Hosted Tour: 10 days / 9 nights

Departing: Wed, 2nd Dec 26

Pounamu (greenstone), Coal and Gold – three treasures to be found on NZ’s wild West Coast. Our hunt starts with pick up from our homes in Whangarei, and a drive to Auckland where we fly to Christchurch (1 night). Here we join the treasure hunters’ trail on the TranzAlpine train through Arthur’s Pass to Greymouth (3 nights).

From Greymouth we explore Hokitika and have our first introduction to the Pounamu Pathway – a Weta Workshop collaboration that spans across different centres to tell the story of pounamu’s significance to the area. We will dive into New Zealand’s pioneering history, with experiences designed to give a taste of what life was like for our early settlers.

Next, we drive up to Westport (2 nights), travelling along one of New Zealand’s most spectacular stretches of road that includes a stop in Punakaiki at the wonderful Paparoa National Park Visitor centre. In Westport we turn our attention to coal and venture up to the Denniston Plateau – once New Zealand’s most remote town and now an open-air museum.

From here we head inland to Reefton (1 night) and take a closer look at our history with gold and how the industry still holds a place in the West Coast economy.

Coming back through the Lewis Pass, we stop in to rest at Hanmer Springs (1 night) and enjoy a soak in the famous thermal springs. The next day takes us further east, with another adventure to be had on the Kaiapoi River Queen – a paddle boat providing a unique view of the Kaiapoi river before returning to Christchurch (1 night). From Christchurch we fly back to Auckland, then it’s home to Whangarei.

…You Never Know What You Might Find!

Your Hosted Tour Includes:

• You, Me & Friends Host/Driver/organiser
• Pick up & drop off from your central Whangarei home
• Return flights from Auckland to Christchurch
• Van transport for duration of tour
• 9 nights in three ½ star accommodation
• Daily breakfasts
• Scenic Pass on TranzAlpine Train Christchurch to Greymouth
• Entrance to Weta Workshop Pounamu Pathway Experience in Greymouth
• Entrance to Weta Workshop Pounamu Pathway Experience in Hokitika
• Entrance to Shantytown Heritage Park
• Gold Panning Experience at Shantytown
• Steam Train Experience at Shantytown
• Golden Sands Horse Wagon Pioneering Experience
• Entrance to the Paparoa Experience at Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre
• Entrance to Weta Workshop Pounamu Pathway Experience Westport
• Lunch at the West Coast Pie Company
• Visit to Denniston Plateau
• Entrance to Blacks Point Museum, Reefton
• Entrance to Hanmer Springs Thermal Park
• Cruise on the Kaiapoi River Queen with Lunch

***Option to book other tours and experiences at additional cost

Share Twin: $5,995 per person / Single room: $7,120 per person