Secret South - an extraordinary and richly varied trip. Excellent balance between coastal spots and the mountains. Bill, USA

This is fine country for the waterproof explorer. Richard Henry in 1896, on New Zealand's Fiordland region

This was my first trip of this sort, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Seeing as much as we did in such a short time would be nearly impossible to do on your own. Damin, USA

Length 11 days

Price NZ$1650

NZ$1695 from 1 October 2010

GST (Goods and Services Tax) increases from 12.5% to 15% on 1st October 2010. This tour will increase in price to NZ$1695. Pay before 30th September 2010 and receive the lower price, regardless of the date of travel.

Grade D - medium, 3 multi-day hikes
Extras - NZ$30/day kitty (food & accommodation)
Extras optional - Sea kayaking (NZ$110), cycling (NZ$90)
Start - Queenstown Visitor Centre, corner Shotover & Camp Streets @ 8:00am
Finish - Christchurch 6:00pm (approx.)

Keen for more?

Link this trip with:

West Coast Wilderness
Do the West Coast Wilderness trip (finishing Thursday) BEFORE your Secret South trip (starting Sunday) and you have a couple of days to play in crazy Queenstown.

Volcanoes and Rainforest
See the best of both islands! The Volcanoes and Rainforest ends on Friday. Fly from Wellington to Queenstown for your Secret South adventure. You will have just one clear day between trips (Saturday), so make sure you do your washing.
If your time is really valuable, the Volcanoes and Rainforest plus the Secret South is a fantastic combination; full-on but do-able. Not an uncommon choice.

Can't think of anything I would change.
Darlene, USA

Secret South

Let the sensational South Island overwhelm you. Hike world heritage areas, kayak a dramatic fiord, gaze at the wildlife on the Catlins coast, and see the many colours of nature reflected in lakes and ice. This is one of New Zealand's most beautiful and varied hiking vacations.

Highlights

• Hiking in dramatic and beautiful Fiordland National Park
• Kayaking beneath the massive sea cliffs of Milford Sound
• Rainforest, penguins, and seals on the rugged Catlins coast
• Turquoise lakes, glaciers, and spectacular views of snow-capped Mt Cook
• Remarkable high country topography of Mt Somers, with waterfalls and narrow canyons

Day 1

Head south to Te Anau (optional pick-up point by arrangement) and Fiordland National Park. Hike to Key Summit, part of the famous Routeburn track. Enjoy spectacular views of the Darran Mountains. Camp in the Hollyford Valley. 3 hours hiking.

Day 2

Up early for a morning kayak (optional extra) in Milford Sound with cascading waterfalls and views of Mitre Peak (1722m). New Zealand fur seals may play near our kayaks. Drive south to Lake Monowai. Camp. 4 hours kayaking.

Day 3

Drive to Borland Saddle and start 2-day hike above the bush line, onto the Hunter Range with great views into Fiordland National Park. Stay in shelter or camp. 7 hours hiking.

Day 4

Hike through beech forest and across tussock basins. Drive to Curio Bay in the Catlins. Stay in a crib (New Zealand summer house). Take evening walk along the beautiful beach. 3 hours hiking.

Day 5

Explore a fossilised forest (180 million years old). Head to Cannibal Bay and visit New Zealand sea lion and yellow-eyed penguin colonies. Camp near the beach and enjoy a hangi (Maori earth oven) meal. Learn some Maori language. 2 hours hiking.

Day 6

Rest day in picturesque Alexandra. Join cycle tour (optional extra) on historic rail trail through vast and mountainous landscape of Central Otago, cycling through tunnels and across viaducts. 4-5 hours cycling.

Day 7

Drive past high country sheep stations, over the Lindis Pass into Mackenzie country. Arrive at Lake Ohau and begin 2-day hike through beech forest to a sub-alpine camp on the bush line. 3 hours hiking.

Day 8

Hike to a mountain basin filled with tarns (small alpine lakes), and on to Ohau Range (1915m). Superb views of the Southern Alps and the Mackenzie Basin. Return to the vehicle and drive to a private hut on the shores of Lake Ohau. 7 hours hiking.

Day 9

Hike to Sealy Tarns and possibly Mueller Hut for a view of the Hooker and Mueller Glaciers, Mt Sefton Ice Fall, and New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki/Mt Cook (3754m). Return and camp. 5 hours hiking.

Day 10

Drive past the lakes of the Mackenzie Basin to our Mount Somers 2-day hike. Rock-hop up the Woolshed River canyon to a trampers’ hut. 4 hours hiking.

Day 11

Explore water caves and Tri-Falls Stream before returning to vehicle via the coal-mine route. Hikers in this area often see the rare New Zealand falcon. Drive across Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. 4 hours hiking.

Additional costs

• Kitty fund NZ$30/day (for food and camp/hut fees). During winter (April-September) or on wet weather summer trips, you may need to budget an extra NZ$10/day as we use alternative accommodation more often.
• The prices for optional activities are listed in the trip summary box on the top right of the page, and in the trip dossier. Optional activities include sea kayaking and cycling.
• Kitty fund and optional activities must be paid for during the trip.

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