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Take A Walk On The Wildside

Wildside Getaway

Building a self-sufficient eco-lodge in the heart of the bush: from mud to mod-cons.

The creation of Wildside Getaway all started with a walk in the bush with our six month old son in a backpack, in the steep hill country surrounding the Central Plateau. The property had stunning views towards both the Whanganui River Valley on the one side and the volcanic peaks of Mounts Ruapehu and Ngaruhoe on the other. Being a keen outdoors family with a love of remote country places and hunting, it didn’t take much convincing to purchase the 140 hectare bush property that is now Wildside. The bush section had been considered commercially unviable land. The large trees had been logged in the early to mid 1900’s, particularly for rimu, but the bush had not been cleared, a practice undertaken as part of the attempted settlement of land by returned serviceman in the nearby Whanganui Valley at the Bridge to Nowhere. Today Wildside is largely covered with...

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Children’s Attractions Around NZ

Feeding the giraffes at Wellington Zoo

Family fun for all seasons.

Don’t let a spot of rain put a damper on your family holiday. With a bit of planning holidays can be just as memorable even when it gets a bit wet and cold. Have a look at the facilities and feedback of the bach you’ve booked and see what they have by way of games, books, dvd player, kayaks etc. If you’re worried that eventually cabin fever might set in, have a look beforehand at what activities or attractions there might be in the area. Hot pools are like catnip to children, and New Zealand is blessed with lots of them, whether it’s a hike to a natural spring in the river or an aquatic park with hydroslides and artificial waves. You can have a squiz at the Bookabach Guide to Hot Pools and Spas for options around the country, and we’ve included some other...

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COMPETITIONS
Win a Cardrona 2012 Season Pass!

Enter to win a Cardrona Season Pass for 2012, value $1299, and you could be whistling down the slopes all winter!

Healthy Food Guide Competition

Enter in the draw to win a home cheesemaking course, courtesy of The New Zealand Cheese School Limited, worth $199.

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MORE EVENTS
Right Royal Cabaret Fest
TSB Showplace, 92 - 100 Devon St West, New PlymouthFri, June 01, 2012 to Sun, June 03, 2012
Whitianga Scallop Festival
Whitianga Marina Reserve, The Esplanade, WhitiangaSat, September 15, 2012 10am to Sat, September 15, 2012 5pm
HSB Bank DIY Deco
Various venues around NapierFri, July 20, 2012 to Sun, July 22, 2012
Russell Birdman Festival
Various venues around RussellFri, July 06, 2012 to Sun, July 08, 2012
Oamaru Steampunk Festival 2012
Various venues around OamaruSat, June 02, 2012 to Sun, June 03, 2012
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MORE STORIES
Take A Walk On The Wildside

Building a self-sufficient eco-lodge in the heart of the bush: from mud to mod-cons.

Tree house of dreams

When Cyclone Bola hit Coromandel in 1988, it blew over a pohutukawa on a hillside at Kuaotunu. 20 years later, John Buchan and his wife Wendy built a two-storey house whose upper decks are nestled amongst the foliage

Uncle Bill’s legacy

William McNie won a block of land near Ohakune at the end of the 19th century. The cottage he built has been restored by his descendants and named in his memory

Bay of Islands boarding house

A set of apartments in Opua housed American soldiers during World War II, in its earlier incarnation as a boarding house

Beach bungalow moves with the times

Kakanui Beach Retreat has recently undergone its second metamorphosis - refurbished to cater for the next generation.

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MORE GUIDES
Children’s Attractions Around NZ

Family fun for all seasons.

Whangamata

Visit this top spot for surf, swimming and the beauties of the Coromandel.

Mount Maunganui

Enjoy white sand beaches, surf and a sacred mountain at this lively holiday spot.

Top Tens of Summer 2011-2012

Summer's most popular destinations and other goodness

Rotorua

Geothermal wonderland