New age tourists

An increasing number of home-grown tourists points to a need for accommodation providers and marketers of the Far North to specifically target their advertising.

Don and Janet Stewart from Auckland have travelled widely overseas. Their most memorable trip was sailing as 'pieces of freight' for six weeks around the UK, the Mediterranean and Scandinavia as passengers on board an Italian freighter, the Grande Ellade.

Although they have spent most of their adult lives in Auckland they did for a time live in Dargaville when their children were young so the Far North is not alien territory to them. But until recently they hadn't travelled this way purely as tourists.

The Stewarts are representative of a growing demographic - the newly-retired baby boomers who opt to see their own place before galloping off overseas - fulfilling the old advertising maxim not to leave town before they've seen the country. In fact golf was the original lure which meant they by-passed the 'usual' tourist spots.

Given the growing numbers of such travellers it may indicate the need for accommodation and leisure activity providers to consider the home market as much, if not more, than marketing overseas. The Stewarts came north to see long-time friends and to take advantage of accommodation-and-golf package deals. Janet tells of her travels:

"We headed to the Stone Store Lodge in Kerikeri which, as the name suggests, is very close to the old store near the inlet. Our host Marika is a NZ-born artist who was looking after the place for six weeks while the owner was in Spain. She certainly was the best example of how to look after a lodge for an absentee owner. She was so friendly, the breakfast setting was absolutely gorgeous and nothing was too much trouble.

We played at the Waitangi golf course, (wonderful views, great course) and at the Bay of Islands course in Kerikeri where we had a practice round before playing in their Lions' tournament.

Then it was off to the Chalet Romantica in Paihia, a lovely boutique B&B.; The Austrian host, Inge, was delightful and really interesting to talk to. She commented that it was nice to have New Zealanders stay because they mostly host overseas visitors, not Kiwis. Her husband, who is Swiss, built the place 20 years ago after other ventures in Paihia and it still looks brand new. At $205 per night for two you couldn't fault anything. It has a huge spa, a swimming pool and a gymnasium and a breakfast to die for. A day trip to Russell, as one must do, is always a delight.

We drove up to Cape Reinga and the new road is fabulous as are the facilities when you arrive. On the way back we visited friends and family - my niece is married to Brian Steed who's family runs the Steed Store in Waiharara - and we stayed with the Bells who are successful market gardeners in Kaitaia. Don got to know them when he worked at Turners and Growers and they are always the first to send kumara and mandarins to the markets in New Zealand.

Everyone should visit Matai Bay on the Karekare Peninsula. It's absolutely gorgeous, as is the Carrington Golf Resort and Vineyard. A visit to the famous fish and chip shop in Mangonui is a must as well.

Home to Auckland via the Kohukohu/Rawene ferry, through the Waipoua Forest and on to the old home town of Dargaville. It's a wonderful drive if you haven't done it before ..."

Would they come back as tourists again? "Absolutely" says Janet. In fact, I'm already planning a girls' golfing trip."