Keeping in theme with our down under room with a view, were taking you to New Zealand, home of Maori culture. New Zealand it so beautiful, it reminds us of one of those photos you see on a postcard, that literally look so breath-taking you can’t describe it in one word. With only 4.36 million New Zealanders, scattered across 270,534 sq km, New Zealand has a lot of natural space filled with forests, mountains, lakes, beaches and fiords, making It one of the best hiking destinations in the world.
People from New Zealand are called Kiwis, but the island still has a large amount of Maori culture. The Maori culture still manages to make an impact on modern Kiwi life though its language, TV, Maori feasts, song and dance; one of the most famous being the Haka (war dance).
Millbrook resort will provide you with an unforgettable and unmatched stay in New Zealand. Located in a peace private setting the award-winning Millbrook Resort is a luxurious 5-star retreat spread out across 500 acres of beautiful countryside. There is a variety of options including open-plan studios, one-bedroom suites, two bedroom villas, three and four bedroom fully equipped cottages and exclusive three and four bedroom Fairway Homes.
Each accommodation features large windows and balconies that offer great views of the mountains, golf course or resort grounds. Facilities include a 27-hole championship golf course, fitness centre with expert-led fitness classes, a day spa and several wonderful restaurants. There are also shuttles that will take you to/from Queenstown and Arrowtown.
Our accommodation of choice is the Hotel villa, these spacious two bedroom villas have a French provincial influence and feature a lounge area and fully equipped kitchen, as well as two en-suite bedrooms. In the bathrooms, there are deluxe bathrobes, a luxurious deep bath with amenities and a separate bath and shower.
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The living areas feature a flat screen TV, gas fireplace, dining table, chairs and sofas. Each Hotel Villa has an amazing backdrop as well as two balconies or courtyards with views over the surrounding fairways, greens or mountains.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves are a definite sight to see for anyone visiting New Zealand. The caves attract countless visitors from all over the world and will top most visitors New Zealand vacation wish list. The guided tour of the Glowworm Cave, which is situated behind the visitor centre, leads past impressive stalactites and stalagmites into a large cavern known as the Cathedral. The acoustics in the cave are so amazing that Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the Vienna Boys Choir have given concerts here. The best part of the tour however is boarding the boat which will take you on a boat ride under thousands of magical glow-worms that radiate their unmistakable luminescent light. The guides will also provide informative commentary on the Caves' historical and geological significance.
The Auckland Museum is a neo-classical temple capped with a coper and glass dome, that houses and extensive amount of Pacific island and Maori artefacts that you have to see with your own eyes. Over 1000 taonga are displayed in Auckland museums main Māori galleries, He Taonga Māori (Māori Court) and Te Ao Tūroa (Māori Natural History Gallery) and many more are held in storage. These taonga are the ancestral representations of all the major tribes of Aotearoa.
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A highlight of the museum and a favourite amongst kids is the Egyptian mummy display and there is a fascinating display on the volcanic field, which includes an eruption simulation. The upper floors of the museum consist of military displays, as the building serves its dual role as a war memorial.
If you’re looking for the perfect beach location you will surely find it amongst one of the Bay of Islands 150 undeveloped islands that feature gleaming turquoise waters. The Bay of Islands is undeniably beautiful and also one of New Zealand’s top tourist destinations. Just imagine a laid back day spent on a yacht over the mystical waters with the sun shining on your face and a cold cocktail in your hand, it’s be so hard to leave.
The Bay of Islands also has very important historical significance with it being the birthplace of European colonisation, as it is the site of New Zealands’s first permanent British settlement (at Russell). The Maori originally knew it as Pewhairangi and settled here early in their migrations; It was here that the Treaty of Waitangi was drawn up and first signed in 1840.
During any vacation you have to make time for some relaxation and what better place to do so than at the Polynesian Spa. The Polynesian Spa is a bathhouse that was opened in 1882 at the Government Gardens springs, since then people have been praising its waters. There is mineral bathing (36°C to 42°C) in several different pools at the lakes edge, as well as marble-lined terrace pools and the main pool, some of which provide you beautiful landscape views. In addition, there are luxury therapies available to guests, which include massages, mud and beauty treatments, and café in case you get peckish.
Major Tom’s Spaceship is unlike any bar you’ve ever seen if the name didn’t already give it away, but a very funky and quirky one to say the least.
Inside the bar, you will find interesting antiques, vintage sofas, dangling desk lamps in different shapes and colours as well as prints of Elvis, the Mona Lisa and David Bowie. There is also a great range of drinks, an impressive line-up of live music acts, which you can find on their website and free Wi-Fi.
If good food is where your heart is then you’ll love Riverstone Kitchen an award-winning food haven 12km north of Oamaru. The restaurant has a chilled and sophisticated ambience with is leather couches and polished concrete. Most of their ingredients come from their onsite gardens, with menu options including free-range pork with fennel and apple slaw, or tasty panko-crumbed red cod with chunky hand-cut chips. Booking in advance is recommended.
