We found a cruise that was just what we were looking for—a nine-night trip beginning in Auckland and spanning the North and South Islands with stops in Tauranga (Rotorua), Napier, Dunedin, Akaroa, Christchurch and Wellington. Another two days would consist of scenic cruising of the Cook Straits and Fjords (Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound) and around the White Island Volcano.
Starting with a sightseeing tour of Queen Street, a bustling street lined with trendy cafes and shopping areas. On the waterfront, we caught the ferry and joined the Explorer Tour in Devonport for a one-hour scenic tour of this historic village. Named after the Devonport Naval Base in England, it is one of Auckland's oldest villages (dating back to the mid-1800s). The Royal New Zealand Navy operates a base in Devonport, which is a historic site in itself worth exploring. Other sites included the beautiful restored kauri homes built during the 19th century and the infamous New Zealand Christmas trees. The highlight was the spectacular panoramic views from the summits of two inactive volcanoes on Mt. Victoria. The village of Devonport is renowned for its eclectic mix of restaurants and cafés, as well as its antiques shops and art and craft boutiques.
Auckland, the "City of Sails" is always alive with water traffic. Centrally located on the waterfront is the Auckland Maritime Museum, home to an amazing collection of models, boats, displays, and life-sized exhibits. Once we completed the indoor tour, we stepped out onto the museum's marina. At the Viaduct Basin, we were offered the unique opportunity to experience the thrill of sailing and racing the powerful America's Cup yachts. We were given the choice of both becoming the crew and taking control of the helm, or simply sitting back and enjoying the trip down the beautiful Auckland harbor. We chose to enjoy the latter.
The Dunedin Fashion Week hits the town from March 7 - 11, The 2006 Show, celebrating its seventh anniversary with a return to the classic and popular venue of the historic Dunedin Railway Station where designers, stylists, fashion media, models, make-up and hair artists take over the city. The Vodafone id Dunedin Fashion Week is pure fashion heaven where the public can see international catwalk shows with emerging designers showcasing their collections.
Further information: Julie Howard Email julie@parka.co.nz
Top entertainment to match wildfoods
For something different, the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival on 11 March 2006 celebrates the West Coast's unique lifestyle, food and hospitality. The event offers gourmet 'bush tucker' such as worms, seagull eggs, mako shark, emu meat, whitebait, ostrich meat, octopus, eel and mutton bird. A top entertainment line up will help wildfood gourmets work off steamed fish eyes, duck tongues and other wildfoods at this year's Hokitika Wildfoods Festival. Around 18,000 people are expected to descend on the small West Coast town to sample wildfood and beverages from 72 stalls. The entertainment at the festival has grown to a wide-ranging mix of music from country to rock to sophisticated jazz.
Further information: Contact: Mike Keenan Email: mike.keenan@westlanddc.govt
Making our way back to Queen Street, we continued on to the Sky Tower—the tallest building in the southern hemisphere with 360-degree views. The Sky Tower houses a viewing platform, a sky jump, a casino, and many restaurants. Two days later, we boarded the Cruise Line's MV Discovery ship.
The Bay of Plenty
Our first shipboard sighting was Tauranga, the Bay of Plenty—the first region in New Zealand where the Maori made their home. The man responsible for naming the Bay of Plenty was Captain James Cook during his circumnavigation of New Zealand in 1769. On an all-day tour, we explored Rotorua. Highlights included the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, a thermal reserve, a sheep farm and a Maori feast (Hangi) and cultural concert.
We began by taking a tour of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, New Zealand's largest natural geyser. We experienced the Maori cultures firsthand by visiting a recreation of a Maori village. For the local Maori, the Whakarewarewa Valley is more than a natural wonder. According to tribal history, this was the place where the goddesses of fire, Te Pupu and Te Hoa, emerged from the earth's core. Legend has it that as they inhaled and exhaled all the geysers, hot springs and mud pools were created. Seven geysers at the thermal reserve are active, including the famous Pohuta Geyser, erupting about once or twice an hour, and reaching heights of up to 90 feet. We walked at our own pace, absorbed in the geysers, bubbling mud and steaming ground, and a boiling spring of crystal clear water.
Another interesting side trip is the Agrodome Sheep Show that displayed nineteen breeds of sheep, and included an auction with audience participation, a demonstration by Huntaway dogs, sheep shearing and an opportunity to hand milk a cows. Each volunteer was given a Certificate of Udderance, certifying he or she had milked a cow at the world famous Agrodome!