Travelpack

South Island: Glaciers, Fiords and Beaches

Highlights: Christchurch - Mt Cook - Fiordland National Park - Te Anau - Queenstown - Wanaka - Franz Josef - Punakaiki - Abel Tasman National Park -  Kaikoura 

Price per person based on 2 adults:

Manchester £2099
Birmingham £2099
Bristol £2199
Norwich £2249
Newcastle £2149
Edinburgh £2149
Glasgow £2149

Your journey takes you to the foot of Mount Cook and the Southern Alps. You’ll visit magnificent Fiordland a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then head up towards the famous Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, unique for their low altitude of 300 metres. Continue on to the west coast and tropical rainforests to reach the Abel Tasman National Park recognised as one of the most beautiful parks in New Zealand. Finally, end your journey in Kaikoura where you will be amazed at the sight of whales and other marine wildlife.

Itinerary:
Stage 1: Christchurch
Pick up your campervan and hit the road to the city centre. Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island and is slowly being rebuilt after a strong earthquake in 2012. Despite this, visitors are always welcome and we encourage you to stay at least one night to visit surrounding areas such as Sumner (a family resort) and the small village of Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula, both of these can be done in one day.

Camping:
All Seasons Holiday Park: powered sites, $38 per night
To Do: Visit the beaches of Sumner Bay, explore the Banks Peninsula, in Christchurch visit the Antarctica Centre and the art galleries.

Stage 2: Christchurch - Mt Cook
Today you’ll head in the direction of Mt Cook. Don’t forget to stop at Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Shepherd to admire the colours of the lake and enjoy the peace and quiet of the place.

The village of Mt Cook is located at the foot of the highest mountain in the country, Mt Cook (3754 meters).

This is an excellent base for exploring the National Park, Tasman Glacier and the Southern Alps in general. It's an amazing place that offers magnificent views. After the turn-off to reach the alpine village, you follow the turquoise Lake Pukaki with a backdrop view of the mountains. This area is also a paradise for fishermen, it is world renowned for trout fishing and salmon, it would be a rare day where you came home empty-handed!

Camping:
Glentanner Park Centre: powered site, $44 per night
To Do: Discover the Sir Edmund Hillary Museum, view the Tasman glacier by boat, stroll around the beautiful Tekapo and Pukaki lakes, take a scenic flight over this beautiful region.

Stage 3 : Mt Cook - Te Anau /Fiordland
Te Anau is a 4-5 hour drive from Mt Cook and on the doorstep of Fiordland National Park, the largest park, and certainly the most impressive, in New Zealand. Recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This region is monumental with huge peaks (Mitre Peak is 1,652 metres) plunging directly into the sea, breathtaking waterfalls and rain measured in metres rather than centimetres. Don’t forget your camera!

Camping:
Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park: powered site, $40 per night
To Do: Cruising Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound, visit glow worm caves, see the film about the Fiordland region in Te Anau.

Stage 4: Te Anau - Queenstown
At the foot of the mountains and nestled beside Lake Wakatipu is Queenstown, recognised as New Zealand’s adventure capital for extreme sports. In addition to adrenaline rush activities such as bungy jumping, rafting, parachute, jet boating ... it's a beautiful town with many scenic vantage points. This is a paradise for walkers, golfers, fishermen and lovers of nature.

Camping:
Queenstown Top10 Holiday Park, Creeksyde: powered site, $50 per night

To Do: Go on a horseback ride, explore the backcountry with a nature safari, bungy jump, cruise and Kiwi BBQ on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, rafting, enjoy the many golf courses in the area, scenic flight over the Southern Alps.

Stage 5: Queenstown - Wanaka
The quiet, charming village of Wanaka is located at the foot of the Alps on the edge of a lake of the same name. This is a great base for many hiking trails which are located nearby or you can simply relax by the lake. Wanaka in winter becomes a vibrant ski resort with slopes less than 30min drive away.

Camping:
Wanaka Lake View Holiday Park: powered site, $36 per night

To Do: Go on a horseback ride, explore the backcountry with a nature safari, bungy jump, cruise and Kiwi BBQ on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, rafting, enjoy the many golf courses in the area, scenic flight over the Southern Alps.

Stage 6: Wanaka - Franz Josef
Continue along the West Coast, you’ll notice the scenery becoming increasingly rough, wild and often very wet. Finally, you’ll reach New Zealand’s famous glaciers: Fox and Franz Josef.

These are virtually on the seafront and less than 300 metres above sea level, they are the highlights of the region. Don’t hesitate to ask us about a scenic flight to appreciate the true value of their pristine vastness or a glacier hike.

Camping:
Franz Josef Top 10 Holiday Park: powered site, $42 per night

To Do: Scenic flight of the glaciers by helicopter, go on a Heli-Hike adventure, relax at the spa on the edge of the glacier, discover the many hikes in this area.

Stage 7: Franz Josef - Punakaiki
Leave the ice behind and head further north along the west coast. Here you’ll discover a rugged landscape with dense subtropical vegetation, wild beaches and an unleashed sea, as well as a very small population. This is New Zealand at its purest! Along this coast, Punakaiki attracts travellers for its natural sculptures, the famous "Pancake Rocks" formed by the erosion from the sea, rain and rivers.

Camping:
Punakaiki Beach Camp: powered site, $31 per night

To Do: Visit the Pancake Rocks, walks in the subtropical forest, canoe on the Pororari River.

Stage 8: Punakaiki - Abel Tasman National Park
You continue on to the Abel Tasman National Park. Abel Tasman National Park considered one of the most beautiful parks in New Zealand. Enjoy the contrast of the colours of the tropical rainforest, white sandy beaches and turquoise waters of the Tasman Sea. Hiking, kayaking, boating and relaxing on the beach, are just some activities you can do during your stay.

Camping:
Motueka Top 10 Holiday Park: powered site, $45 per night
To Do: Swim with sea lions, explore the park on foot, go on an eco-Safari on Farewell Spit and explore the National Park by kayak or catamaran.

Stage 9: Abel Tasman National Park - Kaikoura
Head from the West Coast to the East Coast via Picton and Blenheim, known for its array of vineyards and world-class wines. You continue south to Kaikoura, one of the most beautiful regions of the country. Snowy capped mountains overlook the ocean and its beautiful rugged coastline has seals and sea lions basking in the sun.

The waters of the ocean here support a unique ecosystem where whales, dolphins, seals and albatross feed. Speaking of food be sure to stop at one of the caravans along the road to Kaikoura and enjoy freshly cooked lobster the Kiwi way.

Camping:
Kaikoura Alpine-Pacific Holiday Park : powered site, $40 per night

A Faire : Nager avec les dauphins Hector ou les otaries ou encore voir les baleines de plus près. Faites la randonnée du Kaikoura Coast Track et ne manquer pas de prendre une langouste dans les petites caravanes du village, un vrai régal.

Stage 10: Kaikoura - Christchurch
You return to Christchurch and drop off your campervan. Catch your plane back home with pictures and happy memories to remind you of your time in New Zealand.

Camping:
All Seasons Holiday Park: powered site, $38 per night

Prices are subject to change and availability
Please send in your enquiries to holidays@travelpack.com

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