Gay Group Trip: New Zealand Adventure

Our local guide will introduce us to Motueka Valley, one of New Zealand’s best wine regions. We’ll then be cycling about 20 miles mostly downhill through scenic landscapes. Your exertions will be rewarded with a glass of wine overlooking Tasman Bay.

Back in Nelson we’ll store our luggage in preparation for the next stage of the adventure.

We’ll hike along the shores of Abel Tasman National Park lodging in a seaside inn in the evening. Today we’ll by kayaking over the gentle waters from Kaiteriteri passing Split-Apple Rock and Adele Island.

After lunch we’ll head to our lodge at Torrent Bay.

You can set out on an optional hike today along the Abel Tasman Track to Anchorage Bay.

Today we’ll kayak past starfish and explore Tonga Arches. Our guide will teach us about the Maori and settler influences in the local area.

We’ll head to Onetahuti Beach and hike Tonga Saddle to Awaroa Inlet where we’ll check into our lodge.

After breakfast, we’ll hike along an estuary past green grottos to Totaranui. We’ll have some time to explore then we’ll board a boat cruise back to our lodge.

In the afternoon we’ll return to Nelson.

We’ll leave Nelson and head to the Wild West Coast. Walking the coast of Buller River, we’ll try a spot of blackwater rafting through the Nile River Cave System: an ancient wonderland sculpted in limestone. Our journey will be lit by glowworms.

We’ll spend the night in an inn overlooking the Tasman Sea.

We’ll be staying at Punakaiki, following the coast south to Hokitika, settled during the gold rush. Today one of the major industries is carving jade. We’ll get the chance to watch some artisans at work.

This area is rich in blowholes and lush Nikau Palms. There can be a lot of rainfall here. We’ll see rivers of ice surrounded by moss and trees. In the evening we’ll be staying close to one of the two main glaciers.

We’ll be heading to the glacial terminus where a torrent of water flows from a sub-surface river. We’ll learn about the ice rivers, the Maori relationship with the glaciers and, should you wish, you can upgrade to a heli-hike. This will involve a helicopter ride into the glacier.

After breakfast we’ll drive to Wanaka, visiting primordial swamps, forests, waterfalls and glacial lakes.

We’ll spend three nights in the mountain village of Wanaka. After hiking above the town we’ll settle down in the village for a meal and some drinks.

Today we’ll visit the alpine Matukituki River valley. Less than an hour from Wanaka, it’s surrounded by glaciers and peaks. A short hike will take us to a hanging glacier clinging to Rob Roy Peak where you’ll see great waterfalls melting from the ice.

Today you’re free to choose: canyoning across Milford Sound or taking a flight over the mighty fjords.

We’ll descend Crown Range Saddle and head to Arrowtown. We’ll cycle towards our next adventure: bungy jumping. It’ll take no more than 30 seconds but the adrenalin from this extraordinary experience will last much longer.

As if things couldn’t get more exciting we’ll then head to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the West.

You’re free to explore Queenstown. If you’re a whitewater fan you can head rafting over the heady  Shotover River through six rapids.

In the evening we’ll have a farewell dinner.

Today you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight.