Four Day Christchurch (TranzAlpine One Way) - Christchurch Tour (Small Group, Carbon Neutral)

From wildlife to wineries, to secluded beaches, you will be constantly wowed by the nature and scenery that every region in the South Island holds. 

You will go from Garden City and back again, and the in-between is full of majestic mountains, lush countryside, picture-perfect beaches, and simply spectacular scenery. A dreamscape that is now your reality. To begin this stunning journey we hop on the TranzAlpine to experience one of the world’s greatest train journeys and get a whole new perspective of this landscape before you see it from the road. 

Some of the wonderful places we will be visiting are the Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki, Able Tasman National Park, and Nelson plus more! 

We have sorted all the finer details, with breakfast and shared dorm accommodation included, couples will get a free upgrade to a private room. We also have additional upgrades with all meals included and upgrade to a private 3-Star or 5-Star hotel for your accommodation. 

You will be driven in comfort in our modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras to make your journey that bit easier. Led by our fun and knowledgeable and passionate tour guides, this journey will come to life in a new way for you. 

Highlights

·      Able Tasman National Park

·      Nelson

·      Wine Tasting 

Itinerary 

DAY 1

·      Greymouth – We arrive from the TranzAlpine, and begin our adventure – making our way to visit the pancake rocks (not made out of actual pancakes)

·      Punakaiki – We arrive at what looks like rocks resembling an impressive stack of hotcakes, but it is actually nature, and the all-important wind and rain create this wonderous work for us. There is a well-maintained walkway that will lead us through native forest, emerging onto coastal flax and scrub. There is magnificent views of not only the main attraction the pancake rocks and blow holes but of the inland mountains and the rugged coastline. 

·      Murchison – We make our way to the charm and natural beauty of Murchison. This is a rural town away from the hustle and bustle of our main centres, with no fast food chain restaurants just quiet and relaxing rural charm.

DAY 2

·      Murchison -  We leave this charming and quant town and make our way to Able Tasman, New Zealand’s smallest national park but perfectly formed for adventure, proving that small can still be spectacular. The scenery only gets better as we make our way north, and we will stop along the way to grab some supplies before we arrive. 

·      Able Tasman Park – Welcome to the gateway to crystal clear waters,  serene lagoons, dreamy beaches and the wildlife residents that live there, you won’t want to leave! 

DAY 3

·      Able Tasman Park – We spend today enjoying and taking this beauty all in, unplugging from the world and enjoying the reality of peace and tranquillity of this park. You might want to hike part of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of New Zealand’s great walks, or if spending the day relaxing is more your thing – pick a beach and make yourself at home – the choice is yours. 

DAY 4

·      Able Tasman Park – We say goodbye to this dreamscape and make our way back to Nelson – one of the sunniest cities in New Zealand. This city buzzes with creative energy and is full of activities. 

·      Nelson – We arrive in sunny Nelson, where you can visit the geographical centre of New Zealand – how cool is that! The view from the lookout is simply amazing, you will be able to see the city port, Tasman Bay and the surrounding mountains! Make sure you enjoy the botanical gardens at the base of the centre of New Zealand. Nelson is also the perfect place to appreciate New Zealand art, as the city has attracted creative people who work with all sorts of materials such as glass, metal, stone, paper, fabric and so much more! 

DAY 5

·      Nelson –  Today we make our way to the heart of the Marlborough Sounds – Picton. As always on this drive, you will see the classic kiwi countryside, plus also as we are entering the Marlborough wine region you will see a few vineyards as we drive past.

·      Picton – We arrive at this postcard picturesque port town, which is home to wonderful cafes, galleries, restaurants and speciality shops. There is also a floating maritime museum and an aquarium. 

DAY 6

·      Picton – We depart this pretty port town and head down the coast to the seaside village of Kaikoura (the name Kaikoura literally means “eat crayfish”) The drive down the coast is beautifully rugged with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the mountains on the other, you will be spoiled for choice with stunning scenery on all sides. 

·      Kaikoura – The environment here is truly one of a kind! With the village surrounded by mountains and the sea, it really is where the magnificent mountains meet the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean. Plus in winter the mountain caps will be covered in snow, only adding to the drama of it all. We have the option of meeting the locals with Whale Watch, or even swimming with the dolphins! If you just want to take it easy, have a walk around the seaside, and take in the dramatic landscape. Make sure you visit some of the local shops, cafes and restaurants!

DAY 7

·      Kaikoura – Today is the last day of our wonderful tour of the South Island, and start the trek back to where it all started in the Garden City. We stop along the way for lunch and a wine tasting where we can exchange photos and all our wonderful stories, what a special way to end a fantastic tour! The drive back is full of rugged coastlines contrasted with the picture-perfect Canterbury Plains. 

·      Christchurch – We arrive back in the Garden City, we say our goodbyes and part ways with hearts full and memories made.

·    PUNAKAIKI

Inclusions:

·      Small Group

·      Carbon Neutral

·      Some meals

·      Accommodation

·      Bottled Water 

·      Local kiwi snacks

·      Commentary

·      Wi-Fi

·      USB charging 

·      100% Kiwi as experience

We at Cheeky Kea Tours believe that it’s in the small things, the hidden surprises, and the secret stops that make your adventure one to remember. With comfortable and specially designed vehicles, and individually packaged refreshments will ensure you enjoy the journey with us!

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