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North To South Grand Traverse 17D16N, Self-Drive

From A$0.00 Per Person, Twin Share

At a Glance

Traverse New Zealand from North to South on this action-packed 17-day self-drive road trip showcasing the country’s best active experiences including 3 of the Great Walks.

Tucked away at the bottom of the world, New Zealand is a country of stunning and diverse natural beauty: tropical beaches, snow-capped mountains, sparkling fiords, raging rivers and active volcano zones. For the outdoor enthusiast, keen on hiking, biking, paddling and more, New Zealand has no shortage of things to see and do. Home of the Great Walks (known to be some of the best hikes in the world) and many other day and multiday hikes, you could spend months trying to see it all. Luckily for you, this road trip leaves no stone unturned on an epic journey from north to south.

Departing from Auckland, ...

Trip Highlights

  • Heli hike the Franz Josef Glacier and soak in the hot pools
  • Step back in time in Dunedin, the Scotland a little closer to home
  • Cruise and hike Fiordland National Park and the magnificent Milford Sound
  • Embark on a cruise and guided nature walk of Stevensons Island, Lake Wanaka
  • Uncover the raw beauty of the world’s youngest geothermal site, Waimangu Volcanic Valley
  • Spend time in Christchurch, the city of exploration, where urban generation and heritage thrive
  • Traverse part of the famous Routeburn Track that links the Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks
  • Explore the Abel Tasman National Park on foot and by kayak
  • Drive New Zealand’s wild West Coast, including the mighty Buller Gorge
  • Cosy up in some of New Zealand’s best boutique luxury lodges and hotels
  • Embark on one of the world’s greatest day walks, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
  • Immerse yourself in Wellington, named “the coolest little capital in the world” by Lonely Planet
  • Discover beautiful beaches, quiet nature and twinkling bays on the Coromandel Coastal Walkway
  • Follow the path of Captain James Cook through the Marlborough Sounds on the Queen Charlotte Track

What's Included

  • 16-nights’ boutique hotel accommodation on a twin share basis 
  • Coromandel Coastal Walkway guided walk (Day 2) 
  • Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton (Day 6) 
  • Queen Charlotte Track self-guided walk from Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge including cruise with Cougar Line, independent walk from any length from 1 to 5 hours and map and instructions (Day 7) 
  • Waimangu Volcanic Valley self-guided walk including entry to the valley, walk map and bus shuttle service between the visitor centre and lake alongside the walking trails (Day 3) 
  • Fiordland National Park/Milford Sound Coach, Cruise and Walk including professional guide, pick-ups/drop-offs, nature boat cruise and walking and photo opportunities (Day 14) 
  • Wilsons Abel Tasman National Park Split Apple Kayak, Seals & Beach tour including half day kayak trip (with top quality kayaking equipment, instruction and safety briefing, and dry bags for clothing and camera), unguided walk and 2 Vista cruises (Day 8)
  • Mount Aspiring National Park/Routeburn Track guided walk including all transport to and from accommodation, picnic lunch and interpretative commentary of flora, fauna and geology (day packs, wooden walking sticks and some wet weather gear available to hire at additional cost) (Day 12) 
  • Stevensons Island cruise and guided nature walk including afternoon tea onboard (Day 11) 
  • Premium Tongariro Alpine Crossing guided walk including transport between the Adrift Tongariro base and the activity, lunch (vegetarian available on request at time of booking), crampons and ice axes if required for winter conditions, $40NZD of clothing and footwear hire ($20NZD boots, $10NZD per item of clothing) (Day 4) 
  • Franz Josef Heli Hike including helicopter transfers to and from the ice, 2 hour guided tour on the ice with and entry into the Glacier Hot Pools (Day 10) 
  • 17-days’ full size car rental* 
  • Meals: 15 x Breakfast, 3 x Lunch

Itinerary

DAY 1 The Coromandel: Settle into coastal paradise
Atea Lodge, The Coromandel
Breakfast
DAY 2 The Coromandel: Traverse the Coromandel Coastal Walkway
Atea Lodge, The Coromandel
Breakfast
DAY 3 Rotorua & Tongariro National Park: Uncover a geothermal wonderland in Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Chateau Tongariro, Mount Ruapehu
Breakfast
DAY 4 Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Embark on one of the world’s best day walks
Chateau Tongariro Hotel, Mount Ruapehu
Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 5 Wellington: Immerse yourself in “the coolest little capital in the world”
QT Museum Wellington, Wellington
Breakfast
DAY 6 Interislander ferry & Picton: Breathe fresh sea air in a quaint seaside town
McCormick House, Picton
Breakfast
DAY 7 Queen Charlotte Track: Follow the path of Captain James Cook through the Marlborough Sounds
Warwick House B&B, Nelson
Breakfast
DAY 8 Abel Tasman National Park: Kayak to Split Apple and explore Bark Bay on foot
Warwick House B&B, Nelson
Breakfast
DAY 9 West Coast & Glacier Country: Drive New Zealand’s wild West Coast including the mighty Buller Gorge
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier, Franz Josef
Breakfast
DAY 10 Franz Josef Glacier & Wanaka: Heli Hike the glacier and soak in the hot pools
Maple Lodge, Wanaka
Breakfast
DAY 11 Wanaka & Queenstown: Embark on a cruise and nature walk of Stevensons Island
Hotel St Moritz, Queenstown
Breakfast
DAY 12 Mount Aspiring National Park: Traverse the famous Routeburn Track
Hotel St Moritz, Queenstown
Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 13 Queenstown & Te Anau: Arrive at the gateway to the Fiordland
Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas, Te Anau
Breakfast
DAY 14 Fiordland National Park: Revel in the magnificence of the Milford Sound
Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas, Te Anau
Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 15 Dunedin: Step back in time in the Scotland of the south
The Brothers Boutique Hotel, Dunedin
Breakfast
DAY 16 Christchurch: Explore “The Garden City” at your own pace
The George, Christchurch
Breakfast
DAY 17 Christchurch: Farewell, New Zealand!
None
Breakfast

Accommodation

FULL PAYMENT INSTALLMENTS
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More Info

How To Get There
- The start point of this trip is Auckland, New Zealand 
- The finish point of this trip is Christchurch, New Zealand 
Weather & Climate
New Zealand has a largely temperate climate. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as – 10°C (14°F) in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine. 
 
Because New Zealand lies in the Southern Hemisphere, the average temperature decreases as you travel south. The far north of the country has an average temperature of about 15°C (59°F), while the deep south has a cooler 9°C (48°F) average. January and February are the warmest months of the year, and July is the coldest. 
Other Information

Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.

Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.

A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.

Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.

General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance

Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.

Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.

Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.

Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.

Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.

Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.

Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.

Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.

Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.

For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.

Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.

Product Code : ENZAKLNSG17