Milford Sound, 11/1/2024, National Geographic Orion
Aboard the
National Geographic Orion
Australia and New Zealand
A spectacular day unfolded in Milford Sound of Southland, New Zealand. Fiordland National Park is the largest of Aotearoa’s thirteen national parks and is regarded by many as the eighth wonder of the natural world. After picking up the pilot at the station outside the entrance to the fjord we made our way deep into the flooded glacial valley to explore the beautiful scenery.
In the afternoon we made our way south to Thompson Sound (also a fjord) to enjoy another scenic cruise from the Zodiacs.
Pacific Northwest born James Hyde grew up immersed in the Salish Sea, on Vashon Island with Seattle as his backdrop. A passionate traveler from a young age, James explored four continents before finishing his degree at Western Washington University's...
Enter travel details to receive reports from a single expedition
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Send Daily Expedition Reports to friends and family
*By clicking the submit button, I authorize Lindblad Expeditions to email me; however, I am able to unsubscribe at any time. For more details, see our Privacy Policy.
Please note: All Daily Expedition Reports (DERs) are posted Monday-Friday,
during normal business hours. DERs are written onboard the ship only and do
not apply to land-based portions of expeditions.
For the final day of our trip, we anchored off the town of Russell in the north of the country to visit the site where the Waitangi Treaty was signed by both Māori and the British Crown. The timing of our visit was remarkable as just hours after Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Kareariki Maipi-Clarke tore-up the Indigenous Treaty Principles Bill during a powerful Haka in parliament. The bill ostensibly promises to extend and clarify the treaty. The day began with torrential wind and near-gale winds but ended in glorious sunshine.
As we continue north to experience more of New Zealand, we discover more and more beauty at every turn. Today we found National Geographic Orion anchored at Great Barrier Island. We had excursions planned ashore and luckily the weather was cooperating with our activities. In the morning, we were joined by Steve, the main caretaker of Great Barrier Island. He explained the history of the island as well as all the efforts made to preserve and conserve the island, including the eradication of any non-native pests. Morning activities commenced after Steve’s welcome and part of the group went off to a manuka distillery to witness the production of manuka oil. Hikers went ashore to visit the kauri tree forests. Overall, it was a beautiful day with great scenery and good company.
Guests aboard National Geographic Orion cruised by Whakaari White Island on our way to the Port of Tauranga in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty. As the ship cruised the coast, guests spotted a number of seabirds, including diving and storm petrels and sooty shearwaters. Once in port, guests ventured inland to Rotorua. Also known as “Sulfur City”, this area is known for its rich Maori culture and unique geothermal hot springs. Guests visited Te Puia, a cultural hub dedicated to preserving Māori traditions. Here, they had the opportunity to engage with local artisans at the arts school, witnessing the intricate craftsmanship of traditional carving and weaving. Participants enjoyed hands-on demonstrations and learned about the significance of these art forms in Māori culture. The day's excursions not only provided breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences but also deepened the guests' understanding of New Zealand's cultural heritage. As the sun set over Tauranga, National Geographic Orion prepared to continue its journey, leaving behind a lasting impression of this remarkable destination.
