South Island Summer Tours
Southern Summer Sojourn (February) 11 Days
Day
1 – Christchurch to Twizel
Departing Christchurch we head south then inland via Geraldine, Fairlie,
and into Mackenzie country. Our journey takes us past the beautiful turquoise
lakes of Tekapo and Pukaki. Weather permitting, a side trip to Mt Cook Village
is very special where we walk to view the Tasman Glacier and surrounding
majestic country. The Day finishes in Twizel.
Day 2 – Twizel to Naseby
A morning trip to Clay Cliffs will see us walking through deep chasms among
awe-inspiring pinnacles. We then travel the Waitaki Valley with its vast
hydro scheme and dams. Along the Waitaki Valley we follow the recently established
“Lost World” fossil trail. Our next surprise is a trip over
historic Danseys Pass with stunning scenery and fascinating surrounds of
old gold workings. We spend the night at Naseby.
Day 3 –Naseby to Dunedin
ToDay is very much a historic Day. We visit St Bathans, a historic gold-mining
township (with resident ghost at the Vulcan Hotel), and walk a section of
the Otago Central Rail Trail, a relic from a bygone era and now preserved
for use by walkers, cyclists and horse-treks. We walk on viaducts and through
old train tunnels, all created by the skilled craftsmen of their time. We
then visit Hayes Engineering, a pioneering workshop preserved in working
condition. The Day finishes via Ranfurly to Pukerangi where we pick up the
Taieri Gorge Railway for a train trip into Dunedin.
Day
4 –Dunedin to Owaka (Catlins)
We start the Day with a trip to Taiaroa Heads with its Albatross Colony
and Disappearing Gun. Following this we return to Dunedin and head south
via Nugget Point and its many islands to Owaka in the Catlins for 2 nights.
Day 5 - Owaka
The Catlins provides some of the most picturesque southern rainforest with
stunning bush walks, waterfalls, rock formations, fossils, petrified forest
remains, cathedral caves, beach rambles and unique wildlife. This is the
home of yellow eyed penguins and hooker sea-lions.
Day 6 – Owaka to Queenstown
We leave the Catlins and head north again via Gore, Lumsden, Garston (the
most inland town in New Zealand), stopping at Kingston before heading through
to Queenstown. ToDay we can walk a number of historic tracks and marvel
at the achievements of our ancestors, or alternatively have free time to
take in the local sights of your choice, including gondola ride, trip on
the historic steamer “Earnslaw”, jet boat ride and heaps more.
Our Day ends at Arrowtown.
Day
7 – Arrowtown to Haast
Leaving Arrowtown we travel over the Crown Range with lofty views to Wanaka.
From Wanaka we travel to Haast via Haast Pass, stopping at the Blue Pools,
Thunder Creek Falls and The Gates of Haast (the last section of road built
to complete the loop from the West Coast to Central Otago). Our Day ends
at Haast.
Day 8 – Haast to Fox Glacier
Departing Haast we walk at Ship Creek, Monro Beach, plus a number of stops
to view glacier-formed lakes and valleys, and coastal views. Fox Glacier
township is our home for the next 2 nights.
Day 9 –Fox Glacier
This is a Day to do what you want. This could include a glacier heli-hike
(highly recommended) or a half Day walk on the glacier, plus many other
options with walks or sight-seeing. For early risers there is a morning
walk to Lake Matheson to view the reflections of Mt Cook. Weather permitting,
we may have an evening meal at Gillespies Beach.
Day 10 –Fox Glacier to Punakaiki
Leaving Fox we travel up the West Coast to Franz Josef to view the film
“Flowing West”. We travel north taking in stunning coastal scenery,
stopping at points of interest and walks on the way via Okarito Lagoon,
Lake Mahinapua, Hokitika, and on to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks,
staying the night at Punakaiki.
Day
11 – Punakaiki to Christchurch
Departing Punakaiki, we travel via Lake Brunner to our final link with the
Christchurch/Arthurs Pass highway for our return journey through lush mountains,
over a spectacular viaduct and back through the dry Canterbury Plains to
the end of our travels.
Tour includes:
Free pick up within Christchurch metropolitan area.
All travel and accommodation costs.
All meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner (except one evening meal out).
Entry to Film “Flowing West” at Franz Josef.
Taieri Gorge Railway trip.
Entry to Albatross Colony and Taiaroa Head
Extras you will need to budget for:
Travel costs to and from Christchurch.
Any extra nights you may wish to stay in Christchurch.
One evening meal out during the trip.
Café extras (special coffees etc).
Queenstown attractions.
Helicopter or scenic flight if you wish
