Spring adventures in New Zealand
TAKE a break from the heat and experience the ultimate spring getaway in New Zealand as the Land of the Long White Cloud is now celebrating spring season that will paint the country with colourful shades until November.
With temperatures ranging from 10˚20˚ Celsius, you can enjoy a wide range of activities — from tasting the best of Coromandel’s flavours, to stargazing and kiwi bird-watching — while enjoying the rejuvenating spring air.
Here are five must-do activities in New Zealand this spring.
1. RELAX IN YOUR VERY OWN SPA POOL IN COROMANDEL
During New Zealand’s spring season, the temperature is neither bitter cold nor scorching hot — it’s just right — and is arguably the best time of the year to take a dip in the thermal waters. At Hot Water Beach, located on the North Island’s Coromandel Peninsula, you can dig your own spa pool in the sand. Bring your own shovel or spade, but fret not if you come unprepared — you can also rent from one of the nearby cafes.
For the most strategic digging spots, be sure to head to the southern end of the beach near the rocks where the hot water oozes up from beneath the surface with the perfect hot temperature.
Just a stone’s throw from Hot Water Beach is Moko Artspace, a local gallery featuring works from over 100 contemporary New Zealand artists. With various items available to purchase, from jewellery and clothing to ceramics and paintings, you’ll be sure to find a unique souvenir to take back home.
2. DISCOVER DUNEDIN’S OWN LITTLE BLUE PENGUINS
New Zealanders are lucky enough to share their home with some fascinating creatures. There are plenty of opportunities to see them year-round but one of the best times is during the breeding cycles starting from winter to early summer (July to December).
Tiny, cute and endangered, Dunedin’s little blue penguins are the stars of an exclusive new conservation experience at Blue Penguins Pukekura on the Otago Peninsula.
Roll your sleeves up to become a conservation worker looking after your precious feathered charges. Under Tautoko Kaitiaki, which means “supporting and caring”, small groups of up to four visitors team up with a penguin scientist to help care for the little blues and their environment.
3. AWAKEN YOUR TASTE BUDS WITH THE FLAVOURS OF CENTRAL OTAGO
For discerning foodies, a trip to New Zealand is not complete without a stop in Central Otago, where some of the best New Zealand ingredients are from. The region’s Eat.Taste.Central premium food festival from Sept 20 to Oct 28 is a must-do during the spring season.
Occurring ever year, Eat.Taste.Central brings together local cafes and restaurants to produce a Central Otago Regional Menu which celebrates the region.
In line with this year’s theme of “Heritage Flavours: Inspired by Tradition”, those attending can satisfy their taste buds with dishes inspired by the region’s local food products — from creamy cheeses and soft buttery walnuts to peppery olive oil.
4. GET CLOSE TO THE ELUSIVE KIWI BIRD IN ROTORUA
Set against the backdrop of Rotorua’s beautiful forests, Rainbow Springs Nature Park is the perfect place to learn about New Zealand’s national bird — the kiwi.
The elusive kiwi bird is known to only come out under the cover of darkness, but visitors of this nature park do not have to worry about missing these birds during their visit as the nocturnal kiwi enclosure is also included in the day pass.
The best way to experience Rainbow Springs is with a guided tour, which is not only informative but entertaining as well, thanks to the friendly and passionate guides. They will bring you on a journey discovering New Zealand’s most treasured species and cultural stories.
Of course, a visit to Rainbow Springs is not complete without a hop on the Big Splash, a 9-minute water ride exploring New Zealand’s ecological evolution. This ride is included in visitors’ entry ticket and the best part of it all — you can ride it as many times as you wish for a splashing good time!
5. GET MESMERISED BY THE STARS AT LAKE TEKAPO
In Takap (Tekapo) a small town in New Zealand’s South Island, local residents Graeme Murray and Hide Ozawa dreamed of turning the skies into a sanctuary for the stars. From this, Ngai Tahu Tourism’s Dark Sky Project was born.
A sustainability project on a major scale, the Dark Sky Project is in the heart of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve (the largest Dark Sky Reserve in the world).
One of the quietest spots on the planet, yet one of the busiest night skies in the universe, the Dark Sky Project connects manuhiri (visitors) to the night skies, combining science and tatai aroraki (Maori astronomy). Although some say that winter is the best time of the year to discover the wonders and beauty of the southern hemisphere’s brilliant night skies because of longer nights, spring, too, offers no less of an experience for those looking to spend a night under the glistening stars.