New Zealand South Island Discovery - 10 Days

On arrival in Christchurch, you are met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your tour leader and fellow travellers before dinner.

Please note: For arrivals later than 8.00pm, dinner is not included.

This morning we board the TranzAlpine, widely regarded as one of the world’s great train journeys. Travelling through river valleys, deep gorges and over towering viaducts, we climb to Arthur’s Pass in the heart of the Southern Alps. Rejoining our coach, we continue to Hokitika, well known for its greenstone, before travelling on to Franz Josef. There is time here to take an optional scenic flight over the glaciers, weather permitting.

Today we travel south along the West Coast, taking in views of the snow-capped Southern Alps and passing through Fox Glacier township. We continue via Haast Pass, a region of striking natural beauty, before arriving in picturesque Queenstown. Set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, this year-round resort is one of New Zealand’s most scenic destinations. This evening is free for you to dine at one of the many local restaurants.

Today is yours to enjoy at leisure in Queenstown. Our crew will be on hand to assist with the wide range of optional activities available. You may choose to experience the excitement of a jet boat ride or join a heritage tour into scenic Skippers Canyon.

This evening we board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. At the Colonel’s Homestead, enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner featuring seasonal, fresh and locally sourced produce. After dinner, there is time for a short farm tour before we reboard the TSS Earnslaw and cruise back to Queenstown, complete with a sing-along around the piano.

Enjoy a relaxed start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, a charming former gold mining settlement. Here we visit the Lakes District Museum. We then continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Later, you may wish to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves on an optional excursion.

We depart Te Anau and travel through spectacular Fiordland scenery to Milford Sound. Here we board our cruise for a memorable journey through this magnificent fiord. See landmarks such as Bowen Falls and the towering Mitre Peak while enjoying lunch on board. This afternoon we return to Te Anau, with some free time available. You may like to round off the day by watching Ata Whenua - Shadowland at the Fiordland Cinema - an optional experience.

Travelling via Gore and Balclutha, we make our way to Dunedin, often known as the Edinburgh of the South, where we enjoy a city sights tour. We then continue along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle. On our guided tour, we hear the tragic and scandalous story behind New Zealand’s only castle. We also enjoy a delicious Devonshire Tea and have time to explore the gardens, recognised as a Garden of International Significance.

This morning we farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru, a town known for its distinctive limestone buildings. Following the Waitaki River, we pass Lake Benmore and continue into the Mackenzie Country, where we marvel at Aoraki / Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. There is an opportunity to take an optional scenic flight over the Southern Alps, weather permitting. We then continue to Twizel for our overnight stay.

We travel to Lake Tekapo, famous for its striking turquoise waters. Here we view the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before continuing to Christchurch for a city sights tour. This evening, enjoy a pre-dinner drink before our farewell dinner, where we reflect on the journey and the memories shared along the way.

After a memorable New Zealand holiday, it is time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Please note: If you depart the hotel before the restaurant opens, breakfast is not included.