New Zealand Multi-Sport CME Adventure
Join Bio Bio Expeditions on an 11-day journey through New Zealand’s South Island, from Nelson to Queenstown, on this unique Wilderness and Travel Medicine CME course.
Sea kayak Abel Tasman, raft the Buller River, fly into the Siberia Valley, and cruise Milford Sound, while earning up to 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
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Trip Highlights
- Sea kayak a marine reserve along the golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park, raft the granite gorges of the Buller River, and soak in the geothermal hot pools at Maruia Springs
- Fly by helicopter into the remote Siberia Valley in Mt. Aspiring National Park, hike beneath snowcapped peaks, and ride a jet boat out of the wilderness
- Spend two nights at the 5-star Legacy Te Waonui in Franz Josef, with a free day for optional glacier heli-hikes, scenic flights over the Southern Alps, or a sunrise hike at Lake Matheson
- Cruise Milford Sound beneath towering granite walls and waterfalls, and hike sections of the famous Kepler and Routeburn Tracks in Fiordland National Park
- Designed for physicians, PAs, NPs, RNs, and medical professionals of all specialties. Non-medical guests and family are welcome
About this trip
New Zealand Multi-Sport CME Adventure
This Continuing Medical Education (CME) course in Wilderness and Travel Medicine combines adventure, comfortable hotels, and some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth on an 11-day journey through New Zealand’s South Island, from sunny Nelson to Queenstown.
Begin in Nelson and sea kayak the marine reserve and golden sand beaches of Abel Tasman National Park, watching for fur seals, dolphins, and little blue penguins. Raft the Buller River through granite gorges, soak in the geothermal pools at Maruia Springs, then travel the wild West Coast to hike among the limestone formations and Pancake Rocks of Paparoa National Park and the rainforest above Okarito, with views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook.
Adventure highlights include a free day at Franz Josef Glacier with optional heli-hikes and scenic flights, a helicopter flight into the remote Siberia Valley in Mt. Aspiring National Park followed by a jet boat ride out of the wilderness, alpine hiking around Wanaka, and hikes on the Kepler and Routeburn Tracks in Fiordland National Park.
The journey concludes with a cruise on Milford Sound and a farewell dinner in Te Anau before transferring to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. Wilderness Medicine CME seminars are typically held in the afternoons or evenings before dinner.
WILDERNESS & TRAVEL MEDICINE CLASSES: COURSE INFORMATION
Accreditation 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
WILDERNESS MEDICINE COURSE CONTENT INCLUDES:
- Altitude Illness
- Hypothermia
- Frostbite and Other Cold Injuries
- Environmental Heat Illness
- Traveler’s Diarrhea, Giardia & Other Waterborne Wilderness Infections
- Surviving the Unexpected Night Out
- Lightning Injuries
- Improvised Medical and Trauma Care
- Management of Fractures and Dislocations
- Preparing for Foreign Travel
- Backcountry Medical Kits
- Wilderness Wound Management
- Patient Assessment in Wilderness Settings
- Wilderness Dermatology
- Marine Hazards & Envenomations
- Snake Envenomation
CME ACCREDITATION INFORMATION
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the Center for Emergency Medical Education and Wilderness and Travel Medicine. The Center for Emergency Medical Education is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Center for Emergency Medical Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Designed for physicians, PAs, NPs, RNs, and medical professionals of all specialties. Non-medical guests and family are welcome.
Itinerary
What to expect
Days 1–3: Abel Tasman, the Buller River & Maruia Springs
Arrive in sunny Nelson for an orientation meeting and welcome dinner. The next day, take a boat into Abel Tasman National Park to sea kayak a marine reserve along golden sand beaches, watching for fur seals, dolphins, and little blue penguins. Then raft the Class III-IV Buller River through granite gorges topped with beech forest and unwind in the outdoor geothermal hot pools at Maruia Springs.
Days 4–6: The Wild West Coast & Franz Josef Glacier
Hike among the dramatic limestone formations of Paparoa National Park and see the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki, overnight in seaside Hokitika, then hike through rainforest above Okarito for views of the Southern Alps and Aoraki/Mt. Cook. Settle in for two nights at the 5-star Legacy Te Waonui in Franz Josef, with a free day for optional glacier heli-hikes or scenic flights (additional cost), a sunrise hike at Lake Matheson, local trails, or the hot pools.
Days 7–8: Mt. Aspiring National Park & Wanaka
Cross Haast Pass and fly by helicopter into the remote Siberia Valley. Hike below snowcapped peaks to the Wilkin River, then jet boat out of the wilderness to lakeside Wanaka. The next day, hike in the Southern Alps to the Rob Roy Glacier or Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain, with free time to explore Wanaka.
Days 9–11: Fiordland, Milford Sound & Queenstown
Drive over the Crown Range to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland, and hike the Kepler Track through beech forest to the shores of Lake Manapouri. Cruise Milford Sound beneath vertical granite walls and waterfalls, then hike the Routeburn Track to Key Summit for panoramic views before a farewell dinner in Te Anau. On the final day, transfer to Queenstown to connect with flights home, or extend your stay in the adventure capital of the world.
Wilderness Medicine CME seminars are typically held in the afternoons or evenings before dinner.
Lodging
Where you'll stay
Comfortable, contemporary, and amenity-laden hotels, mostly situated within spectacular natural settings. Accommodations are as listed below or of a similar level.
Nelson (Nights 1–2)
Rutherford Hotel or Tides Hotel
Downtown hotel in sunny Nelson with plenty of opportunity to explore the city on foot right out the front door, with many great dining options nearby.
Lewis Pass (Night 3)
A tranquil retreat offering simple, comfortable accommodations alongside natural geothermal pools, a sauna, and forest-surrounded soaking surrounded by impressive alpine scenery.
Hokitika (Night 4)
The best beachfront hotel in the area. Explore the wild beach right next to the hotel, or wander into town to browse artisan shops featuring carvings of locally sourced jade (pounamu).
Franz Josef Glacier (Nights 5–6)
A fabulous 5-star hotel in Westland National Park, just below Franz Josef Glacier. Two nights here allow a full free day for optional heli-hikes and scenic flights, or simply relaxing at the lodge.
Wanaka (Nights 7–8)
Oakridge Resort or Edgewater Hotel
Comfortable accommodations in the idyllic lakeside town of Wanaka, a resort town with a wide variety of dining options for dinners on your own. Oakridge offers one-bedroom apartments with outdoor hot pools.
Te Anau (Nights 9–10)
Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas or Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Located on the Te Anau lakefront, a short stroll from the town center, in the gateway to Fiordland National Park. A picture-perfect setting for the farewell dinner.
Dates & Pricing
Plan your trip
Dates
2028
March 2 – 12
Pricing
2028
$9,300 per person, based on double occupancy
Optional CME Cost (16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™): $789
Trip includes: Expert adventure guides, all lodging, daily activities and excursions, most meals, and arrival and departure day airport transfers.
Trip does not include: Flights, optional activities in Franz Josef, NZeTA and tourism levy, travel insurance, and gratuities.
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