1. CHRISTCHURCH ARRIVAL DAY

   Today is the first day of your tour. Arrive in Christchurch at any time today and explore the city. Wander through the laneways looking for street art, find a hidden eatery or hop on the tourist tram and see the city sights. Check in to your accommodation at the Bealey Quarter (263 Bealey Avenue) and this evening you'll meet your Guide and your group and enjoy a dinner together.

   • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
   • Bike Rides: Hagley Park Bike Ride
   • Walks and Hikes: Walk around the city of Christchurch
   • Available Upgrades: Yes
   • Drive Distance: Approx. 3.5 hours

2. PICTON TO KAIKOURA

   This morning we'll depart Picton and travel through the Marlborough region towards the coast where we’ll see amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and mountains in the distance. We’ll make a stop for lunch along this stretch of coastline and try to spot the native Fur Seals that often relax on the rocks in front of the ocean.

   When we arrive in Kaikoura, there are some great optional activities that all involve the ocean! Go whale watching, sea kayaking or fishing, or if you’d prefer to stay on dry land, there’s a great walk around the peninsula or you can hop on your bike and take in the views on two wheels. Our camp tonight is down at the beach and we’ll be preparing a fresh seafood meal, perfect for Kaikoura (unless of course you don't eat seafood, in which case we'll prepare something equally delicious for you). 

   • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
   • Walks and Hikes: Kaikoura peninsula walk
   • Optional Activities: Whale watching by boat or by plane, deep sea fishing
   • Available Upgrades: Yes

3. KAIKOURA TO LAKE TEKAPO VIA CHRISTCHURCH

   This morning you'll have the opportunity to take part in one of the most popular activities in New Zealand: swimming with dusky dolphins! It’s an early start but it’s a great way to begin your day and is the kind of once in a lifetime experience you won't soon forget. For those of us who aren't swimming, we’ll have a leisurely breakfast and the chance to explore Kaikoura before heading south to Christchurch.

   Christchurch is one of New Zealand’s most famous destinations. Still on the mend after two major earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, you can see evidence of rebuilding happening all over the city. With the chance to rebuild, comes new opportunities and Christchurch has seized the opportunity to become NZ’s coolest city, rivalling Wellington in terms of laneway bars and amazing eateries. We won’t overnight here, as campers we’re averse to big cities, so after we’ve welcomed some new travellers, we’ll continue on down to the stunning Lake Tekapo where we’ll spend the next two nights!

    

   • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
   • Bike Rides: Lake Tekapo Lake Front
   • Walks and Hikes: Take an early walk around our coastal camp
   • Optional Activities: Dolphin swimming, dolphin viewing
   • Available Upgrades: Yes

4. LAKE TEKAPO AND TRIP TO AORAKI/MT COOK

   This morning, we’ll wake up in arguably the most beautiful part of the South Island. Lake Tekapo is incredibly scenic, and home to the most spectacular turquoise waters which get their colour from the glacial flour brought down from the rivers flowing from glaciers high up in the mountains.

   We’ll go and see some incredible sights today, heading for Aoraki/Mt Cook where we’ll hike to the base of NZ’s highest mountain following a trail up the Hooker valley where you’ll cross swing bridges and experience stunning views of the mountains before finishing up at a glacial lake with some awe inspiring views of the Hooker Valley glacier - trust us, you’ll want to bring your camera for this! This evening, we recommend going for a soak in the nearby hot pools or enjoying some world famous star gazing at the Mt John Observatory - you are staying in an International Dark Sky Reserve, after all! 

   • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
   • Bike Rides: Lake Tekapo Regional Park, A2O Cycle
   • Walks and Hikes: Mt John walkway, Hike to the base of Mount Cook & Hooker Valley
   • Optional Activities: Scenic Flight, Tekapo Hot Pools, Star Gazing
   • Available Upgrades: Yes

5. LAKE TEKAPO TO OAMARU

   Today we’ll spend the morning in Lake Tekapo before departing this afternoon to travel back towards the Pacific coast. We'll camp in the historic town of Oamaru this evening, close to the unique Moeraki Boulders and the Scottish city of Dunedin. Go for a walk this evening to a great view point offering expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and try to spot a little Blue Penguin along the shore. 

    

   • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
   • Bike Rides: 13 km Alps2Ocean trail ride
   • Walks and Hikes: Explore the Moeraki Heritage Trail
   • Available Upgrades: Yes

6. OAMARU TO TE ANAU

   If the tide is low this morning, we’ll go for a walk along the beach to see the mysterious Moeraki boulders. These perfectly round spheres of rock have formed over millions of years and have found their way onto the beach near Moeraki and make for some fun photo opportunities.

   Next it’s onto the historic Scottish city of Dunedin, the South Island's second-largest city and home to NZ’s only castle. Dunedin is home to the world’s steepest residential street and the coastline is home to some fantastic and rare wildlife. Afterwards, we’ll continue down to the gateway to the Milford Sound, situated on the edge of Lake Te Anau.  Tonight’s camp is on the lakeside in Te Anau, which is the South Island's largest lake.  The bikers can go for a ride on the lake to lake Te Anau trail and the rest of us can enjoy a leisurely walk along the lakefront or head up to the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary where we can see the endangered native Takahē. If you’d like to do an activity, we recommend the incredible glowworm caves tour and boat ride.

    

   • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
   • Bike Rides: Lake Te Anau Lakefront Cycle Upukerora Trail (5km+)
   • Walks and Hikes: World’s steepest street, explore Dunedin city
   • Optional Activities: Te Anau glowworm caves tour & boat ride
   • Available Upgrades: Yes

7. FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK

   Today we’ll travel along one of the world’s most scenic roads and into Milford Sound! Described as the 'eighth wonder of the world', Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. We highly recommend boarding a cruise, where you'll see dramatic waterfalls and snow-capped peaks and if you’re lucky, some wildlife! At different times of year, penguins, dolphins, seals and even whales have been spotted at Milford. As it’s just the one road in and out, we head back along the same breath-taking route to our lakeside camp in Te Anau. Along the way, we drop off those doing the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks. This hike is a haven for native birdlife. Charge up your camera as this hike offers everything from mountainous peaks and sheer rock faces to pristine lakes, cascading waterfalls and dense, luxuriant forest. 

    

    

   • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
   • Bike Rides: Lake to Lake Te Anau trail, Lakefront Upukerora trail (5 km+)
   • Walks and Hikes: Plenty of short walks from camp
   • Optional Activities: Milford Sound Cruise, Te Anau glowworm caves tour & boat ride
   • Available Upgrades: Yes

8. TE ANAU TO QUEENSTOWN

   After a chance for a morning bike ride on the Lake to Lake Trail, if not done already, we will make our way along the Devil’s Staircase, and catch our first glimpses of Queenstown.  The Adventure Capital of NZ,  Queenstown is located on the shores of the South Islands second largest lake, Lake Wakatipu.  There are many cycle trails & walks for everyone to enjoy.  

    

    

    

   • Meals: Breakfast
   • Walks and Hikes: Routeburn Track (must be pre-booked and hikers will rejoin the group in Queenstown)
   • Optional Activities: Bungy jumping, skydiving, horse-riding, white water rafting, jet boating & the list goes on! You are in the adventure capital of the world!
   • Available Upgrades: Yes
   • Drive Distance: No Driving today

9. QUEENSTOWN

   With so much to do we’ll spend another full day in the fantastic Queenstown, so everyone has the opportunity to have those once in a lifetime experiences. Speaking of experiences, may we suggest trying the legendary Fergburger! Tonight, we dine out at one of Queenstown’s many delicious eateries - a great chance for your group to enjoy a feast at an iconic Queenstown eatery (own cost).  

    

    

    

    

   • Meals: Breakfast
   • Bike Rides: Lake Wakatipu trail (16km), Queenstown trail (48 km)
   • Walks and Hikes: Queenstown walks, Ben Lomond
   • Optional Activities: Bungy jumping, skydiving, horse-riding, white water rafting, jet boating & the list goes on!
   • Available Upgrades: Yes

10. QUEENSTOWN TO LAKE HAWEA

    This is our final morning in Queenstown and your last chance to indulge in one more walk or bike ride before we wave farewell to those finishing their tour and welcome new travellers joining us here. Leaving at 10:00am, after the thrills and spills of Queenstown we’ll travel past mountains and on towards stunning glacial lakes and calmer shores. 

    On the final stretch to camp we’ll get views of Mt Aspiring National Park in the distance. Lake Hawea is just over the next ridge and it’s on the edge of this glacial lake that we find our next wilderness camp at Lake Hawea where we can enjoy great views of the lake and the mountains beyond as we absorb the beauty of the area. 

     

     

    • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
    • Bike Rides: Hawea River Track (12 km), Lake Wanaka to Lake Hawea (30km)
    • Walks and Hikes: Multiple walking options
    • Available Upgrades: Yes

11. LAKE HAWEA TO FOX GLACIER

    We’ll enjoy a relaxed morning at our lakeside camp and then we’re continuing north through Mt Aspiring National Park. Before we reach the West Coast, we’ll stop for a walk to the amazing Blue Pools, then head through the dramatic Haast Pass, on roads woven over braided rivers and huge glacier carved valleys. There are two more great walk options along the way, one through lush and ancient forests and the other through swampy vegetation, ending on the beach where it’s possible to spot Hector dolphins. Tonight, we’ll stay in the iconic Fox Glacier on the wild west coast.

     

     

    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Bike Rides: Gladstone Track (13kms Return from Lake Hawea Camp), Fox Glacier Cycle Way (12kms Return from Fox Glacier Holiday Park)
    • Walks and Hikes: Blue Pools, Ship Creek
    • Available Upgrades: Yes

12. FOX GLACIER TO PUNAKAIKI

    Today is your chance to explore one of NZ’s most unique and spectacular natural wonders – the Franz Josef Glacier. This staggeringly beautiful work of nature descends from the Southern Alps to less than 300 metres above sea level. To get on the ice you must go up by helicopter but it’s possible to view the glacier via a stunning walk through the main valley. We also recommend taking a walk to Peter’s Pool for another incredibly scenic view. Before arriving at Franz Josef, we’ll take a highly recommended walk around Lake Matheson where crystal clear reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman make the perfect photo opportunity. Next, we’ll board the bus and continue up this spectacular coastal road to the quirky town of Hokitika, home of the Greenstone and a great place to pick up a traditional souvenir. Passing through Greymouth we’ll keep following the coast to Punakaiki where you’ll notice a change in the landscape as huge limestone cliffs appear and Nikau Palm trees become abundant. Our beach camp for tonight offers great sunsets, a beautiful river and incredible views of Paparoa National Park. The pancake rocks and blowholes are the main attraction in Punakaiki where limestone rocks are stacked on top of each other and ocean swells are forced through gaps in the rock creating a whale’s blowhole effect. This evening, explore a cavern with some glow worms hanging out in the dark and then enjoy a beverage at the local tavern.  

     

     

     

    • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
    • Bike Rides: Trail to Lake Matheson (4.3kms one way), Bullock Creek trail (15 km)
    • Walks and Hikes: Sunrise Lake Matheson
    • Optional Activities: Punakaiki pancake rocks & blow holes (free)
    • Available Upgrades: Yes

13. PUNAKAIKI TO ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK

    Before leaving Punakaiki we’ll take some time to explore part of the Paparoa National Park, walking along the Pororari river or cycling up Bullock creek road to visit a cave resurgence. Leaving mid-morning we’ll travel inland through the majestic Buller gorge and onto the famous Abel Tasman National Park. Situated in one of the sunniest areas of the country and home to heaps of beautiful secluded bays and stunning golden sand beaches. We look forward to spending 2 nights at our perfectly located camp, close to the park entrance which makes it the ideal place to explore all corners of the stunning Abel Tasman. 

     

     

    • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
    • Bike Rides: Bullock Creek, Coastal ride to camp and Kaiteriteri bike park, Great Taste Trail
    • Walks and Hikes: Truman track
    • Optional Activities: Skydiving
    • Available Upgrades: Yes

14. ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK

    Take time today to explore arguably the best beaches and clearest waters in New Zealand - there are excellent options for everyone here. You can walk, sail or kayak around the numerous golden bays and dive into the crystal-clear waters along the way. There will be plenty of chances for wildlife spotting (dolphins, seals and even Orcas!) and for those seeking a thrill, join the one in a lifetime canyoning experience!

      

    • Meals: Breakfast
    • Bike Rides: Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park
    • Walks and Hikes: Abel Tasman National Park track
    • Optional Activities: Kayaking, canyoning, sailing, water taxi / walk
    • Available Upgrades: Yes

15. MARAHAU TO PICTON - WELCOME TO WINE COUNTRY

    Today is the final day of your tour. First, we head to sunny Nelson, one of the sunniest areas of NZ and home to more than 350 working artists and craftspeople creating traditional, contemporary and Maori arts. Relax and enjoy the sunshine and café culture before we depart for wine country – Marlborough, home to some of the World’s best known grapes and where we’ll treat you to a free tasting in one of their best vineyards before your tour finishes in Picton.

    • Meals: Breakfast
    • Bike Rides: 14-16km off road and road cycling
    • Walks and Hikes: Walk to the geographical centre of New Zealand
    • Available Upgrades: n/a
    • Drive Distance: Approx. 3.5 hours

Trip Reviews