NZ TRAVEL TIPS
What will my currency buy in New Zealand? Is there a sales tax?
Visitors travelling on the pound, US$, Euro and Yen will find their money goes a long way in New Zealand due to a favourable exchange rate. For example, a postcard to anywhere in the world costs NZ$1.50, a Big Mac hamburger meal NZ$4-5, and a cappuccino around NZ$3-4.
All goods and services are subject to a 12.5 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) included in the displayed price. Visitors cannot claim this tax back, however when a supplier ships a major purchase to a visitor's home address the GST will not be charged.
What is the voltage of electricity supply in New Zealand?
Electricity is supplied at 230/240 volts (50 hertz). Most hotels and motels provide 110 volt AC sockets (rated 20 watts) for electric razors only. For all other equipment, an adapter/converter is necessary, unless the item has a multi-voltage option. New Zealand power outlets only accept flat three or two-pin plugs, depending on whether an earth connection is fitted.
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Wide plains, tussock smothered mountains, rocky tors, clear rivers and opalescent
turquoise lakes. This is Central Otago, a region of some 11,000 kilometres squared.
It’s big sky country where crystal clear light draws mountains closer by day and
produces star-studded skies by night. Upon its plains visitors follow in the footsteps
of the hardy 1800s pioneers who flocked here by the thousand to chase their dreams
of gold. These early settlers carved a living from the land, transforming its scenery
and moving mountains of rock in their quest. Most towns and villages owe their origins
to the gold rush, and remnants from this era can be seen in the region’s display
of cob, mudbrick and stone cottages, and discarded mining equipment scattered throughout
the landscape. Today Central Otago’s greatest drawcards are its award winning vineyards,
its quaint villages, and historical sites. We spend three days exploring the region
and, as well as enjoying local wines, we fish for trout on Lake Dunstan, hike to
a deserted mine, stay in a haunted hotel, relax on the shores of St Bathan’s Blue
Lake, and learn how to pan for gold!
day three: st. bathans to queenstown
Key
- Destinations
- Apex Locations
“Bugger!” exclaims Bob in the morning, mimicking a shearer from the bar. “I fell
asleep straight away.”
After a light continental breakfast and an hour spent basking in the sun at the
lake, we follow SH85 through numerous tiny settlements to Alexandra where we enjoy
an early lunch at the Shaky Bridge Café beside William Hill Vineyard. Above, high
on the rocky schist hillside overlooking the town, the Alexandra Clock beckons and
so after lunch we follow a steep track through rocky schist, where the sweet aroma
of wild thyme fills the air, to the lookout for views of the clock and town.
Then we drive across the magnificent Alexandra Bridge over the Clutha River, with
its banks smothered in willows and poplar trees. A three-hour hike follows the river
to Clyde but we take the back road, stopping at Black Ridge Vineyard where we meet
Sue Edwards and her partner Verdun Burgess. This intrepid pair pioneered wine in
the region when they planted their vines in 1981. “It wasn’t fashionable then,”
said Sue, pouring us a tasting of their well known pinot noir and gewürztraminer.
The pinot noir was so successful others invested and today there are many vineyards
in this, the world’s southernmost winemaking region. We purchase a couple of bottles
to join our burgeoning collection in the boot, then call into nearby Touch Yarns
to admire Marnie Kelly’s handiwork: designer garments made from her own dyed wools
that reflect the vivid shades of Central Otago’s great outdoors. I buy a gorgeous
mohair hat, the exact shade of autumnal poplars, before we drive to the old gold
mining tailings beside the river...
Please click the link to download the full Central
Otago scenic drive, courtesy of apex car rentals new zealand... the
kiwi way
To read more extracts from our driving holiday's guidebook please click on any of
the following links:
north island scenic drives
south island scenic drives
purchase nzdh online
If you would like to purchase a copy of this stunning nz pictorial guidebook online
please click here (RRP $24.95 plus postage)
view today's best deals for central otago rental cars
With apex rental cars the longer you hire the lower the daily rate. Please click the link to view today's best central otago rental car deal.
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