For 39 years, as the seasons change and the sun rises above the snow, the city of Queenstown springs back into life and brings you the ultimate Winterfestival! With 10 fun-filled days planned to celebrate the picturesque beauty of this magnificent locale, you will not want to miss one second.

Celebrating all the good things that the Winter season has to offer, there will be a wide array of events on offer. Head to the slopes and wind your way down, keep warm at the pub to the sounds of some homegrown music or take a chilly (and quick) dip in the waters of Lake Wakatipu – all for a little fun and to enjoy the cold that makes Queenstown famous!

Rainbow Tourism loves Queenstown – from the fresh air to the overall vibe of the area, it is truly a unique, holiday destination. So, get yourself prepared to rug up and head to Queenstown – where Winter doesn’t officially begin until this festival kicks off!

While Australia waits for Marriage Equality movement to heat up, New Zealand’s decision to legalise gay marriage could see a spike in trans-Tasman tourism.

New Zealand celebrants have received a steady stream of inquiries, mostly from Australians, since passage of the reform, which will come into effect on August 19.

Tourism New Zealand has already moved to capitalise on the demand, launching a rainbow-themed “100 percent Pure Choice” campaign on social media (based on its famous “100 percent Pure” slogan). It also plans to run a contest for would-be newlyweds with a luxury New Zealand wedding as the major prize.

Back in Australia, The Greens Party has announced the introduction of a bill that will see overseas same-sex marriages recognised in Australia. If passed by Parliament, Australia would join the likes of Japan, Israel and Slovenia who all recognise same-sex couples married overseas, despite not allowing same-sex marriage domestically.

More info from gay media

More info from mainstream media

Out Takes 2013: A Reel Queer Film Festival will have extended dates this year as it makes room for some amazing queer films! It will be presenting a smorgasbord of queer films “which have the power to remind us of who we are, to inform and transform people both in and outside of our communities, to bring people together to celebrate queer culture.”

In Auckland the fest will open on 23 May and close on 4 June (the day after Queen’s Birthday Monday). This year, there will be Waiheke Island select screenings from 14 to 16 June.

In Wellington, the event runs from 30 May (just before Queen’s Birthday weekend) and to 12 June.

Programme
Read more about places to stay if visiting the festival cities: http://www.rainbowtourism.co.nz/ and http://rainbowtourism.com/places/New_Zealand.

This March 22 – April 1, there will be no better way to explore the beauty of Queenstown than on bike – with the Queenstown Bike Festival! Ride through the hills and valleys of this stunning landscape during this 10 day celebration of nature and athleticism.

There will be stunt shows, family events and guided bike tours showing off the best and brightest areas that the Otago Region has to offer. So whether you want to ride past the amazing Lake Wakitipu on a solo excursion, grab a group of friends and take a guided tour through a mountain pass or sit back and watch professionals display intricate tricks and turns on all styles of bikes, this little outing has something for everyone.

Rainbow Tourism is always on the look out for diverse and exciting events happening around the globe and no place is more equipped for an amazing natural experience than New Zealand – so, check out our NZ site and get planning today!

Plan ahead, as local fans and international visitors line up to get their fill. The programme also includes special dinner functions, wearable art competitions, and oyster shucking and eating competitions plus live music adds to the atmosphere

No wonder this winter festival is one of the country’s most popular food and wine events.

Other must dos and photo opportunities
The salty seaside town of Bluff is home to the fleet of oyster boats and the main gateway to Stewart Island – New Zealand’s third largest island. It is the oldest European settled town in New Zealand and offers fascinating maritime history.

Southland is the most southern region – sparsely populated and famed for native bird sanctuaries and an untouched natural environment- it’s a great place to get back to nature.

Southland Accommodation

Places to Stay

Stewart Island Cottage

The Gibbston Valley of New Zealand’s South Island is overflowing with wine and culture and never more so than during the annual Gibbston Wine and Food Festival. This amazing event gives the general public the chance to come out and learn more about the amazing vines that grow just a short drive out of the beautiful scenery in Queenstown.

This March 16, the Gibbston Valley proudly shows off all of its charm as it welcomes you and your friends to gather together, set up a picnic and take in the decadent flavours that call the Otago Region home. Whether you’re coming for the day from Queenstown or plan to make the Gibbston region your weekend getaway, there are plenty of things to see and do, as well as some great local haunts to make you truly appreciate this unique part of the world.

Rainbow Tourism loves all things Kiwi – from the brights lights of Auckland to the ski slopes of Queenstown - so be sure to visit our New Zealand site and start planning your Kiwi escape now!

The GABA Charitable Trust is proud to again present La Balle.

La Balle is considered the glamour event of the year for LBT women and straight female friends to be held on Saturday 20th July at The Pullman Hotel in Auckland.

The theme for this year’s ball is “Heroes and Heroines.” Expect to see a cast of favourite women in film, music, politics, history, sport and a range of superheroes to fill the ballroom! The entertainment for the evening will be provided by the popular band, The Mermaids.

Why not make a night of it and book a room at the hotel? The Pullman is a 5 star hotel with excellent facilities. They have provided an awesome package just for La Balle guests.

• GABA
• La Balle Facebook Event
• Auckland Accommodation

This April 16 – 21, the South Island of New Zealand will overflow with delight as the beautiful Festival of Colour makes its epic return!  This art extravaganza covers 6 days and nights across some of NZ’s most extreme and stunning scenery.

Sharing the events, 6 local towns hosts the events that celebrate art in all its forms: photography, dance, theatre and more. It’s a great way to welcome the Autumn season into the Southern Hemisphere and a beautiful display of what is so great about New Zealand.

Rainbow Tourism loves New Zealand – there is no place on Earth where one can have a day full of world-class extreme sports, then a glass of fine local wine and then sit back and take in the sunset in some of the most beautiful skies that there are to see.  So, don’t dream of NZ any longer – let us help get you started!

During the past two years, the popular ‘Girls with Guitars’ tour has opened the eyes and turned the heads of music fans all over North America and Europe.
In 2013, this young and dynamic trio will appear exclusively in New Zealand for the first time ever.

You can catch them in Auckland, Hamilton, Mt Maunganui, Gisborne, Napier, Palmerston North, Raumati and Wellington.

Rainbow Tourism Approved places to stay in those destinations.

Gay NZ Stories

Every now and then, a beautiful collision between a fabulous tourist event and an amazing cause occur and for those who attend, you get the benefit of doing good and having the travel adventure of a lifetime.  For 2013, one of the best examples will be Gay Ski Week – Queenstown!

This world famous event will attract snow fanatics from around the globe to Queenstown this August 31 – September 8 and the local Novotel hotel is ensuring that monies earned from guests staying in their hotel will go directly to the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. Supporting the LGBTI community has been a tradition in Queenstown and we are happy to see that it continues. So, with plenty of time to start planning your Winter escapades, be sure to keep the Novotel and other participating locations on your list as a source of support because during Gay Ski Week – Queenstown, everyone matters!

Rainbow Tourism loves a good ski week and because of that, we will keep you posted on all the great ones planned in New Zealand and around the globe!