Carol Santora, the tireless traveler and photographer, chronicles her latest trip.

We recently returned from a cruise to ‘The Land Down Under’ which included Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania. Although we would not rate a gold star to the cruise line on this trip, the itinerary was extremely appealing. It hit some fascinating ports and included very special golf opportunities. We played golf at two of the most spectacular and famous courses: Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs on the North Island of New Zealand. These are owned by Tiger Management’s Founder Julian Robertson, and they are a not miss to golf enthusiasts the world over.

Golf aside, we saw and learned so much at other unique destinations. Many people have been to beautiful Sydney, our embarkation point, with its famous bridge, diverse and excellent food offerings, seaplane rides and harbor cruises. Sydney, pictured above, is a wonderful place to visit but it is a very long journey for those of us in the United States. If you go, I suggest you stay a while.

Our second stop was Melbourne. We chose to take the Great Ocean Road ride with a guide – long and arduous. My goal was to view the 12 Apostles limestone rock formations pictured below at Port Campbell National Park. It was stunning but my companions were not as impressed (maybe take the helicopter flight?). Another option if you have limitless time is to see the little penguins waddle out of the ocean on Phillips Island on an evening tour. Along the Ocean Road which has a rich history, we viewed koalas in the wild, visited a splendid chocolaterie, and watched a kangaroo hop across a golf course just for us!! Lovely views but again a long day’s journey.

Tasmania proved to be a very educational experience. Before our trip, we viewed the movie LION in hopes of getting some previews on Hobart, but it did not do it justice. Tasmania was gorgeous from the coast. We stopped at the Port Arthur Historic site, a former penal settlement dated 1830’s with an interesting but tragic past tracing the lives of convicts. We then went to the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo farm that showcases the Tasmanian Devils at a feeding and kangaroos (with babies in pouch) that you can feed by hand.

A pause here to converse about the Tasmanian Devils, pictured below – They are most unattractive but please know that about 80% of the wild population has died out due to communicable facial cancer. These animals bite a lot on the face- when feeding, aggressive male bouts and mating. Along with their small gene pool resulting in poor immune systems, this disease has spread and is decimating the population. Hobart is home to a major research center for this disease and other autoimmune diseases. Scientists are making interesting progress and their findings may help us solve some of humanity’s most challenging medical mysteries.

Hobart, Tasmania is home to an intriguing and unique museum, the Museum of Old and New Art, MONA. Created by David Walsh, mathematician turned wealthy gambler, it houses some fascinating pieces from sarcophagi to graphic photos to water streams creating words (my favorite) to intricate sculptures. Named “bit.fall”, this rain-painting machine with computerized nozzles creates words that cite the news of the day. Visitors can pick up an iPod Touch to help traverse the exhibitions.

We also were treated to a concert that evening, the voice of an exciting young Australian tenor, Mark Vincent. He was extraordinary. The following day we walked around Mount Wellington with more gorgeous views. We then hiked the Tuhune Airwalk, a steel walkway footbridge in the Huon Valley that cruises the treetops.

The next highlight after crossing the Tasmanian Sea to New Zealand was Milford Sound. We had tried to helicopter in on a previous trip to the South Island, but poor weather forced us out. This time we went in by the cruise ship in early morning. It was breath taking- beautiful rock and cliff formations, dazzling light, and waterfalls of immense power – a photographer’s delight. Following this we cruised in and out of small coves also with stunning views.

Some passengers took the option to leave the ship for a night to view Queenstown and sheep shearing farms. In addition, there were tours to view scenery from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit which we had toured on a previous visit.

We loved the coastal views and our stop in Dunedin, South Island. We toured the city and the antique Railroad Station; hiked up and down Tunnel Beach; traversed the steepest road in the world; strolled the Larnach Castle and visited the Yellow Eyed Penguin Farm and the Albatross Conserve — I wish we had organized more time at the last two sites to better view those fascinating and rare birds.

On to Akaroa and the incredible Giants House created by artist Josie Martin. This property combines skillful mosaic structures with colorful flowers – a fanciful, whimsical Garden of Eden. This little space is a well- kept secret gem of a setting.

In the 1930’s a huge earthquake humbled the town of Napier. It was rebuilt in the Art Deco style – a curious throwback -reminding one of “Back to the Future”. After strolling the neighborhood, we enjoyed some miniature golf on the water’s edge – a fun surprise. Cape Kidnappers is a close ride from here.

Closing in on the end of the cruise we stopped at Tauranga, North Island. What a lovely spot to hike up and around Mount Maunganui. The Mount is a designated tsunami safety site. Nearby we watched the finals of the New Zealand Lifeguard Surfing and Rescue Championships, different age groups vying for the titles. It was so exciting to see these youngsters swimming and then battling the waves on their surfboards.

Disembarking in Auckland, we flew to Kauri Cliffs to golf in that beautiful setting.

We viewed the famous Kauri Tree which the resort was named for – an old giant!

The trip ended with four days in Bora Bora. Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea are the land of Moana, the inspiration of Disney’s popular movie. The character God Maui created the islands by pulling them out of the sea with his hook. It was fascinating to learn about the multitude of body tattoos so common here – a centuries’ old tradition to record the bearer’s familial lineage. Lastly, this area is the home of the beautiful and famous Tahitian Black Pearl, hard to resist.

Traveling. It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller. ~ Ibn Battuta

Note:  All photographs are by Carol Santora

 

Header Graphic credit – Carol Santora