|
| |
Feature Holiday Home - North Island |
|
Sue & Mike
Carson welcome you to Froude Hall
in the heart of the Rotorua thermal wonderland. Froude Hall is a lovely character
house with a touch of luxury. Completely renovated in 2005, it
has a brand new bathroom and modern appliances. The house sleeps
up to seven people and is ideally suited for one or two
couples, family or other groups. Plan a holiday in Rotorua for
2008!...
Read the feature |
| |
|
| |
Out On The Road......Philippa's Café Review |
Beach
House
Café,
Bar, Restaurant
126
Rocks Highway
Riverton
|
Spouse and I have been on the road again enjoying some leisurely travel in the deep south of the South Island during the month of November. Checking out interesting cafés is, of course, all part of the holiday and in the next few newsletters I’ll write of some of those we visited.
Riverton Rocks was the site of many happy childhood holidays for spouse and fortunately on the day we visited, the sun was shining and although there have been many great changes at Riverton over recent years, warm memories were still evoked for him as we sat enjoying a good coffee at the Beach House, Café, Bar and Restaurant. North facing and situated right on the Rocks Highway the Café building has been a house converted to maximise the wonderful view of the rocky shore and across the sea to Bluff in the distance. As well as curbside parking there is also provision for parking at the rear of the Café which makes for safe and easy access.
Beach House is an award winning café having been successful in winning the New Zealand Best Café Awards 2005 (Café Magazine) as National Runner-up and Regional Winner for Southland. The sight of a fireplace to warm during cold winter days, provision of reading material and interesting art works on the walls immediately give the impression that this is a Café in which to linger and relax and it is easy to find a comfortable corner for a quiet moment or to enjoy a break in your journey.
Arriving after an early departure from Invercargill, our visit was perfectly timed for a much needed reviver of mid-morning coffee and combined with a toasted vegetarian muffin, a creative way of serving a warmed muffin, sitting warmed by the sun and relaxed by the soft background music it was easy to visualise this delightful café as a hive of activity at this popular beach destination for Southlanders. There is an extensive bar available as well as an interesting café menu and watching the writing of the lunch menu specials on the blackboard, our mouths were watering for a lunch of the pasta or perhaps the spicy Tomato and Red Pepper Soup served with crusty bread. A variety of sweet treats also beckoned but so did the highway and it was with a little regret that we left this delightful Café and resumed our journey. For spouse, the childhood memories of days at Riverton Rocks have now merged with the passing years to include a trendy and innovative Café with great coffee and tasty food. |
| |
|
| |
Out & About - Bay of Islands |
 
|
One
the highlights of our recent trip to the Bay of Islands was a
visit to The Parrot Place, in Kerikeri. Peter and Pam Scahill
have turned what was a much enjoyed hobby into a fantastic tourist
venture. Peter landscaped half of his acre section into subtropical
gardens and there are now aviaries of 30 different species of
parrots from around the world - South America, Pacific, Africa
and Australia. If you don't mind the odd peck or two there are
some delightful tame birds that will sit on your shoulder or
your finger. Peter and Pam are there to walk and talk you past
the birds - lots of time for questions, and yes the birds do
talk!
Ticket prices are $3/child and $7/adults and include an informative guided tour.
A beautiful garden setting and a great morning out - don't miss a visit!
Where is it? 1 Mission Road, Kerikeri Ph (09) 4075 146
|
| |
|
| |
Out & About - Taupo |
Giveaway! |
First on my list when our family next visits Taupo will be a trip to Taupo Puzzleworld! Only recently opened, they have a marvellous range of activities. Adults and children will love the Giant Maze - there are even questions and answers hidden inside the maze just for a bit more fun! The maze is very user friendly and suitable for both wheelchairs and push chairs. If you have always wanted to be the drummer in a rock band - you can here! There is a special room set up with an electric drum kit - play along to your favourite song or just do your own thing. Have a go on the golf simulator, take turns controlling the model railway, test your skills with the remote controlled boats, see the hologram pictures, and much more. It gets even better...... they are also set up to cater for Birthday Parties - party food and you choose the activities!!
We have two family passes to the Puzzleworld to giveaway. To enter the draw email your name and address details to
. Entries close December 14th 2007. |
| |
|
| |
Out & About - West Coast |
Giveaway! |
If your Christmas and summer holidays take you down the West Coast of the South Island - the Hukawai Glacier Centre at Franz Josef is a must see! The West Coast is known for its high rainfall and yep... we struck a wet day on our recent family trip. The Hukawai Glacier Experience and Indoor Climbing Wall is a unique, all weather experience. The experience starts with a walk through a native garden then into a man-made rainforest and up a winding bush path into a glacial room designed to look exactly like Franz Josef Glacier complete with ice caves and a crevasse.
You will be awed by the spectacular 10 metre high climate controlled ice climbing chamber - the only one in the Southern Hemisphere. Climbing gear and an expert instructor will guide your climb. There is a seven metre viewing window where you can watch climbers' progress. Because safety is important there are some common sense health restrictions and conditons, but essentially if you fit a size 5 boot - usually ages 10 and above - then you can do it! And if climbing is not your thing - sit back in the cafe and watch the climbers. For more information and details see www.hukawai.co.nz
We really enjoyed our trip here - don't miss a visit!
Where is it?
Hukawai Glacier Centre
Cnr Cron and Cowan st
Franz Josef
We have one family pass (2xadults, 2xkids) for the glacier experience and ice climbing taster session (value $245) at Hukawai to giveaway. To enter the draw email your name and address details to
. Entries close December 14th 2007.
|
| |
|
| |
Out & About - Nelson |
Giveaway! |
The World of WearableArt Gallery is spine-tinglingly impressive. Mannequins twirl to inspired musical arrangements under lighting designed specifically to highlight these wonderful creations. Static models too are shown to best advantage in an intimate environment where you can study the intricacies of the garments up-close. You gain the impression that creators of WearableArt stitch a little piece of their soul into each masterpiece. Any pre-conceived idea that ‘the clothes are for the girls and the cars for the boys’ is quickly dispelled as the men gaze transfixed, marvelling at the everyday items that have been transformed into such amazing apparel.
This unique visitor attraction also houses some of the finest and rarest examples of automobile design from the early 20th century to the present day. The Classic Car Gallery uses an imaginative series of displays, a tribute to automotive design and performance fuelled by mans obsession for speed, power status and luxury, that represents years of passionate sourcing and restoration.
A fabulous museum experience! On the way to the Abel Tasman National Park, minutes from the Nelson airport. Allow at least one hour for a memorable visit that includes WearableArt Gallery, Classic Car Gallery, Audio visual theatre, Illumination room and to complete the attraction there are exhibitions by leading local artists, a great gift shop and café.
We have two double passes to the WOW Museum to giveaway. To enter the draw email your name and address details to
. Entries close December 14th 2007.
|
| |
|
| |
Christmas Gift Idea |
 
|
Looking for a Christmas Stocking filler? Stuck for a clever ideas for a Christmas gift? This is an exciting new product range that we now have available on our website
Beach Kit - All the essentials for a beach holiday - UV monitor card, moisturiser, sun cream, tissues, plasters and much more!
Bike Ride Kit - For emergency bike and rider repairs
Golf Bag - Contains really useful golf stuff - tuck it in your golf bag!
Holiday Kit - Really useful holiday stuff eg suncream, tissues, mini pen and pad, lip balm....
Prices range from $19.95 to $27.99. To order a kit click here |
| |
|
| |
Christmas Gift Idea |
 |
The latest editions of Baches & Holiday Homes to Rent are more than a guide of holiday homes to rent in New Zealand! They have been freshly updated and now contain a wealth of information to help you plan your next holiday.
Ideas for Weekend Getaways all over New Zealand, Hot Tip pages with fun facts and what to do in each region ranging from Rainy Dayz ideas to Family Favourites. Simon Holst Holiday Recipes like Double Chocolate Brownie to Seared Fish with Green Sauce. Order in time for Christmas and we can even do the gift wrapping for you!
Order the Books
See Inside
|
| |
|
| |
Easy Summer Entertaining |
Giveaway! |
If you live in Christchurch and want to plan an easy summer BBQ - Chez Vous are the ones to go to. www.chezvous.co.nz not only deliver yummy fresh breakfast to your doorstep they now offer BBQ packages! This is one way to minimise the stress of Christmas entertaining and you get to enjoy the party. They can easily cater for all workplace, business or corporate functions with their BBQ packages. Cherie at Chezvous has a marvellous selection of packages you can choose from - lamb loin chops, fresh herb sausages, kebabs, pork & bacon wraps, salads, coleslaws + much more! Deliveries will be made as far as Hamner every 2nd day over the Christmas New Year period, (26th December to 20th January) and over to Akaroa & surrounding on the other days. Bookings need to be made 4 days in advance. Check out www.chezvous.co.nz for their special Christmas Gift Platter also available - a wonderful surprise gift!
We have two BBQ packages (delivery within Christchurch area) valued at $85 to giveaway at half price - (what a great deal for a summer bbq!) - to be in the draw email your details to
. Entries close December 14th 2007. |
| |
|
| |
Summer Cooking - "Hunger for the Wild" |
 
Giveaway! |
From the popular TV1 series of the same name, this book is a lively approach to our ‘wild foods’ and the great outdoors written by high profile Wellington restaurateurs, Steve Logan and Al Brown. This is an excellent mix of regionalism, tourism and cooking with fabulous photography and mouth watering recipes. This book follows Al & Steve as they travel the country exploring hidden places and excellent wild food. Along the way they learn about the local food, the land that produces it and the people who harvest it. Each chapter includes mouth-watering recipes and information on history and local identities.
With crayfish and whitebait on the West Coast, scallops in Nelson, wild pig up the Whanganui River, paua from the Wellington coast, pheasant in Rotorua, rabbit in Otago, flounder in Kawhia, crabs from Waikanae and eel from Canterbury, this book covers our heartland and its wonderful produce in lively style.
Steve Logan and Al Brown are good Kiwi lads with a twist of the refined. They share a love of fishing, hunting and the great outdoors and they also run one of the country’s most successful upmarket restaurants, Logan Brown in Wellington. This book will appeal to everyone from hunters, shooters and fishers; to foodies searching for great local produce. This is a quintessentially New Zealand book with a twist.
We have two books to give away. To enter the draw email your name and address details to
. Entries close December 14th 2007.
|
| |
|
| |
Holiday Photos - We Need You! |
 |
Would
you like to see your holiday photos in print? We'd love you to
share your holiday photos with us! We're after photos of you,
your family and friends having fun on holiday! Be it fishing,
kayaking, at the river, a day at the beach, or a BBQ at the bach.....
we need your photos for the 2009 editions of Greenings Baches & Holiday
Homes to Rent.
Send your photos to
Don't forget to include your name and address + email address. |
| |
|
| |
Holiday Stories - Tell Us! |
 |
We'd love you to share your holiday story with us. We'll publish our favourite stories in the 2009 editions of Greenings Baches & Holiday Homes to Rent .
Send your story to
Not an writer? - just send us the facts and we will get our journalist to contact you - as easy as that!
Don't forget to include your name and address + email address. |
| |
|
| |
Last Newsletter Giveaway Winners..... |
 |
Jude Blake Artwork: Anna Stowers
Tauranga Arts Festival: Jill & Tony Cotton, Ainslie Bennett, Rosie Burr
Adrenalin Forest Tickets: Rachel Clark
Christchurch Show Tickets: Jean Britt, Andrea Dijkstra
|
| |
|
| |
A Book For You |
|
For
all new paid listings on the website we will send you a complimentary
copy of the new 2008 Baches & Holiday Homes to Rent book.
(New Zealand residents only). You can choose either a South Island
or North Island edition - we know you will love it!
If you would like some online help & guidance with your listing email
|
We hope
you enjoy a safe summer holiday in our beautiful New Zealand.
Warm wishes
for a happy Christmas with family & friends.
Mark & Elizabeth Greening
|
|
