Active Sojourn

This morning, you will depart Dunedin and travel through the gorgeous and abundant fruit growing region of Central Otago to the charming, historic town of Clyde. When passing through Roxburgh, you must stop at the iconic Jimmy's Bakery for lunch. On arrival in Clyde, you will check-in to your truly beautiful accommodation.

Included meals: Breakfast

Today explore the vast undulating landscapes and fascinating heritage of Central Otago by bicycle. You'll cycle the most spectacular section of the Otago Central Rail Trail, New Zealand's premier cycleway. Following breakfast at Olivers you'll be taken to the picturesque Poolburn Gorge to start your ride. The gentle gradient trail descends from Auripo Road, through the Raggedy Range, following the former railway line from Middlemarch to Clyde.

While enjoying the dramatic scenery you will cycle through two historic train tunnels cut through schist rock and cross the 37 metre high Poolburn Viaduct. Arrive back to Olivers in the pretty town of Clyde and revive yourself in a luxurious bath before venturing out to one of the local restaurants. Your day on the Trail includes a picnic lunch, bike and pannier hire, helmets.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, you will depart Clyde and travel past beautiful Lake Dunstan and settlement of Cromwell, to the small town of Twizel. En route, should you need a coffee or lunch, we recommend Armando's Kitchen in the delightful 'Old Cromwell' precinct - Armando's freshly baked cinnamon scrolls are delectable!

Included meals: Breakfast

This morning, we recommend heading away soon after breakfast in order to get to Hanmer in time to allow for a few hours at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools.

Best known for its natural hot pools and stunning landscapes, Hanmer is an alpine village 90 minutes' drive from Christchurch. A picturesque destination for adventure, relaxation and indulgence, Hanmer Springs is surrounded by dramatic mountains and towering forests, this charming town has a main street filled with boutique shops, cafes and eateries.

Always ones to encourage your child at heart to come out and play, we highly recommend a few trips down the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools water slide - altogether too much fun!

Included meals: Breakfast

This morning, you will take the short 30-minute drive to Picton where you will park your vehicle and board the water taxi to the Queen Charlotte Track's furthermost point, the beginning of the Walkway at Ship Cove.

The Queen Charlotte Track is one of New Zealand's most iconic walking trails. With its unique blend of spectacular environments, quality accommodation, fine food and wine, and luggage transfers so you walk with a day pack only, it is popular with all ages and abilities. (Please let Latitude South know if you would like your luggage to be transferred between lodgings as this has not yet been included.)

It runs almost the entire length of Queen Charlotte Sound, traversing the ridge between this Sound and the nearby Kenepuru Sound. It is steep in parts but with many rewarding views along its length. At 70km long, most people choose to walk the track over four or five days, although there is the ability to do any combination from one to five days.

The Track is set in a location steeped in both Maori and European history. New Zealand's Department of Conservation manages the track and 53% of it is on public reserve land. The remainder of the track is on council land (27%) and private land (20%). The track relies on the goodwill of these landowners so be sure to respect their land as you cross it.

The track's terrain is undulating with hills ranging from sea level to a maximum of 400 metres. Most of the track is wide and all major streams have been bridged. The surface, being mainly clay soil, is hard and firm in dry conditions but can be slippery when wet. Boots are recommended in Spring and in Autumn but strong walking shoes are fine in the height of summer. Just ask us about current track conditions and we’ll be happy to advise you!

For your walking distances each day, please refer to the track profile image included on this day.

Included meals: Breakfast

Following your last day of walking from Lochmara Lodge to Anakiwa, you will be collected by water taxi for the trip back to Picton. From Picton, you will collect your rental vehicle and commence the drive across the top of the South Island to Marahau, at the edge of Abel Tasman National Park.

Included meals: Breakfast

Following collection from your accommodation, you'll take the exhilarating water taxi ride through the Astrolabe Roadstead into Anchorage. You then leave the golden sand beaches of the coast for a stunning 1.5 hour walk up and further into the Abel Tasman National Park. Along the way your guides will keep you entertained with endless amounts of stories about the history, culture, flora and fauna of the park.

A delicious lunch is served before the action starts.

At the top of the canyon you’ll jump into your rubber suit, crank your harness tight and pop your helmet on. After a clear safety briefing by the guides you enter the truly remote environment of the canyon. You’ll be jumping, sliding, abseiling, scrambling, floating and ziplining through this canyon for about 3.5 hours. The trip finishes with a royal slide into Cleopatras Pool…From the pool it is a 30 minute stroll along the river and the beach back to Anchorage where your water taxi awaits to zip you back to Marahau.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, you will take the water taxi out to spectacular Anchorage Beach for the wonderful hike, along the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, back to Marahau.

The entire walk from Anchorage to Marahau is 12-13km and takes most people 3 to 4 hours and this depends on how many swims you have en route. Whatever walking pace you settle into you will encounter a series of stunning elevated views of the beaches below the track and across to the islands in the Astrolabe.

Included meals: Breakfast

One of the most unique, immersive day trips offered, Eat! Nelson Tasman is about exclusivity, scenery and slowly peeling the lid off of this beautiful region to reveal the most delectable, quintessentially Nelson Tasman gastronomic pleasures.

Following collection from your accommodation, you will take a one and a half hour walk with your guide into one of Nelson City's celebrated native bush settings where your guide will help you identify the northern South Island's beautiful flora and fauna. Following success with 'summiting' The Grampians wilderness reserve, you will have earned the delights that await your discovery today.

Including a special late lunch during which you'll have the opportunity to sit, relax and enjoy the delights by many of the artisan producers you will meet today while relaxing in your spectacular dining location.

Your guide will delight in introducing you to their friends who stand at the helm of this spectacular region's culinary scene. Visits with an otherwise inaccessible olive grove where you'll meet the artisan's behind some of the most delectable olive oil in New Zealand, the fishing port, a local artisan smallgoods (salami & sausage) producer, your guide's favourite cheese specialists and some of the most awe-inspiring environments make this an unforgettable encounter with Nelson Tasman.

If you love getting under the skin of a destination, meeting the people who make the place tick and tasting the foods unique to the region; you'll love Eat! Nelson Tasman. A truly special, totally exclusive experience that allows you to celebrate your time together in our beautiful region in style.

Included meals: Breakfast

Today you will drive to the Nelson Airport (approx. 1-hour) from where you will farewell this spectacular country and board your flight home via Auckland Wellington or Christchurch.

Included meals: Breakfast