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High Country & Farewell Spit
High Country and Farewell Spit
Prices From
$2,999NZD
per person twin share
Travel Dates
Depart: Thu 14 Mar 2019
Return: Wed 20 Mar 2019
Duration: 6 days
This tour allows for further exploration of Our ‘Off the Beaten Track’ gems of New Zealand. The little-known Weka train excursion and the overnight in the Nelson Lakes’ area add to our Molesworth experience.
We can only take a maximum of 15, so the Farewell Spit excursion will be exclusively ours for the day.
This, along with Pupu Springs and the catamaran cruise along the Abel Tasman coastline will add to the highlights. We invite you to join us on this Golden Bay experience.
Your travel itinerary
Thursday 14 March
Blenheim
Lunch
Dinner
Fly Auckland (or other main centres*) to Blenheim. On arrival our first stop will be a winery for lunch and tasting, before a guided tour of the Omaka Heritage Aviation Centre.
Arrive at your Blenheim accommodation with time to relax or explore the town before a Welcome Dinner.
Friday 15 March
Blenheim - Awatere – Hanmer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Travel through the remote high country, stopping at a historic station for morning tea. Continue on to the legendary Molesworth Station for lunch to soak up the atmosphere, hear tales of the past and breathe in the mountain air. Continue the impressive drive to Hanmer Springs in time to enjoy a soak in the pools before dinner
Saturday 16 March
Hanmer
Breakfast
Lunch
After a leisurely start, drive to Hawarden in North Canterbury to Flaxmere Gardens, 300m above sea level on a terraced river bed close to the Southern Alps. Wander through the gardens and enjoy a special lunch at the house.
Return to Hanmer in time for another soak in the pools, shopping or just relax
Sunday 17 March
Hanmer – Nelson Lakes
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
After breakfast travel to Waipara for a steam train ride on the Weka Pass Railway.
Continue through Lewis Pass and Murchison before arriving in St Arnaud for an overnight stay and dinner.
Monday 18 March
Lakes District – Collingwood
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Travel via the picturesque Motueka Valley to the Abel Tasman National Park and Kaiteriteri. Depart by catamaran, cruising the beautiful Abel Tasman coastline to Totoranui to meet the coach and travel to Collingwood for a two night stay.
Tuesday 19 March
Farewell Spit - Gannet Colony
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a mid-morning tour in a specially-modified vehicle to Farewell Spit. See Cape Farewell, the most northerly point of the South Island, spectacular cliff top views, the historic old lighthouse, inter-tidal plains before the two km walk to the Gannet Colony. A lighthouse picnic lunch is included.
Return to Collingwood late afternoon.
Up to 20,000 Godwits, Knots, Boobies, northern migratory birds and NZ natives inhabit the colony. Cameras and binoculars are a must.
Wednesday 20 March
Collingwood – Nelson
Breakfast
Lunch
After breakfast visit Pupu Springs, with the reputation of having the cleanest water in the world. Continue to Takaka for morning tea and enjoy optional salmon fishing at Anatoki, with the opportunity to eat the catch or have
it vacuum packed to take home. After lunch travel to Nelson in time for departing flight to Auckland or other main centres.*
Inclusions
- Sightseeing as outlined
- Meals as specified
- Coach travel in a 16 seater vehicle
- Escort subject to a minimum of 12 people travelling
- Maps and notes on Molesworth Station
Cost
| Cost Per Person * Auckland - Auckland | Twin Share | Single |
|---|---|---|
| $2,999 | $3,474 |
*This is a cash or cheque price. Credit cards will incur a 2% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment
Exclusions
- Items of a personal nature
- Optional Cancellation Insurance
- Travel to Blenheim and from Nelson
Booking Conditions
- A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person will secure a place on this trip
- Final payment to be made by 18 January 2019
Health and Fitness
To ensure the tour is enjoyable for the whole group, a good standard of fitness is required and mobility frames are not practical or permitted.
Travel Insurance
We strongly advise all participants to take out suitable travel insurance to cover cancelation costs. Please ask for a quote.
General Information
Molesworth Station
The 180,476 hectare station is the source of the Clarence, Wairau and Acheron rivers and runs the country’s biggest head of cattle, numbering up to 10,000. Conservation, farming and recreation go hand-in-hand. Molesworth has been managed by the Crown for more than 50 years, bringing together Tarndale, Molesworth and St Helens runs which had been overgrazed by sheep and rabbits and repeatedly burned. However with careful management including solely stocking with cattle, soils and vegetation have been gradually restored to good health.
Discover the outstanding natural features, a rich history and stunning and dramatic landscape.
Farewell Spit and the Gannet Colony
The Gannet Colony is located across flat sand on the spit’s end. The gannets are very inquisitive and fly low to get a view of the spectators. During the summer more than 30,000 Godwits, northern migratory birds, New Zealand natives and introduced species inhabit the colony which limits visitor numbers to 20 per day.
At Farewell Spit Lighthouse, there is time to explore the buildings and enjoy refreshments in the century-old lighthouse keeper’s residence. From here enjoy stunning views of the Tasman coastline with the opportunity to climb the sand dune at Mullet Channel for panoramic views of the inter-tidal plain.
Note: Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change
Prices From
$2,999NZD
per person twin share
Travel Dates
- Depart: Thu 14 Mar 2019
- Return: Wed 20 Mar 2019
- Duration: 6 days
