Itinerary

Wednesday & Thursday

The Wayfarers meet at the Beachcomber Inn in Picton, which is nestled in Queen Charlotte Sound, to begin the Walk. After a group orientation and lunch, we take a coastal walk along Picton Harbour's eastern side to Bob's Bay, continuing along the Snout Walkway ridge, which offers superb views of Queen Charlotte Sound. In the evening the group will meet for our Welcome Dinner at the hotel. Next day, we take a water taxi from Picton Harbour track to Mistletoe Bay and follow the Queen Charlotte Walkway to Anakiwa, home of the Outward Bound Training facility for New Zealand. The walk takes us high on the dividing ridge between Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sounds, where we are able to see the panoramic views of both Sounds, simultaneously. The track drops down to native forests where the birdsong of tuis, bell birds and fantails can be heard.
Overnight: Picton

Friday & Saturday

We travel south from the Marlborough Sounds, between the borders of the Southern Alps and the eastern coastline, where seals bask. We walk the Kaikoura Peninsula track to observe migrating whales, then lunch in the township of Kaikoura before arriving in Amberley, a small North Canterbury town for light refreshments at The Nor'Wester Cafe. From Amberley, we move west towards the magnificent Southern Alps and our destination for the next two days, the Wilderness Lodge, in Arthurs Pass National Park. Here, there are a variety of alpine tracks to explore and an opportunity to learn from natural history experts about the flora and fauna of this area, as well as visiting a working Merino, high-country farm close to the Lodge.
Overnight: Canterbury

Sunday & Monday

We travel by road, traversing the Southern Alps on our journey to the West Coast and our destination at Punakaiki Rocks Resort, which is situated on a beach. In Paparoa National Park, we experience the luxuriant rainforest. Coastal trails take us to strange limestone formations called the Pancake Rocks and dramatic geyser-like blowholes. Our final afternoon walk takes us along the banks of the Porari River's impressive gorge, where subtle changes in the forest landscape reveal strands of Nikau Palms nestled among the native rain forest and giant moss.
Optional Extra: On the West Coast, at Punakaiki or Franz Josef Glacier, there are some of the finest trout rivers in New Zealand. We can arrange for you to take a half or whole day away from the group to enjoy some trout fishing with a specialist trout guide.
Overnight: Punakaiki

Tuesday & Wednesday

We pause for lunch and greenstone shopping at Hokitika. We visit the studio of Brent Trolle, a well-known West Coast landscape artist and explore his beautiful garden. Our walks include a trek from the rain forest to the face of the Franz Josef Glacier and a hike to the edge of Fox Glacier. Our accommodation in Franz Josef Glacier village is set amongst the rain forest and, after dinner, there is time to admire the setting sun on the glacier before setting off to explore a secret glow-worm grotto, hidden in the forest, to observe this natural phenomenon.
Optional Extras: For those who are more artistic, you might like to take a "painting in the wild" lesson with Brent Trolle as an additional activity while staying in Franz Josef Glacier village. Between walks you may choose to take an optional helicopter ride to view Mount Cook (12,500 ft ) and land on the glacier to drink in the beauty of this pristine environment.
Overnight: Franz Josef Glacier

Thursday & Friday

We travel south along the coastal highway to Haast, pausing to walk the Ship Creek boardwalk, which winds through forest swamp and stunning West Coast beach scenery. We stop for light refreshments en route at the Westland Salmon Farm. Moving East and inland, we picnic by the picturesque River Haast, before ascending the Haast as we draw closer to our destination in Wanaka. Before arriving in Wanaka, we visit the Cascade Falls and Blue Pools, where enormous trout come to feed.
Edgewater Resort is located by the shores of Lake Wanaka and provides excellent walks and activities for everyone's tastes. Our walks take us along Lake Wanaka to Glendhu Bay to experience a magical sunset and an afternoon walk from the lake inlet into the township of Wanaka. We also climb to the summit of Mount Iron to experience the incredible 360 degree views of the Minaret Peaks, Mount Aspiring and the Otago plains. In the evening, we enjoy the gourmet cuisine of New Zealand at the Edgewater Resort with wonderful evening views of the lake.
Overnight: Wanaka

Saturday & Sunday

The final part of our journey takes us to Millbrook Resort, near Arrowtown. This tiny gold-mining town was made famous in the 1862 Gold Rush with many buildings from that era still surviving as a reminder of a short, but exciting period in New Zealand history. We explore the river walk at Arrowtown before lunching in a delightful restaurant steeped in local history. We travel to Queenstown from the resort for a walk through Sunshine Valley, along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and spend time exploring the township which offers optional activities such as shopping and a cruise on TSS Earnslaw (a working vintage steam ship) to the historic Walter Peak High Country Farm. Our final full day of walking begins with a drive to Glenorchy along Lake Wakatipu with stunning views of the Remarkable Mountains and the vast peaks of the Mount Aspiring Ranges. We explore the Glenorchy Lagoon boardwalk with its beautifully tranquil waters and birdlife, before meeting a sheep farmer at Mount Earnslaw, whose family was one of the original European settlers in Otago. Near the Dart River, which provided many scenes for ' The Lord of the Rings ' film trilogy, we walk a section of the famous Routeburn Track, which weaves its way through native beech forest, vast waterfalls and sheer mountain peaks. We stop along the way to picnic by a babbling stream and listen to the native birdsong high in the beech tree-tops. That evening we dine at the resort and reminisce about the journey we have taken through the spectacular South Island.
Optional Extra: Millbrook's Award-winning Golf course is considered to be one of the best courses in New Zealand. You can take the opportunity to slip away from the scheduled itinerary or stay on after the walk has ended and enjoy a round.
Overnight: Queenstown

Monday

We say farewell at breakfast, but we can assist you with your travels in this lovely country. There is nothing better than a cruise on the world renowned Milford Sound or a longer 24 -hour cruise incorporating both Milford and Doubtful Sounds.

Optional Extras:

We recommend you arrange any extra activities with your Walk Manager on arrival at the start of your Walk. Please note that these activities will incur an additional charge.

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