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NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE
14 DAYS
Small energetic group exploration of a most amazing country!
Highlights:
Sailing on Auckland harbour
Visit a living, breathing volcanic island
Maori concert and hangi on a genuine Marae
White water rafting or a drift trip through the breathtaking heartland of Lord of the Rings country
Day on a island for endangered and exotic birdlife, Maori and European history
Lodge stay in magnificent Queen Charlotte Sound
Optional hiking and sea kayaking in the sound
Float trip down an underground river
Hike on a glacier
Jetboating in Fiordland
Hike the Hooker Valley (day hike)
Local farm stay
Regions:
Auckland
Rotorua
Taupo
Paraparaumu
Wellington
Queen Charlotte Sound
Buller Gorge
Punakaiki
Fox Glacier
Queenstown (optional Milford Sound)
Christchurch
Bookings:
Destinations Downunder
3712 N. Broadway, #251
Chicago, Il. 60613
Ph: (773) 832-1699
Email: travel@koalakiwi.com Web: www.koalakiwi.com
NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE
14 DAYS
Small energetic group exploration of a most amazing country!
Day 1
The day starts with a short drive to Auckland's waterfront from our meeting point, the Barrycourt Motor Inn at 7.45am (our recommended pre trip accommodation). Here we board our yacht for a sail on Auckland's sparkling Waitemata Harbour, which forms part of the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park. As we leave Westhaven marina it shouldn't be too hard to see why Auckland is known as the “City of Sails”! Take the opportunity to take the helm, learn some sailing jargon, or just sit back, relax and enjoy the sea breeze over a late breakfast. After the sailing we board the bus for the 3 hour drive through the fertile Waikato farmlands to Rotorua. The afternoon’s activity involves 4 x 4 vehicles, lots of mud and sweaty palms! All perfectly safe, but just a little nerve racking! After this we return to our accommodation in Rotorua. (B, L)
Day 2
After an early breakfast, we head down highway 30 for an hour and a half to Whakatane, a small seaside town, whose main industries are forestry and a distribution centre for the surrounding dairy and fat lamb farming. It is also the launching point for our 50km launch ride to the steaming, active volcano, White Island. The launch anchors a few metres from shore. Here you don your gas mask and helmet and board the small tender vessel which ferries you to the old wharf. What follows is a fascinating tour, where you learn about the forces that are twitching, belching and rumbling all around you. Also hear the history of mans attempts to extract sulphur from the island. The climax has to be the hike to the crater rim. Here you look down into the steaming, boiling crater lake. Back on board we have a delicious lunch as the boat begins the journey back to Whakatane. And who knows, with a little bit of luck we may even get to watch some dolphins and whales along the way. We return to Rotorua where this evening we visit a marae, the traditional village centre of Maori life. Here you will experience a formal Maori welcome performed by your hosts. They will then entertain us with a Maori concert, followed by a hangi (food cooked in an earth oven). (B, L, D)
Day 3
The day starts with a visit to the Rotorua Bathhouse museum where we explore aspects of the Maori cultural and watch a short video presentation which explains the awesome forces that helped form this famous thermal wonderland. On the way to Taupo we stop at a fascinating thermal valley to explore boiling mud pools, mineral terraces and steaming volcanic lakes. Later in the day we visit the Wairaki geothermal area and then stop at the Huka Falls. Here New Zealand's longest river, the mighty Waikato, thunders through a narrow chasm, forming the Huka Falls.(oh yes, people kayak this) A short walk along the banks of the river allow a good look at the falls, before we continue our drive along the eastern shores of Lake Taupo. Our destination for the night is River Valley Lodge, which is nestled in the heart of the Rangitikei River. After the long drive, here is a chance to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the lodge and its surroundings. (B, L, D)
Day 4
The Rangitikei River (home to some of the spectacular Lord of the Rings footage) is also home to some high class, river rafting. Dependant on the degree of challenge sought, there are two options are available. Firstly, the spectacular gorges and cliffs can be viewed from the raft as part of a sedate drift trip, i.e. minimum yelling and screaming required, and minimum wet clothing, or secondly, you get up close and personal with the river amongst the white water of the upper section. You choose, no pressure and there is horse trekking option as well! By mid afternoon its back on the road for a relaxing drive south through rolling farmland, to the small coastal town of Paraparaumu. (Check with the guide how to pronounce that one!) Here we spend the night in preparation for our trip to Kapiti Island in the morning. (B, L)
Day 5
Access to Kapiti Island, a conservation gem, is strictly limited, in order to preserve the islands birdlife. The island was once a Maori stronghold, and was then farmed, before being cleared of preditors and restocked with endangered NZ native birds. This is a rare chance to view some of these birds in the wild, many of which have all but vanished from the mainland. Your tour introduced by a Department of Conservation guide who provides an interpretation and historical account of the islands colourful history. By mid afternoon we return to our coach and complete the drive to New Zealands capital, Wellington. Near to our hotel is Te Papa, the countries national museum, where we can spend some time exploring. (B, L)
Day 6
After a morning exploring Wellington, we board the Inter Island ferry and sail across Cook Strait to Picton, by way of the scenic Marlborough Sounds. At Picton we board a water taxi for an hours boat ride back up the sounds to Punga Cove resort. The resort is nestled amongst native bush, right on the waters edge. The location demands drinks on the balcony: the perfect accompaniment to the beauty of the sounds that spreads out below you. (B, L)
Day 7
The Queen Charlotte Walkway follows down the spine that separates the Pelorous sound (to the west) from the Queen Charlotte Sound. The walkway is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to the busy Abel Tasman National Park. It begins at the historic Ship Cove, (Captain Cook stopped here several times) and continues 71km to its finish at Anakiwa at the southern end of the sound. A glorious walk, and whilst you won't have time to walk the whole track, there is time to do a section of up to 15 kms. There are huge views along both sides of the ridgeline with beautiful bays below. Shorter walking options are available, but need to be organised with your guide. At the end of the day there's that balcony and drinks waiting, with those wonderful views – what better place to share stories of the days adventuring? (B, L)
Day 8
This morning starts with a water taxi and the journey back to Picton and a short drive in our awaiting bus. Nearby at Anakiwa we take up the challenge of a half day paddle in the sheltered waters in our stable double kayaks. Just an ideal way to build an appetite! Following this the drive to Nelson is a beautiful one with time to stop at a few scenic lookouts along the way, and perhaps enjoy an icecream at Pelorus Bridge and a walk in the totara forest. And so on to Nelson, a city that has become one of our leading art and craft centers. (B, L)
Day 9
Our adventure today is cave rafting on the west coast. First we drive inland to Murchison, a small town nestled on a small plain beside the Buller river. From here we head into the Upper Buller gorge, with a stop to experience NZ's longest swing bridge. Just short of the coast we turn south to travel along the spectacularly rugged west coast to the Nile River and our cave exploration. After a walk up the bush clad valley we enter the cave and explore the underground world before floating downstream on tubes - an ideal way to view this amazing underworld. Onwards to Punakaiki home of the famous Pancake Rocks and a spectacular coastal walk. Tonights accommodation is at the Punakaiki Rocks Hotel. (B, L)
Day 10
Today we continue southwards along the narrow coastal strip of Westland - bounded on one side by the rugged coastline, where the land meets the often wild, Tasman Sea and on the other, by dense temperate rainforest which covers the distant wall of mountains - the Southern Alps. The "coast" is steeped in history; from the indigenous Maori collecting pounamu or greenstone, to the heady goldrush days of the late 1800's and the long years of coal mining and timber milling. We continue through extensive areas of luxuriant forest to Fox Glacier village, in the Westland National Park (another World Heritage area). After lunch and following a briefing from our experienced glacier guide, we depart for a 3 hour walk onto the Fox Glacier. Under the watchful eye of our guide, we attach instep crampons to our boots, grasp our walking pole firmly in hand, and head on to the white ice: one of only three places in the world where you can experience walking on 200 metre thick ice next to dripping rainforest. An evening option is to take a leisurely stroll around Lake Matheson, a photographer's paradise. Another option, is to take a helicopter ride that lifts you out of the valley to a wondrous world of our highest, ice covered mountains and enjoy a snow landing on the upper Fox Glacier nevé. We stay the night in Fox Glacier Village at the Rainforest Motels. (B, L)
Day 11
We make an early start travelling southwards along the coast At Haast township we leave the main highway and head towards Jackson bay to join the awesome Waiatoto Jet boat experience. Boarding our Jet boat we are driven by our skilled driver up the Waiatoto river which takes us deep into the mountains of the Mt Aspiring national park. Marvel at the impossibly shallow water that your boat skims over, all made possible by its unique drive system – invented by, Bill Hamilton, a New Zealand farmer. A walk option provides the chance to enjoy the solitude of your surroundings before returning to our craft for the return journey to the sea. Once back in the bus we rejoin the main highway, and head inland over the scenic Haast Pass, along the road which follows the ancient greenstone (jade) trail used by early Maori. Once on the east side of the mountains notice how quickly the bush changes from dense rainforest, through open Beech forest to farmland. We pass Lake Hawea, then Wanaka and then travel over the Crown range to end this wonderful day with views over the Wakatipu basin, before heading down to Queenstown. Our accommodation for the next two nights is at the Aspen on Queenstown. (B, L)
Day 12
This is a free day. Some optional activities include a round trip to Milford Sound by coach and/or plane with a launch cruise on the sound; a trip to Skippers Canyon by 4 wheel drive(an old gold mining area); a cruise on a historic steam boat across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak sheep station; ride on the gondola; a visit to Arrowtown and Gibbstown winery; a walk around the public parks and gardens; fly by wire; bungy jumping; guided wine tour; relaxing by the lake; or shopping. (B)
Day 13
Today we travel through the Kawarau Gorge, a place where large quantities of gold were extracted by dredge and sluice guns in the late 1800's. The stone remains of the occasional miners hut remain to remind us of man's earlier, lonely presence in the area. We cross into the MacKenzie Basin via the Lindis Pass, before continuing on past the town of Omarama, across the dry tussock plains that typify the Mackenzie Country. Taking a left turn off the main highway leads us along the shores of the pastel blue Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook National Park. After lunch we take a walk up the Hooker Valley, watched over by our tallest mountain, Mt Cook. Along the way we cross two long swing bridges, beneath which the thundering Hooker river flows. All around tall peaks dwarf us; it shouldn't be too hard to see why this place is a magnet for aspiring climbers, not only from New Zealand, but from around the world. Back to our coach for the hour and a half drive to Fairlie, with a stop at Lake Tekapo for a look at the Church of the good Shepherd and Bronze dog. In Fairlie we stay at a farmstay - hosted by a local farming family, for the night. (B, L, D)
Day 14
We head north from Fairlie, first to the rural township of Geraldine, and then eastwards onto the fertile Canterbury Plains. We arrive around midday in the garden city of Christchurch and visit Orana Park where we go on a short native bird life tour. You will meet some of our elusive native birds such as the nocturnal Kiwi, the Tieke (Saddle Back) and the Whio (Blue Duck). We will then have a farewell lunch at a local winery. Those with flights to meet will be taken to the airport, whilst the others will be delivered to their respective hotels. (B, L)
(B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
Cost: per person, USD, share twin: $4712.00
Single supplement: add $1156.00
Currency:
Note: All costs are subject to fluctuation of the U.S. dollar against the New Zealand dollar. Payment(s) can be made at any time to protect currency. Rates can increase slightly due to fuel surcharges.
Departures 2008/2009
Date Departs from
Nov 03 Christchurch
Nov 17 Auckland
Dec 01 Christchurch
Dec 15 Auckland
Dec 29 Christchurch
Feb 02 Christchurch
Mar 09 Christchurch
Apr 13 Christchurch
Arrangements should be made to be in the departure city the night prior to the trip departure. Costs do not include international air fares.
Bookings:
Destinations Downunder
3712 N. Broadway, #251
Chicago, Il. 60613
Ph: (773) 832-1699
Email: travel@koalakiwi.com Web: www.koalakiwi.com
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