New Zealand: The South Island

New Zealand: The South Island

Guided Easy to Moderate
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Daily Mileage: 2-8 Miles Daily

Tour OnlyFlight + Tour Combo

8 Days

Starting From

$4,648

12 Days

Starting From

$6,298

per person, double occupancy

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Inspirational reflections come naturally on this walking tour in New Zealand among the South Island’s mountain-backed lakes and blue-green bays.

Step out from your lodge to stargaze, and the sweep of the night sky is gloriously different. On this remote inlet accessible only by foot or boat, it’s not just that the stars shine brighter. They’re completely reconfigured. Stretched out before you, Awaroa Bay reflects the light of the Southern Cross in the moonlight. As you wander the legendary Abel Tasman and Queen Charlotte tracks and explore the South Island’s great national parks on this hiking tour, New Zealand’s most magnificent landscapes become your second home. Even better: its friendly locals—met in charming towns, trails, and even a boat cruise—will become like family. Along the way, its pristine lakes, coves, and sounds—glimmering in gorgeous shades of jade green, turquoise and topaz—will give you a lifetime of memories to reflect on.

Highlights

  • Hike the Mt. Robert Circuit, an alpine trail overlooking Lake Rotoiti, in Nelson Lakes National Park, gazing up for views of the snow-capped Southern Alps.
  • Explore one of New Zealand’s “Great Walks,” the Abel Tasman Coast Track, admiring its golden beaches, crystal-clear bays, and stunning rock formations.
  • Take in panoramic views of turquoise waters and stunning coastlines at Marlborough Sounds, as you ascend the ridge-top trails of the Queen Charlotte Track.
On all Guided Adventures you can count on...
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Expert local guides to introduce you to the best of your destination
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Off-the-beaten-path places you’d never find on your own
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Delicious multi-course meals—a majority are included
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A maximum of 18 fun-loving fellow travelers to share the journey
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Gracious accommodations that are a clean, comfortable home away from home
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Experts to handle all the details
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Flight + Tour Combos include plane tickets, airport shuttles, and pre- and post-tour accommodations

Itinerary

Wed, Nov 3 to Sun, Nov 14 - 2021

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Begin your adventure by departing from a convenient gateway city in the United States or Canada. Spend the first night aloft.

Flying from the US to New Zealand requires crossing the International Date Line, so this day is “lost.”

Upon arrival at Christchurch Airport, gather your luggage and exit baggage claim to look for a representative holding a Country Walkers sign. Enjoy a complimentary shuttle transfer to the Chateau on the Park, about 15-20 minutes away. The shuttle is provided by SuperShuttle. Please note that your hotel room may not be available until 2:00 p.m., however, you may store your luggage at the reception desk while you explore the city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Meals are on your own.

Country Walkers provides you with City Information that includes recommendations on what to see and do in Christchurch during your stay.

Accommodation: Chateau on the Park, Christchurch, New Zealand

Meet in Christchurch. Conical Hill Walk; 3 miles, easy to moderate

Breakfast is included at your hotel. Your guide(s) meet you at the Chateau on the Park at 8:30 a.m. in the lobby. Your guide(s) will be wearing a Country Walkers shirt. Please be dressed for walking.

Transfer from Christchurch this morning to Hanmer Springs, a walker’s paradise of forested hills dotted with soothing thermal baths. The small town was discovered and settled for its hot springs, which today lure those seeking curative waters in a pastoral setting. Upon arrival, set off on a short scenic walk among diverse sub-alpine flora. The iconic Conical Hill Walk features a gentle climb that zigzags through exotic varieties of trees, including Japanese cypress and giant fir. At the summit, enjoy spectacular views of the sweeping Hanmer Basin. Relax here for a while at the lookout where a plaque honors the work of Duncan Rutherford, an early settler who helped develop the area.

Later, browse the charming center of Hanmer Springs, with its colorful galleries and inviting shops and restaurants. Then it’s time to indulge in the thermal pools around which the town was established. A soak in the springs’ soothing, mineral-rich waters will leave you relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready for your New Zealand adventure.

Note: Please have your swimwear easily accessible in your day bag if you wish to soak in the thermal pools.

Accommodation: Select Braemar Lodge & Spa, Hanmer Springs
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

.5 mile, easy, Honeydew Walk; 2 miles, easy

After breakfast you begin the northeast drive to the small alpine village of St. Arnaud. On route, enjoy a short easy walk through an alpine environment. Once you reach the Alpine Lodge, your home for the next two days, you’ll have time to settle into your room before rejoining the group. Located on the northern shores of Lake Rotoiti, St. Arnaud is a favored base for New Zealand trampers exploring the picturesque contours of Nelson Lakes National Park. This 390-square-mile stretch encompasses the surrounding mountains and sparkling waters of Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa – its vistas are magnificent, as you will discover.

Head out directly from the lodge to trace a loop trail, the Honeydew Walk. This mostly flat trail provides the perfect introduction to the plants and birdlife that call the northern mountains of the South Island home—from thick beech forests and grassy tussocks, to kakariki (parakeet) and korimako (bellbird).

This evening, join your fellow walkers and guides for a delicious dinner of locally sourced ingredients. Throughout your adventure, you’ll dine on fresh foods harvested from local farms and the surrounding sea. Though much of New Zealand’s cuisine is British-based, modern-day dishes have Mediterranean, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Rim influences.

Accommodation: Alpine Lodge, St. Arnaud
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5 miles, easy to moderate, Optional – Brunner Peninsula; 2 miles, easy

A hearty breakfast at your lodge provides fuel for today’s longer walk. With a guide-prepared picnic lunch in your pack, transfer to the trailhead for the Mt. Robert Circuit. There, you set out on a loop around the flank of Pourangahau, the mountain’s indigenous name. These slopes were crowded with beech trees until 1887, when a fire consumed many of them. In the ensuing years, early settlers favored grass growth over tree regeneration for the grazing of sheep. Still an actively recovering forest today, it provides a fascinating glimpse of the area’s natural history.

As you climb steadily toward the summit, your hike offers sweeping views of Lake Rotoiti. You can make use of the huts and shelters along the way to take a break and marvel at the dramatic scenery. As you ascend, the forest recedes, and you walk past alpine herbs and shrubs. At the mountain’s open face, you pass several scree-filled gullies before crossing the ridge for your return hike. For a gentler walk, follow the Brunner Peninsula Nature Trail, a mostly flat loop path with views from Kerr Bay and West Bay across Lake Rotoiti to surrounding peaks. If you wish, enjoy the lake’s beach and browse the visitor center before returning to the lodge for a relaxing afternoon or swim. In the event of rain in New Zealand’s unpredictable climate, your guides provide wet-weather options.

Savor another delectable dinner at the lodge tonight, then perhaps go for a walk to search for the Southern Cross in the night sky. Visible year-round only from the Southern Hemisphere, it is among the smallest of constellations: four bright stars shining close together.

Accommodation: Alpine Lodge, St. Arnaud
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Abel Tasman Coast Track; 3 or 5 miles, easy to moderate

You leave the magnificent mountains of St. Arnaud and Nelson Lakes National Park behind this morning, transferring north to the coast. Enjoy the scenic, two-hour drive, arriving at seaside Kaiteriteri in time to enjoy lunch in the village before boarding the Sea Shuttle that will whisk you to New Zealand’s acclaimed Abel Tasman National Park. As you cruise, take in the marine vistas and marvel at the famous Split Apple Rock, a massive granite boulder cleaved in half over millennia by wind and water. You also pass Tonga Island, home to a colony of fur seals, and numerous pristine beaches lapped by crystalline turquoise waters.

You disembark at either Medland’s Beach for a long option or Tonga Quarry to set off along the celebrated Abel Tasman Coast Track, heralded as one of New Zealand’s “Great Walks” by the Department of Conservation. This magnificent trail leads past rocky outcrops, quiet sheltered coves, and golden, palm-fringed beaches. You’ll arrive at your lodge late this afternoon. You may wish to head down to the beach for a swim or simply relax on your room’s private deck, perhaps pausing to chat with other walkers passing through. As the day draws to a close, the day-hikers leave and a hush falls over the lodge; you are among the lucky few to experience this magical place overnight.

Accommodation: Awaroa Lodge, Abel Tasman National Park
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7 miles, easy to moderate

The beauty of Abel Tasman is its shape-shifting character. Over millennia, tidal activity has sculpted the landscape, which has some of the largest tidal ranges in New Zealand. Park walks often involve crossing inlets, but only at low tide and when conditions allow. Rest assured that, with a flexible mindset and readiness to change course, your experience in this breathtaking region will be richly rewarding.

If you wish, you may join your guide on a four- to five-hour walk from your lodge to Totaranui. Your walk and return shuttle are timed to work with the tides. You depart the lodge with a packed lunch and traverse the Awaroa Inlet, lush with beech, rimu, and matai forest with sweeping views of the wilderness. Descend into Totaranui, passing giant rata trees in their clifftop habitats. Upon arrival at Totaranui’s National Park headquarters, peruse the informative exhibit on local ecology and walk down to the beach for a swim. After time to relax, board the Sea Shuttle back to Awaroa. This afternoon, enjoy time on the nearby beach; head out for some birdwatching in search of petrels, herons, or even penguins. Or, seek out other wildlife in the Awaroa wetlands, perhaps deer or wild goats. Regroup with your fellow travel-mates for dinner together in the dining room of the Lodge.

Accommodation: Awaroa Lodge, Abel Tasman National Park
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

1 mile, moderate; Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve, 1 mile, easy

This morning, “have a lie-in,” as the locals say, and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Once you’re ready for the day, spend an hour or so traversing the Sky Track Trail, a splendid loop walk open only to guests of the lodge. The path climbs about 300 feet above the inlet, affording breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and azure waters along the coastline.

In the late morning, walk five minutes from the lodge to the beach to catch the Sea Shuttle back to Kaiteriteri. From here, enjoy a scenic drive to Havelock, the gateway to the Marlborough Sounds. Before reaching Havelock, discover ancient rimu trees and enjoy expansive views of the Pelorus River on the Circle Loop Trail at the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve. In the north of this spectacular coastal region, a vast expanse of sea-drowned valleys forms dozens of secluded bays, islands, and beaches. It’s an ideal place for exploration on foot. In the south, the undulating hills are blanketed with vineyards that produce some of New Zealand’s finest wines.

For lunch, you stop in the vibrant town of Mapua, known for its artistic community and lively café culture.

Later, embark on a private cruiser and set off across shimmering waters to reach your lodge on Kenepuru Sound. As you cruise, the captain enlightens you about greenshell mussels, a local delicacy. As you sail past some of the most spectacular scenery on the South Island, you’ll sample some of this iconic shellfish with a glass of award-winning Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. About an hour later, arrive at Portage Bay and your home for the next two nights, with easy access to Kenepuru Sound from a private dock. Enjoy fresh-from-the-water seafood during dinner on your own this evening.

Accommodation: The Portage, Marlborough Sounds
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

7 miles, easy to moderate

The Marlborough Sounds comprise one of New Zealand’s most fascinating playgrounds for outdoor lovers. And your lodge is ideally positioned for you to take full advantage of the surrounding beauty and invigorating activities. Join us for a final and unforgettable walk along portions of the 43-mile Queen Charlotte Track, one of New Zealand’s most remarkable walks.

After breakfast, embark a water taxi from the lodge’s dock for a 10-minute transfer to the start of your walk on the Queen Charlotte Track, traversing the ridgeline of hills that surround the sound. Follow the Portage Track through native bush along rolling ascents and descents, marveling at magnificent views over the mirror-like water, reflecting the distant hills and sky. Your walk ends with a leisurely descent back to your hotel in Portage Bay.

Tonight, gather with your travel mates for dinner in the hotel’s dining room.

Accommodation: The Portage, Marlborough Sounds
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Optional – Centre of New Zealand Walk; 1 mile, easy

After breakfast, you transfer to the town of Nelson, the oldest city on the South Island, where there will be time to explore on your own or walk to the hilltop “Centre of New Zealand,” what many believe to be the nation’s geographic center. From the top, enjoy sweeping views of surrounding hills and the city of Nelson. After lunch at one of the restaurants in town, you will transfer to The Rutherford Hotel. Please note that your hotel room may not be available until 2:00 p.m., however, you may store your luggage at the reception desk while you explore the city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Meals are on your own.

The next morning, breakfast is included at the hotel. Enjoy a complimentary shuttle transfer to the Nelson Airport, about 10 minutes away. The shuttle is provided by SuperShuttle.

Country Walkers provides you with City Information that includes recommendations on what to see and do in Nelson during your stay.

Accommodation: The Rutherford Hotel, Nelson, New Zealand
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

New Zealand: The South Island Tour 9
Download Flight + Tour Combo Itinerary Download Tour Only Itinerary

Sat, Nov 6 to Sat, Nov 13 - 2021

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Meet in Christchurch. Conical Hill Walk; 3 miles, easy to moderate

Your guide(s) meet you at the Chateau on the Park at 8:30 a.m. in the lobby. Your guide(s) will be wearing a Country Walkers shirt. Please be dressed for walking.

Transfer from Christchurch this morning to Hanmer Springs, a walker’s paradise of forested hills dotted with soothing thermal baths. The small town was discovered and settled for its hot springs, which today lure those seeking curative waters in a pastoral setting. Upon arrival, set off on a short scenic walk among diverse sub-alpine flora. The iconic Conical Hill Walk features a gentle climb that zigzags through exotic varieties of trees, including Japanese cypress and giant fir. At the summit, enjoy spectacular views of the sweeping Hanmer Basin. Relax here for a while at the lookout where a plaque honors the work of Duncan Rutherford, an early settler who helped develop the area.

Later, browse the charming center of Hanmer Springs, with its colorful galleries and inviting shops and restaurants. Then it’s time to indulge in the thermal pools around which the town was established. A soak in the springs’ soothing, mineral-rich waters will leave you relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready for your New Zealand adventure.

Note: Please have your swimwear easily accessible in your day bag if you wish to soak in the thermal pools.

Accommodation: Select Braemar Lodge & Spa, Hanmer Springs
Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner

.5 mile, easy, Honeydew Walk; 2 miles, easy

After breakfast you begin the northeast drive to the small alpine village of St. Arnaud. On route, enjoy a short easy walk through an alpine environment. Once you reach the Alpine Lodge, your home for the next two days, you’ll have time to settle into your room before rejoining the group. Located on the northern shores of Lake Rotoiti, St. Arnaud is a favored base for New Zealand trampers exploring the picturesque contours of Nelson Lakes National Park. This 390-square-mile stretch encompasses the surrounding mountains and sparkling waters of Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa – its vistas are magnificent, as you will discover.

Head out directly from the lodge to trace a loop trail, the Honeydew Walk. This mostly flat trail provides the perfect introduction to the plants and birdlife that call the northern mountains of the South Island home—from thick beech forests and grassy tussocks, to kakariki (parakeet) and korimako (bellbird).

This evening, join your fellow walkers and guides for a delicious dinner of locally sourced ingredients. Throughout your adventure, you’ll dine on fresh foods harvested from local farms and the surrounding sea. Though much of New Zealand’s cuisine is British-based, modern-day dishes have Mediterranean, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Rim influences.

Accommodation: Alpine Lodge, St. Arnaud
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5 miles, easy to moderate, Optional – Brunner Peninsula; 2 miles, easy

A hearty breakfast at your lodge provides fuel for today’s longer walk. With a guide-prepared picnic lunch in your pack, transfer to the trailhead for the Mt. Robert Circuit. There, you set out on a loop around the flank of Pourangahau, the mountain’s indigenous name. These slopes were crowded with beech trees until 1887, when a fire consumed many of them. In the ensuing years, early settlers favored grass growth over tree regeneration for the grazing of sheep. Still an actively recovering forest today, it provides a fascinating glimpse of the area’s natural history.

As you climb steadily toward the summit, your hike offers sweeping views of Lake Rotoiti. You can make use of the huts and shelters along the way to take a break and marvel at the dramatic scenery. As you ascend, the forest recedes, and you walk past alpine herbs and shrubs. At the mountain’s open face, you pass several scree-filled gullies before crossing the ridge for your return hike. For a gentler walk, follow the Brunner Peninsula Nature Trail, a mostly flat loop path with views from Kerr Bay and West Bay across Lake Rotoiti to surrounding peaks. If you wish, enjoy the lake’s beach and browse the visitor center before returning to the lodge for a relaxing afternoon or swim. In the event of rain in New Zealand’s unpredictable climate, your guides provide wet-weather options.

Savor another delectable dinner at the lodge tonight, then perhaps go for a walk to search for the Southern Cross in the night sky. Visible year-round only from the Southern Hemisphere, it is among the smallest of constellations: four bright stars shining close together.

Accommodation: Alpine Lodge, St. Arnaud
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Abel Tasman Coast Track; 3 or 5 miles, easy to moderate

You leave the magnificent mountains of St. Arnaud and Nelson Lakes National Park behind this morning, transferring north to the coast. Enjoy the scenic, two-hour drive, arriving at seaside Kaiteriteri in time to enjoy lunch in the village before boarding the Sea Shuttle that will whisk you to New Zealand’s acclaimed Abel Tasman National Park. As you cruise, take in the marine vistas and marvel at the famous Split Apple Rock, a massive granite boulder cleaved in half over millennia by wind and water. You also pass Tonga Island, home to a colony of fur seals, and numerous pristine beaches lapped by crystalline turquoise waters.

You disembark at either Medland’s Beach for a long option or Tonga Quarry to set off along the celebrated Abel Tasman Coast Track, heralded as one of New Zealand’s “Great Walks” by the Department of Conservation. This magnificent trail leads past rocky outcrops, quiet sheltered coves, and golden, palm-fringed beaches. You’ll arrive at your lodge late this afternoon. You may wish to head down to the beach for a swim or simply relax on your room’s private deck, perhaps pausing to chat with other walkers passing through. As the day draws to a close, the day-hikers leave and a hush falls over the lodge; you are among the lucky few to experience this magical place overnight.

Accommodation: Awaroa Lodge, Abel Tasman National Park
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7 miles, easy to moderate

The beauty of Abel Tasman is its shape-shifting character. Over millennia, tidal activity has sculpted the landscape, which has some of the largest tidal ranges in New Zealand. Park walks often involve crossing inlets, but only at low tide and when conditions allow. Rest assured that, with a flexible mindset and readiness to change course, your experience in this breathtaking region will be richly rewarding.

If you wish, you may join your guide on a four- to five-hour walk from your lodge to Totaranui. Your walk and return shuttle are timed to work with the tides. You depart the lodge with a packed lunch and traverse the Awaroa Inlet, lush with beech, rimu, and matai forest with sweeping views of the wilderness. Descend into Totaranui, passing giant rata trees in their clifftop habitats. Upon arrival at Totaranui’s National Park headquarters, peruse the informative exhibit on local ecology and walk down to the beach for a swim. After time to relax, board the Sea Shuttle back to Awaroa. This afternoon, enjoy time on the nearby beach; head out for some birdwatching in search of petrels, herons, or even penguins. Or, seek out other wildlife in the Awaroa wetlands, perhaps deer or wild goats. Regroup with your fellow travel-mates for dinner together in the dining room of the Lodge.

Accommodation: Awaroa Lodge, Abel Tasman National Park
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

1 mile, moderate; Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve, 1 mile, easy

This morning, “have a lie-in,” as the locals say, and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Once you’re ready for the day, spend an hour or so traversing the Sky Track Trail, a splendid loop walk open only to guests of the lodge. The path climbs about 300 feet above the inlet, affording breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and azure waters along the coastline.

In the late morning, walk five minutes from the lodge to the beach to catch the Sea Shuttle back to Kaiteriteri. From here, enjoy a scenic drive to Havelock, the gateway to the Marlborough Sounds. Before reaching Havelock, discover ancient rimu trees and enjoy expansive views of the Pelorus River on the Circle Loop Trail at the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve. In the north of this spectacular coastal region, a vast expanse of sea-drowned valleys forms dozens of secluded bays, islands, and beaches. It’s an ideal place for exploration on foot. In the south, the undulating hills are blanketed with vineyards that produce some of New Zealand’s finest wines.

For lunch, you stop in the vibrant town of Mapua, known for its artistic community and lively café culture.

Later, embark on a private cruiser and set off across shimmering waters to reach your lodge on Kenepuru Sound. As you cruise, the captain enlightens you about greenshell mussels, a local delicacy. As you sail past some of the most spectacular scenery on the South Island, you’ll sample some of this iconic shellfish with a glass of award-winning Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. About an hour later, arrive at Portage Bay and your home for the next two nights, with easy access to Kenepuru Sound from a private dock. Enjoy fresh-from-the-water seafood during dinner on your own this evening.

Accommodation: The Portage, Marlborough Sounds
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

7 miles, easy to moderate

The Marlborough Sounds comprise one of New Zealand’s most fascinating playgrounds for outdoor lovers. And your lodge is ideally positioned for you to take full advantage of the surrounding beauty and invigorating activities. Join us for a final and unforgettable walk along portions of the 43-mile Queen Charlotte Track, one of New Zealand’s most remarkable walks.

After breakfast, embark a water taxi from the lodge’s dock for a 10-minute transfer to the start of your walk on the Queen Charlotte Track, traversing the ridgeline of hills that surround the sound. Follow the Portage Track through native bush along rolling ascents and descents, marveling at magnificent views over the mirror-like water, reflecting the distant hills and sky. Your walk ends with a leisurely descent back to your hotel in Portage Bay.

Tonight, gather with your travel mates for dinner in the hotel’s dining room.

Accommodation: The Portage, Marlborough Sounds
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Optional – Centre of New Zealand Walk; 1 mile, easy

After breakfast, you transfer to the town of Nelson, the oldest city on the South Island, where there will be time to explore on your own or walk to the hilltop “Centre of New Zealand,” that many believe is the nation’s geographic center. From the top, enjoy sweeping views of surrounding hills and the city of Nelson. After lunch at one of the restaurants in town, you will be transferred to the airport, arriving at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

New Zealand: The South Island Tour 9
Download Flight + Tour Combo Itinerary Download Tour Only Itinerary

Accommodations

Alpine Lodge

Alpine Lodge enjoys a pristine natural setting close to the northern shores of Lake Rotoiti. The property’s frontier style took its inspiration from the surrounding mountains. Rooms are un-air conditioned and feature natural wood and large windows that look out into the open forest. This family-owned property is operated by the founder’s daughter and her husband, Alexandra and Leighton. Their restaurant proudly serves fresh, local cuisine.

Accommodation 1 of 6 |
Alphine Lodge exterior
Alpine Lodge Bedroom

Chateau on the Park

The Chateau on the Park is a resort-style hotel tucked between Hagley Park and the beautiful historic home and gardens of Mona Vale, just minutes from the center of Christchurch. Nestled in five acres (two hectares) of beautiful and tranquil gardens, the 193-room property offers a unique escape, seemingly a world away from city life. The hotel is not air conditioned but does offer WiFi throughout.

| Accommodation 2 of 6 |
Chateau-on-the-Park-exterior.jpg, NZ-NZEALAND
Chateau-on-the-Park-bedroom.jpg, NZ-NZEALAND
Chateau-on-the-Park-pool_1.jpg, NZ-NZEALAND
Chateau-on-the-Park-bar.jpg, NZ-NZEALAND
Chateau-on-the-Park-dining.jpg, NZ-NZEALAND

Awaroa Lodge

This four-star wilderness lodge offers comfortable accommodation in a pristine setting within Abel Tasman National Park. Contemporary design and comfort are combined with sustainable practices and local building products in the un-air conditioned guest rooms and throughout the grounds. The restaurant and café offer organic fare, much of it from the lodge’s garden, or sourced from nearby providers.

| Accommodation 3 of 6 |
Awaroa Lodge exterior
Peppers Awaroa Lodge
Awaroa Lodge dining
Awaroa Lodge bedroom

The Portage

Conveniently located amid the rustic landscape of Portage Bay, this boutique, casual accommodation offers guaranteed ocean view rooms with stunning views of Marlborough Sounds. Rooms are intentionally designed without TVs, WiFi connections or air conditioning to give you the opportunity to unplug and rediscover nature. And with a private water taxi dock readily available, invigorating activities are right outside your door.

| Accommodation 4 of 6 |
The Portage
The Portage 1
The Portage 2

The Rutherford Hotel

The Rutherford Hotel Nelson offers comfortable hotel accommodation with a full range of superior guest facilities with in-room WiFi and air conditioning, as well as two restaurants, a café, and a location only a few minutes’ walk from Nelson’s main shopping district and landmark cathedral.

| Accommodation 5 of 6 |

Select Braemar Lodge

Located close to the village yet enveloped in its own pocket of peace and tranquility, Select Braemar Lodge & Spa offers outstanding views across the valley toward the mountains and alpine forests. Each of its 24 air conditioned, open-plan suites—the largest in Hanmer Springs—features floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony. Some suites offer a private outdoor hot tub. During your stay, you might indulge in the services of Spa Braemar, from traditional and therapeutic body treatments to premium beauty therapies.

| Accommodation 6 of 6
Braemar Lodge and Spa exterior
Select-Braemar-Lodge-Spa-bedroom.jpg, NZ-NZEALAND
Select_Braemar_Lodge_and_Spa_deck.jpg, NZ-NZEALAND
Select-Braemer-Lodge-Dining.jpg, NZ-NZEALAND
Select-Braemer-Lodge-lounge.jpg, NZ-NZEALAND

Linger Longer with a Tour Extension

New Zealand: The South Island Tour
Pre-Tour
Flight + Tour Combo Only
2021

2021 Pre-Tour Extension - Queenstown

  • Three nights at the Heritage Hotel
  • Small-group airport and hotel transfers
  • Three breakfasts
  • Internal flight from Queenstown to Christchurch

3 Nights From $548
per person, double occupancy

Single Supplement: From $348

Download Itinerary >

Begin your adventure by departing from a convenient gateway city in the United States or Canada. Spend the first night aloft.

Flying to New Zealand requires crossing the International Date Line, so this day is “lost.”

After arriving at Queenstown Airport, enjoy a complimentary shuttle transfer to the Heritage Hotel, about 15-20 minutes away. After gathering your luggage and exiting baggage claim, look for a representative holding a Country Walkers sign. The shuttle is provided by SuperShuttle. Please note that your hotel room may not be available until 2:00 p.m., however, you may store your luggage at the reception desk while you explore the city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure (no meals included).

Country Walkers provides you with City Information that includes recommendations on what to see and do in Queenstown during your stay.

Numerous possibilities await you today. Nestled in the heart of the Southern Alps, Queenstown is perfectly situated as a springboard for outdoor adventure. As the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping, it offers the perfect opportunity to get your pulse pounding as either a spectator or a participant. Your hotel can help you arrange many outdoor activities such as mountain biking, whitewater rafting, or paragliding, to name a few. Whichever you choose, be sure to visit one of Queenstown’s exceptional restaurants this evening. With a range of choices, there’s enough variety to satisfy foodies of all types.

After breakfast, the day is yours to discover more of this spectacular city. Perhaps you’ll take an excursion to visit one of Queenstown’s excellent vineyards. Tonight, sip a glass of wine while enjoying the view across Lake Wakatipu, as the setting sun paints the saw-toothed peaks of The Remarkables.

After an early breakfast, you’ll take a complimentary transfer from your Queenstown hotel to the Queenstown Airport at 10:10 a.m. for your flight to Christchurch. A representative from SuperShuttle will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and assist with your transfer.

Upon arrival at Christchurch Airport mid-day, gather your luggage and exit baggage claim to look for a representative holding a Country Walkers sign. Enjoy a complimentary shuttle transfer to the Chateau on the Park, about 15-20 minutes away. The shuttle is provided by SuperShuttle. Please note that your hotel room may not be available until 2:00 p.m., however, you may store your luggage at the reception desk while you explore the city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Meals are on your own using the provided City Information as your guide.

What's Included

Flight + Tour Combo
Tour Only
Exceptional boutique accommodations Check Check
All on-tour meals except 1 dinner Check Check
Local guides with you throughout tour Check Check
Local wine and/or beer with dinner Check Check
Travel assistance available 24/7 provided by Allianz Check Check
Roundtrip airfare Check
One extra night in Christchurch Check
One extra night in Nelson Check
Airport car service for arrival & departure Check
Pre- and post-tour breakfasts Check
Business-class upgrades available Check
Morocco: Marrakesh, Foothills of the High Atlas & Essaouira

Dates & Prices

Flight + Tour Combo

12 days. Includes round-trip international airfare, airport car service, additional hotel nights with included breakfast, and your tour.

Single Supplement: From $998

Departing From Los Angeles, CA (LAX)

Tour Only

8 days. Includes your tour only.

Single Supplement: From $798

Currently Full

Wed, Nov 3 - Sun, Nov 14, 2021

$6,298

Join Waitlist
Currently Full

Sat, Nov 6 - Sat, Nov 13, 2021

$4,648

Join Waitlist

Wed, Nov 17 - Sun, Nov 28, 2021

$6,298

Reserve Online

Sat, Nov 20 - Sat, Nov 27, 2021

$4,648

Reserve Online

Wed, Dec 1 - Sun, Dec 12, 2021

$6,298

Reserve Online

Sat, Dec 4 - Sat, Dec 11, 2021

$4,648

Reserve Online
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Experience your destination like an insider with people who call it home.

Sarah Inglewood-NZ-NZEALAND

Sarah Inglewood

After spending her youth exploring the far corners of the globe, with travel to 90 countries and 6 continents, Sarah Inglewood returned to New Zealand to work as an emergency responder and as part of the police search and rescue team. After spending time working in outdoor education, her passion for the outdoors inspired a move to guiding, where she loves sharing adventures in her beautiful homeland.

Mark-NZ-NZEALAND

Mark Brinsden

Mark Brinsden is an avid adventurer and outdoor enthusiast. He has a diverse background having worked in financial markets and bioscience but it is in tourism where his passion lies. A proud ambassador for all things Kiwi, he enjoys nothing more than sharing the wonders of his home country with fellow travelers and visitors from the world over.

Julia Thorne-NZ-NZEALAND

Julia Thorne

From a traditional Kiwi upbringing in Northland, New Zealand, Julia Thorne’s life and vocation have segued through worlds of journalism and editorial photography, to property development, artwork, and eclectic roles in the adventure travel sector. Julia’s undying passion for Aotearoa and sharing its natural treasures and culture with visitors eventually led her to her current adventure-guiding guests around her beloved native country.

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