15 Day Summer Blast New Zealand Tour

This morning we’ll depart Christchurch and start heading towards the mountains and across the Canterbury plains, a flat open area of farmland. Tonight we’ll stay in Peel Forest, close to the Rangitata River.

Meals included: Breakfast & dinner
Walks: Take an early walk around our coastal camp, evening walk in peel forest
Bike rides: 9 – 18km country road cycling
Activities (own cost): Dolphin swimming, dolphin viewing
Cabin upgrades: Yes – subject to availability

Wake up to mountain views and try white water rafting on the mighty Rangitata River! If rafting isn’t for you, soak it all in with a morning cycle or walk through Peel forest. We then head through more jaw-dropping landscapes (they don’t stop in the South Island) to the picture postcard, Lake Tekapo. Here you will view 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.

Relax in the nearby hot pools or enjoy star gazing at the Mt John Observatory and make the most of staying in an International Dark Sky Reserve, plus there are plenty of hike and cycle options to choose from.

Meals included: Breakfast & lunch
Walks: Peel forest, Mt John walkway
Bike rides: Peel forest cycle ride then Lake Tekapo Regional Park
Activities (own cost): White water rafting (grade 5 rapids!), horse riding, Mt John Observatory tour
Cabin upgrades: Yes – subject to availability

Immerse yourself in the snow-capped mountain scenery that New Zealand is famous for and explore Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Hike to the base of NZ’s highest mountain following a trail up the Hooker valley where you’ll cross swing bridges and get stunning views of the mountains before finishing up at a glacial lake with views of the Hooker Valley glacier. We then travel back towards the Pacific coast for a quick stop in the historic town of Oamaru before continuing onwards to the small village of Moeraki. Walk to a great view point offering expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and try to spot a little Blue Penguin along the shore. If you have a bike it’s possible to visit a colony of extremely rare Yellow-eyed Penguins near to camp.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Walks: To the base of Mount Cook & Hooker Valley, explore the Moeraki Heritage Trail
Bike rides: 13km Alps2Ocean trail ride, Yellow-eyed penguin colony
Cabin upgrades: Yes – subject to availability

If the tide is low then we can walk along the beach to 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.

Afterward it’s onto the historic Scottish city of Dunedin, the South Island’s second-largest city. This southern city is home to the world’s steepest residential street and the coastline is home to some fantastic and rare wildlife. It’s possible to take a tour onto the Otago Peninsula to view some of this diverse wildlife which includes Albatross and Fur Seals. For the adventurous, why not try surfing at one of Dunedin’s best breaks! Our camp is a short distance from St. Kilda beach with a variety of restaurants close by to choose from.

Meals included: Breakfast
Walks: Moeraki heritage trail, World’s steepest street, explore Dunedin city
Bike rides: Dunedin soldier memorial 12km, ride from the city to camp or along the waterfront
Activities (own cost): Surfing, Otago Peninsula wildlife tour
Cabin upgrades: Yes – subject to availability

Today is one of our longer travel days as we drive through some of New Zealand’s most dramatic natural scenery on our way to Fiordland. Large parts of the landscape have been carved out over thousands of years to leave stunning paths that weave through snow-capped mountains. We stop briefly in Te Anau, the hub and gateway town for Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound and your last chance to get supplies for those doing the Routeburn Track tomorrow. Tonight’s camp is on the lakeside in Te Anau.

Meals included: Breakfast & dinner
Walks: Plenty of short walks from camp
Bike rides: 8km road cycle to camp
Cabin upgrades: Yes – subject to availability

Travel one of the world’s most scenic routes into Milford Sound! Described as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. We highly recommend taking a cruise on Milford Sound where you’ll see dramatic waterfalls, snow-capped peaks and have the chance to spot wildlife such as dolphins, penguins and seals! 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 3-day Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks. This 3-day hike passes through two National Parks and 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 included: Breakfast & lunch
Walks: The awesome 3-day Routeburn Track (rejoin group in Queenstown on day 14)
Bike rides: 10.5km Te Anau loop, Ivan Wilson Park Mountain bike trail
Activities (own cost): Milford boat cruise, Routeburn Track, Te Anau glow worm caves & boat ride
Cabin upgrades: Yes – subject to availability

Today we journey to Queenstown along the shores of the photogenic Lake Wakatipu. Once we arrive at the adventure capital of New Zealand you have a huge selection of activities to choose from. There is everything here, from adrenalin pumping bungy, canyon swing and skydiving to a relaxing horse trek or boat cruise – this place has it all. There are great tracks around the lake ideal for bikers and hikers and all with wonderful views of this alpine region. Camping isn’t feasible in this bustling alpine village, for the next two nights we stay in dorm-share accommodation (cost included) in a centrally located hostel. Perfect for making the most of all Queenstown has to offer.

Meals included: Breakfast
Walks: Queenstown walks, lakefront, Queenstown hill
Bike rides: Lake Wakatipu trail 16km
Activities (own cost): Too many to list – something for everyone (see our website or ask us for details)
Private room upgrades: Yes – subject to availability

With so much to do we spend the full day in fantastic Queenstown with the opportunity to enjoy those once in a lifetime experiences (don’t forget to try the legendary and very tasty Fergburger!). Routeburn Track walkers rejoin the group here at midday with time to try some of the many exciting activities this vibrant city has to offer. Tonight, we dine out at one of Queenstown’s many delicious eateries – a great chance for your group to enjoy a true kiwi feast (own cost).

Meals included: Breakfast
Walks: Queenstown walks, Ben Lomond
Bike rides: Lake Wakatipu trail, Queenstown trail 48km
Activities (own cost): Too many to list – something for everyone (see our website or ask us for details)
Private room upgrades: Yes – subject to availability

Our final morning in Queenstown and your last chance to indulge in the Queenstown’s action before we farewell those finishing their tour and welcome new travellers joining us here. Leaving at 2:30pm, after the thrills and spills of Queenstown we travel past mountains and on towards stunning glacial lakes. On the final stretch to camp we start getting views of Mt Aspiring National Park in the distance. Lake Wanaka is just over the next ridge and it’s on the edge of this glacial lake that we find our next wilderness camp. Enjoy great views of Lake Wanaka and the mountains beyond as we absorb the beauty of the area.

Meals included: Breakfast & dinner
Walks: Multiple walking options
Bike rides: Road cycling around town. Lake Wanaka lookout to Boundary Creek 10km
Activities (own cost): Too many to list – something for everyone (see our website or ask us for details)
Cabin upgrades: No – beautiful lakeside camp (alternatives will be found in bad weather)

Enjoy a relaxed morning at our lakeside camp then it’s northward bound through Mt Aspiring National Park. Just before we reach the West Coast, we stop for a walk to the amazing Blue Pools, and then head over the dramatic Haast Pass. As we travel towards the wild West Coast, the road follows 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 is possible to spot Hector dolphins. Tonight, we will be staying beside the beautiful Lake Paringa enjoying a true West Coast wilderness experience.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Walks: Blue Pools, Ship Creek
Bike rides: Knights Point lookout to Lake Paringa 25km
Cabin upgrades: Yes – subject to availability

Today is your chance to explore one of NZ’s most unique and spectacular natural wonders – Franz Josef Glacier. This staggering beautiful work of nature is 12 kilometres and 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 with a stunning walk through the main valley up to the terminal face. Before arriving at Franz Josef, we take a highly recommended walk around Lake Matheson where crystal clear reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman make the perfect photo opportunity. Late afternoon, we have a short drive up the coast to our beautiful beachside campsite next to the Okarito lagoon – one of the very few places where there are still rare sightings of our native kiwi bird and the home to NZ’s only colony of the White Heron (kotuku). Enjoy a fire down on the beach taking in the rugged coast and epic mountain views.

Meals included:    Breakfast & dinner
Walks:   Hike around Lake Matheson, Te Ara a Waiau walkway
Bike rides: Te Ara a Waiau cycleway, Okarito road ride 10km
Activities (own cost): Guided heli-hike, skydiving, kayaking, West Coast wildlife centre
Cabin upgrades: Yes – selected nights only

Enjoy an early morning walk, with a view of the sunrise over the Southern Alps as a reward. We then continue up this spectacular coastal road to the quirky town of Hokitika, home to the Greenstone factories and a great place to pick up a traditional souvenir of your visit. Passing through Greymouth we keep following the coast to Punakaiki where you’ll notice a change in the landscape and vegetation with huge limestone cliffs appearing and Nikau Palm trees becoming abundant. Our beach camp has 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. In the evening, explore a cavern with some glow worms hanging out in the dark then relax at the local tavern.

Meals included: Breakfast & dinner
Walks: Sunrise Okarito Trig Walk
Bike rides: West Coast Wilderness Trail 14km, road ride to camp 37km
Activities (own cost): Horse-riding, Punakaiki blow holes (free)
Cabin upgrades: Yes – subject to availability

Before leaving Punakaiki we take time to explore part of the Paparoa National Park with a walk along the Pororari river or cycle up Bullock creek road to visit a cave resurgence. Leaving mid-morning we travel inland through the majestic Buller gorge and onto our favourite National Park, Abel Tasman. In one of the sunniest areas of the country you will discover 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 included: Breakfast & dinner
Walks:   Truman track
Bike rides: Coastal ride to camp and Kaiteriteri bike park
Activities (own cost): Skydiving
Cabin upgrades: Yes – subject to availability

Taking time 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!) Explore the heart of the park on one of our most highly rated optional activities – canyoning high flow waterfalls and rapids!

Meals included: Breakfast & dinner
Walks: Abel Tasman National Park track
Bike rides: Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park
Activities (own cost): Single & multi-day kayaking options, canyoning, sailing, water-taxi/walk, conservation tour
Cabin upgrades: Yes – subject to availability

Today we head to sunny Nelson. In addition to being one of the sunniest areas of NZ its home to more than 350 working artists and craftspeople creating traditional, contemporary and Maori arts + it’s a wonderful place to live! 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 included: Breakfast
Bike Rides: Great Taste Trail
Walks: Nelson town