Travel deals: New Zealand

Matakauri Lodge, New Zealand

GO NOW
NEW ZEALAND
Live well at the prestigious Matakauri Lodge, near Queenstown, and get the third night free on stays until July 31. Get cosy in a deluxe suite, with gourmet dinner and all lodge facilities, not to mention the views. From $1895 a person, three nights, twin share. matakaurilodge.com.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Stay three nights, pay for two at the dictionary definition of "glamping", Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef's beachside eco-tents. Save $750 a person on stays July 20-31, when the whale sharks are in town. Includes meals and wilderness trips. From $1500 a person, twin share. 1300 790 561, wildbushluxury.com.

Trilogy Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia
GO SOON
QUEENSLAND
Stay three nights, pay for two, saving $255 at the four-star Trilogy Surfers Paradise. Deposit only $5 and pay the balance 28 days before check-in. Stays in a self-catering, one-bed apartment cost from $510, three nights, until October 19. 1800 359 769, lowcostholidays.com.au.
USA
Go after-hours into MOMA, backstage on Broadway or see the Yankees on a six-night custom tour of New York. Book by June 30, get a $215 voucher at 5th Avenue's Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. Departs May 22 and August 28, 2015. From $4320 a person. (03) 9029 1193, see insiderexperience.com.

GO LATER
FINLAND
Save 5 per cent on 20 winter small-group journeys, including the five-day family tour of Finnish Lapland to meet Santa, take a reindeer sleigh ride and go ice-fishing. Book by June 30, travel December 23. Save $160, from $3197 a person, quote BRTWEB5%. 1300 100 410, backroadstouring.com.au.
TASMANIA
Take a luxe three-day walk on historic Maria Island and save $100 when you book and pay by June 30, for travel until April 2015. Expect your bags to be carried, tents erected and wine poured for you. Low season (September 20-October 30) from $999 a person. (02) 9913 8939, lifesanadventure.com.au.

TALKING TURKEY
Feed your stomach and your soul on a gastronomic and historic cruise through Turkey. Group size ranges from eight to 18 sailing a wooden gulet along the Carian coast visiting ancient sites, foraging for wild food and hitting the markets. Learn to cook Turkish in a family home and eat in traditional restaurants. Departs September 20, 2014 and May 23, 2015. From $3875 a person. petersommer.com.

KIDS
GO WILD IN MELBOURNE
Take the kids to see the wildlife in Melbourne this winter. Ibis Melbourne has family-friendly deals for DreamWorks Animation: The Exhibition in Federation Square and the Melbourne Zoo. The DreamWorks offer includes accommodation, breakfast and two adult tickets to the exhibition (kids 4-15 years, $10). From $183 a night, until October 5; 1300 656 565, accorhotels.com/melbexhibition. The zoo offer includes accommodation, breakfast and two adult tickets to the zoo. From $129 a night, until September 25; phone (03) 9666 0066, see ibis.com.

This travel deals column by Belinda Jackson is published in Sydney's Sun-Herald newspaper every Sunday.  

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