10 DAY SOUTH ISLAND IN DEPTH

Haere mai – welcome!  Arrive in Christchurch where you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.  This afternoon we join punting boatmen, resplendent with straw boaters and traditional Edwardian dress for a relaxing cruise in flat-bottomed punts along the River Avon through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.   Enjoy a journey in style onboard a beautifully restored heritage tram through the changing face of Christchurch’s city centre.

Accommodation – Distinction Hotel, Christchurch

From Christchurch traverse the Southern Alps aboard the famous Tranz-Alpine rail journey to Greymouth. From your carriage you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps. Once you have crossed into the Southern Alps you descend into the lush rainforests of Westland, to conclude the rail journey at the town of Greymouth. On arrival, you’ll be met by a private driver/guide.

Pass through historic towns reaching Hokitika and its galleries specialising in pounamu (greenstone) jewellery and art works. Stretch your legs at the dramatic Hokitika Gorge where the blue/green waters pass through the rugged rocks. Continue south through forests and farmland, with views of the Alps to the east and the Tasman Sea to the west, to Franz Josef then on to the small remote village of Fox. The huge rivers of snow and ice of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers flow from vast snowfields high in the Southern Alps, down almost to sea level.

Accommodation – Te Weheka Retreat, Fox Glacier

Meals included – Breakfast

Have your camera ready for your visit to nearby Lake Matheson for a morning stroll – when conditions are right the lake perfectly mirrors beautiful Mt. Cook in its still waters. Head over the Haast Pass along the river road beside the icy river and deep into Mt. Aspiring National Park.  The atmosphere lightens as we reach lovely Lake Wānaka, reflecting the mountain peaks that in winter offer superb skiing, and the pretty resort town of Wānaka.

Accommodation – Edgewater Resort, Wānaka

Meals Included – Breakfast

This morning you have the choice of two excursions: Both options are included in the price – 

Option 1 –  Today join a passionate local eco-guide – depart Wānaka by boat and quickly leave civilization behind as you cruise across the lake to a predator-free island. The walking track leads from the landing and climbs steadily through native vegetation – filled with very vocal birdlife – to the top to the “island’s secret”; a lake on top of the island with small islands in it!  Music will fill your ears as the echo of birdsong here is astounding.   Carrying on a little further you come to the very top of the island and have a sweeping 360-degree view of Lake Wānaka, its surrounding mountains and valleys, and the Arethusa Pool below.  This is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the panorama. The flightless Buff Weka often join visitors on the island; this rare flightless bird has been extinct on Mainland NZ since 1920.

Option 2 –  Experience New Zealand’s most authentic 4WD adventure – the perfect mix of incredible scenery, history, heritage and farming life. Explore remote and seldom travelled back roads of an authentic New Zealand High Country farm overlooking sparkling Lake Wānaka.  Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, glaciers and wild river valleys, you’ll see farm animals including Red Deer, cattle and sheep up close and in their natural environment.  Visit historical sites and experience what life was like for Wānaka’s first farmers.  With two optional walks, through pristine alpine meadows and ancient lakeside forests, this journey offers a unique insight into Wānaka’s rich history, heritage, modern-day farming life and breath-taking scenery.

This afternoon is at your leisure to relax or enjoy your own choice of activities.

Accommodation – Edgewater Resort, Wānaka

Meals Included – Breakfast

Depart Wānaka with our first stop at the much-photographed Cardrona Pub before traversing the Crown Range road to visit historic Arrowtown – a delightful gold rush village nestled below the beautiful peaks that surround the sparkling Arrow River.  Continue your journey via the road pinned between the base of the Remarkables mountain range and spectacular Lake Wakatipu. Journey through a glacial formed valley that is now farmland, to reach Lake Te Anau, the largest (by volume) freshwater lake in the South Island and gateway to Fiordland National Park.

Accommodation – Distinction Hotel Luxmore, Te Anau

Meals Included – Breakfast

The journey from Te Anau to Milford Sound is one of the most scenic experiences you can have on four wheels.   Fiordland National Park, part of the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area, is one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere.  The scenery is spectacular with lofty mountains and deep valleys carved out by Ice Age glaciers.  Described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, Milford Sound is breath-taking in any weather.

Board a comfortable vessel for a cruise past towering Mitre Peak to the Tasman Sea.  Keep an eye peeled for seals and dolphins which are often seen in the waters of the fiord.  Following the cruise, retrace your journey back to Te Anau travelling via the Cleddeau Gorge, Homer Tunnel and the lovely Eglinton Valley then across the Southland farmlands and around spectacular Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown.

Accommodation – Scenic Suites Queenstown

Meals Included – Breakfast and Lunch

Surrounded by majestic mountains and set on the shores of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu, the natural beauty and the unique energy of Queenstown create the perfect backdrop for a visit full of adventure, exploration or relaxation. Today is free for you to do your own thing: thrill-seekers may choose to zip-line at Bob’s Peak, get drenched on a Shotover jet-boat ride or go white-water rafting.  Other enjoyable but less hair-raising activities include the gondola ride up to Bob’s Peak, or a 4WD safari to Skippers Canyon.

Boutique wineries and local gardens welcome visitors and the classic steamship TSS Earnslaw is an elegant way to discover Lake Wakatipu during a cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm.

Accommodation – Scenic Suites, Queenstown

Meals Included – Breakfast

Continue north through the rugged Kawarau Gorge, past pretty Lake Dunstan and across the distinctive Central Otago countryside to the Lindis Pass.  Descend into the unique Mackenzie Basin where the Southern Alps dominate the horizon.  Take a beautiful drive along Lake Pukaki to Mt. Cook Village, home to New Zealand’s tallest peak, Aoraki/Mt. Cook. We stay overnight in the rural town of Twizel.

Accommodation – Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel, Twizel

Meals included – Breakfast

Visit a local home set on the shores of Lake Tekapo and learn the secrets of making a Pavlova – a truly Kiwi dessert!  For morning tea, enjoy the taste of your pavlova as you drink in the views of this beautiful lake. View the Church of the Good Shepherd, one of New Zealand’s most-photographed spots; a tiny church set against a majestic backdrop of the Southern Alps. Pass across the high country’s tussock plains, through the small rural towns of Fairlie and Geraldine and onto Ashburton.

From here travel across the fertile Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. This most English of New Zealand cities suffered a succession of terrible earthquakes in 2010/11. Post-earthquake the city combines urban regeneration and innovation with heritage, culture and creativity.

Accommodation – Distinction Hotel, Christchurch

Meals Included – Breakfast

Haere rā – farewell from New Zealand.  After breakfast you are transferred to the Christchurch Airport for your return home, taking with you your fond memories of your time in New Zealand.  Alternatively, should you wish to extend your stay, we can assist you with additional travel arrangements.

Meals Included – Breakfast

This tour utilises small, agile motor coaches, granting us the flexibility to explore locations typically inaccessible to larger touring vehicles. Our purpose-built small coaches prioritise safety and comfort, boasting features such as reclining seats equipped with seat belts, adjustable footrests, USB charging ports, and movable armrests. With well-spaced seating arrangements, passengers enjoy ample legroom, while individual adjustable air-conditioning vents ensure personalised comfort throughout the journey.   

Throughout your tour, our knowledgeable driver/host provides insightful local commentaries delivered clearly over the PA System, complemented by our proprietary GPS commentary system. As you traverse local highways and byways, our large tinted panoramic windows offer unparalleled viewing opportunities, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the scenic beauty of each destination.

We understand your desire to enjoy the scenic views of the beautiful New Zealand countryside from various seating positions. Hence, we implement a seat rotation policy on our tours to ensure everyone can experience different perspectives. While we cannot guarantee seats near the front, we ensure fairness by rotating positions among all passengers. Please remember you are travelling as part of a small group and will not be travelling in a large vehicle.

Absolutely no problem there. The key is to inform us in advance, and we can assist with virtually anything. If you have any inquiries, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Absolutely! We understand that everyone has unique preferences. Some may appreciate a little more solo time, while others enjoy the camaraderie of the group as much as possible. That’s why we incorporate free time into our trips, allowing you to tailor your experience according to your preferences as much as possible. 
Most evenings are intentionally left free for this very reason. It’s common to see some people wander off on their own adventures while others gather for dinner or other activities together.  

Certain tour itineraries also allow more time at leisure than others, including a full day of leisure in Queenstown. If you need advice on which tour would best suit your requirements, please ask us or your travel agent for recommendations.

Our tours cater to a range of activity levels to accommodate various preferences and fitness levels. Whether you’re seeking an adventure or more leisurely exploration, there are options available to suit your needs. Whenever possible we encourage guests to join activities at a level appropriate to their preference and abilities. Additionally, our knowledgeable driver guides are always on hand to offer recommendations and assistance, ensuring that everyone can fully enjoy their New Zealand experience.

To enable our guests to see as much of New Zealand as possible, we do have some early starts and busy days of travel.

New Zealand airport transfers are included on all our Tours. If however, passengers have made their own pre/post tour arrangements outside of the itinerary then airport transfers are not included.

We understand that you want to take in as much as possible during your journey, so we make frequent stops when traveling between destinations. As a general guideline, we aim to stop at least every 2 hours for opportunities to take photos, use restrooms, and address urgent needs like grabbing a coffee. Our goal is to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience while exploring New Zealand’s stunning landscapes.