nature travel, wildlife tours, adventure travel and general travel to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific

John & Christie Weber tour continues....

Day 9 – Friday, December 22: Awaroa / Totaranui / Nelson
This morning cross the Awaroa estuary and learn of its fascinating history. Walk through the northern forests of the park with magnificent specimens of Nikau Palm and Rata for about 4 ½ miles to Totaranui, board a comfortable launch to cruise the coastline, you have just explored by kayak. The cruise offers a different perspective on this beautiful area, with a more vista-like appreciation – and a more relaxed one. Hot drinks, covered or open decks and bathroom facilities are available on board. On arrival at Kaiteriteri the coach meets you to return to Nelson at about 5.30pm, and return to your earlier accommodation.      (B,L)

Day 10 – Saturday, December 23: Nelson / Hokitika
Pick up your Avis rental car at the airport this morning, and start your journey the length of New Zealand’s South Island. Begin by driving through Motueka Valley and the Golden Downs State Forest, perhaps stopping at Lake Rotoroa, a premier brown trout fly fishing lake before traveling over the Brunner Range and through the sheer rock faces and dramatic landscape of the Buller Gorge. Just 14kms west of Murchison on State Highway 6 is the Buller Gorge Swingbridge , the longest in New Zealand. Here you can enjoy a range of informative walks, take a jet boat ride or ride the Tandem Comet flying fox at extra cost. From Westport on the coast it is a short coastal drive to Punakaiki to see the unusual Pancake Rocks and then down the coast to Greymouth, which is the largest town on the West Coast. Continue to Hokitika, renowned for Pounamu (local greenstone jade) which is carved in to jewelry and ornaments of traditional and modern design. Overnight in Hokitika at the Shining Star, a group of beachfront log cabins.

Day 11 – Sunday, December 24: Hokitika / Franz Josef
Leave Hokitika this morning and continue down the coastal highway through Ross across open grazing country and lovely bush to Fox Village, and the spectacular Glacier that descends to just 300 meters above sea level. On arrival check in to the tour office by 11.35am for your noon departure heli-hike from Fox Glacier Village to Fox Glacier. This starts with a 20 minute helicopter flight that lands on the glacier between two ice-falls; you then explore the glacier for two hours on a guided walk. Your professional guide will lead you into the most spectacular icefall terrain that is usually seen only by experienced mountaineers. With a spotless safety record, rigid assessments, and using exclusive quality equipment, your safety and enjoyment is taken care of. Necessary equipment including boots and poles supplied. Your accommodation tonight is a fully lined log cabin just up the road at Franz Josef Village, in a motel complex built in to the rainforest just a few minutes walk to the town centre; it also has its own café style restaurant on site.

Day 12 – Monday, December 25- Christmas Day: Franz Josef / Haast
As it is Christmas Day today not much will be going on (but your accommodation is having a Christmas dinner, which is actually lunch). At your leisure continue south about 75 miles to Haast, right on the coast. Your accommodation here is at the Heritage Park Lodge. There are many walks in this area, where the Haast River joins the Tasman Sea and immediately adjacent to Mt Aspiring National Park. There is incredible ancient rain forest to view in this area and the Westland World Heritage Visitors Centre is highly recommended. You may also be able to see the rare yellow-eyed penguins on the beach - ask at the visitors' center.

Day 13 – Tuesday, December 26 – Boxing Day: Haast / Queenstown
Again today is free to explore the area; there are several good walks nearby. At some stage head inland for a very scenic drive inland through the beech forests and over the Southern Alps via the Haast Pass, which follows the river through its deep gorge and in to the mountains. Continue the journey with snow capped mountains all around and travel between Lakes Hawea and Wanaka. Perhaps visit Wanaka township and then drive either around Mount Pisa or over the Crown Range (New Zealand’s highest sealed road). Both routes will bring you out before Arrowtown, a quaint old gold mining town with an interesting past portrayed in their local museum, and the opportunity to pan for gold in the local river and or enjoy some short scenic walks. Arrive in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital, this evening. Today is also a major holiday in New Zealand, so most shops and even some attractions will be closed. Your accommodation, Alexis Lodge (but really a motel!), overlooks Lake Wakatipu.

Day 14 – Wednesday, December 27: Glenorchy/Dart River
This morning drive out to Glenorchy, about 30 miles west, to enjoy the Glenorchy region by horseback (you can also be picked up rather than drive, and be returned to Queenstown. Please advise the operator as early as possible the day before if you want to take this option). This is where the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed, and the places are now described by their Lord of the Rings named, as well as the more traditional ones. Start with a beautiful drive along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, passing Ithilien and stopping en-route to admire The Misty Mountains. Eventually you arrive in Paradise where your 1½ hour ride starts. Winding through the golden woods of Lothlórien, passing Amon Hen, the track opens up and the 'Golden Mile' begins. From here the views of the Wizard's Vale and the mighty peak of Methedras are breathtaking. A gradual descent takes riders down into Nan Curunír, finally dismounting at the base of Isengard. This is probably the most scenic horse ride in the world, and is suitable for beginner riders. Return to Queenstown about 1.30pm, where you have the rest of the day free to explore (pickup option) or continue to explore the National park and upper lake. In Queenstown you may wish to visit the Kiwi House, to see these nocturnal and uniquely New Zealand birds (and learn of conservation efforts), or even head out to Karawau Bridge to try a bungee jump where it all started.

Day 16 - Friday, December 29: Queenstown / Milford Sound / Te Anau
Head south this morning first through the valley then across farmland framed by towering mountains to the west to Te Anau. Here join a coach tour to Milford Sound (you can drive, but the road is so spectacular you both want to be able to enjoy the scenery, not avoid coaches and cars on the narrow road). You will take the Milford Road into the spectacular Fiordland National Park, with plenty of stops along the way to take photographs and enjoy the environment. After skirting the shores of Lake Te Anau you head through virgin beech forest then pass through Hollyford and Eglinton Valleys before beginning the slow climb towards the rough-hewn Homer Tunnel. A steep descent down Cleddau Canyon brings you to majestic Milford Sound. On arrival in Milford enjoy a two and a half hour Nature Cruise on a modern purpose built vessel, departing the Milford jetty at noon. Tickets can be purchased in Queenstown the day before to ensure a place on arrival. (There are also shorter tours throughout the day; your accommodation can assist you with any choices.) While lunch can be ordered to be eaten on board, it’s just as easy to take something yourself. Cruise out past Mitre Peak and out to the Tasman Sea. Seals and dolphins are often seen and your nature guide will give a commentary on the interesting features of the area. Picnic box lunch is included. Return to Te Anau for your overnight at Waitahanui farmstay. Your host, Hunter (his real name) was a hunting guide and knows the area intimately.

Day 17 – Saturday, December 30: Te Anau
Today is free to explore Fiordland National Park. There are walking trails, such as the start of the Kepler track, and others around the lake, or into the mountains. You can rent sea kayaks to explore the lake as well. Te Anau is much smaller than Queenstown – about 1700 people – and while still a popular destination, does not have the overwhelming tourist presence of Queenstown.    (B)

Day 18 – Sunday, December 31: Te Anau / Dunedin
Make your way across rolling farmland to Dunedin on the east coast this morning. Dunedin was settled by members of the Free Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) in the late 1840’s and further developed by the discovery of gold in 1861, leading to the establishment of New Zealand’s first University, Otago University. The influence of its Scottish heritage is still strongly evident within the town. At 3.30 pm we suggest taking an award winning Wildlife tour. You’ll get up close to Sea Lions, Yellow Eyed Penguins and NZ Fur Seals on a beach reserve on privately owned farmland on Otago Peninsula. Afterwards enjoy a guided tour of the Royal Albatross Colony at Taiaroa Heads and see many of New Zealand's sea and shore birds. In addition to the wildlife the walk back up the hills from the beach is healthy exercise. However, there are also several other operators with whom you can visit the penguins, and you can actually often see them by yourselves. Spend New Year’s Eve in Dunedin celebrating with the locals ; your B&B is centrally located within a few minutes walking of downtown.       (B)

Day 19 – Monday, January 1: Dunedin
Explore the Dunedin area at leisure with your friends. There are several webcams located around Dunedin. By checking times are coordinating with friends back in the US you can have them log on while you stand in view of one and wave - a true real time postcard from the other side of the world.      (B)

Day 20 – Tuesday, January 2: Dunedin / Christchurch / Auckland / Los Angeles / Huntsville
You sadly bid farewell to New Zealand today, and take your flight NZ5054 departing at 2.45pm for Christchurch, connecting with NZ532 for Auckland, arriving at 5.50pm. You will be able to check your bags right through from Dunedin. Transfer to your Air New Zealand flight NZ6 departing at 7.30pm, and thanks to the International Date Line arriving into Los Angeles this same morning at 10.25am. After passing through customs change terminal once again for your American Airlines flight AA2450 to Dallas, connecting with AA3397 back to Huntsville.      (B,*D,*B)

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