Franz Josef Wilderness Tours acquires Across Country Quad biking
Bronwyn and Dale are excited to announce their recent purchase of Across Country Quads Bikes in Franz Josef.
“We've long since admired this business that's been run extremely well by the Gibbs for many years. It's bittersweet excitement as this purchase comes from the passing of Tim Gibb. We are working closely with the Gibb family, and have retained some key quad bike staff, to ensure we are up and running to the best standard possible in the early new year. We will run the Quad Bike tours alongside our other kayak & boating operation: Franz Josef Wilderness Tours.
We have a bustling booking office on the main road of Franz Josef and you may recognize some of our reservations staff as they cross between the two operations. We look forward to getting the operation back up and running and working with you all.”
Across Country Quads Bikes is a great activity within Franz Josef and offers amazing alternatives to helicopter flights particularly on wet days! As the saying goes on the Coast: "the wetter, the better".
Franz Josef Wilderness Tours has achieved a Gold Qualmark rating over the last couple of years and they are currently working with Qualmark to bring Across Country Quads into the Qualmark organisation.
The Quad bike tours will be bookable from 15 January 2023 onwards, the kayaks tours, scenic cruise and fishing charters are operating normally.
Across Country Quad Bikes
Reservations email: info@acrosscountryquadsbikes.co.nz
phone: 03 752 0123 / 0800 234 288 (toll free within New Zealand)
Website: acrosscountryquadbikes.co.nz
Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
Location: 30 Main Road Franz Josef Glacier Franz Josef Glacier, 7886
Reservation email: info@franzjoseftours.co.nz
Phone: +64 (03) 752 0230
Website: franzjoseftours.co.nz
Contact for marketing / finances or anything other than reservations:
Contact: Bronwyn Burrows
Email: admin@franzjoseftours.co.nz
Phone: 027 868 0318
Ōkārito Boat Ecotours
Ōkārito Boat Ecotours have recently received a Trip Advisors Travellers Choice Award for 2022.
They also now have achieved the Qualmark silver rating.
Ōkārito Boat Ecotours are introducing a new boat tour, Private charter, ideal for small groups, photographers or those simply seeking to be alone out on the water in the early light of day. Tides and conditions can impact the bird life seen at any time of the morning, but this is generally the calmest, clearest and has that special light for keen photographers.
Departures between 7:30-8:30am
Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours.
"Our most popular tour continues to be the 9 AM Ecotour. Ōkārito is one of those special but relatively unknown places in New Zealand.... and it is a magic place to be. At over 3000 hectares in size - this is NZ's largest unmodified wetland. So much to see and learn in two hours!"
Location: 31 Wharf Street, West Coast, Ōkārito 7886
Contact: Paula & Swade
Email: okaritoboattours@gmail.com
Phone: 03 753 4223
Website: okaritoboattours.co.nz
Reefton Distilling Co
Nestled in the lush West Coast rainforest, Reefton Distilling Co. crafts premium spirits from pristine rainwater and and freshly foraged native botanicals.
Having quickly outgrown their original site, in 2022 they relocated production to a 1.6ha site, which in time will be regenerated with their own botanical landscape.
The new distillery houses a full brewhouse, three large, gleaming copper stills, warehousing, and bottling hall, as well as offices, Moonlight Creek whisky maturation building/s and staff accommodation.
All water use is minimised with any wastewater managed on site or irrigating neighbouring farmland and the spent grain from the brewing process is picked up by local farmers for stockfeed.
Their original building in the town centre now houses the distillery’s expanded Cellar Door, retail store and tasting lounge.
The original still remains in place and has become a time capsule, to be opened at the 100th anniversary. The edible garden, tasting cottage and large verandah extend the experience, with a food cart serving delicious fare for special events or by private appointment.
Two tours and tastings are available, with others including a Founder’s tour and various workshops being introduced from 2023.
Definitely one to add to any itinerary!
Location: 10 Smith Street, Reefton, 7830
Email: hello@reeftondistillingco.com
Phone: 03 732 7083
Website: reeftondistillingco.com
West Coast Treetop walk
The West Coast treetop walk has a new activity: The Tower Zipline.
They now propose a tandem zipline starting from the top of the Tower at 45 meters above ground (equivalent to a 15 floors building).
The West Coast Tree Top Walk and Tower Zipline is a must do for everyone from 6 to 106 years of age. It is an exciting, educational and must do attraction for any traveller.
The two hour adventure commences at the West Coast Tree Top Visitor Centre / Café where you check in. Meet your highly trained and knowledgeable guide and get geared up ready for an experience of a lifetime!
The guide will take you along the tree top structure enjoying and learning about the unique surrounding Rimu rainforest. Climb the 106 steps to the top of the spiral tower and hook up on the tandem ziplines. Fly through the Rimu tree-tops at speeds in excess of 60km/hour for 425 metres before landing right back where you both started.
The ride in itself lasts about 2 minutes.
The rides will need to be pre-booked.
Bookings possible from 23 December 2022 onwards.
Location: 1128 Woodstock-Rimu Road, Hokitika 7812, NZ
Contact: Vonnie (site manager)
Email: bookings@treetopsnz.com
Phone: 03 755 5052
Website: treetopsnz.com
