Other than relaxing in blissful isolation, there’s quite a bit to do. You can go fishing, bushwalking or set out on the water in a dingy.

It’s three-times longer and has 10-times the surface area of Milford but with half the amount of visitors. One of the reasons might be that it requires quite a bit of effort to get to. It’s inaccessible by road, so to get there you’ll need to take a boat across Lake Manapouri, then a bus-ride over Wilmot Pass, from where you take a threehour boat cruise out into the awe-inspiring Sound.

Doubtful Sound was given its name by Captain Cook, who, when out discovering, refused to sail into the Sound as it was doubtful he would be able to sail back out again.

Undeniably, it has a more pleasant ring than ‘I’m The Boss And I’m Not F*cking Sailing In There Sound’.

Doubtful is more of a slow burner in the ‘wow’ stakes in that, as you pull away from Deep Basin, its beauty is still to be revealed. Its delights some unfold and become visible to the observer piece-by-piece as the boat turns another corner to showcase another imposing rock formation poking out of the water. The green ranges are pockmarked with grey scars, evidence of ‘tree-valanches’ caused either by heavy rain or all too frequent earthquakes.

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Doubtful Sound - don’t doubt it - do it!

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NORTHISLAND AUCKLAND

follow us on experience necessary.

09 359 5987, explorenz.co.nz

BOOK NOW!

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.

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

i-SITE Auckland Atrium, skycity, Cnr Federal & Victoria Sts Backpackers World Travel 16-20 Fort St, 09 300 9999, backpackersworld.com

HAKA LODGE - 2015 GOLDEN BACKPACK WINNERS

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

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These hostels stand out from the crowd thanks to friendly staff, clean and modern facilities, spacious accommodation and relaxed atmosphere. Various hakalodge.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

follow us on Te Awamutu District Museum 135 Roche St. 07 872 0085 tamuseum.org.nz

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

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 FORTY WINKS 267 River Rd, Claudelands.

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

Centrally located in Hamilton - It is just a seven minute walk to the City Centre, shops, restaurants or the Claudelands Event Centre. It is close to Wintec, bus station, Hamilton gardens, Hamilton square, cricket grounds and rugby stadium. Cosy atmosphere, high ceilings and huge rooms are a feature of this cute Hamilton hostel popular with backpackers. Hamilton bbh.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

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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

TAURANGA

Tui Lodge (BBH) 60 Whangapoua Rd, 07 866 8237, coromandeltuilodge.co.nz

One of the fastest growing places in NZ, Tauranga combines a young population with a harbourside atmosphere. Enjoy diving, sailing, fishing and surfing.

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 Southpacific Accommodation 245 Port Rd, 07 865 9580, thesouthpacific.co.nz NZ Surf n Stay (BBH) 227 Beverley Tce, 07 865 8323 whangamata-backpackers.co.nz

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.

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 Just The Ducks Nuts Backpackers 6 Vale St, 07 576 1366, justtheducksnuts.co.nz Kingfisher Backpackers Lodge (BBH) 122b Word Road, 07 552 0388, kingfisher-backpack.co.nz Loft 109 (BBH) 8/109 Devonport Rd, 07 579 5638, loft109.co.nz

Whitianga Information Centre 118 Oceanview Rd, 09 372 1234 whitianga.co.nz

Pacific Coast Lodge 432 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui Beach, 0800 666 622 / +64 7574 9601, pacificcoastlodge.co.nz

Baywatch Backpackers (VIP) 22 The Esplanade, 07 866 5481, whitianga.co.nz/baywatch

Seagulls Guesthouse (BBH) 12 Hinau Street, 07 574 2099, seagullsguesthouse.co.nz

Cathedral Cove Lodge 41 Harsant Ave, Hahei Beach, 07 866 3889, cathedralcove.co.nz

Tauranga Central Backpackers 64 Willow St, 07 571 6222, tgabackpack.co.nz

Cat’s Pyjamas Backpackers (BBH) 12 Albert St, 07 866 4663, cats-pyjamas.co.nz

YHA Tauranga 171 Elizabeth St, 07 578 5064, yha.co.nz

TAURANGA DO 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

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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

hellsgate.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,

Hell’s Gate Mud baths to heal and stimulate your body

Whakarewarewa Thermal Village Maori village set amidst a

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

ROTORUA DO

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NORTHISLAND landscape of geothermal 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

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62,000 gallons per second. hukafalls.com Hukafalls Jet Jetboating by the falls, 0800 485 2538, hukafallsjet.com Rock ‘n’ Ropes Ropes Courses including the trapeze and Giant Swing. At Crazy Catz on Highway 5. 0800 244 508, rocknropes.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

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TONGARIRO

Mokai Gravity Canyon Extreme flying fox, bridge swing and bungy jump.

0800 802 864

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

River Valley Rafting and horse trekking.

06 388 1444, thelodge@rivervalley.co.nz

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The Crossing Backpackers Erua Rd East, 07 892 2894, thecrossingbackpackers.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 Pipers Lodge 18 Millar St, National Park Village, 07 8922 777, piperslodge.co.nz Plateau Lodge 17 Caroll St, National Park Village, 07 8922 993, plateaulodge.co.nz Ski Haus (BBH) Carroll St, McKenzie St, 07 892 2854, skihaus.co.nz Station Lodge (BBH) 60 Thames Street, The Junction, Ohakune, 06 385 8797, stationlodge.co.nz

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

Ruapehu Visitors’ Centre 54 Clyde St, 06 385 8427 visitruapehu.com Whakapapa Visitor Centre SH 48, Whakapapa Village, 07 892 3729 visitruapehudc.govt.nz

RANGITIKEI

The Lazy Dog (BBH) 3 Rangipoia Place, 07 386 0317, lazydogbackpackers.co.nz

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.

Riverstone Backpackers (BBH) 222 Tautahanga Rd, 07 386 7004, riverstonebackpackers.com

Rangitikei Farmstay 422 Makuhou Rd, 06 327 4495, rangitikeifarmstay.govt.nz

Settlers Motel 24 Arahori St, 07 386 7745, settlersmotelturangi.co.nz Turangi Kiwi Holiday Park 13 Te Reiti Tamara Grove, 07 386 8754,

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River Valley Dorms Makuhou Rd 06 388 1444, rivervalley.co.nz

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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 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.

Maraehako Bay Retreat SH35, Whanarua Bay, 07 325 2648. maraehako.co.nz Stranded in Paradise (BBH) 21 Potae Street, 06 864 5870, stranded-in-paradise.net Wainui Beach Motel 34 Wairere Rd, 06 868 5882, wainuibeachmotel.co.nz

GISBORNE Flying Nun Backpackers (BBH) 147 Roebuck Rd, 06 868 0461, flynun.co.nz YHA Gisborne 32 Harris St, 06 867 3269, yha.co.nz

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.

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NAPIER STAY Aqua Lodge (BBH) 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

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SPOTLIGHT

The nation’s capital is to many people, New Zealand’s most interesting city.

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 HAKA LODGE - 2015 GOLDEN BACKPACK WINNERS BEST ACCOMMODATION These hostels stand out from the crowd thanks to friendly staff, clean and modern facilities, spacious accommodation and relaxed atmosphere.

Christchurch, Queenstown, Auckland, Taupo and Paihia

NEW PLYMOUTH Taranaki’s major town is New 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

Stratford Heritage Lodge 103 Miranda St, 06 765 7482, eastern-taranaki.co.nz

Hikurangi Stay Place 1 Mount View Road, 06 343 333 stayplace.co.nz

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

YHA Whanganui 2 Plymouth St, 06 348 2301, yha.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

Ducks & Drakes Backpackers (BBH) 48 Lemon St, 06 758 0404 ducksanddrakes.co.nz

Information South Taranaki 55 High St, Hawera, 0800 111 323, southtaranaki.com

Sunflower Lodge (BBH) 33 Timandra St, 06 758, 2842 sunflowerlodge.co.nz

Wheatly Downs Farmstay Backpackers (BBH) 484 Ararata Rd, Hawera, 06 278 6523, mttaranaki.co.nz/retreat/ wheatly_downs_farmstay/

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

MT TARANAKI

hakalodge.com

WHANGANUI College House 42b Campbell Street, 021 852 100 42b.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.

Wanganui Information Centre 31 Taupo Quay, Whanganui, 06 349 0508, wanganui.com Department of Conservation Office 74 Ingestre St, 06 348 8475

PALMERSTON NTH Palmerston North Visitor Centre The Square, 06 350 1922, manawatunz.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

Barnacles Seaside Inn (BBH) 3 Marine Parade.

04 902 5856 seasideyha.co.nz Base Wellington 21-23 Cambridge Tce. 04 801 5666 stayatbase.com

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

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

Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (BBH) 1 Bunny St. 04 473 8482 hotelwaterloo.co.nz Lodge in the City (BBH) 152 Taranaki St. 04 385 8560 lodgeinthecity.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 Nomads Capital 118/120 Wakefield St. 0508 666 237, nomadscapital.com

The Setup (BBH) Level 3/15, Dixon Street, Te Aro 04 802 4779 setupdixon.co.nz

YHA Wellington City 292 Wakefield St. 04 801 7280 yha.co.nz

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

Harbour cruises The harbour is a handsome thing and the best way to fully appreciate its beauty is by boat.

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

Worldwide Backpackers (BBH) 291 The Terrace.

04 802 5590, worldwidenz.co.nz

Parliament House Free tours. Visit the Beehive, a uniquely designed centre of government with a distinct style of architecture, 04 471 9503

Wellington Zoo Located in Newtown and home to a wide variety of weird and wonderful animal and bird life, 04 381 6755

Rosemere Backpackers (BBH) 6 MacDonald Crescent.

04 384 3041, backpackerswellington.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,

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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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SOUTHISLAND

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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

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Tailor-Made-Tekapo Backpackers (BBH) 10/11 Aorangi Cres.

03 680 6700 tailor-made-backpackers.co.nz

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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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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,

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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.

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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

MOERAKI

Photo: Kiwi Experience

Just 30km south of Oamaru lies a remarkable collection of eerie giant boulders.

KIWI EXPERIENCE - 2015 GOLDEN BACKPACK WINNERS BEST TRANSPORT PROVIDER NZ Kiwi Experience is the leading hop-on, hop-off backpacker bus New Zealand experience; designed by travellers for travellers. Who better to explore the incredible scenery of the New Zealand with. kiwiexperience.com

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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Belize: the Great Blue Hole

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You’d better Belize it Spend some time in the happy Central American country where diving with sharks and driving with chickens is all part and parcel WORDS ANDREW WESTBROOK

Remember,” urges my dive master, “if you start feeling drunk, let me know right away.”

It’s a request that would sound strange at the best of times, but right now, at 8am on a boat in the Caribbean with a bar nowhere to be seen, it’s downright odd.

But then I remember what we’re about to do. And gulp.

I’m in Belize, a tiny Central American country home to the world’s second biggest barrier reef, and I’m floating above the Great Blue Hole. The aptly-named sinkhole, labelled one of the world’s 10 best dive sites by scuba godfather Jacques Cousteau, seemingly drops into nothingness, as if the plug’s been pulled out of the ocean and we’re about to get sucked in.

We’re to dive down 40m into the hole, a depth far greater than I’ve gone before. That means it will be the first time I’ve been at risk of nitrogen narcosis, a condition resulting from breathing too many pressured gases that basically makes you feel wasted. It sounds appealing enough, but at 40m under, the results can be disastrous as you’re tempted to do things like give your air to the fish, or simply keep swimming down, down, down, happy as Larry until the lights go out.

And so, firmly promising to let my designated diver know if I’m hit by a sudden streaking urge, we take the plunge.

Down we go, 10m, 20m, 30m. The water is unfeasibly warm and the visibility spectacular as we skirt the wall of the subterranean cave, deeper into the abyss, which continues down for 125m. In the distance a lone bull shark eyes us curiously before continuing on his way.

And then, at around 35m, the main attraction comes into view. The wall suddenly gives way to a gaping cavern entrance, home to the giant stalactites that prove the site was once above sea level.

Escaping the impenetrable darkness below, I dart between two of the looming columns and into the cavern. The towers of stone line up into the distance, like the thick pillars

of an epic throne room of some sunken medieval castle. Swimming between them, like dwarves discovering the battle scarred remains of some once mighty fortress of giants, is fantastical and surreal. Monsieur Cousteau, it seems, knew what he was talking about – it’s as spectacular and spooky as any dive I’ve experienced. Plus, to top it off, the narcosis never comes and the fear is long forgotten, too busy are we at taking in the sights. The only problem is that, at 40m down, we devour our air in no time, meaning it’s all too soon before we must return to the surface reality.

Original pirate material I’d reached Belize a few days before my Blue Hole adventure, powering over the border in a boat from the Mexican town of Chetumal.

Arriving by water had seemed a fitting way to begin my travels around a country which owes its very existence to a pirate past.

It was in the 1600s that British chancers first started settling on this 300km stretch of Caribbean coastline, protected by the now World Heritage-listed barrier reef, using it as a base to launch attacks on the Central American Spanish colonies, of which Belize was technically a part.

A century later, and after a promise that the settlers would switch piracy for logging, the Spanish grudgingly accepted the Brits could stay. That paved the way, once the Spanish had been kicked out, for the country, which is about a third of the size of Tasmania, to become a British colony, then called British Honduras, in 1862. It was only in 1981 that Belize finally gained independence, after a 30 years standoff with Guatemala, which was finally settled by Britain’s persisting military presence, plus a promise to build the Guatemalans a road to the coast.

As it turns out, the Guatemalans never got their road, but the British presence is still keenly felt on this English and Creole-speaking strip of Latin America, where reggae and

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Belize: the (fourth) happiest place on earth

rastas are the order of the day.

What a Caulker!

My first port of call had been San Pedro, the main town on Ambergris Caye, the country’s biggest tourist hub. Big, that is,

by Belizean standards.

Measuring around 40km long and less than 2km wide, Ambergris is no manic metropolis. But it’s certainly bustling, thanks largely to its popularity with vacationing Americans who clog the narrow sandy streets in their zippy rented golf carts.

I lose a couple of days to rum-swilling in the Pedro party scene, but grow tired of the electric traffic and the strangling sea grass that makes the island’s perfect warm waters frustratingly out of reach. The solution is a quick boat ride down the coast to the even smaller Caye Caulker, a legendary backpacker destination where the golf cart traffic eases, the prices fall and the pace slows.

Sauntering down the laneways, I secure myself a dirt-cheap beach shack for the week, fill the fridge with Belikin beers and assume the position in my hammock, determined to embrace the complexities of island life.

And so the lazy days become a blur of beers and hammocks, rice and beans until I book myself onto a couple of trips to explore the reef that dominates Belize’s waters.

First I have my day discovering the submerged castles of 88

the Great Blue Hole, before opting to meet the locals at Shark Ray Alley in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Just a few minutes ride from shore, we’re soon in a channel between two patches of reef. In we jump to the waist deep water, along with a few morsels of fish from the crew.

Soon enough we’re surrounded. Harmless nurse sharks and sting rays barge past and nuzzle from every angle, eagerly nosing their way into the conch shells housing the bait.

At first I nervously avoid the hungry snouts, but soon there’s so many of them it’s hard to avoid stepping on the rays’ soft rubbery flesh, which seemingly covers the sand like the flooring of some warped children’s playground.

And then, after half an hour of playing in the shallows, the food supply is exhausted and our new friends are gone as quickly as they appeared. Our company, it seems, isn’t quite as scintillating as we’d believed.

Caye Players Back on dry land I decide it’s time to explore more of the country and so make plans to leave the northern cayes behind me and hit the road.

My target is the town of Placencia, a full day’s travel to the south. This means that, after a quick boat ride to Belize City, I get to experience some of Central America’s infamous chicken buses. They’ve gained their name, in case you were wondering, because once on board you could find yourself

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sitting next to just about anything or anyone, including a feathered clucker.

And soon enough, after escaping the cacophony of the station, I’m in my seat (no chicken for company), crossing my fingers that it’s the right bus. With Pitbull blaring at tinnitusthreatening volumes, we screech off, tearing down one of Belize’s three major roads, shuddering violently to a halt every time somebody roadside raises so much as an eyebrow.

A good proportion of those eyebrow raisers are women bearing buckets of food, generally steaming hot rice and fish wrapped in banana leaves for $1 a pop. They jump on board and ride with us for a few minutes, doing a storming trade amongst the captive market as the smells waft through the windswept seats. As quickly as the women appear, they disappear again, buckets empty and pockets full.

And so, after a day of munching along the jungle and plantation roads, I arrive at Placencia. It’s a scattered, laidback fishing community that’s catching onto tourism in a big way thanks to boasting the mainland’s best beaches. But I’m not here for the sand. I’ve got my very own pirate experience waiting for me, in the form of a three-day sailing trip around the southern cayes.

Belize was recently named the world’s fourth happiest country by London’s New Economics Foundation and it’s when you’re on the water that it’s easy to understand why.

When not sun-baking on the deck, we spend our days snorkelling with playful loggerhead turtles and spaceshiplike spotted eagle rays. Every now and then our skipper Iggy nods to the jumping rod at the stern and one of us reels in a mackerel or mutton snapper. Our trusty captain then supplements lunch by diving for conch, which he cooks simply by adding lime juice to create a lip-smackingly good ceviche.

Watching one of the fishermen rise smiling and victorious from the water, conch shell in hand, one thought repeatedly crosses my mind – how did this place only get fourth?

All aboard the chicken bus

GET A ROOM WITH THE GODFATHER

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plash out at Francis Ford Coppola’s Belizean hotel.

There are times on the road when you simply have to forget about money and take your credit card for a spin.

Generally, it’s for that pricey “must-do” experience like a skydive or rafting trip. But sometimes, just sometimes, you’re tired, dirty and come out in a rash simply by thinking about another 20-bed mixed dorm.

Luckily, Placencia has the perfect location for recharging the batteries during your Central American odyssey in the form of Turtle Inn (coppolaresorts.com), a fancy resort owned by none other than iconic Hollywood director Francis Ford Coppola. Sure, you might not want to cough up a couple of grand a night to stay in the Coppola’s own villa, complete with personal “houseman” on call 24 hours a day.

However, for a more feasible $319 you could get your own poolside cabana. Remember, this is cabanas Hollywood style, meaning it’s no empty wooden box. Expect your own full-on house, together lowering the tone for a night or two, rest assured that you’ll leave fully charged for the chicken bus out of town.

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OZCAREERS

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Top 10 tips to boost your soci@l CV

Image: Thinkstock

Your social media profiles are becoming just as important as your CV as employers increasingly use social media to seek out fresh talent...

A new generation of socially savvy “Insta-grads” are posting their gap-year activities and antics on sites such as Instagram to showcase their real world life experiences to prospective employers and help them land a great job.

This growing trend of using ‘social CVs’ to impress potential employers has been taken up by the Government of South Australia, who have offered UK graduates mentored work placements in a variety of hands-on jobs across different industries, ranging from vineyard and cellar door training, media and sports events and art exhibitions.

The ‘Mentor Me’ programme focuses on the use of social media by encouraging them to blog, tweet and Instagram all the action from their gap year placements, documenting their experiences to help showcase their attributes in a contemporary style for future interviews.

To ensure graduates know how to make the most out of their social profile, the South Australia Government has compiled a “Top Ten” tips guide on how to increase the impact of their social CV. And here it is...

1. LinkedIn - Make sure your profile is up to date – employers are increasingly using this as a tool for recruitment. Add photos and videos to all of your roles.

2. Include links on your CV/resume to your social media accounts – this helps employers get more of a sense of who you are/what you have done.

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3. Set up your own Twitter account – follow companies you are interested in and actively engage with people and organisations. You will be judged on the ‘company you keep’.

4. Choose the right channel. Match your content to different channels and audiences. Instagram, YouTube, Twitter or blogging chat forums.

5. Tell stories. People respond to stories, not data.

Experiment with new ways of telling stories and make the most of all the tools out there like Tumblr and Spotify.

6. Be truthful: Don’t pretend to be something you’re not.

This should be a true reflection of you, and the person they’re hiring.

7. Have fun: “Work should be fun and making work fun brings success,” Richard Branson.

8. Set up an ‘about.me’ page – it is free and gives you a onepage ‘social business card’.

9. Start now! Exposure from blogging and engaging online will help raise your profile, but you can’t expect it to just happen overnight.

10. Don’t stop! Updating your profile is an ongoing activity – get into the habit of updating any profiles, just like you do a resume/CV. “Once/if your ‘social media reputation’ is ever neglected, it is very difficult to resurrect it again – it needs constant attention,” says Global Partner in IBM Interactive Experience Andrew Grill.

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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 Backpacker Travel Centre or contact us

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