DAYS
15 Days
Style
Accommodated
EX
Nelson – Dunedin
From
$8,975.00 AUD
OVERVIEW
Next Tour: 7th - 21st January 2025
DISCOVER THE SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND
Tucked away in the southern rim of the Pacific, Aotearoa (New Zealand), is a land with beautiful and refreshing nature.
In Te Wai Pounamu, the South Island, morning may be greeted high in majestic mountain valleys, viewing giant buttercups and ‘vegetable sheep’; the afternoon may be spent on the sea, watching gliding albatrosses and porpoising fur seals. One day you may be viewing a pod of Dusky Dolphins and the next, you will be hiking in the sub-antarctic rain forest. It’s a diverse, ever-changing land full of natural spectacles to be enjoyed, challenged, or held in awe.
In particular, this program takes you away from the population centres and the tourist ‘honey pots’ to study and enjoy the lesser-known but equally spectacular parts of New Zealand.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Explore Mount Arthur in Kahurangi National Park, a marble region with a wide diversity of upland and sub-alpine species
- Cape Farewell – discover the dramatic coastline and seabird restoration project undertaken here
- Enjoy short walks in the tranquil beech forest and the beautiful alpine lakes of Rotoiti and Rotoroa
- Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway – observe seals and seabirds, and enjoy clifftop views of the sea and mountains
- Whale-watching cruise to view Sperm Whales, albatrosses (4-5 species), petrels and shearwaters just meters from the boat.
- Walk the dramatic Mueller Ridge with spectacular views of the southern Alps, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Sefton
- Fiordland World Heritage Area – walking amidst the Borland Saddle region’s lush beech forests and sub-alpine tussock lands
- Discover this botanical treasure trove in the Darran Mountains
- Take an optional cruise of Milford Sound
- Rakiura Stewart Island – primarily wilderness and home to Kakas and South Island Brown Kiwi
- Predator-free Ulva Island – search for many South Island forest birds
- Taiaroa Head – known for harbouring the only mainland albatross-nesting colony in the world, also look for Yellow-eyed Penguins, the Otago Shag and the endemic Hooker’s Sea Lion
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arrive Nelson | Arrive in Nelson today and make your way to your accommodation to check in. Meet your guides and fellow passengers at the hotel in the late afternoon. Accommodation: Hotel Nelson D |
| Day 2 | Nelson - Kahurangi National Park - Takaka | A day excursion to nearby Mount Arthur, a marble region with a wide diversity of upland and sub-alpine species. The Graham Valley provides the easiest access to the newly formed Kahurangi National Park. Enjoy relaxing or more taxing walks (up to 4 hours) into the Mount Arthur region and the surrounding tablelands. Mid-afternoon continues to Takaka in Mohua, Golden Bay. Accommodation: Mohua Motels BLD |
| Day 3 | Takaka - Cape Farewell - Kaituna Valley - Takaka | The far western edge of Golden Bay holds hidden treasures that will enthral us today. We will discover the dramatic coastline and seabird restoration project undertaken at Cape Farewell, and you can continue and walk the cliffs and seascapes that await at Wharariki. Later we’ll drive south to the Whanganui Inlet before walking the western end of the Kaituna Track as far as Knuckle Peak. Accommodation: Mohua Motels BLD |
| Day 4 | Takaka - St Arnaud | Continue through to St Arnaud this morning. The beautiful lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa are nestled amongst the northern peaks of the Southern Alps. Later, enjoy short walks in this enchanting forest, or take a half hike onto Mt Robert for stunning vistas overlooking the lake and sub-alpine flora. Accommodation: Alpine Lodge BLD |
| Day 5 | St Arnaud - Kaikoura Coast and Peninsular | This morning will see us heading south down the east coast to Kaikoura, with stop-offs for fur seals and stunning coastal landscapes. The focus for the afternoon is a delightful hike around the coast on the Kaikoura Peninsula. Accommodation: Gateway Motor Lodge BLD |
| Day 6 | Kaikoura - Wildlife Coast | Kaikoura is a breathtaking place where snow-iced mountains reach down to a turquoise sea. The continental shelf drops abruptly very close to shore, resulting in the upwelling of nutrients from the sea’s depths attracting rich and abundant marine life. This morning we will join a whale-watching excursion for Sperm Whales; also an excellent opportunity for bird lovers and generalists to see albatrosses (4-5 species), petrels and shearwaters just meters from the boat. The afternoon and evening are spent at your leisure. Accommodation: Gateway Motor Lodge B |
| Day 7 | Kaikoura Coast - Mackenzie Basin | This morning we depart Kaikoura and travel south to cross the Canterbury Plains and over Burkes Pass. As we wind through the foothills, with snow-capped mountains in the background, we’ll overlook the vivid turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and other large glacial lakes. There will be time to take an optional flight over Mount Cook National Park, flying over the highest peaks and glaciers of the Southern Alps, before continuing to the Mackenzie basin and our accommodation in Twizel. Accommodation: Mackenzie Country Hotel, Twizel BLD |
| Day 8 | Mackenzie Basin - Aoraki/Mount Cook NP - Mackenzie Basin | A day to explore the renowned Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. At the foot of Aoraki/Mt Cook lies the spectacular Hooker Valley. The dramatic Mueller Ridge hike awaits today with stunning views of the southern Alps, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Sefton. Alternatively, the walk along the trail enables us to study the changes in vegetation on successive moraines as the Hooker then Mueller Glaciers are reached. Giant Mt Cook buttercups, golden Spaniards and sub-alpine shrubs abound amidst unforgettable landscapes. Mid-afternoon, we return to Twizel. Accommodation: Mackenzie Country Hotel, Twizel BLD |
| Day 9 | Mackenzie Basin - Central Otago | Leave Mackenzie Basin and cross into Central Otago with its rocky, rugged landscapes. This area is a schist plateau, now appearing as a series of block mountain ranges. Lodged amid the silvery schist vegetation of the Old Man Range are many species of cushion plants and snowbank vegetation unique to this type of extreme climate. The Lilliputian world of the plants on top of this range starkly contrasts the grandeur and vastness of the surrounding mountains. We will stay in Alexandra tonight. Accommodation: Avenue Motel, Alexandra BLD |
| Day 10 | Central Otago - Fiordland World Heritage Area | This Morning travel through to Fiordland World Heritage Area. At times stunning, at others awesome, and in places even tranquil this area encompasses New Zealand's largest national park. Glacially gouged valleys and lakes nestled between range upon range of mountains characterise the landscape. We spend the afternoon walking amidst the lush beech forests and sub-alpine tussocklands of the Borland Saddle region. Accommodation: Aaron Court Motels, Lake Te Anau BLD |
| Day 11 | Fiordland National Park & Milford Sound | The upper Hollyford Valley, which the famed Milford Road passes through, contains superb boulders and herb fields. The Gertrude Cirque has arguably the finest accessible alpine communities in the country. The day is devoted to discovering this botanical treasure trove in the Darran Mountains at your own pace on a 2-mile hike into the valley. Studying nature in such awe-inspiring surroundings is guaranteed to put all in perspective. Early afternoon, descend to sea level at Milford Sound. There will be time for a cruise to the fjord entrance before we return early evening to Lake Te Anau. Accommodation: Aaron Court Motels, Lake Te Anau BL |
| Day 12 | Fiordland World Heritage Area - Stewart Island | Today we travel south to the Catlins region. We stop in the fascinating Tautuku Basin and Estuary, now the location for a cornerstone conservation project run by Forest & Bird (NZ’s largest conservation organisation). Species protection and intensive pest control centre on the Society’s largest reserve, the Lenz Reserve. Later, we’ll board a ferry to New Zealand’s “even more south island”, Rakiura Stewart Island. This island contains New Zealand’s most recent national park and is primarily wilderness, with few roads around the one community of Oban. Kakas are bold and inquisitive here and will likely be waiting for us on the porch of our hotel. We’ll end the day with an optional evening trip to view South Island Brown Kiwi. Accommodation: South Seas Hotel Oban BLD |
| Day 13 | Stewart Island - Ulva Island - Stewart Island | This morning we will land on predator-free Ulva Island and spend time searching for many South Island forest birds such as Weka, Kaka, Yellow- and Red-crowned kakariki, tieke, South Island Saddleback, Mohua, and Pipipi. In the afternoon, we will enjoy local walks around the village. Accommodation: South Seas Hotel Oban *see Tour Information, Accommodation. BLD |
| Day 14 | Stewart Island - Dunedin | Today we head back to the South Island and travel via the eastern coastline. Dunedin is situated on a spectacular indented harbour and peninsula. Taiaroa Head is famous for harbouring the only mainland albatross-nesting colony in the world; the giant Northern Royal Albatross have been nesting here specially protected for several decades. These are truly giant birds—the world’s largest flying birds—and are absolutely immense, with a three-meter wingspan. Nesting nearby is the superb Yellow-eyed Penguin, a threatened species unlike any other penguin in the world. Sadly, the population has dramatically declined here in recent years, so we will need some luck for a sighting. The third special bird is the Otago Shag, a recent split out of the Stewart Island Shag. There is also a good chance to encounter the endemic Hooker’s Sea Lion. Accommodation: Distinction Leisure Lodge Dunedin BLD |
| Day 15 | Depart Dunedin | Alas, we must depart this grand and rugged corner of New Zealand. The trip ends late this morning with a group transfer to Dunedin Airport, with international connections, or head north to Auckland and join the Coates North Island tour. B |
| Although this is not a walking tour, some walking is necessary to get to the places where the flora and fauna are at their best. | ||
| This itinerary is subject to change due to weather or sea conditions. |
availability
Places available
Inclusions
- Coates tour escort
- Specialist local wildlife/botanical guide
- Land content as set out in the itinerary
- Accommodation and breakfast, lunch and dinner as shown in the itinerary
- All entrance fees for activities set out in the itinerary unless stated as optional
- Kiwi Excursions (Stewart Island)
- Boat excursions (Kaikoura, Otago Harbour, Milford Sounds, Stewart Island, Ulva Island)
- Stewart Island ferry
- Goods and Services Tax
Trip Reviews
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