This trip is based around our biggest city, Auckland, during its annual Hero Festival. This is New Zealand’s equivalent of Sydney’s Mardi Gras. Note that the Hero Festival it is held on the two weekends preceding Mardi Gras, i.e. you may want to travel onto Sydney from Auckland to continue the celebrations over there.

Our idea for this trip is to mix the various major events of the Hero Festival with a taste of the adventures possible in the region. Within a few hours of the city you could be climbing an active volcano, diving at the Poor Knights Islands (one of the world’s top dive spots), or viewing some of the world’s largest trees (Kauri trees can grow even bigger than sequoias!). Or go kayaking through mangroves, followed by a relaxing bath in natural hot pools!

The two weekends will be spent around the city, as the main events of Hero (the parade and the party) are on subsequent weekends.

Itinerary -

• Day One:

  We will pick you up from the airport, or your accommodation in Auckland, and transfer you to ‘Jungle’s Edge’ gay homestay on Waiheke Island, a short ferry journey from Auckland city centre. This is a comfortable, spacious homestay on the edge of beautiful native bush. Palm Beach is nearby - a lovely, clothes optional beach, and a popular cruising spot!

• Day Two:

  Today, we explore the island. Options include mountain biking around the lovely, sparsely inhabited western half of the island, or sea kayaking around the coastline. Or if jetlag is still bothering you, relax on the beach for the day!

• Day Three:

  We leave Waiheke, and head north to the marine reserve of Goat Island. New Zealand’s oldest marine reserve, this is a popular snorkeling spot. The island lies only a stone throw from the beach, and vast shoals of fish patrol the island, mugging snorkelers for food! An unforgettable experience! In the afternoon, should people wish to be dragged away from the beach, we will visit the Matakohe Kauri Museum, a fascinating little museum, which shows the history of the kauri logging industry in the region. More interesting than it sounds, and a good thing to see before visiting the kauri forests themselves. We will spend the night in the city of Whangarei, New Zealand’s most northerly city (though nearer a small town by most standards).

• Day Four:

  A choice today. People with dive tickets may like to go diving at New Zealand’s top dive area, the Poor Knights Islands. These are steep, rocky islands made of an old volcanic plug, and are home to several unique plants. Unfortunately, we can’t land on the islands (only scientists with permits are allowed), but the surrounding sea is just as interesting. A warm current bathes the islands, bringing all manner of colourful fish normally found in the subtropics.

  Visibility is as you would expect on a tropical reef too! Steep walls, caves and arches are covered in encrusting life forms in an amazing palette of garish hues, like you’d never dream of decorating your own walls with (I hope). This is my favorite dive site outside the tropics!

  If you can’t dive, an alternative today is to visit the Waipoua Kauri Forest. One of the few areas of kauri forest still left unlogged, it has a number of walking trails to New Zealand’s largest remaining trees. In fact, but for a fire in the 19th century, it would have contained the world’s largest tree! We will finish the day at Pahia, in the scenic Bay of Islands.

• Day Five:

  Today, we will spend the morning in the Bay of Islands, where we can charter a sailing yacht for the day, to visit some of the many beautiful islands in the bay, and maybe be joined by some dolphins and penguins!

  Alternatively, we can go on a ‘swimming with dolphins’ tour. Bottlenose and common dolphins are the most commonly encountered, but whales are frequently seen too! On the way back to Auckland, we’ll stop at Waiwera Thermal Park. Relax in a hot pool, or slide down one of the enormous (and terrifying) water slides! Back to Auckland for some serious Friday night clubbing!

• Day six:

  Drag yourselves out of bed for an easy day sea kayaking near Auckland. Explore mangroves and rivers with Lizzie and Team of Wanderwomen. Then back to the Big Smoke to check out cafes and eating places, before the big event of the evening, the Hero Gala. This charity variety show features the best known gay entertainers in New Zealand- comedians, crooners, and of course lots of drag!

  Its at the recently restored Civic Theatre, on the appropriately named Queen Street. Doubtless the clubs of Queen St will be buzzing afterwards! We’ll be booked into a central city hotel, so you can drag yourself back easily in the early hours.

• Day Seven:

  Today, we’ll take those people who are capable on a relaxing tour of the Heroic Gardens festival. Every year, the members of the Garden Fairies group open their (often flamboyant) gardens to the public, all in aid of AIDS charities. It’s a great social occasion, wine and food are for sale at some gardens to lubricate the conversation. You can even look at the plants!

• Day Eight:

  We will travel down to Waitomo, famous for its caves and cave glowworms. Here we will do a half day caving tour ‘Blackwater Rafting’. It’s a seriously fun trip down an underground river floating on inner tubes. A great introduction to the Underworld, and a great chance to see one of New Zealand’s most unusual creatures- the cave glowworm. These little beasties are actually gnat larvae, which hang stick threads from the roof to ensnare flying insects, and attract their prey with a light on their bum (rump). The cave roof looks like a bright, starry sky in places. As the ode to the glowworm says:
  

  • A glowworm’s always happy,
  • A glowworm’s never glum
  • How could it be unhappy
  • When the sun shines out its bum!

  Later, we can explore the natural rock arches on the Waitomo Stream walkway. The enjoy some ‘real’ Kiwi culture at the Waitomo Tavern!

• Day Nine:
  
  Leave Waitomo, and travel to the Volcanic Plateau in the centre of the North Island. In the centre of the plateau rise the three volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park. Here we will be doing the ‘Tongariro Bike ‘n’ Raft’ adventure.

  This unique adventure combination has all the elements of a true classic; great scenery, exploration, adrenaline, and physical effort followed by relaxation.The trip starts with an excellent mountain ride through lovely beech forest all the way to the rafts on the banks of the Tongariro River.

  The river is a fun grade III+, and again the scenery is superb. On the way you’ll stop for lunch and explore the hidden Puketarata Falls and at the end of the trip you can enjoy a long soak in one of the local hot pools. In the evening, we’ll stay at the village of National Park. Have a go at rock climbing at the excellent climbing wall in the village, if you have the energy!

• Day Ten:

  We will do the Tongariro Crossing, probably the best one day walk in the world! A highlight of any holiday to New Zealand, the route crosses the national park between the young, steep cinder cone of Mt. Ngauruhoe and the older, shorter bulk of Mt. Tongariro. The scenery crosses a moonscape of almost barren land, relieved by a few tussocks and white gentian flowers, and you’ll pass the descriptive Emarald Lake and Red Craters. For the fit, a side trip up to the top of Ngauruhoe is a must. A steep climb takes you to the steaming crater, with fantastic views over the park. The best bit is the ‘moonwalk’ back down- twenty feet with every stride as you slide down the cinder slopes back to the main track.

  Eventually, the track drops off the north slopes of Mt Tongariro, past hot springs, and through lush forest to the pick up point at the roadhead. From here, we’ll drive to the town of Taupo for the night.

• Day Eleven:

  From the shores of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake, we will head north towards Rotorua. On the way, we’ll stop at the volcanically heated hot river of Kerosene Creek for a dip, then at Waiotapu Thermal Area to view the many hot springs coloured brightly by various heat-loving algae and bacteria. Stop for lunch and geyser viewing in Rotorua.

  From there, we will travel north to the Coromandel Peninsula. This is a lovely, partially forested hilly area with beautiful beaches and coastline. We will spend the night at Whangamata, on the east side of the peninsula.

• Day Twelve:

  Spend the morning horse trekking , or explore the local scenery if horses aren’t your thing! We’ll have lunch at Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve, a great place for snorkeling (we will provide gear), or exploring the lovely bays and bluffs of the coastline. Later in the afternoon, we will cross the peninsula on the scenic, unsealed ‘309’ road. There are several attractions to stop at, including Castle Rock, the core of an old volcano which rises above the spine of the peninsula. A walk and scramble to the top gives great views! The road ends at the town of Coromandel, and from here we will take a drive down the scenic west coast of the peninsula, the on to Auckland for some Friday night-life.

• Day Thirteen:

  Enjoy Auckland at your own pace, see the Sky Tower perhaps, or watch the talent from a café window on K Road. Alternatively, we’ll be going to St.Leonard’s beach (the local gay nude beach- good for cruising), or heading to the Waitakaries for some bushwalking.

  In the evening is the highlight of Hero, the Parade. Its similar to Sydney’s Mardi Gras, but smaller and more intimate. It wends along Ponsonby Rd with (last time) 120,000 spectators! You could watch from the side (turning up early is recommended), or join in the parade- we may enter the parade if you want to march. I recommend this- it’s a great buzz!

  After the Parade is the Hero Party- Great music, great floor shows throughout the night, and lots of beautiful bodies! (Where do they go for the rest of the year?). Bring your party gear! See some pics of previous parades and parties on the Hero website.

• Day Fourteen:

  Go on from Hero to one of the many ‘Recovery’ parties if you wish. Or stagger back to your hotel (close to the party site). Today is our last day, so we will transfer you to the airport or where you wish to go in the Auckland area.

Prices include:

• All accommodation and travel for the duration of the trip.
• All breakfasts and evening meals, plus lunches when hiking or otherwise away from civilisation.
• All entry fees and tickets for Hero festival events.
• All group adventure activities, such as the whitewater rafting and swimming with dolphins trip.

Prices do not include:

• Diving at the Poor Knights Islands, as this is an optional activity which some people may not have a dive ticket for. It will be approx. NZ$100 (US$44) for 2 dives from a hard boat.
• Spending money, lunches, night club entry etc.
• Local tax - 12.5%