Our Tours

The  2011 general trip information is available now, just click here to request an information pack.

Mike and Karen Meares have been running and organizing self drive 4x4 tours for the last 16 years, and have plenty of experience in making sure that you are going to have many happy memorable experiences on your High Country Journey.

High Country Journeys offers unique self drive, self guided, 4WD tours that will take you into the heart of the South Island high country, from Coalgate in Canterbury to Naseby/Danseys Pass area Central Otago  where you will experience spectacular scenery and warm hospitality. The tracks are generally of a good standard and you are not bashing your way through bush, mud holes or rattling up rough riverbeds all day. You will get to some high spots, 1700metres, on the tracks with fantastic scenery of river valleys, alpine environments, mountains and lakes and an abundance of alpine native plants to enjoy. 

This is a fantastic experience which can be achieved in style and comfort over the duration of the trip. You do not have to be an experienced four wheel driver. A comment that one of our couples have added is that the journey is definitely not just for the men in the family, wives and partners thoroughly enjoy their high country journey, many females finding that they have great off road driving skills, they did not know they had!!! It is a get up and go holiday, to make the most of each day.

---

Standard Self Drive Package

High Country Journeys offer a standard six night/five day package. The standard six night package includes: five days 4WDing fully serviced accommodation in up-market farm stays including linen, breakfast, lunches, and dinners.

Mike and Karen will arrange all accommodation, track access and provide you with a 'Journey Manual' which is complete with daily directions, maps and information on the areas you travel through. Mike will go with you for your first track up the Rakaia Gorge, in Canterbury, and on day five you will be accompanied by a guide, who will be able to give detailed information on the history and farming of this remote area. Groups sometimes meet up with musterers and farm owners on this guided day as an added bonus.

Drive your own full time 4x4 or hire from Overland Rentals, they will meet you in Christchurch and supply a spade, tow strape etc. 

The cost of the standard package is $1570.00 inclusive of GST per person, for the 2011 season. Season being from January to April. Bookings open now for 2011 season. If you really can not come on the journey in this time frame we will look at letting you book in December. We try and avoid having journeys in Nov and Dec. as there is often still snow on the tracks and farmers are still lambing.

---

Personalised Tours

Mike and Karen pride themselves on being able to personalise tours to cater for everyone's needs. If you want a more challenging trip, a trip that gives you access and time for activities you maybe interested in, short/longer trips or fully guided trips then all you need to do is ring Mike and Karen to discuss what you want.

If you don't know what you would like to do and have limited time available ring Mike and Karen and by the end of the phone call the visions of a fabulous few days 4x4 driving in the high country will be ringing in your head, with a suggested itinerary of how you can best manage your expectations and get the most out of your experience.

Personalised tours will be run within the defined season and will be fully catered, prices available on enquiry.

For the 2011 season we have  a chauffeured  group starting on the 27th February and we could make up another group if anyone else is interested. This is an ideal way to experience the high country if you do not want to or can not drive.   Mike would be driving the group. Pick up in Christchurch and delivered back to Christchurch. Contact us for more information. 

---

Season

High Country Journeys runs for a four month season from January to April. You can choose any dates within these months but to get the dates you want we suggest you book early. People often avoid coming on the 4wd trip in January,with school holidays, but you miss out on seeing all the fabulous alpine plants which are flowering early January----just a thought if you are interested in the native flora.