Hidden Gems of New Zealand's South Island

The Trip

Lush rainforests, massive glaciers, steep-walled fjords, desolate plateaus, rushing rivers, waterfalls, and countless miles of rugged coastline all await us in Aotearoa, the Maori word for New Zealand, "Land of the Long White Cloud.” This trip concentrates on the South Island, where the majority of natural areas and national parks are found. There is significant diversity to keep us busy -- expansive views, challenging hikes, explorations of the rocky coastline, the unique Aotearoa bush, towering Aoraki/Mt. Cook in the Southern Alps, sweeping plains, remote sheep farms, and abundant fjords. There is never a dull moment!

Accompanied by a knowledgeable naturalist guide, we day hike in national parks, forested valleys, the pristine beaches of the Tasman Sea, and a 1,000-year-old kahikatea (white pine) rainforest. We have the opportunity to hike portions of New Zealand's famous track system, and cruise along the golden sand beaches of Abel Tasman National Park as well as the fjords of Fiordland National Park. At the bottom of the South Island, we walk along famous hiking trails; witness seals, penguins, and dolphins from a boat. South of the South Island we tour Rakiura
on Stewart Island, the most recent addition to New Zealand National Park system.

Kiwis, as New Zealanders call themselves, offer visitors a friendly reception and we will have plenty of opportunity to interact with them. They are also passionate conservationists; more than one-third of the country is protected in national parks and conservation reserves managed by the government. Marine mammals in the seas surrounding New Zealand are fully protected. New Zealand birdlife is unique, and we will see many of the endemic species, like tuis, fantail, and pukeko, and hear the flute-like call of the bellbird as we walk the forested paths.

Many trips are offered to New Zealand, but this one has a strong focus on natural history and hiking. With our expert naturalist Kiwi guide, we provide the opportunity to see and experience New Zealand in a very personal way. Join us for this fantastic adventure!

Day 1: We meet this afternoon at our hotel in central Nelson. Nelson is known for its temperate climate, beautiful setting on the Tasman Sea, and dynamic artists’ culture. After introductions and an orientation meeting, we dine at the hotel restaurant for our welcome dinner. Plan on being settled into your room and ready to meet your fellow travelers for an orientation at 5:00 p.m. Overnight Nelson.

Day 2: After an early breakfast, we depart for our first national park! Abel Tasman National Park (Tōtaranui) is famous not only for its golden beaches and sculptured granite cliffs, but also for the world-renowned Abel Tasman Coast Track. We hike a part of this track through stands of ancient rimu, totara and rata, accompanied by the melodious calls of bellbirds. We may have time for a dip in the turquoise waters. A boat will bring us back to the start and we board the bus for our return trip to Nelson. Overnight Nelson.

Day 3: We have the morning in Nelson to take a walk up to the “Centre of New Zealand” with its overlook of the city or look at the craft and outdoor shops in town. Mid-morning, we make our short drive to Nelson Lakes National Park and the beautiful Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa, nestled amongst the northern peaks of the Southern Alps. We pass through small villages, orchards, and sheep farms, typical of the northern part of the South Island. After settling into our accommodations in St. Arnaud, we may explore one of the nature trails on Lake Rotoiti. For those wanting a more strenuous option, we may hike to Mt. Robert, climbing up through the beech forest to the tree line and onto the sub-alpine tussock lands for breathtaking panoramas of the park. Overnight St. Arnaud.

Day 4: The Graham Valley provides the easiest access to the newly formed Kahurangi National Park. We enjoy a relaxing or more taxing walk into the Mt Arthur region and surrounding tablelands. For those wanting a more leisurely day, there is water taxi access to a lovely ramble along Lake Rotoiti. Dinner is again at our lodge where we can exchange stories. Overnight St. Arnaud.

Day 5: Departing Nelson Lakes, we descend to the spectacular west coast and our fourth national park, Paparoa. Along the way, we drive through the wild and scenic Buller Gorge, where we learn about the history of the area and its pioneers who braved this rain-soaked environment. The west coast of New Zealand is sparsely populated and receives an incredible amount of rain annually. We walk the windswept Cape Foulwind Walkway with its beautiful ocean and mountain views and an overlook of a New Zealand fur seal colony. We explore the famous Punakaiki Rocks (pancake rocks) and their horizontal layering and blowholes, limestone formations that have been sculpted through the relentless pounding of the Tasman Sea. We end our long day in the charming coastal village of Hokitika. Overnight Hokitika.

Day 6: Hokitika is the home of pounamu (New Zealand greenstone jade), hand blown glass, and creative beach sculptures. This morning, we spend some leisure time wandering through the town before boarding our bus for our steep and winding ascent to our fifth national park. We drive through dense rainforests and rivers deeply gouged into the earth to Arthur’s Pass National Park. Around noon, we arrive at the Otira Valley Track, a subalpine hike over a glacial moraine, boulder fields, and tussocks between steep slopes leading up to the central glaciated peaks of the Southern Alps. We stay overnight in a luxurious wilderness lodge that shares its property with a 6,000-acre sheep farm set amidst the alpine wonderland. Overnight Arthur’s Pass.

Day 7: We have a day to explore this wonderful national park, with a variety of options for all appetites. You can hike on the nearby Cragieburn range trails to the scree-covered upper slopes and ridges, enjoy a gentle forest hike through the beech and manuka forest, take a walk on the sheep farm and learn about merino wool and sheep dogs, or just relax around the lodge. Keep a look out for the New Zealand kea, a cheeky parrot that lives in the sub-alpine areas and is not afraid of people. We share our stories of the day with each other over a gourmet dinner. Overnight Arthur’s Pass.

Day 8: We descend from Arthur’s Pass to cross the Canterbury plains to the Peel Forest Park. We hike in the moist primeval totara forest before continuing over Burkes Pass to the arid inter-montane basins of the Mackenzie Country, named after a notorious Scottish shepherd and sheep thief in the 1850s. This is the place where much of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit were filmed. We stop at Lake Tekapo to photograph its intense milky-turquoise waters. Then, after driving alongside yet another stunning glacial lake, Pukaki, we arrive in our sixth National Park, dramatic Aoraki/Mount Cook, where we will spend the next two nights. Overnight Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Day 9: Aoraki/Mount Cook shimmers and beckons above the Tasman Glacier. At the foot of the mountain is the spectacular Hooker Valley. Hiking up the track, we cross old moraine ridges and tussocks while marveling at the increasingly dramatic views of Aoraki/Mount Cook. The track ends at the glacial Hooker Lake with its floating icebergs fallen from the Hooker Glacier. We return on the same track to complete our 10 km walk. On this day, some may opt to stretch their legs even more with a steep hike to Sealy Tarns, stopping frequently to rest and take in the breathtaking glacial panorama. After hiking, we stop to explore the architecturally dramatic Aoraki/Mount Cook Visitor Centre, where we learn about the natural and human history of this area, including the challenges faced by the mountain’s legendary early climbers. In the evening, if the weather cooperates, we search the skies for the Southern Cross in the southern hemisphere’s only International Dark Sky Reserve, where light pollution is kept to a minimum and the Milky Way arches dramatically across the sky. Overnight Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Day 10: Today we head south through the heart of Central Otago, a unique landscape of weathered ancient mountains, alpine herb fields and fast flowing rivers. Central Otago is also the heart of the famous Pinot Noir wines and has a fascinating history with hydroelectric power. We reach the coast and follow it along in the Catlins, a remote area lush with coastline and waterfalls. We hike to Purakaunui Falls Reserve as well as McLean Falls before reaching our accommodation. Overnight Chaslands.

Day 11: Today we have morning forays into stunning pristine rainforest and deserted beaches in Tautuku Bay and Tautuku Estuary. Late-afternoon we take the ferry across our seventh National Park; Rakiura, Stewart Island, watching for seabirds as we go. Rakiura (The Land of Glowing Skies) is the most recent addition to New Zealand's national park portfolio.

Dinner at hotel upon arrival. Plan on an evening trip (after dark) to search for Stewart Island Brown Kiwi this evening.  Overnight Rakiura.

Day 12: A day excursion to Paterson Inlet and into the South Pacific invigorates us with opportunities to observe a rich diversity of seabirds. Among the bays of the inlet, we scan for two very rare penguin species: the Yellow-eyed Penguin and the Fiordland Crested Penguin. At sea we may encounter several species of albatross, including Shy, Black-browed and Buller’s, and the Southern Giant Petrel, Southern Great Skua, and Broad-billed Prion. We are also likely to come across large flocks of Sooty Shearwater, which breed nearby on the small outer islands. A treat awaits us on Ulva Island, a bird sanctuary rich in lush podocarp forest, and ringing with the songs of the Kaka, Tui, Bellbird, and the rare, Red-crowned Parakeet. The Stewart Island Weka is also a popular resident.

Day 13: We depart this land of forests and beaches and make our way again to the north to Te Anau, the gateway to the Fiordland World Heritage Area and our eighth and final national park, Fiordland National Park. At times stunning and at other times mysterious, this park is New Zealand’s largest. Glacially gouged valleys and lakes are nestled between ranges of rugged mountains. When we arrive in Te Anau, we stretch our legs on a walk along the shores of Lake Te Anau. In the afternoon we may have the option to go on a boat from the lakefront to cross to the glowworm caves. These amazing 12,000-year-old caves were carved out into incredible swirling shapes by the force of the river that flowed through them. Overnight Te Anau.

Day 14: As if it couldn’t get any better, expect to be in awe today! We drive along Milford Road through a landscape of high mountains and deep valleys studded with waterfalls and mirror-like lakes. Passing through the lush beech forests of the Eglinton Valley, we stop to hunt for native birds, photograph the mountains reflected in a mirror lake, and hike beside a rushing waterfall. We descend through the Milford Tunnel to sea level at Milford Sound (which is actually a fjord). Rudyard Kipling rated this fjord as the eighth natural wonder of the world and it is truly breathtaking, with steep granite walls plunging over a thousand meters to the Tasman Sea and waterfalls cascading into deep inky water. There we will take a cruise to the fjord entrance before returning along the road back to Lake Te Anau. Overnight Te Anau.

Day 15: We start the day with a short visit to the native bird sanctuary in Te Anau, hoping to catch a glimpse of many native birds, especially the extremely endangered takahe. South of Te Anau lies Lake Manapouri, formed, according to Maori legend, by the tears of the two sisters of an old Maori chieftain. We take time to photograph the lake and afterwards we’ll select one of two options; Either go to the Borland Saddle and the Hunter Mountains, or hike a section of the Kepler Track, the forested Rainbow Reach. Overnight Te Anau.

Day 16: Alas, we must depart this grand and rugged corner of Aotearoa/New Zealand and cross the South Island back to the east side. We travel through central Otago, the “Wild West” of New Zealand, now sprinkled with vineyards and eccentric towns. Landing in the wonderful southernmost city of Dunedin, we settle into our lodging before embarking on a delightful cruise on Otago Harbor to Taiaroa Head. Our trip is timed so we arrive at the harbor entrance just as the Northern Royal Albatross arrive back to their only mainland breeding ground in the world. There can be no better way to complete a New Zealand journey than enjoying the sight of these magnificent fliers circling the headland. We have our farewell dinner back in the city. Overnight Dunedin.

Day 17: We say goodbye to Aotearoa, “The Land of the Long White Cloud,” until we can return!

Getting There

The trip begins in Nelson and ends in Dunedin. Most international flights arrive in Auckland. Allow for an inter-island flight as necessary when booking your travel. You will have to change terminals for the domestic flight if you arrive in Auckland, but it's very close -- only about a 10-15 minute walk. Note that you will "lose" a day when traveling west across the International Dateline from the United States to New Zealand. This means if you leave the U.S. for New Zealand in the evening, you will arrive in New Zealand two days later. On the other hand, you may well return to the U.S. before you leave New Zealand! Note also that the trip ends in a different city, Dunedin. It's easy to fly directly from Dunedin to Auckland. Consider booking your inter-island flights when you book your international itinerary. Generally, there is little or no additional cost when the flights are booked together.

It is highly recommended you plan to arrive in New Zealand at least a day in advance due to the unpredictability of weather and flight delays. You can take advantage of the extra day to adjust your internal clock from the travel and be well rested when we start our adventure! You can also explore Nelson, and the leader will give you recommendations for additional sightseeing options.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

We will stay in cozy lodges, a luxurious wilderness resort, and local hotels. Rooms are double occupancy; a roommate will be assigned for solo travelers. We travel in an air-conditioned minibus throughout the trip. Most meals, starting with dinner on day one and ending with breakfast on day 17, are included in the cost of the trip. For lunch and dinner we will have a mix of dining at local cafes and restaurants, picnicking, and gourmet meals. Our restaurants offer vegetarian dishes and we will attempt to satisfy special dietary needs. You should inform the leader of any dietary restrictions when completing your application.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is suitable for the active traveler who enjoys hiking and walking. It is open to adults of all ages, as long as you are in good health, get regular exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and enjoy traveling with a group of like-minded souls. While none of the hikes are more than 9 miles long, some involve steep stretches on trails that can be muddy or rocky. Aerobic fitness and strong legs are essential to your enjoyment of this trip.

New Zealand weather is unpredictable. You must be prepared for rain at any time. Expect daytime temperatures that range from the mid-60s to the mid-80s and nighttime lows in the 50s.

Equipment and Clothing

You will need high-quality rain gear. We will be exploring lowland to alpine regions, so layering is essential. The leader will provide you with a packing list for the trip after registration.

References

 Books/Kindle:

• King, Michael, The Penguin History of New Zealand. 2003.
• Chambers, John, A Traveller's History of New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands. 1999.
• Crowe, Andrew, Pathway of the Birds: The Voyaging Achievements of Māori and Their Polynesian Ancestors. 2018.
• Fitter, Julian and Don Merton, A Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. 2012.
• Robertson, Hugh, et al, The Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. 2015.
• Moon, Geoff, The Reed Field Guide to New Zealand Birds. 1992.
• Ansley, Bruce, Wild Journeys. 2018.
• Henry, Chessie, We Can Make a Life. 2018.
• Gill, Michael, Edmund Hillary - A Biography: The Extraordinary Life of the Beekeeper Who Climbed Everest. 2019.
• Coates, Glen, The Rise and Fall of the Southern Alps. Canterbury University Press, 2002.

Websites:

• The Department of Conservation: https://www.doc.govt.nz/. This website contains a wealth of information about environmental initiatives and links to information and brochures about all of New Zealand’s national parks.
• Forest and Bird: https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/. Forest and Bird is an environmental advocacy organization has many of the same goals as the Sierra Club.
• New Zealand Conservation Trust: https://www.nzconservationtrust.org.nz. The Trust works “to protect and advocate for our unique taonga (native species) through conservation, education and collaboration.” 

Movies:

• Whale Rider (2002). You get a glimpse of the Maori culture in this movie about a 12-year-old Maori girl who wants to become the chief of the tribe. Her grandfather believes that this is a role reserved for males only.
• Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016). This movie about a rebellious boy and his eccentric uncle who go missing in the New Zealand bush is entertaining and has beautiful scenery.
• Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Peter Jackson extravaganzas!
• Boy (2010). Comedy-drama coming of age story.
• The Piano (1993). Award-winning romance/drama with incredible New Zealand scenery.

Conservation

In general, New Zealanders favor vigorous protection of endangered and threatened plants and animals. The Department of Conservation is very active in relocating endangered species to islands and areas that have been cleared of pests. Rigorous standards for camping and hiking are in place in all national parks and reserves in an effort to lessen impacts on the environment and to maintain high water quality. All coastline is in public ownership.

As an isolated island group without any land predators, New Zealand once had nearly 200 bird species, and was an ideal setting for the evolution of flightless birds. After Maori and European settlers introduced non-native mammals such as rats, possums, weasels and stoats, many of New Zealand's indigenous bird species became threatened. These mammals have no natural enemies and have wreaked havoc on the native bird populations. It is believed that these introduced mammals kill about 25 million native birds every year. Finally, in 2016 New Zealand adopted a radical national initiative called Predator Free 2050. The goal of the initiative is to rid the entire country of foreign predators by the year 2050. New Zealand has already undertaken predator-free efforts on over 100 small isolated islands and achieved success, which has driven the audacious goal for 2050. The initiative will require new technologies and a substantial amount of money. But New Zealand is on the forefront of conservation technology and research, and the country is proud of their unique biodiversity and conservation. We will hear a lot about this initiative on our trip.

Aligned with this effort is the drive to protect New Zealand’s iconic bird, the kiwi. The kiwi population is diminishing by about two percent each year. Much of the kiwi mortality is due to the introduced rats, weasels, and stoats that attack and kill kiwis. But also impacting kiwi mortality are the reduction of habitat and domestic animals such as dogs and feral cats that hunt and kill the young birds. New Zealand is therefore taking strong steps to not only preserve and conserve kiwi habitat, but also educate the public about domestic and feral animal control.

The Maori people arrived in New Zealand by “waka” (canoe) from Polynesia around 800 years ago and were the first humans to populate the islands. They have a strong environmental ethic. They consider themselves obligated to care for and maintain other species and the natural world. This moral imperative has its roots in the Maori worldview that casts humans and non-humans -- which includes animals, plants, and rivers, lakes, ocean, mountains, land, forests, etc (the planet) -- as interdependent members of one family. The Maori believe it is their responsibility to maintain the Mauri (vitality) or life supporting capacity of the planet and the Mana (dignity and integrity) of both humans and non-humans. This is reflected in the Maori value of Kaitiakitanga, which is a moral sense of duty for humans to protect and care for nature, and in turn, to be provided for and cared for by nature. We will discuss these Maori ideas and values, and more, and how they bring them to life to address both challenges and opportunities in New Zealand.

The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff, encouraging grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward environmentally understanding parallel concerns at home and abroad. On our trip to New Zealand, we will have many opportunities to explore, discuss, and debate conservation initiatives with New Zealanders and amongst ourselves to expand our knowledge and appreciation.

Evacuation and Travel Insurance

The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.