The "South Island Epic Coastal Journey: Audio Tour Guide" offers an immersive experience along New Zealand’s stunning South Island coastline. With engaging audio narration and GPS-guided navigation, travelers can explore iconic stops at their own pace. This one-day tour provides a customizable adventure filled with breathtaking scenery and cultural insights. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or a history buff, this audio-guided journey promises to unveil the hidden gems that make the South Island truly remarkable. But there’s more to discover beyond the tour’s highlights – the real journey lies in the unexpected moments that await.
Key Points
- Self-guided audio tour of South Island’s scenic coastal region, with optional start points in Kailua-Kona or Hilo.
- Highlights include Kona Coast, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, and other natural wonders.
- Engaging audio stories, turn-by-turn GPS navigation, and offline map for seamless exploration at one’s own pace.
- Essential information on food, gas, and visitor centers provided by the audio tour guide.
- Highly customizable experience with flexibility to choose route direction and start location.
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Tour Overview
The "South Island Epic Coastal Journey: Audio Tour Guide" is a self-guided tour that takes visitors on a captivating adventure through the scenic coastal region of South Island.
Priced from $451 per group of up to 5 participants, the tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
With a duration of 1 day, the tour includes an English audio guide accessible through the Shaka Guide app.
The tour can be started from either Kailua-Kona or Hilo, with a route that highlights key stops such as the Kona Coast, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Itinerary Highlights
The South Island Epic Coastal Journey Audio Tour takes visitors on an engaging exploration of the region’s key highlights.
The tour starts at either Kailua-Kona or Hilo, following a counterclockwise or clockwise route. Highlights include the Kona Coast Oceanview Shopping Plaza, the southernmost point in the United States at Ka Lae, the renowned Punalu’u Bake Shop, and the stunning Punalu’u Black Sand Beach.
Visitors can also explore the Kau Coffee Mill, Lava Tree Molds, and the renowned Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The tour also features the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center, the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, and the Mauna Kea scenic viewpoints.
Audio Narration and Features
The audio narration provided in the South Island Epic Coastal Journey Audio Tour offers hours of engaging stories, travel tips, and background music that play automatically as visitors drive along the route.
The tour utilizes turn-by-turn GPS navigation, allowing users to explore at their own pace without the need for internet or data connectivity. With an offline map, the tour never expires, providing maximum flexibility for travelers.
The audio guide is available in English, enriching the overall experience with insights and anecdotes about the region’s history, culture, and natural wonders.
This comprehensive tour ensures a seamless and immersive journey through the stunning South Island coastal landscape.
Important Information
Travelers embarking on the South Island Epic Coastal Journey Audio Tour should ensure they pack the necessary essentials, including snacks, hiking shoes, sunscreen, water, headphones, and water shoes.
Cell service is limited in remote areas, so it’s recommended to download the tour before starting.
Visitors should allocate 3-4 hours for the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park portion and aim to arrive before 10 a.m. or on weekdays to avoid crowds.
Food and gas can be found in several towns along the route, including Kailua, Kealakekua, Captain Cook, and Hilo.
Visitor Centers
Along the South Island Epic Coastal Journey, visitors will encounter several notable visitor centers. The Kau Coffee Mill offers free tours Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Akatsuka Orchid Gardens are open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Panaewa Rainforest Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and has free admission. Lastly, the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
| Visitor Center | Hours | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Kau Coffee Mill | Mon-Fri, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. | Free tours |
| Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center | Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | – |
| Akatsuka Orchid Gardens | Mon/Wed, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | – |
| Panaewa Rainforest Zoo | Daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Free |
| Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station | Daily, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. | – |
Food and Gas Availability
Throughout the South Island Epic Coastal Journey, food and gas stations are available in several key towns and communities.
Travelers can find provisions in Kailua, Kealakekua, and Captain Cook on the Kona coast, as well as in Hawaii Ocean View Estates, Naalehu, and Pahala in the southern region.
Volcano Town and Hilo in the east also offer dining and fuel options.
With these regular stops along the way, visitors can comfortably explore the scenic coastal route without worrying about running out of supplies.
The audio tour guide provides helpful information on the specific locations and operating hours of these essential services.
Downloading and Accessing the Tour
To access the South Island Epic Coastal Journey audio tour, users must first download the Shaka Guide app. Once downloaded, the tour is available for immediate access.
The app provides several benefits:
- Turn-by-turn navigation using GPS, ensuring users don’t miss any key stops
- Offline access to the tour, eliminating the need for internet or data connectivity
- Flexibility to explore at one’s own pace, with the tour never expiring
- Automatic audio narration that plays as users drive, providing stories and travel tips.
With the Shaka Guide app, travelers can embark on an immersive and self-guided journey along the South Island’s stunning coastal routes.
Customizable Experience
The South Island Epic Coastal Journey’s audio tour offers travelers a highly customizable experience.
With the ability to explore at their own pace, travelers can start the tour from Kailua-Kona or Hilo and travel counterclockwise or clockwise. The audio guide automatically plays stories, tips, and music as you drive, providing a seamless and immersive experience.
Travelers can also easily navigate with turn-by-turn directions using the tour’s GPS functionality. The offline map ensures you never get lost, even in remote areas with limited cell service.
This flexibility allows you to tailor the journey to your interests and create an unforgettable South Island adventure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bring My Pet on the Tour?
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the tour. The tour experience is designed for travelers without pets. Bringing a pet would not be practical or permitted during the various stops and activities along the route.
Do You Offer a Spanish Audio Guide Option?
Unfortunately, the tour currently only offers an audio guide in English. A Spanish audio guide option is not available at this time. However, the company may consider adding additional language options in the future based on customer demand.
Are There Any Child-Friendly Activities Included?
The tour includes several child-friendly activities like the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and the Imiloa Astronomy Center. Families can also explore the beaches, hiking trails, and visitor centers at their own pace during the self-guided tour.
Can I Purchase the Tour Guide Content Separately?
The audio tour guide content can’t be purchased separately. It’s only available as part of the full South Island Epic Coastal Journey tour package, which includes the app, GPS-enabled directions, and commentary for the complete driving experience.
Is There an Option to Book a Private Tour Guide?
Yes, the tour offers a private group option. Customers can book the tour for up to 5 participants, allowing them to explore at their own pace with a personalized audio guide experience. The price starts from K₭451 per group.
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Recap
The "South Island Epic Coastal Journey: Audio Tour Guide" offers an immersive self-guided experience along South Island’s stunning coastal region. Travelers can explore iconic stops at their own pace, with engaging audio narration providing stories, travel tips, and GPS navigation. This customizable adventure ensures breathtaking scenery and cultural insights for groups of up to five. It’s a must-try for those seeking an unforgettable journey through South Island’s coastal wonders.