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Main image: The Emerald Lakes, Tongariro Crossing, The Central Plateau, North Island, New Zealand | Credit: ZigZag Tours
A morning that started out cold soon turned warm. The darkness turned to daylight as the sun introduced itself from behind the ice- capped mountains in the distance. At first it teased us. I could see glimmers of red and orange rays, wispy clouds travelling so fast only to expose a thick layer of cloud behind. Every now and then, a small gap would reveal a glimpse of the sun. Then the clouds parted at the very moment the sun reached the top of the mountain and tipped itself over the edge, thrusting into the sky to reveal its full glory. The sunrise symbolised the start of a new day, new beginnings, new life and new adventures.
NEW ADVENTURES
Today we would take on the mighty Tongariro Crossing. It had been on both of our bucket lists for a long time. Lacing up our boots and flinging a small rucksack on our back, we set off on the trail with this first light. The hike commenced with a pleasant walk through craggy outcrops, passing the refreshing Soda Springs Waterfall and giving us a false pretence that the walk might be this easy the whole way.
But then we came to The Devil’s Staircase: an aptly-named ascent of 200m with a very steep gradient. With Mount Taranaki soaring behind us, we turned to enjoy the view, but were unable to shake the urge to keep looking up – there was still so much left to climb!
Pouakai Circuit Reflective Tarn, Mount Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand. Credit: ZigZag Tours
‘MOUNT DOOM’
Our relief at the top was short-lived when we realised we’d arrived at the foot of ‘Mount Doom’ – or Mount Ngauruhoe (2291m). Its glowering and daunting face will be familiar to Lord of the Rings fans. It towered above us, offering us the opportunity to veer off the main track and climb it. Instead we opted to carry on for a further 8km to reach our highest point: the Red Crater at 1886m above sea level. It was colder by about 10 degrees, and the smell of sulphur was strong, reminding us we were standing on an active volcano. Then, a ‘wow’ moment as we looked down upon three superb emerald-green sulphur lakes, the fiery red rock to our right and the perfectly blue Blue Lake in the distance. The view was majestic.
Exclusive to readers of The Great Outdoors: Get 25% OFF all zigzag tours using coupon code ‘TGO25’ at checkout on zigzagnz.com*
The ZigZag Adventure
What sets this adventure-fuelled overland-style roadtrip of New Zealand apart? ZigZag NZ Tours’ Jemma Farrell and Grant Dobson explain…
It’s an amazing feeling when a passion and a career come together. ZigZag NZ Tours has been three years in the making and is exactly that. We want others to feel what we felt, see what we saw, experience what we experienced. So that’s why we set about designing an outdoor, camping, overland-style road trip of New Zealand, encompassing everything we could think of that would astound, captivate and charm the socks off anyone joining us for the journey.
Top of Mouth Isthmus above Lake Wanaka, South Island, New Zealand. Credit: ZigZag Tours
Our tour is a 90-day epic adventure through New Zealand’s beautiful North and South Islands, broken down in to smaller segments shared alongside 10 fellow passengers all discovering what this stunning country has to offer together. From amazing one-day hikes to bucket list helicopter experiences, adrenaline activities galore and beaches to die for, New Zealand really has it all. One day you’ll be climbing an ice glacier, the next you’ll be sailing through underground caverns in search of glowworms.
Whether you’re on the open road in our new custom-made Mercedes Sprinter Van, speeding through the Forgotten World Highway in a jet boat with the wind in your hair or immersing yourself in fascinating Maori culture with its colourful maraes (meeting grounds) and unique history, you will experience this country’s most spectacular landscapes – straight out of ‘Middle Earth’ (minus the orcs). Cascading waterfalls, majestic lakes, towering snow-capped mountains, white sandy beaches, caves, caverns, forests, nature… the beauty here astounds.
Over looking Lake Hawea, hiking back down Mount Isthmus, South Island, New Zealand. Credit: ZigZag Tours
Camping life
Is camping for me? Gone are the days of camping for necessity as Thomas Hiram Holding wrote in The Camper’s Handbook (1908). Camping has come a long way since then. The same natural settings but with more comfortable, convenient and easy to use equipment and facilities. And remember: for every cold shower, there are ten hot ones. Where there’s no Wi-Fi, there are friends to be made. When it rains there’s a rainbow to be seen. At the end of the day, your feet will be dirty and your hair will be messy but you’ll have a story to tell.
SO, ARE YOU UP FOR AN ADVENTURE?
Exclusive to readers of The Great Outdoors: Get 25% OFF all zigzag tours using coupon code ‘TGO25’ at checkout on zigzagnz.com*
*Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer, expires 31.01.24.
