After being greeted with a remarkable real hot chocolate, spend 2 hours with the a chocolatier who will guide you through learning about the history of high quality chocolate, with tastings along the way.
Receive hands on experience on how to work with chocolate and make your own chocolate treats to take away with you.
Finish with a pure chocolate fondue which introduces a whole lot of new chocolate taste sensations - think blue cheese amongst others..!
You will have the opportunity to purchase the tools and chocolate used on your tour as our chocolatier has put together an attractive take away kit which includes fine chocolate, tools, moulds and small recipe and tips booklet.
Then drive to Hagley Park for a walk before sitting down to coffee and a light lunch before moving off to a fudge factory.
Watch the creation of fudge made the old fashioned way with condensed milk and real flavours. Taste the fudge hot and ask plenty of questions about the process. A visit to their shop is also in store.
A wonderful half day film locations experience with your own expert guide in a small group. The tour runs for half a day and takes you to the filming locations for Rivendell where Frodo recovered from his knife attack; the Anduin River where Aragorn was washed ashore after the attack of the Wargs; the Gardens of Isengard, the site of the Orcs Felling the Trees and where Gandalf rode to see Saruman; go to the Mount Victoria lookout and Hobbiton Woods where you can race to the Ferry and get off the Road; Buckland Forest where the Hobbits hid from the Nazgul/Black Riders and where they found the mushrooms on the Road; Dunharrow Rohirrim encampment; visit the quarry for the filming of Helms Deep, the fortified ravine in Rohan and Minas Tirith.
Akaroa Harbour is around 90 minutes’ drive from Christchurch. Akaroa Township is a quaint, French inspired seaside village which is very romantic and unique in New Zealand. It's the only place on the planet where you can swim with the world's smallest and rarest dolphins - the Hector's or New Zealand dolphin. Black Cat Cruises operate jet-powered catamarans for ultimate safely for you and the dolphins. Everything is provided including wetsuits, masks, snorkels, hot showers, hot chocolate and a free gift pack. Where possible our crew will take photos of you swimming with the dolphins.
The three hours includes half an hour before for briefing and putting on the wet suit (dry suit in winter), two hours on the water and up to 45 minutes in the water, and half an hour afterwards for debrief and shower. We guarantee you will swim with dolphins, if no dolphins are sighted we will refund 75% of the ticket price. Our success rate is around 80 - 85% to swim with dolphins.
This full day walk in the ancient beech forest of the Mount Aspiring National Park starts with a scenic drive to the northern end of Lake Wakatipu and into the Routeburn Valley.
The high snow capped mountains provide a magnificent backdrop for the walk up this beautiful river valley.
Highlights: Spectacular snow-capped mountain and lake views, a variety of bird life, beautiful natural ancient native beech forest - mosses, lichens and ferns - waterfalls and river gorge.
Travel alongside beautiful Wellington Harbour past the Pauatahanui inlet to famous Battle Hill Farm (scene of final British/Maori wars). Enjoy panoramic views including Kapiti Island (nature reserve) from the summit of Paekakariki Hill.
Stop for refreshments at Ruth Pretty (Master Chef) Kitchen and shop. On to the town of Otaki and visit Rangiatea Historic Church.
Next a stroll through popular outlet shops before your kiwi bird experience at Waikanae's Nga Manu Wildlife sanctuary. Lunch with us at a beach café. Then it is on to the world famous Southward Car Museum (over 400 exhibits.) Finish the day by sampling Kapiti Cheeses and Ice creams followed by locally made chocolates and liqueurs.
Discover rare dolphins just 15 minutes from central Christchurch. Cruise the scenic Lyttleton Harbour aboard the sleek Canterbury Cat. You'll catch a glimpse of one of the world's rarest and smallest dolphins - the Hector or New Zealand dolphin. You'll also discover Little Blue Penguins and other coastal marine birdlife such as breeding spotted shags, white fronted terns and numerous species of gulls. As well as the natural wildlife, you'll see evidence of the harbours violent, volcanic past. Lyttelton has a fascinating history; your skipper will point out the many significant sites including those of the early Maori and European settlers. There are stories from the historic Lyttelton Township, the lengends of Ripapa Island and more.
Meeting/ Pick up point: B Jetty, Lyttelton.
Duration: 2 hrs.
Start or opening time: 1.30pm.
Includes: Full commentary from the skipper, full bar facilities on board (own expense), kids activity book, tea and coffee.
Lying close to the centre of Lake Wanaka is Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve, a unique glacial remnant of the last ice age. The island is also the historic site of early shipbuilding and used to be a stopping place for the steamers and log rafts that once plied the lake. Accessible from Wanaka by a 35 minute scenic boat cruise, the landing is on the eastern side of the island where the remnants of early settlement remain; a stone wharf and a hut. The track leads from the landing and climbs steadily through native bush to near the top of Tyrwhitt Peak. Just before the top the Arethusa Pool reveals itself to us, a lake on the island with small islands in it - very intriguing!
Carrying on a little further we come to the very top of the island and have a sweeping 360-degree view of Lake Wanaka, its surrounding mountains and valleys and the Arethusa Pool below. This is the perfect spot for our morning or afternoon tea and a time to relax and enjoy the panorama. After our break we go back down the track and once again take in our surroundings, listening to and watching the lively birdlife, a chance to see the recently introduced NZ Buff Weka, extinct on the mainland since 1920 and just enjoy this unique wildlife reserve. You will feel well rewarded as you re-join the boat for the cruise back to Wanaka. Scenic boat cruise time 1 hour approx. Actual walking time 1 hour. The trip runs subject to weather.
Descubre parte del espectacular paisaje natural en los alrededores de Auckland con este tour de jornada completa al Parque Regional Waitakere Ranges. Disfruta de unas vistas espectaculares del océano Pacífico y a continuación explora la remota región costera occidental y camina por la selva costera. Un experto guía local te proporcionará información fascinante sobre la historia natural y la cultura de la zona, haciendo que pases un día inolvidable.
Después de que te recojan en el hotel y de encontrarte con tu guía nos dirigiremos directamente al centro de recepción de visitantes de Arataki, dentro del parque regional más grande de Auckland, el Parque Regional Waitakere Ranges. Admira las impresionantes vistas panorámicas del mar de Tasmania y del océano Pacífico. Mientras descubres la fascinante historia de la zona no podrás perderte las soberbias tallas maorís que se encuentran en ella.
Desde aquí continuaremos nuestro camino hacia el oeste, camino a la salvaje y accidentada costa occidental de Nueva Zelanda. Acompañado de tu experto guía local caminarás por una zona muy bien conservada de la selva costera de Auckland mientras descubres la flora y la fauna local. Detente para admirar los helechos arborescentes gigantes que crecen junto a pintorescas cascadas en esta revitalizada selva. También podrás visitar una estupenda playa remota en la costa occidental, donde podrás caminar por la arena negra mientras disfrutas de la tonificante brisa del océano.
A continuación, tras un picnic para comer, te podrás aventurar en una zona muy antigua del bosque donde se encuentran árboles kauri de 1000 años de antigüedad. Tus guías te explicarán cómo el aislamiento de Nueva Zelanda hace que el 70 % de las plantas nativas no se puedan encontrar en ningún otro lugar del mundo. Apréndelo todo sobre las especies nativas mientras caminas por entre los famosos árboles kauri y las aves autóctonas.
Descubra usted mismo por qué se conoce a Auckland como "la ciudad de las velas" en esta visita turística guiada de tres horas por la ciudad más grande y bulliciosa de Nueva Zelanda. Atraviese el famoso puente de la Bahía, suba a la cima del monte Edén y visite algunos de los barrios más interesantes de la ciudad. De paso, aprenderá cosas sobre los principales lugares de atracción turística con los fascinantes comentarios de un guía experimentado.
El recorrido se iniciará atravesando el icónico puente de la Bahía en nuestro camino hacia el famoso hito de la ciudad de Auckland, el monte Edén, un volcán inactivo cuya cumbre nos ofrece unas excelentes vistas panorámicas de la ciudad y sus bahías. Desde esta posición estratégica podrá ver los restos de la historia volcánica de Auckland; la ciudad está situada sobre 52 conos volcánicos inactivos, de los cuales el más importante es el volcán más joven de la isla de Rangitoto, en la entrada de la bahía de Waitemata.
Desde aquí descenderemos hasta el Auckland Domain, el parque más antiguo de la ciudad, enclavado sobre un volcán de 62.000 años. La visita turística también incluye la moderna zona comercial de Parnell Village con sus numerosos edificios históricos transformados en boutiques y tiendas especializadas, de antigüedades y artesanía. La visita regresará al centro de Auckland, a lo largo de la pintoresca carretera costera de Tamaki Drive.
Es la presentación perfecta de la mayor zona metropolitana de Nueva Zelanda, ideal para los visitantes que tienen poco tiempo.
After departing the Lake Rotorua area your tour will take you arcross the scenic Mamaku Rangers and into the Waikato region of rokking green hills of ''''The Shire'''' The reason why this area was chosen for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings is readily apparent on arriving at The Shires Rest Cafe. You will commence your tour of The Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm from that point. Before your return trip to Rotorua enjoys a light snack at The Shires Rest.