South Island Family Adventure - The Ultimate South Island Exploration For The Whole Family

The South Island Family Adventure is a vacation the whole family can enjoy! We travel around the South Island enjoying dramatic scenery, comfortable accommodations in great locations, fresh food and excellent activities and excursions for the entire family.

Imagine a family vacation without the stress of driving, cooking, organizing activities for the kids and babysitting..! The South Island Family Adventure is just that, a vacation where your local Kiwi guide will take care of the details while you enjoy yourself, knowing your children are having the time of their lives! Visit five national parks and the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Hike along deserted golden sand beaches and through ancient rainforests. Sea kayak the turquoise waters of the Abel Tasman and various lakes, rivers and streams. Mountain bike the Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds and the rugged West Coast. Even try your hand at surfing secret breaks, or venture beneath the surface with a mask and snorkel to look for New Zealand 's underwater friends!

STYLE
The South Island Family Adventure is designed specifically for families. Every member of the family deserves to relax and enjoy their holiday. We take the pressure off mom and dad by providing fun activities for the whole family as well as maintaining the flexibility of offering separate activities for children and adults. Traveling in a small vehicle (max 8 travelers) and carrying all the toys for a great vacation (mountain bikes, sea kayaks, bodyboards, snorkeling gear etc.), each day will be an adventure chosen by the family and guide. In each location we visit we are able to break out the toys to keep everyone entertained! In each area, the accommodation is chosen for its location and will be in comfortable hotels, motels, lodges, holiday homes & cottages. Most accommodations will be in two or three bedroom family apartments or houses depending on your requirements. Meals will be prepared by the guide, with the help of the family. Picnic lunches will be prepared by the guide on location - where ever that day's adventure may take you! Eating out at restaurants is an optional extra at your discretion.

OPTIONS
There are many options available for extending this 14 day trip. If you would like to visit Milford Sound, or would like to spend a few days exploring the North Island , let us know and we'll organize a trip to suit you!

Day 1- The Marlborough Sounds
Arrive in Blenheim on the South Island where you will be met by your guide. Then we'll drive north to Picton where our waiting boat will transfer us to our lodge remotely located in the Marlborough Sounds. Lochmara Lodge is perfectly situated to explore this magnificent area and offers a wide range of activities from kayaking on the calm waters of Lochmara Bay , to soaking in the spa pool set amongst the punga trees. D (Total Driving Time: 30 Mins)

Day 2 & 3: Exploring the Marlborough Sounds
The next two days we will choose from the various activities available at Lochmara Lodge, including paddling by kayak or row boat, windsurfing, snorkeling, fishing, volleyball and hiking or mountain biking the Queen Charlotte Track. If you fancy a spot of fishing, we highly recommend an optional fishing trip with Shane (owner of the lodge) as he consistently returns with a great catch! With so many options, this is a very fun and exciting area to explore. After dark, we can walk up the track under the moonlight to find Lochmara Lodge's very own glow worms before cooking the catch of the day! B/L/D/B/L/D

Day 4: Nelson
This morning we'll say our farewells to the friendly people at Lochmara Lodge and board the boat back to Picton. Then our drive will take us through the many vineyards of the Marlborough area, before arriving in Nelson, a beautiful town nestled between stunning beaches and mountains. With an abundance of local arts and crafts, beautiful beaches, great hiking and mountain biking trails, Nelson is a great place to spend a few days! This afternoon we'll take a fun bike ride through Nelson, exploring the coastline, beaches, parks and city before enjoying a great meal of local seafood. B/L (Total Driving Time: 1½ Hours)

Day 5: Abel Tasman National Park
Nelson is the gateway to three stunning National Parks - Kahurangi National Park , Nelson Lakes National Park , and the famous Abel Tasman National Park . Today we will drive north along the coast to the Abel Tasman National Park to explore this beautiful area. We can walk the famous Abel Tasman Coastal Track, the most popular of the "Great Walks" of New Zealand . Follow it as it hugs the picturesque coastline with it's pristine golden sand beaches and calm turquoise waters, climbing up to spectacular views, then down again for a refreshing swim or picnic! Or, you can experience the park from a seals-eye view, in a kayak. If you like, you can hike out along the track, and then kayak back for the best of both worlds! B/L/D (Total Driving Time: 2 Hours)

Day 6: Nelson Region / Wineries
Today we will explore Nelson in more detail. There are some great markets, local arts & crafts, wineries and museums. We will spend the day seeing the sights and enjoying the beautiful weather Nelson is famous for. Some of the local vineyards are famous throughout the world and well worth a visit. The Wearable Arts Exhibition is a must with incredible costumes for the girls and vintage cars for the boys! Or spend a relaxed afternoon on the beach followed by a gentle bike ride along the coastline. B/L/D

Day 7: Murchison - The White Water Capital of New Zealand
This morning we drive West through the mountains to Murchison, the White Water capital of New Zealand . The Gowan and Buller Rivers provide whitewater fun for all ages. From mild class II to thrilling class IV, there are rapids for an enjoyable family ride or a breathtaking, heart-stopping roller coaster ride. Choose an optional rafting adventure suitable for your family. For those not interested in rafting try an exciting jet boat excursion through this magnificent gorge or other activities can be arranged to explore this beautiful region. B/L/D (Total Driving Time: 2 Hours)

Day 8: West Coast / Paparoa National Park / Pancake Rocks / Hokitika
Today we'll begin our journey down the stunning West Coast of the South Island . We head west from Murchison and arrive on the west coast where the mountains meet the sea. The "Wild West Coast" as it is known, is a dramatic stretch of coastline with many deserted beaches, seal colonies and an abundance of beautiful rainforest which stretches down the mountains to the waters edge. In the afternoon we enter the Paparoa National Park , home to incredible limestone landscapes and sub-tropical rainforest. A gentle paddle on the Pororari River is a great afternoon activity, followed by a visit to the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes. Then we continue south to the town of Hokitika , a local centre for Maori arts and crafts. B/L/D (Total Driving Time: 2.5 Hours)

Day 9: West Coast / Okarito Lagoon / Fox Glacier
This morning we continue south along the Wild West Coast before arriving in Okarito, a tiny beach settlement on the Okarito Lagoon. The lagoon is a great place for a relaxed paddle in our kayaks and has a large White Heron colony. Then we continue to Fox Glacier. B/L/D (Total Driving Time: 2 Hours)

Day 10: Lake Matheson / Fox Glacier / Westland National Park
This morning an early walk around Lake Matheson reveals the reflections of New Zealand 's highest peaks: Mounts Cook and Tasman. Then after a hearty breakfast we can take an optional walk on the ice of Fox Glacier. Hoisting our alpenstocks, we follow the guide as he cuts steps into the ice, leading us on a journey of discovery through crevasses and over moraines. In the afternoon we can take one of the many great walks in the area, followed by a visit to the glow worm grotto after dark! B/L/D

Day 11: South West New Zealand World Heritage Area / Wanaka
We begin our day winding along the World Heritage Highway along the coast, before heading up and over Haast Pass and along the beautiful shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Arriving in Wanaka, you'll soon see it is the perfect place to spend a couple of days! Situated on the banks of Lake Wanaka , this is the perfect place to use our bikes and kayaks, or to take a stroll along the lakefront. Puzzling World is a must and a great place to spend a few hours of fun! B/L/D (Total Driving Time: 3.5 Hours)

Day 12: South West New Zealand World Heritage Area / Lake Wanaka
Today we can choose from the many great optional activities available in Wanaka, such as canyoning, sky diving, jet boating, wakeboarding, paragliding and much more! Or, if you like, we can take a paddle on the lake, or a bike ride along the shore. Alternatively, we can journey up the Matukituki Valley into the Mount Aspiring National Park . This is a World Heritage Area of majestic mountains and natural rainforest, and the location of our favorite day hike in New Zealand . We hike up through a narrow gorge beside a crystal clear stream for a couple hours to a clearing. All around us glaciers cling to cliff faces, broken by a myriad of waterfalls. Occasionally, an ice avalanche in the distance will shatter the silence. In the afternoon we can drift downstream on the currents of the Matukituki River while enjoying some of the best mountain scenery in New Zealand . B/L

Day 13: Arrowtown / Queenstown - "The Adventure Capital of the World"
This morning we take a short drive up and over the Crown Range before arriving in Arrowtown, a historic gold mining town. After a short walk through Arrowtown, we continue on to Queenstown, the "adventure capital of the world!". You can choose from an exciting array of optional activities including rafting, river surfing, jet boating, bungy jumping, fly-by-wire, canyoning, paragliding, sky diving, horse trekking, fishing, glider flights, or take a goldfield or sheep station tour! Alternatively, you can explore the area on foot or bike, or simply just relax and enjoy the atmosphere of sidewalks cafes in this alpine resort. There is no shortage of great activities to do in Queenstown and your guide will make sure you make the most of your time here. There is also an option to visit Milford Sound, taking a magnificent scenic flight followed by a cruise on the sound. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner and share stories of two weeks of serious fun! B/D (Total Driving Time: 1 Hour)

Day 14: Depart Queenstown
This morning there might be time for one last adventure activity after breakfast, or some shopping before taking your flights home. B

What's Included
The South Island Family Adventure tour is filled with great activities such as hiking, mountain biking, sea kayaking & snorkeling options - the best part is that they are all included so you don't have to pay for any of them! Other inclusions are: experienced local Kiwi guides; comfortable accommodations; all meals (except two dinners and one lunch); and transportation in a very comfortable vehicle.

What's Not Included
The only things not included are flights before or after the tour, two dinners and one lunch, any activities mentioned as "optional" in the itinerary, and expenses of a personal nature.

Adult Land Price
NZ$5,450.00 (Minimum 2 Adults)

Child Land Price
NZ$4,950.00 (Aged Under 15 yrs)

Serious Fun New Zealand
P.O. Box 972 Queenstown New Zealand Ph (643) 450-0415 Fax (643) 409-0119 Toll Free to our office in New Zealand:1 800 411 5724 Email: Info@seriousfunnewzealand.com Web: www.seriousfunnewzealand.com