Epic new trail and hidden wineries: Explore Queenstown's autumn bounty
Plus, exciting new tours from the NT to Eastern Europe.
Autumn is a magnificent time to explore Queenstown on New Zealand's South Island, with dramatic fall colours transforming the landscape into a painter's canvas. Take in the show by Mother Nature on two wheels; several years in the making, the 10-kilometre-long Shotover Gorge trail will open later this month, connecting Arthurs Point and Tucker Beach Recreation Reserve, and encompassing the historic Hugo Tunnel and the brand-new 90-metre-long Kimi-akau suspension bridge.
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Or make your way to Queenstown Marina, where Fino Wine Bar and The Boat Shed Bakery have recently opened, boasting water and mountain views. For a more in-depth foodie experience, take a look at Southern Discoveries' new five-hour Wine Tour of Gibbston Valley, which departs from Queenstown every day and takes travellers to some of Central Otago's most famous wineries, such as Peregrine and Rockburn.
Time your visit to coincide with one of the upcoming events - Whakatipu Music Festival from April 14-21 and Arrowtown Autumn Festival from April 24-27 - if you want to dial up the fun factor even more. queenstownnz.co.nz
Tours for everyone
Tour companies are launching exciting packages for different demographics, all the way from Northern Territory to Eastern Europe. G Adventures has 30 new 18-to-Thirtysomethings trips in countries such as Bosnia, Albania, Jordan and Greece. For something a bit slower-paced, consider Walk Japan's new seven-day guided hike through the lesser-explored eastern region of Hokkaido - a dramatic patchwork of active volcanoes, crater lakes, dense forests and crystal-clear rivers.
And if you're interested in exploring Australia and looking for something hyper boutique, consider Wild Tastes of the Top End - a culinary safari in NT's Bamurru Plains, which renowned chef James Viles is hosting from 16-19 June. gadventures.com; walkjapan.com; bamurruplains.com
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Score a bargain on Skyscanner
Looking for cheap flights? Skyscanner has just launched a new tool, Drops, on its app, which allows users to find great bargains. All you have to do is pick the airport from where you want to depart under the Drops tab and Skyscanner will scour thousands of flights to hundreds of destinations to find you the best options you can book on the day of the search.
Explore put the new tool to the test and - among other bargains - found Sydney-Tokyo return flights on May 3-13 on All Nippon Airlines for $1180 per person (down from $2125). skyscanner.com.au
Hit the road
Australian drivers are the second friendliest in the world (after the UK), according to a study by Auto Traders, a UK-based online marketplace for cars. That's a great excuse to hit the road. Another great excuse, for those with electric vehicles, is Recharge Here, a new campaign by Destination NSW, which highlights nine EV-friendly road trips in the state. Drives range from the u-shaped 257-kilometre trip from Newcastle to Maitland to a 200-kilometre journey along the coastline from Sydney to Jervis Bay. Classic Country (a 422-kilometre drive through the Southern and Riverina Murray tourism regions) is also on offer. visitnsw.com
Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.
My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.
Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.
My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.
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