Tour Description

A little bit city, a little bit country. A whole lot of nature, and just as much culture. Oh, and plenty of opportunities to indulge in food and wine. This tour of the South Island of New Zealand delivers the perfect recipe for a taste of the country. Look forward to Franz Josef/Waiau tours, Milford Sound/Piopiotahi cruises and glimpses into cosmopolitan life on Christchurch and Queenstown tours.

Priced From:

$ 4930pp ^*

From: 2024-11-25

To: 2025-03-24

Start Location: Christchurch (Nz), New Zealand

End Location: Christchurch (Nz), New Zealand

Trip Type: Cost Saver Escorted

Tour Advisors

Tiffany McCrea-Lennon

Managing Director

Chris McKinnel

Travel Specialist

Gaylyn Murdoch

Administration Manager

Russell Mein

Travel Specialist

Holly Skene

Travel Co-ordinator

Kim Thomas

Broker

Itinerary

Welcome to Christchurch

Day 1

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

You don’t have to arrive in Christchurch early, but we recommend you do – this South Island city has some of New Zealand’s most innovative architecture, not to mention forward-thinking restaurants and bars. Tonight, it's time to meet your Travel Director and travelling companions for a Welcome Reception.

Christchurch - Franz Josef

Day 2

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Your South Island New Zealand Tour starts on a literal high as you jump aboard the TranzAlpine train, crossing the Canterbury Plains towards the Southern Alps and Arthur’s Pass. This is one of the world’s most scenic rail experiences, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. At the other end of the line is Hokitika, the home of pounamu (native greenstone or jade). Just when you thought your day couldn't get any better, Franz Josef town twinkles on the horizon. This afternoon, you may choose to fly over Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere.

Franz Josef - Queenstown

Day 3

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown

Over the Haast Pass, alpine drama awaits. The Southern Lakes deserve their name: there are almost more waterways here than you can count. First up there’s oh-so-blue Lake Hawea and LakeDunstan, where you’ll pause to refuel on flavour-packedstone fruit. Visit the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown, where tempting as it is to linger in streets lined with trees and character-filled boutiques, Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables await in Queenstown.

Queenstown Free Time

Day 4

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown

Your New Zealand guided tour takes you from Christchurch to Queenstown. And the adventure capital of New Zealand doesn’t disappoint when it comes to activities that are fast and furious. Take your pick, you could explore the natural drama of Skippers Canyon. Prefer life at a more leisurely pace? Opt to step onto a Lord of the Rings movie set or sip your way through surrounding vineyards. Wherever you wander, make sure you’re back in time to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner.

Queenstown - Te Anau

Day 5

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

Nature rules today as you motor from the Mirror Lakes through the Cleddau Valley. But this is just a teaser of what’s to come: World Heritage listed Milford Sound. A Milford Sound cruise across this dreamy expanse will give you goosebumps, its string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. Look out for fur seals – they’re a common sight here. The road back through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and gin-clear rivers, carving up the countryside en route to Te Anau. And just when you thought things couldn’t get any more magical, nestled on the edge of the South Island's largest lake, Te Anau is the perfect place to savour some peace and relaxation after the spectacle of the day.

Te Anau - Dunedin

Day 6

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City

The South Island’s biggest lake is a blissful place for an invigorating morning walk. If it doesn’t set your pulse racing, than your outlook of rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep surely will. This pastoral countryside surrounds the city of Dunedin. While away the afternoon in atmospheric art-lined alleys or sipping a lager or two in Speight’s Brewery (a national institution), or visit grand Larnach Castle, the only one of its kind in the country. You could venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country – fur seals among them.

Dunedin - Omarama

Day 7

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel

Time is on your side this morning. Sleep in or take a stroll around the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city’s main George Street. Enjoy a visit to Oamaru, a town with a rich history, featuring Victorian architecture and original boutiques.

Omarama - Christchurch

Day 8

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

If there’s a lake with a more vivid turquoise colour than Tekapo, we’re yet to see it. It’s made even more dramatic by snow-capped mountains, the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd and atmospheric towns that surround. Your Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo, hosted by passionate guides, will forever change the way you see the night sky. You'll see for yourself it may be one of the quietest spots on the planet, yet it has one of the busiest skies in the universe. Back on earth, you’re becoming reacquainted with Christchurch, your in-the-know Travel Director pointing out the city’s miraculous transformation over the last decade. Local spirit is strong here.

Farewell from Christchurch

Day 9

Duration: 1

If you feel like you’ve only seen the tip of the South Island’s iceberg, you’d be correct. This beguiling part of the country could keep travel enthusiasts entertained for eons. Thankfully, we have more itineraries – ask your Travel Director and start planning your next trip to New Zealand.

Dates & prices

Start Date: 2024-12-09

End Date: 2024-12-17

twin

Child Price: 4670

Adult Price: 5185

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5185

triple

Child Price: 4930

Adult Price: 4930

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 6820

Start Date: 2024-12-30

End Date: 2025-01-07

twin

Child Price: 4929

Adult Price: 5444

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5444

triple

Child Price: 5177

Adult Price: 5177

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7161

Start Date: 2025-01-27

End Date: 2025-02-04

twin

Child Price: 4815

Adult Price: 5345

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5345

triple

Child Price: 5080

Adult Price: 5080

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7030

Start Date: 2025-02-10

End Date: 2025-02-18

twin

Child Price: 4815

Adult Price: 5345

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5345

triple

Child Price: 5080

Adult Price: 5080

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7030

Start Date: 2025-02-24

End Date: 2025-03-04

twin

Child Price: 4815

Adult Price: 5345

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5345

triple

Child Price: 5080

Adult Price: 5080

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7030

Start Date: 2025-03-03

End Date: 2025-03-11

twin

Child Price: 4815

Adult Price: 5345

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5345

triple

Child Price: 5080

Adult Price: 5080

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7030

Start Date: 2025-03-10

End Date: 2025-03-18

twin

Child Price: 4815

Adult Price: 5345

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5345

triple

Child Price: 5080

Adult Price: 5080

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7030

Start Date: 2025-03-17

End Date: 2025-03-25

twin

Child Price: 4815

Adult Price: 5345

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5345

triple

Child Price: 5080

Adult Price: 5080

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7030

Start Date: 2025-03-24

End Date: 2025-04-01

twin

Child Price: 4815

Adult Price: 5345

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 5345

triple

Child Price: 5080

Adult Price: 5080

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 7030

Southern Wonders

Tour Advisors

Itinerary

Dates & prices