West Coast Wilderness

Nelson-Kahurangi National Park (4 hours hiking)
After a briefing with our guide drive to Motueka and up as far as the Flora Saddle – already at 1000m in altitude. After sorting all the gear set off through the beech forest, following a stream to the tablelands of Kahurangi, New Zealand’s newest national park. Follow traces of the many tracks that criss-cross the region, the result of gold being discovered here in the 1850s. Overnight in a goldminer’s rock shelter.

Buller Gorge-Paparoa National Park (4 hours hiking)
After a short drive, reach the wild West Coast of the South Island at the aptly named Cape Foulwind, where fur seals can be observed. Continuing the drive, stop at the one time gold rush town of Charleston that once boasted 80 hotels but is now a sleepy hamlet. South of here is Paparoa National Park, riddled with limestone features. The trail winds through spectacular rainforest, with some river crossings to negotiate before reaching ‘home’ for the night, the massive ‘Ballroom Overhang’.

Paparoa National Park (5 hours hiking)
Explore the nearby limestone canyons and caves containing remarkable stalagmites and stalactites. Find cave wetas (large wingless insects), glowworms and the tallest moss in the world. Hike or wade back down river towards Punakaiki and take a leisurely stroll along the coast and delve into some sea caves used as shelter by early Maori. Climb up on to a headland and watch a glorious sunset over the Tasman Sea before returning to an overnight camp by the sea.