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7 Days 8 nights - Itinerary
South Canterbury High Country-West Coast-Buller-Marlborough-North Canterbury
$3200.00 per couple or $1600 per person
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(Includes motel type accomodation, evening meals with the team,your guide for the trip, Station crossing fees, and prizegiving.)
Thursday 3rd-Wednesday 9th February 2011, Tuesday 5th-Monday 11th April 2011
The assembly point for the start of the trip is Fairlie , a pretty township nestled below the Hunter Hills Range and the Two Thumb and Four Peaks Ranges in the West leading into the Southern Alps, motel accommodation ,and a meal will be organized for the night preceding the start of the 4x4 programme. This is a chance to meet the team, relax and discuss highlights of the trip ahead.
Day 1 - Assemble on grass verge outside Motel for a briefing on our planned route for the day. Then we head North out of Fairlie taking Clayton Road through Sherwood Downs and Clayton with beautiful views of Mount Fox on our Left, the Four Peaks Range on our right and the Clayton and Ben McLeod Ranges to the North. As we progress North you will also get great Views of the Two Thumb Range in the Southern Alps.We cross the Orari River into a private High Country Station and follow the river through open country dotted with native bush, poplars and willows. The track heads East into the gorge of the Orari River with views of Mt. Peel ( 1717m ) in the north and the Four Peaks Range now South as we follow the river to finally head out to Tripp Settlement at tracks end. Our accommodation this evening is in Geraldine where we relax, and discuss the days events over an evening meal.
Day 2 - Assemble outside Motel for briefing and then head to Mt. Somers where we turn off into Ashburton Gorge Road to go through the Ashburton Gorge and into a private High Country Station . The scenery is breathtaking with mountains on all sides as we explore alpine country very few people in New Zealand and particularly overseas visitors have ever experienced. The track takes us across an alpine flat with views of Cloudy Peak ( 2399m ) , and Potts and Big Hill Ranges to the West in the Southern Alps. Skirt Maori Lakes to enter the Rangitata Gorge, then out to the pristine Lake Heron, all the while taking in the magnificent views of the Main Divide and Mt. Arrowsmith ( 2795m ) immediately to our left. Our track takes us along the picturesque Lake stream to the Station Homestead where our hosts tonight are the Station Owners who will give us a taste of life in the High Country and enjoy a traditional home cooked New Zealand meal.
Day 3 - Assemble outside the station accomodation , our route today takes us East along the edge of the mighty Rakaia River, the Rakaia Gorge, west to Lake Coleridge and North to Lake Lyndon where we join the main highway to cross the Southern Alps through Arthurs pass to the West Coast. We wil stop at the Arthurs Pass lookout to observe one of New Zealand’s most ambitious Civil Engineering Projects undertaken to the present time. If the conditions are suitable once on the West Coast we will climb the ridge to access some classic West Coast scenery in the Taipo Valley before heading out to our Motel in Greymouth and a relaxing meal in anticipation of tomorrows highlights.
Day 4 - Assemble outside Motel then head North towards Reefton, our track today is classic West Coast scenery in stark contrast to the previous three days with limestone cliffs, tea coloured streams and stunning Beech Forests. A climb up and over a ridge once inhabited by a mining town takes us into Nobles Creek stream bed which winds it’s way between limestone cliffs and Beech Forest full of native birds. The creek exits through two natural tunnels formed by the stream and later expanded by the miners so they are just big enough to drive through, so with lights on we travers these very unique features to exit into the Waipuna River. A fun drive down the river gets us to the Main Highway and on to Reefton for a well earned meal and nights rest.
Day 5 - Reefton to Westport and Waimangaroa on the coast where we take the road to the Denniston Coalmine made famous by the incredibly steep Denniston Incline rail road which for many years was the mines only access. Magnificent views of the West Coast Stretch North and South as far as the eye can see while reading the history and studying the huge array of relics from the mine’s colourful past. The track passes seams of coal smouldering away under the surface and winds it’s way into Beech Forests and the familiar rugged terrain of this area. Weather permitting we will cross the Mackley River and continue out through a very pretty track to the Iron Bridge and Murchison, a classic West Coast town born out of the gold mining era of the late 1800’s and now serving the substantial dairy farming industry that has prospered in more recent times.
Day 6 - Ladies Day when the girls get behind the wheel and show how it’s done. After the morning briefing we depart for thick bushclad ranges in every direction which form our playground today as we venture South from Murchison along a verdant river valley and ace
+es the remote area to the North of the Lewis Pass, the Northernmost Pass through the Southern Alps. After exploring a private Station we wind our way up the valley beside the Tutaki river with Mt.’s Sutton and Baring to the East before arriving at the lovely Lake Rotoroa. A steep switchback climb up to 950m rewards us with an amazing view of the Lake as we work our way past old gold workings and into the Howard River Valley. Our destination this evening is St. Arnaud where a meal and glass of wine can be enjoyed on this the night of prizegiving where we can share the experiences of the last 6 days and enjoy some good humour.
Day 7 – The Rainbow Road takes us from just North of St. Arnaud to Hanmer Springs, it follows old tracks formed by the first Maori settlers and then later by graziers moving stock between Canterbury and Marlborough who built a series of Cobb houses along the way. The scenery varies enormously from the bushclad hills of the West Coast to the mountains and barren tussock of the South Island Alpine terrain where snow and biting winds can strike at any time, a fitting track for our last day . From Hanmer to Christchurch is approx. two hours drive for those wishing to return to Christchurch that day, or a stay in the incomparable village of Hanmer is well worth considering.
Please note that all tracks are weather dependant and changes may be made to this itinerary if the listed tracks are inaccessible.
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7 Days 8 nights - Southern Itinerary
$3200.00 per couple or $1600 per person
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(Includes motel type accomodation, evening meals with the team,your guide for the trip, Station crossing fees, and prizegiving.)
ITINERARY 2011 March 2nd – 8th
The assembly point for the start of the trip is Tekapo, an alpine village nestled on the shore of Lake Tekapo with 360 degree views of the Southern Alps. This is a chance to meet the team, relax and discuss highlights of the trip ahead.
Day 1-- assemble at Lake Tekapo in the MacKenzie Basin 8.00am, head to Black Forest High Country Station via Burkes Pass, do track on edge of Lake Benmore ( the turquoise coloured Lake on my Website heading ) in the morning with amazing views of the Lake and then follow pylon track in the afternoon through very rugged country more akin to Afghanistan landscape, chance of encountering Wallaby in this area, the native NZ Falcon and Deer .Exit from this track over the Benmore Dam, part of the Pukaki Hydro scheme, the biggest and most ambitious hydro scheme undertaken in New Zealand until construction of the Clyde Dam. Stay at Omarama that evening, meal in local restaurant.
Day 2 -- Travel down the Lindis Pass to Dalrachney Station, spend the day trekking on Dalrachney, including one of the most impressive switchback tracks in the South Island. Amazing views of the Ahuriri Valley, Southern Alps , Mt. Melina ( 6000ft ) and Mt. Martha (6250ft ) in the range immediately Northwest of Dalrachney. Lunch beside the Lindis River and keep an eye out for deer which are plentiful on Dalrachney. Stay at Omarama that evening.
Day 3 -- Head up and over the Omarama Saddle ( 4000ft ) on the St. Bathans Range, one of the most stunning views in the South Island, Mt. St. Bathans (7000ft), Mt. Aspiring (one of the highest peaks in NZ), the MacKenzie Basin, Mt. Cook ( the highest mountain in NZ ) and the Hawkdun Range. Descend into the West Branch of the Manuherikia River Valley crossing the stream many times down the valley exiting at the old gold mining village of St. Bathans and the incomparable St. Bathans Pub. All the buildings in the village have been restored to their original condition as they were in the 1800's and there is an impressive Lake carved out of white rock by the sluicing of the gold miners right beside the Pub. Stay at Alexandra that evening beside the mighty Clutha River, one of the biggest rivers in the world for volume of water carried.
Day 4 -- Head to Cromwell past the Clyde Dam on the mighty Clutha River, NZ's largest Hydro Power Station, follow Lake Dunstan formed by the damming of the Clutha to a private High Country Station in the wine growing country of Central Otago. Trek through the grapevines at the start of the trek then on up through the schist outcrops and into the alpine scenery of the Pisa Range stopping for lunch beside one of the many tarns in this area. Climb on up to Mt. Pisa, ( 6000ft ) one of the highest tracks on our itinerary and take in the glorious vista out over the valley with Lake Dunstan in the foreground and the Dunstan Mountains forming the perfect backdrop. The alpine scenery on this range is different from anything else on the trip and feels more like being on the moon. From these lofty heights we head to the famous Cardrona pub which is featured on my website via the testing facility where the worlds top vehicle and tyre manufacturers test their products in controlled conditions under extreme temperatures.
Day 5 -- Today we will guide you over the Crown Range to the famous Queenstown Basin, pass through the historic mining village of Arrowtown and travel part way up the Skifield Road to Coronet Peak to reach Skippers Canyon Track. This track was built by hand over a 20 year period from 1863 to provide access for goldminers working the Shotover River , one of the richest gold producing rivers in NZ’s history. The track follows the tortuous path of the Shotover River providing spectacular views of the river and surrounding scenery. The track takes us past remnants of the gold mining days to Skippers the main settlement for the miners. There is a bungy jumping and a jet boating operation on the way for those that feel so inclined. Weather permitting we will have you back at Arrowtown around midday and the afternoon has been kept free to allow time to yourself to explore Arrowtown and nearby Queenstown, NZ’s most famous tour destination. The meal this evening will be in the charming village of Arrowtown.
Day 6 -- From Arrowtown we follow the Kawarau Gorge and Kawarau River which is the confluence of the Shotover and Arrow Rivers and runs into the mighty Clutha.. From here we climb up over Duffers Saddle East of the Remarkable range and trek through to the isolated Nevis Valley which is snowed in for 6 months of the year. There are multiple crossings of the Nevis River as we make our way South taking in the local gold mining history before entering Lorne Peak Station and climbing out over the Hector Mountains, an extension of the Remarkable Range, to Tenants Peak ( 5000ft ). From the dizzying heights of the Hector Mountains we get a spectacular view out over Lake Wakatipu, the Garvie Mountains, the Old Man Range and the Mataura River famous for its trout fishing. This evening is spent in Kingston village in Southland Country, famous for the rolling of the RRR's.
Day 7-- Southland is quite different from the MacKenzie Basin or Otago where we have been so far, it is now one of the richest dairying areas of NZ but is very sparsely populated and incorporates the North and South Mavora Lakes nestled between the Livingstone and Thomson Mountains. This track follows the Lake shore through pristine Beech Forest and on up to a hut at the head of the valley. Lunch is an extended affair on the edge of the lake as the solitude of this area is hard to leave behind. This evening is spent on the shores of Lake Te Anau in Fiordland where we get to see a movie of the Fiordland area in a theatre built specifically to show this movie filmed by a local chopper pilot who has been flying the area since the early deer culling days. We finish the trip with prizegiving in a local restaurant, a chance to enjoy new found friends and reflect back on an amazing 7 days.
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MYSTERY WEEKEND $1500 per person
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Friday - You arrive in Christchurch to be picked up by limousine , introduced to your guide for the weekend and delivered to the Motel, this nights accom. and meal included in trip fee.
Saturday - Vehicle delivered to Motel, head to private High Country Station in the Southern Alps, explore the station and amazing alpine scenery, stay on the Station that evening and experience some High Country hospitality. All meals ( continental b/fast, lunch, dinner) and accom. included in trip fee.
Sunday - head to another private high country station stopping at the beautiful Rakaia Gorge on the way to go Jet boating on the mighty Rakaia River. Lunch on the High Country Station beside the river then spend the afternoon trekking alongside Lake Stream to the Maori Lakes and on to the incomparable Lake Heron, and returning to Christchurch for a well-earned meal and relax with a complimentay bottle of wine. All meals ( continental breakfast) and accom. and complimentary wine included in trip fee.
Monday - Continental Breakfast at the motel or nearby, limousine will meet you at the motel after breakfast and take you to the airport, breakfast today is included in the trip fee.
Total cost NZ$1500.00 per head including vehicle hire, accom. meals, jet boat , station fees, guide, client to pay for fuel used.
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Vehicle Hire Rates
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Toyota Land cruiser Prado full time 4WD with high and low ratio, 3.0 litre turbo charged intercooled diesel, long wheel base vehicles are available for hire should you not have your own vehicle.
5-10 days $134 per day (3 day minimum hire)
11-20 days $128 per day including basic recovery and fire prevention kits
Please contact us to organise a trip to suit you today.
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