Southern Spotlight

Trip Type: Guided Holiday
New Zealand | 9 Days

NZD 4,437.00 /Person

The South Island of New Zealand dials up the natural drama, whether you’re enjoying a Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour through World Heritage listed w...

Southern Spotlight

The South Island of New Zealand dials up the natural drama, whether you’re enjoying a Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour through World Heritage listed wilderness or basking in the beauty of Fox or Franz Josef glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere on a tour. And in between are cities that take your breath away. Queenstown tour, anyone?

Welcome to Christchurch

Since its 2010/11 earthquakes, Christchurch has reinvented itself in more ways than one. It's time tonight to meet your travelling companions for a Welcome Reception.

Accommodation:

Wyndham Garden

Locations Visited:
  • Christchurch

Christchurch - Omarama

On your city tour view the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. From here, your outlook is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. 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.

Accommodation:

Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel

Locations Visited:
  • Christchurch

Omarama - Dunedin

Oamaru, with its Victorian heritage buildings, stands proud before you journey further south toward the Edinburgh of the South: Dunedin. It’s easy to while away the afternoon in the city’s atmospheric art-lined alleys. Or venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country – fur seals among them. Thirsty? Visit Speight's Brewery, a New Zealand institution.

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Dunedin City

Locations Visited:
  • Omarama

Dunedin - Te Anau

Dunedin’s Scottish ancestry is everywhere you look, from the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city’s main George Street. Rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep are replaced by soaring mountains as you weave your way into Fiordland National Park and the South Island’s biggest lake and the town of Te Anau. Soak up the serenity – it doesn’t get any better than this.

Accommodation:

Distinction Luxmore Hotel

Locations Visited:
  • Dunedin

Te Anau - Queenstown

From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and mirror-like lakes. Gin-clear rivers carve the countryside, with all roads leading to your Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Cruising this World Heritage listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments.

Accommodation:

Copthorne Hotel and Resort

Locations Visited:
  • Te Anau

Queenstown Free Time

Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Skippers Jet, perhaps. There’s a reason why Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the country. Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand’s feathered friends at a wildlife centre. 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.

Accommodation:

Copthorne Hotel and Resort

Locations Visited:
  • Queenstown

Queenstown - Franz Josef/Waiau

Try and keep count of today’s lakes. Leaving Lake Wakatipu behind, Arrowtown appears on the horizon. We know you’ll want to linger in the movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques. But Lake Dunstan awaits, as do its orchards. Pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. Then there’s Lake Hawea followed by Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass to the town of Franz Josef, where, this afternoon you may choose to fly over Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere.

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Locations Visited:
  • Queenstown

Franz Josef/Waiau - Christchurch

Swap snow for pounamu (native greenstone or jade) in Hokitika. Just when you thought your adventure couldn’t get any better, you’ll aboard the TranzAlpine train bound for Christchurch, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys.

Accommodation:

Wyndham Garden

Locations Visited:
  • Franz Josef

Farewell from Christchurch

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.

Locations Visited:
  • Christchurch
  • • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide • 1 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Fiordland National Park • Comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centres • National Park entrance fees
  • Queenstown is home to more than 150 bars and restaurants. If you don’t know where to look, ask your Travel Director for recommendations. Enjoy downtime at your own pace.
  • The TranzAlpine train ride has been described as one of the most scenic cross-country jaunts in the world. But don’t take our word for it…
  • Your journey deep into Fiordland National Park is helping sustain this wild and wonderful part of New Zealand for future generations.
  • The West Coast, or 'the Coast' as locals call it, is an untamed natural wilderness of rivers and rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures.
  • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide 1 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Fiordland National Park Comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centres National Park entrance fees
  • Water bottle Warm layers in cooler months Camera Comfortable walking shoes Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
  • Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price. Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Christchurch AirportDay 9 – flights to depart any time from Christchurch Airport
  • Low level of fitness required

Departure

Arrival

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Destination Details
New Zealand | 9 Days
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Christchurch (Nz), New Zealand
Trip Finishes:
Christchurch (Nz), New Zealand
Countries Visited:
New Zealand

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