Destination

A road trip along Tasmania's east coast takes in beaches, mountains and national parks with some intriguing stops along the way. Below are some web exclusive images from photographer Don Fuchs.

For more photos and the full article, "The Devil is in the details", see Issue 41 of NZ Life and Leisure






 

As the wildlife capital of New Zealand, the Otago Peninsula has it in abundance. Here is where the Royal Albatross and the endangered yellow-eyed penguin or hoiho, the little blue penguin and Stewart Island shag can be seen in their natural habitats and visitors can also expect encounters with seals, sea lions and the occasional sea elephant. An easy and wonderfully scenic drive from central Dunedin passes through lush green pastures, small bays and inlets, sandy beaches, rugged hills and volcanic landforms. The Otago Peninsula has been named by CNN International as one of the 10 most romantic places in the world in which to propose marriage. “If your beseeching eyes can't soften her heart, the mating rituals of the South Island's unusual coastal wildlife may do it.” (CNN Media News Network, February 2011)

The home of The World’s Fastest Indian, Blue River cheese, Deep South ice cream, the Hokonui Moonshine Festival, West Plains strawberries, the Waikaka Cheese Rolling competition, the Bluff Oyster Festival and Mayor Tim Shadbolt, Invercargill is a town of unhurried pace. With the sea and many scenic reserves nearby, activities such as horse-riding on a beach, eating at the many lively cafes, restaurants and bars, admiring the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco historic town buildings and enjoying some boutique and department-store shopping can all be done in the same day.
 

On the drive out to the Coatesville/Riverhead region, Auckland’s inner-city mayhem quickly transforms into rolling green pastures, orchards and vineyards. A small rural community situated approximately 30 kilometres north-west of the city, it is rich in history, once a producer of tobacco. The area was originally known as Fernielea until 1926 when it was renamed after Gordon Coates, the Prime Minister at the time. There were no shops for miles and bread and meat were delivered from Albany twice a week.

Things to Do

Take a tour around two beautiful gardens renowned both in New Zealand and overseas.
Mincher Gardens: A Garden of National Significance in Albany, it contains masses of roses, daylilies, bluebells, daffodils, holly and vibrant winter berries.
Woodbridge Gardens: A garden for all seasons, it lists a potager, cottage garden, croquet lawn, bog garden, bluebell wood and native plantings among its attractions.

Shop for gifts at Country Elegance in Coatesville. Become immersed in their wealth of paintings, French accessories, homewares and fresh flowers.

Muriwai Beach: With a pizza from Dante's in Huapai and a bottle of wine from the Matua vineyard in Waimauku in hand, head to black-sand Muriwai beach for a beautiful sunset, or take in the hype of activity at the Gannet Colony.

Wine Trails: Sample the local vintages through an adventurous wine trail. Awa Valley, Coopers Creek, Matua and Nobilo are some of the boutique wineries which call this area home.

Nomads of the Gobi Desert survive Mongolia’s freezing winters in portable tents which may lack modern plumbing but are kept cosy by the closeness of family life. Words and photographs: Chris van Ryn.

This peaceful little fishing village beckons as a stopover point with views out to some of New Zealand’s most dramatic coastal scenery. Moeraki (Maori for “a place to rest by day”) is not only home to award-winning restaurant Fleurs Place (see our story on page 100) but also the famous Moeraki Boulders, large spherical stones scattered over sandy beaches.

Unlike ordinary boulders which are shaped by rivers and pounding seas, these were formed during the early Paleocene period 60 million years ago in similar fashion to oyster pearls, where layers of material cover a fossil shell or bone fragment. Over time, lime minerals in the sea accumulated on the core and the concretion grew into perfectly spherical shapes up to three metres in diameter and weighing several tonnes.

Moeraki has strong Maori, whaling and sealing heritages and was North Otago’s first European settlement. According to Maori legend, the boulders are remains of calabashes, kumara and eel baskets which washed ashore after the wreckage of legendary canoe Araiteuru at Shag Point. The long Maori history is represented in the town today by the Kotahitanga Maori Church and a pa site nearby.

Syria’s ancient cities, exotic markets and overwhelming sense of history are a revelation to two Kiwi travellers. Words: Polly Greeks. Photos: Ryan Rodrick Beiler/dreamstime, Max Galli/laif.

Discover Marlborough, your welcome to the South Island. The townships of Blenheim, Picton, Awatere, Havelock and Kaikoura are all close to each other so take a road trip for a taste of the region.

Begin with the little seaside town of Picton. Exhilarating activities here include sky diving for a panoramic view of Marlborough from 15,000 feet above, or sea kayaking to take in the scenery.

Explore Blenheim’s art-and-craft trails and wineries, tee off at some of the world’s most beautiful golf courses and browse the main street full of boutiques.

Just kilometres away is Awatere and its picturesque Pacific coastline. Catch a glimpse of its ruggedness on a four-wheel-drive tour or venture out to the Awatere Valley to visit vineyards and formal gardens.

Dust off your hiking boots and experience the wildlife in the fishing village of Havelock and the surrounding Sounds. Trek the Queen Charlotte track or stop by Canvastown, an historic gold-mining township.

Beneath the slopes of the Southern Alps lies the seaside township of Kaikoura where you can scuba dive, encounter an albatross or whale watch either from the air or by boat.

It would take more than a cyclone to quench the spirit of those who live on Aitutaki. Even After February’s devastating storm, it’s business as usual at the resorts which have always offered holiday-makers a legendary welcome. Words & Photos: Tessa Chrisp.