This observatory was given its name to honour Charles Rooking Carter who, way back in the early 1930’s, gifted £2,240 to the Royal Society of New Zealand to start up an astronomical observatory, so that the people in the city can benefit. It was initiated in 1937 and was opened to the public in 1941. Later on the Carter Observatory became one of the most important astronomical research institutes in the country and expanded its research to variable stars, asteroids and galaxies. In 1977 it became the National Observatory of the country. 

Another important addition came in 1992 when the Goldern Bay Planetarium, which was originally located at Harris Street, was relocated to the Cater premises. Also in 2005 the Government of New Zealand further explored opportunities in research and education in astronomy and space science through the Carter Observatory to ensure that the country as well as the institute establishes the better standing in the world. 

Today it offers it guests a state-of-the-art full-dome digital theatre, where one can explore the universe through an inspiring and interesting virtual journey created through world class interactive multimedia. Visitors also get to use some of the best telescopes in the country along with important astronomical artefacts. Visitors keen on the subject are advised to go through the latest sky charts, downloadable through the institute’s website, before visiting the institute.  

One of the most interesting aspects of the Carter Observatory, and the reason that makes it the most unique such institute, is how Maori cosmology is acknowledged and intertwined with the modern theories associated with the creation of the Universe. The exhibits at this institute also portray the strong presence of the Maori culture in the country as well as in navigation techniques, star gazing, traditional calendar.

Visitors to Wellington are afforded a unique experience of a blend of traditional Maori culture and the modern culture of the country. For those looking for guest houses and hotels New Zealand being a very touristy country affords a range of options to suit the various needs and budgets of the travellers. New Zealand hotels and other accommodation options guarantee modern amenities and warm hospitality, and for those seeking exceptional luxury lodging options the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ offers a range of hotels all over the country. 

The well organized set-up at this Arena is to ensure that all visitors have heaps of fun and therefore all imaginable faculties are on offer here. In the skate hire area one can get skates fitted as well as helmets fitted. If you want more fun on the ice you can also hire accessories such as penguin pals, sleds and hockey sticks. If one wishes there is also an option for upgrading to ‘premium’ skates.

If you are a first timer on the ice the staff at the facility will help out with a few tips. And for those who require it a quick start lesson can also be organized.  And if your idea of an outing is to just relax the Queenstown Ice Arena also offers a lounge and cafe area. The cafe offers a range of hot beverages, foods and snacks – the perfect munch or hot chocolate to compliment the setting of an Ice Arena.

The history of the Queensland Arena can be traced back to the time when the European migrants settled down in this region during the 19th century. And where the current rink is located is where the then Queensland Gardens pond was located. This pond had been a favourite amongst locals during the cold climate when it freezes over. It was in 1966 that an artificial ice surface was used to cover the spot and make it an official rink. It was a big hit in the area and was a popular attraction amongst the locals as well as the tourists even during that time. The rink would also attract massive crowds during the ice-hockey matches between Queenstown and Arrowtown which was held at this venue. 

This outdoor rink flourished with popularity and also served the needs of the community until it was forced to shut down in 1995 due to financial difficulties. Under different ownership the Queenstown Arena was established at the same location. And later in 2012 it was renovated to make it a high-end attraction for ice-sports lovers.

For those visiting this amazing city in New Zealand, there are various other attractions to explore as well. Queenstown hotel accommodation options are aplenty and for those travelling with children a family hotel Queenstown has on offer is perfect. For the perfect setting, amenities and facilities try the Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront. 

Considered New Zealand’s top university, the University of Auckland is also one of the leading academic institutions in the world. Its main campus can be found in the heart of the city and has a strong focus on incorporating an international learning experience. Inaugurated in 1883 as the Auckland University College, this prestigious place of learning has over 4,000 international students from countries around the world. Offering a widespread range of courses, it has both undergraduate and postgraduate courses of study. Those looking for an Auckland city hotel within walking distance of the university can stay at Copthorne Hotel Auckland City. This central Auckland hotel is also near the Central Business District and is ideal for business and leisure travellers alike. 

New Zealand, the beautiful island country located in the Southern Hemisphere, home to lush pastures and abundant greenery that contribute to the pristine beauty of the landscape of this place, celebrates the fact that the sheep population exceeds the human density in most parts.

Geographically a young country in terms of its age, this enticing place is ideal and open for exploration and to taste the pure natural ecosystems it enclaves in its clime.

The capital of the country, Wellington however, contains a higher density of human population and is the commercial and business hub of the land. This also hosts the famous Wellington Cable Cars. This, must-experience bit of machinery is one of the oldest infrastructures to be built in the name of development in terms of a bygone time.

In the era of horseback riding and carriages, the rails and cable cars were the cutting edge technology in the 1800’s and machinery seemed to transport a majority of people from one place to the other without much effort and strength. Thus the art of Funicular, also known as cliff railway, was introduced in Wellington. Here you’d find, cables fixed to tram like structures that work on a pulley which was attached at the top of the slope transported people from one side of the steep slope to another.

The cars operate through the heart of the central business centers. Starting from Lambton Quay it burrows under the corporate towers of The Terrace and surf within minutes passing the University of Victoria and ends up at the gates of the Botanical Gardens where the panoramic view of the harbor and the city greet you.

Once you have had a spin in the cars, the botanical gardens and the cable car museums await those who want to delve a little further in to the 100 year history of these cars and see some of the original winding machinery and the grip cars persevered preciously, bringing to life the story behind these cars.

In the “coolest little capital in the world” there is much more for indulgence other than this iconic cable car attraction. The creative minds of the people have made Wellington a hub of various art walks, varying from the movies, orchestras, ballets and theatre repertoires to a vibrant café and club culture.

New Zealand Hotels also reflect the young, vibrant and creative aura of the land. Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ, is one such of the hotels New Zealand  has that gives you the privilege of  presiding over one of the most breath taking harbours in the world. Located on the prime Oriental Parade Street, this hotel brings to you, excellent hospitality and gratifying and opulent accommodation where the guest is treated to the soothing ocean hues in their room and from this point sightseeing and the cars are just minutes away.

Home to six golf courses, all within easy reach of one another, the golf experience at Queenstown offers a range of golf services and tailor made golf packages. The town is famous for its many attractions ranging from shopping to bungee jumping and is well organized in terms of providing a rounded experience to a traveler.

Out of the six golf courses Queenstown boasts of, the Milbrook Resot Golf experience is considered the pinnacle of premier golfing. Designed by golfer Sir Bob Charles, this renowned course features four different tee positions for complete satisfaction at all levels of play. Designed to work with nature the ‘The Jacks Point golf course’ is bounded by the Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu. The picture perfect 18 hole course – the Queenstown golf course is surrounded by the immaculate alpine waters of Lake Wakatipu and creates a picturesque backdrop often distracting the golfer to sneak a peek. The course boasts of tricky slopes and dog -leg holes. Golf lasts all seasons at this amazing landscape.

Several of these golf courses and beautifully located hotels are sure to enhance a travelers experience in this magical atmosphere. The golf courses can all be accessed via short trips from a vast option of accommodation choices within the city. 

Queenstown hotel accommodation varies from affordable motels offering convenient and comfort to luxury home apartment rentals. Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront is well known for its magical setting bordering the Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range. Located minutes away from the city life, a short walk away from the cities shopping central and key tourist attractions this Queenstown Resort is ideal for the traveler in search of accommodation that offers an ideal experience.

Out of the many perks a traveler is offered at the Copthorne Hotel the view of the lake Wakatipu offered in 60 of their 240 rooms is breathtaking to a first time traveler as it is to inhabitants of this magical town.

Luxury offered at this resort can be easily combined with the vast range of sporting activities and the well sought after golfing experience. The warm and welcoming nature of the locals and the year round pleasant weather conditions are bound to be highlights of your golfing experience in Queenstown.

Auckland’s vast expanse of evergreen terrains and unmatched picturesque beauty has captivated tourists time after time. It is an enchanting city no doubt and has within its boundaries several other attractions that are deep rooted from the early beginnings of the city. The Ewelme Cottage is one such destination. Built in the late 19th century, this building has invaluable treasures from that era in Auckland.

One of the highlights of the Ewelme Cottage is that it is Kauri constructed. It has long been known to have a strong link to the Anglican community in the city and was even designed and constructed by the famous Reverend Vicesimus Lush, together with his wife. 

Walk within the hallways and be absorbed in a fascinating interior that showcases the typical colonial furnishing and ornamentation. Everyday life of the time is well portrayed within the cottage. Some seemingly mundane items of the yesteryears which are kept on display provide some invaluable insights into the lifestyles of the people at the time. The cottage also boasts 2000 different books, plenty of sheet music and a collection of original artwork that will ensure you have a captivating time here whatever your interests may be.

Auckland has many amazing places to explore and you most certainly need to choose from the many Auckland hotels that are on offer for both business and leisure travellers. Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ is a popular choice in hotels not just in Auckland but throughout New Zealand as well. These New Zealand hotels provide some of the most fantastic facilities and are reputed for their impeccable services, great locations and delectable cuisine.

New Zealand is world renowned for its natural beauty and its breathtaking landscapes. No doubt the mystical surreal quality of its land is what enticed the makers of movies such as Lord of the Rings to film here. From the beautiful glacier covered alpine mountains to the striking coastline New Zealand offers travelers the best in natural beauty, but a relatively unknown natural wonder lies underground just a short drive outside of the busy city of Auckland. The Nikau Caves are a complex of natural limestone caves that have been carved out of solid rock by the movement of water and melting ice for a about a million years.

The caves are slightly off the beaten path, and are nestled in farming country on the west coast; however the natural beauty of this cave complex still manages to draw in thousands of tourists every year. Though the natural rock formations are breathtaking in themselves, what makes the caves really special is the presence of glow worms that illuminate the jagged rocks. It gives the caves an almost magical quality with the soft illumination of a million glow worms. 

The trek through the caves demands an adventurous spirit as some areas are moderately difficult to cross and a stream which runs through the caves crosses hiking trail at one point and needs to be waded across. Rest assured though, the trek is definitely worth it, the giant rock formations which project down from the cavernous walls of the cave are like pre historic chandeliers and the illumination given by the glow worms accentuate this feeling. 

The caves can be accessed by driving on the Waikato Highway for about one and a half hours from Auckland. The drive is pleasant and allows one the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of New Zealand’s west coast. The caves are especially popular among kids who are enamored by the glow worms and the adventurous trek, it is also ideal for team building exercises and tourists who want to experience something a little different to the usual tourist fare. The caves can easily be accessed from a hotel Auckland CBD. Staying at an Auckland hotel such as the Copthorne Hotel Auckland Harbour City also gives you the chance to experience the attractions in the city as well as those along the western coastline.

Katherine Mansfield Beauchamp Murry was born in Wellington New Zealand on the 14 October 1888 and left for England when her age was 19. There she met members of what is called the ‘Modernist” movement in literature and that is when she began her journey to becoming the most famous of New Zealand’s literary exports. 

She would later be credited with changing the way short stories were written, after her own style of writing evolved over her years of association with famous authors such as Virginia Woolf, T. S. Eliot, Lytton Strachey and Bertrand Russell to name a few. 

In Wellington she was born into a fairly prominent family. Her mother, Annie Beauchamp, was a dedicated housewife and Harold Beauchamp, her father, was a successful banker who went on to become the Bank of New Zealand’s chairman of and later was knighted. 

The place that she spent her childhood years had a massive impact on her writing. The house in Thorndon has been acknowledged as the inspiration for some of Mansfield’s most beloved works such as The Wind Blows, The Aloe, A Birthday, The Doll’s House and Prelude.

Today that house is a prominent tourist attraction that shows visitors not only the life of the famed author Kathrine Mansfield, but also takes them back to a time when stoves burned wood and it was letters, not emails, that was man’s medium of communication. 

The house has been beautifully preserved and renovated. Visitors from all over the world come here to hear about Mrs. Mansfield’s early life. For those with a keener interest in this age, the house can be rented out for an event or even a wedding. 

Those visiting this lovely place and looking for great New Zealand hotels or hotels New Zealand there is nothing better than the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ.

Unique in landscape and picturesque in beauty, the Rangitoto Island stands majestically on Auckland’s mighty blue ocean. Its stretches of native forests and exquisite lava caves make this island an adventure beyond words. To top it all the stunning panoramic views are unbeatable, so hop aboard the ferry and enjoy this whole new volcanic world seated atop the Rangitoto Island.

It all started only 600 years ago when this lush island erupted from the sea creating an almost impeccable natural harbor. As the years passed by, lava and ash slowly followed making the final touches to what stands as Auckland’s most admired island. The Rangitoto Island makes up a circular cone that stretches across a 5 km diameter. It is a treasure-trove of exquisite species of which there are over 200 varieties of native plants and ferns. Over the years several unusual hybrids have also made their home here making the island all the more exciting for the nature lover. The most frequently sighted tree is the native Pohutukawa, these produce gorgeous crimson flowers during spring adding to the enchanting beauty of the Rangitoto Island. The islands rare properties and species have made it a jewel that is carefully conserved. Everything about Rangitoto is an adventure. Even a walk on the islands sharp, black lava terrain is something unique, exciting and most certainly challenging. If you want to explore the caves formed by lava head over to the summit and you will be greeted by these remarkable works of nature. Just bring a torch along to help explore these long, strange and dark tunnels. A couple of World War Remnants and 1930’s holiday homes are some of the other things to see on the island. Since staying over is not permitted just make sure you catch the last ferry back to the city.

After an adventurous day exploring the Rangitoto come home to the Copthorne Hotel Auckland Harbour City. This amazing Auckland hotel is the perfect winding down treat. It is comfortable, luxurious and an absolutely relaxing place to come home to making it the smartest choice when it comes to Auckland hotel accommodation.

Auckland (called Tamaki Makaurau in Maori) is located in New Zealand’s North Island, lying between the Pacific Ocean’s Hauraki Gulf to the east, the Manukau Harbour to the south-west, the Hunua Ranges to the south-east, and the Waitakere Ranges to the north-west. It is the country’s biggest and most populous urban region. The city straddles the Auckland Volcanic Fields, which contain about fifty volcanoes all of which are now considered extinct. The city has quite a number of interesting tourist spots and the local calendar is usually packed with fun events, making Auckland an exciting holiday spot.

Cornwall Park is a landscaped park centred on One Tree Hill, a volcanic cone; Sir John Logan Campbell, the park’s donor, is buried at the peak of One Tree Hill alongside an obelisk. The site is designed for recreation and people often gather here to play sports or simply relax. Events including free concerts (held at the Band Rotunda) and guided walks are held throughout the year. It is a popular picnic spot and several areas are equipped with gas and wood barbeques. The barbeque pits are free to use and are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. The area is frequented by walkers and joggers who enjoy the pleasant landscape. Although dogs are allowed they must be kept on leashes as there are many farm animals in the area.

Opening hours are between 7 am and dusk. Signs posted at various gates within the park announce the current closing time. Entry into Cornwall Park is free. The park is accessible by Manukau Road, Greenlane Road and Campbell Road. There are roads within the park and there is ample parking space for those who come by car. The area adjacent to Cornwall Park is One Tree Hill Domain, another popular park.

To ensure ease of travel in and around the area, tourists should consider getting an Auckland city hotel, such as Copthorne Hotel Auckland City, which enjoys a central location. Tourists can also take advantage of the Auckland hotel specials it offers to get more out of their vacation, be it business or pleasure.