Trek Notes - New Zealand

South Island Safari


SECRET SOUTH SAFARI
10 DAYS QUEENSTOWN - CHRISTCHURCH

Grade: Medium (+) – Some alpine hiking and uneven terrain.
Meeting Point: 8.00amQueenstown Visitors Centres 

DAY 1
Sunday.Join tour in Queenstown5 hours hiking

We meet at the Queenstown Visitor’s centre at 8.00am and after a short briefing by our guide, head south to Te Anau – a pretty town situated at the edge of Lake Te Anau. Taking its name from the caves discovered on the western shore, Te Anau mean ‘cave rushing water’. Lake Te Anau is New Zealand’s second largest lake. After collecting our food supplies we head up the Eglinton Valley and ‘The Divide’. Here we hike with day packs, to Black Lake and Gertrude Saddle (optional), for amazing views down into Milford Sound (a fiord carved by a huge glacier). We return to the vehicle and set up camp. Introduction night.

DAY 2
Monday.Milford Sound4 hours kayaking

We rise early and drive through the Homer Tunnel and down to Milford Sound itself. Here we hire kayaks (optional) and kayak out into the fiord with its cascading waterfalls and views of Mitre Peak (1722 metres straight out of the sea). Fiordland Crested Penguins and New Zealand fur seals often play near our kayaks. After lots of stops for pictures and feeds of Rosco’s famous scroggen, we head back to shore and drive back through the divide to our camp in the Eglinton Valley.

DAY 3
Tuesday. Fiordland National Park
     7 hours hiking
This morning we drive to Borland Saddle (1000 metres) in Fiordland National Park where we have lunch and organise food for our first overnight hike. The visual impact of this park is stunning – during the Ice Age, the glaciers gouged the fiords and lakes, hollowed out the rounded valleys, and shaped the granite mountain peaks. There are different forest types all over the park; on the eastern side red, silver and mountain beech fill the valleys, and in the northern sections, podocarp forests of matai, rimu, and totara can be found. From Borland Saddle we climb above the bush line onto the Hunter Range with great views into the Park. We traverse along these tops to Mt Burns (1634 metres – optional climb) and descend to Green Lake to camp.

DAY 4
Wednesday. Catlins Coast 3 hours hiking

A leisurely breakfast in this most idyllic site, before hiking out through beech forest and across tussock basins to the road. Have lunch and then drive through to Invercargill for a food shop. This is the southernmost city in New Zealand and its roots, as reflected by its name, are from Scottish settlers who came here in the late 1800’s. Many of the cities tree-lined streets bear the names of Scottish rivers, and this whole region is similar to homeland in its weather! We carry on to Curio Bay in the Catlins, an unspoiled scenic region of coast, rivers and podocarp forest – once an area inhabited by the giant moa (largest bird in the world - now extinct). We relax here and stay in a cosy crib (a New Zealand summerhouse). There is a chance to enjoy a swim in the sea and then a hot shower to complete our day.

DAY 5
Thursday. Cannibal Bay2 hours hiking

This morning we explore Curio Bay and perhaps swim with Hector’s dolphins, which sometimes surf on the waves. We walk to a nearby tidal platform that contains tree stumps from a fossilised forest 180 million years old – it is one of the most extensive fossil forests in the world. The platforms are a palaeontologist’s dream. The fossils are evidence of New Zealand’s location in the ancient Gondwanaland; plant species identified here are similar to those found in South America. We drive along the coast and reach our next destination of Cannibal Bay. The bay takes its name from human bones discovered here last century that were part of a Maori feast. We have a chance to see New Zealand sea-lion and yellow-eyed penguins, the rarest breeds of sea-lion and penguin in the world. We camp near the beach and prepare a hangi feast (Maori earth oven).

DAY 6
Friday. Central Otago3 hours hiking

Today is a travelling day. We spend most of the day driving through the spectacular high country landscape of Central Otago. During the nineteenth century, it was the lure of the gold that brought thousands of diggers to the Dunsten goldfields and places like Gabriels Gully where we stop for lunch and a swim. Today it is liquid gold in the form of vineyards that lures people to the area. Central Otago contains some of New Zealand's largest high country sheep stations, many measuring tens of thousands of hectares. We drive up alongside Lake Ohau and then pack gear for a short hike up through beech forest to a camp beside Freehold Creek, just below the bush line.

DAY 7
Saturday. Ohau Range7 hours hiking

Up early, we leave our camp and head off with day packs to explore a beautiful basin filled with tarns (small alpine lakes). The basin contains an incredible variety of alpine plants, including Spaniards (prickly), and the world’s largest buttercup, named Mt Cook Lily (Ranunculus lyali), because of its large round lily-like leaves. The fit can climb up onto the Ohau range (1915 metres) to glimpse the views of the Southern Alps, including Mt Cook, and the Mackenzie Basin. We return to pack up our camp, and head out to the vehicle. We then drive on to Mt Cook village to camp beneath New Zealand’s highest mountains.

DAY 8
Sunday. Mt Cook National Park5 hours hiking

We set off early with day packs to hike up to Sealy Tarns and Mueller Hut for views of the Hooker and Mueller glaciers, Mt Sefton icefall, and truly spectacular views of New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki/Mt Cook – 3754 metres (the Maori name translates to ‘Cloud Piercer’). On our walk we’ll learn about glaciers, mountain building and the New Zealand climate. We descend back down to our vehicle and drive to the bottom end of Lake Pukaki – artificially raised 30 metres for hydroelectric power generation. This lake is a beautiful turquoise colour caused by the fine glacial silt suspended in the water.We camp on its shores, with beautiful views across to our highest peaks. 

DAY 9
Monday. Mt Somers4 hours hiking

We continue on through the Mackenzie Basin this morning, an area named after a legendary sheep rustler. We drive pass Lake Tekapo into South Canterbury and on to Mt Somers. We hike up to an abandoned coal mine and explore some relics, then onwards along the rim of a canyon to Woolshed Creek. There are several altitudinal plant sequences during our hike, along with regenerating beech forest. We might also spot the New Zealand falcon soaring above on the lookout for prey. We stay that night in an old musterer’s hut and enjoy a bush sauna and a refreshing bath in a stream.

DAY 10
Tuesday. Tour ends in Christchurch4 hours hiking

We spend our final day together exploring water caves (you get a bit wet!), Tri-falls stream and swims in Emerald Pool or under a pounding waterfall known as the ‘Spa’. Before leaving this beautiful park we’ll have lunch and then rock-hop down a river canyon (optional). After cleaning up the vehicle and sorting our gear we drive across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. We arrive in the late afternoon and say our sad farewells to each other. Tour ends in Christchurch.

HIKING & FITNESS
Do you have what it takes?

This is a real New Zealand experience. Tracks can be slippery and rough, and you will get wet boots when we have to cross rivers. At times, we hike off the track, which puts extra stress on your ankles and knees. Please advise us if you have a history of knee or ankle problems. Although you do not need prior hiking experience (except for safaris graded ‘fit’), you do need to be reasonably fit, enthusiastic and prepared for a mental and physical challenge.

You won’t be left behind! We hike together as a group at a steady pace, stopping for a good lunch and often for snacks. Due to changeable weather conditions and the remoteness of the areas we visit, we insist that the group stay together.

If you are concerned about your fitness, get out and do some day hikes in the weeks prior to the safari (4-5 hrs hiking with a pack). Your body will thank you!

SMALL GROUPS
A unique point of difference is that our maximum group size is 12. You will travel with a small and social group of people, sitting around camp fires telling stories and playing games, sleeping under the stars, and relaxing in natural hotpools...

GETTING ORGANISED
CAMPING & ACCOMMODATION

We spend about half the nights on safari in camps or huts in the mountains away from the vehicle. On the remaining nights, we camp by the vehicle in secluded places. Sometimes, in wet weather we seek out budget accommodation. There are always rivers and lakes to swim in or wash by, and we usually stop at places with hot showers every third or fourth day. We can also heat water for washing when camping by the vehicle.

Your guide will book accommodation for you in a backpacker hostel for the end of the safari. You can also be dropped off at your own pre-booked accommodation.

Domestics are a team effort, from collecting firewood, setting up camp and cooking, to doing the dishes and cleaning the vehicle.

FOOD
Food is run on a kitty system so everybody chips in with the buying, preparation and cooking of meals: barbecues, salads, stews, pancakes, pasta, dampers, hangi. Each person’s contribution is about $10 per day. Vegetarian meals are no problem -just advise us when you book.

TRANSPORT
We travel in a 10-12 seat minibus towing a trailer with camp equipment and luggage. An average of 2-3 hours is spent driving per day.

FLEXIBLE PROGRAMME
The itinerary given is for our normal route. However, if poor weather conditions prevail or the group has a particular preference, the hikes and itinerary are flexible. Finishing times are approximate only - we can arrive 5pm - 8pm. Please advise, when making a booking, if you have same day onward travel connections.

WHAT TO TAKE
New Zealand mountainous areas can experience cold weather, even in summer. Warm clothes are essential (no jeans for hiking). We insist you have the essential items below and reserve the right to make you purchase/hire them before the safari.

Essential Items
· hiking boots (not shoes)
· backpack (at least 50 litres capacity)
· backpack liner (plastic bag)
· 3-season sleeping bag
· waterproof raincoat
· warm fleece/wool jersey (not cotton)
· shorts for hiking
· polypro/thermals – top &and long-johns
· 3 pairs of socks (they get wet)
· warm hat or balaclava
· sunscreen and sunglasses
· drink bottle (1 litre)
· spare shoes or sandals
· flashlight/head lamp
· insect repellent(sandflies like foreign blood)
· spare set of clothes

Optional Items
Therm-a-rest sleeping mat, gaiters, binoculars, gloves/mittens, earplugs, walking poles, camera.

We Supply: Sleeping mats (dense foam), tents, cooking equipment, plates/cutlery, first aid kit, safety equipment and maps.

Luggage: We allow space for 120 litres per person (one large pack plus one day pack). You may be required to forward excess luggage if you exceed this. Any gear you do not need on hikes can be locked in the vehicle. NZ Nature Safaris accepts no responsibility for security of your luggage. We highly recommend travel insurance.

Equipment Hire: We hire out good quality equipment. Arrange hire gear when you book. Requests for hire equipment must be made at least 5 days before the departure date.

YOUR GUIDES
Your guides have a great enthusiasm for the outdoors and a thorough knowledge of natural history. They are keen to teach you outdoor skills such as river crossing, map reading and campfire cooking. All guides have more than a decade of outdoor experience, and mountain first aid training.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will I be fit enough to keep up with the group?

Please read carefully 'Hiking and Fitness Requirements'before choosing your hiking option and grade (medium or fit). Preparation is the key – go hiking carrying a pack, or go to the gym regularly in the weeks prior to your departure.

What is the weather going to be like?
New Zealand experiences extremely changeable weather.Some days we can be broiling in 30 degrees heat and later in the day freezing in a cool southerly from the sub-Antarctic. Our trips are very flexible and work well in all weather.

Do I really need hiking boots?
Yes! Good hiking boots are essential to protect your feet and provide ankle support. Tracks can be slippery and rough. Sometimes we hike off-track, on rough terrain, involving river crossings.

It’s summer. Do I really need thermals and a fleece?
Yes. We can experience extreme weather, even in summer.

What if I haven't got the right gear?
We can hire to you everything except hiking boots. Order what you need when you book. We also sell NZ Nature Safari fleeces, polyprop thermals.

What is not included in the price?
Food kitty and camp fee fund (averages $18/day). This cost is passed directly on - you only pay for what you get. The cost of kayaking ($40-$65), is also not included.

Can I do more than one safari?
Yes! Our safaris and hikes are designed to connect over the whole of New Zealand – anything from 3 to 37 days!

I'm a vegetarian - is that a problem?
No problem, we often have vegetarians in the group. Guides are familiar with vegetarian cooking. Please advise when you book.

Which is the best trip to go on?
The North Island has lots of secrets - volcanoes, lakes and wilderness; the West Coast has grand mountains, canyons, glaciers and rainforest; the Secret South has a lot of alpine areas and wildlife - dolphins, penguins, sea lions and seals. The wilderness hikes and expeditions explore remote areas of our National Parks. You decide!

What equipment do I need to bring along?
'What To Take' lists the minimum gear requirements. We visit mountainous wilderness areas, which can experience extremes of weather at any time of year. Be prepared!

I have a lot of extra luggage - what should I do with it?
We allow luggage space of 120 litres per person (1 large pack plus a daypack). We may require you to forward excess luggage. On overnight hikes everything is locked in the vehicle.

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