Top of the South
4x4 New Zealand Style!

We have planned this trip to take advantage of rustic and dramatic wildness of New Zealand's South Island. We have also ensured you will not miss some of the finer points of the region. The only way to do this is by four wheel drive overland vehicles. Our guides have a life time of experience in leading trips in their "backyard". As our clients have come to expect, Overland Experts has trained their certified 4x4 expedition guides to the highest standards possible. They are the best you can find! In keeping with our level of attention to detail and expertise, this exclusive trip is offered to only four individuals per group.

Day 1 Arrive: Christchurch

Check in to hotel – Crown Plaza – Cnr of Kilmore and Durham Streets. Spend day shopping or relaxing. In evening meet guides and trip briefing.

Day 2 Collect trucks.

Today starts with an easy drive exploring the coastline to Kaikoura. An opportunity to get used to your truck, and New Zealand gravel roads. Picnic lunch and plenty of opportunities for photos on the way. Overnight at the Old Convent in Kaikoura

Day 3 Day in Kaikoura, whale watching and sampling Maori culture.

2 hour boat trip to see whales. Half day spent learning about the local Maori culture. Drive up Mt Fyffe if time. Overnight at the Old Convent.

Day 4 Kaikoura to Mt Lyford to Hanmer Springs.

Visit the largest log lodge in the Southern Hemisphere for morning coffee. Drive out to a spectacular local rock formation, look into bottomless sink holes. Picnic lunch. After lunch, explore a hill country sheep and beef farm en route to Hanmer Springs. End the day at the spa resort of Hanmer Springs and enjoy a complimentary dip in the hot pools.

Day 5 Hanmer Springs to Blenheim

Drive over routes taken by the early pioneers to Blenheim. Enjoy a picnic morning tea and the chance to explore the historic Acheron accommodation house then drive through Molesworth Station – New Zealand’s largest farm – over 180,000 hectares. Numerous stops for exploration and photos as well as picnic lunch.

Day 6 Blenheim

A day for wine lovers. We take a guided walk round some of Blenheim’s wineries and olive oil producers. Lunch will be at one of the wineries. Excellent photo opportunities during the day.

Day 7 Blenheim to Murchison

The lively Wairau River leads us west to the rugged mountains and glacial lakes of Nelson Lakes National Park where we visit Tophouse scene of murder and hostage taking in 1894. Leaving the violence behind our next stop is Lake Rotoiti with its fringe of red, silver and black beeches interspersed with southern rata, a mass of eye catching red flowers in spring and early summer. Plenty of time to explore the lake shore and take photos. Leaving Lake Rotoiti we explore the peaceful Howard River valley following an old stock route through an area used by long ago gold seekers. Meandering downwards through native beech forest, we catch glimpses of the blue waters of Lake Rotoroa, emerging on to the lake shore beside Lake Rotoroa Lodge. The sandflys at Rotoroa are huge and hungry so we keep moving towards Murchison, and a jet boat ride on the Buller River. Spend the night at Awapiriti Farm.

Day 8 Murchison to Westport

Follow trails through West Coast beech forest to the old mining township of Denniston, plenty of stops for photos on way, plus an hour exploring Denniston. Visit the coal museum and spend the night perched above the sea at Cape Foulwind.

Day 9 Westport to Greymouth

Follow the coastline to Greymouth, stopping to look at the amazing Pancake rocks. We spend an hour or so exploring the rocks and blowholes. Visit Shantytown and experience life as it used to be. Spend a pleasant 2 hours wandering round a replica of an 1860’s gold mining town, with plenty of interactive displays. Enjoy some West Coast hospitality in the evening.

Day 10 Greymouth

One of the most special drives on the West Coast. This drive combines tunnels, a smattering of history, and the beauty of lush rain forest with the mysterious gorges, towering beech trees, and dripping undergrowth of a West Coast creek. All this in an area not normally visited by the average tourist.

Day 11 Return trucks to Christchurch via Arthurs Pass with viaduct.

We will almost certainly see and be able to photograph Keas which are the only Alpine parrot in the world.

Fly home in the evening.

Accommodation each night is in quality New Zealand homes offering bed and breakfast and home cooked evening meal. Lunch is cold meat, fish, rolls, cake, fruit juice, tea or coffee. Morning and afternoon tea is home baking plus tea, coffee, or juice.

Access to all tracks depends on weather conditions. The guide’s decision is final.

Price of trip is $4850 per person.

Price includes vehicle hire, fuel, all food, guides and accommodation. Participants will be expected to take responsibility for their own insurance excess on each vehicle.

Driver Training with Overland Experts, airfare, tips, special dinners nor travel insurance are not included.

Maximum number of people is 4. We must have 4 or trip will not run. 2 vehicles – Toyota 80 series Land Cruisers, equipped for off road travel with winch and front and rear diff locks.

This is an exclusive trip for small groups of people to allow them to have a leisurely visit to part of the top of the South Island. It takes in Whales, Wine, Maori culture, Jet boating, and Scenic West Coast all while you drive your 4x4 with security and comfort of the professional guidance of Overland Experts.

Trip dates

Trip1

Arrive in Christchurch 23rd February 2007

Finish in Christchurch 5th March 2007

Trip2

Arrive in Christchurch 25th March 2007

Finish in Christchurch 4th April 2007

Close off dates for bookings are

Trip1 9th January 2007

Trip2 1st February 2007

Final date for payment to be in New Zealand

Trip 1 23rd January 2007

Trip2 24th February 2007

Payment to be made to Overland Experts by Check or Credit Card

IF FULL PAYMENT IS NOT RECEIVED BY DUE DATE THE TRIP IS AUTOMATICALLY CANCELLED.

Vehicles: 

Toyota Land Cruiser 90 and 80 series with locking front and rear differentials.

All the vehicle are only slightly modified expedition trucks.

The vehicles used will be turbo diesels, 33' or so tires and equipped with basic off road accessories such as winches, radios, GPS, roof racks, etc.

Overland Experts
112 Hemlock Valley Rd.
East Haddam, CT 06423
860-873-9640

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