Tour Type: Low Cost Escorted Tour
Duration: 10 Days
Tour Starts In: Christchurch
Tour Finishes In: Christchurch
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from NZ $2500 pp
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10 Day Classic Southern Panorama Touring Route:
Tour Description:
Discover the spectacular South Island of New Zealand taking in the southern loop from Christchurch down the central spine of the Southern Alps onto the East and West Coasts of the South Island. Choose an optional TranzAlpine train journey from Greymouth to Christchurch to strengthen your holiday experience.
During the course of the South Island coach tour you will also have free time in Dunedin, Queenstown and Fox Glacier to experience some of the unique and regional optional sightseeing activities including Taieri Gorge Railway or Cadbury World in Dunedin, Nomad Safaris 4WD safari in Queenstown and a Terminal Face Walk in Fox Glacier plus many more options for those wishing to explore further.
Tour Highlights:
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Day
1 |
Arrive Christchurch
Welcome to New Zealand! We will greet you at the airport, with transport waiting to take you to your hotel. Stay: Pavilions Hotel |
Day
2 |
Christchurch – Mt Cook – Omarama
As you leave the most English city outside of England, your coach captain will highlight the main attractions of the city of Christchurch. From the arable plains travel inland to the rolling green pastures of Geraldine and onto the semi barren land of MacKenzie Country. In the heart of the MacKenzie Basin Tekapo is nestled on shores of azure Lake Tekapo. You will visit The Church of the Good Shepherd, quite likely the most photographed church on your South Island Tour.
There is an opportunity to fly over the Southern Alps with Air Safaris (optional). From Tekapo continue on your New Zealand Coach Tour to Mt Cook National Park, home of the majestic Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. Here you have an opportunity to visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre - a tribute to New Zealand's greatest explorer and world renowned mountaineer. Travel back down the valley along the shores of Lake Pukaki, through Twizel (the town of trees) before arriving at your destination, Omarama, nestled in the velvet type tussock covered hills of the Lindis range. Stay: Heritage Gateway Hotel |
Day
3 |
Omarama – Dunedin
As your New Zealand holiday continues, follow the beautiful braided Waitaki River east, passing Benmore and Avemore hydro lakes before reaching the Pacific Ocean at Historic Oamaru. En route visit Moeraki Boulders, marvelling at the huge spherical stones, found strewn along a stretch of Koekohe Beach near Moeraki. These boulders are grey-coloured concretions which have been exposed through shoreline erosion from black mud stone coastal cliffs that back the beach.
An early arrival into Dunedin, "The Edinburgh of the South" allows you plenty of time to explore this nature lover's playground. Take the opportunity to experience at least one of these optional tours - combine a Monarch Harbour Cruise with a Newton's Citibus tour, and see penguins, albatross and seals.
Alternatively take a nostalgic trip on the Taieri Gorge Train, leaving from Dunedin's historic Railway Station. Maybe you would rather visit Cadbury World and Speights brewery, both options filling you one way or the other. This evening prior to dinner, you are treating you to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony complete with the address to the Haggis, bag pipes and a bonnie wee dram. Stay: Cargills Hotel |
Day
4 |
Dunedin – Lake Manapouri – Te Anau
This morning visit the historic Larnach Castle located on the Otago Peninsula looking back over Dunedin. From here it is back to reality as you travel south west over rich fertile farmlands, through the agricultural service towns of Balclutha, Gore and other small villages. Between Clinton and Gore journey on the aptly named Presidential Highway.
As you proceed inland you will view the unusual combination of wind turbines and deer farms in the Mossburn area. If weather and time permits, visit the mysterious Lake Manapouri, (the Lake of many Islands), continue to Lake Te Anau the Gateway to Fiordland. Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (2 nights) |
Day
5 |
Milford Sound Day Trip
Today your coach will climb through the Southern Alps, travelling on one of the highest and most scenic state highways in New Zealand. Leave Te Anau and travel through Fiordland National Park, following the Eglington and Hollyford Valleys, passing through the Homer Tunnel to descend into the Cleddau Canyon to magnificent Milford Sound.
You will see for yourself why Rudyard Kipling described Milford Sound as the 'eighth wonder of the world'. Experience Milford Sound from the water, a launch cruise will take you to the Tasman Sea and back, stopping at the raging Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls. A truly exhilarating experience, make sure your camera is fully charged. If time and weather permits your coach captain will explore the lower Hollyford Valley before your return to Te Anau. |
Day
6 |
Te Anau – Queenstown
This morning travel by boat across Lake Te Anau to explore the fascinating Te Anau caves system on the western shore of the lake. This tour offers an underground adventure that charms visitors of all ages. The tour takes you to a mysterious underground world of rushing water before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glowworms. From Te Anau travel onto Kingston before hugging the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach New Zealand's adventure capital Queenstown.
This evening cruise across the lake aboard the steamship TSS Earnslaw for dinner in the Colonel's Homestead at Walter Peak High Country Farm. Stay: Rydges Hotel (2 nights) |
Day
7 |
Queenstown
A day to explore the many delights of this stunning alpine resort. Try the world renowned Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers Canyon in search of gold, Double Decker coach to quaint Arrowtown, or even a bungy jump. Alternatively, explore Queenstown's many boutiques and galleries - your coach captain will be more than happy to assist with any optional sightseeing. |
Day
8 |
Queenstown – Haast Pass - Fox Glacier
Pass picturesque Lake Hayes then on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the gold mining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora, cross the Haast Pass into the Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks.
Drive north along the coast through the flourishing rainforests of the West Coast and onto the glorious Glacier region. This is an ideal opportunity for you to experience small town New Zealand in the heart of Westland. The rainforest and surrounding area is so green it will hurt your eyes. (Upon arrival into Fox Glacier there is opportunity to either take an optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face or an optional exhilarating helicopter flight over the glacier)
Both these options are at your own expense and are very weather dependant. Stay: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier |
Day
9 |
Fox Glacier – Christchurch
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. Snow capped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes with and small pockets of farmland. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory. Here you will find many artisans carving Jade into contemporary carvings of traditional NZ designs or modern designs, and beautiful sculptures of whales, birds or just about anything that reflects the area where these carvers live. Greenstone or Pounamu has been recovered locally from the Westland or the South Westland area.
From Greymouth leave behind the lush beech rain forests through undulating farmlands, hugging the Taramakau River as it descends the valley. Travel over the Otira viaduct and into Arthurs Pass, traversing the main divide. As you leave Arthurs Pass follow the Waimakariri River, note it flows the opposite direction to the Taramakau as you have crossed the main divide, and the majestic Southern Alps. Head east through New Zealand's wheat belt and the Canterbury plains into Christchurch. Stay: Pavilions Hotel |
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TranzAlpine Train Option
Experience one of the world’s top 6
train trips aboard the TranzAlpine to Christchurch. Additional cost $NZ 180 per person from Greymouth. |
Day
10 |
Depart Christchurch
It is farewell to your new found friends and traveling companions. This completes your New Zealand Holiday. You will be transferred to the Christchurch International Airport in ample time to join your flight home. Safe travels. |
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Click on the icon to download the 10 Day Classic Southern Panorama tour in pdf format. |
from NZ $2,500
10 Day Classic Southern Panorama
12
4.5
5
10 Day Classic Southern Panorama Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 10 Day Classic Southern Panorama. |
This was the most incredible trip I have ever been on! Accomodation was excellent throughout our time. Trevor our coach driver was brilliant - extremely informative, good sense of humour but had a real thing about 'yet another squashed possum'! I met some lovely people, saw amazing, breathtaking scenery and even got the chance to fly up to a glacier in a helicopter! The service from the moment I first found the Relaxing Journeys' website was second to none and Kirby my tour consultant left me feeling like a personal friend by the time everything was sorted. I'm not normally easily satisfied but I seriously can't fault a single thing to do with this trip - even the weather behaved itself :-) Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Jane Holland (New Zealand)
Tour Date 23/11/2011 |
We found the tour really great. Made many new friends. Coach Captain (Reece) was very informative giving running commentaries and assistance. This was a first for us and are willing to do again. Kind of felt that because the group was small, it made the trip even more memerable.
Wilfred & Sandra Riepen (New Zealand)
Tour Date 22/05/2011 |
Thank you Georgie - you are amazing - you performed a miracle getting Tony and I on that tour at a days notice - haven't stopped telling people how you managed. We paid for the trip on Monday afternoon, our plane was leaving first thing Tuesday! Thank you, thank you. Our trip was just great - we had lots of fun and the people on the tour were most congenial.
Belle & Tony McGregor (Australia)
Tour Date 21/04/2010 |
What a great trip - hotels, staff and all the places we stopped at were of great interest. Rhys the coach driver was informative funny and very efficient. It was a most enjoyable 6 day journey with lots of good people, good food, fantastic scenery & good fun. Thank you to all concerned.
Anthony Johnson (Australia)
Tour Date 29/03/2010 |
Overall a reasonably good tour. However we wish the optional excursions had been better explained byt he driver/guide, as some proved to be costly and with hindsight we would not have taken up. For example we paid for the TranzAlpine train journey but having also been persuaded to take the Taiperi Gorge train trip too - felt it was inappropriate. They were similar and expensive in our opinion. Most people were keen to take a longer time at some places and perhaps include some guided walking. The trip was too sedentary; some walking with guides could have been included instead of the 'optional trips'. The driver Trevor was careful and drove well. The hotels were good as were the meals.
Carol & Edward Miller (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 24/09/2009 |
I have been planning to visit New Zealand ever since my migration to Sydney. And my dream was to bring along my parents as part of our family reunion after being separated from them for some time (because they are still residing in Indonesia). Relaxing Journeys and Kirra Tours have definitely fulfilled my dream. The staff were professional, their choice of hotels were excellent, and the coach driver was very experienced & made the whole journey and our family reunion nothing but memorable.
Prilly Wulandari (Australia)
Tour Date 25/05/2009 |
I am finally home and thought I would send an email to say how much I enjoyed the trip to the South Island of New Zealand. The driver - Trevor ? was excellent. I think he definitely added to the enjoyment as his knowledge of the area and people was outstanding, not to mention his driving skills on the narrow winding roads. (Particularly near Milford Sound) Everything was well organised and the timings were perfect, it could not have been better. If possible will you let Trevor know how much I enjoyed it, even though I was on my own and a little apprehensive at first, to say the least.
Judith Armstrong (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 27/02/2009 |
I just want to say thank you. The trip was wonderful, all the transfers went easily and I was amazed when they had the car ready for me to take from the train station. The trip was spectacular and the coach driver great at what he did during the tour. It was a very relaxing holiday and I have you to say thank you for that. So again thank you.
Amanda Morgan (Australia)
Tour Date 12/12/2008 |
The tour was well planned, seat rotation very good as I get to see the scenery on both sides of the bus. John, our tour driver was very humorous and experienced and it was very enjoyable having him! There was enough time for us to visit the places and Kirra tours was great with the planning and package of pamphlets etc. Great lodgings and food too. Thanks!
Jia Ling Wan (New Zealand)
Tour Date 01/12/2008 |
Had a wonderful holiday saw everything I wanted to apart from Milford Sound due to bad weather. Great views spectacular. Gordon Purvis our driver and his accomplice Graeme were full of good humour and worked very hard. Made the trip for me as Gordon would point out amazing bits of interesting info as we were going along.
Heather McConachie (Australia)
Tour Date 18/09/2008 |
I just wanted to say a big thank you for all your help in finding us a really enjoyable tour with Kirra. We had a great time and the whole visit was unforgettable.
Pam Horne (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 02/05/2007 |
Just to let you know that our holiday went extremely well. The Southern Highlights tour that you had arranged for us was excellent and all the arrangements fell into place. We would certainly recommend your services to anyone we know who intends to visit. Thank you.
Lorna & David Pollock (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 21/02/2007 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
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EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
2012 Season Hot Seat Deals! Unbeatable Savings Exclusive to Relaxing Journeys!
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 |
| 08 Feb 2012 |
17 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $3075 |
Save $125 |
NZ $2950 |
| 13 Feb 2012 |
22 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $3075 |
Save $125 |
NZ $2950 |
| 22 Feb 2012 |
02 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $3075 |
Save $455 |
NZ $2620 |
| 05 Mar 2012 |
14 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $3075 |
Save $455 |
NZ $2620 |
| 14 Mar 2012 |
23 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $3075 |
Save $455 |
NZ $2620 |
| 21 Mar 2012 |
30 Mar 2012 |
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NZ $3075 |
Save $125 |
NZ $2950 |
| 28 Mar 2012 |
06 Apr 2012 |
G |
NZ $3075 |
Save $125 |
NZ $2950 |
| 11 Apr 2012 |
20 Apr 2012 |
G |
NZ $3075 |
Save $455 |
NZ $2620 |
| 18 Apr 2012 |
27 Apr 2012 |
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NZ $3075 |
Save $455 |
NZ $2620 |
| 09 May 2012 |
18 May 2012 |
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NZ $2740 |
Save $240 |
NZ $2500 |
| 27 Jun 2012 |
06 Jul 2012 |
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NZ $2740 |
Save $110 |
NZ $2630 |
| 18 Jul 2012 |
27 Jul 2012 |
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NZ $2740 |
Save $110 |
NZ $2630 |
| 29 Aug 2012 |
07 Sep 2012 |
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NZ $2740 |
Save $110 |
NZ $2630 |
| 26 Sep 2012 |
05 Oct 2012 |
G |
NZ $2740 |
Save $110 |
NZ $2630 |
Note: Tour Status: 'G' Tours are guaranteed to depart. The majority of departures above will proceed. We will confirm the status of your preferred departure date in your quote along with all applicable discounts and specials.
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Tour Options & Single Supplement:
Optional extras & single traveller supplement. |
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*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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