June 2015, Issue 132  
                                         
Welcome to the latest issue of Tuatara Tours' monthly newsletter, where we offer a brief summary of what's going on in New Zealand - and what's coming up. 
 
Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

 

Have You Booked

Your Tour For Next Summer?


Unprecedented demand for this extremely popular cycle trail may make it difficult to 
book unless you get in early.

Explore the new Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, which makes some of the South Island's most dramatic scenery accessible to cyclists. There's nearly 270 km of cycling from the tussocky alpine Mackenzie Country with its turquoise lakes, through rural towns to the Pacific Ocean in historic Oamaru.

 

We Still Have Places Available

But They Are Going Quickly!


 

 

Your fully guided tour starts and ends in the South Island's largest city: Christchurch, with all accommodation, meals, and support vehicles provided. 

 

For more information on the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail or other tours, please call:
NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia:  1800 044 633 or email: info@tuataratours.co.nz

 


Hamish is also available during office hours for "live web chat", click the red box at the bottom of any page on our website to get Nicky's instant response to your questions. 

 

Follow in Harry's Footsteps

 

Prince Harry got close to some of New Zealand's rarest birdlife on Ulva Island / Te Wharawhara, off Stewart Island / Rakiura, during his visit last month. 

 

With tramping boots on, Prince Harry spent an afternoon on predator-free Ulva Island, encountering kakariki/parakeet, brown creeper/pipipi and rifleman/titipounamu at close range.


 


Scuffing leaf litter at the edge of the path, the prince was particularly taken with the Stewart Island robin / kakaruai that immediately hopped in beside his shoe.  


Prince Harry showed genuine interest in the work to create and maintain this island sanctuary, asking DOC rangers, Ulva Island Trustees and the Hunter family who own a portion of the island-about their roles in island conservation management.



You too can visit the famous Ulva Island and 
experience New Zealand as it used to be.

F
or more information on The Stewart Island Track andUlva Island
call NZ:0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633 or email: info@tuataratours.co.nz

  

         
   

Hamish is also available during office hours for "live web chat", click the red box at the bottom of any page on our website to get Nicky's instant response to your questions.  

 

Flat Tyre Prevention for Your Bike


Nothing is 100% effective in preventing you from getting a flat tyre

on your bike.

 

You do, however have a number of options that can greatly reduce your likelihood of getting a flat. 

 

Tyre Pressure

Your first strategy should always be to make sure you are riding with the proper tyre pressure.

  • Road tyres should run between 100 to 140 psi.
  • Mountain bike tyres should run between 30 to 50 psi.
  • Urban and casual bike tyres should run between 60 and 80 psi.
  • Under-inflation can lead to problems with "pinch flats." This can occur when you hit a bump and your under-inflated tyre compresses all the way to the rim, causing 2 small holes that resemble a snake bite. 
  • Over-inflation, on the other hand, doesn't cause flats although it's possible to blow out the tube in extreme cases. 

Use a pump or gauge to check your pressure.

 

Basic Tyre Care

It's a good idea to periodically inspect your tyres for debris. Debris may not cause an immediate flat but can slowly work its way through a tyre to eventually cause a puncture.

 

Periodically check your tyre sidewalls and tread for excessive wear, damage, dryness or cracking. If unsure about their condition, ask your bike shop to evaluate your tyres.

 

Tube Sealants

The concept is simple: Squeeze in a bit of sealant through the valve stem to coat the inside of the tube. In the case of a small puncture or cut, the sealant quickly fills the leak and creates a plug that often outlasts the tube or the tyre around it.

 

Tyre Liners

A tyre liner is a thin strip of extruded-plastic that fits between the tyre and the tube. This extra layer greatly reduces the chance of puncture flats from thorns, glass or other sharp objects. Liners are popular and work well, but they do add 6 oz. or more to the weight of your tyres which adds noticeably to your rolling resistance in higher performance tyres. 


 

NO EXCUSES....

NOW YOU REALLY CAN RIDE THE TRAIL

 

As technology has progressed, e-bikes have become readily available and there has been an increased demand for their use on the Otago Central Rail Trail

As a result of feedback, DOC made a decision to review its position.

 

Following consultation, DOC has changed its local policy concerning the use of power assisted cycles (e-bikes) on the Otago Central Rail Trail and their use is now permitted.

 

 

The Otago Central Rail Trail runs for 150kms between Clyde and Middlemarch (close to Dunedin), passing through the towns of Clyde, Alexandra, Chatto Creek, Omakau, Lauder, Oturehua, Wedderburn, Ranfurly, Waipiata and Hyde. It is regarded as one of the best Pacific cycle tours available.

 

The heritage of the old railway line has been preserved, with the retention of viaducts and bridges, and some of the old Railway Stations.

 
For more information on The Otago Central Rail Trail and E-Bikes 
call NZ:0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633 or email: info@tuataratours.co.nz

  

         

 

Hamish is also available during office hours for "live web chat", click the red box at the bottom of any page on our website to get Nicky's instant response to your questions.  

 

Exciting News!


 
Early indications show we are on track for a significant kakapo breeding season next year.

 

 

Senior Kakapo Ranger Jo Ledington counting rimu seed. 

 

Here's what Jo Ledington from Doc says:

 

"Whenua Hou/Codfish Island rimu seed counts are in at 24.4% meaning we will be having a mega breeding season."

 

"For perspective, 10% and over is a breeding season. 2002 (35 chicks) and 2009 (33 chicks) were" 39% masts and we have more adult females now."

 

Jo will do another count in the spring, fingers crossed the weather won't be too severe in the interim.

 

 

Kakapo chick from the 2014 breeding season.


 

Tuatara Tours is a major concessionaire to the 

Department of Conservation and contributes to the
funding of conservation.

The Tongariro Crossing Walk


A Life-Changing Experience
 

 

The Tongariro Crossing Walk is recommended as a 'life-changing experience' by the Lonely Planet travel guide.

 

This guided walk features a variety of trips in the iconic Tongariro National Park in the North Island of New Zealand. These include the world-famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, stark volcanic landscapes, and awe-inspiring views over the central North Island.

 

You'll walk through native beech forests and traverse alpine fields. You'll see a host of sparkling (and sometimes steaming) crater lakes, including the well-known lake at the top of volcanic Mt Ruapehu.

 

Experience the dramatic alpine and volcanic landscapes of World Heritage Area Tongariro National Park, with a small group and experienced local guide. Hike the world-famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Mt Ruapehu Crater Lake.

 

Significant cultural heritage combined with arid badlands, crater lakes, sparkling rivers, breath-taking lunar landscapes, native beech forest and alpine meadows - with stunning alpine lodgings and fantastic meals and wine, this New Zealand walking tour is a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed!

 
For more information on The Tongariro Crossing Walk  
call NZ:0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633 or email: info@tuataratours.co.nz

  

         

 

Hamish is also available during office hours for "live web chat", click the red box at the bottom of any page on our website to get Nicky's instant response to your questions.  

 

 

 

Would this solve NZ's hotel room shortage?

The world's largest luxury hotel, set to open in Saudi Arabia, will house 10,000 rooms, 70 restaurants, floors just for royals, a full-size convention centre and multiple helipads.



 

Work has already begun on the Abraj Kudai, located just two kilometres away from the holy city of Mecca, which receives more than 15 million pilgrims in a year.

 

The US$3.5 (NZ$4.79) billion project includes 12 44-storey towers, 10 of the towers are intended to provide four-star accommodation while the remaining two will offer luxurious five-star amenities.

 

A description on the Dar Al Handasah website states: "With a total site area of approximately 60,000 square metres and total built-up area of around 1.4 million square metres, the project is a residential and commercial complex that consists of a large podium topped by 12 towers accommodating several elements such as a podium housing a bus station, a shopping mall, restaurants and food courts, a convention centre and car parks."

A Little Bit Of Help...

  

You love cycling but it is getting a bit harder and you are thinking about the possibility of an e-bike? 

 

Even more, you love your own bike and don�t want to change it for a heavy and bulky e-bike? 

 

Add-e is the answer. 

 

With new technology, high quality materials and engineering it is now possible to turn your own bike into an e-bike with style. Mounted within seconds! 

 

With Add-e you can choose to use your bike as a normal bicycle or as an e-bike.

 

Add-e is a true lightweight with outstanding performance. The inconspicuous design and modular set-up allows it not only to 

 

be mounted on almost every bike, but can be easily and quickly self-mounted without the need for any modifications to your bike.

 

It is up to you to choose when you need the extra power while riding. 

How does Add-e do this? A special mechanism, undocks the drive unit in off-mode (when not pedalling) letting the tyre to run totally free.  Add-e is a friction roller drive. This means that the wheel of the bicycle is directly driven without the need of a gearbox. 

 

Additional mounting kits enable the use of one Add-e unit on a number of bikes. The drive unit and the battery can be switched easily between any number of bikes. 

 

The motor only drives when you are pedalling. When you stop pedalling, Add-e stops as well. This simple control system makes additional and complicated handlebar components completely unnecessary.

 

 

Tuatara Tours will be trialling Add-e when they are released to a select few in August/September this year. 

 

We will publish the results in an upcoming newsletter.

 


Quote of the month

V Activity
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Nicky & Hamish - now online

 


If you are visiting our website and need some help or questions answered please use our Live Help Button and Nicky or Hamish will chat with you.


 


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Tuatara Tours now fully endorsed by Qualmark NZ 



Up and Coming Events Around New Zealand

 

July 2015

 

July 2015

 

August 2015

Mountain Biker and Walker +Dogs, Sat 6 Jun Flat White Cafe and Bar, Pegasus

 

FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015- Matches 37 & 39, Wed 10 Jun, Westpac Stadium, 147 Waterloo Quay, Wellington

 

Life Drawing Made Easy with Jarad Bryant, Wed 17 Jun, Studio One Toi Tu, Auckland

American Express

 

Queenstown Winter Festival, Mon 22 Jun, Earnslaw Park, Queenstown

 

Maori Language Beginners Course, Tue 30 Jun, Selwyn Community Education, Auckland

Chocolate Discovery School Holiday Gallery Trail, Sat 4 Jul, Otago Museum, Dunedin

 

The Beautiful Ones, Tue 7 Jul, Circa Theatre, Wellington

 

Hawke's Bay Toyota Deco Winter Weekend, Fri 17 Jul, Art Deco Centre, Napier

 

Get Set Go - Event Programme Planning Management Workshop, Fri 24 Jul, South Christchurch Library, Christchurch City

 

Singing For Pleasure - Selwyn Community Choir, Mon 27 Jul, Selwyn Community Education, Auckland

Alan Davies - Little Victories, Sat 1 Aug, The Opera House, Wellington

 

Story telling Guided Tours, Sun 9 Aug, Stonehenge Aotearoa, Carterton

 

Loaded Tough Guy and Gal Challenge, Sat 15 Aug, Lakes Ranch, Rotorua

 

Laughter ClubScottish Society Hall, Sun 23 Aug, Christchurch City

 

Isla Grant's Farewell Tour, Sun 30 Aug, Regent Theatre, Dunedin

Safe Travelling

Ground Floor, 148 Victoria Street
Christchurch 8013
-
PO Box 13544
Christchurch, 8141
New Zealand