OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Itinerary DATES PRICES REVIEWS

Wild West

The Wild West is the best way to explore New Zealand's west coast in under a week! From Queenstown mountains to icey Franz Josef and sunny Abel Tasman, this one has it all!

Discover the Wild West Coast

The drive along the West Coast of the South Island has some of the best scenery you'll ever experience!

On this South Island adventure tour, you'll see forests taking on a prehistoric appearance, Lord of the Rings style views, rugged coastlines, crystal clear lakes, striking glaciers and contrasting gold sand beaches. It’s all here! We'll take you up the rugged West Coast, past Franz Josef Glacier and on to the stunning Abel Tasman National Park where you can mix beach and bush to your heart's content.

What you can expect from the Wild West tour:

Exploring the country's best National Parks: From the dramatic beauty of Franz Josef Glacier in the UNESCO World Heritage National Park to the golden sand beaches of the Abel Tasman National Park.
Sleeping under the stars to the sound of the ocean: Does this sound like a bit of you? If you love wide open spaces, clean fresh air, spectacular views and sitting around the campfire with mates then you'll love this trip. All tickets include a shared tent or dorm room depending on our location, and there are options to upgrade to cabins or private rooms along the way so you can enjoy a bit of self-care and privacy some nights too.
Everything from dolphin swimming to bungy jumping: New Zealand is an outdoor paradise and we love finding the best adventures to throw ourselves into! On this tour you'll have the chance to try as much as you can handle - highlights include dolphin swimming, skydiving, sailing, bungee jumping and so much more.
Optional hikes and bike rides everyday: Our unique trip style gives you the chance to try a huge variety of walks! For bike rides you'll have the chance to take easy, short downhill rides or challenging off-road tracks - just choose your favourites and go! All walks and rides will offer spectacular views and lifelong memories.
Get to know the locals: We love Aotearoa/New Zealand and we want you to get to know all about our history, culture and people. Our knowledgeable guides will share fascinating stories with you whilst the trip style gets you away from tourist crowds to locations where you'll hang out and mix with the locals!

What's Included:

Accommodation: At our carefully selected campsites staying in a shared tent, two people per tent. Solo travellers will be paired with someone of the same gender. You can upgrade to your own tent if you prefer.
Food: We provide tasty & healthy meals suitable for all diets. Check your trip itinerary to see how many meals your tour includes.
Use of sports equipment on board: Bodyboards, frisbees and more are supplied free of charge, for your enjoyment.
Hikes: There are heaps of free hikes included along the way, so you can see the best of NZ's natural beauty
National Parks: Kiwis are a generous bunch - there are no costs to access our national parks!
Free activities such as walking to the base of Franz Josef Glacier, gazing in wonder at the Punakaiki Pancake rocks and blowholes and watching amazing sunrises and sunsets at beautiful beachside campsites.

Highlights

Visit a UNESCO World heritage site
Cycle trails
Queenstown
Abel Tasman
Kayaking
Glowworm walks
Marlborough

Itinerary

Pickup Location: Nomads Queenstown, 09:30am

Departing Queenstown this morning, we’ll travel past mountains and on towards stunning glacial lakes and calmer shores.

On the final stretch to camp we’ll get views of Mt Aspiring National Park in the distance. Lake Hawea is just over the next ridge and it’s on the edge of this glacial lake that we find our next wilderness camp at Lake Hawea where we can enjoy great views of the lake and the mountains beyond as we absorb the beauty of the area.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Bike Rides: Hawea River Track (12 km), Lake Wanaka to Lake Hawea (30km)

Walks and Hikes: Multiple walking options

Available Upgrades: Yes

We’ll enjoy a relaxed morning at our lakeside camp and then we’re continuing north through Mt Aspiring National Park. Before we reach the West Coast, we’ll stop for a walk to the amazing Blue Pools, then head through the dramatic Haast Pass, on roads woven over braided rivers and huge glacier carved valleys. There are two more great walk options along the way, one through lush and ancient forests and the other through swampy vegetation, ending on the beach where it’s possible to spot Hector dolphins. Tonight, we’ll stay in the iconic Fox Glacier on the wild west coast.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Bike Rides: Gladstone Track (13kms Return from Lake Hawea Camp), Fox Glacier Cycle Way (12kms Return from Fox Glacier Holiday Park)

Walks and Hikes: Blue Pools, Ship Creek

Available Upgrades: Yes

Today is your chance to explore one of NZ’s most unique and spectacular natural wonders – the Franz Josef Glacier. This staggeringly beautiful work of nature descends from the Southern Alps to less than 300 metres above sea level. To get on the ice you must go up by helicopter but it’s possible to view the glacier via a stunning walk through the main valley. We also recommend taking a walk to Peter’s Pool for another incredibly scenic view. Before arriving at Franz Josef, we’ll take a highly recommended walk around Lake Matheson where crystal clear reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman make the perfect photo opportunity. Next, we’ll board the bus and continue up this spectacular coastal road to the quirky town of Hokitika, home of the Greenstone and a great place to pick up a traditional souvenir. Passing through Greymouth we’ll keep following the coast to Punakaiki where you’ll notice a change in the landscape as huge limestone cliffs appear and Nikau Palm trees become abundant. Our beach camp for tonight offers great sunsets, a beautiful river and incredible views of Paparoa National Park. The pancake rocks and blowholes are the main attraction in Punakaiki where limestone rocks are stacked on top of each other and ocean swells are forced through gaps in the rock creating a whale’s blowhole effect. This evening, explore a cavern with some glow worms hanging out in the dark and then enjoy a beverage at the local tavern.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Bike Rides: Trail to Lake Matheson (4.3kms one way), Bullock Creek trail (15 km)

Walks and Hikes: Sunrise Lake Matheson

Optional Activities: Punakaiki pancake rocks & blow holes (free)

Available Upgrades: Yes

Before leaving Punakaiki we’ll take some time to explore part of the Paparoa National Park, walking along the Pororari river or cycling up Bullock creek road to visit a cave resurgence. Leaving mid-morning we’ll travel inland through the majestic Buller gorge and onto the famous Abel Tasman National Park. Situated in one of the sunniest areas of the country and home to heaps of beautiful secluded bays and stunning golden sand beaches. We look forward to spending 2 nights at our perfectly located camp, close to the park entrance which makes it the ideal place to explore all corners of the stunning Abel Tasman.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Bike Rides: Bullock Creek, Coastal ride to camp and Kaiteriteri bike park, Great Taste Trail

Walks and Hikes: Truman track

Optional Activities: Skydiving

Available Upgrades: Yes

Take time today to explore arguably the best beaches and clearest waters in New Zealand - there are excellent options for everyone here. You can walk, sail or kayak around the numerous golden bays and dive into the crystal-clear waters along the way. There will be plenty of chances for wildlife spotting (dolphins, seals and even Orcas!) and for those seeking a thrill, join the one in a lifetime canyoning experience!

Meals: Breakfast

Bike Rides: Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park

Walks and Hikes: Abel Tasman National Park track

Optional Activities: Kayaking, canyoning, sailing, water taxi / walk

Available Upgrades: Yes

Today is the final day of your tour. We'll take a trip to Marlborough, home to some of the World’s best known grapes and where we’ll treat you to a free tasting in one of their best vineyards before your tour finishes in Picton.

Meals: Breakfast

Available Upgrades: n/a