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Activities Update

Trade E-newsletter - December 2023

Activities

The National Kiwi Centre Hokitika – Qualmark Silver

Received a Qualmark Silver rating for having a light foot print, providing a warm welcome and for safety. Get up close and interact with living icons of the West Coast - Kiwi, Tuatara, Giant Eels, Crayfish and Whitebait.

The National Kiwi Centre is situated in the heart of Hokitika and provides the opportunity to get up close and personal with New Zealand’s national icons. Have fun catching a Crawly. We feed our Eels at: 10.00am, 12.00pm and 3.00pm every day. Bookings not necessary.

The National Kiwi Centre Hokitika

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Glacier Country Helicopters – Qualmark Gold

New Experience: Shackleton ‘Whiskey’ Endurance, 50 minute flight

Major Sir Ernst Shackleton was an Anglo-Irish Antarctic explorer who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic on the three-mastered barquentine, names Endurance.

In January 1914, the ship became trapped in pack ice and finally sank in the Weddell Sea off Antarctica on 21 November 1915.

January 2010, whiskey bottles belonging to the Antarctic explorer, kept on ice for more than 100 years, were found intact and retrieved from beneath the explorer’s abandoned hut.

With his own blend of whiskey still intact, these bottles were retrieved and sent back to New Zealand for testing and later re-created in Scotland, into this unique whiskey.

In March 2022, the Falklands Marine Heritage Trust’s Endurance 22 Expedition successfully located the wreck of Sire Ernest Shackleton’s lost ship Endurance.

The 50-minute flight takes you over the Franz Josef and Tasman Glaciers, passed our highest peak in Mt Cook and on through the Gunn Range where the Lord Of The Rings movies were filmed, before landing on the snow of the Shackleton Glacier, discovered and named by the man himself.

This special experience allows us to step on the glacier named after the great explorer, and sample a complimentary glass of the Shackleton Whiskey with the glacial ice.

Franz Josef Glacier Guides – Qualmark Gold

Trade Product Only: Guided Franz Josef Valley Walk

Join us for an unforgettable adventure in the heart of New Zealand's stunning Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Your journey begins at Glacier Base on Cron St, where you'll be warmly greeted by your knowledgeable guide. Climb aboard your comfortable coach, and set off on a scenic ride up the Franz Josef valley, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the region. Your destination is the iconic Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere, or Franz Josef Glacier, nestled in this pristine wilderness.

Upon arrival, in the UNESCO World Heritage site, you'll hear fascinating stories about its past. Embark on a journey along private trail not open to the general public. Along this informative walk, your guide will share insights about the native flora, fauna, and birdlife that call this area home. The private trail leads you to the Waiho Riverbed, a secluded gem hidden from public access. Here, you'll be immersed in primeval landscapes, framed by snow-capped mountains and the awe-inspiring Franz Josef Glacier. You'll also hear the captivating Māori legend of Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere from your guide.

Delve into the geological history of the glacier and the brave explorers who ventured here before you. Your journey will continue to a public viewpoint, offering a unique perspective of Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere. From this vantage point, you'll witness the glacier's grandeur in a different light. As the tour concludes, you'll follow your guide back to the carpark along the public trail, savouring the remarkable memories of your adventure.

At Franz Josef Glacier Guides, we pride ourselves on providing bespoke tours that can be tailored to the specific needs and interests of your group, including additional trails or the option for morning tea. It's our pleasure to share this extraordinary place with you, and we are proudly owned by Ngai Tahu Tourism and Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio.

This product can be booked via walks@franzjosefglacier.com

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INFLITE Group
Kiwi Journeys - Hokitika

New Zealand Tourism Awards 2023

The New Zealand Tourism Awards 2023 finalists were announced early September with two businesses from the West Coast named. The awards, presented by Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA), showcase and celebrate the very best of New Zealand tourism’s individual and business successes.

Congratulations to the below West Coast affiliated finalists:

NZME Visitor Experience Award 2023 – Kiwi Journeys New Zealand, Kiwi Journeys West Coast

BDO Tourism Excellence Award (Large Business) 2023 – INFLITE Group, Skydive Franz Josef & Fox Glacier.