Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Airplay Paragliding
PARAGLIDING
( 06-845 1977;
www.airplay.co.nz
;
1-day courses $220)
Te Mata Peak is a paragliding hot
spot, with updraughts aplenty. Airplay offers full-day beginners' courses if you're keen
to take the drop.
Tours
See
Click here
for two-wheeled tours around the area.
Long Island Guides
GUIDED TOUR
( 06-874 7877;
www.longislandtoursnz.com
; half-day from $180)
Customised tours across a
wide range of interests including Maori culture, bush walks, kayaking, horse riding and,
inevitably, food and wine.
Prinsy's Tours
WINE
( 0800 004 237, 06-845 3703;
www.prinsyexperience.co.nz
; half-/full-day tours from $60/85)
Affable half- or full-day wine jaunts, with layman's-lingo explanations at four or five
wineries.
Waimarama Tours
CULTURAL TOUR
( 021 057 0935;
www.waimaramaori.com
; 2-4hr tours from $70)
Maori-run tours of Te Mata
Peak, with plenty of cultural insights en route.
Grape Escape
WINE
( 0800 100 489;
www.grapeescape.net.nz
; tours from $70)
Half-day winery tours, visiting
four or five cellar doors, or six hours with a lunch stop ($90). Ask about beer tours if
you're more of an ale hound.
Festivals & Events
Hastings Blossom Festival
CULTURE
(
www.blossomfestival.co.nz
)
The Hastings Blossom Festival is a petalled spring fling, in-
famous for its 12-person 'riot' in 1960. The flowery insubordination happens in the
second half of September: parades, arts, crafts and visiting artists.
Sleeping
