One of the best ways to experience the beauty that this area has to offer is taking advantage of Skyline Queenstown, a gondola ride taking visitors from the city up to the top of a hill in the Ben Lomond Scenic Reserve.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paul | New Zealand (@paulmichael)

The Southern Hemisphere’s steepest gondola, this short ride takes you on a 1500 foot rise that offers up spectacular panoramic views of the town, the lake, and surrounding mountain ranges.

Its glass windows offer up unobstructed views from the gondola cars, and once you reach the lookout point at the top station, you will marvel at the beauty which reveals itself in front of your very eyes.

With a restaurant and bar at the top station giving you a chance to enjoy the views and take a break between gondola rides, you certainly will not get bored here. 

When it’s time to head back down to Queenstown, you have two options: you can either ride the gondola back down again or take a thrilling luge ride to the bottom of the hill. Luges are gravity-controlled, motorless cars that are a heart-stopping way to descend all 1500 feet back down to the city.

Be sure to check out Skyline Queenstown on your next visit to this beautiful spot!

Address: Brecon Street, PO BOX 17, Queenstown, New Zealand

The post Skyline Queenstown is a Can’t Miss New Zealand Attraction appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Kimberley, Australia

Okay, Kimberley isn’t actually a city. In fact, it’s the northernmost of Australia’s nine regions. But you can see it all in one trip if you rent a car, so we’re including it on this list anyway. The Kimberley is low in population and known for rugged mountain ranges, huge gorges, a largely isolated coastline, the Gibb River Road, Windjana Gorge National Park, limestone cliffs, swimming holes, and freshwater crocodiles. It’s pretty majestic and well worth paying a visit.

Ulva Island, New Zealand

Just a five-minute taxi ride from the much more popular and touristy Stewart Island, Ulva Island is one of the few pest-free open sanctuaries in New Zealand. A safe haven for native rainforest species to flourish, you’ll be able to see rare birds and plants up close in a safe environment unspoiled by human activity. And we all know that’s pretty rare these days.

The post Hidden Gem Cities in Oceania You Should Check Out appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Choose Shoulder Months

Just like other destinations, New Zealand is more expensive in the tourist season and a bit more affordable in the months that fewer people come to visit. If you can, try to stop by in October, November, March, or April, when things like accommodation, car rentals, and tourist attractions won’t cost quite as much.

Know Where to Shop

Pro tip: there are two stores in New Zealand that will be crucial for budget travelers. The Warehouse is a great place to find almost anything (like clothes, toiletries, and camping gear) for cheap. Pak’N Save is a grocery store chain that has the best discounts and prices.

Do Free Activities

There are so many cool things you can do in New Zealand for zero money! Get creative! You don’t have to spend money to have fun and enjoy New Zealand. Here are some of the free options available to you, to name just a few:

• Hiking
• Beaches
• Visit waterfalls
• Waipu glow worm caves – the only free ones in the country!
• Self-driven Lord of the Rings tour
• Farmers markets
• Hot springs
• Picnics

The post How to Travel New Zealand on a Budget appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

While we all know what a reef is like, more or less, the Great Barrier Reef also holds all kinds of surprises. Here are three that will astound you!

Heart Reef

One of the most curious things you’ll find in the Great Barrier Reef is a “heart reef,” a heart-shaped reef formation located in the Whitsunday area. A helicopter or airplane tour is the best way to see this strange phenomenon in all of its glory.

Dwarf Minke Whales

While a huge variety of flora and fauna inhabit the Great Barrier Reef’s ecosystem, one of the most fascinating ones are its dwarf minke whales. These small baleen whales—which are only about 5 meters long on average—can often be observed ambling about while snorkeling or scuba diving here.

A Shipwreck

The SS Yongala was a ship that capsized during a cyclone in 1911 and settled in the depths of the Great Barrier Reef. Now accessible on dive tours, you’ll be amazed at how the animals and plants of the reef have completely taken over this mechanical structure and turned it into a natural paradise.

The post 3 Unexpected Things You’ll Find at the Great Barrier Reef appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Wine Tasting on Waiheke

Waiheke Island is known for its vineyards, beaches, olive groves, and funky urban culture. This is the place to go if you want to taste the country’s best wines while enjoying the amazing views.

Cruise with Whales

Head to Kaikoura—a town in the South Island—for an encounter with whales and dolphins. You can enjoy the view of the marine life from a cruise or while snorkeling.

Hike Ancient Lava Flows

One of the best day walks you can take in New Zealand is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It’s 19km long, and you’ll hike through ancient volcanic terrain, go past emerald lakes, ancient lava flows, and see an active crater from up close. How often do you have a chance to do something like this?

The post 3 Experiences in New Zealand That Are a Must appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

The Least Visited Country

With only around 30,000 visitors per year, the Solomon Islands are among the least visited countries in the world. This means it’s the perfect destination for those who want to avoid the crowds and the most popular spots and discover the world on their own.

Water Sports

The Solomon Islands is a destination perfect for water sports. You need to try diving and snorkeling, and it’s a good idea to take an underwater camera with you to capture the memories.

Digital Detox

If you’re hoping for great wifi, you’ll be disappointed. The Solomon Islands isn’t the best place for those who like to work and travel, but it’s perfect for anyone who wants to spend several days or weeks away from typical distractions and screens. There’s so much beauty that you really won’t need a phone to keep you entertained. Instead, you can relax and recharge for the next busy period of your life in the best possible way.

The post 3 Reasons to Visit the Solomon Islands appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Bamboo Travellers Workshops

If you’re into wholesome activities, where you learn different crafts, then this hostel is the place to be. They have workshops where they use local ingredients to create bags or even hair accessories. It’s a great chance to be immersed in the culture and to gain lifelong lessons from locals.

Sunsets at Wailoaloa Beach

Before leaving Fiji, you must visit Wailoaloa beach, where they have rainbow-colored sunsets. It’s a great place to swim, with black sand for miles. There are many places to get massages or eat some food, so if you’re looking for a chilled afternoon give this place a shot.

The post Enjoy a Chill, Affordable Vacation in Fiji appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

One of the best ways to experience the beauty that this area has to offer is taking advantage of Skyline Queenstown, a gondola ride taking visitors from the city up to the top of a hill in the Ben Lomond Scenic Reserve.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paul | New Zealand (@paulmichael)

The Southern Hemisphere’s steepest gondola, this short ride takes you on a 1500 foot rise that offers up spectacular panoramic views of the town, the lake, and surrounding mountain ranges.

Its glass windows offer up unobstructed views from the gondola cars, and once you reach the lookout point at the top station, you will marvel at the beauty which reveals itself in front of your very eyes.

With a restaurant and bar at the top station giving you a chance to enjoy the views and take a break between gondola rides, you certainly will not get bored here. 

When it’s time to head back down to Queenstown, you have two options: you can either ride the gondola back down again or take a thrilling luge ride to the bottom of the hill. Luges are gravity-controlled, motorless cars that are a heart-stopping way to descend all 1500 feet back down to the city.

Be sure to check out Skyline Queenstown on your next visit to this beautiful spot!

Address: Brecon Street, PO BOX 17, Queenstown, New Zealand

The post Skyline Queenstown is a Can’t Miss New Zealand Attraction appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Kimberley, Australia

Okay, Kimberley isn’t actually a city. In fact, it’s the northernmost of Australia’s nine regions. But you can see it all in one trip if you rent a car, so we’re including it on this list anyway. The Kimberley is low in population and known for rugged mountain ranges, huge gorges, a largely isolated coastline, the Gibb River Road, Windjana Gorge National Park, limestone cliffs, swimming holes, and freshwater crocodiles. It’s pretty majestic and well worth paying a visit.

Ulva Island, New Zealand

Just a five-minute taxi ride from the much more popular and touristy Stewart Island, Ulva Island is one of the few pest-free open sanctuaries in New Zealand. A safe haven for native rainforest species to flourish, you’ll be able to see rare birds and plants up close in a safe environment unspoiled by human activity. And we all know that’s pretty rare these days.

The post Hidden Gem Cities in Oceania You Should Check Out appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Choose Shoulder Months

Just like other destinations, New Zealand is more expensive in the tourist season and a bit more affordable in the months that fewer people come to visit. If you can, try to stop by in October, November, March, or April, when things like accommodation, car rentals, and tourist attractions won’t cost quite as much.

Know Where to Shop

Pro tip: there are two stores in New Zealand that will be crucial for budget travelers. The Warehouse is a great place to find almost anything (like clothes, toiletries, and camping gear) for cheap. Pak’N Save is a grocery store chain that has the best discounts and prices.

Do Free Activities

There are so many cool things you can do in New Zealand for zero money! Get creative! You don’t have to spend money to have fun and enjoy New Zealand. Here are some of the free options available to you, to name just a few:

• Hiking
• Beaches
• Visit waterfalls
• Waipu glow worm caves – the only free ones in the country!
• Self-driven Lord of the Rings tour
• Farmers markets
• Hot springs
• Picnics

The post How to Travel New Zealand on a Budget appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

While we all know what a reef is like, more or less, the Great Barrier Reef also holds all kinds of surprises. Here are three that will astound you!

Heart Reef

One of the most curious things you’ll find in the Great Barrier Reef is a “heart reef,” a heart-shaped reef formation located in the Whitsunday area. A helicopter or airplane tour is the best way to see this strange phenomenon in all of its glory.

Dwarf Minke Whales

While a huge variety of flora and fauna inhabit the Great Barrier Reef’s ecosystem, one of the most fascinating ones are its dwarf minke whales. These small baleen whales—which are only about 5 meters long on average—can often be observed ambling about while snorkeling or scuba diving here.

A Shipwreck

The SS Yongala was a ship that capsized during a cyclone in 1911 and settled in the depths of the Great Barrier Reef. Now accessible on dive tours, you’ll be amazed at how the animals and plants of the reef have completely taken over this mechanical structure and turned it into a natural paradise.

The post 3 Unexpected Things You’ll Find at the Great Barrier Reef appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Wine Tasting on Waiheke

Waiheke Island is known for its vineyards, beaches, olive groves, and funky urban culture. This is the place to go if you want to taste the country’s best wines while enjoying the amazing views.

Cruise with Whales

Head to Kaikoura—a town in the South Island—for an encounter with whales and dolphins. You can enjoy the view of the marine life from a cruise or while snorkeling.

Hike Ancient Lava Flows

One of the best day walks you can take in New Zealand is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It’s 19km long, and you’ll hike through ancient volcanic terrain, go past emerald lakes, ancient lava flows, and see an active crater from up close. How often do you have a chance to do something like this?

The post 3 Experiences in New Zealand That Are a Must appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

The Least Visited Country

With only around 30,000 visitors per year, the Solomon Islands are among the least visited countries in the world. This means it’s the perfect destination for those who want to avoid the crowds and the most popular spots and discover the world on their own.

Water Sports

The Solomon Islands is a destination perfect for water sports. You need to try diving and snorkeling, and it’s a good idea to take an underwater camera with you to capture the memories.

Digital Detox

If you’re hoping for great wifi, you’ll be disappointed. The Solomon Islands isn’t the best place for those who like to work and travel, but it’s perfect for anyone who wants to spend several days or weeks away from typical distractions and screens. There’s so much beauty that you really won’t need a phone to keep you entertained. Instead, you can relax and recharge for the next busy period of your life in the best possible way.

The post 3 Reasons to Visit the Solomon Islands appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Bamboo Travellers Workshops

If you’re into wholesome activities, where you learn different crafts, then this hostel is the place to be. They have workshops where they use local ingredients to create bags or even hair accessories. It’s a great chance to be immersed in the culture and to gain lifelong lessons from locals.

Sunsets at Wailoaloa Beach

Before leaving Fiji, you must visit Wailoaloa beach, where they have rainbow-colored sunsets. It’s a great place to swim, with black sand for miles. There are many places to get massages or eat some food, so if you’re looking for a chilled afternoon give this place a shot.

The post Enjoy a Chill, Affordable Vacation in Fiji appeared first on Traveler Dreams.