Green Outdoors

Day 1 - Oamaru, North Otago

Stay

Pen-y-bryn Lodge

Starting in either Christchurch or Dunedin, head to the historic town of Oamaru with its distinctive white stone buildings. A gourmet centre with excellent restaurants, farmers market and the home or Whitestone Cheeses.

Pen-y-bryn is a fine historic mansion with many original pieces of furniture and a grand dining room in which to enjoy James' excellent cuisine.

Day 2 - Oamaru, North Otago

Do

Vertical Ventures | Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail & Heli-Bike

Stay

Pen-y-bryn Lodge

The Alps to Ocean bike ride is part of New Zealand's new bike trail. Fully supported and guided adventures or rent the bikes and all the equipment you need to go exploring independently. Cruise the beaches at Kakanui or head down Dansey’s pass, its all out there to be done.

Day 3 - Dunedin, Otago

Stay

Fletcher Lodge

A relaxed day today gives you time to explore the Otago Peninsula with its penguin and albatross colonies or to stop for lunch at Fleurs seafood restaurant by the Moeraki Boulders.

Fletcher Lodge is easy walking distance to the Octagan and the restaurants in Dunedin. Another beautiful historic house you will feel in touch with New Zealand's heritage.

Day 4 - Dunedin, Otago

Do

Dunedin Railways | Taieri Gorge & Seasider Trains

Stay

Fletcher Lodge

Take a historic train journey along the Taiere Gorge and learn about early settler history in this rugged terrain.

Day 5 - Te Anau, Fiordland

Stay

Dock Bay Lodge

The drive across Central Otago takes you through the wine and fruit growing areas via Alexandra, the Kawarau Gorge and Queenstown for lunch. Te Anau is two hours further south and your accommodation has magnificent mountains views across Lake Te Anau and the golf course.

Day 6 - Te Anau, Fiordland

Do

Trips & Tramps | Milford Cruise, Walk & Coach

Stay

Dock Bay Lodge

Experience Milford Sound and the majesty of this steep-sided valley with a morning guided walk and an afternoon cruise.

Day 7 - Fiordland

Stay

Hollyford Track | Hollyford Track Guided Walk

Have a sumptuous breakfast, and leave spare luggage at the lodge for collection at the end of the hike. Your expedition leaves at 9am. On the Hollyford Track you’ll re-trace footsteps of Maori and pioneer explorers, as the track follows the Hollyford River through the Fiordland Alps. The route undulates through native beech forest and beside impressive waterfalls. At the end of your first day you’ll be welcomed at Pyke Lodge by your lodge hosts, enjoy hot showers, 3 course cuisine and the opportunity to relax with a post dinner drink and savour the majesty of Mt Madeline.

Day 8 - Fiordland

Stay

Hollyford Track | Hollyford Track Guided Walk

After a tasty breakfast you head off through the mystical forest to reach Lake Alabaster. A short walk later board a jet boat for a captivating scenic ride along the Hollyford River and down Lake McKerrow. You may encounter a family of Bottlenose Dolphins who are regular visitors to the lower river and lake. You’ll stop to discover the history of ill-fated Jamestown before walking among ancient forest giants such as native Rimu, Totara and Kahikatea, some up to 1000 years old. The towering lowland podocarp forest transforms into a tenacious coastal garden. Thunderous surf on the rugged West Coast is a prelude to a bay of boulders where the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin is a seasonal visitor. A little farther on, Long Reef plays host to a colony of native New Zealand Fur Seals where you’ll marvel at their nimble skills in the crashing surf and relax as they laze on the rocks. Martin’s Bay Lodge welcomes you at the end of the track.

Day 9 - Te Anau, Fiordland

Stay

Dock Bay Lodge

After another hearty breakfast you’ll explore Martin’s Bay Spit, a famous landmark separating the powerful Tasman Sea from the Hollyford Valley, and a coastal landscape that is a world away from the previous days. View historical sites of Maori occupation of the area where chief Tutoko and his people guarded entry into the Hollyford Valley, controlling access into and out of highly valued pounamu (greenstone) gathering areas. Your guide will also highlight the plant and wildlife of this unique environment helping you to discover the diversity of this truly remote area. You will also have the opportunity to explore in your own time the isolated beach and sand dunes or to just wander at your own pace with the Tasman Sea as your companion and reflect upon this intrepid journey.

Returning to Martins Bay Lodge for lunch, your lodge hosts bid you farewell as you board your aircraft for a scenic flight along the rugged coast and into the truly spectacular Milford Sound where you’ll marvel at the grandeur of vertical granite walls rising from the sea. Once in Milford you’ll be met by your return shuttle host and travel the impressive Milford Road up through the famous Homer Tunnel cutting through a divide of sheer granite rock, and stopping at the source of the Hollyford Valley and River before embarking on your journey back to Te Anau.

Day 10 - Oban, Stewart Island

Do

Stewart Island Flights | Stewart Island Flights

Stay

Sails Ashore Lodge & Ulva Island Trip

Two hours drive south and you reach Invercargill and your short flight over to Stewart Island. Stewart Island Air not only fly from the mainland, they also operate flights within Stewart Island and Masons Bay is one of the only places you can have a daytime kiwi encounter.

Day 11 - Oban, Stewart Island

Stay

Sails Ashore Lodge & Ulva Island Trip

Join your hosts for a guided walk and water taxi ride to see some of Stewart Island's beautiful remote countryside and birds on Ulva Island.

Day 12 - Journey's End

On arriving back at Invercargill Airport you can connect to the domestic flight network.