9 Day Southern Explorer
Departing from Christchurch, the 9 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: 9 Days
Tour Type: Group coach tour
Tour price per person:
01 Feb 10 - 30 Apr 10 NZ$2380
01 May 10 - 30 Sep 10 NZ$2265***
Optional extras (per person) |
|
| Breakfast (8) Supplement | NZ$135 |
| Dinner (7) Supplement | NZ$230 |
| Single Room Supplement | NZ$610 |
Optional extras (per person) |
|
| Breakfast 10) Supplement | NZ$200 |
| Dinner (8) Supplement | NZ$275 |
| Single Room Supplement | NZ$745 |
*** Please note that from 01 May 2010 the tour cost will include 1 night pre tour accommodation in Christchurch and 1 night post tour accommodation in Christchurch/Picton or Wellington along with airport transfers ***
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ITINERARY
Day 1 - 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)
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)
Day 2 - Omarama/Dunedin
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.
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.
Accommodation: Cargills Hotel (1 night)
Day 3 - Dunedin/Lake Manapouri/Te Anau
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.
Accommodation: Fiordland National Park Hotel (1 night)
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.
Accommodation: Fiordland National Park Hotel (1 night)
Day 4 - Te Anau/Milford Sound/Queenstown
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.
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.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel (2 nights)
Day 5 - Queenstown
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.
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.
Day 6 - Queenstown/Haast Pass/Fox Glacier
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 and visit the National Park Headquarters or take the optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face.
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 and visit the National Park Headquarters or take the optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face.
Accommodation: Scenic Circle Fox Hotel (1 night)
Day 7 - Fox Glacier/Greymouth
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)
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)
Day 8 - Greymouth/Blenheim
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.
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.
Accommodation: Blenheim Country Hotel (1 night)
Day 9 - 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 and will conclude at approximately 5.30pm. If returning to Christchurch your tour will conclude on arrival, scheduled for 7.00pm.
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 and will conclude at approximately 5.30pm. If returning to Christchurch your tour will conclude on arrival, scheduled for 7.00pm.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sightseeing tours of Christchurch, Dunedin and if selected, Wellington
- World renowned Mt Cook Region
- Traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony
- Spectacular Southern Lakes
- Awe inspiring Milford Sound
- Dinner at Skyline Restaurant
- Remote National Parks of Fiordland and Westland
- West Coast Glaciers
- Visit Greenstone (Jade) Factory
- Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
- Montana Winery visit with tasting and afternoon tea
- Scenic cruise Picton–Wellington or Tranz Coastal Train Picton – Christchurch
- Olveston House
- Milford Sound Launch Cruise
- Shantytown with gold panning
OPTIONAL
A Tranz Coastal train journey is also available. Please ask for more information.