Southern Alps Splendour

The program is based on day trips in a comfortable 4WD coach. There will be some walking each day – but none of it is of a too strenuous level.

Mt Rolleston (2270m), is the 4th highest mountain in Arthur's Pass National Park. Photographed from Temple Basin.
© Warren Jowett

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During the programme we will discover some of the diverse and interesting natural and cultural history of the Canterbury section of the Southern Alps of the South Island, New Zealand. The Alps have a dominating influence on:

The landscape - during the ice ages the Canterbury Plains were formed from the glacial outwash gravels of massive glaciers.
The weather - the mountains form a barrier to the prevailing westerly winds resulting in the famous föhn-type Canterbury Norwester.
Communications –tracks & roads over high mountain passes, tunnels, & viaducts connect the western & eastern sides of the South Island.
Fauna & flora – mountain beech dominates east of the divide while in the west is mixed podocarp-rata-broadleaf forest.
Alpine habitats – only hardy, well-adapted species can survive.

South Island Robin (Petroica australis / Toutouwai) This link is to a short video of a robin from the Hawdon Valley, Arthur's Pass National Park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mfFJDtxaXU

Itinerary at a glance

We will visit and explore:

nature and scenic reserves (Maori Lakes, Lake Heron, Lance McCaskill & Cave Stream),
conservation parks (Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti, Craigieburn, Hakatere & Korowai Torlesse)
the South Island’s oldest national park (Arthurs Pass).

We will be based at three sites for two nights each – Staveley (near Hakatere Conservation Park) Arthurs Pass Village and Flock Hill.

Site Details

Day 1 - The Port Hills of Banks Peninsula – the eastern most part of the Banks Peninsula volcanic massif. Travis wetlands and the Canterbury Plains.
Day 2 – Hakatere Conservation Park – a 65 000 hectare park in the Mid Canterbury high country.
Day 3, 4 & 6 – Arthurs Pass National Park
Day 5 – Craigieburn Conservation Area, Craigieburn Road, Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park
Day 7 – Cave Stream Reserve, Kura Tawhiti / Castle Hill Conservation Area. Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park

Accommodation & Meals

At Staveley, where course participants will be accommodated in both Ross Cottage and Mountain Beech Lodge, all meals are provided.
We have motel accommodation at Arthurs Pass and Flock Hill Station where we will have dinner in a restaurant each evening.

This 7-day programme will run 27 January - 2 February 2011. Refer to Odyssey Travel's website for details & price.

Check out this link to see images captured during the Southern Alps Splendour Tussock & Beech ran in February 2009.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2029364&id=1154457693&l=1be31af2b7