Index
New Zealand News and Specials
Taupo, Turangi and Tongoriro National Park Guided Tours
Australia News and Specials
Great Barrier Reef Charters
Pacific Island News and Specials
New Caledonia
GINZ.com Newsletter
October 2006 Vol 1 No# 109
Welcome to our October newsletter coming to you from a sunny spring day in Christchurch. New Zealand is experiencing a high profile as a travel destination at present and we are busy with enquiries from around the world regarding rental cars and campers, accommodation and information on things to do and experience here over our southern summer. Please feel free to forward this newsletter onto anyone you know who may be planning to travel to Australia, New Zealand or the Pacific Islands in the near future. We have plenty of new offers, wonderful accommodations and experiences to recommend to anyone who wishes to discover these exciting destinations. Help is just an email or phone call away!
All the very best from the Team at GINZ.com
New Zealand News
Haka Trails are a small family business based in Turangi near the entrance to the Tongariro National Park. Tours are small and personal and aim to give you an insight to local Maori culture and the rich history of the Taupo, Turangi and Tongariro National Park region. Your driver-guide, Stan, was born in Turangi and raised by his Maori grandparents. He is a descendant of the local tribe, Ngati Tuwharetoa.
-
Native Eco-cultural Walk - Following a well formed track around the tranquil waters of Lake Rotopounamu, visitors receive a hands on introduction to the native forests that were once the medicine cupboards and pantries of local tribes. This 3 1/2 hour walking tour will also introduce you to the native birds of the area and the trees and vegetation used for carving and food purposes.
-
Hangi and History Tour - This scenic tour takes you into the heartland of Tongariro National Park to learn about some of the significant events that have shaped the regions rich history. A sumptuous geothermally cooked hangi meal is included on this 3 1/2 tour.
-
Mountainous Tongoriro Crossing Tour - Learn about the mountain from both a scientific and indigenous perspective whilst traversing active volcanic landscapes and taking in the spectacular scenery. Explore dramatic explosion craters, sparkling emerald and blue lakes and smouldering geothermal fumaroles. A full day tour for fit travellers and sure to be a highlight of your visit to New Zealand.
-
Ancestral Meeting House Visit - This a rare opportunity to visit a privately owned Maori meeting house that was carved in the early 1800's and relocated in Taupo. This meeting house now provides an informal environment to learn about its architecture and ornate carvings, and the customs and protocols associated with its use. You will also gain knowledge of traditional Maori society, celestial creation stories, facial/body tattoo and the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi on this 4 hour tour
For more information contact us.
New Zealand Specials
See a range of Last-Minute Rental Cars, Last-Minute Hotel specials and New Zealand Travel Packages.
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, Calypso Charters travels daily to three sites on the outer Great Barrier Reef where you visit spectacular reefs and beautiful coral bombies and snorkel or dive amongst the amazing marine life including coral gardens and abundant fish. Guides provide you with valuable reef information, so that you can appreciate the whole ecology of the Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest collection of coral reefs.
-
Fast, stable and comfortable boats all have large deck areas and spacious saloons - plenty of room to stretch out and relax on your voyage to the reef
-
Wide stern decks and submersible platforms provide easy access for getting in and out of the water
-
All seating, inside and out, is upholstered for your comfort
-
The maximum number per boat is 52 passengers - there are 3 boats operating.
-
Activities available include snorkelling, introductory SCUBA diving and certified diving or just relaxing onboard - all boats are fully licensed .
Your Day:
-
8.40am welcome aboard Calypso at the Marina Mirage Port Douglas
-
Visit three breathtaking outer Great Barrier Reef sites
-
Interpretive reef chat Morning & afternoon tea
-
Scrumptious buffet lunch Guided snorkelling tour
-
Introductory & Certified SCUBA diving available
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
Calypso also run a 15m sailing sloop for day and overnight charter trips.
The sloop takes up to 12 people sailing for the day or 6 on an overnight
charter from Port Douglas to Lizard Island.
For more information contact us.
Australia Specials
See a range of Australia Travel Packages, Last-Minute Rental car and Last-Minute Hotel specials.
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 breaks to New Caledonia from NZ$939 per person for 5 nights luxury accommodation including daily breakfast at Le Meridien Noumea
Contact us for more information or see details at New Caledonia and Pacific Specials. N.B. Airfares are additional.
Pacific Island Specials
See a range of Pacific Island Travel Package and Pacific Hotel specials.
Email: info@ginz.com | Phone: +64 3 366 4486 | Fax: +64 3 366 4452 | Level 1, 538 Wairakei Road, Christchurch, New Zealand
New Zealand Travel Northland Auckland Bay of Plenty Rotorua Taupo Napier Taranaki Wellington Picton Nelson Kaikoura Christchurch Westcoast Glaciers Greymouth Queenstown Wanaka Dunedin Invercargill Fiordland Auckland camper Christchurch motorhomes rentals Wellington vans New Zealand Queenstown rentals Avis Budget Hertz Thrifty Apollo Maui Kea Skiing Honeymoon Golf Exclusive Packages Car Rentals Accommodation Specials Operator Links Index Guide Australia Guest Trip Planner Selfdrive Guidedtours Itineraries
