Australian Natural Adventures

Custom Australia & New Zealand Itinerary for
Ann & Ozen Batum continues...

Day 24 –: Queenstown
A free day today to explore Queenstown, on Lake Wakatipu. There's much to do here, including the exciting jetboating the Shotover River, flyfishing, whitewater rafting, or more gentle walks. Most people say they didn't get to spend long enough in this beautifully located small city. Dinner might be taken tonight on Bob’s Peak, with its stunning views, accessed by cablecar. There is an excellent kiwi house and birdlife park located near the base of the gondola which you may be interested in, and will give you a first look at New Zealand's national emblem.     (B)


Day 25 –: Queenstown / Milford Sound / Te Anau
Milford Sound is often described as one of the most serene and beautiful waterways in the world. The majestic Mitre Peak looms above, its reflection mirrored in the often still water of the Sound. The drive to Milford from Te Anau is a scenic experience in its own right, with snow-covered peaks all about. Once at the Sound we board our boat, the Milford Mariner, for a 2 ½ hour lunchtime cruise. This cruise is strongly oriented towards the natural history of the area, and so combines stunning natural beauty with local wildlife. After the cruise return to Te Anau, where you may be interested in crossing the lake to see the glow-worms decorate their caves with green bioluminescence. Enjoy a friendly B&B, meeting local Kiwis (New Zealanders), tonight.         (B,L)

Day 26 –Te Anau / Dunedin
Today we meander across the deep south of the South Island, leaving the rugged Fiordland National Park for the gentler, rolling grasslands of the fertile Waimea Plains. Travel by the Southern Scenic Route via the Catlins, an area famous for scenic lowland rainforest, waterfalls, endangered dolphin and penguin species and a 180M fossilized forest. Towards the end of the day we roll into the university city of Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the Southern Hemisphere, famous for its Scottish ancestry and Victorian architecture. From here we take a short drive out to the Otago Peninsula to see yellow-eyed penguins and New Zealand fur seals and seal lions up close. If you still want to explore, take a twilight tour of beautiful Dunedin City and surrounding areas to complete your day.        (B,L)

Day 27 –: Dunedin / Lake Tekapo
This morning take a cruise on the ‘Monarch’ out into Otago Harbour to see the Royal Albatross colony at Taiaroa Head. This is the only mainland colony of albatross in the world, as these large birds usually nest on offshore islands far away from populated areas. The wingspan of the Royal Albatross is 10ft and hopefully we will see these majestic birds soaring out to sea on their way to catch their favorite meal – juvenile squid. We then leave the Otago region and head inland towards Mt Cook/Aoraki (but on the other side of the Southern Alps from our Franz Josef adventures). If the weather prevented a flight up to the glaciers at Franz Josef, or another glacier option was chosen, this a flight be done from this side of Mt Cook. A second alternative is kayaking in a glacier lake gliding amongst icebergs fed into the lake by a melting glacier – spectacular! Or,you may just wish to enjoy the area and small town. Tonight once again share your evening with the locals at a B&B.        (B,L)

Day 28–: Lake Tekapo / Kaikoura
One of the highlights of your New Zealand tour is a whale-watching trip off the coastal town of Kaikoura (‘kai’ = food, ‘koura’ = lobster). The geology of the South Island results in the continental margin dropping steeply into the deep ocean very close offshore. This creates a deep ocean trench that whales use as a travel corridor on their way to the Southern Ocean – so we are pretty much guaranteed a whale sighting as large numbers of whale species use the ‘whale corridor’ on their journey around the Pacific Ocean. The spectacular geology of the region creates an upwelling of nutrients from the cold deep ocean encouraging high plankton (which feeds the whales) and fish numbers and attracts large numbers of seabirds. A diverse range of marine life all within a few miles of the beautiful Kaikoura township. Overnight at Miharotia B&B or similar.         (B)

Day 29–: Kaikoura / Christchurch / Rotorua
This morning we make the short drive back to Christchurch, where we fly at noon to Rotorua (‘roto’ = lake, ‘rua’ = two) located in the middle of the North Island. The first thing you will notice is the smell – a sulphurous odor due to all the geothermal activity in the region. Rotorua is considered New Zealand’s foremost base for indigenous Maori culture, and this will be our focus during our time here. A short drive takes us to Te Puia, where we will experience authentic Maori culture firsthand. The center showcases traditional Maori art and craft displays and activities – we will see Maori artisans at work weaving flax and carving bone, greenstone or wood. Take guided walks through a traditional Maori village and in the evening attend a hangi (hung-ee), a traditional Maori pit-cooked feast complete with Maori dances (kapa haka). In addition to the Maori culture, the center is located within the Whakarewrewa Valley geothermal area. The geysers, steaming vents, and mineral-rich pools have played an important role in Maori culture – the pipes you see steaming away behind many of the homes are Rotorua’s unique geothermal energy system.           (B,D)

Day 30 –: Rotorua / Auckland
We continue to explore more of the Maori culture and thermal features of the Rotorua region. We then begin our journey heading further north towards Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’, New Zealand’s largest and most multi-cultural city. Along the way, perhaps stop over at the Agrodome – an educational and entertaining show that celebrates New Zealand’s historic reliance upon millions of sheep (and the odd cow), that during the 1970s helped shape at that time one of the richest nations in the world – all because of a few lamb chops and some milk! Our next stop will be at the Waitomo Caves where we take a trip through an underground wonderland gleaming with glowworms and also perhaps explore the new section of caves only recently opened for public viewing. Finally we arrive in Auckland where we spend a relaxing evening enjoying this beautiful city with its distinct Polynesian flavors. Overnight tonight at the Sky city Hotel.      (B)

Day 31 –: Auckland / Cape Reingu / Paihia
Today we head north to the far tip of New Zealand, Cape Reingu. Along the way we see the amazing stretch of sand and sea, the 90 mile Beach. After standing at the tip of New Zealand, about as remote as it gets here, we turn south and head down the west coast to Waipoua kauri forest, where an evening twilight tour shows this beautiful area at its best. We then take the short drive across the island to Paihia, in the stunning Bay of Islands. Our overnight stays for the next two nights are at the Paheke B&B.        (B,L)

Day 32 - : Paihia / Bay of Islands / Paihia
A full day enjoying the Bay of Islands today, in probably the best way to appreciate this stunning area. Our transport around is a sailing schooner, and we can join in with sailing her as much or as little as we want. Alternative boats are also available, from a sailing catamaran whose captain knows the local dolphins by name, to a stable larger boat. There are stops on islands and bays, and a delightful lunch along the way. The sight of the islands, bays and our sails make this a day to remember.         (B,L)

Day 33- : Paihia / Auckland / Los Angeles / Birmingham
The last day has arrived too soon. Your adventure is nearly complete. Most of today will be spend around Paihia, Russell (New Zealand’s first capital and early whaling port) and Waitangi – where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between Maori chiefs and the British Crown in 1840, seceding control of NZ to the Crown in exchange for the same rights and privileges for Maori as enjoyed by Pakeha (European) settlers. We then return to Auckland for your evening flight to Los Angeles, arriving back in the US at 10.40am in the morning of this same day. After passing through customs and immigration take it easy at the airport until your afternoon flight back to Albuquerque. On the plane flights home, though long, you will be able to savor the delightful memories of the people, places and wildlife you have discovered on your journey to the lands Down Under, Australia and New Zealand.       (B,*D,*B,*M)

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