Wild West ex Christchurch - 9 days - Top Rated Adventure Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Christchurch to Queenstown (transfer day)

Pass By: Queenstown Hill, Belfast Street, Queenstown New Zealand
Today we transfer you from Christchurch to Queenstown where you will join your Flying Kiwi tour group. Your shuttle transfer will takeapproximately7 hours and will have you travelling through the Canterbury plains, Mckenzie country, past Lake Tekapo then onto Queenstown. The bus service runs everyday so if you want to spend a few days in Queenstown before your Flying Kiwi tour departs simply arrange the dates with our office team - we are very flexible.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: A great centrally located hostel - included free with your trip!

Day 2: Queenstown to Makarora. One last buzz in Quenstown before heading to our serene lakeside setting.

Pass By: Queenstown Hill, Belfast Street, Queenstown New Zealand
Our final morning in Queenstown and your last chance to indulge in the Queenstown’s action before we farewell those finishing their tour and welcome new travellers joining us here. Leaving at 2:30pm, after the thrills and spills of Queenstown we travel through more mountains and on towards more stunning glacial lakes. On the final stretch to camp we start getting views of Mt Aspiring National Park in the distance. Lake Wanaka is just over the next ridge and it’s on the edge of this glacial lake that we find our next wilderness camp. Enjoy great views of Lake Wanaka and the mountains beyond as we absorb the beauty of the area.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Lakeside camp with stunning views

Day 3: Makarora to Glacier Country. Enjoy iconic mountain views as we start our journey up the wild West Coast.

Pass By: Franz Josef Glacier, Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
Today we're heading to the wild west coast! Today is a substantial drive but the scenery we'll be travelling through is quite dramatic plus we'll be making stops along the way for walks, views, waterfalls, coastline and a couple of bike options! We start the day tracing the northern edge of Mt Aspiring National park crossing the Haast pass and the gateway to the Westland region before meeting the Tasman Sea. Tonight, we will be staying beside the beautiful Lake Paringa enjoying a true West Coast wilderness experience.

The wild "West Coast" refers to the beautiful and diverse area lodged between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea. This area is home to arguably the most dramatic scenery in New Zealand and the the least number of people - a perfect combination for our tours. The region is dotted with towering mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, thundering rivers and rain forest. The national parks in this region have been designated as World Heritage Areas to help keep this area of supreme natural beauty intact. Residents of the region are known as "coasters" and known for their genuine friendliness.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Great camp with some upgrade options

Day 4: Franz Josef to Okarito Lagoon. Today is about natural beauty - get inspired by the most amazing geological wonders.

Pass By: Okarito Lagoon, Okarito New Zealand
Today is your chance to explore one of NZ’s most unique and spectacular natural wonders – Franz Josef Glacier. This staggering beautiful work of nature is 12 kilometres and descends from the Southern Alps to less than 300 metres above sea level. To get on the ice you must go up by helicopter but it’s possible to view the glacier with a stunning walk through the main valley up to the terminal face.

Before arriving at Franz Josef, we take a highly recommended walk around Lake Matheson where crystal clear reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman make the perfect photo opportunity.

Late afternoon, we have a short drive up the coast to our beautiful beachside campsite next to the Okarito lagoon – one of the very few places where there are still rare sightings of our native kiwi bird and the home to NZ’s only colony of the White Heron (kotuku). Enjoy a fire down on the beach taking in the rugged coast and epic mountain views.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Wonderful remote campsite. Enjoy amazing night skies.

Day 5: Okarito to Paparoa National Park. Enjoy scenery rated as one of the top 10 drives in the world by Lonely Planet.

Pass By: Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk, State Highway 6, Paparoa National Park, Punakaiki 7873 New Zealand
If you're feeling up to it then you can head out on an early morning walk to watch the sunrise before we continue up this spectacular coastal stretch to Hokitika – home to the Greenstone factories where you can see these skilled craftsmen at work and a great place for a traditional souvenir of your visit. We travel on through pristine native forest to Paparoa National Park where giant columns of water shoot skywards at Pancake Rocks! This beach camp has great sunsets, a beautiful river and incredible views of Paparoa National Park. The pancake rocks and blowholes are the main attraction in Punakaiki where limestones rocks are stacked on top of each other and ocean swells are forced through gaps in the rock creating a whale’s blowhole effect. In the evening we can relax at the local tavern and explore a cavern with some glow worms hanging out in the dark.

Hokitika and the surrounding area is a traditional source of greenstone (pounamu) - several stores and outlets offer a variety of jewellery and other items in this thriving arts and crafts scene. Paparoa National Park is home to a plethora of luxuriant coastal forests, limestone cliffs, canyons, caves and underground streams, and an absolutely spectacular coastline, all packed into one national park.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Sleep to the sound of the ocean at this beach side camp. Upgrade options available.

Day 6: Punakaiki to Abel Tasman. Two national parks in one day - spectacular coasts and views guaranteed.

Pass By: Abel Tasman Coast Track, Harvey Road, Marahau, Abel Tasman National Park 7010 New Zealand
Leaving Punakaiki mid-morning we make our way inland through the majestic Buller Gorge to one of our favourite National Parks, Abel Tasman. In one of the sunniest areas of the country you will discover beautiful secluded bays and stunning golden sands. There are all kinds of options to experience the park but on the day we arrive it's all about getting a birds eye view by skydiving over the area. If you're not keen for this adrenaline activity we'll take you to camp and you can explore from there. Our campsite is located near the entrance to the park and we will be staying here for 3 nights to give you every chance to explore all corners of the park.

New Zealand has a range of fantastic national parks but this is our favourite - maybe it's because this little gem lies on the doorstep of Flying Kiwi HQ but mainly it's due to the the golden sandy beaches, twisting rocky outcrops, turquoise clear waters and beautiful hidden bays. The park is also home to a range of life from dolphins and orcas to tuis and bellbirds. Whether from the ground, water or air the Abel Tasman never fails to disappoint aspiring photographers looking for the perfect beach shot!

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Perfectly situated accommodation with upgrade options

Day 7: Abel Tasman National Park. A full day to explore New Zealand only coastal national park - simply spectacular!

Pass By: Abel Tasman Coast Track, Harvey Road, Marahau, Abel Tasman National Park 7010 New Zealand
Free day to explore the National Park by kayaking or sailing the crystal-clear waters, or multiple walking options.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Perfectly situated accommodation with upgrades available

Day 8: Abel Tasman National Park. Another full day to explore our favorite spot in New Zealand by air, bike, boat or kayak.

Pass By: Abel Tasman Coast Track, Harvey Road, Marahau, Abel Tasman National Park 7010 New Zealand
We spend another full day at the doorstep to New Zealand’s smallest but most visited national park and our personal favourite, the Abel Tasman.

Tonight, we’ll be eating at a local hang out, The Fat Tui (own cost).

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Perfectly situated accommodation with upgrade options available.

Day 9: Abel Tasman to Picton. Head along the coast in the sunniest area of NZ with free wine tasting.

Pass By: Picton Sound, Picton New Zealand
Leaving early, we make our way to Nelson arriving by 11am. If finishing your tour in Nelson its time to say farewell to your fellow travellers. If you are continuing onto finish in your tour in Picton you have a short time to explore Nelson city before leaving at 12:30pm. On route to Picton well make a stop at Pelorus bridge, a Hobbit film location and great place for a quick dip on a warm day arriving into Picton and saying farewell by 5pm.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.