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11 Day West Coast Wilderness Safari

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This West Coast Hiking Safari is packed with highlights to incredible sites including hiking through beech forest, past limestone sinkholes and across tussock-covered mountains in Kahurangi National Park. You’ll come to encounter New Zealand fur seal pups, wade across crystal clear glacier water, discover glowworm caves in Paparoa National Park, take on Fox Glacier and marvel at its crevasses and blue ice caves.

Take on kayaking through the tranquil Okarito lagoon and watch the native birds feeding in the shallows, relax in natural hot pools surrounded by mountain peaks in Westland National Park, there is so much to this 11 day safari you’ll just have to read below for more!


This hike is an average of 4-5 hours of physical activity per day, up to 8-9 hours on longer days, altitude gains of up to 800m (2600ft) with some uneven track surfaces and river crossings. Although there is no hiking experience necessary we do recommend you have a good level of fitness and agility.

Meals: Everybody is involved with the preparation and cooking of meals: barbecues, salads, pancakes, curries, pasta, stir-fries, hangi… Vegetarian meals are no problem. When you are on overnight hikes the group will usually eat pasta and rice meals. There is always a lot of hiking food – chocolate, peanuts, raisins, biscuits. The vehicles carry a full range of cooking equipment including gas burners, woks, frying pans and billies.

Accommodation: These hiking safaris use a rage of accommodation: camping, backcountry huts, cribs (summer houses), hostels and cabins. You will generally camp if the weather is fine, so you get to enjoy the outdoors more. In less pleasant weather your guide will arrange accommodation for the group.

Day 1 - Kahurangi National Park

Your tour begins in Nelson departing at 8:00am. After collecting food supplies we drive to Motueka and up to Flora Saddle (at 1000 metres). Have an early lunch before we set off on our first hike. Leaving the vehicle behind, hiking through beech forest, following a stream in the tussock-covered tablelands of Kahurangi National Park. Gold was discovered here in the late 1850's and tracks began to be laid, in many areas gold finds weren't as rich as expected but scientists were attracted to the unique flora of the Heaphy area and conservationists managed to get this area made into a scenic reserve in 1915. This night we stay in an old gold miner's rock shelter, a great place to start getting to know each other with introductions and a cosy campfire! 11km/4 hours hiking

Day 2 - Murchison

An early start and a quick breakfast before we continue across the tableland to explore New Zealand Karst landscape of sinkholes and caves. This whole area is of geological interest as it's in a range of marble and limestone hills, with the interior being riddled with potholes. Climb up through mossy forest to the bush line and onwards to Gordon's Pyramid (1489 metres). Continue across a basin of crystalline marble karst to the shoulder of Mount Arthur and, if weather and time permit, fitter members can trek to the summit (1795 metres) for a fantastic panoramic view of the Nelson region. After a long day we return to Flora Saddle and drive to Murchison, this small picturesque rural town is famed for its white water kayaking and rafting. 15km/7 hours hiking

Day 3 - Paparoa National Park

This morning we head out to Cape Foulwind to visit a breeding colony of Native New Zealand fur seals - once almost hunted to extinction. Head south to the old gold-rush town of Charleston for lunch at a beautiful cove. This pretty town used to boast over 80 hotels in the late 1860's! After relaxing here for a short while, begin our hike up a spectacular limestone river canyon in Paparoa National Park. Established in 1987, the park covers over 30,000 hectares. It has natural attractions including mountains, caves and limestone cliffs, rivers and wilderness areas. During the hike you'll learn river-crossing techniques, so prepare to get your boots wet! We'll collect firewood along the way and set up camp under the massive Ballroom Overhang - a fluviatile cave, carved by river-scouring.  8km/4 hours hiking

Day 4 - Punakaiki

Explore and discover the nearby limestone canyon and caves (some people may want to swim) with stalactites, and stalagmites, cave wetas (large wingless insects), glowworms and the tallest moss in the world! Hike along the historic Inland Park Track to Bullock Creek, and arrive back in Punakaiki by mid-afternoon. Visit the famous 30 million-year-old Pancake Rocks, these rocks have formed into what look like immense layers of pancakes and when the tide is high, or the weather rough, the water surges into caverns below the rocks and blasts through mighty blowholes, bearing a great resemblance to natural geysers. Return to camp/cabin accommodation. 12km/6 hours hiking

Day 5 - Okarito

An optional stroll along the coast to check out sea caves that were once used as shelter by early Maori. Tides permitting, you can climb on to a headland. Driving south, follow the coast to Greymouth, arriving late morning. We stock up on food and drop off/meet fellow hikers before continuing on down the coast to the peaceful village of Okarito, where the rainforest meets the sea, we camp by the beach. 5km/2 hours hiking

Day 6 - Okarito

This morning you have the option of a kayaking trip (additional fee's) to catch the incoming tide into the Okarito Lagoon (the largest unmodified wetland in New Zealand). See birdlife including white herons, black swans and tui. Explore a river delta and channels into kahikatea (white pine) forest, our tallest forest species which can grow up to 60 metres high! For people not wanting to kayak there is an excellent four-hour coastal hike (unguided), with dramatic views of the Southern Alps. Free time in the afternoon to wander the remote beach or hike to a viewpoint looking out at the World Heritage Park, with snow-capped mountains, rainforest and coastal wetlands. We spend a second night camping and for dinner we enjoy a hangi feast (the traditional Maori way of cooking food in an underground earth oven); everyone can be involved in the preparation. 10km/4 hours kayaking

Day 7 - Fox Glacier

Today is a short drive through to Fox Glacier, one of the few places in the world where glaciers extend down into rainforest. You have the option of taking a guided hike (additional fee's) on this dynamic glacier where you will explore seracs, ice caves and crevasses. Stunning views of New Zealand's highest peaks dominate the vista at the head of the glacier. There is free time in the afternoon to relax in one of the local cafe's in this charming village. There is also the option to join the guide for a two hour hike around Lake Matheson or take a stunning helicopter flight (additional fee's) over the stunning glacier and surrounding mountains. Tonight we stay in local cabin accommodation. 12km/5 hours hiking

Day 8 - Welcome Flat

Today we start our 3-day hike heading up the Copland Valley, through podocarp forest (relatively unchanged in 70 million years). The hike will take you across swing bridges and mountain streams, and you may see the endangered and very primitive blue duck. The pleasant trail through the forest and alongside the river finally ends at Welcome Flat, where you'll stay in a mountain hut. This afternoon take the opportunity to relax your weary muscles with a soak in natural hot pools with views over 3000 metre peaks - the best in New Zealand! 18km/7 hours hiking

Day 9 - Welcome Flat

Today you can either rest or explore this alpine valley. You can take a short off-track hike, with some boulder-hopping, takes us up to beautiful waterfalls high in the alps for a refreshing shower. On the walk, you may be lucky enough to see amazing views of Aoraki/Mount Cook (3754 metres), New Zealand's highest mountain. Return to the hut via Welcome Flat's alpine grasslands. Prepare dinner and afterwards spend another evening immersed in the incredible hot pools - one is hot, one just right, the other warm! 8km/4 hours hiking

Day 10 - Moeraki

Hike down the Copland Valley and drive south through the remote West Coast region to Moeraki. Stop at Ship Creek to look for New Zealand's Native Hector's dolphins and take the opportunity to walk through coastal ecosystems of dunes, swamp and podocarp forest. The last night of the tour is spent in cabins or tents at Haast. For dinner enjoy a feast of local salmon and visit the pub for a celebratory drink. 18km/6 hours hiking

Day 11 - Tour Ends in Queenstown

Today marks the end of our journey. Turning inland, drive over the Haast Pass, snaking alongside the wide Haast River. The pass was only opened in 1965. There are some great hikes to choose from including a climb to an alpine hut high on the slopes of Mount Brewster (if the legs are not too weary). Stop at Lake Wanaka for lunch, a swim and a clean up of the vehicle. This lake is so deep that, though its surface is at an altitude of 345 metres, its bottom lies 65 metres below sea level. After this enjoyable break head over the Crown Range to Queenstown, arriving in the early evening where the tour ends. 3-8km/2-5 hours hiking