I just wanted to pass on a big thank you to Hamish and Julian for a wonderful trip swimming with the amazing Hector’s dolphins on Sunday. It was a truly incredible experience made even better by their shared knowledge and enthusiasm which was inspiring. I ended up with some pretty good pics so thought I […]
Monthly Archives: October 2010
Akaroa and Lyttelton News, Akaroa New Zealand, Black Cat News
FIRST BLACK CAT CRUISE CUSTOMER COMES FORWARD
After an exhaustive search we have found one of the very first passengers from the first cruise in 1985. Brian Woods took part in the inaugural service and we have presented Brian with free cruises for the rest of his life. Brian joined former and current Black Cat staff members, customers and the original skipper […]
Akaroa and Lyttelton News, Akaroa New Zealand, Black Cat News
25 YEAR ANNIVERSARY FOR BLACK CAT CRUISES
On October 20th 1985, the Charmaine set out on her first Akaroa Harbour Cruise. At the helm was Captain Ron Bingham and on board were two paying passengers. Total revenue $16. The business was partly inspired by the Hutchens family who started Fiordland Travel (now Real Journeys). Living in Te Anau we had seen what […]
Members of the Black Cat management team decamped to Stewart Island recently for the annual planning session. Pictured is the team on a deserted beach on Ulva Island.
The original Black Cat boat was called Charmaine. She was bought from the Marlborough Sounds in 1985 and held a maximum of 42 people. After three years she was sold and the larger Canterbury Cat brought from Whangarei in 1988. Prior to the Charmaine there were no cruise operators on the harbour, though one or […]
We are a finalist in this years tourism awards in the DOC sponsored conservation category. Our entry focused on the innovative conservation activities we have put in place in three main areas including reducing energy use, reducing waste and our local conservation efforts.