Depart Auckland at 7.30am. We head south travelling towards the mighty Waikato. Head on to the world-renowned Raglan surf beach, with cow spotting and a walk to Bridal Veil Falls on the way. Chill out or go hard in this funky surf and arts town. Accommodation: An eco-lodge surrounded by native bush near the beach Optional Paid Activities: Learn to surf. Free activities: Waterfall walk, bush walk around Mt Karioi, relax on the beach, glow-worms in the bush, West Coast sunset, Inspiration Point. Depart 8am. Head to the rural town of Waitomo, with time to explore its famous caves and glowworms. We then head across to the Bay Of Plenty for our unique and special cultural overnight stay. This is an immersion into our indigenous Maori culture and much more than a show. We learn about Maori traditions and history and become fully interactive with Kapa Haka (Maori song and dance). An unforgettable, genuine and educational night! Accommodation: Unique Stray stay in the Wharenui (Maori meeting house) Included: Overnight Maori cultural experience - including marae accommodation, traditional meal, interactive performance and breakfast. Optional paid activities: Waitomo must-do caving options Haggas Honking Holes, Lost World, Tumu Tumu Toobing, or a glow-worm tour. Free activities: Walk around Ruakuri Reserve, Waitomo Valley Caves walk. Depart 8.30am and head to Rotorua for a morning free to discover its smell (geothermal areas), culture and adventure. At 12.30pm we depart from Rotorua and move onto Rainbow Mountain to meet our local Maori guide. We then head deep into the Kaingaroa Forest to the foothills of the Urewera National Park to experience stories, history and culture not yet touched by commercialization. Accommodation: Lakefront lodge Included: Kohutapu Experience guided tour of Maori rock art, British Redoubt and Aniwhenua Falls. Learn to put a hangi down, ground cooked hangi feast and dessert, breakfast also included. Optional paid activities: Boat/kayak hire, eeling, Maori cookery lesson, plate weaving or Mau Rakau lesson (warrior skills). http://www.straytravel.com/ 1
After breakfast we depart and head to Taupo to see Huka Falls, and for the brave we have time for skydiving! At 1.30pm we make our way to Blue Duck Station, a 5,200 acre high country farm that is both a working station and an environmental conservation leader. Once you arrive, there are plenty of activities for you to partake in. Spend the evening sitting around, listening to tales from this unique region. Accommodation: Country station lodge Optional paid activities: Skydiving! Free activities: Walk around the truly amazing property at Whakahoro and just take in the lush scenery, walk to the Kaiwhakauka waterfall, enjoy your host Dan s fantastic hospitality and stories on the local wildlife and history. Today you have a free day to explore this truly amazing and secluded location. Start with a tour of the property; then immerse yourself in farm life with any of the activities on offer. Accommodation: Country station lodge Included: Eco-Warrior 4WD farm tour. Optional paid activities: Horse riding, clay pigeon shooting and goat hunting. We depart at 6am and head to the active volcanoes and dual UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tongariro National Park. Today you get a chance to do what is rated as one of the world s best one day walks: the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. In the evening, reward yourself at the bar or just relax in the spa where we stay. Accommodation: Beautiful alpine lodge Free activities: Taranaki Falls walk, visit the Volcanic Centre. Depart 9am. We head to Wellington, New Zealand s capital city, via Ohakune, Taihape and Bulls. You have the afternoon to cruise around or explore. Optional paid activities: Check out some of the great cafes and bars. Free activities: Walk Oriental Parade, head up Mt Victoria for fantastic views, and visit Te Papa - our national museum. We catch the 8am Bluebridge Ferry (check-in 7am) across to the South Island, where we meet the Stray bus. We then cruise through the famous Marlborough vineyard area and the coastal town of Nelson, before heading onto Motueka and to our amazing overnight stop of Marahau, right on the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park. http://www.straytravel.com/ 2
Accommodation: Unique Stray accommodation on the edge of the national park Included: Ferry crossing from Wellington to Picton. Optional paid activities: Wine tasting, skydiving. Free activities: Swim, walk, mussel tasting around the fire. You have the day at leisure to explore this stunning, coastal national park. Accommodation: Unique Stray accommodation on the edge of the national park. Optional paid activities: Full day sailing trip, kayaking, skydiving, water taxi, horse riding or hang gliding. Free activities: Walk in the national park or just relax on one of the golden sand beaches! Today we head south towards the wild West Coast passing through Buller Gorge and down a stretch of road that was recently rated one of the top ten drives in the world by Lonely Planet. We stop at Cape Foulwind to visit the seal colony and then head for the historic coal mining town, Westport. The sunset from our accommodation tonight is a must see if the weather is clear! Accommodation: Charming character villa in the centre of town. Optional paid activities: Surfing, horse riding, jet boating, caving. Free activities: Westport seal colony, West Coast sunset, Truman Track walk. An early start takes us down the rugged West Coast to the spectacular limestone Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes. We ll stop to take a short walk and grab refreshments at the café before we head for the historic gold mining town, Greymouth. We do pick-ups in Greymouth and make stops in Hokitika, before heading to the quaint little town of Franz Josef home to the mighty Franz Josef Glacier. Accommodation: Lodge in the middle of the rainforest Optional paid activities: Bone carving and jade carving. Free activities: Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and their mighty blowholes, walk along the beach, sleep in. A free day to get up close and personal with the glacier! Accommodation: Lodge in the middle of the rainforest Included: The Ice Explorer trip a short heli flight onto the glacier followed by an educational tour, entry to the hot pools is included. Depart at 9am. We head to Lake Matheson for the amazing mirror lake; stop at Fox Glacier for pickups then travel through to the mountainous Haast Pass and Makarora. We pass by the beautiful http://www.straytravel.com/ 3
Lake Hawea and arrive in Wanaka with an afternoon to enjoy this picturesque lakeside town. Optional paid activities: Puzzle World. Free activities: Mirror Lake walk, Ship Creek walk, Blue Pools walk, Thundercreek Falls walk, explore Wanaka. Depart 10.30am. This morning you have the opportunity to check out amazing views of the lake either by skydiving or walking up Mt Iron! We cruise into Queenstown with a stop at the famous A.J. Hackett bungy site and then head to the Adventure Capital of the World! Queenstown offers an optional big (make that huge) night out with excellent restaurants, pubs and live music. Optional Paid Activities: Skydiving, bungy jumping. Free activities: Walk Mt Iron, watch people jumping off a bridge! Enjoy three full days in Queenstown to get amongst the action in NZ s Adventure Capital. Included: Shotover Jet and Doubtful Sound Day Trip (these can be done on day of your choice). Optional paid activities: Any adventure activity that we mad Kiwis can dream up (bungy, swing, jetboating, skydiving, mountain biking, zipline, horse riding ), trip to Milford Sound. Free activities: Sleep in, great walks, take in beautiful views from this cool resort town. Depart from 8.40am. We head over the Lindis Pass through the beautiful Mackenzie Country and Lake Pukaki, then head north to our amazing stop at the base of New Zealand s highest mountain Aoraki/Mt Cook, arriving in the early afternoon. Accommodation: Stunning alpine lodge Included: 6WD Argo Tour Optional paid activities: Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, 6WD Argo Tour. Free activities: Take photos of awe-inspiring scenery, do one of the many great short walks to the Hooker glacial lake. Depart 10am. We make our way to the Lord of the Rings landscape of Rangitata. We head past the turquoise Lake Tekapo, where we stop for ice-skating, snow tubing or a swim at the hot springs. We arrive early afternoon in Geraldine, and then head through to spend the night at Rangitata. Accommodation: One of Canterbury s original sheep stations Optional paid activities: Walk or horse ride through Peel Forest. Free activities: Take photos of stunning scenery, go for a walk. http://www.straytravel.com/ 4
Depart 7.30am. It is an express haul across the Canterbury plains to Christchurch. We arrive at 9.30am at the Christchurch International Airport. After making drop offs and pickups, we depart from Christchurch and have a beautiful drive up the coast to Kaikoura. You have the afternoon free for activities. Accommodation: Historic seaside hotel Optional paid activities: Whale watching, swimming with seals, piloting your own plane or swimming with dolphins. Try the amazing fresh fish and chips! Free activities: Walk around the peninsula and up to the lookout. Depart 8.30am. We wind our way up the rugged coastal roads with stops for photos and a seal colony. Then we take the ferry crossing over the Cook Strait, back to Wellington. Included: Ferry crossing from Picton to Wellington. Free activities: Seal colony, Queen Charlotte View walk, explore the city. Depart 6.40am. This is an express day via National Park to Auckland, arriving back in New Zealand s largest city in the late afternoon. We hope you had a blast on your adventure! Experienced Tour Guide throughout the trip 21 nights accommodation Mourea: Maori cultural experience traditional meal, interactive performance, breakfast Lake Aniwhenua: Kohutapu experience ground cooked hangi feast, dessert, breakfast, guided tour of Maori rock art Whakahoro: Eco-Warrior 4WD farm tour Franz Josef: Ice Explorer trip (including helicopter ride) Franz Josef: entry to Franz Josef Hot Pools Queenstown: Shotover Jet Queenstown: day trip to Doubtful Sound Ferry crossings between the North and South Islands http://www.straytravel.com/ 5