TOURING AND LEISURE
Melbourne is currently Australia’s fastest growing destination for international visitors – and has been ranked in the top 5 Best Cities of the World to visit, by leading USA travel magazines Conde Nast and Travel & Leisure. It boasts some of the world’s best shopping, dining and entertainment precincts – activities important to Congress delegates.
GREATER MELBOURNE AND REGIONAL VICTORIAN ATTRACTIONS >>
TOURING AUSTRALIA >>
TOURING AND LEISURE IN NEW ZEALAND >>
GREATER MELBOURNE AND REGIONAL
VICTORIAN ATTRACTIONS
There is so much right on Melbourne’s doorstep. The State of Victoria is such a compact place that you can leave the city for a round on a world class golf course, visit a superb winery, stop for a dip at the beach and be in your chalet in the mountains as the sun sets. Melbourne, Victoria provides delegates with endless opportunities for touring all within a short drive of Melbourne. Some of these authentic Australian experiences:
Yarra Valley – a gourmet food and wine trail, leading past native animal sanctuaries, world class golf and hot-air ballooning. The Mornington Peninsula – with its stunning national parks, coastal walks, the Great Ocean Road – recognised as one of the world’s most scenic drives following the stunning coastline of the Great Southern Ocean and winding through lush rainforests and small seaside villages, to the famous Twelve Apostles rock formation. Phillip Island – the most popular wildlife attraction in Australia, including the Penguin Parade, koala conservation centre and fur seals. Goldfields – outstanding regional cities that exude history. Pan for gold and tour the underground mines at Sovereign Hill –a recreation of Ballarat in the 1850’s. Great Alpine Road – winding through majestic alpine peaks and historic towns. Daylesford and Hepburn Springs – a natural wonder with famous healing waters and the highest concentration of mineral springs in Australia.
Melbourne, Australia offers Congress delegates the chance to enjoy all that the “world’s most liveable city” has to offer. Then, once the city has been discovered there’s so much more to take in around regional Victoria.
Attractions in Melbourne and Victoria
Victoria boasts some of the most inspired and contemporary attractions in the world. Listed below are some of Melbourne and Victoria’s top attractions:
1. National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
Located within easy walking distance, The NGV International on St Kilda Road and the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square are the two homes of The National Gallery of Victoria. The NGV International houses an impressive international collection. The Ian Potter Centre holds a superb collection of Australian indigenous and non-indigenous art from the colonial period to the present day.
2. Federation Square
Federation Square is the city’s and one of the worlds most striking centre pieces. Situated on the edge of the Yarra River and across the road from Flinders Street Station, Federation Square offers an array of attractions - galleries, cinemas, restaurants, cafés and bars. Federation Square’s location, nature and design make it one of Victoria’s ‘must see’ destinations .
3. Melbourne Aquarium
Located on the banks of the Yarra River in the city centre, the Melbourne Aquarium is home to thousands of creatures from the Southern Ocean. Discover the inhabitants of Victoria’s bays, estuaries and rivers or observe the starfish, eels and turtles among the mangroves and rock pools. Stroll through the transparent tunnels and be mesmerised by the sharks, stingrays and sea turtles.
4. Melbourne Museum
The Melbourne Museum is the largest museum complex in the Southern Hemisphere. Located over six levels, the museum features the latest technology allowing visitors to gain an insight into Australia’s flora, fauna and culture. Visit the Australia Gallery; discover the vibrant history of Melbourne and Victoria.
5. Eureka Skydeck 88
Created to reach for the sky, nothing you have ever experienced will prepare you for the awe inspiring view of Melbourne from the Southern Hemisphere's highest viewing platform.
6. Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre
Come and experience the unique and exciting Aboriginal Culture of South-Eastern Australia at the Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre. The Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre displays more than 10,000 artefacts, books, artworks and photographs. The Trust is the only Cultural Centre in Australia that displays and exhibits the history and culture of the Indigenous people of a specific region. Discover the fascinating history of South-Eastern Australian Aboriginals.
7. Melbourne Zoo
Melbourne ZooThe Melbourne Zoo is the oldest in Australia featuring more than 350 animal species from around the world in the zoo’s attractive enclosures and botanical settings. Visitors can wander through an African and Asian rainforest displaying gorillas, pygmy hippopotamus and tigers, or see an extensive collection of Australian animals including koalas, kangaroos, wombats and the duck-billed platypus.
8. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is the 'super stage' of Australian sport and entertainment, having housed events ranging from the 1956 Olympics to concerts by the likes of the Rolling Stones. This cultural icon is one of the two most important cricket grounds in the world. The MCG is within 15 minutes walking distance from the city centre with railway, tramway and bus links to all suburbs.
9. Queen Victoria Market
Queen Victoria Market is one of the largest and oldest markets in the Southern Hemisphere. With plenty of general merchandise available including fashion items at reasonable prices, souvenirs for international and interstate visitors, there is something on offer to suit all tastes and budgets. Buskers and entertainers are part of the atmosphere and on Sundays one of the streets is sealed off to traffic allowing market goers to wander between all sections of the market whilst enjoying a mouth watering selection of local food and the vast array of live entertainment.
10. Royal Botanic Gardens
The gardens feature over 12,000 different species of plants and are a natural sanctuary for native wildlife. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the gardens stopping to visit its many highlights including the Ornamental Lake, the National Herbarium of Victoria, Old Melbourne Observatory, the Australian Rainforest Walk and the Water Conservation Garden. During summer the gardens host the Moonlight Cinema, an outdoor cinema with twilight screenings of all the great classics.
11. Phillip Island Nature Park
Located 90 minutes from Melbourne, Phillip Island Nature Park offers a uniquely Australian wildlife experience. Home to the famous Penguin Parade, visitors can watch little penguins emerge each night from the surf and waddle to their burrows on the foreshore. Apart from the Penguin Parade, Phillip Island Nature Park manages the Koala Conservation Centre, historic Churchill Island, Rhyll Inlet, Woolamai and the Nobbies.
12. Sovereign Hill
Actors in period costume in Sovereign Hill One of Victoria’s most popular tourist attractions, Sovereign Hill is a fabulous re-creation of the hustle and bustle of life in Ballarat in the 1850s. Situated on a former goldmining site, Sovereign Hill allows you to experience all of the traditional activities like panning for real gold, riding in horse-drawn carriages, or simply exploring the working and living conditions of years past. At night, Sovereign Hill holds a spectacular 80-minute sound and light show on the Eureka Rebellion, dramatically called ‘Blood on the Southern Cross’, which is Australia’s only uprising: it took place in 1854 at Ballarat.
TOURING AUSTRALIA
Delegates will also be attracted by the ease of access and affordability, to the rest of Australia’s major attractions – Sydney Harbour, the Great Barrier Reef, the Red Centre, South Australia’s wineries, Tasmania’s rugged beauty and the great expanses of Western Australia. This means that many delegates will also use the opportunity of coming to Melbourne for ICI 2016, to bring their partners and family and visit other Australian destinations either pre-or-post Conference for some leisure time.
New South Wales
Enjoy the big city buzz of Sydney, with its famous Opera House and the beauty of its world renowned harbour. Then step away to soak up the local flavours of the regions of New South Wales. Laze on a beach, hike in fresh mountain air, or journey to the red Outback. Canberra, the nation’s capital, is a city designed to reflect an entire nation. Its galleries, wineries and parklands symbolise who we are.
Northern Territory
Spectacular natural attractions such as Uluru (Ayers Rock), world heritage listed Kakadu National Park and Nimiluk (Katherine) Gorge are a must see. From balloon flights over the centre to sunset cruises on Darwin harbour and four wheel drive safaris through the Outback, the Northern Territory has something for everyone.
Queensland
"Beautiful one day, perfect the next", is a phrase often used to describe ‘the Sunshine State’. Queensland is a warm sub-tropical climate full of dense rainforests, beautiful white sandy beaches with pure blue water. The state’s major attraction is the majestic Great Barrier Reef, a delicate reef ecosystem that evolved over hundreds of thousands of years.
South Australia
South Australia is renowned for its famous wine regions including the Barossa Valley with a bountiful heritage. South Australia’s capital, Adelaide, is an elegant city of wide streets and gracious colonial architecture surrounded by beautifully laid out parklands for cycling, walking, sports and picnicking.
Tasmania
Tasmania, also known as the ‘island state’ is a haven to some of our planet’s oldest trees, prehistoric plant life and most appealing animals and birds. Tasmania is a paradise for bushwalkers, anglers, boat enthusiasts and rock-climbers. The south is a region of vineyards, valleys, winding waterways and historic sites and villages.
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state with a diversity of natural attractions. Swim alongside the world’s largest fish, the whale shark, explore caves, browse fine art and craft galleries and see quaint historic towns. The untamed and remote Kimberley is one of the world’s last great wilderness areas, with vast horizons, ancient gorges, astounding rock formations and rock pools.
TOURING AND LEISURE IN NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand offers conference delegates the chance to enjoy breathtaking landscapes, lush forests, unique wildlife and a variety of world class outdoor activities. Top Attractions in New Zealand:
New Zealand boasts some of the most inspired and contemporary attractions in the world. Listed below are some of New Zealand’s top attractions:
Rotorua
From the moment you enter Rotorua, you know you are somewhere quite different. Sneaky threads of steam issue from parks, pathways and streets and the occasional scent of sulphur wafts through the air - a hint of what’s in store. And you don’t need to look far. Minutes from the city centre, geysers of steaming water roar from the ground. Pools of bubbling mud gurgle and belch. In geothermal fields around Rotorua, steam rises from placid lakes and flowing streams. Dazzling silica terraces display a kaleidoscope of colour. Towering volcanoes, now sleeping giants, are unmistakable reminders of the landscape’s turbulent past. Extinct volcanic craters provide the vessels for Rotorua’s crystal lakes. And to round off a day of geothermal exploration, relax in pools of naturally heated mineral water and experience for yourself why Rotorua is called ‘Nature’s Spa of the South Pacific’.
Mt Tarawera
Welcome to Mt Tarawera, resting within the traditional boundaries of the Te Arawa people. The Ngati Rangitihi sub-tribe of the Te Arawa people traditionally inhabited the north eastern side of Tarawera, including the sacred Ruawahia dome. The summit area today is recognised as multiply-owned Maori land and administered by a trust - Ruawahia 2B trust. It is responsible for the 1843 hectares which runs across the top of the 3 peaks. Accordingly we ask that all visitors to the mountain respect the conditions of access and acknowledge the sacred and special nature of the mountain as a tribal landmark. HE MAUNGA TAPU - A SACRED MOUNTAIN, Maori people acknowledge an important significance to land and identify their role as kaitiaki or guardians of the natural domains and features for future generations. Maori use significant landmarks to identify their tribal regions, and residents of specific areas today, are descendents of the early Maori explorers. TARAWERA is also considered sacred because of the devastation which occurred on 10 June 1886, killing 153 people. Many of those who perished lie where they fell, within the shadow of this sleeping giant.
Queenstown
Queenstown is the most popular New Zealand destination for international visitors. It is a place with great natural beauty that changes with the seasons. Whether the attraction is the lake and sunshine in summer or snow clad mountains in winter Queenstown is a great place to visit all year round. Nestled beside Lake Wakatipu in the Southern Lakes district of New Zealand Queenstown is a cosmopolitan town offering a wide range of accommodation, food, and activities. Queenstown has something for all ages, all budgets and for all adrenalin levels. Queenstown is the adventure tourism capital of New Zealand. It offers Skiing, Jet Boating, White Water Rafting and, of course, Bungy Jumping and more. For a more gentle pace there many scenic walks, the Gondola to ride to the spectacular views from the top of Queenstown Hill and golf courses; both beside the lake at Kelvin Heights and at the luxury Millbrook Resort. Queenstown is a great place to base yourself while you explore Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park and the Southern Lakes region. The beauty of Queenstown’s lake side location and the range of accommodation and attractions available make it an essential part of any visit to New Zealand.
Franz Joseph Glazier
From its origins high in the Southern Alps, the Franz Josef Glacier descends deep into the lush rainforest of Westland’s National Park, from a height of 2700m above sea level to only 240m in as little as 11 km, making it the worlds steepest and fastest flowing commercially guided glacier. It is the rugged gradient of the Franz Josef Glacier that ensures the most dramatic glacier scenery available to the general public anywhere in the world.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
A Fantasy Land of Ice and Rock - Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Glaciers cover 40 percent of the breathtaking Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. With 19 peaks over 3,000 metres high, the Park is home to New Zealand's highest mountain, Mount Cook, or Aoraki as it is also known. The park is also part of Te Wahipounamu - South Westland World Heritage Area - in recognition of its outstanding natural value. From Twizel a sealed road leads right into the Park. Aoraki/Mount Cook Village lies at the end of the road, just below the terminals of the Hooker and Mueller Glaciers. Accommodation at Aoraki Mount Cook Village ranges from backpackers lodges through to luxury accommodation.
Fiordland & Milford Sound
Fiordland is New Zealand's largest national park at almost 3 million acres. Milford Sound, one of the must see locations in Fiordland, described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, was carved out during successive ice ages and, at its deepest point off Mitre Peak, plunges to a depth of 265 metres. The grandeur of Milford Sound can be appreciated from the air or water. Bowen Falls, hurtling 165 metres into the sea, and the Stirling Falls further down the sound, set amidst the towering cliffs and dwarfed by Mitre Peak, are truly spectacular after rain. Bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and Fiordland crested penguins are resident in the fiord and can be viewed up close from the launch cruises or kayak trips. A variety of launch cruises run daily on Milford Sound and overnight packages are also offered. Spectacular kayaking and diving trips are very popular, as is the Underwater Observatory.
Putangirua Pinnacles
Around seven million years ago, the Aorangi Range was an island. As the mountains eroded, scree and gravel were washed down to the coast, where they formed a sedimentary layer. Over the past 120,000 years, the Putangirua Stream has exposed this ancient layer of gravel to the erosive forces of rain and floods. Some of the sediments stayed concreted together, while others washed away. The result is the Putangirua Pinnacles, an amazing collection of hoodoos. This outlandish place was used as a filming location for the "Paths of the Dead" scene in the Return of the King, the third movie in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy. To find the Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve, drive about 13 kilometres along Cape Palliser Road from the Lake Ferry turn-off. The reserve has a camping ground and a choice of walking tracks. Three of the walks lead to the Pinnacles. You need to allow about three hours for the round trip.
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo is about two-and-a-half to three hours drive south-west of Christchurch. The township faces north across the remarkable turquoise-coloured lake to the mountainous drama of the Southern Alps. Lake Tekapo is given its intense milky-turquoise hue by fine rock-flour, dust ground by glacial movement and held in suspension by the lake's waters. In this majestic and peaceful setting, relaxation and leisurely strolls might be your highest priority. An obvious short walk is to the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, where the altar window frames a perfect view of the Alps. Close by is the ‘sheepdog monument’ - a bronze statue sculpted to recognise the district's debt to the sheepdog ‘without the help of which the grazing of the mountainous country would be impossible’. In season Lake Tekapo, and more particularly its smaller neighbours, Lakes Alexandrina, McGregor and Conway, are good for brown and rainbow trout. In winter the township is host to the visitors who come to enjoy Tekapo's nearby skifield.
Captain Cook’s Landing Site
This reserve marks the historic site where, on 9 October 1769, Captain Cook first landed in New Zealand. Statues of Captain Cook and Young Nick (the first crewman to sight New Zealand) are situated at the mouth of the Turanganui River near Waikanae Beach. The striking headland protecting the southern opening of Poverty Bay bears the name Young Nick’s Head, after Cook’s far-sighted cabin boy, Nicholas Young. Visit Titirangi Domain, Kaiti Hill for views over the Poverty Bay area and the picturesque white cliffs of Young Nick’s Head. Drive up from Ranfurly Street to park at a variety of lookouts, or walk the walkways (entrance along Kaiti Beach Road) to enjoy the native trees and picnic areas.
Coastal Beauty
With more than 15,000 kilometres of coastline, New Zealand knows all the moods of the sea. On the east coast the Pacific Ocean plays along bays and beaches where white sand, surf and calm harbours provide enormous scope for fun. On the west coast the Tasman Sea, notoriously wild, breaks against rugged cliffs, weathered rocks and long, soulful stretches of black sand. If you’re an ocean-loving person, there are road journeys that will keep you in touch with the sea every step of the way. Northland has the Twin Coast Discovery Highway, a touring route that includes both the east and west coasts. In the far south, the trip along the Catlins coast is famously photogenic. Taranaki’s Surf Highway 45 is a west coast experience for people who want to find some of the best surf breaks in the country. Pack your sandals, shorts and sunblock, and always be prepared for spontaneous picnics. Wherever you are in New Zealand, you’re never far from a day at the beach.
Whale Watching
Kaikoura, on the east coast of the South Island, is the main centre for whale watching in New Zealand. It’s one of the only places in the world where you can easily see sperm whales. Sperm whales, the largest of the toothed whales, grow to over 15 metres in length. They dive deep into the ocean to feed. The resident population of sperm whales at Kaikoura can be seen all year round. Orca (killer whales) may be seen from December to March, and humpback whales in June and July. Several dolphin species are seen almost daily in the area. Whales thrive close to Kaikoura because of its unusual submarine landscape. The continental shelf drops quickly into a number of extremely deep underwater canyons. In addition, a warm current from the north meets a colder one from the south. This causes nutrients from deep within the ocean to be carried upward, a phenomenon that helps to support all types of marine life from plankton and krill to dolphins and whales.
Snow Skiing
The Tasman Glacier in the South Island’s Southern Alps provides excellent skiing. Whether you’ve never felt snow before or you’re permanently in powder, New Zealand offers ski adventures that will keep you begging for "just one more run". In the North Island there are two commercial ski fields (Turoa and Whakapapa) on Mount Ruapehu, an active volcanic cone. In the south, the Southern Alps offer a large choice of ski fields with spectacular alpine scenery and lively resort towns for fun at the end of the day.
The Remarkables, Cardrona, Treble Cone and Coronet Peak fields are centred on the resort towns of Queenstown and Wanaka. There’s also a Nordic skiing area near Wanaka, with 25 kilometres of groomed cross-country trails. The Mount Hutt field in Canterbury has the longest ski season in the country. For a ski experience that’s pure adrenalin, experienced heliski operators will take intermediate and advanced skiers up into the alps to discover open bowls of powder and steep, high-speed chutes.
Jet Boating
Like a jet aircraft, a jet boat has no external propeller. Instead, it squirts water out at high speed just below the surface behind the boat. This allows the boat to operate in depths of only a few centimetres. The jet boat was developed in the 1960s by New Zealand farmer William (Bill) Hamilton, to allow navigation of the shallow Canterbury rivers. However, enterprising New Zealanders soon realised its potential as an adventure activity. Sit back, buckle yourself in and feel the acceleration. A New Zealand jet boat ride will take you powering through narrow river gorges, almost brushing against sheer rock faces; or skimming across the surface of water channels that weave through the shingle banks of braided rivers. Jet boating is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness, and can be enjoyed the whole year round. Some of the most exhilarating trips are available near Queenstown and Canterbury. Other areas include the Buller and Makarora regions in the South Island and the Rangitaiki, Whanganui and Waikato Rivers in the North Island.
Spas, Thermal Pools & Health Resorts
There’s no better way to click into holiday mode than to soak in a thermal pool and indulge in a relaxing therapeutic massage or beauty treatment. New Zealand is located where two tectonic plates of the earth’s crust meet. This causes a large amount of geothermal activity, so enjoying hot mineral pools has always been a part of the New Zealand way of life. The larger cities offer luxurious day spas that make an ideal start to your holiday in New Zealand. Quiet retreats in the countryside or deep in the forest combine relaxing therapies with picturesque landscapes. In a day or two you’ll feel and look like a new person. Hot pools range from small, spa-type mineral pools to large thermally heated swimming pool complexes with exhilarating water slides. Some of the best known thermal pool complexes are to be found at Waiwera near Auckland, Rotorua and Taupo in the central North Island, and Hanmer Springs in the South Island.
Bungy
In the 1980s, kiwi entrepreneurs AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch started the world's first commercial bungy operation, with a jump from the historic Kawarau Bridge near the South Island alpine resort of Queenstown. Since then, bungy jumping has become the thrill of choice for thousands of travellers. Operators around the country can help you to make the leap of faith from a variety of bridges, rail viaducts, specially constructed platforms and stadium roofs. There are various ways to personalise your jump - try partial immersion in water, a tandem jump or a night jump.
New Zealand’s highest jump involves an awesome 134 metre plunge (440ft or 8 seconds of free fall) from a gondola suspended above a canyon. If you’re planning to jump for the first time, one seasoned jumper has this advice: "I think the secret to bungy jumping is to consciously blank your mind as you approach the moment of truth and not think at all until you're flying through the air. Don’t think, don't analyse, just jump". Bungy jumping has been called the ’quickest personal growth experience ever’. You’ll dine out on the story for days.
Walking & Trekking
If you’re keen to enjoy New Zealand’s beautiful landscapes and explore our vast wilderness areas, pack a selection of walking shoes and boots. About 30 per cent of New Zealand is protected land with public access, so there are plenty of tracks and trails to choose from. You can find your own way, or take advantage of the many guided hikes and tours. New Zealand offers a wide range of terrains: big city greenbelts, long deserted beaches, coastal cliff tops, lush native rainforests, open river valleys, alpine tussock grasslands, high country farmland and active volcanic areas. On overnight hikes you can either 'rough it', sleeping out in tents or in more than 1,000 communal hikers’ huts, or choose a trail that offers luxury lodge accommodation and gourmet meals. You will need to book ahead to walk the popular Milford or Routeburn tracks between late October and late April each year. Contact the Department of Conservation.
Castlepoint Scenic Reserve
With its fossil-rich limestone reef, lighthouse and magnificent 162 metre high Castle Rock, Castlepoint is one of the most spectacular sites along the Wairarapa coastline. The area was named in 1770 by Captain Cook, who observed that Castle Rock resembled the battlements of a castle. The reef, lagoon, sand dunes and Castle Rock are all part of Castlepoint Scenic Reserve. There are two short walks to explore: Lighthouse Walk (30 minutes return) and Deliverance Cove Track (1.5 hours return). Castlepoint’s beach is often visited by dolphins and fur seals.