Typical Itinerary (part 3)
Day 11: Tuesday, Dec 28, 2004 – Abel Tasman
• 7:00 Breakfast
• 8:00 Departure
• Trek or sea kayak experience in Tasman National Park
• Biodiversity and ecosystem protection – Conservation and regeneration
Abel Tasman is renowned for its golden beaches,
sculptured granite cliffs, and its world-famous coastal track. It also has a
mild climate and is a good place to visit at any time of the year.
Natural, cultural and historic features
For at least 500 years Maori lived along the Abel Tasman coast, gathering food
from the sea, estuaries and forests, and growing food on suitable sites. Most
occupation was seasonal but some sites in Awaroa estuary were permanent. The
Ngati Tumatakokiri people were resident when, on 18 December 1642, the Dutch
seafarer Abel Tasman anchored his two ships near Wainui in Mohua (Golden Bay),
the first European to visit Aotearoa - New Zealand. He lost four crew in a skirmish
with the local people and soon moved on. (The story of this encounter reflects
the fact that the Dutch crew approached the coast in a sloop rowed in the traditional
way – pointing the boat and the backs of the man towards the coast. This was
considered an insult by the Maori, used to approaching others face-first, while
paddling their canoes)
Permanent European settlement began around 1855. The settlers logged forests,
built ships, quarried granite and fired the hillsides to create pasture. For
a time there was prosperity but soon the easy timber was gone and gorse and
bracken invaded the hills. Little now remains of their enterprises. Concern
about the prospect of more logging along the coast prompted a campaign to have
15,000 hectares of crown land made into a national park. A petition presented
to the Government suggested Abel Tasman's name for the park and it was duly
opened in 1942 - the 300th anniversary of his visit.
The most noticeable features of this park are the golden sandy beaches, the
fascinating rocky outcrops (mainly granite but with a scattering of limestone
and marble) and the rich, unmodified estuaries. The landscape has been modified,
perhaps more than in other national parks. The vegetation cover varies and reflects
a history of fires and land clearance, but the forests are regenerating well
especially in damp gullies where a rich variety of plants can be found. Black
beech dominates the drier ridges.
The more common forest birds, like tui and bellbirds, can be seen along with
pukeko around the estuaries and wetlands. The park's boundary excludes the estuaries
and seabed but in 1993 the Tonga Island Marine Reserve was created along one
part of the Abel Tasman coast. As national park, all species are protected
Day 12: Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 – Abel Tasman – Franz Josef (513 km)
• 7:00 Breakfast
• 8:00 Departure
• Lodging Franz Josef (2 nights): Glacier View Motel, State Highway 6. (64-3-525-9369).
The Hotel Glacier View is located very close to the town centre. It is nestled
in the tranquil bush settings with superb mountain and glacier views surround
Nowhere else in the world, outside the polar regions, can one see glaciers so
close to the sea, extending more than eight miles (13km) from the highest peaks
of precipitous mountains to the valley floor and surrounded by rainforest. The
Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are the two most famous glaciers, a small part
of the Westland National Park, and the two small townships near to each are
good bases from which to explore the area, although offering an expensive range
of accommodation and cafes. They each have a good Visitors Centre with displays
on the formation of the glaciers, the ice movement and the history of the region.
The giant screen at Franz Josef shows the brilliant film on Glacier Country,
‘Flowing West’. The glaciers are moving at an average rate of three feet (one
metre) a day, but the Frans Josef can move up to an incredible 16 feet (five
metres) in one day.
The west coast receives about 7-8 meters of rain a year, creating pockets of
rainforest, especially in the south-west.
Day 13: Thursday, Dec 30, 2004 - Franz
Josef
• 8:00 breakfast
• 9:00 Visitor Center
• Short nature walk
• 2:30 - Glacier hike: FOX GLACIER WALK An eco-adventure full
of variety and interest. Walkers are outfitted with sturdy leather boots before
boarding one of the glacier buses for the short drive through the rainforest
and into the steep-sided glacial valley. The valley, carved by the ice during
past ice-ages, shows dramatic evidence of the awesome power of ice.
We walk beside the river bed to a secret track which zig-zags slowly uphill
for fourty-five minutes through ferns and regenerating temperate rainforest.
From high on the track you enjoy fantastic views of the glacier and its upper
and lower icefalls.
From its high point, the track winds down to the edge of the ice. At this point,
you are outfitted with instep crampons specially designed by Alpine Guides for
these ice conditions and you follow the ice steps cut by the guides. The route
takes you onto the ice amongst crevasses and ice ridges and leads you into the
middle of the glacier for spectacular views of the icefall and lower glacier.
At least one hour is spent on the ice before returning to the bus using a different
track that follows the edge of the ice and passes the collapsing terminal face
of the glacier. Your guide will be with you for the duration of the trip and
will enjoy passing on fascinating details of the natural history of this landscape
sculpted by ice. Access to the ice varies as the glacier changes and an alternative
to our high track may be used sometimes.
A moderate fitness and agility is required. Involves some steady, well-graded
uphill walking for 45 minutes. Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours. Cost includes: Guide,
ground transport, boots and socks, crampons, raincoat, alpenstock.
To bring: few layers of warm upper
body clothing (optional lightweight rain gear), sunglasses and sun protection.
Jeans are not recommended. A day pack is useful and a drink
and snacks are nice to have. Be sure to bring your camera and lots of film.
Your own boots and raincoats may be suitable. For winter trips bring a warm
hat and gloves. Time: 9.15am, 1.45pm year round. Extra trips 10.15am and 2.45pm
in summer.
• Department of Conservation – Biodiversity and Wildlife Management (Visitor
Center)
The West Coast Tai Poutini Conservancy manages more than 1.9 million hectares
of land on the West Coast which equates to 85% of the land within the conservancy's
boundaries. The conservancy has two national parks, parts of three others and
a World Heritage Area within its boundaries.
Paparoa National Park (38,437 ha) and Westland Tai Poutini National Park (127,541
ha) fall completely within the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservancy's boundaries.
Management of Kahurangi National Park (113,772 ha) is shared with the Nelson
/ Marlborough Conservancy, Arthur's Pass National Park (31,000 ha) with the
Canterbury Conservancy and Mount Aspiring National Park (163,000 ha) with the
Otago Conservancy.
The Te Wahipounamu - SouthWest New Zealand World Heritage Area (2,500,000 ha)
is an area of public conservation land that is recognised by UNESCO as one of
the world's important natural sites. It includes the Westland Tai Poutini, Mount
Aspiring, Fiordland and Aoraki / Mount Cook National Parks.
While many glaciers world-wide have been retreating, the Franz Josef Glacier
still flows almost to sea level, through a temperate rainforest of ancient podocarp
trees and other evergreen species.
This combination of ice and temperate rainforest is a unique feature of New Zealand's glacier country, and is an ecosystem found nowhere else in the world.
South Westland is situated at 43.5 degrees south, an equivalent
latitude to the south of France. Cannes, for example, is the same distance from
the coast as Franz Josef, with mountains of similar altitudes. Obviously there
are no glaciers that extend down to sea level in France, so why does it happen
here?
Running through Franz Josef is the Alpine Fault. Along this faultline the Southern
Alps have been pushed up, and continue to rise in close proximity to the ocean.
The weather that flows on to the West Coast is forced to rise over the Southern
Alps, thereby cooling and dropping most of its moisture as rain and snow. This
process causes up to 30 metres of snow to fall on the neve (or catchment area
of the glacier), every year.
Snow that is compacted on the neve forms blue glacier ice that is funnelled down the Waiho Valley. The ice flows under its own momentum, forming a 'river of ice'. Although the terminal face of the glacier is continually melting, this is replaced by glacier ice flowing down from the neve. This is aided by basal sliding, caused by a layer of water beneath the glacier which is formed by the weight of the ice pushing against the valley floor.
The glacier slides forward at rates up to 10 times faster than most valley glaciers, presenting the visitor with a spectacular and unique icefall of crevasses, pinnacles, ice caves and canyons.
Day 14: Friday, Dec 31, 2004 – Franz Joseph – Haast
Pass – Queenstown (348km)
• 7:00 Breakfast
• 8:00 Departure
• Short stops - various sites (Cardrona)
• Lodging Queenstown (2 nights) Aspen on Queenstown, 139 Fernhill Road, Queenstown.
Tel: 03 442 7688. Fax: 03 442 7677 - http://www.queenstownhotel.com/
Queenstown - With a reputation as the adventure sports capital
of the world, Queenstown is New Zealand’s premier tourist destination, offering
visitors the chance to indulge in almost every adrenalin activity imaginable.
But Queenstown has more to offer visitors than action packed activities. Queenstown
is a heavily commercialized, year round resort that is touristy, crowded and
somewhat characterless, but with its magnificent scenery, set on the deep blue
Lake Wakatipu and framed by the craggy Remarkables Range.The lake is the perfect
setting for steamer cruises, there are many fine walking opportunities in the
surrounding hills and valleys with breathtaking views, surrounding vineyards
offer wine tasting, shopping at the town’s many boutiques, and the nearby historic
gold mining town of Arrowtown is a fascinating days outing. Scenic flights take
visitors on unforgettable excursions, such as those around the majestic peaks
of Mt Aspiring and Mt Cook, or to Milford Sound.
Skyline Gondola takes visitors to Bob’s Peak,
the hill above the town and has incredible views over Queenstown, the lake and
of the Remarkables Range. At the top of the gondola is the Luge offering three-wheel
cart rides for all different ages and abilities, or there are numerous walks
on the mountain with beautiful views of the area. At the bottom terminal is
the Kiwi and Birdlife Park featuring nocturnal kiwi houses and other endangered
species of New Zealand. Address: Brecon Street; Website: http://www.skyline.co.nz/
Transport: Five minutes walk from the town centre; Admission: NZD $15 (adults),
NZD $5 (children)
Arrowtown sits at the edge of the Otago Goldfields and was
one of the country’s biggest gold towns in its day. It still has reminders of
the gold rush days with little miners' cottages along the tree lined streets,
historic wooden buildings, and 19th century-style shops, preserved as they were
during the gold rush. There are the interesting remains of a Chinese settlement,
with interpretive signs, nestled along the banks of Bush Creek where gold was
panned. The Chinese diggers often worked through the remains of previous miner’s
claims in search of undetected fine gold and were subjected to much prejudice
by the other diggers. The Visitors Centre contains the excellent Lake District
Museum that has a small display on local history and gold mining.
Transport: 20 minute drive from Queenstown
Day 15: Saturday Jan 1, 2005 – Queenstown
• 8:00 Breakfast
• 9:00 Departure. Morning Arrowtown (Historic mining site)
• Afternoon at your leisure (Queenstown Botanical Gardens or other options).
Day 16: Sunday, Jan 2, 2005 – Queenstown – Te Anau (242km)
• Fjordland Orientation – Visitor Center
• Hike various park ecosystems – afternoon
• Te Anau Lodging (2 nights) – Village Inn Hotel, Mokoroa Street Ph: (64-3-)
442-7688. http://www.thevillageinn.co.nz/
- This modern and unique hotel creates a feeling of 'stepping back in time'
with its carefully recreated Pioneer Village facades and is within walking distance
of the lake shore and town centre. The Village Inn is situated in Te Anau, the
gateway to Fiordland World Heritage Park and a perfect base from which to explore
both Milford and Doubtful Sound.
Set on the fringes of the Fjordland’s celebrated
wilderness is the attractive resort town of Te Anau. The town rests on the shores
of the beautiful lake of the same name with spectacular views of mountain peaks
all around. It is the hub of the region and an excellent base from which to
explore the Fjordland area. Te Anau has achieved the reputation of being the
‘Sightseeing and Walking Capital of the World’ having easy access to some of
the most splendid Great Walks and scenery. It is also in close proximity to
the fjords of Doubtful Sound, the deepest and most stunning, and Milford Sound,
the most famous and more easily accessible. Lake Te Anau is the second largest
in New Zealand. The beautiful Lake Manapouri, dotted with 35 pretty islands,
is just nine miles (14km) away.
Fiordland National Park
Southwest New Zealand is one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere.
It is an area where snow-capped mountains, rivers of ice, deep lakes, unbroken
forests and tussock grasslands produce a landscape of exceptional beauty. Some
of the best examples of animals and plants, which were once found on the ancient
super-continent of Gondwana, still exist here.
Recognition of the outstanding natural values of
the area was granted by UNESCO in December 1990, with the formation of the Southwest
New Zealand World Heritage Area, also known to Ngai Tahu as Te
Wahipounamu (the place of greenstone). This area incorporates Aoraki/ Mt
Cook, Westland/ Tai Poutini, Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks, and covers
2.6 million hectares or 10% of New Zealand's land area.
World heritage is a global concept that identifies natural and cultural sites
of world significance - places so special that protecting them is of concern
to all people.
Natural, cultural and historic features
Human activity has been limited in Fiordland but there were always some who
were willing to endure adversity in the search for new places or resources.
European settlement was hampered by the steepness of the terrain, isolation
and the wettest climate in New Zealand. Early Maori people hunted birds here
and caught fish from the sea and gathered pounamu (New Zealand jade) from the
rivers. Later, sealers and whalers took shelter in the fiords and built small
settlements in a number of locations.
The variety of habitats in Fiordland allow a diverse flora and fauna to thrive
and its isolation has encouraged endemism with over 700 plants found only in
Fiordland and it is, or was, home to some of the strangest of New Zealand's
birds. The takahe, for example, is a large flightless rail related to the more
populous pukeko, more commonly known throughout Australasia as the purple moorhen.
It is of ancient lineage and poorly adapted to cope with introduced predators.
The takahe was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1948.
Fiordland was also the final refuge of the worlds only flightless parrot, the
nocturnal kakapo. A recovery project for these unique birds is now under way
on a number of pest free offshore islands. The rare mohua or yellowhead is also
resident in some Fiordland valleys. Insect life abounds but is secretive in
general. The exception of course is the notorious namu or sandfly and insect
repellent is essential for visitor comfort.
In the 1960s and 70s Fiordland was the scene of one of New Zealand's most important
conservation battles. The hydro-electricity industry was, in the end, prevented
from raising the level of Lake Manapouri and it remains one of the park's scenic
highlights.
Day 17: Monday, Jan 3, 2005 - Te Anau
• 7:00 Breakfast
• 8:00 Departure
• 11:00 Milford Sound with cruise and lunch – Fjordland National Park
The 14 mile (22km) long fjord of Milford Sound is the most famous attraction
in the Fjordland National Park. Hemmed in by towering granite cliffs and dominated
by Mitre Peak, the calm deep waters reflect ice-covered mountain tops, waterfalls
plummet from the cliff tops to the water below and Bottlenose dolphins play
in the foaming wakes of the boats. Its grandeur was carved out during the ice
ages and a close up or aerial view of the awesome scenery is a must. A variety
of boat cruises or popular kayaking trips are offered and these provide opportunities
to see the fur seals, crested penguins and dolphins that inhabit the sound,
while scenic flights give a unique perspective on the area. The road to Milford
Sound is one of the finest alpine drives in the world with many points of interest
along the way and view points to admire the sheer scale of the dramatic landscape.
Traveling towards the sound, the road approaches a seemingly impenetrable wall
of rock, and the tiny entrance of Homer Tunnel, unlit and roughly hewn out of
the cliff face, suddenly appears as the way through, emerging again at the top
of the stunning Cleddau Canyon before dropping into the valley below. Milford
is synonymous with rain, and although the mountaintops might not be visible
through the clouds, the streams of water and waterfalls coursing down the sheer
rocky cliffs is a magnificent sight worth seeing that would not be apparent
if it was dry. Tiny biting sandflies are the menace of the Fjordlands, although
optimists say the rain tends to keep them away. Whether raining or fine it is
impossible to ignore the powerful sense of beauty and grandeur that the landscape
evokes. A 2-hour journey from from Te Anau.
Milford Sound is near the small town of Milford. The 5000 foot Mitre Peak on the left is said to be the most photographed peak in New Zealand. The sound is technically a fjord, with the top ten feet of fresh water and salt water below.
Day 18: Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005 – Te Anau
– Twizel (Mt. Cook) (380km)
• 7:00 Breakfast
• 8:00 Departure
• Lunch stop Omarama
• Lodging 2 nights, Twizel : The MacKenzie Country Inn,
Crn Ostler & Wairepo Roads, Twizel. Telephone +64 (03) 435-0869 http://www.mackenzie.nz-hotels.com/
• 14:00 - Highland grazing systems - In this unique agro-ecological environment the finest Merino wool is produced, which is used by the most prestigious spinners in the world - http://benohau.co.nz/index.html
Merino wool is recognized as a superior quality
fiber, with the following qualities:
• Extra-fine fiber (about 13-14 microns);
• Superior whiteness, improving the range of coloration possible;
• High strength along the length of the fiber, decreasing wastage, and increasing
processing performance;
• Improved spinning performance, because fibers are in a narrow diameter range;
• Improved pasture control decreases the amount of vegetable matter in the fleece;
• Low contamination of the fleece, due to the use of nylon packs.
Salmon Farming
Mt Cook National Park is known for its exquisite alpine beauty and is home to the highest mountain in New Zealand, Mt Cook. Its Maori name, ‘Aoraki’ means ‘cloud piercer’ and at 12,016ft (3,755m) it towers above the surrounding snow-covered peaks in the park. A third of the park is covered in permanent ice and snow and the mighty Tasman Glacier is the longest glacier outside of the polar regions. Glacial melt gives the lakes their beautiful milky, turquoise colour and there are many walks in the area to take in the dramatic beauty. Mt Cook has always been the focus of climbing and mountaineering, most notably the expeditions of Sir Edmund Hillary, who went on to be the first man to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain, Mt Everest. Website: http://www.doc.govt.nz/Explore/001~National-Parks/Aoraki-Mount-Cook-National-Park/index.asp
Kea Point Walk
Walking track. Time: 2 hours return from the village, 1 hour return from the
White Horse Hill carpark.
Start from the Hermitage lawn and cross the road to the track sign (or leave
from the public shelter at the campground). This walk gently winds its way through
sub-alpine grasslands and scrub to the Mueller Glacier moraine wall. The track
passes through landscape that was formed in 1913 when a stream cut through from
the glacier to the original Hermitage site, damaging the building. The walk
ends at a viewing deck that gives stunning views of Mt Sefton and Footstool,
the Hooker Valley, Mueller Glacier Lake and Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Hooker Valley Track
Walking track. Times from the village: 1st swingbridge: 1 1/2 hours return 2nd
swingbridge: 2 hours return Hooker Lake: 4 hours return.
Begin at the Visitor Centre or White Horse Hill camping areas. Starting from
the camping area reduces the times by 45 minutes. One of the most popular walks
in the park, it leads up the Hooker Valley towards Aoraki/Mount Cook. The track
passes close to the Alpine Memorial, which is a great viewpoint. Continue on
to Hooker River and cross twice on swingbridges before reaching Stocking Stream
Shelter. Continue beside the river to its source to reach the Hooker Glacier
terminal lake.
Day 21: Thursday, Jan 6, 2004 – Twizel – Christchurch (282 km)
• 7:00 Breakfast
• 8:00 Departure
• 13:00 Canterbury Museum, home of one of the largest historical Antarctic collections
and Maori collection
• 16:30 - Lodging at Elms Hotel 3 nights): http://www.elmshotel.co.nz/
Christchurch is the biggest city in the South Island and the 3rd biggest city
in New Zealand. It is a popular destination in New Zealand and is a major gateway
to the country as it has the 2nd biggest international airport.
Internationally renowned as the ‘The Garden City’, Christchurch’s well-established
expansive parks and public gardens owe much to the planning and foresight of
the city’s founding fathers. The centrally-located 161 hectare Hagley Park,
the Botanic Gardens, the four leafy inner-city avenues, Victoria Square and
spectacular gardens such as Mona Vale on the banks of the River Avon bear testimony
to this legacy. The city contains many European trees such as Weeping Willows,
Poplars and Chestnut Trees along the banks of the River Avon, named after it's
English counterpart. Christchurch's architecture is striking as most of its
old buildings have been preserved, unlike Auckland and Wellington and this only
adds to it’s European charm. The Square and Worcester Boulevard have some great
Markets which are ideally set against some of New Zealands oldest and most beautiful
buildings. The Markets at Worcester Boulevard are accessible by a Tram that
travels from the Square to the Museum.
The Port Hills, which is part of Banks Peninsula, houses some upper class suburbs
and the views are quite spectacular as you can see the Canterbury Plains and
the Southern Alps to the west and Banks Peninsula to the east.
Day 22: Friday, Jan 7, 2004 – Christchurch
• 9:00 - Bryan Storey, http://www.anta.canterbury.ac.nz/people/bs.shtml
• 9.00 to 10.30. Response of Antarctica to global change: past, present and
future. Bryan Storey.
• 10.30 to 1200. Antarctic biota and environmental issues. Paul Broady.
• 13:30 Art Brown - Antarctica program - National Science Foundation, Office
of Polar Programs (NSF/OPP) - NSF Representative, Christchurch, NZ. Briefing
on the activities of the U.S. Antarctic Program. Logistics and operations -
including the essentials of the funded research.
Antarctica is a huge continent, covering 14 million square kilometers or 10% of the Earth’s surface. It influences an even greater area-extending beyond the equator-in the form of cold air, water currents and migratory sea birds and marine mammals. It should be little surprise therefore, that Antarctica is an important place for science-the pursuit of knowledge about the physical and natural world-and also for environmental management and protection. Antarctica is the last great wilderness and its uniqueness requires good conservation practices.
New Zealand is a great place to study Antarctica, as the country has carried out research there since 1957 and continues to be a “gateway to Antarctica”. This short program introduces students to the wonders of Antarctica, the connections between New Zealand and Antarctica, and the US and Antarctica, and the current scientific research that is taking place to solve global problems like the ozone hole.
The program includes lectures and a trip to the International Antarctic Center and the A major contributor to lectures will be Professor Bryan Storey, Director of Gateway Antarctica. Gateway Antarctica is the Center for Antarctic Teaching and Research at the University of Canterbury. It is the hub for Antarctic activities through out the campus.
Bryan is the Professor of Antarctic Studies and Director of
Gateway Antarctica, the University of Canterbury’s centre for Antarctica Studies
and Research. He became Director in February 2000 after spending 24 years working
with the British Antarctic Survey. He graduated Trinity College Dublin in 1974
in Geology and has a PhD from the University of Birmingham. Bryan has published
extensively on many aspects of Antarctic Geology and has spent many field seasons
in Antarctica. He has been honored with the Polar Medal.
Day 23: Saturday, Jan 8 , 2004 – Christchurch
• 7:00 Breakfast
• 8:00 Departure
• 9:00 Ali Memon and Stefanie Rixecker, Environmental, Society and Design Division,
Lincoln University – Policy and Implementation Perspectives on the NZ Natural
Resource Management Act
• 10:30 Departure for Akaroa Experience: The hilly Banks Peninsula
is the result of two massive and violent volcanic eruptions, creating a sea-filled
crater surrounded by green hills and a number of little bays that radiate out
from the circular shape of land. The Maori name ‘akaroa’ means ‘long harbor’
and the little French influenced town of the same name is situated on the picturesque
shores of the harbor, a long finger of water extending into the interior of
the land. It is Canterbury’s oldest village and its French character, due to
the first European settlers, is evident in the street names, quaint historical
architecture and French inspired cuisine. The pretty town is surrounded by attractive
scenery; a volcanic landscape of fertile green hills scattered with woolly sheep
and vineyards, and crisscrossed by walking trails and winding narrow roads.
The beautiful and sheltered Akaroa Harbor is the only place in the world where
visitors observe the world’s smallest and rarest dolphin, the Hector’s or New
Zealand dolphin.
13:30 – 15:30 Harbor cruise
http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/canterbury/canterbury---akaroa/attractions-and-activities/nature-and-eco-tourism/cruises/jumpto/7793
• 19:00 - Farewell dinner
Day 24: Sunday, Jan 9, 2004 – Christchurch
• 8:30 Breakfast
• 10:00 Check out hotel followed by a visit to the botanical gardens.
• 12:30 Departure for airport
• 15:25 Departure and arrival USA via CHC-AKL-LAX–DTW-LAN
Thank you for your interest in this program!
