New Zealand's Native Flora Naturetrek Tour Itinerary

Outline itinerary Day 1/2

Depart London/in flight

Day 12

Blackbirch, Kaikoura

Day 3

Arrive Auckland

Day 13

Lake Ohau

Day 4

Waitakere Ranges, Auckland

Day 14

Mount Cook National Park, Lake Ohau

Days 5/6

Taupo

Day 15

Queenstown

Days 7/8

Tongariro National Park

Days 16-18 Fiordland National Park, Te Anau

Day 9

Cook Strait, St Arnaud

Day 19

Depart Dunedin

Day 20

Arrive London

Days 10/11 St Arnaud

Departs January Dates and Costs See website (tour code NZL01) or brochure Grading Grade A/B. Day walks only Focus Plants

Images courtesy of Steve Wakemen & Mark Schofield

Mt Cook Buttercup (Ranunculus lyallii)

Naturetrek

Cheriton Mill

Cheriton

Alresford

Hampshire

SO24 0NG

T: +44 (0)1962 733051

F: +44 (0)1962 736426

E: [email protected]

W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

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New Zealand's Native Flora

Tour Dossier

NB. Please note that the itinerary below offers our planned programme of excursions. However, adverse weather and other local considerations can necessitate some re-ordering of the programme during the course of the tour, though this will always be done to maximise best use of the time and weather conditions available.

Thursday – Friday

Days 1 - 2 In Flight

Our scheduled flight departs from London Heathrow, bound for Auckland in New Zealand. Day 2 quickly passes as we cross the various time zones.

Day 3

Saturday

Auckland We will arrive at Auckland International Airport this morning. On arrival we will be met by our New Zealand botanical tour leader and we will then transfer to our hotel. For those clients not travelling with the group, we advise you to arrive at the hotel this morning (further details will be provided in your Final Joining Instructions). The remainder of the day will be at leisure to recover from the long flight or perhaps, for those still with energy to spare, some local recommended sightseeing in Auckland. The city is built on numerous extinct volcanoes and is commonly referred to as the “City of Sails”, having more boats per capita than any other city. Tonight will be spent in an Auckland hotel where an early night will no doubt be popular!

Day 4

Sunday

Waitakere Ranges Our journey will begin in the giant Kauri forests of the Waitakere Ranges west of Auckland, where dappled sunlight filters through to a carpet of orange and green asteliads below. Growing to over 1,000 years old, with an impressive girth of up to 20 metres, the Kauri plays host to over 10,000 other plant and animal species during its life and also in death! The forests grow in the warmest parts of the country; once abundant throughout the north, only 150 hectares of Kauri forest now remain. Kauris often occur in pure stands but the forests can also include many other tree species. The mature Kauris dominate the forest by their sheer size, their huge distinctive crowns reaching out over the canopy. In their undisturbed state these forests are luxuriant, dense and rich in undergrowth. We shall continue westward to the Muriwai coast and visit the Australasian Gannet colony., where we have good views of them soaring in towards their dotted rock outcrop colonies. We return to Auckland for the night.

Day 5

Monday

Taupo Today we will head towards the volcanic plateau of the central North Island, the heart of geothermal activity. Many of the thermal areas have been abused through tourism, but a few remain relatively natural, including Waimangu Valley. In this volcanic valley we will study many hardy plants and sub-tropical fern species nestled within metres of

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scalding steam vents, lakes and hot water streams. These plant species are in the early stages of succession since the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera. We will spend the next two nights at Taupo.

Day 6

Tuesday

Taupo Not far away is Pureora Forest Park, a botanist’s paradise with its grand emergent podocarps and lush mistiness, which encircle the picturesque Waihora Lagoon. The park is one of the most significant remnants of the podocarp forests. These forests can have dense undergrowths of shrubs, ferns, tree ferns, lianas and epiphytes, often presenting a distinctly tropical character. Dinosaurs, and more recently the now extinct Moas, once roamed through forests very like this. Such vegetation once covered much of the North Island, but the versatility and strength of the podocarps were their undoing, as the European settlers steadily clear-felled vast areas. We have a whole day to explore this forest and the intricacies of its plant and animal communities. The dense stands of fine native trees include the dominant podocarp conifers Kahikatea, Rimu, Matai, Miro and Totara. One of the largest living Totara in this area is said to be 1,500 years old with a diameter of 3.6 metres! Before leaving the area we will catch a glimpse of the past: evidence of the huge eruption of Lake Taupo some 1,800 years ago. The largest lake in New Zealand fills the crater of a volcano which erupted spilling lava and debris over a huge area of the South Pacific. Today, Taupo is a popular recreational lake probably best known for its trout fisheries.

Day 7

Wednesday

Tongariro National Park Leaving Lake Taupo this morning and heading south, the tussocked desert slopes of Tongariro National Park will then draw us up towards the three high volcanic peaks of the plateau. This was the earliest national park in New Zealand. Located in the centre of the North Island, the national park was designed to include and protect the three great volcanoes of Ruapehu, Ngaruhoe and Tongariro. The sides of Mount Ruapehu, North Island’s highest mountain, will allow wonderful views as we potter amongst the fields of sub-alpine shrubs and alpine herbs. We will spend the next two nights in the area.

Day 8

Thursday

Tongariro National Park Today we will have plenty of time to enjoy this alpine wonderland, and study the effects of recent mud and larval flows. Today’s walks will take us through montane beech forest to sinter-laced creeks, around which we may delight in many families, including the Hebes, daisies (amongst them the genera Celmisia, Raoulia and Brachyglottis), and eyebrights (Euphrasia). The national park is also home to a diversity of birds. It has a significant population of North Island Brown Kiwi and in the forests the native Tuis and bellbirds are common whilst Fernbirds can sometimes be seen in the open. Larger mammals include moderate populations of Red and Sika Deer.

Day 9

Friday

Nelson Lakes National Park Heading south, our drive takes us across the fertile farming area where sheep dominate, although increasingly this area is gaining a reputation for its wine growing and horticulture. On reaching Wellington we embark on a three2

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Tour Dossier

hour ferry trip to the South Island. Those interested in wildlife will get to marvel at the seabirds, Little Blue Penguins and dolphins that are sometimes seen while crossing the Cook Strait and sailing into the peaceful Marlborough Sounds. Cape Petrel, Northern Giant-petrel, Fluttering Shearwater, Fairy Prion and Westland Black Petrel are all possibilities. If we are lucky we might also glimpse Bottlenose, Dusky or Common Dolphins or perhaps even a Pilot Whale. A late afternoon drive will take us to Nelson Lakes National Park. We will spend the next three nights in St. Arnaud.

Day 10

Saturday

Nelson Lakes National Park In the northern Southern Alps, Nelson Lakes National Park will furnish walks in honey-dewed beech forest at the edges of the glacial lakes. The honey-dew is produced by a small insect who makes its home in the bark of the trees, emitting the honey-dew from the bark in a long, thin tube. The tubes are prolific on the beech trees and provide food for many other insects and birds. The lower altitudes of the national park are dominated by these beech forests, whilst podocarp forests, intermingled with the beech, are found in the wetter, lower areas. The dominant species are Matai, Rimu, Miro and Kahikatea. In the beech forests, Red and Silver Beech are found lower down, changing to Silver and Mountain Beech as you approach the tree-line. The tree-line seems to follow an almost straight line and for the energetic, a track leads beyond it into sub-alpine tussocklands, for marvellous vistas and alpine flowers. Immediately above the tree-line patches of Snow Totara (Podocarpus nivalis), Mountain Flax, Celery Pine and Dracophyllum can be found. The rest of the vegetation is dominated by Snow Tussock (Chionochloa) interspersed with other alpine plants including Aciphylla, Ourisia, Senecio, gentians, daisies (Celmisia) and buttercups (Ranunculus). At the higher altitudes vegetation becomes sparse, although some species of Vegetable Sheep occur, together with hebes and South Island Edelweiss.

Day 11

Sunday

Takaka Today carries us down the Motueka Valley and over the Marble Mountain to north-west Nelson. In the karst landscapes of the recently formed Kahurangi National Park are many little-frequented valleys and mountain tops. We will enjoy relaxing, or for the energetic more taxing, walks into the Mount Arthur region and surrounding tablelands, looking for species unique to this area. Amongst these are the giant and lilliputian speargrass carrots, Aciphylla, and the Vegetable Sheep (aptly named for this farming country!), Haastia.

Day 12

Monday

Kaikoura Travelling east once more, we will be captivated by stunning views from the Black Birch Range, whilst at our feet lie an array of scree and rock outcrop species, herbfield daisies and cushion plants. The tightly cushioned Raoulia, often growing up to two metres in length, cling to bluffs and scree buttercups and penwipers (Notothlaspi) dot the shingle slopes. Back down at sea level we continue to Kaikoura, where we will stay for the night.

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Day 13

Tuesday

Lake Ohau In Kaikoura some may take the opportunity to get a close look at Sperm Whales on an optional early morning three hour marine trip (organised & paid for locally). Also supported by the rich marine life off the coast are a wide array of seabirds, including 4-5 albatross species. The continental shelf is just five miles out from Kaikoura, and in past years a pod of Sperm Whales has made a habit of regularly fishing for giant squid in these deep waters. Those taking this morning's whale-watching trip can hope to encounter these, the largest of the toothed whales, as well as other cetaceans that may include Dusky and Hector's Dolphins, and seabirds such as Royal, Black-browed and Grey-headed Albatrosses, Giant Petrels, Cape Petrels, Westland Black Petrels, Hutton's Shearwaters and Australasian Gannets. Together with fabulous coastal scenery, backed by the Kaikoura range of mountains, this is likely to be a most memorable trip. Alternatively, for those who prefer to stay on land, a walk leads over the Kaikoura Peninsula on the edge of town. Soon we will depart, travelling along the crisp blue and limestone coastline, then heading inland across Burkes Pass to the arid McKenzie Basin. Some may choose to take an optional flight over Mount Cook National Park, the highest area of the Southern Alps, gaining a spectacular perspective of the peaks, valleys and glaciers. The national park is sparsely forested but is home to a wide range of mountain plants, over 540 species, with the majority of them native to the region. We will stay at Lake Ohau for the next two nights.

Day 14

Wednesday

Lake Ohau Driving alongside one of the basin’s glacial lakes, Pukaki, we will soon arrive in the Hooker Valley, at the foot of the mighty Mount Cook. Its visual impact is better described by its Maori name “Aoraki” or “cloud piercer”. A walk into this valley will enable us to study different stages of succession along the glacial moraines, and be charmed by Giant Buttercups (Ranunculus lyallii) and daisies (Celmisia). South Island Edelweiss, Vegetable Sheep and Snow Gentians are also found in the area but we will be sure to stay at a distance from the tips of the Golden Spaniards (carrot family)! Perhaps one of the most well-known and colourful scenes of the South Island is Mount Cook with its profusion of wild lupins in the foreground. A more demanding walking option heads up towards Sealy Tarns, through herbs, tussock and outcrop species.

Day 15

Thursday

Queenstown Leaving the MacKenzie Basin via the Lindis Pass, we will drive through the tussock landscapes of central Otago. This area is a schist plateau, now appearing as a series of block mountain ranges. Lodged amidst the silvery schist vegetation of the Old Man Range, are many species of cushion plants and snowbank vegetation unique to this type of extreme climate. We will stay tonight in Queenstown.

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Day 16

Tour Dossier

Friday

Te Anau This morning we head south-west, in which direction lies the steep splendour of New Zealand’s largest national park and largest area of wilderness, Fiordland. The park is heavily forested predominantly with beech. Above the tree-line the vegetation is mainly Snow Tussock grasslands, interspersed with many other species of alpine plants. Thirty five are endemic to Fiordland, including species of buttercups (Ranunculus), daisies (Celmisia), tree and bush daisies (Olearia) and tussock (Chionochloa). In walks amidst the southern Red Beech forests lining glacial lakes, we may glimpse the rare Mohua and native parrots who feed high in the canopy. We will spend the next three nights by Lake Te Anau.

Day 17

Saturday

Te Anau This morning we will drive towards the upper Hollyford Valley, gaining a stunning perspective on this rugged landscape gouged by glaciers. We will venture into the silver-grey of the Gertrude Cirque, where the delicate Edelweiss (Leucogenes), Helichrysum and Willow-herbs (Epilobium) are sprinkled amongst boulder and herbfields. In the afternoon, a descent to sea level at Milford Sound (actually a fiord), will be followed by an optional boat cruise to the fiord’s entrance, during which we may see Fiordland Crested Penguins and perhaps some dolphins. We will return in the early evening to Te Anau.

Day 18

Sunday

Te Anau South of Te Anau lies Lake Manapouri and beyond is Borland Saddle and the Hunter Mountains. Superb alpine vistas and local endemics characterize this area. We spend the day in this marvelous area studying the alpine wildflowers. Bizarre local wild Spaniards, giant buttercups in profusion and several alpine daisies occur.

Day 19

Monday

In Flight This morning we will transverse the South Island for the final time, as our journey comes to an end in Dunedin, where we will connect with flights north and onwards to London.

Day 20

Tuesday

London We arrive back at London Heathrow.

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Extensions Gladly arranged, on request. Some of our suggestions include: - Stewart Island and it’s unique birdlife - Dunedin and the wildlife of the Otago Peninsula - Stopovers - Los Angeles, Hong Kong or South Pacific Island - Visits to family and friends in New Zealand or Australia

Trek grading The walking on this holiday is comprised of day walks (usually involving stretches of no more than four hours or so). There are a couple of walks which are slightly more strenuous but these are optional. Anyone of any age who is reasonably fit and used to walking should cope admirably.

Weather Seasons in New Zealand are the reverse of those in Europe. The warmest months are December to February. In mid-summer you can enjoy around 15 hours of daylight. Travelling as we do from the sub-tropical North Island to the temperate South Island, you should expect a great variety of weather conditions. Whilst North Island is likely to be warm, South Island is likely to be decidedly cooler. However, temperature ranges are small by European standards – around 10°C variation between winter and summer. Only the central South Island has extremes approaching a European climate. Areas lying to the west are much wetter than those to the east. Throughout the tour you should expect as much dry and sunny weather as overcast, wet weather. New Zealand can experience a very changeable climate.

Clothing Please read our separate clothing list included in the pre-departure information sent to you after booking. You may like to take a couple of sets of smart casual clothes for use in the evenings. Shorts and T-shirts may be useful, depending on the weather; warmer clothing will also be needed. You should also bring good lightweight walking boots that are as waterproof as possible.

Food & accommodation included in the price All food and accommodation is included in the price.

How to book your place In order to book a place on this holiday, you will need to complete the booking form at the back of the Naturetrek brochure and send it to us, together with a deposit of 20% of the holiday cost plus the cost of any single supplement if required. If you do not have a copy of this brochure, please call us now on 01962 733051 and we will gladly post one to you. Alternatively, please telephone the office with a credit or debit card to hand and we can take your deposit over the phone, or go to our website www.naturetrek.co.uk where you can make a secure online booking. 6

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