The soaring mountains, lakes, rivers and plains that first caught the attention of the movie-going public in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring will form the backdrop to the latest Middle-earth epic, once again directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson.

More than 150 different locations throughout New Zealand were used to film The Lord of the Rings trilogy, from the rolling hills of Matamata standing in for the Shire to the volcanic region of Mt Ruapehu, which was transformed into the fiery Mt Doom.

There are many film-inspired activities and attractions for fans to visit while experiencing New Zealand’s dramatic scenery, one of the most popular being the Hobbiton Movie Set & Farm Tours. A working sheep and cattle farm, Hobbiton formed the set for some of the scenes in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The two-hour guided tour is a must-do on any New Zealand holiday.

New Zealand’s mix of extraordinary geography, sense of adventure, Māori culture, and cosmopolitan cities all offer a hugely diverse range of unique experiences within the magical landscape of the film’s Middle-earth.

An Unexpected Journey

From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of two films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit. The second film will be The Hobbit: There and Back Again.

Both films are set in Middle-earth 60 years before The Lord of the Rings, which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar®-winning The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Under Jackson’s direction, both movies are being shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Filming is taking place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.

Among the creative behind-the-scenes team returning to Jackson’s crew are director of photography Andrew Lesnie, production designer Dan Hennah, conceptual designers Alan Lee and John Howe, composer Howard Shore and make-up and hair designer Peter King. The costumes are designed by Ann Maskrey and Richard Taylor. The score is being composed by Howard Shore.

Taylor is also overseeing the design and production of weaponry, armour and prosthetics which are once again being made by the award winning Weta Workshop. Weta Digital take on the visual effects for both films, led by the film’s visual effects supervisor, Joe Letteri. Post production will take place at Park Road Post Production in Wellington.

View The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey trailer

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again are productions of New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television licensing, being handled by MGM.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released beginning December 14, 2012. The second film, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, is slated for release the following year, beginning December 13, 2013.

GWC judges said Appellation Central Wine Tours won the award thanks to the excellent exposure and support it gave to wineries and other businesses in Central Otago, as well as the exceptional and memorable wine tourism experience offered to clients. The award recognises excellence on a global level among the various wine tourism activities including the wineries, restaurants, museums and wine tours of a specific region.

Director Wendy Johnston said she and managing director and co-owner Philip Green were “absolutely thrilled” with the win.

“The GWC international awards serve as an industry benchmark for excellence in the field of wine tourism, and other award winners come from all around the world, including Rioja in Spain, Bordeaux in France, Cape Town in South Africa, Germany, Italy, the USA and Portugal.” she said.

“To be rated among the best of the best worldwide is the ultimate endorsement and says that we offer an unbeatable wine tourism experience. The four elements to a great wine tourism experience include world-class wine, awe-inspiring scenery, history and the people, and of course the guides who interpret and deliver the experience.”

“Working with all these elements has enabled us to build a great wine tourism business which in turn helps promote our region and its wines. We couldn’t do it without our amazingly passionate and dedicated guides, and the huge support we get from vineyards, suppliers and activity booking agents locally and internationally.”

Appellation Central Wine Tours qualified for the international award by winning New Zealand’s Best of Wine Tourism Services award for the second year in a row.

New Zealand judges including a regional judge and chief judge Dr Joanna Fountain of Lincoln University, said the standard of entries in each category was “extremely high” this year. New Zealand Awards trophies will be presented during the New World Wine and Food Festival in Christchurch on Saturday December 3.

If you’d like to experience an award winning Appellation Central Wine Tour, Relaxing Journeys offer 3 of their tours below.

• 1/2 Day Queenstown Boutique Wine Tour

• 1 Day Queenstown Gourmet Wine Tour

• 1 Day Queenstown Nature Walk & Wine Tour

2 1/2 Hour Ocean Adventure

Experience the Ocean Adventure that the Bay of Islands is famous for. Speed through the open waters and ride waves. Go offshore to capture the excitement of the Cape Brett Peninsula. Soak up the adventure! Our high speed Ocean Adventure is a Rigid- hulled Inflatable Boat (RIB) that has great pedigree. It has been used to service offshore oil rigs, as a search and rescue boat and a chase boat during America’s Cup sailing campaigns. Ocean Adventure is built for comfort and safety in the open ocean with padded seats and seatbelts.

Your Ocean Adventure includes:

• Sail amongst the 144 islands of the bay
• High speed Rigid-hulled Inflatable Boat with padded seats and seatbelts
• Lifejackets and wet weather jacket provided.
• Visiting the Cape Brett Peninsula and the iconic ‘Hole in the Rock’
• Entering the amazing Cathedral Cave Hearing the fascinating tales of the Bay as told by your skipper
• Spotting the wildlife along the way
• The option to include an island stop at Otehei Bay on the Department of Conservation’s Urupukapuka Island (9:30/9:40am and 12:30/12:40am departures only)

Read more about the Bay of Islands Ocean Advenure and book it online with Relaxing Journeys.

The World Famous Shotover Jet

World famous as the ultimate jet boating experience, Shotover Jet has thrilled over 3 million people since 1970, and now it’s your turn! Take a unique breathtaking ride through dramatic and narrow Canyons, and hold on tight for Queenstown’s only exhilarating full 360° spins. Vidcasts ‘Can you handle the canyons?’ with award winning Shotover Jet, ‘The World’s Most Exciting Jet Boating Ride’ and the only company permitted to operate in the spectacular Shotover River Canyons.

Shotover Jet Inclusions:

• Experience the world famous ultimate ‘Jet Boat’ experience.
• 25 minutes on the water for your ‘Jet Boat’ ride.
• Life jackets supplied (mandatory)
• Full length spray jackets supplied (optional)
• Complimentary shuttle transfers from the ‘The Station’ Information Centre, Queenstown

Read more about Queenstowns Shotover Jet Boat ride and book it online with Relaxing Journeys!

20 Day Classic New Zealand Wine Trail

Starting in Auckland and finishing in Queenstown, this relaxing itinerary allows you to experience the best of food & wine the length of New Zealand. Travelling on the The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail serves up unforgettable wine and food experiences along the signposted 380km (240 mile) route. You’ll discover five of New Zealand’s most scenic regions, including three major wine-growing areas. From Hawke’s Bay in the North Island to Marlborough in the South Island, this is the gourmet motoring holiday that you can design to suit your taste. You then head further south down through Hanmer Springs, Wanaka and Queenstown with an amazing selection of properties to choose from along the way. [Visit 20 Day Classic New Zealand Wine Trail ]

12 Day Northern Wine Trail

Starting in Auckland and finishing in Wellington, travellers are taken off the beaten track, through five of New Zealand’s most interesting and scenic regions, offering wild beaches to rolling farmland. Every region on the Northern Wine Trail has its food and wine specialties. Hawke’s Bay will win you over with stylish reds, sexy chardonnays and orchards full of fruit; Wairarapa will woo you with pinot noir, pinot gris and a plethora of delicious eateries; the city of Wellington offers menu after menu of culinary creativity, as well as a robust coffee culture; and Marlborough will introduce you to the world’s best sauvignon blanc – a perfect match for local scallops and green-lipped mussels. With more than 300 eateries in Wellington and 100 cellar doors along the journey, it’s no wonder it’s a renowned gourmet holiday.  [Visit 12 Day Northern Wine Trail ]

11 Day Southern Wine Trail

Sunny days and cool nights caress river plains that run to the sea. Discover wine, fruit and seafood that is as unforgettable as the landscapes. Visit Havelock, “the Greenshell Mussel Capital of the World”  where succulent mussels are savoured  on an included cruise. Stay in Marlborough, New Zealand’s (some say the world’s) sauvignon blanc capital. With robust aromas and crisp flavours of gooseberry and capsicum, this varietal has been a glittering success for New Zealand. Luxuriate in Hamer Springs, and be guided around Wanaka & Queenstown’s scenic vineyards and wineries. [Visit 11 Day Southern Wine Trail ]

Explore!

Guided Nature Tours & Walks

1 Day Famous Routeburn Track
This full day walk starts from Queenstown with a scenic drive over the Crown Range and into the Matukituki Valley west of Lake Wanaka in the … more

1 Day Rob Roy Glacier Guided Walk
The Lakeshore Forest & Bird guided walk is a unique nature interpretative experience taken at a leisurely pace through native beech forest, with morning tea & … more

1/2 Day Wanaka Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk
Feel the breeze in your hair on board our purpose built jet boats as you wind your way past towering mountains, waterfalls and the unique landscapes … more

1/2 Day Lakeshore, Forest & Bird Guided Walk
The Lakeshore Forest & Bird guided walk is a unique nature interpretative experience taken at a leisurely pace through native beech forest, with morning tea & … more

1/2 Day Wanaka Jet Boat, Wilderness Walk & Heli Flight
Enjoy spectacular views of Mount Aspiring and her glaciers on this adventure packed half day tour. Jet boat, wilderness walk & heli flight adventure with a … more

1 Day Guided Nature Walk & Wine Tour
Exclusive full day tour where you’ll see real drama in the scenery, hear the pristine silence of the high country, savour the scent of pure clean … more

1 Day Ultimate Nature Experience
This full day adventure combines total wilderness walking through ancient beech forest in the Mount Aspiring National Park, with the Dart River Jet Safari. … more

1 Day Wanaka Nature Encounter
If you only have one day to explore Wanaka then this full-day nature encounter showcases the best of Wanaka’s raw natural beauty – all yours for … more

1/2 Day Wild Hills of Wanaka 4WD Safari
Experience the rugged beauty and solitude of the spectacular high country, bordering a World Heritage Area with this exclusive 4WD journey, exploring the private farm tracks … more

1 Day Snowshoeing Adventure
Come for an invigorating guided snowshoe walk with us into the beautiful New Zealand back country and discover what really makes New Zealand different. … more

1/2 Day Snowshoeing Discovery
Experience the serenity of the spectacular ‘back country’ around Queenstown this winter on snowshoes! … more

New Zealand Wine & Vineyard Tours

1 Day Kumeu Wine & Nature Tour
Enjoy a full day tour of New Zealand’s Top Vineyards, visiting 4 award-winning wineries for wine tasting, tour the Crescent Dairy Goats farm and try some … more

1 Day Great Tastes of Matakana
Experience a great day tour of New Zealand Wine, Art, Retail Therapy, and a unique visit of New Zealand’s largest display of live bees at The … more

1/2 Day Taste of Kumeu Wine Country Tour
A half day luxury tour of the Kumeu Wine Country, visiting 4 of New Zealand’s most renowned wineries, with spectacular contrasting costal scenery, for a unique … more

1 Day Queenstown Gourmet Wine Tour
This Gourmet Wine Tour is a day trip that leaves from Queenstown and takes you across the Central Otago wine country, stopping for wine tasting at … more

1/2 Day Queenstown Boutique Wine Tour
This Boutique Wine Tour is a half-day trip that leaves from Queenstown and takes you across the Central Otago wine country, stopping for wine tasting at … more

1 Day Queenstown Nature Walk & Wine Tour
This Nature Walk & Wine Tour full day tour starts off with a guided lakeshore walk through native flora and fauna, with magnificent lake and mountain … more

1 Day Marlborough Icons Tour From Blenheim
Experience the 3 icons of Marlborough – Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the Marlborough Sounds and Marlborough Greenshell Mussels – in one day with the Icons tour. Taste … more

1 Day Marlborough Icons Tour From Picton
Experience the 3 icons of Marlborough – Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the Marlborough Sounds and Marlborough Greenshell Mussels – in one day with the Icons tour. Taste … more

New Zealand Cultural & Themed Tours

1 Day Auckland Maori Cultural & Heritage Tour
A full day coach tour of Auckland, where you get to experience New Zealand’s wonderful Maori Culture, visit a marae, learn about Maori culture and language, … more

1/2 Day Auckland Maori Cultural & Heritage Tour
A half day coach tour of Auckland, where you get to experience the wonderful Maori Culture, visit a Marae, receive a Powhiri (welcome), learn Maori language … more

1/2 Day Hobbiton Movie Set & Farm Tour From Rotorua
For a real Middle Earth experience, this half day tour takes you from Rotorua to the Hobbiton movie set, to view The Shire setting that featured … more

2 1/2 Hour Hobbiton Movie Set & Farm Tour From Matamata
For a real Middle Earth experience, take this guided half day tour of the Hobbiton movie set, and view The Shire setting that featured in The … more

New Zealand Cruises & Sailing Adventures

1/2 Day Greenshell Mussel Cruise
Cruise the natural beauty of the Inner Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds in Marlborough, on this half day cruise. This tour takes you to the Greenshell Mussel … more

1/2 Day Sail Away Cruise on Lake Rotoiti
Lake Rotoiti is the most stunning and undiscovered lake of Rotorua, making it an idyllic destination for clients looking to embark on a luxurious sailing experience. … more

The largest tremor today, a 6.0, struck at about 2.20pm. The first shake hit at 1pm and was a magnitude 5.5 quake, but there have been other minor earthquakes over the afternoon. The first earthquake to hit Canterbury today struck near Darfield, but the remaining quakes have all been centred to the east of the city. The large quakes were felt as far away as Wellington and Invercargill, and caused further damage to buildings already damaged in the prior quake.

Authorities have confirmed there has been no loss of life or serious injuries in this afternoon’s major aftershocks, and all accommodation properties used by Relaxing Journeys as well as Christchurch Airport are operational as per normal. All New Zealand coach tours and self drive trips are running as normal.

Update 4th March 2011 – Tourists more welcome than ever in Canterbury

The earthquake should not stop people from holidaying in Canterbury and the South Island, the region’s tourism bosses say. They are urging people not to cancel their holiday plans and are moving to reassure holiday-makers the damage caused by the quake is confined largely to Christchurch’s CBD and its eastern suburbs. “Canterbury still has much to offer visitors and all the main tourism attractions outside of Christchurch City are operating as usual,” says Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism chief executive Tim Hunter.

“Tragically Christchurch’s central business district has taken a hammering and it is going to be some time before we can welcome visitors back there, but the vast majority of our region has come through the quake undamaged and is still open for business. Our economy is very reliant on tourism and it’s important for our recovery that we continue to attract visitors here. Christchurch International Airport is still fully operational and we’re hoping that people will show their support for our region by pushing ahead with their holiday plans,” Mr Hunter said.

We would like to begin with saying that our thoughts are with all those affected, their staff and families. Relaxing Journeys is working hard to support our clients in New Zealand at this time and those clients that are about to arrive in the near future.

25th February 2011 – Earthquake Hits Christchurch CBD

It’s difficult to know where to start.

To begin with let me reassure you Relaxing Journeys is operating as per usual and we have not been affected personally as our offices are located in Auckland & Australia.  We’d also like to thank those clients that have emailed or contacted us to express their concern for Kiwi’s they have met personally on their travels. We can confirm that the coach drivers, tour directors and their families from AAT Kings, APT Touring, Kirra Holidays & Grand Pacific are all safe. Kirra Holidays office in Christchurch was severely damaged and so staff there are spread out across the city including working from the hotel across the road and their own homes.

Relaxing Journeys are receiving constant updates from affected tourism businesses, operators and accommodation providers, so we can ensure alternative amendments to your itineraries are put in place if it’s likely you will be affected by the quakes aftermath. We will contact you personally by email if this is the case.

If you are travelling in March or April and want to know what’s going on right now with your trip, please email your consultant directly, rather that phone. S/he will be in touch as soon as s/he can with any possible changes in plan. Otherwise you’ll hear from him/her anyone when/if any changes to your trip are required.

Generally what is happening:

1. If you are travelling on a coach tour departing in March/April and it starts or finishes in Christchurch then it’s likely you’ll be accommodated outside of Christchurch. The starting point from some tours has been shifted to Wellington. We’ll let you know if this is the case

2. If you are travelling on a coach tour departing in March/April and it passes through Christchurch on it’s travels then it’s likely the itinerary will be amended to bypass Christchurch altogether and a stop will be added elsewhere on tour. We’ll let you know if this is the case.

3. If you are travelling on one of our self drive tours we will amend your itinerary to avoid staying in Christchurch. Your consultant will be in touch shortly if they have not already. If you are concerned, please email them directly as they are being swamped with calls at the moment.

4. All tours that are not travelling in or through Christchurch remain unaffected.

We’ll keep you all briefed here if there are any fundamental changes to the current situation. The official line for international passengers to New Zealand is:

Damage caused by the Christchurch earthquake on Tuesday, 22 February is localised to the Christchurch area of the south island of New Zealand. Visitors are currently advised to avoid non-essential travel to Christchurch City and Lyttelton.  Intending travellers are encouraged to keep travel bookings for New Zealand, but should avoid Christchurch City and Lyttelton.

All New Zealand airports, including Christchurch airport are open.

All main roads throughout New Zealand, including main roads out of Christchurch Airport are open.

Travellers should contact their travel agent, accommodation, attraction or tour provider directly should they have concerns about any current or upcoming bookings before changing their plans.

Travellers are advised that all services, including tourism businesses in other parts of New Zealand are operating as usual.

Areas of Canterbury that are operating normally include Akaroa, Kaikoura and Hanmer

If you’d like more information on what’s happening on the ground, you can follow the latest developments on the link below:

http://www.tourismnewzealand.com/news-and-features/latest-news/2011/02/christchurch-earthquake-latest-update/

Direct Links:

• Information for international travellers currently in New Zealand is available here.
• Information for travellers planning on visiting New Zealand is available here.
• Information for travellers with an imminent trip planned to the Christchurch area is available here.
• Information for travellers currently in the Christchurch area is available here.
• Information for friends and family of travellers who were in the Christchurch area on February 22 is available here.

Dear Georgie,

We’ve been home now for three weeks, enough time to go through the thousands of photos we took in New Zealand and select our 500 or so favorite to show our friends and watch them turn green with envy.  It was a most amazing and gratifying experience.  We thank you for the care Relaxing Journeys and Grand Pacific Tours took in making our trip a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime event.

From our first email exchange with you in the summer of 2009 until we stepped off the plane in Auckland on March 3, 2011, you were always there when we had questions or needed help in planning our milestone trip celebrating retirement.  I was amazed at how quickly you responded to our messages and how thorough you were in answering our questions.  Needless to say, we were delighted to see that same professionalism and attention to detail was evident in everyone we encountered from the gentlemen who transported us to and from the airports on arrival and departure to our tour guide and coach captains. 

New Zealand is a place of spectacular natural beauty.  Pristine is probably the best word.  About four days into the trip, it suddenly struck us that it is a country without billboards – those giant ever-present advertising displays that despoil the view throughout America.  Every city, town and village was sparkling clean.  The landscapes were breathtaking.

The trip had so many highlights that it is difficult to narrow them down.  Certainly the day and night we spent aboard the catamaran Ipippiri in the Bay of Islands was one of them.  That was early in our tour and gave us the opportunity to “bond” with our fellow tour members – all of whom turned out to be Australians.  By the end of the tour, we felt as if the Aussies had adopted us.  Australians, we found, are a lot like Texans.  Since we’re Texans, that was a very good thing indeed.  We made many, many good friends and have continued to exchange email messages with them since returning home.  Perhaps the high point of the tour was Milford Sound.  Words fail when we try to describe this natural wonder of high cliffs, deep blue water and magnificent waterfalls.  Surely Rudyard Kipling was not exaggerating when he reportedly called Milford Sound the eighth wonder of the world. 

There were so many other amazing scenes – from Rotorua’s mud pools and steaming geysers to Mount Cook to Fox Glacier.  None of it would have been nearly so meaningful without the expert and knowledgeable commentary of our coach captains Steve and Pete and tour guide Nick.  It was worth the price of the trip just to get to listen to Pete Knowlin talk about his native land, tell of his experiences and share his very funny jokes and witty commentaries.  We wish we had a recording of Pete’s soliloquy on what it was like growing up on a New Zealand dairy farm, especially the details about milking cows.  Both Pete and Steve were outstanding drivers.  Along with tour guide Nick they kept us on time and in good spirits. 

In closing, I want to say a few words about how your company and Grand Pacific Tours put the customer first.  A week or so before we were scheduled to leave Texas for New Zealand, Christchurch was devastated by an earthquake.  It was a little scary going to New Zealand for a tour with an itinerary that included time in Christchurch.  Our tour was changed in a way that disturbed the original itinerary as little as possible while putting client safety as the prime concern.  Where different destinations had to be selected, every effort was made to ensure that the new location was of the same or better quality than the original.  In general, I would rate the lodging facilities throughout the tour as good to very good and the food as very good to excellent/outstanding. 

Without hesitation we would recommend Relaxing Journeys to our friends.  Thank you so much for making our tour such a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Jim and Joan Bowman

If you want to read more of what our clients think of us and their adventures, you can read more here.

Your overnight cruise includes:

• Ocean view cabin with private en suite
• Buffet dinner and cooked breakfast
• Complimentary activities: snorkelling, kayaking, island walks

Valid for bookings made and travelled this month only (April 2011). So hurry!

To book the cruise click here

About Ipipiri

Hotels in and around Christchurch are starting to re-open. Between the Airport and the central city there are currently 15 hotels open, including the five-star The George Hotel, which boasts two top class
restaurants. There are also 105 motels open in the city. While the so-called red zone remains offlimits, in the western suburbs life has already largely returned to normal. The city’s two biggest shopping malls are open and suburban bars and restaurants are doing a roaring trade as they cater to both visitors and locals. There is talk too of constructing a temporary entertainment hub in Christchurch for the many bars and restaurants that have been forced out of the central city by quake damage.

Key visitor attractions like Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Orana Wildlife Park, the International Antarctic Centre, Wigram Airforce Museum, and the TranzAlpine train service are operating as usual and visitors are continuing to use Christchurch as the gateway to the South Island.

The Christchurch City Council has pledged to push ahead with its annual New Zealand Cup and Show Week Festival in November, and the recently announced BMW New Zealand Golf Open is also going ahead in December as planned, at Clearwater Resort.

Source: Travel Memo

Following the devastating earthquake in Christchurch on February 22 this year, New Zealand has been in shock. It’s going to take a lot of love and a lot of cash to help rebuild the city. Tourism makes up approximately 10% of New Zealand’s GDP and it is essential for the world to know that New Zealand is open for business, and that it doesn’t look like a war zone.

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