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>Home >Travel Destinations >Library Articles >Destination: New Zealand |
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Destination: New Zealand |
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Consisting of two main islands (North and South) and several surrounding smaller islands, New Zealand is a perfect destination to be explored by ship. Sailing along the long, scenic coastline, the best of all worlds unfurls with an amazing mixture of natural wonders and charming maritime cities. The South Island is particularly graced with many attractions. Marlborough Sounds Maritime Park borders the Cook Strait which separates the North and South Islands. The park is an intricate pattern of coves and islands, ideal for Zodiac exploration. Large resident populations of seabirds and marine mammals are testament to the Department of Conservation's efforts to protect the area. Small settlements like Ship Cove, where Captain Cook landed several times in the 1770s, lends a historical aspect to the setting, while outstanding local cuisine and wine provide satiation after a long day of exploration. A short distance south along the east coast is the fishing town of Kaikoura, the jumping-off spot for one of the best wildlife experiences in New Zealand. From the beach, there is a gradual slope to the ocean floor, which suddenly plunges to a depth of over 2,000 feet. At the drop-off, converging currents create an upwelling of nutrients that attracts clouds of krill, which in turn bring large toothed sperm whales, as well as dolphins and fur seals, to the area to feed. Whale watching excursions provide excellent opportunities to view and photograph the playful antics of these marine creatures. Christchurch, the South Island's largest city and third largest city in New Zealand, is ripe with the remnants of its English history. Founded as an English settlement in 1850, Christchurch boasts its own River Avon, exquisite gardens and cricket clubs. Robert Falcon Scott used Christchurch as the departure point for his famous Antarctic explorations. Today the city celebrates its historic connection to the Great White Continent with its International Antarctic Centre and the Hall of Antarctic Discovery at the Canterbury Museum. The city also still serves as a supply link to Antarctic missions. The Scottish settlement of Dunedin is a charming town of Victorian and Edwardian architecture. The city proclaims itself the "Wildlife Capital of New Zealand," and for good reason. From Dunedin, it is a short excursion up the Otago Peninsula to visit the only mainland colony of albatross in the world. One of the world's largest seabirds, the majestic royal albatross breeds here amidst sooty shearwaters, oystercatchers, and several species of gulls and shags. The little blue penguin, the smallest penguin in the world, also can be seen sharing the shores of the peninsula with grunting fur seals. On the southwest tip of the island is the Fiordland National Park, where breathtaking glacier-carved lakes, sheer cliffs, and crashing waterfalls frame the colorfully named Milford, Dusky and Doubtful sounds. The park is virtually an uninhabited wilderness; the perfect setting to experience the serene quiet of the sea, land and sky. Perhaps the highlight of any trip to New Zealand, and the advantage of ship travel to the region, is the opportunity to visit the sub-Antarctic islands of Campbell, Auckland and Snares. The New Zealand Department of Conservation only allows 500 visitor permits a year to the Auckland and Campbell i |
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Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions — Your Adventure Travel Experts Call us toll-free at 1-800-628-8747 / 206-285-4000, e-mail us at zoe@zeco.com, or see your professional travel agent. Zeco Travel Talk — A Community Blog for Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions Travelers Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions — Giving You The World |