A guide to the areas of New Zealand
South Island
The best time to travel in New Zealand is from November to April and most of the walking trips mentioned below depart weekly if not daily (some throughout the year), joining a group locally. Prices are on request and can include international and internal flights, extra accommodation and car hire or transfers.
- Marlborough Sounds
- For wine-lovers this is gastronomic heaven with estate upon estate of quality vines. For nature lovers this delightful marine park, overlooking the main maritime entrance to the South Island, is peaceful yet visually stunning. On the Queen Charlotte Track lush coastal forest, beautiful coves, sandy bays and well- graded paths wend their way along the coastline with luxurious beachfront accommodation en-route making this the perfect introduction to the South Island. Take three to five days or mix walking and gentle kayaking with some biking for the ultimate combination.
- Abel Tasman National Park
- Follow the stunning turquoise coastline of the North coast, over forested hills, along golden beaches, past seal colonies and in and out of picture perfect bays. The Abel Tasman Track is one of the most beautiful walks in the country and deservedly popular. Combine paddling with trekking on two to five day trips staying at rustic beachside lodges en-route.
- Kaikoura and Christchurch
- Kaikoura is capital of marine- based activities - whale-watching cruises and swimming with dolphins and seals where mountains meet sea. Christchurch is England in microcosm. Take an incredible balloon ride over the breathtaking Canterbury Plains with the Southern Alps floating in the distance.
- Arthurs Pass National Park
- Take an incredible journey through the centre of the island, into the high rugged alpine mountains of Arthurs Pass National Park on a spectacular highway clinging to the edge of a gorge.
- West Coast Glaciers
- From mountain to rainforest, the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers carve their way on a steep descent creating incredible ice formations which can be experienced by helicopter, plane or crampon-assisted hike.
- Mount Cook National Park
- Soaring snow-capped mountains, creaking glaciers, rumbling avalanches, dazzling turquoise lakes reflecting the icy pyramidal peaks - a completely stunning landscape in which to enjoy gentle valley walk or challenging expeditions over the Ball Pass.
- Mount Aspiring National Park
- The Routeburn Track runs into Fiordland and can also be enjoyed on a day walk, or as part of the 'Grand Traverse' combined with the gentler Greenstone Valley Track to create a six day trek.
- Queenstown
- The capital of adrenalin activities this is also a stunningly located town and the jumping off point for many of the Great Walks and Fiordland National Park.
- Fiordland National Park
- Simply sublime scenery in an immense area. Overnight cruises on Milford and Doubtful Sound, kayaking trips, wildlife expeditions, scenic flights and spine-tingling mountain treks including the 'Finest Walk in the World' - the Milford Track. This eternally popular trail has strict limits on numbers and accommodation, so reservations need to be made many months in advance. Through dense rainforest and over high mountain passes to Milford Sound with its iconic Mitre Peak dominating the fiord, this five day trek is often the reason many people travel to New Zealand. Various day or overnight options are also available including kayaking (amongst fur seals and dolphins) and nature cruises. Other Great Walks in this area are the Hollyford Valley and the Kepler Tracks, travelling over wild alpine tundra with fantastic views over Fiordland - good alternatives to the more popular walks.
Please contact the office for further details.
