Day One
We will collect you from Queenstown Airport and transfer you to our base at Geordie Hill. Introduction to Geordie Hill Station, and your accommodation. Validation of foreign PPL and issue of NZ Certificate. Familiarisation flight, local area, Wanaka. Aircraft familiarisation and grass strip operation. Perhaps visit the Alpine Fighter collection and New Zealand fighter pilots museum.
Day Two
Fly via Te Anau, the Wilmott Pass and the Milford Track to the world famous Milford Sound. You will see many “Lord of the Rings” locations on this flight. Spectacular deep fiords and rainforest running up onto weathered peaks abound. Many high mountain tarns and lakes feed waterfalls, which fall vertically hundreds of feet into the fiords below. Land at Milford Sound. Take a walk to view the Bowen falls and absorb the magnificent atmosphere. Fly to Big Bay, and land on the vast beach (depends on tide). Lunch at Milford or Big Bay. Back to Geordie Hill via Aspiring National Park, (Mt Aspiring is known as the "Matterhorn" of the South, flanked by pristine glaciers) and lakes Wanaka and Hawea.
Day Three
Fly to Stewart Island. Route via the Nevis or Kawarau river valley and the "Remarkables". Land on a strip mid way with a great little coffee shop for morning tea. Fly on to Mandeville Airfield and visit Croydon Aircraft company and see vintage aircraft and their restoration. Option to fly a Tiger Moth. Bush walk or Museum visit on Stewart Island. Overnight at Stewart Island. Small lodge or bed and breakfast accommodation.
Day Four
Morning boat trip with local identity and fourth generation island fisherman. Visit nature reserve on Stewart Island by boat (Bush and Native Birds, Sea lions, Penguins, large sea birds) and opportunity to fish for Blue Cod. This will be cooked on board for lunch. Afternoon flight home to Geordie Hill via the Catlins coast. This is a very beautiful coastline. It has numerous deserted beaches, cliffs and forest. Finally we follow the massive Clutha River back into Central Otago and the tussock grasslands.
Day Five
Options day. Explore the local resorts of Queenstown and Wanaka by car. (Use of a station vehicle – car or 4wd is included) Visit local vineyards. Or walk in Aspiring National Park. Visit Mt Cook National Park. Join in station activities, mustering, checking stock, or go for a four wheel drive trip on the station. Do some extra mountain and strip flying. Test your skills on some interesting and challenging backcountry strips. Enjoy wonderful lake, river, and mountain scenery.
Day Six
Fly to St Bathans. Explore this old gold mining town; still much in its original state. Visit the historic hotel. Then to Glenorchy to travel the Dart River by jetboat. This is a mighty river and mountain experience. The jetboat is a NZ invention able to travel in very shallow or swift flowing water. Return to Geordie Hill via Shotover or Motutapu River valleys.
Day Seven
Fly to Dunedin. This Otago city was settled early on by Scottish immigrants and goldminers who came to the rich inland goldfields. Spend a little time exploring this small city with lots of interesting history. Visit the Early Settlers Museum. You have the option to take a tour of the Otago Peninsula. Here you can see Penguins, Seals, and giant Albatross – all in their natural habitat.
Day Eight
Fly north via Mt Cook, the West Coast rain forest and glaciers. Option of a ski plane flight to land on a glacier. Lunch at Franz Joseph township, which sits under one of the coasts most spectacular glaciers. Fly along the coast where the rain forest gradually gives way to farm land and horticultural use at Motueka. Stay the night on the edge of the Abel Tasman national park at Motueka or Nelson. Evening free.
Day Nine
Today is a free day in the Abel Tasman national park. Take the water taxi to Awaroa Lodge for lunch. Sea Kayak in the Awaroa bay. Or walk a section of the Abel Tasman track. See the wonderful bays and beaches of the park from the water. Stop at seal colony enroute. Return to spend the evening in Nelson or Motueka. Dinner at a fine local seafood restaurant.
Day Ten
Fly to Kiakoura. Option to take Whale Watch boat trip to see whales and dolphin in their natural habitat. Or often you can see them from your own aircraft. Lunch at Kiakoura or Christchurch then fly back to base at Geordie Hill. Option to visit Christchurch and the Antarctic Centre enroute.
Day Eleven
Use the morning to see a little more of Geordie Hill and station life. Or perhaps some extra strip flying. Depart to Queenstown.
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More of the best NZ has to offer. Everything covered in the Fiordland Explorer itinerary plus... the West Coast of the South Island rainforest, and glaciers. At the north of the South Island, take your time in stunning Abel Tasman National Park – you spend two nights staying in this region. The park offers activities such as sea kayaking, bush and beach walks. Also visit Awaroa Lodge, set in a beautiful bay.
