Most people from outside New Zealand and Australia have only been to Australia, which is a shame, because New Zealand is still the most beautiful country in the world.
Of course I say that being a Kiwi, but the South Island’s McKenzie Country and Central Otago is something very, very special. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are all nice but you won’t be blown away like you will be if you visit Wanaka, Queenstown, Lake Tekapo and the Milford Sound.
The Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa has a lot of good reviews and usually a Shangri-La is something you can count on, rarely spectacular but almost always satisfactory, a bit like a Toyota, you normally can rely on it. Not this one. Firstly, if you do manage to get a reply for any questions or requests, you’re lucky if you …
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Kula Wild Adventure Park is about 30 minutes drive from the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa. It’s small, but if you’re looking for things to do in Fiji and are staying with an hours drive, this is probably something worth driving to. Just don’t get too excited, it’s not outrageously awesome and must-visit, but I think most kids will like …
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Flew to Fiji on Fiji Airways Hong Kong To Nadi economy class FJ392. Booking with Fiji Airways the first time was fine but we had to change the flight which was painful, not as painful as Qantas, but a long and lengthy process. When we went to check-in the seats we had booked on the original booking were gone, and …
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A friend and I decided to have a go at Wild Wire Wanaka during Chinese New Year 2019. It’s basically climbing up a waterfall via ferrata, which is basically using steel cables and clips so it’s pretty safe. My cousin did it and recommended it to us. There’s three different levels you can do, a beginner (whuss level), intermediate and …
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Like most hotels along the West Coast, the Heartland Hotel Glacier Country in Fox Glacier is nothing fancy but perfectly fine for a night. I can’t imagine any reason why you’d stay here for more than a night as there’s really not a lot to do other than go and see Lake Matheson and take a walk up to the …
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Third time we’ve taken the Hong Kong To Auckland Air New Zealand Economy Class Skycouch, got a reasonably good deal for around HKD$24,000 during school holidays. Hong Kong To Auckland Air New Zealand Economy Class Skycouch is basically just 3 seats with leg rests that go up to the horizontal position. I’ve taken NZ80, which is the Hong Kong To …
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My family in NZ have a unit at Oakridge Resort Wanaka so this will focus on the apartments. They have “normal hotel rooms” but these are basically the rooms inside the apartments, so pretty much the same thing. First up location. As mentioned, Oakridge Resort Wanaka is about a 2-3 minute drive to the town of Wanaka, about a 15 …
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The Isthmus Peak Wanaka hike is a much lesser known hike than Roy’s Peak, which during the Christmas holidays, has become absolutely insane and overcrowded with people. You can read my review of that here, but note that if you’re wanting to have a bit of peace and quiet (the whole reason for hiking something like this), Isthmus Peak Wanaka …
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If you’re looking for something a bit different, the Azur Lodge in Queenstown is just the ticket and one of the better places we’ve stayed at anywhere. It’s got just 9 Villas, each 79 sqm and with awesome views down on the lake and into the remarkables ski range. Arrived here with a rare crying Grobbler and the staff met …
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Platinum Apartments Freshwater Place are a prime location, probably one of the best in Melbourne if you’re a tourist. We stayed in a two bedroom apartment, which is not serviced (although you can have cleaners bought in for an extra charge) so be aware of that. Overall we were a bit disappointed by the overall experience at Platinum Apartments Freshwater …
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The Stamford Plaza Brisbane is in a good location by the river, close to shops, restaurants and easy access to expressways to get to places if you hire a car. This hotel is showing its age a bit, the room we were in you could hear every time someone had a shower, turned on the taps and you could also hear, …
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We stayed in a One Bedroom Harbour View Suite at the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour. Only stayed a couple of nights on a stopover from Hong Kong to Auckland. The suites are pretty big and have a big balcony which was great for people watching as people walking along East Circular Quay to the Sydney Opera House. The balcony has …
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The Langham Melbourne is probably one of the best hotels we’ve stayed at in Australia. In a prime area of Southbank, it’s also got to be maybe the best location to stay when you’re visiting Melbourne – a few minutes way from the city and great views looking across the Yarra river back into the city. Doesn’t get much better …
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Something a bit different today, back in NZ we did the Roys Peak Wanaka Hike. Roy Peak is 1578m and has some of the most incredible views anywhere in the world. It blows away anything in Hong Kong by a long way, both in terns of views, hiking, and well, everything. Roys Peak Wanaka hike is 16km in total, the …
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