Historic Cruise a Heritage Tourism First

New Zealand Historic Places Trust Information release
23 March 2006

New Zealand's leading heritage agency is joining forces with Northland's own Tall Ship to provide an innovative new heritage tourism product.

The R. Tucker Thompson is set to launch a series of winter cruises of the Bay of Islands coast with the on-board support of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

"We will be offering a series of five day cruises of some of this coast's most historic - and beautiful - places, though these voyages will have a very real point of difference," says Jane Hindle, Manager of the R. Tucker Thompson.

"On board will be a Historic Places Trust staff member - someone who really knows Northland's history - who will act as guide for the cruise, ensuring that people will be able to enjoy the fascinating stories associated with these places to the full."

The voyages of discovery will take passengers from the heart of the Bay of Islands via the Cavallis to the spectacular Whangaroa Harbour, and back.

Bringing the rich history of the area to life from the deck of a Tall Ship - a replica of the vessels that plied the same waters in the 19th Century - was an opportunity waiting to happen, according to Jane.

"Anyone who spends any time in our area will realise that some of New Zealand's most fascinating historical events occurred here. Seeing these places from the R. Tucker Thompson, and with superb direction from our guides, promises to be a really unique heritage tourism experience," she says.

The Tucker itself is a gaff-rigged schooner and bears an uncanny resemblance to the Sancta Maria used by Bishop Pompallier to visit his far-flung mission in Oceania - but is fully surveyed for offshore and has all the modern safety devices that modern sailing demands. Accommodation is also definitely more comfortable being bunk style and cosy, and unlike sailors from the 1800s, guests have a self-contained head (toilet) and hot shower to use!

"I don't think you could find a more appropriate ship for these trips," says Jane.

Contact for further information:

John O'Hare
Heritage Adviser Media & Marketing, Northern Region
Tel: 09 401 7582
Email: johare@historic.org.nz