Outdoors & Adventure

Adventure comes in every shape and size along our trail. You can roar down a river in a rubber raft, try a tandem sky-dive or blast across the country on a quad bike. At the other end of the spectrum, there are wildlife sanctuaries to visit, forest tracks to hike and kayak-friendly coasts to explore.

 

Outdoor & Adventure Itinerary Ideas

Don't miss

 

Catch a safari to Cape Kidnappers, home of the largest, most accessible mainland gannet colony in the world. Daily tours operate morning and afternoon with Gannet Safaris Overland www.gannetsafaris.co.nz

 

 

 

 

Accommodation and Tour suggestions


 
Day 1
Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay

  • Spend time on the Mohaka River at Mountain Valley Adventure Lodge and choose from a range of activities from white water rafting/kayaking, to horse trekking, fishing, archery, clay-bird shooting, off-road touring, tramping and mountain biking.www.mountainvalley.co.nz

  • Visit Hastings Aerodrome and tandem skydive to get the heart pumping and view Hawke's Ba from the air www.0800SKYDIVE.co.nz

  • Mohaka Rafting offer half, full-day and helicopter shuttled multi-day trips on any grade 2-5 white-waters. Raft through stunning New Zealand wilderness, gorges and river valleys www.mohakarafting.co.nz.

  • For an invigorating experience where you can enjoy the vineyards, farmland and villages first hand, hire a bike for a day self guided tour or book a 3-5 day tour with Takaro Trails www.takarotrails.co.nzC

  • Take a fully guided quad biking tour over a 2000 acre working farm located on the edge of the Ngaruroro River with On Track Adventures.  Get the wind in your hair by speeding over farmland and through river gulleys www.ontrackadventures.co.nz.

  • Take a guided underwater tour and organized dive trip to exotic locations with the Dive Center www.aadivecenter.co.nz.

  • Go gorging through amazing streams and waterfalls, kayaking through gorgeous rivers and exploring in underground caves with the Kiwi Adventure Co www.kiwi-adventure.co.nz.

  • Get really adventurous at The National Aquarium of New Zealand and swim freely in the main oceanarium with the sharks, stingrays and other marine life www.nationalaquarium.co.nz.


Day 2
Hawke's Bay to Tararua
Hawke's Bay to Tararua

Hawke's Bay to Tararua

  • Play a round of golf at the internationally renowned Cape Kidnappers International Golf Course www.capekidnappers.com, or stay closer to Napier and play at the Awatoto Public Golf Course www.maraenuigolf.co.nz

  • If you’d like to work up a thirst or appetite, how about experiencing the Trail by bicycle? Cycle Turismo will guide you along the journey www.cycleturismo.com  

    To experience the ultimate in wildlife, join a 4WD exclusive tour through spectacular scenery, coastal landscapes, early New Zealand history, flora and fauna and some of New Zealand’s rare native wildlife at Cape Kidnappers www.kidnappersafaris.co.nz or visit the world’s largest, most accessible mainland gannet colony, travelling over working farmland in 4WD coaches or range rovers www.gannetsafaris.co.nz

Stop at…

Te Mata Peak in Havelock North, which rises 400 metres above sea level and offers panoramic views of the Hawke’s Bay Region, surrounding mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean along with a variety of walking and mountain bike tracks.

Hire a kayak, windsurfer or surfboard from Pandora Hire Ltd and take to Pandora Pond www.pandorakayaks.co.nz.

Whether you are a novice or a professional, mountain bike your way through Esk Valley Mountain Bike Park on one of the many tracks.

Go wild at Pukeora Paintball, set in 120 acres of mature forest with 9 adrenaline pumping bush fields with creeks, gullies and trenches www.pukeroa-paintball.com

 

 


Hawke’s Bay Accommodation to escape to:

Driftwood Cottages www.driftwoodcottages.co.nz

Endsleigh Cottages www.endsleighcottages.co.nz

Havelock House www.havelockhouse.co.nz

The Crown Hotel www.thecrownnapier.co.nz

Lakeside Cottage www.lakesidecottage.co.nz

Mountain Valley Adventure Lodge www.mountainvalley.co.nz

Peach Gully Cottage www.peachgully.co.nz

Waipataki Beach Farm Park www.waipatikibeachfarmpark.co.nz

Wanstead Hotel www.wansteadhotel.com

 

 

 
Day 3
Tararua to Wairarapa
Tararua to Wairarapa

Tararua to Wairarapa

Drive South along State Highway 2 through the Tararua District following the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail signs.

  • Blast across the pastures on a quad bike to see the awesome Tararua Windfarm. Try the Turbines to Tui Quad Bike Adventure, riding through farmland from the Tararua Windfarm to the Tui Brewery

  • Spend time at Pukaha Mt Bruce, a wildlife sanctuary that specialises in breeding rare species. Pukaha Mount Bruce has an informative visitor centre, guided ranger experiences and a Kiwi nocturnal house. Surrounded by ancient forest trees and free flying native birds, you get a sense of how New Zealand used to beowww.mtbruce.org.nzm the Tapend time at Pukaha Mt Bruce, a wildlife ctuary that specialises in breeding rare species. Pukaha Mount Bruce has guided ranger experiences and a Kiwi nocturnal house. Surrounded

Stop at…

Te Apiti Wind Farm, one of the two largest wind farms in the Southern Hemisphere with its spectacular views just a short drive from Woodville.

Waiohine Gorge, south of Carterton, a popular picnic and hiking destination, walk across one of the longest swing bridges in New Zealand

From Masterton drive to the popular beach destinations of Riversdale and Castlepoint for superb scenery, fishing, surfing and summer-patrolled beaches.

Cycle the vineyards and olive groves of North Wairarapa with March Hare Cycling

www.march-hare.co.nz

Drive to Cape Palliser where you will find a variety of adventures. Walk to the intriguing Putanguirua Pinnacles, see the fishing settlement of Ngawi, spy on the North Island’s largest colony of fur seals, and walk the 258 steps of the historic Cape Palliser lighthouse for an incredible view. Enjoy fish and chips at the Lake Ferry Hotel with views across Lake Onoke.

Visit Featherston’s Fell Engine, the last of its kind in the world. The Rimutaka Incline, its former routes, is walked and biked by thousands of visitors each year.


Day 4
Wairarapa to Wellington
Wairarapa to Wellington
Wairarapa to Wellington

Wairarapa to Wellington

Travel across the bush clad Rimutaka Ranges to Wellington. Even though you’ve arrived in the capital city, New Zealand’s stunning scenery and nature is right on your doorstep.

  • Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films showcased Wellington’s stunning natural scenery on the world stage. Explore the film locations from “The Lord of the Rings” on half or full day tours (suggestions right).

  • Visit ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience, a world first conservation attraction and home to some of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered wildlife. It’s a great spot for a picnic lunch or take a Sanctuary by Night escorted tour at dusk and try to spot Kiwi.
    www.visitzealandia.com

  • Drive an hour out of Wellington along the Kapiti Coast to visit Kapiti Island Alive; a unique opportunity in New Zealand to view endangered and rare birds in a completely natural setting. You’ll need to stay overnight if you want to try kiwi spotting – but staying on the island with a Maori family is something you’ll never forget!

  • Take a Seal Coast Safari across the rugged and remote south coast of Wellington. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see the South Island... the South Coast is even more inspiring on a blustery day! www.sealcoast.com

  • Wellington puts its hills to great use with fantastic mountain biking. There’s great tracks on Mount Victoria, Battle Hill Farm Forest near Porirua, out to the Pencarrow Lighthouse from Eastbourne or a dedicated mountain bike park at Makara. Mountain bikes can be hired from Hutt City i-Site Vistor Centre.

  • Take a guided walk of Wellington, a fantastic way to learn about the city's key sights, culture history and what’s happening today.
    www.wellingtonnz.com/walkwellington

Stop at…

Te Papa National Museum to learn about New Zealand’s unique geology, fauna and flora. www.tepapa.govt.nz


Wairarapa Accommodation to escape to…

Cavelands Farmstay www.artinthebarn.co.nz

The French Village www.frenchvillage.co.nz

Pounui Homestead www.pounuihomestead.co.nz

The Beach House www.thebeachhousenz.com

Castlepoint Holiday Park and Motels www.castlepoint.co.nz

Flat Point Beach’s Reef Point Lodge www.flatpoint.co.nz

Martinborough Village Camping www.martinboroughcamping.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The Lord of the Rings” half or full day tours.

Flat Earth New Zealand Experiences www.flatearth.co.nz

Hammonds Scenic Tours www.wellingtonsightseeingtours.com

Wellington Movie Tours www.adventuresafari.co.nz Wellington Rover Tours www.wellingtonrover.co.nz

 

 

 

 

Wellington accommodation to escape to....

Villa Margarita www.villamargarita.co.nz

Ibis Wellington www.ibishotel.com

Duxton Hotel www.amorahotels.com.au

 

 

Day 5
Wellington to Marlborough

Wellington to Marlborough

  • Venture out into the renowned Queen Charlotte Track which leads walkers and cyclists over 71km into the Marlborough Sounds. There are a wide range of guided and unguided options available for all fitness levels from 2 hours to 5 days.
    www.qctrack.co.nz

     


Day 6
Marlborough
Marlborough

Marlborough

  • Saddle up for a guided horse trek on spectacular backcountry trails.

  • Take a day or evening guided kayak trip down the Opawa River and Vernon Lagoon just 10 minutes from Blenheim, view birds close up and hear stories of the Moa Hunters to present day. A wonderful opportunity for taking photographs along the way.
    www.driftwoodecotours.co.nz

  • Head out for fly fishing or hunting tours
    www.huntfish.co.nz or www.windhawkhelicopters.com

  • Swim with the dolphins guided by trained marine biologists then take a guided walk on Motuara Island bird sanctuary in Queen Charlotte Sound
    www.naturetours.co.nz

  • Take a tour through Molesworth Station, New Zealand’s largest and most iconic cattle station. Molesworth Tour Company offers a range of options between one and four days exploring the area and the high country station.
    www.molesworthtours.co.nz

Stop at…

A walk through Wither Hills Farm Park, a network of walks with views over the vineyard-studded Wairau Plains.


Marlborough Sounds & Marlborough Accommodation to escape to…

Bay of Many Coves Resort, Queen Charlotte Sound www.bayofmanycovesresort.co.nz

Craglee Lodge, Queen Charlotte Sound, www.craglee.co.nz

The Portage Resort Hotel, Kenepuru Sound www.portage.co.nz

Punga Cove Resort, Queen Charlotte Sound www.pungacove.co.nz

Te Mahia Bay Resort www.temahia.co.nz

Raetihi Lodge www.raetihilodge.co.nz

Furneaux Lodge www.furneaux.co.nz

Lochmara Lodge www.lochmaralodge.co.nz

Jefferswood www.jefferswood.co.nz

Rock Ferry Cottage, Northbank Road www.rockferry.co.nz

 
 
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