Walk, cycle & party through the Rugby World Cup

With one of the highlights of the sporting calendar fast approaching, Australasia specialist Austravel is recommending three new attractions for travellers to see while in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off from 9 September, and for those hoping to combine a holiday with cheering on their team, New Zealand offers a whole host of new attractions.

The top three picks are:

The New Zealand Cycle Trail, which will ultimately consist of 18 ‘Great Rides’ and 2000km of cycleway, has sections of 15 trails open to cyclists and one trail fully completed in advance of the Rugby World Cup.

The St James Cycle Trail near Hanmer Springs is the first of the routes to be finished in its entirety. 64 km long, the route will take experienced riders 10 hours to complete; for those who want to go slow and appreciate the varied landscape of river valleys, country lakes, beech forest and natural hot springs, there are four huts en route equipped for overnight visitors.

All 18 of the cycle routes – which will be spread throughout the North and South Islands and will showcase the best of New Zealand’s countryside and scenery – will be completed by the summer of 2013.

For those who would prefer to walk through New Zealand’s stunning landscapes, Te Araroa, otherwise known as The Long Pathway, is due to open later this year.

Stretching from Cape Reinga in the North of New Zealand to Bluff in the South, the 3,000km trail will be one of the longest walking trails in the world. It will wind down the coastline, through the forest, across farmland, over volcanoes and mountain passes, along river valleys, on green pathways and through seven cities.

For travellers looking to unwind, The REAL New Zealand Festival will run from 9 September – 23 October, bringing the World Cup experience alive with a nationwide celebration of New Zealand arts, food and wine, heritage, culture, entertainment, business and lifestyle.

Events will take place all across the country including Marlborough's best wine and food at the historic Brancott vineyard; the Whitianga Scallop Festival in the Coromandel; leading contemporary dance company, Black Grace, will perform in Wellington and M?ori from the Mataatua Waka in the Bay of Plenty will come together for the Mataatua Iwi Challenge, an authentic and unrehearsed series of 19 sport and activity tests.

To see the best of New Zealand on your own schedule, the following package allows great flexibility:

Motorhome

From £2,169 per person, based on twin share and 27 September flight departure.

Price includes return flights to Auckland with Malaysia Airlines and 2 berth Apollo Motorhome for 14 days.

Rugby World Cup tickets can be purchased from Austravel as official travel sub-agent of Gullivers Sports Travel.

For flights to New Zealand or to book this package, visit: austravel.com