12-Nights Hiking New Zealand’s South Island

Nelson

Nelson province, in the Northwest corner of South Island, has the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand. Nelson City is within 37 miles of three major National Parks, Abel Tasman, Kahurangi, and Nelson Lakes, with the Marlborough Sounds being the Maritime equivalent with its many bays and coves. Young and old from all corners of the world visit Nelson to enjoy the pleasures of New Zealand's clean green image.

Blenheim

This is a provincial town with a difference. A city center long ago claimed from a wayward river has resulted in a street layout with spirit and character abounding with quirky lanes and sunny gathering places. On the clear, spring-fed Taylor River sightseeing riverboats retrace the route of steamboats that once carried produce. A miniature railway runs alongside the river to Brayshaw Park. Central focus of Blenheim is The Forum, with its historic bandstand watching over the shops and street markets below. The Forum also provides an occasional amphitheatre for the performing arts. The modern shops and cafés that surround The Forum are a sample of a town deserving of praise it receives from visitors. Blenheim is blessed with many attractive parks, such as Seymour Square and Pollard Park. On the outskirts of town, Brayshow Historic Park preserves the province's pioneering endeavour. Relocated colonial buildings in a recreated turn-of-the-century street keep company with a modern building housing archives and a vintage farm machinery museum.

Kaikoura

Few places in the world can boast of such natural wonders as those offered by land and sea in Kaikoura .... stunning coastal alpine scenery, year-round whale watching, dolphin and seal swimming, pelagic bird watching, fishing, diving, and a host of eco-tourism oriented activities!

Punakaiki

Punakaiki is best known for its Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. It is also the center for Paparoa National Park - about 74,000 acres of varied landscape from mountain tops to sea level. Punakaiki is one of the major tourist attractions on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Activities include: Horse Trekking, Canoe Hire, Caving, Guided walks, Westland black Petrel tours, rafting, and a variety of short walks. Day walks and overnight tramps are some options available to visitors wishing to spend some time in Punakaiki.

Fox Glacier

Fox Glacier lies on the West Coast of the South Island. It is one of the most impressive scenic attractions in New Zealand. It is known for it's huge virgin forrests, beautiful expansive lakes, rugged sea coast, ice glaciers tumbling down steep valleys to almost sea level and unspoilt beauty. The areas forests are encouraged by the extremely high rainfall with some areas exceeding 2600mm annually. Thankfully though these rains come in short periods and the Coast is also known for it's blue sky crystal clear days.

Wanaka

Wanaka, in a dramatic glacier-carved basin on the shores of the lake, and is the gateway to Mt Aspiring National Park World Heritage Area and welcomes all: adrenaline addicts, foot-sore travellers, lovers of luxury. Glide through the soft sky beneath a parachute; spin through the air in an aerobatic stunt plane. Enjoy a game of golf, test your mind at the puzzle center or ride horse-back up the golden hills where prospectors searched for gold and Maori searched for greenstone. Walking and cycling tracks around lakes ascend nearby hills to give spectacular views of Mt Aspiring/Tititea in the distance. Tiny planes offer a bird's-eye view of this magnificent wilderness area. Discover Central Otago's fascinating history from wild river rafting, visiting Wanaka's world renowned Fighter Pilot's Museum and fascinating Transport Museum, or by sharing an ale with locals. The arts are present in Wanaka through galleries, exhibitions, live theatre, concerts and the colorful local movie theatre 'Cinema Paradiso'. Lake Wanaka has a continental climate with four distinct seasons.

Te Anau

Te Anau is known as the "sightseeing and walking capital of the world". Fiordland National Park is one of the few areas in the world with World Heritage status. Attractions include scenic boat cruises, scenic flights, sea kayaking, diving, fishing, coach tours, golf, four wheel driving, hunting and more. Te Anau Glow Worm Cave is a rare example of a living cave still under formation. Te Anau is in the hub of the great southern rugged and splendid walking tracks. Lake Te Anau encourages water skiing, swimming, fishing and kayaking on the lake during the summer. During the winter, days are crisp and clear with frosty mornings and sunny days. Te Anau's Wildlife Park is 10 minutes walking distance from the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre on the Lakefront.