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Part V - Sydney and Southern Explorer Reverse

sky divers

Off to the South Pacific...

Pat spent the next 4 days in Sydney catching up with everything before his next trip - around New Zealand!

Connections showed him around the South Island, and all of its incredible beauty! New Zealand is famous for extreme sports - and Patrick was game!

Australia and New Zealand

Pat used the 4-day break to decompress, catch up with his blogs, podcasts, and videos, and to experience the best of Down Under! He stopped in to say hello to our friends at Connections Adventures, checked out Bondi Beach, strolled Sydney Harbour, snapped a pic or two outside of the Opera House and discovered why students LOVE to come here!

Then he headed southeast to New Zealand, home of adventure travel and incredibly friendly people. Connections Adventures took Pat around South Island, one of the two that make up this country (the other is North Island). He experienced life on a working sheep station high in the Southern Alps and had the chance to get in some extreme sports! He was “oohing” and “aahing” throughout this week-long tour.

Connections has been leading small tours and vacations across Australia and New Zealand for thousands of young people from dozens of countries since '76!

Here's the plan:


Day  Where  Where You'll Go 
1  Christchurch to Lake Ohau  Grand architecture, historic homesteads and immaculate parks intermingle with the technology and style of modern life in Christchurch. Lake Pukaki to Mt. Cook – known to the Maori people as Aoraki or “cloud piercer” – hopefully no clouds in sight to obscure the view! From here it’s only a short drive to Mt. Cook Village. 
2  Lake Ohau to Milford Sound  Morning drive over the Lindis Pass, through the Cromwell district, along the Kawarau River ("Lord of the Rings" scenery and home to AJ Hackett’s original Bridge Bungy site – the first commercial bungy in the world) and into Te Anau. Your cruise tonight in the Tasman Sea is a real highlight! 
3  Milford Sound to Queenstown  Time for additional cruising this morning before returning to the wharf. Off to Queenstown and its – spectacular scenery, great hikes, cafes, shops, and every adrenaline-charged activity you can imagine! Enjoy free time this afternoon to experience a slice of what the town has to offer.
4  Queenstown  Try a bungy jump at the home of commercial bungy jumping, raft on the Shotover River or surf the waters of the Kawarau whilst river boarding. A shot of adrenaline in the Shotover Jet as you skim past the canyon walls or the breathtaking scenery of the Dart River on a jetboat safari or by horseback.
5  Queenstown to Fox Glacier  An early start today as you negotiate Haast Pass and stop at Thunder Creek Falls, which flows into the Haast River amidst rainforest, highlighting the beauty of this World Heritage area. Westland National Park abounds with high mountain peaks and glaciers and this afternoon you'll have a chance to walk on a flowing river of ice!
6  Fox Glacier to Flock Hill  Start the day with a morning walk before heading off into the mountains. Stop at the Jade factory and see the carvers skilfully creating works of art from the greenstone The scenery will continue to amaze you today as you head once again across the Alps. Through the Otira Gorge, a quick break at Arthur’s Pass, then on to experience some real authentic Kiwi hospitality in the heart of NZ’s High Country at Flock Hill Station. Flock Hill is a massive working station farming fine wool sheep, beef cattle and red deer all set on a picturesque backdrop that regardless of the time of year you’ll be blown away! Plus if you’ve seen the movie Narnia, things are going to look a little familiar!
7  Flock Hill to Christchurch  Today you get to explore further a field. Learn about the colorful local history and farming practices of this remote area as well as hearing accounts from the early pioneering days in New Zealand. Watch the art of sheep shearing and sheepdogs work the cattle and sheep. Enjoy lunch at the property before it’s time to travel back down onto the Canterbury Plains and into Christchurch.
Ready to go now? We understand. BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE TODAY by calling (800) 497.0236 or visiting your local STA Travel store! 
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