This June, nine Inbound Tour Operators (IBOs) will explore the northern area of the West Coast region.
This famil will have a strong focus on the northern region, including Greymouth, Westport, Karamea, and Maruia. The itinerary will showcase the highlights of Buller, while also exploring some of the unique and "off the beaten track" experiences our region has to offer. The primary goal of this famil is to further expand the product knowledge of these IBOs and ensure they are confident and enthusiastic when selling West Coast tourism products to their clients.
Itinerary
The trip starts in Christchurch with dinner hosted by ChristchurchNZ and an overnight stay at The Crowne Plaza Christchurch.
Day one involves a TranzAlpine Train journey to Moana (Lake Brunner). Here, the group will inspect Hotel Lake Brunner, Te Aka Treehouse, and Breakers Boutique Accommodation. The day ends with exploring the Paparoa Experience in Punakaiki, followed by dinner and an overnight stay at the Scenic Hotel Punakaiki.
Day two begins with a walk along the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Track. The group will then go underworld rafting with Underworld Adventures, visit the Kawatiri Pounamu Pathway, and taste beer at Shortjaw Brewery in Westport. Dinner is at the Denniston Dog Restaurant, with an overnight stay at Bella Vista Motel Westport.
The next day, after breakfast at The Nourish Nook, the IBOs will cycle part of the Kawatiri Cycle Trail with Kiwi Journeys and walk to see the Tauranga Bay Seal Colony. They will inspect The Bay House Beachfront Accommodation and Gentle Annie Seaside Accommodation, with a pie tasting from the West Coast Pie Company in between. In Karamea, the group will walk the Nikau Walk, have a burger from The Dutch Oven Bakery, and stay overnight at The Last Resort.
On day four, after breakfast with local tourism operators in Karamea, the group will tour the Honeycomb Hill Cave and the Oparara Arches with Oparara Guided Tours. They will then travel to Reefton to visit the Reefton Distillery and taste Little Biddy Gin. Dinner at Bassano Pizza precedes an overnight stay at Maruia Hot Springs.
The famil concludes with time to use the sauna and baths at Maruia Hot Springs before departing from Christchurch International Airport.
This famil will be accompanied by agents from the below accounts:
Once Upon A Trip - New Zealand
Pan Pacific Travel - New Zealand
Abercrombie & Kent - Akorn DMC - New Zealand
New Zealand Fine Touring - New Zealand
FCM Travel - Australia
ATS Pacific / Hello World - New Zealand
Intrepid Travel - New Zealand
Adventure South - New Zealand
Travelcation Group - Australia