Comfort Inn Elliotts' new Low Carbon Weekend Away offers families and others to experience a very different way of getting out of town. It includes free return train travel from Wellington to Paraparaumu, push bikes (for two, or visitors can bring their own), an array of nature-based fun activities for the weekend, and an overnight stay. It's the beginning of the day that will really set the scene for a different kind of weekend away - the train trip from Wellington. "Instead of jumping into a car and stressing about highway traffic, it's so much more physically and emotionally enjoyable to take the train," says Sue. "It's an absolutely glorious scenic trip."

 It's Coast Time

Comfort Inn Elliotts

Rather than staying with friends or families, Sue says it can be more relaxing if you have your own space. "It's more like you're on holiday, even if you're only 40 minutes from home."

 The motel has a lovely garden setting, and units can be arranged into double/single/twin configurations. It's minutes from Coastlands and other shops, and near the railway station and local bus routes. Other offerings from the Kapiti Coast are nearby. Rooms have been designed with both the family and business person in mind.

 Low Carbon Weekend Away is not a strange concept to the Nature Coast. Low carbon events have been trialled in New Zealand, to some success. The Hikurangi Foundation in conjunction with tourism agency, Nature Coast, recently trialled a low-carbon tourist day out aimed at encouraging Wellingtonians to holiday with low carbon miles in mind. The results showed that people did want to engage in activity that had a positive effect on the environment. For full details including Opus survey results go to www.hikurangi.org.nz.

 Sue's first tramp was as a seven year old. Her Dad (complete with make-shift pack made from a sugar bag and ropes) took her into the Orongorongo area in Wainuiomata. "He used to say, 'take nothing and leave nothing'. This was long before it was trendy to say things like that. I couldn't bear to see even one Mintie wrapper in the bush. It's been part of my family's culture forever."

 Peter and Sue run an ethical business. They're not out to make a fortune. "I would rather give joy to others than have a flash house," says Sue. "You feel like you've got something permanent when you do that, and you're getting something permanent back."

 Low Carbon Weekend Away gives visitors an opportunity to experience the Nature Coast in a different way - with less stress, and time to take in the views, while having an awareness for the world we live in.

To Book a night at Comfort Inn Elliotts click here.