The scenic beauty of the 22 km Skippers Canyon gorge is definitely not to be missed when visiting Queenstown area. Whether you see it up close on a speeding jet boat, take a drive along its rather precarious gorge road or decide to check out the 100 metre high Skippers Canyon Bridge the Skippers Canyon …
At Cadbury’s chocolate factory in Dunedin work has begun restoring a long-disused building to it’s original appearance. Like many older buildings its facade was shaved in the name of modernisation in the 1950’s when the ornate features went out of vogue. However, Dunedin is renown for its outstanding architectural heritage and so the return to …
High above the arrivals hall in Auckland’s international airport is a plane. It looks tiny in the cavernous, reverberating terminal – merely a decorative prop. But this is the plane that flew from England to Brazil in 1935, and England to New Zealand in 1936, both record-breaking achievements. And today is the birthday of its …
It’s 1.20pm, and a catamaran idles with a baritone murmur at the wharf. On neighbouring jetties water taxis tug nonchalantly at their lines, a giant cruise ship towers over Waitohi wharf, and Picton harbour glitters in the pale afternoon sun. With cartons of groceries and canvas bags of mail safely stowed, a gaggle of eager sightseers are …
Last week I wrote a post about “visible shipwrecks” of the North Island coastline, wrecks that you can visit on foot. Our fascination with these rust-ridden hulks comes partly from our simultaneous love/fear of the sea, and partly the fading link they provide to New Zealand’s past. You can read part one here. Sadly, they are …
Shipwrecks have a special lure, don’t they? The spectre of tragedy that surrounds them, the resonance of loss, and a reminder of the ocean’s uncompromising power. More than most historical artefacts – restored cars, preserved buildings, antique furniture; embalmed in modern veneer; enshrined in modern surroundings – a dead ship feels like the past reaching …
Railways were once the heart of a country. Both socially and commercially they were vital links, often the only links. In 19th century New Zealand thousands of settlers laboured for years, even decades on a single route, chiseling through horribly uneven terrain and dense native bush with picks, shovels, and an occasional blast of TNT. …
Dolphins are perhaps the most loved and respected creatures in the sea. Considered by marine biologists to be highly intelligent, they have a brain-to-body mass ratio second only to humans. They are also very sociable mammals, and almost always swim in pods, or groups. Lone dolphins are extremely rare and most likely orphaned, and of …
Whilst looking for something else I found this photo. It was taken in 1922, in Lower Queen St, Auckland. Among other things, it’s a snapshot of technology in transition: jaywalking pedestrians, electric trams, cars, and even a horse and cart. The Guardian building is on the right, home to NZ Insurance as it was …
Auckland Heritage – Queen Street’s Oldest Building Read More »
The iconic Wellington Cable Car celebrates its 114th birthday today. This milestone in Kiwi engineering began service in 1902 and was devised to connect the then-new suburb of Kelburn with the CBD below. The track was 785 metres long, and climbed 120 metres from Lambton Quay to Upland Road, passing over three bridges and through …
If you have any questions or need help or advice about rental cars or your New Zealand travel plans we’re here to help you. Please contact us
New Zealand Free Phone: 0800 800 956
Australian Free Phone: 1800 771 302
Other international enquiries. Find your nearest New Zealand rental cars branch.
If you have any questions or need help or advice about rental cars or your New Zealand travel plans we’re here to help you. Please contact us
New Zealand Free Phone: 0800 800 956
Australian Free Phone: 1800 771 302
Other international enquiries. Find your nearest New Zealand rental cars branch.
