Spring in New Zealand

As we enjoy summer in the northern hemisphere, New Zealand, which is in the southern hemisphere - is looking forward to the advent of Spring which began on Septembet 1. Kiwis are looking forward to the warming days and a calendar that is filled with a variety of events - that appeals both to residents and to visitors.

Auckland, while not the capital, is the largest city on the North Island and the International gateway to the country.

Sports lovers will welcome the spring which kicks off on September 9 with the Rugby World Cup 2011, in Auckland. For the real Rugby foillowers, the Fan Trail is a highlight of the upcoming match, which starts at Queen Elizabeth Square, and goes all the way - on foot - to Eden Park in Kingsland. Along the trail there will be entertainment and prizes.

Another welcome activity - Spring Fashion weekend - is held at the Viaduct Event Center, on September 2nd. This event is of special appeal to the KIWIs as it Showcases their fashions to the world. A week of fashion shows, entertainment, and "designer garage sales", winds up on September 9.

Spring in Hastings, in the Hawkes Bay area, arrives with the annual "Blossom Festival" on September 15. Nine days of food, wine, and festivities - including the "Olive Festival". There will be parades with blossom-themed decorated floats, marching bands - and this year the French and Canadian Rugby Team, will be played a match.

In nearby Gisborne "the first place to see the sun" in New Zealand, visitors can join the locals on October 23rd, for a Wine and Food Festival to taste and experience the local beer, superb wine and regional food of the area. Get yourself a "Wine trail map" and visit the vineyards and boutique wineries for which Gisborne is justly famous. But be sure to include time at the beach as the area is also well known for its "white sand beaches and golden sunrises.

North of Auckland, seafood lovers will revel in the delicious seafood, premier wines, and great entertainment on September 18, at the Marsden Cove Marina. Along the beautiful coastline, dotted with islands, boating, fishing, diving, kayaking and surfing, can be enjoyed by those - who stay after the one day festivity.

Spring is a wonderful time, when nature burst forth and sheds the winter blues. Garden Festivals are a wonderful way to welcome this season and the Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival - held from October 27th to November 5th - has a range of gardens to visit - throughout coastal Taranaki. Located on the West Coast of New Zealand - between Auckland and Wellington - it is easily reached - by a short flight or a spectacular scenic drive. Once there the area has many exciting activities -
a. helicopter rides over Taranaki Mountain
b. hike to Dawson Falls in Egmont national Park
c. wander through the inner-city wonderland - Pukekura Park - which should be at
its best in the Spring.

Just north of Wellington - the Capital - Martinborough, one of New Zealand's wine producing regions, celebrates "new releases and vintage wines" on November 21st. This one-day event of winning wines, gourmet food and live entertainment is one of the years most looked-forward-to-events. Festival goers can easily walk between the 10 participating vineyards, sampling their wares.

To welcome the spring, on September 17, Wellington unfolds their 2 week festival with a plant sale, followed by workshops on growing vegetables and beautiful flowers. As the days go by there is
a. spring flower shows
b. Tulips in the Botanical garden, which has been specially planted to bloom in the colors of
the national flag of each team's country.
c. guided walks and tours
d. Glow-worm guided tours, and tree climbing for the kids
ending with a variety of concerts.

On the first of October this year, Kaikoura will again celebrate the abundance from the sea. The Seafest is the ideal place to try the delicious New Zealand crayfish fresh from the sea. The locals "dress" for the occassion, so one is apt to meet a mermaid or pirate, while enoying the different entertainment and food venues. While in the area enjoy whale-watching; check for any new seal pups in the seal colonies along the coastline; get out the fishing gear (or rent it) this is the start of the fishing season; and enjoy views of the mountains, with the last of the spring snow on top - for the avid skier they can enjoy one more run at Mount Lyford, it's only a short distance from Kaikoura.

New experiences is what travel is all about, and visitors can find just such an event at Otago's Gibbston Valley Winery Cave, deep in the solid mountainside. On September 10th experience the unique art of wine making and tasting, after touring the Pinot producing vineyards of the region.

Two weekends in October - the 8-9 and 15-16 - Queenstown invites everyone to visit their mini food "Wine and Arts Festival", which showcases the best the region has to offer, and it all takes place during the sime-finals of the Rugby World Cup. There are lots of activities to take part in, as Queenstown is known as the "Adventure Capital of the World". Experience the death-defying "Bungy Jump"; go "jet boating"; check out the "Middle Earth locations of the Lord of the Rings" where filming took place; try "White water rafting" on the mighty Kawarau River as you blast through the"Roaring Meg Rapids"; or take a trip on the famous "Lady of the Lake" - the TSS Earnslaw - which has been in operation since 1912.

It's spring and what would be better than seeing beautiful Rhododendrons, then come to Dunedin's Rhododendron Festival held two weeks in October - 15-16 and 29-30. Take a tour to see the rhododendrons and magnolias nestled among the native trees, the colorful woodland gardens and the chinese garden. There will be golf tournaments, photo competitions and hair-raising ghost tours among the many activities taking place. This is the place to be, for all flowers and garden lovers.

New Zealand loves to celebrate the seasons of the year, and with spring now here, it is a wonderful time to visit as each town, city or hamlet has some kind of festival. Whether it be wine and food, late winter/early spring skiing, gardens, art or music, it is easy to find festivals that appeals to the individual tastes. Visit http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/ to find the one you want.