WILD ABOUT - NATIONAL PARK EPISODE GUIDE 2013

Episode One: , Wild About New Zealand Series. Aired: Tuesday, September 3rd, 8.30 on TV ONE

By Gus Roxburgh

The Wild About New Zealand Episode guides provide a simple overview for viewers on planning a trip to the National Park featured in the TV series. What can you visit? What is easily accessible? What needs more planning and preparation? Plus top tips on things to do in and around the National Parks for those with a day, 2 days or 4+ days. The guides are written by series presenter, Gus Roxburgh who spent 18 months on adventures – both big and small, in all our National Parks featured in the series. The information is designed to get New Zealanders to move from the inspiration of the TV series to action - and head out to explore our world renowned National Parks.

 Gus is the presenter of the TV series, Wild About New Zealand, and principal author of the book of the series being published by Random House in October 2013

 Content developed with Destination Fiordland, Venture Southland, Department of Conservation and Jasons Travel Media.

For more information on the Fiordland National Park please visit: Wild About New Zealand Travel Information Web Site: www.wildaboutnewzealand.co.nz

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Episode Guide Sections :

i. Essential Travel Information incl. Why You Should Visit, What is So Special, Getting There & 5 Top Things to Do

ii. Expanded Itineraries incl. Gus’ Picks for 1, 2 and 4 Day Trips to Fiordland National Park

FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK

Tourism New Zealand.

Fiordland National Park Inspiration. See an online video of remarkable aerial footage from the filming in Fiordland here.

ESSENTIAL FIORDLAND TRAVEL INFORMATION  Why You Should Visit and What is So Special  Getting There  Gus’ Top 5 Things to Do in Fiordland.

AS SEEN ON TELEVISION – WILD ABOUT NEW ZEALAND.

Areas of Fiordland seen in the September 3rd episode of Wild About New Zealand that can easily be visited:

including Bowen Falls, sea kayaking, boat tours & underwater.   Milford Road and ( to Milford Sound Drive)  Lake & Doubtful Sound  and Wairaurahiri River (including conservation programme)  Dusky Sound (more remote – but accessible by multi day boat tour or tramp).

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 Wildlife commonly seen on a visit: Dolphins, Seals, Sea Lions, & Native Birds

WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT By Gus Roxburgh.

Fiordland National Park is the largest National Park in New Zealand and completes the South West New Zealand World Heritage area. It is recognized internationally as one of the most unique natural landscapes on earth – and is a “taonga”, a special gift that every New Zealander should value – and visit. Fiordland is a spectacular glacier carved landscape of peaks, lakes, forests and rivers that marks the southern end of the Southern Alps. Its many ice carved fiords have created a landscape of unparalleled beauty, drama and challenge for those prepared to get out and experience it – whether from the road, a track, a boat or from the air. Whether you are a ‘soft adventurer’ who likes a short adventure of just a few hours – or someone who want to pick up a pack and go exploring, Fiordland is one of the most remarkable natural areas on earth to spend time in.

WHAT IS SO SPECIAL

Where else in this overcrowded, hyper-connected world can you stand somewhere virtually certain that no other human being has ever set foot in that spot. As we filmed the first canyoneering descent of the iconic 200-meter Bowen Falls high above Milford Sound I realized Fiordland is that rarest of places – a vast and rugged topography where genuine ‘firsts’ still exist for those with a thirst for exploration.

After all, our largest national park is a place where species long thought extinct like the takahē have a habit of miraculously showing back up. Some people even believe there’s a herd of long-lost moose hanging out unseen in Fiordland. Who knows? Maybe there’s still a or two out in them thar hills.

For the actively-inclined this is a place to get your walking boots on. Great Walks abound with the Milford (billed as the best walk in the world), the Kepler, the Routeburn and the more recent tracks all being bucket list-worthy. For the more sedate the drive to Milford Sound is a jaw-dropper. Once there, get out on the Sound by boat or kayak. Its iconic beauty won’t disappoint whatever the weather (and with 300 days of rain a year, remember to pack a jacket).

GETTING THERE

Fiordland lies on the South West corner of the – so is often combined with a trip that takes in other parts of this remarkable area of New Zealand. Queenstown , (which both Air New Zealand and Jetstar service) and (Air New Zealand only) are all access points for those flying in - allow a half day to a day from these locations to get into Fiordland National Park itself. For those heading into the northern parts of this huge park, consider stopping for a night in Te Anau or Manapouri – rather than taking the long drive (4+ hours each way) from Queenstown.

TOP FIVE – Gus’ Top Five Things to Do in Fiordland National Park

1. Visit Milford Sound, take a cruise to the sea + visit the underwater viewing gallery. 2. The Milford Track, 2-4 days, the finest walk in the world. 3. Cruise on Doubtful Sound and visit the underground power station en route.

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4. Sail across for a glow-worm adventure. 5. Drive up Eglington valley and do a few of the many walks that include the Hollyford.

More Information: Wild About New Zealand: http://www.wildaboutnewzealand.co.nz/fiordland-national-park/ Destination Fiordland: www.fiordland.org.nz Jasons Encounter Outdoor Adventure Guide: http://jasons.co.nz/fiordland/activities-attractions DOC Fiordland National Park: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/fiordland/

Gus is principal author of Wild About New Zealand – the book of the series being published by Random House in October 2013.

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Expanded Itineraries

One, Two and Four Day Suggested Itineraries.

ONE DAY – Gus’ Suggestions for Those with One Day.

 Milford Sound - The most famous of the fiords and for a reason – the topography is breath taking and iconic. This Sound is also the most popular with international visitors (arriving by coach for the day from Queenstown) so look to arrive early and miss the peak travel times. There is a huge range of activities now on offer in Milford Sound from the sedate to the adventurous – so take the time in Milford – and plan to stay in Te Anau (or Milford itself) so you can stop on the remarkable drive in. More: http://www.fiordland.org.nz/ABOUT- FIORDLAND/Milford-Sound.asp

 The Wairaurahiri Jet Boat experience takes you on a breath-taking journey across Lake Hauroko and through ancient Waitutu Forest, past moss strewn beech trees, avoiding boulders, over grade 3 rapids, all the way to the south coast. Along the way, Johan of Wairauhiri Jet will stop to check stoat traps as part of a conservation effort to save native birds and rid the region of nasty predators. Also, you are encouraged to purchase a stoat trap to help the effort and become a worthy member of their ‘Good Guys’ list. See the video of this experience here. See more: http://www.wjet.co.nz

 Ata Whenua the Movie – Fiordland Cinema in Te Anau http://www.fiordlandcinema.co.nz presents regular screenings of Fiordland on film. It takes just half an hour and takes you into the Fiordland World Heritage wilderness you would otherwise never see. It is evocative and spectacular; filmed across extremes of season, climate and terrain.

 Doubtful Sound – a day trip that takes you across and a cruise on pristine, isolated, stunning Doubtful Sound. There’s also the opportunity to kayak and visit the that was literally built inside a mountain. More: http://www.fiordland.org.nz/About-Fiordland/Doubtful-Sound

TWO DAYS – Gus’ Suggestions for those with a couple of days:

 Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track – is a 53km, 3 day loop track that takes you, up to the subalpine zone of the Hump Ridge; over historic viaducts (the largest over Percy Burn is 125m long and 36m high), through lush, bird rich native forest, then along Blowholes Beaches and Bluecliffs beach on the south coast of NZ, which takes you back to where you began. More: http://www.humpridgetrack.co.nz/ See the video of this experience here.

– is a 60km 3-4 day loop track taking you from the forested shores of Lake Te Anau up to the subalpine tops where you are rewarded by spending time among the tussock tops. The views are magnificent, Mt Luxmore rising above and the lakes, rivers and hanging valleys of remote Fiordland at your feet. More: http://greatwalks.co.nz/kepler-track

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Tourism New Zealand.

FOUR OR MORE DAYS – Gus’ Suggestions for those with a bit more time.

Finally – whether it is on your first trip or a subsequent visit, you really need to take a few more days (or weeks) to explore this huge and iconic National Park in more depth.

 Dusky Sound – as seen on Wild About New Zealand, this sound is more remote and untouched - offering those keen to explore More: http://www.realjourneys.co.nz/en/destinations/dusky-sound/

 Haast to Hollyford Route – this is one of New Zealand’s longest, most remote and all- encompassing routes, it takes in the entire length of our coastal walks, the Cascade Plateau, and the track. This wilderness walk of a lifetime will take between 8 and 14 days – with major parts “off track” – following rivers, crossing passes and with no huts. For experienced trampers and hikers.

– If you don't have time or experience to do the Haast to Hollyford route, the Hollyford track offers flexibility. You can take 1, 2, 3, 4 or more days, it’s up to you. It begins easily through magical beech forest in the footsteps of Maori travellers and pioneer explorers. Next, is a climb over a low saddle with great views and then on beside Lake McKerrow / Whakatipu Waitai to the ocean at . This is a ‘there and back’ track that can be tackled at any time of year, but is challenging in places and even impassable during periods of heavy rain. More: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks- and-walks/fiordland/northern-fiordland/hollyford-track/

 Milford Track – saving the best to last, the Milford Track is described as ‘the finest walk in the world’, a richly deserved reputation for New Zealand’s most famous track. 54km through a forested, glacier carved valley, then up and over a spectacular mountain pass, descending past wild waterfalls, lakes and forest all the way to a pick up point in Milford Sound. As with the Hollyford guided trips are available if you don’t want to carry all your own gear and food. More: http://greatwalks.co.nz/milford-track

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More Information:

For more information on the Fiordland National Park please visit: Wild About New Zealand Travel Information Web Site

More Resources:

Wild About New Zealand – Fiordland National Park page Department of Conservation: Fiordland National Park and Southland. Destination Fiordland (Regional Tourism Organisation): www.fiordland.org.nz Venture Southland (Regional Tourism Office): www.southland.org.nz Jasons Encounter Outdoor Adventure Guide: www.jasons.co.nz

Wild About New Zealand Partner Information & Media:

Working with the Wild About New Zealand television series on TVNZ’s ONE are a number of partners responsible for important parts of the programme or related media:

Wild About New Zealand Television Series on ONE. Tuesdays 8.30 pm starting September 3rd 2013. New Zealand on Air (the TV series was funded from NZOA’s Platinum Fund). Gus Roxburgh - More information on Gus Roxburgh – presenter of the series. Department of Conservation National Park Information - DOC’s detailed information on each National Park NHNZ - the iconic New Zealand based production company who worked with TVNZ creating the TV series Wild About New Zealand Book - The book of the series published by Random House, October 2013 Wild About New Zealand Visitor Information - supporting web site offering visitor information and deals Jasons Encounter – New Zealand Outdoor Adventure Activity and Attractions Information Wild About New Zealand Outdoor Safety Videos - outdoor safety videos sponsored by Macpac Macpac Outdoor Equipment - Outdoor equipment sponsor to the series and the related Outdoor Safety Videos Wild About New Zealand Facebook Page - for behind the scenes on production and visitor information

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