Hiking Highlights - South to North Island

Hiking Tour from $5,595 NZD

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17 Days
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • Best time to travel: November - March
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  • Availability Guide:
  • Current date selected
  • Plenty
  • Limited
  • Closed or too close to departure (Call Us for options)

New Zealand is a hiker's paradise — compact, with unequalled diversity. Come and explore!

You'll see deep mountain lakes, remote beaches, volcanoes, geysers, mud pools, fiords and rain forests. You'll tour serene countryside and visit the big 3 cities: Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Experience an unforgettable overnight cruise in Fiordland's Milford Sound, great kayaking, and a ferry ride through the sunny Marlborough Sounds to Wellington.

Christchurch to Auckland

Christchurch
  • Hiking
  • Grade
  • NZ$1300 single room surcharge
  • This tour is run in both directions
  • This tour is invoiced in NZD
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Hiking Highlights - South to North Island Fitness and Preparation

This tour offers a moderate-to-medium challenge, for the reasonably fit walker. Between hikes, our bus will take you to the best locations, and you'll stay in comfortable accommodation.

The Hiking Highlights itinerary is flexible. You can choose to book only the South or only the North Island sections, and tour extensions are available. The itinerary may be altered to suit weather conditions or participants' needs.

Mild Tours

Mild tours have an expectation that you have an interest and possibly some experience in the activities. Routes chosen will require a reasonable level of fitness and experience on different terrains mild tours are suitable for increasing your activities and pushing yourself to new limits.

Fitness required

An average level of fitness is required, you will need to be doing some form of exercise two-three times a week during the build up to this tour.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival Day: Christchurch

No cycling. Short sightseeing drive offered.

On arrival in Christchurch you'll be transferred to your downtown hotel. In the afternoon there will be a short sightseeing tour around the Garden City, including a drive up the Port Hills to the ‘Sign of the Kiwi’, a historic stone house. From here there are magnificent views on a clear day over the Pacific ocean and across the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps.

Meals: None

DAY 2

Christchurch to Tekapo

We cross the Canterbury Plains to Geraldine in the alpine foothills. After a coffee, we drive south, climbing to 709 m at Burke's Pass. Then, on to Tekapo in the MacKenzie Country, famous for its wild landscapes, Merino sheep and hydoelectric lakes. This afternoon we take a 2 hour return hike to the St John Observatory, with views across Lake Tekapo to the majestic Godley Valley. Clear days are great for an optional scenic flight or helicopter ride around Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain. This evening, how about a soak in the local hot pools (optional).

Meals: None

DAY 3

Tekapo to Queenstown via Mt Cook

This morning, visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd on the lakefront, built as a memorial to local pioneers. We then drive south to Lake Pūkakī, with a side trip (weather permitting) to Aoraki Mt Cook village. The guide will choose one of many great walks there. We continue south over rugged Lindis Pass and past hydro-electric Lake Dunstan. We travel past stone fruit stalls and through the impressive Kawarau River gorge. We can stop at the world famous A.J Hackett bungy bridge for an optional bungy jump. Then, it's off to the alpine playground of Queenstown.

Meals: None

DAY 4

Queenstown to Te Anau

We leave Queenstown late in the morning, so you have some free time for optional activities such as a jet boat ride, visit to the Kiwi Birdlife Park, a trip up the gondola or a Lake Wakatipu cruise on the TSS Earnslaw steamboat. Then it's a beautiful 2.5 hour drive alongside Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, the last township before Fiordland National Park. Later this afternoon, there may still be time for a walk to the bird sanctuary, or just take a stroll around the town.

Meals: None

DAY 5

Te Anau to Milford Sound (overnight on cruise ship)

There are many great walks in this area, such as the Routeburn, Hollyford & Key Summit. Depending on the weather the guide will suggest the best option(s). On the way to Milford Sound, you might spot cheeky kea (mountain parrots) at roadside rest areas. At about 4 pm we board the Milford Wanderer cruise ship for an amazing journey through deep glacier-carved fiords. In the evening you'll be served a delicious dinner while anchored in one of the tranquil bays — an unforgettable experience. The ship has 2 beds per cabin and shared bathrooms.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 6

Milford Sound to Wanaka

We disembark from our cruise ship around 9.30 am and drive back towards Queenstown. There is time for a detour to Arrowtown — a stunning old gold rush village with lots of history. Then we drive over the Crown Range on New Zealand’s highest road (1119 m above sea level) to the lakeside resort town of Wanaka. At the west end of Lake Wanaka you may see the glittering snowtops of Mount Aspiring (3027 m).

Meals: None

DAY 7

Wanaka (Mt Iron walk)

Today we stroll from the motel to the lake, past all the cafes and shops to Bremner Bay, and towards Penrith Beach. We link the 'Beacon Point Walk' with the 'Lake Outlet Walkway', followed by a short climb to the top of Mt Iron. In total, it is a pleasant half-day trip with a walking time of about 4 hours. The guide may decide to do the hike in the reverse direction. There will be time for a dip in the warmer shallow bays of the lake. This evening we may organise our own barbecue at our motel. Please note: today is a rest day for your driver. The bus will not be driven.

Meals: None

DAY 8

Wanaka to Fox Glacier

Today we drive west alongside lakes Hawea and Wanaka. You'll see Central Otago's arid countryside give way to dense rainforest on the border of Mount Aspiring National Park. After a short walk through alpine beech forest at Haast Pass, you'll continue to the township of Fox Glacier. There may be time for a walk to the glacier face just above sea level, or an optional scenic helicopter flight (including a glacier landing).

Meals: None

DAY 9

Fox Glacier to Westport

We'll drive to the Franz Josef Glacier lookout, before continuing to South Westland's main town, Hokitika, known for pounamu (greenstone). At Punakaiki you'll see the layered limestone 'Pancake' rocks and blowholes. We'll walk the popular Truman Track (30 minutes return). Time permitting, we'll also walk a Pororari River track (2 hours or 40 minutes return). There's sub-tropical forest, remarkable nīkau palm trees and limestone cliffs. Then it's less than an hour's drive to Westport along the spectacular coast road. There may be time to see the seal colony at nearby Cape Foulwind.

Meals: None

DAY 10

Westport to Portage Bay

If we didn’t have time to visit the seal colony at Cape Foulwind yesterday, we can do that this morning. We then drive to the river valley town of Murchison, and follow the Buller River to Lake Rotoiti. We'll have lunch at the alpine village of St Arnaud. There may be time for a walk (up to 2 hours) in the Nelson Lakes National Park. A drive down the Wairau valley leads to the world-renowned wine region of Marlborough. In the late afternoon a boat will take us from the port town of Picton across the Queen Charlotte Sound to the little fishing village of Portage Bay.

Meals: None

DAY 11

Queen Charlotte Walkway

Today we'll take an early boat ride from our little fishing village through picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound to the start of the Queen Charlotte Walkway. You'll walk through natural scenic reserves with lush coastal forest and over mountain ridges, with splendid views of the Sound. At 3 pm a boat will await you at Endeavour Inlet, and you'll sail back for another night in Portage Bay.

Meals: None

DAY 12

Portage to Wellington

In the morning, hike along the coast through dense rainforest with gigantic tree ferns. At Mistletoe Bay a boat will pick you up at noon to take you back to Picton. This afternoon you'll board a ferry for the 3 hour journey to Wellington via the Marlborough Sounds and Cook Strait, arriving early evening. Today is the arrival day in Wellington for those who have booked the North Island only.

Meals: None

DAY 13

Wellington to Tongariro National Park

Today, a sightseeing tour of Wellington, New Zealand's 'capital of cool'. It's jam-packed with shops, theatres and cafes. You'll see the Parliament buildings, and historic Thorndon and its cathedral. You'll be driven to suburban Mt Victoria for for fantastic views of the city and harbour. Afterwards is free time to visit one of the most innovative museums of the world, the National Museum Te Papa Tongarewa near your hotel. We then drive north to the national park village of Whakapapa in the central North Island. You'll have amazing views of the largest volcanoes in the country.

Meals: None

DAY 14

Tongariro National Park to Rotorua

Tongariro National Park has many 2–3 hour walks. Your guide will choose one to suit the group and weather conditions. We then drive alongside Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s biggest lake, to Wai-O-Tapu ('sacred waters’). This sulphurous geothermal wonderland has thermal pools, bubbling mud, and a geyser. Next, Rotorua, the most active thermal area. Tonight, an optional evening reflecting the culture of the Māori, New Zealand's indigenous people. This includes songs and dance-based performances, usually followed by succulent food steam-cooked in a hāngī (earth oven).

Meals: None

DAY 15

Rotorua to Te Aroha

We start with a short tour of the lakeside city of Rotorua, including a visit to historic St. Faith’s Church and its beautiful wood carvings (small entry fee). Then we travel north alongside the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park, stopping to explore down walkways to the old Waiorongomai Goldfields and the Piako County Tramway. By late afternoon we arrive in Te Aroha (Māori for 'The Love'). It's a fitting name for this lovely rural town with thermal and mineral springs. We have the option of visiting the hot mineral pools near the town centre at the foot of the mountains.

Meals: None

DAY 16

Te Aroha to Auckland

141 km

First, a short walk to the world's only soda water geyser. Then we hike through native forest to the Whakapipi Lookout (45 minutes, 1.2 km). Then, it's another 1-2 hours (2.7 km)to Mt Te Aroha's summit (952 m). On a clear day there are 360° views of the Bay of Plenty, Waikato Basin and Kaimai Ranges. We rest our legs on a 2.5 hour drive to New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, where we'll take a short sightseeing tour. Nicknamed the 'City of Sails', Auckland's Hauraki Gulf sports many yachts. You'll see the Harbour Bridge, Waitemata Yacht Harbour and from Mt Eden, the Sky Tower.

Meals: None

DAY 17

Departure Day: Auckland

Today marks the end of your tour through this Antipodean paradise. This last morning is for your own leisure. We offer free transfers to the airport departing from the hotel between 7 am and 3.30 pm. Haere rā (farewell). We hope to see you back again!

Meals: None

Hi, I'm Grace - talk to me about your New Zealand Hiking tour.

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+64 3 982 9933

Email: reservations@globaladventureguide.com

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions:

Tour Includes:

  • airport transfers between 7am and 2pm
  • accommodation for 16 nights in 3–4 star (NZ standard) hotels & motels
  • 1 breakfast & 1 dinner (Milford overnight cruise)
  • Tour guide (who is also the driver)
  • Support vehicle (coaster bus)
  • Overnight cruise in Milford Sound
  • Boat transport in Queen Charlotte Sound
  • Ferry crossing Picton to Wellington
  • All National Park and other entry fees, except the 'optional' ones
  • Wine tasting in Marlborough region

Tour Excludes:

  • International flights & airport taxes
  • Airport transfers outside the days/times specified above
  • Meals (except 1 breakfast & 1 dinner as specified above)
  • Drinks (except daily drinking water), phone calls & minibar expenses
  • Personal expenses (including any specific medical related requirements)