SEASONS OF ISLAND ESCAPE - 2009/10

LUXURY BOUTIQUE EXPEDITIONS Sheltered waters, Big ship comfort and Exceptional intimacy. TREASURE ISLANDS OF AUCKLAND VARIOUS CHARTER ESCAPES Treasure Islands of Auckland Mokohinaus

Hen and Chickens S u mm luxuryer – Dece escapesmber to April

New Zealand Geographic and Island Escape sea kayaks, a five-seater helicopter and snorkelling Expeditions have formed an alliance to offer equipment. Never a dull moment, although lazing in a luxury expeditions within . deckchair is always an acceptable option.

Great Barrier Island Our shared passion for adventure, discovery and During each journey, our eight-person crew are on conservation has inspired a series of extraordinary small hand to share their knowledge of the ocean and ship voyages to some of the most remote and fascinating local landscapes. On selected trips, the learning places in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. experience will be enhanced by a New Zealand The ‘Island Passage’ is our beautifully-appointed Geographic scientist, historian, photographer or small ship. Weighing in at almost 500 tonnes, explorer. The NZ Department of Conservation has Great Mercury she’s equipped to travel to inaccessible areas while granted Island Passage permission to operate in DOC Tiri Tiri Matangi Island Island delivering the highest level of passenger comfort. sites throughout the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

Mercury Islands On board you’ll find 10 spacious ensuite cabins, a large The alliance between Island Escape and New dining room and saloon lounge, a library and generous Zealand Geographic is assisting research and Rangitoto outdoor living spaces. In the galley, our chef works with exploration projects around the . the freshest local ingredients and delicacies to create Together we support the New Zealand Geographic Auckland memorable meals that reflect the day’s adventures. Trust with funding for research and conservation in City Alderman Islands the areas we visit. Coromandel For entertainment and exploration, Island Passage carries purpose-built landing craft, three large tenders, Welcome aboard. FACT FILE

COMPLIMENTARY SUBSCRIPTION Every booking on a Hauraki Gulf expedition will receive a complimentary 12 month (six issues) subscription to New Mayor Island Zealand Geographic. For two decades this magazine has been the definitive journal of life in New Zealand. Readers enjoy stories that take them from the deepest oceans to the stars above, and all the locations and cultures in between. Auckland’sA magical corner of the Pacific OceanHauraki between the Hibiscus Gulf Coast and – Coromandel a panoramic Peninsula, the Hauraki Gulf view includes 4000 square kilometres of ocean and a multitude of islands. In the Maori language, Hauraki means north wind - apt because the gulf is protected from all sides except the north. Within this oceanic haven, nature is still very much at home. Volcanic landforms, deserted beaches, native forests, bird sanctuaries and historic sites await your discovery. Welcome to paradise, Island Escape style.

Pristine environments Fascinating history Forest ecosystems Rare wildlife Lifestyle afloat Lapping at the doorstep of New Zealand’s Although people have been part of Replanting programmes are revitalising Encounters with animals of the land Usually a vessel the size of Island biggest city, the Hauraki Gulf Marine the Hauraki Gulf’s life for less than the forests of the Hauraki Gulf, however and sea are an essential element Passage would carry 40 or more Park is a blue-green paradise for sailing, 1000 years, the relics of early you won’t have to wait a hundred years of every Island Passage expedition. passangers for multi-day expeditions, fishing and beach life. The mood of the settlement are absorbing. Motutapu for a satisfying botanical experience. The Hauraki Gulf is home to pods however we limit occupancy to just weather paints the seascapes. On some Island was inhabited while Rangitoto On Motutapu you can discover of dolphins and orca; sei, minke 20. Accommodated in luxuriously- days, the gulf is a limpid pool of calm; on was erupting 600 years ago - there the Home Bay Forest – a healthy, and Bryde’s whales are also sighted appointed cabins, our guests enjoy others, white horses gallop across water are fossilized footprints in volcanic regenerating native ecosystem. And regularly. The expedition’s wildlife five star service - but without the stiff as yachts stretch their legs to reach the ash to prove it. Gun emplacements, has a tract of highlight is a guided walk on Tiritiri formality you might find in a hotel. farthest anchorages. Always the gulf is remnants of New Zealand’s staunchly original kauri forest near the summit Matangi, where the resident birds Onboard dining is strictly fabulous. achingly beautiful – a cruising ground defensive past, are an almost sculptural of Mount Hobson, as well as extensive seem to have no fear of humans. You’ll Using the freshest local ingredients, that’s up there with the world’s best. feature of many inner-gulf landscapes. areas of mature coastal forest. On encounter rare takahe, hihi, kokako and organic wherever possible, our master With more than 50 islands, the gulf can On Great Barrier Island, historical Kawau Island a towering stand of saddlebacks, as well as a plethora of chef will win your heart at every meal. show you a huge variety of landscapes. sites are beautifully blended into the redwoods is a beautiful surprise. bellbirds, fantails and tui. And if you catch a fish while on board, Waiheke’s coastline presents you with landscape. There are Maori pa sites that simply hand it over and wait for the a succession of pretty beaches and are centuries old, copper mines that delicious result. Our extensive cellar rugged headlands – inland you can you can visit by boat and awe-inspiring of fine New Zealand wines promises glimpse and olive groves. kauri dams that were once used to flush a perfect match with your lunch and Then, at the outermost reaches of logs down to the beach. The wreck of dinner choices. Before and after, the gulf, the wilderness of Great the SS Wairarapa at Miners Head isn’t the saloon bar is open for sociable Barrier Island will capture your soul. visible, but you can visit the resulting refreshment. The sundowner hour is On the return journey to Auckland the cemetaries. Kawau Island also has a an Island Passage tradition that our scenery continues with Kawau Island’s colourful past with historic buildings, guests always remember fondly, and magnificent Bon Accord Harbour, carriage roads and groves of exotic New Zealand’s daylight saving ensures complete with historic mansion house. trees. Even the peacocks that wander there’s plenty of time for conversation The finishing touch is Tiritiri Matangi, a tall the lawn at Mansion House Bay are on the aft deck before you call it a day. sandstone island with photogenic birdlife relics of days gone by. and an iconic lighthouse. Island Passage at anchor for the evening, as one of our tenders returns after the day’s adventures. About the islands Motutapu, which means ‘Sacred Island’, is preparing to become New Zealand’s largest island conservation park. Its pastoral scenery is being slowly transformed YExploreour Island Passage adventure Waiheke begins when you and board the ship lateMotutapu Sunday afternoon. - days 1 & 2 into coastal native forest. At the same time, the cultural landscape - created by Maori, early settlers On the way to our anchorage for the night, the ship glides past the volcanic Rangitoto and military operations – is being protected and island. A few decades ago this island was a barren landscape of tumbled basalt lava; interpreted. Waiheke, the most populated island in the gulf, is memorable for beautiful beaches, vineyards, today it supports New Zealand’s largest pohutukawa forest and prolific birdlife. olive groves and artistically-inclined residents.

Your first night aboard Island Passage will be spent at anchor in Home Bay, . The next day provides the opportunity to explore Motutapu or neighbouring Waiheke Island. Begin with a refreshing ocean swim, enjoy a sumptuous breakfast on the aft deck, then choose the morning’s activity. Options include a guided walk on Motutapu, an eco tour of Waiheke or an indulgent Waiheke wine experience. Beachcombing on these islands is the perfect start to your adventures.

Motutapu on foot Waiheke wine time Waiheke’s secrets Our walking tour of Motutapu was A discovery tour will introduce A Waiheke eco-tour can take you RAKINO designed with assistance from the you to the island’s famous cabernet to beautiful native forest parks and ISLAND Motutapu Restoration Trust, a volunteer sauvignon, , and wetlands, where you might see rare organisation that is “breathing new . Waiheke’s clay soils have a layer New Zealand dotterels and giant life into an ancient landform”. Your of ‘rotten rock’ beneath, which helps to kokopu, as well as not-so-rare kereru exploration of this remarkable island produce complex, intense red wine. (wood pigeons), tui, fantails, song will be enhanced by interaction with a thrushes, kingfishers and many other knowledgeable guide. species. Along the way you’ll learn about the history, folklore, architecture and customs of the island. MOTUTAPU ISLAND Home Bay Palm Oneroa Beach Matiatia Beach RANGITOTO Bay ISLAND PAKATOA WAIHEKE ISLAND ISLAND

ROTOROA ISLAND

PONUI ISLAND The Needles

Great Barrier Island – days 3 & 4 Miner Head You’ll awake to the extraordinary beauty of Fitzroy Harbour, your launching pad for two days of soft, medium or hard adventure on Great Barrier Island. The choices are many: forest hiking to the kauri dam, Kaitoke hot springs or the summit of Mount Hobson; a peaceful kayak tour on the pristine waters of the harbour; a trip to Miners Head in one of our tenders; fishing at a spot known only to the locals; seabird photography from a chair on the deck. We’ll help you to Katherine Bay Motairehe find outdoor entertainments that suit your interests and fitness level.

Okiwi Whangapoua Port Beach The final frontier Abercrombie Half the size of Singapore, but with no Rakitu Island electricity and a population of just 850, Great Barrier Island is the guardian of the Kaikoura gulf. It shields the inner islands, while Island taking a pounding from the Pacific Ocean Kauri on its eastern side. Fitzroy Harbour, on the Dams Bay sheltered side of the island, is one of the Broken Islands country’s most naturally-gifted harbours - the water is deep right up to the shore, GREAT BARRIER ISLAND making it possible to anchor and tie the stern to a pohutukawa tree. The island Forest world Island Passage entering Port Fitzroy, Gt Barrier Island has a colourful history involving whaling, The Glenfern Sanctuary guided walk Hot Springs Awana gold and silver mining, shipwrecks and will give you a special insight into the Places of interest Fitzroy Harbour Bay alternative lifestyles. Today a passion for natural world of Great Barrier Island. The Kaiaraara kauri dam is a relic from Coastal explorations are actively conservation connects the residents, who The sanctuary, which is on the Kotuku the island’s forestry days. Constructed encouraged on Island Passage. You can believe (with good reason) that they’ve Peninsula near Port Fitzroy, has an entirely from kauri logs, it has a ‘trapdoor’ do it the fast way, in one of our high- Claris found heaven on earth. More than 120 extensive network of walking tracks. that opens to let the water and logs pass powered tenders, or you can slip into Kaitoke kilometres of walking tracks let you A highlight is the swing bridge that through. The hot pools in Kaitoke Creek a sea kayak and enjoy the tranquillity Beach connect with Great Barrier Island’s enables you to climb into the crown of are another goal to aim for when planning of a paddling tour. And then there’s the Okupu Blind Bay wild spirit. a 600-year-old kauri tree. your Great Barrier hikes. fishing – you catch ‘em, we’ll cook ‘em.

Schooner Bay Tryphena

Cape Barrier Kawau and Tiritiri Matangi - days 5 & 6 Your expedition concludes with two islands that couldn’t be more different. Kawau’s character rests on the historic

KAWAU shoulders of Sir George Grey, who owned the island from 1862 to 1888. Tiritiri Matangi represents the glory of ISLAND conservation success – an eroded farm that has been ecologically restored. Island Passage arrives back in Auckland Bon Accord Harbour Mansion House at noon on Friday.

Old Coppermine Colonial elegance Kawau Island is almost bisected by the long inlet of Bon Accord Harbour which is geologically a ‘drowned valley’. Within this sheltered haven there are many attractive bays, however Mansion House Bay is the most remarkable. Here you can tour Sir George Grey’s stately home, then stroll along the road that Grey’s carriage (pulled by two zebras!) used to take. From the historic coach road, a track leads to the picturesque ruins of an underground MOTUKETEKETE seashore copper mine. Another great Kawau walk is the Redwood Track, which reveals an ISLAND interesting collection of exotic trees planted by Grey – redwoods, Australian bush cherry and MOTUREKAREKA bunya-bunya pines, to name just a few. A visit to the yacht club will uncover some interesting ISLAND local characters, and you’ll find that the fishing around Kawau is most rewarding.

Welcome to bird land Tiritiri Matangi is one of New Zealand’s most important and exciting conservation MOTUORA projects. An ecological restoration process ISLAND that began in 1984 has transformed the island from eroded farmland into a sanctuary for rare birds. This island is a twitcher’s dream come true. A network of walking trails lets you explore a range of beautiful natural environments. Highlights include encounters with takahe, the rarest of NZ’s flightless birds; and kokako, which were on the brink of extinction. Nectar feeding stations are usually Little Wooded a frenzy of bellbirds – interrupted regularly Island by much-larger tui. Fantails enjoy leading you along the higher tracks, where bright green Whangaparaoa kakariki parrots also like to hang out. At Hobbs Beach, penguin nesting boxes are occupied in Shakespear TIRITIRI MATANGI spring. Department of Conservation volunteers Park ISLAND are available to lead your walk around this Lighthouse beautiful island sanctuary. Gulf Harbour Island Passage – your relaxing, stylish home on the water

The ‘Island Passage’ operates with a crew of eight and is registered as a New Zealand vessel BRIDGE DECK - heli deck under NZ Safe Ship Management. She has a tonnage of 496 GRT. The ship carries a selection of landing craft, tenders and kayaks to allow exploring off the ship into bays, estuaries and islands. The helicopter is available for trips beyond the range of our sea craft.

FACT FILE

VESSEL SPECIFICATIONS Length: 42 metres (138 feet) Beam: 12.8 metres (39 feet) Gross weight: 496 tonne Range: 5500 nautical miles Engines: 2 x Kelvin Marine Diesel: 48,000 litres Fresh water: 40,000 litres Desalinator: 5000 litres/day Bridge Deck Suites Staterooms Expedition Cabins Auto pilot: Cetrek Offering the best views on the ship, the On the same level as the saloon, bar Located on the main deck, our Channel Radar: Northstar x 2 two Cape Class cabins open directly and dining room, Island Class cabins Class cabins give you a choice of a onto the teak bridge deck. Each cabin have large picture windows and doors queen-size bed or two singles. Suites Onboard equipment is individually air-conditioned with opening directly onto the promenade with single beds have a pullman 1 x 7-metre landing craft SKY TV, DVD/CD, movies on demand, deck. Each cabin has individual air- berth for a third guest. Individual air 2 x 7-metre sports boats writing desk, easy chair, super king bed conditioning, TV, DVD/CD, movies, conditioning, TV, DVD/CD, movies. SOLAS rescue boat and extra-large bathroom. writing desk and either queen or twin Sea view from the portholes. 4.2 metre tender single beds. One cabin is wheelchair- AS355 F1 Squirrel helicopter friendly with access shower and toilet.

Air conditioning: Cruisair Satellite TV: SeaTel 2498SE Home theatre: Bose Televisions: Philips plasma

Schedules may change due to operational requirements. Hauraki GulfDecember Cruise 2009 Rates – April 2010and Schedule

HAURAKI GULF Cruise Rates in New Zealand Dollars GREAT ESCAPE 5 NIGHT Cruise Schedule

The 10 Cabins Cabin Layout 3-Nights Prices - NZD 5-Nights Prices - NZD 6 Nights December January February March April Double/Twin/Triple Double/Twin/Triple Sunday 6-Dec 3-Jan 7-Feb 7-Mar 4-Apr Expedition Triple Beds $1,470 $1,950 Sunday 13-Dec 10-Jan 14-Feb 14-Mar 11-Apr Expedition Twin/Queen $1,800 $2,500 Sunday 20-Dec 17-Jan 21-Feb 21-Mar 18-Apr Staterooms Twin/Queen $1,950 $2,750 Sunday 27-Dec 24-Jan 28-Feb 28-Mar 25-Apr Owners Queen Bed $2,100 $3,000 Sunday - 31-Jan - - - Bridge Deck King Bed $2,250 $3,250

island escape cruises limited. 10/22 princes wharf, quay street, auckland. new zealand. Telephone: +64 9 358 1717 Fax: +64 9 358 1564 www.expeditions.org.nz www.islandescape.co.nz Email: [email protected]