We fly to Queenstown, pick up our van then weather and time permitting, we have a quick look around Queenstown and Arrowtown before heading up over the Crown Range to Cardrona. Here we dine and spend the night at the lovely old Cardrona Hotel.

Dinner

Today we set out for Wanaka. First we visit the War Birds Museum site where there is a lot more to see than just planes, then after lunch we check into our accommodation at the Wanaka Hotel for the night.  There is  plenty of time this afternoon to wander around town at your leisure. We dine in-house tonight. 

Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we depart Wanaka and head down past Lake Hawea and over the Haast Pass to the Haast River. Here we meet up with the Haast River Jet Boat team for an amazing 1.5hr excursion up the river through majestic mountain scenery. A fabulous way to start our West Coast experience. Afterwards, we head back to Haast for lunch then re-cross the river and make our way to Fox Glacier where we spend the night. 

We will make time either when we arrive or before we leave for those who wish to walk around the wonderful mirror lake, Lake Matheson. And maybe even a trip out to Gillespie’s Beach where a lot of our ancestors were dropped off to begin their lives on the rugged West Coast. There is a fabulous café and souvenir shop overlooking the mountain right beside the walking track so those who don’t want to walk the track can relax and enjoy their coffee with a view.

Breakfast, Dinner

We start the day with a leisurely drive to Hokitika. We explore our way up the West Coast through Ross and Kaniere, two of the many historical gold mining places in the area as featured in the book and movie series Luminaries. Tonight we stay at the Beach-front Hotel in Hokitika and dine in-house taking in the lovely sea views.

Breakfast, Dinner

We push on northwards to Westport today via the loop road from Kumara Junction right around to the old Brunner Mine site at Dobson. We arrive at Shanty Town in time for a tour and light lunch. From here we can call into Monteiths for a beer to wash down our lunch before we travel out to the Punakaiki Rocks. Take a walk around the boardwalk to explore the rocks and enjoy a cuppa or an ice cream. We spend the next two nights at the Buller Bridge Motel. Dinner will be at one of the restaurants in town. 

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Prepare for a fabulous day today... after organising ourselves a packed lunch,  we join up with the friendly folk from Outwest Tours for an all day excursion to places way off the beaten track. This tour takes you by 4WD right up into the hills behind Westport, only accessible by private operators.

(Breakfast, Dinner).

This morning we venture up to the Hector Country Music Museum, if it is open, then head back down through Westport again. Leaving the coast behind we head inland to Reefton and onwards to Hanmer Springs where we spend the night. It’s a km or so from the pools but we will ferry you back and forth as required. Tonight, we dine at the hotel beside our accommodation. 

Breakfast, Dinner

Today, our tour comes to end as we head to Christchurch to catch our flights home. 

Breakfast