This morning we collect you from a central location in Queenstown and start our adventure with a nearby mountain hike. We take the gondola above the township and then access the walking track to Ben Lomond, slowly meandering our way to a highpoint lookout. With the amazing views over Lake Wakatipu and the Queenstown basin this is an inspiring start to this fantastic walking trip. After descending, we depart via the rugged Kawarau Gorge, the birthplace of the Bungy jump, to New Zealand's southernmost city, Invercargill, a good base to start our journey to remote Stewart Island the following day. Accommodation: Homestead Villa Motels, Invercargill. Includes lunch and dinner.
The Homestead Villa Motel offers spacious self-contained units in modern open surroundings. A great central location and conveniences will ensure maximum comfort, relaxation and enjoyment during your stay.
This morning we drive a short distance to the windswept coastal town of Bluff. Here, we meet the morning ferry for the one hour (approx) crossing to Stewart Island, off the southern coast. Home to New Zealand's newest national park and the remote community of Oban, we arrive on Stewart Island ready for some walking activity. After a casual lunch we walk for about 10km (4hrs) on part of the Rakiura Track with lovely coastal views and prominent bird life. We will probably take a water taxi one way and the availability of this will influence the direction and location of our walk. Arriving back into Oban village late in the afternoon, we have time to check into our accommodation, freshen up and explore the various options on offer for tomorrow. It's then time to regroup for dinner. The fresh local Blue Cod, or the famous Bluff Oysters are a 'must try'. Accommodation: Bay Motel or South Sea Hotel, Stewart Island. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Bay Motel offers spacious rooms overlooking Halfmoon Bay or the surrounding bush. Sit back and enjoy the view from your private balcony or listen to the birdlife from the deck of your unit. It’s just a short stroll to Stewart Island amenities, including shops, restaurants and museum.
Alternative: Stewart Island’s iconic South Sea Hotel is located on the foreshore, just across the road from Halfmoon Bay. Spacious self-contained studio units are adjacent to the main hotel building and overlook a peaceful garden setting.
Stewart Island has a very diverse environment and today is a free day to allow you to wander as you please. The activity options range from a visit to the unique predator-free Ulva Island, to sea kayaking the interior coastline around Patterson Inlet, or even a hike on the many coastal walkways, such as the one to Ackers Point lighthouse. Whatever you choose, this will be a magical day in a magnificent location. Accommodation: Bay Motel or South Sea Hotel, Stewart Island. Includes breakfast.
Enjoy a second night in comfort in your spacious and peaceful Stewart Island accommodation.
Departing on the early ferry from Stewart Island back to the mainland, we then travel through small towns and rural landscapes to Te Anau, on the edge of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Here you can enjoy a fine walk on one of the lower reaches of the Kepler track, passing through wetlands and mosses and ancient native forests. There are a couple of options for return hikes to remote and secluded bush-clad bays on either Lake Manapouri or Lake Te Anau; the choice will depend on the weather. This evening we have a briefing on the upcoming Hollyford adventure and enjoy dinner with an air of anticipation for the next couple of days. Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore, Te Anau. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Distinction Luxmore is conveniently located in the Te Anau town centre and is just a short stroll from Lake Te Anau. The superbly comfortable rooms have modern décor and Fiordland-themed colours. Two dining experiences – a café and bar with fireplace, and a restaurant renowned for carvery buffet dinners, ensure relaxing evenings.
Today we drive into the world famous Milford Sound to enjoy a few short walks and stops at points of interest along this incredibly scenic journey. By late morning we arrive at Milford Sound and prepare to board a helicopter for the truly spectacular flight over the peaks and rugged west coast to Martin's Bay in the Hollyford region. On arrival we meet our hosts and are treated to a picnic lunch. It's then time to begin exploring this amazing landscape on foot with a walk through lush forest and coastal heath to a rocky bay. If we are lucky we may spot fur seals and the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin (in season) that inhabit these shores. Returning to Martin's Bay Lodge by jet boat we enjoy a gourmet meal and relax in cosy accommodation in this very special uninhabited wilderness location. Accommodation: Martins Bay Lodge, Fiordland. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The remote Martins Bay Lodge is located in the isolated and rugged wilderness of Fiordland, yet offers a level of hospitality, comfort and indulgence you may not expect so far from civilisation. Enjoy the remarkable scenery surrounding you while your hosts prepare your delicious evening dinner. The lodge is very well appointed with dining and lounge areas, open fires, drying rooms, separate flush toilet and shower facilities with unlimited hot water, soap, shampoo, towels and hair dryers provided. Lodge rooms are twin or double share with ensuite facilities.
After a hearty breakfast we journey once again by jet boat up Lake McKerrow to the Hollyford River, the dramatic mountain scapes leaving us in awe of the beauty of this region. A little further along we leave the boat to commence our 20km hike along the Hollyford Valley, following the footsteps of early explorers through native beech forest speckled with elegantly flowing waterfalls. The undulating track brings us to the trail head, with a lunch stop and interesting interpretation of our surrounds along the way. We then drive to our accommodation back in Te Anau, and meet again in the evening for our final dinner. Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Distinction Luxmore is conveniently located in the Te Anau town centre and is just a short stroll from Lake Te Anau. The superbly comfortable rooms have modern décor and Fiordland-themed colours. Two dining experiences – a café and bar with fireplace, and a restaurant renowned for carvery buffet dinners, ensure relaxing evenings.
On our final morning we enjoy one more iconic walk, this time along the Routeburn Track to Key Summit, where we can take in sweeping views over the beautiful Hollyford Valley. Along the trail we will have the chance to reflect on a week of exceptional walking experiences with our new found friends before boarding the vehicle for a late afternoon drive back to Queenstown. Trip arrangements conclude with a drop off in central Queenstown. We advise not to book any departure flights this evening in case our drive home is delayed for any reason. Includes breakfast and lunch.
