Fabulous Frocks and Fantastic Fillies were the order of the day.  Central Otago turned on a fantastic late Summer day, blue skies, a warm breeze and the going was good to firm.

On show were 3 fantastic Mobile Homes, 2 for sale and 1 for rent.

The Form

#1 Sundance, a 3 year old filly out of Fiat Ducato, 2007, (59RS) Stunning lines and underestimated Italian style, both fabrics and layout carry that classic style but adaptable to any situation. Imported direct from Italy by Rory  Alexander of Cromwell. Contact Rory for sales and specifications on this beautiful young lady sales@alexandermoterhomes.co.nz . A sure bet, guaranteed a winner

#2 Italian Stallion, (Sea New Life) In the prime of his young life,out of that well known stable Fiat Ducato, what a stunner, this big boy is sure to please, Strong lines and a big bottom! The sign of strength and stamina. A pedigree built Italian Motorhome that has a large garage at the back, you’ve got to see it to believe it. This motorhome is the epitome of Italian style on the inside and out. Imported by that famous ’Trainer’ Rory Alexander of Cromwell. sales@alexandermotorhomes.co.nz An odds on favourite.

#3 ActionVaNZ, A late entry model, VW LT35 Long Wheel Base 6.5, she’s lovely, smooth and handles like a dream. This two berth diesel deluxe model is an excellent filly, neat, compact and luxurious, just keep your eye on the speedo, sure to surprise both the driver and the passenger. Take her out for for a spin and give her the lead and see where she takes you. Guaranteed to please. Rent for a few days or a week or two and you will not be disappointed. Owner Rory Alexander, Cromwell sales@actionvanz.co.nz

The Cromwell Races is the first show that all 3 vans have attended together, it was also the first show not orientated or dedicated to motorhomes or campervans and all 3 where very well received. This was a show case to introduce people to the idea of living in the great out doors in comfort and luxury and waking to a new view every morning.

People were interested to learn that driving a motorhome is just like driving a car, the ladies especially. This is due to Ducato having AL-KO, for those of us not mechanically minded, an Aluminum Chassis.

Fiat are the only manufacturer that make a vehicle specifically for the motorhome market and not adapted.  Last year motorhome sales rose by 40% as people shied away from package holidays and invested in the future, as a result, manufacturers can not get chassis and cabs from Italy fast enough.

Catch me next week when I’ll be commenting on the Upper Clutha Show in Wanaka (The Wanaka A&P Show to the locals)

Catch you later

The Happy Wanderer

Warbirds over Wanaka

International Air Show Easter 2010

A rare Japanese Zero fighter will be the star attraction at the Warbirds Over Wanaka International airshow this Easter. 

"We are absolutely thrilled to have this unique aircraft as the centre piece to this year's airshow," said Mandy Deans, Event Manager of Warbirds Over Wanaka.

In September 1945 the RNZAF recovered a Zero at Bougainville and after shipping to New Zealand it was only flown once from Woodbourne. It is now exhibited in the Auckland Museum, therefore this will be only the second time a Zero has flown in New Zealand.

The Zero is one of many fabulous vintage and classic aircraft on display and flying over Wanaka this Easter.  Warbirds Over Wanaka is New Zealand's premier Air Show.

Wanaka will be packed.  In fact the population will more than double.  You can avoid the madness and camp beside the beautiful Clutha River or even Lake Hawea. With your own fully self contained camper… you can even be checky and watch most of the action from outside the airfield and have use of your own kitchen, Toilet and 4 metre awning to keep the sun away.

You're far too late if you haven't already booked your motel.  As luck would have it as I write this we have a single 2 berth self-contained campervan available over the Easter weekend.

You must act fast to secure the last camper though.  Book now.  We'll get back to you within a few hours.

Book online

Queenstown could easily be compared to Switzerland, with its magnificent scenery and endless snow covered mountain peaks. Located to the west of the South Island in the Otago region, this is the adventure capital of New Zealand. From the airport, the road to town is picture perfect, with green rolling hills and sheep dotted in every direction. We soon crossed the bridge over Lake Wakatipu, taking us to the hidden township of Queenstown. Locals and thrill seekers from all over the globe head to the famous Remarkables,Coronet Peak or Mt Hutt ski fields to test their skiing and snow boarding abilities.Ours were remarkable, considering we were both amateurs. We headed up two ski lifts to the top of the mountain, took a happy snap, and skied downhill slowly on the softest powder snow you could imagine. We were on a mother and daughter holiday to celebrate Rachael’s thirteenth birthday, and after a few days of skiing, our next adventure was on the Gondola, followed by as many rides on the luge as we could fit in. Everyone who visits Queenstown should experience the Gondola. It is so easy to find, within walking distance from the centre of town, and the views from the top are spectacular. The luge is similar to a go cart, and easy to master. If I can get to the bottom without falling out, anyone can! Once you are ‘luged’ out, there is a short walk behind the complex which can’t be missed. It took us through a thick forest of pine trees through to the most indescribable panorama of mountainous scenery, leading on to the Ben Lomond walking circuit. A campervan is an ideal choice in New Zealand, and believe me, they are everywhere. We recommend the Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park, located at the base of the Gondola. The views are spectacular, and with such excellent facilities it is a home away from home. You are literally two streets from the centre of town, and with those gorgeous mountains in every direction there is a breathtaking view every minute of the day. The beauty of Queenstown is that everything is easily accessible, and most attractions are within an hour away. Only five minutes north, towards Arrowtown, is the famous Shotover River. If you love jetboating, you are in one of the most sought after destinations among adrenaline lovers. Although the route is through some of the worlds most beautiful scenery, you probably won’t notice it as you twist and turn at breathless speeds on the ride of your life. Arrowtown is another twenty minutes drive north, and almost a stroll back in time as you wander through each shop and enjoy the quiet pace. An original gold town, it is now better known for its Lord of the Rings tours, and its award winning wines. The day before we left Queenstown, we woke up to the snow falling outside our window. This is unusual for early October, but we weren’t complaining. We rugged up and went for a stroll down town to the river, picture perfect with boats lining the shore against such a magnificent backdrop, and soon discovered the Remarkables Sweet Shop. You really can’t leave Queenstown without some homemade chocolate truffles, or a choice of hundreds of every shape, size and colour candy you could imagine. With pockets overloaded with treats, we headed to the beautiful Queenstown Botanic Gardens, easily reached by keeping to the lakeside walkway until it stretches into the heart of Lake Wakatipu. Such a relaxing way to spend time together and enjoy the lake and its backdrop. We hadn’t seen everything, but it was time to continue our journey to Dunedin on the east Coast. One thing is for sure, we’ll be back again to rediscover our favourite spots, and discover more of Queenstown’s adventures and hidden treasures. Jenny Brewer is a travel agent whose passion is writing. After spending her leisure time writing children’s stories, she now enjoys writing about travel destinations. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenny_Brewer

Planning to escape work?

Looking forward to a holiday in New Zealand?

Campervan Queenstown your first choice for motorhome rental in Queenstown.

Whether you arrive in the district by air into Queenstown Airport or by bike on the Otago Rail Trail our team will meet you and make sure you’ve got all the toys you need for an action packed holiday.

Our vans have a bike carrier and any spec of bike can be rented.  Whatever spins your wheels, road cycling, MTB downhill, or cross country.  We can provide a bike to suit you. There are so many amazing tracks and trails on our doorstep in Central Otago.

You’ll be thrilled you chose an ActionVan!

World Class athletes and competitors use Central Otago as their training base.  Our great climate and varied terrain make Queenstown a brilliant base for your campervan holiday.

Our local knowledge and passion for campervaning (we’ve done over 27,000km in the last 3 years) and for the South Island means you’ll learn about some of the places locals like to keep to themselves.

In your ActionVan you may

• Head down the Southern Scenic Highway to Invercargill & Bluff
• Drive to Milford Sound via Te Anau, a spectacular drive
• Climb the Crown Range and visit Wanaka and Lake Hawea
• Follow the Otago Rail Trail
  
• Explore Naseby and their bike park
• Follow the Clyde River from Wanaka to the sea.
• Play golf on the world class and quirky golf courses in Central Otago. (Have you ever played on a course that is fenced to keep the sheep off? -you can in Central Otago!)
• Drive north over the Lindis Pass to Omarama the gliding capital of New Zealand.
• Keep driving and you can explore Mt Cook and the MacKenzie country.

All these options are within a day’s drive from Queenstown.

Whether you’re returning to spend more time in the places you fell in love with on your first visit or if you’ve been touring New Zealand vicariously through the stories your friends and family have told.  Touring in a 2 berth self contained campervan gives you the freedom to explore and the flexibility envied by those staying in motels or backpackers.

When you base your holiday in the Southern Lakes your only disappointment will be you did not stay longer.

Complete a booking query to confirm availability and start dreaming of the special colour blue you only see in the skies of Central Otago.

What a difference a decade makes! Ten years ago, Queenstown in New Zealand, was the adventure capital of the world, but it has now become the adrenalin-junkies’ capital of the world. Today, the world-award winning alpine village with billion dollar views is the resort for everyone.

A shop window T-shirt summed up Queenstown to a tee: Eat, Drink, Snowboard, Recover!

Queenstown has it all from vertigo biking, bungy jumping and G force paragliding to leisurely bush walks, the best golf courses, wine trails, and idyllic romantic lake cruises on the near 100 year old steamer SS Earnslaw.

Jet boating began here 50 years and bungy jumping was invented here. There’s a distinctive buzz about the streets with so many young people on an adrenalin-high.

Conde Nast Traveller magazine readers picked Queenstown this year as the third best destination in the Pacific Rim behind Sydney and Melbourne – but without the big city traffic and clutter.

I just had to go there in Summer and see for myself. I booked into a grand apartment at Peppers Beacon, which was the best choice for several reasons: It had unimpeded beachfront views of Lake Wakatipu and Cecil Peak – such a majestic and romantic mix – and it had masses of space to set up camp.

My $1369 a night penthouse had four en-suited rooms, a home movie-theatre room and a massive lounge with goat-skin squabs and cream leather couches. I felt totally relaxed. No wonder all the A list stars slip into the Beacon under the radar. My hostess, hotel manager Donna Stewart, made me feel at home with her warmth and energy. I never wanted to leave, but Queenstown’s attractions beckoned.

As the sun slumped on my first lazy day, I soaked in the big balcony’s hot-tub sipping a Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc wine. I had to agree with all the Conde Nast readers from all over the world why Queenstown is one of the best destinations on the planet as I looked at the rosy coloured snow-capped peaks and glistening lake. Wearing just a smile, I thought The Beacon seemed one step away from paradise.

The next day I hit the fast lane for a taste of adventure for a 43km high speed jetboat thrill-a-second ride on the big yellow Kawarau Jet. This was adrenalin-addiction heaven, without jumping off a bridge on a bungy rope but exciting enough. It felt like the world was flashing before my eyes as we whizzed up and down the river and belted over the lake.

I stepped out feeling bullet-proof and headed to the Botswana Butchery – the finest of fine dining in town. To enter the restaurant you pull on a meat cleaver which is attached to the door like a door handle. The African beat pumps inside. A fire blazes and more meat clears on the wall to add to the branding. My waitress Stef from Brazil dished up Spanish style West Coast whitebait and salad, washed down by an Echelon bubbly from Marlborough. Mmmm …………. this is the life.

Exhausted, I waddled along the lakeside a few minutes back to my base haven Peppers Beacon penthouse to ponder what to enjoy next. Then I heard the Earnslaw steamer sailing back to Steamer Wharf. Donna was right when she said you can set your watch to ‘Ernie’ ass she glides back and forth from Steamer Wharf.

On my last day I tour the town’s string of art galleries Toi o Tahuna and Artbay the best of them.

Paragliders appear out of the air all day landing on a field close to town. Every second shop is something to eat or drink, a tourist outlet to go wild on fuel-injected action like heli-biking, skydiving, rafting, hang gliding, heli-hiking, parasailing, jetboating, bungy jumping, canyon swinging, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, heli-skiing, quad biking and even river surfing. I feel giddy at the thought of any of them. People walk around in the latest active sportswear. I saw the irony in one thrill-seeking tourist operator having their Christmas office party at the sedate local croquet club.

The setting sun cast a pretty, rosy tint over the snow-capped Remarkables on my final night at the Beacon. Few places match New Zealand’s Southern Lakes district for raw and rugged beauty, which becomes all the more obvious in spring when the snow starts to melt. By parched summer, this resort destination of 19,000 was just as inviting in the heat as it is a Mecca in show party-winter.

New Zealand’s southern lakes area has been named among the top two destinations in the world by Tripadvisor, the world’s largest online travel community. Adrenalin-popping or steamer cruising; party town or picture-postcard gazing; Queenstown is hot stuff.