Oceania Archives - Seek Your Trip

February 17, 2018 by Arlene

NZ South Island’s Best Summer Activities and Sites

New Zealand is a gorgeous country filled with some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Known for setting the scene in the Lord of the Rings film franchise, it is one of the best places to go if you’re looking for a tranquil retreat. In fact, we highly recommend taking a tour of New Zealand’s South Island for the full experience. In this article, we take you through some of the country’s best activities and sites.

Aoraki/Mt. Cook

This is one of the best and most scenic locations, and it stands as the highest peak in the country. You can experience this natural wonder on foot if you have time to spare, or from the air if you want a birds-eye view. The mountain itself is surrounded by beautiful turquoise waters, and we highly recommend taking the time to explore the area by boat if you get the chance.

Fiordland National Park

This is one of the most memorable and beautiful places in New Zealand. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it features some of the most picturesque scenery you can imagine that you are able to experience from the air, on foot, or even by boat. With so many photo opportunities, it has to be one of the most photographed locations in the world – and when you get there, you will see why.

Birdwatching on Stewart Island

What’s better than a bit of tranquil birdwatching? On Stewart Island, you can get close enough to the birds to interact with them. Stewart Island houses New Zealand’s largest and most diverse bird population – and you can find absolutely anything here. Whether you are looking to spot a kiwi, a penguin, or an albatross, we are sure that you will get to see one here. There is even the rare weka bird that you can get right up close to if you are lucky enough. There are 240 km of walking tracks and a number of great tours you can go on.

The Street Art Trail, Christchurch

If you’re a culture and art lover, then Christchurch offers one of the best locations for you to visit. The Street Art Trail spans the entirety of the city streets – and you never know where you might run into a modern and creative design. The whole city is drenched in creativity, and there are a number of stylish and unique cafes that you can visit for an unforgettable hot beverage.

The Wineries in Central Otago

When you visit Otago, there are vineyards as far as the eye can see, and you can expect to try some pretty fantastic wine while you’re here. It makes the perfect place for a lazy afternoon, and the sights are unlike anything you have ever seen. Land stretches for miles in front of you, with rushing rivers and snow-capped mountains on the horizon. Cycle, run, walk – whatever you do, make sure it’s between the vines for an unforgettable experience.

Abel Tasman National Park

This gorgeous national park makes the perfect place for taking some time to go kayaking, or for going on a sailing trip to reconnect with nature. The turquoise waters provide the perfect place to spot dolphins and seals that frequent the waters. There is even a stunning track for hiking that will lead you through native bush, alongside limestone cliffs, and past some of the most golden beaches you have ever seen.

To Conclude

Hopefully this article has given you a few ideas on where to go when you arrive in New Zealand. With so many places to visit and explore, we know that you are going to have a fantastic time on any New Zealand South Island tour that you decide to take. It’s a trip you are bound to remember for a lifetime!

November 6, 2017 by Arlene

Hotels vs. Serviced Apartments in the Melbourne CBD

Whether it’s for a last minute holiday with your friends or an important business trip, surfing the web for accommodation in Melbourne is an important step. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay that’s both convenient and cosy, you’re probably already sifting through pages of serviced apartments and hotels. But which is the better option?

Various factors come into play when choosing accommodation, and with the variety of options available in the Melbourne CBD alone, it can understandably be a difficult choice. Depending on why you need the accommodation and how you intend on using it, there are different things you should be looking for.

Here are some of the perks that serviced apartments in the Melbourne CBD have over hotels to help you make a decision on which accommodation is the best option for you. When conducting your search, consider these factors and helpful tips.

Accommodation that Feels Like a Home and Hotel

The biggest perk of a serviced apartment is the fact that it manages to be spacious, homely and cosy while keeping the best parts of hotel life as well. From weekly services to large dining areas, serviced apartments are the smartest choice for anybody that wants a convenient and comfortable stay regardless of how long they intend of staying.

Hotels are usually the preferred choice for shorter stays, as they’re much smaller and have fewer facilities. However, this doesn’t mean they’re necessarily cheaper. Anybody that’s experienced the stress of booking their holiday late will know that a cheap hotel room usually means a bad one. Most of the time, hotel rooms also don’t have kitchen facilities. Meanwhile, serviced apartments are versatile in their location and the facilities that they provide.

Get the Most Out of Your Stay

You might gravitate towards hotels because they’re situated in Melbourne’s city centre. But don’t let this deter you from looking into serviced apartments, as there are many serviced apartments in Melbourne’s CBD that are also conveniently located.

The best part about a serviced apartment is the spaciousness. This means you can invite over some friends, make a platter, watch a film or play a board game – things you couldn’t do in a squished hotel room. And if you’re looking for accommodation for work reasons, a serviced apartment in Melbourne provides you with privacy, a quiet environment and a comfortable place to be productive.

Weigh Up Your Options

Serviced apartments, like some hotels, have the potential to be inexpensive. For a hotel room to be as convenient as most people would like it to be, the price can be as much as or even higher than that of a serviced apartment.

Overall, serviced apartments are the best way to get your money’s worth. When you book a serviced apartment, you’re also booking a range of useful facilities with it. Kitchen areas, dining space, spacious rooms, laundry facilities and weekly services all contribute to an easier and more convenient stay, whether it’s for work or a holiday.

November 23, 2016 by Arlene

7 Incredible Beaches In Australia

People considering a trip to Australia are often focused on the images and attractions that make the country famous as a tourism destination. If you’re considering such a vacation, you may be thinking about getting to hold a koala bear or scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef. You imagine snapping photos of the Sydney Opera House or strolling along a rainforest catwalk. And, to be sure, these are all incredibly enjoyable aspects of a trip to Australia. But don’t forget: if you’re planning such a visit, there are also world class beaches all over the place!

Australian vacations can lead you to a rather diverse blend of cities, wild landscapes, luxury venues, and relaxing paradises where you rewind in your open toes and Chanel sunglasses. The shores are fairly consistent through it all, however, so here’s our look at seven of the best beaches you can find in the country.

7. Bondi Beach

… minus the somtimes 35,000 sun bathers. Only a small number of them on this gorgeous first day of October.

This is one of the most crowded beaches in Australia and for a lot of tourists, that will be a turn-off. That said, it’s not a horrible sort of crowded. Bondi Beach is situated just next to the city of Sydney, and that location combined with the popularity of the beach itself (which somehow seems to stay fairly pristine) has led to a sort of “beach town” atmosphere. And that comes complete with shops and cafes within walking distance of the water.

6. Lizard Island

This is a breathtaking island full of white beaches located off the northeast corner of Australia along the Great Barrier Reef. In terms of pure beauty, no beach in Australia can top it. However, it stays out of our top-five because it’s prohibitively exclusive. Difficult to get to and expensive to stay at, it’s no wonder Lizard Island has maintained such a lush, natural feel.

5. Mandalay Beach

Well south of Perth at the southwest corner of Australia, Mandalay Beach is a bit of an adventurous destination, simply because there aren’t many towns or establishments nearby. The beach itself is an wonderful blend of rocky shores and white sand stretches, with a beautiful view of Chatham Island to top it all off. It’s certainly a bit out of the way, but many find it to be worth the trip and then some.

4. Burleigh Heads

The Gold Coast area of Australia is filled with famous beach locations. They’re so abundant that online travel aid dialaflight even recommends entire travel packages and tour concepts that take you through the surrounding area to view different beaches! But for the most part, the beaches in this area are a bit crowded, and a touch more artificial than the best beaches in Australia. Burleigh Heads is a peculiar exception. It’s situated in the Gold Coast area but somehow a bit cleaner, less crowded, and less built up than the alternatives.

3. 75 Mile Beach

Technically located on Fraser Island, 75 Mile beach is one of the most unique stretches of beach space in the world. Naturally, the stretch is about 75 miles long and features beautiful sands of all different colours in addition to equally gorgeous ocean water. There are a lot of sharks in the area, however, so visitors tend to stay on the sands when strolling the beaches. The island also has wonderful lakes where swimming is safer and perhaps even more pleasant.

2. Turquoise Bay

Noted in a Yahoo News article titled “In Search Of A Special Beach,” Turquoise Bay in Exmouth is located along the Ningaloo Reef. And it is a great spot for tourists because it’s impeccable for snorkeling. As the same article notes, there’s even a current that will carry swimmers out over the reef and back to shore, as if the beach itself is accommodating visitors. Similar to many of the other beaches listed here, the water is stunningly clear.

1. Whitehaven Beach

Not to harp on white sand yet again, but it’s really what makes Whitehaven such a special spot. The sand here is actually of a scientifically purer variety, which not only looks beautiful but keeps it softer and cooler. It’s as if it’s tailor made to be walked on and enjoyed. And like so much of Australia, this amazing beach seems to withstand heavy attention from tourists and sightseers to look relatively untouched and extraordinarily natural.

There are dozens and dozens of spectacular beaches all around Australia and on its surrounding islands. But a trip to any one of these seven will be a fantastic treat if you’re planning a vacation to Australia.

September 17, 2015 by author

Camping and the Outdoors of Australia

If you are an avid fan of the outdoors, you will definitely love the wilderness of Australia – it has various spots and destinations that offer tremendous hiking, cycling, kayaking and other similar activities. And for that true outdoor experience, you can bring along your swags and small tents so you can spend the night in the Australian outback underneath that great Aussie sky.

Freycinet National Park

Head out to Tasmania and get ready to explore one of the best national parks that Australia has to offer. In Tassie you’ll find the Freycinet National Park which boasts of hundreds of acres of wild bushland and scenic coastal areas. Take a walk in some of the many hiking paths scattered in the place like the Wineglass Bay Circuit. Hiking doesn’t have to be expensive, you can pick up hiking boots bargains at Foot Locker. Here you’ll start off in a flatland climbing to the hills and mountains by following a dedicated trail. When you get to the top, you are bound to see one of the most fantastic views in the whole of Australia – the Wineglass Bay. Look around and be amazed by the turquoise waters of the bay and the green surrounds of the coastal area. Walk down from the lookout and head on to Hazards Beach for some aqua fun. End the day by camping in Wineglass Bay or in any of the nearby campgrounds in the park.

Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains is one park that holds various exciting treks in it, so many in fact that it can be difficult to choose which one to take. One of the most recommended though is a half day walking or hiking in the Canyons. Yep, they also have their canyons in Australia. However, unlike the Grand Canyon of the USA, the one in the Blue Mountains is not dry and desert like. Instead the canyons in the Blue Mountains are some of the best forested areas in Australia. Walk down stony paths (some of them paved while others are not) to reach the depth of the canyons, which is filled with lush vegetation of giant ferns and tall trees. Walk your way through the winding canyons admiring the tree life and insect life that thrive in the area. As for camping, there are many top-rated campgrounds near and in the Blue Mountains, some of them offering no electricity and no water – just pure and remote camping experience.

Binna Burra

If you are looking for a more challenging hike, then head on to Binna Burra and look for the Coomera Circuit. This circuit takes you from the base camp and back, while passing through some of the densest and robust vegetation found in Australia – by the way, this is one of the rainforests in Australia so you can expect the area to be heavily forested. The main highlight of the walk though are the different falls scattered along the walking path. There are many of these falls, but the most popular has got to be Coomera Falls – hundreds of feet tall with raging waters cascading down (especially during the rainy season).

There are different ways to enjoy Australia, and the outdoors is one destination that should not be missed.

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Photo by margiejames on Flickr