Walks and Cycling
- 6 Day Active New Zealand
- 9 Day Active New Zealand
- 14 Day Active New Zealand
- Milford Track, 5 days
- Bush and Beach Walk, 3-5 days
- Walking and Kayaking, 3-5 days
- Hollyford Track, 3 days
Christchurch & South Island
- Christchurch - Garden City, 3 days
- West Coaster, 2 or 3 days
- Marlborough Wine Tour, 4 days
- Pancake Rocks
- Nelson to Queenstown
- Luxury Wilderness Escape, 3 days
- Queenstown Alpine Magic, 4 days
- Nature Lovers Queenstown, 5 days
- Dunedin & Otago Peninsula, 4 days
- Extension Ideas
- Stewart Island, 4 days
North & South Islands
- New Zealand Reflections, 7 days
- Classic New Zealand, 10 days
- South Island Indepth, 13 days
- Classic Downunder, 20 days
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New Zealand Walks and Cycling
ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND
14 days
Auckland to Christchurch
See Also:
6 days Picton or Wellington to Auckland
9 days Christchurch to Picton or Wellington
A 14 day 'active' holiday of New Zealand, designed for you to see and actively participate in a number of activities at your level! You go sailing, 4 wheel driving, caving, native bird watching, rafting, jet boating, sea kayaking, glacier walking, hiking, be dropped on an active volcano and introduced to the Maori culture. Plus lots more!
Day 1. Christchurch to Fairlie. The day starts with a scenic drive around Christchurch city and short native bird life tour. Continue across the fertile Canterbury plains to Fairlie, where we meet our farm stay hosts. LD
Day 2. Fairlie to Queenstown. Following a short farm tour and hearty breakfast, we head toward Mt. Cook. We stop at Lake Tekapo before arriving in Mt. Cook National Park. Take a walk up to the Hooker Valley, crossing two swing bridges, beneath which the thundering Hooker River flows. Continue to Queenstown. BL
Day 3. Queenstown. This is a free day. Optional activities include a trip to Milford Sound, a trip to Skippers Canyon by 4 wheel drive, a cruise to Walter Peak sheep station, a ride on the gondola, a visit to Arrowtown and Gibbstown winery, a walk around public parks and gardens, fly by wire, bungy jumping, guided wine tour, relaxing by the lake or shopping. B
Day 4. Queenstown to Fox Glacier. We head via Haast Pass towards Jackson Bay to join the awesome Waiatoto jet-boat experience. Continue along the coast to Fox Glacier Township, take a leisurely stroll around Lake Matheson or perhaps take a helicopter ride to a wondrous world of ice covered mountains and enjoy a snow landing on the upper Fox Glacier neve. BL
Day 5. Fox Glacier to Punakaiki. We depart for a 3 hour walk onto Fox Glacier, this is one of only three places in the world were you can experience walking on 200 metre thick ice next to dripping rainforest! After lunch, continue to Punakaiki where we take a walk around the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes. BL
Day 6. Punakaiki to Nelson. Today is our cave rafting tour, which takes us up the Nile River in a small train then we head underground. We exit the caves by floating downstream on tubes – a novel and exciting way to view this amazing underworld experience (weather permitting). After lunch we visit NZ's longest Swing Bridge, before continuing to Nelson, a leading art and craft center. BL
Day 7. Nelson to Marlborough Sounds. The drive from Nelson to Picton is beautiful. We stop for an ice cream and a walk in the Totara Forest before we rendezvous with our kayak guides, experience the beautiful Marlborough Sounds via sea kayak before continuing to Lochmara Lodge. The location demands drinks on the balcony: the perfect accompaniment to the beauty that spreads out below you. BL
Day 8. Marlborough Sounds. The Queen Charlotte Walkway begins at the historic Ship Cove and finishes at Anakiwa – a glorious walk. From the Lodge we are able to access the track and spend the day exploring the landscape. BL
Day 9. Marlborough Sounds to Wellington. Board the Cook Straight ferry for the scenic journey to Wellington. We have a short visit to Te Papa, the national Museum. This evening we explore one of the Wellington's boutique breweries. BL
Day 10. Wellington to River Valley. The Karori Wildlife Sanctuary provides a full morning exploring the tracks and the wildlife. Continue to River Valley Lodge, which is nestled beside the Rangitikei River. Relax, enjoy the peace and quiet of the lodge and its surroundings. BLD
Day 11. River Valley to Rotorua. The Rangitikei River is home to high class river rafting. There are three options, a sedate drift trip, get up close and personal with the river amongst the white water or a relaxing horse trek. Continue to Rotorua. The evening is at leisure. BL
Day 12. Rotorua. Head to Whakatane, for our launch to the active volcano, White Island. What follows is a fascinating tour. The climax has to be the hike to the crater rim. We have a delicious lunch and with luck we may even get to watch dolphins or whales along the way. Continue to Rotorua, tonight we attend a Maori cultural evening with a formal Maori welcome, cultural performance, and traditional Maori Hangi. BLD
Day 13. Rotorua to Auckland. The morning starts with a visit to the Rotorua Bathhouse museum then it's time to try something completely different. This activity involves little 4 X 4 vehicles, lots of mud and sweaty palms! Continue to Auckland. BL
Day 14. Auckland. Board our yacht for sail on Auckland's sparkling Waitemata Harbour, learn sailing jargon, take the helm, or just sit back, relax and enjoy the sea breeze over a late breakfast. After sailing it's time for our final good-byes. B
Includes:
- 13 nights quality accommodation on a twin or double basis
- experienced Adventure South driver/guide
- transport using comfortable modern vehicle
- 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 3 dinners
Note - not included dinners are usually eaten with the group but clients have the option of an own/quiet meal if they wish- all hikes as indicated including National Park fees
- farm-stay on a New Zealand farm with your "Kiwi" hosts
- Waiatoto Jetboat tour
- Guided glacier hike
- Cave rafting tour
- Buller Gorge Swing Bridge
- Visits to Church of Good Shepherd, Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
- Sea kayak tour at Anakiwa
- Water taxis & ferry to the North Island
- Hike on Queen Charlotte track
- Kapiti Island boat trip, visit & permit
- Guided rafting tour or horse trek option
- Visits to Huka Falls & Craters of the Moon
- Boat trip & guided tour of White Island
- Maori Cultural experience & Hangi meal
- 4WD experience
- Sailing on Waitemata harbour in Auckland
- Visits to Te Papa and Rotorua Museum
- Specialist guides for non-walking activities
- Use of Adventure South packs & hiking poles if required
- Local taxes (G.S.T)
Not Included
- 10 dinners & 1 lunch
- activities on free day in Queenstown (day 3)
- other extra activities on the route
- items of a personal nature e.g. drinks, wine with meals, phone calls ?etc
- tips & gratuities
