Golden Bay & Marlborough

Christchurch / Hanmer Springs

This morning, you will be picked up from your nominated address, then head off to join the rest of your group for an easy coach journey to Hanmer Springs. Departing Christchurch in the early afternoon, we travel north past Leithfield and Amberley. Waipara is known for it’s vineyards and olive groves. The highway continues through farm land and gentle hill country, crossing the Hurunui River and passing through Balmoral Forest. The last part of the journey follows the Waiau River, stopping at the Hanmer Springs Bridge for a view of the river with its majestic cliff faces. Arriving in Hanmer Springs, a destination known for relaxation, we check-in and take some time to relax. This evening, enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant with your new companions.

Stay: Hanmer Springs Hotel

Hanmer Springs – Maruia Falls – Golden Bay

Today, we enjoy breakfast in the hotel before we set off for our scenic journey to Golden Bay. Our road follows various rivers along the way, including the Maruia River – where we make a stop at the beautiful Maruia Falls. The Lewis Pass takes us through Beech forest, and after Springs Junction, we’ll travel along a beautiful section of road that leads you through the enchanting Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, which has New Zealand’s largest natural population of Kakariki. Heading into the Abel Tasman region, we will turn towards Highway 60. Experiencing the long, slow climb over Takaka Hill (The ‘Marble Mountain’). The fabulous view of Golden Bay will keep you entertained. Arriving at our accommodation for the next 2 nights, we’ll check in and head out to dinner.

Stay: Mohua Motel Golden Bay

Farewell Spit & Cape Farewell Eco Tour

After breakfast, we head north to the famous Farewell Spit. We move from our tour coach to our special offroad vehicles for a full day exploration of the dunes, the lighthouse and the northernmost point of the South Island, Cape Farewell. Farewell Spit Nature reserve is a bird sanctuary and wetland of international importance, being more strictly protected than a national park. The Spit is around 35km long, and only the first 4km has public access. Cape Farewell boasts dramatic cliff-top views, and seals and their pups can be seen all year basking on the rocks below. The spectacular coastal cliffs have an unusual geologic formation, with strata-lines of the layers which would normally be horizontal instead vertical.  We are guided by a local expert who will enable us access to visit this special place and Cape Farewell. We head to Fossil Point, at the foot of the Spit, a popular hauling out place for fur seals. The area is aptly named as fossilised shells and wormcasts emerge from blocks of mudstone at the base of the cliffs and sea life abounds in rock pools nearby. Further along the ocean beach we stop at the Lighthouse reserve, where we enjoy a 45 minute stop to view the lighthouse and pouwhenua, and discover the connection between the local Iwi and Onetahua (Farewell Spit). At the end of the day, we will return to the hotel to freshen up, before departing for dinner at a restaurant. 

Stay: Mohua Motel Golden Bay

Golden Bay – Abel Tasman Wildlife Cruise – Nelson

After breakfast we’ll set off for Te Waikoropupu Springs. A short loop walk goes through the forest to a platform that sits partly over the water of Te Waikoropupū Springs. Discharging 14,000 litres of water per second, the springs are New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs and the largest coldwater springs in the southern hemisphere. They contain some of the clearest water ever measured. Arriving in Kaiteriteri and the Abel Tasman National Park, we depart from picturesque Kaiteriteri Beach on a scenic cruise right into the bays, islands and beaches of the majestic Abel Tasman National Park. You’ll get a chance to see and photograph the world-famous Split Apple Rock from close up, see native Fur Seals (Kekeno) in their natural habitat, marvel at the golden sands and the turquoise waters of the Astrolabe Roadstead, Anchorage, Bark Bay and Medlands beach all before you return to Kaiteriteri. At the conclusion of our cruise, we rejoin our tour coach and make our way to Nelson. We visit a local art gallery before arriving at our hotel, where we check in for the evening.

Stay: Trailways Hotel Nelson

Marlborough, Winery Visit & Tasting, Blenheim

After breakfast, we will explore Nelson at leisure for the morning, then head through to the Marlborough region. The drive to Blenheim is both beautiful and interesting, coastal views giving way to lush forests and vineyards. We’ll visit a local winery, and learn how Marlborough became New Zealand’s largest and most famous wine region. We’ll check into our hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner on site. 

Stay: Chateau Marlborough Hotel or Scenic Hotel Marlborough

Blenheim – Omaka Aviation Museum Visit & Tour

This morning after breakfast, we’ll head off to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre for a guided in-depth tour. Omaka presents two outstanding exhibitions. The original Knights of the Sky exhibition, featuring Sir Peter Jackson’s own collection of WW1 aircraft and artifacts. This story of aviation in the Great War is brought to life in sensational sets created by the internationally acclaimed WingNut Films and Weta Workshop.  The second exhibition ‘Dangerous Skies’, featuring stories from World War II, these are tales of daring, valour and tragedy stretching from the British Isles to the forests of Germany, an embattled but courageous Russia and the Pacific Islands. 

Stay: Chateau Marlborough Hotel or Scenic Hotel Marlborough

Blenheim – Kaikoura - Christchurch

After breakfast we depart for Christchurch. Travelling along the SH1 Coastal Road which offers panoramic views of the coastline. We make a stop in Kaikoura, famous for the Kaikooura Whale Watch and a popular spot to try locally sourced crayfish. Then departing Kaikoura, we continue on to Christchurch. On arrival in Christchurch you are met and transferred to your home address or homeward flight.