The Rambler

TRIP REPORT: WMC NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE 10-20-05
By Vince Desimone
The 16 WMC members visiting New Zealand experienced the highlights of both North and South islands. Aotearoa, the
land of the long white cloud, provided spectacular natural beauty and fascinating cultural exposure. We learned to eat
whitebait, meat pies, fish and chips and other Kiwi food. We met friendly and interesting citizens New Zealand throughout
our travels.
Aukland was cosmopolitan offering extensive park, museum, aquarium and waterfront opportunities to visit. The drive to
the Bay of Islands in the north was through small towns, open countryside, and a Kauri tree forest. Some took day boat
cruises, some hiked and all visited the Maori cultural/historical center.
Rotorua, the thermal region in the center of the island provided hiking, mountain biking, “zorbing,” and a visit to a traditional
Maori “hangi” feast and celebration.
In Tongariro National Park 12 hiked the spectacular 13-mile Tongariro crossing over a dormant volcanic crater while the
others took hikes to waterfalls and scenic areas in the Park.
The volcano is Mount Tongariro 6,423 ft. Photo by Valerie.
Napier provided a pleasant visit to a seaside town
in wine country, and in the capital,Wellington, the
government center and Te Papa National Museum
held our interest. A ferry then took us across the
straight to the top of the south island. We spent a
wonderful day at the Abel Tasman National Park
either hiking the coastal trails or sea kayaking along
beautiful beaches.
Moving south we stopped at the Franz Joseph
Glacier and then to spend the night at Fox Glacier.
All hiked to the base of the glacier and some took a
hike on the glacier itself.
On the way to Queenstown Dudley and Kathy bungee
jumped from a circa 1900 bridge (the original
bungee jumping bridge) as the rest cheered them
on. The threedays in Queenstown were filled with
hiking, a visit to a sheep station across the lake,
mountain biking and enjoying the mountain scenery
in this “adrenaline capital of NZ”.
On to Fiordland where we stayed in the lovely little
town of Te Anau and took local hikes or day trips to
Milford Sound, a glow worm grotto and Doubtful
Sound.
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