Tour Type: Premium Self Drive Tour
Duration: 11 Days
Tour Starts In: Christchurch
Tour Finishes In: Christchurch
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from NZ $3896 pp
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11 Day Pristine South Touring Route:
Tour Inclusions:
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Day
1 |
Arrive in ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch
"Haere Mai" Welcome to Christchurch - the Garden City. You will be personally met by our representative at the airport & transferred in an executive sedan to your accommodation. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore what Christchurch has to offer.
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Day
2 |
Lake Tekapo - Mt Cook
Your car will be delivered to your hotel early this morning. Drive through the MacKenzie Country to Lake Tekapo, where you stop view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built of local stone and oak in 1935. Then it’s on to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. Mt Cook is Australasia's highest mountain at 3764 metres. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery and is also home to the Tasman Glacier; the longest in the Southern hemisphere (optional Ski-plane & helicopter flights are available). (B)
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Day
3 |
Tasman Glacier Explorer - Lake Wanaka
Experience the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest, in the most unique way possible. This morning, an experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier where you will also get to touch & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. Skirting the western shores of Lake Pukaki, continue your journey to the popular resort Lake Wanaka. (B)
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Day
4 |
Arrowtown - Shotover Jet - Queenstown
Set beneath the rugged & spectacular Crown Range is the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown, with its fascinating collection of mining cottages in an atmosphere straight out of last century. Take time to wander through its tree-lined streets before making your way to the Shotover River. Nothing you have experienced will have prepared you for the excitement of this Shotover Jet boat ride as you speed through the towering rocky canyons of the South Island’s river of gold. Fifteen minutes away is the spectacular alpine resort village of Queenstown, your base for the next 2 nights. (B)
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Day
5 |
Explore Queenstown
Enjoy a full day to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. Here you can experience the Ultimate bungy jump, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, follow a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf - your options are endless. (B) |
Day
6 |
Queenstown - Milford Sound Nature Cruise - Te Anau
Depart Queenstown today and follow the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden & Te Anau. Join the Milford Road & drive through the beautiful Eglinton Valley & the famous hand-strewn Homer Tunnel to the Sound itself. Here you board a purpose-built vessel, designed along the lines of a traditional trading scow, for an extended 2 ½ hour nature cruise the full length Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea. This magnificent glacier-carved fjord is home to the famous, mile-high Mitre Peak and you will view spectacular waterfalls, rainforests, mountains and wildlife whilst enjoying an extensive commentary from the on-board nature guide. At the completion of your cruise, return to Te Anau for your overnight stay. (B/L)
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Day
7 |
Doubtful Sound Excursion
You will be collected from your hotel this morning & travel by coach to Manapouri. Your Doubtful Sound Wilderness Excursion begins as you cruise the crystal clear waters of Lake Manapouri, a stunning lake renowned for its numerous islands and deserted beaches. Then it’s over Wilmot Pass, on one of New Zealand’s remotest and prettiest sub-alpine roads, stopping along the way to experience some of Fiordland’s densest rainforest and to view Doubtful Sound glistening far below. On reaching Deep Cove, you will board the Patea Explorer, for a three hour cruise that takes in the most dramatic scenery of Doubtful Sound. Nture guides provide an engaging commentary and point out ll theghts. Keep a look out for wildlife as bottlenose dolphins frequently swim alongside the vessel, fur seals bask on the rocks around the fiord and rare penguins can at times be observed. After your cruise, reboard your coach and travel back to Te Anau. (B/L) |
Day
8 |
Te Anau - Dunedin
Drive across the Waimea plains towards the farming community of Gore, then travel through the rolling hill country of South Otago to Dunedin, the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. (B)
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Day
9 |
Half day Peninsula Tour and Harbour Cruise
Cruise the length of the beautiful Otago Harbour. Experience unrivalled viewing of the exciting diversity of wildlife which abounds on spectacular Taiaroa Head; the only mainland nesting place for Northern Royal Albatross in the world, and home to NZ fur seals, and eight other nesting bird species. You may also see, dolphins, sea lions and a fascinating array of rarely seen ocean birds including other species of albatross, penguins and marine mammals in their natural environment. Enjoy a scenic Peninsula tour by coach before returning to the city. The rest of today is at leisure. (B) |
Day
10 |
Moeraki Boulders, Oamaru, Christchurch
Head north along the coastal highway to Moeraki Beach, stopping to view its mysterious, spherical, 60 million year old boulders. On to the town of Oamaru, famous for its white limestone buildings. Continue your journey north through the towns of Timaru, Geraldine & Ashburton as you make you way back to Christchurch. (B)
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Day
11 |
Depart Christchurch
Sadly your holiday is at an end. At leisure today until you return your rental car to the airport in time to connect with your onward flight. (B) |
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Note: The Glacier Explorer Tour at Mt Cook, does not operate between May-September so replaced with a Wilderness Safari Tour on the Dart River in Queenstown. This replaces the Shotover Jet ride in Queenstown as well.
Note: This self drive tour can be completed in reverse order, the tour cost remains the same. To view tour prices or to make an enquiry, please click on the Tabs at the top of this itinerary. Top |
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11 Day Pristine South Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys.
1 Reviews,
Average Rating 4.0
of 5.
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Craig was very helpful finding accommodations and reservations for us for all the activities we desired. We especially enjoyed the Minarette Lodge in Wanaka. Our host, Gary, cooked the trout my husband and son caught, helped us get a tire changed on our rental car, and organized horseback riding for three of us. He introduced us to some of the better local wines our first evening and was an enthusiastic breakfast chef. We drove to and from Milford Sound, a lovely and interesting ride. We all loved the night on the boat. The following day, we took a slight detour on the way back to Queenstown to visit Lumsden (because it was mentioned on Craig's itinerary) and ate at the Mayfly Cafe. The food was unusual and delicious, worth recommending on your tours.
Martha Maguire (United States)
Tour Date 21/12/2010 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
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| Intermediate Car |
NZ $3,932 |
NZ $3,896 |
NZ $5,301 |
| Full Size Car |
NZ $3,977 |
NZ $3,941 |
NZ $5,347 |
| Mid Size 4WD |
NZ $4,107 |
NZ $4,072 |
NZ $5,476 |
| Full Size 4WD |
NZ $4,181 |
NZ $4,145 |
NZ $5,551 |
| People Mover (MPV) |
NZ $4,219 |
NZ $4,183 |
NZ $5,588 |
| Premium Full Size 4WD |
NZ $4,277 |
NZ $4,243 |
NZ $5,648 |
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER
2012/13 Season Sale! Save 10% off the prices shown on our website, for 01 May to 31 Aug 2012 departures. Save 5% on all other departures. Deposit this month to qualify! |
*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'. |
Self Drive Tour Notes
Prices above are per person & valid till September 2013. |
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- Frequently Asked Questions.
- International flights to & from New Zealand are not included.
- Single, Triple & Quad prices are available on request.
- If you would prefer a mix of the accommodation listed we can arrange this.
- For families we can also price our premium self drive tours using self catering apartments.
- Our premium B&B's do not cater for children.
- If a property listed on our itinerary is unavailable at the time of booking we will replace it with a equivalent accommodation, and let you know, to ensure it is to your satisfaction.
- Please note this itinerary was last amended 5 April 2012.
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