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Top 3 National Parks in New Zealand

August 19, 2011 By neil

When planning your New Zealand tour it’s hard to know where to start – but perhaps we can help.  New Zealand’s greatest assets are  stunning landscapes and vistas – nowhere is this better demonstrated or experienced than in the countries wonderful national parks.

There are 14 national parks in New Zealand, each with its own unique appeal and beauty.  However, there are 3 that we would highly recommend integrating to any trip or tour around New Zealand.

abel tasman national park

Abel Tasman National Park

1. Abel Tasman National Park

Our local and favourite national park.  Located just a short distance from the Flying Kiwi head office in Nelson, the Abel Tasman sits atop the sunniest region of the country.  This reliable weather enhances the opportunities to get out and explore the most beautiful beaches, bays and lush forests NZ has to offer.  The Abel Tasman is quite smiply paradise!  Long stretches of deserted golden beaches, turqoise clear waters frequented by a myriad of aquatic and bird life and a fantastic variety of adventure activities.

The Abel Tasman is integrated into most Flying Kiwi tours and is always a big hit with our passengers.  For further information on the park use this link.

2. Tongariro National Park

Tongariro is located in the heart of the North island and is the oldest park in New Zealand and the fourth oldest in the World.  It is listed as a World heritage area for both its outstanding natural beauty and its important Maori spiritual and cultural connections.

The park is also home to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – regarded by many as the best one day walk in the World.  This fantastic trek is usually undertaken by all Flying Kiwi passengers without regret.  It’s a rewarding, inspiring and diverse walk taking in spectacular volcanic terrain from start to finish.  For more information on the park use this link.

3. Fiordland National Park

Milford sound waterfall

Milford Sound

Last, but by no means least, is the wonderful spectacle of Fiordland National Park.  For many visitors to New Zealand this region is THE must see on their trip and is considered one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere.

As you breathe in the crisp, alpine air you’ll be surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains, deep lakes and huge glaciers. The area is also home to Milford Sound – recently rated as one of the new natural wonders of the World.  On your Flying Kiwi trip there’s the chance to enjoy a great boat ride into the heart of the sound.  Frequently escorted by dolphins you will feel the spray of waterfalls falling from from hundreds of feet and journey through huge channels carved out by glaciers over millions of years – it’s a truly unfortgetable experience.  For more information use this link.

 

Filed Under: Adventure Tours and Travel, Flying Kiwi Adventure Tours, New Zealand Blogs, New Zealand Destination Guide, New Zealand Tourism, New Zealand Tours

Safari Lovers – Swap the “big 5″ for the “friendly 5″

June 23, 2011 By neil

Traditionally a safari involves scorching temperatures, arid deserts, ferocious predators and a desperate hunt to spot the Big 5. Well Flying Kiwi have found a new and altogether more relaxing combination – the Friendly 5.

Forget lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos and think friendlier, think entertaining and think New Zealand. Famed for our great hospitality and wonderful scenery we also have the five of the finest wildlife characters you could hope to meet:

1. Dolphins On a Flying Kiwi trip we have numerous operators to interact with the seas friendliest showman. Whether you decide to swim with them, view them from the boat or kayak along gorgeous coasts with dolphins for company we highly recommend taking time to experience our favourite aquatic performers.

Of particular note is our dolphin swimming experience in Kaikoura. Set to a backdrop of snow capped peaks and stunning coastline the dusky dolphins that frequent this area are amongst the most interactive in the World. Pods (dolphin speak for groups) often reach into the hundreds and they won’t be shy about swimming alongside you and showing you their favourite tricks. You can get more information at this link.

2. Yellow Eyed Penguins
Another wonderful animal that calls the coasts of New Zealand home. Weighing in at around 6kg and tottering at a height of around 75cm these good looking birds make everyone smile. Wearing a band of bright yellow around the top of its head it’s easy to see why it’s considered the superhero of the penguin World. Aside from its good looks they are also social chaps and a great highlight for many on our Flying Kiwi trip. The best place to spot them is at the exceptionally well run yellow eyed penguin colony south of Dunedin. Find out more about them at this link.

3. Sperm Whale
Weighing in around a staggering 57,000 kilograms this is the big daddy of our Friendly 4. At around 20 metres long they are the largest toothed whale in existence and potentially the smartest? With the largest brain of any modern or extinct animal we may have a lot to learn from these majestic giants. They also have access to a World we know little about with the ability to dive distances of up to 3 kilometres. Its prior to these great dives you will get the best chances to see these wonders as they perform their celebrated breach and raise their iconic tails for your perfect postcard moment. The best chances to witness this spectacle is on our whale watching trip in Kaikoura. You can find our more at this link.

4. Kiwi Bird
The native kiwi bird is unique to New Zealand and one our most cherished and protected icon. Unfortunately numbers have declined but a concerted effort from numerous organisations throughout New Zealand is giving them the best possible chance to repopulate their homeland. These totally unique characters are a joy to watch and fascinating to learn about – did you know that Kiwi birds are the only ones to have nostrils at the end of their beak!! You will learn plenty more and potentially get the chance to view these wonderful birds on your trip.

5. Sheep

Yes, last but not least those big fluffy fellas. Despite an apparent drop in the ratio of people to sheep (once at a mythical high of 20 sheep to every person) it still stands at an impressive ten sheep for every individual.  That leaves plenty of these friendly, fluffy faces to dot the landscape and provide your iconic shot for friends back home.

Filed Under: Adventure Tours and Travel, Flying Kiwi Adventure Tours, New Zealand Tourism, New Zealand Tours

New Zealand Activity Reviews

April 8, 2011 By neil

With so many activities to choose from it’s hard to know where to start when deciding how best to “invest” your hard earned dollars.  New Zealand tour company, Flying Kiwi, have recently launched a blog written by travellers that offers genuine, impartial reviews on the activitieszorbing new zealand they have enjoyed during their trips.

From skydiving to the Tongariro crossing there is plenty to take in and get you excited about your trip to New Zealand.  Keep your eyes peeled as there will be plenty more to come.  Check out the blog at http://new-zealand-adventure-tours.com/

Filed Under: Flying Kiwi Adventure Tours, New Zealand Adventure Activities, New Zealand Blogs, New Zealand Tourism, New Zealand Tours Tagged With: , , , ,

Milford Sound – it can’t be missed

April 8, 2011 By neil

If there is one tour that nearly everyone on our bus did, it was the Milford Sound Cruise. It is New Zealand’s most famous attraction and we can understand why. Milford Sound offers up some of the most striking landscapes on earth. With Sea Cliffs that rival the Bay of Fundy in Canada and Kalaupapa National Historic Park in Hawaii you are definitely in for a day of feeling surrounded by giants.

It is a relaxing afternoon and the perfect chance to absorb one of natures greatest wonders. Flying Kiwi is a great tour for people with a lot of energy and the Milford Sound, Te Anau portion of the trip gives the passenger just the right amount of time to recharge their batteries.


Most days of the year, Milford Sound is rainy and overcast, but luck was on our side today. We had sunshine and almost balmy weather. There were times on the boat that we actually took our jackets off for a time to bask in the sun.

One of the most famous aspects of the Sound are the waterfalls. Normally they are out in full force on rainy days and that is usually what most people miss when visiting on a sunny day, but because it had rained for 6-days straight before our visit to Milford Sound, we had the best of both worlds. Waterfalls fell in full force into the bay as the sun sparkled in their dancing drops.

If there is one thing that you cannot miss when visiting New Zealand, it is a boat tour of Milford Sound. If you don’t go it would be like going to Egypt without visiting the Pyramids…it is really something that must be done!

Filed Under: Adventure Tours and Travel, Flying Kiwi Adventure Tours, New Zealand Blogs, New Zealand Destination Guide, New Zealand Hot Picks, New Zealand Tourism Tagged With: , , , , ,