South Island Grand Hikes - Hiking New Zealand - 10 days

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Nelson
1 stop
1
Centre Of New Zealand Monument
Meet your guides and other walkers joining the tour in the Rutherford Hotel foyer at 4:00pm. There will be an 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.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Nelson - Abel Tasman
1 stop
2
Abel Tasman Coast Track
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.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Nelson - Punakaiki
1 stop
3
Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk
On the way to the West Coast we stop for a remarkable hike to marvel at natural flames which have been burning since the 1920s. We access this phenomenon 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 traverse a section of spectacular coastline and catch the sunset at Punakaiki. 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.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Punakaiki - Methven
1 stop
4
Paparoa National Park
Hike the Inland Pack Track from the Pororari to the Punakaiki River. This historic route once used by prospectors and miners 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, and perhaps take a speedy swim in one of the deep clear pools. After the hike, we travel a remarkable highway from the lush green rainforests of the West Coast over the glaciated Southern Alps to the soft yellow tussock grasslands of the eastern high country. East of Arthur's Pass, stroll around the enchanting limestone outcrops of Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill), an important meeting place and food gathering area for early Māori. The Dalai Lama named it the "Spiritual Centre of the Universe" when he visited in 2002. We then 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, with the Southern Alps as a spectacular backdrop.
3 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Methven - Aoraki/Mt Cook
1 stop
5
Mount John Summit Circuit Track
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. Hike via the lakeshore to the elevated viewing platform afforded by Mt John and revel in the expansiveness 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 relax in the splendour of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the surrounding alps at our accommodation, where we stay for the next two nights.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Aoraki/Mt Cook
1 stop
6
Climb to Sealy Tarns and enjoy awesome views of hanging glaciers on Mt Sefton and up the Hooker Valley to Aoraki/Mt Cook. Those wanting to immerse themselves in this spectacular alpine landscape or take an easier alternative to the Sealy Tarns hike can explore the valley floor independently, with 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.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Aoraki/Mt Cook - Wānaka
1 stop
7
Tasman Glacier
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 south takes us out of the Mackenzie Country and over the Lindis Pass, famous for its stunning tussock-covered landscapes and rugged hills. As we enter the southern lakes district of Central Otago, we are greeted with spectacular scenery and awe-inspiring landscapes welcoming us to the lovely lake-side holiday town of Wānaka.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 8
Wānaka - Te Anau
1 stop
8
A beautiful drive alongside Lake Wānaka 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 moutonnée" (rock sheep) for spectacular views over the lake, and to the Southern Alps and Mount Aspiring/Tititea. This area has several hike options, from the gentle Diamond Lake circuit to the more energetic Rocky Mountain summit climb. After the hike and lunch we drive over the Crown Range and along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Time to relax in the afternoon or take a stroll along the beautiful lakeshore with stunning views across the water of the vast Fiordland wilderness.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 9
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau
1 stop
9
Milford Sound
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 spellbound 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 dusky dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and, if you're lucky, the rare Fiordland crested penguin. We return to Te Anau in the afternoon.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 10
Te Anau - Queenstown
1 stop
10
Kepler Track
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 backtrack northwards towards the lively scene of Queenstown. In the wine country on the outskirts of Queenstown, we celebrate our adventures together with lunch at a fine local restaurant before arriving in Queenstown in the late afternoon where the tour concludes. Drop-off locations at the end of the trip are limited, as many Queenstown accommodations are inaccessible to our touring vehicle. Available drop-off locations are Queenstown Airport, or in central Queenstown at the Copthorne Hotel Lakefront or the iSite Visitor Centre.
3 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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