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What you may not know about Australia and New Zealand - part 2

Here we are with the second post about facts you probably did not know about Australia and New Zealand - in this post we will focus on New Zealand. If you missed our first post about Australia, check it out.

Waitomo Caves

Waitomo is amongst New Zealand's most tranquil areas and can be translated as the “stream which flows into the hole in the ground”. There are around 300 known limestone caves that lie beneath the hills of the region. Waitomo is world famous for the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and more importantly the New Zealand glowworm.

A glowworm is the larvae stage in the lifecycle of a two-winged insect. IT looks a bit like a maggot. A glowworm uses its glow to attract food and to burn off its waste. Its tail glows because of bioluminescence, which is a reaction between the chemicals given off by the glowworm and the oxygen in the air. This chemical reaction produces light, which the glowworm can control by reducing the oxygen to the light organ. Insects fly towards the light and get stuck in the sticky lines that the glowworm hangs down to catch food. Glowworms also use their glow to put other creatures off eating them.

If you are not a fan of worms, Waitomo offers other things, as well. Go for a walk and explore natural flora and fauna, or visit a local museum.

Rotorua

You'll smell Rotorua long before you see it. The distinctive smell of sulphur in the air is an unmistakable sign. Ringed by scenic tracts of bush, forest and farmland, Rotorua's Lakeland chain was formed and shaped by cataclysmic volcanic activity in times past. It isnot only a natural spa destination, but the heartland of New Zealand’s Maori culture, as well.

Auckland

Auckland, the biggest Polynesian city in the world was initially known as “Tamaki Makau Rau”, meaning a maiden with 100 lovers. Auckland has a perfect, 100 km of coastline and is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and it only takes four hours to walk from the Pacific Ocean to the Tasman Sea. Its Sky Tower is the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere (328 m)

Funny fact about Auckland: “pigeon post” is still considered an official posting service in Auckland and the rest of New Zealand. 

Queenstown

• Queenstown and the nearby region have featured in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. 
• Queenstown is at a latitude of 45 degrees south.  Only two other countries in the world, Chile and Argentina, are at the same latitude.
• The Remarkables mountain range is one of only two mountain ranges in the world to run directly north to south (the other is the Rockies).  
• In 1885 all Queenstown hotels were run by women who all happened to be widows.
• The Shotover River is known to be the richest gold bearing river of its size in the world.
• Bungy New Zealand’s Kawarau Bridge bungy site (established 1988) was the first commercial bungee operation in the world.

Milford Sound

This is one of the most accessible fiords in the world with stunning landscape and cascading waterfalls.

With a mean annual rainfall of 6 813 mm on 182 days a year, Milford Sound is known as the wettest inhabited place in New Zealand and one of the wettest in the world. The rainfall creates tens of temporary waterfalls (as well as a number of major, more permanent ones) cascading down the cliffs, some reaching a thousand metres in length. Smaller falls from such heights may never reach the bottom of the sound, drifting away in the wind. The sound's entrance is so hidden when viewed from the sea that Captain Cook sailed right by without noticing it when sailing nearby. If you are lucky, you may spot the dolphins in the water or Forsters fur seals lying on the rocks.

Tongariro National Park

Tongariro was the first national park to be established in New Zealand. It is known for its volcanic activity and two of the most active volcanoes in the world - Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe, so prepare for the barren lava flows and steaming hot springs.

Tongariro is also home to New Zealand’s only native mammals, the short and long tailed bats.

It is unusual to have a village within a national park, but Whakapapa Village was established early in the history of the park when it was still allowed.

Abel Tasman National Park

If you want to combine physical activities with relaxing on the beach, Abel Tasman National Park will be the right choice for you. You can hike, rent a kayak, and go snorkelling around the characteristic granite outcrops, swim in the transparent sea or just sun bath on the beach. 

Franz Josef Glacier

From its origins high in the Southern Alps, the Franz Josef Glacier descends deep into the lush rainforest of Westland’s National Park, from a height of 2700m above sea level to only 240m in as little as 11 km, making it the worlds steepest and fastest flowing commercially guided glacier.

While glaciers around the world are retreating, the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers still flow almost to sea level. The temperate climate at this low altitude means these glaciers are among the most convenient to visit in the world.

If you are excited about travelling Australia, check out some of ours holiday packages:

• Travel both New Zealand island by car
• Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua and more – find in our holiday package
• Trip around South Island – visit Milford Sound, Franz Josef, Abel Tasman Ntl. Park

What you may not know about Australia and New Zealand - part 1

If you are reading this blog, you are probably already thinking about visiting Australia and New Zealand (or, at least you wish to someday). These countries indeed are beautiful places to spend your holiday and whether you decide to visit Australia or New Zealand you will not be disappointed, for there are many great things to see and experience there. In this article we will try to sum up interesting facts about the most well-known and popular places you probably have heard of there. 

Sydney Opera House

So let’s start with Australia, the only continent occupied only by one nation. The first must-see while staying in Sydney is its famous Opera House. This focal point of Sydney’s culture was amongst the 20 finalists in the New Seven Wonders of the World project and represents Australia, just like the pyramids do for Egypt or The Eiffel Tower does for Paris. It even has its own opera written about it. The original estimate to build Sydney Opera House was $7 million. The cost was $102 million in the end, but it was worth it.

Did you know that in the Concert Hall, Arnold Schwarzenegger won his final Mr Olympia body building title in 1980? Or that a net was installed above the orchestra pit in the Opera Theatre in the 1980s, because during an opera by Boris Godunov featuring live chickens one of the birds walked off the stage and landed on top of a cellist?

The Harbour Bridge

When in Sydney, it is hard to miss the Harbour Bridge. It took close to sixty years to pay off, because the original toll was too small and they had to paint it grey, because there was no other colour available in such quantities. Paul Hogan was one of the painters before he found better paying jobs on TV and making Crocodile Dundee movies. The top of the arch of the bridge rises and falls when the temperature changes, up to 18 cm, so it has special hinges to accommodate this. You may also climb the bridge; Lonely Planet calls it “one of the top ten adrenaline experiences in the world.” Several thousand of couples were engaged by the time they climbed down.

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Sydney Harbour Bridge did not go exactly as planned. Premier Jack Lang was the official who was supposed to cut the ribbon and officially open the bridge, but he was beaten to it. A New Guard member named Francis De Groot, a captain with the para-military group, rode up on his horse and used his sword to cut the ribbon instead. After retying the ribbon as best they could, the ceremony continued. De Groot was carried off to a mental hospital, declared insane and later fined for the cost of the ribbon.

Bondi Beach

One of the best beaches in the world. In the Aboriginal culture, the word “Bondi” means the sound of breaking waves. Like many other Sydney beaches it has shark nets, so do not worry and go for a swim.

Did you know that Bondi holds the record for the largest swimsuit photo shoot ever? In September 2007, 1010 bikini-clad took part in a cosmopolitan magazine shoot on Bondi beach. Bondi was also used by Apple for the name of one of the colours that Imac G3 came in. Bondi blue is believed to been inspired by the colour of the Sea at Bondi beach.

Blue Mountains National Park

This national park is one of the most popular in Australia. For its very good natural condition, 51% of it has been classified as Wilderness for extra protection. There are plenty of activities waiting for you there – you can go for a walk to lookouts above waterfalls, cliffs and canyons, mountain bike, or visit the world’s steepest Katoomba Scenic Railway.

Once there, make sure to visit the famous Three Sisters - Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo (922, 918 and 906 metres high) for it has been stated that they will eventually disintegrate due to the wet surroundings and rain and wind that created them and still sculpt their soft sandstone. Echo Point is the best point at which to view the The Three Sisters and take in the beauty of the surrounding valley. You can then take the Giant Stairway into the valley to enjoy the views of the bottom of the cliffs and get back to the top by the Katoomba Railway we have mentioned.

 Uluru also known as Ayers Rock

Ayres Rock is officially known as Uluru since it was handed over to the Aboriginals in the 1980′s. They regard it as a sacred site. Originally, Uluru sat at the bottom of the sea, but today stands 348m above ground; however, 2.5 km approximately of its bulk is still underground. 

Depending on the time of day you visit Uluru, it may seem it has different colours because of the position of the sun and whether or not it is raining.

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest reef system with over 900 islands stretching for over 2600 km and you can actually see it from space. It is also listed as one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World”. Around 10 percent of the world’s total fish species can be found there and around 30 species of whales, 215 species of birds, 6 species of sea turtles, 125 species of sharks and stingrays, 49 species of pipefish, 17 species of sea snakes.

Great Ocean Road

While travelling along the coast you will have a chance to see the most beautiful beaches of Australia, for example Apollo Bay, a swimmer’s paradise, Castle Cove and its dinosaur fossils, Torquay, which is very famous for its surf beaches and situated near the world famous Bells Beach where numerous surfing world competitions have been held.

You may also see all of the wildlife over there. Koalas, kangaroos, wombats, dolphins, whales, etc. Don’t be surprised, if you meet them there. 

But that’s not all. Not far from the Otways you will find stunning waterfalls, hidden in the rainforest, often accessible after a short walk and do not forget to look for well-known

Twelve Apostles

Actually, there are not twelve apostles anymore, as several have collapsed in recent decades due to action of winds and waves. Some say, the current figure is eight. Or five or six. They were made by erosion that created groves in the coast and over many years they met and became arches. The arches eventually collapsed, creating the pillars seen today. The cliff is still being eroded at a rate of about 2cm each year, and in the future is likely to form more 'Apostles'.

Kings Canyon 

King’s Canyon is located in the Northern Territory of Australia and is part of the Warrtaka National Park. It is 270 m high.

The Canyon Rim walk is a must for every visitor to this place. This 6km walk normally takes 3-4 hours. The walk is not that difficult as there are steps along the way. Along the canyon walk there are eroded pinnacles of the Lost City, and some lush riverine vegetation around the Garden of Eden – a cool swimming hole great for a dip on a hot day. To minimise erosion, this walk has to be made in clockwise direction.

Fraser Island

Fraser Island are part of the World Heritage because of their exceptional sand dune systems, its rainforest – the only ones in the world growing in the sand and because of more than 100 fresh water lakes.

What you may have not known is that dingos have grown used to man's presence on the island and can frequently be seen begging and scavenging for food.

We hope you enjoyed the reading about amazing places in Australia and in the next post about New Zealand we will bring in some facts about amazing places there.

If you are excited about travelling Australia, check out some of ours holiday packages:

• Visit Sydney and Cairns – 12 days vacation package – Feel the city and beaches
• Plane trip around East Coast – Sydney, Fraser Island, Great Barrier Reef and more
• 17 days all in one holiday package – visit all important destinations one must see when visiting Australia
• The real holiday adventure – Big Tour Across Australia