Trek New Zealand's South Island Coast, offering some the best 'tramping' in the world. Take day trips to some of the nation's many national parks and explore remote beaches at the end of the earth. Hike along glacial lakes, through old-growth rain forest, and alpine highlands in Nelson Lakes Park. Visit golden beaches, coastal "blowholes" and hidden waterfalls, trekking through Kahurangi, Paparoa, and Arthur's Pass National Parks. Journey along coastal and inland lakes that offer stunning views of snowcapped peaks, waterfalls, rivers, and native birds. Loop your way north from Christchurch through coastal towns and the National Parks, staying in huts, hostels and lodges.
Sample Itinerary
Please note: While the itinerary presented is an accurate depiction of what your trip will be like, it is only an example. Our trips are real adventures in the outdoors--not pre-packaged tours that happen on a schedule.
DAY 1: Fly into Auckland and change planes for Christchurch, South Island. Travel from Christchurch to the sleepy mountain village of St. Arnaud nestled inside Nelson Lakes National Park and settle into the rustic Alpine Lodge. Take an evening walk in Nelson Lakes National Park listening for the beautiful call of the Bellbird. Get to know your fellow travelers and guide over dinner.
DAY 2: Start early and tramp along the shore of beautiful Lake Rotoiti among the snow capped peaks and dense forests of Nelson Lakes National Park. Learn about the natural history of the great beech tree forests of New Zealand. Stay in a remote backcountry hut for the evening.
DAY 3: Hike out of Nelson Lakes National Park and travel overland along the scenic route to the warm coast of Golden Bay. Explore the golden sand beaches and the market and craft shops in friendly area villages.
DAY 4: Travel to the end of the earth at Cape Farewell and hike along the rugged coast to remote, pristine beaches. Enjoy dinner and perhaps music at a local restaurant where you can sample the famous green lipped mussels the area is known for.
DAY 5: Drive to Kahurangi National Park, hike into Arthurs Hutt for lunch and ascend the slopes of mighty Mt. Arthur for a sweeping view of the landscape. Stay at a locally run bed and breakfast who's owner knits and sells beautiful wool garments made from her sheep grazing along the banks of the beautiful Motueka River.
DAY 6: Drive to the west coast to the historic gold mining town of Westport. Visit a cape fur seal colony and explore the vast beaches along this rugged coast.
DAY 7: Drive along the scenic coastal route through Paparoa National Park to the tiny village of Punakaiki where you will explore the pancake rocks and blowholes for which this area is famous. Hike into the lush river valley and stay at the exquisite Te Nikau Lodge nestled among towering Nikau Palm trees.
DAY 8: Travel high into the mountains to the picturesque village of Arthurs Pass. Hike to gorgeous waterfalls and seek out the Kea, the only alpine parrot in the world.
DAY 9: Wake early and get in a morning hike before heading back to Christchurch. Visit the beautiful botanical gardens and museum of natural history in Christchurch. Enjoy dinner with your companions at one of the city's many fine restaurants. Stay at the city's best appointed hostel.
DAY 10: Wake for one final breakfast with your group before shuttling to the airport for your flight home.
Travel, Terrain, Etc...
TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: You'll travel on well established, but rugged trails, through foothills, mountain paths, and across the marshes and beaches. On the city-based days, there are a range of daily route options.
TYPE OF TRAVEL/DISTANCE: Hikes range from 2 to 6 miles a day, a challenging, but not insurmountable distance with a day pack on.
WEATHER: Spring season temperatures range from high 40s to high 70s. Mountain weather can be colder and wetter. This general area is among the sunniest in New Zealand, however, it is wise to plan for rainy days and pack accordingly.
LODGING/BATHROOM FACILITIES: We will travel outdoors, sleeping in huts, hostels and lodges at night. Bathrooms are usually indoors with running water but sometimes include outhouses. We make every effort to ensure privacy and cleanliness. All accommodations supply toilets, beds (sometimes bunks), mattresses and a water source.
GROUP SIZE: The group size will be approximately 6-10 participants, plus 1 Wilderness Inquiry staff. Each group consists of people of various ages, backgrounds and abilities, including people with disabilities.
CAMP CHORES: Our trips are cooperative in nature. WI staff will assist you in whatever areas you need, however most people pitch in where they can. Part of the New Zealand adventure involves a few evenings of camp-cooking. You're welcome to participate and learn what it takes to whip up a delicious meal outdoors.
EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING: If you are new to outdoor activities, you need not spend a lot of money on gear. Wilderness Inquiry will provide all necessary group equipment. All you need to provide is your personal gear, such as clothing and a sleeping bag. A detailed equipment list will be sent to you upon confirmation of your participation. If you need to borrow personal gear, that can usually be arranged.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: No previous experience is needed to complete this trip, but this is a physically challenging adventure with a lot of hiking. We recommend you do physical training to prep for this trip.
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Wilderness Inquiry is proud to serve Caribou Coffee on all our trips. Great food, great coffee, and great company are just some of the ingredients that make Wilderness Inquiry trips special.
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[ Dates & Fees ]
From the New Zealand Department of Conservation website:
For at least 500 years Maori lived along the Abel Tasman coast, gathering food from the sea, estuaries and forests, and growing kumera on suitable sites. Most occupation was seasonal but some sites in Awaroa estuary were permanent. The Ngati Tumatakokiri people were resident when, on 18 December 1642, the Dutch seafarer Abel Tasman anchored his two ships near Wainui in Mohua (Golden Bay), the first European to visit Aotearoa - New Zealand. He lost four crew in a skirmish with the local people and soon moved on.
Permanent European settlement began around 1855. The settlers logged forests, built ships, quarried granite and fired the hillsides to create pasture. For a time there was prosperity but soon the easy timber was gone and gorse and bracken invaded the hills. Little now remains of their enterprises.
Concern about the prospect of more logging along the coast prompted a campaign to have 15,000 hectares of crown land made into a national park. A petition presented to the Government suggested Abel Tasman's name for the park and it was duly opened in 1942 - the 300th anniversary of his visit.
The most noticeable features of this park are the golden sandy beaches, the fascinating rocky outcrops (mainly granite but with a scattering of limestone and marble) and the rich, unmodified estuaries. The landscape has been modified, perhaps more than in our other national parks. The vegetation cover varies and reflects a history of fires and land clearance, but the forests are regenerating well especially in damp gullies where a rich variety of plants can be found. Black beech dominates the drier ridges.
The more common forest birds, like tui and bellbirds, can be seen along with pukeko around the estuaries and wetlands. The park's boundary excludes the estuaries and seabed but in 1993 the Tonga Island Marine Reserve was created along one part of the Abel Tasman coast. Like a national park, all life in the reserve is protected.'
For more information, visit these links:
Department of Conservation - Nelson Lakes National Park
Arthur's Pass National Park
Kahurangi National Park
Maori Organizations of New Zealand
New Zealand Department of Conservation
[ Dates & Fees ]
