Whether your choice is in the skill of fly fishing some of the world’s best rivers and lakes, in the adrenalin excitement of hooking a massive black marlin in open waters, or simply dangling a line out over a jetty and hoping for a bite, there are exceptional experiences awaiting the enthusiastic angler. What’s more, your hotel or resort will assist you when you desire the services of professional fishing guides, to charter vessels or organise transport to get you to where the fish are biting!

If skiing the snow gum forests and rocky peaks of Victoria’s high country, the snow covered volcanic slopes of Mt Ruapahu or the powder covered slopes of New Zealand’s south island is your thing, either way a fun skiing or snowboarding adventure awaits. Australia and New Zealand both offer significant ski resorts with international standard facilities and unique terrains. There’s heli-skiing to remote mountains, cross-country skiing off piste through gnarled eucalypts or ‘hot-dogging’ down steep slopes.

Off land and into the sea where Australasia and the Pacific offer some of the world’s best diving. Whether novice or experienced, exploring the region’s many great coral reefs full of multicoloured fish is an unforgettable experience. And there are exceptional opportunities to get up close and personal with large pelagic species – fish, sharks and rays – and even swim with dolphins. Many resorts have PADI instructors and offer certification courses.

Maybe it’s a long overdue family holiday or the perfect getaway with a group of friends that is more your ideal travel experience. You can find luxury multi-room villas or cottage accommodation in sublime resort locations or your own exclusive wilderness or island hideaways. With each, you will relish the time spent with family and friends and truly experience travel with a purpose!

New Zealand is a land of awe-inspiring beauty. Sea, sky and mountain come together in a visual collage that is both breathtaking and humbling – it makes you glad to be alive! Humans have been present in New Zealand for less than a thousand years and the amazing landscapes of this country are therefore relatively untouched by mankind, offering visitors the opportunity to commune with nature.

New Zealand’s natural heritage is preserved for all to see in 14 different national parks across the country. On the North Island there are four parks, with the remaining ten being present on the more mountainous South Island.

Te Urewera is the largest of the parks on the North Island, and is the country’s fourth largest park overall. At a height of 3000ft above sea level it straddles the Huiarau Range – a northeast-southwest alignment of mountains that runs through the heart of the North Island. The park protects a vast swath of ancient forest, which is dominated by native trees such as red beech, rata, tawa and rimu. It is a sanctuary for wildlife too, kiwi, blue duck and the great New Zealand Falcon (karearea) being resident in the mist-shrouded mountains.

In the south of the Te Urewera National Park is Lake Waikaremoana – a beautiful inland lake that resembles a Norwegian Fjord. It was formed more than 2000 years ago and is 800ft deep in places. The lake is now a centre for nature tourism as well as for inland watersports.

Travelling on westwards past Lake Taupo we find arguably the most exhilarating of all the National Parks on the North Island – Tongariro National Park. Located roughly in the centre of the island, Tongariro consists of a series of active volcanoes – Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu. Snow covered for most of the winter, the volcanoes provide a unique skiing and snowboarding experience during the winter months, enthusiasts having to pick their way around steaming vents and geysers. During the summer the snow recedes to reveal a delightful network of paths offering hikers some exquisite views of the park.

Close by to Tongariro is the Whanganui National Park. It encompasses one of New Zealand’s longest navigable rivers – the Whanganui River – and offers spectacular countryside views that take in forest, snow capped mountains and razor-edged ridges. You can book a cruise down the river in a paddleboat, or for the more adventurous there is the opportunity to navigate the waters by canoe.

Further west again we arrive at the magnificent Egmont National Park, the last of our park quartet. Egmont is undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s finest gems, its centrepiece being the 8250ft high volcano – Mt Taranaki. With its perfectly formed cone shape Mt Taranaki is one of the most impressive sights on the North Island. Often snow-capped the mountain is a huge draw for hikers and mountaineers alike. The lowland forest that surround the mountain’s lower slopes and the enchanting ‘Goblin Forest’ on the volcano’s mid-slope area are also not to be missed. To enjoy the splendour of the National Parks on New Zealand’s North Island it is recommended that visitors hire a vehicle, preferably a 4×4. Car hire can be booked in advance to pick up from Auckland International Airport, or from the regional airports at Taupo and New Plymouth. There is plenty to see and do in New Zealand’s National Parks.

Aircruise Itinerary

A Classic New Zealand Aircruise lets you experience the highlights of New Zealand from the comfort of an e specially-equipped Dash 8 aircraft. Whether flying across snow-capped mountains, cruising the fjordlands or sampling mouth watering cuisine, you’ll witness a side of New Zealand enjoyed by very few others. Some of the highlights are

• Sail to Waiheke Island to taste world-class wines
• Stay in the George Hotel, Christchurch, a Small Luxury Hotel of the World
• Jet boat on the Dart River in ‘Lord of the Rings’ country
• Explore Doubtful Sound in the Fiordlands National Park
• Aerial views of the majestic Southern Alps
• View the ‘Wearable Art Collection’ in Nelson

This is an absolutely unique way to experience New Zealand. I would love to hear your thoughts so please leave a comment below!

The natives are very friendly

On this Antarctic cruise the wildlife encountered along the way will astound you. The Sub-Antarctic islands are home to penguin breeding colonies numbering in the millions, to Elephant Seals and Hooker Sea Lions, and the endangered Wandering Albatross.

Cruising to the extreme sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions is based on many years of collective experience. Prevailing weather and ice conditions in this area of the world are unpredictable, and mother nature is the one who dictates the course.

These are not cruises they are true expedition cruising at its best, to what can be the most inhospitable region on earth so what you must take with you is a spirit of adventure and flexibility.

Have you already been cruising Antarctica on an expedition cruise? Is this travel experience on your bucket list? I would love to hear from you so please leave your comments below!

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