5-14 March 2021
Nelson • Abel Tasman • Farewell Spit • Reefton • Punakaiki • Hokitika
This tour is fully refundable if effected by Covid*
Join my fabulous, bespoke tour of this extraordinary part of New Zealand starting in Nelson and finishing with the famous Wild Foods Festival in Hokitika. You won’t find another tour like this one!
My tours are small and relaxed with a friendly bunch of people who are all interested in travel and seeing parts of New Zealand with like-minded travellers. These tours are ideal for singles or couples who want all the work done for them so they can just relax and know everything is taken care of.
When ever you see meals ‘at own arrangements’ that simply means it’s not costed in, you will need to pay separately. It doesn’t mean you’ll be dining on your own – unless you want to! I will always have a plan for a local pizza place or other casual dining ideas.
Contact me if you have any questions! – Megan
Day 1 : Nelson
5 March Arrive into Nelson** and meet at the lobby bar for a welcome drink together.
Accommodation: Rutherford Hotel x 2 nights
Day 2 : Nelson
6 March Breakfast at the hotel is included.
This morning take a leisurely walk to Montgomery Square to visit the Nelson Market which is recognised throughout New Zealand and the world, for its fine produce and quality artistry.
After lunch meet our driver for a sightseeing tour of Nelson town and surrounds. Visit the Hoglund Glassblowing Studio & Glass Gallery and a local winery for wine tasting.
Tonight we enjoy our welcome dinner at Hopgood’s & Co Restaurant, which is included.
Day 3 : Nelson / Abel Tasman
7 March Breakfast is included at your hotel. This morning depart for the Abel Tasman National Park via Motueka. A list of options will be sent once deposits have been received.
Lunch and Dinner is at own arrangements today.
Accommodation: Abel Tasman Lodge x 3 nights
Day 4 : Abel Tasman
8 March Breakfast is included at your hotel. Today is a full free day to explore the park.
Abel Tasman exploring examples
- Wilson’s Abel Tasman boat into the park with scheduled services into and out of various bays, allowing guests to choose and further drop off and longer walk, or closer drop off and shorter walk
- those who want to go to a beach for a swim and relax
- possible private yacht charter for a day in the Bay eg swimming from the boat, BBQ lunch on board
Lunch and Dinner is at own arrangements today.
Day 5 : Farewell Spit
9 March Breakfast is included at your hotel.
Today you will embark on a day trip to Farewell Spit, tour includes:
* Cape Farewell (the northernmost point of the South Island) with cliff-top views.
* Fossil Point, at the base of the Spit, a popular hauling out place for NZ fur seals.
* We stop at the Lighthouse reserve and discover the connection between the local Iwi and Onetahua (Farewell Spit).
* Enjoy refreshments in our lighthouse keepers’ cottage and soak up some local history.
* Climb a sand dune at Mullet Channel for panoramic views of the ocean beach.
* Hear the history of Puponga and New Zealand’s first Radar Station.
* See where Whales strand and uncover the mystery of the migrant waders.
Lunch and Dinner is at own arrangements.
Day 6 : Reefton and Punakaiki
10 March Breakfast at the hotel is included.
This morning continue our journey to the West Coast with a stop in Reefton.
Nestled deep in the untamed wilderness of New Zealand’s West Coast, Reefton appears as a quaint small town on the surface. But what lies beneath, is a town that has played a significant part in New Zealand’s development as a nation.
Officially established in 1870, just a few years after the discovery of gold bearing quartz reefs in the area, Reefton has a rich history defined by moments of innovation and entrepreneurship. In 1888 Reefton became the first place in the Southern Hemisphere to have a public supply of electricity.
Vist the Reefton Distillery, a modern distillery at the forefront of spirit production in New Zealand. The distillery is housed in one of Reefton’s original buildings which has been carefully restored to accommodate the working distillery, tasting bar and retail store. A tasting will be included.
Visit the Bearded Miners (gold coin donation). The replica hut depicting 1860s style housing is made of native cedar slabs and set amongst native plantings right in the heart of town on Broadway. Gavin, Peter and Geoff are ‘in residence’ all year, and welcome visitors in to learn how a miner lived in the 19th century when the promise of gold lured thousands of prospectors to the area.
Lunch is own arrangements.
Continue to Punakaiki, where we will stay for the next few days. Dinner at the hotel is included tonight
Accommodation: Punakaiki Resort x 2 nights
Day 7 : Punakaiki
11 March Breakfast at the hotel is included.
We’ll take a walking tour to the Pancake Rocks, situated just up the road from the hotel, then explore the area with our driver.
Morning tea at Blackball Hilton
Monteith’s Brewing tour with lunch then make our way to Shantytown.
Dinner is at own arrangements tonight.
Day 8 : Punakaiki and Hokitika
12 March Breakfast at the hotel is included.
Today we journey to Hokitika for some sightseeing. We’ll visit the Jade Factory, take a walk along the beach and hopefully visit a glass blowing studio.
Lunch and Dinner is at own arrangements.
Accommodation: Stations Inn Hokitika x 2 nights
Day 9 : Hokitika
13 March Breakfast at the hotel is included.
This afternoon we have tickets to the world famous and quirky Hokitika Wildfoods Festival. General admission and festival dollars allowance per person is included.
Lunch is at own arrangements at the festival – eat what you dare!
We will enjoy our Farewell Dinner at our hotel, included.
Day 10 : Hokitika
14 March Today we depart Hokitika. There are several options you might like to consider: take the Trans Alpine train to Christchurch for a few extra days, travel on down the west coast on a private itinerary (which we can assist you with), or fly home.
Cost for this 10-day tour:
$5,615 per person in own room. Bring a mate to room share and they pay just $3,300!
Contact me, Megan Singleton, if you’d like to register for this tour. Phone on 021 777 770 or email megan@bloggeratlarge.com
Cost includes
- Boutique 3-4 star hotel accommodation as per itinerary
- Meals as outlined – 9 x breakfast, 1 x morning tea, 1 x lunch, 3 x dinner
- Entry fees/activities/festival tickets as per itinerary
- Transportation by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver guide throughout
- Private day tour to Farewell Spit
- Your host Megan Singleton
- Loads of fun and laughter guaranteed
**Note: this tour excludes flights to and from Nelson and Hokitika.
Ts & Cs
A $500 deposit per person will confirm your spot. Full payment is due by 4 February 2021. Group size is 14 max, 10 minimum.
*Covid information: If for any reason this tour is cancelled or individuals from this tour must cancel due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, there will be no cancellation fees for the tour or individual persons and all your monies will be refunded. This includes, for example, if a guest is joining from Wellington and Wellington is placed into Level 3 or 4 lockdown, restricting travel.
However we do strongly recommend you take out insurance to cover other unforeseen circumstances that might prevent you from travelling, or should you need to leave the tour early for any reason.
If you need to cancel for personal reasons prior to 20 days before departure, there will be no cancellation fee. Cancellation within 7-14 days of the tour will incur a $1500 cancellation fee. Cancellations within 7 days of the tour departing will incur a 80% cancellation fee. If you’d like you can get a free insurance quote from 1 Cover using my affiliate link >
Alcoholic beverages will be at your own expense at included meals.
This tour begins in Nelson and ends in Hokitika, you’ll need to make your own way to the pick up point, to be confirmed. Airport pick ups/drop offs can be arranged.
We can also provide great deals on Nelson hotels if you choose to stay on or arrive earlier.
If you plan to take the Trans Alpine to Christchurch, we can assist with that and provide quotes for hotels in Christchurch if you’d like.
For more info about my upcoming tours, join my private Blogger at Large Tours Facebook page.
“I recently completed a Northland, Bay of Islands tour with 8 lovely ladies which was hosted by Megan. It was a fabulous 7 days, covering everything on my bucket list plus more. Some of the activities included visiting Waitangi, Tane Mahuta and the Kauri Forest, Cape Reinga Lighthouse, driving along 90 mile beach and Sandboarding. There were also a few hidden gems added in along the way. Everything was really well organised with Megan making sure that everyone felt included and catered for. I had an amazing time and would thoroughly recommend this tour with Megan.” – Robyn