Exploring the Wonders of the Great Tropical Drive

Springtime is finally upon us and the time is better than ever to plan your very own escapade into the rich natural wonders of Australia. Fortunately, you are not left to dwell in the realm of uncertainty, as we’ll be taking you through some of the most magnificent drives, routes and destinations on this adventure.

Here are the wonders of the Great Tropical Drive you must work into your itinerary this season. Mind you, Queensland is a vast country, so you’ll need reliable transportation, as a free transfer car, to move around like we did. Let’s get down to it.

Great Barrier Reef Drive

Image1Your journey begins at Cairns and takes you up north along the bath of the coastal drive all the way to Port Douglas and the famous Great Barrier Reef. You’ll pass through some amazing places and gems of mother nature such as Trinity Beach, Palm Cove and the breathtaking Ellis Beach, with wonderful diving opportunities waiting for you at the Reef itself from Port Douglas.

Palm Cove to Port Douglas

Be sure to make a stop at Palm Cove on your exploration route to Port Douglas, and even spend the night in a charming, quaint environment overlooking the breathtaking golden beachside scenery and the Double Island. The Town is perfect for a romantic getaway and staying at the Palm Cove Tropic Apartments imposes itself as a logical choice to this end.

Port Douglas to Daintree Village

Image2Next stop on your adventure: the amazing Daintree Village. Here you’ll get the chance to learn about aboriginal culture of the Kuku Yalanji tribe who have preserved their history and identity to this very day. When heading to the Daintree National Park, be sure to stop at the freshwater swimming holes at Mossman Gorge.

Daintree Village to Cape Tribulation

Just a one-and-a-half hour drive to the north lies your next stop, Cape Tribulation, a remote coastal area within Daintree National Park. There are numerous activities waiting for you here, from boat tours to the Great Barrier Reef to trekking trails to Mount Sorrow. For those of you in need of a little adrenaline boost, be sure to head out to one of the numerous zip lining spots in the area.

Cooktown

Image3Heading further up north, you will find the quaint, stunning countryside surrounding the ever-charming Cooktown. From here, you can venture back through time into the colonial days and the ancient aboriginal cultures of the region, as well. Explore the town by visiting the statue of Captain James Cook, as well as the numerous historic buildings and museums where tales of different indigenous cultures await.

Tully to Mission Beach

The next part of the adventure will take you south to a small town of Tully, situated in the Cassowary Coast Region. Here you will have the chance to unpack for a while at Beds on Bryant, as you will be exploring the Mount Mackay National Park to the east, and the Tully National Park to the west, before heading out to greet the small town of Mission Beach and its magnificent beaches and lookouts.

Paluma

Image4Further down south lies the Paluma Range National Park, from where you will be able to visit the city of Townsville, and even spend a couple of days exploring the urban area. While at Paluma, be sure to visit the breathtaking sceneries of Jourama Falls, Crystal Creek and Lake Paluma itself.

Kirrama Range Road

Your last, and probably one of the most impressive destinations on this adventure, is the Blencoe Falls located in the Girrngun National Park, accessed via Kirrama Range Road. This is truly a unique wildlife experience, as you will be staying at the Blencoe Falls Camping Area, from where you can trek your way to the famous Blencoe Fall Lookout. Don’t forget your camera and your camping equipment (or even rent a free campervan, for that matter).

Springtime is the time to be travelling and exploring the vastness of the Great Tropical Drive. We have listed some of the spots on this immense route, but you are bound to make many other exciting discoveries along the way.   

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What Makes a NZ Road Trip Truly Epic

New Zealand is world-renowned for the vast, raw, and untouched nature of its landscapes, but it is home to beautiful urban areas, as well, such as Wellington and Auckland, all the way down to Christchurch. There is something for everyone, even the most demanding travellers out there. With this in mind, here are some handy tips to help you have a memorable NZ road trip adventure.

Pick the Right Set of Wheels

Car

Firstly, you want to make sure your transportation is in mint condition and that it’s optimized for the season. That means you do not want to find yourself driving a car with winter tyres on increasingly hot tarmac, rather you want your vehicle to be optimized for the oncoming spring.

That’s why I found it’s best to rely on a free transfer car or campervan to get the perfect set of wheels for an outdoor adventure rather than taking my old car out on the road and having to sleep indoors. After all, with the weather clearing up, you will want to spend as much time outside, imbuing your mind, body and soul with the breathtaking scenery of New Zealand.

Camp at all the Right Spots

Green trimsWhile you could freedom camp in most of NZ, it’s best to stick to designated areas where proper facilities are provided for campers. This means that if you don’t have a proper toilet, and you are caught camping outside a designated camping zone, you will be looking at a substantial fine.

No need to risk getting caught by the poo police, so it’s best to avoid tying to freedom camp at Queenstown or Wanaka, and head out to one of the numerous holiday camping grounds scattered all over the northern and southern islands.

These holiday campsites are also equipped with shower facilities, kitchens and warm rooms should you need them during a cold night or after a long trip. Other than cooking a meal in a kitchen rather than the back of a van, you want to spend as much time as possible inhaling the peaceful aromas and sounds of nature, which leads us to the next step.

Don’t follow the Yellow Brick Road

AkaroaNew Zealand does have an excellently organized public transportation system, but no great adventure story started with anyone getting on a bus. All the more reasons to get a car or a van, and getting off the beaten track, following the dirt roads and finding your own piece of heaven amidst all the wonders that NZ has to offer.

If you dare to venture off the paved roads, you are bound to end up on a secluded beach somewhere completely devoid of human existence. Don’t worry though, there’s bound to be a camping site further down the road, lest you fall into the mercy of the beautiful outdoors for too long.

Bring the Necessary Accessories

Lake GunnBecause a true NZ road trip cannot be completed with a single battery life, or withstood on a single chicken sandwich, you want to pack all the necessary gadgets and portable appliances you might need on your adventure.

You are probably going to spend a considerable amount of time away from an electrical outlet, and while that is a wonderful experience, make sure you have solar-powered chargers with you to keep you gadgets at full capacity in case of an emergency.

Give People a Lift

SealsFinally, there is no need to be afraid of hitchhikers. While the rest of the world is dreading the mere thought of picking up someone in the middle of the road, New Zealander’s have nothing to worry about, as it’s pretty much the safest country on the planet. So be a good lad (or lass) and help someone out – the universe will return the favour.

Going on a NZ road trip truly can easily be one the greatest journeys you’ll have in a lifetime. Knowing the dos and don’ts on and off the road can mean the difference between a life-changing adventure and just another weekend away from home. Make sure you follow these guidelines and find yourself a unique spot in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

 

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Winter adrenaline feast in Wanaka

Winter is here to stay, and if I could give one piece of advice to you adrenaline junkies out there, that’s to go to Lake Wanaka for your winter escape. Seriously, I had no idea that winter activities could be so exciting and bit frightening at the same time before I hit the slopes at Lake Wanaka

Whether you’re going with your significant other, your crazy friends, or you’re taking your family for some rest and relaxation, this Kiwi gem has something to offer to everyone. So here are my top picks for an unforgettable winter experience.

Cardrona Alpine Resort

CardronaOne of the best and most thrilling alpine resorts for me was definitely the Cardrona Alpine Resort. The resort is one of the biggest in the country, and hosts an international snow sports school, a kid’s centre (for those family travellers among you), a myriad of cafes and restaurants along with the most extensive terrain parks and pipes in the Southern Hemisphere.

Treble Cone Ski Area

Treble ConeThe largest ski area in the South Island famous for its long runs and views of Lake Wanaka is the Treble Cone ski area. Treble Cone seems to have something for everyone – kids and adults, novices and elite skiers. You can find everything from comfortable runs to massive 700 metre vertical groomed trails. For those advanced skiers among you, there’s the Saddle Basin, Summit Slopes and Motatapu Chutes that offer fun and scary drops, open powder faces, and natural half pipes.

Snow Farm

Probably one of the most exciting winter resorts is the Snow Farm, the only Nordic Ski area in New Zealand. This resort offers just about any activity you can imagine and is perfect for individual and family trips alike. You can enjoy dog sledding, leave the kids at the fun zone, go either classic or ski skating, snow shoeing, ski touring and ride the fat bikes – there is no shortage of adrenaline here.

Heli Skiing

If you’re looking for a true adrenaline rush to spice up your winter trip, then look no further, because if anything says adrenaline, it’s the fact that my girlfriend had to push me out of the helicopter, because I wouldn’t budge!

In case you want to follow in our footsteps, you should go with the Southern Lakes Heliski, they have a lot of experience, and although I peed a bit my pants several times, I’ve never felt safer in my life than with those guys.

Backcountry Skiing

Again, for those of you somewhat more experienced than the rest, diving into the wild regions of the backcountry of Wanaka will be an adventure of a lifetime. Backcountry skiing offers plenty for those with a passion and a flair for the extreme, with its ice-climbing, heli-skiing and extreme mountaineering.

This was definitely one of the most exciting experiences of my life, not so much because it was frightening, but because I got to see the raw side of nature. We went on a winter mountaineering course at Adventure Consultants, because I had no prior experience, and before I knew it I was climbing the icy mountainside.

Family Skiing and First Timers

Now, if there is something Lake Wanaka has to offer, it’s a memorable family experience. Not only can you leave the little critters somewhere while you take your significant other skiing or dogsledding, you can also give the kids the chance to roll around in the snow and actually learn how to ski from trained professionals.

You can get some of the best instructors at Wanaka Ski Guides to teach you the basics if you’re a beginner, or even the elite moves if you’re an experienced skier. After you’ve mastered the moves, the guides can take you on runs and trails to test out your skills.

As you can see, Lake Wanaka has plenty to offer, and now you can even get a free rental car to move quickly and conveniently from one destination to another.

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How to Plan a Relaxing Weekend in Melbourne

Although the first association that comes to mind when you think of Melbourne probably isn’t relaxation, this glorious city hides a whole range of Zen-boosting events and experiences for any avid traveller as well as its charming residents. Then again, even if you’re a local whose hectic life rarely allows you to rest and recuperate, perhaps a chilled weekend is exactly what you need.

Here’s a foolproof weekend itinerary for every Melbourne lover out there, to make the most of your brief chunk of time dedicated only to blissful unwinding and pampering Aussies are famous for.

The nature buzz

Located in the appropriately named Birdwood Avenue in Melbourne, the Royal Botanical Gardens are a perfect soothing oasis that will keep you far from the concrete rush and sweltering heat. If you’re a true foodie, then you can set up a picnic and spend an entire afternoon in the shade of a tree or next to the Ornamental Lake, surrounded by your favourite munchies and refreshments.

An outdoors yoga or Tai-chi session, a stroll around the park or just a few hours of reading in the presence of cheerful bird chirps and the friendly Aussies mingling and giggling, and your depleted energy will be replenished as if you spent a whole month in an exotic retreat.

Float your worries away

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Ever heard of the gravity-free flotation method? Well, it’s high time you gave it a go! Once you step inside the floating pod and immerse yourself into the healing Epsom salts, the weightless state of silence and serenity will cleanse your entire being.

The Gravity Floatation Centre offers a unique relaxing experience of sensory deprivation that helps distance yourself from the constant overload of input from the outside world. All the noises, tactile sensations and the feeling of weight will dissolve as you spend some time in the restorative essential minerals that will help your body and your mind restore their natural balance.

The wonders of a massage

You need a pampering, healing session, but you simply have no energy to get out of your home or your hotel? Create a perfect little indoor Eden with the help of soothing fragrances, dimmed lights and comfortable clothes. To top everything off, scheduling a home massage in Melbourne is just a few clicks away.

This way, you can stay in the comfort of your own home and bring the luxurious pampering treatment to your doorstep – from Swedish relaxation methods, deep tissue massage, and all the way to pregnancy-friendly techniques, feel free to take your pick. You can also get a Daiwa legacy massage chair to relax in. They are all designed to keep you relaxed, stress-free and happy, as if you had a week-long spa vacation in Bali.

A culture boost

annie-spratt-253796After you’ve had your dosage of pampering and relaxing, you can continue your slow-paced weekend by visiting the Centre for Contemporary Photography in George Street, and spend a few hours in quiet contemplation while admiring its versatile exhibition.

The four galleries will give you a history lesson, fun facts on the art of photography, some interesting photography courses, and a unique insight into the contemporary Australian as well as international works of art that have found their place in the Centre. The fifth gallery, the Night Projection Window, is dedicated to evening viewing of both new and established photographers’ works.

Make the most of your limited weekend time to recover from your weekly rush and sneak a peek into some of Melbourne’s most Zen corners that will completely restore your energy and help you prepare for the next round of challenges!

The best travel videos of New Zealand

New Zealand is an incredibly beautiful country, so you may think everybody knows that… The truth is some people don’t! That’s why Tourism New Zealand and others are producing amazing videos to showcase the beauty of our country.  Here’s our selection.

Obviously Tourism New Zealand has a huge budget for this, and it shows. Their latest campaign is one of the best they’ve ever made:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWOwe_n-2Gw

Tourism New Zealand has just produced amazing 360 degrees videos! Use your mouse to move the image around! Here’s the one from Doubtful Sound:

Here’s the 360 video showcasing how fun Auckland can be:

Air New Zealand is equally or even more famous for producing fantastic safety videos that showcase the country… Our favourite is the one of Middle Earth!

Producing great videos isn’t just limited to the professionals! There are tons of young people out there who film their holidays with their GoPro. We particularly liked that one:

To finish, it’s easy to find videos of timelapses in ultra high quality (4K) on Youtube, check out this one for instance:

 

 

 

Tasmania Calling: Best Summer Festivals This Year

If you plan to visit Australia, or more specifically Tasmania, this summer, you’re in for a treat. This summer will see many different events, festivals and celebrations organised all over the place and you’re sure to find something to your liking.

Festivale

Towards the end of the summer, City Park in Launceston comes to life, as people from all parts of the world flock to attend Festivale. A quarter of a century ago, a street party was organised and little did the organisers know about the success that would ensue.

This event, now featuring not only music, but food and drinks as well, is organised at the time of the year when the weather conditions are supposed to be perfect for an outdoor festival. So, if you’re anywhere near Launceston around the weekend when the event is organised, make sure you check this festival out. You most certainly won’t regret it.

Wooden Boat Festival

MyState Australian Wooden Boat Festival

The MyState Australian Wooden Boat Festival is organised every two years and if you’re planning to visit Tasmania in February 2017, you’re in luck. Hobart’s waterfront will once again be host to hundreds of wooden boats of various sizes, used for different purposes. The owners and manufacturers are all there, willing to chat to visitors about their prized possessions.

Of course, there’s much more to the festival than just boats. Music, food and drinks from Tasmania, races and exhibitions all add to the overall vibe of the event. The best part is that it’s all free of charge!

Getting around

Once you’ve sorted out your accommodation, you need to look at the transportation options. Apart from taking a bus or flying from one place to another, now you can also get a free car or campervan. As it is a one-way rental, once you’re done travelling from one festival to another, you can simply leave the vehicle at one of their subsidiaries. An increasing number of young people are doing this in an attempt to save as much money and be able to attend as many festivals as possible.

As you can see, there’s so much that Tasmania has to offer in terms of summer festivals. There are also many smaller ones, held at many towns in the region, so you just need to check local tourist organisations for more information. What is guaranteed though is that you’ll have a whale of time down under this summer.

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Wooden Boat Festival