Tour Type: Premium Escorted Tour
Duration: 9 Days
Tour Starts In: Christchurch
Tour Finishes In: Christchurch
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from NZ $3670 pp
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9 Day Southern Tourer Touring Route:
Included Tour Highlights:
Accommodation & Meals:
- Overnight at the Franz Josef Glacier Hotel
- Enjoy two nights at Queenstown’s Novotel Queenstown Lakeside
- Stay overnight at The Hermitage, Mt Cook
- 8 hot breakfasts (B), 5 dinners (D) and 1 Feature Dinner (FD)
Exclusive Experiences:
- Personalise your coach tour! Exclusive Experiences allow you to choose the activities that best suit you and are included at no extra cost! Choose Your Exclusive Experience!
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Day
1 |
Arrive Christchurch
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of today is at leisure to explore this wonderful city. Stay: Christchurch, Rydges Hotel |
Day
2 |
TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef
This morning after breakfast, board the award-winning TranzAlpine Train for a trip through breathtaking landscapes to Arthurs Pass. Voted one of the top train journeys in the world, the TranzAlpine is known as New Zealand’s Great Rail Adventure. Cross the vast patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains before climbing up into the Main Divide. Disembark at Arthurs Pass and continue to Hokitika by coach. Here you will have the opportunity to see Pounamu (jade) being carved into beautiful jewelry and other items. You’ll also visit the ancient glacial scenery and take in the rain forest surrounding Franz Josef Glacier, a sweeping shelf of ice, said to be the tears of a Maori princess pining for her lost love. Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (B/D) |
Day
3 |
Franz Josef, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner
Enjoy a day of incredible scenery as you travel along the banks of the Haast River, capturing views of the towering peaks, waterfalls and rainforest of the Haast River Valley. Arrive in Queenstown, where this evening you’ll choose from four different eateries in which to dine in. You may like to board the TSS Earnslaw and cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm for ‘The Great Kiwi Carvery’ at the Colonel’s Homestead. Or take a gondola ride up to the Skyline Restaurant. Finz is another option for those who are after fresh seafood and a rotisserie style restaurant. Alternatively, try Avantis, an Italian restaurant offering casual dining. Stay: Novotel Queenstown Lakeside (2 nights) (B/FD) |
Day
4 |
Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring
Queenstown is an exhilarating, year round, alpine resort, perfect for adventurers and leisure seekers alike. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and overlooked by the Southern Alps, the scenery is simply majestic. Today you have a selection of Exclusive Experiences to choose from. Wineries in this area are gaining an international reputation, so you may like to choose a wine tour that will give you the opportunity to taste some local vintages. For pure fun, jump on board a Double Decker bus to explore Queenstown and quaint Arrowtown. If you are a thrill seeker then an exciting jetboat ride might be more your style. Alternatively stroll around the shores of Lake Wakatipu on a guided forest and bird walk or a journey into the hills behind Queenstown would take you on a fascinating exploration of the film locations that feature in the Lord of The Rings movies. (B) |
Day
5 |
Milford Sound Cruise, Te Anau
Follow the Remarkables Mountain Range and trace the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park. Journey along the Milford Road and wind down the Eglington and Hollyford Valleys, then through the Homer Tunnel into Milford Sound. We board our Red Boat and cruise the length of this fiord and see Mitre Peak rising from the waters. View waterfalls, dense rainforest and towering mountains in this World Heritage listed area. This afternoon we drive to the tranquil settlement of Te Anau. Stay: Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas (B/D) |
Day
6 |
Te Anau, Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring
Journey through rolling Southland countryside to the city of Dunedin. This afternoon you choose an Exclusive Experience and we will include it. Perhaps jump aboard the Taieri Gorge Railway Excursion, or view the magnificent Royal Albatross or Yellow-eyed Penguin colonies on the Otago Peninsula. Stay: Dunedin City Hotel (B/D) |
Day
7 |
Dunedin, Mt Cook, Freedom of Choice Touring
Departing Dunedin, journey north to see the unusual Moeraki Boulders. Stop at Oamaru, renowned for its distinctive cream limestone buildings, then continue inland passing beautiful glacier-fed lakes of incredible color. Arrive in the heart of MacKenzie Country, surrounded by majestic mountain scenery and wide open tussock grasslands. Then journey into New Zealand’s highland and Mt Cook National Park, which was awarded World Heritage status in recognition of its qualities and rare beauty. View Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain at 12,516 feet above sea level. On arrival, join your selected Exclusive Experience touring activity, with options including a guided walk through the national park or stargazing with expert astronomy guides. Stay: The Hermitage (B/D) |
Day
8 |
Mt Cook, Christchurch
Leaving the spectacular snow-capped mountains of Mt Cook National Park behind, travel by coach to picturesque Lake Tekapo. Here, you’ll pay a visit to the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built of locally gathered stone and oak. Later, travel through Burkes Pass to Christchurch and tonight swap tales of your holiday with fellow travellers at your final dinner together. Stay: Christchurch, Rydges Hotel (B/D) |
Day
9 |
Depart Christchurch, Freedom of Choice Touring
Choose from our range of touring activities in Christchurch. Perhaps take a garden tour, go punting on the Avon, take a bike tour around the city or visit Christchurch’s ‘must see four’, before the tour ends and you transfer to the airport in the afternoon.
(B) |
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Click on the icon to download the 9 Day Southern Tourer tour in pdf format. |
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from NZ $3,670
9 Day Southern Tourer
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9 Day Southern Tourer Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 9 Day Southern Tourer. |
We had a fantastic trip!! From the start to finish everything ran smoothly, although getting up at 6am and on the coach by 7.30 was sometimes a struggle after the previous full day and late night. But I do understand that to fit everything in, it needed to be that way. The guide, Blackie and the coach driver, Steve were brilliant. Very informative and they really knew about their country. All in all a memorable experience which we will be repeating soon! AMAZING!
Madelyne Waller, Michael & Monika Giacomelli (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 28/12/2009 |
My wife and I were very satisfied with our tour of South Island New Zealand. The quality of Hotels and 'exclusive experiences' was excellent and our tour leader, Laurel and our Coach Driver, Paul, added greatly to our enjoyment. One suggestion we would make, however, is that when people are joining a tour, it would be beneficial to host a welcome meeting with all tourer's present. We joined an existing tour and it took a few days to get to know the others, who had been on the tour of the North Island for over a week. We had a wonderful time in New Zealand and would have no hesitation in using your Relaxing Journeys again or recommending you to others. Thank you.
Jim & Wynne Campbell (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 15/03/2009 |
We had a delightful time in New Zealand. The tour was everything we expected. We would recommend the trip to anyone. Our tour director Berry and driver Brendan, with APT were very good, and are to be commended for a job well done. The accommodations were adequate with the exception of Franz Josef. We did make that known to Berry. Your company did an outstanding job. Everyone was very professional and friendly.
Gail & Len Pollock (United States)
Tour Date 17/02/2009 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
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EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
2012 Season Sale! Save up to $215 per person off the brochure price for this tour. Exclusive to Relaxing Journeys. Deposit this month to qualify!
Valid for bookings made with Relaxing Journeys between 1 February 2012 and 29 February 2012
. Subject to availability at time of booking. |
Tour
Starts |
Tour
Finishes |
Tour
Status |
Brochure
Price |
OUR
SPECIAL |
OUR
PRICE |
| 02 Feb 2012 |
10 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $4295 |
Save $215 |
NZ $4080 |
| 12 Feb 2012 |
20 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $4295 |
Save $215 |
NZ $4080 |
| 16 Feb 2012 |
24 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $4295 |
Save $215 |
NZ $4080 |
| 21 Feb 2012 |
29 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $4295 |
Save $215 |
NZ $4080 |
| 26 Feb 2012 |
05 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $4295 |
Save $215 |
NZ $4080 |
| 04 Mar 2012 |
12 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $4295 |
Save $215 |
NZ $4080 |
| 11 Mar 2012 |
19 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $4295 |
Save $215 |
NZ $4080 |
| 25 Mar 2012 |
02 Apr 2012 |
G |
NZ $4295 |
Save $215 |
NZ $4080 |
| 08 Apr 2012 |
16 Apr 2012 |
G |
NZ $4295 |
Save $215 |
NZ $4080 |
| 20 May 2012 |
28 May 2012 |
G |
NZ $3865 |
Save $195 |
NZ $3670 |
| 17 Jun 2012 |
25 Jun 2012 |
|
NZ $3865 |
Save $195 |
NZ $3670 |
| 22 Jul 2012 |
30 Jul 2012 |
G |
NZ $3865 |
Save $195 |
NZ $3670 |
| 19 Aug 2012 |
27 Aug 2012 |
|
NZ $3865 |
Save $195 |
NZ $3670 |
| 16 Sep 2012 |
24 Sep 2012 |
G |
NZ $3865 |
Save $195 |
NZ $3670 |
| 30 Sep 2012 |
08 Oct 2012 |
G |
NZ $3865 |
Save $195 |
NZ $3670 |
*Tour Status: 'G' Tours are guaranteed to depart.
*Terms & Conditions apply to any discounts and/or specials above. Your designated tour consultant will apply the appropriate discounts automatically to your quote and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'.
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Tour Notes
Solo travellers, airport transfers, pre & post accommodation |
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Solo Travellers
For the solo traveller, you can either register to have a twin share room with another single traveller of the same gender to save costs, or you may opt to pay for a single supplement to guarantee a room of your own.
Airport Transfers
From the moment you touch down a friendly smile awaits. Our Meet and Greet Representatives ensure you are welcomed in true Kiwi style. Return airport to hotel transfers are provided.
Pre & Post Accommodation
As some flights arrive late at night and others depart early morning, extra nights are highly recommended to allow yourself time to relax before commencing your coach holiday. To extend your stay, simply select the number of extra nights you wish to spend when you make an enquiry. Read More> |
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