New Zealand, Australia, Pacific Island News and Travel Information

Kaikoura on the east coast of the South Island has a truly special setting, with snow-capped mountains rising almost straight from the ocean. It's a small town that offers a big range of things to do and it's heaven for seafood lovers! On a clear morning when the ocean is flat Kaikoura is every bit as spectacular as The Remarkables, Mount Cook or Milford Sound. Kaikoura is about midway between Christchurch International Airport and the ferry terminal at Picton linking New Zealand's North and South Islands.

In Maori legend, Maui placed his foot on the Kaikoura peninsula to steady himself while he 'fished-up' the North Island. Archaeological remains indicate that Moa Hunters inhabited the peninsula 900 years ago. The Maori name Kaikoura translates to 'meal of crayfish' (Kai - food, koura - crayfish), and it is crayfish for which the region has traditionally been famous. The area's abundant food sources attracted Maori settlement, and the remains of several pa sites can still seen on the peninsula to this day.

Whalewatching has put Kaikoura firmly on the map and several different species of whale can be seen at different times of the year, but almost always the huge Sperm Whales. Flukes lifting clear at the start of the deep dive, adolescent male Sperm Whales enjoy the rich diet of the Kaikoura waters while building up their strength to move to the mating grounds of the warm north. Regularly diving to depths of one kilometre, Sperm Whales have been known to dive to 3 kilometres, holding their breath for up to two hours - perhaps gulping down a few groper or wrestling with a giant squid. The clean sharp fin of the Orca is often sighted in Kaikoura, and schools of Pilot Whales are occasional visitors. Everywhere the fun loving Dusky Dolphin, sometimes swimming with their cousins the Bottlenose and the Hectors dolphin. Fur seals, once almost hunted to extinction are now plentiful here, resting on warm rocks after a nights fishing. Seabirds, also enjoying the rich sea harvest, are everywhere.

Kaikoura was originally a fishing town which also serviced the fertile rural area around it but now has a firm foot in the door as one of the countries top eco and adventure tourism destinations. The town has a mix of accommodations and eating houses to suit all travelers.

More details about Kaikoura accommodation and tour options.

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Australia News

Willis's is a family owned Darwin based company which specialises in guided walking tours in the Kakadu, Kimberley, Pilbara and Red Centre of Australia. Bushwalking is walking through the "bush", ie the Australian wilderness. In New Zealand, it is called "tramping"; in North America it is called "backpacking" or "hiking"; in the UK it is sometimes called "rambling". In most parts of the world, it is done on tracks and trails. In the outback where these walks take place, lack of trails can mean some variation in routes. There are a variety of walks leaving at different times of the year - some trips also have Aboriginal guides to give a greater insight into the land and culture. Some of the highlights for walkers are seeing a variety of Aboriginal rock art along the way, wonderful waterfalls and swimming holes and wildflowers. Food drops are made by helicopter at points along the way so you do not have to deal with carrying heavy packs.

Walks vary from 3-4 days through to 6 week expeditions and groups are small - 4-12 people plus 1 or 2 guides. You rarely see any other humans on the trails and you camp beneath the stars and eat 3 course dinners cooked by your guide on a camp fire.

It is important that walkers are fit and can swim as some river crossings are involved. If you are interested in finding out more about trip options and dates, contact us for more information.

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Pacific Island News

Known as Fiji's Hidden Paradise, the secret of the world-class diving areana surrounding Savusavu is slowly becoming more widely known. The colour palette is diverse and the warm waters offer around 40 sites with good visibility. No matter which dive excursion you take; Rainbow Reef, Great White Wall, Blue Ribbon Eel Reef or Shark Alley, they include walls, swim throughs, overhangs bommies, soft and hard corals, reef and pelagic fish and sharks.

Savusavu is located on the shore of Fiji's second largest island, Vanua Levu. Nearby are a variety of resorts offering a range of accommodation to suit all budgets.

Eco Dive and Tours and L'Adventure de Jean Michel Cousteau provide dive trips from all resorts in the area. Both have training pools for the first time diver and courses for the beginner as well as advanced, rescue and divemaster training.

Send us your travel plans and we are more then happy to provide you with options and costs.

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