The Great Outdoors: Kaikoura, Canterbury
destination for friends wanting to catch up and unwind over a long weekend. And it has the added bonus of a having a historical connection to Labour Day – Samuel Parnell, a carpenter credited with establishing the culture of the eight-hour working day, was a Wellingtonian. In 1840 he famously accepted his first job in Aotearoa on the condition that he only work eight hours – and then went on to tell all arriving workers that this was how things were done in the new country and rallied their support.
If it’s more history you’re after then Te Papa Tongarewa, our national museum is a good start. Check out the newly refreshed Nga Toi national art collection, or gaze out the windows at the harbour. There’s nothing like the capital on a fine day and if Labour Weekend grants you sunshine walk, run or bike around the waterfront, a true tribute to carefully planned, people friendly urban design, the kind of thing that made Lonely Planet call Wellington ‘‘the coolest little capital in the world’’.
Having a harbour view from your lodgings is a bonus. Try QT Museum Wellington (formerly Museum Art Hotel), CityLife from Heritage Hotels for a central location, or the boutique hotel on Oriental Parade with its midcentury aesthetic.
Shop, shop, shop: choose from designer; vintage; music; gifts; the varied boutiques on Cuba St. Then eat, eat, eat. Wellington is often referred to as New Zealand’s culinary capital: enjoy dining at classic Italian bistro Capital; recently opened Shepherd; all those cafes; or have a drink at the book-filled Library Bar.
More information
wellingtonnz.com; tepapa.govt.nz; museumhotel.co.nz; ohtel.com; thelibrary.co.nz; heritagehotels.co.nz Sparkling sea on one side, mountains on the other and a rugged rocky coastline between – Kaikoura is a choice setting for a three-day weekend with your mates. Kai means food and koura means crayfish hinting at the abundance of marine life along the small town’s coast. Fish off the wharf or a charter boat and if that doesn’t work out, feast on someone else’s hard work. Nins Bin, housed in a classic caravan 20 minutes north of Kaikoura, enjoys an almost cult status, thanks to its fresh cray and mussels,and sea view, and has been in business since the mid-70s. At Waikoura Springs you can see a working fresh water crayfish farm in action. The huge sperm whales that grace the Kaikoura coast, flukes visible against a mountain backdrop, are synonymous with the town. See them by boat or air. Swim with dolphins or seals. Explore under the water with a snorkelling tour or scuba dive. Kayak or walk around the ruggedly beautiful peninsula, keeping an eye out for seals and the tide if you’re on foot. Climb the seaward Kaikoura Ranges and marvel at the view. Or hang out in town, taking in the view and getting a history hit at the museum or explore Kaikoura’s whaling past at Fyffe House.
More information
kaikoura.co.nz; facebook.com/ninsbin; waikourasprings.info
Adventurous at Heart: Arrowtown, Queenstown District
Historic Arrowtown, 20km from Queenstown, makes the perfect base for an epic Labour Weekend – indulge in all the adrenaline the wider district offers before retreating to the tranquil village to recuperate.
All adventures need a good breakfast so start the weekend at one of Arrowtown’s eateries. The hearty brunches at The Chop Shop Food Merchants have been generating buzz.
Keeping it local, The Queenstown Trail – a 120km walking and biking track traversing private land through stunning scenery including three iconic rivers and two lakes – is accessible from Arrowtown. Plan your own route or book a tour.
The famous Kawarau Suspension Bridge, home to 43m Kawarau Bridge Bungy is only 10 minutes drive away or book a quad bike tour along the Arrow River.
Otherwise there’s enough bloodpumping adventures within easy travelling distance: jet boating; rafting; skydiving; heli tours. For something different, glide through the trees on a kind of extreme flying fox with Ziptrek Ecotours or take a ride on a Seabreacher X watercraft run by A Hydro Attack – it’s a shark-shaped fully submersible ‘‘boat’’ that dives under, leaps out of, and skims across the top of Lake Wakatipu (Google it to believe it).
More information
arrowtown.com; queenstownnz.co.nz; queenstowntrail.co.nz; ziptrek.co.nz; hydroattack.co.nz