noel – Page 31 – Transfercar Blog

What to do when visiting a Marae in New Zealand

When travelling around New Zealand, it is highly likely you will be taken to visit some of the local Marae. These are sacred meeting houses for Maori and are symbols of tribal identity. Considered by Māori as tūrangawaewae – (standing places or places of belonging), they facilitate public discussions and debates, funerals and celebrations and other local gatherings. They are often elaborately carved and designed community spaces equip with a dining hall and cooking area and the marae ātea (sacred space in front of the meeting house).

When visiting a Marae, it is important that you are prepared. Before the visit: Continue reading What to do when visiting a Marae in New Zealand

Australia’s backpacker industry ‘in crisis’

AUSTRALIA’S backpacker tourism industry is facing the biggest crisis in its history, with many tour operators struggling to survive following big falls in young travellers.

The number of people staying in hostels has fallen by nearly seven per cent over the past two years, down from 593,000 per year in March 2010.

By Marina Thomas | News Limited Network

For great relocation deals, check out Transfercar.com.au

Food for camping: Quick and easy cashew nut cups

I’ve recently come back from a well needed stay at a Yoga retreat in Koh Samui, Thailand (Samahita Retreat) where we trained in Ashtanga Yoga twice a day. As you can imagine, the food was delicious, organic and highly nutritious. However with all that training, my craving for something sweet was almost overpowering (and there is only so much honey you can put in a herbal tea!).

Amongst some of the incredibly mouth watering desserts available was a little beauty called a Cashew Nut Cup. Now why is this a good addition to Transfercar’s travel blog you ask? The reason being, that this can be easily made on a gas stove, over hot coals or on a BBQ, making it a fantastic travel treat that is cheap and easy to prepare. Check this out yourself. Continue reading Food for camping: Quick and easy cashew nut cups

Black sand and burnt feet: Navigating the West Coast beaches of New Zealand

New Zealand is a country of contrasts. From the rolling hills of the North to the majestic, snow capped peaks of the South, it truly is a place of epic variations. Where the East is home to smooth waves and white sand, the West is united by jet black coastlines and turbulent waters loved by surfers worldwide. Both are as beautiful as the other, and can leave you breathless with wonder or lifeless if care is not taken.

Welcome to the Wild West…….. Continue reading Black sand and burnt feet: Navigating the West Coast beaches of New Zealand

To and from Hobart, Australia on the Spirit of Tasmania: Ferry times, booking and prices

Transfercar have a number of Australian companies needing their vehicles relocated across the Bass Strait between Hobart, Melbourne and then further on to other cities such as Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. As we often get questions as to prices and ferry times etc, we thought it would be a good subject to write about. Continue reading To and from Hobart, Australia on the Spirit of Tasmania: Ferry times, booking and prices

Crossing the Cook Strait, New Zealand by ferry: Travel times, booking, prices & other interesting information

Travelling between the North and South Islands of New Zealand means crossing the Cook Strait. The only way to do this with a vehicle is by taking a ferry with either the Interislander or Bluebridge which both arrive and depart from Picton and Wellington.

The Cook Strait crossing (Raukawa Moana in Māori) is the connection between the Tasman Sea on the West, the South Pacific Ocean on the East and the North and South Islands of Aotearoa.

Considered one of New Zealand’s most iconic tourist experiences, and one of the most spectacular ferry crossings in the world, crossing the Cook Strait is a top to-do on many travellers bucket list. As with many stunning vistas though, the Cook Strait is also considered one of the most dangerous and unpredictable pieces of aquatic paradise around. Continue reading Crossing the Cook Strait, New Zealand by ferry: Travel times, booking, prices & other interesting information