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)
Fox Glacier Summit South Island New Zealand At the summit of the Fox Glacier on the South Island of New Zealand, the scenery is stunning as the sunlight reflects off the snow and ice under the deep blue colored sky. |
Lake Moeraki Glacier Highway New Zealand A tree fern beautifies the banks of Lake Moeraki located along the Glacier Highway on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Raumati South Kapiti Island New Zealand The beach along Raumati South on the Kapiti Coast on the North Island of New Zealand with Kapiti Island sitting off in the distance. |
Tukotahi Puke Ariki New Plymouth New Zealand A unique carving known as Tukotahi displayed on the grounds of Puke Ariki outside the Information Centre and Museum in New Plymouth, New Zealand. |
Volcanic Wildflowers Mt Ruapehu New Zealand White wildflowers blossom across the volcanic landscape of Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Lake Pukaki Mountain Scenery New Zealand An incredible view of the scenery that surrounds Lake Pukaki, the mountain ranges of Mt. Cook and the Southern Alps on the South Island of New Zealand from the road side. |
Whale Bone Exhibit Taranaki New Zealand This whale bone exhibit in Taranaki, New Zealand was created over time with a great amount of care and patience. |
Marlborough District Sunset Rarangi New Zealand Near the town of Rarangi in the Marlborough District on the South Island of New Zealand, a beautiful sunset fills the sky. |
Clyde Town Shops Central Otago New Zealand Small shops along the main street of the town of Clyde in Central Otago on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Waipapa Point Beach South Island New Zealand When the tide is out, a Paua Shell was left on the sandy shores along the beach of Waipapa Point on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Hay Bale People Kurow North Otago New Zealand People have been created out of a hay bale along Highway 83 in the town of Kurow in North Otago on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Mount Cook Snow Peaks Canterbury New Zealand The snow settles in and around the peaks of Mount Cook in Mount Cook National Park in Canterbury, New Zealand. |
Aerial Picture Westland National Park Mountains New Zealand An aerial picture of the thick shrubland that adorns the mountains in the lower laying areas of Westland National Park on the South Island of New Zealand. |
White Island Volcano Landscape New Zealand The volcano landscape of White Island on the North Island of New Zealand is partially made up of streams and sulphur deposits. |
Pohutukawa Tree Flowering Picture This picture shows the true natural colors of the Pohutukawa Tree when it is flowering along Omata Beach in Taranaki, New Zealand. |
Blue Pukaki River Canterbury New Zealand The Pukaki River in Canterbury, New Zealand is a unique light blue color as it flows towards Lake Benmore. |
North Island Lake Taupo New Zealand The view from Mission Bay along Lake Taupo on the North Island of New Zealand looks across to Mt Ruapehu and Tongariro National Park. |
Circa Theatre Wellington New Zealand The bright colors of the Circa Theatre in Wellington, New Zealand are hard to miss as you wander along Taranaki Street. |
Nga Hau E Wha Statue New Plymouth A Nga Hau e Wha stone statue displayed outside of the New Plymouth War Memorial building in Taranaki, New Zealand. |
Fur Seal Pups Cape Palliser New Zealand One of the two Fur Seal pups on the rocks at the Cape Palliser Seal Colony on the North Island of New Zealand seems a little more enthusiastic than the other. |
Waipapa Point Lighthouse South Island New Zealand The bright blue sky surrounds the old wooden Waipapa Point Lighthouse on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Lucys Gully Redwood Trees Egmont National Park NZ Redwood trees scattered amongst the wilderness of Lucy's Gully in Egmont National Park in Taranaki on the North Island of NZ. |
Ship Creek Driftwood South Island New Zealand Large pieces of driftwood adorn the beach at Ship Creek along the Glacier Highway on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Resting New Zealand Sea Lion South Island A New Zealand Sea Lion resting on the beach at Waipapa Point along the Catlin's Highway on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Otago Coastline Fossil Forest Curio Bay The turquoise colored water along the coastline of the Fossil Forest at Curio Bay in Otago, New Zealand. |
Mt Ruapehu Skiing Tongariro National Park NZ When winter hits Tongariro National Park on the North Island of NZ, skiing is exceptional and you get the added attraction of Mt Ngauruhoe. |
Sunset Cape Reinga Lighthouse New Zealand Magical hues fill the sky at sunset over Cape Reinga Lighthouse on the North Island of New Zealand after another beautiful day along the coastline. |
Raging Huka Falls Waikato River NZ Watching from a viewpoint, the water is raging over the Huka Falls along the Waikato River on the North Island of NZ possessing a unique blue coloring. |
New Zealand Scaup Chicks Auckland Zoo Resting on the logs along the shore of a pond, a New Zealand Scaup keeps a close watch over her chicks at the Auckland Zoo. |
Highway 1 Scenery New Zealand Driving along State Highway 1 near the town of Ward, New Zealand the scenery is stunning especially as the sun begins to set behind the hills. |
Clouds Sunset Cape Egmont New Zealand As the sunset tries to break through the clouds above the beach at Cape Egmont in New Zealand, an array of hues become visible. |
North Taranaki Bight Scenery New Zealand As sunset nears its end around the North Taranaki Bight in New Zealand, the scenery is outstanding with the brilliant lighting. |
Maitai Bay Beach North Island New Zealand Maitai Beach on the Karikari Peninsula on the North Island of New Zealand curves around the water's edge creating the ideal location for visitors. |
Muriwai Beach Gannet Colony New Zealand As the water crashes against the coastline of Muriwai Beach on the North Island of New Zealand, the Gannet Colony gathers atop the cliffs. |
Penguin Crossing Sign Otago New Zealand This penguin crossing sign is not a joke, so while traveling in Oamaru, Otago on the South Island of New Zealand, please be aware of any penguins. |
Jacks Bay Coastline Otago New Zealand The beautiful scenic view of the rugged coastline that adorns Jack's Bay along the Southern Scenic Route in Otago, New Zealand. |
Macaca Radiata Picture A Macaca radiata lingering in the tree at the Auckland Zoo on the North Island of New Zealand gave us the perfect opportunity to capture its picture. |
Lake Mangamahoe Mt Egmont New Zealand Lush greenery surrounds Lake Mangamahoe in Taranaki, New Zealand with Mt. Egmont peeking out behind the cloud cover in the background. |
Apricots Harvest Central Otago New Zealand Apricots hanging from the trees in an orchard near Roxburgh, Central Otago in New Zealand ready for harvest time. |
Black Reef Beach Hawkes Bay New Zealand From the beach near Black Reef in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand you can see the high rock cliffs of Cape Kidnappers where the Gannet colony resides. |
River Bush Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre NZ The thick bush encompasses the river that flows through Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre in Wairarapa on the North Island of NZ. |
Motuarohia Roberton Island Scenery New Zealand A couple sits on the bench enjoying the scenery of Motuarohia Roberton Island on the North 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
