South Island - Top of the South (10 nights)
Nelson (2) - Blenheim (1) - Awatere Valley (1) - Hamner Springs (1) - Lake Rotiti (1) - Blenheim (1) Kaikoura (1) - Christchurch (2)
Nelson (2) - Blenheim (1) - Awatere Valley (1) - Hamner Springs (1) - Lake Rotiti (1) - Blenheim (1) Kaikoura (1) - Christchurch (2)
NELSON :
Nelson city sits at the top of the South Island of New Zealand, facing Tasman Bay. It's known for its local arts and crafts stores and art galleries.
Nelson is the gateway to one of New Zealand's jewels - the Able Tasman National Park. The most noticeable features of this park are the golden sandy beaches, pristine forests and glorious native bird song.
About Nelson
Recommended Sightseeing: Able Tasman National Park Guided Walk | Wearable Arts & Classic Car
Museum | Saturday Farmers Market | Arts & Craft Tour | Helicopter Sightseeing | Able Tasman Guided
Kayak Tour | Pupu Springs
Recommended Accommodation 5* Luxury Lodge - Eden House
Recommended Accommodation 5* Boutique - Split Apple Rock Lodge | Bronte Country Estate
Nelson city sits at the top of the South Island of New Zealand, facing Tasman Bay. It's known for its local arts and crafts stores and art galleries.
Nelson is the gateway to one of New Zealand's jewels - the Able Tasman National Park. The most noticeable features of this park are the golden sandy beaches, pristine forests and glorious native bird song.
About Nelson
- Nelson has consistently sunny weather and so no matter what time of the year you visit you'll more than likely be greeted by blue skies
- Nelson is a magnet for artists from around the world from potters, jewelers, painters, glass blowers and more besides, so there is always something new and exciting to see in the local shops and galleries
- WOW - Wearable Arts Musuem which showcases many years of entrants into this annual fashion show, famed for it's high level of creativity of turning something everyday into a show stopping piece of wearable art. The museum also houses a huge collection of classic cars, so there's something for everyone at this museum
- The Able Tasman National Park - golden sand beaches, remote bays with hardly anyone on them, kayaking tours and guided bush walks are all here for your enjoyment
Recommended Sightseeing: Able Tasman National Park Guided Walk | Wearable Arts & Classic Car
Museum | Saturday Farmers Market | Arts & Craft Tour | Helicopter Sightseeing | Able Tasman Guided
Kayak Tour | Pupu Springs
Recommended Accommodation 5* Luxury Lodge - Eden House
Recommended Accommodation 5* Boutique - Split Apple Rock Lodge | Bronte Country Estate
BLENHEIM:
Over the years, Blenheim offered a safe harbour to explorers such as Captain Cook and Dumont d'Urville. Nowadays travellers from New Zealand and the rest of the world visit Blenheim to enjoy its wine industry, gourmet foods, Marlborough Sounds and activities such as golf, fishing and water sports.
About Blenheim
Distance from Nelson to Blenheim - 115 kms / (1 hr 30)
Recommended Sightseeing: Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre | Vintage Plane Flight | Private Wine Tour
Recommended Accommodation *5 Boutique - The Marlborough | French Fields
Recommended Accommodation Superior 4* Hotel - Hotel d'Urville
Over the years, Blenheim offered a safe harbour to explorers such as Captain Cook and Dumont d'Urville. Nowadays travellers from New Zealand and the rest of the world visit Blenheim to enjoy its wine industry, gourmet foods, Marlborough Sounds and activities such as golf, fishing and water sports.
About Blenheim
- Notably New Zealand's top Savignon Blanc producing areas thanks to high sunshine hours and cool crisp blue sky days in the winter. There are many wineries in this area both large and small to visit and taste test
- Omaka is just out of town and home to the Omaka Aviation Centre. Thanks to Peter Jackson's love of war memorabilia and vintage planes, this museum is a must do while in the area. Lifelike models from Weta Workshop bring the displays to life making it a most incredible place to visit over and over again
- The gateway to the Marlborough Sounds is at Picton, from where you can take a half day cruise. The Mail Run cruise is a favourite as you stop by remote farms dropping essential supplies and maybe picking up the odd piece of livestock along the way!
Distance from Nelson to Blenheim - 115 kms / (1 hr 30)
Recommended Sightseeing: Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre | Vintage Plane Flight | Private Wine Tour
Recommended Accommodation *5 Boutique - The Marlborough | French Fields
Recommended Accommodation Superior 4* Hotel - Hotel d'Urville
AWATERE VALLEY:
Today is the beginning of your tour within a tour, as your local high country station guide meet you and you'll set off for a fascinating look at a more remote and off the beaten track part of the country side. You'll not need your car for these few days but it will be safely stowed while you are away.
The Four Day Heritage Tour will let you discover the east coast of Marlborough, meet local farmers and visit their homes as well as touring Molesworth and St James Stations in the beautiful Marlborough high country.
Tour Highlights?
Departing from Blenheim at 8am, explore the coastal route of the Wairau Lagoons with its interesting history. Visit an olive grove and private home for morning tea and enjoy a meal in the home of a third generation farming family. Experience wine tasting at Peter Yealands sustainable winery before arriving at our Historic Country House for your overnight stay.
Accommodation tonight:
Ugbrooke Country Estate
Today is the beginning of your tour within a tour, as your local high country station guide meet you and you'll set off for a fascinating look at a more remote and off the beaten track part of the country side. You'll not need your car for these few days but it will be safely stowed while you are away.
The Four Day Heritage Tour will let you discover the east coast of Marlborough, meet local farmers and visit their homes as well as touring Molesworth and St James Stations in the beautiful Marlborough high country.
Tour Highlights?
- You'll enjoy four days of relaxing in rural Marlborough and the wonderfully unspoilt high country regions
- Experience the beauty of towering moutains, meandering rivers and native beech forests
- Your guide will give you a great insight into the region bringing the whole experience to life for you
- Experience old fashioned high country farm hospitality along the way
Departing from Blenheim at 8am, explore the coastal route of the Wairau Lagoons with its interesting history. Visit an olive grove and private home for morning tea and enjoy a meal in the home of a third generation farming family. Experience wine tasting at Peter Yealands sustainable winery before arriving at our Historic Country House for your overnight stay.
Accommodation tonight:
Ugbrooke Country Estate
HANMER SPRINGS:
Departing after a relaxing night in the country, travel up the Awatere Valley following the river terraces into the high country visit a station for morning tea with the family before reaching Molesworth Station to enjoy lunch beside the original cob cottage, visit the old Acheron accommodation house, before arriving at Hanmer Springs by 5.30pm time for a swim and dinner.
Accommodation tonight to be advised
Departing after a relaxing night in the country, travel up the Awatere Valley following the river terraces into the high country visit a station for morning tea with the family before reaching Molesworth Station to enjoy lunch beside the original cob cottage, visit the old Acheron accommodation house, before arriving at Hanmer Springs by 5.30pm time for a swim and dinner.
Accommodation tonight to be advised
LAKE ROTOITI:
Departing from Hanmer by 9am travel into the back country stopping at Lake Tennyson to view the alpine plants. Tour highlights include Island Saddle, Tarndale and St James Station, with a picnic lunch with amazing scenic backdrops.
Arriving at our Lodge accommodation for our overnight stay by 5.00pm.
Accommodation tonight: Alpine Lodge
Departing from Hanmer by 9am travel into the back country stopping at Lake Tennyson to view the alpine plants. Tour highlights include Island Saddle, Tarndale and St James Station, with a picnic lunch with amazing scenic backdrops.
Arriving at our Lodge accommodation for our overnight stay by 5.00pm.
Accommodation tonight: Alpine Lodge
BLENHEIM:
After breakfast visit the shores of Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa surrounded in native bush and mountains, enjoy a relaxing lunch with our local host before visiting Kawateri Junction to learn about the history of the area. Your senses will enjoy a lavender farm visit before returning to Blenheim by 6pm
.
Your return to Blenheim today concludes your High Country Heritage tour portion of your itinerary. Time to relax this evening at your accommodation and enjoy a leisurely evening meal with some locally produced wine of course!
Recommended Accommodation *5 Boutique - The Marlborough | French Fields
Recommended Accommodation Superior 4* Hotel - Hotel d'Urville
After breakfast visit the shores of Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa surrounded in native bush and mountains, enjoy a relaxing lunch with our local host before visiting Kawateri Junction to learn about the history of the area. Your senses will enjoy a lavender farm visit before returning to Blenheim by 6pm
.
Your return to Blenheim today concludes your High Country Heritage tour portion of your itinerary. Time to relax this evening at your accommodation and enjoy a leisurely evening meal with some locally produced wine of course!
Recommended Accommodation *5 Boutique - The Marlborough | French Fields
Recommended Accommodation Superior 4* Hotel - Hotel d'Urville
- KAIKOURA:
Today you'll say good bye to the Marlborough Region as you make your way south along the coast line towards the township of Kaikoura. Kaikoura's environment is truly spectacular – the village is caught between the rugged Seaward Kaikoura Range and the Pacific Ocean. In winter the mountains are covered with snow, adding to the drama of the landscape.
About Kaikoura
- Kaikoura is the hub of this regions marine life experiences from whale watching and swimming with dolphins and seals
- Eat the freshest seafood of your life along the roadside stalls. Locally caught crayfish are a meal to remember. In the Maori language, Kaikoura translates to 'kai' (food) 'koura' (crayfish).
Distance from Blenheim to Kaikoura - 450 kms / (6 hrs) ** extended journey time due to road closure post earth quake Nov 17. More direct route due to re open by early 2018. Updates to be advised
Recommended Sightseeing: Whale Watch Cruise | Swim with the Fur Seals | Helicopter Sight Seeing |
Kayak Tour
Recommended Accommodation Superior 4* Hapuka Lodge
CHRISTCHURCH:
Described by Lonely Planet as a "vibrant city in transition, coping resiliently and creatively,” Christchurch's energy is evident wherever you go. The city has bounced back after the Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 with innovative new attractions, as well as some old favourites.Visit the Re Start container mall, the transitional Cardboard Cathedral, and some of the many pop up restaurants and bars. Contemporary art galleries, boutique shops and open-air markets add to Christchurch’s creative vibe.
About Christchurch
Distance from Kaikoura to Christchurch - 203kms / (3 hrs)
Recommended Sightseeing: Botanic Gardens | Punting on the Avon River | Tram Car City Tour &Restaurant |
French Akaroa Day Tour | 4WD High Country Tour | Guided City Bike Tour
Recommended Accommodation 5* Luxury Lodge - Otahuna Lodge | Annadale Lodges
Recommended Accommodation 5* Hotels - The George | Heritage Hotel
Described by Lonely Planet as a "vibrant city in transition, coping resiliently and creatively,” Christchurch's energy is evident wherever you go. The city has bounced back after the Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 with innovative new attractions, as well as some old favourites.Visit the Re Start container mall, the transitional Cardboard Cathedral, and some of the many pop up restaurants and bars. Contemporary art galleries, boutique shops and open-air markets add to Christchurch’s creative vibe.
About Christchurch
- Traditionally known as the Garden City, Christchurch’s award winning Botanic Gardens are over 150 years old and boast an enviable collection of exotic and native plants.
- The Avon River flows through the city centre so why not take an Edwardian punt ride while you're there
- Vintage trams make their way around the city making it an great way to see the city sights. The tram car restaurant is also a popular way to enjoy a meal onboard the lovingly restored carriages
- The city is nice and flat making a leisurely bike ride a great option in the summer months. Biking through the Botanic Gardens and stopping off for an ice cream is the perfect way to spend an afternoon
- Banks Peninsula offers sightseeing day trips out to the French township of Akaroa with many interesting stops along the way
Distance from Kaikoura to Christchurch - 203kms / (3 hrs)
Recommended Sightseeing: Botanic Gardens | Punting on the Avon River | Tram Car City Tour &Restaurant |
French Akaroa Day Tour | 4WD High Country Tour | Guided City Bike Tour
Recommended Accommodation 5* Luxury Lodge - Otahuna Lodge | Annadale Lodges
Recommended Accommodation 5* Hotels - The George | Heritage Hotel