Wishing You All a Safe And Happy Christmas!

In This Issue
Live Help! Nicky - now online
Sunshine, Green Pastures - Tranquility
Like us On Facebook
Up and Coming Events Around New Zealand
Chocolate Lovers Behold
Plains to Alpine Passes....
New Zealand Features Again
Rare Gecko Spotted on Banks Peninsula
A Camping Christmas
Mailing List....

Tuatara Tours are now fully endorsed by Qualmark NZ

V TransportV Activity

 









Click here to view

 The Hanmer Cycle Trail Video









Quote of the Month

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be."

 


Douglas Adams




Greetings!

December 2012, Issue 103


Welcome to the latest issue of Tuatara Tours' monthly newsletter, where we offer a brief summary of what's going on in New Zealand - and what's coming up.


Live Help! Nicky - now online

If you are visiting our website and need some help or questions answered please use our Live Help Button and Nicky will chat with you.


Sunshine, Green Pastures - Tranquility.
 


The Hanmer Cycle Trail is an exciting four-day guided cycle experience that takes you from the stunning Waipara Valley wine region of North Canterbury to the South Island's alpine village, Hanmer Springs, (well known for its thermal hot pools).
 
Over  four days, you will enjoy spectacular views of the picturesque  Balmoral Forest, Pahau Plains and Hanmer Springs whilst being looked after and entertained by your knowledgeable and friendly guide.

The overall cycling distance is 170kms. Cycles are available for hire. 
 

Or Visit:     www.tuataratours.co.nz for more details  

or call Nicky on our Freephone:  

NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633   

 

 

 Like us On Facebook....
  

   

 Like us on Facebook and be first to hear of any tour specials and updates.

 

 

Up and Coming Events Around New Zealand

December 2012

  • The War of The Worlds - A Live Planetarium Experience, Fri 07 Dec, Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, Royal Oak
  • Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens Exhibition, Fri 07 Dec, Kaukapakapa 
  • Hive - Home Innovation Village, Fri 14 Dec, Canterbury Agricultural Park, Christchurch  
  • Burkes Cycles Speed League Track Racing, Sun 16 Dec, Hataitai Velodrome, Wellington 
  • Boomrock Winemakers Lunch with Lake Chalice, Wed 19 Dec, Boomrock Lodge, Wellington

January 2013  

  • Artists' Film International, 03 Jan 2013, City Gallery Wellington
  • Yanni, Vector Arena, 12 Jan 2013, Auckland CBD
  • Scirt World Buskers Festival,17-26 Jan 2013, Christchurch  
  • Hive - Home Innovation Village, Fri 25 Jan 2013, Canterbury Agricultural Park, Christchurch
  • Nitro Circus Live, Sun 27 Jan 2013, AMI Stadium, Christchurch
  • Laughter Club, Sun 27 Jan 2013, Scottish Society Hall, Christchurch    

February 2013   

  • Hertz Sevens, 1-2 Feb 2013, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
  • GEON Art Deco Weekend, 14-17 Feb 2013, Hawkes Bay
  • Two Day Cheesemaking Workshop,Sat 16 Feb 2013,  Christchurch City
  • The Golden Shears, 28 Feb - 2 March 2013, Masterton
  • NZ PGA Pro-Am Championship, 28 Feb - 3 Mar 2013, The Hills, Queenstown 

Chocolate Lovers Behold.


None of us like chocolate melted through our backpacks, however British scientists have developed a new melt-proof recipe for the desirable cocoa treat, ideal to withstand warm summer temperatures.

 

The heat-tolerant chocolate remains solid even when exposed to temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius for more than three hours.

 

The secret to keeping a solid block is in the production process, specifically a step called conching, when metal beads grind together ingredients.

 

 

Scientists have developed a way of breaking down sugar which reduces the amount of fat which attaches to the sweet particles.

 

"Production of temperature-tolerant chocolate would allow products more suitable for hot climates."

 

Critics of the new melt-proof chocolate have already emerged, with some claiming the changes would not be possible without altering the flavour.

 

"The melting point is what makes the bar so attractive, as that is what releases the flavour. If it melts at a higher temperature, it will take longer for it to melt in the mouth," came an admission from Cadbury management firm Kraft Foods spokesman Tony Bilsborough.

 
 

 Plains to Alpine Passes to Sub Tropical Bush to the Beaches!

The West Coast Trail is a walking adventure that departs from Christchurch and takes you on a discovery of the alpine pass area through to the Wild West Coast of New Zealand. With four days of unique West Coast walks, you experience a diverse range of rugged and dramatic landscapes including tussock lands, alpine bush, West Coast native rainforest and sub-tropical bush.

  

You will be able to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and history of the famous West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

  

For more details: 

Visit:     www.tuataratours.co.nz 

or call Nicky on our Freephone:  

NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633   

 

 

  

New Zealand Features Again!

 

We've been named 'Favourite Country - Worldwide' at the Telegraph Travel Awards in London as voted by more than 17,000 of the newspapers readers in a public vote.  

 

New Zealand edged out finalists Maldives and South Africa to scoop first place. Air New Zealand was also voted 3rd favourite long haul airline in the same poll.  

 

The same newspaper also polled its expat readers for the top 10 world's best places to live and New Zealand featured in this list as well.
 

Rare Gecko Spotted on Banks Peninsula......

 
A rare jewelled gecko was spotted last month in Canterbury. 

Cantabrian, Bill Swallow, reported seeing the rare gecko climbing around a tree on a private property on Banks Peninsula, but the exact location will be kept secret as geckos are often targets for wildlife smugglers. 

Swallow said the gecko was "friendly", but did not get too close. 

Jewelled geckos are found only in the south-eastern South Island and on Codfish Island in Foveaux Strait and are considered a threatened species.  

Join us on the Akaroa Walk and keep your eyes peeled!       

or call Nicky on our Freephone:  

NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633       

      

A Camping Christmas

Many of us will be taking a break over Christmas, getting out and enjoying some time in the outdoors.

The tradition of camping holidays over summer seems to be even more popular these days, many of us keen to re-kindle childhood memories with plans for lazy days in the sun, fishing and pitching tents or just a good book and a beer in the backyard.


Treat yourself to a little campfire cooking, Christmas is the one time to indulge a little, you can always walk it off later!

Banana Splits (campfire style) makes 4
4 bananas unpeeled, 1/2 cup chocolate chips (or 1/2 block of chocolate, slices of moro bar or anything chocolate you have to hand), 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows.
Cut a wedge-shaped section in each banana, pull back peel and remove the wedge. Fill the cavity with chocolate and marshmallows; replace the peel over the filling. Wrap securely in tinfoil and heat over the coals of your campfire for about 5 min until the chocolate has melted! Enjoy (and don't burn your fingers!)



Wishing You All a Safe And Happy Christmas!
 
 Tuatara Tours now fully endorsed by Qualmark NZ 

V Activity                                         V Transport

Tuatara Tours
Email: [email protected]
New Zealand Freephone: 0800 377 378
Australia Freephone: 1800 044 633
Web: www.tuataratours.co.nz