Tour Description

The South Island of New Zealand dials up the natural drama. Will it be Milford Sound/Piopiotahi with its towering fiords and waterfalls, seen on a cruise? Or Queenstown, serving up mountain scenery on repeat. This trip is accompanied by a Travel Director and Driver.

Priced From:

$ 5039pp ^*

From: 2026-09-13

To: 2027-03-28

Start Location: Christchurch (Nz), New Zealand

End Location: Christchurch (Nz), New Zealand

Trip Type: Cost Saver Escorted

Tour Advisors

Beccy Hayes

Travel Specialist

Tiffany McCrea-Lennon

Managing Director

Russell Mein

Travel Specialist

Caitlin Lennon

Travel Coordinator

Gaylyn Murdoch

Administration Manager

Holly Skene

Travel Co-ordinator

Kim Thomas

Broker

Itinerary

Welcome to Christchurch

Day 1

Duration: 1

Welcome to Christchurch, your New Zealand South Island tour starts here. Since its 2010/11 earthquakes, Christchurch has reinvented itself in more ways than one. It's time tonight to meet your Travel Director and travelling companions for a tour briefing and drinks.

Christchurch - Omarama

Day 2

Duration: 1

Christchurch is a lesson in reinvention, and today you’ll see how the city is rebuilding with bold ideas. Look out for the Transitional Cathedral, created largely from cardboard, plus Tūranga, the striking gold-clad central library. Then it’s time for wide-open scenery as you cross the Canterbury Plains. Think turquoise lakes, snow-capped peaks and small towns with serious atmosphere. Stop in Tekapo for an Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience hosted by passionate Local Guides. It’s one of the quietest places you’ll visit, yet the sky is bursting with action. Tonight, you’ll sleep in Omarama with starlit memories.

Omarama - Te Anau

Day 3

Duration: 1

Get your camera ready, today is full of character stops and big landscapes. First up is Clyde, a charming historic town with a centre that’s a designated precinct. Gold mining-era buildings now house cafes, shops and all sorts of local flavour. Then roll on to Gore, proudly known as the country music capital of New Zealand. From here, the scenery shifts again as you head towards Fiordland National Park. By late day you’ll arrive in Te Anau, sitting pretty on the edge of the South Island’s largest lake. Take a slow stroll by the water and enjoy the calm. This is serenity, sorted.

Piopiotahi (Milford Sound)

Day 4

Duration: 1

Today is a wilderness day, pure and simple. Travel through Fiordland National Park where beech forests, mirror-like lakes and gin-clear rivers set the tone. The road winds through a landscape that feels untouched, leading you straight to Piopiotahi (Milford Sound). Then it’s time to get out on the water on an included sightseeing cruise. Towering cliffs rise above you, waterfalls tumble down and wildlife pops up when you least expect it. Seals and penguins are common sights, and you may even spot the curious kea, New Zealand’s alpine parrot. Bring a warm layer and keep your eyes open.

Te Anau - Queenstown

Day 5

Duration: 1

Hit the road along the aptly named Devil’s Staircase, a seriously scenic stretch that hugs Lake Wakatipu with lake and mountain views that keep coming. Then step into history in Arrowtown, a former gold rush village where tree-lined streets lead to character-filled shops and cafes. After that, it’s on to Queenstown, your base for the next two nights in New Zealand’s adventure capital. Tonight is a highlight. Cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm. You’ll tuck into a gourmet barbecue dinner and enjoy a farm show before gliding back under the lights.

Queenstown Free Time

Day 6

Duration: 1

Today is all about choice, Queenstown-style. If you want adrenaline, your Travel Director can point you towards a high-octane Choice Experience like a jet boat ride that skims across the water at full speed. Prefer animals and nature? Visit Kiwi Park on another Choice Experience to meet some of New Zealand’s unique native wildlife. Or keep it simple with lakeside walks, good coffee and time to browse the shops. Whatever your vibe, Queenstown has you covered. The best part is you don’t have to do it all. Pick what suits you, then enjoy the rest.

Queenstown - Waiau (Franz Josef)

Day 7

Duration: 1

Try to keep track of the lakes today, there are plenty. Leave Lake Wakatipu behind, then pass shimmering Lake Hāwea as you head towards the wild beauty of Haast Pass. Waterfalls crash down rocky slopes, mountains loom overhead and the views keep shifting. By late day, you’ll arrive in Waiau (Franz Josef), a small town with a big natural backdrop. Want to level it up? Join a Choice Experience with a scenic flight over Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef Glacier), and if the weather plays nice you may even land on the ice. Tonight, enjoy the fresh alpine air and a well-earned rest.

Waiau (Franz Josef) - Christchurch

Day 8

Duration: 1

This morning brings a change of scenery and a little sparkle. In Hokitika, discover pounamu, native greenstone prized for its beauty and meaning. It’s the kind of place where jewellery dreams take shape. Then comes one of New Zealand’s great rail journeys as you board the TranzAlpine train bound for Christchurch. Settle in for tunnels, viaducts and huge views of icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and snow-capped peaks. It’s a highlight for good reason. Tonight, celebrate your journey with dinner and drinks, raising a glass to lakes, mountains, and all the moments in between.

Farewell from Christchurch

Day 9

Duration: 1

New Zealand’s South Island never fails to wow. We hope you find the words to describe this epic New Zealand tour to your family back home.

Dates & prices

Start Date: 2026-09-27

End Date: 2026-10-05

twin

Child Price: 4880

Adult Price: 5405

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5405

triple

Child Price: 5140

Adult Price: 5140

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7200

Start Date: 2026-10-11

End Date: 2026-10-19

twin

Child Price: 4774

Adult Price: 5299

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5299

triple

Child Price: 5039

Adult Price: 5039

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7059

Start Date: 2026-11-01

End Date: 2026-11-09

twin

Child Price: 5039

Adult Price: 5564

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5564

triple

Child Price: 5291

Adult Price: 5291

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7412

Start Date: 2026-11-15

End Date: 2026-11-23

twin

Child Price: 5039

Adult Price: 5564

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5564

triple

Child Price: 5291

Adult Price: 5291

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7412

Start Date: 2026-12-06

End Date: 2026-12-14

twin

Child Price: 4774

Adult Price: 5299

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5299

triple

Child Price: 5039

Adult Price: 5039

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7059

Start Date: 2026-12-13

End Date: 2026-12-21

twin

Child Price: 4880

Adult Price: 5405

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5405

triple

Child Price: 5140

Adult Price: 5140

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7200

Start Date: 2027-01-10

End Date: 2027-01-18

twin

Child Price: 4920

Adult Price: 5460

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5460

triple

Child Price: 5190

Adult Price: 5190

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7275

Start Date: 2027-01-17

End Date: 2027-01-25

twin

Child Price: 5029

Adult Price: 5569

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5569

triple

Child Price: 5294

Adult Price: 5294

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7421

Start Date: 2027-01-24

End Date: 2027-02-01

twin

Child Price: 4920

Adult Price: 5460

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5460

triple

Child Price: 5190

Adult Price: 5190

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7275

Start Date: 2027-01-31

End Date: 2027-02-08

twin

Child Price: 5029

Adult Price: 5569

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5569

triple

Child Price: 5294

Adult Price: 5294

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7421

Start Date: 2027-02-07

End Date: 2027-02-15

twin

Child Price: 4920

Adult Price: 5460

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5460

triple

Child Price: 5190

Adult Price: 5190

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7275

Start Date: 2027-02-14

End Date: 2027-02-22

twin

Child Price: 5029

Adult Price: 5569

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5569

triple

Child Price: 5294

Adult Price: 5294

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7421

Start Date: 2027-02-21

End Date: 2027-03-01

twin

Child Price: 4920

Adult Price: 5460

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5460

triple

Child Price: 5190

Adult Price: 5190

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7275

Start Date: 2027-02-28

End Date: 2027-03-08

twin

Child Price: 5029

Adult Price: 5569

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5569

triple

Child Price: 5294

Adult Price: 5294

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7421

Start Date: 2027-03-07

End Date: 2027-03-15

twin

Child Price: 5029

Adult Price: 5569

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5569

triple

Child Price: 5294

Adult Price: 5294

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7421

Start Date: 2027-03-14

End Date: 2027-03-22

twin

Child Price: 5029

Adult Price: 5569

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5569

triple

Child Price: 5294

Adult Price: 5294

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7421

Start Date: 2027-03-21

End Date: 2027-03-29

twin

Child Price: 4920

Adult Price: 5460

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5460

triple

Child Price: 5190

Adult Price: 5190

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7275

Start Date: 2027-03-28

End Date: 2027-04-05

twin

Child Price: 5029

Adult Price: 5569

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5569

triple

Child Price: 5294

Adult Price: 5294

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7421

Southern Spotlight

Tour Advisors

Itinerary

Dates & prices