Queen Charlotte And Abel Tasman Hike

Christchurch to Picton

We will collect you from a central city location in Christchurch around 08:00am before we drive north to Kaikoura taking approx 2.5hours. The drive is scenic and we time our arrival for lunch and then walk the Kaikoura peninsula walkway. This will take approximately 1.5 -2 hours before we continue the drive to reach Picton, a further 2 hours away and a final short walk to stretch our legs. Drive to Picton (2 hours) and do short bush walk.Walk time: 1.5 - 2 hours

Picton - Queen Charlotte track - Picton

The nearby Queen Charlotte track is a spectacular ridge top walk above the Sound. We access this via return water taxi and a short climb to the track, from where we spend the rest of the day weaving down through native bush with glimpses into the many bays below. From Te Mahia saddle on the Queen Charlotte track we gradually descend on the walkway to Anakiwa for our return journey to Picton by water taxi. Overnight again at Picton.Walking time: 4 - 6.5 hours

Picton to Eco Lodge

Our next two day trek starts out of a secluded bay and involves firstly a scenic drive around the head of the sound and then a backcountry road, to arrive at the start of the track. The old logging trail was cut through the native bush and offers a beautiful benched trail that weaves through regenerating native and exotic forests, steadily rising to a saddle where we break for a picnic lunch. From here we gradually descend into the next Bay and overnight stay at our Lodge. The rest of the afternoon provides a great opportunity to relax on the couches on the porch or to explore the walking tracks and native bush.Walking time: 3 - 4 hours

Eco Lodge to Motueka

After a hearty breakfast, we pack and depart our beautiful accommodation, and follow the trail that weaves through virgin bush and beachfront. The trail then steadily climbs to a low saddle, and eventually descending to the neighbouring bay and around the shoreline to our waiting coach. Time dependant, we can explore and swim before our mid afternoon departure out to Nelson and onto Motueka and our accommodation for the next two nights.Walking time: 4 - 4.5 hours

Motueka - Abel Tasman track - Motueka

Today we drive down to the start of the Abel Tasman track and have a half day hike into Torrent Bay on the famous Abel Tasman walkway. The track is well formed and drops into several sheltered bays and beaches. At midday we have lunch overlooking Torrent Bay and then meet our return yacht for an exciting sail around the heads and back to our coach and then our accommodation.Walking time: 3 - 4 hours

Motueka to St Arnaud

Leaving Moteuka we have a short 1 hour drive inland into the Nelson Lake National Park and at St Arnaud we have a choice of a shorter 2 hour loop in the Lake Rotoiti Nature Recovery area or a 5 hr circuit to the upper slopes of Mt Roberts. This track climbs steeply to the bushline and the summit of the ridgeline with awesome views over the lake & St Arnaud range, before returning via a loop track back to the coach and our accommodation. The bush is stunning and Lake Rotoiti a magic location.Walking options: 2 hours or 5 hours

St Arnaud to Christchurch

Intensive pest eradication has meant native bird numbers are increasing in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Early risers this morning will have the chance to take a short bush walk and experience the morning songs of the forest or “dawn chorus.” We then drive via the spectacular Buller Gorge and Lewis Pass to Hanmer, where we detour to Jacks Pass and hike via the subalpine scrub and open grassland to the summit of Mt Isobel (1324 metres) for panoramic views of the Hanmer Basin and beyond. Late afternoon we return to Christchurch and drop you off in central Christchurch around 6-7pm.Walking time: 3 hours