On arrival in Picton, we transfer to our comfortable hotel. Picton is a small place, situated around a picturesque harbour and you can easily explore the town on foot. We have arranged a pre-trek briefing with local walking guides who will provide us with an insight to the walk and what we can expect on the track. Day 2 - Wednesday, March 11 Our trip begins with a short boat transfer across the Sound to be dropped off at Ship Cove where we commence walking on the Queen Charlotte Track. Ship Cove is one of the most historic areas in the Marlborough Sounds. Captain James Cook was known to have moored HMS Endeavour here and used local timbers to make repairs to the ship. The area is surrounded by lush local forest and the walk to the top of the ridge provides spectacular views. As we make our way down into Endeavour Inlet, we spy Furneaux Lodge, our first night's accommodation. Dinner can be taken in the restaurant and there is a fine selection of local wines on offer - just the ticket after stretching our legs on day one of the track. Approximate walking time today is 5 hours. (B,L)
After a leisurely breakfast at Furneaux Lodge we take a walk up to the waterfall and see the magnificent stands of old growth forest. We rejoin the track as it winds its way around the coastline to the other side of Endeavour Inlet. Prolific birdsong dominates the day today and we walk through several areas of regenerating bushland mixed with virgin forest. Walking time is approximately 4 hours today. This evening we stay at Punga Cove Resort in twin share chalets.
Today we walk from Punga Cove to the Portage Resort Hotel along the ridge between Keneperu and Queen Charlotte Sound. Spectacular views dominated the day and we negotiate the very undulating ridge between the two sounds. This section is considered the most difficult on the track and walkers do need to have a good level of fitness to enjoy this day. There is the option to take water transport from Punga Cove to the Portage Resort Hotel for those who require a rest! Approximate walking time is 7.5 hours. Upon your arrival at the Portage Resort Hotel, we can rest and relax in the spa and enjoy the view overlooking the Keneperu Sound. We will be staying in twin share suites. (B,L)
Today you can sleep in, rest, relax and enjoy the leisure activities around Portage Resort Hotel. If you feel like a little more activity you may like to go fishing, play golf on the local rural golf course (a unique experience!), or go sea kayaking for the day with a local guide. (B)
Our final day on the Queen Charlotte Track. Today you will ascend to a ridgeline track which provides superb views of the Sounds as we walk along. After Mistletoe Bay, the track sidles along the hill and drops down into Davies Bay before the last half hour through mature beech forest ending at Anakiwa. Here we are met by our water taxi and we return to Picton. Approximate walking time is 6-7 hours. No doubt we will enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants and celebrate the completion of our walk on the Queen Charlotte Track. (B,L)
This morning we pick up our vehicle and drive to the rugged west coast of the South Island. The scenery changes as we head south-west down Highway Route 65, adjacent to the Wairau River. We stop along the way at St Arnaud for a coffee break. This is a quaint sub-alpine village and the gateway to the Nelson Lakes National Park. Our journey continues on to the west coast. We spend the night at Punakaiki and visit the famous Pancake Rocks. (B).
We drive to Fox Glacier via Hokitika and take a half day walk in the Fox area. (B) Day 9 - Wednesday, March 18 Full day walk at Fox Glacier (B) Day 10 - Thursday, March 19 This morning we retrace our steps for a while and take a leisurely drive to Greymouth . Around 1 pm, we make our way to the Greymouth train station and board the TranzAlpine. The trip from Greymouth over the Southern Alps to Christchurch has justifiably been called one of the greatest train journeys in the world. It tracks its way though a sequence of spectacular landscapes. Heading east we pass through the Otira, Taramakau and Grey River valleys. At one point, we enter an 8km long tunnel through the mountains before emerging near Arthur's Pass. From the snow capped peaks we descend through valleys of forested beech, offering jaw dropping views of the Waimakariri and Bealey Valleys. Descending further still, via a series of viaducts, we emerge on the flat, alluvial Canterbury Plains and head east for Christchurch. Arriving in the early evening we transfer to our centrally located hotel in this charming city, the biggest on New Zealand's South Island. It's the final night of our tour program and there are many fine restaurants to consider for a farewell evening meal. Overnight Christchurch. (B)
Our fabulous tour of New Zealand ends this morning after breakfast. Dave can assist you with organising a transfer via inexpensive local taxi to Christchurch International Airport - a short distance from the city centre. If you would like to extend your stay in New Zealand, do so by all means. Perhaps head further south to Fiordland, Dunedin or rugged Stewart Island. If you've not scratched your 'walking itch' on the Queen Charlotte Track, perhaps the Milford, Hollyford or Routeburn Tracks beckon. Active Traqvel can help you with all of this. Trip Price and Inclusions: Program commences in Wellington, New Zealand on Tuesday March 10. The Trip Price (see below) includes: - All accommodation on a twin-share basis in 3 to 4 star properties.
A short walk in New Zealand Best Travels, 82 Bellevue Street, CAMMERAY, NSW
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