Day 8 - Lake Moeraki to Punakaiki
Overnight: Wave Watchers Retreat
Meals: Breakfast
This morning drive north up the rugged wind swept West Coast via Fox and Franz Glacier where there is the opportunity of taking a helicopter flight over this amazing alpine region - see vast snowfields, glaciers and a spectacular view of New Zealand’s highest mountain. Fly towards the Tasman Glacier and land high above it, where you can step out of the helicopter and experience what it feels like to stand on snow atop a mountain. Enjoy the incredible panorama and a view of Aoraki/Mount Cook from your landing site, then take off again and traverse the Southern Alps to view the mighty Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. You will marvel at the huge expanses of snow at the head of these crevasse-filled rivers of ice, which journey slowly down to sea level in a unique rainforest setting (flight time approximately 45 minutes, including snow landing).
 Alternatively take a helihike, which combines the excitement of walking on the Fox Glacier with the thrill of helicopter flights. You visit the ice caves and other wonderful formations below the upper ice fall, allowing you to explore a part of the glacier that is otherwise very difficult to reach. You board the helicopter for your first flight over the awe-inspiring pillars of the lower icefall; here the steep ice is in constant motion. You then circle the marvellous upper icefall and the Victoria Falls before landing.
Your remote landing site on the ice is an exceptionally beautiful part of the glacier. At this stage, you are outfitted with instep crampons and set out to explore the beautiful formations and ice caves, which are seen only here. This trip offers exceptional photographic opportunities. Each departure is a true voyage of exploration; there are so many changing features that the guides always find something new.
Continue north, via Whataroa where we suggest taking a tour of New Zealand’s only White Heron breeding colony then travel on, passing Harihari and Hokitika to Punakaiki (approx. 4hrs 40 mins).
Accommodation (1 night) in a cottage on a self-catering basis at Wave Watchers Retreat, Punakaiki
Day 9 - Punakaiki to Tasman Bay, near Nelson
Overnight: Bronte Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
This morning we recommend visiting the Paparoa National Park and the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes. The limestone rocks at Dolomite Point have formed into what looks like stacks of pancakes, through a weathering process known as stylobedding. When a good tide is running, the water surges into caverns below the rocks and shoots out of blowholes in impressive geyser-like plumes. A 15-minute loop walk from the road takes you around the rocks and blowholes.
Drive north towards Westport before travelling inland, through the Buller Gorge and the townships of Inangahua, Murchison, then north through Motupiko and Ngatimoti to Tasman Bay. Today’s total driving time is approx. 4hrs.
Accommodation (1 night) in a double/twin suite, including breakfast, at Bronte Lodge, Nelson
Days 1-3 | 3-5 | 6-7 | 8-9 | 10-11 | 12-13 | 14-15 Back to the top |
Wave Watchers Retreat is self catering luxury accommodation for the discerning traveller. The property is set in a National Park on a large
private site. The home was designed totally as a romantic haven and
as an escape from life's stresses. It is most suitable for couples requiring
independent accommodation of a standard they are accustomed to.
The retreat was built with every room capturing the spectacular views of the garden, the cliffs and the beach.
Bronte Lodge is unique, it borders an estuary paradise on the historic Bronte Peninsula, an area of stunning beauty in Nelson's Tasman Bay.
