Explore the Soaring Sights of New Zealand with Boundless Journeys

We begin our adventure on New Zealand's spectacular South Island around midday in Nelson, only a short flight from Auckland. Considered the geographic center of New Zealand, Nelson is a relaxed arts community situated on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay. We spend the afternoon experiencing its offbeat culture while exploring the town by foot. After stops at the Lord of the Rings ringmaker and the Queens Gardens, we hike up a small peak in one of Nelson's urban parks to a marker signifying the point "zero, zero," from which the island's first land surveys were conducted in the 1870s. This is a great opportunity to stretch our legs and get an excellent view of the city of Nelson, Tasman Bay, and mountains beyond.

Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant and stay in Nelson's historic hotel, the Rutherford, popular with hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Accommodations

Rutherford Hotel Nelson
Nelson, New Zealand

Centrally located in Nelson, the hotel is within easy walking distance of the city’s main shopping streets and the landmark cathedral.

Today we journey by private van about an hour and a half to scenic Marahau, a small settlement on Tasman Bay. Once here, we embark on our hike through Abel Tasman National Park, 87 square miles of sheer beauty founded through the efforts of an ornithologist. Our hike today is on a small section of trail that is declared one of the nation's Great Walks by the Department of Conservation. We join the ranks of other "trampers" -- as hikers are locally known -- as we make our way past stunning white-sand beaches, sweeping bays and dense forest.

We are in the capable hands of local guides who provide us with an intimate glimpse into the flora and fauna of the area. Along the way we stop for a picnic lunch on a secluded beach, where we also have the chance to swim in the refreshing Tasman Bay. Our rewarding outing concludes with a water taxi ride to Kaiteriteri Beach before we return to Nelson (please note that the route we hike today will depend on the tides).

Dinner tonight is on your own to explore one of the many casual, ethnic, or fine dining establishments in Nelson.

Accommodations

Rutherford Hotel Nelson
Nelson, New Zealand

Centrally located in Nelson, the hotel is within easy walking distance of the city’s main shopping streets and the landmark cathedral.

Our transfer today includes a scenic four-hour drive from Nelson. We stop for a scenic walk en route which follows formed forested trails through Scenic Forest Reserves of the Marlborough Sounds region. Shaded by a canopy of beech and broadleaf trees, the Reserves contain native species including manuka, rimu, kahikatea and totara, and provide glimpses of the Pelorus Sound, one of the Marlborough Sounds. Passing through quaint coastal villages, we venture on trails that make up longer excursions to more remote parts of the Marlborough Sounds.

Following the morning walk, we'll take advantage of the opportunity to visit the world-famous Marlborough Vineyards for a tour and tasting of some of New Zealand's beloved wines. We then make our way to the small town of Kaikoura which enjoys a splendid setting, abutted by the sea and by the Seaward Kaikoura Mountains that reach very nearly to the shore. Our accommodations for the next two nights are well located in the village of Kaikoura for exploring the surrounding region.

Tonight we dine at our hotel renowned for meals produced from seasonally available, locally produced ingredients.

Accommodations

Hapuku Lodge
Kaikoura, New Zealand

Unique deluxe accommodation, overlooking Kaikoura?s dramatic mountains and surf-washed Pacific coastline.

Kaikoura is famous for its marine environment thanks to the peninsula south of town that swells the currents upward from the Hikurangi Trench. Dolphins, sperm whales, and sea birds thrive here, feeding on the food that's been buoyed by those currents. This morning, there are several options to choose from. For those of you who are interested in having an up close encounter with the marine mammals, you may either set off on a dolphin encounter or embark on a whale wathcing excursion (both at an additonal expense and need to be booked in advance). Those who opt for the outing with dolphins, you can either observe these majestic and playful creatures from the boat or if you are feeling adventurous you will have the opportunity to swim with the dolphins. Whether you choose to observe from the boat or join the dolphins in the ocean, it is a truly unique experience and sure to be a highlight.

If you wish to stretch your legs this morning instead, there will be the option of going for a scenic coastal hike. Options abound and depending on your energy levels, you may explore various trails and beaches by foot while soaking up the majestic beauty of the dramatic Kaikoura peninsula and mountain ranges.

After re-joining for lunch, this afternoon we gain insight into the Maori people of the region during a fun and informative cultural tour. The descendants of the region's indigenous tribes share their customs, social structure, and traditions that still define the local culture today.

Tonight dinner will be at Hapuku Lodge.

Accommodations

Hapuku Lodge
Kaikoura, New Zealand

Unique deluxe accommodation, overlooking Kaikoura?s dramatic mountains and surf-washed Pacific coastline.

We leave Kaikoura and transfer to Arthur's Pass (total drive time is about 3.5 hours) this morning, heading inland and stopping for lunch in Oxford (lunch will be on your own), a former logging town and now a quaint village at the edge of the foothills. We continue into the mountains, stopping at Craigieburn Conservation Park to stretch our legs. Our afternoon hike traverses basins covered in dry eastern tussock, or snow grass, southern beech forest, and limestone boulders. Afternoon walking options abound, including an easy hike amongst stunning limestone boulders, or for the more adventurous, a climb to the top of a small peak for views of stunning tussock filled basins and the craggy peaks of the Craigieburn and Torlesse Ranges.

We arrive later at the Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass, situated on a merino sheep station with spectacular mountain views. This evening, you can join the lodge staff for a guided nature walk. Or, on alternate nights, enjoy a tour of the sheep farm and learn how soft merino wool is produced in the New Zealand high country; the lodge farm produces wool for the active wear company, Icebreaker. We stay here for two nights, so you will have the chance to join both early evening tours.

Accommodations

Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass
Arthur's Pass, New Zealand

Nestled in mountain beech forest, midway between Greymouth and Christchurch, Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass offers comfort and warm hospitality in a spectacular mountain setting.

We spend today among the sweeping alpine splendor of New Zealand's wilderness on a challenging and rewarding hike in Arthur's Pass National Park. The park hosts a wide diversity of alpine ecosystems, as it is split by the South Island's main divide. We focus our hike on the eastern side, where a drier climate persists, and our selection today will depend on the weather and ability of the group.

The Bealey Spur, a sought after destination in the area for its unrivaled views, is a likely option for our group. We can reach the trail by foot from our lodge. Winding our way through evergreen forest to the surrounding paddocks where the Cora Lynn's (the Wilderness Lodge farm) sheep graze, after about twenty minutes of level hiking we arrive at the official start of the Bealey Spur trail. The gradual incline of the Bealey Spur Track traverses mountain-beech forest, tussock grassland and subalpine scrub, offering sweeping views of the Waimakariri River Valley along the way. There are several options to stop for a picnic lunch with panoramic views of the impressive Southern Alps and wide, dramatic river valleys remaining from glaciers of the past. For those who are feeling ambitious, we may continue on to the Bealey Spur hut, otherwise we return to the lodge for an afternoon of relaxation.

Before dinner back at the lodge, we have time to rest or maybe peruse the lodge's David McLeod Library. McLeod, who owned the sheep station for nearly 50 years, was himself a writer who made this part of the South Island's high country famous in his many books.

Accommodations

Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass
Arthur's Pass, New Zealand

Nestled in mountain beech forest, midway between Greymouth and Christchurch, Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass offers comfort and warm hospitality in a spectacular mountain setting.

If weather permits, we begin today with an invigorating hike across the main divide of the Southern Alps. Setting out from the village of Arthur's Pass, a sleepy outpost of 30 residents that only receives one hour of sunlight daily in mid-winter, we ascend to Devil's Punchbowl, a cascading waterfall fed by the snowmelt of the Southern Alps.

We then retrace our steps briefly, before heading up the Arthur's Pass walking trail, through hobbit-like forests, and then emerging into a high-alpine valley with impressive views of Temple Basin (a local ski area) and Avalanche Peak. We enjoy a scenic picnic lunch alongside an icy cold mountain stream, where you can dip your feet or take a refreshing plunge!

Following lunch we ascend the final bit of the track to Arthur's Pass divide for some fantastic views of the surrounding peaks (please note that this hike is not doable in inclement weather, in which case we will offer an alternative hike today). Following our hike, we take a scenic drive (about 1.5 hours) west to the Tasman Sea coast. As we journey toward the Tasman Sea the climate transforms into sub-tropical.

Later today, we arrive at our hotel for the next two nights. For the February departure, we will stay in Hokitika, a hub for artisans of all types teeming with free spirits and a unique culture. From our beachfront hotel, we savor uninterrupted views of the beach and easy access to the town's restaurants and galleries. For the October departure, our hotel is situated near Paparoa National Park and the Tasman Sea. This evening dinner is on your own.

Accommodations

Beachfront Hotel
Hokitika, West Coast, New Zealand

The hotel is only a stone’s throw away from a stunning West Coast beach, and is close to the town’s restaurants, shops, and charming craft galleries.

Punakaiki Resort
Punakaiki, New Zealand

Situated on New Zealand’s wild West Coast, and just south of the famous Pancakes Rocks and Blowholes, the resort is surrounded by the Paparoa National Park and is only a stone’s throw from the beach.

Depending on the morning tides, we start off the day exploring the Pancake Rocks at Dolomite Point, in the community of Punakaiki and the Paparoa National Park. An easy paved trail enables close up views of limestone stacks and blowholes. These unique geologic formations are made up of heavily eroded limestone that has formed vertical shafts. As the high tide rushes in and under the rocks, geysers of sea water burst through the holes.

Afterward, we hike the Punakaiki-Porarari Rivers Loop, a moderate hike through spectacular limestone canyons clothed in sub-tropical forests containing New Zealand's single endemic species of palm, the Nikau. We encounter interesting stacks of karst limestone boulders in the river that were once part of the canyon roof. As we enjoy the stunning coastal views, we may see the rare Westland Petrel taking wing. We conclude our hike at the Punakaiki Tavern, a local pub that serves some excellent fish & chips, and of course tasty microbrews.

Depending on energy levels, there will be the option for beach walking this afternoon, or you may choose to relax at our hotel. This evening we will have dinner at our hotel.

Accommodations

Beachfront Hotel
Hokitika, West Coast, New Zealand

The hotel is only a stone’s throw away from a stunning West Coast beach, and is close to the town’s restaurants, shops, and charming craft galleries.

Punakaiki Resort
Punakaiki, New Zealand

Situated on New Zealand’s wild West Coast, and just south of the famous Pancakes Rocks and Blowholes, the resort is surrounded by the Paparoa National Park and is only a stone’s throw from the beach.

Following an early breakfast, we take the morning to begin our transfer to Lake Moeraki. We pause for a moderate hike at Okarito, home to wetlands that support more than 70 species of native birds, including the Okarito kiwi, white heron, and royal spoonbill. We follow the Wetland Walk and Three Mile Track across a forest-covered glacial moraine before a gentle climb on a well-defined trail to a high point known as the Okarito Trig viewpoint. From here, we take in astonishing vistas of lagoons, beaches, ancient forest-covered glacial moraines, and snow-covered mountains of Aoraki Mount Cook and Westland National Parks. From Okarito Trig we get a sense of the scale of Te Wahi Pounamu South Westland UNESCO World Heritage Site, the combined areas of four national parks, making up about 10% of New Zealand's total land mass.

We spend the next two nights at the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki, in the heart of Te Wahi Pounamu South Westland, situated near spectacular beaches that harbor fur seals and crested penguins. Untouched lowland rainforests here spread between pristine lakes and rivers that drain the snow-capped Southern Alps. The lodge sits in the heart of the 6.4 million-acre World Heritage Area, nestled in a lakeside clearing surrounded by 1,000-year-old trees and lovely Moeraki rapids. The sister lodge to Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass, Lake Moeraki offers a unique South Westland rainforest experience surrounded by true wilderness.

Accommodations

Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Hokitika, New Zealand

The lodge offers a high level of comfort in attractive rooms with lounges and a restaurant that overlook the lovely Moeraki rapids. Radiating from the lodge is a network of rainforest and Tasman seacoast walks.

We have many options today to help us explore Te Wahi Pounamu South Westland World Heritage Site. The best way to experience Lake Moeraki and its surrounds is on foot and by kayak. For those of us who would like a peaceful start, we explore the quiet water of Lake Moeraki by kayak. Our guides give us basic instruction in our stable boats before we paddle upriver for one hour through magnificent rainforest to enter the shallow wetlands of Lake Moeraki.

After returning to the lodge for lunch, there will be an option to venture a bit farther afield to discover the dramatic coastline of the Tasman Sea. On this wet-footed walk, we scramble over beach rocks along the shore in order to see a variety of wildlife -- the Fiordland crested penguin if we are lucky (Fall trips), or even the New Zealand fur seal. For the more adventurous hikers, there will be the option to go on a true "tramp" on the Haast Paringa Cattle Track, the main route used before the current road was completed in 1965, that takes you up to a back country hut, with a narrow suspension bridge to cross over one of the main rivers feeding into Lake Moeraki.

In Wilderness Lodge style, guests are invited to participate in a short evening forest adventure before or after a well-earned dinner.

Accommodations

Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Hokitika, New Zealand

The lodge offers a high level of comfort in attractive rooms with lounges and a restaurant that overlook the lovely Moeraki rapids. Radiating from the lodge is a network of rainforest and Tasman seacoast walks.

After breakfast, we bid farewell to the wilderness of Lake Moeraki and transfer about four hours by road to Queenstown. Along the way, we pause to stretch our legs at either Haast Pass Bridle Path, a moderate walk on an old horse trail now a walking path across Haast Pass in the Aspiring National Park, or Wanaka, an easy 2-hour stroll on a well-defined unpaved pathway along the mighty Clutha River. Our choice depends upon the weather. This afternoon, we enjoy our final celebratory meal together at a winery just outside of Queenstown.

You will be transferred to your hotel between 3:30 and 4:00 or to the airport if you are flying out that day.

If you choose to extend your stay in and around Queenstown, you'll find many other ways to experience the South Island. Join an excursion to the beautiful Milford or Doubtful Sound, be adventurous and try bungee-jumping, or sample the vintages at some of the central Otago wineries. If you'd like to get more hiking in, walk the Milford Track or Routeburn Track, two routes that tread through spectacular scenery.