ALTRINCHAM travel agent Ken Garrity has been awarded two prized certificates - from the government tourism boards for both Australia and New Zealand.

He earned the certificates by demonstrating his expert knowledge of both countries.

Ken, who recently returned from a trip covering both countries, has completed courses set by the tourist boards and is a Premier Aussie Specialist and a New Zealand specialist.

He said: "I have been selling both these fabulous countries for many years, visited most tourist destinations and have kept up to date with travel to and within both Australia and New Zealand.

"My latest trip was my 16th time to Australia and sixth time to New Zealand. I travelled down the east coast from Brisbane to Sydney joining a selected group of agents.

"We did a Sydney Harbour Bridge climb, visited the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley wine area before flying to Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island.

"There we were met by Pacific Destinations, a local company who wanted us to try golf breaks and an off road fly drive holiday. They gave us a 4 x 4 vehicle to drive from Queenstown to Christchurch over mountain passes and along river valleys before stopping at farm stays where we were greeted by the farmer his wife and family, who were really hospitable hosts and we exchanged lots of good hearted banter. A great way to see real New Zealand.

"We also had a flight by ski plane onto Mount Cook Glacier and off by helicopter, an exhilarating experience.

"From Christchurch we flew to Auckland the main city on North Island .This time we were asked us to take part in a yacht race on board an Americas Cup yacht where we took turns on the wheel and ome hard work winching up the sail. All good fun.

"Our last day was spent in the Bay of Islands and visited Russell, the original capital and also Waitangi where the Maoris and British treaty was signed in 1840."