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| Friday, 10 September, 2010 |
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Dunedin/Oamaru/Chatto Creek/St Bathans Dunedin www.chocolatecarnival.co.nz Race jaffas (the orange coated sweets, not Aucklanders) down the world's steepest street and feast your eyes on chocolate art. Chocoholics not in Dunedin in July might still like to visit Cadbury World.  www.larnachcastle.co.nz One of the most memorable and enjoyable overnight stays we’ve had in NZ was in the Historic Stable at Larnach Castle. The Stable rooms are comfortable (shared bathrooms) and an excellent breakfast is included in the cost as is the Castle entry fee. Cost - $155 (for two adults, current as at 10 May 2010). Accommodation is also available in the 4 star rated Larnach Lodge. Guests staying in the Historic Stable or Larnach Lodge are able to dine in the Castle Dining Room for dinner.   The interior of the Castle is well worth a visit too, although overseas travellers may have been to Castles more ancient and ornate in their own countries. Family history enthusiasts and anyone who takes the time to read about the Larnach family will be moved by their sad family story. Oamaru is a pleasant place to stop on your travels in the South Island. The little town has more than its fair share of Oamaru stone architectural delights, and the historic precinct is worth wandering through.   Janet Frame House, 56 Eden Street Penguins – Apparently Oamaru is a prime spot for penguin watching, we hope you have better luck than we did on our watch. For entertainment of the musical kind head to The Penguin Entertainers Club in Emulsion Lane, visit the website for information on upcoming gigs. Middlemarch/Clyde
Otago Rail Trail www.centralotagorailtrail.co.nz Created for mountain bikers, walkers and horse riders this 150km trail follows an old railway line from Middlemarch to Clyde. Bike hire, accommodation, luggage and shuttle transfers can be pre-booked. The trail is free although donations can be made at each station along the way. If you want to cycle the entire trail it will take between 3-5 days or you could do part of the trail as a day trip. (You can start/end the trail in Middlemarch or Clyde). If you are keen on finding out more about the trail or would like a souvenir of your trip Gerald Cunningham is the author of the book Guide To The Otago Central Rail Trail that covers accommodation, local flora, the track's history and food stops along the way. Chatto Creek
(14km north of Alexandra) Chatto Creek Tavern & Chatto Creek Post Office
St Bathans
17kms off SH85 (SH85 runs between Alexandra and Palmerston) We took the turn off to St Bathans on advice from a Lonely Planet guide book and we're glad we did. This tiny place sits alongside the Blue Lake, a deep hole filled with shining blue mineral water. It's an ideal spot to park your camper van for lunch (or maybe even over night, or not, see below).   The old Vulcan Hotel is the only hotel remaining from the gold rush days and will feed, water and house you if need be. But beware, legend has it that the pub has a scary guest who stays for free and slams doors on their way to the local cemetery. St Bathans Ghost to Ghost Triathlon & Duathlon - An event for the ghost hunting athletes, usually held in March. Visit www.stbathansghosttri.co.nz. |
North Island
Auckland Bay of Islands/Northland Coromandel/Tauranga Hamilton/Waikato Hawkes Bay/Gisborne Manawatu/Wanganui New Plymouth/Taranaki Rotorua/Taupo Wellington south island
Blenheim/Picton/Nelson |