Boyle River Outdoor Education Centre
Explore your Potential
ALPS TO OCEAN - JOURNEY OF A LIFE TIME
Alps to Ocean
Trip Cost
Register now or Inquire by calling 03 315 7082 or email
Payment plans available
Total cost = $2,332.00
The Trip at a glance
Alps to Ocean from West to East using only human powered transportation – mountain bike, hiking, and rafting. This will be a programme designed to challenge and build upon previous experiences.
A range of environments will be encountered and amazing memories formed!
If you have carried a backpack and done some tramping before then this is for you!
If you are uncertain about your suitability for this trip then please give us a call.
Detailed Itinerary
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Rafting
Day 1 - Christchurch to Boyle River
We will collect you from a central city location in Christchurch around 8am before we drive North to the Boyle River Lodge in the Lewis Pass, Southern Alps.
Immersed in the Alpine environment at the comfort of the Boyle Lodge, we will take the afternoon to prepare and pack for the journey ahead. Later enjoying a hearty meal and sleeping in our comfortable lodge.
Day 2 - Lewis Pass to Ada Pass 12km
Final preperations and we set off. A quick shuttle takes us to the head of the St James Walkway next to the Lewis Pass summit on the main divide.
The track leaves the beautiful Tarn and enters the bush, descending to a swing bridge that crosses Cannibal Gorge to the true right bank. Past the Cannibal Gorge hut the track follows an easy grade alongside the Maruia River, through beech forest and open alpine fields.
Day 3 - Ada Pass to Stanley Vale 25km
As we depart Ada Pass sitting at 1008m high we make our way down past the historic Christopher Cullers hut crossing the Waiau River towards beautiful Lake Guyon. An afternoon swim then wander into Stanley Vale.
Day 4 - Stanley Vale to Fowlers 12km + Fowlers to St James Homestead MTB 17km
Leaving Stanley Vale with its old relics of times past we make our way over Fowlers Pass (1296m) this trail has river crossings, scree slopes and a variety of gradients.
Once at Fowlers Hut we have entered the Clarence River Valley. We meet the support van and get geared up to start the Mountain Bike section. This afternoon we get familiar with our bikes and make our way 17km via Tophouse Road to the St James Homestead.
Day 5 - St James Homestead to Acheron 20km
Taking in the sites and sounds of the Clarence Valley we follow the river Mountain Biking to the Historic Acheron Accommodation House and Camp site. Here we get ready for the amazing rafting section and a relax by the river.
Day 6 to 10 - Rafting the Clarence River
This sections starts at 700 metres altitude and finishs at the coast. Every twist and turn in the river brings a new vista and beautiful surroundings. Along the way, experience the open tussock lands of the Molesworth, three spectacular gorges of twisted rock strata interspersed with open braided river sections, impressive alpine peaks including Tapuae-O-Uenuku, remote high country stations, amazing geology and the new conservation park Ka Whata Tu O Rakihouia. Finishing at Clarence on the East Coast! We travel back to the Boyle for pack up and celebrations.
Day 11 - Boyle River
Clean up and Activities day at the Boyle River.
Day 12 - Boyle River - Christchurch
Sadly all things come to an end... Day 12 sees the return trip to Christchurch having gained an amazing experience and awesome memories!!
LNT
The environments we travel through are fragile. It is our responsibility as visitors to minimise the impact of our journey. We practice and apply Leave No Trace principles.
ADVENTURE
By its very nature adventure involves an element of the unexpected. To get the most from this journey that you are mentally flexible, positive, and eager to take on challenges that arise. If you are uncertain about your suitablilty for this trip please give us a call.
The programme will remain dynamic and may change depending on availability of equipment, land-owner permission, group needs etc.
Further, it may need adapting en route if weather/terrain/group considerations require this as part of the risk management. This will be done in consultation with the group.
This is a remote, back-country trip in the mountains of New Zealand where extreme conditions can develop in a short period of time. It can be very hot in January, and it can be very cold with snow in the mountains. Rivers can rise quickly and delay travel. Therefore there will be some degree of risk, which is desirable in enhancing the adventure experience. It is impossible to remove all risk, but the risk will be managed to an acceptable level by the use of BROEC policies and procedures and the ongoing assessment of changing conditions by experienced instructors. BROEC has current OutdoorsMark accreditation (see www.skillsactive.org.nz and http://register.worksafe.govt.nz/ for more information).
Possible hazards include: injuries due to falling off mountain bikes, hypothermia, injuries due to trips/falls, blisters, cold water immersion, lost students, sunstroke, burns from cookers etc (but no snakes!)
