Small group walking tour of New Zealand

Overview:

Participants of this small group walking tours of New Zealand meet early in the afternoon in Auckland and take the trip to transfer as a group to Russell in the Bay of Islands. There is a welcome dinner shortly after our arrival at the hotel.

This charming town is the perfect base for exploring the Bay of Islands. Russell holds an important place in New Zealand’s history, being the country’s first sea port, its first European settlement and New Zealand’s first capital in nearby Okiato. The town’s streets retain their original layout and names from 1843, and many of its historic buildings can still be visited today.

Today your small group tour has a day tour of Urupukapuka island. We board the ferry at the jetty in front of your hotel and take the 40 min journey to Urupukapuka Island, the largest island in the Bay of island collection. The guided walkstarts after a short vist to the Island Conservation Centre at Otehei bay before commencing our trek, exploring the island. Urupukapuka Island has a fascinating prehistoric and colonial history, as well as the ground-breaking work of Project Island Song and DOC to restore native bird life to the recreation reserve.

Before European’s arrived the Bay of Islands was a populous place with a complex political, ancestral, and cultural history. Maori stories tell of a long settlement on Urupukapuka relating to Ngare Raumati, Ngatiawa, Ngati wai, and Ngapuhi sub tribes and hapu. A 1772 plan of the Bay of Islands made by the French expedition, led by du Fresne, shows a village on Urupukapuka fortified by palisades. Later in the 1800s two European families leased some land for grazing began to clear the island and build a fence line. In the early 1900s the Baker family acquired land on Urupukapuka and farmed on the island. It was eventually sold by its Maori shareholders early in the twentieth century. While farming continued the island also became a recreational focus for visitors to the bay. In 1927 the author Zane Grey began to use Otehei Bay as a base for game fishing. Grey was an internationally influential character and the maritime recreation activities now central to the Bay of Islands were pioneered at his Urupukapuka resort.

Urupukapuka Island is packed with fantastic walking tracks, ranging from a 1 hour short walk to a 5 hour hike, so whatever your stamina level we will find something for you.The most notable of these is the 7.3km Urupukapuka Island Archaeological Walk . This track, designed to be walked in a clockwise direction, can be accessed from most of the larger beaches on the island, and if a 5 hour trek is a bit too much for you, it can be broken down into a walking trip of about 2.5 hours long. As well as boasting some of the most spectacular scenery on the walk you will be taken past many of the dozens of pristinely preserved archaeological sites on the island, some of which may be up to 1000 years old. From prehistoric Māori pa, villages, gardens, and food storage, right up to early 20th Century buildings used by famous author Zane Grey. Also of note is coastal pohutakawa forest on the island that we walk through today.

Today this small group tour heads south to Auckland , but first we drive to Puketi Forest (1.5hrs drive) where you will meet your private walking guide.

The small group has a 3 hour guided walk through Puketi Forest, the ancient kauri rainforest (15,000 hectares). With over 360 indigenous species of plants. This subtropical rainforest is one of the most diverse in New Zealand. Puketi and Omahuta Forests together form one of the largest continuous tracts of native rainforest in Northland. Both forests have populations of endangered kokako, native short-tailed bats and giant kauri snails. Omahuta’s largest kauri tree is Hokianga, possibly the tallest kauri in Northland at 53.3 metres. Te Tangi o te Tui is Puketi’s giant, the fourth largest in the country with a height of 50.9 metres and a diameter of 3.94 metres. The Kauri is related to the Queensland species. On our guided tour as we walk through the park we learn about the uniques flora and fanua in New Zealand’s bush and what to expect to see as this walking tour heads all the way south to Stewart island .

We pause for lunch before heading south through stunning landscapes to Auckland for an overnight stop.

This morning we leave Auckland to head to Turangi. Almost two hours from Auckland we stop to have a guided walk of the Tuatari Wetlands.

Tuatara are the sole surviving members of an ancient group of reptiles found only in New Zealand. See their unique characteristics and hear about their life history and journey to Maungatautari.

Observe the endearing takahe, a New Zealand conservation icon. Thought to be lost forever, takahe made history when they were rediscovered in the remote mountains of Fiordland in 1948. This large, flightless bird helped shape the future of conservation techniques in New Zealand. Encountering a takahe or the Tuatare for the first time can transport you to a pre-historic world!

Meet your guide for a privately guided tour of the Tuatari Wetlands. (1.5hrs). Discover the secrets of the Tautari Wetland and learn why wetlands need to be restored. You’ll hear the story of the people behind the wetland; the family who gifted the land to the Trust. Walk along the inside of our multi-species predator-proof fence and find out how we keep the wetland pest-free. Explore the Tuatarium with your guide for an insight into the fascinating world of tuatara – their history, life cycle and unique physical characteristics and hear about how they came to be at Sanctuary Mountain.

This small group hiking tour continues onto to Turangi, breaking for Lunch and time to stretch our legs on the journey. Time permitting we pass for a break and photo opportunity at Huka falls just before Lake Taupo.

Today’s walk is expected to be a highlight of all the guided hikes on this small group walking tour of New Zealand as the group experiences a guided walk across the Tongariro Crossing. The group climb steadily up through stunning landscapes of alpine meadow and the three volcanic peaks to then commence the trek down Tongariro to the edge of the national park.

Tongariro was the first national park formed in New Zealand, and the fourth in the world. It was the first national park in the world to be gifted by a country’s indigenous people, on 23 September 1887. When established the original size of Tongariro National Park was 2,640 hectares and it has gradually increased to its present size of 79,596 hectares. Today, approximately one million people visit Tongariro National Park each year due to the excellent hiking opportunities.

Tongariro national park is a dual World Heritage area. This status recognises the park ‘s important Maori cultural and spiritual associations as well as its outstanding volcanic features.

Early morning breakfast is included at the Lodge today before heading to your meeting point to meet your private hikingguide . Today this small group tour has a guided walk for the 19km Tongariro Crossing. The Tongariro Crossing is considered one of the most beautiful 1 day walks in the world. The Tongariro National Park is not just a simple mountain but a complex of active volcanoes. Being an exposed and volcanic area in the middle of the North Island the conditions can change very rapidly. This is a 7-8 hour hike so you will appreciate your experienced and personable guides who will provide you with a safe, enjoyable and memorable adventure of the Tongariro area.

The three andesitic volcanoes at the heart of the park , the mountains Tongariro , Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, form the southern limits of the Taupō Volcanic Zone, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. A plate boundary lies just east of the North Island of New Zealand, where the Pacific Plate slides under the Indian-Australian Plate. This area of ‘subduction’ has created a line of volcanoes which stretches from the pacific island of Tonga to Ruapehu, including White island.

The Pacific and Indian-Australian plate boundary is almost totally responsible for the existence of the New Zealand islands and the volcanoes of Tongariro provide a graphic illustration of the power generated by the movement of these plates. The region of volcanic activity that occurs from Mt Ruapehu to White Island in the Bay of Plenty is known collectively as the Taupo Volcanic Zone.

Volcanic activity in the zone started about 2 million years ago and continues today.

Today your small group tour has a leisurely start today as you recover from yesterdays big hike . We travel to Rotorua to check in for your flight to Queenstown in New Zealand’s South island (1hr 45mins drive). On arrival in Queenstown you will drive to Wanaka (1hrs drive).

Today this small group walking tour has a day tour with a heli hike that takes a scenic flight up towards the Southern Alpsof the South Island of New Zealand, walks back down the mountain pausing for lunch and finishes with a jet boat ride. This is often an amazing flight with views from Wanaka across to Aoraki ( mount cook ). We land in Siberia valley, an alpine meadow and enjoy a 3 hour unguided walk on a well-marked track, breaking somewhere for lunch and to take in the view across towards Aoraki . New Zealand prides itself in much of of its tourism activities in providing some adventure on a New Zealand tour, today after the scenic flight and the walk down a mountain, the group rendezvous for a 30 minute return jet boat ride through the icy blue waters of the Wilkin and Makarora Rivers to Wanaka. This boat ride is a shared excursion. A packed lunch is included today.

Today is a free day for the group to explore.

Wanaka is set against the pristine alpine backdrop of Mount Aspiring National Park . Crystal clear lakes and rivers are fed from the glaciers of Mt Aspiring National Park and is the backdrop to the stunning landscapes of the region. There are a number of options today such as exploring the Mount Aspiring National Park wilderness, or a trek up to the instagram famous Roy’s peak, or hiking around the lake or perhaps a late afternoon wine tasting from the local wineries which are known for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Breakfast is included at Wanaka Homestead today. This small group walking tour of New Zealand departs Wanaka for Te Anau, deep in the Southern alps. The quaint and peaceful township of Te Anau is nestled on the edge of a lake of the same name and is known as the “‘Gateway to Fiordland “. Fiordland National Park is the largest of New Zealand’s 14 National Parks with an area of approximately 12500 sqkm and is a major part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage site. This park is home to the famous Milford track, which remains for a hiker the most popular hiking tour. This afternoon in Te Anau you can enjoy one of the optional activities below or just spend the afternoon relaxing such as a Helicopter flight to Milford Sound or a guided half day Kepler track walk.

Today the small group has a guided walk on a section of the famous Milford Track. New Zealand’s most famous tramping ( hiking ) trail. The Milford Track has origins as an overland greenstone route between Lake Te Anau and Milford Sound . In 1888, colourful local Quintin Mackinnon navigated the rainforests and mountain passes to create the route the track follows today. Word got out, and Mackinnon became the track’s first guide, famous for his good nature and scone-baking skills. In 1908, the London Spectator called the Milford Track ‘the Finest Walk in the World’ – and the rest is history. Leaving from you accommodation, we journey to Glade Wharf by private water taxi to the start of the track. The walkbegins as you cross a suspension bridge and venture into the spectacular scenery of the Fiordland landscapes that form the Milford Track. The great thing about this exclusive guided day is that you call the shots on how far you would like to go – trekking today can be up to 14 kilometres long. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the location of your choice before heading back to the boat for the return journey. The section of the Milford Track that you will walk is relatively easy going and is suitable for most ages and abilities.

Today our tour departs Te Anau and heads to the South of the South Island (2.5hrs drive). The tour catches the ferry at Bluff to Stewart Island. For all visitors Stewart Island offers a special experience – a glimpse into a simpler, slower lifestyle, in rhythm with the sea and the tides, attuned to the natural world of bush and beach. Not many people on a New Zealand tour reach this far South. In 2002 the very qualities that make this a great place to treasure were recognised in the formation of the Rakiura National Park, comprising 85% of the island’s 1570 square kilometres.Whether you go to enjoy the land and seascapes, view the wildlife, walk, or just relax, Stewart Island will be an experience that will you will never forget.

In the afternoon the walking tour meets with Ange who will be your guide for a leisurely Ulva Island walk. Ulva Island (Te Wharawhara), is renowned for its diverse and abundant birdlife with a forest dominated by Rimu, Southern Rata and Kamahi, surrounded by marine reserve. It was visited by Ngai Tahu Maori as part of their food gathering trips and in the 1890s it became one of New Zealand’s first reserves. After a lot of hardwork this 267 hectare island is now predator free, allowing the bird and plantlife to thrive.

Today is this small group walking tour of New Zeland last day in the Wilderness. We have a guided walk for some 5 hours on a hike to Port Williams and Maori Beach. This is one of the most popular coastal and native bush walks on Stewart Island. The tour starts with a Water taxi to Port William, site of early Maori settlement, before continuing on to beautiful Maori beach. This was also where early Maori settled and later became a saw milling community in the early 1900s. The tour continues on walking to Lee Bay via Little River, a stunning tidal river mouth, overhanging with Rata trees. Along the coast lookout for a plethora of birdlife, such as, Mutton birds (Sooty Shearwaters), Shags, Buller’s Mollymawks, Cape Pigeons, and little Blue Pengiuns. In the native bush you may see and hear Bellbirds, Tui, Fantails, Parakeets, Shining Cuckoos, Grey Warblers, Kaka and Tomtits and more.

After dinner the tour takes, weather permitting, a late night guided walk with your tour guide to go kiwi spotting. The Stewart Island tokoeka is the largest of the kiwi and although can be seen during the day on Stewart Island the best chance to see them is at night. Listen for the males repeated high-pitched ascending whistle and the females deeper throaty cry. This is a a great experience!

We leave Stewart island and return to the mainland by ferry for the drive back through central Otago to Queenstown, breaking for morning tea and a walk in Invercargill. (3hrs drive). The afternoon is free for you to explore the region. You may like to take advantage of local shopping or to visit Arrowtown. Arrowtown is charming and quirky – a delightful gold rush village nestled below the beautiful peaks that surround the sparkling Arrow River.

A Farewell dinner is included tonight.

The small group walking tour of New Zealand program concludes after breakfast.