New Zealand & Australia

September 2004

(Map) We spent a day in Auckland (North Island) and went out in the harbor on an America's Cup yacht.  We spent a week in Queenstown (South Island) availing ourselves of the abundant adventure sports: snowboarding, bungy jumping, heliboarding, horseback riding, and jetboating up a river.  From Christchurch (South Island) we visited the French harbor town of Akaroa.  We ended the trip in Sydney where we did the Bridge Climb over the Sydney harbor bridge.

Sailing the NZ America's Cup boat in Auckland harbor

Hard labor on the boat working the riggings

A fire & water public sculpture to the Maori culture

At Milford Sound on the South Island's west coast

We took a helicopter across Lake Wakatipu to reach Milford Sound

Landing on a glacier

Approaching the sound...

On the luge run above Queenstown

Dan doing his jump at Kawarau bridge (an intense and exhilarating experience)

Snowboarding on Coronet Peak above Queenstown

Dan went heliboarding on the glaciers for the day

(Julie went horseback riding with elk and did a bungy jump)

Looking back on Christchurch harbor

Cruising the harbor of Akaroa

Daring sheep

Punting through the botanical gardens in Christchurch

A full moon over New Zealand

One of Australia's delights...

and another local delight

The Sydney harbor bridge climb at sunset

Making friends

In Queenstown we stayed at Matakauri Lodge overlooking the lovely Lake Wakatipu, rimmed by mountains.  It was an idyllic location and a superb lodge.  Dinners were made by a private gourmet chef, and we were lucky to be alone at the lodge much of the time.  Queenstown was our most favorite city on this trip.  The adrenaline-inducing activities and serene, placid setting of the lodge made this a really unforgettable stay.  Highlights were bungy-jumping at Kawarau bridge, and Dan's heliboarding in the mountains in sometimes inclement conditions.  We also enjoyed snowboarding in late August!

In Christchurch we stayed at The George, a serene small hotel near the center of town.  In Sydney, we stayed at The Establishment (great cool rooms) and had fun on the Bridge Climb.

** South Island Guides arranged many of our activities in Queenstown.  Thanks to Jeremaia and John for their advice and fun companionship.