New Zealand ~3 weeks, nature oriented tour?

Old Jun 5th, 2016, 06:29 PM
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New Zealand ~3 weeks, nature oriented tour?

Hello,

My fiance and I are planning a trip to New Zealand later this year for about 3 weeks. I've never traveled on a tour before but since there's so much we want to see it seems like a good option to get us place to place fairly quickly. We're fine with some beach and city days but we're more the outdoorsy types and would like to find something that mainly focuses on more natural areas, national parks, etc. I guess the ultimate hope is to find something that will get us to or near some of the amazing scenery that's out there and allow us the freedom to go out and hike and sight see as we please in most locations. The problem is that this seems a little difficult to pull off on a tour from what I've seen.

Has anybody done a NZ tour that's more nature oriented like this? Do you have any recommendations? Specific tours or a hop on/hop off type thing?

Thanks!
corten is offline  
Old Jun 5th, 2016, 07:52 PM
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This is a bit vague -
What time of the year will this trip be? We are in winter at the moment which is fine if you want the snow experience but November/December would be better for hikes and the beach.
Do you want to visit both islands?
There are some awesome experiences in day trips and short tours (such as Milford Track, Hollyford Track etc) but you have to get yourself to their departure point. Check out Ultimate Hikes for a 3 to 4 day guided walk but only from Nov to April. www.ultimatehikes.co.nz
Queenstown is a great area for exploring with hikes, walks, kayaking, jet boating, bungee jumping, horse riding etc.
Straytravel.com might suit you - pay an upfront fee for all bus travel on a certain route. Hop off if you like the place and get on the next bus or stay with the same bus.
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Old Jun 5th, 2016, 08:41 PM
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Sorry... I'm usually told I write a book so this time I tried to be more concise and I left some info off. This will be October/November. We'd like to see both islands.

It just seemed to me that most tours offer the same basic route - Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown (and a few stops in between). Which is awesome, it all sounds great! However, I was just curious if anybody had seen any tours that stray a bit, perhaps to drop you into Fiordland or allow time in Tongariro or Paparoa.

During my couple other past international trips I had more time and made my way around as I pleased. This one is a little more restricted as far as time, and maybe I was just hoping for more variety in tours than should be expected. Honestly in large part I'm looking into places I knew about as well as places I've been recommended, and I want to see it all. I'll eventually need to scale back some of those plans. Anyway, we can always take some day trips on our free days if we go with the more traditional tour route.

Thank you for the links tasmangirl! I'll take a look at those.
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Old Jun 6th, 2016, 12:17 AM
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Oct/Nov is good but some tracks in the South Island will be closed until 1 November.
Perhaps explore the North Island first and then head south. We have a long weekend for all of NZ Oct 22-24th so it will be busier then and more traffic depending where you are.
adventurewalks.co.nz offer a remote trip in Fiordland by boat to Lake McIvor.
Tongariro is easy to get to (well with a car and driving from Auckland) and you could do some walks yourself no problem. Check the weather report before you leave as weather here is unpredictable. We have spent time in this area but not down in Fiordland apart from a Milford Sound trip.
activeadventures.com look quite good as well.
humpridgetrack.co.nz is a Fiordland loop walk track which I would love to do one day.
I guess the tours go the same route as that's the tourist hot spots and what most people want to see. Spend some times googling specific areas for tours that might be offered.
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Old Jun 6th, 2016, 07:48 AM
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Natural Habitats has a tour of the South Island, if you want a guided experience. They so more walking and focus on nature: http://www.nathab.com/asia-adventure...land-explorer/ There will be some mornings or afternoons of free time, but it's mostly planned for you. (we did a Patagonia trip with them)

I think Stray or Kiwi Experience (used to be the more partying crowd, but I think they are trying to change their image) would suit you. It would be unguided and the time spent at each location is your's to do as you want.
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Old Jun 8th, 2016, 02:24 AM
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Well, Did you know that New Zealand was the last significant land mass on earth to be settled by humans.
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Old Jun 8th, 2016, 05:50 PM
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>>

Two words: Self-Drive!

tasmangirl - Closed??? curious what tracks you're referring to that are 'closed' - we've never run into a 'closed' track, and we travel in NZ in the winter/early spring.

My understanding is that all public tracks in NZ are 'open' year round, barring track damage.

Sure, organized tramps may not be operating, but that in no means one can't freedom walk - we do it all the time.

Some bridges are removed in winter, but the tracks remain open (granted, these are best left to the very experienced tramper).

Of course, transport to some tracks, such at the Milford Track doesn't operate during the off season, but there's a way around that too, again, for the experienced tramper who knows what they're doing.
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Old Jun 9th, 2016, 12:51 PM
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Corten - I have posted to the wrong question so sorry about that - I was looking at Ultimate Hikes who only run their tours from 1 November. Tracks are not closed but DOC has this sensible advice :


Outside the Great Walks season (28 April 2016 - 24 October 2016):
•facilities are greatly reduced
•there are additional safety hazards to consider.

Walking the track at this time should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well equipped people.
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