New Zealand, Australia, Pacific Island News and Travel Information

The Catlins Coast - tucked quietly away in the south eastern corner of the South Island - is a curious place. For one reason or another it has enjoyed neglect from the tourists who flock to other parts of Southland and Otago. It is as they say, off the beaten track and although it doesn't have the towering beauty of Fiordland or the sublime appeal of the Southern Lakes it is heartland New Zealand with it's rugged bush, mountain, river and coastline pretty much untouched by the sort of development that has happened elsewhere in the South Island. It has been aptly described as abit of south Westland out east.

It is one part of New Zealand where you have an idea of what the country was like before humans arrived - continual birdsong on a fine day in the bush with bellbirds, tui, yellow heads, shining cuckoos, grey warblers and South Island robins, pristine golden beaches, original podocarp forest coming right down to the sand and seaweed and shells lying on the beach. No tatty baches, no tarsealed roads, no carparks and hardly any people.

Wildlife is plentiful - penguins yellow eyed and blue, shags, herons, mollyhawks and mollywawks, seals and sea lions, moreporks and Hectors Dolphins. A 3 night stay in the Catlins provides visitors with the opportunity to explore the area properly - starting with Nugget Point in the North with its yellow eyed penguin colony, lighthouse and wildlife reserve, to Curio Bay in the south with a petrified forest of fossil trees 160 million years old. In between are the Cathedral Caves, Jacks Blowhole, Cannibal and Surat Bays where the sea lions bask in the sun, Purakaunui Falls and walking in the Catlins River area. If you like the night lights and lots of action, stay away but if you want to really escape and see how New Zealand used to be get here double quick - before the hordes arrive! Places to stay at Catlins Farmstay and Nisbet Cottage and Catlins Tours. See travel information on the Catlins Tourism.

New Zealand Specials
Very competitive Maui campervans from NZ$45 per day and hotels online deals and last-minutes. See details.

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Australia News

A visit to the largest coral reef in the world with family owned and operated Calypso Charters will provide you with the opportunity to cruise, snorkel and scuba dive. Departing each morning from the Marina Mirage at Port Douglas, the Calypso is a fast, stable purpose built 23 metre (76ft) vessel with spacious decks for sunbathing and a comfortable saloon. The trip takes you to three different sites on the outer edge of the reef where you can try snorkelling and certified or introductory diving. The friendly qualified crew will guide you while snorkelling and explain and answer questions about the reef and its many inhabitants.

The Great Barrier Reef is an ideal place to try an introductory PADI scuba dive. After a comprehensive brief highlighting safety procedures, your instructor will dive with you in a maximum group of four - all gear can be supplied. Learn to Dive PADI open water courses and advanced Dive courses are also available.

A delicious tropical brunch is served on board as well as morning and afternoon tea. Transfers are available from Palm Cove, Cairns and the Northern beaches. Trips board at 8.40am and return to Port Douglas at 4.30pm. See information at Calypso Reef Charters

Australia Specials
A great way to see and travel Australia is with a campervan or motorhome or last-minute online hotel reservations. See Specials from A$79 per day.

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Pacific Island News

If you are coming to New Zealand or Australia between now and April 2004, why not add on a fantastic cruise on the 5 star P&O Pacific Princess for a great price. This special price includes flights from Auckland to Papetee with Air Tahiti, transfers to the Ship, a 10 night cruise and all food and entertainment ( taxes excluded). Departures are every 10 days and a variety of cabin types are available.

Two days are spent cruising at sea and the balance is spent in and around the ports and islands including Huahine, Rarotonga, Bora Bora and Moorea. Tahiti and the islands of French Polynesia are well known for their magnificent natural beauty and have inspired famous artists such as Gaugin and Matisse. The climate is warm year round with average temperatures 26 oC - December to February are the most humid months.

Contact us for more information or see details at P&O cruises Tahiti. Lots more special package deals ex New Zealand cities to the Pacific (including Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Samoa and Tahiti) are available and more options are added to our page regularly.

Pacific Island Specials
Vanuatu packages from NZ$749 per person, Fiji from NZ$899 per person, Cook Islands from NZ$999 per person Club Med Bora Bora from NZ$3299 per person - Brides save 25% ... and much more see details here.

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