Unseen Queenstown

Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world and it is a general perception that you should do the adventures activities while you are in Queenstown. However there are plenty of hidden treasures which are not famous or unexplored by majority of the tourists. These activities are relaxed in nature and still enjoyable. Let us put down a list of such activities for you all.

Unsen Spa & Hot Pools:


You cannot miss this if you are on honeymoon tour. Overlooking the beautiful shotover river, private bathing pools of this Japanese style spa is the perfect relaxing activity after the fun filled day you might have had. You can actually customize your session by selecting maximum privacy or maximum view. With just one push of a button you can retract the side walls and roof of the hot pool to enjoy the beautiful views. Booking in advance is highly recommended.

Hot Air Balloon:


We would recommend Hot Air Balloon to someone who is afraid of skydiving but not afraid of heights. You must make sure that you finish your day early and sleep well because early morning flights of these balloons are a treat to watch. If weather is good these balloon go as high as 2000 meters. It offers spectacular views of mountain range, serene lake Wakatipu and fantastic green ranges. You need at least half a day to do this activity.

Artistic Tours:
Have you ever wondered that you can actually have a place where you enjoy drawing paintings and unleash your inner artist? There are communities in central Otago region where you can actually find like minded people as you and organize a tour to distinct places where you do not need any other inspiration to draw paintings as nature will be the biggest inspiration.

Explore Queenstown with various Tour packages for Queenstown

Contact kiwi@freedontourism.com for more information on New Zealand travel packages from India

Photo Credit to - Julian Apse

Westland Tai Poutini National Park

The West Coast is home to some of the world’s most beautiful scenery and the National Parks are a great way to explore this untouched beauty. Tai National Park established in 1960, the centenary of the European settlement of Westland District, and covers 1160 kms2

Westland Tai Poutini National Park, situated on the Western Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Tai Poutini National Park can be explored from Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. It is the proud home of over 60 Glaciers including Franz Josef and Fox Glacier villages. From its highest point in the snow capped mountains of the Southern Alps you are rewarded with a visual feast encompassing, ancient forests, crackling blue glaciers, pristine rivers, lagoons thriving with birds and an immense stretch of untouched coastline. It also remains of gold mining towns along the coast. Tai Poutini is the very popular National Park to visit a bunch of walking tracks, biking trails on mountain, daring ski slopes and an area of fossicking gold.  Between the glaciers and the sea the park is a bird watcher’s paradise. The best way to appreciate Tai Poutini National Park is to take to the air, the Twin Glacier Scenic Flight, takes you to both glaciers for amazing views before you are landing at the head of either Franz Josef or Fox Glacier for a precisely memorable snow landing.

Activities

Camping
Climbing
Hunting
Kayaking and canoeing
Mountain biking
Skiing and ski touring
Walking and tramping

Facilities

Opening hours for the centre are:

• Summer: 8.30am to 6.00pm (late October to mid April)
• Winter: 8.30am to 5.00pm

There are lots more must visit places in New Zealand, visit New Zealand Travel Blog for more information

Photo Credit to : Julian Apse

Water Activities in New Zealand

Thousands of kilometers of coastline, lakes and rivers herald New Zealand as a water sports mecca.
Kayaking, sailing, surfing, diving, fishing – Kiwis love the water and we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to water activities. Indulging your passion for the water is easy to do here in New Zealand and limited only by your imagination.

Kayaking

Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. It is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle. A kayak is a boat where the paddler faces forward, legs in front, using a double-bladed paddle. Most kayaks have closed decks, although sit-on-top and inflatable kayaks are growing in popularity as well.

White Water Kayaking: is the sport of paddling a kayak on a moving body of water, typically a whitewater river. Whitewater kayaking can range from active, moving water, to demanding, extreme whitewater.

Surf Kayaking: is the sport, technique, and equipment, used in surfing ocean waves with kayaks. Surf kayaking has many similarities to surf board surfing, but with boats designed for use in surf zones, and with a paddle. A number of kayak designs are used, but all are aimed at better using the waves to propel the craft.

Canoeing: is a paddle sport in which you kneel or sit facing forward in an open or closed-decked canoe, and propel yourself with a single-bladed paddle, under your own power. Kayaking is a comparable activity in a kayak which usually has a closed deck and is propelled with a double bladed paddle. In a kayak the paddler typically sits with legs extended forward

Paddleboarding: Stand Up Paddleboarding is one of the the best ways to explore New Zealand’s stunning coastline, lakes and islands.

Improve your balance and co-ordination while you explore the best of what New Zealand's coastline and beaches have to offer. The perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors, stand up paddleboarding is an activity suitable for all ages and abilities.

Sea Kayaking: Sea kayaking tours are a splendid way to enjoy New Zealand's pristine coastline, amazing sounds and rugged fiords. Because we cater for both beginners and advanced paddlers you won't need any previous sea kayaking experience, just a partner to paddle with in a modern double sea kayak.

Sea Kayaking Tour Options:
1. Marlborough Sounds: Sea Kayaking on Queen Charlotte Sound
2. Sea Kayaking on Okarito Lagoon
3. Sea Kayaking tours on Milford Sound
4. Other Sea Kayaking Vacation Options
5. Coromandel Peninsula
6. Bay of Islands
7. Dusky Sound
8. Able Tasman

For more information about New Zealand Tourism info visit New Zealand Travel Blog

Photo Credits - Respectively - Julian-Apse, Adam Bryce, Camilla Stoddart

North Island Cities, Locations & Attractions

North Island is one of main island of New Zealand. The North Island has a larger population than the South Island, Auckland is the country's largest city & capital as well.

North Island has Lakes & Rivers, Forest and National Parks, Bay & Coastal facility, Volcano, Caves and many more attractions and must visit places. 

About 77% of New Zealand's population lives in the North Island.

Main cities are:

• Auckland
• Palmerston North
• Wellington
• Rotorua
• Hamilton
• New Plymouth
• Napier-Hastings
• Whangarei
• Tauranga
• Kapiti

For more information about places to visit in North Island, do visit Freedom Tourism website

Click here for Holiday packages for North Island, New Zealand

White Heron Sanctuary Tours - Franz Josef - New Zealand

When you plan to visit Franz Josef do not forget to visit beautiful white heron at Waitangi roto Nature Reserve. It is a must visit place at Franz Josef, the best time to visit heron is during summer between September to early March. Enjoy your family holidays with white heron( kotuku), royal spoonbill and little shag, without this your holidays will be nearly incomplete, so don't forget to visit heron and yaa don't forget to click pictures for your memories at Franz Josef glacier visit.

Visit Information about White Heron Sanctuary Tours

Tour time: Around 2.5 Hours
Adults: $110 per person
Child: (12 years and under)$45
Minimum boatload 4 adults and maximum 12 adults
Tour Timings: 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm (For sufficient demand we can organize extra tours)

For more details and travel packages for Franz Josef, visit - FreedomTourism.com

Photo credits to - whiteherontours.co.nz

Sightseeing in Wellington, New Zealand

Wellington city is Nestled between a sparkling harbour and rolling green hills, it is a capital city of New Zealand & famous for its arts, heritage, culture and native beauty. A creative, cosmopolitan city, Wellington combines the sophistication of a capital with the warmth and personality of a village.

Wellington was recently named "the coolest little capital in the world" by Lonely Planet.

Wellington has number of places to visit, here are few of them,

Museum Of Te Papa

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum and art gallery of New Zealand, located in Wellington.








Old Saint Pauls Cathedral

Welcome to Wellington Cathedral, in the Anglican Diocese of Wellington. Situated within the parliamentary precinct of New Zealand's capital city,














Moutn Victoria Summit

Watch the Cook Strait ferries sail into the harbour and the planes go in and out of the airport. Mount Victoria's original Maori name is Tangi Te Keo.











Zealandia

Zealandia is a must-see eco-attraction and groundbreaking restoration project: a nature lover's paradise and a sanctuary by the city! See some of New Zealand's rarest birds, reptiles and insects living wild in their natural environment, including hihi, tuatara, saddleback, kākā and (at night) little spotted kiwi.







There are number of restaurants with different tasty Indian food items & cuisines available for food lovers,

For more information do visit - Wellington New Zealand

For Holiday tour packages & customize tour plan with self drive contact -  kiwi@freedomtourism.com

Hamilton City - New Zealand

Hamilton is New Zealand's largest inland city, located on the banks of the Waikato River, which is the country's longest river. Hamilton city has a rich history & contrasting splendors.

Hamilton city has spectacular tourist attractions & activities for travelers, ranging from Gardens, Villages & Air Balloon ride.

Lets find out few of them,

Hamilton Gardens

Explore the stunning Paradise Garden Collection, visit Te Parapara - New Zealand's first traditional Maori garden, picnic with the family or catch one of the many exciting events staged here each year.


Hobbiton Village

Discover the real Middle-Earth at the Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata in the North Island of New Zealand. On the most picturesque private farmland you can visit the Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies in a fascinating two-hour guided tour.


Hot Air Ballooning

A hot air balloon ride over Waikato NZ is a most tranquil and sublime experience! Breathe in the still, crisp early morning air as your hot air balloon gently rises above sleepy Hamilton and then drifts out to the green pastures of the Waikato.

Find out more details about Hamilton New Zealand

Contact for New Zealand tour packages from India at kiwi@freedomtourism.com

Note: Images are copyright by their respective owners.

Most iconic landmarks - Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua) is one of the Far North region’s most iconic landmarks with its serene beauty. It is generally considered the separation marker between the Tasman Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. At the northernmost tip of the Cape is a gnarled pohutukawa tree, believed to be over 800 years old, and according to Maori oral history, the spirits of deceased Maori leap from this tree into the ocean to return to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki.

Things to do

Te Paki Stream 

Te Paki Stream - Famous for its massive sand dunes and shallow driveable streambed, the stream runs through the 7 square kilometre sand dunes of the Te Paki Recreational Reserve.


Ninety Mile Beach Cape Reinga Tour

A visit to New Zealand is not complete without a journey to the very top of the North Island – Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua). Uncover the wild beauty of this vast and untouched region that is rich in Maori culture and tradition.

For more information please visit - Cape Reinga

Looking to visit Cape Reinga, check out the exclusive New Zealand Travel Packages from India

Dunedin Tourist Attractions

Dunedin is the principal city of the Otago region of New Zealand. Dunedin is the largest city in the South Island and sits on the hills and valleys surrounding the head of Otago Harbour.

Dunedin is a region of unique landscapes and fascinating cultural history.

List of tourist attractions in Dunedin

Lanarch Castle 

Lanarch Castle is known for its exciting, scandalous and tragic history, magnificient carved ceilings. Min. 2 years required to visit this place


Chinese Gardens

The design of the garden evolved over a period of 8 years. Garden is in the traditional YUANLIN style. Min. 1 hr required to visit this place


Cadbury World

Much like our products, the Cadbury story in New Zealand, Min. 2 hrs required to visit this place

For more information please do visit - Tourist Attractions in Dunedin

Mount Cook - the tallest mountain in New Zealand

Mount Cook Mackenzie is situated in the centre of New Zealand's majestic South Island. The region is renowned for its incredibly clear starry nights, brilliant sunny days, remarkable turquoise blue lakes, valleys of emerald green and snow-capped mountains.

Mt.Cook is also know as home of the highest mountains and the longest glaciers.

Places to visit in Mount Cook

Mount Cook National Park

Mount Cook National Park is located in the central part of the South Island, deep in the heart of the Southern Alps. Aoraki/Mount Cook village lies within the park with Twizel the nearest town outside.


Lake Pukaki

Lake Pukaki is a shimmering blue jewel set into a grand alpine playground - an iconic New Zealand landscape of high mountain peaks, glacier fed alpine lakes and golden tussocks stretched beneath an endless sky.


Things to Do in Mount Cook

Big Sky Stargazing

The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is a gold-rated reserve, meaning the darkness of our night skies is almost unbeatable.
Recommended Time 2 Hrs


Tasman Valley 4WD & ARGO Tours

A short walk to a vantage point overlooking the Tasman Glacier and its terminal lake provides one of the most spectacular photographic opportunities in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
Recommended Time 2 Hrs


Kayaking Tasman Lake

At over 750 metres above sea level you can become part of the environment, paddle beneath towering glaciated mountains and view the majestic glaciers and summit of the mighty Aoraki Mount Cook. We must have sun cream, sun hat, sun glasses, wind shell, walking shoes, snacks, water and camera.
Recommended Time need 3 Hrs

For more travel information about Mount Cook visit - Mount Cook New Zealand

For tour booking & package information for Mount Cook, visit - New Zealand Tour Packages

How to save money for Transport in NZ?

Kia Ora! Hello Traveler friends, Have you been carving for a travel around New Zealand but money is a hurdle you can’t seem to rise? Well, would that be a little less daunting if you could travel using no more than the change in your pocket?

Good news, here are some of exciting tips to help you grab the essentials for no more than $1. No hassle, just great, cheap travel…

HOW TO SAVE MONEY IN TRANSPORT IN NZ OR FREE TRANSPORT IN NEW ZEALAND

They say it’s the journey, not the destination but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot on it. Here plenty of options to make your journey dirt-cheap.

Free cars and campervans

Yes let’s start with the obvious best deal, Transfercar, the company that makes free travel possible! You are on our website so just search for your free rental car (https://www.transfercar.co.nz) or your free rental campervan. (https://www.transfercar.co.nz) How is this miracle possible? Rental car companies need to reposition their fleet for new hires, and travellers can help them relocate those cars. It’s 100% win-win where travellers get a free ride and rental car companies save on expensive relocation costs.

$1 bus rides

You can grab $1 bus fare bargains from both Naked Bus(http://nakedbus.com/nz/bus/how-to-get-our-cheap-1-fares) and InterCity (http://www.intercity.co.nz/travel-info/getting-a-1-fare/), both well known, reliable and popular long distance New Zealand bus companies.

Naked Bus is well renowned for its $1 fares and it’s possible to snatch one up on every single bus trip that they run. This is because the first seat on every bus is sold for $1 and according to them, “the sooner you book, the cheaper it will be”. To give you an idea of when to get booking, buses are listed 3-6 months prior to departure.

InterCity’s $1 bus fares work in a similar way, with at least one fare on every bus that they run being sold for just $1. However, they list their buses a year in advance so you have to be seriously organised to grab this deal.

Carpooling

New Zealand is a super friendly place, with its locals and travellers always looking to make new travel buddies to share adventures with. That’s why there are a number of carpooling avenues you can explore to share travel costs or sometimes travel for free.

CarpoolNZ is a website specifically designed for people who want to ride-share within New Zealand. The drivers register their current location and destination, what time they wish to leave, and a blurb about themselves.CarpoolWorld is another good tool for New Zealand travellers. Let’s Car Pool is a New Zealand government run website that allows those interested in carpooling to register and upload any trips they are taking. 

Public Facebook groups such as ‘Fellow Traveller Carpool New Zealand’, ‘Carpooling Otago’, ‘Southland/Otago Carpooling’ and ‘RIDES between WHANGAREI AND AUCKLAND’ are a great way to hitch a ride.

For more information visit - http://goo.gl/1BGjKx