Days 6 to 9 - Franz Josef - Westcoast Accommodation and Activities in Franz Josef and the Westcoast of New Zealand - Days 6 and 7 of the Royal Tour of New Zealand and the Best of New Zealand

Days 1 & 2-3 | 3-5 | 6-9 | 10-12 | 13 | 14 & 15 | 16 & 17

Day 6 - Franz Josef
Overnight: Punga Grove Rainforest Studio
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, depart Queenstown, driving over the Haast Pass to the West Coast. The Haast Pass will take you through Mount Aspiring National Park. It is a breathtaking route with views of lakes, waterfalls and forests. Continue along the West Coast through a landscape of rivers, farmlands, forest and glaciers of staggering beauty. Your final destination is the village of Franz Josef, a glacial environment of unique icefalls, crevasses, pinnacles, ice caves, and canyons..

Day 7 - Franz Josef Glacier
Overnight: Punga Grove Superior Studios
Meals: Breakfast

Franz Josef Glacier is the focal point for the Westland National Park and the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. It is an unusually steep and heavily crevassed glacier and is the world's steepest and fastest flowing commercially guided glacier.

Full day to explore this glacier area. 
Optional activities available include:

Glacier Walking - Explore the maze of crevasses through the icefalls of the Franz Josef Glacier. Spend up to five hours exploring as your guide selects a route by cutting steps through the heavily incised and jumbled icefalls. You could find yourself squeezing through the blue ice at the bottom of a crevasse, or 'Franz Shuffling' down 60 degree ice faces.

Mountaineering - A personalized trip depending on snow conditions in the surrounding mountains. Suitable for people with a very high level of fitness and sense of adventure.

Coastal Walks - Enjoy walking along the rugged West Coast from the Waiho River mouth (Franz Josef) to the historic settlement of Okarito. Learn about the area's colorful history as you explore river, coast, bush and lagoon.

Ice Climbing - Head to the steepest parts of the glacier and learn the art of ice-climbing. Your guide will instruct you on the skills of technical ice climbing. Ideal for those people wanting to try an increasingly popular and challenging sport.

Kayaking - Combine your coastal experience with a kayak trip around the beautiful Okarito Lagoon, home to the nesting Kotuku (White Heron).

Bush Walks - Numerous local bush walks with spectacular views of the glacier from either Robert's Point or Alex Knob. Learn about the local flora and fauna as your university qualified guide explains features and history of the surrounding environment.

Day 8 - Franz Josef to Punakaiki
Overnight: Wave Watchers Retreat

Drive along the beautifully scenic rugged coast to Punakaiki, (Pancake Rocks) to Wave Watchers Cottage. Be sure to take the 30 min. walk to see the blow holes and rugged pancake rock formations. Walk on the beach and be sure to take the short Truman Track - through rainforest to the beach.

The blowholes are active at high tide - check in at the Department of Conservation Visitors Centre for times. When a heavy sea swell is running, saltwater is pushed at great force through holes in the limestone rock, exiting as a fine spray mist many meters above sealevel. The blowholes at full blast are an amazing sight.

Truman Track is another very popular short walk in Punakaiki. Car parking is available opposite the track starting point, a few minutes drive north from Punakaiki, at Te Miko.

Day 9 - Punakaiki
Overnight: Wave Watchers Retreat

Accommodation

Punga Grove Superior Studios

Punga Grove is the natural accommodation choice for your visit ..., step from your room into the luxuriant rainforest, be spellbound by superb alpine and glacier views. 

spa bath, kitchenette, gas fire, underfloor heating, leather sofa and quality fittings throughout. Tucked away in native bush at the rear of the property ensures total seclusion and privacy. Spoil yourself, you deserve it!

Punga Grove is the ideal base for ..., Punakaiki

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