Posts Tagged wanaka
Planning a New Zealand Wine Vacation – Tour Lesser Known Wineries
In recent years New Zealand has become a popular destination for the world’s wine buffs. The major wine regions of Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay, and the neighboring areas of Wairarapa and Wellington, enjoy thousands of visitors every year.
But with stunning wineries stretching from the northernmost tip to the bottom of the South Island, why not explore them? Tourists will enjoy some amazing wine experiences if they dare to venture off the beaten track.
New Zealand may be a relatively new wine destination, but its most popular ports can tend to get crowded. It may seem appealing to visit New Zealand’s largest wineries, but you may think twice when you’re bumping elbows with other tasters at the bar. Contrast this with the serenity and personalized service of smaller vineyards, and you may be tempted to try the path less traveled.
If you’re looking for this kind of relaxed wine vacation, there are a few New Zealand regions you may like to consider.
Northland is often overlooked by wine tourists. It’s the smallest of New Zealand’s wine regions, and its location on the northernmost tip of the North Island is a little out of the way. But it’s worth the effort to visit this picturesque region.
Croatian immigrants planted New Zealand’s first grape vines in Northland in 1819, but this region’s wine industry all but died out until recently. Thanks to current interest in New Zealand’s wines, the area has enjoyed a resurgence.
The beautiful coastal districts of Kaitaia, Bay of Islands, and Whagarei make up the Northland wine region. It enjoys New Zealand’s warmest weather which makes it the perfect place to grow cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and chardonnay grapes, and to attract sun loving travelers.
A journey on the Northland Food and Wine Trail is the perfect way for gastronomes to experience all this region has to offer. The 74 food and wine experiences on the trail are all clearly signposted to help travelers find their way. Many stops like Ake Ake Winery, Omata Estate, and Cottle Hill Winery combine excellent wine and fine food for a truly indulgent experience.
For the ultimate foodie’s delight, consider visiting Northland in September. Every year wineries and restaurant join together for The Northland Lunch, an annual degustation meal featuring amazing dishes created with fresh local produce and matched with the perfect Northland wines.
Central Otago is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing wine regions, but few international tourists ever make it far enough south to see it. It’s a shame, because this beautiful mountainous area is paradise for wine lovers.
Central Otago is famous for elegant pinot noirs, but it’s also worth sampling the chardonnays, sauvignon blancs, rieslings, pinot grigios, and gewürztraminers. You’ll find wonderful examples of these varieties at Felton Road Wines, Peregrine Wines, and Two Paddocks, the winery owned by movie star Sam Neill.
Central Otago is conveniently located near New Zealand’s adventure capital, Queenstown. Bungy jumping, skydiving, kayaking, and hang-gliding are huge industries here, and the perfect way to get the adrenalin pumping. Wine tasting in the nearby Gibbston Valley is the ideal complement to these heart-racing activities. Or venture further away from the city to explore vineyards at Wanaka, Alexandra, and the Cromwell Basin.
Central Otago’s food and wine is celebrated with an annual festival in February. Enjoy award-winning wines and tasty treats while soaking up the sounds of local jazz bands. The beautiful surroundings of the Queenstown Gardens make this festival a must see for locals and tourists alike.
New Zealand’s wine industry is thriving, from the north to the south. So don’t just focus on the big names in New Zealand’s heart. There are unexpected joys to experience by wine tourists that dare to be different.
Tags: new zealand, north island, queenstown, south island, travel, vacation, visit new zealand, wanaka, weather, wellingtonRelated posts
Queenstown, New Zealand Accommodation
You have arrived at your Queenstown accommodation and this rural city is so friendly and welcoming that you will feel right at home staying here. Located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and with majestic mountains as a back drop, Queenstown is a four season lake and alpine resort with many different types of accommodation. Queenstown will feed your imagination, fuel your passions and revitalise your spirits in preparation for the year ahead. This area, settled in 1800’s has seen many races drawn to the area for grazing land and previous to that the Maori who were looking for native greenstone called Pounamu.
Should you make the decision to stay at a Queenstown lodge you will find some of the Southern Hemisphere’s best ski fields in close proximity. They are staffed by people who will be able to give you assistance to enjoy your alpine holiday. There are different classes of slopes to test your skiing skills from beginner to advanced, all within such an easy drive of the available accommodation Queenstown that you will be surprised.
You could find some cheap Queenstown hotels that will make your dollar stretch further so you could take in extra adventures in this delightful country. Accommodation Wanaka could give you more time to explore the area around Lake Wanaka. Your time would be well spent to stay a couple of nights in Wanaka where you can hire guides to explore Mount Aspiring National Park and they will take you to areas that will set your heart racing. There is no better way than to spend your holiday in cities, towns and rural areas like Wanaka New Zealand where it takes just over an hour to travel to Queenstown, this area on the South Island can give you a truly great holiday experience.
There will be a warm welcome and a comfortable bed waiting for you at your Wanaka accommodation. Should you be backpacking your way through New Zealand there are several accommodation options for backpackers. This friendly place on the shores of Lake Wanaka will make you feel at ease.
From Lake Wanaka you could travel to Queenstown and find some really nice Queenstown apartments through a Queenstown rental agent to make the most of this delightful area. There will be a wide range and variety of Queenstown accommodation to suit all budgets no matter how stringent they may be.
When entering the area by road you will see many Queenstown motels offering the traveler options like Queenstown hostels to choose from for your holiday accommodation.
When you arrive in Queenstown travel around and look at the different Queenstown apartment and motel offers that you can take and you are sure to find something to suit your budget. Queenstown has earned it’s reputation as the world’s adventure capital. Not only is there jet boating trips up a canyon, bungee jumping and white water rafting but there are many adventures that will literally have your heart jumping through your tee shirt. Just imagine taking part in any or all of these exciting activities. What a thrill! Like else where on this fabulous isle the welcome is warm and genuine.
No matter why you came to this lovely area of the South Island of New Zealand you can be sure to find some Queenstown accommodation that suits you to a tee.
Tags: accommodation, accommodation wanaka, backpacker, backpackers, holiday, hostel, hostels, hotel, hotels, lodge, motel, motels, new zealand, new zealand accommodation, queenstown, queenstown hotel, resort, ski field, skiing, south island, travel, travel to, wanakaRelated posts