Five Day Milford Track (Amazing) – Options if dont have the time but still want the Experience?

Posted by Brent

Behold the Milford Track! This is the view that confronts you walking down to Sandfly point toward Milford Sound. All the superlatives in the world have been used to describe the majesty that is Milford.

If you cant sacrifice the five days required to walk the world famous track, then we have combined a guided walk and cruise on the sound that will give you great insight into this very special place.

Last month I walked a section of the track to gain a better understanding of the experience on offer – I was pleasantly surprised.

Milford-Sound1

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From the Queenstown end of the Routeburn Track: The Routeburn Flats and up to the Falls – A Must Do New Zealand Day Walk

Posted by Brent

Last month, accompanied by Andrew Wells, aka ‘The Hiking Guy”, and I took the opportunity to hike the eastern end (the Glenorchy side) of the Routeburn Track. Hiking along the Flats and up to the spectacular Routeburn Falls.

Considering the day had started out with torrential rain with no real chance of it getting any better,  the day turned out to be memorable, regardless – but that’s Mount Aspiring National Park for you, awe inspiring in all conditions.

Hiking the Routeburn Track

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Thinking of a Self-drive holiday in New Zealand – Trade the Hot Tub for a Wild, Natural, Hot Spring.

Posted by Brent

Picture yourself relaxing in one of our naturally formed hot springs, surrounded by lush native bush or towered over by magnificent snow capped mountains – maybe you found yourself soaking in a spring that formed in the middle of a wild beach. In New Zealand, not only is this possible, but better still – IT’S ABSOLUTELY FREE!

All of the volcanic regions in New Zealand have hot springs that occur naturally, and with more than 60 ‘wild’ (non-commercial and in their natural state) springs scattered around New Zealand, it’s worth making sure you have time to visit.

Here we review the most popular of these springs, share some health and safety tips and pinpoint some of the more remote springs that are worthy of exploration.

New-Zealands-Natural-Hot-Pools

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The Beautiful Jenolan Caves – A Must when Traveling to the Blue Mountains

Posted by Brent

At a stately 340 million years, the Jenolan Cave network is the oldest open cave system in the world and are absolutely spectacular. Located in the beautiful Blue Mountains World Heritage Area the Jenolan Caves are only a couple of hours drive from Sydney and make a great day or overnight excursion.

The vast cave network has over 40 km (25 Miles) of multi-level passages offering easy site seeing walks, educational and historical tours to active adventure caving.

The question is, what cave is right for you…

Jenolan-Caves-Near-Sydney

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New Zealand – A Great Place for a Family Vacation.

Posted by Brent

It can be challenging, to say the least, to keep everyone in the family happy while on holiday, but luckily for you, New Zealand has a range of exciting activities to accommodate everyone’s interests – New Zealand is a great place for a child friendly holiday.

Here are eight great ideas that will fire your children’s inquisitive nature, challenge the most intrepid of teens and captivate everyone’s attention with the best that nature has to offer.

Child-Friendly-Holidays-New-Zealand

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Food, Wine & Art – Take the Road Worth Travelling.

Posted by Brent

Partake on a delicious journey through New Zealand’s finest wine and food country, experience the 380 kilometer (240 mile) trail as it serves up a delectable array of food and wine experiences. Encompassing Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Marlborough the ‘Classic New Zealand Wine Trail’  links three of New Zealand’s leading wine regions that accounts for more than 80 percent of the country’s production.

Seemingly inseparable from good food and wine, artisans from all disciplines have set up camp along the way, complementing your experience perfectly.

Lets get on the road…

Food-Wine-Art

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Forget the Blood, Sweat and Tears – 7 Great Aussie Trails to Ease you into the ‘Great Outdoors’.

Posted by Brent

Australia boasts some of the most extraordinary landscapes for the hiker to enjoy, ranging from Lush tropical rainforests to remote and seemingly endless deserts and everything in-between. This country was made to be explored, but you won’t have to compromise on either comfort or cuisine as the new breed of walker gets into the ‘Great Outdoors’ Here are some options when considering hiking in Australia.

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…10 Must Do New Zealand Adventures – Let your Light Shine Brightly!

Posted by Brent

Ten years of feedback has given us a list of the New Zealand’s WoW! wilderness adventures. They are not in any particular order – there is not a number ’1′.  We actually have enough material to list another 20 cracker adventures – so lets call this part 1 of possibly 2 or 3 posts.

Apart from taking place in areas of exceptional natural beauty and offering various outdoor challenges, these adventures all have one thing in common -  our guests have repeatedly absolutely RAVED about each and every one of them.

Here you go…

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‘Pimp Your Ride’ with the ‘Masters of the Self-drive Holiday.’

Posted by Brent

It isn’t easy planning the perfect holiday, especially to a place you have never been. Sure there is an overwhelming number of resources available to help you gather information, but what is the difference between good and great? – anyone can write a review, the question is “did they have the same expectations as you?”

Here’s how you can have a vacation, that not only surpasses your expectations, but eliminates all the guessing and hard work. Better still, this service is absolutely free.

Ten Great Reasons to use First Light Travel to “Customize” Your Self-drive Holiday.

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Posted in ABOUT US, Art, Australia, Before Leaving Home, Caving, Culture, Diving, Fiji, Hiking, History, Humour, LOTR, Nature, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands, Surfing, The Hobbit, Wintersports | Leave a comment

Prehistoric Maori Rock Art – A Window into Early New Zealand Occupation

Posted by Brent

In the prehistoric age of early human occupation, nomadic Maori hunters created New Zealand’s earliest surviving artworks in caves and shelters as long ago as the fifteenth century or earlier.

Admired by archaeologists and historians alike, these windows on the past show a strength and elegance of design but the question of origin and significance are still a mystery.

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