"Great Hiking Tours since 1992"

An easy to moderate 7-day trekking tour, fully lodge accommodated. Explore the spectacular Milford Sound by boat and hike the nearby mountain basins.  Remote Stewart Island and the rugged Catlins coastlines tracks provide stark contrast to the inland gold mining country of Central Otago.

 

Town we can start our first trek almost immediately after meeting, as we take the gondola to above the township and then access the walking track as it climbs to Ben Lomond saddle. With the amzing 360 degree views from the nearby summit, this start is hard to top but we descend to the coach and then drive to Te Anau, on the edge of the World Heritage national park. After a welcome evening meal we continue our drive onto our remotely based accommodation for the next two nights. (L,D)

 

Benefiting from our location, we have a short drive into Milford Sound to explore a nearby track that takes us into the upper basin and its amazing quiet.   In the afternoon we enjoy a cruise down the sound beneath the sheer rock walls that tower above the launch.  Eventually we return to our coach and back to our accommodation and a BBQ dinner. (B,L,D)

 

Off the southern coast of NZlies Stewart island, home of our latest national park and the remote community of Oban. To get there we firstly hike the Kepler track through to Lake Manapouro – passing through wetlands and mosses and ancient native forests. The drive around the windswept coast to Bluff is spectacular and the 1 hour crossing gets us on shore with a full day of activity to follow. (B,L,D)

 

Stewart Island is very diverse and this is a free day to allow yourself to wander. The options range from a visit to the unique Ulva island, sea kayaking the interior coastline around Patterson Inlet or a hike on the many coastal walkways. Whatever the option, this is a magic day in the magic location. (B)

 

Departing on the 8.00am ferry back to the mainland, we then follow the coast to en route to the Catlins Conservation Park. This region is the most unexplored of our conservation regions and the trails on the rugged coast are unbelievable. Over the this and the following day, we walk the trails to empty beaches, beautiful waterfalls and even a petrified forest revealed on the beach. (B,L,D)

 

From our base we venture forth to explore and walk the regions trails as we hike out to a remote lighthouse, encounter seals and even dolphins if we are lucky. Our activities will be tailored to the weather and individual interest to make this a special day. (B,L,D)

 

We depart the Catlins and head back towards Queenstown via the huge Clutha River valley. Travelling via quiet backcountry roads we enter the Otago historical goldmining regions and for our trails today, we explore the gold mining past that links NZ to Australia and California as miners followed one elusive dream after another. The Clutha became the passageway to Central Otago and we follow this through the rugged Kawarau Gorge to eventually return to Queenstown and the journeys end. (B,L)

 

 

Professional qualified guides

Accommodation on twin share or double basis

Single supplement available on request

6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners

National park concession fees

Transportation by private coach

Ferry Crossing to and from Stewart Island

Boat cruise on Milford Sound

 

Introductory