Savoring the Off-Season Joys of New Zealand Winter Down Under
Few cultural celebrations capture a crowd’s attention faster than an explosive rendition of a Mãori war dance by a New Zealand sports team. The world’s growing fascination with Mãori culture is one reason travel to New Zealand is soaring, boosting annual tourism spending by nearly 15% last year. While it’s winter there now, the island nation still offers many off-season attractions for the savvy traveler — including the June 19–22 celebration of Matariki, the Mãori New Year. Here are a few others. Skiing and Snowboarding June through October is peak season on New Zealand’s world-class skiing and snowboarding hills. Book accommodations in popular winter sports areas on the South Island, such as Queenstown and Wanaka.
Hundreds of the nation’s diverse brews will be on offer at Beervana, a popular two-day festival on Aug. 22–23 in Wellington. Exploring Coastal Trails Hiking through New Zealand’s stunning coastline and ancient forests — or tramping, as the locals call it — is a major attraction. Many of New Zealand’s Great Walks are on alpine or subalpine tracks and are impassable in winter. But the country’s most popular Great Walk, the Abel Tasman Coast Track, extends 37 miles one way across warmer terrain, past golden beaches and lush native vegetation. This trek offers ample opportunity to enjoy some of the many exotic birds of New Zealand, home to more avian species than any other country in the world. Nature Shows Nearly half of the world’s whale species are in New Zealand’s vast marine territory. Giant sperm whales can be seen year- round, and humpback and southern right
whales are visible from shore between May and September.
If you’re a fan of nighttime lights, stargazing at such celebrated dark-sky sites as Great Barrier Island and the Mackenzie Region on the South Island will amaze you. And for a different kind of evening light, try touring New Zealand’s caves or grottos for a glimpse of exotic glow worms, a native insect that glows blue-green in the dark!
Warm up après-ski with a pint of one of New Zealand’s famous craft beers.
Train Your Brain!
TERIYAKI BEEF SKEWERS
This light, flavorful dish of tender, marinated beef slices can serve as a protein- rich appetizer or a tasty entree for a summer evening.
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
• 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar • 1 cup soy sauce • 1/2 cup pineapple juice (optional) • 1/2 cup water • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large garlic cloves, chopped • 4 lbs boneless round steak, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices • Bamboo skewers soaked in water
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, whisk brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, water, vegetable oil, and garlic together. Drop beef slices into the mixture and stir to coat. 2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours. 3. Remove beef from marinade, shaking to remove excess liquid. 4. Thread beef slices on skewers in a zig-zag pattern. 5. Preheat grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grate. 6. Cook beef skewers for about 3 minutes per side until the meat is cooked through.
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