Itinerary Day 4 Header with award 2022

Day Four - Martins Bay to Milford

Explore Martins Bay Spit

After another hearty breakfast you’ll be ready for your final 5km walk, exploring Martins Bay Spit, a famous landmark separating the powerful Tasman Sea from the Hollyford Valley.

Here you will view historical sites, where Chief Tutoko and his people guarded entry into the Hollyford Valley, controlling access into and out of highly valued pounamu (greenstone/jade) gathering areas.

Your guide will also highlight the plant and wildlife of this unique environment helping you to discover the diversity of this remote area. You will have the opportunity to explore the sand dunes, and wander along the isolated beach at your own pace, with the Tasman Sea as your companion.

Embark on your scenic flight

Returning to Waitai Lodge for lunch, your lodge hosts bid you farewell as you board the helicopter for a scenic flight along the rugged coastline and into the dramatic Milford Sound, where you'll marvel at the grandeur of vertical granite walls rising from the sea.

Arrive in Milford Sound 

Once in Milford you’ll be met by our private coach and travel along the impressive Milford Road, up through the famous Homer Tunnel, which was cut through a divide of sheer granite rock. The drive time from Milford Sound to Te Anau is approximately 1 hour 30mins (118km). 

Bid farewell to new friends

In Te Anau we will stop at the Explorer Bar to say farewell and collect any luggage stored at the Distinction Hotel. Guests can disembark in Te Anau and make their own way from there, or they can stay on board, travelling through to Queenstown.

Your coach driver can drop you off at Queenstown Airport, if required, or at your hotel accommodation in central Queenstown.

 

Day four map   Rates & Dates

 

 

 

 

Skip the Bus Ride Back to Queenstown

Why not take advantage of one of our add-ons at the end of your trip?

Fly back from Milford to Queenstown

Get 5 hours back on your last day - arrive in Queenstown early enough to check-in to your accommodation, have a shower, and go out for dinner in one of the many restaurants around Queenstown.

Scenic Aeroplane Flight to Queenstown

Duration: Approximately 1 hour

 

 

Extend Your Stay

While you're in the area, you might want to tick a few more items off your bucket list. Choose from:

The Milford Sound Overnight Cruise

Cruise at Milford Sound and Scenic Flight to Queenstown

Scenic Helicopter Flight to Queenstown

 

Check out all add-ons

Andy Woods 140409 5195 1

Walk

Wander 5km exploring the remote Martins Bay Spit.

Helicopter

Take a stunning scenic flight through Milford Sound.

Bus

Travel the iconic Milford road back to Queenstown.

"The variety of scenery was wonderful; beech forest, podocarp forest, river, lake, mountain, sand dune and beach landscapes."

Martins bay sandspit from above