Molesworth Station, Abel Tasman & Golden Bay
7 day small group South Island tour
Enjoy the unique history of New Zealand’s largest farm the Molesworth Station, the world famous Abel Tasman National Park, the charms of sunny Nelson, Farewell Spit and the delights of Golden Bay.
WHAT TRACY LOVES ABOUT THIS TOUR: Memories of Molesworth Station will be with you always. It’s a once in a lifetime experience to drive this vast farmland on the tracks of early stockmen and travellers.Then contrast this landlocked region with the golden sands of Abel Tasman National Park and Farewell Spit and the relaxed vibe of Golden Bay.
Day 1
Fly to Christchurch - The Hurunui - Hanmer Springs
On arrival at Christchurch airport we drive north up the Canterbury Plains to the Hurunui district where we lunch with Penny Zino in her beautiful garden at Flaxmere Farm.
Later we drive to the pretty alpine village of Hanmer Springs. It’s boutique shops, golf course and hot pools make it a favourite weekend getaway for Christchurch residents. There’s time to explore the town, our home for two nights, and enjoy a soak in the hot pools before dining out this evening.
- In the Hurunui enjoy a farmhouse lunch in a stunning garden
- Relax in Hanmer Springs, our home for two nights
- Hanmer Springs - Scenic Views Motel & Tussock Peak Motor Lodge
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Accommodation
Hanmer Springs - Scenic Views Motel & Tussock Peak Motor Lodge
In Hanmer Springs you’ll stay in one of two centrally located, well appointed, family run motels. You’ll be within walking distance of the thermal pools and town centre on our stay in this delightful alpine hamlet.
What we love most about our time in Hanmer Springs – it has to be the hot pools. Taking a relaxing dip amidst the alpine scenery is the perfect end to an exciting day.
Day 2
Hanmer Springs - Molesworth Station - Hanmer Springs
We explore Molesworth Station, New Zealand’s largest farm, now administered by DOC with Landcorp’s stockmen, to uncover the history of this land. Travelling with our local guide in a customised 4WD coach, we drive over Jacks Pass and into the Clarence Valley to visit Acheron Accommodation House built in 1863, once an overnight carriage stop, and picnic nearby.
From a vantage point, the Molesworth homestead is visible nestled under the Inland Kaikoura ranges. We return down Jollies Pass to Hanmer Springs.
- Molesworth Station, where conservation, farming and recreation combine
- Acheron Accommodation House, a cob cottage built in 1863
- Hanmer Springs - Scenic Views Motel & Tussock Peak Motor Lodge
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Accommodation
Hanmer Springs - Scenic Views Motel & Tussock Peak Motor Lodge
In Hanmer Springs you’ll stay in one of two centrally located, well appointed, family run motels. You’ll be within walking distance of the thermal pools and town centre on our stay in this delightful alpine hamlet.
What we love most about our time in Hanmer Springs – it has to be the hot pools. Taking a relaxing dip amidst the alpine scenery is the perfect end to an exciting day.
Day 3
Hanmer Springs - Lewis Pass - Murchison - Nelson
Leaving Hanmer Springs this morning we drive up through the beech forests of the 864m Lewis Pass in the Southern Alps to Maruia Springs and on to view the spectacular Maruia Falls.
Driving north up the Shenandoah Highway we reach the Upper Buller Gorge and continue to Murchison, over the Hope Saddle and onto Wakefield and our destination, Nelson. We dine in at Tides Hotel, our home for two nights.
- Cross the beech forest-clad Lewis Pass, the northernmost pass over the Alps
- Check out the spectacular Maruia Falls
- Nelson - Tides Hotel
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Accommodation
Nelson - Tides Hotel
You’ll feel the family South Island hospitality here, the team at Tides always welcome us as friends. Three minutes from the centre of town and 10 minutes from the cathedral, the best spot in sunny Nelson.
What we love about Tides – You can’t beat this location, just a stone’s throw into town and great riverside walking right out the door too.
Day 4
Nelson - Abel Tasman National Park - Mapua Wharf - Nelson
We drive through the orchards and vineyards to Motueka and on to Kaiteriteri Beach where we cruise on a purpose built catamaran along the coastline of the Abel Tasman National Park to Awaroa at the top of the park. New Zealand’s smallest national park has a stunning coastline of golden sandy beaches, bush clad headlands and islands where seabirds and seals abound.
Returning to Kaiteriteri, we sightsee on the way back to Nelson, calling into Mapua Wharf on the Waimea Estuary to check out the artisan shops.
- Cruise in the clear blue waters of Abel Tasman National Park
- Call into Mapua Wharf to check out the artisan shops
- Nelson - Tides Hotel
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Accommodation
Nelson - Tides Hotel
You’ll feel the family South Island hospitality here, the team at Tides always welcome us as friends. Three minutes from the centre of town and 10 minutes from the cathedral, the best spot in sunny Nelson.
What we love about Tides – You can’t beat this location, just a stone’s throw into town and great riverside walking right out the door too.
Day 5
Nelson - Anatoki Salmon Farm - Waikoropupu Springs - Takaka
We drive over Takaka Hill and stop to enjoy the wide landscape views of the Tasman Ranges from the lookout. Take a short walk on a well maintained path to Te Waikoropupu Springs (Place of the Dancing Sands) where the world’s purest water bubbles up from deep in the earth. This springs system, which the locals call Pupu, is the largest in New Zealand.
We lunch among the ponds at Anatoki Salmon Farm Cafe by the river. We stay two nights at Mohua Motels in Takaka and dine out in the town this evening.
- See the world’s purest water bubbling up at Te Waikoropupu Springs
- Relax and enjoy lunch at Anatoki Salmon Farm
- Takaka - Mohua Motels
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Accommodation
TAKAKA - MOHUA MOTELS
Day 6
Golden Bay sightseeing - Collingwood - Farewell Spit tour - Takaka
We head to Collingwood to join our private tour in a specially modifed coach along the sands of Farewell Spit. We stop at Cape Farewell and Fossil Point at the beginning of the Spit, a popular hauling out place for New Zealand fur seals. Thirty kilometres along the ocean beach we arrive at the Lighthouse Reserve and the lighthouse keeper’s cottage.
Returning to Collingwood we call in for dinner at the famously quirky Mussel Inn brewery before returning to Takaka.
- Special tour by coach along the sands of Farewell Spit
- Relax at the famous Mussel Inn brewery
- Takaka - Mohua Motels
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Accommodation
TAKAKA - MOHUA MOTELS
Day 7
Takaka - Ligar Bay - Upper Moutere - Nelson - Return flight
We breakfast at Takaka institution, The Wholemeal Cafe, then drive out to Pohara, Tata and Ligar Bay beaches to walk on the sands and enjoy the views from the Abel Tasman Monument. We lunch at The Woolshed Craft Cafe on the top of Takaka Hill surrounded by paddocks of Gotland sheep, lama, kune-kune pigs, emu and goats.
In the afternoon we call into the Moutere Inn and the art and food shops in Upper Moutere on our way to Nelson airport.
- Stroll the golden sands or take a swim at Ligar Bay
- Lunch with a view at the top of Takaka Hill
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General inclusions
- All transport by comfortable, air conditioned coach (maximum of 18 travellers).
- Services of your knowledgeable MoaTours Kiwi guide.
- Quality accommodation chosen for a “sense of place”.
- Return airfares from Auckland (please ask us about flights from other airports)
All Meals Are Included
- All Breakfasts
- All Lunches
- All Dinners
Included Experiences
The following activities and attractions are all included in the price of your tour:
Included Sightseeing & Exploring
You’ll visit all the following spots on the tour.
Please contact us if you have any questions about our tour departure dates.
| Tour Date | Price (from) | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
Departure Guaranteed 09 Nov 2025 - 15 Nov 2025 | $4,990 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 25 Nov 2025 - 01 Dec 2025 | $4,990 (NZD) | Filling up | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 09 Mar 2026 - 15 Mar 2026 | $4,990 (NZD) | Filling up | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 23 Apr 2026 - 29 Apr 2026 | $4,990 (NZD) | Filling up | Enquire |
