Explore! E-letter

Explore! is the Jasons online travel guide for Hot Deals, features and destination guides in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific. To sign up, join My Jasons here.

Please find the most recent Explore! newsletter below. To view previous newsletters, click here.






		WIN a Snow Time at Ruapehu Prize Package worth over $1000! WIN tickets to Cirque du Soleil's Dralion WIN $100 worth of petrol vouchers with Jasons It's Snow Time at Ruapehu



		WIN a Hervey Bay Humpback Holiday for the family Humpback Holiday at Hervey Bay



		Festival Time in Tonga




		Central & Eastern North Island RoutePlanner Sunshine, Fraser & Coral Coasts RoutePlanner Tonga Visitor Guide

Greetings Traveller

We've got a bumper winter edition this month with prizes galore.....from a fabulous winter ski package worth over $1000 staying at the historic Bayview Chateau Tongariro to an awesome whale watching holiday at Australia's whale watch capital, Hervey Bay, Queensland.

Tell us your travel plans for winter and go in the draw to win one of three prizes of petrol vouchers to the value of $100. PLUS you can go in the draw to win two tickets to Cirque du Soleil's latest extravaganza, Dralion on 28 July 2009.

Congratulations to the winner of our Weekend Away in Whangarei for our last month's competition, Jenny Mercer.

From the team at Jasons Explore!

It's Snow Time at Ruapehu

Winter is here again and that means skiing and boarding are back on the menu! Right at the heart of the World Heritage Tongariro National Park, Mount Ruapehu's long season, varied terrain and bustling après-ski make for a fantastic snow experience. From off-piste challenges to awesome vertical runs, there's something to entice everyone - so pack your boots and boards, and get ready for some winter fun.

Rugged Mount Ruapehu lords it over Mt Ruapehu from Bowling Greenthe North Island as its premier winter playground. The mountain's scoria-clad flanks once stood in for Sauron's evil realm of Mordor in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings Trilogy, but when the winter snow falls, Ruapehu's broad slopes are home to the country's largest combined ski and snowboard area, Whakapapa and Turoa. You'll find 1800 hectares of lift-accessed terrain, a huge array of groomed trails and some great off-piste areas for freestyle skiing and boarding. Read more...

Order your complimentary Central & Eastern North Island RoutePlanner

	Latest Hot Deals

			WIN a Snow Time at Ruapehu Prize Package worth over $1000 Enter to win this fantastic prize for two! Prize includes 2 nights (mid week) at Bayview Chateau Tongariro, a fully cooked buffet breakfast each morning, a delicious 3-course set menu dinner and a lift pass and ski or board rental for two days courtesy of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts. Enter now.


			Triple your Fly Buys® points with Choice Hotels Enjoy a winter getaway with your partner, best buddy or family at any Comfort™, Quality™ or Clarion® hotel in New Zealand. Simply book and stay until 5 July 2009 and you'll collect TRIPLE Fly Buys Points!* For reservations call 0800 803 524 or visit choicehotels.co.nz. *Terms & conditions on website.


			Winter Mid Week Package - Bayview Chateau Tongariro Enjoy long days on the ski fields with our fabulous mid week deal. Package costs $500 (single), $650 (twin) and includes 2 nights of mountain luxury in a Premium Room, a fully cooked buffet breakfast each morning & a delicious 3 course set-menu dinner each night! Includes GST. Check-in time 3pm; check-out time 10am. Valid from 26/6/09 to 31/10/09.


			Host Accommodation Winter Deals Check out some great specials with Host Accommodation. Available when staying at selected Host Accommodation properties e.g. complimentary wireless internet, continental breakfast, airport transfers, restaurant vouchers, discounted rental car hire and golf packages. Visit our website for some great winter deals and rates at hostaccommodation.co.nz


			Taupo - save up to 30% at Boulevard Waters Motor Lodge Enjoy an absolute lake edge stay when two of you book 2 or 3 consecutive nights in a luxury lake edge until with in-room spa and lake views. Stay 2 nights (excl Sat) and pay $298 (save $100); or stay 3 nights and pay $429 (save $170)! Continental breakfast daily for two served to your room. Subject to availability. Valid to 20/9/09.


			New Plymouth - Landmark Manor Weekly Special Deal Stay Mon-Thurs for $115/night in our modern studio suite (sleeps up to 2). Includes continental breakfast for 1 and morning newspaper. Centrally located to CBD & minutes walk from supermarkets, shops, cafes/restaurants, coastal walkway, Pukekura Park and other major attractions. Weekends, special events and public holidays excluded. Valid to 31/8/09.


			Whangamata - treat yourself to 2 nights Breakers Motel in Whangamata is offering this fabulous package for 2, with your own private spa on the deck. Package costs $350 and includes: 2 nights in a Studio unit, a bottle of wine and chocolates on arrival, a 1/2 hour massage for one by a qualified therapist and late check-out of 12 noon! Valid to 30/9/09.


			WIN 2 tickets to Cirque du Soleil's Dralion Go in the draw to win 2 tickets to Dralion's 8pm performance on 28 July 2009! Fusing ancient Chinese circus tradition with Cirque du Soleil's unique avant-garde approach, Dralion is a fusion of the dragon, representing the East, and the lion, representing the West. Entries close on 19 July at 11.59pm. Enter now!


			Jasons are offering you a chance to WIN $100 worth of petrol vouchers Let us know what your travel plans are for winter and be in with a chance to win one of THREE prizes of $100 petrol vouchers! Simply click here and complete our short survey before 29 June 2009 to be in with a chance to win!

Humpback Holiday at Hervey Bay

Just a 40 minute flight north of Brisbane, Queensland, beautiful Hervey Bay is famous as one of the world's whale watching capitals.

From July to November, Hervey Bay's warm waters are home to one of the ocean's most magnificent marine mammals - the humpback whale. The adults and the young calves break their southern Antarctic journey to rest, feed and frolic in the warm, calm waters between Hervey Bay and World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, and most whale watching tours will guarantee a sighting during this time.

While you can spot whales in other parts of the world, it's in Hervey Bay that they choose to ‘holiday' in small groups or ‘pods' of adults and calves - and that affords a unique opportunity to experience their antics and awesome size right up close.

Humpbacks are natural entertainers and appear to be as interested in us, as we are in them. Bobbing out of the water to ‘spy' watchers is a common behaviour - along with the ‘blow', tail slapping, waving and slapping their pectoral fins and, best of all, the spectacular ‘breach'. The whale propels itself out of the water and comes crashing down almost in slow motion - the most prized of subjects for every photographer. A close encounter with a humpback whale is an intimate and humbling experience and many people comment on the profound effect it has on them. It's definitely something you have to experience for yourself to truly appreciate. Read more...

Order your complimentary Sunshine, Fraser & Coral Coasts RoutePlanner

	Latest Hot Deals

			Win a Hervey Bay Humpback Holiday for the family Enter to win this fabulous family prize package for two adults and two children. Prize includes 2 nights at 5-star Akama Resort in Hervey Bay, daily breakfast at Cafe Balaena and a half day whale watching cruise aboard Tasman Venture. Prize must be taken between late July and 31/10/09 during whale season. Enter now!


			Akama Resort Recession Buster - stay 7 nights/pay for 5! Hervey Bay's newest 5-star resort is offering 2 FREE nights when you stay in one of our fully self-contained 1, 2, 3brm or Penthouse apartments for 7 nights! A saving of up to $830. Excludes public and school holidays. Must mention this Jasons special offer. Not valid with any other offer/special. Valid to 31/8/09.


			Hervey Bay - Winter Special Getaway 5-star rated Grand Mercure Apartments Allegra Hervey Bay is now offering a FREE night! Stay in one of our beautifully appointed fully self-contained 1 or 2brm apartments for 5 nights and only pay for 4! 1brm apt $225/night (sleeps up to 2); 2brm apt $255/night (sleeps up to 4). Subject to availability. Valid to 1/9/09.


			Hervey Bay - Whale Watching Accommodation Package at Arlia Sands Receive a 10% discount on stays of 2 nights or more when you book a Whale Watching tour with us. Book a 1/2 day tour to experience the majestic Humpback whales at play. Packages start from $455 for 2 adults and includes 2 nights + whale watch tour; $565 for 2 adults and 2 children includes 2 nights + whale watch tour. Conditions apply. Valid 23/7/09 to 30/10/09.


			Hervey Bay - Whale Watch Winter Escape at Alexander Luxury Apartments Two people stay 5 nights in a spacious 2brm fully self-contained beach view apartment for $600! Pay $15/night per extra person (up to 4). Book your whale watch trips with guaranteed whale sightings or Fraser Island tours through us at no extra cost with free pick-up and drop-off. Subject to availability. Valid to 30/11/09. Must quote Jasons Hot Deal.


			Hervey Bay Winter Warmer - Eden by the Bay The whales are ready to put on a show so book with us now. Stay more than 5 nights and receive 1 night free in a 1 or 2brm apartment. Pay $700 for 6 nights in a 1brm apartment (sleeps up to 2). Save $110! Pay $875 for 6 nights in a 2brm apartment (sleeps up to 4). Save $145! Boutique beachfront accommodation in a central location. Valid to 1/8/09.


			Get five days South Pacific travel insurance from just NZ$25 A trip to a Pacific Island means crystal-clear waters, desolate white sand beaches and sipping cocktails watching the sun go down. For a measley NZ$25 you can get our 5 day South Pacific policy which covers Australia, Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and the Cooks and is the best value for money cover can buy. Visit statetravel.co.nz and get covered today.


			Hervey Bay - Two Night Ultimate Whale Watch Getaway - Shelly Bay Resort Book a 2 night ultimate whale watch getaway package for 2 adults. Package costs AUD$235pp and includes: 2 nights accommodation in a 1brm apt and whale watch tour tickets! Your whale watch tour includes morning or afternoon tea, pick-up & drop-off, guaranteed whale sighting and an underwater viewing area. Min stay 2 nights. Valid 1/8/09 to 31/10/09.

Festival Time in Tonga

The Kingdom of Tonga has always been proud of its cultural heritage and, if you can visit this year from 26 July to 1 August, you'll be able experience some of those vibrant traditions as Tonga's biggest festival takes place on the main island of Tongatapu.

Tongatapu stages the Heilala Week Festival annually to coincide with the Celebrations of His Majesty George Tupou V's official birthday, and it's a great time to visit Tonga and share in the special festival events and atmosphere. The festival is named after Tonga's national flower, Heilala, which blooms around this time. A colourful line-up of parades, parties, concerts, sporting events and a beauty pageant keep visitors and locals like entertained. Read more...

Order your complimentary Tonga Visitor Guide

	Latest Hot Deals

			Rarotonga - enjoy an affordable holiday at The Edgewater Resort & Spa Stay 5 nights and pay for only 4 nights in all rooms and villas PLUS pay for 7 nights or more and receive a NZ$250 resort credit per room or NZ$400 resort credit per villa. Includes daily tropical breakfast and complimentary daily activities programme. Valid for sales to 30/6/09 and travel to 31/12/09.


			Get five days South Pacific travel insurance from just NZ$25 A trip to a Pacific Island means crystal-clear waters, desolate white sand beaches and sipping cocktails watching the sun go down. For a measley NZ$25 you can get our 5 day South Pacific policy which covers Australia, Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and the Cooks and is the best value for money cover can buy. Visit statetravel.co.nz and get covered today.


			Rarotonga - romantic spa indulgence package Stay a minimum of 5 nights or more at Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa, in any one of the top class luxury villas and enjoy the following inclusions: a couples massage in the new Spa plus a discounted rate for all guests on any other spa treatment, VIP airport transfers, welcome flower ei's and arrival champagne gift basket. Valid to 30/9/09.


			Rarotonga - Stay 5 nights and pay for 4 - Atupa Orchid Units Two of you can book a stay of 5 nights during the months of July and August and get 1 night free! Rates per night in NZD: 1brm bungalow $85; 2brm bungalow $95; Studio with kitchen $70, no kitchen $65; Budget own room $40; Share room $25. Includes free luggage storage, flowers in room on arrival and in season fruits. Valid July and August 2009 only.


			Rarotonga - Stay 5 nights and pay for 3 at Moana Sands Beachfront Hotel and Villas Celebrate the opening of our brand new 2brm villas (opening 21 June) with our stay 5 nights and pay for only 3 deal. Package costs NZ$490/night for 2 adults and includes champagne on arrival, breakfast starter pack and barbecue voucher (value $60). Extra person $80/night per adult; children 0-12yrs FREE. Valid for sales & travel to 31/10/09.

Explore! E-letter

Greetings Traveller

It's Snow Time at Ruapehu

Latest Hot Deals

Humpback Holiday at Hervey Bay

Latest Hot Deals

Festival Time in Tonga

Latest Hot Deals

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