Whistle-Stop New Zealand!

I’d been itching to get back there after visiting, far too briefly, in 2001 and I finally got a chance in September to go with a group of 12 other travel agents who soon became friends on the Air New Zealand economy flight to Auckland.

In 8 days we were to travel throughout the country with a different bed every night. Our destinations were the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Waitomo Caves and Rororua in North Island followed by Christchurch, Mount Cook, Te Anau and Christchurch in South Island.

It was an exhilarating and stimulating journey travelling by coach through a vast range of terrain. From islands dotted around an azure sea, through rolling green dairy country to harsh, unforgiving uplands of deer country and the permanently snow-capped mountains of the Southern Alps - all stunningly beautiful in their own way. The weather too was varied - we had everything from 23 C down to 1 C and our planned trip to Milford Sound had to be abandoned because the road was closed by snow!

There were so many highlights on this trip - sailing in a racing yacht on Auckland Harbour and being allowed to take the wheel; the view from the Observatory Restaurant at the top of the Sky Tower in Auckland whilst enjoying a delicious buffet meal; sailing around the Bay of Islands on the new overnight cruise-ship Ipiripi, a catamaran with only 30 cabins – all en-suite and with the most comfortable beds imaginable, with great food and lots of activities included plus very reasonable bar prices – highly recommended!

Before leaving the Bay of Islands a visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds gave us a fascinating insight into the history and culture of the Maori people. Then there were Waitomo Caves and the glow-worm grotto; Rotorua with its unique aroma and the constant reminder that the earth itself is a living organism. Here we continued to learn about Maori tradition, with a visit to Te Puia Thermal reserve where many young Maori learn their traditional arts and crafts and in the evening we attend a traditional Hangi feast and cultural performance – all highly enjoyable and far too brief!

Flying to Christchurch and South Island we visited the Antartic Centre and experienced a snow storm, a ride in the Hagglund all-terrain vehicle and enjoyed the many exhibits. Christchurch is lovely – it was spring and the many gardens and parks were starting to put on their finery, and we had a little free time here just to enjoy it.

The journey to Mount Cook via Lake Tekapo was fabulous, with the scenery becoming more stunning with every mile we covered. When we arrived the boat trip on Terminal Lake learning about the icebergs created by the Tasman glacier, the observatory and everything about our stay at Mount Cook make it a highlight for all. En route to Te Anau we visited the Gibston Valley winery and sampled their signature Pinot Noir and cheeses before checking out the original A.J.Hackett bungy jump at Kawarau Bridge and watching a few hardy souls take the plunge!

The following day we learned that our planned trip to Milford Sound couldn’t go ahead because the road was closed, so we returned to Queenstown and a hastily substituted, and very enjoyable, lake cruise on the steamship T.S.S. Earnslaw to Walter Peak Sheep Station. The day ended on a high (literally) with a trip in the Gondola up to the Skyline Restaurant to enjoy a fabulous meal surrounded by the most stupendous views of Queenstown and the surrounding mountains.

Our final morning found us taking a thrilling, hair-raising, exhilarating ride through the canyons of the Shotover River on a jetboat before changing and flying out of New Zealand to Los Angeles where we were to spend a night before returning to the UK.

What a great trip and what a fabulous country – everyone should go - but take a bit more time over it than we did!