New Zealand - Timeless Tramping - 24 February - 13 March 2018 (17 nights) - International Park Tours
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
New Zealand - Timeless Tramping
24 February - 13 March 2018 (17 nights)
Highlights
• Walks & a boat excursion at Aoraki National Park - Tasman Glacier
• Visit Otago Peninsula, famous for albatross & penguin viewing
• Forest & coastal walks in the Catlins, on the rugged south east coast
• Stay on Stewart Island for bushwalks & visit nearby Ulva Island
• Optional hike on the Routeburn track from Te Anau
• Enjoy the alpine beauty of Fiordland National Park
• Explore the alpine zones of Mt Aspiring National Park on the Rob Roy Alpine
Walk
• Canoe on beautiful Lake Moeraki
• Walk with a Maori guide at Hokitika
Join us for an 18 day journey through the spectacular landscapes of New Zealand’s
South Island. Snow-covered peaks tower above tranquil lakes, waterfalls tumble
from misty heights and walking tracks meander through moss-draped beech
forests. From Christchurch we travel directly to Aoraki National Park for walks
and an informative boat tour on the terminal lake of Tasman Glacier. Travelling via
Dunedin, an overnight stay gives us access to the birdlife of the Otago Peninsula.
This is home to the world’s only mainland albatross breeding colony. On the scenic
south east coast, we have two days to explore the dense temperate rainforest of DETAILS
Catlins Forest Park. On Stewart Island, we walk to the wilderness of Maori Beach
and visit nearby Ulva Island, a predator-free sanctuary for birds. From Te Anau, Price: Twinshare / person (ex Christchurch)
there’s the opportunity to visit the Fiordland wilderness that provides habitats for
Advanced Early Bird: A$7,380 until
Bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and the Fiordland crested penguin. 25/08/2017
Near Lake Wanaka, Mt Aspiring National Park is unveiled on the Rob Roy Alpine
Walk. Crossing Haast Pass to the coast, our destination is Lake Moeraki Wilderness Early Bird: A$7,580 until 27/10/2017
Lodge, located in the heart of the 2.7 million hectare South West New Zealand
Regular: A$7,880
World Heritage Area. Our last port of call before we return to Christchurch is
Hokitika, renowned for its greenstone and spectacular sunsets. Single Supplement: A$1,580
Note: For single people who prefer
to share, we will try to find a suitable
roommate, but if this is not possible the
sole-use surcharge will apply.
Minimum Group size: 10 guests
Special Interest: Birding, Wildlife,
Botanical, History
Note: Can be joined with Eastern Tasmania
- Capes & Coves
For bookings call 1300 197 201 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email info@parktours.com.au | 1
New Zealand - Timeless Tramping
24 February - 13 March 2018 (17 nights)
WALK RATING FAQ’S
Easy to Moderate: 5 - 10km per walking day with some longer options. How & when to book?
Age is not necessarily as important as your fitness and recent walking Our biggest message to you is BOOK EARLY!! Many tours
experience, and anyone of reasonable fitness should be able to join book out very quickly so the moral of the story is the early
this tour. We reserve the right to be flexible with the itinerary to allow for
bird catches the worm! To qualify for any of the early bird
unforeseen circumstances including weather conditions and group fitness.
prices, you simply need to send a completed booking form
and deposit of A$400 per person per tour, by the early
INCLUSIONS bird dates listed at the front of the tour itinerary. We offer
A$500 discount per person if you book by the Advanced
• 17 nights twin share accommodation - hotel & unit accommodation with Early Bird date and A$300 discount per person if you book
some shared facilities (Stewart Island) by the Early Bird date. If your deposit arrives after any of
• Meals include – 17 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 13 Dinners the early bird dates, the tour balance will be at the regular
• All transfers as listed in itinerary price. To place your booking, simply visit www.parktours.
• National park and museum entry fees com.au to pay your deposit and book online, or complete a
• Professional tour leader assisted when required by local tour guides Tour Booking Form, and post / fax / email it to us with your
• Basic group tips where required deposit. Once you have booked on a tour, we will stay in
contact with regular mailings (see below).
• Pre-departure material including background & personalised A-Z tour
information and destination tour companion What information and contact can I expect?
When you send your initial deposit, we will contact you to
confirm your booking. Once the tour has been confirmed
EXCLUSIONS to depart, a comprehensive information pack will be sent to
you, including a Tour A-Z, suggested packing list, medical
• Airfares & taxes to start / from end of tour
questionnaire, balance of payment invoice, and pre / post
• Airport transfers
accommodation options. We can assist you with flight
• Passport & visa expenses arrangements but please don’t book flights until our office
• Heavy or excess baggage contacts you to confirm that your tour has been confirmed
• Travel insurance to depart. The final mailing is sent out approximately three
• Personal expenses e.g. drinks (water, alcohol, tea & coffee), laundry, weeks before departure and includes final tour documents,
telephone, or optional tours / excursions address list for family and friends, meeting points, and any
final travel information.
TOUR LEADER What is the group size?
We specialise in small group travel with an average group
Twice-named ‘Eco Guide of the Year’ by Ecotourism size of around 10-20 guests. Please see the front page for
Australia, Barry is one of the most experienced nature details on the minimum group size for this particular tour. All
tour leaders within Australia and New Zealand, with tours need a minimum number of passengers to operate at
a particular passion for birds and wildlife. Since 2008 the price listed in the itinerary. If the minimum number is not
Barry has been a naturalist and lecturer aboard an
reached, a tour may still operate with a surcharge.
expedition vessel visiting islands from Fiji to Papua
New Guinea and has lead tours in Papua New Guinea, How fit do I have to be?
Borneo, Australia and New Zealand. His work background, previously as When you are assessing your ability and agility to
naturalist guide and activities manager at Binna Burra Mountain Lodge, participate, age is not necessarily as important as your
coupled with independent guiding explorations with his own specialist fitness and recent walking experience. Please read the tour
touring company, Gondwana Guides, provide him with considerable
cumulative knowledge of the ecological and biological nature of all regions
walk rating and the day by day walking descriptions in the
within Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Rim. itinerary to determine if the tour is suitable for your fitness.
If you have any queries, we are happy to put you in touch
with either the tour coordinator or tour leader to discuss
your fitness in more detail.
What gear and equipment do I need to take?
Because we focus on half and full day walks, returning to
our accommodation in the afternoon, you don’t need to
carry any more than a daypack with rain wear, sunscreen,
drinking water, camera and lunch. A few tours include an
overnight hike where you will need to carry personal gear
for the journey. We recommend hiking boots on most of our
tours as they offer good ankle support and grip. A detailed
packing list is included with your tour’s information pack.
For bookings call 1300 197 201 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email info@parktours.com.au | 2
New Zealand - Timeless Tramping
ITINERARY 24 February - 13 March 2018 (17 nights)
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1 – Sat 24 Feb | Arrive Christchurch
Kia Ora! Your tour starts at 5pm when your tour leader meets you in the
lobby of your Christchurch hotel. We enjoy a walk in the Christchurch
Botanic Gardens and have time for group introductions and a tour briefing
prior to our welcome dinner. As the gateway to the Canterbury region,
Christchurch has a rich history and heritage while looking forward with
innovative projects and restoration after the 2010 & 2011 earthquakes.
Meals: D
Walks: Short walk
Day 2 – Sun 25 Feb | Drive to Aoraki National Park
After breakfast, we depart for Aoraki (Mt Cook) National Park. Including
Australasia’s highest mountain (3724m), Aoraki is the northernmost part
of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area in the Southern Alps. Our
drive through the heart of Canterbury to the McKenzie region will take
approximately five hours. We make regular photo stops and enjoy views
of the mountains plus Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki en route. After checking
in to our motel accommodation at Mt Cook Lodge, we have time to relax
before joining a guided boat tour of the Tasman Glacier terminal lake in
the late afternoon.
Meals: B, D
Walks: Short walks
Day 3 – Mon 26 Feb | Aoraki National Park
Today we have a choice of several short walks from the Mt Cook Village
and surrounds. The Red Tarns Track, Kea Point tracks each take around
two hours return while the popular Hooker Valley Track is 4 hours return.
We will choose the walks based on weather conditions and ability. Whilst
we will be offering group walks you may choose to spend the day at your
leisure in and around the village. There is also a fascinating visitor’s
centre with an excellent artwork collection and interpretation exhibits.
Meals: B, D
Walks: Dependent on weather conditions. Most walks 2-4hr return, easy
to moderate
Day 4 – Tue 27 Feb | Oamaru / Moeraki Boulders / Dunedin
We continue south then along the eastern coastline to Dunedin, regarded
as the best preserved Edwardian and Victorian heritage city in the
southern hemisphere. Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South
Island and the principal city of the Otago Region. On the way we visit the
fascinating old quarter of Oamaru, a busy hub filled with galleries, cafes,
bars, museums, a brewery, a steam train and curious Steampunk inspired
attractions. Traveling south we take a walk along a beach to the Moeraki
Boulders. Centuries of coastline erosion have revealed a spectacular
collection of these curiously large spherical boulders. Maori legend refers
to the Moeraki Boulders as the wreckage from a large Waka (sailing
canoe). The boulders are said to be the fishing nets and calabashes
that were washed ashore and then turned into stone. We check into our
Dunedin accommodation before heading out for an evening meal.
Meals: B, D
Walks: Short garden and beach walks
Day 5 – Wed 28 Feb | Otago Peninsula / Catlins
To the east of Dunedin, we visit the Royal albatrosses at Taiaroa Head
on the Otago Peninsula, the world’s only mainland albatross breeding
colony. The Otago Peninsula together with its 20km long harbour is home
to an abundance of bird and marine life, including the Royal albatross,
the endangered Yellow eyed penguin (Hoiho) and the Blue penguins
(Pukekura). The peninsula is also home to many seals, as well as the
New Zealand sea lion (formerly known as the Hooker’s sea lion), one of
the rarest seal species in the world, the occasional Sea elephant and the
Otago shags in their natural habitat. Our journey continues south to the
Catlins in the south eastern corner of the south island. On arrival at Kaka
Point, where we spend the next two nights, we walk out to the lighthouse
For bookings call 1300 197 201 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email info@parktours.com.au | 3
New Zealand - Timeless Tramping
ITINERARY 24 February - 13 March 2018 (17 nights)
TOUR ITINERARY continued...
at nearby Nugget Point and visit a colony of endangered Yellow eyed
penguins.
Meals: B, L, D
Walks: short walks
Day 6 – Thu 01 Mar | Catlins
The Catlins is an area of significant native temperate forests, rugged
headlands, coves and sandy bay, waterfalls and rolling farmland. Here we
may experience close encounters with Fur seals, a beautiful sunrise and
an amazing diversity of beach washed seaweeds and shells; the rewards
for beachcombing before breakfast. We then join a Catlin’s naturalist, who
will be our guide for the rest of the day on walks at the Papatowai estuary.
This rugged area is noted for its scenic coastal landscape and dense
temperate rainforest.
Meals: B, L, D
Walks: Coastal and forest walks, easy to moderate
Day 7 – Fri 02 Mar | Catlins / Stewart Island
Our destination today is New Zealand’s third largest island and the last
stronghold of the Kiwi – Stewart Island. To get there we journey through
the heart of the Catlins experiencing the magnificent reflections at Lake
Wilkie, classic rural landscapes, Curio Bay (for luscious NZ ice creams)
and the nearby Petrified Forest. Lake Wilkie is a small, scenic lake near
Tautuku Bay and was formed after the last ice age and has gradually
shrunk to its current size of 1.7 hectares. Bog lakes like Lake Wilkie are a
rare ecosystem in this part of the country. We depart from the Bluff for the
one hour ferry trip across Foveaux Strait to Stewart Island and check into
our accommodation for the next two nights.
Meals: B, L
Walks: Twilight walks at Oban
Day 8 – Sat 03 Mar | Stewart Island
The only way to experience Stewart Island is on foot and this morning’s
walk is around tiny Ulva Island, a predator free bird sanctuary for rare and
endangered bird and plant species, with a local guide from the island. In
the afternoon we walk to Maori Beach, one of the island’s classic shorter
walks. Maori Beach was once the site of a Maori village and sawmill
but has since reverted to wilderness with regenerating forest quickly
hiding evidence of those earlier days. However, remains of a boiler and
steam engine used by the mill can still be found, along with clumps of
montbretia and bluebells – legacies from the sawmillers’ cottages. After
the mill closed in 1931, people gradually drifted away and the area is now
peaceful and picturesque. Tonight we will sample some of the island’s
fresh seafood for our evening meal.
Meals: B, L, D
Walks: Short nature walks on Ulva Island (easy) and 9km walk to Maori
Beach (moderate
Day 9 – Sun 04 Mar | Invercargill / Te Anau
After an early breakfast we return to the mainland by ferry. Our first stop
is Invercargill, New Zealand’s southernmost city. We visit the unique
provincial museum which houses the renowned “Roaring Forties”
exhibition, live Tuataras, art gallery and the “World’s fastest Indian”
display. Our journey continues from Invercargill to Te Anau, gateway to
New Zealand’s Fiordland region, and our base for the next two nights.
This attractive resort town is nestled on the shores of beautiful Lake
Te Anau framed by Mt Luxmore and the Murchison Mountains. The
afternoon is free for you to explore the area and there are a number of
walking options for you to choose from. In the evening you have the
option to participate in a glow worm tour through caves on the other side
of the lake.
Meals: B, L, D
Walks: Local walks
For bookings call 1300 197 201 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email info@parktours.com.au | 4
New Zealand - Timeless Tramping
ITINERARY 24 February - 13 March 2018 (17 nights)
TOUR ITINERARY continued...
Day 10 – Mon 05 Mar | Fiordland National Park
Fiordland National Park is a vast, remote wilderness and at the heart
of Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.
Snow-capped mountains, rivers of ice, deep lakes, unbroken forests and
tussock grasslands shelter some of the best examples of animals and
plants once found on the ancient super continent of Gondwana. This
wilderness region is also habitat to Bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur
seals and the Fiordland crested penguin. Today’s activities can include
optional tours such as a full day cruise on the crystal clear waters of
Doubtful Sound or a journey to Milford Sound, a full day tour with a local
operator from Te Anau. Alternatively, you can go at a leisurely pace in
the bus with your tour leader, walk 5km of the Routeburn Track above
the tree line to the Key Summit and continue on to Milford Sound, one
of New Zealand’s classic destinations. In the evening there is the option
of viewing “Ata Whenua”, a stunning film about Fiordland shown in its
own specially designed theatre. Please note: external tours are optional
and we suggest booking the Doubtful Sound cruise or the Milford Sound
cruise prior to departure (more information will be sent from our office)
Meals: B
Walks: Optional guided tours or 5km on Routeburn Track moderate walk.
Day 11 – Tue 06 Mar | Arrowtown / Lake Wanaka
Today we drive north to Lake Wanaka via the historic gold mining
Arrowtown and, if conditions permit, we take the Crown Range, New
Zealand’s highest road. We continue on to the relaxed town of Wanaka,
our base for the next three nights. Wanaka is situated on the shores of
New Zealand’s fourth largest lake and the crystal clear waters reflect the
snow-capped peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park. A late afternoon
walk to Diamond Lake will reward us with views over Lake Wanaka and
the surrounding mountains. The Diamond Lake Conservation Area’s
landscape has been carved by glaciers with stands of native forest and
shrub land.
Meals: B, D
Walks: Short Lake walks
Day 12 – Wed 07 Mar | Mt Aspiring National Park
A day of alpine walking with a breathtaking range of landscapes. Mt
Aspiring National Park is a dreamland of mountains, glaciers, river
valleys and alpine lakes. Rock formations are an unforgettable feature
of this park. In the past, Maori trekked through this region on their way to
pounamu (greenstone / jade) fields on the west coast. We follow the Rob
Roy Alpine Walk and enjoy the luxurious understory of ferns and mosses.
At the tree line, the forest gives way to alpine vegetation and spectacular
views of the hanging glaciers.
Meals: B, L
Walks: Rob Roy Alpine Walk, 4-5hr moderate walk
Day 13 – Thu 08 Mar | Wanaka
Today is free for you to relax or explore some of what Wanaka has on
offer. You may decide to visit Puzzling World, a collection of bizarre
buildings, rooms of illusions and a maze that will baffle your brain and
challenge your perceptions of reality. Even if you only pay a visit to New
Zealand’s most unusual public toilets, your world will never be the same
again. The National Transport and Toy Museum is also located in Wanaka
and houses one of the largest private collections in the world with 4
major buildings housing over 600 vehicles, 15 aircraft, 60,000 toys and
1,000s of miscellaneous items. You may also decide to visit Warbirds and
Wheels, a world-class collection of over 5 Warbirds, 30 privately owned
classic cars and motorcycles, all meticulously restored, dating from early
veterans to 1960’s classics. Your tour leader will also offer a half day walk
(depending on weather and group interest).
Meals: B
Walks: optional
For bookings call 1300 197 201 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email info@parktours.com.au | 5
New Zealand - Timeless Tramping
ITINERARY 24 February - 13 March 2018 (17 nights)
TOUR ITINERARY continued...
Day 14 – Fri 09 Mar | Lake Moeraki
This morning we cross over the mountains at Haast Pass and continue
west to the coast. Our destination is Lake Moeraki, another section of the
Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. This
region is renowned for its spectacular rocky beaches, untouched lowland
rainforests spread between pristine lakes and rivers which flow from
the snow-capped Southern Alps. During our journey we visit the Haast
Visitors Centre then spend today and tomorrow exploring the forests and
the rugged coastline of this beautiful area, canoeing on Lake Moeraki.
We stay two nights in the comfort of Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki and
enjoy a seasonal table d’hôte evening menu at their riverside restaurant.
Meals: B, L, D
Walks: Kahikatea Swamp Forest Walk, Mateketake Dune Lake and
Lakeside Nature Walk
Day 15 – Sat 10 Mar | Lake Moeraki
Today we will further explore the pristine area of Lake Moeraki taking
full advantage of local knowledge. You can also explore the nature trails
around the lodge, kayak the lake or hire a rod and fish for brown trout!
Meals: B, L, D
Walks: Dependent on weather conditions
Day 16 – Sun 11 Mar | Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers / Hokitika
We leave Lake Moeraki and drive north west close to the coastline to Fox
and Franz Josef glaciers. We have time for short walk to lookouts over
the rapidly retreating glaciers before continuing north to Hokitika. Besides
being famous for its beautiful sunsets, the town is home to a number of
craft shops and galleries which specialise in quality green stone jewellery.
This afternoon you are free to browse the galleries which showcase the
fine skills of the local carvers. Weather permitting we will relax by a beach
bonfire tonight after our evening meal.
Meals: B, L, D
Walks: Short walks to glacier lookouts, strolls around town
Day 17 – Mon 12 Mar | Hokitika / Arthurs Pass / Christchurch
This morning we join a local to comb for greenstone in a local riverbed
before making our way back to Christchurch, a 3½-4 hour drive. We
travel via the mountain crossing at Arthurs Pass, one of only three passes
through the Southern Alps. After stopping for lunch and some short walks,
we continue through Arthurs Pass National Park down to the Canterbury
Plains. A “tramp” in the bizarre limestone landscapes at Castle Hill (used
for battle scenes in the movie “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”) is
a fitting finale to the tour. After checking in to our Christchurch hotel, we
celebrate our tour with a final group dinner.
Meals: B, D
Walks: Short walks at Arthurs Pass and Castle Hill
Day 18 – Tue 13 Mar | Tour end
Your tour ends after breakfast. You may like to stay longer in Christchurch
or connect via public transport to the airport or other New Zealand
destinations.
Meals: B
Walks: None
For bookings call 1300 197 201 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email info@parktours.com.au | 6
REDISCOVER EXPERIENCE CONNECT
WHY TRAVEL WITH US?
InterNATIONAL PARKtours have been leading small group walking
holidays since 1975. Our like-minded guests bond easily and often
create reunions, celebrations and friendships, many of them life-
long. Our tours are active with regular half and full day walks. Aside
from walking, we also spend time meeting local people, tasting
regional food and immersing ourselves in the culture and history
of a destination. Our flexibility enables us to adapt to the likes, Responsible Travel
dislikes and agility of our travellers, and changing situations such
as weather and unforeseen circumstances. In most locations, we For your protection, we are
stay 2-3 nights and sometimes longer. This allows us to slow down, allied members of the Australian
unpack our bags and enjoy the local atmosphere at different times Federation of Travel Agents.
of the day. Accommodation is comfortable, unique plus locally Your payments are kept in a
owned and operated where possible. trust account until required
for payment of your tour. We are
Our guides are dedicated, informative people who share accredited with ATAS, a national
their passion and knowledge on local history, culture, wildlife accreditation scheme, endorsing
& topography. Our journeys are designed to safeguard the travel agents who have met strict
ecosystems; benefit the communities we visit and contribute to the financial and customer service criteria. We also
sustainability of destinations. Travel is a chance to change your have advanced accreditation with Ecotourism
perspective. Nature always provides a new view if we take the time Australia and are members of the Global
to look. Sustainable Tourism Council
Serendipity of travel
Our guides will work 24/7 on your behalf to make
“IPT offers great value for money with their sure that we are doing all we can to ensure your
programmes. There is minimum spending enjoyment. We have planned an intimate adventure,
money needed once on tour and there are but adventure cannot be guaranteed. If indeed it
could then it would lose its appeal.
no hidden extras along the way.”
Though we do the best we can to plan a smooth
Judy & Peter Hughes journey, sometimes things change at short notice.
Some things may take longer than anticipated,
transport and accommodation arrangements
“I know that you get the blue ribbon extras may alter, and you may experience occasional
with IPT and I was in the mood to be shortcomings and be frustrated by the ‘manana’
spoilt.” attitude; at other times you will be amazed by local
efficiency. Tour itineraries may need to be modified
Judy Potkonen but this is done so with your needs in mind and to
provide the best tour experience.
So, be flexible, surprised and delighted with the
Disclaimer of Liability
serendipity that comes from being open to the
Although interNATIONAL PARKtours has prepared the Information contained in this itinerary with all due care unexpected. Your enjoyment of this journey is
and updates the Information regularly, interNATIONAL PARKtours does not warrant or represent that the ultimately up to you.
Information is free from errors or omission. Whilst the Information is considered to be true and correct at the
date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the
Information. The Information may change without notice and interNATIONAL PARKtours is not in any way
liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user.
Itinerary Updated: September 27, 2017 11:54 AM
T 1300 197 201 | T +61 7 5533 3583 | F +61 7 5533 3683
28 Timbarra Drive Beechmont QLD 4211 Australia
info@parktours.com.au | www.parktours.com.au
You can also read
