The Antarctic Attraction, a unique establishment


Christchurch’s International Antarctic Centre, also known as the Antarctic Attraction is a sensational facility that realistically recreates the inhospitable but fascinating conditions of the world’s coldest continent. Providing visitors with an interactive, exciting and enjoyable experience the establishment is always a captivating place to visit.

Numerous indoor attractions are to be found at this sensational venue. The Gallery features a multitude of attractive displays depicting present day Antarctica, human influences in the region, plant and wildlife systems, Antarctica’s impact on the world and details of the Antarctic treaty. Visitors are encouraged to touch and feel the exhibits to gain maximum benefit from them.

A special feature at the centre are the i-Guides, which may be carried by visitors and provide a commentary in English, Korean, Japanese, Thai, French, German, Mandarin and Spanish.

The centre’s ‘4D Extreme Theatre’ provides the spectator with a state of the art interactive experience with viewers actually feeling water spray, falling snow, lightning, wind and bubbles with actual motion of the seats. Two thrilling 4D features are screened; ‘Ice Voyage’ and ‘The Curse of Skull Rock’.

The Snow & Ice Experience is perhaps the centre’s most exciting feature. The large indoor room is cooled to -5 Celsius and contains real ice and snow. Visitors may take refuge in an ice cave, slide down ice-lined slopes and, if you are truly bold, brave an Antarctic storm or the wind chill simulator which chills the temperature to a frigid -18 Celsius. The indoor attractions are completed by a sensational sound and light show titled ‘Beyond the Frozen Sunset’ which contains sensational footage of the frozen continent.

A ride across realistic terrain, which closely resembles the Antarctic surface aboard a Hagglund all terrain vehicle is an unforgettable experience at the centre.

Not to be missed is the Penguin Encounter, which enables guests to get up close with the lovable Little Blue penguins. The realistic environment which mimics nature includes a large pool for the benefit of the resident penguins. Many of these individuals have physical disabilities which would make them unable to survive in the wild.

Travellers to the city would do well to take advantage of Christchurch hotel packages such as those offered by the Copthorne Hotel Christchurch Central. This convenient hotel in Christchurch New Zealand provides comfortable accommodation amidst a pleasing environment.

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve – An Educational Journey




It is said that visiting Willowbank is similar to participating in a tale. It is known to offer a lot more than a regular wildlife park, with a collection of exhibits. The story of the reserve narrates the development of the young country when it separated from Gondwanaland. It goes on to explain the arrival of the native people and their impact as well the arrival of colonists. The story is completed with a roadmap into the future.
The tale begins through the section named ‘Wild New Zealand’ which commences with a display of the impact made on a fragile nation with the introduction of species such as wallabies, deer plus a horde of other animals including various animals and plants.
Next, the journey reaches ‘Heritage New Zealand’, through which, the country’s history with the wealth of a diverse heritage is portrayed. A host of breeds such as rabbits, pigs, sheep, goat and cattle were placed on the various islands belonging to New Zealand by vessels for almost two centuries. Developing into their separate distinctive breeds, the preservation of their genetics is considered as an important module of the reserve’s conservation work. The ‘Farmyard’ is a section that illustrates the early livestock and farming methods.
The journeys’ ending session leads you through ‘Natural New Zealand’, which is regarded the country’s national heart. It effectively demonstrates a number of species who play a major role in the nation’s absolutely unique flora, native wildlife and culture. Some of New Zealand’s most endangered species can be seen here while special attempts are being made to preserve and learn about them. All in all, the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve considers its wildlife and environment a valued heritage and a great learning experience.
Guided tours are another special feature of the Wildlife Reserve which is New Zealand’s only night-time wild park. Thus visitors can take a night time journey through the Natural New Zealand section with the guidance of the reserve’s wardens. The tour covers a broad showcase of native and imported animals including special birds.
Travellers seeking a fine hotel in Christchurch will be delighted to find Copthorne Hotel Christchurch Central. Offering a host of special packages designed with the discerning traveller in mind, this Christchurch New Zealand hotel is a high preference among the visitors to Christchurch.

Tudor Towers – From Bathhouse to Museum


A well established bathhouse in Rotorua, Tudor Towers has a long and eventful history behind it, before reaching its eventual form as a museum today. Constructed between 1916 and 1918, the bathhouse was constructed as an effort to market Rotorua as a spa resort destination. The bathhouse played a central role in achieving this aim.

With the passage of time however, this concept eventually disintegrated and the bathhouse fell in to a ruined, rundown and derelict state. With its waning popularity, a new use was found for the ailing bathhouse that breathed in much needed life.

The Tudor Towers was to be held at the dilapidated bathhouse and set the stage for a host of musical performances that would eventually span an impressive 3 decades. Over its 30 year run Tudor Towers was the definitive place to be and many of its acts were often considered ‘outrageous’ but were well received. Performances initially were held on a sunken floor and eventually on a multi-tiered faux Tudor stage.

This popular event eventually ceased after its long run but the bathhouse had arguably been saved from turning to ruins and subsequently being demolished. With the end of the performances, Tudor Towers eventually turned in to the Rotorua Museum of Art and History.

On the upper foyer floor of the museum, visitors today can find the ‘Tudor Towers’ exhibit that depicts the story of this historical and momentous building. Seeking to preserve an influential part of Rotorua’s history, the Rotorua Museum of Art and History opened this dedicated exhibit that tells the story of both the bathhouse and Tudor Towers, ensuring its preservation in the annals of history.

When travelling to the city visitors seeking suitable Rotorua hotel accommodation should consider Millennium Hotel Rotorua. This Rotorua hotel offers its guests both an ideal location and a host of amenities ensuring a comfortable stay in the city.

Hamilton Gardens – An embodiment of art


The most popular attraction in the entire Waikato region, The Hamilton Gardens attracts around 600,000 visitors every year. When travellers venture in to the gardens for themselves, it soon becomes apparent why.

The gardens are divided in to four subsections each of which houses several smaller gardens inside. These main areas are known as Paradise Garden Collection, Cultivar Garden Collection, Productive Garden Collection and the Landscape Garden Collection respectively. Each of these areas has been lovingly crafted, presenting an aesthetic sensation that will astonish the senses.

The distinct appearances of each area will truly give visitors the impression that they have stepped in to another land altogether.

Hamilton Gardens is also the site of over 2000 events including The Pacific Rose Bowl Festival and the Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival. A host of musical performances grace this destination, encompassing an impressive range of musical genres in a showcasing of local talent.

A variety of art exhibitions are also held at Hamilton Garden further widening its artistic appeal. The displays all relate to specific art themes while some even present the chance to walk away with a fabulous piece of art for your home.

With a diverse offering of aesthetic beauty, musical and other art Hamilton Gardens is a destination that delivers a compelling creative world to explore. Entry to the garden is completely free while opening hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm during the winter months and 7:00 am to 8:00 pm during the summer months. With so much on offer, visitors to Waikato have no excuse for missing this destination.

Guests wishing to visit this destination will find staying in a Te Rapa hotel Hamilton such as Kingsgate Hotel Hamilton provides an accommodation option that provides convenient access to this destination. Guests of this Hamilton hotel will also enjoy exemplary service combined with an array of amenities during their stay.

Hokianga Harbour – Captivating Beauty

Get lost in the beauty of nature, with a sanctuary such as the Hokianga Harbour; your dreams of drifting away to a land so peaceful and fulfilling have finally come true.

This environment friendly destination located in the northern most tip of the North Island of New Zealand is a serene waiting to be discovered by you.

New Zealand’s an under populated island in the sun and gives you the perfect opportunity to serenade while the cool air, surrounds you when strolling on the almost empty beaches and the flower garden parks.

This beautifully sliced stunner also takes you on journeys through sand dune bays, harbourside towns, family farms and streams while exposing you to the countryside’s ancient history and facts that enhances your holiday.

You cannot ignore this perfect stress buster. Let beauty and serenity take over and all you have to do is embrace this spirit recognized as the most prominent sensation of New Zealand.

Further to these wonders on offer, singing dolphins, orcas and hungry seals that visit the harbour frequently can also be spotted from a distance.

The luxuriant harbour presents you with the perfect environment to whip out your surfboards, sand boards and dive in to the crystal clear beaches. You can also fish, kayak, cruise and take walks along the coastal and mangrove areas.

The Hokianga harbour and its many beauties offer you a holiday that you will cherish for a lifetime and its persuasion to entice you to this Kiwi paradise will undoubtedly bring you back to these captivating shores.

If you are looking for the ideal Omapere accommodation to fulfill your desires, look no further than the Hokianga hotel that touches you with its many comforts and conveniences. This haven of beauty positioned ideally in the heart of the city will provide you with luxurious amenities and views of the Hokianga Harbour. The Copthorne Hotel and Resort Hokianga is a seventh heaven dedicated to astound you.

The Bay of Islands Dolphin Experience – A Truly Fascinating Rendezvous with Mother Nature!

Offering the warmest water available in the otherwise chilly oceans of New Zealand, the Bay of Islands is located a three and a half hour drive north of Auckland. The beautiful region comprises of 144 islands and is considered by many to have the best climate in New Zealand.

The Bay of Islands is widely regarded as the birthplace of New Zealand and is rich in Maori and European culture. The area hosts some fascinating natural attractions that include the stunning Hole in the Rock, the historic Hokianga Harbour, the ninety mile beach and loads of other outdoor activities including sandboarding and diving. And of course the warm waters make the area the perfect place to view and swim with the dolphins!

Travellers simply love the up close and personal experience with some of the world’s most lovable marine mammals. The warm and food rich waters in the area make it a haven for the dolphins as well as other marine species such as penguins and baleen whales. Purpose-built catamarans that are around 15 metres long provide travellers easy access to the dolphin rich areas. The travellers are provided a quick briefing before they embark on their tour. This provides them with an insight on how to interact with the dolphins and achieve optimum satisfaction! One will be delighted to be able to swim with the dolphins if weather conditions permits it. Many tour operators offer different types of packages that range from luxury to basic rates.

Travellers looking for Bay of Islands accommodation will love the superb waterfront location that the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands offers them. Surrounded by more than 60 acres of subtropical gardens the property features a total of 180 guestrooms and 4 suites offering some of the best available amenities offered by any hotel accommodation Bay of Islands offers.

Lake Taupo- beauty unmatched!

The volcanic zone known as Taupo similar to other parts of New Zealand is a picturesque corner of the world where your will cherish the amazing sites that you get to see while here. Even the air you breathe seems to be that much cleaner and the pastel shades of these wondrous landscapes are not to be missed by the lens of your camera. Regular visitors to New Zealand often boast about how magical their holiday was and talk passionately of the sights and sounds of the environment found at this amazing island nation. You will find that few places in the country are as captivating or as alluring as Taupo. Tongariro National Park and Lake Taupo are but a few of the most magnificent locations which visitors to the city will have the pleasure of seeing.

Spectacular Lake Taupo, the largest fresh water lake in the country is also one of its key tourist attractions in Taupo. Located in the Waikato District of the North Island the total surface area of the lake is approximately 616 square kilometers. One of the most scenic lakes in Taupo, this massive body of water lies on a volcanic crater which erupted decades ago unleashing all its ferocious might. The deepest point of the lake was measure at 186 meters while its parameter has been recorded at a whopping 193 kilometers.

The majority of visitors who visit the banks of Lake Taupo are keen anglers both local and foreign as the lake is one of the most peaceful and most abundant fishing locations in the country. Others are drawn by the green topped hills and the sheer natural beauty of the area. Those looking to embark on a journey of exploration will have the chance of taking a guided tour on Lake Taupo which is offered by several tour operators in the city. On these tours visitors will have the pleasure of witnessing stunning views of Tongariro National Park and Whanganui national Park as well.

Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo provides its guests with ideal Taupo hotel accommodation that offers both comfort and elegance. The guest of this one of a kind Taupo hotel is privy to a variety of state of the art facilities and modern amenities.

Poor Knights Island- incomparable beauty

On the northern most tip of New Zealand you will find Whangarei, one of the most enchanting regions in the country where the natural beauty of the environment shadows all other aspect of the city. Similar to most other parts of the country Whangarei too has a uniqueness about it that captivates the visitor in a magnificent world seemingly untouched by the destructive force known as developing man. This coastal area is an ideal destination for the nature loving globe trotter craving contact with the natural world.

The area belonging to Whangarei known as Poor Knights Islands is a protected nature reserve where you will find an assortment of fascinating bird and plant life. These islands are thought to have been formed 11 million years ago due to a number of volcanic eruptions over a period of time. As a result of its origins, these islands are remarkably fruitful as the soil here is rich in mineral content.

Although Poor Knights Islands are world famous for the great Whangarei diving opportunities it offers, this area is also home to a variety of avifauna such as kingfishers, harriers, fantails, pipits and swallows which makes bird watching in Whangarei a pleasurable experience. Reptile lovers will be overjoyed by seeing the creepy crawlies inhabiting these islands. Trapped within the islands the wildlife in Poor Knights Island will no doubt be a truly fascinating sight for the first time visitor.

The coastal regions of these islands offer some of the most abundant diving locations in the country which is home to a variety of sea creatures from corals to crabs. Some of the most magnificent beings of the underwater world can be spotted while diving here. Eagle rays, rainbow fish, spotted black groupers and different varieties of wrasses are among the most common sea creatures seen by divers in these waters.

Travelers in need of a hotel in Whangarei will be pleased at the modern facilities on offer at Kingsgate Hotel Whangarei. This flagship Whangarei hotel is known for its excellent service and superb dining options as well.

Whanganui National Park- a marvelous, green slice of heaven

Whanganui is one of the most picturesque regions in the country as the local landscapes are simply spectacular. Almost every natural scene that you come across when travelling across the city will no doubt be a memorable one as lush green pastures, abundant rivers and breathtaking mountain tops can be spotted with remarkable ease. Those in search of Whanganui attractions of interest to all members of the family are in luck as the city is packed with just the right amount of cultural sites, parks and other entertainment venues. Whanganui loves its rugby and is home to one of the oldest rugby unions in the country. So don’t be surprised to find a bunch of locals enjoying an action packed rugby matchup with some great, ice cold beer at a cozy bar in town.

Located on the North Island of New Zealand, the Whanganui National Park is home to some of the most scenic landscapes in the region and was established in 1986. Although the Whanganui River is not regarded as a part of the park itself, it borders this protected natural region adding to the beauty of the surroundings. Like most such places in the country, the Whanganui National Park area is blesses with a thick covering of thriving vegetation. The park covers a total land area of 749 square kilometers and is one of the best places for adventurous hikers who enjoy setting out on challenging treks in untouched, gorgeous locations.

Although one will not be able to see many mammals in this Whanganui nature reserve, one will come across an abundant variety of avifauna when exploring the extremities of the parks borders. Bird watching in Whanganui is another popular activity among visitors to the park as fantail, tomtits, robins, grey warblers and even bellbirds calls Whanganui National Park their home.

Kingsgate Hotel The Avenue Wanganui is conveniently located and offers comfortable Whanganui accommodation to the modern traveler. This outstanding hotel is also elegantly appointed and armed with a list of useful facilities which will ensure a memorable stay. There are also many Whanganui hotel deals that may be suited just for you and will let you make the best of Whanganui.

Traveling Into the Past With The Bittersweet Memoirs Of The Wellington Cable Car Museum

An important era of Wellington’s modernization is depicted in this museum that shows the evolution and progression of the city’s extremely valued and useful cable car system. With real equipment, pictures and pictography and treasured memorabilia, the museum effortlessly leads its visitors to the bygone days, charming them with its treasured and decisive moments, landmarks and milestones of what was the city’s once most sought after transportation system.

This fascinating museum first opened to the public in December 2000 can be found a few meters away from the cable car’s upper terminus overlooking a considerable stretch of the alluring Wellington city. It is an award winner, having received an accolade of the Tourism Industry and likewise is a major tourist magnet to the city. The museum houses items of considerable significance of the original cable car system such as the three grip cars and tailors. Another item of interest is the winding gear that was formerly used to haul the cables, and it can be viewed at the museum in running condition.

The interactive displays adds an entertaining diversity to the museum visit with colourful snapshots of the wellington cable cars’ history that spans to 100 years, while the audiovisual presentation that plays continuously also features other Wellington attractions. The museum also offers its enthusiastic visitors a chance to purchase remarkable memorabilia. Some of these include books based on cable car history, souveniers, postcards, gift items and even transport models.

It’s a museum that definitely attracts prospective visitors to the city, in addition to the reputation for excellent Wellington accommodation choices that ensures a comfortable stay. This museum is indeed a proud procession of the Wellington city and for the estimated 200,000 visitors that it attracts per year, Kingsgate Hotel Wellington is a convenient option as all major transportation modes can be found next to the hotel. It also can boast one of the most scenic views of the city that can be afforded by a hotel in Wellington, not to mention comfort and facilities.