Glow in the Dark Experiences, Casino Games and More:
Exciting Experiences in New Zealand and Oz
Travelling anywhere, whether it’s at home or abroad, requires a ton of planning if you want to do things the right way. Anyone that’s browsed our site will know that as we’ve covered almost every topic related to the subject.
For example, if you want to know what the best sing-along tunes are for an epic road trip (think Bon Jovi – Livin’ On a Prayer and the rest of our top road trip tunes in 30 Road Trip Songs), we’ve got you covered. However, something that often gets overlooked in among the tips on how to do X, Y and Z is what you can actually do when you arrive at your destination. With this in mind, we’ve put together some activities you have to try when you’re travelling around New Zealand or if you decide to hop across the ditch to our neighbours, Australia…
“The Glow Worm Tunnel” (CC BY 2.0) by ibsut
Do Something Different
Everyone knows about the Great Barrier Reef, Ayres Rock and Bondi Beach, but how about trying something a little different on your trip to Australia? For those that like to get their feet wet, Gippsland Lakes is perfect. Made unique by a series of fortuitous weather conditions between 2006 and 2008, this lake in Victoria glows in the dark. Thanks to magnificently fluorescent bacteria known as Noctiluca scintillans, you can take a midnight dip even without the light of the moon. If light is your thing but you’re not too hot on getting wet, try Newnes Glow Worm Tunnel. Similar to New Zealand’s Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, this hole in the rocks will make you feel like the stars are out even in the middle of the day.
“Crown Casino 3” (CC BY 2.0) by Abeeeer
Party Like a High Roller
For entertainment under one roof, New Zealand and Australia’s largest casinos are perfect. Thanks to the advent of online gaming across the two countries, the average casino visitor profile has changed over the last decade. Recent estimates suggest 40% of New Zealanders now play some form of online casino game. When you combine this with websites like www.pokies-online.co.nz that give novices an overview of the how to play pokies and more, it’s easy to see why the demographics have evolved. Today, live casinos cater to both ends of the experience spectrum. This means you can visit a venue like Sky City Auckland and not only bet on blackjack and roulette but also eat at places like MASU by Nic Watt. If you’re crossing the Tasman Sea, Melbourne’s Crown Casino features a similar array of famous eateries as well as bars, clubs and full-scale theatre.
Eat, Drink and be Merry
The pinnacle of any trip, whether it’s at home or abroad, is sampling some local delicacies. Whatever region you visit in New Zealand, there’ll be some sort of local dish. Sticking closer to home, there’s nothing better than catching and cooking your own Tuatua. The native shellfish is partial to a golden beach, so head to the sandy stretch just off the main beach at Mt Maunganui. For those taking in the sights of Oz, head for an outback pub. Our top pick is the www.prairiehotel.com.au in Flinders Ranges. A five-hour drive from Adelaide, this nowhere town is where you’ll find a hotel serving locally brewed lager and something known as the Feral Mixed Grill. Consisting of kangaroo fillet, emu, camel sausage and creamy mash with a red wine and pepper leaf glaze, this is a feast fit for any native Aussie!
Of course, there are dozens more things we could have listed here. However, if you’re travelling the country or planning your first trip to Australia, you won’t go far wrong with the above options. Even if you choose just one or two, you’ll get to see some of the best things our part of the world has to offer.
What do you suggest doing when travelling around NZ and Australia?
Written by Emily Blake
The source of our #fomo, Emily is constantly jetting overseas. A coffee aficionado, you’ll most likely find her swiping right on Tinder and daydreaming about her next adventure.
Favourite karaoke song: Wonderwall by Oasis
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