South Island Top to Bottom Gourmet Walk 11D10N, Fully Guided

Walking: A short walk from the water taxi drop-off point to our accommodation.

Your trip starts from Nelson. Pick up from Rutherford Hotel, Nelson town centre at 10:30am, or Nelson Airport at 11am.

Nelson is a small region in wine terms, but it's full of diversity born out of its plethora of boutique wineries. Expect excellent Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

From Nelson, you'll head to a local winery for your first taste of New Zealand, experiencing award-winning wine and food in a region known for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a winery. After a sumptuous lunch you'll head north to the small coastal settlement of Kaiteriteri, the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. From here you'll catch a water taxi to your accommodation in the heart of the National Park, Awaroa Lodge - where your luggage will be waiting for you.

For good reason, Abel Tasman National Park is regarded as New Zealand’s finest. Amazing weather, granite cliffs, golden sands, immaculate forest, crystal clear water... You may well feel conflicted here though - with serene beaches and fresh water pools, alongside some of the finest coastal forest anywhere in the world, it's hard to decide whether to sit on the newly discovered beach you've walked to, or carry on under the bush canopy.

In keeping with putting the world to one side, Awaroa Lodge certainly fits the bill. It’s a true escape to barefoot luxury. Enjoy dinner at your secluded lodge.

Walking distance: 3 km, approx. 1- 2 hours walking (Easy Grade).

Tranquil, serene and dramatic all rolled into one best describes today. You'll begin the day by boarding a boat bound for Tonga Quarry and our first Great Walk, the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Enjoy the fresh coastal air, gaze out into Tasman Bay, and immerse yourself in the pristine natural beauty of New Zealand. Perfect golden sand beaches, birds singing in the native bush, and a rugged landscape to explore. The Abel Tasman really is a bucket list destination to be ticked off. We’ll walk from Tonga Quarry, at first along the coastline, then under the canopy cover back to our accommodation, Awaroa Lodge.

Optional walk on the Queen Charlotte Track or short leg stretch on the banks of the Pelorus River.

Today you'll re-trace the water taxi route from your accommodation to Kaiteriteri, and head for the untouched beauty of the Marlborough Sounds. On the way you'll stretch your legs near the Pelorus River, and then head on to Picton for a cruise, via Ship Cove, to your accommodation, Furneaux Lodge. Once you're checked in you'll have the choice of a walk on the beautiful Queen Charlotte Track, or just some time to relax in this genuine slice of paradise. The track passes through lush coastal forest, around peaceful coves and inlets, and along hilly ridges offering uninterrupted views of the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds.

Dinner is at Furneaux Lodge restaurant, offering a delicious selection of locally sourced produce.

The Malborough Sounds
Broken into what appears to be thousands of perfect pieces, the Marlborough Sounds are a maze of coves, peaks, bays and beaches, all revealing something different, but consistent in their natural beauty. These Sounds were formed after the last ice- age when the sea slowly flooded the myriad of deep river valleys that now lie beneath the surface of the water. There’s something about this paradise that commands you to relax and forget about what lies outside its many hidden coves and inlets.

Walking distance: 11.5 km, approx. 4 - 5 hours walking (Easy Grade).

You're in one of the most beautiful locations on the planet, so take your time today and take it all in - the morning birdsong here is the soundtrack to breakfast. This morning our boat will pick us up for a short trip across Endeavour Inlet to Punga Cove, the start of our walk for the day. This section follows the beautiful coastline around the Inlet, and your guides will find a good place to stop for a paddle or a swim on the way for anyone who’s keen. The trail then passes through native bush regenerating after use as farmland; there used to be an Antimony Mine in this area too, so take some time to read the informative panels on this delightful walk back to our accommodation.

Walking: A short walk on the Kaikoura Peninsula to a viewpoint over the coastline, and along the peninsula back to the mainland.

We'll start today with a water taxi back to Picton, bound for Sauvignon Blanc country and our second outstanding Marlborough vineyard - this time it’s the idyllic setting of Forrest Estate Wines. Forrest Estate Winery produces delicious Sauvignon Blanc as well as other varieties in smaller quantities. The cellar door here is a perfect setting for a wine tasting and lunch al fresco.

At the cellar door we’ll sample a selection of different wines, and enjoy a delicious lunch spread. Next it's on to Kaikoura, a place name which translates as 'meal of crayfish', on the north-east coast of the South Island. Delicious seafood abounds here, and the town’s unique setting on the Kaikoura Peninsula offers us an opportunity for a short walk to view a colony of native New Zealand fur seals, before heading out to a restaurant of your guides' choice to enjoy fresh produce straight from the ocean.

We're in for a real treat this morning - we're boarding a catamaran to head a short distance out into the Pacific Ocean in search of whales. The Hikurangi Trench is a staggering geological feature of the seabed off Kaikoura, and it provides a food source for thousands of marine animals. Today we’re on the lookout for whales, specifically sperm, humpback, blue, mink, southern right, and beaked whales. If we’re lucky we might also see some local dolphins and New Zealand fur seals. Once we’re back on dry land we’ll head down the east coast to Christchurch for a short flight to Queenstown, the Central Otago resort town famous for adventure activities, wine, and outstanding dining.

Queenstown is packed with excellent dining options - tonight your guides will take you to one of their favourites.

Sitting on the shores of the South Island's Lake Wakatipu and against the dramatic Southern Alps, Queenstown has a lot to offer.

Things to Do
- Adventure activities
- Wineries: 200 vineyards within a 40 minute drive of the town centre. Central Otago is famous for Pinot Noir on the world stage.
- Golf: play at some of the most spectacular golf courses with rugged mountain peaks as a backdrop.
- Hiking & Biking

We can arrange the following guided day walk for you. Please contact us to book. Additional charges apply. E: travel@onlyluxe.com.au
- Routeburn Track Walk: 13 km, 4 to 5 hour easy return hike to Routeburn Flats, or 17.6 km, 6 to 8 hour moderate return hike to Routeburn Falls Hut.
- Ben Lomond Track Walk: 3 - 4 hours return hike to Ben Lomond Saddle, or 6 - 8 hours return hike to Ben Lomond Summit, 16 km walk.
- Rob Roy Glacier Track Hike: 10km return, moderate 3.5- to 4-hour return hike, Easy to moderate
- Lake Alta & Remarkables Hike: 2-3 hour hike, Moderate
- Middle Earth Waterfalls Heli Hike: 2.5-3 hours from Queenstown, 1 hour walking, Easy
- Walking with Penguins & Seals Heli Hike: 4.5 hours from Queenstown, 1 hour walking, Easy

Walking: Several short walks in the Eglinton Valley, as well as the 15 minute loop track at ‘The Chasm'.

Mossy beech forest, native birdsong, deep valleys and stunning granite tops characterise Fiordland National Park. We'll start our day with a visit to Te Anau on the border of the park. We'll explore a bird park for old or injured birds, a great opportunity to see some of New Zealand's more endangered birds, such as the takahe.

Your guides will prepare a delicious lunch spread, and punctuate the dramatic drive into Milford Sound with several short walks in the Eglinton Valley, and then 'The Chasm' – a jaw-dropping loop track through native forest.

You'll see seemingly immovable rock formations shaped by the power of the Cleddau River tumbling over and through them. The impermeable nature of the granite mountains means that when it rains, and it rains a lot, thousands of waterfalls cascade down the faces of the hills. Once you arrive at the Milford Sound Wharf, you'll board the vessel for a nature cruise past the waterfalls of Lady Bowen and Stirling, and out to the Tasman Sea before returning up the opposite side of the fiord. Your dramatic journey for the day ends at Milford Sound Lodge, where you'll check into the delightful chalets on the banks of the river, and enjoy dinner together.

Dinner is at Milford Lodge – choose from a selection of dishes made with delicious Kiwi produce and served in the cosy setting of the lodge dining area.

Walking: Section of the Milford Track, and from the helicopter drop- off to Long Reef Point and back to the jetboat.

Today is a day you won't forget. After an early breakfast you're heading onto the world famous Milford Track, the second Great Walk of the trip. You'll stroll for around 3 hours in total on the track, towards Lake Ada alongside the Arthur River. You’re jumping on a helicopter next, bound for Martins Bay, one of the most secluded locations in the whole of Fiordland National Park. The flight in will only be exceeded by the comfort of this beautiful lodge. First though, you'll take a stroll to Long Reef Point, where you'll observe a seal colony. To top off this action-packed day, you'll board a jetboat to take you to your accommodation, Martins Bay Lodge. At the beautifully appointed lodge in the Fiordland wilderness, you'll be greeted by the lodge hosts and treated to a delicious home-cooked meal of Kiwi delicacies.

Martins Bay Lodge – taking escape, tranquility and comfort in beautiful isolation to the next level. Enjoy three courses of South Island cuisine await us at Martins Bay Lodge.

Walking: Roughly 2.5 hours on a gentle trail through the most incredible, pristine forest anywhere in the world.

Fiordland National Park outdoes itself today. A leisurely start with a delicious breakfast will make it hard to leave Martins Bay Lodge, but once you're underway, this part of Fiordland shows itself off in fine form. A jet boat ride across Lake McKerrow brings you to the confluence of the Hollyford River, where you'll walk the undulating trail through stunning beech and podocarp forest and cross one of the longest swing bridges in New Zealand. Arrive back in Queenstown for a final evening in the South Island.

Enjoy your final meal in Queenstown with your fellow walkers and dine in style to celebrate.

You'll be transferred to Queenstown airport for departing flights or drop you off at your choice of Queenstown accommodation. Queenstown airport dropoff time is 9am (in time for 10am domestic flights or 11am international).