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WINTER ADVENTURE TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1 - Auckland is the City of Sails and the way to view it
is from the sea. A breakfast cruise starts the day and the trip as we mean to continue. For
an hour and a half we cruise the inner harbour and especially the America's Cup Viaduct,
hopefully scene of the successful defence this summer. On board our van we then complete a
short tour of this vibrant Polynesian City before heading for the coast. Tide and client
interest dependant we can visit Miranda Bird Sanctuary where over 100 bird species, many
rare or uncommon, winter over or live permanently on the rich saltwater shallows and mud
flats of the Firth of Thames, it is a must for anyone interested in wildlife. The centre is
manned all of the time and has excellent displays and information on wading and migratory
birds as well as very helpful and knowledgeable staff. Viewing is dependant on the tides as
migratory birds come to the shellbanks at high tide. At other times they are out feeding on
the mudflats. Birds commonly seen: Wading birds are there all year round. Wrybill and
oystercatchers are around from late January through to July/August. Other species regularly
seen are Sharp-tailed sandpiper, Curlew sandpiper, Red-necked stint, Eastern curlew, Ruddy
turnstone, New Zealand dotterel, and Banded dotterel. Via Thames we enter the beautiful
Coromandel Peninsula and following the coast we enter the charming town of Coromandel. This
small coastal town is where the 60's are still alive! This is where the communes of the
world began so wonderful crafts; organic produce and a free spirit are abundant. Over the
famous #309 road we finally reach our destination of Whitianga. This metal road connects
the Western side of the peninsula to the beach laden western side. The native bush and many
river crossing make for an "all you can see" buffet for the eyes! Along the way we do stop
at the 309 Kauri Grove to stand amongst these giants of the forest. The humbling feeling
overcomes you as you stand below these majestic trees. Check into your seafront
accommodation. Accommodation: Small owner-operated beachfront motel (eight rooms in total).
Glorious views from every room, outdoor Jacuzzi, kayaks and dinghy for guest use. Units
each have a queen bed and two single beds, a small kitchen, bathroom and deck. Town is a
fifteen-minute walk along the walk. See www.beachfrontresort.co.nz. After dinner you may
want to offer the option for each to make their own Maori bone carving. May sound strange
but EVERYONE that does it, loves it, both men and women. It takes around two hours to turn
a simple piece of bone into a traditional Maori carving necklace.
Day 2 - The morning begins with a short ferry ride across the estuary where you land at the
southern hemisphere's oldest wharf. There you are met by your kayak guide who will pick you
up and drive you to Hahei (meanwhile the Adventure South Van goes around the estuary to
meet them in Hahei). Kayak instruction is given then you head out along one of the most
beautiful coastlines in the country. Paddle through amazing sea caves, explore offshore
islands, look down into the clear waters of the marine reserve and enjoy lunch and a
cappuccino on the famous Cathedral Cove beach. The Adventure South van then takes you to
near by Hot Water Beach. There, at low tide, a thermal stream under the sand is revealed
and with a little shovel work, you create your own personal thermal spa! Enjoy a hot soak
after your day of paddling. Back to your accommodation for the night. After dinner you may
want to offer the option for each to make their own Maori bone carving. May sound strange
but EVERYONE that does it, loves it, both men and women. It takes around two hours to turn
a simple piece of bone into a traditional Maori carving necklace.
Day 3 - The coastline from Whitianga south is spectacular and
we follow this via the beautiful bush and beach vistas as we head to Rotorua. We suggest
you take the walk in the Gorge along the river with a swing bridge, great history and
simply beautiful. We then travel via the Pacific Coast Highway to Mount Maunganui where you
can walk to the top of the Mount for a stunning view of the city below. From here we enter
Kiwifruit country before crossing into the volcanic country that surrounds Rotorua and
eventually our accommodation on the shore of the lake. In the evening we are 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 4 - We start the day with a walk through a grove of mighty Redwoods on the edge of an
extensive Forest Park, and then visit an area of boiling mud pools. We explore one of New
Zealand's most colourful thermal areas. At the local Maori Museum we experience an
interactive video, which provides details of the destructive volcanic past. After an early
lunch we then board a plane and fly deep south to Christchurch where we meet our new guide
and vehicle and begin the trip into the mountains of the south island. A two-hour tour
takes us to Farlie and the heartland of rural Canterbury. Here we meet our farmstay hosts
for the evening where we share the life with the host family. (B, L, D)
Day 5 - From an early morning farm visit and hearty breakfast we head inland through the
beautiful Mackenzie Basin and the turquoise lakes of Lake Tekapo and Pukaki as we first
head into the heart of the southern alps and Mt Cook - our highest peak, viewed from a
short walk into the Hooker Valley. After a lunch we then head through the beautiful Lindis
Pass and finally into Queenstown, the adventure capital of NZ. Nestled above Queenstown is
our accommodation for the next two nights. (B, L)
Day 6 - This 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 malls. (B)
Day 7 - An early starts heads us towards Wanaka and a
spectacular drive over the Crown Range past the historic Cardrona Hotel. As we enter the
beech forests of Lake Hawea and Wanaka we reach the small township of Makarora. We stop for
a break and one of several short walks in the beech forests. We continue over the rugged
Haast Pass and descend onto the West Coast as we trace the coastline and the beautiful
podacarp forests to finally arrive at Fox Glacier township. In the early evening we may
have time for a walk around the beautiful Lake Matheson with its awesome reflections of the
Southern Alps before heading back to our accommodation. (B, L)
Day 8 - After breakfast 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. With our guide we
explore the surface of the glacier before returning to our vehicle and heading north. We
pause at the Bushmans Centre to enjoy a glimpse of the historic past and later at a jade
factory, working New Zealand's famous greenstone. Finally that afternoon we arrive into
Punakaiki home of the famous Pancake Rocks and our hotel for the night. (B,L)
Day 9 - Driving up the coast we turn inland in the Buller
river gorge and travel onto to Murchison, a small town nestled in a valley by the Buller
River. After a coffee break we continue up the Buller River and cross into the Nelson Bays
area and continue out to the coast to Marahau on the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park
and a waiting water taxi, set to whisk us into the heart of the park and our accommodation
for the next two nights. (B, L)
Day 10 - From our lodge base we have a choice of activity. For
the water - perhaps a day sea kayaking, sliding through the beautiful pools of tidal river
estuaries and exploring the quiet interior with its dripping bush and empty pathways. The
coastal walkway makes a superb walking track, now almost empty of the summer hordes. The
choice is yours to rest and relax and enjoy the unexpected tranquillity of this beautiful
park. (B, L)
Day 11 - A brisk walk on the beautiful track eventually takes
us back to our waiting vehicle at Marahau after 2-3 hours above the coastline. For the
weary, a water taxi alternative exists but finally we are reunited and can continue onwards
to explore Nelson, the arts centre of NZ. In the evening we will select one of the many
superb seafood restaurants to enjoy the local delicacies. (B, L)
Day 12 - Nelson plays host to the annual Wearable Arts
Festival highlighting the extent of the imaginations of many of our leading designers. This
morning is spent visiting the Wearable Arts Museum and antique car collection stored to
show the best of past years. By late morning we head off to nearby Blenheim, heartland of
NZ's Chardonnay wineries and beautiful lunch. By mid afternoon we are headed south down the
coast to Kaikoura, home of the famous whale watching opportunity, or a pleasant cruise
seeking out the many sea birds of the area. (B, L)
Day 13 - Whale watching is best seen early in the morning as
the sun rises behind us slowly illuminating the snow-capped mountain ranges that rise from
the sea. The whale watching is an optional activity and those who join the trip are
delighted with the outcome. A late hearty breakfast sets us up for a trip onward as we head
for Christchurch and in the mid afternoon we finally arrive in time for a late visit to the
Antarctic Centre and the delights of being really cold! At last it is over and time for us
to deliver you to your hotel of choice. (B, L)
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