Queenstown, New Zealand is fantastic place for adventure sports and activities. There’s lots to choose from but most seem to opt for Sky Diving and Bungee. Have you properly considered Paragliding?

There’s a few companies that operate around Queenstown, and prices are near enough exactly the same. So how do you go about choosing a company to Paraglide with? Or better yet should you Paraglide in the first place?

I went along to experience Paragliding for the first time with Coronet Peak Tandems. It’s a surreal experience. Standing at the top of Coronet Peak, strapped to what is effectively a giant kite and running off a mountain! I hadn’t mentally prepared myself for it but it’s not something that you should worry about. You just listen carefully, run and keep going and suddenly you’re Paragliding!

Coronet Peak is such a great launch site. Flying above the ski field you get a birds eye view of all the skiers and snowboarders. The views from up there are stunning and it’s rather peaceful flying around above it all taking in the view of Lake Wakatipu and Lake Hayes.

The flight was rather scenic and just before we landed the pilot asked if I wanted to do a spiral. The experience was great; the drive up the mountain, the scenic views, when we flew through a cloud but the best part for me personally was the spiral. Swinging left and then pulling a hard right, we go into a spiral. The ground is spinning and blood rushes in my head as we pull 3G’s. I thought it was awesome. If I had known that the stunts we’re so good I would have asked for it earlier! Obviously, this is optional. If you just want a scenic flight then you can do just that.

Would I recommend Paragliding and does it offer value for money? I would certainly recommend Paragliding, and relative to other activities that you can do in New Zealand the price is good. As I mentioned before there are several companies that offer Paragliding from Queenstown so why go with Coronet Peak Tandems? The higher you launch from the longer your flight. Simple really. I had a brilliant experience, my pilot was friendly and explained everything. Picked up and dropped off from Queenstown. Simple, engaging and most importantly, fun!

Coronet Peak Tandems also do Hang Gliding during the summer. If you’ve done either or both, feel free to leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.

This activity was sponsored by Coronet Peak Tandems.

The most important thing to me is my readers, without you guys the site wouldn’t exist but a man has to eat! I always try to ensure that advertising and sponsors don’t impede on your experience here at Gap Year Escape. That being said I still want to thank some of the sponsors of Gap Year Escape.

If you want to sponsor Gap Year Escape or work together please contact us.

Treble Cone is 35 minutes from Wanaka and 90 minutes drive from Queenstown. Standing at 2088m it offers a great mixture of slopes and some rather challenging black runs.

As I step off the Kiwi Discovery Ski Link bus it really dawns on me; it’s winter and I’m on a mountain! I love hot weather but I’d trade it in for this kind of scenery. The view alone from the top of Treble Cone is worth a visit in itself.

I’m booked on to a 3 Day First Timer Burton Learn to Ride Package. At $400 for 3 days; which includes 4 x 2 hour lessons, full day lift passes and quality Burton gear, it’s one of the cheaper ways to learn to snowboard in New Zealand. Treble Cone is also a Burton Learn to Ride (LTR) Centre. Coupled with the Burton clothes rentals I got from SnowRental in Queenstown I am ready to roll.

Personally, I think the three day package is spot on. Day 1 has a lesson on the beginners slope in the morning and the afternoon is free time. I did a bit of snowboarding in the afternoon but to be honest I was working muscles I didn’t know I had so I didn’t do much. The package does include a scenic pass up the ski lift and a free drink so I just enjoyed the view. Day 2 is a morning and afternoon lesson and day 3 is just a morning session. I think this set up is perfect for beginners as I found I was shattered on the first day and on the last day I just needed to go on my own way and practice in the afternoon.

Learning to snowboard initially can be quite frustrating. The thing I found most difficult was standing up! Not the best way to start but trust me it gets much easier. I was surprised by how quickly I improved, even on the first day. I think this comes down to the instructors. Treble Cone has an exceptionally high standard when it comes to the instructors and they don’t make it easy to get a job teaching there. You can be rest assured you’re being taught by some of the best.

I really do think that it would be a shame for anyone to come to New Zealand during winter and not try snowboarding. From my experience, if you’re a complete beginner I would strongly recommend at least two days of lessons, three if you can afford it. Two days of lessons had me comfortably doing green runs but by day three I was trying blue.

Why pick Treble Cone over another mountain? It’s an interesting question. Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are popular due to their distance to Queenstown but does that necessarily mean they are better? Not at all. Treble Cone is a great place to learn. If you are already a snowboarder and come to Queenstown on holiday I would urge you to make a trip to Treble Cone. I honestly believe you’ll be converted.

What’s wrong with snowboarding at Treble Cone? I guess the main concern is the distance, perfect from Wanaka but not so close from Queenstown. Still even though the driving times are longer I think it’s worth it.

All in all a great experience. Loved the instructors at Treble Cone. They were such a friendly team and they taught me well. Will I continue with Snowboarding? Hell yeah I will! I really did get the bug for it and I am considering doing a season somewhere else.

I now count myself a snowboarder; 50% more attractive and 75% more cocky…

This post was sponsored by Treble Cone, Kiwi Discovery and SnowRental.

Let’s give you a bit of background. Franz Josef is a 12km Glacier located in Westland National Park on the west coast of New Zealand’s south island. Franz Josef terminates 19km from the Tasman Sea and 300m above sea level. It is one of the few glaciers in New Zealand still growing. Franz Josef is a major tourist attraction on the West Coast. A quarter of a million visitors a year can’t be wrong!

Franz Josef Glacier Guides offer five options:

• Glacier Valley Walk
• Half Day Glacier Experience
• Full Day Glacier Adventure
• Ice Climbing
• Heli-Hike

The company really do well to offer various packages to suit different levels of ability and cost. I went along on the Full Day Glacier Adventure.

There was a large group doing the full day and we were split into five groups. One being for those who were the fittest. You should know by know that I always like to do things the hard way. However, due to a pre-existing injury I was advised against going into group one. This actually worked to my advantage. I ended up in group three which meant that the pace was rather comfortable and I had plenty of time to stop and take far too many photos! If you are concerned about your ability or not sure which option would be suitable just pop into their office. They were really helpful in discussing it all with me.

The initial walk is through the valley which is rather easy and the excitement builds as you draw closer to the looming glacier. There is a slightly steep climb right before the Glacier but it really didn’t cause anyone any trouble and you go at an easy pace. Just before the ice, you stick on your crampons (spikes that go on over your boots) and then you are away!

It’s strange to be in such an environment. One minute you are walking on rocks and the next you feel like you are in Antarctica. It’s not as difficult as you might think. Wearing the crampons makes it relatively easy to get around on the ice. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to take some incredible photos which are all the more impressive with the stunning ice backdrops.

Our guide was pretty good at reading the group. We never rushed but we didn’t hang around either. He was also particularly knowledgeable. I wasn’t deliberately being a pain, I just had a lot of questions like an inquisitive five year old. He was able to answer everything I threw at him.

Is this tour for you? If you can walk then yes it is. I loved it and I also love the photos I have from the trip. I would highly recommend the Full Day Hike. Our guide pointed out where the Half Day Hike went to. Although you get to reach the ice you definitely get better value for money doing the Full Day. So unless you are strapped for time, the Full Day hike is a must.

This trip was sponsored by Franz Josef Glacier Guides.

Sorry, I clearly get defensive about Fergburger and my habit. I’ve been here just shy of a month and had one nearly every day. I did cheat on Fergburger the other day to have a pizza instead. I felt more and more guilty with every slice. So what is Fergburger I hear you ask? Gather round children and let me tell you a tale.

Fergburger is one of those fairytale ‘rags to riches’ type affairs from a back alley burger joint to main street success. Global giants such as Burger King were unable to compete with the might that is Fergburger. As an individual with a business background I can’t help but be impressed and totally suckered by Fergburger, their success, brand and how they operate.

Fergburger is open 21 hours a day, has an incredibly efficient kitchen and lovely ‘fluffers’ to keep you entertained while you wait. Each time you order a burger you know it will be just as good as the last. All the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced. The only way it could be fresher is if they kept Bambi in the back. They also cater for different dietary requirements and have a wide variety burger options. My personal favourite is the Codfather (It really does make an offer you can’t refuse), but frequent the Bun Laden from time to time.  I would like to set a challenge. Can anyone eat the ‘Big Al’ and chips? Seriously if you manage this please leave a comment because you deserve a medal or a cookie or something.

Fergburger’s burgers are great but this isn’t just about the food. Fergburger is an experience, a rite of passage. Remember when you were six years old and you went to McDonalds for a Happy Meal? It was the most exciting thing ever right?! Fergburger is like that for adults! Whether you wake up in the morning and crave a breakfast burger or stumble out of World Bar with the munchies, Fergburger is always a good idea.

When you travel to New Zealand one of the things that always gets mentioned is Fergburger. I heard about it months before I got here and it really does live up to the hype.

As for my addiction I am willing to go with it until I leave Queenstown. Then we might have a problem. I’ll be kicking and screaming not to get on the bus. I mean look at the picture, I am far too happy. I think an intervention and a twelve-step programme are in order…

Written by Amar Hussain: Writer. Traveller. Fergburger Addict.

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t like cute little penguins?! I’ve seen Happy Feet and Surf’s Up dozens of times and the idea of watching these little guys storm a beach really appealed to me. There are quite a few operators who run the Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour, but Bunyip Tour’s Moonlight Express Tour has a rather nice twist. Let me give you a breakdown.

After about an hour’s drive you stop for a welcomed refreshment stop and can take a nice stroll along The Nobbies boardwalk and also enjoy views of Seal Rocks. Now believe it or not Seals are kind of hard to spot. You could be staring at a rock… or is it a Seal? Definitely a rock. Ok that rock just sneezed. What?!?

You have two options with the Penguin Parade; normal seating or pay an additional $11 for the exclusive viewing area. To be honest I would say save your $11. If you get there early enough, grab a spot on the first seating area, at the front on the right hand side. That’s the best piece of advice I can give you, although you will get a decent view wherever you are sitting. Also, the other reason I wouldn’t pay for the exclusive viewing area is that once the cute little penguins have waddled their way on to the beach they head towards their burrows. Head back to the boardwalk and you can see them up close and personal. I was so close I could have picked one up (trust me, I was tempted).

Now here’s what really impressed me with this tour; the lantern-lit night walk at the Moonlit Wildlife Conservation Park. I’ve been to a lot of national parks on my travels but to visit one at night is a different experience altogether. Armed with a lantern and food you take a steady walk round the park. The highlight would have been when we saw a pair of Tasmanian Devils. I’ve never seen them so active before! We also got to see and feed all types of animals such as Kangaroos, Koalas, Wombats, Bettongs and Quolls.

Would I recommend this tour? Yes I would. Would I recommend it with Bunyip Tours? Even more so. The Penguin Parade was great but the unique selling point for me would have to be the conservation park at night. It wasn’t rushed at all, everyone got plenty of time with the animals and it’s minor but you didn’t have to pay extra for feed like some other places.

This isn’t for a particular type of tourist. Our tour bus was a mix of travellers and families. One final piece of advice would be to ensure you wrap up warm! It gets pretty cold sitting on the beach waiting for the Penguins with the ocean breeze.

Bunyip Tours operates numerous tours in Victoria. Check out my Neighbours Tour and Wilsons Promontory reviews too.

This tour was sponsored by Bunyip Tours. Images courtesy of Bunyip Tours.

Does she have the solution amongst the pages of her eBook?

Twitter For Travelers echoes exactly the same characteristics of a tweet; short and sweet. That isn’t to say that there isn’t much to the eBook. On the contrary there is an abundance of useful information, tips and advice contained within. This eBook really does cover Twitter for different types of travelers such as business, backpackers, expats and those who are just on their vacation.

I’ve actively been on Twitter for six months and would have considered myself a member of the Twitterati. This eBook has made me distinctly aware that I actually know very little about Twitter.

Let’s get straight to the point. Is the eBook worth $7? I think eventually you would muddle through how to use Twitter to aid your travels. Having said that, six months in and after reading this eBook I have quite a few applications to try, lists to follow and resources to check out. If you are new to Twitter this eBook is definitely for you. Not only does it cover the set up, but also how to get actively involved and using the tool to your advantage (it has the potential to save you a lot of time and money). One thing I liked especially is that it highlighted good Twitterquette (I am not sure if that is a word already but I am copywriting it now). User etiquette on Twitter can be lacking sometimes. Twitter Karma, as Christine calls it, can either be cruel or kind.

Twitter For Travelers can be purchased here.

You should also check out Christine’s website Almost Fearless or follow her on Twitter @almostfearless.

I’m stood in the cage peering out into the ocean when suddenly it appears. It started off as a shadow and slowly developed into the incredible creature that has survived 16 million years of evolution. The Great White Shark is incredibly casual and majestic as it stalked towards us. It’s scary to think that the shark can sense my heartbeat and would be feeling it quicken as it got closer. They can sense one billionth of a volt. It certainly knows I am there.

It was phenomenal to watch the shark chase the bait as it widened its jaws merely a metre away from where we were. You’ll feel an incredible adrenaline rush as you watch it clamp down its jaws with thousands of pounds of pressure. Even though you are in a cage the viewing gap is big enough to give you the sensation that you’re not in one. You can’t truly appreciate a Great White Shark until you have been down there with them.

Would I recommend this tour. Yes, yes and yes! The day tour lasts approximately 12 hours and it’s an enjoyable journey out past the Neptune Islands. You won’t just see sharks but scores of dolphins and even seals. The ship is very comfortable, friendly crew and the hostess really outdoes herself. You’ll be incredibly well fed throughout the day. The seafood platter was a rather nice touch.

At the end of the trip there was a customer feedback form and I honestly couldn’t suggest any improvements.

Now you’re probably wondering what this all costs and therein may lie a problem for some. At $495, this day tour is certainly not the cheapest but you have to look at the bigger picture. Do you get value for money? Personally, I would say so. There’s only a few places in the world that you can dive with Great White Sharks; Australia, South Africa and Guadalupe Island. At $495 this type of tour is actually very cheap compared to the competition. Look around on the internet and you’ll see many other operators that start at $3000.

This tour is rather accessible. You don’t have to have a diving certification and you don’t have to wear a tank either. The group was a mix of young travellers, backpackers and even a couple who were celebrating a 40th birthday. Due to the price tag this type of tour may be out of reach for some budget travellers or backpackers but I think I would rather have done this and forego some other tour or a few nights out. Was certainly worth it and experience you won’t soon forget.

Easiest way to get to Port Lincoln is to fly, unless of course you are driving through. Flights are reasonably priced from Sydney and Melbourne, and fly via Adelaide. I’d recommend booking a flight online with Qantas. Port Lincoln lacks any hostels and cheap accommodation options are slim . I stayed at the Pier Hotel (+618 8682 1322), which was clean, quiet, overlooks Boston Bay and is a short taxi away from where the tour departs.

This tour was sponsored by Calypso Star Charter. Images courtesy of Calypso Star Charter. The Pier Hotel offered Gap Year Escape industry rates for the duration of stay.

Mojosurf operates in four locations on the East Coast of Australia; Sydney, Crescent Head, Spot X (Arrawarra) and Byron Bay. I spent five days at the Crescent Head surf camp which is set amongst picturesque coastal scenery. The area is soon to be classed as a National Park.

The journey from Sydney to Crescent Head takes about six hours. You’d want to travel comfortably right? Mojosurf really have that covered with the most comfortable transport on wheels I have ever ridden in.

When we pulled up to the beach house we were greeted by the friendly Kim, the head instructor. Now Kim, for me, embodies what I always pictured an Aussie surfer to be like. He has a thick accent, extroverted, laid back, always up for a laugh and most randomly of all the guy uses a gym rope as a belt. The guy is just cool!

The Beach house accommodation is set a short walk from the beach and is dorm style accommodation ranging from six to twelve beds. The accommodation is comfortable and the hammocks are a nice touch. The only downside that I could see was that hot water is generated by solar power. All you green travellers out there might appreciate that but for the less conscientious is does mean no hot showers before 5pm and if you are the last back in the evening you might have to have a cold shower. Personally I’d say man up, you’re being environmentally friendly.

The surf at Crescent Head is great for beginners. Lessons tend to last approximately two hours each and you will surf twice a day on non travelling days. The lesson groups are 20 each and the Crescent Head Surf Camp holds 60 people. This may seem like a lot, and compared to smaller surf schools it is, but Mojosurf has more surf instructors per head then I have seen and it’s more than the legal requirement. Mojosurf also has a great clothing range that can be bought with a photo package. I’m rather in love with my Mojosurf hoody. The staff photographer takes some great shots and it’s good value for money.

When you are doing this much exercise, nutrition is very important. Mojosurf puts on a great spread and I can promise you’ll never go hungry. As a vegetarian I can find it difficult on tours. Not because a tour company doesn’t provide the right food but because non-vegetarians can sometimes not think and eat the veggie food too, leaving you with nothing to eat. At a Mojosurf Camp vegetarians and those with specific dietary requirements collect their meals first. Personally I think this is a genius idea! If you do have any dietary requirements Mojosurf are rather good at accommodating you. One backpacker, affectionately known as “allergic to everything girl” was still catered for. I thought I was a fussy eater.

Mojosurf’s defining feature happens to actually be the nightlife. After dinner and the small matter of who cleans up (settled by a giant game of Jenga), everyone heads down to the ‘Humpy’. Why it’s called the Humpy is anyone’s guess. It’s a camp fire, wooden seating and a sound system that’s been built out of a bin. Sounds crazy and it is a little bit but it’s rather a lot of fun. It’s set in between the beach and the accommodation. Best thing is that it’s away from everything so that you can make as much noise as you like without disturbing anyone who’s trying to sleep.

So is this tour for you? If you want to learn to surf, definitely. If you want to have lots of fun outside lessons too, hell yes. If you want to surf hard and party harder Mojosurf is the right choice for you. Mojosurf caters more for the youth market. The general age ranged from 18 – 25 but most was in the 18 – 21 bracket (college leavers or gap year kids). As it’s a large and busy camp it suits more of the extroverted personality rather than a wall flower. One other thing worthy of note is that the camp seems to attract beautiful Scandinavian people. Just saying.

On the whole the Surf Camp is great. The food is top notch, instructors are fantastic (almost all of them compete professionally) and the nightlife is great fun. Aside from the occasional cold shower the only other thing to consider is price. As five day tours go the Mojosurf camp is slightly more expensive than some of its competitors but I would say that the additional cost is marginal compared to the experience and I would honestly say you get what you pay for. Check Mojosurf out!

This tour was sponsored by Mojosurf. Photography courtesy of Mojosurf.

Located about five and a half hours north of Sydney is the Surfaris Surf Camp situated amongst a beautiful costal national park. Not only is the area scenic and full of wildlife (pelicans, dolphins etc.) but by doing a tour with Surfaris part of your money actually helps to maintain a national park.

So how is the surfing? Great actually. Surfaris boasts “more surfing time than any other operator” which is hard to argue with considering the model under which they operate. On non-travelling days (i.e. to and from Byron or Sydney), you spend the whole day on the beach. You could leave the camp at around eight and return by six in the evening. You can surf all day if you have the energy for it and a picnic is packed on the bus. On average the lessons lasted around three hours each (two a day) but like I said this is limited only by your own stamina to surf.

Surfaris other defining feature is that you are not restricted to one beach. On one morning we drove to five different beaches to find the best surfing conditions. This may seem like an arduous task but at the end of the day you came to surf and you want the best conditions for it. What is also appealing is that you are taught not just about how to surf but water safety and how to distinguish great surf conditions for yourself after the surf camp is over. The instruction is to an excellent standard and the system they employ ensures everyone has equal time with the instructor. Kyle (who kind of reminds me of the chicken from the movie Surfs Up) was a great instructor and provides that personal touch.

So what about all the extras? There’s optional yoga lessons, free internet and a pool. One thing that is lacking is that there isn’t a staff photographer with the option of buying photographs at the end of your trip. The food is plentiful, healthy and they cater well for different dietary requirements. The accommodation type is dorms with the option to upgrade to a double room with ensuite. For some reason in my head I thought the accommodation and facilities wouldn’t be as good as city accommodation because of the lodge being so remote. It’s a great place to stay and the facilities are equal to if not better than a lot of other places I have stayed on the East Coast, urban or otherwise.

The night time entertainment is something I have never seen before. On different nights of the week local bands will come and perform at the lodge. It’s pretty interactive and chilled out. Everyone grabs a drum or tambourine and gets involved. I don’t think I have ever had so much fun with a triangle before!

Is this tour for you? As five day surf tours go this is one of the cheaper options and great value for money considering meals, transportation and all things surf are included. Group sizes tend to be between 15-20 reaching a maximum of 30 in peak season. Surfaris doesn’t really suit the youth market (18 year olds on a gap year before university for example). If you want to do a bit of surfing, get crazy drunk and do it all over again this tour probably isn’t for you. As a family run operation it does have a more relaxed, homely feel to it, especially with Brucie running around between your legs and being affectionate (Brucie is a cat and not some deranged uncle before you ask).

If you want a chilled experience, serious about surfing and want a beautiful location to do it in, the Surfaris learn to surf adventure is the one for you.

This tour was sponsored by Surfaris.

You may read one or two reviews for a surf camp and think great, I’m on to a winner. The learn to surf market on the East Coast, particularly in and around Sydney and Byron Bay, is totally saturated. How do you know if it’s really for you? Will it live up to the hype? Going by the nice pictures in the leaflet or the prettiest promo girls is not exactly the most scientific.

Incidentally a few weeks ago, as I am incredibly smooth and love embarrassing myself, I stood on a promo girls toe. She was not amused, despite my apology but she still looked pretty when angry. However, if you are reading this and have got over it. Call me.

I digress…

Anyway, over the coming weeks Gap Year Escape will be embarking on a series of surf camps sponsored by various tour operators.

The aim:

Quite simple really. Find which out which one is the best!

Subscribe to my RSS feed or Twitter to keep up to date with the series of reviews on East Coast Surf Schools.

Wilsons Promontory is the southernmost point of mainland Australia. A slight downside to this is that it is approximately three hours away from Melbourne and unfortunately there isn’t much to see along the way. So was it worth the drive? Read on.

The tour kicked off with a rather relaxed stroll to the top of Mount Oberon. Don’t let the Mount bit scare you. It wasn’t a particularly difficult walk to the top. It’s is quite scenic and you can do it at your own pace. When you finally reach the top everyone has the same reaction. They are silent for five seconds as they take in the view and then say how beautiful and stunning it is. It really is breathtaking.

The photograph doesn’t really do it justice. It really is a sight to see firsthand.

The other benefit of visiting Wilsons Promontory is the beaches. The tour includes Norman Bay, Squeaky Beach and Picnic Bay. Squeaky Beach really is squeaky and the novelty really doesn’t wear off!

Wilsons Promontory is undervalued and undersubscribed, which also happens to be part of its allure. There are many beautiful spots in Australia but none that are quite so empty. Even at the view points, getting a good view of the apostles on the Great Ocean Road or Whitehaven beach can prove difficult with the sheer number of tourists. We were the only ones at the top of Mount Oberon and the beaches are pretty much void of tourists. It’s quite a thing to see and experience that much beauty and not have to battle with other sightseers.

If you are in Melbourne and fancy something different, Wilsons Promontory is a strong contender for your time. It can be done in a day and can be booked here through Bunyip Tours.

Bunyip Tours also run the Neighbours Tour and Neighbours Trivia Night. You can check out how I got on here.

Have you see Wilson Promontory? Let me know your thoughts.

Disclaimer: This tour was sponsored by Bunyip Tours.

The Aerobatic flight is something you have to do if you are travelling along the East Coast of Australia. Considering what it is involved it’s an absolute bargain!

Experiencing zero gravity is one of the things on my bucket list and I was thrilled to tick it off. It is the strangest feeling being completely weightless and just start rising off your seat. Incredible! Not only do you get to feel zero gravity several times but you do some pretty awesome adrenaline pumping twists and turns over the scenery below.

If that wasn’t enough you get to land on the beach above, go for a swim, play on the sand and eat fresh oysters straight from the rocks. You literally have the whole place to yourself.

The Aerobatic flight is great value for money, an incredible experience and I would highly recommend that you do it if you are in 1770 and have an afternoon spare.

Ask at any of the hostels to book you on or check here for more details.

Although the Neighbours Night and Neighbours Tour are two separate events, I would suggest you do both for the full Neighbours experience.

Let’s start from the top shall we…

As you sit on the bus on the way to the infamous Ramsay Street you can’t help but get excited. It might be the knowledgeable, enthusiastic tour guide (Gerry, legend) or it might be the clips from old Neighbours episodes (request the weddings and deaths video, strangely hilarious), either way you are pumped and ready to go.

Being on Ramsay Street is a bit surreal and it’s strange to think how excited everyone gets about seeing a street. As you can see from the picture below I got a bit excited about seeing the Kennedy’s house.

You also get the chance to meet one of the cast. We had the pleasure of meeting Kate Ramsay (Ashleigh Brewer). The tour guide asked the group if everyone knew who she was. I must admit I haven’t watched the show in a while and had no clue. Out of the fear of being mobbed by outraged fans I smiled and nodded with everyone else who of course knew who she was. It wasn’t a particularly rushed affair either which was nice. Everyone had the chance to get their picture taken and ask questions or generally pick up Ashleigh. N.B Ask their permission first.

The Neighbours Night is where things get really interesting. The build up on the night is manic with screaming fans and such a fun atmosphere. You can’t help but be sucked in to the hysteria.

When Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) arrives the room explodes. The man has been doing Neighbours Night for six years and has not lost any of his enthusiasm. Everyone in the room (myself included) had the pleasure of meeting Alan. As I extended my hand to greet the man my outside voice boomed “pleasure to meet you” where as in my head I was screaming like a little girl “oh my days it’s Karl Kennedy!”

I know right. I should be embarrassed. I’m really not… it was Karl Kennedy! The man is charismatic and has such an energy about him which you certainly get to see when he performs in his band; Waiting Room.

If you are in Melbourne this really is a must see. I would highly recommend both tours but if I had to pick one I would go with the Neighbours Night.

Both of these tours can be booked exclusively through Bunyip Tours.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: This tour was sponsored by Bunyip Tours.