New Zealand And New Caledonia: The Power Of Nature

• Day 1 Lyttelton

  Your initial impression of Christchurch will likely be one of a genteel, green city. Joggers loop through shady Hagley Park, and punters ply the narrow Avon River, which bubbles between banks lined with willows and oaks. With a population approaching 350,000, Christchurch is the largest South Island city, and the second-largest in the country. It is also the forward supply depot for the main U.S. Antarctic base at McMurdo Sound. The face of Christchurch is changing rapidly, fueled by both internal and international immigration. The Māori community, although still below the national average in size, is growing. Ngai Tahu, the main South Island Māori tribe, settled Treaty of Waitangi claims in 1997 and have been investing in tourism ventures. Old wooden bungalows are making way for town houses, the arts scene is flourishing, and the city's university attracts cutting-edge technology companies. In short, there's plenty of fresh energy percolating underneath the English veneer.

• Day 3 Fiordland National Park
  Stunning expedition experiences await in the Fiordland National Park on New Zealand’s South Island. Here your small, manoeuvrable ship will cruise through one of the most impressive nature reserves in the world. Thundering waterfalls flow into the fjords and imposing peaks are reflected in the deep-blue bays. Your ship will spend plenty of time in Milford Sound in particular. Its steep slopes covered with rainforest tower more than 1,100 m (3,609 ft) above the water. The mist hanging between the mountain peaks envelops the scene in a mystical atmosphere. The British author Rudyard Kipling aptly described Milford Sound as the “eighth wonder of the world” – how will you describe it?
• Day 4 Oban, Stewart Island
  Stewart Island, 30 km (18.6 miles) south of the South Island, is New Zealand’s third largest island. A natural canvas featuring dense forests, countless bays and mountains, such as Mount Anglem, at a height of around 980 m (3,215 ft). There are signs that the Maori settled here in the 13th century, long before the first European, James Cook, discovered the island in 1770. Your experts on board will tell you about Cook’s search for the south continent and how he found a passage between the North and South Islands. These days, life on this tranquil island is mostly concentrated on the small town of Oban on Halfmoon Bay, which has around 600 inhabitants. Little touched by tourism, the island is ideal for hikes with your experts to enjoy the wonderful nature.

  Stewart Island is home to New Zealand's newest national park, Rakiura National Park. The third and most southerly of New Zealand's main islands, Stewart Island is separated from the South Island by the 24-km (15-miles) Foveaux Strait. Its original Māori name, Te Punga O Te Waka a Maui, means "the anchor stone of Maui's canoe." Māori mythology says the island's landmass held the god Maui's canoe secure while he and his crew raised the great fish-the North Island. Today the island is more commonly referred to by its other Māori name, Rakiura, which means "the land of the glowing skies." This refers to the spectacular sunrises and sunsets and to the southern lights, or aurora australis. The European name of Stewart Island dates back to 1809. It memorializes an officer William W. Stewart on an early sealing vessel, the Pegasus, who was the first to chart the island. The island covers some 1,700 square km (650 square miles). It measures about 75 km (46 miles) from north to south and about the same distance across at its widest point. On the coastline, sharp cliffs rise from a succession of sheltered bays and beaches. In the interior, forested hills rise gradually toward the west side of the island. Seals and penguins frequent the coast, and the island's prolific birdlife includes a number of species rarely seen in any other part of the country. In fact, this is the surest place to see a kiwi. The Stewart Island brown kiwi, or tokoeka, is the largest species of this kind of bird. Unlike their mainland cousins, these kiwis can be seen during the day as well as at night. It's a rare and amusing experience to watch these pear-shape birds scampering on a remote beach as they feed on sand hoppers and grubs. Māori have visited Stewart Island for centuries. Archaeologists' studies of 13th-century Māori middens (refuse heaps) indicate that the island was once a rich, seasonal resource for hunting, fishing, and gathering seafood. A commonly eaten delicacy at that time, the titi, also known as the muttonbird, still occasionally appears on menus. In the early 19th century, explorers, sealers, missionaries, and miners settled the island. They were followed by fishermen and sawmillers who established settlements around the edges of Paterson Inlet and Halfmoon and Horseshoe bays. In the 1920s Norwegians set up a whaling enterprise, and many descendants of these seafaring people remain. Fishing, aquaculture, and tourism are now the mainstays of the island's economy. Even by New Zealand standards, Stewart Island is remote, raw, and untouched. The appeal is its seclusion, its relaxed way of life, and its untouched quality. Stewart Island is not for everyone: if you must have shopping malls, casinos, or umbrella drinks on the beach, don't come here. Visitors should be prepared for the fact that Stewart Island can be chilly, windy, and rainy, even in the middle of summer.

• Day 5 Dunedin
  Dunedin is the second-largest city on New Zealand’s South Island. Its name comes from the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh and means “City on the hill”. Discover the harmonious blend of European colonial past and South Seas culture when you go in search of clues with your experts. The first Polynesians, who had their own culture and called themselves Maori, settled here around AD 1100, making Dunedin one of their cultural birthplaces. As you approach the city from the water, you might spot some of the surrounding seal and penguin colonies, including the rare yellow-eyed penguin, as well as royal albatrosses.

  Clinging to the walls of the natural amphitheater at the west end of Otago Harbour, the South Island's second-largest city is enriched with inspiring nearby seascapes and wildlife. Because Dunedin is a university town, floods of students give the city a vitality far greater than its population of 122,000 might suggest. Its manageable size makes it easy to explore on foot-with the possible exception of Baldwin Street, the world's steepest residential street and home to the annual "gutbuster" race, in which people run up it, and the "Jaffa" race, in which people roll the namesake spherical chocolate candy down it.Dunedin, the Gaelic name for Edinburgh, was founded in 1848 by settlers of the Free Church of Scotland, a breakaway group from the Presbyterian Church. The city's Scottish roots are still visible; you'll find New Zealand's first and only (legal) whisky distillery, a statue of Scottish poet Robert Burns, and more kilts, sporrans, and gillies than you can shake a stick at! The Scottish settlers and local Māori came together in relative peace, but this wasn't true of the European whalers who were here three decades before, as places with names such as Murdering Beach illustrate.Dunedin has always had a reputation for the eccentric. Wearing no shoes and a big beard here marks a man as bohemian rather than destitute, and the residents wouldn't have it any other way. The University of Otago was the country's first university and has been drawing writers ever since its founding in 1871, most notably Janet Frame and the poet James K. Baxter. Dunedin also has a musical heritage, which blossomed into the "Dunedin Sound" of the 1970s and '80s.

• Day 6 Akaroa
  The small town of Akaroa is known for its beautiful bays, teeming sea life and green hills. The sea here is home to the Hector’s dolphin – the smallest and rarest sea dolphin in the world can only be found in the coastal waters of New Zealand. Akaroa welcomes you ashore with a warm “Bonjour”. The only French settlement in New Zealand and one of the first European settlements in the country, the town is enchanting with its beautiful harbour and colonial architecture. As you explore, you will find hints of the town’s origins and history everywhere you look: pretty streets with French names are lined by historical houses decorated with roses.
• Day 7 Wellington
  Welcome to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington, on the tip of the North Island and framed by green hills. Immerse yourself in the lives of the relaxed New Zealanders. The country’s artistic hub is the centre of the local film industry. One of the city’s landmarks is definitely cinematic: the historic Wellington Cable Car. Whether you take a ride on the red cable car or visit the Botanic Garden, make the most of your independent time here. Your experts will be happy to accompany you with some interesting background knowledge, such as about the architecture of the Old Government Buildings and the Old St Paul’s Cathedral, one of the biggest cultural monuments in New Zealand and an exquisite example of neo-Gothic architecture. Sweeten up your stay here with culinary specialities, including the famous New Zealand pavlova.

  New Zealand's capital is, arguably, the country's most cosmopolitan metropolis. It's world-class Te Papa Tongarewa-Museum of New Zealand is a don't-miss attraction, and the burgeoning film industry led, of course, by the Lord of the Rings extravaganzas has injected new life into the local arts scene. Attractive and compact enough to be explored easily on foot, Wellington is a booming destination. Modern high-rise buildings gaze over Port Nicholson, surely one of the finest natural anchorages in the world. Known to local Māori as The Great Harbor of Tara, its two massive arms form the jaws of the fish of Maui from Māori legend. Sometimes referred to as the windy city, Wellington has been the seat of New Zealand's government since 1865.

• Day 8 Picton
  The picturesque coastal town of Picton shows how relaxed the lifestyle in New Zealand is. Nestled between dramatic hills and the deep blue sea of the Marlborough Sounds, the town is the gateway to New Zealand’s wild south. Picton itself exudes serenity, with its cosy wine bars serving the world-famous Marlborough wine. A highlight for explorers is the Edwin Fox, a sailing ship built in 1853, which tells the tale of adventures in times gone by. The main attraction, however, is the wonderful nature in the surrounding area. The Marlborough Sounds are an extensive network of waterways and peninsulas. Though usually described as similar to fjords, the Sounds were not shaped by glaciers. They were formed when land movements gradually lowered the ground in the entire area, allowing water to penetrate into the low-lying valleys. Today, only the higher ground penetrates out of the sea.Your small expedition ship will really be in its element when cruising in the Queen Charlotte Sound, a fjord landscape of unrivalled beauty. The labyrinth of water with peninsulas and turquoise bays is the home of dolphins and penguins. Captivating presentations and talks with your experts on board will shine a special light on this natural wonder. On the deck tour at the bow, you will have a front-row view to marvel at the scenery. Slowly glide past the many densely forested islands with their peaceful bays and deserted beaches. Cruising through the Queen Charlotte Sound is an unforgettable experience.

  The maritime township of Picton (population 4,000) lies at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound and is the arrival point for ferries from the North Island, as well as a growing number of international cruise ships. It plays a major role in providing services and transport by water taxi to a multitude of remote communities in the vast area of islands, peninsulas, and waterways that make up the Marlborough Sounds Maritime Park. There's plenty to do in town, with crafts markets in summer, historical sights to see, and walking tracks to scenic lookouts over the sounds. The main foreshore is lined by London Quay, which looks up Queen Charlotte Sound to the bays beyond. High Street runs down to London Quay from the hills, and between them these two streets make up the center of town.

• Day 10 Mount Maunganui
  New Zealand was formed and continues to be reshaped by the forces of nature. There are numerous reminders of this along your route – including some idyllic ones like the small beach resort, Mount Maunganui. Referred to by the locals as The Mount, the peninsula is a massive sand bank. The conditions are ideal for surfing here and you will have plenty of time to relax on the white sandy beach, in one of the little cafes or on a hike. There are various routes up to the summit of the 230 m (755 ft) hill called Mauao, with impressive views over the harbour and beach, bay and skyline. Mount Maunganui combines wild nature and breathtaking panoramic views – the perfect place to discover and enjoy New Zealand’s coastal scenery.
• Day 11 Auckland
  Auckland, a city on the water. The approach on board your ship through the calm turquoise waters of the Hauraki Gulf and the outlying islands is a pleasure in itself. You will see why the metropolis is dubbed the “City of Sails” when you spot the high density of sailing boats and yachts: on windy days, countless sails can be seen on the bay. Enjoy the city’s maritime charm on an independent visit. Time and again, you will discover stunning contrasts on your explorations, with encounters between modern skyscrapers and ancient Maori culture. Immerse yourself in lively city neighbourhoods or find peace and quiet in the calm bays and nature parks. Auckland is waiting to be explored!

  Auckland is called the City of Sails, and visitors flying in will see why. On the East Coast is the Waitemata Harbour-a Māori word meaning sparkling waters-which is bordered by the Hauraki Gulf, an aquatic playground peppered with small islands where many Aucklanders can be found "mucking around in boats."Not surprisingly, Auckland has some 70,000 boats. About one in four households in Auckland has a seacraft of some kind, and there are 102 beaches within an hour's drive; during the week many are quite empty. Even the airport is by the water; it borders the Manukau Harbour, which also takes its name from the Māori language and means solitary bird.According to Māori tradition, the Auckland isthmus was originally peopled by a race of giants and fairy folk. When Europeans arrived in the early 19th century, however, the Ngāti-Whātua tribe was firmly in control of the region. The British began negotiations with the Ngāti-Whātua in 1840 to purchase the isthmus and establish the colony's first capital. In September of that year the British flag was hoisted to mark the township's foundation, and Auckland remained the capital until 1865, when the seat of government was moved to Wellington. Aucklanders expected to suffer from the shift; it hurt their pride but not their pockets. As the terminal for the South Sea shipping routes, Auckland was already an established commercial center. Since then the urban sprawl has made this city of approximately 1.3 million people one of the world's largest geographically.A couple of days in the city will reveal just how developed and sophisticated Auckland is-the Mercer City Survey 2012 saw it ranked as the third-highest city for quality of life-though those seeking a New York in the South Pacific will be disappointed. Auckland is more get-up and go-outside than get-dressed-up and go-out. That said, most shops are open daily, central bars and a few nightclubs buzz well into the wee hours, especially Thursday through Saturday, and a mix of Māori, Pacific people, Asians, and Europeans contributes to the cultural milieu. Auckland has the world's largest single population of Pacific Islanders living outside their home countries, though many of them live outside the central parts of the city and in Manukau to the south. The Samoan language is the second most spoken in New Zealand. Most Pacific people came to New Zealand seeking a better life. When the plentiful, low-skilled work that attracted them dried up, the dream soured, and the population has suffered with poor health and education. Luckily, policies are now addressing that, and change is slowly coming. The Pacifica Festival in March is the region's biggest cultural event, attracting thousands to Western Springs. The annual Pacific Island Secondary Schools’ Competition, also in March, sees young Pacific Islander and Asian students compete in traditional dance, drumming, and singing. This event is open to the public.At the geographical center of Auckland city is the 1,082-foot Sky Tower, a convenient landmark for those exploring on foot and some say a visible sign of the city's naked aspiration. It has earned nicknames like the Needle and the Big Penis-a counterpoint to a poem by acclaimed New Zealand poet James K. Baxter, which refers to Rangitoto Island as a clitoris in the harbor.The Waitemata Harbour has become better known since New Zealand staged its first defense of the America's Cup in 2000 and the successful Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in early 2009. The first regatta saw major redevelopment of the waterfront. The area, where many of the city's most popular bars, cafés, and restaurants are located, is now known as Viaduct Basin or, more commonly, the Viaduct. A recent expansion has created another area, Wynyard Quarter, which is slowly adding restaurants.These days, Auckland is still considered too bold and brash for its own good by many Kiwis who live "south of the Bombay Hills," the geographical divide between Auckland and the rest of New Zealand (barring Northland). "Jafa," an acronym for "just another f-ing Aucklander," has entered the local lexicon; there's even a book out called Way of the Jafa: A Guide to Surviving Auckland and Aucklanders. A common complaint is that Auckland absorbs the wealth from the hard work of the rest of the country. Most Aucklanders, on the other hand, still try to shrug and see it as the parochial envy of those who live in small towns. But these internal identity squabbles aren't your problem. You can enjoy a well-made coffee in almost any café, or take a walk on a beach-knowing that within 30 minutes' driving time you could be cruising the spectacular harbor, playing a round at a public golf course, or even walking in subtropical forest while listening to the song of a native tûî bird.

• Day 12 Bay of Islands
  In the far north of New Zealand, the dramatic scenery creates an idyllic natural canvas. With more than 140 subtropical islands in its turquoise waters, the Bay of Islands is a fascinating blend of wild nature and historical depth. Find a wealth of picture-book scenes here, with cormorants in the mangrove forests, thundering waterfalls and the famous Hole in the Rock off Cape Brett. Sites steeped in history tell the story of encounters between the Maori and European explorers: the historic coastal town of Russell was one of the first European settlements. Waitangi is famous as the scene of the signing of the Waitangi Treaty in 1840 between representatives of the British Crown and Maori chiefs. The treaty formed the basis for the founding of modern-day New Zealand.

  The Tasman Sea on the west and the Pacific Ocean on the east meet at thetop of North Island at Cape Reinga. No matter what route you take, you'll passfarms and forests, marvellous beaches, and great open spaces. The East Coast,up to the Bay of Islands, is Northland's most densely populated, often withrefugees from bigger cities-looking for a more relaxed life-clustered aroundbreathtaking beaches. The first decision on the drive north comes at the footof the Brynderwyn Hills. Turning left will take you up the West Coast throughareas once covered with forests and now used for either agricultural orhorticulture. Driving over "the Brynderwyns," as they are known,takes you to Whangarei, the only city in Northland. If you're in the mood for adiversion, you can slip to the beautiful coastline and take in Waipu Cove, anarea settled by Scots, and Laings Beach, where million-dollar homes sit next tosmall Kiwi beach houses.An hour's drive farther north is the Bay of Islands, known all over theworld for its beauty. There you will find lush forests, splendid beaches, andshimmering harbors. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed here in 1840 betweenMāoriand the British Crown, establishing the basis for the modern New Zealandstate. Every year on February 6, the extremely beautiful Waitangi Treaty Ground(the name means weeping waters) is the sight of a celebration of the treaty andprotests by Māori unhappy with it. Continuing north on the East Coast, theagricultural backbone of the region is even more evident and a series ofwinding loop roads off the main highway will take you to beaches that are bothbeautiful and isolated where you can swim, dive, picnic, or just laze. .The West Coast is even less populated, and the coastline is rugged andwindswept. In the Waipoua Forest, you will find some of New Zealand's oldestand largest kauri trees; the winding road will also take you past mangroveswamps. Crowning the region is the spiritually significant Cape Reinga, theheadland at the top of the vast stretch of 90 Mile Beach, where it's believedMāori souls depart after death. Today Māori make up roughly a quarter of thearea's population (compared with the national average of about 15%). The legendaryMāori navigator Kupe was said to have landed on the shores of Hokianga Harbour,where the first arrivals made their home. Many different wi (tribes) livedthroughout Northland, including Ngapuhi (the largest), Te Roroa, Ngati Wai,Ngati Kuri, Te Aupouri, Ngaitakoto, Ngati Kahu, and Te Rarawa. Many Māoriherecan trace their ancestry to the earliest inhabitants

• Day 14 Cascade, Norfolk Island
  Become one of the few people to have travelled to Norfolk Island on a small expedition ship. If the weather allows a landing on the remote island, you will experience a slice of paradise off the coast of Australia. The legendary pioneer James Cook was the first European to discover the island, which later became a British penal colony. The history of settlers and convicts is still reflected in the historic ruins today. The only thing to hold you captive on the island these days is its stunning nature – with hibiscus, Kentia palms and Norfolk pines. The island’s picturesque bays, green meadows and steep cliffs are also impressive.
• Day 16 Lifou Island
  New Caledonia is the perfect destination for bringing dreams of Pacific discovery to life. Your expedition ship will linger extensively in this little paradise. Even those already familiar with the South Seas will be surprised by the unspoilt beauty of the islands.You will land with the Zodiacs on Lifou, which is only seldom visited by tourists. Like the other Loyalty Islands, Lifou is an uplifted island or Makatea. Vanilla is grown here, as well as taro, yams and sweet potatoes. Alongside coconut plantations, you can still find extensive forests and many grottos and caves in the limestone.You will feel like you are in a French kind of paradise on the other side of the world on Ile des Pins. White sandy beaches invite you to enjoy its peaceful idyll or snorkel in the crystal-clear lagoon. Which species of fish and coral will you see? On land, the vegetation is dominated by tall and slim araucaria trees. Captain James Cook was impressed by these back in 1774, when he visited the island in search of tree trunks for ship masts. He mistakenly called them pines and named the island after them. Thanks to your experts on board, you will be smarter than him – as well as enriched by the natural beauty of the idyllic scenery.

  Lifou is a commune of France in the Loyalty Islands of New Caledonia. Lifou is made up of two main islands - Lifou Island and Tiga Island- in additional to a number of uninhabited islets. Lifou Isand is the largest atoll in the world. The island is actually made of fossilized coral - known as a makatea. Lifou island does not have any surface water and it relies on a freshwater reservoir accessed by caves. Lifou Island is best known for its vast atoll (the largest in the world). This ring-shaped coral reef affords some of the best snorkelling in the world. Popular activities on this island include scenic walks, relaxing days on the beach, swimming and snorkelling. There are no organized tours being offered during this call to Lifou Island, guests may explore on their own.

• Day 18 Nouméa

  With its elegant urban infrastructure in a stunning natural setting, Noumea is a truly unique island and part of the New Caledonia archipelago. Noumea started as a penal colony, but has since evolved to a lovely metropolis and today has almost two thirds of New Caledonia’s population. While much of the archipelago of New Caledonia has a large percentage of Kanak people – the indigenous inhabitants who live in tribal areas across the country – Noumea is predominantly European with a strong French influence. The city’s center and Place de Cocotiers, the main park, are located close to the harbor and several churches date back to the late 19th century. Other attractions include a world-class aquarium at Anse Vata, several long beaches to the south, and a noteworthy collection of Kanak and South Pacific objects at the Museum of New Caledonia. The architectural gem of the city is the Tjibaou Cultural Center, the structure of which resembles sails, or the roofs of Kanak houses hidden behind mangroves.

New Zealand And New Caledonia: The Power Of Nature In A New Dimension Itinerary