Wilderness Lodges 7 Days, South Island From $3,599 per person
Set in the tranquil South Pacific are New Zealand's only two Wilderness Lodges. They are located in the most wild and natural parts of the South Island; at Lake Moeraki in the rainforest and the Tasman sea coast, and at Arthur's Pass in the heart of the Southern Alps. Owned by ecologists Dr Gerry McSweeney and Anne Saunders, each Lodge provides luxurious comfort; great food; wine and warm hospitality and just a day's drive from each other on the Wilderness Highway from Christchurch to Queenstown via the West Coast and Glaciers.
"We had a great time on the trip. The pacing of two days at each location worked out very well - we did something new and interesting at each stop and didn't feel rushed. The accommodations were also excellent. We especially liked the the Wilderness Lodges and Gerry was a wonderful host. Our rooms in both locations had beautiful views. We really got a good view of New Zealand and hope to go back again someday." Read more testimonials M. Zaitlin, MA - Feb 07
Day 1: Depart Los Angeles or San Francisco on Air New Zealand
Day 2: Cross the international dateline
Day 3: Arrive Auckland, transfer to Christchurch You will arrive in Auckland early morning and connect on a domestic flight to Christchurch. You accommodation is centrally located - enjoy a short stroll to Cathedral Square, Christchurch Art Gallery, Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Botanical Gardens, shops and restaurants
Day 4: Christchurch - Arthur's Pass This morning your rental car will be delivered to your accommodation. After exploring Christchurch a little more you will enjoy a leisurely drive of approx 90 minutes to Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass, nestled in mountain beech forest offering comfort and warm hospitality in a spectacular mountain setting. The lodge has 24 Lodge rooms, an intimate restaurant, lounge, library and theatre for evening nature talks. Discover wild nature in the New Zealand mountains and experience life on our 3,000 hectare nature reserve / high country merino sheep station. Walk from your room into a natural paradise of beech forest, tussock clearings, moss-lined streams and lakes on a network of nature walks. The highlight of the Lodge is a daily programme of nature discovery activities. Our naturalist guides will help you to explore nature and learn about high country life. All Lodge rooms have private bathrooms and sun and superb alpine views. You can enjoy privacy and seclusion or you can join with other guests and our guides to enjoy our nature tours and farm activities. Around the log fire you will make new friends and learn about New Zealand and its people as you plan your next day's adventures.
Day 5: Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass Free day to explore
Day 6: Arthur's Pass - Lake Moeraki Welcome to Lake Moeraki - where the Tasman Sea and its penguins meet the ancient rainforest. Spectacular beaches that are home to fur seals and crested penguins, untouched lowland rainforests spread between pristine lakes and rivers which drain the snow capped Southern Alps. Few places on earth can match the unique natural setting of the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki in the heart of the 2.7 million hectares South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.
The Lodge is landscaped in a lakeside clearing surrounded by 1000 year old rainforest trees. It offers a high level of comfort in attractive Lodge rooms (all rooms have private bathrooms) with lounges and restaurant that overlook the lovely Moeraki rapids. A relaxed drink and meal in the tranquil Moeraki Lounge as you watch the river roll by, native birds and trout jumping is a wonderful tonic in a hectic world. Radiating from the Lodge is a network of rainforest and Tasman seacoast walks. There is a fleet of canoes for you to explore Lake Moeraki and the Moeraki river. A team of guides from the Lodge will introduce you to crested penguins, fur seals, giant tame eels and New Zealand's unique birdlife and ancient forests.
Day 7: Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki Free day to explore
Day 8: Lake Moeraki - Queenstown Today you will drive further down the spectacular West Coast to the Southern Lakes Region and the alpine resort town of Queenstown.
Day 9: Queenstown - Auckland - Los Angeles or San Francisco Today you will return your rental car to Queenstown Airport and depart for the USA.
Arthurs Pass - Sample Activities Arthur’s Pass Farm Tour The Wilderness Lodge farm, Cora Lynn Station, covers 2400 hectares (6,000 acres). It supports 4,500 merino sheep and 150 Angus cattle. Every second day a 2 hour guided farm tour for Lodge guests shows Border Collie dogs mustering sheep and merino sheep shearing using the old fashioned blades.
Arthur’s Pass - Self Guided Walks A network of 30km (20 miles) of river, forest and mountain walks explores the wild and natural landscape around the Wilderness Lodge. Strategically located seats along the walks provide wonderful mountain views and stopping points keyed to nature notes that introduce the plants, animals and rich history of this area.
Arthur’s Pass - Guided Walks and Kayak Trips Every day guides from the Wilderness Lodge offer full day adventure walks and kayak trips into the heart of the Southern Alps. These include the Upper Otira Valley (pictured), the desert like limestone landscape of Castle Hill, Lake Pearson, Lake Sarah and the Korowai-Torlesse Tussockland Park. They are a great opportunity to see native plants, flowers and animals, learn about NZ nature and have fun with a small group of wilderness lovers.
Lake Moeraki - Sample Activities Fiordland Crested Penguins Moeraki Coastline From June to December Tawaki/Fiordland Crested Penguin breed in rainforest along the Moeraki coastline. Numbering less than 5,000 birds, this, the rarest of the world’s 17 species of penguin is only found in the southwest of the South Island. Penguin-watching guided walks are offered from the Wilderness Lodge every day during the June to December breeding season. Guests can lie on the beach with binoculars and watch these delightful 70 cm (28 inch) high birds parade between the ocean and their coastal rainforest breeding areas.
Canoeing up Lake Moeraki Kayaks and canoes are provided in front of the Lodge rooms and Wilderness Lodge guests can explore the Moeraki River and Lake Moeraki. Guides provide canoe training for beginners and also lead canoe safaris on the lake and down to the Tasman seacoast.
Lake Moeraki Coastline & Beach Walks The Wilderness Lodge is located at 45 degrees latitude in the middle of the “Roaring 40s ”the band of windswept Southern Ocean that encircles the globe. This is a magnificent coastline for wildlife, gemstones and beach walks.
Package includes:
International round trip airfares Los Angeles or San Francisco to Auckland on Air New Zealand;
Domestic airfares within New Zealand on Air New Zealand;
6 nights accommodation at 4 plus star Qualmark rated properties; - 1 Night Christchurch; - 2 Nights Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass - 2 Nights Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki - 1 Night Queenstown
