A 9 day tour beginning and finishing in Christchurch. Sightseeing tours, national parks and New Zealands magnificent alpine glaciers. Experience the highlights of the South Island in nine exciting days. 
Tour Duration: 9 Days
Tour Type: Group coach tour
Tour price per person:
01 May 10 - 30 Sep 10 NZ$1990
01 Oct 10 - 31 Jan 11 NZ$2346
01 Feb 11 - 30 Apr 11 NZ$2398
Optional extras (per person) |
|
| Breakfast (8) Supplement | NZ$164 |
| Dinner (6) Supplement | NZ$210 |
| Single Room Supplement | NZ$624 |
Welcome to New Zealand! You will be met at Christchurch Airport and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: Pavilions Hotel (1 night)
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 a choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton's Citibus tour to see the penguins, albatross and seals, enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train or explore the city only a few minutes walk away. 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 and 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 Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora, cross the Haast Pass into the Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the magnificent Glacier region and visit the National Park Headquarters or take the optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face.
Day 8 - Fox Glacier/Greymouth/Christchurch
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. Join the Tranz
Alpine train for one of the most spectacular rail
journeys in the world. Through rainforests to
Otira, snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps,
the rugged Gorges of the Waimakariri river and
across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Accommodation: Pavilions Hotel (1 night)
Today is goodbye to all your new found friends before you make your homeward journey. Included in the cost is an airport transfer 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
- Dinner at Skyline Restaurant in Queenstown
- TranzAlpine Train Journey