2004

S1.E1 ∙ Episode #1.1

Fri, Nov 19, 2004

Billy starts his tour of New Zealand by admiring a signpost in Bluff, before moving on to Invercargill. A ride across Stewart Island leads him to a bullet-damaged anchor monument. A story is told about two convicts who lived in a cave on Ulva Island. A cruise through Dunedin sees him point out some of the sights. The story of a soldier who never came home takes him to a hotel in Waimate. A Mäori fisherman talks about the traditional way to catch eels. A local explains that a cave drawing was made by a people who originally came from South America. A visit to a pair of graves reveals a rather touching story about an unknown man.

7.3 /10

S1.E2 ∙ Queenstown

Fri, Nov 26, 2004

Billy admires the mountainous terrain as he arrives in Queenstown. A ride on a cable car leads to a rather refreshing bungee jump. A story about a drunken mad man is told during a steamship cruise on Lake Wakatipu. The town of Greymouth proves that even a seawall can be built to look nice. A ride through Woodstock leads him to a Mäori craftsman who makes objects from jade. A band provides entertainment in the town of Pukehara. A flight over Fjordland reveals something that might just be more beautiful than Loch Lomond.

7.4 /10

S1.E3 ∙ Episode #1.3

Fri, Dec 03, 2004

Billy rides down Arthurs Pass to get to his next stop in Christchurch. A trip out to Brighton Beach allows him to admire an amazing sand picture. A short boat trip takes him to Ripapa Island where he tells the story of a highly-decorated German prisoner-of-war. A trek through a reserve in a Kaikoura sees him try some cleansing tea. The story of an 1863 rescue is told when he takes a ride out to Delaware Bay. A look around a clothing museum proves to be of particular interest. A seal does its best to wave at the camera during a whale spotting trip off the Kaikoura Peninsula.

6.8 /10

S1.E4 ∙ Episode #1.4

Fri, Dec 10, 2004

Billy enjoys the views of the little islands as he travels from South Island to North Island. A ride around Wellington ends with a visit to an old architect friend. A walk on Wellington harbour takes him around the Writers Walk. A supermarket turns out to be a gallery for some very unusual art. Taking the train to New Plymouth takes him past the scene of New Zealand's worst railway disaster.

7.2 /10

S1.E5 ∙ Episode #1.5

Fri, Dec 17, 2004

The ride to North Palmerston takes Billy close to where Mother Mary Aubert lived in Jerusalem. His next stop in New Plymouth sees him pass the Wind Wand sculpture. A water tank in Eltham reminds him that he's in the dairy capital of New Zealand. Two very different stories are offered about how Lake Taupo was created. A cruise through Napier shows how an earthquake turned the town into an Art Deco paradise. A low tide reveals the remains of a shipwreck in the Bay of Plenty. A pair of unusual swimming trunks are donned for a dip in a thermal spring in Rotorua. A wander through Wai-O-Tupa leads him to a weird and colourful collection of geothermal pools.

7.2 /10

S1.E6 ∙ Episode #1.6

Fri, Dec 24, 2004

Billy explores the crater left when Mount Tarawera erupted in 1886. A local man shows him the remains of a buried Maori village. A zip line takes him into the wonders of St. Benedict's Caverns. A spot of fishing gives him an opportunity to relax. A trip to a conservation area reveals how effort is being made to protect the kiwi from predators. A wee Scottish song is offered in return for a Maori welcome at a marae. Moving on to Waihi takes him to a grove of kauri trees. A ride down into Waihi gold mine leads to a story about a local character.

7.2 /10

S1.E7 ∙ Episode #1.7

Fri, Dec 31, 2004

A trip to a public aquarium in Auckland leaves billy wishing that he could sleep there. A museum exhibit suggests that the Wright brothers were beaten into the air. Landing gracefully after jumping from the Sky Tower turns out to be more difficult than he thought. A visit to a Maori tattooist has a strange effect on his face. A hop over to Waihiki Island leaves him feeling as relaxed as he has been for the whole tour.

7.2 /10

S1.E8 ∙ Episode #1.8

Wed, Dec 07, 2005

Billy goes to see the Dancing Camp Dam on the Coromandel Peninsula. A journey to see some cushions at the oldest church in New Zealand also takes him to his in-laws' grave in Russell. A decorative toilet block in Kawakawa pleases him no end. A trip to Flagstaff Hill comes with a story about why it kept being cut down. A look around an unfinished marae allows him to see a craftsman at work. Moving on to Ninety Mile Beach takes him to something tasty. A bit of Maori mythology fits nicely when he finally reaches the end of the tour in Cape Reinga.

6.6 /10