Although New Zealand is closely associated with the production of white wine, you might be surprised to learn that the nation produces a mere one percent of the world’s overall wine. The overwhelming majority of the wine that is produced is sauvignon blanc, the white wine that most people associate with New Zealand. Along with sauvignon blanc, the nation produces an array of white wines. Chardonnay is a clear leader the further north in New Zealand you travel, but pinot gris and Riesling are also making waves and being planted in increasingly large numbers each season. If you are interested in trying some of the famed white wine from New Zealand, much of which is characterised as vibrant thanks to hints of grass and fruit, then be sure to include stops at the following wineries during your oenophile’s trip through New Zealand.

Waipara Springs Winery

This boutique winery and vineyard is found in the Waipara Valley region of New Zealand, which is just a short drive from Canterbury. Their vineyard covers more than 26 hectares, and they fill the space with Riesling, sauvignon blanc and Gewurztraminer varietals. Perhaps the most popular, however, is the winery’s Chardonnay. Each sip of this white wine reveals the limestone in the area’s soil, and there are clear hints of fruits and hazelnuts. With the exception of a handful of public holidays, the Waipara Springs Winery is open daily from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and visitors can enjoy tastings of a full wine flight or just a single glass. The onsite cafe pairs local wines with gourmet cuisine that features ingredients from the region.

Julicher Estate Winery

This charming winery in the Te Muna Valley is just minutes from the Martinborough, and it is run by a couple who aim to produce the best possible wines in New Zealand. Their operation may be small compared to the larger vineyards in New Zealand, but their careful touch results in arguably better-tasting wine. The grapes are plucked from the vines and hand-carried to the attached winery, which guarantees that no preserving agents or needed or any grapes are crushed by machines. Visitors have their own favourites, but the pinot gris is a universal winner thanks to its sweet and fruity aroma and clear pear taste. You will have to call the estate to visit, but they welcome interested wine lovers throughout the year.

Misssion Estate

To truly appreciate the history of making wine in New Zealand, travellers should visit the Mission Estate. This winery is the oldest in the country and was founded in 1851. Twice daily, there is a historic tour that gives information about the founding brothers of the estate, the architecture and, of course, the wines. The Cellar Door is the tasting room, which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers free tastings as well as full flights for a small fee. The onsite restaurant boasts a European menu with traditional local ingredients, and the wine pairings are inspired. Be sure to try the sparkling Mission Fête if you are there for a special occasion.

Cloudy Bay

Even wine lovers who don’t have extensive background knowledge of New Zealand’s wine industry have likely heard of Cloudy Bay. This estate makes what is perhaps the most iconic wine of New Zealand, and it was here that the idea of a fresh, grassy sauvignon blanc was brought to the global table. The original vineyard grows exclusively sauvignon blanc, but their newer vineyards also produce pinot noir, chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. Cloudy Bay Estate is open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. for tastings and sales, and you are welcome to use the grounds as a place to relax or have a picnic. Tours are available for a fee of $20 per person, and they allow you to see the grounds and the exclusive cellars.

To truly get a feel for white wine production in New Zealand, it is important to look beyond just the sauvignon blancs. Visit a combination of large estates and smaller boutique wineries to understand the local wine culture, the different varietals grown in the country and the variety of tastes that can be produced within New Zealand as a whole.

I recently took another little power-break with the family and headed out of Melbourne to one of our favourite little spots, ‘Wood Duck Cottage‘ in Yea. We’re so lucky to be able to drive no more than an hour and have State Forests, bush walks and farm life to enjoy.

During our 4 day break and when on a little walk near the cottage, we came across this little fellow who was ambling along in the drain way by the unmade road. As you can see, he blends beautifully with the dry mud, leaves and grass. This was one of many photos we managed to get of the echidna but we also got one when he had his little nosed tucked up beneath him, in a tight ball and said “You can’t see me!”

Where Do We Suggest?

Image courtesy of lxsocon/flickr.com

Whether you’re an amateur or pro photographer, you can easily mix your hobby with pleasure while travelling the gorgeous landscape in Australia. From deep valleys and impressive gorges to jaw-dropping sunsets and beautiful wildlife, Australia is the ideal place for picture-snapping Aussies to get down under and capture the land’s innate beauty through the lens. Here’s a list of some of the best places in Australia where you can take a snapshot of Mother Nature’s treasures.

Hotspots for Amazing Sunrises and Sunsets

Lord Howe Island is an island where 70 percent of the land is protected reserve. All of the beaches along the island’s coastline offer superb vistas of the sun rising and setting out of the Pacific Ocean. Capture the rainbow of colours and ever-changing mood of sunrises and sunsets with vibrant pinks and hues of blue. Ned’s Beach is a popular haunt for photographers, and you can also enjoy a cool swim or scenic snorkel after you’re finished with your camera-happy shots. From sunrise to sunset, the colours of Uluru range include rusty orange and brown to inky purples and deep reds. The best shots are from a distance from the monolith, and there are also viewing platforms around this national park. In addition to photographing sunrises and sunsets, you can also take snapshots of this expansive sandy desert and Kata Tjuta. At the Three Sisters rock formation in the Blue Mountains, there are also magnificent sunrises and sunsets. These three peaks jut out from the bush and rise up to 900 metres above the valley. Light bounces off in multiple directions and creates sky shades of gold and pink. There is a visitor centre with great vistas of the Megalong Valley. You can even climb the Golden Staircase and get a bird’s eye view of the Three Sisters.

Best Locations for Landscape Photos

Nestled in Morton National Park, the Budawang Ranges are close to Canberra and Sydney. This location is a wonderland of photographic opportunity. You can capture impressive shots of the beehive-style monoliths, open heath, massive cliff faces and Tolkien-like ferny grottos. The best times to photograph are during the spring and autumn, and you’ll likely want to spend at least two days there to take in all the scenic sites. Stradbroke Island features a gorgeous coastline of impressive beaches, rocks and gorges. It’s truly a magical place for photographers. At the Gorge Walk, you can also get great shots of pods of whales as well as sharks, turtles, dolphins and rays.

Devils Marbles in Central Australia holds a special fascination for many photography geeks. The formations stretch around one square kilometre consisting of boulder clusters and granite tors that majestically emerge from ghost gums and spinifex. All in all, these formations are truly exotic and beautiful. Along the track to Devils Marbles, there are also worthy photos to be taken of footprints in the sandy ridge and dusty lines of corrugated track.

Native Animals at Kangaroo Island

There’s plenty to do and photos to take at Kangaroo Island. You can capture great shots of wildlife in their natural habitat. At Kingscote and Penneshaw, you’ll find kangaroos, brush-tailed possums and tammar wallabies. The little penguins waddling to the shore in Penneshaw are picture-perfect. Bushwalk past the waders and swans along Murray Lagoon and get pictures of over 200 species of birds. There are also great shots to be taken of the picturesque coastline and stunning sunsets. In addition to snapping your favourite scenes, you can also swim with the dolphins and enjoy some caving adventures at Kelly Hill Conservation Park.

Camera outings in Australia are filled with days of fun adventure, but did you ever consider what you would do if you lost your treasured camera or luggage while travelling? Even costly travel delays at the airport can cause you headaches and money. Having travel insurance is the best way to avoid problems that may arise from unforeseen circumstance. You can easily compare travel insurance rates online and select a package that suits your budget. Get smart and protect yourself and your gear so you can enjoy your picture-taking adventures with peace of mind.

As a gateway to major attractions like the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree National Park, the city of Cairns is easily one of the most visited destinations in all of Australia. While Cairns is home to a number of wonderful things to do, see and explore, many visitors are eager to get out of the city for a few days and see a different side of Queensland. One of the most popular adventures is a road trip to the nearby town of Malanda. Since Malanda is just 90 minutes away from Cairns, it is simple to rent a car from Europcar Australia and begin this scenic journey on your own terms and according to your own schedule. Tours are available for this road trip, but setting out on your own gives you a lot more freedom, and it also allows you to enjoy getting behind the wheel on a truly scenic road. Here are the top five things to do in Malanda and the surrounding region.

Image courtesy of robstephaustralia/flickr.com

1. Malanda Falls

There is no question that the top attraction in the area, and truly the big reason for making this journey by car, is for the opportunity to see the beautiful Malanda Falls. The word Malanda itself was once an Aboriginal word for waterfalls, and the town today is known almost exclusively for the breathtaking collection of waterfalls in the area. The best way to see the falls is to stop in at the Malanda Falls Visitor Centre. They can give you a map and help you decide on the perfect trail to see as much wildlife as possible on the way to the falls themselves. If you are in a rush, you can actually drive almost directly above the top of the waterfalls, which gives you a spectacular view of the water crashing down below. If you want to relax and you have more time to enjoy the area, try swimming below some of the falls with the locals.

2. Millaa Millaa Waterfalls Circuit

Just 20 minutes south of Malanda is another collection of amazing waterfalls known as the Millaa Millaa Waterfalls Circuit. These three falls are all within walking distance of one another, but there is also a paved road to drive between the three if you are in a hurry. If the waterfalls look familiar to you, it might be because you have seen them before featured in advertisements or films. The Millaa Millaa Waterfalls can be found in the Peter Andre video called Mysterious Girl, and it is also featured in the Timotei Hair Swoosh advertisement that you have undoubtedly seen before.

3. Lake Tinaroo

Although this man-made lake is just a few miles north of Malanda, the drive along the winding roads can take about 30 minutes. However, the journey itself is a beautiful one, and the time will pass quickly as you admire the view from your car window. Once you arrive at Lake Tinaroo, you will want to enjoy all of the outdoor recreation opportunities in the area. Fishing, hiking, swimming and even waterskiing are popular pastimes that you can enjoy on the lake.

4. Mount Hypipamee Crater

It will be another 30 minute drive to get from Malanda to the Mount Hypipamee Crater, which is commonly known to residents as simply The Crater. This amazing crater in the Tablelands was only discovered in the late 19th century when explorers nearly fell into the chasm, which measures in at over 180 feet wide and almost 300 feet deep. Visitors can hike around the edge of the crater, and you can also explore the surrounding Mount Hypipamee National Park and its impressive rainforest.

5. Curtain Fig Tree

Nature lovers will definitely appreciate the sheer size of this incredible tree, which is located between Yungaburra and Malanda. The aerial roots of the tree are on display, and you can walk along the wooden boardwalk next to the tree to get a closeup view of this enormous natural landmark in the Tablelands.

Since the Malanda Falls as well as the rest of these incredible attractions are just a short drive from the city of Cairns, it is the perfect option for an extension of your holiday. Spend a day touring the Tablelands, or make a full weekend of waterfall-hopping throughout the region.