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)
Te Matua Ngahere Waipoua Forest New Zealand The Te Matua Ngahere, a giant Kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest on the North Island of New Zealand is an amazing sight when seen up close. |
Brighton Beach Dunedin New Zealand As the tide recedes along Ocean View Beach just south of Dunedin, New Zealand, fascinating rocks and creatures are visible along the sandy shore. |
Rock Formations Waitaki Valley NZ Interesting rock formations in a small valley on farmland in the Waitaki Valley on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Boat Tour Kaikoura Travel Canterbury New Zealand One of the many options available to tourists to the travel destination of Kaikoura in Canterbury, New Zealand is a dolphin watching tour. |
Travel Destination Abel Tasman National Park A prime travel destination on the South Island of New Zealand is the pristine Abel Tasman National Park. |
Swim With Dolphins Tour Kaikoura NZ Don a wetsuit and swim with the dolphins during a tour with Encounter Kaikoura on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Boyd Creek Falls Fiordland Waterfall NZ A not so well known sight along the Milford Road are the Boyd Creek Falls found in Fiordland National Park, Southland, New Zealand. |
Fantail Falls Mt Aspiring National Park NZ One of the most accessible waterfalls in the Haast Pass, Fantail Falls are a 5 minute return walk from the road in Mt Aspiring National Park on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Thunder Creek Falls Mt Aspiring NP New Zealand From a height of 28 metres, the Thunder Creek Falls plunge into the Haast River in Mt Aspiring National Park, New Zealand. |
Travel Destination Pancake Rocks Paparoa NZ Blowholes, sunsets, intriguing rock formations, and West Coast vistas make the Pancake Rocks a prime travel destination in Paparoa National Park of New Zealand. |
Whale Watch Kaikoura Tour Boat New Zealand The Whale Watch Kaikoura catamaran Wheketere (which means Giant Squid) makes its way towards the action off the coast of the South Island of New Zealand. |
Abel Tasman National Park Sea Kayaker Picture A sea kayaker passes the granite cliffs of Arch Point during a kayaking adventure in the Abel Tasman National Park of New Zealand. |
Paparoa National Park Pancake Rocks New Zealand The sun sets over the Tasman Sea and the Pancake Rocks in Paparoa National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand. |
Falls Creek Fiordland National Park New Zealand The crystal clear waters of the Falls Creek waterfall appear from the dense native bush of Fiordland National Park on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Chasm Bridge Fiordland National Park NZ A hiking track wends through the dense native bush to a foot bridge which passes over Chasm in Fiordland National Park, NZ. |
Kahurangi National Park Coastline Kohaihai Beach NZ The 452,000 hectare Kahurangi National Park is one of the largest national parks in New Zealand and Kohaihai Beach is one of the starting out points for the Heaphy Track. |
Town Of Picton Marlborough NZ The starting out point for many adventures in the Marlborough Sounds of New Zealand is the town of Picton also the location of the Interisland Ferry services. |
Kayaking Abel Tasman National Park New Zealand A popular vacation activities on the South Island of New Zealand is kayaking the pristine coastal waters of the Abel Tasman National Park. |
Cape Kidnappers Scenery Hawkes Bay New Zealand From atop the cliff where the Australasian Gannet Colony is located, the scenery of the coastline of Hawkes Bay, New Zealand is amazing. |
Oamaru NZ Little Blue Penguin Statue A statue of a Little Blue Penguin, made of stone, is on display along the main street of Oamaru, NZ. |
Taranaki Sunset New Zealand The yellow sky amongst the dark pink tinged clouds at sunset silhouette the Maui Gas Platform across the Tasman Sea in the North Taranaki Bight on the North Island of New Zealand. |
Whale Watching Trips Kaikoura New Zealand One of the best trips to embark on during a visit to Kaikoura on the South Island of New Zealand is a whale or dolphin watching tour. |
Festival Oamaru South Island New Zealand Each year, the town of Oamaru on the South Island of New Zealand celebrates their yearly Wine and Food Festival. |
Honeymoon Destination Marlborough New Zealand Punga Cove Resort, a romantic and secluded honeymoon destination is situated in the sunny Marlborough Sounds on the South Island of New Zealand. |
New Zealand Coastal Holiday Destination Kaikoura The Coastal town of Kaikoura is a popular holiday destination situated on the South Island of New Zealand. |
South Bay And Kaikoura Mountain Range Picture Green pastures and South Bay are illuminated with the last rays of daylight as the Kaikoura Mountain Range is shrouded in a thin layer of fog in Canterbury, New Zealand. |
Lake Pukaki Mt Cook Scenery New Zealand The scenery is stunning as you stand above the green landscape overlooking Lake Pukaki, Mt Cook and the Southern Alps on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Sunset Mt Taranaki North Island New Zealand Looking from the north end of the Northern Taranaki Bight on the North Island of New Zealand, bright yellow hues at sunset silhouette Mt Taranaki. |
Yellow Eyed Penguin Walk Curio Bay New Zealand A lonely Yellow-Eyed Penguin on a walk across the Fossil Forest at Curio Bay on the South Island of New Zealand on its way back to its nest. |
Christmas Light Tour Otago New Zealand On a tour around New Zealand, be sure not to miss this Christmas light display in Pukeuri, Otago on the South Island of New Zealand. |
Christmas Decor Otago Some people in Otago, New Zealand love to add to the decor of the Christmas spirit and this little house in Pukeuri is a fine example. |
New Zealand Scenery Mt Cook Lake Pukaki The scenery from above the unique blue colored Lake Pukaki on the South Island of New Zealand is spectacular with Mt. Cook and the Southern Alps adorning the backdrop. |
Akaroa Harbour Boat Tour New Zealand Passengers aboard a boat tour in Akaroa Harbour in Banks Peninsula in New Zealand enjoy the scenery and green colored waters that surround them. |
Foreshore Coastal Walkway New Plymouth New Zealand A unique sculpture along the Foreshore Coastal Walkway in New Plymouth, New Zealand is one of many that adorns the waterfront walk. |
Large Kauri Trees North Island New Zealand Kauri trees grow along the Bush Walk on the North Island of New Zealand and looking up at these large trees from below makes for an interesting picture. |
Scenic Falls New Zealand Tourists stand atop the lookout points for a scenic view of the Huka Falls as the Waikato River near Taupo on the North Island of New Zealand squeezes through a narrow passage. |
Oamaru Architecture South Island New Zealand The elegant architecture of the historic Oamaru Opera House was the design of architect J.M. Forrester and was opened in October 1907. |
Cape Egmont Beach Sunset New Zealand Sitting on the beach at Cape Egmont in Taranaki, New Zealand, yellow and golden shades encompass the sky at sunset. |
Marlborough Sounds Accommodations New Zealand Punga Cove Resort in Endeavor Inlet in the Marlborough Sounds of New Zealand are luxurious accommodations where relaxing by the pool is high on the list. |
White Island Boats New Zealand Two boats anchored on the outskirts of Crater Bay on White Island off the North Island of New Zealand wait for passengers aboard their tours. |
Artists Palatte Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland Rotorua Colourful minerals stirred up in the simmering waters are seen at the Artist's Palette in the Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua, New Zealand. |
Omapere Hokianga Harbour New Zealand The small town of Omapere rests along the beautiful shores of Hokianga Harbour 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
