Itinerary
This 12-day itinerary takes you to world famous spots in the South Island.
We meet in Christchurch and head south for a special lunch at Akaunui homestead, a 117-year-old country home where we dine on wonderful fresh produce prepared by our hosts, Di and Ian Mackenzie.
We continue through the spectacular Mackenzie Country for sweeping vistas of tussock lands, glacial lakes and the Southern Alps. We can’t miss the Church at Lake Tekapo and the unreal turquoise blue Lake Pukaki before arrival at Aoraki/Mt Cook village. We celebrate our arrival with dinner at The Hermitage.
Your morning is free to explore Aoraki Mt Cook National Park with New Zealand’s best short walks right out the front door, or take an optional flight up onto the Tasman Glacier. After lunch we head south over the Lindis Pass and onto Queenstown.
We follow the shores of the great lakes Wakatipu and Te Anau into the mountains and waterfalls of Fiordland National Park. We cruise on Milford Sound dominated by iconic Mitre Peak and home to seal colonies and dolphins. A magnificent scenic flight back over the Southern Alps to Queenstown ends this fantastic day.
Today is yours to make the most of Queenstown’s diverse lineup of day tours and activities. From lakeside walks, galleries, bike tours, food & wine and of course the famous adventure activities like jet boating and bungy jumping, there’s something for everyone!
Today is a highlights reel of the Southern Lakes beauty, from Arrowtown we travel up the Crown Range for our last views of the beautiful Wakatipu basin before calling into picture perfect Cardrona Hotel and on to our accommodation in Wanaka.
Today is a quintessential kiwi day, where else in the world can you visit the seaside, a rainforest and a glacier all in the same day? From Lakes Hawea and Wanaka over the Haast Pass and out to the West Coast before ending our day in Franz Josef Glacier, your camera will be working overtime today!
Your morning is free to discover Glacier Country and Westland with a walk to the Franz Josef Glacier Valley lookout or a visit to Okarito, home of the revered Kotuku – White Heron. After lunch we head north via Hokitika to Punakaiki and Paparoa National Park.
Paparoa National Park is very different to any other area on the trip, towering limestone cliffs and karst rock formations with beautiful river valleys draped in subtropical forest.
Travelling north up the West Coast we call into Tauranga Bay and Cape Foulwind. Turning inland, we continue through the rugged Buller Gorge to Nelson, known for its arts and crafts scene.
Abel Tasman is a highlight of the entire tour for many people. A picnic lunch is included so you can take your pick from a full scenic cruise or a cruise/walk combo to explore a section of the coastal track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, with time to relax on the beach or even jump in for a swim.
We call into Havelock at the head of Pelorus Sound to appreciate the spectacular views. In Marlborough enjoy a private lunch and wine tasting at FROMM Winery in the heart of this world famous sauvignon blanc region. You can take an optional scenic whale watching flight when we arrive in Kaikoura.
This morning is free to see Kaikoura’s bountiful marine life, the result of an ocean canyon close offshore. Enjoy the views from the pathway along the seafront, or opt for a guided kayak trip to see marine life including seabirds and seals. After lunch we depart for Waipara, the Canterbury Plains and our final farewell in Christchurch.
