WILD ABOUT NEW ZEALAND - WILD WEST COAST EPISODE GUIDE 2013 Episode Five: “Wild West Coast” – Westland Tai Poutini, Paparoa and Kahurangi, Wild About New Zealand Series. Aired: Tuesday, October 1st, 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. 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 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 West Coast Official, Department of Conservation and Jasons Travel Media. For more information on the Abel Tasman National Park please visit: Wild About New Zealand Travel Information Web Site 1 | P a g e Wild About New Zealand Episode Guide WILD ABOUT NEW ZEALAND - WILD WEST COAST EPISODE GUIDE 2013 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 and 2 Day Trips to Westland, Paparoa and Kahurangi National Park ‘WILD WEST COAST’ – WESTLAND, PAPAROA AND KAHURANGI NATIONAL PARK Westland National Park by Gareth Eyre ESSENTIAL WESTLAND, PAPAROA AND KAHURANGI TRAVEL INFORMATION Why You Should Visit and What is So Special Getting There Gus’ Top 5 Things to Do in Westland, Paparoa and Kahurangi AS SEEN ON TELEVISION – WILD ABOUT NEW ZEALAND. Areas of Westland, Paparoa and Kahurangi seen in the October 1st episode of Wild About New Zealand that can easily be visited (for marked locations you may need specialist equipment and experience and/or travel with an specialist guide): Westland Tai Poutini National Park including: Franz Josef Glacier Fox Glacier 2 | P a g e Wild About New Zealand Episode Guide WILD ABOUT NEW ZEALAND - WILD WEST COAST EPISODE GUIDE 2013 Paparoa National Park including: Pancake Rocks of Punakaiki Exploring Okarito Kahurangi National Park including: Walking the Heaphy Track WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT THE ‘WILD WEST’ – WESTLAND, PAPAROA AND KAHURANGI By Gus Roxburgh With three national parks the Coast is nirvana for those seeking a bit of the ‘park life’. Starting in the south Westland/Tai Poutini national park stretches from the snowy heights of the main divide to the wild waters of the Tasmam where the Taniwha Poutini swims protecting both the people and the Maori, or lifeforce, of the pounamu greenstone found in so many of the rivers of this region. This Park is also part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area, a UNESCO designated area of global ecological importance that also encompasses Aorkai/Mt Cook, Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks. Further north the tiny Paparoa National Park has been called the ‘limestone landscape’ by reknowned photographer and conservationist Craig Potton, and for good reason. Here craggy escarpments burst from the impossibly vivid green native bush and there’s as much to discover below the ground as above. Filming in Cataract Myopia, one of the many thousand sinkholes or tomos that pepper this porous landscape, we entered an underworld experienced only by a select few to find the drama of the landscape above the surface is reflected by the unseen beauty below. Finally to the north is Kahurangi, our newest national park and a sprawling wilderness that Emeritus Professor of Botany, Sir Alan Mark, describes as an “ark from the Pleistocene epoch”, for within it’s boundaries lies the countries largest variety of habitats, landforms, plants and animals. The Wild West Coast is the perfect place for a road trip taking in this stunning trifecta of national parks. TOP FIVE – Gus’ Top Five Things to do in Westland Tai Poutini National Park 1. Walk to Lake Matheson just before sunset for the photograph of a lifetime. 2. Tramp up the scenic Copeland Valley and dip in the hot pools at Welcome Flat 3. Kayak the Okarito estuary and cruise slowly by the nesting White Herons. 4. A guided trek among ice caves and crevasses on Franz Josef Glacier. 5. The Fox Glacier Valley Walk, to get up close to this amazing river of ice. TOP FIVE – Gus’ Top Five Things to do in Paparoa National Park 1. If the surf is up, take an impromptu shower at Pancake Rocks and blowholes 2. Kayak up the Pororari River through limestone gorges and rainforest 3. Explore the hidden depths of the Nile River caves 4. Meet the bold and feisty Westland Black Petrels at their nest colony 5. Trek in the footsteps of the gold miners 3 | P a g e Wild About New Zealand Episode Guide WILD ABOUT NEW ZEALAND - WILD WEST COAST EPISODE GUIDE 2013 TOP FIVE – Gus’ Top Five Things to do in Kahurangi National Park 1. Tramp the Heaphy Track - the longest of NZ’s 9 Great Walks. 2. Mountain bike the Mount Arthur Tableland circuit 3. Chopper in and raft out down the Karamea River 4. After dark at Kohaihai, searching for giant carnivorous snails. 5. Exploring cave systems of Oparara Basin. Caves for all levels of experience. More Information on the ‘Wild West’ – Westland, Paparoa and Kahurangi National Park: Wild About New Zealand Westland Visitor Park Page: http://www.wildaboutnewzealand.co.nz/westland-national-park/ Wild About New Zealand Paparoa Visitor Park Page: http://www.wildaboutnewzealand.co.nz/paparoa-national-park/ Wild About New Zealand Kahurangi Visitor Park Page: http://www.wildaboutnewzealand.co.nz/kahurangi-national-park/ West Coast Official: http://www.westcoastnz.com/ Jasons Encounter Outdoor Adventure Guide: http://jasons.co.nz/west-coast/activities-attractions DOC Westland National Park: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/westland-tai-poutini/ DOC Paparoa National Park: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/paparoa/ DOC Kahurangi National Park: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/kahurangi/ Gus is principal author of Wild About New Zealand – the book of the series being published by Random House in October 2013 4 | P a g e Wild About New Zealand Episode Guide WILD ABOUT NEW ZEALAND - WILD WEST COAST EPISODE GUIDE 2013 Expanded Itineraries One, Two and Four Day Suggested Itineraries. Westland National Park by Julian Apse WESTLAND NATIONAL PARK ONE DAY– Gus’ suggestions for those with one day in Westland Ta Poutini Walking to the Fox Glacier - the track winds its way up valley though a chaotic jumble of rocks, all put there by the glacier as it carved bits off the Southern Alps on its grinding descent. The return trip takes about an hour and is 2.6 kilometres. For those with deeper pockets, helicopter onto the Franz Josef glacier where you’ll be dropped with a guide can explore deep blue ice caves and gaze into deep crevasses. Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman are reflected in the tranquil waters of Lake Matheson, which was also the terminus of the Fox Glacier when at its maximum during the ice ages. The lake is now surrounded by kahikatea forest, which you wander through to access the view points. Great at dawn or dusk, the track around the lake is 2.6 kilometers and takes 1 hour 30 minutes. Alex Knob Track is a steady climb through lowland forest up to sub alpine cedar and tree daisy forest then alpine meadows which offer spectacular views of glaciers, mountains and seascapes. This 17 kilometre return journey for experienced, well equipped trampers takes 8 hours. More: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/west- coast/glaciers/alex-knob-track/ Kayak the Okarito Lagoon down to the breeding colonies of kotuku (white heron) and royal spoonbill. As you paddle quietly beside the nesting trees, birds will continue tending their 5 | P a g e Wild About New Zealand Episode Guide WILD ABOUT NEW ZEALAND - WILD WEST COAST EPISODE GUIDE 2013 young oblivious of your presence. The reserve is by permit only and is open from late October to late February. You can also cruise the lagoon by jet boat (which slows to a crawl when passing the colony). TWO PLUS DAYS – Gus’s suggestions for those with a couple of days in Westland Ta Poutini Walk into the Welcome Flat to overnight in the hut and soak in the natural hot pools and gaze at the looming Southern Alps and stars above. The track through rata forest was built over 100 years ago to provide access for keen and able tourists to get from the West Coast, over the Southern Alps to the Hermitage Hotel. From road to pools is 18 kilometers one way and takes 6-7 hours. Paparoa National Park by Christian Michel PAPAROA NATIONAL PARK ONE DAY – Gus’ suggestions for those with one day in Paparoa Punakaiki, Pororari River loop – a short easy walk visiting limestone cliffs and canyons. Kayak the Pororari River – through limestone gorges and native forest. No experience necessary and great for kids. Or, you can walk the track beside the river. Fox River track - takes you upriver to the spectacular ballroom rock overhang. Bring a bright torch to see fantastic and fragile stalactite and stalagmite formations.