Day 1: Christchurch
Welcome to Christchurch! Upon arrival to the airport please proceed to collect your hired vehicle and drive to your centrally located hotel, which is only a short 15 minute drive. After checking in the rest of your day is at your leisure.
Often referred to as the Garden City, Christchurch features many majestic trees and extensive parks and gardens, the most notable of which is expansive Hagley Park in the heart of the city. Bordering the park you will find the botanical gardens and the Gothic revival building which houses the Canterbury Museum. The Avon River gently winds its way around these inner city landmarks and out through sprawling suburbs to the Pacific Ocean.
Day 2: Christchurch to Punakaiki
Today you will be travelling from the east coast of the South Island, to the rugged west coast. Rural serenity and friendly towns lead you across the Canterbury Plains as you approach the foothills of the Southern Alps. Climb up through a landscape of beech forests, steep scree slopes and gorges to the mountain village of Arthur’s Pass. Lakes Pearson and Grasmere are photo opportunities along the way. The settlement of Arthur's Pass is a base for climbing, hiking, hunting and skiing adventures in the adjacent national park. Once you are through the pass, the misty mountains gradually give way to classic west coast river and forest scenery all the way to Punakaiki with its famous Pancake Rocks.
Day 3: Punakaiki to Golden Bay
Depart Punakaiki and follow the Great Coast Road, one of the most scenic touring route stretches in the world to Westport. Charleston, once boasted a gold mining population of 5000 and more pubs than permanent houses. The village is now better known for its extensive limestone caves and the Nile River. We recommend the short detour to Cape Foulwind with its seal colony before leaving the coast.
Heading inland from Westport, State Highway 6 takes you through the Buller Gorge and to the Hope Saddle. From here, there are magnificent views of the mountains and forest before you arrive at Motupiko in the raspberry growing area of the Motueka Valley. The Takaka Hill is the last ascent before the road takes you down to coast and the Golden Bay region.
Day 4: Golden Bay
Today is free to explore Golden Bay at your leisure and there are many options available.
The vibrant township of Takaka, which is adorned with colourful murals, oozes an undeniable passion for the arts; with jewellery stores, boutique stalls, art galleries and glassblowing studios occupying the main drag, and talented artisans selling handcrafted chocolates out of a hole in the wall in a nearby carpark.
Near Takaka,Te Waikoropupu Springs are holding the title as the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, and the largest coldwater springs in the Southern Hemisphere, this wahi tapu (sacred place) is considered a taonga (treasure) by local Maori, and is held in high cultural and spiritual regard. Although you cannot swim in the springs, or even so much as glide your finger across the surface, it is easy to appreciate its allure when it contains some of the clearest water ever measured.
The historic little town of Collingwood is the access point for a range of spectacular natural attractions, including Wharariki Beach (a great spot for extended beach walks, a horse ride or to simply sit and watch the sunset) and the 35km long Farewell Spit. Farewell Spit Nature Reserve is a bird sanctuary and wetland of international importance, being more strictly protected than a national park. The first four km are publicly accessible. To experience the full length of the sandbank book a guided tour with Farewell Spit Eco Tours (pre-booking recommended).
Golden Bay is highly connected to two of the regions spectacular national parks, perhaps the reason for it's tagline 'Heart of the Parks', and for the stunning golden sands that line the eastern side of the bay. From Takaka you can easily access the Abel Tasman National Park's northern end for a walk to Wainui Falls or venture further to the coast at Totaranui at the Northern end of the famous Abel Tasman Coastal Track. Access to Kahurangi National Park and the Heaphy Track by foot is also a great option for those with more time at their hands.
Day 5: Golden Bay to Nelson
This morning, take the scenic drive over the Takaka Hill to Kaiteriteri, the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park’s Southern entrance.
Your exciting kayak adventure starts at 9:30am, when you meet your guide and join the group at Torrent Bay Lodge for a full training session and safety briefing. Then onto the water, to discover the beautiful beaches, tidal estuaries and rivers of the most scenic kayaking area of the park, Anchorage to Bark Bay. Pause at a sheltered cove for lunch (bring your own or pre-order) and take time out to relax, explore, swim or sunbathe on the golden sand. On your return journey, if the winds are favourable the kayak sails will be hoisted and you will sail back to Torrent Bay, stopping at Pinnacle Island to view the seal colony there. Sea birds working the shoals of fish or resting on the rocky outcrops add to the experience. You may even see some of the Blue Penguins that live here. Back at Torrent Bay Lodge, freshen up with a hot shower and rejoin the boat, recount the days adventure while cruising back to Kaiteriteri arriving at 6.00pm.
On conclusion of your kayak adventure, take the scenic drive from Kaiteriteri to Nelson.
Day 6: Nelson to Picton
Depart Nelson and follow the coast to the Boulder Bank, the port's natural breakwater, which may be seen a distance offshore. Continuing, pass over the Whangamoa Hill and the Rai Saddle before running down to Pelorus Bridge with its beautiful bush setting, to Havelock. From here the road leads southward through low hills before crossing the Wairau River and turning east to Blenheim, chief town and centre of the Marlborough sheep farming and grain growing region. A short drive from Blenheim is Picton, nestled in the hills beside the Queen Charlotte Sound.
Check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of you day exploring this lovely town.
Day 7: Picton to Kairoura
Leave the picturesque seaside town of Picton and take the short drive to sunny Blenheim, crossing the Wairau Plains past vineyards and orchards. Blenheim is the heart of wine-growing Marlborough, so you will see plenty of award winning wineries on the way into town. Continue your journey south as spectacular coastal scenery unfolds before you. Rolling sand dunes, dressed in golden tussock and toi-toi, flank the foothills of the Seaward Kaikoura Ranges. Before long you reach the thriving seaside settlement of Kaikoura - which loosely translated from Maori means "to eat crayfish". Few places in the world can boast such natural marine wonders as those offered in Kaikoura.
Day 8: Kaikoura
Today you will join a spectacular whale watching cruise. Every whale watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A typical whale watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales. Kaikoura often hosts the world's largest dolphin, the Orca, and is home to the world's smallest and rarest, the Hector's. Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand including 13 species of Albatross, 14 varieties of Petrels and 7 types of Shearwater.
Day 9: Kaikoura to Hanmer Springs
From Kaikoura you join the Alpine Pacific Triangle Highway to Hanmer Springs, home of the Thermal Pools and Spa, a complex that has (for 125 years) attracted visitors seeking the benefits of it’s natural mineral waters and clean, clear alpine air.
Hidden among the foothills of the Southern Alps surrounded by vast native and exotic forests lies the thermal resort of Hanmer Springs. Waitapu or 'sacred water' was the name early Maori gave to the hot mineral springs that bubbled to the surface and more than 100 years ago early settlers began finding their way to this oasis of soothing waters in midst of what was then harsh high country tussock lands.
Now, the alpine spa village of Hanmer Springs is a popular holiday destination for most New Zealanders. Hanmer Springs Thermals Pools & Spa is a major draw card, but the alpine environment with it’s forests, rivers and mountains enhance its appeal as a year round destination. As a natural spa destination, gentler relaxation takes the form of forest walks, thermal pools, massage / health treatments and golf as pure relaxation in the alpine atmosphere. Action attractions include jet boating on the Waiau River, horse trekking, mountain biking and bungy from a historic bridge. The seasons bring amazing colours, particularly in autumn and spring and during winter, Hanmer Springs takes advantage of its proximity to Hanmer Springs Ski Area and Mt. Lyford Ski Area.
Day 10: Hanmer Springs to Christchurch
Leave Hanmer Springs and drive to Christchurch airport for your departure.
