10 Day Southern Spectacular

This morning, join our Sustainable Tourism Commitment by planting a native tree in the Port Hills of Christchurch, an area recovering from wildfire. Visit the home of Angie and Stan Taylor for a Be My Guest afternoon tea, and hear about a lifetime spent farming in the Southern Alps. See Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, and view the famed Church of the Good Shepherd. Continue to the outdoor-adventure hub of Twizel.

Stay: Mackenzie Country Inn, Twizel (B, D)

View the Waitaki hydro scheme and Benmore Dam. Travel through Ōamaru, with its limestone buildings, to Dunedin. Choose one from a range of Included Choice sightseeing experiences – tour stately Larnach Castle, ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway, take a wildlife cruise, or enjoy an interactive tour of Speight’s Brewery. This evening enjoy dinner with wine at your hotel.

Stay: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin (B, D)

Today, travel through lush green sheep-grazing country on your way to the spectacular Fiordland National Park and the town of Te Anau, nestled in the southwestern corner of the South Island. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Stay: Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas (B, D)

You’ll be awestruck by the magnificence of the World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park. Amazing photo opportunities await you today as you see rainforest, ancient glaciers, mountain ranges and the hand-made Homer Tunnel. Pass the Mirror Lakes, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley and The Chasm. Your cruise on Milford Sound will take you past Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak. Afterwards, travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu on your way to Queenstown, where an orientation tour finishes this highlight day.

Stay: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown (2 nights) (B)

Today choose one from a range of Included Choice sightseeing experiences. You have the option to ride the Shotover Jet, experience farm life in the high country or take the gondola to Stratosfare Restaurant for dinner. Perhaps take a 4WD minibus through Skippers Canyon or go to a wildlife park and see New Zealand’s own kiwi bird. This evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue highlight dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead. An entertaining farm show provides a glimpse into high country farm life. (B, D)

Visit the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown, on the Arrow River, previously one of the world’s richest rivers. Enjoy the tastes of delicious stone fruit at Cromwell, New Zealand’s stone fruit capital. See a trio of lakes – Dunstan, Hawea and Wanaka. Travel over the Haast Pass, view amazing Thunder Creek Falls, and take a small rainforest walk. Then it’s on to Franz Josef Glacier, the world’s most accessible glacier.

Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier, (Douglas Wing) (B, D)

There is time this morning to explore Franz Josef Glacier. You can see it from the air on an optional flight (weather permitting) or take a glacier hike! (Both optional.) It’s time for an exhilarating adventure among temperate rainforest giants on the West Coast Treetop Walk. Then depart for Hokitika, home of the native pounamu (jade), for a studio visit and jewellery demonstration. Later, travel to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. You’ll stay in an eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront.

Stay: Punakaiki Resort (B, D)

Travel to the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine. This spectacular train journey dates back to 1914, and is rated as one of the word’s most scenic train trips. The train forges through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. Join your Tour Director this evening for a farewell dinner with wine.

Stay: Distinction Hotel, Christchurch (B, D)

Your tour concludes after breakfast. You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. (B)