13 Day Millionaires Goldrush Tour
This tour is for serious gold hunters visiting some of the South Islands 1860’s and modern day goldfields. It is a serious gold hunters tour and we are here to find gold! And of course to see some of the more special places of New Zealand that most people do not get to see.
How do we do this?
Well we are travelling by Mercedes Unimog Passenger truck. One of those big 4x4 Mercedes like the army uses but done up with heaters, stereo, passenger seats and all the comforts of home. We only run this trip once a year in October or November. If you are interested then send us an email with your preferred dates and we will focus all our other keen gold diggers onto the same date. (If we all go on the same departure it is cheaper).
Please note: You will need to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow case and a towel. (we do have some sleeping bags for hire at $10 each for the trip if needed and yes they do zip together!)
The tour below is based on budget holiday park cabin accommodation but you can upgrade that if you wish. This particular trip follows the goldfields of the top of the South Island. We also have another tour that covers the southern part as well.
Price will depend on the group size so contact us for a quote.
These trips are great fun and yes we do get gold so give us a call for more details.
| Tour Itinerary | |
Day 1
2:45 PM Arrive Christchurch where you will be met at the airport by Paul. Just look out for the Goldminer resting in the arrivals lounge area! Before departing CHCH there will be a chance to do some grocery shopping at a discount supermarket and then onto Hanmer Springs. 7:00pm arrive Hanmer Springs where we will overnight with a soak in the hotpools (entry fee included in tour cost). Accom: Hanmer Springs AA Holiday Park. 3 cabins, each with one room containing a double bed and a second room with 3 single beds. Ph: 03 315 7112.
Day 2
Hanmer Springs to Reefton with some gold fossiking at Reefton around
the Blacks Point, Crushington area. On the way we will be travelling through
the mountains via the Lewis Pass where there are some hidden natural hotpools
down beside a river . We can stop off there for another soak amongst the
mountain scenery. These pools are dug out of the gravel beside the river
so you can get as natural as you want!!!
Overnight Reefton at the Pogmothon Hostel and yes you would be right,
it is run by an Irishman! Here we have 4 double rooms with double beds
and 3 twin rooms with 2 single beds in each. Ph: 03 732 8885.
Day 3
nwards to goldmining at Nelson Creek. Here we will visit glow-worms in the 1860’s mining tunnels and do some alluvial panning and try out the ripple box. Also a great place to try the local brew, Monteiths in the Nelson Creek Hotel, the only place on the goldfields where a chinaman could drink more beer then an Irishman!! Overnight at Greymouth in an old miners Hotel now called Neptunes Hostel. Here we have 4 rooms with double beds and 3 rooms with 2 single beds. Sheets and duvets are being supplied for us here Ph: 03 768 4425.
Day 4
Greymouth via the beautiful Coast Road with a stop off at the Paparoa National Parks Pancake Rocks & Blowholes. Then Paparoa National Park to Murchison with Goldmining at Lyell and/or the Ariki Falls. Overnight at the Murchison Riverview Holiday Park. Here we have 2 cabins with two bedrooms, one room has a double bed and the other has 2 single beds and then we have two other cabins with double beds and one more cabin with two single beds. PH: 03 523 9591.
Day 5
Murchison to Gowan River to Lake Rotoroa to Porika Track to Howard River Valley Goldfields finishing at St Arnuad. This is taking a backroute via some sheep stations following a pylon track through the Nelson Lakes area. You might like to plan this day to enable us to do a short walk along one of these beautiful Alpine Lakes at the end of the day. Overnight at St Arnaud. Accommodation is at the Alpine Lodge Hostel where we have one room with a double bed and six rooms with two single beds in them. They do have sets of sheets, duvet and a towel for hire at $5 per set for those who do not want to use their sleeping bags tonight however this would be at your own additional cost. Ph: 03 523 8813
Day 6
St Arnaud to Kohatu to Woodstock to Goldmining at Graham River.
Overnight at Motueka Tourist cabins. We have here 1 cabin with one double
bed and 4 single beds and two cabins each with one double and two single
beds. The double beds are separated from the other beds by a curtain!
Ph: 03 528 8550.
Abel Tasman National Park Cruise. A relaxing day cruising this famous Marine Park and walkway. For the more energetic we can arrange for you to be dropped off by the boat at some point along the walkway and then picked up again further along the coast. Bring your lunch with you. Overnight at Motueka cabins as on the previous night. Ph: 03 528 8550.
Day 8
Motueka to Goldmining at Cobb River. Today we travel over the Takaka Hill with its fabulous views to spend the day exploring Golden Bay. We can plan this day as we go while a visit to Pupu Springs is recommended. Overnight at Takaka’s River Inn Room configuration tonight is 4 rooms with a double bed in each and three rooms with 2 single beds each. Ph: 03 525 9425.
Day 9
Takaka to Collingwood to Farewell Spit Tour. The highlight of today is a 4x4 tour out onto Farewell Spit Nature Reserve with Jock. This is a sand spit bird sanctuary. Since we can only get out onto the spit at low tide we will get a sleep in today. We do not need to leave Takaka until 11:30am but our tour will not finish until around 7:30pm. Lunch and afternoon tea is included in the tour. If anyone wants we can do some activities in the morning. We will see how people feel on the day.
Overnight at Takaka also at the River Inn. Ph: 03 525 9425.
Day 10
Takaka to Nelson - Today we make our way back over the Takaka Hill to Nelson with visits on the way to Potteries, Hogland Art Glass, Craft Habitat and Vineyards for some wine tasting or whatever else we feel like doing today. Nelson City Centre is itself an interesting place to spend some time. There are other goldmining sites in Golden Bay that we could also visit. Any entry fees are your own additional cost but most are free of charge. I will have some suggestions for you depending on our energy levels at the time. Accommodation at Tahuna Beach Holiday Park where we have 4 cabins with one double bed in each and 2 cabins with 3 single beds in each. Ph: 03 548 5294.
Day 11
Nelson to Pelorus Bridge Camp to Goldmining at Wakamarina River . Overnight at Pelorus Bridge Camp. Here we have five cabins each with a double bed and three single beds. Ph: 03 571 6019.
Day 12
Pelorus Bridge to Christchurch via Kaikoura to visit Seal Colony. We may fit in a vineyard visit if your feeling thirsty or perhaps the Maori Leap Cave at Kaikoura on our drive south. Overnight at Christchurch’s Stonehurst Backpackers Hotel where we have 4 rooms with double beds and 3 rooms with two single beds in each. All bedding is supplied for us here. Ph: 03 379 4620.
Day 13
Today you have a free day in Christchurch where a ride around the city in the tram is a great relaxing way to see the sights. Also a visit to the old university arts centre is well worth the time. 3:00pm You need to be checked into the Christchurch airport for your flight home departing at 4:30pm.
We will arrange your transfer to the airport on the day depending on when you would all like to leave the city to go to the airport.
Tour Inclusions:
- Transport from Christchurch Airport & Return to Christchurch.
- Prospector/guide for the entire tour who will also drive the coach and assist with food purchase. It is envisaged that a food kitty system will be operating and that people will take turns at preparation and clean up of meals. A roster will be set up for this.
- Day cruise and walk in Abel Tasman National Park.
- Day tour of the Farewell Spit nature Reserve with lunch supplied.
- All accommodation as detailed in the itinerary.
- Transfer from city centre to Christchurch airport on the last day
- Supply of first aid equipment.
- Supply of gold prospecting licences where required (& an armed guard if we decide to do any claim jumping!)
- Gold pans and ripple box with shovel.
- Supply of eating utensils and cooking equipment
Not included:
- Any meals or bedding. Own warm sleeping bags are required.
- Any expenses on the last free day in CHCH.
Please contact us if you are interested in this tour.
Adventure New Zealand
(a Division of the Wild West Adventure Company)
Greymouth, The West Coast, New Zealand.
Phone: +64 3 768 6649
Fax: +64 3 768 9149
NZ Bookings Freephone - 0508 28 68 77
Aus Bookings Freephone - 1800 11 48 81
Email: info@nzholidayheaven.com
Cancellations: Tours paid for and cancelled within 30 days of or during travel will not be refunded under any circumstances. We recommend you have travel insurance & can arrange this for you.
and the Wild West Adventure Company. All rights Reserved.