IN THIS EDITION…

• Ready for 2007-08 season – guides, updates and donations.
• Eco-Tourism Conference – featuring our own Mark Brabyn.
• Guide Profile – Chris Steele.
• Choose your own West Coast adventure!
• Share your story - Merino give-away.
  

Ready for the Season

Some old favourites return to Hiking New Zealand this season, and we’re really happy to have Mark O, Glenys, André, Regan and Dan guiding our hiking safaris again this season, with Jaron and Chris joining the team.

Tree-planting is going well. Thanks to all those travellers who have contributed so far! We look forward to more fun planting days.

Hiking New Zealand has reached a MASSIVE total of $60,000 donated to the New Zealand Wildlife Research Fund, contributing to the success of Hectors Dolphins!

Glenys our multi-tasking guide/client service/wonder woman has been taking International Students on weekend trips. They have proven popular, and are a great opportunity for students to see New Zealand and experience some of the thrilling activities on offer. The trips have visited Queenstown, Akaroa and Hanmer Springs.

Hiking New Zealand recently donated native plants to the Heathcote Valley Community Association. We’re happy to be able to contribute to making our Port Hills even more beautiful.

Enjoy the season – wherever it takes you!
Leah and the Hiking New Zealand Team

New Zealand Eco-Tourism Conference

In August, Hiking New Zealand Director, Mark was invited to speak at the New Zealand Eco-Tourism conference held in Greymouth in the South Island.

Mark spoke about Hiking New Zealand’s success over the years as a committed Eco-Tourism operator. With obvious concerns about the state of our environment, pressure has turned to tourism businesses to keep up New Zealand’s ‘clean, green’ image and continue to provide visitors with an environmentally friendly way to see the country.

Since the conference, Mark’s talk has been a popular topic in tourism circles. He featured in Tourism Business magazine, where an article focused on Mark’s desire to network with other tourism businesses for staff, operations and sustainability.

Mark also made mention of the benefits of company’s administration and marketing joining forces. This would allow those with exceptional business skills develop the business/administration side of the business. On the other hand, it allows the founders and Directors the freedom to continue developing their passion that prompted them to start the business in the first place – the wonderful outdoors! Sounds like Mark’s planning some time out of the office!

You can see a review of Mark’s speech at www.tourismbusinessmag.co.nz

Our guides come from a diverse range of backgrounds and our latest recruit, Chris, is no exception. After a 20-year career as a vet that included running his own practice and co-founding a chain of pet stores, Chris decided that enough was enough and it was time for a change. Surgical instruments were swapped for tramping boots and a pack and Chris was last seen leading a group of our valued clients across the tussocky slopes of Mt. Somers on our Secret South Safari!

An avid hiker and mountain biker, Chris is relishing the opportunity of showing off some of his favourite parts of the South Island to our visitors. Chris also fancies himself as a gourmet chef who likes to push the boundaries of conventional back-country cuisine! There were even reports of Chris with a head torch on hovering over a petrol stove at 5:45am cooking up a stack of 40 pancakes while his group lay snuggled up in their sleeping bags in a hut in Fiordland. Stuffed salmon also appeared on the menu on the same trip!

He may be a good cook but client feedback tells us he needs to work on his hiking attire. Don’t worry, it has been noted and a new pair of shorts will be on his Christmas gift list!

West Coast Wilderness gets a makeover!

In our last newsletter, we launched a four-day hike option from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass to cater for the many visitors who are looking for a short hike. In addition to the Arthur’s Pass Hike, we are excited to present two new options for visitors to the West Coast of the South Island.

Our West Coast Wilderness has been a popular safari for years but we know that sometimes time doesn’t allow for a full traverse of the Coast. Don’t worry if you are an avid fan of the 10-day West Coast Wilderness – we’re still running that, and it’s still the same! Now you can choose how long you spend, and what area you want to cover. Choose from 4, 6.5 or 10 days!

Coast and Canyons
4 days
Departs Nelson

Day 1: Start a 2-day hike through beech forest on a pack track down the Flora Stream then up to the tussock-covered tablelands of Kahurangi National Park. Stay overnight in an old goldminers natural rock shelter.

Day 2: Wake up early to explore sinkholes in the landscape. Hike up over Gordon’s Pyramid (1501m), across crystalline marble karst to the shoulder of Mt. Arthur. Return to vehicle, and drive to a character cottage overlooking Buller River and enjoy a home-cooked organic meal.

Day 3: Visit a breeding colony of NZ fur seals then head south to Paparoa National Park and begin 2-day hike up ‘Rivendell’ canyon. Hike up the spectacular Fox River with surrounding limestone cliffs and caves. Camp under the massive Ballroom Overhang.

Day 4: Hike up a side canyon with a refreshing swim to see glow-worms. Explore caves and limestone canyon. Hike through pristine rainforest along the historic Inland Pack Track. View the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki before the tour ends in Greymouth.

If you choose our 10-day West Coast Wilderness, the tour continues and we pick up World Heritage Wanderer participants at 3pm on Day 4.

World Heritage Wanderer
6½ days
Departs Greymouth

Day 1: Join group at 3:00pm, follow the coast, and stop at Hokitika for a short break. Originally known as the ‘Capital of the Goldfields’, Hokitika was a thriving and prosperous port. Drive to Kakapotahi River for the night.

Day 2: Drive south to the awesome Franz Josef Glacier. Take an optional guided walk on the glacier with seracs, crevasses and ice caves. Drive to the coastal settlement of Okarito.

Day 3: With kayaks catch the in-going tide into the lagoon to see birdlife. Explore channels into kahikatea forest. Wander along remote beach, hike up to a viewpoint, or just relax. Hangi feast and beach bonfire.

Day 4: Begin hike up Copland Valley through podocarp forest to Welcome Flat. Relax weary muscles with a soak in natural hotpools with magnificent views of 3000m-peaks within Westland National Park.

Day 5: A rest day, or chance to explore the alpine valley. Boulder hop up to waterfalls for a refreshing shower and great views of Aoraki/Mt Cook.

Day 6: Hike back down the Copland Valley stopping for a swim (optional) and lunch by a glacial-fed river. Drive south to Moeraki. Feed on fresh salmon baked on a campfire.

Day 7: Stop at Ship Creek and look out for Hector’s dolphins. Drive over Haast Pass to Lake Hawea for lunch, swims, and the end of the safari in Queenstown.

Optional extras: Okarito kayaking and glacier hike.

For more details on all of our West Coast options, visit our website HikingNewZealand.com

If you have been on an adventure through Hiking New Zealand and would like to have your experience published in an upcoming newsletter please let us know. Send your story to:

Info@HikingNewZealand.com

We will be giving away a free merino top with every experience published in our Hiking New Zealand Newsletter.

Your story is valued – it’s a great way to inform other travellers about adventures in Aotearoa.

Don't forget about our Client Feedback form

Let us know your thoughts on tours you've taken with Hiking New Zealand.

http://www.HikingNewZealand.com/client-feedback.php