NEW ZEALAND GALLERIES & MUSEUMS
Paula and Ron live happily in a seven metre Hino house bus with their
two
cats, Sylvester & Chocolate. The Gypsy Odyssey began after
leaving the
daily grind and pursuing the freedom of their new lifestyle in 2003.
Since that time they have cruised thousands of kilometres in search of
galleries throughout New Zealand. Ones of distinction with that
difference that makes them stand out and be enjoyed by their visitors.
This is
the list they put together as their personal choices due to the
appearances,
the presentations, the style, and the amount of items that stood out
from all
others in their particular regions. Also was the fact all of them had
quality not only
in the galleries but the best in personnel and service. These shops
were chosen for the enjoyment
they will provide to anyone shopping with them.
Both Paula and Ron are qualified to know good retail as both were in
the business for years plus Ron won the Top Shop of
Wellington award over 750 other retailers in 2002.
They are spending time with the people and places of both the South
Island
and the North Island and will be
putting together an online journal plus a book on the best places to
get that perfect cup of
coffee and to share their experiences plus help others who wish to
find those special out-of-the-way places uncovered in their search.
Have a look at their travel website at New Zealand Travel Guide
and their New Zealand
Coffee Guide
It seems both Chocolate and Sylvester plan to have a say or two
on their behalf.
Hope to see you online. Any questions go to: Paula & Ron plus the gypsy cats!
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FLYING FISH GALLERY - PAIHIA website
Be sure to stop here and have a look!
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MOKO GALLERY - HOT WATER BEACH website
This gallery is what all galleries should strive to create. One of the
tops in New Zealand
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POHUTUKAWA GALLERY - MT MAUNGANUI website
Without question nothing in the area even comes close
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CRAFTY FOX - OAKURA - Run by two great guys, John
& Tony, that know what people like. Enjoy the browse.
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RIGHT UP MY ALLEY - RAGLAN
website Well
worth the drive to this small but beautiful town west of Hamilton.
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JUST JEWELLERY - DARGAVILLE - Sometimes you can find a
special place in these small towns. Here is one!
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One of the top galleries we have seen in New Zealand is on the
old road to Russell north of Whangarei. Turn off route one past
Whakapara and take the short trip of 14kms to Helena Bay and the
Gallery & Cafe Helena Bay Hill.
HELENA BAY HILL GALLERY & CAFE
Peter
Brown has created one of the best galleries we have ever visited. The
design, the location and the pieces he has in the gallery are
outstanding. After a walk through in total awe you can sit and have
something to eat and drink and look out over one of the most wonerful
views we have ever seen
Click here for more
information
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Kauri Cliff Gallery
5 Aileen
Place, Whangamata
www.kauricliffgallery.co.nz
Work by artist Tony
Howse
ART MARKET GALLERY
Waihi
This is one of our favourites
located on the way into or out of the Coromandel. Fabulous pieces
a lot of them from local artists. Don't miss this shop when
going through this area.
CROSSROADS GALLERY
State Highway One, Cheviot
Owner Bernadette Ware has created a most surprising amount of different
items not found anywhere else. A lot of local crafts.
The one reason to
be
sure to stop in the small town of Cheviot on the way south.
Click here for more information!
THE ROCKING FROG
a new addition to the gallery scene. A not to be missed shop and cafe
located in the small town of Waikari. Worth the few minutes it
takes to go there. One of the best coffess and muffins in the country.
Click here for more information!
PUKEKO JUNCTION GALLERY
458 Ashworth's Road, leithfield
This is a must! Kevin Brookfield has put together one of the finest
combinations
of gallery goodies
and a monumental source of Waipara Valley wines. A
good cafe
adjoins the gallery.
Click here for more information!
THE VAULT DESIGN STORES
CHRISTCHURCH/WELLINGTON/AUCKLAND
Good things come in threes they say if so The Vault is right on top of
it. Some of the
finest and most unique shops in New Zealand are the Vault in
Christchurch, Wellington &
Auckland. Go out of the way to stop by and see.
Click here for more information!
NATURALLY JADE
AKAROA
No question about it. The one and only place to shop in Akaroa if you
want the best. The owners are on to it. Tell them we said hi!
Click here for more information!
TOTARA PEAK
OMARAMA
Cruising through one of our most admired regions of New Zealand, the
high country, we reached Omarama. Looking around we had said to
ourselved this would be a fantastic placefor a gallery. Turning around
across the road from where we stopped there was the Totara Peak
Gallery. What an outright delight to get to meet both the owners.
(Sally Fodie has written a book on her life prior to the Gallery. You
will be delightfully surprised!) In addition they have
a museum amount of memorabilia from the "Xena" tv series on display.
(Another story worth
hearing.) We just love this running around the country in our bus!
Don't miss this one!
Click here for more information!
PORTERS
273 Stafford Street, Timaru
Owner/manager Renee Brinkman has a shop worth taking the time to stop
and visit.
Click here for more information!
THE WILD WALNUT
32 Ross Place, Lawrence
Make sure you take the road to Lawrence a small town built by gold
and today has a reputation for cafes and galleries. The Wild Walnut is
both.
Click here for more information!
NIAGARA FALLS GALLERY & CAFE
256 Niagara Waikawa Road, Niagara, Catlins
Click here for more information!
RIVERTON PAUA SHOPPE
RIVERTON
One of our favourites. No where in the country can you find
better presentation of paua items. Paula used to live in Riverton and
still has a
soft spot for the town. Actually we got together there in 1989.
Click here for more information!
JADE BOULDER
TE ANAU
A must when going through Te Anau. They know what they are doing here.
Our brakes went out in Miford Sounds (of all places) and we spent a
wonderful week hanging out in
Te Anau.
Click here for more information!
GOLDFIELDS
corner of Beech and Camp Street
Queenstown
Lots of places to visit in Queenstown but don't miss Trond
Johansson's
Goldfields.
Click here for more information!
OPAL & JADE INTERNATIONAL
Queenstown Airport
If you go in and out of Queenstown by air this is where you
can find the gifts you are looking for.
Click here for more information!
THE GOLD NUGGET
ARROWTOWN
This is one of our favourite towns in New Zealand. A visit
here is a must
to see the Chinese Village and visit the many wonderful shops and
cafes. One of
our favourites is the Gold Nugget.
Click here for more information!
THE BIG PICTURE
CROMWELL
This is an experience! Wine is the object with new
and exciting ways of introduction lus the cafe and gallery to be
enjoyed.
Click here for more information!
SUNSHINZ GALLERY
HOKITIKA
We went to every shop (and boy there is a lot) in
Hokitika but this one was definitely the number one spot. Paula
couldn't help herself and just had to buy those candles. (Never saw
anything like them!)
Click here for more information!
JADE BOULDER GALLERY
GREYMOUTH
The ultimate jade gallery. The finest display
of work
plus the entire factory to watch the process
PLUS! the largest boulders of pure jade
you ever saw!
Click here for more information!
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