Kiwiana 2006 is a collection of photos, pictures and some information from our latest tour of New Zealand. Between the end of November 2006 and March 2007 we travelled mostly by campervan and covered a lot of territory in New Zealand.
Over the course of nearly 4 months we have walked on an active volcano, seen numerous species of birds and marine mammals, climbed a mountain, been choppered up to Glaciers, walked many trails, rode on tractors/trailers, shot across a river on a wire, sailed the Pacific, rode a bike after 20 years, kayaked, snorkelled, and so much more - a list the length of our arms!!
Nearly all of the activities and tours we have done have been exceptional, but one in particular stood out mostly for its uniqueness. It also rated high on our fun-o-metre and we consider it an absolute "must do":
So first place in our ratings (the creme de la creme) goes to:
Gannet Beach Adventures: Based out at Clifton in the Hawkes Bay on the North Island of New Zealand, they are under-rated in the travel guides but we consider this... (... more information below the photos)
Volcanic Flowers Mt Ruapehu Beautiful purple flowers blossom on the volcanic mountain slopes of Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park on the Central North Island of New Zealand. |
Tsunami Warning Sign Wairarapa A Tsunami warning sign stands along the waterfront of Castlepoint in Wairarapa on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Ruatapu Cave Orakei Korako The warm clear pool at the base of the Ruatapu Cave in the Orakei Korako Geyserland on the North Island of New Zealand is known as Waiwhakaata. |
Zoo Hippopotamus Auckland New Zealand A hippopotamus floating around his habitat at the Auckland Zoo on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Westland National Park Fox Glacier New Zealand Snow covered hills on the Upper Fox Glacier in Westland National Park on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. |
New Zealand Sea Lion After a swim in the water, a New Zealand Sea Lion heads up the beach at Waipapa Point in the Catlins on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Black Cat Akaroa The Black Cat catamaran cruises into the dock in the Akaroa Harbour after an exciting day on the water around the South Island of New Zealand. |
Beach Brighton Dunedin The sandy coastline along the shores of Ocean View Beach, near the city of Dunedin on the East Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. |
Castlepoint Beacon Wairarapa The beacon from the Castlepoint Lighthouse has shone for many years in Wairarapa on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Paua Shell Factory Carterton An assortment of gifts are available from the store at the Paua Shell Factory in the town of Carterton on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Native Bird Of New Zealand The Kea is a native bird found in alpine regions on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Mountain Daisy New Zealand A young Mountain Daisy plant blooms on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Cute Lemur Animal Auckland Zoo After snatching up a morsel of food, this cute lemur took to a tree to enjoy its afternoon snack. |
New Zealand Farmland Picture A typical farmland scene in the countryside of the South Island of New Zealand. |
Maori Warriors Wairakei Terraces Maori warriors dressed in traditional costumes at the Wairakei Terraces near Taupo on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Whakapapa Ski Slopes New Zealand The Whakapapa ski slopes on Mt Ruapehu on the North Island of New Zealand in the summer with Mt Ngauruhoe in the backdrop. |
Southern Wairarapa Coastline North Island The diminishing hues of the sunset seen from the Southern Wairarapa coastline on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Ruakuri Cave Rafting Waikato Black Water Rafting offers a fascinating journey through the Ruakuri Cave in Waikato, New Zealand. |
Power Station Dawson Falls Taranaki The Dawson Falls Power Station in Taranaki, New Zealand keeps electricity flowing to the Dawson Falls region. |
Suspension Bridge New Zealand Cross over the Waiohine River on this suspension bridge to Tararua Forest Park on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Baby Fur Seal Cape Palliser A baby fur seal pauses on the rocks of the seal colony rookery at Cape Palliser, New Zealand. |
Mallard Duck A Mallard Duck stops and stands at alert to check out the surroundings in the field in Ngakuta Bay on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Titirangi Bay Campground New Zealand Lush greenery and sheep surround this campground in Titirangi Bay on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Mount Tasman New Zealand The white peaks of Mount Tasman in Canterbury, New Zealand glisten in the sunlight. |
Lyttelton New Zealand The town of Lyttelton and the harbour in New Zealand with Diamond Harbour on the opposite side. |
Akaroa Town South Island Street cafes fill the streets of the town of Akaroa on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Auckland Zoo Adventure The entrance at the Auckland Zoo on the North Island of New Zealand is where the adventure begins. |
Kiwi Orchard Kiwi ripen in the sun's rays in an orchard near Te Puke in the Bay of Plenty on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Rangaunu Bay New Zealand Rangaunu Bay in Pukenui, New Zealand is a large mouth bay where boats take pleasure in docking for a day or two. |
Mount Cook South Island NZ The snow covered mountain peak of Mount Cook on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Waipoua Forest Trees NZ A boardwalk meanders through the rainforest amongst the tall Kauri trees in the Waipoua Forest on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Akaroa Harbour Lighthouse South Island The historic Akaroa Harbour Lighthouse stands in its new location in Banks Peninsula on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Wainui Beach Waikato NZ Wainui Beach in Waikato, New Zealand is a long stretch of beautiful sandy shoreline. |
Sky Tower Auckland Standing in the street and looking up at the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand makes one realize how high is high. |
First Church Otago Dunedin The exterior of the First Church in Otago, New Zealand has some incredible architecture that is one hundred and twenty-five years old. |
Castlepoint Fishing Wairarapa People fishing off the rocks near Castlepoint Lighthouse in Wairarapa, on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Platalea Regia Bird The Platalea regia also known as the Royal Spoonbill bird wades in the shallow waters in Otago, New Zealand. |
Gillespies Beach Sunset New Zealand Standing on Gillespies Beach on the South Island of New Zealand, the sunset glistens off the rocks on the beach. |
Christmas Magic Otago The magic of Christmas comes to life at this house in Pukeuri, Otago on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Nectarine Trees Central Otago Rows of nectarine trees in an orchard near Roxburgh in Central Otago, New Zealand. |
Otira Viaduct Arthurs Pass NZ The 440 metre long Otira Viaduct through Arthur's Pass is one of the most notable environmental engineering achievements in New Zealand. |
Mission House Kerikeri The Mission House is a historic building in Kerikeri and is a great landmark known throughout New Zealand. |
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... as the most fun and informative tour - and we did it twice! As well as visiting the gannets at Cape Kidnappers to watch the antics of these sometimes unsociable and clumsy birds, you are taken along a piece of coastline where layers of sediment have collected over centuries and are now uncovered through tectonic plate movement, all clearly visible. The tours are conducted from old red tractors which pull a small train of flat deck trailers along a beach which changes on a daily basis - and yes there are adventures including bogged tractors and trailers! Be sure to look them up during your next vacation in New Zealand.
March 22, 2007 marks the end of our Kiwiana 2006 tour and we will farewell Aotearoa, God's own, Kiwiland, Down under - but we will be back for sure! The diverse landscape, stunning scenery, culture, and wildlife of New Zealand is simply irresistible.
Make sure to read our daily blog about this tour:
New Zealand Travel Blog - Kiwiana 2006/2007
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Fall Pictures
