At a Glance
Departing from Queenstown, discover the awe-inspiring Milford Sound, Hollyford Valley and unspoiled natural beauty of the wildlife-rich Stewart Island on foot over seven days. Ben Lomond Track, Stewart Island, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Routeburn Track, Kepler track and Hollyford Heli-hike are all on show in this incredible trip.
Kick off your trip in the 'adventure capital' Queenstown where you hike the lower slopes of Ben Lomond for extensive panoramic views over Lake Wakitipu. Crossing over to Stewart Island you will enjoy some short walks as well as a free day to explore this remote island on foot, kayak or even try to sight New Zealand's iconic flightless bird ‐ the Kiwi.
Stewart Island is one of the few places in the country with the greatest chance of seeing this very shy ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 5 nights hotel/motel ensuite accommodation on a twin share basis
- 1 night exclusive use of Martin's Bay private lodge (shared bathroom)
- Helicopter over Milford Sound into Martin's Bay (Hollyford)
- 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
- Ferry to and from Stewart Island
- Professional qualified driver/guide
- Packs and poles (on request if required). Please let us know at booking
- Access and concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
- Water and snacks while trekking
- Private vehicle transport
Itinerary
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Walking distance: 5 - 7 hours walking (Easy Grade). Pick you up from your accommodation in Queenstown and start your adventure with a nearby mountain hike. You take the gondola above the township and then access the walking track to Ben Lomond, slowly meandering your way to a highpoint lookout. With the amazing views over Lake Wakitipu and the Queenstown basin this is an inspiring start to this fantastic walking trip. After descending, depart via the rugged Kawarau Gorge, the birthplace of the Bungy jump, to New Zealand's southernmost city, Invercargill, a good base to start our journey to remote Stewart Island the following day. Overnight Invercargill. |
Homestead Villa Motel
Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: 4 hours walking (Easy Grade). Drive a short distance to the windswept coastal town of Bluff. Here, you meet the morning ferry for the one hour crossing to Stewart Island, off the southern coast. Home to New Zealand's newest national park and the remote community of Oban, you arrive on Stewart Island ready for some walking activity. After a casual lunch you walk for about 10km (4hrs) on part of the Rakiura Track with lovely coastal views and prominent bird life. You will probably take a water taxi one way and the availability of this will influence the direction and location of our walk. Arriving back into Oban village late in the afternoon, you have time to check into our accommodation, freshen up and explore the various options on offer for tomorrow. It's then time to regroup for dinner, the fresh local Blue Cod, or the famous Bluff Oysters are a must try. |
South Sea HotelBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Stewart Island is very diverse environment and today is a free day to allow you to wander as you please. The activity options range from a visit to the unique predator-free Ulva Island, to sea kayaking the interior coastline around Patterson Inlet, or even a hike on the many coastal walkways, such as the one to Ackers Point lighthouse. Whatever you choose, this will be a magical day in a magnificent location. |
South Sea HotelBreakfast |
Walking distance: 2 - 3 hours walking (Easy Grade). Departing on the early ferry from Stewart Island back to the mainland, you then travel through small towns and rural landscapes to Te Anau, on the edge of World Heritage Fjordland National Park. Here you can enjoy a fine walk on one of the lower reaches of the Kepler track, passing through wetlands and mosses and ancient native forests. There are a couple of options for return hikes to remote and secluded bush-clad bays on either Lake Manapouri or Lake Te Anau, the choice will depend on the weather. This evening you have a briefing on the upcoming Hollyford adventure and enjoy dinner with an air of anticipation for the next couple of days. |
Distinction Luxmore HotelBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: 2 - 3 hours walking (Easy Grade). Drive into the world famous Milford Sound to enjoy a few short walks and stops at points of interest along this incredibly scenic journey. By late morning you arrive at Milford Sound and prepare to board a helicopter for the truly spectacular flight over the peaks and rugged west coast to Martin's Bay in the Hollyford region. On arrival you meet your hosts and are treated to a picnic lunch. It's then time to begin exploring this amazing landscape on foot with a walk through lush forest and coastal heath to a rocky bay. You have opportunity to spot fur seals and the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin (in season) that inhabit these shores. Returning to Martin's Bay Lodge by jet boat you enjoy a gourmet meal and relax in cosy accommodation in this very special uninhabited wilderness location. |
Martin's Bay LodgeBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: 20 km walking (Moderate Grade). After a hearty breakfast you journey once again by jet boat up Lake McKerrow to the Hollyford River, the dramatic mountainscapes leaving us in awe of the beauty of this region. A little further along you leave the boat to commence 20km hike along the Hollyford Valley, following the footsteps of early explorers through native beech forest speckled with elegantly flowing waterfalls. The undulating track brings you to the trail head, with a lunch stop and interesting interpretation of our surrounds along the way. |
Martin's Bay Lodge Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: 5 hours walking (Easy Grade). On our final morning you enjoy one more iconic walk, this time along the Routeburn Track to Key Summit, where you can take in sweeping views over the beautiful Hollyford Valley. Along the trail you will have the chance to reflect on a week of exceptional walking experiences with your new found friends before boarding the vehicle for a late afternoon drive back to Queenstown. Trip arrangements conclude on arrival with a hotel drop-off. We advise not to book any departure flights this evening in case our drive home is delayed for any reason. |
NoneBreakfast, LunchDates & Prices
More Info
- The departure point is Queenstown, New Zealand.
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Queenstown.
We provide private car or helicopter transfer service. Please contact us to quote and arrange private transfer. E: travel@onlyluxe.com.au
Day 1: Approximately 5 - 7 km, 2 - 3 hours
Day 2: Approximately 10 km, 4 hours
Day 3: Free day on Stewart Island
Day 4: Approximately 5 - 7 km, 2 - 3 hours
Day 5: Approximately 5 - 7 km, 2 - 3 hours
Day 6: Approximately 20 km
Day 7: Approximately 7 - 10 km, 5 hours
Total: Approximately 52 - 57 km
In New Zealand, January and February are the warmest months of the year (Summer). The temperature is in the 75F/25C range. February is generally regarded as the best weather month which means it's also popular on the trail.
March temperatures average at 70F/21C and is the most stable time of year to visit weather-wise, with little rain and low wind. April and May start to get a little cooler in the South, but it offers crisp clear evenings for stargazing.
June to August is Winter. Temperatures in the far south experiences an average of 47F/8C.
September to November start to warm up with flowers dotting the green forests. The average temperature is 58F/15C in the South.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
