Tour Type: Small Group Tour
Duration: 8 Days
Tour Starts In: Christchurch
Tour Finishes In: Christchurch
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from NZ $3025 pp
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8 Day Southern Contrasts Touring Route:
Tour Inclusions:
- Tour with an experienced Driver/Guide
- Tour by luxury mini coach with air-conditioning, reclining seats, extra leg room, tinted windows
- Full Buffet Breakfasts (7) (B)
- Lunch (1) (L)
- Dinners (4) (D)
- Welcome Drink, Travel wallet and map
- Airport Transfers (Day prior to tour from Christchurch Airport - flights anytime; Day 8 to Christchurch Airport - flights to depart after 6.00pm)
- Hotel porterage included
Tour Highlights:
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Day
1 |
Christchurch – Franz Josef
We board the world-famous TranzAlpine for our journey through the Southern Alps then visit Hokitika for a Jade jewellery demonstration. We travel through the gold-mining town of Ross before arriving at Franz Josef. This afternoon we enjoy informative commentary from our local expert glacier guide as he walks us to our viewing area at mighty Franz Josef Glacier. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your fellow passengers. Stay: Franz Josef Glacier Country Retreat (D) |
Day
2 |
Franz Josef – Queenstown
There is time for an optional scenic flight over the glacier (weather permitting) or to take a dip in the local hot pools. Later we travel over the Haast Pass and along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Stop to explore the gold-mining town of Arrowtown followed by an orientation tour of Queenstown before arriving at our exclusive accommodation. Stay: Millbrook Resort, Queenstown (2 nights) (B) |
Day
3 |
Queenstown ‘Free Time’
Perhaps try a jet boat ride, white water rafting or a round of golf at Millbrook’s world-renowned golf course. Tonight we ride the Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak for dinner with stunning views overlooking Queenstown. (B/D) |
Day
4 |
Queenstown – Milford Sound
We travel south along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. Later we travel into the Fiordland National Park. We take time to explore the Mirror Lakes, Pop’s Lookout and The Chasm before arriving into Milford Sound for our overnight cruise. Stay: Milford Mariner, Milford Sound (B/D) |
Day
5 |
Milford Sound - Stewart Island
Enjoy the many early morning activities on board. Perhaps take a walk on the foreshore or try kayaking on the Sound. Continue further south to Invercargill. This afternoon we board our ferry at Bluff to cruise to Stewart Island. Tonight is free to dine at one of the cafés or the local hotel. Stay: Bay Motel, Stewart Island (2 nights) (B) |
Day
6 |
Stewart Island
Enjoy a Village and Bays tour before a cruise with lunch on Paterson Inlet. Stop at Ulva Island and spend time with native wildlife. It is predator-free and is a must for viewing native birds and flora. Tonight you may want to try to spot kiwis in the native bush near our accommodation. (B/L) |
Day
7 |
Stewart Island – Lake Ohau
We board our ferry and return to the mainland. Later we stop to try local stone fruit at Cromwell. Enjoy views of Lake Dunstan, New Zealand’s largest man-made lake as we travel over the Lindis Pass. We arrive at our wilderness retreat, with its views of Lake Ohau and Mt. Cook. Stay: Lake Ohau Lodge, Twizel (B/D) |
Day
8 |
Twizel – Christchurch
Soak up the scenery of Mt. Cook National Park with an optional scenic flight on your way back to Christchurch. Your tour ends on arrival. |
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Click on the icon to download the 8 Day Southern Contrasts tour in pdf format. |
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from NZ $3,025
8 Day Southern Contrasts
5
4.2
5
8 Day Southern Contrasts Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 8 Day Southern Contrasts. |
The tour was excellent. The tour bus was comfortable and clean. The tour was made up of 18 people which we thought was a good size. The bus driver (Daryl Kirk) was amazing and contributed a great deal to our enjoyment of the trip. I would warn anyone interested in this tour to be prepared for changes in the itinerary. The weather on the South Island and in particular the West Coast contributed to a couple of changes to ours. The tour company (in conjunction with Daryl)handled these changes well and our comfort and the options provided were first rate. I would also add that our tour consultant (Georgie) was very helpful and answered all of our questions in a very professional manner.
Kurt & Katie Robinson (United States)
Tour Date 21/11/2011 |
Our coach tour was really great, the driver was so good with the commentary and made everyone feel so relaxed. The accommodation was also good. I would do one again if you have a similar one which goes up to the Bay of Islands.
Maureen Coates (New Zealand)
Tour Date 28/03/2011 |
Very good trip- coach driver/courier (Darryl Kirk) was brilliant and full of knowledge and looked after our every need. Plenty of sightseeing and the accommodation was very comfortable and the meals included were good. I would certainly recommend this tour for an all round quick look at the South Island. The trips to Milford Sound, Stewart Island and Ulva Island were magnificent. It was certainly a trip of a lifetime. Thank you.
Jo Carpenter (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 14/02/2011 |
For first time travellers to NZ it was a great way to get to see the southern island without the hassle of driving ourselves. We met some lovely people on the tour and because it was a small group we were able to get to know each other better. The highlights of the tour were:- The Glacier at Franz Josef, although it would have been great to have been able to spend more time there. Not sure how you would be able to do that given time constraints, maybe add on an extra day. Queenstown and our accommodation at Millbrook were beautiful. The overnight stay on the Milford Mariner is an experience not to be missed. Stewart Island for the unspoilt and untouched beauty. The only downside was the stay at Twizel, there was nothing appealing about the accommodation. You should get rid of the stay there and perhaps look at an overnight stay near the Church of the Good Shepherd, there appeared to be some nice accommodation overlooking the nearby lakes. Overall a very enjoyable experience and looking forward to our next visit to NZ.
Renato Albanese & Maria Vidinopoulos (Australia)
Tour Date 15/03/2010 |
We loved the tour - would highly reccomend small group touring - we were very lucky in that our group all got on so well together. Our driver/tour director was a lot of fun and put up with a lot of ribbing re his accent and the fact he almost left our cases behind on the first day (ie John's and mine) It was only an intuition of John's than made him check that our cases had been loaded!!! The accomodation at Franz Joseph and Arrowtown - excellent. Loved the cruise on the Milford Sound BUT would have appreciated knowing beforehand that we could not take suitcases on the boat - had to go out and buy an overnight bag and we have heaps at home! Enjoyed our stay on Stewart Island though the ferry trip out was not pleasant to say the least. The only disappointment was the last night at Lake Ohau - a long detour of the main road for a beautiful view but sub-standard rooms. We had not paid for backpacker quality accomodation - however the dining and lounge rooms were good, the food very good & the staff were lovely. In short stunning scenery, lots of fun and laughter with a great group of people leaves us with many happy memories.
Sue & John Clement (Australia)
Tour Date 26/10/2009 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
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EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
2012 Season Sale! Save up to $NZ 125 per person off the retail price! 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 |
| 06 Feb 2012 |
13 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $3165 |
Save $140 |
NZ $3025 |
| 13 Feb 2012 |
20 Feb 2012 |
|
NZ $3165 |
Save $140 |
NZ $3025 |
| 20 Feb 2012 |
27 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $3165 |
Save $140 |
NZ $3025 |
| 05 Mar 2012 |
12 Mar 2012 |
|
NZ $3165 |
Save $140 |
NZ $3025 |
| 12 Mar 2012 |
19 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $3165 |
Save $140 |
NZ $3025 |
| 19 Mar 2012 |
26 Mar 2012 |
|
NZ $3165 |
Save $140 |
NZ $3025 |
| 26 Mar 2012 |
02 Apr 2012 |
|
NZ $3165 |
Save $140 |
NZ $3025 |
| 23 Apr 2012 |
30 Apr 2012 |
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NZ $3165 |
Save $140 |
NZ $3025 |
*Tour Status: 'G' Tours are guaranteed to depart.
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Tour Discounts & Supplements:
Optional extras, single traveller supplement & multiple traveller discounts. |
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| Single Supplement: |
Add |
NZ $1,170 |
| Child Discount: |
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NZ $635 |
| Frequent Traveller: |
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NZ $160 |
| Triple Discount: |
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NZ $160 |
| Concession Cards: |
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NZ $30 |
*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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