Archive for July, 2009

5 free things to do in Auckland

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

Some of the most enjoyable things to do in Auckland won’t cost you a brass razo!

1. Visit Cornwall Park. At the weekend, we went for a walk in Cornwall Park, one of the big parks in Auckland City. There were lots of people enjoying the first signs of spring. The cherry trees were starting to blossom, the daffodils sprinfing up along Twin Oak Drive and the magnolia brilliant white blooms are appearing. Cornwall park has loads of places for picnicing, walking, exploring, playing and eating. The view from the top of the Summit  is pretty impressive of the City too.

2. Go for a walk along our magnificent waterfront. Walk for as long or as short as you can. Plenty of places to stop for an ice cream or coffee. Watch the boats, enjoy the scenery.

3. Go and sit at the Viaduct and people watch. There’s also lots of restaurants!

4. Visit the Waitakere Ranges – the Arataki centre has the most stunning views of the West Coast; see the airport and  the jets coming and going; learn a little more about the NZ bush.

5. Then there is the beautiful Domain -where the Auckland War Memorial Museum is.  it is very close to

Aspen House Hotel . There are the fabulous Wintergardens with their wonderful of array of plants and wildlife.  Check out the huge lily pads. The Domain is actually an old volcano! Keep an eye on the blog for other things to do in Auckland and New Zealand.

Milford Sound the 7th wonder of the world?

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Aspen House is very proud of what a beautiful place New Zealand is. Seems like the rest of the world has a chance to vote on this too! We found an interesting new clip recently that is raising the awareness of some of the world’ more special natural sites. And guess what, one of them was in New Zealand!

The Milford Sound is one of the 25 spectacular natural landmarks in the final phase of a global poll to choose the seven wonders  of the world.

Go to theNew 7 Wonders  website link here  and make a vote for NZ’s most amazing Fiord. People can vote on this site so spread the word and get your friends to vote. A panel of experts chose the finalists based on geographical balance, diversity and the importance to human life.

Otrher finalists are the Great Barrier Reef, the Amazon and Uluru.

Milford Sounds is in the south west of NZ’s South Island. Aspen House Hotel is your ideal base when you arrive in New Zealand and start your NZ trip. Rent from JUCY, NZ’s funkiest and most affordable car and camper company and get lots of special offers. Better still JUCY part owns Cruize Milford. So if you rent a car or camper from JUCY and get a two for one offer to see Milford Sound on Cruize Milford.

History! Milford is named after Milford haven in Wales. It runs 15 kms inland from the Tasman Sea and is urrounded by sheer rock faces.Lush rain forests cling to these cliffs while seals, pengiuns and dolphins are often spotted in the waters.

The New 7 Wonders campaign isn’t alone in thinking Milford Sounds is special. Rudyard Kipling called it the 8th wonder of the world! It’s also been judged as the world’s top travel destination in an international survey. It is in a world heritage site. (By the way Barcelona has lots of these too!)