OUR NEW ZEALAND HIKING TOURS  

Join us on an exhilarating 8-day hiking tour that will take you through three stunning locations, each offering a unique and unforgettable experience

 

Our journey starts in Christchurch but really begins on the fabulous Kaikoura Coast, more specifically on the gorgeous Kaikoura Coastal Track. We have the private track all to ourselves and we can bliss out on nature in its many forms. For two days we traverse through diverse landscapes and take in coastal panoramas that unfold before us, enjoy marine wildlife encounters and learn about the local flora.

Next, we’ll head to the remote Nydia Track in the picturesque Marlborough Sounds. We spend time off the beaten track amidst lush coastal and regenerating forest during the day and enjoy the evenings in our unique accommodation.

And last but not least, we enjoy a day walk in the captivating Nelson Lakes National Park. Mt Robert Circuit rewards us with sweeping views of the St Arnaud Mountain Range and beautiful Lake Rotoiti.

8 days full of memorable experiences and hiking bliss!

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Day 1: Christchurch - Kaikoura Coast Track

You have plenty of time to make your way to Christchurch where we will pick you up around 2:30 to 3pm. We then drive about two hours (~140km) to the beginning of the Kaikoura Coast Track and enjoy our first evening together at The Beach House (Ngaroma). We’ll have a chat about our tour and with a bit of luck can witness a beautiful sunset over the Kaikoura mountains, which tower high above the Pacific Ocean.

Driving time: ~ 2 hours

Accommodation: Track hut - The Beach House in Ngaroma
Meals: D

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Day 2: Kaikoura Coast Track – Hiking Day

Our first day on the Coast Track begins with a van ride to the start of today’s walk. A great opportunity to hear some local stories from one of the landowners, who will drive us there in about 20mins. 

The walk starts with a steady ascent that takes us through forestry slopes and regenerating bush. This includes protected beech trees, silver ferns and giant podocarp forest. When we reach the top of the Hawkswood Range panoramic views of the Seaward Kaikoura Mountains and the Pacific Ocean open up all around us.

The route continues along the ridge with an optional side trip up to Skull Peak summit. At 489m it is the highest point on the trail and well worth the extra little effort. Just 15 minutes from here we reach Skull Peak shelter where we enjoy our lunch in a fabulous coastal panorama. The track winds its way down from the tussock grasses at the top back to sea level, crossing rolling farmland and passing through native coastal bush. We arrive back at The Beach House where we can have a cold drink before we take our bus and drive about 30 minutes to Medina, a cosy farm cottage where we stay the night and enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside.

Hiking time: ~ 4-6 hours / ~ 13 km

Accommodation: Track hut - Medina Homestead
Meals: B, L, D, S

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Day 3: Kaikoura Coast Track – Hiking Day and Drive to Kaikoura

Prepare for a series of stream crossings that make today a bit more adventurous. We shorten the sometimes a bit strenuous walk along the beach by starting at Big Bush Beach. From here we will take our time to explore the beach as we walk on the sand past cliffs embedded with many fossilised shells. We will also keep an eye out to sea as we might spot some of the local marine wildlife like dolphins, seals or maybe even whales.

Then we turn off the beach and pass an ancient Māori camp site as we climb up to the cliff tops to take in sweeping views all the way from Banks Peninsula near Christchurch to Kaikoura Peninsula. From here we pass across a variety of landscapes, from farmland through ancient and regenerating bush, across streams and through narrow canyons.

We finish with hearts and minds filled with beautiful memories back at Medina Homestead. We collect our luggage and bus and drive about 40 mins (~40km) to Kaikoura township, where we spend the night.

Driving time: ~ 40 mins

Hiking time: ~ 4-6 hours / ~3 km

Accommodation: Kaikoura Motel / Studio Units

Meals: B, L, D, S

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Day 4: Kaikoura – Havelock – Water Taxi to Nydia Bay – Tramline Walk

In the morning we check out Kaikoura township and go for a stroll on the stunning Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway and watch the resident seals. Then it’s time to make our way via Havelock into the heart of the Marlborough Sounds. A water taxi takes us to Nydia Bay in the beautiful Pelorus Sound. Here we spend two nights at a unique beachside lodge where we stay in a Mongolian style yurt (6 beds, or upgrade to twin bed chalets).

Please note that there is a 15-minute walk to the lodge from the Nydia Bay jetty and you will need to carry your own bag/luggage (no sleeping bag necessary). We can provide you with a small bag for the luggage you would like to take to the lodge (if your daypack is too small).

In the afternoon we go for a first walk in the beautiful natural surroundings. The Tramline Walk starts just outside the lodge at beach level and takes us up into pristine Punga forest (1.5h/3km return trip). There are small easily fordable streams to cross along the way (your boots might get wet, but the rest of you won’t). We will see signs of timber milling from the nineteenth century, old timber sleepers and tracks partly submerged in native bush. In time we will come to a beautiful natural clearing with Rimu, Beech and Pohutukawa trees. Then we head back for the first of our two-course dinners which will be waiting for us each night at the lodge (included). We will feel like we are on a retreat!

Driving time: ~ 2.5 hours / ~ 180 km

Hiking time: ~ 1.5 hours / ~ 3 km

Accommodation: Nydia Bay - On the Track Lodge

Meals: B, L, D, S

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Day 5: Nydia Track - Hiking Day to Nydia Saddle

We wake up to our first hiking day on the Nydia Track, exploring the magical Marlborough Sounds on foot. Our lodge sits halfway along the track, so we will go explore in both directions. Today we head up to Nydia Saddle (370m) to enjoy great views over Pelorus Sound. As we are on the Southern side of the Nydia Saddle the track might be damp and perhaps a bit muddy. But this doesn’t matter as we are looking forward to getting to the top through a variety of regenerating native bush and beautiful untouched forest, enjoying the amazing vistas. On our way we will cross streams (on bridges) and have the opportunity to watch giant pet eels. 

From Nydia Saddle we return to the lodge and can enjoy some relaxing time around the lodge (free kayaks available) before it’s time for another scrumptious dinner prepared for us by the lodge.

Hiking time: ~ 5-6 hours / ~13 km

Accommodation: Nydia Bay - On the Track Lodge

Meals: B, L, D, S

 

Day 6: Nydia Track – Hiking Day to Kaiuma Saddle and transfer to Havelock

Today we head into the other direction. From the lodge the track leads across open farmland beside a stream, crossing it twice. The climb to Kaiuma Saddle (387m) through beech forest and regenerating scrub offers more superb views. We might even see Marlborough’s highest mountain Mt Tapuae-O-Uenuku (2885m), in the distant Inland Kaikoura Mountains.

From the saddle, the track drops quickly to cross a stream and then climbs a little into the forest and sidles around to a point above Kaiuma Bay, before dropping down to the car park. Arriving in Kaiuma Bay means saying a reluctant goodbye to this tranquil place. We will be transferred back to Havelock where we spend our next night. How about going out for dinner (not included) to celebrate our hiking days so far?

Hiking time: ~ 5 hours / ~ 12 km

Accommodation: Havelock - Motel

Meals: B, L, S

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Day 7: Havelock - Day Walk in Nelson Lakes National Park – Murchison

From Havelock we make our way inland for about 1.5 hours (~120km) to the alpine village of St Arnaud at the edge of Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park. We explore the National Park on the Mount Robert Circuit which offers us fabulous panoramic views. The loop track first takes us up Pinchgut Track, zigzaging up the steep, bare face of Pourangahau/Mt Robert on a well graded track before entering beech forest. After climbing for about 1 hr 30 mins, we reach the tree line where forest gives way to alpine herbs and shrubs. From here the track continues across the open ridge top and reaches Relax Shelter a few minutes on.

At a junction just past this shelter, Paddy’s Track begins and heads east to Bushline Hut, a great place to stop for lunch as it enjoys all-day sun and allows sweeping views toward St Arnaud township and the head of Lake Rotoiti. On the way downhill more panoramic views open up of the St Arnaud Mountain Range. All up this is a great day walk with varying terrain, some exposed parts but also nice shady spots in the forest, and amazing views nearly all the way around.

In the late afternoon we drive for about one hour (~60km) to our base for the night, Murchison. We’ll have dinner in one of the local restaurants (not included).

Driving time: ~ 2.5 hours / ~ 180 km
Hiking time: ~ 4-5 hours / ~ 9 km

Accommodation: Murchison – Motel

Meals: B, L, S

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Day 8: Drive Murchison – Lewis Pass - Christchurch

It’s time to head back to Christchurch. Luckily, we can take one of the most scenic inland drives in New Zealand: Lewis Pass, the northernmost of the three main passes across the Southern Alps. It provides us with plenty of opportunities to stretch our legs. The natural reserve area offers sweeping panoramic views of the mountains which are also stunningly reflected in the still waters of the tarns (small mountain lakes) amidst red and silver beech forest, some of it dripping with moss. We will stop for lunch in a café on the way (not included) and explore the beautiful landscapes before embarking on the last stretch of road on our journey. This will take us back to Christchurch by around 3pm, so you have the opportunity to make your way home on the same day if you wish.

Driving time: ~ 4h30min / ~ 300km

Meals: B, S

B-Breakfast  L-Lunch  D-Dinner  S-Snack

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Grading of this tour: Grade 3 (Moderate)

All tracks on this tour are mainly well-formed; some sections may be rough or muddy, with some steep sections. Altitude difference on the Kaikoura Track is around 400m, on Nydia Track around 350m each day, and on the Mt Robert Circuit around 550m. Average hiking time is around 4-6 hours per day. To enjoy the tour, it would be best if you had a reasonable level of fitness.
​You can find more info here:  Our Hiking Track Trail Grading System explained