Grey Power September 2018

52
NZ GREYPOWER MAGAZINE » SEPTEMBER 2018
Ticking off the bucket list
In part three of our Bucket List series, which follows recent retirees and Grey
Power members Jan and Richard Jeffers on their travels as they tick off some
bucket list adventures, we find outt about their three-week road trip from
Sydney to Coolangatta.
D7244J
Dream Tours
www.dreamtours.co.nz
ENGLISH COUNTRY COTTAGES
Grand Finale Tour - May 2019
SCOTLAND, IRELAND & WALES
A taste of Scotland. Explore the Northern
Ireland coastline from Belfast West to the Bay
of Clews & Westport. Explore the Welsh Coast
from Anglesey to the Gower.
33 Exhilarating Days - June 2019
ROUTE 66
September 2019
Contact Don 03-381-1694
dontours@xtra.co.nz
Let the Scenery Unravel
with Twilight Travel
Small Group Tour Specialist
Chatham Islands
Discover the history, heritage and culture of
these unique and special islands on an allinclusive
adventure.
Staying seven nights at Awarakau Lodge,
with genuine Chatham Islander hosts, explore
the rugged and diverse landscape
from ocean beaches and rocky coastlines to
the unique flora and fauna.
Ex. Wellington : 23 January & 1 March 2019
Ex. Auckland : 25 October 2018 & 31 Jan 2019
Catlins & Stewart Island
Explore the ‘Wild South’ with its rugged and
wind swept coastlines of the Catlins to the
pristine beauty of Stewart Island.
Highlights include Otago’s Albatross and
Penguins, two nights in Catlins, three nights
Stewart Island & Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary.
9 Days - Departures: 12 & 30 March 2019
All tours are escorted from Auckland.
Options from other regions available.
Twilight Travel & Tours
Freephone: 0800 999 887
www.twilighttravel.co.nz
Twilight Travel & Tours, approved broker of the Travel Managers Group
IATA Accredited and Bonded
A
family wedding in the Hunter Valley
combined with their Australian
grandson's second birthday provided
the motivation to plan this trip.
With golf clubs deemed the most important
piece of luggage, we picked up a
Rental car in Sydney and headed for the
Hunter Valley to attend a family wedding
at the destination we had heard of and always
wanted to visit.
Driving is so easy in Australia and we
quickly learnt the best roads are the tourist
or scenic drives so we decided definitely
‘NO highways’ on this trip. That was the
best decision we made as we meandered
our way north wherever the mood took us.
We used Australian Cartoscope touring
maps available ‘free’ at all Visitor information
locations (old school for a lot of
people) but were able to set out each day
with a rough idea where we were going
and what we could do or see.
It worked a treat we drove a few hours
one day and many more the next depending
on what we saw and enjoyed the most.
We didn’t pre book any accommodation
and just stayed where we wanted for duration
of the three week journey.
Top five places
1. The Hunter Valley was spectacular,
vast open spaces mixture of farming small
towns and boutique wineries. The Broke
wedding venue ‘Adams Peak Country
Estate’ was breathtaking. We plan to return
and make the most of that area at a
slower pace.
2. The Tourist Drive through the Gloucester
region via Crescent Head to South
West Rocks is stunning. Crescent Head is
a great stop where we spotted the ‘Pebbly
Beach’ golf course a few holes on a reserve
by the sea. We also visited the Historic
Trial Bay Gaol a ‘Public Works Prison’
1886-1903 which became an enemy alien
Internment camp from 1915 – 1918 at
Laggers Point South West Rocks.
3. We luckily stumbled across Australia’s
most beautiful mainland golf club
Bonnville Golf Resort - home of the Australian
Ladies Classic. We enjoyed two
nights of comfortable accommodation at
the resort tucked away among the gum
trees and both thoroughly enjoyed every
moment of 18 of the most stunning golf
holes imaginable.
4. The journey from Bonnville through the
Dorrigo National Park where we found another
hidden gem ‘the Dorrigo Skywalk at
the Rainforest Centre’ which takes you on
a breathtaking walk above the tree canopy
to soak up the most unbelievable views. A
video on how the rainforest evolved and
native animals have adapted to survive in
the environment is included. Entry to the
centre is a gold coin donation.
5. Inverell area where we stayed on a
4000 acre beef and cropping farm our
first real taste of farming Aussie style kangaroos
and all! We panned for gold a few
kilometers away in a well-known fossicking
area near Bingara and played golf in
a Bi Annual Vets Tournament at Tenterfield
(more excellent accommodation on
the golf course) and a great way to meet
people.
There were numerous other highlights
from special grandie time with our son
and family, flathead fishing, golf, whale
BOUTIQUE RAIL & COACH TOURS
watching, beach walks, leisurely lunches
in small rural towns and enjoying the annual
Celtic festival in Glen Innes with the
added bonus of stunning weather everyday
to complete the enjoyment of the trip.
ESCORTED TOURS 2018/19
"Complete hassle-free travel, with home pickup
& return (Auckland), quality hotels, meals
& sightseeing fees” (as specified).
• TASMANIA & MELBOURNE
12 days, depart 11 November. A scenic
springtime coach tour of Tasmania plus
Melbourne stopover.
• NEW ZEALAND CHRISTMAS TOURS
Join one of our special local Christmas
Tours to the Far North/Bay of Islands &
Central Otago/Dunedin.
• NAPIER ART DECO TOUR
5 Days, depart 14 February. Enjoy New
Zealand’s celebration of the Art Deco style
in Napier.
• AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND CRUISE
20 days, depart 25 February. Features an
amazing 16 night voyage aboard Celebrity
‘Solstice’ from Perth to Auckland.
• FIORDLAND & STEWART ISLAND
10 days, depart 23 April. Highlights
include The Caitlins, Stewart Island
Excursion, Doubtful Sound Cruise and
overnight cruise Milford Sound.
• QUEENSTOWN ‘AUTUMN MAGIC’
6 days, depart 24 April. Includes Central
Otago sightseeing & Arrowtown ‘Autumn
Festival’ activites.
• HAWAII ‘2 ISLES’ TOUR
11 days, depart 16 May. An exciting
Hawaiian experience including stopovers &
sightseeing in Honolulu and Maui.
• RAROTONGA ‘RELAXER’
7 days, depart 20 June. Enjoy a leisurely
winter excape including a great selection of
sightseeing, food & entertainment.
• EUROPE RIVER CRUISE
25 days, depart 23 August. A deluxe river
cruise Amsterdam/Basel plus stopovers in
London & Paris with Eurostar rail travel.
For full details
Freephone 0800 11 60 60
www.travelwiseholidays.co.nz
Z5831J
Australian Tours
Tasmania
Departs 30th October 2018.
Includes Port Arthur, Gordon
River, Cradle Mountain,
Emu Valley Rhododendron
Gardens and many other
great highlights. 12 days
$4900.00 per person twin
share.
New Zealand Tours
Hokianga and Far North
Departs 4th May 2019. This popular tour
includes two three night stops at Omapere
and Paihia. Explore the history of the Far
North including a day trip to Cape Reinga. 8
days $2250.00 per person twin share.
Top of the South Island
– including gardens
Departs 8th November 2018. Includes
Hanmer Springs, Nelson Markets, Farewell
Spit, Marlborough Sounds mail boat, Omaka
Aviation heritage centre and much more. 10
days $3400.00 per person twin share.
World of Wearable Arts
Departs 6th October 2018. Includes return
airfares, two nights accommodation, dinners
and breakfast plus premium WOW show
seating. 3 days $1100.00 per person twin
share
South Island Autumn Colours
2019
Don’t miss this iconic trip. Our most popular
trip by far. Quality accommodation including
a night at the Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook.
Includes West Coast, Arrowtown, Milford, TSS
Earnslaw and more. Beautiful colours at this
time of year. 11 days $3850.00 per person
twin share.
All tours include home pickup and return airfares ANYWHERE in New Zealand
Contact us now for an itinerary for these great tours or to join our mailing list P: 0800 446 886
For further information call Reid Tours on 0800 446 886 • www.reidtours.com • info@reidtours.com
Z2307J