Hiking Under Southern Skies

Depart North America on overnight flights to Auckland, New Zealand

After claiming your luggage, wait inside the Arrivals area and meet our Group Leaders who will be holding a Road Scholar sign. When everyone has arrived, we will board a bus for the ride south from Auckland to Hamilton. Before lunch we will wander at our leisure around the Hamilton Gardens, exploring a variety of themes. These include the Indian Char Bagh, Italian Renaissance, Japanese Contemplation, Chinese Scholars’, English Flower, Modernists, Tudor and Chinoiserie gardens. Also, themes such as fantasy, tropical, sustainable, herb, kitchen and the Te Parapara garden – New Zealand’s only traditional Maori heritage productive garden showcasing traditional practices, materials and ceremonies related to food production and storage.

Welcome Lunch at Hamilton Gardens Café

Hamilton sits on the banks of the country's longest river, the Waikato River. After lunch, we take a leisurely stroll along the picturesque river walkway that threads through the city, to stretch our legs after the long flight. Hamilton started as a farming service town and has grown into a city with a university, research institutes and the beautiful Hamilton Gardens. We board the coach to take us to our overnight accommodation. There is time to freshen up after check-in before gathering for our Orientation session. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will pre-order some meals so as to make the most of our time. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At the hotel

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel

After checking out of our hotel, we begin our journey by coach to Turangi, with short bush walks en route in the Taupo area, at the discretion of our group leaders.

Packed lunch during field trip

After lunch, we stop for a short walk to the spectacular Huka Falls on the Waikato River. We then continue our coach journey south to Turangi, traversing the shores of Lake Taupo (New Zealand’s largest lake). Turangi is situated next to the magnificent Tongariro National Park (World Heritage Site). Trout fishing is Turangi's obsession and the Tongariro is one of the most famous trout fishing rivers in the world. We arrive at the Motor Lodge & check in.

At the lodge

Orientation to the local area & briefing/preparation for Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

At a local café

Board coach to Whakapapa Village on the flanks of Mt Ruapehu. Visit Whakapapa Visitor Centre. Walk to Silica Springs, enjoying the peace and quiet as you hike over sub-alpine vegetation and through native beech forest to these striking golden rapids, coloured yellow by silica deposits on the volcanic rock.

Packed lunch during field trip

We walk to Taranaki Falls, which tumbles 65 ft. over the edge of a large andesite lava flow which erupted from Mt. Ruapehu. There are excellent views of volcanic Mts Tongariro, Ngauruhoe & Ruapehu on a clear day.

At the lodge

At leisure

At a local café

Coach to Mangatepopo Valley for all-day challenging hike over Tongariro Alpine Crossing with an expert mountain guide. The traverse of the stark and spectacular volcanic alpine landscape takes us up & over the saddle between the peaks of Mts Tongariro and Ngauruhoe, and is one of the most fascinating day-treks in the country.

Packed lunch during field trip

After reaching the summit, we continue our hike on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, traversing across open tussock land, following a zig-zag trail downhill, and lastly descending through native bush to the Ketetahi Car park.

At the lodge

At leisure

At a local café

FREE TIME to relax after the previous strenuous day. Options include: Visit to Tokaanu Thermal Pools (own cost), short walk around thermal area, fly fishing, rafting, river walk or cycle.

Own choice

We gather and travel by coach to the start of Lake Rotopounamu Lake loop walk, which nestles on the side of Mt Pihanga. This pretty lake is a special favourite of tree lovers, birdwatchers, walkers & swimmers.

At the lodge

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At a local café

Board coach to Rotorua. Visit Te Puia (Whakarewarewa) one of New Zealand’s premier Maori cultural and geothermal visitors’ centres. A local expert will lead us through the area, with commentary, describing early Maori life in the region, followed by a traditional Maori cultural performance.

Packed lunch at Te Puia

We continue our Te Puia excursion, visiting the state-of-the-art New Zealand Maori Art and Crafts Institute, where we observe students at work learning traditional arts, such as wood and bone carving and weaving, under the tutelage and guidance of master craftspeople. Following, we check in at our Rotorua Hotel and enjoy some late afternoon FREE TIME to explore this city which was the forerunner for New Zealand’s international tourism industry back in the 1880s, and renowned for its geothermal activity across the world. Rotorua is located on the edge of the lake of the same name, is big on Maori culture and its geography is the result of still-active volcanoes, craters, boiling mud and erupting geysers.

At the hotel

At leisure. Prepare for morning check-out and flight to Christchurch on the South Island.

At the hotel

Board coach to Rotorua Airport for a flight to Christchurch (South Island’s east coast). On arrival, we are met by our coach driver and depart inland via the Canterbury Plains to Staveley, a small village situated in the foothills of the Southern Alps and adjacent to large tracts of pristine native forest. There, we meet Elspeth Jaine (Rata Escape Lodges), who has coordinated our B&Bs/Homestays with local hosts.

At a local café

We travel by bus to Elspeth’s family sheep and cattle farm for an in-depth talk by Anna & Mitch (Elspeth's daughter & son-in-law) on various livestock practices. There will be a sheep-shearing demonstration, and impressive displays by working dogs showcasing their skills herding sheep in obedience to a complex array of whistle signals and commands. There may be time for a short walking tour of their farm, past covenanted wetlands, with rolling hills and stunning views. Later, we will meet our homestay hosts and settle into our various abodes.

At our hosts’ home

At leisure, enjoying the conversation and getting to know our hosts and their families.

At our hosts’ home

By coach to the start of an all-day hike on the Coalminers Track to Woolshed Creek Hut near Mt Somers. Elspeth leads us along the historic trail, providing expert commentary, through regenerating beech forest out onto sub-alpine vegetation with outstanding views towards the Arrowsmith Range and Lake Heron.

Packed lunch during field trip

We complete our looped hike and return to the coach and our home hosts for a further night.

At our hosts’ home

At leisure. Prepare for transfer in the morning.

At our hosts’ home

Farewelling our gracious hosts and new friends, we board our coach for the inland route south to Twizel, stopping at Geraldine for a short break en route. Arriving in Tekapo (an area designated an International Dark Sky Reserve), we embark on an uphill walk on Mt John, passing the observatory and enjoying panoramic views of Lake Tekapo and surrounding peaks of the Southern Alps. An open tussock-land hike for those who enjoy the wide-open spaces.

Packed lunch during field trip

We complete our hike and continue our journey through the picturesque (so-called) Mackenzie Country, stopping at Lake Pukaki, renowned for its turquoise waters and hoping for a glimpse of Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Arriving in Twizel, we check into our hotel and settle in.

At the hotel

At leisure

At the hotel

Board coach for drive to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village where we enjoy a short hike on Tasman Lake Track through old terminal moraines to a viewpoint of the Tasman Glacier terminal lake. Look out for icebergs floating in the lake during summer. On our return, we visit the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Visitor Centre for self-exploration of the interesting history and memorabilia of the alpine region.

Packed lunch during field trip

This afternoon, we embark on a longer hike on the Hooker Valley Track which leads us towards Aoraki/Mt Cook with viewpoints of the famous mountain, Mueller & Hooker Glaciers, the expanse of the Southern Alps and across several swing bridges. We return on the same track, enjoying the views down the valley and across to the Sealy Range. Wildflowers proliferate, including the Mt Cook Lily (actually in the buttercup family) and look out for the cheeky but endangered kea, the world’s only alpine parrot. Board coach for return journey back to Twizel. Before dinner, we have a presentation by a local expert.

At the lodge

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel

Board coach to Queenstown via the stark and dramatic Lindis Pass and Cromwell. In Queenstown, we have the rest of the morning & early afternoon as FREE TIME to explore this world-famous tourist town at our leisure. Queenstown, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand’s longest lake (50 mi) and extremely deep, is internationally renowned for its stunning lake views and of the nearby, aptly named, spectacular mountain range, The Remarkables. There’s also an opportunity to visit the Kiwi Park (optional, additional cost), dedicated to saving endangered wildlife species, to see our iconic nocturnal bird, the kiwi, and other species endemic to New Zealand, up close.

Own choice

Farewelling Queenstown, we continue our journey south along the lake shore into the rich farming province of Southland to Te Anau, also located beside a lake (of the same name) and settle into our motel. The economy of Te Anau, a town with a small resident population, revolves around a thriving tourism and accommodation industry, as it is the gateway to the world-famous Milford Sound. Before dinner, we gather up for a short film at the local cinema “Ata Whenua - Shadowlands”, a panoramic journey, taken from the air, portraying the majesty and splendour of immense and isolated Fiordland, over all four seasons.

At a local restaurant

At leisure

At the hotel

By coach we drive, with expert commentary en route, to the start of our day-hike at The Divide. This is the point, at 1745 ft (532 m) on the Milford Highway, that is the lowest crossing of the Southern Alps, the mountain range extending along much of the length of the South Island of New Zealand. From The Divide, we hike steadily uphill through ancient silver beech forest on the world-renowned Routeburn Track (one of New Zealand’s designated ‘Great Walks) to Key Summit, an alpine wetland of tarns and bogs. From here we have stunning views of the Darran Mountains and the Hollyford Valley.

Packed lunch during field trip

We retrace our steps back to The Divide Shelter and meet up with our coach for the return journey back to Te Anau.

At a local restaurant

At leisure

At the hotel

We depart from the Te Anau jetty for the short ferry transfer across Lake Te Anau to Brod Bay, the start of our all-day walking field trip on the Kepler Track, another of New Zealand’s designated ‘Great Walks’. From Brod Bay, the trail climbs steadily under impressive limestone bluffs and through ancient beech forest until you come out above the bush line. Our hike continues through open grasslands to Luxmore Hut, where panoramic views of the Te Anau basin and surrounding mountains and valleys await us.

Packed lunch during field trip

We retrace our steps back to Brod Bay and return by chartered vessel to Te Anau.

Own choice

At leisure

At the hotel

We are dropped off by coach to the start of our walks on the Kepler Track, either in one direction or the other. The trails follow the lake shore through mountain and red beech forest, with mosses and ground ferns providing an airy magical atmosphere, and with stunning glimpses of Lakes Manapouri or Te Anau, and the surrounding mountain ranges.

Packed lunch during field trip

Our return walk is by the same route with coach pick-up and return to Te Anau. Following, we depart at 2.00 pm for a boat trip across the lake to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves for an underground guided cave tour. After negotiating limestone passages filled with sculpted rock and a roaring underground waterfall, we drift in a small boat through a silent dark grotto, experiencing the luminous shimmer of hundreds of glow worms on the roof and walls of the caves.

At a local restaurant

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel

We depart Te Anau and journey across green and fertile Southland to the city of Invercargill. Here, we visit the Bill Richardson Transport World where, as a result of one man’s passion, there’s an impressive automotive collection for enthusiasts. For others, there’s a growing wearable arts collection and themed bathrooms. A fun and quirky tourist attraction in the deep south.

At a local café in Invercargill

After lunch, we take a short coach ride to Bluff, the embarkation point for our ferry ride across Foveaux Strait to Stewart Island. During the crossing, we observe many seabirds including varieties of the majestic albatross. Stewart Island (Maori name Rakiura) is New Zealand’s third largest island, located 19 mi (30 km) south of the South Island. It is triangular-shaped, generally hilly and densely forested with 85% in National Park. Visitors come for the multi-day walking tracks (tramping) and birdwatching, with rare species, including penguins and kiwis. Arriving on Stewart Island, we check in to our hotel and settle in.

At the hotel

At leisure

At the hotel

This morning, we head off for a gentle hike to a local lighthouse and back along the coastline enjoying the views of bays & inlets, lush bush and birdlife to Ringaringa Beach.

Packed lunch during field trip

We continue our hike to Golden Bay and back to Oban, the main settlement on the island, with a stop-off up to Observation Rock for a viewpoint over the area.

At the hotel

At leisure

At the hotel

We are picked up by a local boat operator and transported along the coastline to Port William, with the skipper pointing out various wildlife, such as sea lions, penguins and a wide variety of seabirds. Early Maori settled at Port William, and its sheltered harbour was later used by sealers and then whalers. The eucalyptus (gum) trees are the most notable remnants of attempted European settlement during the 1870s. From Port William, we begin our hike in the Rakiura National Park, on the Rakiura Track back to Oban. This takes us past Maori Beach (the site of the island’s last timber mill).

Packed lunch during field trip

We continue our walking field trip along the Rakiura Track, over densely native-forested spurs of ferns, mosses, lichens, majestic conifers and broadleaf species, and past several picturesque beaches back to the township of Oban.

At the hotel

At leisure

At the hotel

We board a specialized vessel for a pelagic boating trip (with commentary) taking us just offshore and between islands, marveling at the ocean-going seabirds, including many varieties of albatrosses, mollymawks, terns, petrels, shearwaters, penguins, etc. Later, we’re dropped off on Ulva Island, a predator-free bird sanctuary. Here, armed with our guidebooks, we quietly self-navigate our way along the various tracks on the island, taking in the abundant birdlife and lush native vegetation.

Packed lunch during field trip

We are picked up again and returned by boat to Oban. FREE TIME from mid-afternoon to explore Oban with options including sea-kayaking, birdwatching, local walks, etc. Before dinner, we gather for an informal time of program review and feedback, recalling the highlights of our program together.

At the hotel

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Continental breakfast before early check-out & departure from hotel

Depart by ferry for return crossing of Foveaux Strait to Bluff on the South Island. We are picked up by coach and drive up to the Bluff Hill Lookout for the scenic view then back down to Lands End, the southernmost road in New Zealand. We take a short walk along the Foveaux Walkway, as time permits.

At a local cafe in Invercargill

Our coach drops us at Invercargill Airport for the two-hour flight to Wellington, arriving late-afternoon. Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand and was chosen for its central location. One of the many enticing aspects of this exciting “little” city is its compact CBD – you can walk from one side to the other in 20 minutes. The waterfront is lined with immaculate parks, heritage buildings and museums. Wellington is dubbed the “creative and cultural capital of New Zealand” and in 2018, for the second year in a row, Wellington topped Deutsche Bank’s list of 50 cities with the best quality of life, beating Zurich, Copenhagen, Edinburgh and Vienna. On arrival, we will transfer by shuttle and check into our central city hotel.

Farewell Dinner at the hotel

At leisure. Final pack and prepare for check-out in the morning and our flights home or continuation of personal travel plans.

At the hotel

We check out of the hotel leaving our luggage stored on the premises. We walk from the hotel to the Cable Car for a short ride uphill to Kelburn. This is an excellent viewpoint looking down over the city and then we stroll downhill through the Wellington Botanic Gardens and Bolton Street Memorial Park and retrace our steps along the waterfront.

Own choice

Following the morning's program, there is FREE TIME for a short while to explore Wellington city. Take this opportunity to see and do what interests you most. Recommended, is a visit to Te Papa Tongarewa (National Museum & Art Gallery of New Zealand). Colloquially called Te Papa, the museum, situated right on the waterfront, is dedicated to preserving and presenting the taonga (treasures) of New Zealand’s peoples and to interpreting the country’s heritage for national and international audiences. Our program concludes with a 2:00 p.m. transfer to Wellington Airport for International check-in. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!