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New Zealand

7

Reasons To
Visit New Zealand

  • Food & wine

    This small nation has established a name for fabulous wineries, many internationally acclaimed. Whilst most will point connoisseurs to the Marlborough region for the finest vintages, Hawkes Bay and Martinborough should not be ignored. A trip here would not be complete without trying the local 'fush 'n' chups' or traditional Maori fare either.

    Food & wine

  • Landscapes

    For a small country, New Zealand incorporates landscapes as diverse as they come. Mountains, volcanoes, beaches, lakes, fiords, valleys and caves - to the everyday traveller these remarkable sights are other-worldly. Both the North and South islands share many common features, but are also wonderfully contrasting.

    Landscapes

  • Light adventure

    It's not necessary to throw yourself off a suspended platform in order to fully experience New Zealand. Alternative options include air safaris over White Island, heli-hiking the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers and wilderness cruises in Milford and Doubful Sounds.

    Light adventure

  • Maori culture

    New Zealanders are proud of their Maori roots. Maori song, dance and mythology are prevalent, towns are adorned with carvings and rooms are dressed in flax weavings. Most physical locations also have Maori names with literal translations such as Waimakariri River (Cold water river).

    Maori culture

  • Outdoors & coastal living

    The 'outdoors' perception of New Zealanders is not something consciously cultivated; with such a plentitude of mountains, beaches, fiords lakes and forests on their doorstep it is simply a way of life.

    Outdoors & coastal living

  • Self-drive

    New Zealand has wonderful roads - scenic, safe and, especially on the South Island, largely empty. They even drive on the left and some of the most scenic routes are waymarked. There are car hire stations at all of New Zealand's airports.

    Self-drive

  • Walking & trekking

    There are so many excellent hikes - or 'tramps' as the locals call them - in New Zealand that it is sometimes difficult to know which one to select. We feature several of the country's 'great walks' which can easily be incorportated into any itinerary.

    Walking & trekking

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Excursions in New Zealand: Queen Charlotte Track Freedom Walk - 4/5 Days

Board the motor launch that will take you to famous Ship Cove where Captain Cook visited five times to reprovision his ship. From Ship Cove the track climbs, giving you unsurpassed views to the North Island.

Furneaux Lodge, Picton & The Marlborough Sounds

Queen Charlotte Track Freedom Walk - 4/5 Days

Picton, New Zealand
  • Cruises, Sailing & Water
  • Multi-day Tours
  • Outdoor Activities
  • Walking & Biking

Board the motor launch that will take you to famous Ship Cove where Captain Cook visited five times to reprovision his ship. From Ship Cove the track climbs, giving you unsurpassed views to the North Island.  Follow the track down to Resolution Bay and through to Endeavour Inlet where you spy Furneaux Lodge with it's broad sweeping lawns. The walk from Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge is 15km and should take about 4.5hours.

The gentle coastal part of the track to Punga Cove provides a good opportunity stop for lunch and to enjoy the plentiful birdlife along the way. Furneaux Lodge to Punga Cove is 11.7km and will take approximately four hours to walk.

The third section is the most challenging and rewarding of the track.  Climbing away steeply from Punga Cove the sweeping views begin to appear as you walk along the ridge between the Queen Charlotte and Keneperu Sound.  The track is very undulating and therefore can be challenging for some people. 

Once again the track follows the ridge climbing up to the highest point on the walk at 400m.  From the summit you have unsurpassed views into the surrounding Sounds. Winding down to sea level you will come upon some particularly beautiful virgin native bush which leaves you with a lasting impression of what it must have been like before man arrived here. The harbour of Anakiwa comes into view and so too does the end of the Queen Charlotte Track. A water taxi awaits at the Tirimoana jetty from where you will be ferried back to your accommodation.

For those who prefer to walk the track independently, but still want all the comfort that the Queen Charlotte Track is famous for, we can arrange for bags to be transported by boat from lodge to lodge as you make your way, unencumbered along the path. A rest day on the track and this can be arranged for the fourth day where you can simply unwind or perhaps enjoy some kayaking in quiet little bays. Please note that for those who prefer to have the benefit of flora and fauna interpretation and historical background as you walk, it is possible take a guide with you.

Further reading:
New ZealandRegions of New ZealandWhen to GoHighlightsItinerary IdeasPlaces to GoThings to DoAccommodationAbout New ZealandCountry Guides

Other countries in Australasia:
AustraliaFrench PolynesiaSamoaThe Cook IslandsFiji

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