Departing from Christchurch, the 11 Day Southern Explorer gives you a chance to explore the South Island, before either returning to Christchurch or heading to Wellington (via the Cook Strait ferry). Sightseeing tours, wine tasting, and some of the most interesting and diverse scenery that New Zealand has to offer. 
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Tour Duration: 11 Days
Tour Type: Group coach tour
Tour price per person:
01 May 10 - 30 Sep 10 NZ$2265
01 Oct 10 - 31 Jan 11 NZ$2638
01 Feb 11 - 30 Apr 11 NZ$2699
Optional extras (per person) |
|
| Breakfast (10) Supplement | NZ$205 |
| Dinner (8) Supplement | NZ$282 |
| Single Room Supplement | NZ$762 |
Welcome to New Zealand! You will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: Pavilions Hotel (1 night)
Day 2 - Christchurch/Mt Cook/Omarama
Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel,
42 Papanui Road at 8.00am. A city sights tour
will highlight the main attractions of Christchurch
before travelling across the Canterbury Plains
into MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the
Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog statue at
Lake Tekapo. Opportunity to fly over the Southern
Alps with Air Safaris (optional), before continuing
to Mt Cook National Park. Admire the majesty
of Mt Cook before travelling on to Omarama.
Accommodation: Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 night)
Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin the "Scottish" city. An early arrival allows for a choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton's Citibus tour to see albatross, penguins and seals. Board the Taieri Gorge Railway or explore the city yourself. This evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift.
Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at Lake Te Anau. (Time & weather permitting)
Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (1 night)
Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, pass through the Homer Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Return to Te Anau and on to Mossburn, then skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the Skyline Restaurant, where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed.
A day to explore the many delights of this alpine resort. Try the famous Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers Canyon or a steamer cruise aboard the historic Earnslaw. Alternatively, explore Queenstown's many boutiques and galleries - your Coach Captain will be pleased to advise.
Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the glacier region. (Upon arrival into Fox Glacier there is opportunity to either take an optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face or an optional helicopter flight over the glacier)
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. Snowcapped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen cut and polish giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Next is Shantytown, a restored gold-mining town of the 1860's where you pan for gold and ride on the steam train, all at no extra cost.
Accommodation: Hotel Ashley (1 night)
View the unusual rock formations and blowholes at Punakaiki and pass Charleston, a former goldmining township. Follow the Buller River through the Buller Gorge and on to Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Follow the long Wairau Valley to Blenheim. A short tour of the area includes a visit to Montana Winery. Enjoy a hosted tour of the winery, learn about and taste a range of the famous local wines (purchase if you wish) followed by afternoon tea.
Day 10 - Blenheim/Picton/Christchurch
or Wellington
Explore Picton, nestled on the shores of the
Marlborough Sounds. You now have the option
of continuing to Wellington via the Cook Strait
ferry or returning to Christchurch by Tranz
Coastal train along the kaikoura coast. The Wellington option includes a city tour.
Accommodation: Bay Plaza Hotel Wellington OR
Pavilions Hotel, Christchurch
(1 night)
Today is goodbye to all your new found friends before you make your homeward journey. An airport transfer is included in the tour cost if required.
(included in tour cost)
- City Highlights Tour in Christchurch
- Scottish Haggis Ceremony
- Entry to Olveston House
- Milford Sound Cruise
- Visit to Greenstone (Jade) Factory
- Visit to Shantytown
- Montana Winery Tasting & Afternoon Tea
- Interislander Ferry Crossing including Wellington City Highlights Tour OR
- TranzCoastal Train Journey
- Skyline Skyride & Dinner in Queenstown