New Zealand Southern Scenic 7 Days / 6 nights Queenstown to Dunedin This tour is a combined tour with Natural High and Pedaltours Please bring this information with you to the tour start. Distances are given in kilometres. 1 km = 0.62 miles. Cycling distances given are entirely optional; cycle as little or as much as you wish each day, the shuttle van will always be available. Suggested cycling distances are given for each day, as follows: Cas = casual cyclists / Int = intermediate cyclists / Adv = advanced cyclists. ITINERARY Our South Island Adventure starts in Queenstown (pop. 28,700), where the day is yours to spend at leisure. Surrounded by mountain peaks (including the famous Remarkables), and set on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown has much to offer:- a jet boat or rafting trip on the Kawarau or Shotover Rivers, the steamer "Earnslaw" to visit a high country sheep station, the gondola cableway, Skippers canyon, a flight to Milford Sound (fiord), and much more. Queenstown also has an excellent botanical garden and a very good shopping centre. MEETING DAY / DAY ONE: Highlights and Points of Interest World famous for its adventure, Queenstown Queenstown (pop.28,224) is home to a huge choice of adrenaline based and more leisurely activities. There are plenty We meet at 3.00 pm at Millenium Hotel, 32 Frankton Road, of things to do in Queenstown if you enjoy the Queenstown. great outdoors, superb food and wine, and a Please meet your guide in the foyer. Your guide will fit you to your more relaxed pace. If you love golf, biking, rental bike or help to unpack your own. walking, sailing and fishing you will love Meals: D Queenstown. Queenstown is built around an inlet called DAY TWO: Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long Queenstown (Kingston) to Te Anau thin Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, and has spectacular views of Kingston to: 5 Rivers: cas. 47 km / 29 mi nearby mountains such as The Remarkables, Kingston to Mossburn: int. 67 km / 42 mi Cecil Peak, Walter Peak and just above the Kingston to Te Anau : adv. 114 km / 71 mi town; Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill. Due to high traffic density we will drive along the eastern shore of Lake Wakatipu to Kingston, home of the vintage steam train called the Kingston Flyer, the only remaining remnant of a rail line that once connected Dunedin to Queenstown, with the last leg of the journey by lake steamer. You will enjoy views of dramatic jagged peaks on either side of the lake. South of Kingston the land is mostly pastoral and gently undulating all the way to Te Anau, with views of the Murchison and Kepler Mountains in the distance. There are cafes at Kingston, Athol 5 Rivers and Mossburn (check out the meat pies- a New Zealand favourite). Natural High Tel 0800 444 144 - email: [email protected] - www.naturalhigh.co.nz Lake Te Anau, lying on the border of Fiordland National Park and Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area is the largest lake in the South Island and an access point for several of New Zealand’s Great Walks, including the Kepler Track and the Milford Track. Meals: B,L,D DAY THREE: Te Anau to Milford Sound (pop.150) and return (driving and walking). Milford Sound is in Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area of 1.2 m hectares. The road to Te Anau is one of the most spectacular in the world, and is lined with short walks which we will stop to enjoy. There are superb view points along the way. A highlight is the optional walk to Key Summit (6km, 2½-3 hours return) an alpine meadow, where there are stupendous views of the surrounding mountains and valleys on the world-renowned Routeburn Track. After Homer Tunnel (built between 1935 and 1953) the road descends steeply to the sea. Enjoy a spectacular, scenic boat trip on the fiord before we drive back over the Divide to Te Anau. Meals: B,L DAY FOUR: Te Anau to Invercargill (pop. 53,000) Te Anau to Blackmount School: cas. 59 km / 37 mi Highlights and Points of Interest Te Anau to Clifden Suspension Bridge: int. 87 km / 54 mi Maori are believed to have discovered Milford McCrackens Rest Area to Reefton: 38 km / 24 mi Sound more than 1,000 years ago, returning seasonally to the fiord, collecting the much We head south to Lake Manapouri and then join the Southern Scenic prized pounamu (greenstone). These treks Route, on the edge of Fiordland National Park on our way to from the east used traditional pathways across passes such as MacKinnon Pass on the Southland. A slight downhill is followed by a gradual climb to the only Milford Track. The Maori named the sound significant hill of the day:- Blackmount Hill. Piopiotahi after the thrush-like piopio bird, Thereafter it's mostly downhill at a very leisurely pace to a picnic which is now extinct. lunch at the historic Clifden suspension bridge over the Waiau River. The region is known for sheep and crop farming, forestry and milling. We will drive from Clifden to the McCraken’s Rest Area on the South coast with the option to then ride 37km to Riverton from where we will drive the final 40kms to Invercargill, New Zealand’s most southerly city. Meals: B,L,D DAY FIVE: Invercargill to Papatowai (pop.78): 110 km / 69 mi Invercargill to Fortrose: cas. 48 km / 30 mi Invercargill to Niagra Falls: int. 82 km / 51 mi Quiet rural riding through mixed farm land with some excellent coastal views. From Curio Bay we head through Catlins Forest to the small seaside settlement of Papatowai. We may have time to visit the fossilised trees embedded on coastal bedrock or take a hike to Cathedral Cave (tide permitting). The region is known for interesting wildlife, including yellow eyed penguins, fur seals and Hooker's sea lions. Meals: B,D DAY SIX: Papatowai to Dunedin (pop.126,000): 140 km / 87 mi Papatowai to Blaclutha: cas/int/adv. 58 km / 36 mi Waihola to Dunedin: int/adv. 59 / 36mi On reaching Balclutha (58 km) we will drive the remaining distance into Dunedin, known for its rich architectural heritage and solid Scottish origins. Dunedin was the ancient celtic name for Edinburgh. Historic Larnach’s Castle is set high on Otago Peninsula with superb views, a magnificent location for your final stay and celebration dinner. Meals: B,L,D Natural High Tel 0800 444 144 - email: [email protected] - www.naturalhigh.co.nz DAY SEVEN: Highlights and Points of Interest Dunedin Dunedin is the gateway to the Otago region. After breakfast we must say farewell, a safe journey home and hope The harbour and hills around Dunedin are the to see you again. remnants of an extinct volcano. The city Meals: B suburbs extend out into the surrounding valleys and hills, onto the isthmus of the What’s included Otago Peninsula, and along the shores of the Otago Harbour and the Pacific Ocean. Mostly 3 and 4 star lodges It features the sandy beaches of St Clair and 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 5 dinners the stunning little “secret places” such as Wine with final dinner Tunnel Beach. The seaside settlements of Full minibus support Karitane and Port Chalmers provide the Experienced guide/ cycle mechanic perfect setting to escape the city for the day. Pedaltours souvenir cycle jersey or T-shirt Dunedin is celebrated for its Victorian and Daily route directions and coloured maps with profiles Edwardian architecture. Dunedin’s historic Twenty nine years of experience in offering guided and fully buildings are a reflection of the city wealth supported cycle tours in New Zealand during the gold rush. Larnach Castle is set high above the harbour where William Larnach commissioned the What’s not included construction of New Zealand’s only castle in Any optional activities 1871. The Victorian castle is also well known Personal expenses for its 14 hectare garden and grounds which Bike hire has been recognised as a Garden of Gratuities, tipping is not expected in NZ but gratefully received. It is International Significance. at your discretion whether or not to reward for excellent service. Route rating Moderate Accommodation Meal Details B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner Accommodation Day 1 (D) Millennium Hotel 32 Frankton Road, Queenstown 03 450 0150 www.millenniumhotels.co.nz A year round resort near the shores of Lake Wakatipu and within walking distance of Queenstown’s central shopping area. Day 2 (B,L,D) Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas 64 Lakefront Terrace, Te Anau 03 249 9700 www.distinctionhotelsteanau.co.nz Located in the heart of Te Anau, with spectacular views over the mountains and lakes. Day 3 (B,L) Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas 64 Lakefront Terrace, Te Anau 03 249 9700 www.distinctionhotelsteanau.co.nz Located in the heart of Te Anau, with spectacular views over the mountains and lakes. Day 4 (B,L,D) Homestead Villas Natural High Tel 0800 444 144 - email: [email protected] - www.naturalhigh.co.nz Cnr Averil and Dee Streets, Invercargill Phone 03 214 0408 ww.homesteadvillamotel.co.nz Very spacious modern luxury units. Close to city centre, museum and art gallery. Day 5 (B,D) Southern Secret Motel & Catlins cottages Southern Scenic Route, Papatowai Phone 03 415 8600 www.southernsecretmotel.co.nz Nestled in native bush near picturesque seaside village and only three minutes walk to the beach. Day 6 (B,,L,D) Larnach Castle Lodge Otago Peninsula, Dunedin Phone: 03 476 1616 www.larnachscastle.co.nz Built within the grounds of Larnach Castle.