Free Travel Newsletter : August 2018
Written by Steph Kendall
Brought to you by New Zealand Tourism Guide www.tourism.net.nz.
We've featured the old and the new in this month's calendar mash up with chocolate, hiking, food and wine, animals and sports making headlines. If you've never seen the sport of river boarding in action, head to Queenstown where the professionals meet in to go toe-to-toe (or board to board) in the 3rd World Champs. At the other of the scale, Waikato is celebrating its 126th A&P show, whilst petrol heads kick off their summer season in Manawatu and chocolate is on the menu in Wellington all the way up to Christmas.
Read more about:
- Chocolate Factory Tours 2018
- Tramping for Beginners
- "it!" Bay of Islands Food and Wine Festival
- Auckland Pet & Animal Expo 2018
- Manawatu Car Club OctoberFast
- Riverboarding World Championships 2018
- Waikato A&P Show 2018
- New Zealand Fast Facts
Chocolate Factory Tours 2018
Location: Wellington Chocolate Factory, 5 Eva St, Te Aro, Wellington
Date: Saturdays 1 September to 22 December, 11am – 2pm
For chocolate fans over 10 years old, this is a chance to learn about the world of chocolate making at the first public 'bean to bar' chocolate factory. Join a tour through the factory and find out what cacao is, how it becomes chocolate, why single origin makes a difference and what the Wellington Chocolate Factory does that makes their chocolate special.
You'll also learn what it means to be ethical in the world of chocolate and you'll learn the full process from start to finish, bean to bar. Finish with a tasting and a cup of single origin drinking chocolate. (*Tasting notes are delicate things. To benefit the most from chocolate tasting, refrain from drinking coffee, smoking, or eating strong flavoured foods for an hour prior.)
Tramping for Beginners
Location: Milverton Park, Corner of Victoria Avenue and Ferguson Street, Palmerston North
Date: Sundays (monthly) from 2 September, 8am to 5pm
Wondering what tramping is and/or completely new to it? Tramping, or hiking as non-Kiwis call it, is almost a national past time and if you've haven't tramped for a while, Tramping for Beginners is a great way to start. It's for all ages – from youngsters to those getting into tramping later in life.
Joining a group of locals who know where to go, start small and progress to overnight tramping and offer you the safety of group tramping is a great way to start. Check out how the Tramping for Beginners program works.
"it!" Bay of Islands Food and Wine Festival
Location: Village Green, 60 Marsden Rd, Paihia, Bay of Islands
Date: Saturday 6 October, 11am – 6pm
Headline act Fly My Pretties will lead a day of music and entertainment. This festival is in its 9th year in the Bay of Islands and just keeps on getting better! This is "it!!" - the event not to be missed - Love it! Cook it! Drink it! Bite it! Sing it! A successful recipe of fantastic food, wine, entertainment and friendly locals all mixed up together in the Bay of Islands.
With mouth-watering food, award winning vineyards, beer, and cider – there is a lot on including real Kiwi competitions such as "Kina Sucking", "Oyster Shucking and Eating" and of course "Pie Eating" - we are in Pai-hia after all. This is a family-friendly festival with a children's area and entertainment provided to allow parents to sit back and enjoy the music and taste some of the exceptional food and beverages. Bouncy castles, face painting and a magician. Under 5's are free.
Auckland Pet & Animal Expo 2018
Location: ASB Showgrounds, 217 Greenlane West, Epsom, Auckland
Date: 13 & 14 October, 10am – 5pm
For all those who love pets and animals, this is the home of the cute and cuddly, fluffy and famous, wacky and wonderful. The annual Auckland Pet & Animal Expo is the happiest show to attend with plenty to keep even the fussiest pet lover satisfied. Hundreds of the latest pet products and services will be displayed to help owners give their pets the best kind of care available. All creatures great and small will be on show... dogs, cats, birds, rats, rabbits, turtles, fish, chinchillas... to name a few. Plus a Puppy and Kitten cuddle corner. (Please do not bring your own pets).
This expo is designed to be a celebration of pets and animals and the positive role they play in society. Special features, attractions, entertainment and demonstrations plus animal charities, rescues and clubs.
Manawatu Car Club OctoberFast
Location: Manfeild, South Street, Feilding, Feilding and District
Date: 20 - 21 October, 9am – 4.30pm
Petrol heads get set for summer. Join the crowds or start your own summer race program with a shakedown at OctoberFast! This race meeting will be hosting some IRC race series classes as well as invitation classes, including an Allcomers clubman's class. Check out what's happening at the track!
Riverboarding World Championships 2018
Location: Pinewood Lodge, 48 Hamilton Rd, Queenstown
Date: 22 - 26 October, 9am – 5pm
The Riverboarding World Championship is the biannual international competition for the sport of riverboarding. It includes the disciplines of Slalom, Boardercross, Freestyle Surfing and Endurocross. The first event was hosted in Indonesia in November 2013 with more than 60 riverboarders representing 10 different countries.
This is the third Riverboarding World Championships with over 100 of the best athletes from around the world expected to attend. Well worth checking out as it's in the 'Adventure Capital' of New Zealand!
Waikato A&P Show 2018
Location: Claudelands Arena, Brooklyn Rd, Hamilton, Waikato
Date: 26 – 28 October, 9am – 4pm
The Waikato A&P Show is an iconic event and 2018 is the 126th Show. It is a great way see the uniqueness of the rural community while having a low cost, fun, family-oriented day out. There will be a showcase of large animal showing and judging, as well as unique range of entertainment such as the farmyard, sheep racing, carnival rides and entertainment, face painters, vintage tractor rides, competitions and more.
New Zealand Fast Facts
A&P show stands for Agricultural and Pastoral Show, which is a country exhibition and fair, dedicated to celebrating and developing farming and agricultural excellence. The very first A&P Show in New Zealand was held in the Bay of Islands in 1842. In the beginning, the shows were mainly competitive with farmers displaying their animals and crops. Now shows include other competitions, attractions and family entertainment. There are over 90 shows around New Zealand and for many towns they're the biggest community event of the year. The Auckland A&P Show is New Zealand's largest family show and is now known as the Royal Easter Show.