Archive for the ‘What else to do in New Zealand’ Category:
Written on April 12th, 2010 by Kateno shouts
New Zealand is well worth exploring if you have the opportunity to extend your trip downunder… for some small teasers to tantalise your travel bug take a look around.
Webcams of NZ: http://www.takeabreak.co.nz/new-zealand-webcams.asp
In particular I can recommend visiting the following webcams to give you a taste of the scenery on some of the congress field trips.
Tekapo: http://www.tekapotourism.co.nz/webcam.htm
Napier: http://www.airnet.net.nz/webcam.php
Queenstown: http://www.skyline.co.nz/queenstown/webcams/
Mt Cook: http://www.takeabreak.co.nz/accommodation/mt-cook.asp
Taupo: http://www.takeabreak.co.nz/accommodation/taupo.asp
White Island: http://www.geonet.org.nz/volcano/activity/white-island/cameras/whiteisland-latest.html
Check out ‘Dino’ the dinosaur in the bottom right hand corner!
Antarctica: http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/scott-base/webcams
I know we can’t go there on a field trip but its still pretty cool!
Enjoy
Written on April 6th, 2010 by Kateno shouts
This is New Zealand’s thermal wonderland, and once you get over the ‘smell’ it’s a great place to visit especially for the geologists! I have been lucky enough to spend a bit of time in Rotorua and its surroundings, as this was my field study area for my Masters thesis (Volcanology) and now it’s my get away spot for mountain biking through the big Redwood trees of the Whakarewarewa Forest – Sometimes referred to as the ‘Disneyland of mountain biking’.
Activities –
- Mountain biking (hire or bring your own)
- Scenic flights around Mt Tarawera
- Geothermal wonderland, geysers, mud pools,
- Coffee & cake at the Fat Dog Café (a must after a big day on the bike)
- Soak in the hot pools
- Gondola ride up Mt Ngongotaha & Luge down
View from Mountian Bike Access Road
Log bridge on 16km track
Written on March 31st, 2010 by Kateno shouts
Located in the Hauraki Gulf, Rangitoto Island is Aucklands youngest (around 600 years old) and largest volcano within the Auckland Volcanic Field. The island is a distinctive symmetrical shield volcano and is a landmark widely visible around Auckland.
For all those volcano spotters out there this is an amazing place to visit for a short day trip across the Waitemata Harbour to climb to the top of the volcano (259m above sea level). If you do not have time while you’re in NZ to do a lot of sight seeing then this is one not to miss and its so close to Auckland. There are lava caves to explore with NZ cave wetas and a fantastic view from the top of both Auckland and into the volcanic crater.
For interest Rangitoto is Maori for ‘Bloody Sky’. The rest of the interesting facts I will leave for you to find out when you visit the island. OR if you are really keen read up about the Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve on NZ’s Department of Conservation (DOC) website.
Written on March 15th, 2010 by Kateno shouts
I was thinking of the blog on Friday 12-03-2010 while heading out to some jobs in the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland. I was lucky enough to be asked along as co-pilot (not literally) on a job to Waiheke Island in the gulf. So here are some pictures of the journey. Sometimes being a Geologist gets you some pretty lucky adventures.
The Hauraki Gulf (12-03-2010)
Browns Island
Motihue Island
Looking towards Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island
And on the return trip back to the helicopter base….
Ports of Auckland
Auckland City Central
Auckland Harbour Bridge
All in a hard days work… the weather wasn’t perfect but the bumps were worth it…
So when you come over to the Congress, book a trip on a boat to visit the Gulf Islands… or better yet take a scenic Helicopter flight.
Written on March 14th, 2010 by Kateno shouts
The Congress will be based in Auckland for the week… so heres an intro to what you can expect.
Auckland (a day in the office!) taken 12-03-10
Auckland (Akarana), known as the ‘City of Sails’, is set on the edge of the Waitemata Harbour, amongst 50 volcanic cones in proximity to beaches, hiking trails, beautiful parks and islands.
Auckland City occupies a narrow isthmus between two harbours (Waitemata and Manukau Harbours): drowned valley systems inundated by post-glacial sea level rise between c. 14,000 and 6,500 years ago. It has a generally subdued topography developed on Miocene age flysch. Apart from the numerous small volcanic cones which dot the Waitemata Harbour and isthmus, the city is known for its dissected coastal cliffs, rugged bush-clad ranges composed mainly of volcaniclastic rocks, wild western coastline and eastern lowlands underlain by Quaternary sediments made up of mainly pumiceous and organic materials.
There is so much to do and see in Auckland so come and see for yourself.
Best picks would have to be:
- Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb
- Cycling Tamaki Drive
- Kayaking Aucklands Waterfront
- Visiting one of the Hauraki Gulf Islands
- Walking in the Auckland Domain
- Sky Tower Jump
- Scenic flight out to the rugged West Coast
- Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World
- Visiting/ shopping in Devonport or Parnell Village
- Bungy Jumping off the Harbour Bridge
- Drinking coffee in a local café
And of course sailing off around the harbour in the ‘City of Sails’.
See you in 6 months!
Auckland Harbour Bridge
Written on January 23rd, 2010 by Kateno shouts
It’s a great time to be thinking whether to stay longer in NZ after the Congress. There’s lots of options from the awesome scenery to a wide range of tourist activities – coastal walks, scenic boat trips, biking tours, kayaking, viewing an active volcano or relaxing at a picturesque vineyard.
Here are some photos from my recent trip to White Island; an active volcano! I’ll add more photos from my own adventures around NZ… I better get back to writing my paper.
Flying in to land on White Island (not me!)
Hot and steamy!
