July 2013 - Women Traveling Together

18 ◆ july 2013
Women Traveling Together ®
Australia & New Zealand ~ March 3-17, 2013
By Tour Leader Lida Clinton
Our adventure seeking group left winter in the U.S.
and arrived to summer in New Zealand where so many great
experiences awaited us…
A tour of the Waitomo Glow Worm Cave took us past striking
underground limestone formations. The most intriguing part
of the adventure was a boat ride in complete silence through the
underground river. Our destination was a cavern with millions
of tiny blue/green sparkling lights of glow worms. It was an eerie
yet captivating experience.
At Rotorua, we learned about the agriculture that is so
important to the economy of New Zealand. At a visit to the
Agrodome Sheep Show, we got “up close” to the native sheep.
At Rainbow Springs Nature Park, we were able to see the nocturnal
Kiwi Bird as well as other fish, birds and wildlife native to
the area.
Queenstown was definitely one of our group’s favorite
memories. Queenstown is a beautiful city surrounded by majestic
mountains and nestled on the shores of crystal clear Lake
Wakatipu. Overlooking the Remarkables mountain range, the
town is surrounded by some of the most stunning vistas in the
world.
Since Queenstown is the self-proclaimed adventure capital
of New Zealand, we set off to explore. The group took the
Skyline Gondola CABLE CAR 450 feet up to Bob’s Peak for
spectacular views over Lake Wakatipu. Some of the group tried
the LUGE and zoomed down the mountain. Some of the group
went Jet Boating and experienced high speed water thrills with
360 degree turns. Ziplining was a spectacular and exhilarating
flying adventure through the forest canopy high above Queenstown.
Some of the women tried paragliding off the highest peak
in New Zealand for panoramic views. The water lovers went
Parasailing. A few tried their hand at a Segway while zipping
around the lake. More relaxing activities included a scenic cruise
on Lake Wakatipu with great views of lake and mountains.
Queen Victoria Gardens were a lovely stroll as well.
Then onto Milford Sound, we enjoyed a leisurely cruise
through the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. The cruise
provided excellent views of waterfalls, the rain forest, mountains
and wildlife. Some of the group took a flightseeing tour back to
Queenston and enjoyed spectacular views of fiords and mountain
peaks.
Flying into Cairns, Australia we journeyed to the Rainforestation
for some wildlife encounters including holding koala
bears and interacting with kangeroos, dingos, and other native
Australian wildlife. A Duck Ride (a WWII bus-like vehicle that
Queenstown, New Zealand.
doubles as a boat) took us deep into the rainforest to explore
native vegetation.
The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s most remarkable
nature wonders. The reef contains an abundance of marine
life and hundreds of tropical islands. The reef is larger than the
Great Wall of China and the only living thing on earth visible
from space. From our boat on Michaelmas Cay, our group took
a semi-submersible submarine to view the breathtaking coral
formations and giant clams, turtles, and tropical fish. Some of
our group went diving and snorkeling for further up close and
personal reef experiences. This was a memorable day.
Arriving in Sydney, we got our first view of this beautiful
city. Sydney has boundless attractions and a superb harbor side
location. A harbor cruise captured the essence of the city with
its historic landmarks, beautiful beaches and homes that line the
shore. During a city tour we visited the Rocks area, drove past
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