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South Pacific Specialists
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Be immersed in the most iconic wilderness the majestic South has to offer. Unwind and explore off the beaten path in the Ahuriri Valley, Lindis Pass. Land at Minaret Station, a high country alpine lodge accessed only by helicopter. On to Fiordland's Sound of Silence for an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound and finish with a day walk on the famed Milford Track.
Duration: 10 days
Starts: Queenstown
Finishes: Queenstown
The Lindis is a luxury lodge and modern architectural gem nestled in the Ahuriri Valley, 30 minute helicopter flight from Queenstown.
Leaving Queenstown your helicopter will take you through dramatic landscape and rugged mountain country before you arrive at the Lindis, located on the Ben Avon Station. Longslip Station is the neighbouring working farm where they run merino sheep and agnus bulls and using Ben Avon to graze.
Check in and familiarise yourself with the surrounding of the luxury lodge. Enjoy a stroll and get ready to enjoy some afternoon tea. The daily meals are prepared by head chef Cesare Stella and his team and represent season and location in their style of cooking. The uniquely New Zealand style of refined cuisine is paying homage to the local produce.
Overnight in a lodge pod including all meals
3 nights at The Lindis
After a delicious breakfast get ready to explore the land a bit more.
You can chose from many different onsite activities such as horse trekking, fly fishing, buggy tours, e-biking, clay targets, archery, relaxation and self-guided walking. Please ask your destination specialist for more information.
On-Site Guided Horse Riding
Exploring by horse back is an incredibly special experience. We suggest the one hour ride which is at beginners level and have included it in your package. Different tours for intermediate or advance rider levels are also possible, please advise your destination specialist so your ride can be adjusted.
Birch Stream ride – 1 hour
Get an introduction to your horse and then leave the stables. You will head down to the historic woolshed taking in the views of the Ben Avon dam. From there trek down across Birch Stream – this involves a couple of river crossings & easy riding before heading back to the stables. (This may be done in the morning or afternoon, the team at the Lindis will advise you of the exact time.)
After lunch we encourage you to take a leisurely walk to the Lindis Lake. This is an hour and a half return walk. Enjoy the walk to the private lake and you may spot a trout or two. Of course you can chose from many other walks.
Test your skills at shooting at the clay target from the sky onsite at the Lindis. The newly built range has two target traps and a challenging 5 stand system. Perfect for the novice and the experienced wing shooter all on one site.
Back at the lodge get ready to be spoiled with some stunning food.
Overnight in a lodge pod including all meals
During your tour you will learn more about the farm and travel down the Birchwood Road sighting wetlands, wildlife and fascinating geological features.
Wake up to another day in paradise and enjoy a delicious breakfast before you learn more about the Ahuriri Valley.
Guided Ecological & Farm Tour (1.5 hours)
During your tour you will learn more about the farm and travel down the Birchwood Road sighting wetlands, wildlife and geological timeline that exists in the Huxley and Barrier Rangers of the Southern Alps. This tour is done in a 4WD vehicle and some short walks are part of it.
With more than 49,000 hectares of rugged mountain country, vulnerable wetlands, tussock lands, beech forest and sub alpine herb fields the Ahuriri Valley and The Lindis on Ben
Avon station is a great place to explore on foot.
Check out the self-guided walks; one takes you high up the Ben Avon Saddle Track or you can choose to get wet feet (or use the complimentary gum boots) and walk through beech forest to take you to spectacular sub-alpine herb fields. A variety of walks are on offer; from leisure, intermediate or more strenuous.
If you are not so keen on walking, why not explore the valley by e-bike. Or try out the new Archery Range which is set up as a self-guided activity just a short distance from the lodge. Practice your aim with Mongolian bows!
Later on, relax and soak up the views in the outdoor hot tub. It is set only a short distance from the lodge with views across the Ahuriri Valley. What better way to enjoy dusk and watch the sun go down?
No doubt you would have worked up an appetite for some flavoursome local specialities.
Overnight in a lodge pod including all meals
Get completely off the grid and discover the great outdoors, away from the roads and surround yourself with glacial valley and towering peaks.
Located in the mountains near Wanaka, Minaret Station Alpine Lodge is only accessible by helicopter and truly an extraordinary location to escape the “real world”. This getaway is an opportunity to enjoy some of life’s most precious elements; time, fresh air, and open space. This unique luxury lodge is set in a remote glacial valley and therefore only accessible by helicopter. Enjoy your flight as you will pass through some incredible scenery.
Upon arrival check-in to your chalet and get familiar with the surroundings. You may take a short walk on the boardwalks and valley floor to the waterfalls, or just relax and soak in the atmosphere of this special place.
Later on it is time to enjoy the world-class cuisine the lodge has to offer. Meet at the Mountain Kitchen for some pre-dinner drinks and canapés. After indulge in the fine dining dinner with wine pairing.
During the evening step outside and be amazed by the stunning night sky!
2 nights at Minaret Station - Alpine Lodge
Minaret Station’s many Heli-Adventure experiences allow guests to discover otherwise inaccessible wilderness areas of the Southern Alps and Mt Aspiring National Park
After a delicious breakfast get ready to start exploring and spend some time with a private guide discovering the surrounding beauty of your lodge.
Minaret Station’s many Heli-Adventure experiences allow guests to discover otherwise inaccessible wilderness areas of the Southern Alps and Mt Aspiring National Park.
Backcountry Adventures at Minaret Station
The wide range of adventures on offer from Minaret Station ensures that there is something special for everyone from families to honeymooners. Discerning hunters and anglers are spoiled for trophy opportunities — though you may struggle to keep your eyes on the target instead of the dramatic mountain scenery.
The Station’s pilots can take you heli-hiking, heli-skiing, heli-picnics, heli mountain-biking… you name it, they can probably helicopter you to it!
Some suggested activities and outings.
Scenic Flights/Picnics
Guided Fishing
Guided Heli Skiing Guided Mountain Biking
Fiordland Experience
Guided Heli Hiking Guided Hunting
Guided Farm Tour
At the end of the day relax with some pre-dinner drinks and canapés. Later on enjoy your multi-course gourmet dinner with paired wine.
Any plans for tonight? Maybe relax in the spa and enjoy the night sky.
Te Anau is the Gateway to beautiful Fiordland National Park
After your breakfast you have some time to enjoy the morning at leisure before you board the helicopter that will take you to Te Anau. The flight will take you once more, through spectacular mountain valleys, over snow-capped peaks and across braided alpine rivers.
1 night at Fiordland Lodge
Towering fiords, native rainforest, cascading waterfalls - wildlife around every corner.
Doubtful Sound is unspoiled, unmatched and unforgettable.
Your itinerary starts in Manapouri with a short cruise across Lake Manapouri. A coach then takes you across Wilmot Pass, travelling on a sub-alpine road through dense rainforest. Arriving at Deep Cove, you’ll be met by our crew and the majestic Mariner vessel.
As you cruise through some of New Zealand’s most stunning scenery, our knowledgeable nature guides will provide commentary ensuring you miss nothing, be it the pod of resident dolphins, fur seals or rare penguins you might encounter.
After dropping anchor in a sheltered cove, you can choose to explore the shoreline by kayak or tender boat – or simply relax onboard. In the evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious three-course buffet dinner prepared by our onboard chef, served in the dining saloon.
Overnight in a private cabin with ensuite onboard the Fiordland Mariner
1 Night Onboard the Fiordland Navigator
Further Exploration may uncover Doubtful's other residents...
Kick-off today with a hearty cooked breakfast and get ready to enjoy the rest of the morning exploring other parts of the fiord. In particular, keep an eye out for the resident bottlenose dolphins that patrol the fiord or the New Zealand fur seal seen basking as the sun rises warming the rocks they occupy and when in season the rare Fiordland crested penguin. Finally, you’ll return to Deep Cove, the trip back to Manapouri and many, many conversations telling friends just how amazing your trip was.
This Afternoon return to Te Anau.
1 night at Fiordland Lodge
Prepare to be awed by some of the most dramatic scenery New Zealand has to offer as the Milford Track carries you towards the splendor of Milford Sound.
Prepare to be awed by some of the most dramatic scenery New Zealand has to offer as the Milford Track carries you towards the splendor of Milford Sound.
Milford Track Guided Walk and Cruise
Begin with a short boat ride to Sandfly point, where you’ll enter a realm of ancient forests filled with countless species of ferns and springy mosses. As you and your guide walk alongside the cascading Arthur river, you are treated to impressive views of the powerful Giants Gate falls.
After exploring on foot to your heart’s content, you’ll board your cruise vessel and sail the full length of the Milford Sound, dwarfed by towering cliffs all around you. The onboard nature guide will tell you all about the seals, penguins, and dolphins who frequently visit this mesmerizing location.
Milford Track Guided Hike: 3.5 Hours Walking, Distance 11 km (6.8 mi)
1 night at Eichardts Private Hotel
Travel to Queenstown airport for your onward flight
We know you will have enjoyed your luxurious retreats and epic adventures all within the beauty of the Southern Alps. Please get in touch if you would like to add an island in the South Pacific as a final stop off on your way home.
“The natural environments these luxury lodges are located within, makes them a destination in their own right. Wow this a very special and unique itinerary.”
Ready to find out more? Talk to one of our friendly travel designers about his tour. We guarantee you it will be the experience of a lifetime!
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In the pristine Ahuriri Valley in New Zealand’s South Island, an iconic luxury lodge has been created on its own site of over 6000 acres and surrounded on 3 sides by conservation parks. Guest can enjoy hiking, mountain climbing, mountain biking, horse riding or simply choose to unwind and relax in this idyllic setting, see the Milky Way at night and listen to the sound of silence. In an ever-fast-moving and stressful world, we hope to give our guests the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the stillness of nature in modern, sophisticated luxury.
Minaret Station comprises a working farm with tens of thousands of sheep, deer and cattle destined for the local market and for premium export, as well as the luxurious Alpine Lodge for tourists. The main homestead is where guests meet for mealtimes: hearty breakfasts, moreish canapes and three-course gourmet dinners prepared from local produce, matched with regional wines.
With a roaring wood fire in the lounge at one end and a cosy library and cellar at the other, the homestead is where guests compare stories and share photos. (Incidentally, the main homestead is also where guests drop off muddy shoes and wet jeans, which come back clean, dry and folded within a couple of hours. Magic.)
The open architecture of Fiordland Lodge reflects the vastness of the Fiordland National Park. Echoes of the forest are found in the striking natural timber construction; high ceilings, full trunk pillars and a massive river stone fireplace provide a warm spacious environment. A commanding staircase leads from the impressive lounge to a peaceful inviting mezzanine, complete with a library and fly tying area. On forty acres of land, Fiordland Lodge is set on a superb site with commanding views out across Lake Te Anau.
The open architecture of Fiordland Lodge reflects the vastness of the Fiordland National Park. Echoes of the forest are found in the striking natural timber construction; high ceilings, full trunk pillars and a massive river stone fireplace provide a warm spacious environment. A commanding staircase leads from the impressive lounge to a peaceful inviting mezzanine, complete with a library and fly tying area. On forty acres of land, Fiordland Lodge is set on a superb site with commanding views out across Lake Te Anau.
Eichardt’s Private Hotel is a Queenstown icon providing fine accommodation in seven luxurious Lake View Suites, four comfortably appointed Lakefront Apartments, The Residence and The Penthouse, all situated on premium lakefront positions in the heart of Queenstown. Eichardt’s opulent suites invite guests to soak up a sense of quiet before exploring one of the world’s truly remarkable locations. The hotel suites all feature a super-king bed, fireplace and mini-bar, a dressing room and bathroom.
Start the day by hiking down the valley from the Alpine Lodge with your guide. Here you will be picked up by helicopter and flown onto the 50,000 acre farm where you will enjoy a combination of private farm tour, lake fishing, gourmet lunch and the opportunity for further exploration on this private property.
The Fiordland Navigator offers a very special overnight cruise in New Zealand’s most remote and beautiful wilderness areas. During the cruise Nature Guides will share with guests their passion for the region. Take the opportunity to explore the shoreline by kayak or small boat. In the evening, relax in the saloon and enjoy a delicious three course meal prepared by the chef. Local wines, beer and spirits can be purchased from the bar. The next morning, following the cooked and continental breakfast buffet, there is time for further cruising before returning to Deep Cove and retracing the steps back to Manapouri.
Begin with a short boat ride to Sandfly point, where you’ll enter a realm of ancient forests filled with countless species of ferns and springy mosses. As you and your guide walk alongside the cascading Arthur river, you are treated to impressive views of the powerful Giants Gate falls.
After exploring on foot to your heart’s content, you’ll board your cruise vessel and sail the full length of the Milford Sound, dwarfed by towering cliffs all around you. The onboard nature guide will tell you all about the seals, penguins, and dolphins who frequently visit this mesmerising location.
Milford Track Guided Hike: 3.5 Hours Walking, Distance 11 km (6.8 mi)
Situated on the Eastern slope of the South Island’s main divide, the Waitaki Valley is a large braided river valley draining the highest peaks of Aotearoa’s Southern Alps. The dramatic Ahuriri Valley in Waitaki offers rolling tussocklands, wetlands and sweeping mountain vistas.
The towns of the Waitaki Valley include Omarama, Ohau, Kurow, Duntroon, Lake Benmore & Lake Aviemore. Lake Aviemore or ‘Mahi Tikumu’ is a man-made lake in New Zealand’s South Island, part of the Waitaki hydroelectric scheme. Immediately upstream is Lake Benmore and downstream Lake Waitaki. Aviemore lies on both sides of the border between the Waimate and Waitaki districts.
Wanaka Town is located on the southern shores of Lake Wanaka, embraced by the Southern Alps, Wanaka is Otago’s second resort town after Queenstown. The crystal-clear waters of Lake Wanaka, New Zealand’s fourth largest lake, reflect the snow-capped peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park. Here you can absorb the unstoppable beauty of pristine wilderness and know that it will be easy to find a great restaurant for dinner. The township of Wanaka is a magnet for visitors who want to find the perfect combination of outdoor adventure and indoor luxury.
Te Anau is a township of tranquil beauty nestled on the shores of Lake Te Anau. It is located close to the main southern walking tracks such as the Hollyford, Routeburn and Greenstone Tracks. Other activities based at Te Anau include flight seeing, fishing, kayaking, sailing and horse riding as well as a variety of trips on the lake itself. You can also visit the underground waterfall and glow-worm grotto of the Te Anau Caves. This mountainous region of unspoilt forests and lakes was the home of two of the more remote regions of the Lord of the Rings movies.
This is the deepest of all fiords. A haven with its ancient rainforest and abundant wildlife it is quite simply and unquestionably breathtaking. Practically untouched by man the physical grandeur of towering peaks, outstanding waterfalls (Browne Falls cascade 619 metres to the fiord near Hall Arm) and lack of wind create a powerful atmosphere of solitude and serenity. See Fiordland crested penguins, bottlenose dolphins and New Zealand fur seals.
Moody Dramatic and Stunning – Milford Sound is simply stunning. Milford Sound offers what is probably the most spectacular fiord scenery in the southern hemisphere, and the well-known and striking views of Mitre Peak from the head of the fiord form the subject of innumerable paintings, postcards, posters, and pictorial postage stamps. Whatever the fiord’s mood, teeming with rain or with sun glistening on deep water, it will inspire you.