7 Day / 6 Night tour departing Auckland visiting New Zealand's largest farm Molesworth Station, Abel Tasman National Park and Farewell Spit
Enjoy the unique history of New Zealand’s biggest farm, the Molesworth Station, the world famous Abel Tasman National Park, the charms of sunny Nelson, Farewell Spit and the delights of Golden Bay.
Tour Inclusions
General Inclusions
- All transport by comfortable, air conditioned coach (maximum of 18 travellers).
- Services of your knowledgeable driver/guide.
- Quality accommodation chosen for a “sense of place".
- Return airfares ex Auckland.
All Meals Are Included
- All breakfasts(B).
- All lunches(L) including special lunches at: Hurunui Farm Garden; Anatoki Salmon Farm.
- All dinners(D) including special dinners at: San Souci Inn, Pohara Beach.
All Activities & Entrance Fees Are Included
- Explore historic Molesworth Station by 4WD coach with a local guide.
- Drive over beautiful Lewis Pass.
- See the Maruia Falls.
- Cruise in Abel Tasman National Park.
- Visit the World of WearableArt and Classic Cars Museum.
- Visit Anatoki Salmon Farm.
- Explore Te Waikoropupu Springs in Takaka - the world's purest water.
- Tour in a customised coach along the sands of Farewell Spit.
- Visit the arts and crafts galleries in Golden Bay.
- Enjoy refreshments at the quirky Mussel Inn boutique brewery.
Included Sightseeing & Exploring
- Drive up the Canterbury Plains to Hanmer Springs.
- Explore Farewell Spit.
- Take a walk on the perfect sands of Golden Bay.
- Take a relaxing swim at Pohara Beach.
- Tour the relaxed and arty city of Nelson.
Departure Dates
On request - January to May. Starting from $3,990
Itinerary
Your included flight departs Auckland in the morning and you are met on your arrival at Christchurch airport We drive north up the Canterbury Plains to the Hurunui district where we stop for a private lunch at a farmhouse.
Later we drive to the pretty alpine village of Hanmer Springs. It's boutique shops, golf course and hot pools make Hanmer a favourite weekend getaway for Christchurch residents. There's time to explore the main street and enjoy a soak in the hot pools before dining at the Heritage Hotel, our home for two nights.
Accommodation: HANMER SPRINGS - HERITAGE HOTEL
We explore Molesworth Station, New Zealand's largest farm, to uncover the history of this land of the cowboy and his way of life. We travel with our local guide in a customised coach driving over Jacks Pass and into the Clarence Valley to visit historic Acheron accommodation house, now deserted, but alive with the memories of 157 years ago.
The homestead and cob buildings are nestled under the Inland Kaikoura ranges. With the highest mountain Tapuae-o-Uenuku in the background, we picnic at Molesworth Cob Cottage. At the end of the day we drive back down Jollies Pass to Hanmer.
Accommodation: HANMER SPRINGS - HERITAGE HOTEL
Leaving Hanmer this morning we drive up through the beech forests of the 864m Lewis Pass in the Southern Alps to Maruia Springs and on to view the spectacular Maruia Falls.
Driving north up the Shenandoah Highway we reach the Upper Buller Gorge and continue to Murchison, over the Hope Saddle and onto Wakefield and our destination, Nelson.
We dine in at Trailways Hotel, our home for two nights.
Accommodation: NELSON - TRAILWAYS HOTEL
We drive through the orchards and vineyards to Motueka and on to Kaiteriteri Beach where we board a purpose built catamaran to cruise along the coastline of the Abel Tasman National Park to Awaroa at the top of the park. New Zealand's smallest national park has a stunning coastline of golden sandy beaches, bush clad headlands and islands where seabirds and seals abound.
Returning to Kaiteriteri, we sight see on the way back to Nelson, visiting the World of WearableArt and Classic Cars Museum at Annesbrook.
Accommodation: NELSON - TRAILWAYS HOTEL
We drive over Takaka Hill and stop to enjoy the wide landscape views of the Tasman Ranges from the lookout. At Anatoki Salmon Farm we stop at their cafe for lunch by the river.
It's a short walk on a well maintained path to Te Waikoropupu Springs (Place of the Dancing Sands) where the world’s purest water bubbles up from deep in the earth. This springs system, which the locals call Pupu, is the largest in New Zealand. We stay two nights on the Pohara beachfront (bring your swim suit) and dine nearby at San Souci Inn.
Accommodation: GOLDEN BAY - POHARA BEACH MOTEL
Returning to Collingwood we head back to Pohara Beach calling in for refreshments at the famously quirky Mussel Inn brewery along the way. We dine out this evening.
Accommodation: GOLDEN BAY - POHARA BEACH MOTEL
After a leisurely breakfast at Pohara Beach there's time for a swim or a walk on the golden sands of Pohara Beach and to further explore this stunning region. We drive back up Takaka Hill to lunch at The Woolshed - a traditional woolshed which has been converted into a coffee and craft shop.
In the afternoon we call into the galleries and shops at Mapua Wharf before heading back to Nelson airport in time for your direct flight back to Auckland.