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Two weeks of one-day & multi-day hiking through some of New Zealand's most beautiful wilderness areas. Private rooms on the tracks, suitable for people with average fitness.
INTRODUCTION
Below you will find a day-by-day description of the Creative Adventures First Class Hiking Tour. Only a few of multi-day hiking tracks around New Zealand have private rooms available. Most tracks have basic huts with communal sleeping and cooking facilities.
For this hiking tour we have selected 2 special multi-day hiking experiences with private rooms and guides. Around these we have sprinkled a selection of short day-walks then added extra sightseeing activities to create a first-class hiking tour perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
TOUR SUMMARY
We start the tour in Nelson, at the top of the South Island.
The first multi-day hike is along the 3-day Abel Tasman Coastal Track ~ famous for it’s golden sandy beaches and wonderful views. We then travel by road to Fox Glacier village on the West Coast, exploring the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks along the way. At Fox we take a guided hike up and onto this huge river of ice. After Fox we continue south to Queenstown, then to Invercargill from where we begin the 3-day Hump Ridge Track.
The 3-day Hump Ridge Track is the most recently established track in the Fiordland area, created and managed by a local Community Trust. The terrain varies between sub-tropical rainforest, alpine and coastal, with amazing views of the Fiordland wilderness and southern ocean. We rate this track as highly as the well-known Routeburn Track but with better facilities and the bonus of a coastal element.
After the Hump Ridge Track we drive to Te Anau where we are based for 2 nights. We visit the Te Anau limestone and glow worm caves and enjoy a day-walk on the Milford Track. During our final full day we explore short walking tracks along the road to Milford Sound. At Milford we join a nature cruise of the fiord then drive to Queenstown in the afternoon for our final dinner and overnight.
For tour Dates & Prices click here...
EXTRA OPTION: MILFORD TRACK 4-DAY HIKE
The famous Milford Track is an obvious attraction for hikers from around the world. Should you wish to experience the full 4-day hike on the Milford Track please let us know. We can assist with bookings (guided or independent hiking packages) and coordinate transfers. The Milford Track is the most popular track in the world and can become fully booked months in advance. Should availability of the Milford Track require you to depart the main Hiking Tour early we are happy to adjust the tour price.
MAIN DETAILS
THE MULTI-DAY HIKING TRACKS
The Abel Tasman Coast Track between Marahau and Totaranui is walked over 3 days / 2 nights. The track is very well formed with long flat sections and a few easy grade uphill and downhill sections (the highest point of the track is under 200 metres). You will encounter golden sandy beaches, native forest, views of hills and ocean, and a variety of bird and marine-life.
For more information about this hiking track please visit www.abeltasman.co.nz.
The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track is a circuit track and requires 3 days / 2 nights. The well-formed track climbs from sea-level up onto the Hump Ridge to Okaka Hut at 890 metres (2,920 feet). Long sections of boardwalk protect the delicate plant-life and wetlands in some areas. An extra scenic loop track amidst sandstone tors and mountain tarns offers 360 degree panoramic views of Stewart Island, the Southern Ocean and the wilderness of Southwest Fiordland. The track then descends along the Hump Ridge to the South Coast track, along old tramlines and across mighty wooden viaducts to historic Port Craig. The track then leads through native forest and around Te Waewae Bay to complete the circuit.
For more information about this hiking track please visit www.humpridgetrack.co.nz.
HEALTH AND FITNESS
The two multi-day hiking experiences included in this tour are defined as “moderate walks”. Hikers require a good level of fitness and prior experience of multi-day hiking. You must be able to walk for up to 7 hours (including breaks) each day, during the 3-day hikes.
Existing medical or physical conditions may not prevent you from participating in these hikes but you must advise us of these prior to your booking being accepted.
Hikers are required to carry their own lunches, personal items and a change of clothing. Meals and bedding are all provided at the various huts so hikers do not need to carry large backpacks.
DETAILED LIST OF INCLUDED WALKS AND ACTIVITIES
- Abel Tasman Coastal Track (private rooms in huts)
- Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
- Winery visit and wine tasting
- Guided half-day walk on Fox Glacier
- Haast Pass short walks
- Hump Ridge Track (private rooms in huts)
- Te Anau Limestone and Glow Worm Caves
- Milford Track day-walk
- Fiordland National Park short walks
- Milford Sound cruise
Note:
Arrive in Nelson early on Day 1 (or the day before) and add a day-hike to Mt Arthur hut or the Mt Arthur summit, in the Kahurangi National Park (no extra cost).
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
For tour Dates & Prices click here...
Included meals are indicated with a B, L, or D (Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner).
Day 1 Arrive Nelson
Meet your Kiwi guide and transfer to accommodation. Relax, rest, refresh. Rendezvous for dinner and discuss the upcoming adventures. (D)
Day 2 Abel Tasman Track
Day #1 -
Start from Marahau with your private guide. Walk the track from Marahau to Torrent Bay - 4 hours (13 km), explore the bays and headlands named by French explorer, Du'mont Durville in 1827.Stop for lunch at one of the bays, then walk to Torrent Bay Lodge located on the beachfront. (The direction of this 3-day walk may be reversed on some tour departures: south-north or north-south.) (BLD)
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Day 3 Abel Tasman Track
Day #2 - Walk from Torrent Bay Lodge to Meadowbank Homestead, Awaroa. Approximate walking time 6-7 hours (17 km). Leave Torrent Bay to enjoy a morning walking through native forest with magnificent coastal views, and crossing the swing bridge at Falls River. At midday stop for lunch at Bark Bay, or continue on to Onetahuti, taking time out to relax, explore, swim or sunbathe on the golden sands. Visit places of historical and scenic interest, including the abandoned Tonga Quarry. From Onetahuti, walk over the Tonga Saddle to Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa. (BLD)
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Day 4 Abel Tasman Track
Day #3 -
Today walk from Awaroa to Wainui – the very remote, northern end of the Abel Tasman National Park. Approximate walking times: Awaroa to Totaranui - 2 hours (7 km); Totaranui – Wainui 3.5 hours (7km). Cross the Awaroa estuary, and be introduced to its fascinating history.
Walk through the northern forests of the park with magnificent specimens of Nikau Palm and Rata.
At the end of the track, travel to your accommodation for a well-earned rest. (BLD) |
Day 5 Nelson – Punakaiki – Fox Glacier Village
We depart Nelson this morning and travel south and west to the rugged West Coast. At Punakaiki we take an easy walk to explore the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. When conditions are favourable waves from the Tasman Sea burst through the blowholes in spectacular fashion. Continue south to Fox Glacier village. (BL)
Day 6 Fox Glacier
The mighty Fox Glacier is today's eco-hiking adventure. We hike to the face of the glacier, fit crampons to our boots and follow our professional local guides as they cut steps into the ice, enabling us to easily explore the crevasses and ice formations. This is not a strenuous activity – suitable for anyone with average fitness and normal balance. (Hiking boots, crampons and poles are provided.) After lunch we take a walk around beautiful Lake Matheson, surrounded by beech forest and with views of Mount Cook. (BL)
Day 7 Fox Glacier – Queenstown
From the glacier region we travel south alongside the Tasman Sea then turn inland to cross over the remote Haast Pass to Central Otago. Along the way we encounter beaches, wetlands, rainforest, smoked salmon (lunch), river valleys, mountains, waterfalls and eventually the mighty Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. THAT is why we consider this the best day-trip in New Zealand. Lots of short walks and kodak moments are available before we arrive in the alpine resort of Queenstown. (BL)
Day 8 Queenstown – Invercargill
Most of today is free to explore the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’. Your guide can take you sightseeing, visit wineries, and arrange any activities, especially that bungy jump you always planned to do! Mid-afternoon we depart for Invercargill. (BLD
Day 9 Hump Ridge Track
Day #1 -
Depart early and drive to Tuatapere, then continue to the starting point for the track. Meet your guide and begin! Walk 5 - 7 hours (13km) Follow the coast before heading inland at Flat Creek. Climb steadily up the Hump Ridge. The bush gives way to sub-alpine tussock grasses and finally the Okaka Hut (890m). (BLD) |
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Day 10 Hump Ridge Track
Day #2 -
Walk 7 - 9 hours (19km). Traverse along the Hump Ridge past sandstone tors and mountain tarns. Then descend through Mountain Beech to the South Coast track near the Edwin Burn viaduct. An old logging tramway leads across the massive Percy Burn Viaduct (the highest remaining wooden viaduct in the world) to Port Craig Village. (BLD) |
Day 11 Hump Ridge Track Day #3 – Te Anau
Walk 3 - 5 hours (11km). Explore this pioneering village before walking coastal tracks and the beach back to the end of the track. Chance to see the rare Hectors dolphin along the way. Meet your Creative Adventures guide and travel back to Tuatapere then north to Te Anau. This evening we cruise across the lake to visit the Te Anau limestone and glow worm caves. (BLD)
Day 12 Milford Track Day Walk
For a 1-day introduction to the Milford Track we join a local guide and cruise to the northern end of Lake Te Anau. From here we walk through the native forest, observing and learning about the tree- and bird-life, and especially the intense weather patterns that make this glacier-created landscape so stunningly beautiful. Return to Te Anau in the evening. (BLD)
Day 13 Te Anau – Milford Sound – Queenstown
After breakfast embark on your Milford Sound cruise. Out on the Fiord, you see Mitre Peak, rising vertically over one mile from the water line. The Fiord is a marine reserve and it is possible to see marine animals such as fur-seals and dolphins. On returning to the wharf we travel by road back to Queenstown (arriving at approx 4.15pm) with short walks along the way. |
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Another option (extra cost) is to take a 35-minute scenic flight over the Southern Alps to Queenstown. Your guide can arrange this the day before. Tonight we gather for a final dinner. (BLD)
Day 14 The End
It's all over! Time to return home or continue other holiday plans. Your guide will assist with transfers to the airport or whatever you may like to plan. (B) Option: stay a few extra nights in Queenstown or elsewhere, perhaps hike the Milford Track or visit Stewart Island. |
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Note: Please refer to the Accommodation page for information about the standard and character of accommodation you can expect during this tour. The accommodation utilised may differ between tour departures as we are constantly monitoring standards of service and making improvements where possible.
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Creative Adventures New Zealand
Email: info@creativeadventuresnz.com
Phone: +64-3-546-6081
Fax: +64-3-546-6083
PO Box 1605, Nelson, New Zealand
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