Stray New Zealand Travel Guide 2015 by Stray

KIA ORA! Welcome to our totally biased guide to getting further off the beaten track in New Zealand. Our guide is of most use to people travelling on Stray, but the deals also apply to people in Spaceships and it should also be helpful to anyone else wanting to properly experience our great country.

fascinating local culture, do activities that will blow your mind and make friends with some of the best people you will ever meet. Get ready to see New Zealand the Stray way!

The Stray way

+ A fully guided hop-on, hop-off bus

Stray gives adventurous travellers a once in a lifetime chance to explore New Zealand in a way that they never imagined. Not only do we take you to all the amazing places in New Zealand you may have heard of, but we also give you access to exclusive off the beaten track places that cannot be experienced any other way. We believe that to fully experience a place, you have to get involved and not just be a spectator. Accordingly, our trips are designed to appeal to travellers, not tourists. To help you on your journey, we’ve recruited a diverse mix of characters as driver guides who are hugely passionate and capable of showing off an alternative New Zealand. Because of the guides and the customers we attract, we can really push the boundaries and take you to incredible unique stops and attractions. Buckle up and get ready to immerse yourself in

Get further off the beaten track

Stray’s travel network: network where you travel at your own leisure and spend time exploring the places you love. + We pride ourselves on getting off the beaten track, gaining access to otherwise unreachable locations. Our top rating attractions are often those unique to Stray. + Standard passes include all land transport, commentary, and guidance. + Frequent departures in summer and a minimum of 3 departures per week year round. + Pay as you go for accommodation and activities. We guarantee your accommodation at the night stops by reserving beds. All beds are at dorm hostel rates; twin and double options available.

+ We pick up and drop off from all major traveller accommodation.

+ We reserve spaces on key adventure activities and get you discounts.

+ We make supermarket stops so you

can self-cater. There are always cheap meals available. + We take our time on travel days to do walks and other activities. + All passes are valid for 12 months so you can take your time or for those with less time stay on board for a tour-type look around. Cheers, The Stray Team

PLEASE NOTE: this magazine is just a guide - activities, times, routes, destinations and/or prices may change depending on the group, driver, season, natural disasters and/or the weather. It’s all an adventure, just enjoy the ride!!

WHY STRAY?

HOW IT WORKS In a nutshell:

Waitlists

Tips to help you stray

+ Choose your Stray ‘hop-on, hop-off’

Should the bus be fully booked on a particular journey, don't panic - you can request to be put on the wait list. If seats become available, people on the waitlist will automatically be promoted and we find that 9 times out of 10 that your seat will be confirmed by your intended travel date. Remember that Stray is a hop-on, hop-off service and people change their travel plans frequently.

+ Be ready at the designated pick-up

bus pass; + Book your travel dates online or with the Reservations team; + Get great deals on activities and Stray accommodation through your driver; + ‘Hop off’ anywhere along the route for any amount of time to explore further; + ‘Hop on’ the next bus coming through whenever you’re ready to continue; + Stray around New Zealand for up to 12 months and have an awesome time! If you are short on time, you don't have to ‘hop off - you can also use your Stray pass like a tour and complete the itinerary in its minimum days. With this you will still enjoy outstanding locations and unique attractions around New Zealand, and we have incorporated non-travel days to break up your journey.

How to book your travel While your hop-on, hop-off pass is totally flexible, we do recommend that you book your seat in advance whenever possible. This lets the driver know when and where to expect you. To reserve your seat on the bus: 1) Book online using Stray’s online booking system (see next page) 2) Call the Reservations team 3) Email Reservations (they’ll reply within 24 hours) No worries if you change your mind at the last minute - just notify the office of your plans and they can update your booking.

Re-travelling Your Stray pass is valid for 12 months from the day you start travelling, and you are welcome to re-travel most parts of the route on a space available basis. In order to be booked as a re-traveller, you must contact the Reservations team directly. Please note re-travel is not available for routes north of Auckland, Christchurch to Greymouth or East Cape (East Bro).

Timetables & departure times The bus timetable changes seasonally – you can find the most up-to-date version on our website or ask your driver for a copy.

location at least 10 minutes prior to the departure time. + In the peak season (November – March), buses can be very busy and we strongly recommend that you book your travel legs in advance to avoid disappointment. Remember that you can always book something and change it at the last minute! + If you book your seat online after 5pm or forget to book because you’re being spontaneous, make sure you go to the designated Stray stop 10 minutes before the departure time listed on the timetable. Your name will not appear on the driver’s manifest if you book after 5pm and he/she won’t know to expect you. + If you hop off in an unusual location, be sure to re-confirm your next pick-up location and time with Reservations. Please provide a contact cellphone number in case the driver or office team need to get in touch with you. Contact Us Reservations Team – Our office team are the best people to contact for support when you’re out on the road. Call or email them to book travel dates, confirm pickup locations, or with any questions you have. Phone: (+64) 09 526 2140 Email: reservations@straytravel.co.nz Website: www.straytravel.co.nz Office hours: Summer (October – April) 7am-7pm MonFri, 8am-5pm Sat-Sun. Winter (May – September) 7am-5.30pm Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm Sat-Sun. In Auckland? Visit our Stray Shop located at 50 Fort Street in the Auckland CBD.

Abel Tasman National Park

Stray Online Booking System

General NZ Travel Info Passports & Immigration All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country. If you're thinking about extending your stay in New Zealand, visit the New Zealand Immigration Service website (www.immigration.govt.nz) for more information about visa options and migration.

Banking Banks are usually open from 9.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday (with a few open on Saturdays). Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are widely available at banks, along main shopping streets and in malls. International credit cards and ATM cards should work as long as they have a fourdigit PIN encoded.

Time Differences New Zealand is 12 hours ahead of GMT. In summer New Zealand uses ‘daylight saving’, with clocks put forward one hour to GMT+13. Daylight saving begins on the last Sunday in September and ends on the first Sunday of the following April, when clocks are put back an hour to GMT+12

Currency New Zealand's unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$). Coins have values of 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2; notes have values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in or taken out of New Zealand. However, persons who carry more than NZ$10,000 in cash in or out of New Zealand are required to complete a Border Cash Report. Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found at international airports and most city centres. All major credit cards can be used in New Zealand. Travellers Cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores.

Seasons The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south is temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ºC and in winter between 10-15ºC. You can check out our weather conditions on the New Zealand Met Service website (www.metser vice.co.nz).

The Bluebridge ferry

Exchange Rates You can calculate the value of your currency in NZ Dollars using the currency converter on the website www.newzealand.com. The rate you are offered in your home country is likely to differ slightly. The Reser ve Bank of New Zealand (www.rbnz.govt.nz) provides a monthly online summary of the New Zealand Dollar's average value against the US Dollar, the Pound, the Australian Dollar, the Yen and the Euro. Goods And Services Tax All goods and services are subject to a15 percent Goods and Ser vices Tax (GST) included in the displayed price. Visitors cannot claim this tax back; however when a supplier ships a major purchase to a visitor's home address they will not be charged. The Inter-Island Ferry Stray uses the Bluebridge Ferry that travels between the North and South Island (Wellington and Picton) travels daily. The normal adult price is around $51-75. Please book with your driver. The ferry ticket is not included in the cost of your Stray pass.

Clip AND Save VOUCHERS

Plant a tree for free - Abel Tasman

Trees Planted by Stray Passengers

A Bit of History

European DISCOVERY

EUROPEAN SETTLERS A BRIEF HISTORY The work that Captain Cook did charting New Zealand opened the way for whalers, sealers and timber traders. It was men working in these industries that founded the first European settlement at Russell (in the upper North Island). The rough characters that lived here gave Russell a bad reputation. It became known as the ‘hellhole of the Pacific’. Following these settlers, the missionaries came bringing Christianity to New Zealand. Religion was not the only thing that European settlers brought to this countr y. They brought with them pigs (some are still called Captain Cookers), disease (some really good ones) and guns. The combination of land, alcohol, hostile people and guns was great fuel for conflict. By 1840 there was a real need for a formal agreement between the British and the Maori to stop the violent land disputes. This was made worse by the general lawlessness of the settlers. On the 6 February, 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed guaranteeing Maori land rights in exchange for British Sovereignty. The 6th February is now recognised by a national public holiday and the treaty remains as New Zealand’s most important and controversial document. Ongoing land disputes, not resolved by the Treaty led to the infamous ‘Land Wars’ between Maori and the settlers (interestingly this is where the British learnt the Maori invention of ‘trench warfare’). Over this period there was an influx of settlers, which by 1858 had a population of 115,000 outnumbering the native Maori. At the end of the Land Wars the best agricultural areas of New Zealand were owned by the settlers, marking the start of the major changes and fast moving progress. Sealing, whaling and the felling of great kauri trees gave way to farming the land, mainly because all the other resources had been totally plundered. Eventually the ‘sheep’ was introduced and began to dominate the economy. At its peak in the 1980s there were 70 million sheep verse 3 million people. More recently sheep farming has waned under the growth of diary and forestry, however New Zealand still remains the

world’s second largest exporter of wool, after Australia.

NZ’s geography Made up of two main islands (imaginatively named North and South Islands), New Zealand is somewhere in between the size of Japan and the United Kingdom. Because New Zealand is positioned across two tectonic plates - the Pacific and the Australian - it gets a lot of geological activity (volcanic eruptions and earthquakes). This makes for a diverse landscape which includes everything from geothermal areas with natural hot springs to huge mountain ranges, jagged coastline and amazing secluded beaches. Two thirds of the South Island are mountains which have been created through the movement of the earth’s tectonic plates. The Southern Alps have a number of glaciers, the largest being the Tasman Glacier (27km long) on Mt Cook which is walking distance from Stray’s accommodation in Mt Cook. The most famous are the Franz Josef and the Fox Glacier on the South Island’s west coast. These are currently amongst the fastest growing glaciers in the world and are accessible by foot - we recommend guided or by helicopter. New Zealand has over 15,000 kilometres of coastline. In the far north and much of the east coast of the North Island you’ll find sandy beaches perfect for swimming, sur fing and sunbathing. In contrast west coast typically has a wild coastline with dark sandy beaches, heav y in iron. There are some beautiful sandy beaches at the very top of the South Island especially around Abel Tasman National Park. There is also the

Straying further, Mount Cook

Marlborough Sounds which is an example of a high mountain range that has ‘sunk’ into the sea. Here the deep green still water is surrounded by beautiful bush making it a picturesque location for boating and kayaking. World Heritage Areas to exploreTe Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand This incorporates Fiordland, Mt Aspiring and Mt Cook National Parks. The area features a dramatic landscape shaped by successive glaciations, fjords, towering cliffs, lakes and waterfalls. Two-thirds of the park is covered by forest, including specimens more than 800 years old. The Kea, the only alpine parrot in the world, lives in the area, as does the endangered Takahe, a large flightless bird. Tongariro National Park - North Island. Tongariro was the fourth National Park to be established in the world. It has a diverse landscape which ranges from alpine fields to desert-like plateaux with active volcanoes and crater lakes. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing (19km trek) is renowned as one of the top 10 day walks in the world

National Parks Over 20 percent of New Zealand is covered in national parks, forest areas and reserves. Our 14 national parks contain an incredible variety of unspoiled landscape and vegetation. The parks are administered and maintained by the ‘Department of Conservation’ (www.doc.govt.nz) - remember to read their signs and respect their rules. They are designed to protect you and the plants and wildlife.

New Zealand's National Parks (North to South) Te Urewera National Park (212,675ha, established 1954) Together with the neighbouring Whirinaki Forest Park, this is the largest remaining area of native forest in the North Island. Lake Waikaremoana, which is within the park, is noted for its scenic shoreline. We travel by this park on our summer East Cape trip. Tongariro National Park (79,598 ha, established in 1887) New Zealand’s first national park and the fourth in the world after Yellowstone (USA), Royal National Park (Australia) and Banff National Park (Canada). It includes the three active volcanoes, Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. We do walks, including the epic Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and stay in this park. In the winter you can ski and snowboard here. Taranaki (Egmont) National Park (33,534 ha, established 1900) Land covering a 9 kilometre radius of the Mount Taranaki summit and some outlying areas to the north. Whanganui National Park (74,231 ha, established 1986), borders the Whanganui River. It incorporates areas of Crown land, former State Forest and a number of former reserves. We stay on the edge of this park at our ecowilderness stop, Whakahoro.

Hiking in Tongariro National Park Kahurangi National Park (452,000 ha, established 1996) Situated in the northwest of the South Island, and comprised of spectacular and remote countr y, including the Heaphy Track. It has ancient landforms and unique flora and fauna. It is the second largest national park. You can access this from our Abel Tasman stop. Abel Tasman National Park (22,541ha, established 1942) New Zealand’s smallest national park, this national park has numerous tidal inlets and golden sand beaches along the shores of Tasman Bay. We stay on the edge of this park for two nights and allow time to do walks, kayaking and sailing. Nelson Lakes National Park (101,753 ha, established 1956) A rugged, mountainous area in the Nelson Region. It extends southwards from the forested shores of Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa to the Lewis Pass National Reser ve. We can drop you off near this park. Paparoa National Park (30,560 ha, established 1987) On the West Coast of the South Island between Westport and Greymouth. We give you time to explore the celebrated Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki and you are welcome to hop off here. Arthur’s Pass National Park (114,357 ha, established 1929) A rugged and mountainous areas straddling the main divide of the Southern Alps. The Arthur, Short Arthur, Q and Short Q passes travel through this park. Westland National Park (117,547 ha, established 1960) Extends from the highest peaks of the Southern Alps to wild remote coastline. Included in the park are glaciers, scenic lakes and dense rainforest, plus remains of old gold mining towns along the coast. We stay at Franz Josef in this park and give you time to explore.

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park (70,728 ha, established 1953) An alpine park, containing New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook (3,754m), and longest glacier, Tasman Glacier (27 km). A focus for mountaineering, ski touring and scenic flights, the park is an area of outstanding natural beauty. The Mount Cook and Westland National Parks have together been declared a World Heritage area. We stay in this park at the base of Mt Cook. Mount Aspiring National Park (355,531 ha, established 1964) A complex of impressively glaciated mountain scener y centered on Mount Aspiring (3033m), which is New Zealand’s highest peak outside Mount Cook National Park. We stop at the edge and offer a great flight or jet boat option into this park. Fiordland National Park (1,251,924 ha, established 1952) The largest national park in New Zealand and one of the largest in the world. The grandeur of scener y, with its deep fiords, lakes originating from the glaciers, mountains and waterfalls, has earned international recognition as a World Heritage area. We go into this park and spend the night at the edge of it. Rakiura National Park (157,000 ha, established in 2002) Made up of about 85% of the whole land area of Stewart Island. The relatively small human population and the untouched state of much of the environment make this an amazing sanctuar y for our native bird life. It is the nearest that you will find to the way that New Zealand would have originally been before settlement. There are many walking tracks on the island. We have an optional overnight stay on Stewart Island.

TRACKS, WALKS AND CYCLING New Zealand is known for its beautiful landscape and vast wilderness, from rugged mountain peaks, to lush forests, cascading rivers, deep gorges and wide valleys. Explore New Zealand’s premier tracks and trails, passing through diverse and spectacular scenery as you traverse the nine Great Walks of New Zealand. Please remember to follow the environmental guidelines recommended by the Department of Conser vation (www.doc.govt.nz) by taking all your rubbish with you, sticking to the tracks to avoid erosion, and respecting plants and wildlife, so that those who come after you will be able to enjoy the natural beauty for years to come. Stray can drop you off near each of the Great Walks – it may not be right at the trailhead, but we’ve indicated the best stops to hop off and access the tracks. You will need to make the proper arrangements for the Great Walks through the Department of Conservation.

The nine Great Walks of New Zealand (North to south)

Abel Tasman Coastal Track – Located in the Abel Tasman National Park, at the top of the South Island, this track is renowned for its golden beaches and sculptured granite cliff. This track takes 3 to 5 days, with streams that can only be crossed within a few hours either side of low tide. Hop off: Marahau (Abel Tasman) Heaphy Track - Pass through diverse landscapes from beautiful beech forest to expansive tussock grasslands, to lush forests, nikau palms and roaring seas in the Kahurangi National Park. The longest of the Great Walks at 78.4km, it takes 4 to 6 days. You can also mountain bike this track from May to September. Hop off: Nelson or Westport Routeburn Track – Cross the Southern Alps and pass through the incredible landscape of Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Park. A 32 km track, taking 2-4 days to complete. This track passes through beech forest valleys, alongside clean green rivers and glistening alpine lakes, showcasing breathtaking views. Hop off: Queenstown or between Te Anau and Milford Sound (called ‘The Divide’)

Kepler Track – A 60 km, 3-4 day loop track that travels from the beechforested shores of the Te Anau and Manapouri lakes, to the alpine tops of Mt Luxmore, with mar velous panoramic views of the Kepler Mountains, lakes, rivers and valleys. Hop off: Te Anau Milford Track – A 53.5 km walk through the wild and beautiful Fiordland National Park. Starting at the head of Lake Te Anau and finishing in Milford Sounds. This track travels through sheer ice-car ved valleys, peaceful forests and past cascading waterfalls. Hop off: Te Anau Rakiura Track- Situated on Stewart Island, travel by ferr y from Bluff, or take a 20 minute flight from Invercargill, this is New Zealand’s most southerly track. A 32 km tramping track, suitable for anyone with moderate fitness, the track takes 3 days and provides a good introduction to Stewart Island scener y. Hop off: Stewart Island

Lake Waikaremoana – Located in the South-West corner of New Zealand in the Te Urewera National Park, a 3 or 4 day tramp, which follows the shores of Lake Waikaremoana. Traverse the scenic shoreline with its various terrain, vegetation and rainforest, with plenty of opportunities for swimming and fishing. Hop off: Rotorua Tongariro Northern Circuit – Tramp through active volcanic craters, glacial valleys, beside brilliant blue lakes, and through steaming geothermal areas over 3 or 4 days. Located in Tongariro National Park this well-formed and well-marked track is suitable for people with moderate fitness in summer season and snow covered - requiring alpine equipment - in the winter season. Hop off: National Park Whanganui Journey – Travel via canoe or kayak through green hilled landscape and bush clad valleys along the Wanganui River. Experience remote scenic beauty and the historical and cultural significance of this river to the local Maori; 3 or 5 day options. Hop off: National Park or Whakahoro

Find places in New Zealand only locals know, Blue pools Mt Aspiring National Park

TRACKS, WALKS AND CYCLING The New Zealand Cycle Trail Why walk when you can ride? In 2009, New Zealand launched a national project to build a world class network of cycle trails. We’ve included a brief overview here, but for more detailed information check out the official website: www.nzcycletrail.com.

North Island Great Lake Trail – Follow the western shore of Lake Taupo, from Whakaipo Bay to Waihaha, for 93 km of all-weather riding through pristine native forest with views across Lake Taupo and Tongariro National Park. Hauraki Rail Trail – From Thames to Paeroa, this trail follows a historic railway through lush green farmland, offering great views of the Hauraki Plains, Kaimai Rangers. Some of the highlights include historic gold mining towns, Karangahake Gorge and luxurious mineral spas. Hawke’s Bay Trails – A mostly flat trail that explores picturesque coastal communities, panoramic ocean views and award-winning wineries as you meander between the cities of Napier and Hastings. Motu Trails – Experience the freedom and adventure of the East Coast, with 3 trails to choose from depending on age, fitness and riding ability. Choose from either an easy ride along the coast or a loop ride that includes a more challenging section for mountain bike riders. Mountains to Sea – Mountain bike, ride public roads and jet boat from the Central Plateau to the sea in Whanganui. Traverse the rich natural scenery and uncover cultural heritage as you ride through two national parks.

Twin Coast Cycle Trail – An easy cycle, located in the Far North, through early European and Maori settlements. Follow ancient Maori trails from the east to west coast, providing stunning views over Hokianga Harbour and the Bay of Islands.

Great Taste Trail – With panoramic views over the Tasman Bay, Waimea Estuary, and the Western Ranges, this 1-4 day track offers cyclist birdlife, award winning wineries, abandoned railways and historic tobacco drying kilns.

Waikato River Trails – Follow New Zealand’s longest river past towering dams, along meandering boardwalks and over suspension bridges; as you discover the magic and beauty of native forest, exotic wetlands, historic landmarks and volcanic rock formations along the way.

Otago Central Rail Trail – New Zealand original ‘great ride’, the rail trail is steeped in history and is 150 kilometres, through ever-changing mountains, rocky landscapes, high country sheep stations, spectacular river gorges, tunnels and viaducts.

South Island

Queen Charlotte Track – Stretching from legendary Ship Cove Meretoto to Anakiwa, this track takes you through coastal forest, skyline ridges, and historic bays used as shelter for Captain Cook during his voyages to New Zealand.

Alps to Ocean Cycle – The longest continuous ride in New Zealand from Aoraki Mount Cook to the Coastal town of Oamaru. This track is 6 days, and takes you over 2000ft through World Heritage National Park, by glacial fed lakes, hydro dams, limestone cliffs, golden tussock land and Maori rock art. Around the mountains – Explore some of New Zealand’s rustic and rural settings in the heart of the country. Be transported back in time to historic townships and see relics left behind by the regions pioneers, in the Otago and Southland district. Clutha Gold Trail – A unique heritage experience, from Roxburgh Dam to Lawrence, this trail is 73km over 2days and traverses the Beaumont Gorge, before branching off into the valleys of historic gold mining in Lawrence. Dun mountain Trail – A short track of only 4-6 hours the trail rises to 1129 meters and gives glimpses of Waimea plains, Nelson, Tasman Bay and Abel Tasman National Park; taking you through unspoiled alpine trail from downtown sunny Nelson.

Roxburgh Gorge Trail – A spectacular one day ride between Alexandra and Roxburgh Dam, following Clutha Mata-au River, and through New Zealand very own ‘grand canyon’ with rising bluffs on either side in Roxburgh Gorge. St James Cycle Trail – The 64km trail offers great riding through diverse and stunning scenery in the Canterbury region. From Hanmer Springs to St James Homestead, this trail passes through alpine meadows, beech forest, grassy river flats and by crystal clear rivers, highcountry lakes and mountain peaks. The Old Ghost Road – Ride past mining relics and ascend through native forest and climb alpine tops with breathtaking views, on this advanced cycling track that goes from Buller Gorge to Seddonville. The Queenstown Trail – 100 kilometres of spectacular cycling in the Wakatipu Basin in the Otago region. Meander through the Gibbston wine area, the gold mining town of Arrowtown, visit Lake Hayes, Frankton and Queenstown. West Coast Wilderness Trail - In the midst of the West Coast of the Southern Alps, along the Great Alpine Fault, lie a series of tracks carved by pioneering gold rush miners. This 4-day cycling adventure offers dense rainforest, glacial rivers and lakes, wetlands, and views of the snowcapped mountains of the Southern Alps.

The Timber Trail – Follow old tram lines down a specially designed track over eight large suspension bridges and through lush green forest. Within easy reach of Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Taupo and Wellington.

Rangitita, Mountain biking

STRAY ADVENTURES

Auckland - A number of different tribes fought for the land that we now know as Auckland before white men came and attempted to also lay claim. The land, which came to be known as Tamaki-makau-rau (‘the spouse sought by a hundred lovers’), became the prize of numerous battles. Kiwi Tamaki ruled this area from One Tree Hill where he had established a three-thousand-strong pa until 1750, when Ngati Whatua attacked and killed the chief and wiped out the tribe, and took many of his followers as slaves. The Ngati Whatua was still in possession when the first Europeans, two Anglican missionaries Samuel Marsden and John Butler came in 1820. New Zealand’s Lieutenant Governor Captain William Hobson first hoisted the British flag on the 18 September 1840 at the fort of Point Britomart when a thin piece of land was purchased from the Maori for the sum of £55 and some blankets. Auckland was chosen as a name because Lord Auckland had given Captain Hobson the command of the boat the HMS Rattlesnake in which he first visited NZ in 1837. He was sent back to New Zealand in 1839 to get sovereignty for Britain. Part of this was getting Maori tribes to sign the Treaty of Waitangi. Unfortunately a month after his arrival he had a stroke which forced him to abandon a series of Waitangi type meetings throughout the country which in turn left the whole treaty process in a bit of a mess. Auckland is by far New Zealand’s largest city. Of the nation’s 4.5 million population, over a third call Auckland their home. Auckland is built on the

Aerial shot of Auckland Museum narrow piece of land between the Manukau and Waitemata Harbours. The distance between these two harbours at its narrowest point is a mere 16kms. On the Waitemata Harbour you will see the area’s youngest volcano ‘Rangitoto Island’ which was formed when it erupted about 600 years ago. The landscape of Auckland is dominated by a series of volcanoes. You can still easily make out

about 20 volcanic cones around the city. Two outstanding examples are One Tree Hill (or No Tree Hill since the tree was cut down by an activist) and Mt Eden. You will also see boats of all shapes and sizes. It is estimated that one in four Aucklanders owns a boat; because of this fact and that there are more boats per capita here than anywhere else, Auckland is known as the ‘City of Sails.’

Things to do in Auckland Strays Auckland City tour

Peek into the world of Stray while exploring our gateway city. Take in panoramic views of the Auckland cityscape, wander through native New Zealand forest and feel the sand between your toes on one of Auckland’s hidden beaches. BBQ lunch provided and cooked on the beach - you bring the beer! Get ready to meet fellow travellers, learn about Auckland’s history and get great travel tips for NZ with one of our world famous guides. Book with your hostel travel desk or at the Fort Street Stray Shop.

Other Options Catch a ferry from the downtown ferry terminal to Devonport (the ferry leaves ever y half hour) for shops and city beaches. Rangitoto Island (the ferry leaves three times daily) for native bush and lava caves on Auckland’s youngest volcano. Waiheke Island (the ferry leaves ever y hour) - a half hour trip to a scenic place with great vineyards and beaches which you can explore by hire car or scooter; or Great Barrier Island (the ferry leaves infrequently so check the timetable

Bungy jump off Auckland’s Harbour Bridge online) - a four hour trip to a remote place with great walks, bush, beach and scenery that is definitely worth a visit for a few days. Visit the Auckland Domain, it’s a great central park with a view out to the harbour but the main attraction is the Greco Roman-style Auckland Museum (Te Papa Whakahiku; $10 donation expected and valid for repeated one day entry). It contains one of the finest collections of Maori and Pacific art and taonga (treasures) and they have cultural shows every weekday. The shops: The main street of Auckland is Queen Street. It is the commerce and business centre for the city. Running parallel to Queen St is High St, home to designer label clothes, and upmarket restaurants and cafes. At the top end of

Queen St is Karangahape Rd, where you will find alternative shops and some of the best nightclubs in the city (and Red Light district). If you head to the bottom (waterfront) end of Queen St and go left past the downtown mall you’ll find the Viaduct Basin, flash restaurants, yachts (the old America’s Cup Village) and the National Maritime Museum. If you want to explore further out try the Link bus, which is $2.00 per ride and connects the shopping areas of Parnell, Ponsonby and Newmarket. For adventure: Why not jump off one of Auckland’s icons like the Sky Tower or the Harbour Bridge? You can also do a guided climb over the bridge (great views); learn to sail on a real America’s Cup racing yacht or head out west for some surfing or canyoning.

auckland north Unique Features + Mini coach to access back roads + Smaller group size means more time for doing things

+ Free snorkelling at Goat Island Marine Reserve (summer only)

Other Highlights

+ Access to Whangarei for diving + Paihia and the Bay of Islands + Ninety Mile Beach and the top of New Zealand

+ Hokianga day trip to the oldest NZ Kauri forest

+ Early settlement history Travel Day: Auckland to Paihia Depart 7am.

It will take one more hour to reach Paihia where your driver will take you on a tiki tour of this quaint seaside town before stopping off at the Fullers office to confirm the activities you have chosen. Your driver will drop you at your accommodation at 2pm and then the afternoon is free for you to explore. In winter we skip the Goat Island Marine Reserve in favour of a brief stop at the Parry Kauri Forest and cruise up to Paihia arriving at approximately 12pm. The afternoon is yours to relax or participate in some fishing off the shore. Regardless of season, our recommendation for the afternoon could be a walk to the Haruru Falls, explore the Waitangi grounds for $25, take a ferry across the bay to Russell, or some kayaking. You cannot stop in Paihia without trying Doyley’s awesome kebabs (lamb, chicken or falafel) at ‘Kebabulous’ – Stray passengers get $1 off kebabs! Parry Kauri Park - after flax and whale blubber, kauri timber and gum was our third major export for early settlers. The tall, straight, rot resistant timber was sought after for ships’ masts amongst other things. Unfortunately the trees grow very slowly and this meant that many of the forests were quickly destroyed. This makes it special that some of the trees in this park are over 600 years old.

A: Hostel along from the beach. $: Catch the ferry to historic Russell, skydiving, Hole in the Rock cruise, diving. ∞: Snorkelling at Goat Island (summer only), hug the kauri trees at Parry Kauri Forest (wet weather/winter option). If you don’t head over the Harbour Bridge within the first hour of your trip north, tap your driver on the shoulder as you may be heading south towards Raglan. The journey starts with introductions and an outline of what’s happening over the day and what your options are for the days ahead. The first stop will be Goat Island for snorkelling (we supply snorkels and goggles) at the Marine Reserve (summer only). The amount of time that we play here is dependent on you, the weather and what else we want to do today. From there we cruise up the east coast to arrive in Whangarei at 12pm for lunch. You may choose to hop off here to explore Jacques Cousteau’s well-loved diving spot, the Poor Knights Islands.

Goat Island - Goat Island was established as a marine reserve in 1975. It was New Zealand’s first marine reserve; it stretches 5km along the shoreline and 800m off the coast. It is a popular diving spot, where you can see large rock lobster and huge snapper in the clear water. Snorkelers can look at kelp forest on the sea floor, and you can also check out the bright blue fish called Maomao. Whangarei - Settlement dates back to 1839, but when war broke out in the Bay of Islands, the 48 Europeans living here fled for the safety of Auckland. Originally settled for kauri timber and gum; today Northland’s economy is based on tourism, dairying, sheep and citrus orchards. Whangarei is a good base to get to Poor Knights Island - a diving mecca in the Marine Reserve.

Kawakawa - has a unique entrance sign constructed in the style of Frederick Hundertwasser. This Austrian born designer lived here for 25 years and his major contribution is the very prominent public toilets. Designed in 1998 they are literally a work of art, with notable tile mosaics, bottle glass windows, copper handwork and a living tree integrated into the structure. Paihia - was first settled by Europeans when the Reverend Henry Williams was seeking a suitable site for a mission station. Apparently the name came about when he looked out along the golden beaches and island studded bay and said PAI (meaning good in Maori) and the English word ‘Here’. Russell - named after Lord John Russell, secretary of the State of Colonies and later Prime Minister of Great Britain. Whaling ships began calling here in the early 1800s; by 1840 Russell was the largest European settlement in the country, and despite the missionary station nearby, became known as ‘the hellhole of the Pacific,’ a rough hang out at the end of the known world. Russell was the first capital of New Zealand but in 1841 this title was moved to Auckland where it remained until 1865 (when it was moved to Wellington to be more central). Haruru Falls - Haruru means ‘big noise.’ Maori legend states that a taniwha (water monster) lives in the lagoon below so be careful. You can walk to Haruru Falls along the Waitangi walking track. Waitangi - Waitangi is one of the most important historical places in New Zealand. On 6th February 1840 the Treaty was signed between the British Crown and Maori Chiefs as an attempt to control the sale and ownership of land. As an official agreement between the natives and settlers this day is now recognised as New Zealand’s Day with a national public holiday. However the document remains both controversial and central to race relations in New Zealand and Waitangi Day is often marked with protest and demonstrations.

AUCKLAND NORTH – DAY TRIPS NB You can’t hop off the bus on the Cape Reinga or Hokianga travel days as those are another operator’s day trips.

Day Trip - Option 1 Cape Reinga Depart: 7am. NB The order of events may change dependent on the tides. Today we head to the top of New Zealand. The first stop is the mighty kauri forests then through Kaitaia to Ninety Mile Beach (which is actually 64 miles long!) on the West Coast. We drive on the sand and through the surf until we reach Te Paki Stream and some of New Zealand’s biggest sand dunes. Here you get a chance to try a bit of dune surfing. We stop for lunch and a swim before we head to Cape Reinga. Take in the iconic lighthouse, rugged scenery and watch the clashing of two oceans. In the afternoon we return to Paihia via the east coast, stopping in Mangonui for a feast of fish and chips en-route (optional). Accommodation is the same as last night.

Ninety Mile Beach - is a stretch of almost endless sand flanked by the Tasman Sea in the west and by forests in the east. It’s closer to 90km than 90 miles and isn’t even NZ’s longest beach. Cape Reinga - It overlooks the meeting place of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Legend has it that it is the departure point for Maori souls from NZ (Te Rerenga Wairua) back to their spiritual homeland Hawaiki. The Pohutukawa tree, from which souls make their final leap, grows out from the face of the Cape and is said to be 800 years old. The lighthouse is one of New Zealand’s most powerful lights, visible for up to 50 km.

Day Trip - Option 2 Hokianga Depart: 8am. Follow the old stagecoach trail from Paihia to Hokianga - a trail originally marked out by early Maori and then frequented by traders and merchants who transported supplies between the coasts during the 19th and 20th centuries. As we wind along the Wairere

Boulder Valley, see 2.8 million year old rock formations and clusters of 30m high basalt boulders. Your local Maori guide will take you back to the days of Kupe, the first Maori voyager to discover NZ over 1,000 years ago. Learn of the many myths and legends of the local hapu (sub-tribe) and be led into the Waipoua Kauri Forest to meet Tane Mahuta, the largest kauri tree in the world! Hokianga - The Hokianga Harbour is generally accepted as being the home of Kupe the very first voyager, and Maori, to discover New Zealand. Later some of the earliest European settlers came to Hokianga and formed the oldest European settlements in New Zealand. The Waipoua Kauri Forest - provides a natural stage for an unforgettable encounter with some of the largest remaining kauri trees in the world. The mighty Tane Mahuta (the Lord of the Forest) is a national icon and the largest known kauri tree in the world. Estimated to be 2,000 years old his mighty girth is over 13 metres and he stands an impressive 51 metres tall.

Auckland NORTH Travel Day: Paihia to Auckland Depart: 3pm (summer) /2pm (winter)

A: Central Auckland hostel. Today, enjoy a morning at leisure to try out the number of activities on offer including sailing, kayaking, dolphin swimming, fishing, diving, ferrying to Russell, walking the Waitangi Treaty grounds or just relaxing on the beach; or if you are travelling on a Murphy Pass, enjoy the Hole in the Rock cruise. We leave by 3pm (2pm in winter) to express back to Auckland via Whangarei and Wellsford. We drop off at central city hostels around 6pm (5pm in winter).

Cape Reinga Lighthouse

Auckland South Unique Features + Stay in a lodge in the bush in Raglan for nearby walks and Raglan Surf School

+ Interactive overnight Maori cultural stay at Mourea

+ Remote lake edge accommodation on Lake Aniwhenua

+ Award-winning eco-wilderness stop,

Whakahoro + Stay in a stunning alpine lodge in Tongariro National Park for access to Tongariro Crossing

Other highlights

+ Special price on black water tubing/ caving

+ Geothermal activity + Maori culture and 800 year old carvings + Great Lake Taupo + Dual World Heritage Area, Tongariro National Park

+ An option to go to Te Papa - our national museum

Travel Day: Auckland to Raglan Depart 7.30am

fourth largest city (which used to have the great slogan of ‘Better than you’d expect’) before heading out towards our night and activity stop of Raglan. We have an option of visiting the remote and scenic Bridal Veil Falls (unless the surf’s up), before we stop in Raglan township for supplies. This afternoon you have options: soaking up the sun on a black sand beach, walking in the bush on Mount Karioi, or surfing - this is a world-famous surf spot after all. You can choose from simply hiring a surfboard or taking excellent lessons provided by the surf school – they guarantee that you will stand up. Accommodation tonight is in Karioi Lodge in the bush overlooking the Whale Bay surf area. You should seriously consider getting off the bus here to spend extra time in what is one of New Zealand’s great alternative towns. There are cool shops, cafes and a lively music scene. Waikato River - means flowing water and is the longest in New Zealand, flowing 425km from Ruapehu to Port Waikato. For the Maori this was a well-used travel route for small hunting canoes and large war canoe. During the 19th century wars British gunboats and troop carriers steamed up the waterway and its banks became the scene of some fierce and gruesome battles.

A: An eco-lodge surrounded by native bush near the beach. $: Learn to surf. ∞: Walk to the waterfall, bush walk around Mt Karioi, relax on the beach, glow-worms in the bush, Inspiration Point. We start the day with pickups around the city and make a quick stop at Stray’s Head Office in Penrose to get everyone together for a chat about how Stray’s trips work i.e. a reminder of how you book on and off buses and how we book accommodation and activities. We then head south towards the Waikato. This area is known to be the most productive dairy farming land in the world (measured by butter fat output per cow…isn’t that great to know?!); which explains why you’ll see heaps of cows (don’t stress you country boys as you’ll see plenty of sheep soon enough). We pass around Hamilton, New Zealand’s

Learn to surf, Raglan

Bridal Veil Falls - got its name because someone thought that it looked like a bride’s veil. It’s a 5 minute walk to the top of the falls and a 15 minute walk to the base of the falls for an even more impressive view. The falls are 55 metres high. The Maori name Waireinga translates to ‘leaping waters.’ Raglan - named after ‘Lord Raglan’ after it was used as a base during the Land Wars. The town’s known history goes back as far as 1000 years when the Tainui waka of the local Maori people first landed here during the Great Migration. Legend has it that they saw Mt Karioi in the distance and after what seemed an age finally got there. They named this area Whaingaroa meaning ‘the long pursuit’. The thing that really sets Raglan apart is its relaxed atmosphere and huge reputation for surfing. It is one of the few great surf towns that have maintained its style. The left hand surf break (which you can see from the lodge we stay in) is reputed to be one of the best in the world and was featured in the classic surf film ‘The Endless Summer’.

MOUREA Travel Day: Raglan (via Waitomo) to Mourea Depart 8am Raglan

Mourea

Waitomo Caves

A: Unique Stray stay in the Wharenui (Maori meeting house). $: Must-do caving adventures. ∞: Walk around Ruakuri Reserve, Waitomo Valley Caves walk. NB The cultural night is an all-inclusive price of $80 including dinner, interactive performance, storytelling, bed and breakfast. We take a back road through the Waikato down to the amazing town of Waitomo, famous for holes in the ground and for the huge network of caves throughout the area. The extra cool thing is that many are lit by a type of naturally glowing worms that are unique to New Zealand. You have many options to explore the area ranging from simply doing one of the local walks, such as the one around Ruakuri Reserve, to one of the mustdo trips offered by the local adventure companies (they are your only option for really exploring the caves and no matter which trip you do you will be blown away). Try one of the Waitomo Adventures’

More culture, Mourea

trips which include options for black water rafting, caving and abseiling down underground waterfalls. If you’re after something gentler, take a walk or boat cruise through magnificent limestone caves to check out the glowworms. We spend about 4 hours in Waitomo so people can complete caving adventures. There is accommodation here if you want to hop off. We then head across to the Bay of Plenty to Mourea for our unique and very special cultural overnight stay. We are welcomed on to the marae with a powhiri (traditional welcome). We then learn about Maori traditions, history and be wowed with an interactive Kapa Haka performance (Maori song and dance) before enjoying a delicious group dinner. This is an awesome experience learning about the local culture and bringing the group together. Tonight we sleep in the Wharenui (Maori meeting house), where visitors sleep when attending a hui (tribal meetings) or a tangi (funeral). Waitomo Caves - The largely uncharted network of caves under Waitomo was created by water running through the soft limestone. The water, which continues to flow through the network creates stalactites (which form downwards) as the lime in the water reforms from drips from the roof and stalagmites (which form upwards) as the water hits the floor. The Maori name ‘Waitomo’ means ‘water hole’.

Glowworms – a tiny cave larva which emit light to attract food. Its 4 stage lifecycle (egg, larva, pupa, adult) takes about 11 months to complete. They remain in the glowing larva stage for about nine months. If you have seen glowworms in Australia you will notice that the New Zealand glowworm is a lot larger in size (of course). Mourea – is home to the Ngati Pikiao people, who are a sub-tribe of the prominent New Zealand Iwi of Te Arawa. Settled on the shores of both Lake Rotorua and Rotoiti, Mourea is home to a number of small Maori communities with multiple Marae running down the side of the Ohau Channel, which connects the two lakes together. Between 15 to 30 minutes from Rotorua (dependent on traffic), this small community is full of readily available Maori culture, history and adventure with the mighty Kaituna River on its doorstep.

EAST BRO TOUR East Bro - summer only option. Te Kaha Te Araroa

Mourea

Whakatane Gisborne

The East Bro trip is unique to Stray. We work with an East Cape local who owns and operates the trip to give Stray travellers the best access to the region and to get fully involved in the culture. You can still hop-on and off the bus, but expect smaller groups and a really chilled out vibe. There are lots of adventure activities, group meals and all accommodation is beachfront. You can join the East Bro trip from Rotorua. Don’t miss out – it’s only available from 3 November to 30 April! The East Cape is a special place. Not only does it have amazing scenery particularly its beaches - it is rich in Maori culture in what is arguably the purest form that you will find it. It is also the birthplace of New Zealand history - where the first Polynesian migration canoes landed, where Captain Cook first set foot, and where Maori and European people first encountered each other.

Day 2: Gisborne to Te Araroa

Day 3: Te Araroa to Te Kaha

A: Historical convent. $: Surfing. ∞: Pier jumping, visit traditionally carved Maori church.

A: Waterfront hostel. $: Cray fishing or boat fishing, ice cream tasting. ∞: Swimming, kayaking, snorkelling.

Watch the “first sunrise in the world” right in our front-yard, before setting off to do your chosen activity. Go surfing, wine-tasting, feed stingrays; or just chill at our accommodation - there is no checkout time. We depart from our hostel at 1.00pm to head for Te Araroa. We have plenty more historical and scenic sights to visit before arriving at our next destination. Tonight we stay in an old nunnery, hosted by a friendly local woman, in a small Maori coastal community. Go Maori and make a greenstone or bone necklace, or make a handbag from flax. You also have the option to go surfing.

We depart Te Araroa to head for the East Cape lighthouse, regarded as the furthest eastern lighthouse in New Zealand. We do an easy hike to the lighthouse and get some great views. Continuing onwards we stop to sample native manuka honey and oils, then head to a macadamia nut farm to taste some homemade ice cream. Our hostel for the night is located directly on the coastline. Here you can go kayaking, fish off the rocks or snorkel. For dinner you have the option to have a fresh seafood meal – our hosts really know how to lay-down the hospitality.

Day 4: Te Kaha to Rotorua A: Central Rotorua hostel. $: White Island tour. Continuing on the East Cape’s coastal road there are more beautiful bays and beaches to see, along with slowpaced Maori communities. For those wanting to visit the marine volcano White Island (Whakaari), you can hopoff in Whakatane – your driver will sort accommodation and activities for you. We arrive back into Rotorua by 12pm where you can connect with the Stray bus travelling south.

Day 1: Rotorua to Gisborne A: Surf shack right on the beach. $: Surfing, boogie boarding, wine tasting. ∞: Walks, swimming, chill on the beach. We depart Rotorua around 12.30pm and head to Gisborne, the birthplace of New Zealand history. Our journey takes in some stunning lake views, beautiful coastlines and rugged bush scenery, before arriving in Gisborne where we visit some historical and scenic sights. Our accommodation for the night is situated right on the coastline, abundant with marine-life; and the perfect place to watch the sunrise in the morning. For dinner, get to know your tour buddies and enjoy a group meal.

Wharf jumping in Tologa Bay

MOUREA (VIA ROTORUA) TO LAKE ANIWHENUA

Maori dance

MOUREA (VIA ROTORUA) TO LAKE ANIWHENUA Travel Day: Mourea (via Rotorua) to Lake Aniwhenua Depart: 8am - Mourea, 12:30pm - Rotorua

Mourea Lake Aniwhenua

A: Lakefront lodge. $: Traditional fishing, eeling, weaving lessons, cooking classes and kayaking. ∞: Relax by the lake, walks. NB The cost of this incredible cultural night is an all-inclusive price of $75 including accommodation, guided tour and bush walk to see Maori rock art, dinner and breakfast. There are many things to do in Rotorua, which makes it a popular spot for Stray customers to hop off the bus and spend an extra day or two. Options include: walking around Kuirau Park for free geothermal activity, rafting over the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world or on a sledge jetboat in the

Tutukau Gorge, ‘squeezing’ through a cliff gap to explore a secret natural thermal bathing area or visiting the Hobbiton Movie set if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan. We do hostel pickups around town at 12.30pm (confirm with your driver or the office if you are unsure about your pickup point) before heading towards our night stop at Lake Aniwhenua. At Rainbow Mountain pick up your Maori Guide who will take you on a journey back in time en route to Murupara, where the Ngati Manawa tribe resides. Together we’ll explore Maori cave art, hear tales of battle and revenge, along with stories of mystical creatures (taniwhas) which to this day still protect the people and the waterways that cut through the tribal lands. Journey past historic sites and hear the stories of how Ngati Manawa ancestors secured its tribal boundaries and protected a land rich in resource and breath-taking beauty. Visit a waterfall and site where the highly valued eel departs every year on their journey from the rivers to the ocean for spawning. Continue to follow the river to a beautiful lake edge where you will stay this evening. Join your hosts, meet our aunties, and help with the preparation of

dinner - your traditional ground cooked hangi feast. Enjoy a selection of optional afternoon activities including night time eeling, weaving, cooking and more. Your communal dining experience overflows with food that has been traditionally prepared. Enjoy storytelling around the outdoor fireplace with a respected elder from the Ngati Manawa tribe…who has a wicked sense of humour!

Traditional Maori Marae

Rotorua Rotorua - in Maori ‘roto’ means lake, and ‘rua’ means two, so Rotorua is the second lake. The full name is Rotorua Nui a Kuhumatamoemoe, the second great lake of Kuhumatamoemoe (who was the uncle of Ihenga the explorer). Over 35% of the population in the area is Maori so you will see plenty of their culture. You’ll also notice the smell of rotten eggs - from the sulphur - which is caused by the Earth’s crust being thin here and leading to a lot of geothermal activity. The Maori culture, the boiling mud pools and shooting geysers make Rotorua one of New Zealand’s biggest tourist destinations. Prior to the turn of the century Rotorua was already becoming world famous for a natural attraction, the Pink and White Terraces that were located near Mount Tarawera on the edge of Lake Rotomahana. They were considered to be the eighth wonder of the world and drew visitors from all over at a time when New Zealand was at best very difficult to get to. They were made up of silica-based terraces filled with geothermal water. This great attraction was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886,

which also destroyed nearby villages and killed about 120 people. A cool thing about Rotorua is that many homes are able to take advantage of the natural resource with private bores allowing them to do everything from having private geothermal pools to heating their houses. It used to be a bit of a free-for-all until the 1980s when the council noticed that all the private use was reducing the level of geothermal activity throughout the city and put restrictions on private use. Kaingaroa Forest - This is the largest hand planted forest in the Southern Hemisphere. During the 1930s, the government hired cheap labour (available because of the Depression) to plant Radiata Pines (a Californian native which usually reaches maturity in 50 years but only half this time in New Zealand). The trees on the highway between Rotorua and Taupo are between 20-25 years old. Between 12,000 - 15,000 trees are planted per hectare and blocks of up to 80,000 hectares are clear felled at one time. The trees in this forest are used for timber, paper and pulp.

Secret hot pools, Rotorua

Lake Aniwhenua Murupara â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The region is precious wilderness steeped in history. The Ngati Manawa tribes have lived here for centuries and their culture still thrives; 65 kilomentres southeast of Rotorua in an isolated part of the Bay of Plenty between the Kaingaroa Forest and Te Urewera National Park. Surrounded by dense native bush, deep flowing rivers and lush farmlands, lays a small township called Murupara, a rustic and serene corner of New Zealand. Aside from the rich Maori culture and the many sites of historic significance - including ancient Maori rock art- Murupara is also the entry point for the Whirinaki Forest Park, which offers a myriad of walking tracks that can be enjoyed by anyone with basic fitness and mobility. Lake Aniwhenua - The Stray cultural stop here showcases your hostsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; way of life, and their aim to create lasting memories for their visitors while making positive and practical changes within their community. This is a unique experience that will stir your heart and allow you to connect spiritually with the people and their beloved home. They will share with you their history, stories, and family. Maori have lived in the region for centuries and it has not always been an easy existence, but their culture still thrives and your hosts strive to create a positive influence in the area. You can help make a difference too - as part of your stay at Lake Aniwhenua, after breakfast you will visit a Murupara school and personally deliver individual prepacked hangi meals prepared the night before for the children to enjoy for lunch that day.

Learn how to weave with flax

LAKE ANIWHENUA (VIA TAUPO) TO WHAKAHORO Travel Day: Lake Aniwhenua (via Taupo) to Whakahoro Depart: 8.30am

Taupo - had a violent past. In 181AD the volcanic crater erupted causing such a mess that its effects on the weather and sky were recorded in ancient Rome and China. After the massive explosion of the crater the resulting hole filled with water and created Lake Taupo, our largest lake (which is about the same size as the whole land area of Singapore). The Maori pronunciation of Taupō is “toepaw”. The full name of the Lake is Taupō -nui-a-Tia, which means “The Great Garment of Tia.” Tia was one of the Polynesian chiefs who

A: Country station lodge. $: Skydiving, bungy, river jet Taupo. ∞: Huka Falls, Spa Road walk. Upon departing the lodge this morning, your hosts will take you into one of the local schools to meet the children from the tribe, enjoy a cultural performance and deliver hangi meals – providing you with another very real insight into the colourful community that is Murupara. If school holidays, or other events, are scheduled during your stay; your hosts will deliver the hangi meals on your behalf to the local kaumatua and kuia (elders of the tribe). We head around Lake Taupo to the most remote part of the North Island. We stop on the way for a short walk and look at Huka Falls. Weather permitting, you get a chance to do what is one of our most popular activities skydiving (we recommend ‘Skydive Taupo’ - see their ad). Skydiving is really popular here because of the amazing lake views and mountain scenery, but also because it is amongst the best value in the world (apparently because it is cheaper to operate light aircraft here). Taupo is also a popular place to get off the bus. Our destination today is Blue Duck Lodge, a 9,000 acre high country farm that is both a working station and an environmental conservation leader. Once you arrive, you will be greeted by your hosts and listen to the story of this truly amazing property over an afternoon cuppa. We recommend a walk around the property and take in the lush scenery, or enjoy your host Dan’s fantastic hospitality and stories on the local wildlife and history. Spend the evening sitting around and listen to tales from this unique and incredibly remote region.

Lake Taupo

came to our shores from Tahiti in the canoe Arawa, who believed one of the cliffs resembled the flax cape (taupo) he was wearing. Huka Falls - New Zealand’s most visited natural attraction. Located on the Waikato River and whilst only 11m high, they are famous for the speed and volume of water they produce. Ever y three seconds enough water flows through the falls to fill an Olympic sized swimming pool.

WHAKAHORO – BLUE DUCK STATION Whakahoro (Blue Duck Station) - This area is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground. Located in the Ruapehu District on the banks of the Whanganui and Retaruke Rivers, and surrounded by Whanganui National park. Whakahoro has a very colourful history, both Maori and European, and there are remnants of this all around Blue Duck Station. There is also a huge conservation effort in preserving the Blue Duck (or ‘Whio’ in Maori), which is an endangered species. The rare blue ducks can be observed while kayaking down the Retaruke River or walking along the Kaiwhakauka track above the waterfall. You can get involved in the various conservation projects when you stay at Blue Duck Station, from surveying the Kiwi and Whio population, to helping restore some of the historic buildings in the area, which were abandoned by the early farmers. If you feel connected with their conservation efforts, you can sponsor a trap and keep in touch by monitoring its success online. We stay two nights at Blue Duck Station so you have an entire free day to experience one of the many optional paid activities the farm has to offer. Here’s your chance for an environmental focused bush safari, a half day horse trek, a guided wild animal hunt, a paddle down the Whanganui river by kayak and jet boat back or firing a gun at clay birds. We recommend them all, but some of the activities on offer are: 4WD Bush Safari – learn more about the station’s environmental focus and see conservation in action than with a halfday guided 4WD with one of the resident eco-warriors. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the rare blue duck. Guided horse trekking – no experience required, just a desire to take in the spectacular views like a real cowboy. One of the best ways to explore the station and really absorb the fantastic natural surrounds. Guided hunting – do your part for the environmental cause with a guided hunt. In this part of the country, deer, pigs and goats are considered pests and hunting them will help protect the native bush and birdlife. Plus, you can cook and eat what you kill!

Horse riding

NATIONAL PARK Travel Day: Whakahoro to National Park Depart: 6:45am (changes seasonally)

A: Beautiful alpine lodge. $: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing. ∞: Taranaki Falls walk, visit the Volcanic Centre, Tawhai Falls (Gollum’s pool). Today’s departure time depends on season and weather. Please see your driver or the latest timetable. If the conditions allow it (not too much rain, wind or snow) you get a chance to do what is rated as one of the world’s best one day walks - the ‘Tongariro Alpine Crossing.’ It is not to be taken lightly because of its remoteness, length and height above sea level (which gives changeable weather). Your driver/guide will make sure that you are properly

Mt Doom

prepared by going through a checklist of what you need to take and ensuring you get suitable food supplies. Please note there is a transport/concession fee to do this walk and in winter, for safety, an equipment/guide charge as well. The walk takes about 6 -7 hours and crosses the National Park’s scenically amazing volcanic plateau, complete with steaming craters. For those not doing the walk – or on days that the walk isn’t possible – we spend the day exploring the National Park with a couple of shorter walks and visit the Volcanic Centre Museum. In winter you also have the option to ski or snowboard at Mt Ruapehu (NZ’s largest ski area). At the end of the day we head back to National Park Village where we stay in a beautiful alpine lodge ‘The Park.’ You can relax in the spa or have a few drinks in the Spiral Bar to toast your achievement! This is a great place to hop off the bus to stay longer with options of mountain biking, rafting, canoeing, skiing/boarding in winter, or maybe some traditional kiwi lawn bowling!

Tongariro National Park - The Tongariro National Park was New Zealand’s first National Park, and is a World Heritage Area. The park was created in 1887 when Te Heuheu Tukino IV, paramount chief of the Ngati Tuwharetoa, gifted its three volcanoes, Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngauruhoe, to the people of New Zealand. Ruapehu is the most active of the volcanoes. It has a simmering crater lake and last erupted in 2007 sending a mudflow of debris down the mountain.

Summer in Tongariro

WELLINGTON Travel Day: National Park to Wellington Depart: 9am

Tongariro National Park

Wellington

A: Central city hostel. $: Lord of the Rings tour, Weta Studies workshop. ∞: Walk ‘Oriental Parade,’ head up Mt Victoria for fantastic views, visit the national museum ‘Te Papa,’ gumboot (welly) throwing. We head to Wellington by heading round the mountains to Ohakune. This is a great little ski village also known as the ‘Carrot Capital of New Zealand;’ you may consider hopping off here to take in more of the National Park (or for skiing and nightlife in the winter). We then cruise down to the bottom of the Desert Road and through the great rural towns of Taihape and Bulls. Today is mostly an express to get to Wellington for the sights of our capital. We strongly recommend walking ‘Oriental Parade’ or visiting ‘Te Papa,’ the national museum. Wellington, known as the ‘coolest little capital in the world,’ is a nice place to hang out for its arts, shopping and vibrant café culture and to check out the home of NZ’s parliament. Tonight, we stay in a backpackers hostel in central Wellington.

the cheeks. The proposed design was to cost the town more than $226,000. Check out the awesome puns and murals – they’re increda-bull! Kapiti Island -the big island as you head towards Wellington 1,700 Hectares). This island was the home base of the famous warrior Te Rauparaha; before becoming a significant whaling base with seven whaling stations. There are now two marine reserves off its shore. Kapiti is one of New Zealand’s most valuable nature reserves, and one of a few relatively accessible islands. It provides an opportunity for people to observe birds that are either very rare or absent from the mainland, and to see the recovery of vegetation after intensive modification during last century. Check out the Kapiti Island Stray Adventure to learn what you can do to help this excellent environmental initiative. Wellington - Wellington is New Zealand’s third largest city and has been the capital and home of the New Zealand Government since 1865. It is named after the first Duke of Wellington ‘Arthur Wellesley’ who commanded the British army against Napoleon and was also British Prime Minister (which must have seemed like good reasons to name a town in the place on the opposite side of the world after him). New Zealand’s capital was originally up north in Russell, then moved to Auckland before being moved south to keep the gold rich southerners happy. The central city is jammed between the hills and the harbour, so is relatively small and is easy to walk around. It is

Taihape - is locally famous as a down to earth Kiwi farming town. Depending on the group and timing we sometimes stop to celebrate this with a bit of gumboot throwing. Bulls - caused a stir during World War II when milk exported from here labelled ‘Milk from Bulls’ got everyone guessing. Recently Bulls made international news when a proposed architectural design for the new public toilets resembled a bull’s rear end from the air. People paying a visit to the Bulls’ public toilet would walk up the tail of the bull and enter between

Te Papa

known as the windy city (the local rugby team is called ‘The Hurricanes’). Wind is channelled through the Cook Strait, which is the only gap in New Zealand’s 1400km chain of mountains. The city is located on a major fault line and Wellington leads the world (they hope) in the development and application of technology to create earthquake resistant buildings. The harbour is a large volcanic crater. Wellington is home to Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum; it’s free to enter although a donation is much appreciated. Inside its walls you will find many exhibitions detailing New Zealand’s precarious position on the tectonic plates, its birds and marine life, cultural history, a contemporary designed marae, and copies of the Treaty of Waitangi. It also hosts many temporary exhibitions as well (that sometimes have a small charge). The Wellington area is also home of Peter Jackson and his Weta Studios of Lord of the Rings, King Kong and The Hobbit fame. Forget Holly wood and Bolly wood we now have Welly wood. Cook Strait - is only 23km wide at its narrowest point. Because the ferry trip has to make its way across Wellington Harbour on one side and through the Marlborough Sounds on the other the average crossing time is roughly 3.5 hours. The fastest recorded time for someone swimming the Strait is 4 hours and 37 minutes. This record is held by 21-year-old Casey Glover, who swum the Strait on the 13 April 2008. His time equates to nearly 6kmh and compares roughly with how long it takes the ferries to make the crossing (although they take a slightly longer route).

Unique Features + Stay beside Abel Tasman National Park with sailing, walking and kayaking options + Unique activities ranging from greenstone hunting to bone carving + Special deals on glacier trips + Milford Sound included en-route + Stay in stunning Fiordland National Park, with world famous walking tracks + Optional overnight on Stewart Island with incredible wildlife and remote scenery + Stay at the base of NZâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest mountain, Mt Cook + Lord of the Rings scenery at Rangitata with awesome rafting options (summer only)

Other Highlights + Lush rainforest at the base of mountains + Caving tours in NZâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unmodified West Coast caving systems + Awesome Franz Josef glacier + Incredible mountains and fiords + Every adventure activity you can think of!

Kayak at Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman Sailing

South Island Travel Days Travel Day: Wellington/Picton to Marahau (Abel Tasman)

Abel Tasman Marahau (2) Nelson Picton

Wellington

A: Unique Stray accommodation on the edge of the national park. $: Wine tasting, skydiving, sailing, kayaking, water taxi, hang gliding, stand-up paddle boarding. ∞: Walk the national park, mussel tasting, stargazing. We need to be at the Bluebridge ferry terminal by 7am to catch the 8am ferry (the ferry will cost between $51-75). Ask your driver or at the hostel reception to explain the options for getting to the terminal from where you are staying. If you are flying you can sleep in for at least an hour longer.

We pick up our new coach in Picton and depart from the Bluebridge ferry terminal at 11.45am - this is particularly important for people who have not carried on with the same driver, are just starting their trip, or those who have flown over, who will be dropped off at the ferry terminal as well. Our journey today passes through the famous Marlborough vineyard area and, depending on the group’s wishes, we may stop to do a bit of a wine tasting. We also stop at the coastal city of Nelson, a cool relaxed town to hop off and stay longer if you have time. We stock up on supplies in Motueka before arriving at our night stop, Marahau. This is a relatively remote place right at the edge of the stunning Abel Tasman National Park. The park is famous for its beautiful golden sand beaches and the area boasts to have the most sunshine hours in New Zealand. This is a popular place for Stray people to get off the bus and spend an extra day or two exploring and/or relaxing; however, we already built a two night stay into the itinerary. After a long day of travel, your driver will offer free mussel tasting around the campfire to those interested in sampling the local delicacy.

Abel Tasman National Park – The Abel Tasman National Park is listed in the top nine Great Walks of New Zealand so this is an ideal spot to hop off and do the whole track in 2-3 days. Otherwise, take an Aqua Taxi into the park and wander back to our accommodation at your own pace. Other options are a relaxing sailing boat or a guided kayaking trip. For the more adventurous there is skydiving, hang gliding and exploring the secluded waterways by canyoning.

Abel Tasman Coastal Walk

WEST COAST Travel Day: Marahau to Wesport

Depart 8am A: Charming character villa in the centre of town $: Surfing, horse riding, jet boating, caving ∞: Westport seal colony, West Coast sunset. Connect with nature and get your hands dirty as the group will plant a tree in Marahau before we leave, just one of Stray’s conservation efforts. The drive today will pass the Kahurangi National Park to stop for lunch in Murchison before continuing south through the Buller Gorge to the ‘wild’ West Coast, which stretches over 600km. If weather permits, we’ll walk the coastal track of Cape Foulwind to spot the seals dotting the rocks. Before our arrival into Westport you can select from a variety of activities: 1.5hour horse trek, a brilliant high speed jet-boat ride on the mighty Buller River, an underworld rafting/ glowworm cave tour in one of NZ’s largest unmodified cave systems, or hit the surf in Tauranga Bay. A sight not to be missed on the West Coast is the sun setting into the Tasman Sea, so keep your camera handy. The Buller Gorge - The Buller River’s Maori name ‘Kawatiri’ meaning ‘swift and deep’ gives an idea of what an obstacle it used to be. It used to take travellers up to seven weeks to get through the gorge - the only way to cross the river was by boat until 1890. Westport - set at the mouth of the Buller River, this relaxed port town is the largest centre of the northern West Coast with a population of about 6,000. In 1858, a surveyor named John Rochfort discovered coal and gold in the region. Westport was infamous for having some 60 hotels on the main street in its heyday; now there are only a dozen or so

left and they remain the centre of town social activity. The town was primarily founded on gold and later coal which is still mined. However the future of "King Coal" is uncertain as it seems the coal industry is now in decline. West Coast - The major influx of settlers arrived between 1864 and 1867 when gold fever drove the population from 250 to 26,000. Coal was also discovered during the same period and lead to the establishment of a more stable and ongoing industry. The relative isolation (mobile phones still don’t work throughout much of the area) means that West Coasters really are a breed apart from the rest of the country – rock solid and hearty characters.

The 'wild' West Coast

WEST COAST Travel Day: Westport to Franz Josef

Depart 8am A: Lodge in the middle of the rainforest $: The ‘Ice Explorer’ trip onto the glacier (entry to hot pools included), kayaking, skydiving. ∞: Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and the mighty blowholes; Truman Track walk. Over the next couple of days we will be travelling down State Highway 6 that stretches over 1000 kilometres from Westport to Haast. It weaves in and out of amazing rugged shoreline to lush rainforest and was recently rated as one of the top ten drives in the world by Lonely Planet. One stop that’s not to be missed is Punakaiki, best known for its ‘Pancake Rocks’ and the blowholes associated with the rock formations. If you have days to spare you may choose to hop off here and explore this little West Coast gem. At this point there is a popular option of bone or jade carving where you can make your own jewellery, the perfect souvenir to take home. You get to choose what you make and can do anything from traditional designs to your family crest. Our next stop is Greymouth where we pick up people joining us from Christchurch, then on to Hokitika where time almost stands still. If you didn’t make your own greenstone masterpiece, we take the time to stop at the pounamu (greenstone) factory. We then travel onto our two night stop of Franz Josef, a town set in rainforest squashed between the Tasman Sea and the mighty Franz Josef Glacier, the head of which can be seen from the town itself.

Punakaiki & Paparoa National Parkwith 30,000 ha of rainforest, cliffs and caves, Punakaiki is the service centre for Paparoa National Park. The most famous feature is the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. These are made up of soft and hard layers of rock, which have been eroded by the sea to leave formations that look like stacks of pancakes. The sea still roars through the formations creating huge blowholes that shoot impressive sprays of water into the air. There is a great 20 minute loop walk around the formations. The community surrounding Punakaiki is made up of many laidback artists, potters, carvers, glass blowers and weavers all inspired by the rugged beauty and mystery of this region. If you have time, it’s definitely worth sticking around – our friends at the Te Nikau Retreat are excellent hosts for Stray passengers wanting to hop off and will help you meet up with the bus when you’re ready to hop back on.

Make your very own custom Bone Carving

Truman Track - is an easy 20 min walk through subtropical forest down to the coastline. If it is low tide, you can follow some steps down to the beach, where you will be able to see an amazing overhanging sandstone cliff. The bush - this coastal area is plant paradise. There are hardly any frosts, over 2000 hours of sunshine and 2000mm of rain ever y year. The forest is made of a variety of broadleaf trees with great Maori names including kamahi, mahoe, and kawakawa. It used to be dominated by big trees called rimu, matai and kahikatea but many of these areas were extensively logged in the past. As you walk in the bush, you will also notice a number of bushy things growing on other trees. These are called epiphytes. Nikau palms are another characteristic feature plant of this area and appear often in local art.

Christchurch to West Coast Travel Day: Christchurch to West Coast PLEASE NOTE: The 1st sector of this day is not on the Stray bus so please call the Stray office at least 48 hours before departure to confirm pick up details. Valid with Arthur, Short Arthur, Q and Short Q passes. Pick-up for the Atomic Shuttle service will be at 7.15 am, but be waiting at 7am. The service heads over the stunning Arthur’s Pass to the West Coast town of Greymouth, where you’ll connect with the Stray bus. For a more comfortable journey and one of the top 10 rail rides in the world, you have the option to upgrade to travel on the Tranz-Alpine Railway. You must make your own way to the Christchurch Railway Station on Troup Drive, Addington by 7.45am. The train departs at 8.15am sharp. Both options arrive into Greymouth in time for you to meet the Stray bus at 1pm outside the train station (down by the bus stop). NB: Please contact Stray if your bus/train is running late. Greymouth - with a current population of about 14,000 it is much smaller than it would have been during the gold rush but it’s still the largest service centre of the West Coast. One of our great annual sporting events starts just south of here at Kumara Beach each February. The ‘Coast to Coast’ is as the name suggests a race from the West Coast of New Zealand to the east. The real challenge is that the Southern Alps just happen to be between these two points. Hokitika - yet another town that owes its existence to the gold rushes of the 1860s. Despite the treacherous bar at the river mouth, the port briefly became the country’s busiest. Hokitika is exceptionally well known in New Zealand for greenstone (or pounamu as the Maori know it). Pounamu - Pounamu has always been held in high regard by New Zealand Maori. It has high spiritual significance and is worn in remembrance of passed ancestors (tipuna) where the tiki is often regarded as holding the power (mana) of the previous owners. Greenstone took the place of metals for practical, war

faring and decorative uses. Adzes and chisels were used for carving, specific weapons were created for hand-to-hand combat and pieces were created and worn as jewellery. Poutini - is the name in Maori for the West Coast. Legend has it that Poutini is also the name given to a taniwha (monster) which swims up and down the West Coast of the South Island protecting both the people and the spiritual essence of pounamu, greenstone. The Wild Food Festival – held every year in March, it began as a simple celebration for the completion of a heritage area development. The idea was to celebrate with the wild food tastes of the West Coast. It now attracts a crowd of tens of thousands who get to sample everything from the well-known local delicacy of whitebait fritters to the scar y option of stuffed and fried sheep testicles. Ross - is another small historic gold mining township and in fact gold is still mined in the town today. It was the place where New Zealand’s largest gold nugget, the 99-ounce ‘Honourable Roddy’ was found in 1907. Hari Hari - a small dairy farming settlement whose ‘claim to fame’ dates back to 1931 when a young aviator from Sydney named Guy Menzies made the first solo flight across the Tasman Sea, and landed upside down in a swamp on the outskirts of town! Whataroa - This farming and sawmilling centre is the base for tours to the nearby kotuku (white heron) sanctuary. Although common in other Pacific and Asian countries there are only about 150 kotuku in New Zealand and they nest in a single streamside colony south of the outlet of the Whataroa River. To the Maori kotuku were a bird ‘of a single flight’, a bird seen perhaps once in a lifetime and a symbol of things both beautiful and rare. Okarito - The nearby lagoon is the largest unmodified tidal inlet in New Zealand and a major feeding area for many wading birds (including kotuku – white heron).

Nikau Palms - West Coast

FRANZ JOSEF Franz Josef - The township is a cool little place in the rainforest which contains little more than a couple of cafes, booking offices, a gas station, a supermarket, money machines and an internet cafe. According to Maori legend, the glacier is actually the frozen tears of a maiden called Hinehukatere. They were made from her crying for the one she loved. She made her man (Tane) climb the mountains with her but unfortunately near the top he slipped and fell to his death. Hinehukatere was heartbroken and with her crying at such a high altitude her tears turned to ice and formed the glacier we all see today. The name Franz Josef was given to the glacier by the geologist Julius von Haast to honour the emperor of his native Austria. The glacier itself is 12 kilometres long and is one of the fastest moving glaciers in the world with growth of as much as 1.5.metres a day. While Franz Josef glacier is unique because of its ease of access by road, we recommend that you do one of the guided trips because of the changeable and difficult conditions and the danger of getting beyond the glacier face. By choosing one of the tours on offer, you will be shown the right way to go but more importantly get flash shoes with steel grips and an ice pick for some fantastic photos. Activity options - A visit to Franz Josef is not complete without viewing the glacier itself; however as we are on the West Coast, the weather determines the outcome of your free day. There are many walks in the Westland National Park to view the ice and the Franz Josef Glacier Guides have different options for you to choose from. If a hike on a glacier isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t your cup of tea, eco-kayaking on Lake Mapourika with the Glacier County Kayaks offers stunning views of the Southern Alps whilst paddling round the rarest kiwi bird habitat in NZ.

Boys getting amongst the ice, Franz Josef

FRANZ JOSEF

Franz Josef Glacier Guides

FRANZ JOSEF TO WANAKA Travel Day: Franz Josef to Wanaka Franz Josef (2) Fox Glacier

Wanaka Depart 9am A: Central hostel. $: Skydiving, jetboating, scenic flights. ∞: Mirror Lake walk, Ship Creek walk, Blue Pools walk, Thundercreek Falls walk. This morning you have the option of skydiving over Fox Glacier before we depart. The bus will collect you as we pass through the town en-route to Lake Matheson for some amazing upside-down scenery viewing. Today we will be leaving the West Coast behind us and making our way through the mountainous Haast Pass and Mount Aspiring National Park. This is one of the most scenic drives you’ll ever do. This area is so rugged that the road (vitally important as it completes the South Island circuit) was only opened in 1965 and fully sealed in 1995. Have your walking shoes and raincoats ready as there are a few great short walk options including Ships Creek, Thunder Creek Falls and Blue Pools (watch out for nibbling sandflies). We visit the remote town of Makarora on the edge of Mt Aspiring National Park. There’s a great jet boating option or, if you have time to hop off, do one of the amazing walks or scenic flights. We pass the beautiful lakes of Wanaka and Hawea and aim to arrive in Wanaka by 4.30pm (depending on how many walks we do). Tonight you may like to head down to the lake to take photos or maybe check out a film at the funky, cool Paradiso cinema. Knights Point - named after a dog belonging to one of the men who worked on the road. The Haast Road was started in 1929 as part of a government employment scheme. It follows what was a track used by Maori who used to wander over the West Coast searching for greenstone. The war and engineering problems meant that it wasn’t finished until 1965.

Haast - is probably the most remote wilderness area that you can drive to relatively easily in New Zealand. It’s a landscape of rainforest, wetlands, sand dunes and shingle beaches. The area is part of the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. The township has little more than a pub, a gas station and an information centre. You can see 800-year-old rimu trees, kahikatea (New Zealand’s tallest tree), kowhai and manuka trees and flax.

Thunder Creek Falls - a great short walk takes you to these falls that drop about 30m. Makarora - The area of Makarora was once covered with thick forests; this lead to it being a key saw milling area, supplying timber to the Otago Goldfields.

Haast Pass - The road reaches 564m at its highest point. A simple glance out the bus window is all you need to understand why it took so long to turn what used to be a track used by Maori into a sealed road. It cuts straight across the rugged main divide. It was named by a bloke called Julius Von Haast who was apparently the second white man to cross over the pass. The road was opened in 1965 but was only fully sealed in 1995 – which is quite significant when you remember that this is the only way to cross the Southern Alps for 400km.

Wanaka Skydive

WANAKA Lake Wanaka - As you drive through the gorge past the lakes you will see long horizontal lines carved into the mountainsides. These were created by the large glaciers which led to the formation of the large lakes as the rocks they pushed blocked the valleys. Lake Wanaka is the third largest of the Southern Lakes. It is 45km long and 312 metres deep. It is fed by the Makaroa and Matukituki Rivers and is the source of the Clutha River, which is the longest river in the South Island. Lake Hawea is 35km long and 410 metres deep. Legend has it that the great chief Te Rakaihautu carved out the beds of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea with his mighty Ko, or digging stick, piling up the debris to form mountain ranges. Wanaka - is both a summer holiday town for Kiwis and travellers alike and a winter base for access to Mount Aspiring National Park, Cardrona and Treblecone ski-fields. Wanaka is like a sister city to Queenstown and is a good place to jump off the bus for a couple of days to chill out.

Stray Bus in Wanaka

Lake Wanaka

Queenstown Travel Day: Wanaka to Queenstown Depart 10.15am

Wanaka Queenstown (2)

A: Central hostel. $: Puzzling World, skydiving, bungy jumping, pilot your own microlight plane. ∞: Walk Mt Iron, watch people jumping off a bridge! This morning you have the option of hiking to the summit of Mt Iron (1.5 hours), getting disorientated at Puzzling World, flying your own plane or skydiving over beautiful Lake Wanaka. We make our way through the rugged rocky

Kawarau Gorge and visit a historical suspension bridge where AJ Hackett set the first commercially operated bungy jump in 1988. We have time for you to take the plunge here or signup for the epic 134m Nevis bungy jump or swing before heading to Queenstown. There is a wide range of adventure activities accessible here, more than anywhere else in the world. The region offers a number of multi-day treks, as well as great shorter walks and amazing mountain biking...and if this all sounds a bit much, you can just sit and stare at some of the world’s most aweinspiring scenery. Queenstown offers an optional big (make that huge) night out with excellent restaurants, pubs and live music. Whilst here take the time to indulge in an incredible Fergburger, recently voted by the BBC as the best burger in the world! Queenstown - It was gold which bought the first settlers to the area, followed by sheep stations but all of this has now been totally outdone by adventure tourism development. Coronet Peak Ski area (one of the two closest ski fields) was opened in the 1950s. In the 1970s, the now hugely successful Shotover Jet,

the world’s first commercial jet boat operation was opened. The jet used an invention by a Kiwi guy called Bill Hamilton (basically a powerful water pump for propulsion), which enables specially designed boats to be really manoeuvrable and to be driven in rocky rivers with a depth of as little as 10cm. Quick to follow were white water rafting and the AJ Hackett Bungy development. These iconic activities have been draw cards for years and have made it possible for many other lesser-known activities to become viable. Kawarau Suspension Bridge - was originally built in the 1880s to provide access to the goldfields around Lake Wakatipu. The bridge then fell into disrepair and was deemed unsafe until Henry van Asch and AJ Hackett applied for a one-month license to use the bridge commercially for bungy jumping in 1988…and so it became the location of the world’s first fulltime commercial bungy operation. A fee is paid to the Department of Conservation for ever y jump by AJ Hackett Bungy to maintain the site.

Queenstown Bungy Jumping - created by New Zealanders Henry van Asch and AJ Hackett. They were inspired by the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club who tried jumping off bridges while holding onto big rubber bands back in the 70s. This was also similar to the ancient passage to manhood ritual of the people of Vanuatu in the Pacific who throw themselves from huge towers with vines tied to their feet (yes, it hurts). Henry and AJ did much testing and experimentation to come up with the ideal latex cord and attachment system then set off around the world to do some high profile jumps first in Tignes, France from a ski area gondola 91 metres above the snow, followed by the Eiffel Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. This gained them huge profile from the start and they still dominate the world of Bungy.

Non Travel Day: Queenstown

‘Adventure Capital of the world’ Queenstown is a great place to spend some extra time no matter what you choose to do with your time. Today is yours to explore. Options include: doing nothing, great local walks, taking a side trip to Dunedin and any adventure activity that you can think of. Obviously you can break your journey in Queenstown for as long as you want. If time allows you should take the opportunity to do one of the many multi-day adventure activities or walks. If heading straight north to Christchurch (via Mt Cook and Rangitata), look at doing a one day Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound trip before you go.

Lake Wakatipu - New Zealand’s third largest lake after Taupo and Te Anau. The temperature of the lake only varies by a few degrees from the hottest summer to the coldest winter. The name Wakatipu means ‘Space of the Demon’ relating to a Maori legend of the lake.

Throw yourself over the edge, bungy jumping, Queenstown

QUEENSTOWN TO FIORDLAND Travel Day: Queenstown to Gunns Camp (via Milford Sound) Depart 7.30am (changes seasonally – check latest timetable).

Milford Sound Gunn’s Camp

Queenstown (2)

Te Anau

A: Historic camp in the heart of Fiordland National Park. $: Milford Sound Cruise. ∞: Humbolt Falls walk, visit the historic museum or take in the incredible surroundings at Gunn’s Camp, Chasm walk.

Enjoy a scenic drive alongside Lake Wakatipu before we arrive into Te Anau, the gateway to a walker’s paradise. Some people may choose to jump off here and explore further. Due to our remote overnight accommodation, we need to gather a few supplies before we leave including our Milford Cruise and Stewart Island ferry tickets. (NB: Bed spaces are limited on the island so we will book your accommodation at the backpackers today.) Passing through the farmlands of Southland, the scenery shifts into mountain valleys carved by glaciers as we climb up to the Homer Tunnel and descend on the other side. Along the way we stop for a couple of short walks and amazing photo opportunities in NZ’s largest National Park. Once we arrive into Milford, you have the option of a scenic cruise to really appreciate this stunning fiord. Upon the return from the cruise we travel to our unique overnight stop at Gunn’s Camp, a historic camp on the edge of the Hollyford Track.

The Homer Tunnel - was named after Harr y Homer, the bloke who started the construction project. It began in 1935 as a work project for the unemployed during the Depression. The tunnel was entirely carved out by hand – which as you can imagine was not an easy task - and explains why it is not one smooth curve. The tunnel is 1200m long and has a gradient of 1 in 10. There are no lights in the tunnel and the traffic lights are a very recent addition. The view at the exit is one of the most spectacular that you will see. The weather proved to be the biggest hazard to the workers during the Milford Road project. The terrain was also harsh, high in altitude, rugged and steep and plagued by floods and deadly avalanches. The route to Milford was not finished until 1952 and was shut ever y winter until the 1970s.

MILFORD SOUND / FIORDLAND Milford Sound - is actually a fiord. This is an absolutely stunning place, considered a “must see” when you come to NZ. It’s most well-known feature is Mitre Peak, the world’s highest sea cliff at 1692m. It was given the name Mitre Peak by early explorers because it resembled the mitre headwear worn by bishops. The fiord is 290m deep in the middle but only 120m at the sea entrance. This is because it was the terminal point of the glacier which created it. The fiords in this area have a 2-4m layer of fresh water which sits above the salt water because it is so calm and only weak light filters through to below. This means that there is a great deal of sea life which would usually only be found in very deep water relatively near the surface. You could see wildlife at and above the surface including fur seals, crested penguins, bottle nosed and dusky dolphins. Initial development in this area is largely attributed to a guy called Donald Sutherland (not the actor) who was an old sea dog that settled here in the late 1800s and became known as the hermit of Milford. He discovered the huge waterfalls, which he named after himself. He claimed that the Sutherland Falls were over 1000m high and the highest in the world. This was a great trick as it attracted tourists and he was able to build the first hotel in the Sound and went from living like a hermit to being the host of people from around the world. While indeed high and spectacular, the falls are actually 581m and are not the highest in the world.

Captain Cook who did not actually enter the sound as he was ‘doubtful’ he would be able to sail out. Lake Manapouri and Doubtful Sound are joined by a man-made tunnel which

The Takahe - one of New Zealand’s rarest birds. It is about 25cm tall, has green feathers and a red beak and legs. Like all of our favourite birds it cannot fly. For over half a century they were thought to be extinct and were only rediscovered in 1948. A large part of the park is closed off to minimalise disturbance to the bird. Manapouri - New Zealand’s second deepest lake at 444m (after Lake Hauroko which is the deepest at 463m) and is regarded by many as one of the most scenic. Doubtful Sound - the deepest of all fiords. It is three times longer than Milford and over 10 times the area. Its remoteness and physical grandeur with towering peaks, huge waterfalls (some over 600 metres), and calmness created by the protection of the steep walls mean that this is a pretty mind blowing place. It was named by

Milford Sound

takes water from the lake through an underground power station and on to Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound. Ask your driver guide for day and overnight packages on offer – spaces are limited.

Fiordland Walking Tracks Kepler Track - is a 60 km circuit through the spectacular scenery of Fiordland National Park. It can be walked in either direction (although anti-clockwise is recommended) and approximately 8000 walkers complete it each year. It was originally established to take pressure off the Routeburn and Milford Tracks but is now one of New Zealand’s Great Walks in its own right. Routeburn Track - traverses 33km of Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks. It can be walked in either direction and may be combined with the Greenstone or Caples Tracks. Most walkers take three days. It has about 13,000 walkers each year. Between October and late April bookings are essential to guarantee your hut or campsite accommodation. This is not a circuit track and there are about 350km of road transport between the ends. It is accessed by road at either the Routeburn Shelter, (the starting or finishing point at the Mount Aspiring National Park end of the track), or at The Divide (the starting or finishing point at the Fiordland National Park end of the track). Public transport services both ends of the track. There is no cell phone coverage in the area.

Weather - Fiordland National Park has high rainfall and changeable weather. Unpredictable weather patterns mean that cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of the year. It is estimated that it rains 276 days of the year down here so be prepared for at least one wet day on your trip. Remember, exposure and hypothermia (low body temperature) can affect anyone when the weather is wet, cold and windy and hypothermia can kill.

Milford Track – is 53.5 kilometres through Fiordland National Park and is New Zealand’s most famous hike with approximately 14,000 people walking it each year; it has been described as the finest walk in the world. It starts at the head of Lake Te Anau and finishes in Milford Sound. It passes New Zealand’s (not the world’s) highest waterfall (Sutherland Falls at 581 metres). The track may only be walked in one direction, from Glade Wharf to Milford Sound, during the booked walking season (late October to late April), with a maximum of 40 independent walkers permitted to start the track each day. Booking is essential to guarantee your hut accommodation. To walk the Milford Track you require a bus or private transport to Te Anau Downs, then boat transport to Glade Wharf. Boat transport is also required from Sandfly Point (the end of the track) to Milford Sound. There is no cell phone coverage in the area.

Fiordland National Park

Correct clothing is essential - Traveling along the alpine sections can be difficult due to the strong winds, which are common in the area. Wind gusts up to 80km per hour are possible and will greatly increase the wind-chill factor on cooler days. Be prepared. Bookings - In peak season limited spaces are available. You must book in advance before starting your walk at www.booking.doc.govt.nz to ensure you have a place to sleep for the night.

DEEP SOUTH Travel Day: Gunns Camp to Invercargill / Stewart Island Depart 8.30am

Milford Sound Gunn’s Camp Te Anau

Invercargill Waipapa Point (Catlins) Stewart Island

A: Central hostel or island backpackers. $: Stewart Island Ferry, Ata Whenua – Shadowland film, Te Anau Wildlife Centre. ∞: Key Summit walk, Viewing Gantry walk. We start the morning with a great hike up to the Key Summit Track for stunning views over the Fiordland Mountains (weather dependent). We then head across the farmlands of Southland to Invercargill and Bluff. Next stop – Stewart Island - New Zealand’s ‘3rd island.’ We catch the 4.30pm ferry from Bluff (check in at 4pm), which takes an hour. The ferry times vary seasonally so check the time with your driver. For those not heading to Stewart Island the bus will drop you off at our hostel in Invercargill on the way through to Bluff. However, we strongly recommend that you head over to the Island (there are great combo deals for the ferry and Milford Sound cruise – ask your driver about them). There are many activity options available on Stewart Island including: incredible walks, fishing trips (which people rave about), a cruise to Ulva Island – an open air bird sanctuary, scooter hire and mountain bike hire to explore this remote oasis, or even a Great White Shark wilderness cruise option! The one and only Stewart Island Pub is a must do if you want to meet the highly interesting locals. A few years back the pub forgot to renew its liquor license, which forced the whole island to go dry, caused havoc for the beer loving locals and made national news headlines.

Invercargill - is New Zealand’s southernmost city. The upside is that it gets long daylight hours in summer. The downside is that it has the lowest average temperature, the lowest annual average of sunshine hours, and the highest number of rain days. Invercargill shares much of its history with Dunedin and both cities have very distinct Scottish influences as they were both initially surveyed by Scottish companies looking to create settlements in the new world. White settlement in Invercargill was always focused on being a service town for beef and dairy farming in the area. Recently there has been relatively significant growth in the number of dairy farms in the area as land has become too expensive to be viable for milk production in the Waikato and many farmers have moved south. A lot of the recent rejuvenation of the town can be put down to its mayor Tim Shadbolt, a colourful character known throughout New Zealand. It is thanks to his efforts in introducing the free fees scheme to the polytechnic that attracted young people to the South and a breath of life into the city. The mayor and the town featured in a recent Holly wood movie ‘The World’s Fastest Indian,’ which is a true story about a local who set out to break the speed record for motorbikes of less than 1000cc. In fact you can see a replica of ‘the Indian’, the bike which he rode to achieve this, on display in a local hardware store.

Gunns Camp

Bluff - The first Europeans to visit the area were Sydney merchants in about 1813. They were keen to set up a flax milling industry to supply rope for ships. Unfortunately while there was heaps of flax in the area there was no wood, which was needed to burn the flax to get the fibre out. Tiwai Aluminium Smelter - our only aluminium smelter is situated at Tiwai Point on the northeast side of Bluff Harbour. This uses most of the power created by the Manapouri power station. The smelter operates continuously, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. More than 90% of the smelter’s production is exported, primarily to Japan and other Asian markets. It employs approximately 1000 people. Oysters - Bluff Oysters are a New Zealand delicacy. They drift on the seabed throughout New Zealand. They are found in their biggest quantities and in the best quality in the Foveaux Strait (the bit of water between the South Island and Stewart Island). They have a limited harvest season each year from March to August which may be restricted further if it is a poor season. We recommend trying them naturally or beer battered.

STEWART ISLAND The anchor stone from Maui’s canoe (see the earlier legend of the fishing up of New Zealand) is definitely worth a visit. It has over 85% conservation land and only a small human population – mostly fishermen – who live around the township of Half Moon Bay. Formerly called Oban it has the island’s only pub, also well worth a visit. There is only 20km of road on Stewart Island with a large part being a bird sanctuary. All introduced predators were removed (mainly rats and cats) so the bird life is amazing and is a lot like New Zealand would have been before human settlement. The first settlers were whalers in the 1830s and there are some cool ruins from this early settlement, which can be seen on a number of the well signposted walks. Accommodation can be an issue on the island so make sure that you sort something out before you go. We recommend Real Journey’s ferry to get there. Note: you can go to Stewart Island for a night without breaking your journey with Stray but you’ll probably fall in love with the island and want to extend your stay.

Ulva Island - sits in Patterson Inlet below Half Moon Bay. It used to be the home of naturalist Charles Traill, who combined the running of a general store with a passion for botany, birdlife and the study of shells. Charles was appointed postmaster for ‘the most southerly post office in the world’. The post office lasted until the island was made into a bird sanctuary. There is a great boat trip which allows you to take in the relatively untouched plant and bird life. Ulva Island is one of the most densely populated areas of Kiwi in New Zealand, but you probably won’t get to see one as they are nocturnal. Muttonbirds - birds that hang out mainly

Native birdlife, Stewart Island

on the islands to the south west of Stewart Island that are not surprisingly called the Muttonbird Islands. They are a traditional Maori delicacy and ever y year during April and May Maori with direct historical connections are permitted on the islands to catch the chicks, which are so fat they cannot fly. Up to 250,000 are taken from the islands each year and sent to shops throughout the country. The birds are very oily and have to be boiled before they are roasted.

DEEP SOUTH Travel Day: Stewart Island/ Invercargill to Queenstown

Queenstown (2)

Invercargill Waipapa Point (Catlins) Stewart Island A: Central hostel. $: Stewart Island: fishing, hire a scooter, go to Ulva Island. ∞: Explore native parkland and view amazing birdlife on Stewart Island; sea-lion, penguin, dolphin spotting at Waipapa Point, find Burt Munro’s World’s Fastest Indian, Bluff Hill walk, visit Henry the 100-year-old Tuatara in Invercargill. The morning is yours to explore Stewart Island, meet the locals, go fishing or enjoy some of the magnificent walks. We catch the ferry back to the ‘mainland’ at 3pm. If you stayed in Invercargill, we depart at 10.30am and head to Waipapa Point for some sea-lion spotting. We then head to Bluff where we meet up with the island-goers before expressing back to Queenstown, arriving approximately 7.30pm.

Stewart Island

Kingston - sits on the pile of rocks where the great glacier that carved out Lake Wakatipu stopped and retreated. Kingston is another old gold mining town, which is now known as the home of the 'Kingston Flyer', a vintage steam train. The Flyer is over 120 years old. The original Kingston Flyer was a passenger service that operated between Kingston and the Main South Line at Gore from 1878 through to the mid-1950s. It provided a passageway to Queenstown and the surrounding stations, by meeting up with the lake paddle steamers (such as the Earnslaw which you should have seen in Queenstown) at Kingston Wharf.

Explore Stewart Island

Dunedin If you want to visit Dunedin - you can easily get a return express bus ticket with Intercity from Queenstown or Invercargill. With a population of about 120,000 Dunedin is New Zealand’s 5th largest city. It was developed and first settled by Scottish immigrants and is known as the Edinburgh of the South. Dunedin is Gaelic for Edinburgh and the Scottish influence can still be seen everywhere from the architecture to the street names. The Otago University was established here in 1869 as New Zealand’s first university and is still our second biggest. Not surprisingly, during the gold rushes Dunedin became the financial capital of New Zealand. As a result, many major companies still had their head offices here until very recently. Baldwin Street – recorded by the Guinness Book of Records as being the steepest street in the world. Speight’s Brewery Heritage Tour - takes you on a journey through the art of making beer from the Babylonians in 6000BC to the modern day brewing that operates today. Speight’s has been a part of Dunedin since 1876 and has a wonderful history. It is a much-loved part of the city and of

course no tour would be complete without a tasting session in the Brewery Bar! Larnach Castle - is probably the nearest thing that New Zealand has to a castle and is a great example of some of the eccentric behaviour of homesick early settlers. It was built in 1871 by William Larnach who for a while was a successful businessman and member of parliament (which is an interesting combination in its own right – many early politicians in New Zealand were businessmen who would only have been there to help their businesses). To put it simply, he had very unfortunate luck with relationships… starting with his wives. His first died unexpectedly so he married her sister who then promptly did the same. He then married a much younger woman who ran off with his son. He built the ballroom for his daughter’s 21st – she unfortunately died not long after what was apparently a great party. To top it all off (excuse the pun), old William took his own life in parliament in 1898 when faced with financial ruin. The building is reportedly one of the most haunted in NZ. Otago Peninsula - is a 40 minute drive out of central Dunedin and is well worth visiting for the stunning scenery and amazing

wildlife particularly New Zealand seals and sea lions and the colonies of Royal Albatross and Yellow Eyed Penguins. The Albatross colony - on the Otago Peninsula is the only place where the birds breed on the mainland in the world. With a 3 metre wingspan these birds are huge and it is great to simply watch them glide in the air currents. Hoiho: the Yellow-eyed Penguin - the world’s rarest species. Known to the Maori as Hoiho (meaning noisy), the YellowEyed Penguin is the 3rd largest species of penguin in the world. ‘Penguin Place’ is a Yellow-eyed Penguin Conservation reserve, a self-funded project aiming to save this rare species. Native bush has been replanted to recreate the original habitat and encourage breeding, while attempts are being made to eliminate cats, ferrets and other predators. It’s a great place to visit as you can do an hour-long guided trip down into the nesting area and view the penguins as close as from a few metres away with the help of tunnels and camouflage netting. As well as the Hoiho there are other species of penguins that visit the area such as the Emperor, Little Blue and Royal Penguins.

QUEENSTOWN TO AORAKI MT COOK Travel Day: Queenstown to Aoraki/Mt Cook Depart 8.40am

Omarama - Omarama is known as a world-class gliding area, hosting the 1995 World Gliding Championships and 2006 Gliding Grand Prix. Its name translated from Maori means ‘place of light’ – some say this is because it is so sunny. The statue of the ram is a great photo opportunity, especially for the Welsh. Aoraki/Mt Cook - at 3754 metres it is the highest of the 23 mountains in New Zealand that are over 3000 metres. If it is clear you should be able to see it today. The area, which was designated a National Park in 1953 includes 22 peaks over 3000m and glaciers cover 40% of the park. By way of comparison (and because we like to beat the Australians) it is more than 1500 metres higher than Australia’s highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko. It was named after Captain James Cook.

A: Stunning alpine lodge. $: Argo tour of Alpine Region, visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. ∞: Take photos of awe-inspiring scenery, do one of the many great short walks to the Hooker glacial lake (weather dependent). We make our journey north today, passing back through the Kawarua Gorge and turning inland over the Lindis Pass through to Mackenzie Country. After stopping for lunch in Omarama we turn off the highway to drive to our amazing stop at Mt. Cook where breathetaking views of Lake Pukaki will blow you away. We arrive into Mt Cook village in the early afternoon and you have time to take a boat to view the Tasman Glacier and its icebergs, check out the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, take an Argo tour or do one of the many great short walks in the park. There are also some incredible longer walks in this stunning area if you want to hop off the bus and stay for a few days (we recommend leaving climbing Mt Cook to the mountaineers though). Lindis Pass - The dramatic Lindis Pass with its tussock covered hills, links the Mackenzie Basin with Central Otago. The actual pass crosses a saddle between the valleys of the Lindis and Ahuriri Rivers at an altitude of 97 1 metres above sea level. For many months of the year, you can expect to see snow in this mountainous area - often down to the roadside.

Stay at the base of Mount Cook

Mackenzie Country - The Mt Cook region is sometimes referred to as MacKenzie Countr y, situated in the high inland basin beneath the Southern Alps and Aoraki/ Mount Cook, south west of Christchurch. It has an interesting history - the area was named after Jock Mackenzie, New Zealand’s most notorious sheep rustler, who used a secret route through the mountains to move his stolen flock. Now it’s known for its amazing scenery, turquoise lakes, tussock covered hills and great off the beaten track ski areas.

RANGITATA (PEEL FOREST) Travel Day: Mt Cook to Rangitata (Peel Forest) Depart 8am

A: One of Canterbury's original sheep stations. $: White water rafting, horse trekking. ∞: Take photos of stunning scenery, walk through Peel Forest. We head past the scenic Lake Tekapo, with time for a photo of the turquoise lake and the picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd. We arrive late morning in Geraldine and then head through to our night stop of Rangitata to take in some incredible ‘Lord of the Rings’ scenery. You have options of doing one of the best rafting trips in the country (October-April only – make sure you have your swimwear in your day pack) or a horse trek. NB. In winter we will depart a little later from Mt Cook and, depending on the group, we can stop in Tekapo for the chance to ice skate, snow tube or soak in the hot pools. Lake Tekapo - Lake Tekapo is New Zealand’s highest lake at 7 10m and is the largest of the 3 lakes in the Mackenzie area (the others are Lake Ohau and Lake Pukaki.) Tekapo is a Maori word meaning ‘night sleep place’ – it derives from the words ‘Taka’or ‘Teka’ (sleeping mat) and ‘Po’ (night). It is reputed to have one of the clearest and most unforgettable night skies in the world. Finely ground rock from the glaciers fed from the Southern Alps via rivers to the lake give Lake Tekapo its beautiful turquoise colour. On the shores of the lake are two iconic features– the dog statue, dedicated to the working collie dogs of the Mackenzie Country; and the Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935. It was the first church in the area and is now a favourite location for weddings ( just in case you meet someone nice on your travels!)

Rangitata River and Peel ForestRangitata’s name means ‘low sky’ in Maori. The river passes from the Southern Alps through the Rangitata Gorge, in the alpine foothills, and then out to the Pacific Ocean. The Maori name for Mount Peel is Tarahaoa. Tarahaoa is still sacred to Ngai Tahu, the local tribe. The mountain is part of their heritage, but is also seen as part of their family. Legend has it that Chief Tarahaoa and his wife Huatekerekere washed up ashore at Shag Point while trying to migrate north from South Otago. They wandered inland and lived the remainder of their lives where they could always see the sun go down. They prayed to their gods that on their death they should be changed into mountains. The Gods obliged and Big Mount Peel and Little Mount Peel are really Tarahaoa and Hua-te-kerekere, inseparably linked to each other. Their grandchildren became the Four Peaks, the mountain range adjoining Big Mount Peel and Little Mount Peel/ Huatakerekere. In 1849, Charles Torlesse was the first white man to explore the foothills hoping to discover coal near Rangitata. This is an incredibly scenic area at the base of the Southern Alps – some of the Lord of the Rings was filmed nearby and you’ll be able to see why.

Rafting, Rangitata – unique Stray overnight stop and activity

Travel Day: Rangitata to Christchurch Depart 7am

This morning we leave early to express across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. If you are stopping here for the night, make sure you have pre-booked your accommodation as it is limited since the 2011 earthquakes. For travellers whose Stray adventure is coming to an end, we arrive at Christchurch International Airport at 9.30am. You can add on a Christchurch – Kaikoura sector for only $35, talk to your driver if you wish to do this. There are a number of transport options from Kaikoura back to Christchurch and also from the airport into the city. For those continuing north see the next travel day page for the Christchurch to Kaikoura sector.

Christchurch NOTE: Stray only picks up and drops off from the Christchurch International Airport. Christchurch is known as ‘The Garden City’ and is the South Island’s largest city, and New Zealand’s second largest. European settlement started with the English who arrived in large numbers starting from 1850 and the city still shows huge signs of their influence from the street names to the River Avon which runs through the middle of town, to the early gothic architecture including what was the fantastic Cathedral in the town’s square (imaginatively named ‘Cathedral Square’). Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter on July 31, 1856, making it officially the oldest established city in New Zealand. On February 22nd 2011, a major earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck the Canterbury region, forever altering the beautiful city of Christchurch. The earthquake caused widespread damage across Christchurch, especially in the central city and eastern suburbs. The city has undergone a massive facelift, with lots of chic restaurants, urban bars, and funky new

Christchurch Mall

cafes being built, and although much of the city’s heritage architecture was damaged during the earthquake, the city still displays some traditional English charm. The rebuild started the day after the quake hit and they still have a long way to go, but Cantabrians are a resilient lot and are committed to rebuilding their city and restoring it to its former glory. New Brighton Beach - reminiscent of England, Christchurch must be one of the few cities in the world where the coastal property is often cheaper than inland. New Brighton is a great example of this - a great beach with a pier which until recently was quite undeveloped. Cathedral Square - was a focal point for the city with the Cathedral being the key point of the square. Sadly the Cathedral was badly damaged in the 2011 earthquake. Sumner and Lyttleton - originally Christchurch city was to be built in Lyttleton but the planners quickly realised that its location between the hills and the harbour would be too small. The Port Hills provided a significant

barrier which early settlers had to literally get over. They either walked over the hills with all of their stuff or offloaded their gear into small punts (rowboats) to be taken up the estuary – then walked in. The port is actually a volcanic crater, and the tunnel was the first road tunnel to be built through a volcano and was only opened in 1967. There is a road over the hills but all freight goes through the tunnel so it is a critical link between the port and the city. Much of Lyttelton's architectural heritage was lost as a result of the earthquakes because damage was deemed too extensive for reconstruction. The town's oldest churches have collapsed, including Canterbury's oldest stone church, the Holy Trinity. The Port Hills are now an excellent recreation area with everything from mountain biking and parasailing to a gondola. Akaroa - don’t let the Maori name fool you – this is New Zealand’s very own French town complete with French street names. The French colony here was what prompted the British to make New Zealand a formal colony, leading to the Treaty of Waitangi.

KAIKOURA Travel Day: Christchurch to Kaikoura Depart 9.45am

Kaikoura

Christchurch

A: Warm modern hostel. $: Whale watching, swimming with dolphins, go fishing and eat your spoils. ∞: Walk around the peninsula and up to the lookout. We welcome any new travellers starting their trip with us today. Please see your driver for the current Stray timetable. Leaving South Island’s largest city behind we cruise up the scenic coast to Kaikoura. We arrive in the afternoon in time to participate in the major activities which feature some of the world’s best wildlife viewing. The main draws here are whale watching or dolphin

swimming/watching, but other options include albatross viewing, catching your own fish for dinner, seal swimming (summer only) or walking around the Kaikoura Peninsula to the seal colony. Kaikoura - means ‘meal of crayfish’. It started as a whaling base and you could say that it still is - although now people come to watch the whales rather than catch them. George Allwright – his headstone is beside the railway line just south of Kaikoura. The story of his death has sometimes been used to prove the power of tapu (a Maori curse). Allwright arrived in Kaikoura in April 1846 wanting to establish a whaling station. He asked the local Maori chief for permission to do so, but the chief had already given permission to someone else and he would not go back on his word. At this, Allwright lost his cool and started abusing the chief. The chief said ‘Enough! Go! You may reach your boat or you may not’. Allwright stormed off but dropped dead just before he got to his boat. Dolphins - The Kaikoura region is home of many dusky dolphins. They are very friendly and can be seen year round. They are also very social and live in pods sometimes numbering in the hundreds. Fun fact: they

don’t only mate for reproductive purposes, but studies show they sometimes do it just for fun. Albatross - The region is unique in having 12 species of albatross visit the coastline, including the one with the largest wingspan in the world at 3.4m - the Wandering Albatross. It takes its name because of the huge distances they can cover in one day just to find some food and return to the chick on their nest. Described as the best place in New Zealand - if not the world - to view albatross, Kaikoura’s coastal waters offer a rich food supply, which supports a large array of other marine life. The deep-water canyon, the Hikurangi Trench, is very close to shore and these spectacular ocean going birds can be viewed easily and at close proximity. Albatross tours have grown in popularity as a result of increased awareness of how precious some of these species are. Some of the regularly sighted species in Kaikoura are in decline due to high mortality rates resulting from fishing practices in the Southern Ocean, mainly from being caught on hooks from long line fishing vessels. Much research has been undertaken to find safer methods of setting lines to prevent seabirds from dying in this way.

KAIKOURA TO WELLINGTON Whaling - was the first big export industry for New Zealand and much of the first European settlement was with whaling bases. The first one in Kaikoura was established in 1842 by Robert Fyffe. The whales were sought mainly for oil. At first the whaling stations were very successful but in many places whales quickly became rare so the business slowed down significantly by the 1850s. There are over 79 species of whale and dolphin in the world today. About 34 of these have been sighted in New Zealand waters, over half of these in the waters off Kaikoura. The deep-sea trench only a couple of kilometres off the coast means you don’t have to go very far to gain access to a wide variety of mammals. This makes it one of the best places in the world to go whale spotting. Sperm whales are the most common seen in Kaikoura but you sometimes also see Orca/Killer whales, Humpback whales, Right whales, Minke whales and even giant Blue whales. The Humpback whales pass through Kaikoura on the annual migration to Antarctic waters to feed.

Travel Day: Kaikoura to Wellingon (or Picton if you are heading around the South Island) Depart 9am

Picton

Wellington

Kaikoura A: Central hostel (Wellington), Cosy villa (Picton). ∞: Seal colony; Queen Charlotte Sound View walk, mountain biking, fishing or relax in the villa spa (Picton); explore the city (Wellington). Thirty minutes from Kaikoura, we stop at a seal colony for photos and then continue winding our way up the rugged coastal road passing through Blenheim en-route to Picton.

If you are staying in this port town tonight your driver will organise a bed for you. The afternoon could be spent walking to the Queen Charlotte Sound view lookout or using a free mountain bike or fishing gear from the accommodation. Those heading to Wellington will catch the Bluebridge Ferry crossing the Cook Strait to arrive early evening into the capital. Your new bus will be waiting at the terminal to escort you to your accommodation. Lake Grassmere Saltworks - where seawater is evaporated from wide shallow ponds at the country’s only solar salt works. Blenheim - lies deep in the heart of the Marlborough region, an area which is becoming world famous for the quality of its wines, most particularly its Sauvignon Blancs. Blenheim’s original name was Beaver Town a name gained when the first survey party to the area were caught in a flood and had to sit on piles of wood to escape the water like beavers on a dam. The town still has a beaver as its mascot.

WELLINGTON TO AUCKLAND Travel Day: Wellington to Auckland (via National Park) Depart 6.40am

We leave the capital nice and early to get into the central parts of the North Island before midday. We stop at National Park before heading through the Waikato and back to the big smoke of Auckland in the early evening. We recommend hopping off at National Park to experience the Tongariro Alpine Crossing or Blue Duck Station at Whakahoro, if you haven’t already had a chance (or if the weather didn’t cooperate the first time). For information on Auckland please see pages 21-22. There’s plenty to do before you leave - check out the Viaduct and America’s Cup Village area, go sailing on an America’s Cup yacht, jump off the Sky Tower or Harbour Bridge, walk along Tamaki Drive or visit the Auckland Museum, the home of the greatest collection of Taonga (Maori treasures). Stray has a great city tour – contact the Stray office to book! If you have a few extra days head over to Waiheke Island or Great Barrier Island, or head up north to the Bay of Islands.

Looking back to Auckland

STRAY Accommodation SOUTH ISLAND

NORTH ISLAND AUCKLAND Base - ACB Level 3, 229 Queen Street, Auckland Ph 0800 227369

LAKE ANIWHENUA Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours 3836 Galatea Road Galatea Ph: 07 366 47 7 7

Nomads Auckland 16-22 Fort Street, Auckland Ph 0800 220198

TAUPO Urban Retreat 65 Heuheu Street, Taupo Ph 07 378 6124

Nomads Fat Camel Cnr Gore / Fort Street, Auckland Ph 0800 220198 YHA City Cnr City Road & Liverpool Street, Auckland Ph 09 309 2802 PAIHIA Base - Pipi Patch Lodge 18 Kings Road, Paihia Ph 09 402 7 111 YHA Paihia 10 Kings Road, Paihia Ph 0800 4 4 33 22 RAGLAN Karioi Lodge* 5B Whaanga Road, Whale Bay, Raglan Ph 0800 867873 ROTORUA Base – Hot Rocks 1286 Arawa Street, Rotorua Ph 07 348 8636 Rotorua Downtown Backpackers 1193 Fenton St Rotorua 3010 Ph 07 347 1170

PLEASE NOTE:

Base Taupo 7 Tuwharetoa Street, Taupo Ph 07 37 7 4 464 WHAKAHORO Blue Duck Lodge* 4265 Oio Road, Whakahoro, RD2 Owhango 3990 Ph 07 895 6276

PICTON Picton Villa 34 Auckland Street, Picton Ph 03 573 6598 MARAHAU The Barn Har veys Road, Marahau Ph 03 527 8043 PUNAKAIKI Te Nikau Retreat 19 Harmont Place Punakaiki Ph 03 731 1111 FRANZ JOSEF Rainforest Retreat State Highway 6, Franz Josef Ph 0800 435 673

NATIONAL PARK The Park Travellers Lodge Finlay Street, National Park Ph 0800 800 491

WANAKA Base Wanaka 73 Brownston Street, Wanaka Ph 03 4 43 4291

WELLINGTON Base Wellington 21-23 Cambridge Terrace, Wellington Ph 04 801 5668

YHA Purple Cow 94 Brownston Street, Wanaka Ph 0800 4 4 33 22

Nomads Capital 118 Wakefield Street, Wellington, 6001 Ph 04 978 7800 Wellington YHA 292 Wakefield Street (cnr Cambridge Trce), Wellington Ph 04 801 7280

QUEENSTOWN Base - Discovery Lodge 40 Shotover Street, Queenstown Ph 03 4 41 1185 Nomads Queenstown 5-11 Church Street, Queenstown Ph 03 4 41 3922 FIORDLAND Gunn's Camp* Hollyford Valley Rd, Fiordland NP. No phone, gunnscamp@ ruralinzone.net

INVERCARGILL Tuatara Lodge 30 Dee Street, Invercargill Ph 03 214 0954 STEWART ISLAND Stewart Island Backpackers Ayr St, Oban Ph 03 219 1114 DUNEDIN Leviathan Hotel 27 Queens Gardens, Dunedin Ph 0800 7 73 7 73 MT COOK Mt Cook Backpacker Lodge 11 Motel Access Rd Mt Cook National Park Ph 0800 100 512 RANGITATA Rangitata Rafts Peel Forest RD20 South Canterbury Ph 03 696 3534 CHRISTCHURCH (NOTE: Pick ups and Drop offs for Stray heading north or south are from the Christchurch International Airport). Jailhouse Accommodation 338 Lincoln Road, Christchurch Ph 0800 524 546 YHA Rolleston House 5 Worcester Blvd Christchurch 8013 Ph 03 366 6564 KIAKOURA The Lazy Shag Backpackers 37 Beach Road Kaikoura Ph 03 319 6662

Once you’re travelling on the Stray bus your guide will organise your accommodation at each overnight stop. You simply tell them your preference (twins, doubles, dorms...) and they’ll book it- you just pay as you go. Please note: in peak season twins and double rooms may have limited availability.All accommodation is at backpacker hostel rates (about $25-30 per night for a dorm bed and $60-90 for a double or twin room). * = no cellphone coverage

Where to next? You got further off the beaten track in New Zealand - now keep straying around the world! There are lots of fantastic travel options we can recommend. Spaceships camper vans in Australia with depots in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns so if you’ve made a special friend or two on your NZ travels and want to go road tripping round Oz, check out www.spaceshipsrentals.com.au or email info@spaceshipsrentals.co.nz - ex-Stray customers get deals! If you’re heading to Southeast Asia, Stray now operates in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, so you can stray some more and enjoy the flexibility,

Spaceships are a great option to explore the UK and Europe!

guidance and adventure of Stray Asia. Check out www.straytravel.asia for more info! Wanting a pacific island holiday before you head home? Get one of the cheap flights from NZ to Fiji and chill out island styles for a while! Fiji is right on New Zealand’s doorstep (only 3 hours from Auckland) and is made up of over 300 islands set in unbelievably crystal clear waters with palm fringed, white sandy beaches, coral reefs and lagoons. Lastly, we operate your favourite two berth camper vans in the UK and Europe! That’s right, Spaceships now has a depot in London where you can head off on your

own personal adventure from chasing hair y cow in the Scottish highlands, supping with the best on a vineyard tour of southern France, soaking up the art and culture while camping in Italy, or doing the big European roadie - running with the bulls in Pamplona and chugging beers with frauleins at Oktoberfest! Check out www.spaceshipsrentals.co.uk and don’t forget to mention you stray’d so you can get special deals! For more info on any of the above companies you can also ask your Stray driver or visit our travel experts at the Stray Shop, 50 Fort St, Auckland Central.