Wednesday 8 June 2016

New Zealand Travel Make Easy (part 5: Try something different, The 10 Golden Picture Frames in Auckland)

1. HUNUA FALLS

In the Hunua Range Regional Park, south of Auckland city, is the 30 metre high Hunua Falls. Not only does the area have a number of bush walks but it’s also a good place for a swim in the waterfall pool.
http://i1.wp.com/www.theglobalcouple.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/hunua-9.jpg?resize=800%2C534

2. ARATAKI VISITORS CENTRE

Make a stop at the Arataki Visitors Centre to get a photo with this picture frame capturing the Waitakere Ranges, in the north west of Auckland.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUgEoioExuJI813azvSjlQITpvXL1bCHR2hm7COg8MBXAFCXqGnfR5CzwHOGBYBbecgI_hWc62lvS-D0dG8Frw8ojSI05SskDwZIGISKUXxLTKH68S64oLLYf-IbuOTnvFiS1l2LvUobH/s1600/10152544663580244.jpg

3. WAITAKERE RANGES

Another shot of the Waitakere Ranges can be found at Cascade Park. Walk among giant kauri trees in this northern part of the ranges.
http://www.changesinlongitude.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/waitakere-ranges-regional-park1.jpg

4. SHAKESPEAR REGIONAL PARK

Beaches, native bush and pastureland can be found at Shakespear Regional Park on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula in Auckland’s North Shore.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6jIgwwm_Ov-g_LsDbe9v-mT3buElrTeqTsqUyolorYonQm6dgsKXCGrVmdRmvArWPYiaGT9rWviUH8eldy2F55pa5AL4CZ3LE_9NVW2uHFop8lc-k_LO-BZiTNM32__Q1d8UiwzvVhgr/s1600/P1010089.JPG

5. SULLIVANS BAY

Situated in Mahurangi Regional Park, north of Orewa, is the picture perfect campground and beach of Sullivans Bay.
https://www.rankers.co.nz/system/experience_images/10430/large.JPG?1307504856

6. TAPAPAKANGA REGIONAL PARK

This coastal park is north of the Hunua Ranges. Enjoy beaches and coastal walks.
http://images.tvnz.co.nz/tvnz_images/news2010/photogalleries/splore/splore_frame_pgb.jpg

7. WENDERHOLM REGIONAL PARK

Another beach getaway is in the Wenderholm Regional Park, just north of Waiwera in North Shore.
https://travelgypsynz.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/wenderholm-001.jpg

8. LONG BAY REGIONAL PARK

Plenty of people spend summer on this stretching beach between Albany and Silverdale, North Shore.
http://snowrii.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/beach-groupphoto.jpg

9. AWHITU REGIONAL PARK

What a shocker: more beaches! It’s also worth climbing the steps to the lighthouse for views over the rugged coast of the Awhitu Penninsula, south of Auckland city.
http://i.imgur.com/8iEa4fc.jpg?1

10. AMBURY REGIONAL PARK

This working farm on the Manukau Harbour, South Auckland, is the perfect place for bird and sheep spotting.
http://imgur.com/S1rV7pS

Monday 6 June 2016

New Zealand Travel Make Easy (Part 4: Car rental)




Now, Let's us talk about car rental in New Zealand. 
With so many things to do and spectacular places to see, choosing how you travel around New Zealand is as important as choosing where you want to go.
Your choice of transport will depend on how quickly you want to get from A to B. Use our travel calculator to work out travel times and distances.
Self-drive a rental car on one of our recommended trips, or take a bus or coachif you want to let someone else do the driving.
For travel between New Zealand's islands, hop on a plane or ferry. Daily flights are available between domestic airports. Several passenger and vehicle ferriesoffer services between the North, South and other islands.

As for me, I rent a 7 seaters MPV. There are so many companies providing their services if you google them! A few of them are the famous one e.g Jucy .
But, personally, I preferred Argus Car Hire as the price is the most competitive. ( But, they will charge you very soon once you make the reservation despite the fact that you can cancel your booking. 


Photos: All taken in Lake of Taupo







Saturday 4 June 2016

New Zealand Travel Make Easy ( Part 3: good deals at tourist attractions)

well.... the answers for most of the rebate/discounts/coupons available here at this ARRIVAL MAGAZINE (click here for link)

This magazines are available freely at the international airport of the New Zealand. If you have too many brochures to get from the booths. Just grab this one!!! This is the one that you need for most discount that you can get from!

For example for this latest issue: (click here)
you can get all the coupons that you want from page 130 onward!!!! just click the link about and flip through the e book!







Next, if you drive at New Zealand, you can always have petrol rebate via petrol rebate programme. There are groceries e.g Countdown, NewWorld & Pak and Save which provided cash rebate for the petrol stations if you purchase in their groceries. ( which give you about 4-6 cents/ litre rebate). 

Not to forget to apply for AA smart fuel for BP petrol in NZ airport for free! Click here

As for other rebates, you can gather the brochures and look for the vouchers/ coupons if you are lucky. Enjoy your holiday!



All these photos are taken during my trip to Rotorua... a geothermal rich, geysers rich, Maori rich tourist spot :) 
























Friday 3 June 2016

New Zealand travel Make Easy (part 2: accommodations with lots of cash back and discounts)


Pic: taken from Te Mata Peak, Napier, NZ (sunrise)


New Zealand accommodation options are diverse, with something for every level of comfort and budget.
From quality luxury lodges to back-to-nature camping, the selection of accommodation in New Zealand is varied and plentiful.
You’ll find 5 star boutique and lodge accommodationhotels and motels in most city centres and towns. In some of our more scenic and secluded locations, these are complemented by campsites, motorhomes and holiday homes.

So, how do I choose my accommodations in New Zealand?

Step 1: 
- In order to get most discount/ rebate, you can use cashback website as well. 
Click here for link ( choose Agoda/ booking.com)
if you select the correct date of promotions, you may get up to RM 60 per room / day discount!!! which is quite a sum!

( so.. MUST USE cashback.com.my link to lead you to AGODA or BOOKING.com website.)
- I chose agoda/ booking.com because I still can cancel my booking up to 2-3 days before day of accommodation in case I made any new changes. 
- sometimes, they offered insider discount for certain hotel as well. I get quite a number of those previously. I remembered i stayed in Munich at a 4 stars hotel for only RM 200 plus !!!!


Pic: taken from Whakarewarewa the living maori village, Rotorua


Step 2:
- browse through the accommodations that suit your taste. 
- you can set your selection criteria on the side bar (e.g price, kitchen, wifi, near to transportation station etc)
- For Me, I will choose FREE WIFI, KITCHENETTE as my priority.
( there is nothing much to do in the evening as the night curtain set in at 5-6 pm, so, I will get all my materials to COOK at NIGHT!!! )


Pic: taken at Cape Reinga, Bay of Island

Step 3:
- booked the hotel via the shopback link (make sure click the link from shopback website, if not, you may not get the cashback! ). Only pay as you stayed in the hotel. 
- Normally, for reservation via booking.com. you pay on site either cash/ credit cards.
As for Agoda, normally, they will charge your credit card 1-2 days prior to your stay.
- Still you can cancel your reservation up to 1-2 days prior to the stay depend on term & conditions mentioned earlier. 

pic: taken at Lake Taupo

Step 4:
- ENJOY your holiday!!!


hope this guide help you with your accommodations selection.  
Thanks!

PS:
Please register Shopback before booking!