Tour New Zealand: Aotearoa Land of the Long White Cloud

Preliminary Tour Itinerary

Itinerary:Auckland – Kawakawa – Miranda – Pauanui – Coromandel Peninsula – Tauraunga – Rotorua – Mt Tarawera – Te Anau – Fiordland – Doubtful Sound – Manapouri – Queenstown – Wanaka- Glenorchy
Duration: 12 days

Day 1: Tour Auckland and surrounding area 
An early morning arrival into Auckland New Zealand where you will be met by your tour leader, Sam Hall.  Auckland is built on an active field of 48 small volcanoes, all of which have erupted in the last 150,000 years. Your introduction to this region begins with a short coach drive west to the ancient Waitakere volcanic area. The black sand beaches provide evidence of this activity as they lay spectacularly below one of the best examples in the world of pillow lava.  Here too there is a gannet seabird colony.   A leisurely lunch is provided in the home of Geoff Davidson. (NZ Plant Conservation Network ‘Best Nursery’ Recipient 2005, NZ Plant Conservation Network ‘Lifetime Achievement’ Recipient 2007 and NZ Weedwise Nursery Award 2008). On your return to your city accommodation your tour leader will offer to accompany you on an orientation stroll around this vibrant viaduct setting showing you the many eating places to choose from for your free-evening leisure experience.

Day 2: Tour Mungawhau (Mt. Eden), visit Auckland and learn about environmental engineering in New Zealand

This morning a guided walk showcases one of Auckland’s iconic landmarks, Mungawhau (Mt Eden). It was once a fortified village for the Ngati Wahatua tribe, the custodians of this sacred site. Expert guides from the Ngati Wahatua give an historical interpretation of the mountain through the many archeological features that manifest Auckland’s unique culture and heritage. Following this visit we depart in the coach for a city scenic highlights tour before returning you to your hotel for a couple of hours of free time to rest, shop or enjoy your lunch purchased from one of the many outlets in or close to your hotel. Late afternoon you will join representatives from an environmental engineering firm who will be happy to share their ideals and vision in a relaxed forum. These young engineers and related specialists recognize the need to apply environmental consciousness as a primary engineering design principal. They have a strong focus on the three waters (fresh, storm and waste water) leading to projects of environmental auditing and monitoring to integrated catchment management planning. This evening you are free to make your own dining arrangements or join your tour leader at her home for an informal meal.

Day 3: Tour Coromandel Peninsula, visit an oyster farm and a migratory bird centre

In the morning your air conditioned coach will collect you from the hotel after check out and drive east and a little south to the slower, relaxed lifestyle of the Coromandel Peninsula. Enroute there is much to learn. During the stop at Pakihi Marine Farm you will discover how the Pacific oysters grow naturally on a sub-tidal ‘long line’ lease. These are situated in the high quality, Hauraki Gulf, growing waters and are continuously monitored for natural and other hazards. Further down the coast is the Miranda Shorebird Centre which is a key site for migratory Arctic and endemic birds. The Miranda Naturalist Trust is an Independent Charitable Trust that actively promotes field research into the Firth of Thames ecosystem. Your visit here will include an intriguing true story of a Godwit at Miranda, known as E7, which was fitted with a transmitter and tracked to and from the breeding grounds of Alaska. Pauanui is your final destination today. Your chalet style accommodation is to be found on an idyllic mountainside hideaway just a few minutes from the golden sands and swirling surf beach.

Day 4: Tour Coromandel Peninsula with an adventure guide

Today you will be in the expert hands of the Peninsula’s premier adventure guide who specializes in educational tours. Doug has presented papers on Sustainable Tourism at the Athens University in Ohio and  Loyola University in LA. Learn about the flora, fauna and history of this magic area. Gold and Glowworms, Kauri Forests and beach surprises are just part of this days amazing experiences. Returning to your hotel you may like to take advantage of one of the relaxing therapies at ‘Natures Touch Spa’.

Day 5: Tour Lake Rotorua and the city of Rotorua  

The forest and country side of New Zealand provides many ingredients for natures medicine chest. Today you meet with people that have made it their business to care for the community by producing natural products which will preserve the environment for generations to come. These include beekeepers that believe strongly in the therapeutic properties of bee products and are the worlds largest producers of high grade Manuka honey.

Day 6: Tour Rotorua and the surrounding countryside

Rotorua is the Heartland of New Zealand’s Maori culture. Enveloping warmth, a proud spirit, a deep sense of history and a quick humour – sensations the Maori people call manakitanga.  Mt Tarawera rests within the traditional boundaries of the Te Arawa people. This morning there is a 4 wheel drive vehicle to take you to the edge of its massive crater where for the more adventurous you can experience the famous scree slide into the crater itself. Your experienced local guide will give an educational commentary on Maori Legend, History and Volcanology. On returning to Rotorua the afternoon is yours to take advantage of the many and varied activities that this area is famous for, and your tour leader will help you with this, with choices ranging from adventure activities such as mountain biking and white water rafting to trout fishing. Perhaps you would like to further the knowledge your morning guide has provided by visiting other cultural and geothermal sites.

Day 7: Travel to South Island and tour Lake Te Anau 

Your domestic flight this morning transfers you from the North to the South Island of New Zealand. On landing at Queenstown Airport your coach will be waiting to transport you 180 kilometers to Te Anau. Your lodge accommodation is set on 40 acres of land with commanding views out across Lake Te Anau. This is a rural setting with rolling grasslands surrounding the lodge. Across the lake to the west lie the mountains of Fiordland National Park, an area of over 3 million acres of untouched wilderness and part of the much larger South West New Zealand Heritage area.

Day 8: Tour Fiordlands and the Fiordland National Park

There is not a moment to waste today as there are many wonderful doors to open, explore and learn about in this unique part of the world. Your boat trip on Doubtful Sound which is sometimes called ‘the Sound of Silence’ is the deepest of the fiords. New Zealand fur seals and Fiordland Crested Penguins can be seen on many of the small islets of the fiords.

Manapouri Power Station is an underground hydroelectric power station within Fiordland National Park. The construction of the station was a massive feat of civil engineering with the majority of the station being excavated under a mountain. Discover how the historical ‘Save Manapouri’ Campaign, environmental protests against the planned raising of lake levels to feed the station, galvanised New Zealanders. It was one of the starting points of New Zealand environmentalism. Much of Fiordlands forest clings to steep faces of hard rock covered by a thin layer of peaty moss and tree avalanches are common. Beech forest is dominant. In the wetter areas there are luxuriant under-storey shrubs, tree ferns, mosses and lichens. Above the 100 meter bush-line, snow tussocks dominate with showy alpine daisies, buttercups and other herbs.

Day 9: Tour Queenstown
Queenstown is your destination today. Queenstown is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin lake formed by glacial processes that is shaped like a staggered lightning bolt, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains. We will spend all day on a visit to Queenstown. 

Day 10: Tour a New Zealand vineyard and winery

Wine is an important part of New Zealand’s economy. Today, let one successful vineyard owner educate you in the ways of growing grapes in a biodynamic manner. Decisions made in the vineyard and winery first consider the effect the outcome may have on the micro flora of the soils, vines and wines. The lakeside town of Wanaka is another highlight on your days coach excursion. Wanaka is situated in the Central Otago region which has a golden history. It’s a place where nature’s most powerful elements combine to create a unique and enchanting environment. It is also a place where the world’s finest merino wool is grown.  There is a lunch stop at the much photographed Cardrona Pub which serves delicious local fare. Your experienced coach driver will ascend the steep Crown Range which lies to the east of Arrowtown in Otago. At 3.350ft it is highest sealed road in New Zealand and the distant views are stunning.

Day 11: Travel on Dart River

 “thousands of years ago a Maori God carved out a mighty Mountain range with an adze and laid bare a legendry source of poanamu, New Zealand greenstone …..” your Dart River experience today reveals just how important this precious stone was and how valuable it still is. You will journey by jet boat down an intricate network of braided river channels that shimmer from turquoise to opalescent blue. During this adventure your chosen guide will point out the scenery that has formed the epic backdrop for many international films including ‘Lord of the Rings’.  Tonight the group will have an inclusive Farewell Dinner.

Day 12: Depart Queenstown and Auckland  
Today will be your departure from New Zealand and so time to say Haera ra (goodbye). Your exact flight times from Queenstown and then Auckland International Airport are to be advised.