Trekking
Hiking
and
Walking Holidays
Walking in New Zealand
New Zealand is stunningly beautiful, and remarkably empty. In the South Island there are rugged alpine mountains, wild bush-clad valleys, untamed temperate rainforest, high alpine peaks, glaciers, lakes, fiords, pristine beaches and wide open spaces. The Southern Alps run down its entire length.
Perhaps the most dramatic landscape in the North Island is found within the Tongariro National Park with its three active volcanoes including Mt Ruapehu which has erupted twice recently.
High Places in New Zealand
High Places have been the UK specialists in mountain travel and adventure activities in New Zealand for some years and in 1999 opened an office in Nelson at the top of the South Island. Ringed by mountains, Nelson, with its sunny climate, vineyards and orchards, potters and painters and golden beaches is stylish and relaxed. Our 'South Island Contrasts' and 'South Island Wild' trips begin in Nelson.
Climate
All our trips go to New Zealand in the southern summer which extends from the end of October to early April. The climate is refreshingly stimulating with clear air, powerful skies and vivid sunshine. Expect fine weather with temperatures around 20- 24 ºC. The west coast of the South Island and Fiordland however have a high rainfall and a good share of wet days.
EXTENSIONS:
New Zealand is perhaps the easiest country in the world in which to travel independently.
Before or after your trip, do consider one or more of these great add-ons:
Use the expert services of High Places NZ Office, to advise, plan or make 'PYO' (Plan Your Own) arrangements. They are only an email away!
nzpure@highplaces.co.nz
NORTH ISLAND
GREAT BARRIER ISLAND
rom Auckland, fly or catch a ferry to Great Barrier Island, a volcanic island protecting the Hauraki Gulf from the Pacific Ocean with forest covered hills, magnificent steep rocky pillars and unspoilt beaches. Base yourself in our comfortable accommodation by the coast with walking, mountain biking, kayaking, beaches and hot springs all within reach.
Detailed ItineraryBAY of ISLANDS
The Bay of Islands, a sheltered bay sprinkled with islands of all sizes and accessible by road or plane from Auckland is a perfect place to recover from jetlag or wind down at the end of your trip. This is where the first settlers arrived and there are beaches, boat trips, dolphins & whales, snorkelling and walks to rocky headlands and though mangrove swamps.
ROTORUA & TONGARIRO NP
Fly or drive to Rotorua and spend time in the geothermal areas before heading on to Tongariro National Park with guided or unguided options on Ruapehu and Tongariro. Finishes in Auckland or Wellington.
OR
Join these three extensions together to make a NORTH ISLAND TOUR
South Island Contrasts
25 Days
26 Days
PACIFIC ISLANDS STOPOVER
If you are coming all the way from Europe, do consider a few days in the exotic South Pacific before or after your trip. Air New Zealand has the best options for Pacific stopovers en route to/from New Zealand. Our own favourite is the Cook Islands, with very much a New Zealand style, NZ$ currency, relaxed living etc. The main island, Raratonga, is a classic Pacific island, 35kms circumference, with palm fringed beaches, coral lagoons and a rugged mountainous interior.SOUTH ISLAND
CAPTAIN COOK EXTENSION
An opportunity to walk part or all of the Queen Charlotte Walkway, one of New Zealand’s best known and most picturesque walking tracks. This trip is a great start to our New Zealand trips or as part of your independent visit to the South Island.ROUTEBURN/MILFORD TRACK
If you BOOK EARLY you can do the Routeburn or the Milford or another Great Walk.
Tel: 0114 275 7500, Email: treks@highplaces.co.uk
