Southern Destinations: November 09, 2017

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14 | southern holiday destinations November 2017 Stargazing from a mountain top with Earth & Sky Earth & Sky operates its unique Stargazing and Observatory Tours at the University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory and Cowan’s Observatory in Lake Tekapo. Providing guests the only tour option where horizon to horizon views of the spectacular night skies across the vast Mackenzie Basin can be seen from mountaintop locations. The township of Tekapo sits 750m above sea level and Mt John 1035m. Situated between two mountain ranges, the Southern Alps and the Two Thumb Range, the Mackenzie Basin is protected from most weather systems. The higher altitude of Mt John gives rise to cooler mountain air making it New Zealand’s leading location for a Research Observatory. The small resident population contribute to minimizing the impact of light pollution. The Mackenzie District Council’s lighting ordnance’s introduced in the 1980’s, enforces all lights to be shaded preventing light emitting upwards into the sky, Lake Tekapo Cottages Lake Tekapo Cottages offers self contained holiday accommodation in one of the South Island’s most scenic settings. Nestled in a large garden amid mature trees, a selection of charming cottages of varying size, accommodate between 2 and 8 guests. Well sited for both mountain views and privacy, the cottages allow independent visitors to enjoy a country-style stay with modern comforts and village amenities close by. Tekapo has become a yearround destination with water sports, hot springs, skating, ski fields, scenic flights to Mt Cook and a World Heritage Night Sky attraction at Mt John. As well as their self contained cottages, the company also manage a number of well appointed holiday homes that are also available for rent. For further information and bookings visit www. laketekapocottages.co.nz allowing researchers, locals and visitors an appreciation of our spectacular nightscape for generations to come. The region of the Mackenzie Basin was recognized as the ‘Aoraki-Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve’, in June 2012. It was the first to be awarded a Gold Status for its quality of darkness and today remains the largest of all the eleven International Dark Sky Reserves in the world. Mt John and Cowan’s Observatory’s provide an awesome location with a truly magical astronomy experience provided by Earth & Sky. As the founders of astro-tourism, Earth & Sky prides itself on offering an award winning premium night time star attraction to visitors from all around the world. Showing first-hand why an Earth & Sky stargazing tour provides the nation’s best and most out-standing ‘window to our Universe’. Tour bookings – 03 680 6960 Web – www.earthandsky.co.nz (on-line booking available) LAKE TEKAPO COTTAGES LAKE TEKAPO COTTAGES Cottage and holiday home style accommodation Spectacular mountain views | Excellent restaurants Affordable accommodation rates | Free Wifi Friendly, personal service for our guests Central location close to shops and church 12 Sealy St, Lake Tekapo | Ph: (03) 680 6865 laketekapocottages@gmail.com | laketekapocottages.com Tekapo is a lakefront jewel tucked into the folds of the Southern Alps. Half way between Christchurch and Queenstown, the vivid turquoise of Lake Tekapo is the result of finely ground rock particles in the glacial water and ensures it’s a dazzling destination whether it is dusted with snow or sparkling with sunshine. History Mystery or Activity Visit the magnificent lakeside Church of the Good Shepherd and the Mackenzie sheepdog memorial. Learn about the mystery of astronomy on a tour of Mt John Observatory or zip and zap on a Segway tour of the township. Gazing Cruising or Exploring Go stargazing to view the World Heritage Mackenzie skies at night and be Take Yourself to Tekapo dazzled by what you see with the naked eye. Take a cruise to Motuariki Island, Godley Valley and the hydro intake of Tekapo’s power station. Join a scenic flight to the glaciers or Mt Cook, a 4WD tour to the Tasman Valley or visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre at the Hermitage Hotel close to where he did much of his mountaineering preparation. Wining Dining or Tasting Diverse dining in Tekapo ranges from bakery and takeaway convenience to restaurant and café fare. Pizza, pasta, Japanese, Chinese and Koran cuisine vies with resort menus and a café with spectacular views atop Mt John. Indulge in the taste of fresh or smoked salmon and sashimi at the Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Farm between Tekapo and Twizel. But for gastro-pub goodness treat yourself at Mackenzie Café, Bar and Grill. Offering casual café style dining during the day with relaxed pub atmosphere in the evening, you can choose from the a la carte or specialty stonegrill menu. Stay Play and Pamper In Tekapo you can enjoy a tranquil holiday or stopover at accommodation ranging from camp ground, motels, holiday homes, B&Bs or resort facilities. Local activities include fishing, hiking and horse trekking while the Tekapo Springs complex offers year-round enjoyment of hot pools, plunge pools and spa treatments. In winter there is ice skating and the popular ice slide, while nearby are the local ski resorts of Round Hill, Ohau and Mt Dobson. EARTH & SKY Observatory & Stargazing Tours, Lake Tekapo Earth & Sky operate Stargazing and Observatory tours in the ’Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve’ in beautiful Lake Tekapo. Visitors find enjoyment and entertainment through a ‘hands-on’ experience as knowledgeable astronomy guides share the wonders of space while exploring the southern night sky using powerful telescopes. Tekapo’s renowned as the best site in New Zealand to view the Universe. Email: info@earthandsky.co.nz | Phone: 03 6806960 | www.earthandsky.co.nz | Booking advised PROUD TO SERVE MEALS PREPARED WITH LOCALLY SOURCED INGREDIENTS NZ WINES, MONTEITH’S CRAFT BEERS, ALLPRESS ESPRESSO Casual café-style meals for breakfast and lunch and a relaxed atmosphere for evening à la carte dining. For the guaranteed ‘hottest meal in town’ select from the Stonegrill menu! Dine alfresco over summer and stay cosy and warm by our fire in winter. Our menu changes seasonally, but you can always expect to find a great Mackenzie Country Steak and Alpine Salmon on offer. LAKE TEKAPO VILLAGE CENTRE PHONE 0800 806 886 OPEN DAILY FROM 10AM. DINNER SERVED FROM 5PM. RESERVATIONS ESSENTIAL FOR DINNER.
November 2017 southern holiday destinations | 15 A Piece of Paradise OROKONUI ECOSANCTUARY- “A future for our past” Just 50m from the beach, Moeraki Village Holiday Park enjoys an idyllic setting close to the famous Moeraki Boulders and colonies of penguins and seals. Hosts Kristina and Robbie Mitchell welcome visitors from all over the world to their “piece of paradise” and provide a variety of accommodation to cater for all budgets. As well as 6 self contained motels, 3 self contained tourist flats, 3 cabins and 30 tent/caravan or motor home sites, visitors will also appreciate modern well equipped communal kitchen and dining facilities, clean shower blocks and guest laundry, a TV lounge with Freeview TV, internet and wireless access, barbeques and children’s play equipment. Located on a curve of faultless beach, there’s ample opportunity for fishing and boating, deep sea charter fishing, while wonderful walks take you to Moeraki’s unique rock formations and wildlife including New Zealand’s rare Hoiho or yellow-eyed penguin. The area is also historically significant and once boasted a Maori village and pa in addition to the pretty Kotahitanga Church and a lighthouse in continuous use since its establishment in 1878. Visitors to Moeraki can enjoy restaurant meals at the Moeraki Tavern or the award winning world class taste sensation of Fleur’s Place or the services and amenities of Oamaru just 20 minutes drive away. Fleurs Place in Moeraki Village has been recognised nationally and internationally for delicious, simply prepared fresh fish and locally sourced produce, served and enjoyed in beautiful surroundings. The cafe bar and restaurant is right on the village’s waterfront, across the bay from the iconic Moeraki Boulders, a stone’s throw from the area’s rare wildlife. After 20 years at Oliver’s fine dining restaurant in Clyde, Fleur Sullivan followed a dream to live by the sea and found herself “surrounded by fish stock, cod livers, mussels, seaweed and boats.” The temptation to establish another restaurant was overwhelming, and the rest, as they say is history. Accolades soon followed from food writer. Dine Out and celebrity chefs, including Rick Stein. This year Cuisine Magazine named Fleur the winner of their 2017 Food Legend award. The food is simply superb and incorporates seasonal delicacies like muttonbird. All the shellfish is harvested commercially from Marlborough to Bluff. The Trio of Fillets, Tasting Plate for Two, or Fish of the Day (which can be baked whole) is straight from the Moeraki fishing boats, selected from the ever-changing daily catch which may consist of; Blue Cod, Moki, Gurnard, Sole, Flounder, Groper and Crayfish, complemented by fresh vegetables form local organic growers. Fleur and executive head chef Dougal are competitive when it comes to bringing their own garden vegetables Fleurs Place and herbs to work and are excited to see who has the biggest and the best! Flowers and herbs grow in the gardens around the restaurant and staff take pride in learning and knowing how to recognize what to forage for on their way to work. Fleurs Place is an attraction for food lovers from all over New Zealand and overseas. It has become quite the tourist destination so bookings, especially in the busy season, are essential. Phone +64 3439 4480 Enjoy a walk on a range of easy tracks and explore the home of some of the world’s most fascinating and rare forest life. The 9km fence protects 307 hectares of habitat for many of New Zealand’s endangered plants, birds and reptiles. Take a walk on the wild side and experience nature on its own terms. You can walk independently or enjoy the forest with one of Orokonui’s friendly and knowledgeable guides. It is a place where robins, rifleman, kaka, takahe, Haast tokoeka kiwi, bellbirds, tui, fernbirds, jewelled geckos, tuatara, Otago skinks and eels are safe from predators. Moeraki Village Holiday Park • Moeraki Boulders • Yellow-Eyed Penguin Colony • Beautiful Views • Motel Units • Tourist Flats • Cabins • Caravan Sites • Tent Sites 114 Haven Street, Moeraki, North Otago Phone/Fax 03 439-4759 moerakivillageholidaypark@xtra.co.nz Sustainably designed and featuring informative displays, the awardwinning Visitor Centre has one of the most stunning views in Dunedin. Relax after your walk and enjoy a coffee and cake or one of the daily specials in the Horopito Café. The café uses local native and natural produce and the gift shop specialises in environmentally friendly and local products. Orokonui is a charitable trust, therefore your visit supports this inspirational community-owned project to undertake conservation and education. Orokonui is a magical place – come and discover it for yourself! Check out the website for more details www.orokonui.nz
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Southern Destinations: November 09, 2017

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