11 Day Pristine South

Take delivery of your rental car this morning. Drive through the MacKenzie Country to Lake Tekapo, where you can stop to 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.

Speak to your consultant if you would like to include an optional Ski-plane or helicopter flight.

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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.

You will also get to touch and taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake on this experience. Skirting the western shores of Lake Pukaki, continue your journey to the popular resort town of Lake Wanaka.

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Set beneath the rugged and 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. (2 nights)

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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.

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Depart Queenstown today and follow the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden and Te Anau. Join the Milford Road, driving through the beautiful Eglinton Valley and the famous hand-hewn 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. (2 nights)

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You will be collected from your hotel this morning and 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.

Nature guides provide an engaging commentary and point out the highlights. 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.

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To experience the best of Doubtful Sound, upgrade your itinerary to include an overnight cruise and instead of returning to Te Anau, you will stay onboard the Fiordland Navigator for the night.

Return to Te Anau by coach the next day. This upgrade package adds an extra day to your itinerary.

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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’.

This afternoon is at your leisure. If you’re still feeling energetic, there are two self-guided heritage walks available that will show you the highlights of Dunedin’s architecture. (2 nights)

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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 New Zealand’s 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.

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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 and Ashburton as you make you way back to Christchurch.

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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.

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