Jan 13 - Jan 26, 2025
Starting at
6,849
New Zealand
Active New Zealand: Hike and Bike the South Island
Program No. 2062160MEADV-1116-60
New Zealand is stunning. Come explore this outdoor adventurer’s paradise as you raft the Hurunui River, cycle on scenic trails, and hike mountains familiar from the “Lord of the Rings.”
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We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
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DATES
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PRICES
Feb 17 - Mar 2, 2025
Starting at
6,849DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Jan 13 - Jan 26, 2025
Starting at
7,629Feb 17 - Mar 2, 2025
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14 days
13 nights
30 meals
11B 11L 8D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
4
Hanmer Forest Park Walks
Hanmer Springs
5
White Water Rafting on the Hurunui River
Hanmer Springs
At a Glance
For outdoor enthusiasts who live for snow-capped mountain peaks, pristine coastlines, and immaculate cycle paths through stunning landscapes, New Zealand’s South Island is the ultimate destination. In the shadow of the stunning Southern Alps, hike through valleys and along trails you might recognize from the “Lord of the Rings” movies. Experience the thrill of river rafting through rocky gorges and cycle a rail trail through spectacular wide-open tussock country. Absorb the majesty of towering granite walls and waterfalls as you cruise by vessel through glacier-carved Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Hiking up to six miles on mixed, sometimes hilly terrain, cycling up to 20 miles on mostly flat terrain, and river rafting.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Enjoy an exhilarating day of expert-led rafting on the pristine Hurunui River.
- Bike the Otago Rail Trail, a well-maintained gravel path through rocky gorges and past small villages.
- Wonder at the spectacular beauty of Fiordland's Milford Sound by vessel.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Russell Davie
Russell Davie is an ex-dairy farmer with a background in geology, geography, soil mineralogy and volcanology, with a particular interest in the Fiordland area, in and around Te Anau, where he now lives and the lake, which bears the same name.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Russell Davie
View biography
Russell Davie is an ex-dairy farmer with a background in geology, geography, soil mineralogy and volcanology, with a particular interest in the Fiordland area, in and around Te Anau, where he now lives and the lake, which bears the same name.
Esther Sassenburg
View biography
Esther Sassenburg is Dutch-born, married to Eric, and lives in Nelson. Her main career has been in urban planning, and she has worked in countries around the world. After settling in New Zealand, she became a teacher, specializing in social sciences. This has given her a broad general knowledge of the country. In her free time, Esther loves the outdoors, particularly tramping (hiking), cycling, and water sports. Esther also has an interest in European languages and currently works as a French language teacher.
Eric McPherson
View biography
Eric McPherson is a retired cabinetmaker and wood machinist who ran his own furniture-joinery business. Now in his free time, he is doing community volunteering, mainly environmental and predator control work, and is a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Eric also enjoys tramping (hiking), recreational cycling, kayaking, and jogging. He has a passion for classic motorcycles and DIY in his garage. Eric is married to his wife, Esther.
Loretta Newton
View biography
Loretta Newton has spent many years in education, including as a school principal, before leaving to work with her husband, Paul, on their 2000-acre sheep and beef farm, near the Marlborough Sounds. They developed a travel venture, entertaining guests from around the world with sheepdog and shearing demonstrations. They recently took on an organic vineyard and are enjoying the challenge of producing grapes for the Marlborough wine industry. Loretta is a keen tramper, mountain biker, and tennis player with a large organic garden.
Paul Newton
View biography
Paul Newton spent some years in the NZ police before getting into rural employment, first dairy farming for two years. He then moved into shearing and sheep mustering. He started work on a hill country sheep farm in 1992, purchasing it in 1998. He continued running the property until 2021. He was involved with travel groups, having on-farm experience for a number of years. Paul competed in sheep dog trialing for many years; he has also been a hang glider pilot and flown paragliders.
Suggested Reading List
(14 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Active New Zealand: Hike and Bike the South Island
Program Number: 20621
An Angel at My Table (film)
An Angel at My Table is a 1990 New Zealand-Australian-British film directed by Jane Campion. The film is based on Janet Frame's three autobiographies, To the Is-Land (1982), An Angel at My Table (1984), and The Envoy from Mirror City (1984).
An Angel at My Table is a dramatisation of the autobiographies of New Zealand author Janet Frame. Originally produced as a television miniseries, the film, as with Frame's autobiographies, is divided into three sections, with the lead role played by three different actresses who portray Frame at different stages of her life: Karen Fergusson (child), Alexia Keogh (adolescent) and Kerry Fox (adult).
The Penguin History of New Zealand
The definitive and bestselling history of Aotearoa New Zealand by one of our leading historians, continuously in print for 20 years. This bestselling book by the late Michael King is the unchallenged contemporary reference on the history of New Zealand.
The Luminaries
The Luminaries is the second novel by Eleanor Catton, published by Victoria University Press in August 2013 and Granta on 5 September 2013. On 15 October it was announced as the winner of the 2013 Man Booker Prize. It is the longest book (at 832 pages), and she the youngest author (at age 28), ever to win the award. The book was described as "a dazzling feat of a novel" by The Observer.
Boy (film)
Boy (film). Waititi wanted to shoot the film where he grew up in Waihau Bay. It was a summer film but impossible to shoot in the height of summer due to the popularity of the area as a fishing and holiday destination. The film features the maize fields and the maize is harvested from late April. Boy was shot entirely in the area of Waihau Bay, New Zealand. James Rolleston was never actually intended to play the lead role of "Boy". Rolleston originally turned up on set for a costume fitting as an extra and after short deliberation, the teen was offered the role.
The Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand
The new edition of this essential reference for identifying New Zealand birds features its biggest update ever. The Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand is a trusted, invaluable reference for lovers of New Zealand birds. Comprehensive and easy to use, this new edition features- 374 species, including 35 new additions, the book's biggest revision since first publication, 85 stunning colour paintings of New Zealand birds.
The Whale Rider (film)
The Whale Rider (1987) was written in New York and Cape Cod in the space of three weeks. A magical, mythical work about a young girl whose relationship with a whale ensures the salvation of her village, it is, says Ihimaera, the work of his ‘that the Maori community accepts best’.
Here at the End of the World We Learn to Dance
Dancing between New Zealand and Buenos Aires and ranging over decades, tango is the leitmotif of this earlier novel by Lloyd Jones, published here for the first time, author of Mister Pip. Like Mr. Pip, this compact, seductive novel concerns the power of storytelling.
The Bone People
Set on the South Island, this powerful novel brings together three troubled individuals who represent Maori and European traditions in contemporary New Zealand.
Slipping Into Paradise, Why I Live in New Zealand
In this far-ranging travelogue, Masson (who wrote a series of books on the emotional lives of animals) combines his travels and tales with history, riffs on the kiwis, nature and society.
The Denniston Rose
Denniston Is a real Coal mining town, now deserted, on a high barren plateau above the West Coast of the South Island. Events on the Hill in the 1880s are accurate. The people on the other hand are pure fiction.
The Hobbit Trilogy (films)
The Hobbit is a series of three fantasy adventure films directed by Peter Jackson. The films are subtitled An Unexpected Journey (2012), The Desolation of Smaug (2013), and The Battle of the Five Armies (2014). The films take place in the fictional world of Middle-earth, sixty years before the beginning of The Lord of the Rings and follow hobbit Bilbo Baggins, who is convinced by the wizard Gandalf the Grey to accompany thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug.
The Piano (film)
121 min- Drama | Romance. A mute woman along with her young daughter, and her prized piano, are sent to 1850s New Zealand for an arranged marriage to a wealthy landowner, and she's soon lusted after by a local worker on the plantation. Director: Jane Campion. Writer: Jane Campion. Stars: Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel and Sam Neill.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (films)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), The Return of the King (2003) - Action | Adventure | Fantasy. Set in the fictional world of Middle-earth, the films follow the hobbit Frodo Baggins as he and the Fellowship embark on a quest to destroy the One Ring to ensure the destruction of its maker, the Dark Lord Sauron. Director: Peter Jackson. Writers: J.R.R. Tolkien (novel), Fran Walsh (screenplay). Stars: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Viggo Mortensen.
The Field Guide to New Zealand Geology
This is the first field guide written for the general public and beginners in geology in New Zealand. Now fully revised and updated, it shows travellers in New Zealand something of the tremendous variety of our rocks, minerals and fossils and describes what to look for in many areas where rock formations are prominent. It covers the history of New Zealand from it's beginnings on the sea floor some 600 million years ago to its present patchwork landscape of volcano, range and plain. The land was formed from many different layers of rock- volcanic flows, forest debris, ocean mud. All these have special characteristics, which are explained and illustrated to enable readers to find the layers and understand their origins and what they can tell us about the landscape of the past. The crystals that grew in the rocks and the remains of living creatures that were preserved are also illustrated and described. Written in simplified terms, it includes an introductory chapter on general geology, a geological time chart and quick reference maps of the North Island and the South Island for travellers.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
14 days
Program Begins
Hanmer Springs
Program Concludes
Te Anau
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
30
| 11B |
11L |
8D |
Activity Level
For outdoor enthusiasts who live for snow-capped mountain peaks, pristine coastlines, and immaculate cycle paths through stunning landscapes, New Zealand’s South Island is the ultimate destination. In the shadow of the stunning Southern Alps, hike through valleys and along trails you might recognize from the “Lord of the Rings” movies. Experience the thrill of river rafting through rocky gorges and cycle a rail trail through spectacular wide-open tussock country. Absorb the majesty of towering granite walls and waterfalls as you cruise by vessel through glacier-carved Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Enjoy an exhilarating day of expert-led rafting on the pristine Hurunui River.
- Bike the Otago Rail Trail, a well-maintained gravel path through rocky gorges and past small villages.
- Wonder at the spectacular beauty of Fiordland's Milford Sound by vessel.
Featured Expert
Russell Davie
Russell Davie is an ex-dairy farmer with a background in geology, geography, soil mineralogy and volcanology, with a particular interest in the Fiordland area, in and around Te Anau, where he now lives and the lake, which bears the same name.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Loretta Newton
Loretta Newton has spent many years in education, including as a school principal, before leaving to work with her husband, Paul, on their 2000-acre sheep and beef farm, near the Marlborough Sounds. They developed a travel venture, entertaining guests from around the world with sheepdog and shearing demonstrations. They recently took on an organic vineyard and are enjoying the challenge of producing grapes for the Marlborough wine industry. Loretta is a keen tramper, mountain biker, and tennis player with a large organic garden.
Paul Newton
Paul Newton spent some years in the NZ police before getting into rural employment, first dairy farming for two years. He then moved into shearing and sheep mustering. He started work on a hill country sheep farm in 1992, purchasing it in 1998. He continued running the property until 2021. He was involved with travel groups, having on-farm experience for a number of years. Paul competed in sheep dog trialing for many years; he has also been a hang glider pilot and flown paragliders.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Hiking up to six miles on mixed, sometimes hilly terrain, cycling up to 20 miles on mostly flat terrain, and river rafting.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(14 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
14 days
13 nights
What's Included
30 meals | 11B | 11L | 8D |
6 expert-led lectures
19 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
11 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
In Transit to Program Continues, Crossing Int’l Dateline
Location:
In Flight
Activity Note
A day is “lost” due to crossing the International Dateline
Day
3
Arrive Christchurch, Coach to Hanmer Springs, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Hanmer Springs
Meals:
L,D
Stay:
Tussock Peak Motor Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Road trip Christchurch Airport to Hanmer Springs: 82.5 mi (132 km), 1 hr 45 min. If time allows a short walk around the village.
Morning:
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 coach for the ride north to Hanmer Springs, with a stop-off en route for lunch.
Lunch:
At a cafe en route
Afternoon:
Arrive Hanmer Springs mid-afternoon and check into motel. Hanmer Springs is a pretty little town, very popular for its plethora of outdoor activities, including hiking in the nearby forest trails, and also for its hot mineral pools and spas. If time allows, we will have a short walk to orientate to the village and environs 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.
Dinner:
Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
4
Hanmer Forest Park Walks
Location:
Hanmer Springs
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Tussock Peak Motor Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; in/out of hot pools. Conical Hill Walk: 1 hr; zig-zag track uphill to Lookout and down; loop. Dog Stream/Timberlands Circuit: 2 hr; uphill to saddle and down; loop
Breakfast:
At a local café
Morning:
Set off from our motel for walks in the Hanmer Forest Park, starting with a walk up to Conical Hill Lookout to get a panoramic view of the area. Then wander back down on an alternative route to the village.
Lunch:
Packed lunch during field trip
Afternoon:
This afternoon we take a different trail, following the Dog Stream track through forested areas, over the Jolliffe Saddle and return via Timberlands Trail, passing through an impressive array of redwoods, familiar to all Americans. After returning to Hanmer Springs, there is free time to explore the village or head off for a soak in the hot mineral pools before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant
Evening:
At leisure
Day
5
White Water Rafting on the Hurunui River
Location:
Hanmer Springs
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Tussock Peak Motor Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; on/off a raft. Road trip Hanmer Springs to Waikari: 39 mi (63 km), 45 min. Rafting: 3 hr (approx.) on the river; Grade Three rapids; expert guides.
Breakfast:
At a local café
Morning:
Depart by coach for drive south to Waikari to meet up with our rafting guides for the white-water rafting experience on the Hurunui River. We are fitted for all river gear, then transfer by their shuttle van upriver to the starting location. The Hurunui River flows from the eastern side of the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean. On the river, with world-class guides, we practice our paddling and safety drills on the initial calmer waters, then paddle our way downstream through gorges, fun rapids, calm waters and wide-open vistas.
Lunch:
Our lunch is supplied by our guiding friends
Afternoon:
We continue downstream with our guides and, if the weather is kind, you may take the opportunity to jump off the raft and have a swim! Arriving at our destination by mid-afternoon, we meet our coach for the return journey back to Hanmer Springs.
Dinner:
Own choice
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
6
Journey through Canterbury & MacKenzie Country to Twizel
Location:
Twizel
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Mackenzie Country Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Road trip Hanmer Springs to Twizel: 270 mi (435 km) 5 hr.
Breakfast:
At a local café
Morning:
We check-out of the motel and board the coach for the all-day journey south to Twizel. On the way, we traverse the Canterbury Plains, observing rare (on a world scale) braided rivers, to the pretty little town of Geraldine.
Lunch:
At a café in Geraldine en route
Afternoon:
We continue our journey out of South Canterbury and into the Mackenzie region, renowned for its wide-open tussock-filled grasslands, stunning glacier-fed lakes and home to Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. We stop at Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki, a turquoise-coloured lake with a view of Aoraki/Mount Cook in clear conditions. Arriving in Twizel, we check in to our hotel. Twizel is a stepping-off point for many outdoor adventures, including mountain-climbing, mountain-biking, fly-fishing, hunting, hiking and much more.
Dinner:
At the hotel
Evening:
At leisure
Day
7
To Aoraki/Mt Cook Village for Hooker Valley Walk
Location:
Twizel
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Mackenzie Country Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Twizel to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village: 45 min. Hooker Valley Track: 6 mi (10 km) 3 hr; out & back; packed dirt; uneven; some rocks; undulating.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
Board coach for drive to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village where we embark on a hike on the Hooker Valley Track. On this popular trail we hike 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.
Lunch:
Packed lunch during field trip
Afternoon:
On returning to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village, we visit the Department of Conservation Information Centre and self-guide through the exhibitions in our own time. If time permits, we may take one or two short walks in the area before boarding the coach for our return journey back to Twizel. Before dinner, we have a presentation by a local expert.
Dinner:
At the hotel
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
8
Cycle on Alps to Ocean Trail, Coach to Cromwell
Location:
Cromwell
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Carrick Lodge Motel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; on/off a bicycle. Cycle trail: 11 mi (17.7 km), 2.5 hr; mostly flat paths; light gravel. Road trip Twizel to Cromwell: 87.5 mi (140 km), 1 hr 45 min.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
Cycle from Twizel to the shores of picturesque, turquoise-colored Lake Pukaki on the Alps to Ocean cycling trail. From Lake Pukaki, there are expansive views of the Southern Alps, sometimes called the “Main Divide”, the mountain range that extends much of the length of the South Island.
Lunch:
Packed lunch during field trip
Afternoon:
We board the coach and depart Twizel, traversing the barren but stunning Lindis Pass into the Central Otago region to Cromwell, the heart of goldmining in New Zealand’s early pioneering days. Cromwell is located where the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers converge, and at the head of man-made Lake Dunstan, the lake filled because of the formation of the Clyde Dam for hydro-electric power generation. Cromwell’s climate is ideal to produce delicious seasonal stone fruit and the town is dubbed the “Fruit Bowl of the South”. We check into our motels and settle in.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant
Evening:
At leisure
Day
9
Bannockburn Sluicings Reserve, Free Time in Queenstown
Location:
Cromwell
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Carrick Lodge Motel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Bannockburn Sluicings Historic Reserve: gentle up and downhill; stony paths, uneven surface; 2.5 hr.
Breakfast:
At a local café
Morning:
Explore the Bannockburn Sluicings Historic Reserve, tracing the paths trodden by gold miners in the 1800’s and be amazed at the dramatic transformation of the local geography as a result of their gold-mining endeavors. We travel to Queenstown for a visit to Kiwi Park to see our iconic nocturnal bird, the kiwi, and other species endemic to New Zealand, up close.
Lunch:
Packed lunch during field trip
Afternoon:
After lunch, we continue exploring Kiwi Park and then wander downhill into Queenstown, where we can enjoy a free afternoon. Queenstown is renowned worldwide for its iconic natural location and beauty. It is situated on the shores of the South Island's Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by majestic and rugged mountain ranges, one of which is aptly named "The Remarkables". It has a history of gold mining and the tough early pioneers of New Zealand and attracts visitors from across the world. There are plenty of options for your afternoon’s activities: a gondola ride up and walk or luge down; walk in the Botanic Garden; walk up Queenstown Hill; sail on ferry TSS Earnslaw, or other activities.
Dinner:
Own choice in Queenstown
Evening:
Board the coach for return to Cromwell
Day
10
Cycle a section of the Otago Rail Trail
Location:
Cromwell
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Carrick Lodge Motel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; on/off a bicycle. Cycle Trail Oturehua to Omakau: 18.6 mi (30 km); hybrid/trail cycles; firm, gravel surface; downhill or flat.
Breakfast:
At a local café
Morning:
We travel by coach to Omakau for orientation and bike fitting, then continue by coach inland to our cycling start point of Oturehua. We cycle on a section of the Otago Rail Trail from Oturehua to Omakau, our destination and lunch stop. The Rail Trail follows the old Central Otago railway and passes over viaducts and bridges, through tunnels and past old railway stations and gold-mining towns. Look out for colorful lupin and smell the wild thyme.
Lunch:
Takeaway lunch at Omakau
Afternoon:
After returning our bikes to the Omakau depot, we return by coach to Cromwell with a stop to explore Clyde's Heritage Precinct, where gold rush-era (1860s) buildings have been retained and restored.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
11
Coach to Te Anau, Hike on the Kepler Track
Location:
Te Anau
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Road trip Cromwell to Te Anau: 135 mi (218 km) 2 hr 45 min. Kepler Track walk: up to 7.5 mi (12 km), 3 - 4 hr, out and back; mostly flat/gently undulating; well-formed; some roots.
Breakfast:
At a local café
Morning:
We depart early for our journey skirting Queenstown, along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, departing the Central Otago region, through the rich green rolling country of Southland, and into Fiordland, arriving near Te Anau. We stretch our legs by hiking out and back on a section of the Kepler track, either from Rainbow Reach to Moturau Hut, or in the opposite direction to Brod Bay. They are both particularly beautiful tracts of beech forest, with lush mosses and ground ferns creating an airy magical atmosphere.
Lunch:
Packed lunch during field trip
Afternoon:
We continue our walking field trip, returning by the same route. Boarding our coach, we continue to Te Anau and settle into our hotel. The town of Te Anau is located on the shores of a lake (of the same name) and surrounded by mountain ranges. Te Anau’s economy, 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 and stepping-off point for a number of New Zealand’s designated “Great Walks”, including the Kepler, Routeburn and Milford Tracks
Dinner:
Own choice
Evening:
At leisure
Day
12
Milford Sound Cruise, Lake Gunn Walk
Location:
Te Anau
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; on/off a boat. Road trip Te Anau to Milford Sound: 73.5 mi (118 km), 1 hr 30 min. Cruise: 1 hr 45 min duration. Lake Gunn Nature Walk: 1 mi (1.6 km) loop; well-formed track; flat.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
After an early breakfast, we board the coach for an all-day field trip to Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park, with short walks en route. Later in the morning, we embark on a cruise, with commentary, by a scheduled service on the world-famous Milford Sound. Known for the towering Mitre Peak, as well as rainforests and waterfalls such as the Stirling and Bowen Falls, which cascade down the sheer granite sides, the fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch onboard the vessel
Afternoon:
On our return journey back to Te Anau, we stop for a short walk in the Lake Gunn Nature Reserve, where we enjoy the ancient red beech forest with weird moss-covered stumps and ground ferns. Pre-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 splendor of immense and isolated Fiordland, over all four seasons.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant
Evening:
At leisure
Day
13
Expert Field Lecture, Te Anau Glow Worm Caves
Location:
Te Anau
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; on/off a boat. Te Anau Glow Worm Caves: Walking on metal walkway; wet at times.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
A local geologist boards the coach and travels with us providing expert commentary. He describes the local geography, unusual geological landforms, and mineralogy. New Zealand’s oldest known plutonic (igneous) rocks are to be found locally. There are also large areas of metamorphosed sedimentary rocks that are closely related to rocks almost 300 miles away in Northwest Nelson, due to the shunting action over the last 20 million years of the Alpine Fault running the length of the South Island. Following, we return to Te Anau, where there is free time until after lunch.
Lunch:
Packed lunch on the lake shore or at a location of your choice
Afternoon:
We check in at 1.30 pm for departure at 2.00 pm on 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. Before dinner, we gather for an informal time of program review and feedback, recalling the highlights of our time together.
Dinner:
Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant
Evening:
At leisure. Final pack and prepare for check-out in the morning and our flights home or continuation of personal travel plans.
Day
14
Coach to Queenstown, Farm Visit, Program Concludes
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; on/off a plane. Some standing and walking during field trip/farm visit. Road trip Te Anau to Queenstown Airport: 102 mi (164 km), 2 hr.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
We board our coach for the return journey across Southland to Queenstown. En route, we stop at Real Country Farm on Kingston Station, a 22,000 acre sheep and beef farm, for an authentic taste of rural New Zealand. Marvel at the team of working dogs mustering sheep from the surrounding hills in response to an array of whistle signals and commands, and observe a sheep-shearing demonstration. There is time for an informative Q&A session with our farming hosts. Following, we board the coach and continue our journey to Queenstown. On arrival at Queenstown Airport our program concludes. You will go through International Check-In for your flights home. 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!
Lunch:
OWN CHOICE at Queenstown Airport
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MEALS
30 Meals
11 Breakfasts
11 Lunches
8 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Mar 10, 2025 - Mar 23, 2025
- Jan 13, 2025 - Jan 26, 2025 (Hanmer Springs to Te Anau)
- Feb 17, 2025 - Mar 02, 2025 (Hanmer Springs to Te Anau)
- Mar 10, 2025 - Mar 23, 2025 (Hanmer Springs to Te Anau)
Participant Reviews
Based on 15 Reviews
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New Zealand is crazy beautiful, and this program gets you deep into it. Hiking, biking, rafting, you get a chance to see all the South Island has to offer. Just when you think it can't get more spectacular, it does. Suggest you add some time before or after to explore because it is such a long journey to get there.
— Review left March 27, 2024
Room for program improvement, mostly documentation.
— Review left March 20, 2024
A Road Scholar trip is a great way to experience a country. You get to select an area of interest and then the hassle of figuring out how to get there, how to get from place to place, where to stay at the place, researching which raft company, which bike hire company, where the next bathroom might be, providing restaurant suggestions based on first hand knowledge is all done for you. You just show up with your suitcase - and they provide a packing list too!
— Review left February 15, 2024
If you are considering take this trip, don’t hesitate - jump right in! We had a fantastic time, met a lot of great people. The guides Eric and Esther and driver Philip were all outstanding. They took us to the best places, know where all the toilets are which is important, because they also know where all the good coffee is! Scenery was spectacular, activities were challenging for me, but a song from Esther put a spring in my step! The people of NZ are super nice, the weather was great, I wish I was still there, in the back of that bus, wondering where we were off to next!
— Review left March 25, 2023
If you enjoy fabulous scenery and getting outdoors, this is the trip for you. It includes hiking, biking, and kayaking. Guides were exceptional and the people of New Zealand are friendly and welcoming. With clean rest rooms and fresh water everywhere it’s an outdoor paradise!
— Review left March 2, 2023
Excellent adventure, awesome guides and friendly travelers. Our group had so much fun and even sang while on the bus
— Review left March 2, 2023
This is a fantastic way to see NZ.
— Review left February 25, 2020
This was a fabulous trip!!! The scenery is spectacular and the activities help you to experience the landscape so well.
— Review left February 23, 2020
Great leaders, Eric and Esther, throughout our New Zealand adventure!! All logistics were taken care of beautifully with flexibility and good humor. Varied outdoor trips, farm and home visits and educational programs with some free time built in. Highlights were the amazing NZ scenery, friendliness, and care for the natural environment. Definitely recommend this trip!!
— Review left February 21, 2020
Great experience all around. Guides were excellent and activities were great.
Very well organized. New Zealand is beautiful where ever you are!
— Review left February 19, 2020
Active New Zealand is a must go. Beautiful country with a culture to match. Our guides were exceptional. The group was cohesive and we will try to keep in touch with as many as possible.
— Review left January 27, 2020
If you like actively participating the scenery around you, rather than just observing through a bus window or but stops, this is a very do-able trip. Be in good shape, and expect some heart-pumping climbs, but it's perfect for those in good shape!
— Review left January 27, 2020
This was a fantastic trip for anyone who is fit and enjoys being out in nature! Gary and Liz were outstanding, supportive, well-organized, and knowledgeable leaders. They encouraged a jovial, friendly atmosphere in the group that added a lot to the overall experience. It was a treat to meet several New Zealand farmers and learn about their lives and work. We even got to go inside a few homes and gardens! And of course, the natural beauty of New Zealand is absolutely awesome. Be aware that some activities are quite physically demanding, but you do have the option to sit out if you need to.
— Review left March 26, 2019
I just returned from the New Zealand Active South Island tour led by Elizabeth and Gary Brehaut. I highly recommend this tour! Elizabeth and Gary are fabulous leaders, interesting, informed, organized and personable. The tour itself is amazing.
— Review left March 25, 2019
What a beautiful land! Our leaders (John and Margaret, Gary and Elizabeth) were wonderful and shared their knowledge, expertise, and caring personalities with us, which made the trip a marvelous pleasure. They kept our days full of physical activity, diverse learning experiences, and all at an efficient but comfortable pace. I'm thrilled to have been a part of this opportunity.
- Gail Cherry
— Review left February 9, 2019
