The guides do the planning; customers do the driving in their own 4WDs. There is a maximum of 10 vehicles per trip for safety and practicality.
Think epic photographic views of remote locations, river valleys, majestic mountain ranges where the sun rises and settings, shining on the snow, mountain passes, back country huts, lakes, glacier-fed rivers and bays where the water is an iridescent blue, high country stations; and all types of vegetation from beech forests and native trees, snow level vegetation to farmland.
There are usually four trips a year of seven to eight days with overnight stays: October, January, February and March. The trips cover areas such as south Canterbury/Central Otago/Southland /Fiordland; top of the South and middle of the South Island.
January and February trips include mainly camping in remote locations and October and March groups stay in cabins or motels. The trips pass daily through towns to restock with food and fuel.
Traverse the spectacular Central Otago plains or big river in the Reefton area with the gold mining histories; explore the Cobb Valley Power station project in the Takaka region, or the Borland Road in Fiordland; witness the magnificent Marlborough Sounds and French Pass or Mavora Lakes; imagine the remoteness of the coalmining areas of the Denniston plateau; take in some of New Zealand’s high country farms or stations.
People on these trips meet like-minded 4WDers from all parts of New Zealand and overseas who want to experience something a bit different. Camaraderie is built up during the week-long trips with overnight stays at camp sites and daytime stops for food breaks. There are always conversations about the experiences everyone has had, different camping set-ups, or comparing photos.
As the international borders open, a trip to Cape York in Australia is being planned for August 2023 driving hired 4WD campervans to traverse the corrugated red dust roads from Cairns to Cape York and back over 14 days.
Bookings are filling up fast for the January and February Trips so look online at
www.summerescape.nz for the details.
