New Zealand, Australia, Pacific Island News and Travel Information

Nelson has always been considered a magnet for creativity and art and a new concept has become part of the burgeoning arts and crafts scene in the region. Visitors are offered the opportunity to develop their creative potential and get closer to local people, by actively participating in workshops and learning experiences that draw on the culture of their holiday destination. Nelson region is the focus for 2003/2004 and visitors to the area are encouraged to take part in creative workshops in a whole range of areas from wood carving to screen printing, cooking local produce to weaving and Maori art and craft. More information. The website gives you the full range of current courses being offered, an introduction to the tutors and shows you where the workshops are held and how to book them.

Nelson hosts two other important events for the region in September. The Nelson Arts Festival is a 2 week celebration of Art, Theatre and Music and a number of events will take place in the region including the Montana World of Wearable Art, a theatrical extravaganza in which over 300 designers compete in sections such as Symbols and Colours of the Pacific, Illumination and Illusion and the Bizarre Bra competition. The World of Wearable Art began in 1987 and was initially held in a tent but has grown to become one of the great icons of Art and Creativity in New Zealand and this year will be attended by more than 15,000 people over the 2 weeks. The WOW Museum near the Nelson airport is a must for visitors to Nelson year round, with a selection of some of the best Wearable Art contributions over the years. The museum also houses an excellent collection of Classic cars.

The Nelson and Tasman Bay region is a popular destination for many of our clients and we have some excellent accommodation and tour options.

New Zealand Specials
Very competitive Ezy Rental Cars from NZ$39 per day as well as 10% discounts with Kea Campers for Christchurch to Auckland rentals. Both offers until 10 October 2003. See details.

Back to Index

Australia News

Arguably the largest state in the world, Western Australia borders the Indian Ocean, covers 2.5 million square kilometres and makes up more than 1/3 of the continent of Australia. WA is made up of eleven regions - each one offering a distinct range of travel experiences and attractions.

Kimberley - The tropical north of WA renowned for its spectacular outback wilderness. Red earth contrasting with pristine white, sandy beaches, vast gorges and majestic waterfalls.

Pilbara - An adventure 2 billion years in the making. Experience breath taking gorges, cascading waterfalls, pristine beaches, beautiful coral grounds and abundant fish. See some of the most stunning natural and man-made attractions around.

Gasgoyne - Some of Australia's premier soft adventure and eco-tourism experiences can be found here. The Shark Bay World Heritage area and Ningaloo Marine Park are world-famous natural attractions.

Mid West- A region providing visitors the contrast of outback and ocean experiences - Western Australia's premier wildflower region.

Goldfields - To the east of Perth, a region steeped in the history of WA gold mining with grand Australian architecture and a rich heritage of early settlement.

Perth - Western Australia's capital, renowned for its warm, sunny climate, pristine coastline and relaxed lifestyle. Only minutes away, beaches, vineyards, hills, an historic port city and an island wait to be explored.

Peel - Just a short drive south from Perth, a region abundant with first-class golfing facilities, white-water rafting, majestic forests, fishing and surfing.

Heartlands - Offering a relaxed country lifestyle experience mixed with the unique and the unusual such as the famous Pinnacles and Wave Rock - all a comfortable drive from Perth.

South West - Rich in natural and man-made attractions where good living is a way of life. The famous Margaret River wine region nestles amongst some of WA's most spectacular natural scenic attractions with vast forests and a rugged coastline to explore.

Great Southern - The State's most southerly region where spectacular natural scenery abounds. Walk the tracks of the Stirling Range National Park, explore coastal and country towns rich in history or immerse yourself in natural experiences such as whale watching or the Tree Top Walk.

Esperance - Where some of the Australia's most spectacular coastal scenery, beaches, islands and magnificent national parks can be found - one of Western Australia's fastest growing tourist destinations.

For more information about Travel in Western Australia.

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.

Back to Index

Pacific Island News

Located between Fiji and Australia and only 2 1/2 hours flying time from Auckland, New Zealand's closest South Pacific neighbour, New Caledonia woos visitors with its unique mix of French colonial charm and native Melanesian culture.

Unlike its volcanic neighbours, New Caledonia is a fragment of an ancient continent which drifted away some 250 million years ago. Its flora and fauna evolved in isolation, and are now quite unique: 3500 recorded species of plants, three quarters of which occur only here; 4300 species of land animals, 1000 species of fish, 6500 species of marine invertebrates.

A long and narrow island, New Caledonia offers an endless variety of landscapes, from some of the best white sand beaches in the Pacific to spectacular mountain retreats. Surrounded by a 1,600 km long coral reef, New Caledonia also boasts the largest lagoon in the world. The reef can be as close as a few kilometres from the coast in some places and as far as 65 km in others - with an average depth of 40 m.

GINZ can offer special package prices for short and long breaks to New Caledonia from NZ$499 per person for 3 nights accommodation, flights and transfers ex Auckland, 7 night packages from NZ$799.

Contact us for more information or see details at New Caledonia and Pacific Specials.

Pacific Island Specials
Cook Islands packages from NZ$899 per person, Fiji from NZ$595 per person, P&O Cruise Tahiti from NZ$2799 per person, Club Med Bora Bora from NZ$3189 per person... and much more see details here.

Back to Index