Meet your guides and other walkers joining the tour in the Rutherford Hotel foyer at 4pm. There will be opportunity for a guided hike up Botanical Hill, also known as the “Centre of New Zealand” to enjoy sweeping views of Tasman Bay and Nelson City, or an alternative option to independently explore this lively town suggested by your guides. Later we celebrate the start of our South Island tour by dining together in one of Nelson’s fine restaurants. Accommodation: Rutherford Hotel, Nelson. Includes dinner.
The stylish 4-star Rutherford Hotel is centrally located, just a short stroll from Nelson’s many galleries and city attractions including the landmark cathedral. The hotel offers luxury accommodation, unmatched service and fine dining options.
After an early breakfast, we set off for Abel Tasman National Park. At the beach resort of Kaiteriteri, board a water taxi and cruise the coastline past golden sand beaches, rugged granite headlands and bush clad islands.
Step ashore at Bark Bay and follow the famed Abel Tasman Coast Track through native forests and past cascading streams. A well-formed trail leads us up and over gentle ridges to Torrent Bay, where the lovely clear fresh waters of Cleopatra's Pool may tempt you to take a dip or for those more daring - a slide down the naturally formed hydro-slide! At Anchorage, we will meet the water taxi for a return journey to Kaiteriteri before heading back to Nelson in the late afternoon.
There is an opportunity to further explore this vibrant and arty little town this evening with the many great restaurant dining options. Accommodation: Rutherford Hotel, Nelson. Includes breakfast and lunch.
Enjoy a second night at the stylish Rutherford Hotel.
On the way to the West Coast we stop for a remarkable hike to marvel at natural flames which have been burning since the 1920's. We access this phenomena with a local guide through a privately-owned working deer farm. Unlike the Eternal Flames of the Chimera in Turkey these flames are surrounded by lush tree ferns and beech forest. A cup of 'billy tea' and hot cakes prepared over the flames gives this experience a distinctly ‘kiwi’ flavour.
Our journey resumes alongside the mighty Buller River as it cuts its way through the massive wilderness of the upper South Island to the coast at Westport. We take the opportunity to explore a piece of spectacular West Coast coastline and learn something of its storied past, then head on south to catch the sunset at Punakaiki and visit a local pub for dinner. Take an evening stroll around the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes – we try to time our visit with high tide so we may leave the rocks until tomorrow if tide times are more favourable. Accommodation: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Located within the Paparoa National Park and with stunning views of the Tasman Sea, Punakaiki Resort offers comfortable, environmentally friendly accommodation. The resort is situated only 300m from the famous Punakaiki Blowholes. Rooms are spacious and modern ensuring your evenings are spent in comfort.
Hike the Inland Pack Track from the Pororari to the Punakaiki River. This historic route once used by prospectors and miners to avoid immense coastal cliffs while travelling the West Coast now forms part of our newest Great Walk, the Paparoa Track. Pass through deep limestone canyons and towering rainforest with groves of tropical nikau palms. You may not be able to resist a speedy swim in one of the many deep clear pools you pass on the way!
After the hike, we join a remarkable highway which takes us from the lush green rainforests of the West Coast and over the glaciated Southern Alps to the parched soft yellow tussock grasslands of the eastern high country. This is one of the most cleverly engineered roads in New Zealand.
East of Arthur’s Pass, stretch your legs and stroll around the enchanting limestone outcrops of Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill). This area was an important meeting place and food gathering area for early Maori people. Interestingly it was named “Spiritual Centre of the Universe” by the Dalai Lama when he visited in 2002. Today it is a haven for rock climbers who climb and boulder on the multitude of rock forms.
We then leave the highway and follow the back roads around Lake Lyndon and on to Methven, a ski town by winter and laid-back rural town the rest of the year. The Southern Alps form a spectacular backdrop. Choose to dine in house or head into the village for a meal at a local restaurant. Accommodation: Ski Time, Methven. Includes breakfast and lunch.
Ski Time offers fantastic hospitality, atmosphere and creature comforts to ensure your stay here at the foot of the Southern Alps is memorable. The cozy ambience of the restaurant and bar with large open fire, complements the spacious and well-appointed rooms.
We continue south, at first following the edge of the extensive Canterbury Plains then up into the intermontane Mackenzie Basin to Lake Tekapo, famous for its stunning turquoise waters and the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd, perched daintily by the lake. During a picnic lunch revel in broad views of the Patagonia-like landscape. The sweeping Mackenzie “Country” is a sparsely populated region in the rain shadow of the Southern Alps; tawny-brown drylands, braided riverbeds and startling glacial lakes extend to distant mountains.
On arrival at Mount Cook village we hike in Governors Bush and on up to Red Tarns for magnificent elevated views of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the surrounding alps. Relax here to enjoy the views before wandering back down to arrive at the door of our accommodation, where we stay for the next two nights. Accommodation: lodge within Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Aoraki Alpine Lodge is located in the heart of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, with most rooms offering superb mountain views. Within short walking distance of the Lodge are unique cafes and restaurants, as well as the start point of many renowned walking tracks.
Hike up to Sealy Tarns and enjoy the awesome views of Mt Sefton, Mueller Glacier and up the Hooker Valley to Aoraki/Mt Cook. If you're feeling energetic, join the guide for an extended climb above the tarns to the crest of Mueller Ridge for even wider views of this spectacular alpine landscape. Those wanting an easier alternative to the Sealy Tarns climb can explore the valley floor independently, taking the walk up the Hooker Valley for views of the Mueller and Hooker Glacier terminal lakes and the towering south face of Aoraki/Mt Cook, or learn more about the wonders of the national park in the world-class visitor centre. Accommodation: lodge within Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Enjoy a second night at the Aoraki Alpine Lodge, with incredible views from the comfort of the lounge.
Travel up the Tasman Valley towards the Tasman Glacier, the longest glacier in New Zealand. Take a short walk through glacial moraine and board a custom-built boat for a unique spin around the terminal lake. Like most glaciers in the world the Tasman Glacier is retreating and the terminal lake increases in size every year. This dynamic environment is dotted with icebergs of all shapes and sizes from the collapsing terminal face of the glacier.
Our drive to Wanaka follows the Mackenzie Country south before climbing over the tussock lands of the Lindis Pass into the southern lakes district of Central Otago. We can sample the wine and learn something of the sustainable natural winemaking practised at an award winning vineyard in this burgeoning wine region, or simply enjoy a walk among the vines. Wanaka is a lovely lake-side holiday town. Accommodation: Edgewater Resort, Wanaka. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Enjoy a tranquil and relaxing stay at Edgewater Resort, located on the shore of Lake Wanaka. All well-appointed rooms have lake and mountain views, and either a patio or balcony from which to appreciate the vista unfolding before you. The on-site café and restaurant offer seasonal menus and stunning lake views.
A beautiful drive alongside Lake Wanaka leads us toward the peaks of Aspiring National Park. We hike in the lower Matukituki Valley on the Diamond Lake walk and on up Rocky Mountain, a distinctive glacially sculpted “roche moutonnee” (rock sheep) for spectacular views over the lake, and to the Southern Alps and Mount Aspiring/Tititea.
After the hike we drive over the Crown Range into the Wakatipu Basin and the scenic wine growing area of Gibbston Valley, pressed between schist mountains and the rocky Kawerau Gorge. Here you can sample some great wine, craft beer and locally sourced food over lunch before we journey on toward the Fiordland wilderness and lake Te Anau. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Te Anau is the gateway to the Fiordland National Park and home to the South Island’s largest lake. Situated on the lakefront, the Distinction Te Anau offers chic, elegant accommodation and is only a short stroll from the Te Anau town centre.
Our day excursion takes us through the stunning Fiordland mountains to Milford Sound, one of New Zealand’s most iconic visitor destinations. We stop at The Divide to walk a section of the Routeburn Track to Key Summit for panoramic views of the Humboldt and Darran Mountains. Easier short walks, and the preferred option if cloud is likely to rob Key Summit of views, are located below in the Hollyford Valley.
The topography will leave you spell bound as we continue on to Milford Sound and experience the true magnificence of the fiord, cruising between glaciated mountains under sheer cliffs which plummet hundreds of metres into deep dark waters. Enjoy wonderful views of mile-high Mitre Peak and Lady Bowen Falls as you keep an eye out for marine wildlife. You may spot dusky dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and if you’re lucky the rare Fiordland crested penguin. We return to Te Anau in the afternoon. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Te Anau is the gateway to the Fiordland National Park and home to the South Island’s largest lake. Situated on the lakefront, the Distinction Te Anau offers chic, elegant accommodation and is only a short stroll from the Te Anau town centre.
This morning we hike part of the famed Kepler Track onto the shores of Lake Manapouri, described as the ‘loveliest of all lakes’ for its array of small islands, bush fringed beaches and coves, and mountain backdrop. From here, the southern extent of our journey we then backtrack northwards to the lively scene of Queenstown where your tour finishes in the late afternoon. Includes breakfast and lunch.
