On this all inclusive experience you’ll enjoy cuisine prepared and served by our friendly lodge hosts while relaxing in our well appointed and comfortable private lodge, at Martins Bay. To conclude you will jet boat far up the Hollyford Valley and hike through a ‘World Heritage Area’ alongside towering mountains.. This self-drive holiday really makes the most out of your time in New Zealand and allows you freedom and flexibility to explore the island.
We are currently offering £300 per person discount aswell as a FREE Compact car with fully inclusive insurance and this FREE excursion:
Fox Glacier Snow Landing Helicopter flight: Experience the true untouched beauty and awe inspiring scenery of one of New Zealand’s most famous glaciers on this 20-minute scenic flight over majestic Fox Glacier. Board your sightseeing helicopter and sweep above Westland National Park as you explore the Fox Glacier to 6000’ before landing in the snow to enjoy exceptional views across the Fox Glacier Neve to Mount Cook, Mount Tasman and the views of the majestic Southern Alps. Snow landings last for around 8 - 10 minutes and are provided as a fantastic photo opportunity for participants to capture the breathtaking alpine surrounds for picture perfect opportunities.
Day 1 London to Christchurch
Fly from London overnight to Christchurch.
Day 2 Christchurch
Arrive this afternoon and pick up your car from the airport. Drive to the hotel and check-in. You have the evening at leisure.
Day 3 Christchurch
Get around and see the sights in style on a hop-on hop-off tram tour, running from the Botanic Gardens to the River Avon. Enjoy the central city highlights; including Cathedral Square, Victoria Square, the floral clock, Christ's College, Arts Center with craft market, and the Bridge of Remembrance. Visit the Big 5 most popular attractions in Christchurch: Antarctica's beautiful icy wilderness has been re-created at the International Antarctic Center, view native kiwis at the Willow bank Wildlife Reserve, ride on a historic Christchurch tram, take a relaxing two-hour harbour cruise, and soar to the summit on the Christchurch Gondola with breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula.
Day 4 Christchurch to Hokitika
This morning drive to Hokitika where you have 1 night stay. Hokitika offers the best of the West Coast of New Zealand - a dramatic beach, wide range of walks, two serene lakes, wild rivers, mountain views and great cafes and galleries. When you arrive check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Day 4 Hokitika to Fox Glacier
After nights stay in Hokitika continue your drive to Fox Glacier. Here you have 2 nights so when you arrive at your hotel, check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 5 Fox Glacier
Fed by four alpine glaciers, Fox Glacier falls 2600 metres on its 13 kilometre journey towards the coast. Named after an early New Zealand Prime Minister, William Fox, the glacier is 300 metres deep and its terminal face is just 5 kilometres from the township. The road to the glacier crosses ancient moraine from earlier advances and retreats.
Near Fox Glacier is beautiful Lake Matheson, icon of the West Coast with its enchanting reflections of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, New Zealand’s highest peaks. A delightful bush track walk follows the lake edge.
At Gillespies Beach, up to 1500 seals congregate during winter below Waikowhai Bluff, with smaller numbers to be seen in summer.
A walk along a bush path at the south end of the township to a grotto of ferns will be rewarded by a spectacular show of glow worms sparkling through the clear, black night.
Day 6 Fox Glacier to Wanaka
After 2 nights in the stunning area of Fox Glacier make your way to Wanaka which is your destination for the next 2 nights.
Day 7 Wanaka
The Lake Wanaka region is about so much more than discovering a natural wonderland of mountains, glaciers, rivers and lakes – it’s about warm welcomes from passionate people who love to share their paradise. It is about adventure at your own pace, in your own time, in your own way. So you will be sure to find something that will make you want to come back year after year.
Day 8 Wanaka to Queenstown
After 2 nights on Stunning Lake Wanaka make your way to lively Queenstown where you will spend 2 nights. When you arrive check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Day 9-10 Queenstown
You have 2 full days to enjoy this great city! Why not take the helm aboard an authentic America's Cup yacht and explore Lake Wakatipu. Bungee jumping and jet boating are the classic Queenstown adventure activities, but many are the ways to raise adrenaline levels. Skydiving or rafting are amazing ways to take in the view from air or water with little fitness required, while Heli mountain biking, or tramping into the wilderness require a bit more exertion.
Day 11 Milford Sound – from the Ocean to Alps two day guided adventure
Transfer from Queenstown included
7km (4.3miles)
Upon your arrival into Milford, you’ll board your helicopter for a scenic flight - flying from the truly spectacular and dramatic Milford Sound along the rugged coast to Martins Bay. Enjoy lunch in a safari style tent, then set off on a walk into a tenacious coastal garden. Thunderous surf on the rugged West Coast is a prelude to a bay of boulders where the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin is a seasonal visitor. A little further on, Long Reef plays host to a rookery of native New Zealand Fur
Seals where you’ll marvel at their nimble skills whether in the crashing surf or sunning themselves upon the rocky foreshore. You’ll return via jet boat to Martins Bay Lodge for a hot shower, before enjoying a gourmet food platter followed by a hot smoked Salmon dinner. Then, sit back and relax with a post dinner drink while reflecting on a great first day.
Day 12 – 18km (11.2miles)
Wake up to a hearty breakfast, then board your jet boat for a captivating scenic ride up Lake McKerrow to the Hollyford river. As you travel up the river the mountains rise dramatically until you reach the Pyke River confluence, where you will depart your jet boat. Here you begin your 18km (11.2miles) walk heading up the Hollyford Valley, over Little Homer Saddle you’ll make a brief stop
at Hidden Falls, before arriving at your lunch spot. Shadowing the Hollyford River and beneath the gaze of the peaks of the mighty Southern Alps, you’ll retrace footsteps of early pioneer explorers, as the track undulates gently through native beech forest and beside tumbling waterfalls. Enjoy interesting interpretation of the forest and bird life on the way to the Hollyford Road End. There you will conclude your Ocean to Alps experience and re-join your tour back to Christchurch where you will overnight at the same hotel.
Day 13 Christchurch to London
After your nights stay drop your car off at Christchurch airport and check in for your overnight flight home.
Day 14 London
Arrive back into the UK after a fantastic holiday.
You can call us free of charge on 01737 646416 to book any of these trips & tours.
Christchurch
Discover Christchurch, half day sightseeing - £39 per person - Following the pickup from guests accommodation, the tour commences by covering the central city highlights, including Cathedral You will be collected from your Hotel/Motel, the tour then travels through the University of Canterbury, down to Riccarton House and Bush and then through Monavale Gardens where you will have a chance to have a short stroll with 5.5 hectares of richly landscaped gardens, ponds and fountains.
The tour then continues into the central city, through Hagley park, the boat sheds, Botanical Gardens Arts Centre in the historic Buildings that were once Canterbury University, past the Museum, Art Galley and Victoria Clock Tower before moving on to the Catholic Basillica, then onto the seaside suburb of Sumner, then to Lyttleton Harbour, a volcanic crater which is now the port of Christchurch.
The tour then ends with a visit to the Sign of the Takahe, situated on the volcanic ridges of the cashmere hills, provides spectacular views of the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps, you will be then returned to your accommodation.
Full day Hamner Springs - £189 per person See rural New Zealand at its finest with a visit to a farm followed a white-knuckle river adventure and a visit to the famous Hamner Springs thermal resort. And on the return journey, stop off at a winery for a tasting of brilliant local wines that are simply bursting with character.
Travel by road through the rural pastoral scenes of north Canterbury, taking in the beautiful scenery before arriving at a local sheep farm for short tour of complex and for a sheep shearing demonstration. Arrive at Thrillseekers Canyon, Hanmer Springs, and challenge the waters of the Waiau Gorge by jet boat or white water raft. Lunch at the Garden House Café at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the Hanmer Springs Thermal Resort Pools. Since 1859 these thermal springs have attracted visitors seeking to unwind and ease their aches and pains in the soothing mineral waters. As an alternative to the jet boating or rafting at Thrillseekers, a therapeutic massage with steam or sauna can be arranged for your pleasure.
On the return journey to Christchurch, a stop will be made at a North Canterbury Winery for wine tasting. The tour includes lunch, admission to thermal pools, farm visit and wine tasting. Also included is a choice of one of the following: jet-boating, rafting or therapeutic massage.
Christchurch Wildlife Cruise - £45 per person Discover rare dolphins just 15 minutes from central Christchurch. Cruise the scenic Lyttleton Harbour aboard the sleek Canterbury Cat. You'll catch a glimpse of one of the world's rarest and smallest dolphins - the Hector or New Zealand dolphin. You'll also discover Little Blue Penguins and other coastal marine birdlife such as breeding spotted shags, white fronted terns and numerous species of gulls. As well as the natural wildlife, you'll see evidence of the harbours violent, volcanic past. Lyttelton has a fascinating history; your skipper will point out the many significant sites including those of the early Maori and European settlers. There are stories from the historic Lyttelton Township, the lengends of Ripapa Island and more.
Lord of the rings – Journey to Edoras - £139 per person Get well off the beaten track with this 4WD tour to the wide open spaces of remote Mt Sunday, which was transformed into Edoras for the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Get well off the beaten track with this 4WD tour to the wide open spaces of remote Mt Sunday, which was transformed into Edoras for the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
This tour by 4WD will take you racing through rivers and right onto Mt Sunday itself, showing you the stunning scenery of the remote Mt Potts high country station. You will enjoy a delicious champagne lunch in the crisp mountain air overlooking beautifully clear lakes and rivers, and have a full running commentary about the area from your local kiwi guide throughout the day.
There are plenty of behind the scenes photos and replicas, as well as unique Edoras merchandise, but you do not have to be a fan of the trilogy to appreciate the stunning mountains rising out of the alluvial plains carved by ancient glaciers in the immense wilderness surrounding you.
Queenstown
Milford Sound tour and cruise from Queenstown - £99 per person Take an unforgettable journey into the heart of Milford Sound. You'll experience the world famous fiord - rich in dense rainforest, glacier carved valleys and beautiful waterfalls.
Combine a luxury coach tour through spectacular alpine scenery in one of New Zealand's more remote areas with a cruise on Milford Sound on this full day tour of Fiordland National Park. Journey across the Southern Alps and travel deep into the Homer Tunnel, a 1.2km tunnel drilled through solid rock. Uncover Eglinton Valley, a place of ancient alpine forest and gushing waterfalls, take photos of the stunning Mirror Lakes, then walk across The Chasm.
Once at Milford you will board your boat and cruise the length of the sound out to the Tasman Sea. The steep cliffs in the fiord were carved by an ancient glacier and you will be amazed that the rainforest clings to the rock face in the midst of thundering waterfalls that pour into the water around you. The cruise takes in the waterfalls, rainforest and wildlife that make Milford Sound one of New Zealand’s most spectacular wonders with running commentary from your crew who highlight Milford’s fascinating ecosystem and explain the diverse underwater habitat that is home to hundreds of rare plant, coral and both freshwater and sea life.
Back on your coach sit back and relax as you return to Queenstown in comfort after a day of adventure.
Dart River Wilderness Safari - £129 per person - Experience the thrill of jet boating along the picturesque Dart River valley then explore ancient beech forests which lie unchanged over millions of years in this amazing tour of stunning Mount Aspiring National Park.
The 'Wilderness Safari' is a diverse adventure exploring spectacular 'World Heritage' wilderness within Mt Aspiring National Park through a combination of exhilarating wilderness jet boating, informative guided ancient forest walk and back-country 4WD safari vehicle. Surrounded by awe-inspiring peaks and mysterious hidden valleys shrouded in native Beech forest, your specialist guides will bring to life the variety of landscapes, vegetation and wildlife within this unique area, as well the captivating stories of the original Maori and early pioneers.
Experience the excitement of a thrilling jet boat journey through the Dart’s ever-changing braided river system; you’ll be amazed by the jet boat’s capabilities and awed by your surroundings of breathtaking snow-capped mountains, ancient native forest, waterfalls and glacial valleys frozen in time.
A guided walk then occurs through an ancient native Beech forest where your knowledgeable guide will enliven your walk with an informative commentary about the unique flora and fauna of this area.
Finally, journey by 4WD safari vehicle along a back-road route while hearing stories about the surrounding countryside and stopping to view spectacular scenery that has formed the epic backdrop for many international movies, including ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.
Kawarau Bridge Bungee Jump - £109 per person - The AJ Hackett bungee jump from the Kawarau Bridge is the world's first commercial bungee jump and perhaps the most notorious.
Adrenaline junkies look no further than the original AJ Hackett bungee!
The AJ Hackett bungee jump from the Kawarau Bridge is the world’s first commercial bungee jump and perhaps the most notorious. This display of kiwi ingenuity has given New Zealand the reputation of being a centre for adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies from all over the globe.
Safety is paramount on your 43 meter jump from the Kawarau Bungee Centre and there are many ways that you can choose to jump as well as have the choice of bobbing just above the water, to actually touch it or be fully immersed. Visitors may be inspired to take the plunge after learning more about the bungee experience during a behind the scenes Bungee Tour or after watching as others leap off the bridge into the deep canyon below. The less adventurous can simply relax at the onsite wine bar.
Queenstown Sky drive – 9’000 feet £159 per person, 12’000 feet £189 per person, 15’000 feet £249 per person - Expect sensory overload as your mind/body/soul fight against every natural self preservatory urge. It takes a certain kind of person to jump from an aircraft into thin air.
It takes courage. Harnessed by space age materials to an experienced qualified Jumpmaster, Queenstown is the birthplace of Tandem Skydiving in New Zealand, also known as the 'Adventure Capital of the World', Queenstown is the premium place to 'Jump out of a perfectly good Aeroplane'!
The flight to altitude will take you high above the Wakatipu basin, where you will have a birds eye view of our dramatic mountains and lakes. You step out that aircraft door and for some 60 seconds you plummet towards the ground at 200kph, Terminal Velocity. The Jumpmaster will deploy the reinforced tandem canopy controlling your entire skydive.
Wanaka
Siberia Experience – Fly-Walk-Jet boat - £199 per person - This exhilarating tour offers a great value combination of flying, walking and jet boating to ensure a unique experience of the wild Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area (Te Wahipounamu).
Begin your tour with a breathtaking flight over Mt Aspiring National Park. Enjoy fantastic panoramic views of snowcapped mountains, majestic glaciers, lush rainforests and crystal alpine lakes that can only be seen from the air. Your spectacular journey ends in the middle of the Southern Alps as you land in the glacially carved Siberia Valley. Surrounded by beautiful mountains head towards the the crystal clear waters of Siberia Stream and the walking track for your bush nature walk. This unquided walk takes around three hours and takes you through shady native beech forests and the verdant Wilkin Valley in the untamed Mount Aspiring National Park. Upon arrival at the Wilkin River you will hit the water for a thrilling thirty-minute scenic jet boat ride back to Makarora.
Milford Sound fly over - £239 per person - Soar over the spectacular Mount Aspiring and Fiordland World Heritage National Parks and experience the thrill of flying over countless glaciers and the entire length of awesome Milford Sound.
Soar over the spectacular Mount Aspiring and Fiordland World Heritage National Parks and experience the thrill of flying over countless glaciers and the entire length of awesome Milford Sound.
This aeroplane flight covers almost all of Mount Aspiring National Park as you head towards the world famous Milford Sound. You will enjoy stunning panoramic views of this untouched wilderness, fly over remote glaciers including the Bonar and the Volta, and the huge snowfield of the Olivine Ice Plateau.
Fly the full length of crystal clear Milford Sound with its backdrop of ancient rainforest, cascading waterfalls and rugged rock faces. Experience unrivalled views of world famous Mitre Peak soaring from the depths of the ice-cold water which creates a mirror image on its flat surface. You have the option to land here at Milford Sound to explore before returning to Wanaka.