Sailing trips in the Bay of Islands

We regularly receive enquiries from people wanting to do a few days sailing in the Bay of Islands, but until now have only been able to offer yacht charters or day trips. Well, now we’re really pleased to be able to offer these fantastic small group tours.

Join the friendly crew of the 72ft SV Manawanui and experience the Bay of Islands Maritime Park on a 3 day / 2 night coastal exploration. The emphasis of these cruises lies on an appreciation of the marine environment and the outdoors in a relaxed, down to earth atmosphere. We focus on a range of outdoor activities which are designed to be fun and to also enable a greater level of interaction with the different maritime habitats. Sail the ocean, walk across towering cliffs, snorkel on stunning reefs, kayak around uninhabited islands and gather your own fresh seafood to experience the Maritime Park‘s rich diversity.

The walks, kayaking, snorkelling, sailing, seafood gathering as well as the comfort of a small group all form part of the experience.

Trips depart every Tuesday and Friday and passenger numbers are limited to 12 to ensure a personal atmosphere. Accommodation is in double cabins or multi share bunk rooms, and all inclusive prices range from NZ$450 per person for dorm accommodation through to NZ$525 for twin share or NZ$750 for single occupancy cabins. Everything except alcohol is provided – but you can bring your own!

For more information on the tour click here.

NZ voted top destination - again

New Zealand has yet again won top rating as a tourist destination. The country has been voted favourite travel destination for the third consecutive time by the readers of Wanderlust, one of the UK's top travel magazines.

Since the awards were launched in 1999, New Zealand has topped the survey each time, this year scoring a near perfect 97.4 per cent satisfaction rating.

Only last month the Harris Poll, a long-running and respectable United States public opinion survey showed New Zealand had jumped six places to number seven as the country where American visitors would most like to go on holiday.

Update on motorhome/car hire over peak season

For those of you who have been on the mailing list for a while, you’ll recall the country ran out of hire cars last February. Well, despite their assurances, it looks almost certain to happen again.

It’s only October, but it’s already near impossible to get a motorhome from mid-December through to at least mid-January, and cars are becoming equally difficult to book as well. If you’re serious about a Summer holiday in New Zealand and you still haven’t booked your vehicle, please do it soon!

Lord of the Rings Expo hits the UK

Londoners and tourists alike are flocking to see The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy - The Exhibition at the Science Museum.

Developed at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, the US$1.2 million display has chosen London as its only European venue, before moving on to Singapore, Boston and Sydney, and is proving to be one of the museum's most popular exhibits ever.

What visitors see when they come is a cleverly thought-out display filled with figures from the Lord of the Rings films replete with uniforms and weapons, costumes and props, as well as screens showing interviews with the films' director, Peter Jackson, and members of the cast and crew.

Young fans stare wide-eyed at the imposing figure of an immense Sauron, Lord of the Rings, with his spiked mask and spear, while the sad Fall of Boromir, a prone figure in a funeral boat clutching his sword, seems to draw a different set of emotions. There's a stirring row of figures clad in assorted uniforms: a Gondor Ranger, a Rohan Royal Guard, a Warg Rider, and Orc and Uruk-Hai Warriors. In one corner is the Ruined Hobbitum Mill Miniature, beautifully crafted by the Weta Workshop, as most of the films' effects were. So much attention has been given to every detail; it's truly difficult to believe the figures are bits of urethane and polystyrene foam, cardboard, lead and wood.

Late availability on group dive/adventure tour

For anyone that likes a bargain, we’ve got limited late availability on our 7-day Central Discoverer tour running 8-14 November this year. Book this trip now and receive 20% discount off the standard price.

Until next time – Cheers!