A New Waiheke Eco-Tourism Experience

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVENTURE - A NEW WAIHEKE ECO-TOURISM EXPERIENCE

A tourism venture on Waiheke Island combines spectacular vistas, high flying adventure and interpretive walks through pristine native bush. EcoZip Adventures provides adventure and education with a new zipline eco-tourism experience at the top of Waiheke’s scenic Trig Hill.

EcoZip Adventures managing director Gavin Oliver says the experience will fill a gap in the Auckland tourism scene and give visitors another reason to stay longer in Auckland and include a trip to Waiheke Island as part of their stay.

“Auckland Mayor Len Brown noted last year that on average tourists spend only one-and-a-half nights in Auckland,” says Oliver.

“Overseas visitors head to other centres to find adventure or immerse themselves in New Zealand’s incredible outdoor environment. We know you can do those things right here in Auckland and have created a new opportunity for outdoor adventure”.

Three dual ziplines each spanning over 200m in length, will allow two people to ride side by side on soaring journeys above vineyards and the tree top canopy, down into pristine native bush featuring mature indigenous trees and ferns and natural streams surrounded by birdlife. Visitors will then make their way via the boardwalks and walking tracks, with interpretive information boards about the flora and fauna, back up through regenerating and original 300 year old bush to the purpose-built visitor centre. The experience will last between two and a half and three hours, including shuttles from the ferry and appeals to a wide audience, from age eight to 88.

Oliver says EcoZip Adventures Waiheke Island is more an environmental adventure experience than a thrill-seeker’s ride, “There are countless exhilarating adventure attractions around New Zealand from bungee jumps to jet boats. What EcoZip has created is a chance for anyone to get up close and personal with our native bush, to see it literally from new angles”.

Ziplining has gained huge popularity in the tourism sector in the US and other countries during the past few years. However EcoZip Adventures has chosen to partner with Kiwi businesses to design, engineer and build the Waiheke attraction which is now open for bookings .

Preview the experience http://youtu.be/TR7RRYc-LoM

www.ecozipadventures.co.nz

About the EcoZip Experience

Visitors are strongly advised to pre-book tickets for EcoZip Adventures Waiheke Island as there is a limit to the number of guests each day. Bookings are being taken from 1 November 2012 and can be made online or by freephone 0800 2 GO ZIP (0800 246 947).

Pricing

Adult: $99

Child: $59

Family: (2 adults + 2 kids) $217 – Mum Flies Free

Prices include pick up from the Waiheke ferry terminal at Matiatia and commentated “mini-tour” of Waiheke en route to the Trig Hill site, three x 200m zipline rides, a fully guided 1.5km bush walk and drop-off options at a variety of locations en route back to Matiatia, including vineyards, olive oil estates, beaches and Oneroa village.

For safety purposes there are lower (30kg) and upper (125kg) weight limits for riding the zip lines. In extreme weather conditions the site may be closed.

ENDS

About EcoZip Adventures www.ecozipadventures.co.nz

When three entrepreneurs sharing a wealth of experience in managing and operating sustainable tourism businesses and a passion for Auckland and New Zealand’s natural beauty came together, EcoZip Adventures was born.

EcoZip Adventures Waiheke Island is the company’s first zipline attraction. Managing Director Gavin Oliver, originally from the UK, enjoyed a highly successful career in corporate travel before settling in New Zealand and establishing Milestone Tours, a specialist small-group tour operator. He is promoting EcoZip Adventures with NZ-bred Director of Marketing Jeremy Zinzan, who has extensive experience in marketing and inbound eco-tourism around New Zealand.

ENDS

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