Deluxe Hiking Tour of New Zealand’s South Island

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
Meals: Dinner
Hiking: 3.3 km (2 miles), 1-1.5 hours
Elevation: +/-170 m (560 ft)

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
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 12.2 km (7.6 miles), 4 hours
Elevation: +/-700 m (2,300 ft)

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 then 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.

Accommodation: Scenic Punakaiki
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 6 km (3.7 miles), 2 hours
Elevation: +/-170 m (560 ft)

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 travel a remarkable highway that takes us from the lush green rainforests of the West Coast 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), an important meeting and food gathering place for early Māori. Interestingly, it was named the “Spiritual Centre of the Universe” by the Dalai Lama during his 2002 visit. Today, it’s a haven for rock climbers who boulder on its unique rock formations. We then leave the highway and follow the back roads around Lake Lyndon and on to Methven, a ski town in winter and laid-back rural town the rest of the year. The Southern Alps form a spectacular backdrop.

Accommodation: Ski Time, Methven
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 9.6 km (6 miles), 3-3.5 hours
Elevation: +/-360 m (1,180 ft)

Ccontinue 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, the surrounding Alps, and your accommodation.

Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 8.2 km (5.1 miles), 3 hours
Elevation:+/-380 m (1,280 ft)

Hike up the Sealy Tarns Track and enjoy the views of Mt Sefton, Mueller Glacier and up the Hooker Valley to Aoraki/ Mt Cook. If you’re feeling energetic, join your guide for a climb above the tarns to the crest of Mueller Ridge for even wider views of the alpine landscape. If you prefer to take it easy, you can explore the valley floor independently, take the walk up the Hooker Valley for views of the Mueller and Hooker Glacier terminal lakes or learn more about the national park in the visitor center.

Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Hiking: 5.3 km (3.3 miles), 3 hours or 10.2 km (6.3 miles), 3 hours
Elevation: +/-590 (1,940 ft) or +/-270 m (890 ft)

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, calved from the collapsing terminal face of the glacier.

Our drive to Wānaka 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 backstory of winemaking at a family-run vineyard in this burgeoning wine region, or simply relax in this delightful setting. Wānaka is a lovely lake-side holiday town.

Accommodation: Oakridge Resort, Wanaka
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 2.9 km (1.8 miles), 1 hour hiking
Elevation: +/-70 m (230 ft)

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, continuing through to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park. There’s 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.

Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 7.2 km (4.5 miles), 3 hours
Elevation: +/-650 m (2,130 ft)

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 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.

Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 7.2 km (4.5 miles), 3 hours
Elevation: +/-490 m (1,610 ft)

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 towards the lively scene of Queenstown. In the wine country, on the outskirts of Queenstown, we celebrate our adventures together with lunch out at a fine local restaurant. Enjoy some fine local food and wine before arriving in Queenstown in the late afternoon where the tour concludes. Includes breakfast and lunch.

Due to difficulties with the size of the vehicle combination and accessibility of many accommodations, drop-off locations are limited to the Copthorne Hotel Lakefront, Rydges Lakeland Resort, iSite Visitor Centre (central Queenstown) or Queenstown Airport.

Hiking: 9.8 km (6.1 miles), 3 hours
Elevation: +/-180 m (430 ft)