Adventure Tour - WEKA Picton-Christchurch

**Picton to Marahau (Abel Tasman)** Kia Ora (hello) and welcome to Christchurch, where you’ll begin and end your tour. Depart early this morning aboard a public bus service (unguided) to Blenheim where you’ll meet your Stray Guide and group. We’ll depart from Picton i-SITE or Blenheim i-SITE (The Railway Station), and set off through the picturesque Marlborough region. We will then set off through the Marlborough Region to Marahau, our accommodation is situated right on the edge of the spectacular Abel Tasman National Park - perfect for exploring arguably the best National Park in NZ. **Accommodation:** The Barn Marahau. **Optional paid activities:** Wine tasting **Meal options:** We’ll stop at a supermarket to stock up on supplies - Self-cater or join the optional group dinner. **Free activities:** Stargazing

**Marahau (Abel Tasman)** Count yourself lucky because you have a full day to explore New Zealand’s most popular national park today. From our accommodation we’ll be picked up and taken by water taxi to Anchorage Bay, admiring the park’s natural golden sand beaches and brilliant blue waters along the way. Enjoy a picnic on the beach before checking out Cleopatra’s Pools, moss lined fresh water pools with a natural water slide and then, we’ll walk approximately 4 hours back to our accommodation, stopping along the way to take amazing photos and swim in the secluded bays. **Accommodation:** The Barn Marahau. **Included activity:** Water taxi into Anchorage Bay. **Optional paid activities:** Kayaking, skydiving, canyoning - (PM). **Meal inclusions:** Breakfast. **Meal options:** Pack a picnic lunch and lots of snacks for your hike, Self-cater in the kitchen or use the BBQs. **Free activities:** Hike in the national park, relax on the golden sand beaches, see Cleopatra’s Pools

**Marahau (Abel Tasman) to Franz Josef** Buckle up for an awesome day driving down the incredibly scenic ‘wild’ West Coast, an area known for its untamed beaches and spectacular rainforest. Through Buller Gorge and down a stretch of road named one of the top drives in the world by Lonely Planet, there’s not much phone reception but you are NOT going to need it – we dare you to peel your eyes away from the window for even just a second. We’ll stop at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes to explore this unique part of coastline before continuing on to the quaint township of Franz Josef, set amongst the rainforest. Tonight, we’ll have a group dinner together at our accommodation. **Accommodation:** Rainforest Retreat or similar. **Meal inclusions:** Breakfast, Dinner. **Meal options:** Local restaurants or self-cater in the hostel kitchen. **Free activities:** Buller Gorge, Pancake Rocks and blowholes, Hokitika

**Franz Josef** Ice, ice baby! Get ready to experience the Franz Josef Glacier, an iconic highlight of the West Coast. Take a short drive to the beginning of the track. Hike through native bush and across glacial streams to the terminal face of the glacier for spectacular photos or just hang out at the Retreat and relax in one of NZ’s largest spa pools. **Accommodation:** Rainforest Retreat or similar. **Optional paid activities:** Shuttle to the track. **Meal inclusions:** Breakfast. **Meal options:** Local restaurants or self-cater in the hostel kitchen. **Free activities:** Glacier hike, bush tracks, soak in the spa

**Franz Josef to Queenstown** It’s another scenic journey today with plenty of photo stops. First up is the amazing Lake Matheson, known as the mirror-lake, for a short walk. We travel inland through the mountainous Haast Pass and alongside beautiful Lake Hawea and into Queenstown. Once settled, put on your dancing shoes and head out to explore this lakeside resort, there are over 100 clubs and bars to choose from in Queenstown! **Accommodation:** Haka House Queenstown Lakefront or similar. **Meal inclusions:** Breakfast. **Meal options:** Local restaurants or self-cater in the hostel kitchen

**Queenstown (Free Day)** Yaaaasssss Queen(stown)! You’ve got a full days in the adventure capital. With an awesome night life, beautiful mountain scenery and plenty of outdoor activities, it’s easy to understand why so many backpackers refuse to leave this place. **Accommodation:** Haka House Queenstown Lakefront or similar. **Optional paid activities:** Any adventure activity that we Kiwis can dream up (bungy, swing, jet boating,skydiving, mountain biking, zipline, horse riding...). **Meal inclusions:** Breakfast. **Meal options:** Local restaurants or self-cater in the hostel kitchen. **Free activities:** Hike Ben Lomond, the Queenstown Hill, or Bob’s Peak

**Queenstown (Free Day)** You’ve got another full day in the adventure capital! **Accommodation:** Haka House Queenstown Lakefront or similar. **Optional paid activities:** Any adventure activity that we Kiwis can dream up (bungy, swing, jet boating,skydiving, mountain biking, zipline, horse riding...). **Meal inclusions:** Breakfast. **Meal options:** Local restaurants or self-cater in the hostel kitchen. **Free activities:** Hike Ben Lomond, the Queenstown Hill, or Bob’s Peak

**Milford Sound Day Trip** Today you’ll hop aboard the Coach and we’ll take you to the stunning and world famous Milford Sound. After a super scenic drive, you’ll board the boat and cruise across the Sound. Look out for the impressive Mitre Peak, lush rainforests and (if it’s been raining) thundering waterfalls. You’ll also have the opportunity to spot lots of amazing wildlife like Fur Seals, Penguins and Dolphins. Once you’ve snapped as many pics as you possibly can, it’s back to Queenstown where you can check out some one of the many restaurants Queenstown has to offer - or try the famous Fergburger! **Accommodation:** Haka House Queenstown Lakefront or similar. **Meal inclusions:** Breakfast. **Included activity:** Day trip to Milford Sound

**Queenstown to Lake Tekapo** It’s a short drive to Lake Tekapo this morning where we’ll see an electric blue lake framed by the Southern alps. Walk over to the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, a quaint stone church right on the edge of the lake for some awesome photo opportunities. In the afternoon take part in an engaging experience that offers deep insight into tatai aroraki (Māori astronomy) and its central place in the Māori view of the universe at the Dark Sky Project centre. **Accommodation:** Haka House Lake Tekapo or similar. **Included activity:** Dark Sky Experience. **Meal inclusions:** Breakfast. **Meal options:** Self-catering in the hostel kitchen or local bars and restaurants. **Optional paid activities:** Dark Sky Crater Experience, Tekapo Hot Springs (All seasons), Ice Skating, Snow tubing (Winter only). **Free activities:** Mount John Observatory Hike, Church of the Good Shepherd, stargazing.

**Lake Tekapo to Christchurch** Our next stop is Christchurch, a super cool city with the Avon River running through it, full of lush parks and cool laneway bars! Spend your afternoon wandering the city streets to discover creative street art and hidden eateries, visit the Botanic Gardens, do some shopping or hop on the tourist tram and see the sights! **Accommodation:** Drifter Christchurch or similar. **Meal inclusions:** Breakfast. **Meal options:** Local restaurants or self-cater in the hostel kitchen. **Free activities:** Explore Christchurch by foot, check out the new Riverside Market, Botanic Gardens.

**Depart Christchurch** Today your adventure comes to an end. Say goodbye to your guide and your new Stray mates, we hope you had a great time and we look forward to adventuring with you again in the future! **Meal inclusions:** Breakfast