Top o' the South (12 Days)

Following state highway 1 from Christchurch we pass through the small towns of Waipawa and Cheviot on our 2 hour drive to Kaikoura. In Maori, "kai" means food, "koura" is Crayfish (lobster). But it is not just the succulent seafood for which Kaikoura is known, it is also famous for whale watching, amongst other marine life.

Lying hidden just offshore, the 2km deep Kaikoura Canyon is one of the world’s great undersea wonders. Two strong sea currents converge in this enormous trench and draw vast quantities of plant and animal nutrients to the surface. This is the catalyst for a population explosion of small fish and crustaceans that in turn attract an astounding food chain of larger marine life, the most famous being the Sperm Whale..

Another resident of Kaikoura Canyon is the giant squid. These true monsters of the deep can grow to over 20 metres. Using the largest eye of any animal and a long set of grasping tentacles, the Giant Squid hunts sharks, other squid and fish in the pitch-black depths of the Kaikoura Canyon. The main predator of the Giant Squid is the Sperm Whale. Many of Kaikoura’s Sperm Whales display dinner-plate sized tentacle scars from encounters with this giant of the deep.

On our drive to Blenheim we stop just north of Kaikoura to have close encounter with the many seals lying about during the day. Leaving the East Coast we climb over a few barren hills before dropping down into the picturesque Marlborough wine region. Marlborough sits at the top of the south Island of NZ. It has a stunning mix of mountains, lakes, rivers and the Marlborough sounds combined with some of the best food and wine in the country. It is home to NZ’s biggest wine region and the world famous Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

What better way to see the beautiful Marlborough wine region than from a bike. Imagine leisurely cycling along quiet rural roads through superb countryside on a stunning Marlborough day. Whether you take half a day or a whole day, you can explore many of the 40 wineries by bike all within a 10km radius of Blenheim. With flat sealed roads and short distances between the wineries our self guided wine tours can be enjoyed by young and old alike, whether a couple, a group or a family, come rain or shine.

While the Queen Charlotte Track is regarded as a classic New Zealand walk, it's also regarded as New Zealand's best single track mountain bike rides. It is the longest piece of continuous single track in the country and is suitable for novice riders while being challenging enough for the experienced mountain biker. Renowned for its stunning scenery and challenging terrain the Queen Charlotte Track is a mountain biking experience like no other. One of the biggest bonuses for bikers is the capacity for water transport operators to transfer packs by boat to your destination each day. All you need to do is strap on that water carrier and pedal! In winter the entire track is open for biking but between the peak summer times from December 1 to February 28, only the last two sections from Camp Bay to Anakiwa can be cycled.

Day 1: Resolution Bay to Camp Bay: It is advisable to start at Resolution Bay, due to the steep hill out of Ship Cove. The track begins with a long but moderate climb to Tawa Saddle and then heads downhill towards Endeavour Inlet. A rewarding ride around the head of Endeavour Inlet, with some technical sections caused by tree roots and drop offs around Camp Bay. This section of track is mostly single-track, and is the most technically demanding part of the ride.

Camp Bay to Torea Saddle. The section of the track leads bikers on a long climb to the main ridge between Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds, but offers spectacular views. The track is wide and can be quite steep in places. Watch out for drop offs and rocky areas. Lots of undulation (short steep hill climbs).  Exposed ridgeline riding with great views.

Hiking Queen Charlotte Track - more...

Day 2: Torea Saddle to Anakiwa. This section of the track begins with a long steep climb, lots of pushing, switch backs on descent. The section Waterfall to Anakiwa is narrow and undulating track at first becoming wider and more moderate in the mid section with a long descent to Anakiwa.

At the finish of your ride you will be picked up at Anakiwa and we make our way to Nelson along Queen Charlotte Drive. One of the most picturesque drives in the country as it twists and winds its way through the Marlborough Sounds to Havelock North, the mussell capital of New Zealand.

Hiking Queen Charlotte Track - more...

Day 1: Totaranui to Onetahuti Beach. On the first day you will explore the Northern end of the park where you will have the chance to explore granite headlands, secluded beaches and the possibility of seeing blue penguins. Your first night will be spent at Onetahuti beach campsite

Hiking Abel Tasman's National Park - more...

Day 2: Tonga Island and Anchorage Beach. After a hearty breakfast paddle south focusing on the Tonga Island Marine Reserve and its playful inhabitants, the New Zealand Fur Seal. Then contrast abound as we paddle by delightful rock sculptures and peaceful lagoons. Time to stretch your legs - Your guide will provide you with stories of Maori and European settlers, and the natural history of this picturesque area as you walk through the native forest. You will stop at a number of significant spots and learn about flora and fauna. It is very likely you will see the New Zealand Piwakawaka to our nights destination at Anchorage Beach.

Hiking Abel Tasman's National Park - more...

Day 3: Astrolabe and Adele Island. The forest fringed Astrolabe offers 12 stunning golden sandy beaches to explore. The highlight of the final day will be cruising past Adele Island, now predator free bird sanctuary, where once again you will hear the cacophony of bird sound that is unique to the Island. The trip will see you back on terra firma by 4pm.

Hiking Abel Tasman's National Park - more...

Leaving Nelson we follow the Buller River through the Buller Gorge to the South Islands West Coast.

The West Coast is New Zealand's cultural 'heartland', and like other such places around the world, it has generated its fair share of legends and stories. The region is populated by only a few thousand, known to New Zealanders as 'Coasters', a term synonymous with friendliness and hospitality. Isolated from the rest of New Zealand by the Southern Alps, Coasters have developed a distinctive culture of their own, where the pioneering values of self-reliance and hospitality are as strong now as they were a century ago. Today you'll find museums & historic buildings, fine food & cuisine, a range of accommodation options and first-class local guides who add to your enjoyment of the West Coast's hundreds of natural, historic and adventure experiences. Westport has awesome scenery, fabulous food and some fantastic adventures to have.

Helicopter into Kahurangi National Park on this one day rafting trip and paddle some of the best whitewater in the world while taking in some of the stunning scenery of this awesome river. Defined by large boulders and steep granite walls, Karamea River has been voted as one of the top ten wilderness rafting trips in the world.

Karamea River is a big water river, with big rapids and pools between, a huge 800 meter rapid section called the Roaring Lion that has to be portaged in sections. With its mild climate and beautiful surroundings, Karamea has a relaxed “off the beaten track” feel. Karamea is sealed off from the rest of New Zealand by native bush-clad mountains and Kahurangi National Park on three sides, and the wild Tasman sea on the other. The grade of this river varies from grade 3 to 5. Lunch is provided and photos are free.

Jet Boating: Marvel at the versatility of jetboat travel as you power through the primeval sub-tropical forest of the Lower Buller Gorge within metres of massive rock walls and craggy overhangs, and plane across shallow shingle river beds with mere centimetres of water under your boat’s hull! A round trip of 44 kms (1 1/4 hours on the river), blast through the majestic Lower Buller Gorge on our super powered jetboat: flirt with the massive rock walls, skim the shallows and hold on tight for some breathtaking jetspins on the homeward journey – no guarantee of staying dry! Your skilled and experienced drivers (jetboating on the Buller River for 23 years) will put your impressive 830 horse powered jetboat through it’s paces – guaranteed fun, thrills, entertainment and plenty chances for photo stops so bring your camera!

Quad biking: on fantastic adventurous terrain ranging from easy to challenging including twisting native bush trails, sandy river beaches and moderate to steep climbs and descents. Easy going to action packed – we can cater for all! Learn to ride the latest, lightweight and easy to handle Suzuki Sport Quad Bike. Start on easy trails and progress to the more challenging terrain once you have mastered the basic qud bike riding skills.

Horse Trekking: Explore the incredible West Coast countryside on horseback. Native bush, sandy river beaches and fresh water creeks are all part of this awesome horse trekking experience. There are opportunities for trotting and cantering along the sandy banks of the Buller River for confident and experienced riders.

Adventure Caving, Paparoa National Park: An adventure truly not for the faint hearted. As the name states, Adventure Caving is full on expedition style caving. Following practise, you begin your mini expedition with a 130 ft abseil down Hi Hi Tomo. Down under, a scramble over boulders in dry rift passages take you to the active waterways of Te Tahi Cave. Wire ladders are used to climb rifts and waterfalls. Stealth and commitment is required to climb, chimney, bridge gaps and crawl through amazing passages. Active waterways replace the dry sporty passages with cascades, waterfalls, and squeezes. It is great fun and a physical challenge negotiating these narrow water passages, but essential to return to the larger well decorated dry caverns.

Note that Adventure Caving is a challenging world class adventure suited only to those with a good mental attitude and in good physical condition. Minimum age 16 years.

Punakaiki Pancake Rocks: The heaving swells of the Tasman Sea have carved the coastline of the West Coast for millions of years. Nowhere is the effect on the landscape more spectacular and profound than at Punakaiki. These rocks really are remarkable pieces of natural sculpture, a series of stratified limestone stacks which, over many thousands of years, have been eroded to give the effect of giant piles of neatly stacked pancakes. Another prominent feature are the blowholes that, at high tide or in heavy weather, regularly throw up columns of dazzling spray high out of the blowholes – Best seen after wonderful westerly storms when the sun is reasserting itself.

We will break the drive back to Christchurch with a stop at Hanmer Springs for lunch and swim.

Hanmer is a great place for a break, relaxing in the Hot Springs. An Alpine Spa town with a long history dating back to the 1860's the towns main attraction is of course the pools, but there are also many walks in the exotic conifer forest. With the Amuri skifield being a popular attraction in the winter months as snow blankets the mountain tops.

Our tour ends in Christchurch with a group meal to celebrate the challenges met (and survived). Our 'Top o' the South' service concludes the following day with your airport transfer.