Airscapade 2024

February 2024

28 Wanaka *

29 Te Anau *

March 2024 *

01 Invercargill *

02 Gore *

03 Dunedin *

04 Oamaru *

05 Timaru *

06 Ashburton *

07 Rangiora *

08 Greymouth *

09 Nelson *

10 Blenheim *

11 New Plymouth *

*= showing of the film Awing and a Prayer in the plane. This film relates the air cruise of the Jean Batten Clipper DC3 from England to NZ over 23 days. 45 minute film

New Zealand trip North-South

12 Auckland.  Arrival in the economic capital. Visit of the waterfront, the city centre, the historic district of Parnell and an overview from Mt Eden, as well as a crossing of the Harbour Bridge.

13 Dargaville. Short flight towards the northwest and the heart of the kauri district – the king of the forest, according to legend.  A visit of the forest and these magnificent trees, along with the delightful Kauri Museum at Matakohe to finish the day.

14 Kerikeri  A flight out across the North of New Zealand  – the forests visited, the various bays  and harbours, along with Ninety Mile Beach to the furthermost point of the country, Cape Reinga before swinging back across the east coast to Kerikeri,  and the Bay of Islands.

15 Bay of Islands  A half day cruise out in the Bay of Islands and a visit to Waitangi where the treaty with Maoris was signed in 1940. Plus some free time to relax in this lovely area.

16 Auckland A return to Auckland to collect the people joining the trip and to visit the Motat Museum of Transport and Technology will enable enthusiasts to see some great old planes including the only remaining Short Solent IV.

17 Rotorua. Rotorua is the heart of both the Maori community and the wild geothermal activity as well as the hometown of Jean Batten, the first person to fly from England to New Zealand in 1936.

18 Rotorua. Visits here include geo-thermal sites: Whakarewarewa and its geysers, and Waiotapu with its rainbow of colours, the Agrodome (sheep show!), the mighty Huka Falls and NZ’s largest lake, Taupo. A Maori traditional dinner (hangi) and concert to top off the day.

19 Wellington.  Flying over the 15 lakes of the Rotorua region, the 3 volcanoes of the centre provide an impressive backdrop on the route to the capital. The Southward Car Museum is followed by a visit of the capitals highlights – the beehive parliament, the cable car and Mt Victoria for a great view.

20 Abel Tasman National Park.  A bit of time in the National Museum Te Papa before a relatively short flight across Cook Strait and over to Nelson.  In addition to its arts and crafts, and fine restaurants, Nelson is home to an unsual museum of wearable art. Continuation by minibus to Kaiteriteri at the foot of the Abel Tasman Park.

21 Abel Tasman National Park. A day out in the jewel of the coastal Abel Tasman National Park. A trip up the coast by water taxi and a partial return on foot on the famous track – with a picnic on the beach.

22 Hokitika. A spectactular flight down the West Coast to the heart of the greenstone country. From here by minibus up to the Pancake Rocks, along the coast, a bit of walking in one of the west coast national parks in the rainforest.

23 Mt Cook. Continuation down the west coast, and over the twin glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox (often hiding in cloud) before crossing the alps at a certain altitude to find Mt Cook National Park on the other side, home to New Zealand’s highest mountain. Discovery of the visitor centre and a walk in the national park to the Tasman Glacier or Kea Point

24 Dunedin. A mixture of glacial and rainwater lakes provides contrasting colours, against a relatively dry landscape on the eastern side of the mountain ranges. The hydroelectric activity is omnipresent, between canals and dams, before reaching the east coast, overflying the Moeraki Boulers and Oamaru. Dunedin is a university town with a Scottish touch. An afternoon excursion on the historic Taieri Gorge railway is a pleasant way to relax.

25 Dunedin A morning visit of the Otago Peninsula (royal albatrosses) and the Larnach Castle, afternoon, the Otago Settlers Museum, and the historic Olveston House, plus a bit of free time to explore the city.

26 Te Anau.  A short stop at the lovely collection of historic aircraft at Mandeville before continuing on to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park, the largest in the country and of course the famous fjords. An afternoon trip to see the Glowworms and , a visit to the wildlife park to see the ultra rare Takahe, flightless bird of the region.

27 Te Anau. Day dedicated to the discovery of the remote fiord Milford Sound, carved out millenia ago as the glaciers made their way down to the sea. The minibus enables stops for walks in the primaeval rainforest with a 2h cruise on the fiord.

28 Queenstown / departure – flights out towards Auckland and Australia and lots of things available to do in Queenstown for those who wish to remain a little longer.

Further information: contact Mark on moremland@gmail.com

Airscapade Affairs
52 Howden St
Te Anau 9600
New Zealand
Phone: +64 (0)3 249 7477