INSIDE

BACKPACKER / ESSENTIALS

AUSTRALIA/NZ

GLOBAL

SCANDINAVIA

Elinor Sheargold

RING IN SPRING

22

GETAWAYS

TOP DEALS IN OZ & NZ

WHIRLWIND
WHITSUNDAYS

TWO BUCKET LIST

ITEMS IN TWO DAYS

15

Cover:Cameron Cope

Backpacker Essentials is the member magazine for YHA Australia. Opinions expressed are not necessarily
those of the Association. No material may be reproduced without prior permission from the editor. All travel
prices are subject to change and conditions apply. All hostel prices are YHA member rates and are subject to
change. YHA Australia ISSN 1328-6749. YHA Australia, Hostelling International and YHA house and tree
logos are Registered Trademarks of YHA Australia Inc., PO Box A2462, Sydney South NSW 1235

32
u

FLY EUROPE

COUNTRY-HOPPING

38

BEACH OR BUSH

TWO OF THE BEST IN NSW

44
u

WHAT'S ON

AUSTRALIA/NZ EVENTS

27
u

DECO DAZZLE
ART DECO TRAILS NZ

VOL 18 / No 4
AUGUST 2014
MANAGING EDITOR
Janet McGarry
DEPUTY EDITOR
Elinor Sheargold
NEW ZEALAND EDITOR
Brindi Joy
YHA CONTRIBUTORS
Christina Harris
Annalese Greiner
Tanya Heuke
Francois LaJoie
ART DIRECTOR
Dan Morley
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Elinor Sheargold
Nicolas Chua

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES
The Editor,
Backpacker Essentials,
GPO Box 5276,
Sydney NSW 2001.
T: +61 2 9261 1111
F: +61 2 9261 1969
E: backpackeressentials@
yha.com.au

YOUR YHA
YHA NEWS FOR MEMBERS IN AUSTRALIA

CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF YHA IN AUSTRALIA

Looking back at the twentieth century, it is easy to be overwhelmed by its destructive wars,
bitter ideological divides and racial conflicts. However, lesser known are the many movements
of idealism that also sprang up, often arising from the ashes of the former. This includes
organisations set up to improve health and education, protect the environment and work towards
world peace. One of these was the youth hostel movement that, this year, is celebrating 75 years
since being founded in Australia.
The day after Prime Minister Menzies declared
that Australia was at war with Germany, an
audacious group of optimists forged ahead with
establishing a youth hostel movement here. The
inaugural public meeting of the Youth Hostels
Association (now simply YHA) took place on 4
September 1939 at Melbourne Town Hall.
Undeterred, maybe even spurred on by, the
outbreak of World War II, the co-founders of
the youth hostel movement in Australia, Dr Alex
Scholes (originally a New Zealander) and Dr Fritz
Duras (originally a German), pushed on with
establishing a network of hostels for young people Warrandyte YHA, Australia's
to experience new places and people. These
very first YHA was established in
two visionaries brought together a group of 150
September 1939 in Victoria.
representatives of various organisations to the
first meeting of YHA, including the National Fitness
Council, The YMCA, YWCA, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. Soon afterwards, a site was secured for the
first Australian youth hostel, at Warrandyte, on the outskirts of Melbourne.
1909

THEN AND NOW

ALTENA CASTLE YHA

2014

The global youth hostel movement had

actually begun thirty years earlier in Europe, in
1909, when a German school teacher, Richard
Schirrmann, first conceived of the idea of a
classroom of the outdoors.
Each year, 26 August is still celebrated by
the youth hostel movement as a founding day.
It celebrates the first overnight excursion by
Schirrmanns students took place, 105 years ago,
staying in an empty school building, on straw
bedding provided by a farmer. The worlds first
permanent youth hostel was established soon
after, at Altena Castle in Germany and still exists.

FROM THAT FIRST

YOUTH HOSTEL, THE
ORGANISATION NOW
ENCOMPASSES OVER
4,000 PLACES TO STAY
IN 90 COUNTRIES
WORLDWIDE,
AS PART OF THE
YHA/HOSTELLING
INTERNATIONAL
(HI) NETWORK,
INCLUDING NEARLY
100 HOSTELS IN
AUSTRALIA.

Orange shaded areas on world

map denote hostel locations

Orange shaded areas on world map denote YHA/

Hostelling International hostel locations

As a not-for-profit organisation, YHA remains true to its original mission: To provide opportunity
for all, but especially young people, for education by personal development, fostering friendship and
bringing about a better understanding of others and the world around them.
YHA continues this objective today by providing safe, clean and friendly accommodation for
travellers throughout Australia and the world. The focus is still on providing not just a bed for the
night, but also on connecting communities of travellers, through shared areas in the hostels (such as
kitchens, dining rooms and lounge rooms) and shared forums to interact with like minded travellers
(such as websites).
The original hostel at Warrandyte may be long gone, but in its place are many other unique hostels,
such as Apollo Bay Eco YHA on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, and Hawkesbury Heights YHA in
the lower Blue Mountains in NSW. YHA even has a fund to raise money for the development of small
hostels such as these.
Find out more at yha.com.au

Backpacker image: Carlo Dapino Shutterstock

BUILDING MEMORIES
YHA does not just build hostels, but
also memories in the minds of our
members. We hope that you have
fond memories of your YHA stays
over the years.
A donation of money or a bequest
is a wonderful way to support
worthwhile organisations such as
YHA. Your generosity will make a
genuine difference, and we would
like to thank all our supporters,
past, present and future.

AUSTRALIA/ NZ
IN SEASON / NEWS / YOUR SAY

TIME FOR A

Shutterstock

SPRI NG
FLI NG

National Wine Centre of Australia, Shutterstock

/ IN SEASON

SPRING IS IN THE AIR

Spring is in the air, inviting you to rediscover the great outdoors and tuck into a bumper crop of
events celebrating the best of the season, from petals to plate. Skip to the Whats On section of this
issue for a range of tasty treats coming up in Australia and New Zealand, or snap up one of this
seasons great-value wine and indulgence deals.
Nature will also be putting on a show with Western Australias rugged landscape ablaze with the
scent and vibrant colour of one of the most dazzling wildflower displays in the world. In August,
Kalbarri National Park becomes a 186,000-hectare kaleidoscope of banksias, grevilleas, kangaroo
paws, flowering eucalypts and paperbark blossoms. September sees Esperence, Denmark, Albany
and Margaret River spring to life with delicate dainty orchids, milkmaids, honeypots and mountain
bells.
Cold climate bulbs are the order of the day in Canberra, when more than one million
blooms come alive for Floriade, the largest flower festival in the Southern Hemisphere.
Follow the flower trails, cheer on the floral gown competition, join a workshop and dont
miss Nightfest a five night fiesta from 24-28 September with light shows, markets
and music under the moonlight.
Visit yha.com.au or yha.co.nz to book your spring break.
Read on to see how you could win a Spring Getaway in New Zealand.

Shutterstock

/ NEWS

DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A SNOWMAN?

Theyre calling it snowpocalypse! Australias top alpine
ski resort, Thredbo, is experiencing the biggest and best
ski season in decades, and the good news is its not too
late to have a snow holiday without breaking the bank.
A two-night weekend stay starts from AU$192 per
person during peak season and well throw in the
million-dollar views, Wednesday movies, Friday outdoor
fire, and Sunday gluhwein for free. Or, you could snap
up sensational shoulder season rates from 29 August
to 6 October, priced from $114 per person (2 nights
weekend) and even cheaper mid-week. Visit yha.com.au
From the multi-resort runs of adventure towns
Queenstown and Wanaka, to the geothermal village of
Hanmer Springs, and the unique experience of skiing on
a volcano in Ohakune, New Zealand is the ultimate in
Down Under ski experiences. YHA New Zealand has 12
great snow hostels located near some of the countrys
best slopes on both the South and North Islands. Visit
yha.co.nz

NEW-LOOK HUNTER VALLEY YHA

Hunter Valley YHA has been
closed for major renovations
since early May. After two
months of hard work and
anticipation, they are back in
business! The hostel now has
a whole new look, including
a brand new kitchen,
communal bathrooms, BBQ
area, dorm rooms, matched
with a refreshed lounge
room/dining area with new furniture. Next up, they will be
developing two new family ensuite rooms and a new reception
area during Spring. Book online at yha.com.au
Check out Hunter Valley YHAs special offers

RAILWAY SQUARE
YHA REACHES
DOUBLE DIGITS!
Congratulations to Sydneys
Railway Square YHA, which
celebrated its 10th birthday
on 16 July 2014. The popular
Sydney hostel is best known
for its fresh and urban
style, great cafe coffee, and
much-photographed railway
carriage dorms. The superconvenient location, right
next door to Sydney Central
Railway Station, makes it a
perfect base for Sydneys
many events and attractions.
Book online at yha.com.au

/ YOUR SAY
BYRON BAY YHA
u +61 2 6685 8853

BOOK
NOW

u byronbay@yha.com.au
u yha.com.au

NOMINATED BY
HANNAH RIFKIN, NSW
My friends and I recently spent
the weekend at Byron Bay YHA. Its
sense of community and relaxed
atmosphere made us feel right at
home on our weekend getaway. The
location was perfect a block away
from the town and a short walk
from the lighthouse. The rooms and
facilities were very clean and the
staff were super friendly and helpful.
I would definitely recommend Byron
Bay YHA to anyone headed in that
direction on their travels!

WIN!

Got a place to nominate? Want to win a great travel prize?

Hannah will be receiving an Insight Travel Guide of her choice.
For more information visit woodslaneonline.com.au. Tell us
your favourite YHA (in less than 100 words) and send it, with
your contact details, to backpackeressentials@yha.com.au

WIN A NEW ZEALAND SPRING GETAWAY

Shake off the winter chill and discover the rich
greens, vibrant blues, warming temperatures and
longer days that mark New Zealand in springtime.

YHA New Zealand is giving you the chance to win

a 3-night family spring break in one of five fabulous
sringtime destinations; Rotorua, Wellington, Nelson,
Wanaka, or Franz Josef. Simply jump onto the
YHA New Zealand Facebook page and vote for the
destination above that you'd most like to visit. Prize
includes three nights' private accommodation for a
family of up to four people.
Competition opens 14 August 2014 and closes on 1
September 2014. Look out for the Enter to Win tab.
Visit facebook.com/YHANewZealand to enter
between 14 August - 1 September 2014.

GLOBAL
NORWAY / DENMARK / SLOVENIA / 100 YEARS OF...

A
I
V
A
N
I
D
N
A
C
N
S
O
I
T
A
N
DESTI
FROM NORWAY TO
DENMARK, THE LAND
OF VIKINGS, FJORDS
AND THOR WELCOMES
THREE NEW YHAS

Bjrkehornet above Hjrundfjord

in Norway
o
Havard Myklebust 2013

Shutterstock

/NOW OPEN

The Soa River and Julian Alps

Shutterstock

TRONDHEIM, NORWAY
Trondheim Vandrerhjem Rosenborg, as the name suggests,
is located in Norways original capital, now its third largest
city, Trondheim.
The modern hostel offers spacious and light
accommodation in shared, single and double/twin rooms
with or without private bathrooms. Or, choose a selfcatering apartment. Breakfast is included as are a variety
of facilities including two guest kitchens, two TV rooms,
and (not to be outdone) two laundries, as well as airconditioning, tour desk, parking, and free WiFi.
Located 1km from the historic centre of town (20-30 mins
walk or take the nearby bus), the hostel is a great base
to discover the river Nidelven, Trondheimsfjord, and this
buzzing city, rich with history, museums, a lively student
population, beauty and bikes. Get your bearings from the
hostels scenic rooftop then hire a bike from reception and
delve into one of the worlds most bike-friendly cities dont
miss the Trondheim Trampe, the worlds first bicycle lift,
which carries you uphill while still seated on your bike.

Check out the Trondheim Trampe

BOOK
NOW
TRONDHEIM VANDRERHJEM
u

trondheim@hihostels.no

hihostels.com

/NOW OPEN
Shutterstock

ROSKILDE, DENMARK

HJORUNDFJORD, NORWAY
Also opening in time for
the Norwegian summer is
Hjrundfjord Hostel in Bjrke
village. Bjrke sits deep
inside the epic Hjrundfjord
in Norways western rsta
region, surrounded by the
jagged landscapes of the
Sunnmre Alps straight out of
a fantasy novel.
This undiscovered beauty spot entices you to explore its
wilds and there is an incredible range of summer activities
on offer; hiking, cycling, fishing, horse riding, and rock
climbing, to name a few. The village has centuries-old
agriculture and fishing industries and in town youll find
postcard-pretty wooden buildings from the Middle Ages
and burial sites dating back to the early Iron Age (600 AD).
Scenically situated Hjrundfjord Hostel is a mere 100m
from the fjord, and from April to September when the
32-bed hostel is open, you can relax in pleasant single
or twin rooms after your outdoor adventures. All rooms
boast ensuites, plus theres WiFi, parking, a common room
and kitchen to take advantage of. Breakfast is included,
and you can pre order a packed lunch/dinner from the
friendly folk at the hostel.

BOOK
NOW

HJORUNDFJORD HOSTEL BJORKE

u

hjrundfjord@hihostels.no

hihostels.com

Music fans will know it as home of

one of the worlds biggest music
festivals, the open-air Roskilde
Festival (28 June 5 July 2015),
Denmarks answer to Glastonbury.
But you dont have to be a festival fan
to enjoy Roskilde.
The former medieval capital of
Denmark and Viking hotspot is justly
famous for its attractive harbour,
UNESCO-listed 12th C Cathedral, old
shops, narrow squares, courtyards
and cafes.
Danhostel Roskilde is conveniently
located on the pier, practically next
door to Roskilde Harbour and the
citys main drawcard, the Viking Ship
Museum, with its superb five Viking
ships recovered from the local fjord.
Guests can choose from 40 shared
or private 1-6 bed rooms, each with
their own ensuite bathroom and
TV, and all decorated to represent
historical and cultural themes. The
hostel can provide a breakfast buffet
and pre-ordered packed lunches, plus
there is WiFi, laundry, and nearby free
public parking.

BOOK
NOW

DANHOSTEL ROSKILDE
u

roskilde@danhostel.dk

danhostel.dk

/NOW OPEN
Lying where the Alps meet the Mediterranean,
pint-sized Slovenia is home to more than its fair
share of formidable castles, picturesque alpine
villages, Venetian fishing towns and fairytale
landscapes. Its also home to a new YHA in the
compact but cosmopolitan capital, Lujubljana.
Located in a 140 year-old Vienna-style villa next
to the citys green lung, Tivoli Park, Hostel Vila
Veselova offers spacious 8, 6 and 4-share rooms,
a sought-after double room and 4-bed apartment.
Breakfast, WiFi, coffee/tea and smiles are free, as
is the outdoor garden.
An essential stop between Vienna and Venice,
Ljubljanas caf culture, alternative Metelkova
district, medieval hilltop castle, cultural hotspots,
famous bridges and river are all within walking
distance. The hostel also organises trips around
Slovenia around Slovenia including to the Adriatic
coastline, Lakes Bled and Bohinj, Postojna and
Skocjan Caves, Maribor and many more.

Arne Hodali Ljubljana Tourism

LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA

BOOK
NOW

HOSTEL VILA VESELOVA

u

vila.veselova@youth-hostels.si

hihostels.com

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK - 150 YEARS

On 30 June 1864, in the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite
Grant, the first land grant to protect wild lands for the enjoyment of the people. While its American
cousin, Yellowstone, can technically claim to be the worlds first national park (designated as
such in 1872), the Yosemite Grant arguably set the idea in motion. To mark the anniversary of
this ground breaking legislation, over 100 events are planned amongst the deep valleys, grand
waterfalls, peaceful meadows, ancient sequoias and great granite mountains of Californias
Yosemite throughout 2014. nps.gov/yose/anniversary

Shutterstock

/NEWS

/CELEBRATING A CENTURY

100 YEARS OF COMMERCIAL FLIGHT

This year marks 100 years since the very first
commercial passenger flight took flight. On
1 January 1914, American pilot Tony Janus
shuttled his sole paying passenger, Abram
C. Pheil, across the bay from St. Petersburg
(Florida not Russia) to Tampa. The flight, in a
bi-wing Benoist airboat took only 23 minutes,
but it would transform the world.
Today, more than three billion people fly each year thanks to the modern miracle of
commercial aviation, and 50 million tonnes of cargo is transported by air.
Throughout 2014, both the history and future of flying will be celebrated. As part of the
year-long centenary celebrations, another Amelia Earhart (named after the pioneering
pilot of the same name) will take to the skies, to recreate her namesakes 1937 attempted
circumnavigation of the globe. More information at flying100years.com

Shutterstock

THE PAST CENTURY HAS SEEN MANY TRIUMPHS AND TRAGEDIES. IN AUGUST 2014, THE WORLD
WILL COMMEMORATE 100 YEARS SINCE THE OUTBREAK OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR. WE LOOK
AT SOME OTHER IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARIES IN 2014 MARKING EVENTS THAT CHANGED THE
COURSE OF HISTORY AND, IN PARTICULAR, TRAVEL.

One of the engineering wonders of the world, the

Panama Canal also celebrates its 100th birthday in 2014.
On 15 August 1914, after 10 years of construction,
the US opened the 80km Panama Canal linking the
Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The canal spared traders
a treacherous 20-day, 14,000km journey around South
Americas Cape Horn, cutting travel time down to a mere
8-12 hours transit across the continental divide.
This feat of engineering is worth a visit, centenary or
not. If youre not cruising through the canal, the one hour
Panama Canal Railway ride runs along the waterway
between the capital Panama City and Colon. There are
also three visitor centres that allow you to see the canal
in action from viewing platforms, panoramic restaurants
and observation decks.
To celebrate clocking up 100 years, the canal is
undergoing a US$5 billion upgrade, with wider lanes,
bigger ports and new locks, that promise to double the
canals capacity by 2015.

B. Franklin Shutterstock

PANAMA CANAL TURNS 100

Watch the Miraflores or

Gatun locks in action via
the canal's live webcams

Visit 100yearspanamacanal.com

/CELEBRATING A CENTURY
ANCHORAGE,
ALASKA

Maroon Bells, the most

photographed spot in
Colorados Rocky Mountains
Shutterstock

ROCKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO, USA

Yosemites not the only American national park clocking up a
big birthday. Colorados Rocky Mountains National Park hits
triple digits and will be celebrating for a full two years, from
September 2014 to 2015, with speakers, special activities and
community events all on the calendar.
Covering 415 square miles (approx.1075km2) in north central
Colorado, the wilderness, wildlife and wonders of the national
park can be enjoyed via the parks many activities including
(but are not limited to) hiking, biking, climbing, wildlife viewing,
horse riding, scenic drives, and fishing. nps.gov.romo

It may not be the

Alaskan capital
that honour goes
to Juneau but
Anchorage is the
economic and
political heart of Alaska, and
home to nearly half the states
population.
In 2014, Anchorage celebrates
100 years since its humble
beginnings as a workers
camp for the Alaska Railroad.
Despite being headquarters
for the Prudhoe Bay oil boom,
Anchorage is still very much a
frontier city, where the natural
world is never far away. Moose,
bears, wolves, and beluga
whales thrillingly all live within
the citys limits and on a clear
day you can glimpse Mt McKinley
(aka Denali), the highest
mountain peak in North America.
anchoragecentennial.org

It may be hard to believe, but if you venture to the impossibly

pretty Engadine St Moritz region in Switzerlands far eastern
corner youll find a world that hasnt changed for 100 years.
A century ago, visionaries founded the Swiss National Park,
creating a unique natural sanctuary covering 170 square km.
Here nature has been left to its own devices without human
interference not even during forest fires in 1951.
Today, the Park is a piece of primeval wilderness (not to
mention a conservation success story and field laboratory)
protecting over 5,000 species of animal and a rich variety of
flora and flowering plant species.
Events to celebrate this environmental milestone are
planned throughout 2014. nationalpark.ch
Check out YHA Switzerland's all-inclusive anniversary offer at
their Pontresina and Scuol Hostels near Swiss National Park.

Switzerland Tourism

SWISS NATIONAL PARK, SWITZERLAND

FEATURE / WHITSUNDAYS

whirlwind

WHITSUNDAYS

Elinor Sheargold

TWO
BUCKET LIST
ITEMS IN TWO DAYS?
ANYTHING
IS POSSIBLE IN
THE WHITSUNDAYS,
WRITES ELINOR
SHEARGOLD.

Nothing compares to a
scenic flight over the
Great Barrier Reef
Whitsundays Marketing

ON A HIGH
I first fell in love with The Whitsundays when I was 13.
The photos in the calendar promised an aquatic arcadia
of drowned mountain ranges fringed with castaway
beaches, and coral reefs harbouring animals that
seemed exotic beyond words.
Of course, no photos compare to the real thing,
especially when seen from the air. I told myself this
as, 20 years later, I swallowed my fear of heights and
boarded GSL Aviations fixed wing aircraft for a 60
minute scenic flight. Id been surprised to find this
bucket list experience could be snapped up for a not
unreasonable AU$199.
Everyone gets a window seat in the 8-seater aircraft
and we were soon glued to them watching natures
television below, oohing and aahing as we drew closer
to the swirling white sands of Whitsunday Islands iconic
Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach.
Of the 74 islands in the Whitsundays group only seven
are developed, Whitsunday Island is happily not one of

Hill Inlet and

Whitehaven aerial.

them and its white sands and emerald water are all
the more dramatic against the backdrop of untouched
forest. But this was just a teaser.
One of the seven natural wonders of the world and
the largest living structure on earth, The Great Barrier
Reef covers over 2,000km from the tip of Cape York
south to Bundaberg. The stretch of Reef near the
Whitsundays lies near its heart, and as I peered out
my window the distant stains of colour on the sea
transformed themselves into creamy reefs and azure
lagoons marooned at the edge of the continental shelf.
We circled Reefworld pontoon, which perched at the
edge of Hardy Reef, accessed via the ribbon of deep
blue channel that separated Hardy and Hook Reefs.
Below, the expansive lagoon of Hardy Reef was littered
with a rash of reef formations, its waters glinting teal
to cyan to the lightest mint green in the shallows.
Keep your eyes peeled for fleeting views of the reefs
romantic icon Heart Reef naturally formed into the
shape of (you guessed it) a heart.
As tropical paradises go, its a stunner. I couldnt wait to
get into it.

Heart Reef
Elinor Sheargold

Elinor Sheargold, GSL Aviation

THE DISTANT STAINS OF COLOUR ON THE SEA

TRANSFORMED THEMSELVES INTO
CREAMY REEFS AND AZURE LAGOONS.

Step off the raft into an

underwater world and a
school of Yellowtails.

Ocean Rafting

WET AND WILD

In a country with more than 10,500 beaches* Whitehaven Beach is regularly
voted Australias (and one of the worlds) best. It comes as no surprise
that its impossibly white sands are top of any Whitsundays wish list.
Getting there is half the fun with Ocean Rafting, who operate daily tours
out to Whitehaven Beach on their semi rigid inflatable rafts. Abandoning
shoes, 26 of us climbed aboard the appropriately-named Wild Thing, the
braver few opting to hang on to the sides. Skipper Sarah gunned the 500hp
engine while our Eco Host for the day, Cam, hinted at what was to come. We
set off noisily and Sarah deftly showed off some jet boat-like fishtails, dips
and power brakes before heading into the Whitsunday Passage and towards
the first stop.
This is no leisurely cruise but travelling at speed means you get there
sooner and have more time to enjoy the beach or snorkelling. As we drifted
into secluded Mantaray Bay at the northern tip of Hook Island I felt a shiver
of excitement. Only yesterday I had been flying over this bay imagining the
underwater world below.
Slipping into a lightweight stinger suit (to protect against sunburn as much
as to avoid any late season jellyfish), I stepped off the raft and into a school
of yellowtails. The humped forehead of an inquisitive wrasse glided past
followed by a brilliant blue surgeonfish, like fashion models on a runway.
Trailing the wrasse towards an outcrop of staghorn coral I became aware
of the so-called soundtrack of the reef - the incessant snap, crackle
and pop of fish feeding on the coral and unseen snapping shrimp.
If youre buoyancy challenged, noodles and life jackets are available
to help you bob on the surface and enjoy the show below. Flippers are
also free for more intrepid Cousteau types who want to glide through the
water and cover larger areas.

DID YOU KNOW?

GEOLOGISTS CANT BE SURE
WHERE THE SILICA SAND ON
WHITEHAVEN BEACH COMES
FROM, ALTHOUGH THERE
ARE SEVERAL UNPROVEN
THEORIES, ONE BEING A
SUNKEN VOLCANO!

*The University of Sydney Coastal Studies Unit has counted 10,685 Australian beaches longer than 20 metres.
Tongue Point Lookout,
Whitsunday Island;
snorkelling with Wrasse; the
white sands of Hill Inlet.
Elinor Sheargold, Ocean Rafting

Ocean Rafting

Time goes fast when youre underwater, and all

too soon we were back on the raft on our way to
Whitsunday Island while rhapsodising about the
countless species we had seen: beaked parrotfish;
anemones; yellow butterfly fish; a giant clam.
Its an easy 10 minute stroll through the forest of
Whitsunday Island, the largest of the archipelago,
to Tongue Point Lookout. As you reach it the forest
dissolves and youre greeted with a glorious palette
of blues, aquas, greens and the startling white sands
of Hill Inlet, with Whitehaven Beach beckoning in the
distance.
Ocean Rafting is the only tour operator with direct
access to Hill Inlet, allowing you time to enjoy the
views, rainforest and Inlet without feeling rushed.
If youre lucky, you might even spot rare estuarine
stingrays amongst the tidal shifts.
But it was Whitehaven that had brought us here, so while Sarah and Cam set out a buffet lunch
(optional), we giddily disembarked at the southern end of the beach to revel in the famous white sands
and see-through water. The secret to Whitehavens dazzling white sand is its 98% silica content, though
how it got here is still something of a mystery. And while the reflective glare makes sunglasses a must,
unlike regular sand it doesnt retain heat. It felt luxurious to let the fine sand sift through my toes
without having to hot foot it down to the glassy water.
With a good hour or so on the beach, there was plenty of time to enjoy a post lunch swim, stroll some
of the 7km long stretch of beach, or wander the Whitsunday National Park trails (there are facilities at
Hill Inlet and Whitehaven). For me, it was enough to lie back and be tranquilised by the sun and scenery
of this enigmatic beach.

Airlie Beach Lagoon.

Elinor Sheargold

DOWN TO EARTH
Divinely-situated Airlie Beach is the gateway to The Whitsundays
and a great base for exploring the region. Despite a multi-million
dollar cosmopolitan revamp of the town centre Airlie retains
its village vibe, though now youll find as many gourmet eats as
backpacker bars. Among them is the excellent Denman Cellars.
This bottle shop-caf-tapas bar stocks more than 1,200 beers and
ciders from around the world (though its fridges can only handle
700 at a time).
The waterfront is not yet overdeveloped and a wander along
the foreshore brings you to Airlies man-made lagoon. A focal
point of the town, the lagoon is an oasis of palm trees, sandy
beaches, water as clear as a caipirinha, and grassy embankments
overlooking the Coral Sea.
Its possible (and highly recommended) to walk, cycle or even
segway along the 3.7km Bicentennial Boardwalk that winds from
the lagoon to the beachside suburb of Cannonvale, passing Abel
Point Marina and Shingley Beach. Here, youll find Whitsunday
Standup Paddle. If you have ever wanted to try the SUP craze there
are few better places. Sheltered from ocean waves and undertows
by the Great Barrier Reef, the waters of The Whitsundays make
for a gentle initiation to pretty much any water sport you can think
of. Jet ski, kayak, sailing, snorkelling, diving its all here in The
Whitsundays.

The writer was a guest of Tigerair Australia and

Whitsundays Marketing

GOT MORE TIME?

Daydream Island Living Reef
Take a boat across to
Daydream Island, the closest
inhabited island to Airlie
Beach, to visit the worlds
largest open-air aquarium.
This microcosm of the Great
Barrier Reef allows you to
hand feed and walk among
resident stingrays, sharks and
barramundi.
Twilight Sailing
The Whitsunday Sailing Club
offers twilight yacht racing
every Wednesday from 3-7pm.
Yachts are often short of crew
and volunteers are welcome.
Turn up at the Sailing Club at
3pm and youre likely to join a
crew, even if youre a novice
sailor. Afterwards, gather at
the club for results over a tasty
dinner on the balcony as the
sun sets on the Coral Sea.
Reefworld
Reefworld pontoons at Hardy
Reef and Knuckle Reef offer
a range of activities on and
in The Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park. Snorkelling gear
is provided, and if you want to
see the best of the reef you
can take a guided reef safari,
introductory or certified dive. If
you prefer to keep your feet dry,
the pontoons have underwater
viewing chambers as well as
semi-submersible submarines.
Jet Pack or Flyboard
Strap a jet pack on your back
and soar through the air
James Bond-style, or if Back
to the Future is more your
style, ride the waves on a
skateboard-like flyboard. Airlie
Beach is one of the few places
in Australia (and arguably the
most beautiful) where you can
experience these adrenaline
activities. Its not cheap but
neither are the thrills.

WHERE TO STAY

BOOK
NOW

Airlie Beach YHA is located on the

main street of town, saving you
an uphill walk. Ask about
tours and discounts at reception.

AIRLIE BEACH YHA

+61 7 4946 6312
airliebeach@yha.com.au
yha.com.au

KEY FACTS
Ocean Rafting offers two tours
depending whether you want more
time snorkelling or on the beach.
Priced AU$134. Optional extras:
lunch, drinks, stinger suit, photo/
video pack. Includes transfers from
Airlie Beach.
GSL Aviations Islands and Reef
scenic flight (60 mins) AU$199.
Whitehaven Beach flight (25 mins)
$99. Includes Airlie Beach transfers.
Whitsunday Stand Up Paddle runs
2.5 hour tours at 9.30am and 1pm
daily for AU$75. Includes photos,
stinger suit hire, instruction and
free paddle time.
Tigerair flies direct from Sydney
to Whitsundays Coast Airport
(Proserpine) three times a week
from AU$84.95, and Melbourne to
Mackay from $76.95.
Whitsundays 2 Everywhere airport
transfers to Airlie Beach from
AU$18 one-way and $35 return.

YHA DEALS
WHITSUNDAYS FLY & CRUISE

BOOK
NOW

1 night multi-share at
Airlie Beach YHA
60 minute scenic flight
Full day ocean rafting
including lunch
Priced at AU$344.
Departs daily. Valid to 31 March 2015.

Ocean Rafting semi rigid

inflatable rafts at Hill Inlet.
Ocean Rafting

DEALS

YHA DEALS IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

SATC, Legendary Pacific Coast, Milton Wordley

YHA
GETAWAYS

HUNTER VALLEY - VINO IN THE VALLEY DEALS

YARRA VALLEY ADVENTURE

Leave the driving to someone else so you can fully enjoy the scenery,
sippings and socialising. Wine, cheese, chocolate and more the
NSW Hunter region has it all! Choose from:

Victorias prestigious Yarra Valley

region is loved for its top-shelf
produce and finely crafted vintages.
This indulgent experience includes:

Hunter Valley Grape Escape

u 2 nights multi-share or double/twin at Hunter Valley YHA
u Full day wine tour visiting at least 6 wineries + olives, cheese and
chocolate tastings
Priced from AU$108 per person multi-share and from $253 per
double/twin room. Prices change 1 October 2014.
Hunter Valley Overnight Experience
u 1 night's accommodation at Hunter Valley YHA
u Hunter Valley vineyards tour including tastings and lunch (woodfired pizza and glass of wine)
u Return transfers ex Sydney
Priced at AU$165 per person. Valid to 31 March 2015.

HUNTER VALLEY YHA

u
u

+61 2 4991 3278

huntervalley@yha.com.au

BOOK
NOW

u
u

2 nights' multi-share at
Melbourne Metro YHA
Full day Yarra Valley Tour visiting
4 wineries + samplings at local
producers including chocolaterie,
dairy, organic orchard, brewery,
butcher, and candy mongers
3-course gourmet lunch with
matching wines
Transfers from YHA

Priced from AU$176 per person.

Valid to 31 March 2015.

MELBOURNE METRO YHA

u

+61 3 9329 8599

melbmetro@yha.com.au

BOOK
NOW

TASTE THE BAROSSA

SWAN VALLEY TOUR

Head through the scenic Adelaide Hills to one of the

worlds premier wine regions. Highlights of this fullday Barossa Valley wine tour include a sumptuous
lunch of gourmet local produce at Peter Lehmann
Wines and a visit to the famous Whispering Wall.
Package includes:

While youre in Perth, dont miss

the chance to indulge in some of
the Wests best treats with this full
day tour through the beautiful Swan
Valley. Highlights include visits to
5 wineries, historic Guildford town,
beer sampling, cheese, chocolate
and truffle tasting, and a gourmet
platter lunch. Tour priced at AU$110
p.p. Valid to 31 December 2014. YHA
accommodation from $33 p.p multishare and from $90 per double room.

Priced AU$94 per person. Valid to 31 March 2015.

Enjoy the best of both worlds and explore Adelaides
city attractions. Book accommodation at the same
time as your deal. Prices from AU$27 per person
multi-share.

ADELAIDE CENTRAL YHA

u

+61 8 8414 3010

adlcentral@yha.com.au

BOOK
NOW

PERTH CITY YHA

u

+61 8 9287 3333

perthcity@yha.com.au

WO MA D

BOOK
NOW

Arts Projects Australia

Shutterstock. Out & About Wine Tours

Full-day Taste the Barossa Wine

Premium Tour (departs from the YHA)
Entry to four Barossa wineries and
gourmet lunch

WOMADELAIDE EARLYBIRD DEAL

Don't miss the ever-entertaining WOMADelaide
celebration of world music, dance, visual arts and
culturally diverse performances, from 6-9 March
2015. Adelaide YHA's earlybird deal saves you a
massive $92! Deal includes:
u
u

3 nights at Adelaide Central YHA including

simple breakfast daily
4-day Womadelaide Pass

Priced from AU$390.50 per person mulit-share save $92, and from $426.50 per person double/twin
room ($853 for two people). Get in quick.

ADELAIDE CENTRAL YHA

u

+61 8 8414 3010

adlcentral@yha.com.au

BOOK
NOW

NEW ZEALAND NORTHLAND ESCAPE

Explore New Zealands Northland by land and sea. Enjoy a fullday tour driving off-road on Ninety Mile Beach, experiencing
the thrills and spills of sand-boarding down massive sand
dunes. Then visit Cape Reinga lighthouse where the Tasman
Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet. The next day, cruise the
glorious Bay of Islands, spotting dolphins en route to the
famous Hole in the Rock and enjoy 3600 views from the top
of Urupukapuka Island. This deal brings together the best of
Northland, including:
u
u
u

2 nights multi-share ensuite accommodation at

YHA Bay of Islands Paihia
Full day Cape Reinga tour. Depart/return from Paihia
Half day dolphin cruise to the Hole in the Rock. Depart/return
Paihia

Discover the delights of world

heritage-listed Daintree
Rainforest from the relaxed
coastal village of Port Douglas.
Go croc spotting on a Daintree
River cruise, visit Mossman
Gorge and enjoy a traditional
Indigenous cultural experience.
u 2 nights multi-share
accommodation at Port
Douglas YHA
u Full day tour to Cape
Tribulation including Daintree
Rainforest river cruise
u WiFi during your YHA stay
u Return transfers from Cairns
to Port Douglas (Sun to Fri,
conditions apply)
Price at AU$230 per person.
Valid to 31 March 2015.

Priced from NZ$180 per person. Valid to 30 September 2014.

YHA BAY OF ISLANDS PAIHIA

u

+64 9 402 7487

bayofislands.paihia@yha.co.nz

BOOK
NOW

BOOK
NOW

PORT DOUGLAS YHA

OR CAIRNS CENTRAL YHA

VOLCANIC SKIING IN OHAKUNE

Carve up the slopes of the North Islands Mt Ruapehu one
of few ski fields in the world on an active volcano and home
to some of New Zealands most awesome terrain. Rest your
aching muscles in YHA Ohakunes outdoor spa or in front of
the fire. Package includes:
u

YHA New Zealand

u
u
u

2 nights at YHA Ohakune

1-day gear rental: ski, boots & poles or snowboard and bindings
Steaming cup of espresso/hot chocolate each day of your stay
Use of YHA Ohakunes drying room and outdoor spa pool

From NZ$74 per person multi-share.

Valid to 31 October 2014. Sunday Thursday only.

BOOK
NOW
YHA OHAKUNE
u

+64 6 385 8797

ohakune@yha.co.nz

Tourism & Events QLD

McLennan Intercity

PORT DOUGLAS & DAINTREE

RAINFOREST ADVENTURE

CANBERRA SPRING FLING

Check out a slice of Australias famous surf

culture at the interactive Islantis Surf Experience
on Phillip Island. This unique experience of
surfing's evolution comes complete with vintage
boards and the first ever 3600 wrap around surf
movie! Top off your stay by exploring Phillip
Islands rugged scenery or check out the Islands
cutest attractions at the nightly Penguin Parade.
Package includes:

Ring in spring in the capital during the

citys justly famous Floriade Festival,
when more than one million blooms come
alive for the largest flower festival in the
Southern Hemisphere. Turn to this issues
whats on section for more event info. Deal
includes:

u
u
u

2 nights' accommodation at Phillip Island YHA

Entry into the Islantis Surf Museum
$10 WiFi card

u
u
u

2 nights' multi-share or double/twin

accommodation at Canberra City YHA
Daily breakfast at on-site Bytes Caf
1 day bike hire to get around the
Floriade and free Canberra sights
2 days WiFi

Priced from AU$100 per person

multi-share and $230 per
double/twin room (two people).
Valid 13 September 12 October 2014.

Shutterstock

Mention this deal at time of check in to redeem

the offer! Prices starting from AU$27 per person.
Valid to 30 September 2014.

Tourism Australia

PHILLIP ISLAND SURF EXPERIENCE

+61 3 5956 6123

phillipisland@yha.com.au

BOOK
NOW

CANBERRA CITY YHA

u

+61 2 6248 9155

canberracity@yha.com.au

BOOK
NOW

Tourism & Events QLD

PHILLIP ISLAND YHA

WHITSUNDAYS FLY & CRUISE PACKAGE

Experience the best of the Whitsunday Islands from the sky
and sea! Get a birds-eye view of Whitehaven Beach and the
Great Barrier Reef on a one hour scenic flight, then jump on
board an exhilarating Ocean Rafting trip to see the islands
up close. Stop off at top snorkelling spots to discover the
underwater world teeming with tropical fish, enjoy a guided
bushwalk to Hill Inlet, and relax on the pure white silica
sands of Whitehaven Beach. Package includes:
u
u
u

1 night multi-share at Airlie Beach YHA

60 minute scenic flight over Whitsunday Islands & Reef
Full day ocean rafting trip to Whitehaven Beach, plus
snorkelling gear and lunch

AIRLIE BEACH YHA

Priced at AU$344 per person. Valid to 31 March 2015.

+61 7 4946 6312

Read this issues Whirlwind Whitsundays feature

airliebeach@yha.com.au

BOOK
NOW

NEW ZEALAND HIT THE ROAD DEAL

BYRON BAY BREAK

Hitting the road for your New Zealand road trip has never been
so easy. Travel at your own pace with this road-worthy deal that
bundles affordable car hire with accommodation in the YHAs of
your choice. Pre-book your whole itinerary (service fee applies) or
book as you go. Package includes:

Kick-start your day with

Byron Bay YHAs Bed &
Breakfast deal. Fuel up
with a continental breakfast
of cereal, toast, jam, juice
and tea or coffee to get
you going for a day of sun,
surf, alternative culture and
adventure activities. Available
for all room types. 2 night
minimum stay. Prices start
from as little as AU$54 per
person multi-share and from
$140 per double/twin room (2
nights). Valid to 15 November
2014.

u
u
u

5 - 20 nights multi-share accommodation vouchers to redeem at

any YHA in New Zealand
7 - 28 days car hire - you choose your vehicle
Unlimited kilometres, low to no excess insurance

Pick up/drop off locations: Auckland, Wellington, Picton, Nelson,

Christchurch, Queenstown.

YHA NEW ZEALAND

u

0800 278 299 (NZ) 1800 242 191 (Aus)

book@yha.co.nz

BYRON BAY YHA

u

+ 61 2 6685 8853

byronbay@yha.com.au

BOOK
NOW

Elinor Sheargold

BOOK
NOW

YHA New Zealand

Priced from NZ$395 p.p for 7 day car hire/5 nights multi-share
accommodation. Mix and match for longer car hire/YHA stay
options. Valid to 30 September 2015.

BELLINGEN GONDWANALAND RAINFOREST DEAL

Discover the beautiful World Heritage listed Dorrigo
National Park's rainforest, waterfalls, flora and fauna
from bohemian Bellingen. This deal includes:
u
u

2 nights' multi-share accommodation at Bellingen YHA

Wednesday-only full-day guided tour to Dorrigo National
Park including Skywalk, rainforest nature walk, Griffith
Lookout, Dangar Falls walk and swim, and lunch stop in
Dorrigo town (lunch not included).

BELLINGEN YHA

Priced from AU$89 per person. Valid to 30 September

2013. Dorrigo Tour operates on Wednesdays only.

+61 2 6655 1116

bellingen@yha.com.au

BOOK
NOW

MELBOURNE CITY BREAK

With spring on the horizon Melbourne is celebrating with a calendar full of cultural events! During
September soak up the city at its best at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, the AFL Final Series, the
Royal Melbourne Show or the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Package including:
u
u
u

3 nights' accommodation at Melbourne Metro YHA

3 continental breakfasts
A Myki card with value for one day on all public transport

Prices start from AU$120 per person in a 4

share dorm and $300 per double/twin room.
Valid to 30 September 2014.

MELBOURNE METRO YHA

u

+61 3 9329 8588

melbmetro@yha.com.au

BOOK
NOW

ART
DECO
e
l
z
z
da

FEATURE /
NEW ZEALAND

Alamy

Art Deco Trust Napier, New Zealand

DUSTING OFF HIS BROGUES, SLIPPING ON

HIS PRESSED TROUSERS AND PANAMA
HAT, PAUL RUSH STEPS OUT IN STYLE TO
DISCOVER ART DECO NEW ZEALAND.

FASHIONABLE FOLK

turn out in
hundreds
driving vintage
cars and pedalling penny farthing bicycles. The ladies stroll along Tennyson
Street in fox-fur stoles and feather boas. Revellers sip Hawkes Bay wines
amidst the buildings ice-cream coloured faades of a bygone era.
This is the beating heart of New Zealands Art Deco sceneNapier
and Im in perfect character for the annual Art Deco Weekend. Ive
long had a love affair with this small North Island towns architectural
throwback to the 1930s. This was a time when our forebears faced
hardship, a Depression and social change with a brave face while
listening to jazz, watching Hollywood musicals and celebrating life.
And the festival brings it back into full colour.
Following a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 1931, Napier
was rebuilt and recreated. Im grateful the new buildings were
built in the architectural styles of the times as I too stroll Tennyson
Street through a fusion of sights and sounds: guys in waistcoats
and trousers, gals in ankle-length frocks and pavement vocalists
competing with brass bands on each street corner.
I slip away from the bustle and join an Art Deco city tour. Our group
begins at the Municipal Theatre. Stepping inside theres a fte of
leaping nymph panels, chrome speed lines and neon lamps. The
decor overwhelms me.
The Daily Telegraph building is Napiers most flamboyant and we
study its sunbursts, zigzags, fountains and ziggurats like the tiered
towers of the Babylonians. After dark I am drawn to the Colonnade,
Sound Shell, Fountain and Pania of the Reef statue, which is an
illuminated fantasy world.
Inside Napiers three city blocks from Marine Parade to Clive
Square, Tennyson, Emerson and Hastings streets are 140 wellpreserved buildings that stand tall beside Manhattan and Miami Beach
as the best commercial Art Deco precincts in the world.

A tribute to another era

at the Art Deco Festival,
Napier.
Art Deco Trust Napier,
New Zealand

The Civic Theatre, Auckland.

The Civic Theatre

Wellington Railway Sation.

Alex Efimoff, KiwiRail

Wellington's MLC
building, top, and
an interior detail of
Wellington Railway
Station, above.
Danny Sutcliffe

Oriental Bay Band Rotunda,

Wellington. Tony McCombs

While Napier is the Art Deco capital of New Zealand (and some
say the world), there are countless other Art Deco buildings tucked
down lanes and peacocking on street corners, old buildings given
new purposes in many of New Zealands cities and towns.
I pack my waistcoat and striped blazer back into my suitcase because
the Napier festival only whets my appetite. I embark on an exploration
of all things Art Deco. My next stop? Auckland.
The Civic Theatre is elaborate and lavish. It hosts musicals,
concerts, comedy, theatre and films most weeks of the year. It was
purpose-built for the newfangled talkies that had just appeared in
New Zealand. I arrive early for my show to absorb the Indian templeinspired foyer, statues and jazzy motifs. I sit spellbound in the Arabian
Nights-themed main theatre, its domed ceiling decorated with needlesharp stars representing the New Zealand night sky in April.
My next stop sees me swept along by the lunchtime crowd after
setting out from the curvaceous Oriental Bay Band Rotunda in
Wellington. Wellingtons compact CBD is ideal for walking tours
and I follow the Art Deco Heritage trail that takes me past the faded
opulence of the old James Smiths and Free Ambulance (now St Johns)
buildings to the City Art Gallery (originally the Wellington City Library).
Back on Lambton Quay, Im the only one in the crowd looking up at
the streamlined, V-shaped facade of the MLC building which has had
numerous incarnations including a Presbyterian church and a hotel.
I walk with a destination in mind the citys best known Art Deco
landmark: the Railway Station. About forty thousand travellers and
commuters hurry through the stations grand entrance and between
the eight Doric columns every day.

New Regent
Street.
Paul Rush
The last stop on my tour bears similarities to my first. Just as
Napier was reborn following the earthquake in 1931, Christchurch
on the South Island is now experiencing its own rebirth following
earthquakes between 2010 and 2011. Many heritage buildings were
damaged. Some are being saved, others demolished to make way for
new, modern architecture.
It is New Regent Street that draws me. Dissected by a tramline and
lined with pastel-hued shops, the pedestrian street was built in the
Art Deco Spanish Mission style. The street and shops were closed for
over two years after the earthquakes, but have since been
repaired, strengthened, reopened and reborn.
MORE ART DECO
I enjoy a coffee alfresco on New Regent Street and I think
South Island
about this living history. These buildings were built during
Ranfurly moved from sheep to
a time when people were worn down from hard times
chic when the town pushed for
but still dancing the Charleston. Eighty years later, New
refurbishment of 40 of their Art
Regent Street was restored to its 30s glory, propelled on by
Deco gems in 1999. A highlight
Cantabrians who were earthquake weary but who refused
is the Centennial Milk Bar
to walk away. Recognising this past and present connection
which was once earmarked for
makes my coffee taste all the better.
demolition but now houses an
Art Deco museum. Ranfurly is
Centennial Tearooms, Ranfurly.
Westport Buller County
a beacon of rural reincarnation
Chambers. Geof Wilson
Central Otago Tourism
in the heartlands tussock
landscape.

The West Coast town of

Westport seems an unlikely
spot to find building styles born
in Europe and America, but the
Buller County Chambers has a
classic Art Deco facade that was
featured on a postage stamp in
1999.
Dunedin shows less evidence
of Art Deco design as the citys
significant buildings date from
the 1860s gold boom. But the
Toitu-Otago Settlers Museum,
once the old Bus Services Depot,
betrays its Art Deco roots with
quaint exterior designs and
horizontal embossed lines.

Toitu-Otago Settlers Museums

NZR foyer. Graham Warman

Art Deco Napier.

Richard Brimer

North Island
The Hawkes Bay region is
known for its wine and is home
to the twin cities of Napier and
Hastings Art Deco hotspots.
Hastings Spanish Mission style
buildings have the distinctive
look of Mexican haciendas,
though there are no deserts or
cacti in sight.

HISTORY OF ART DECO

IN NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand is a young country
with a range of architectural
styles. It followed European
trends and got caught up
with the early 20th century
fascination with power, speed
and technology.
The new Ford Model T
automobiles were driven by
dapper gentlemen and comely
flappers over mud-caked
gravel roads at an eye-watering
72kph. The new motor cars
boasted 20 horsepower.

WHERE TO STAY
YHA NAPIER
+64 6 835 7039
napier@yha.co.nz
yha.co.nz

YHA AUCKLAND
INTERNATIONAL
+64 9 302 8200
auckland@yha.co.nz
yha.co.nz

YHA AUCKLAND CITY

+64 9 309 2802
aucklandcity@yha.co.nz
yha.co.nz

BOOK
NOW

Building concepts had to be

simple and inexpensive during
the the Great Depression,
so designers thought up
zany motifs to brighten plain
concrete facades.
The arrival of Art Deco in New
Zealand heralded a massive
change from the ornate Gothic,
Victorian and Edwardian styles.
It was pure coincidence that the
Napier earthquake and a fire
in Ranfurly that razed public
buildings occurred when the
new decorative style was in
vogue.
As a result travellers are able
to trip down memory lane and
visualise the heady days of the
Charleston, jazz and jitterbug.

YHA WELLINGTON
+64 4 801 7280
wellington@yha.co.nz
yha.co.nz

YHA CHRISTCHURCH
ROLLESTON HOUSE
+64 3 366 6564
rollestonhouse@yha.co.nz
yha.co.nz

The Free Ambulance building

in Wellington, top, and the
foyer floor inside Wellington
Railway Station.
Positively Welington Tourism,
Danny Sutcliffe

FEATURE / BUDGET AIRLINES

Flyin

O
R
P
E
U
E

Shutterstock

HOPPING AROUND EUROPE ON

BUDGET AIRLINES IS EASY IF YOU
KNOW HOW, WRITES MARC LLEWELLYN.

Setting off on
adventure: high hopes
and low cost flights.
Shutterstock

GETTING AROUND

Europe on
discount airlines
like Ryanair and
easyJet can be a real option for backpackers on a frugal budget,
especially if you live by two simple rules book early and travel light.
For the last few years I have been heading across the world to
enjoy a slice of the European summer in various places, and Ive
learnt that booking flights way in advance and only travelling with
a carry-on bag can really pay dividends.
As a rule, flights generally get more expensive the closer it gets to
take off time, so thats why I book six months or sometimes even 10
months before I travel. I can only do this when Ryanair and easyJet
release details of the coming seasons flights, which they announce
with a huge sale.
I could keep checking their websites day after day to find out exactly
when this happens, but that would be tedious. So, instead, Ive signed
up to Ryanair Sale Alerts and easyJets AirMail.
Dont worry too much if youve missed out on a sale though, you
can still pick up bargains, especially if you are prepared to fly midweek, and outside peak holiday periods.
Of course, budget airlines dont just rely on their ticket price
to make money, they like you to add on some extras, like Speedy
Boarding or a pre-booked seat. A big money-spinner comes in the
form of luggage that gets put in the hold. If you travel with more than
hand luggage you could easily find that a backpack stowed below
could end up tripling the cost of your ticket so read on for ways to
avoid being stung.

CREATING THE ITINERARY

I usually find that that five or six discount flights in one trip is
enough. Anything over that and Im starting to get really fed up with
airports, queues and all the rest of the faffing around.
Planning the itinerary can take some time, but half the fun is typing
a start off point into the airlines website and then choosing where
to go to next. Its a bit like turning up at a railway station in Europe
and choosing the next place to travel to from the exotic names on
the departure board.
My last trip started off in far west Wales where I based myself in a
couple of YHAs close to Norman castles, the dramatic Pembrokeshire
Coast Path, and the gorgeous walled town of Tenby, with its beautiful
beaches and mackerel fishing charters.
One of the nearest airports serving easyJet was Bristol, so we
flew from here to Paris. From there it was on to Catania on Sicily for
some ancient ruins, followed by a quick ferry trip for some volcanoclimbing on the incredible Aeolian Islands.
A Ryanair flight was next, flying from Palermo to Madrid. After a
couple of days of tapas tasting and I was away again, this time on
easyJet to Basel-Mulhouse on the Swiss/German Border.
After a week or so in Heidelberg and other medieval towns along
the Neckar River, I was off on easyJet again. This time it was to see
the canals of Amsterdam. I finally ended my wandering by flying to
London Stansted, once more on easyJet.
The total cost of those six flights, booked in advance and with just
carry on luggage? Just over $400.

The picturesque
village of Tenby.
Shutterstock

Travelling on a budget?
Then travel light.

5 TOP
MONEY-SAVING
TIPS

Shutterstock

Time your trip

Mid week, early or
late flights are often
cheapest. Be flexible
and save.

On Board
Buy nothing on the
plane itself where you
pay top dollar.

BYO
Bring your own food
from your last hostel or
buy before travelling to
the airport.

HOW TO PAY MORE ON YOUR BUDGET

In the last tax year, Ryanair made a profit of 522.8 million Euros, or
about $760 million. Just under a quarter of this came from what they
call ancillary revenues. This means the extra money it makes from
things like people paying to reserve a seat, or putting luggage in the
hold. This part of Ryanairs overall profit increased by 17 percent
over the previous year.
If you try to book a ticket on the Ryanair website, or easyJets for
that matter, youll be steered towards plenty of ways to increase the
eventual cost of your flight.
Lets negotiate the Ryanair website. Imagine you are flying from
London Stanstead to Dortmund in Germany. Youve found a midweek,
peak-season flight costing a penny under 18, or about $33. Wow,
a bargain.
You already have travel insurance so you dont need to buy
something from Ryanair that covers just the flight, phew.
What about baggage? Both easyJet and Ryanair have strict luggage
requirements and really do enforce them! EasyJet allows you to take
on one small bag or suitcase of any weight onboard, while Ryanair
now allows a small bag weighing less than 10kg, plus something
really small, like a womans handbag.
For luggage going in the hold, theres a charge of between 15
and 35 for a bag weighing 15kg or less, depending on the season
and flight. If the bag weighs between 15kg and 20kg its between
25 and 45. If you decide to check in a bag at the desk you will be
charged up to double the website price. Turn up at the airport and
your backpack is heavier than 20kg - oops, thats an extra 10 per
kilogram.
Now you have to decide whether to reserve a seat. Earlier this year
Ryanair followed easyJets lead and everyone gets an allocated seat,

Transfers
Some can be cheaper
pre-booked do your
research.

Car Hire
If you are looking for
this, check the airlines
website as they can have
good deals with brand
name rental companies.

so thankfully the days of the scrum to board and secure a place

have ended. However, what if you want to sit next to someone special,
or be certain of sitting next to a window? That will cost you 5 for a
regular seat, or 10 for a premium seat, which means one nearer
the front of the plane or with extra legroom. Oh, and want to get on
before the crowd? Thats another 2 for Speedy Boarding.
A text to your phone confirming your reservation number and flight
details will come in handy. That costs 2.48. Thankfully, the huge
fee that used to apply for turning up at the check in desk without a
boarding pass has gone, at least if you book online.
You probably dont want low cost parking at the airport from
17.99 a day and you wont need to buy an airport transfer if youre
going to Dortmund (returning back to London Stanstead you can perorder a trip to London Victoria station through the Ryanair website
for 9.99). Presumably you dont have some extra sports equipment
(50), or a musical instrument (50), or a baby seat (10) that you
need to transport.
So you end up with your ticket, a bag checked in that weighs just
under 20kg, a reserved standard seat (with no onboard food, drink
or entertainment that costs extra too), and an SMS showing your
reservation details. Total price, including credit card fees, 61.69
for a one-way trip. So the flight that once cost $33 now comes in at
around $113. Still relatively cheap, but not the bargain basement
price you once thought.

WHERE TO STAY

BOOK
NOW

There are thousands of HI

hostels throughout Europe,
including many in these smaller,
more unusual destinations.
Combine researching on
hihostels.com for accommodation
with your flight research.

Back to basics: On
board a Ryanair flight.
Shutterstock

Shutterstock

ITS ALL IN THE NAME

If youve never heard of

Skelleftea, Aarhus, Ostrava
and Pula then youre
probably not alone. To
enlighten you, Skelleftea
is the southern outpost of
Swedish Lapland. Aarhus
is the second largest city
in Denmark. Ostrava is in
the Czech Republic, and
Pula is a town in Croatia.
And you can fly to all of
them with Ryanair.
Want some more
unusual Ryanair
destinations? How about
Billund (Denmark), Vxj
(Sweden), Bydgoszcz
(Poland), Rodez and
Dole (both in France),
Comiso (Sicily), Podgorica
(Montenegro) and
Plovdiv (Bulgaria).
EasyJet offers a few places
off the beaten flight path too.
Among them are Dalaman
and Bodram (both in
Turkey), Hurghada (Egypt),
and Olbia (on Sardinia).
You might not know what
to expect of these unusual
destinations, but a little
research and youll get
a good idea. Its worth
noting though that when it
comes to the world of the
European budget airlines,
sometimes you dont get
what you expected.
A prime example is Paris
Vatry airport, used by
Ryanair. While you might
have thought it was close
to Paris, the reality is very
different. This former Cold
War airforce base is around

Pula
Olbia
147km from
the Eiffel Tower. This is
fine if you are heading into
the Champagne region of
France, but a real pain if you
hoped to arrive in Paris.
Then theres Munichs
Memmingen airport, which
is 112km from central
Munich; Oslo Torp, which is
110km south of central Oslo;
and Frankfurt Hahn, which
is 120km west of Frankfurt.
Oh, and the delightfully
named Dusseldorf-Weeze,
which is, in fact, 83km from
downtown Dusseldorf. There
are many more examples.
All this use of smoke
and mirrors is because
discount airlines like
to use secondary
airports rather than
the more expensive
ones that are nearer
the destination you
probably want to get
to. They do fly to main
airports too, but do
your research before
you buy a ticket.

Podgorica

Aarhus

Hurghada

FEATURE / BEACH OR BUSH

BEACH
BUSH
Coffs Coast Tourism, Elinor Sheargold

or

MID-YEAR
BREAKS CAN
RECHARGE AND
REINVIGORATE.
DEBORAH
DICKSON-SMITH
LOOKS AT TWO OF
THE BEST IN NEW
SOUTH WALES.

THE

Blue Mountains and Coffs Harbour are both great

destinations to explore during the winter months. The
air is crisp and clear and generally you are sharing the
beautiful surrounding landscape with far fewer people.

Theres nothing like a day of brisk outdoors activity followed by a

hot chocolate at a cosy caf. And there are plenty of both to be found
in the bush or by the sea.

The Scenic Railway transports you to and

from the lush surrounds of the Jamison Valley
Scenic World, Shutterstock

Blue Mountains YHA

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

Most outdoors activities on offer in the Blue Mountains are available

year-round. The best way to start is with one of the shorter, more
accessible walking trails and work your way up from there to longer
hikes and more extreme activities like rock climbing and abseiling.
Theres a great walking loop that will take you across the top and
bottom of the Jamison Valley canyon without too much effort, starting
from Scenic World.
From Scenic World, grab yourself a day pass and take the Skyway
across to the cliff track on the opposite side of the valley, taking in
views of Katoomba Falls on the way. From here, walk around the cliff
top to Echo Point and the Three Sisters.
The Giant Staircase then takes you down into Jamison Valley, where
you take a right turn and wind your way around Federal Pass track
through lush temperate rainforest back to Scenic World, where you
can catch either the Scenic Railway or Cable Car back up the cliff.

For something a little more adventurous, check in with High n Wild

Mountain Adventures, who have an office in the lobby of the Blue
Mountains YHA.
They run abseiling, canyoning, rock climbing and mountain biking
tours in the surrounding bushland and canyons. Its a great way to
get an introduction to these types of extreme activities in a safe,
controlled environment, with qualified instructors.
On a full days trip with High n Wild, you get the chance to try both
abseiling and canyoning. First, youre shown the basics and taken
through a safety briefing before launching yourself over the cliff
abseiling 50 metres to the valley below.
Then its time to get wet. The mountain water doesnt change in
temperature much throughout the year its cold year-round so you
are supplied with appropriately chunky wetsuits and its recommended
you wear a beanie underneath your hood.

Abseiling and
canyoning

High n Wild

High n Wild , YHA

Explore the Jenolan

Caves on a series of
walkways, or sueeze
your way, through
The Plughole.
Jenolan Caves

Further down the road you can go deeper underground at Jenolan

Caves with an introductory caving adventure called the Plughole.
This tour takes you on a series of climbs, crawls and squeezes
through the Elder Cave and the only escape at the end is through
the S Bend. The so-called S Bend is a very narrow gap between
cave walls that you need to shimmy through on your side at first on
your left, and halfway through you then have to flip yourself over to
shimmy the other way.
There are also two longer adventure cave activities; the Aladdin, which
takes half a day to complete and the Mammoth which takes a full day.
If youd rather explore the Blue Mountains on horse back, head for
Megalong Valley and Centennial Glen Stables.
A guided trail ride will take you through some very pretty trails,
with landscape that changes every few hundred metres, from open
paddocks, to little goat paths that wind through tall trees.

TOP 3 COZY BLUE MOUNTAINS CAFES

Yellow Deli on Katoomba St

looks like its been built with
driftwood. Its a labyrinth of
little dining booths made from
twisted branches and vines, with
stained glass windows and whole
meal waiters. The cheese melts
and the chocolate brownies are
recommended.

The Gingerbread House

is a repurposed and
renovated old church, now a
caf and sweet shop serving
up classics like gingerbeer
floats, creaming soda spiders
and malted milkshakes.
The brownies here are
pretty good too.

Josophans Fine
Chocolates on the Mall
in Leura is a rather like
chocolate heaven, with a
wide range of home made
chocolates. Make sure you
try the choc-mint and pick
up their hot chocolate mix.

Deborah Dickson-Smith

COFFS SOLITARY COAST

A Kangaroo on Look
At Me Now Headland

Coffs Coast is a bit of a hidden gem. Yes, weve all heard of Coffs
Coffs Coast Tourism
Harbour and the big yellow fruit that still sits next to the highway
perched on a grassy knoll.
But you probably didnt know about the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk,
a walking route that winds 60km along beautiful beaches and
windswept headlands.
TOP 5 COFFS SHORT WALKS
This coastline really is beautiful Id go as far as pristine.
Mutton Bird Island Walk. A
Theres abundant wildlife, lush green hinterland, unspoiled
2km return trip starting from
beaches and a thriving foodie culture.
the harbour, with views back
If youre not up for walking 60km, the coastal walk is easily
across the harbour and up and
broken up into bite-size chunks. Its not exactly serious
down the coast. Great spot for
hiking, mostly along beaches, boardwalks and gentle uphill
whale-watching.
and downhill slopes as you round each headland.
A good place to start is at the north end of Park Beach,
Diggers Beach to
winding around Macauleys Headland, along Diggers Beach
Charlesworth Bay is a 4.5km
and Diggers Headland, finishing up at Charlesworth Beach.
return trip along pristine
Its a leisurely 2-hour stroll along practically untouched
beaches, and through literal
beaches and leafy rainforest with eagles hovering above
rainforest, with great views of
and most likely whales and dolphins frolicking about in the
the Solitary Islands.
distance out to sea.
The Sawtell Headland walk
Coffs Coast has the longest whale-watching season on the
is a 6km loop from Boronia
Eastern Seaboard. By the time the last stragglers swing by
Park to Boambee Bay reserve
on their way to Hervey Bay, the early starters are starting to
past Boambee Creek, with
head south.
great views from Sawtell
lookout and Bonville Headland.

The Beach to Lake walk

starts north of Coffs
Harbour at Woolgoolga Town
Beach. Its a 3km loop from
there to Woolgoolga Lake,
past the site of the Buster
ship wreck, a steamer that ran
ashore in 1893.

The Korora South Walk is

3.5km return, starting at
Opal Cove or Hills Beach along
empty beaches and across
headlands to Charlesworth Bay.

If youre travelling on the weekend or during school holidays, its

worthwhile stopping at Charlesworth Bay for a visit to the Solitary
Islands Aquarium where you can learn a bit about the unique mix of
marine life here.
Or better still, take a trip out the South Solitary Islands and go for a
snorkel or a dive. Warmer waters brought this far south on the Eastern
Australian Current (EAC) make for perfect sub-tropical snorkeling and
diving conditions.
The water is clearer in winter so it's possibly the best time to seek
out the resident populations of colourful sub-tropical fish and sleepy
grey nurse sharks. Youre also likely to see manta rays, turtles and
big schools of trevally, goatfish and snapper.
Jetty Dive run both diving and whale-watching trips in a very cool
little purple Zodiac, which gets you out to sea so quickly theres no
time to get seasick.

WHERE TO STAY

BOOK
NOW

BLUE MOUNTAINS YHA

+61 2 4782 1416
bluemountains@yha.com.au
yha.com.au

The Blue Mountains YHA is

located on the main street of town,
within easy reach of cafes, shops
and Echo Point.
Save with 3 special deals now at
this hostel one including Scenic
World Passes, one including a day
trip to Jenolan Caves and one with
a full day Abseiling Adventure.
Clockwise from top: Nemo found in the
waters off Solitary Island, Charlesworth
Beach, Jetty Beach, dolphin show, whale
watching. Coffs Coast Tourism diveplanit.com

COFFS HARBOUR YHA

+61 2 6652 6462
coffsharbour@yha.com.au
yha.com.au

The Coffs Harbour YHA is only

a short walk to the beach,
Muttonbird Island and local cafes
and shops.
Enjoy a great Whales &
Dolphins Special now 3 nights
accommodation and whale
watching cruise and entry to
Dolphin Marine Magic.

Wellington on a Plate

WHAT'S ON
HERES OUR PICK OF EVENTS COMING UP IN YOUR REGION

WELLINGTON ON A PLATE
15 -31 August 2014

NZ

Polish your knives and forks for New

Zealands tastiest culinary festival. Every
August foodies flock to the coolest little capital in the world for 17
days of indulgent and mouth-watering events from pretzel-making,
artisan baking, banquets and blind dining, to symphonic feasts,
hands-on cooking, days trips and a pig on a spit. DINE Wellington
is the festival centrepiece, a fortnight where the regions finest 98
eateries offer lunchtime set menus and dinner deals. Bon appetit!
wellingtononaplate.com

BOOK
NOW

u
u
u

Stay at YHA Wellington

0800 278 299 (NZ) or 1800 242 191 (Aus)
book@yha.co.nz

GOOD FOOD MONTH

October (Sydney & Canberra) November
(Melbourne)

OZ

The month-long Good Food Month menu is

crammed with signature events inviting you to taste, talk, drink and
dine your way around town. Theres lip-smacking fine-dining and free
outdoor fiestas, chef showcases from the kitchens big name stars
and hands-on cooking classes so you can do it yourself, bar hops and
impromptu restaurant pop-ups, Barbecue Madness and The Ultimate
High Tea. Of course, it wouldnt be springtime in Sydney without Hyde
Parks Night Noodle Markets. Special guest in 2014 is chef, author,
restaurateur and TV star Yotam Ottolenghi, who is sure to inspire you
with his mouthwatering Mediterranean marvels. goodfoodmonth.com

BOOK
NOW

u
u
u

Stay at Sydney Central YHA

Stay at Canberra City YHA
Stay at Melbourne Central YHA

ADELAIDE WINTER
FOOD & WINE
FESTIVAL
24 August 2014

SA

Celebrate South
Australias stunning wines, ciders, beers
and sumptuous seasonal treats at the
very first Adelaide Winter Food and Wine
Festival. McLaren Vale, Clare Valley,
Adelaide Hills and Barossa are amongst
the delicious regions flaunting their worldclass wines and premium produce under
the roof of the ultimate cellar door Australias largest tasting room experience.
wineaustralia.com.au

BOOK
NOW

u
u
u

Stay at Adelaide Central YHA

+61 8 8414 3010
adlcentral@yha.com.au

CELEBRATE THE SEA:

KAIKOURA SEAFEST
3-4 October 2014

NZ

The ocean around

coastal Kaikoura heaves
with delicacies from the deep and the
annual Kaikoura Seafest cooks it all up for
a scrumptious celebration. Tuck in to baby
octopus, paua (abalone), whitebait, crayfish
(lobster) and a range of fish and wash it down
with regional wine and quality beer. Seafest
kicks off Friday night with a Big Top bash and
gets into full swing on Saturday. Frock up for
the best dressed competition and celebrate 20
years of Seafest. seafest.co.nz

u
u
u

Stay at YHA Kaikoura

0800 278 299 (NZ) or 1800 242 191 (Aus)
book@yha.co.nz

SMOOTH FESTIVAL OF CHOCOLATE

4-5 October 2014

BOOK
NOW

N SW

Got a sweet tooth? As part of Good Food Month

in Sydney, smoothfm are launching the very
first smooth Festival of Chocolate. The citys
historic Rocks district will be transformed
into a chocolate and dessert wonderland, giving connoisseurs
and chocoholics a chance to taste, buy and share in the many
unique and emerging chocolate offerings in Australia
from boutique and big brand chocolatiers, baristas,
BOOK
bakers and artisans. smoothfm.com.au
NOW
u
u
u

Stay at Sydney Harbour YHA

+61 2 8272 0900
sydneyharbour@yha.com.au

Clockwise from left:

Brisbane Airport Light
garden; I Want To know
What Love Is; SOAP.
Brisbane Festival

BRISBANE FESTIVAL
6-27 September 2014

QLD

Its edgy. Its entertaining. Its electrifying! The Queensland capitals

world-class arts festival fires up September with a sensational program
of live music, theatre, dance, comedy, circus and more. Snap up tickets to the Spiegeltents
roof-raising shows including The Midnight Juggernauts 10th Anniversary Tour, Grinspoon
front man Phil Jamieson, and funnymen Matt Okine and Ronny Cheng. From the aerial
acrobatics of Limbo or Circus Oz, and splashy whacky fun of Soap, to pop, punk, psychedelic
dance, and piano virtuosos, Brisbane is THE place to be in September. Its also one of only
three cities in the world to host The Perfect American, the spellbinding new opera from iconic
composer Phillip Glass (Koyaanisqatsi) with imaginings of Walt Disney, Abraham Lincoln
and Andy Warhol. Catch a free riverside gig as part of the Twilight Music Series, step inside
the monumental maze of Exxopolis walk-through sculpture, and stake out your spot for the
explosive fireworks finale of Riverfire on 27 September. brisbanefestival.com.au

BOOK
NOW

Stay at Brisbane City YHA

+61 7 3236 1004

brisbanecity@yha.com.au

VI C

OZASIA FESTIVAL
3-20 September 2014

Get set for 17-day

of the finest national and international
names in dance, theatre, music, visual arts
and outdoor events to town. The packed
program includes the unique voices of
Gurrumul and Sarah Blasko, the sonic
nirvana of DJ Dexter, a tribute to iconic
director John Landis (The Blues Brothers,
Michael Jacksons Thriller Video) and the
ever extraordinary sensory experience of
Grammy award-winning African musical
duo Amadou and Miriams concert
Eclipse, performed in total darkness.
melbournefestival.com.au
u

Stay at Melbourne Metro YHA or

BOOK
NOW

Stay at Adelaide Central YHA

+61 8 8414 3010

adlcentral@yha.com.au

BOOK
NOW

Branco Gaica

Melbourne Central YHA

SA

This multicultural mix of

Australia and Asia brings
together thrilling music
(headlining this year is Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon composer Tan Dun), workshops, visual
arts, film, talks, cuisine and much more. The
highlight is the annual Moon Lantern Festival on
8 September, which lights up Adelaides Elder
Park and River Torrens for a stunning lantern
parade and fireworks spectacular.
ozasiafestival.com.au

ACT

CANBERRA FLORIADE
13 September - 12 October 2014
Ring in spring at the largest flower festival
in the Southern Hemisphere. Canberras
perennially popular Floriade offers a
smorgasbord of attractions including
favourites the gourmet garden, Inspiration
Hub, demos and displays that fuse fashion,
food and flowers. Get a birds-eye view of the
colour cornucopia from the 35 metre ferris
wheel. Petalheads can follow the flower trail
taking in Canberras main sights. Dont miss
the ticketed twilight event NightFest from
24-28 September, with stellar light shows,
markets and music under the moonlight,
comedy and DJs. floriadeaustralia.com

Take advantage of
Canberra City YHA's
Spring Fling deal

BOOK
NOW

Moon Lantern Festival 2012

MELBOURNE
FESTIVAL
10-26 October 2014

Its bold, its cold, its two years old! NZ IceFest transforms a slice
of Christchurch into a piece of Antarctica while celebrating the
importance of Antarctica to the world. Hear of the first unsupplied,
unsupported NZ expedition to the South Pole by rapscallion
adventurers Kevin Biggar and Jamie Fitzgerald. Chat via video
conference with Antarcticans currently living at Scott Base. Hear
experts from science, policy and industry tackle big, controversial,
critical issues facing Antarctica including Climate Change. Travel
back in geological time to Antarcticas surprisingly leafy past at
Antarctic Time Travel. Also join United States Air Force and the
Royal New Zealand Air Force crews as they take you inside some of
the worlds largest aircraft before they jet off to Antarctica. All that
and more! nzicefest.co.nz

BOOK
NOW

u
u
u

Stay at YHA Christchurch Rolleston House

0800 278 299 (NZ) or 1800 242 191 (Aus)
book@yha.co.nz

NZ

Anthony Powell

THE ICEFEST COMETH! CHRISTCHURCH

ANTARCTIC FESTIVAL
26 September - 12 October 2014

Get ready to laugh, cry, cover your eyes

and cheer at the annual New Zealand
International Film Festival. NZIFF
screens films from around the world
while simultaneously launching some of
New Zealands home grown film makers.
The festival includes 20 films direct from
Cannes including the Grand Prix winner,
The Wonders; a curated collection of Maori
Pasifika short films; hypnotic and hilarious
animated pop and anime; Arthouse,
psychological drama and more. Follow the
festival as it hits the road, touring New
Zealand for three months. nziff.co.nz

BOOK
NOW

u
u
u

Stay with YHA New Zealand

0800 278 299 (NZ) or 1800 242 191 (Aus)
book@yha.co.nz

New Zealand Film Festival

NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL

FILM FESTIVAL
June - July 2014

VI C

PHILLIP ISLAND MOTO GRAND PRIX

17-19 October 2014

Experience the excitement as the worlds

best riders battle it out on the picturesque
Phillip Island Circuit at the 2014 Australian
Grand Prix. With riders reaching top
speeds of 344 kph, cornering at 64 degree angles and overtaking
each other with just millimetres to spare youre guaranteed to
get caught up in the thrill of some of the most spectacular racing
in the MotoGP season. If you can take your eyes off the track, the
home of Australian motorcycle racing is also lucky enough to be
blessed with some of the most beautiful panoramic ocean views
and rugged scenery on the international circuit. motogp.com.au

BOOK
NOW

Stay at Phillip Island YHA

+61 3 5956 6123

phillipisland@yha.com.au

AND
ALSO...
new zealand
fashion week
29-31 August 2014
Stay YHA Auckland City or
YHA Auckland International

perth kings park

Festival
1-30 September 2014
Stay Perth City YHA

SHINJU MATSURI FESTIVAL

5-14 September 2014

WA

Shinju Matsuri celebrates Broomes

pearling history and its status as a cultural
melting pot. Ten days of events kick off
with the traditional parade (a festival highlight), theres
also a pearl meat cook-off, sculptures on Cable Beach, the
delicious Taste of Broome and more. Take the time to visit
WAs wildflower displays while youre here or time your visit to
catch the Staircase to the Moon phenomena 9-11 September.
shinjumatsuri.com.au

visitbroome.com.au

BOOK
NOW

Stay at Kimberley Club YHA

+61 8 9192 3233

broome@yha.com.au

Thredbo 2014 ski

season
until 4 October 2014
Stay Thredbo YHA

v8 supercars
gold coast
24-26 October 2014
Stay Surfers Paradise YHA

BOOK ONLINE

YHA.COM.AU
YHA.CO.NZ

BACKPACKER
/ ESSENTIALS

YHA.COM.AU
YHA.CO.NZ
NEXT ISSUE AVAILABLE
8 OCTOBER 2014