Day 1 : Auckland
Day 1 starts with a short drive to the waterfront where we board our yacht
for a day's sailing on Auckland's sparkling Waitemata Harbour. The harbour
is situated in the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park. Before long, you will
discover why Auckland is known as the City of Sails. Try your hand on the
helm, learn the elements of sailing, or just sit back, relax and enjoy the
sea breeze. A little after midday we drop anchor at a sheltered bay and
enjoy a buffet lunch. Time to enjoy a swim at Motuihe Island or go for a
walk along its' golden sands learning a little about the Island's history as
you go. In the late afternoon we return to Auckland and make our way back to
the comfort and quiet of the Barrycourt Motor Inn which is handy to Parnell
Village and downtown Auckland. (L)
Day
2 : Auckland - Nikau Caves
- Rotorua
On day 2 we head southwards through the fertile Waikato farmlands and out
to a private cave system close to the coast. Here we meet Phillip and Ann
plus their delightful family. A chance to meet real New Zealanders on their
home ground. Changing to boots and overpants we enter their private cave
system with its' glowworms and stalagmites providing a sense of wonder.
After approximately an hour underground we exit and enjoy a luncheon spread
amidst the beautiful gardens. Finally it's back on board and the drive onto
Rotorua to check into our accommodation. In the evening we visit a lakeside
marae (the traditional centre of Maori life). Our Ngati Rongomai hosts
welcome us onto their marae before entertaining us with a Maori concert.
This is followed by a hangi (food cooked in an earth oven). Our hosts will
explain every step of this very special cultural experience to us. Returning
to the Resort for the night. (B, L, D)
Day
3 : Rotorua -
Tongariro
National Park
We start the day with a walk through a grove of mighty Redwoods on the edge
of an extensive Forest Park, then visit an area of boiling mud pools. We
explore one of New Zealand's most colourful thermal areas, visit the Wairaki
geothermal area and then travel on to the Huka Falls where the mighty
Waikato River thunders through a narrow chasm. After a short walk along the
banks of the river we drive along the eastern shores of Lake Taupo and on to
Tongariro National Park, New Zealand's first National Park and now a World
Heritage Site. We stay the next two nights at the Ruapehu Skotel. (B, L)
Day 4 :
Tongariro
National Park
Today you can choose either a more demanding hike up Mount Ruapehu (an
active volcano) to the crater lake, or easier walks on the lower slopes of
the mountain. Both are guided. For those who choose to go up the mountain,
the chairlifts take us from the car park to the 2,000 metre (6,560ft) level
from where we set off up Restful Ridge and across the upper snow slopes to
Dome Shelter at an altitude of 2,672 m (8,764ft). This part of the hike
takes about two and a half hours. From Dome shelter we look out across the
crater lake and surrounding snow covered peaks from one of the highest
points in the North Island. For those who choose to walk on the lower slopes
we enjoy one or more beautiful and diverse walks in the area among the
fascinating volcanic landscape. We return to the Ruapehu Skotel for the
night. (B, L)
Day 5 : Tongariro National Park -
Wellington
On day 5 we can rest and relax as we drive south through sheep and cattle
farming areas stopping for morning tea and a wander in a beautiful parklike
rural garden. We then continue across the Rangitaiki and Manawatu Plains and
along the Kapiti coastline to arrive in Wellington, our capital city. Close
to our hotel is Te Papa, the country's new national museum where we can
spend time exploring. Then an early evening visit to the country's latest
conservation experiment with an urban wildlife reserve and the chance to
hear and perhaps see the kiwi, our native national symbol. (B, L)
Day 6 : Wellington
- Abel Tasman
In the early morning we board the InterIsland ferry and sail across Cook
Strait then through the scenic Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Today we paddle
our sea kayaks on the sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound, stopping
for lunch at a picturesque bush rimmed bay. The double kayaks are very
stable, easy to paddle, and a delightful way to travel. Towards the end of
our three hour kayak journey we paddle close to a small colony of shags
perched high in the overhanging trees. Mid afternoon we drive through the
hills and forest, and the sunshine city of Nelson located in an area well
known for its' horticulture and craftwork and close to the world renowned
Abel Tasman National Park. Following the beautiful coastline we arrive at
Marahau right on the edge of the park. Here we stay the next two nights at
the Marahau Lodge hosted by Jan Caird. (B, L)
Read more about Abel Tasman National Park
Day 7 : Marahau - Abel Tasman Walkway
In the morning we are whisked up the coastline in our water taxi with the
beautiful golden beaches fringing the bushclad slopes. Often we encounter
seals playing on Tonga Island or even dolphins. On shore we join the walkway
and hike back towards our start enjoying the swimming, beaches and bush. A
late lunch, some more walking and swimming and finally back on board our
water taxi for the short trip back to our Lodge. (B, L)
Day 8 : Marahau - Punakaiki
Our adventure today is white water rafting. First we drive inland to
Murchison, a small town nestled in a valley by the Buller river. We slip
into wetsuits, and after some instruction from our experienced guide, head
off down the moderately graded Buller River which is a near perfect river
for first time rafters. We spend about two and a half to three hours on the
river. After a picnic lunch we drive down the scenic Buller Gorge and then
southwards along the spectacular and rugged West Coast. Further down the
coast we stop at Punakaiki, home of the famous Pancake Rocks for a beautiful
river walk. Our accommodation this night is at Punakaiki Rocks Hotel. (B, L)
Day 9 : Punakaiki - Fox Glacier
Today we continue southwards along the narrow coastal strip of Westland -
bounded on one side by the rugged coastline of the Tasman Sea and on the
other by dense bush and a distant wall of mountains - the Southern Alps. The
area is steeped in history from the heady goldrush days of the last century,
to the long years of coalmining and timber milling. We stop briefly to visit
the Bushman's Centre and its unusual residents, then continue through
extensive areas of luxuriant forest to Fox Glacier, in the Westland National
Park (another World Heritage Site). After lunch we walk across the moraine
to the terminal face of the spectacular Fox Glacier (approximately 200
metres (656 feet) above sea level) and then up and out onto the white ice.
Over the past several years the glacier has increased in size, and has
advanced almost a kilometre down the valley. Later we take a leisurely
stroll around Lake Matheson, a photographer's paradise with its' magnificent
bush and mountain reflections. An optional extra (time and weather
permitting) includes a helicopter ride and landing on the upper Fox Glacier
nevé. We stay the night in Fox Glacier Village at the Rainforest
Motels. (B, L)
Day 10 : Fox Glacier - Haast Pass -
Queenstown
We make an early start travelling southwards along the coast and then
inland over the scenic Haast Pass, along a road which follows the ancient
greenstone (jade) trail used by early Maori. In mid morning we arrive at
Makarora and take a 25 minute flight in a small 6 seater plane around some
of the finest scenery in the Mt Aspiring National Park before we land in a
remote and peaceful valley, hemmed in by bush and magnificent mountains.
From our landing point we cross a shallow riverbed and then head off down
the valley on a 3 hour hike through mature beech forest and grass covered
river flats. Fantails occasionally act as our guides flitting from branch to
branch along the way. At the end of our walk we are met by a jetboat which
takes us on an exhilarating 20 kilometre (12 mile) ride down the Wilkin and
Makarora Rivers back to our vehicle. From here we continue our journey
passing alongside Lake Hawea and through Wanaka township. We end this
wonderful day with a drive over the Crown Range to Queenstown. Our hotel in
Queenstown enjoys magnificent views across the Frankton Arm towards the
Remarkables Range and up Lake Wakitipu towards Walter and Cecil Peaks. Our
accommodation for the next two nights is at the Aspen on Queenstown. (B, L)
Day 11 : Queenstown
Day 11 is a free day. Some optional activities include a round trip to
Milford Sound by coach and/or plane and launch; a trip to Skippers Canyon
(an old gold mining area) a historic steam boat ride 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; relaxing by
the lake; or shopping in the sun-filled malls. We stay the night at the
Aspen on Queenstown. (B)
Day 12 : Queenstown
- Mt Cook
Today we travel through the Kawarau Gorge, where large quantities of gold
were dredged and sluiced around the turn of the century. The stone remains
of the occasional miners hut, remind us of man's earlier lonely presence in
the area. We stop for morning tea before crossing the Lindis Pass and
continuing on through the tussock plains of the Mackenzie Country and along
the shores of the pastel blue Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook National Park. After
lunch we walk up the Hooker Valley towards New Zealand's highest peak -
Mount Cook, crossing two long swing bridges on the way. You'll feel dwarfed
by the mountains which tower above us, well known as the playground and
graduation school of New Zealand's best mountaineers. Take time to sit
awhile and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery and perhaps watch the
alpine glow as the sun sets on the mountains from your motel unit. (B, L)
Day 13 : Mt Cook -
Christchurch
The final day starts with a unique boat trip on the lake at the bottom of
the Tasman Glacier. This high value interpretation highlight provides an
insight into the history of the ice and its past advances and retreats. The
mountain backdrop is spectacular. Later in the morning we leave for Lake
Tekapo where we visit The Church of The Good Shepherd (a small stone church
built on the picturesque shoreline, as a memorial to the early runholders of
the Mackenzie Country). Nearby stands a bronze monument, a tribute to the
district's early high country sheep dogs. Our final lunch is taken with a
farming family where we share their lifestyle and watch the skill of the
famed sheepdogs, as well as experiencing a sheep being shorn. Further on we
pass through the rural township of Geraldine and shortly emerge onto the
fertile Canterbury Plains arriving late afternoon (approximately 6pm) in the
garden city of Christchurch. (B, L)
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