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)
Aladdins Cave Orakei Korako North Island New Zealand Aladdin's Cave or Ruatapu Cave at Orakei Korako on the North Island of New Zealand is one of two known caves found throughout the world which exists in a geothermal field. |
Orakei Korako Mud Pools Taupo New Zealand Boiling mud pools decorate the geothermal landscape at Orakei Korako near Taupo on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Tasman Sea Sunset North Taranaki Bight New Zealand The colorful sky over the Tasman Sea seen from the shores of the North Taranaki Bight on the North Island of New Zealand during the sunset hours. |
Mt Taranaki Volcano Sunset Scenery New Zealand The scenery from the top of the cliffs at the northern end of the North Taranaki Bight in New Zealand is beautiful at sunset as a yellow glow highlights the volcano called Mt. Taranaki/Mt. Egmont. |
North Taranaki Bight Whitecliffs New Zealand From the top of the Whitecliffs at the North Taranaki Bight in New Zealand, one can see the formations in the cliffs and admire the scenery for miles along the rugged coastline. |
North Taranaki Bight Farmland Scenery New Zealand Farmland runs for miles along the coastline of the North Taranaki Bight on the West Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The scenery is spectacular as you travel a narrow gravel road amongst the grazing sheep. |
Taranaki Whitecliffs Beach North Island New Zealand The Whitecliffs tower above the beautiful beach which runs the coastline on the North Taranaki Bight on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Franz Josef Glacier NZ Helicopter Tour Aerial Picture An aerial view of Franz Josef Glacier in Westland National Park, NZ from a tour with Glacier Helicopters which allows tourists to see the steep route and beauty of the glacier landscape. |
Westland Sunset Gillespies Beach New Zealand Darkness begins to take over at Gillespies Beach in Westland, New Zealand as another beautiful day comes to a close but not before a sunset highlights the area in brilliant yellow hues. |
Westland Lake Moeraki Flora South Island New Zealand Encompassing Lake Moeraki in Westland on the South Island of New Zealand, is the beautiful green flora which adorns the wilderness landscape. |
Knights Point Coastline Westland New Zealand The beautiful scenery of the coastline from Knights Point along the Glacier Highway in Westland, New Zealand where the cliffs slope down to the Tasman Sea with a fog bank lingering over the water. |
Waves At Sandy Ship Creek Beach New Zealand Driving the Glacier Highway in Westland, NZ, the sandy beach at Ship Creek is a beautiful place to stroll as the waves break at your feet while you enjoy the coastline beauty and learn the history of the area. |
Lake Dunstan Landscape Central Otago New Zealand Created through the damming of the Clutha River, Lake Dunstan is a reservoir for hydro power generation at the Clyde Dam, as well as a popular recreational lake surrounded by the arid landscape of Central Otago in the South Island of New Zealand. |
Beautiful Lake Pukaki Southern Alps Scenery New Zealand Stretching out from near the base of New Zealand's highest peak, Mt Cook, and the scenic Southern Alps, the azure glacier fed waters of beautiful Lake Pukaki look more like a mirage, fringed by tussock grasslands, and forest scenery. |
Coastal Kayaking Abel Tasman National Park New Zealand There are a number of ways to explore the pristine coastal wonderland of Abel Tasman National Park situated on the South Island of New Zealand, but kayaking is one of the best. |
New Zealand Gannet Colony Muriwai Beach One bird from the Gannet Colony at Muriwai Beach on the North Island of New Zealand, takes flight to soar the sky, while the rest of the colony stays put on the cliff. |
Australasian Gannets Flight Muriwai Beach NZ A flock of Australasian Gannets take flight from their nesting grounds at Muriwai Beach near Auckland on the North Island of NZ. |
Sunset Muriwai Beach Gannet Colony New Zealanad The sunset colors highlight the sky over Muriwai Beach on the North Island of New Zealand where the rocks are scattered with the Australasian Gannet colony. |
Australasian Gannet Flying Muriwai Beach New Zealand The beautiful wingspan of an Australasian Gannet while flying over the rocky shores of Muriwai Beach on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Flying Gannet Muriwai Beach New Zealand The clear markings on an Australasian Gannet is easy to see in this picture after leaving the rock and flying above Muriwai Beach on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Muriwai Beach Sunset Auckland New Zealand A brilliant sunset shines across the surface of the ocean to the Muriwai Beach Gannet Colony near Auckland, New Zealand where these birds breed and nest on the rugged coastline. |
Muriwai Coastline Gannet Colony New Zealand The scenery around the Muriwai Beach Gannet Colony on the North Island of New Zealand is beautiful as the birds soar above the rugged coastline. |
Gannet Congregation Muriwai Beach New Zealand Muriwai Beach on the North Island of New Zealand is a prime location for the congregation of the Gannet colony who return here yearly to breed and nest. |
Kiteboarding Holiday Orewa Beach New Zealand Many people who visit Orewa beach on the North Island of New Zealand, find kiteboarding the ideal way to spend their holiday. |
Kiteboarding Location Orewa New Zealand A location many water enthusiasts call paradise is Orewa beach, just north of Auckland on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Kitesurfing Techniques Orewa Beach New Zealand A man kitesurfing on Orewa beach on the North Island of New Zealand where he practices his techniques as the wind sweeps across the region. |
Kite Surfing Holiday Orewa Beach New Zealand Many people find kite surfing on the beach in Orewa on the North Island of New Zealand the perfect way to spend their holiday. |
East Coast Surfing Orewa Beach New Zealand On the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand at Orewa beach, kite surfing has become very popular due to the climate and conditions. |
Orewa Beach Surfing North Island New Zealand Orewa beach on the North Island of New Zealand has become a very popular place for kite surfing as the winds and the water create the ideal conditions for this type of sport. |
Kiteboarding Gear Orewa Beach New Zealand Kiteboarding gear has been upgraded considerably over the years as this picture shows newer equipment laying on the beach in Orewa, New Zealand. |
Kite Surfing Equipment Sandy Beach New Zealand The power kite is a main piece of equipment required for kite surfing and for taking to the sky like the kite surfer in the background along the sandy beach in Orewa, New Zealand. |
Surfing Kite Orewa Beach New Zealand A surfing kite lays to rest on Orewa Beach, just north of Auckland, on the North Island of New Zealand, while others are already sailing. |
Power Kite Orewa Beach New Zealand A man prepares his power kite for his day of excitement on the beach in Orewa, just north of Auckland on the North Island of New Zeland. |
Oriental Small Clawed Otter Couple Auckland Zoo A habitat for the Oriental Small Clawed Otter is a must see at the Auckland Zoo in New Zealand where this cute couple resides. |
Merino Sheep Show Rotorua New Zealand At the sheep show in Rotorua, New Zealand, a beautiful Merino sheep poses behind the sign showing off his thick wool coat and spiral horns. |
Auckland Zoo Animal Ring Tailed Lemur New Zealand An animal at the Auckland Zoo in New Zealand, is the Ring-tailed Lemur who sits quietly in the tree scoping out his visitors. |
Forested Waterfall Southern Scenic Route New Zealand Amongst the forested region of the Southern Scenic Route on the South Island of New Zealand, one will find a beautiful waterfall named Matai Falls. |
Blue Waterfall Huka Falls Taupo New Zealand A waterfall with a unique blue coloring to it is Huka Falls, located near Taupo on the North Island of New Zealand. |
McLean Falls Catlins South Island New Zealand A breathtaking picture of the McLean Falls decorating the landscape of the Catlins, along the Southern Scenic Route on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Fiordland National Park Falls South Island New Zealand Two tiers of cascading water make up Boyd Creek Falls in Fiordland National Park on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Fantail Falls Rainforest New Zealand National Park A thick rainforest encompasses Fantail Falls in Mt Aspiring National Park on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. |
Maruia Falls West Coast South Island New Zealand The Maruia Falls in Maruia Falls Scenic Reserve, thunder over the rock ledges on the West Coast of the South Island of 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
