New Zealand North and South Island

Leave home today for Auckland, New Zealand, flying across the Pacific. Two days are lost in route as you cross the International Date Line.

Flights need to be booked multi-city for all participants: Home to AKL (Auckland), North Island and (Christchurch) CHC, South Island to Home. (Meals on plane)

*Note: If you would like to depart earlier to rest and get over jet lag in Auckland, Strabo Tours can make these arrangements, please contact us for details.

You will arrive in Auckland and have the day to adjust and explore on your own. Check in time is typically 3PM. OVERNIGHT AUCKLAND. (D=Dinner)

This morning meet your local guide after breakfast, as the group will depart for the ferry to Tiri Tiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf. This island is home to superb coastal Pohutukawa (Meterosideros) forest and endangered bird species such as saddleback, takahe, brown teal, red crowned parakeet, and stitchbird. The opportunities for photography are tremendous.  The island is also an excellent example of just what can be achieved by conservation volunteers involved in a major re-vegetation project.  There is even a slight chance of an endangered Tuatara today, while the largest of the NZ weta, wetapunga occur in the forest. Mid-afternoon return to Auckland.  (B=breakfast, L=lunch)

Included this morning is your flight to the South Island, landing at Christchurch. You’ll cross the Canterbury Plains and photograph amidst the Castle Hill limestone Rocks Reserve. Arrive to your lodge in time to do afternoon sunset photography on the mountains in the Arthur’s Pass region.

You’ll have another two days set amidst the spectacular upper Waimakrariri valley and surrounded by forest and mountains. This lodge is the perfect setting for your time in Aotearoa New Zealand. There will be time to discover the scenic grandeur of this mountainous region, the high-country sheep station, the reflections on Lake Pearson, and the forests of Arthur’s Pass National Park. Relax in this beautiful location with plenty to photograph amidst the foothills of the Southern Alps. OVERNIGHT ARTHUR’S PASS (B,D; B,L,D; B,D)

Travel south down the tumultuous moody West Coast through lush primeval rain forest. There is an option for a helicopter flight onto the Fox or Franz Josef Glaciers before continuing south to Lake Moeraki. Stay amidst the spectacular primeval rainforests.

There is potential for early morning photography on Lake Moeraki. Walk down to nearby Munroe’s beach and who knows there may even be a rare Fiordland Crested Penguin to view. The track winds down through stunning lush West Coast rain forest, and Kokopu live in the stream. Alternatively you can opt to take a special guided walk to a remote beach to watch returning Fiordland penguins come ashore. Early morning and evening strolls from the lodge for nocturnal life such as glow-worms and Ruru, and to view eels living in the Moeraki River. OVERNIGHT LAKE MOERAKI (B,D; B,L,D)

Following breakfast and opportunities for dawn photography over Lake Moeraki we travel over Haast Pass through the Central Otago lakes region. A long travel day as the road winds past Lake Wakatipu then Lake Te Anau to the south coast. You’ll arrive in Invercargill where the group will take a ferry across Fouveaux Strait to Stewart Island. There will be late afternoon/evening exploration of the forest and coastal tracks in the vicinity of the village. This evening there is an excursion to seek out the Stewart Island Brown Kiwi feeding in the wild.

Removed from reality on this idyllic hideaway we discover the grand diversity on this isle, the least modified of the three main islands of New Zealand. This afternoon take a short boat trip across Paterson Inlet to near-pristine Ulva Island. There are carpets of bryophytes and liverworts. Above are flightless Weka birds, and threatened Robins, Saddlebacks, Yellowheads, Kaka parrots and smaller red crowned parakeets. Opportunities abound for forest and coastal bird photography. OVERNIGHT OBAN (B,D; B,L)

Ferry back to the mainland this morning and travel through to the Fiordland World heritage Area. Make your way toward Milford Sound with photography locations along the way.

At times stunning, at others awesome, and in places even tranquil, Fiordland encompasses New Zealand’s largest national park. There will be an optional sunrise shoot on Lake Manapouri, then breakfast and depart for a drive to Milford Sound, stopping along the way for photo opportunities. Afternoon cruise on Milford Sound.

You’ll have another day in this stunning location of Fiordland, New Zealand’s largest national park. This will allow for time to explore on your own or with Kathy and be able to work on images during photography discussions. Recent glacially gouged valleys and lakes nestled between range upon range of mountains characterize the landscape. OVERNIGHT MILFORD SOUND (B,D; B,D; B)

You’ll retrace steps back to Te Anau then turn inland for Central Otago, enjoying your last day in New Zealand for those only on the main portion of the tour. Passing Lake Dunstan you’ll cross over the Lindis Pass. Continue on and you’ll find the home to the highest mountain in New Zealand and a playground for such names as Sir Edmund Hillary and Rob Hall, Mount Cook/Aoraki National Park ,a photographer’s delight. Your overnight stay will be on the shores of stunning Lake Ohau – great opportunities for dawn and dusk photography over the lake. OVERNIGHT OHAU (B,L,D)

Enjoy sunrise photography this morning around the hotel. Following breakfast you’ll make your way past Lake Tekapo on the way to Christchurch airport in time for flights home and onward. (B)