8 Day Southern Highlights
A 8 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 eight exciting days.
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Tour Duration: 8 Days
Tour Type: Group coach tour
Tour price per person:
01 Feb 10 - 30 Apr 10 NZ$2140
01 May 10 - 30 Sep 10 NZ$1965***
Optional extras (per person) valid for travel from 01 Feb - 30 Apr 10 |
|
| Breakfast (7) Supplement | NZ$115 |
| Dinner (6) Supplement | NZ$195 |
| Single Room Supplement | NZ$550 |
| Tranz Alpine Train Option add | NZ$170 |
Optional extras (per person) valid for travel from 01 May - 30 Sep 10 |
|
| Breakfast (9) Supplement | NZ$180 |
| Dinner (7) Supplement | NZ$240 |
| Single Room Supplement | NZ$700 |
| Tranz Alpine Train Option add | NZ$170 |
*** Please note that from 01 May 2010 the tour cost will include 1 night pre and 1 night post tour accommodation in Christchurch along with airport transfers ***
Click here for tour dates
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Christchurch/Mt Cook/Omarama
Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel, 42 Papanui Road at 8.00am. Cross the Canterbury Plains, with the Southern Alps to the west. Enter the foothills near Geraldine and ascend Burkes Pass into the MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog memorial, overlooking the milky blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Time for a flight over the Southern Alps, lakes and glaciers with Air Safaris (optional). Visit Mt Cook National Park, with New Zealand's highest snow capped peaks, before travelling around Lake Pukaki to Twizel and on to Omarama.
Accommodation: Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 night)
Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel, 42 Papanui Road at 8.00am. Cross the Canterbury Plains, with the Southern Alps to the west. Enter the foothills near Geraldine and ascend Burkes Pass into the MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog memorial, overlooking the milky blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Time for a flight over the Southern Alps, lakes and glaciers with Air Safaris (optional). Visit Mt Cook National Park, with New Zealand's highest snow capped peaks, before travelling around Lake Pukaki to Twizel and 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 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 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.
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 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.
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 (2 nights)
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 (2 nights)
Day 4 - Milford Sound Day Trip
A highlight of any tour. Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, where the beech forests reach to the roads edge and snow capped peaks tower above. Descend into the Cleddau Canyon to Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and to Bowen and Stirling Falls. Time to take a walk into the rainforest to visit The Chasm, a spectacular waterfall, or to the entrance of Homer Tunnel. If conditions permit, your Coach Captain may make a short drive into the Hollyford Valley. Return to Te Anau late afternoon.
A highlight of any tour. Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, where the beech forests reach to the roads edge and snow capped peaks tower above. Descend into the Cleddau Canyon to Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and to Bowen and Stirling Falls. Time to take a walk into the rainforest to visit The Chasm, a spectacular waterfall, or to the entrance of Homer Tunnel. If conditions permit, your Coach Captain may make a short drive into the Hollyford Valley. Return to Te Anau late afternoon.
Day 5 - Te Anau/Queenstown
Cruise across Lake Te Anau to explore the underground world of rushing water and drift beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glow-worms, an unforgettable sight. This afternoon drive north to Kingston and around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to picturesque Queenstown. This evening, cruise across the lake aboard the steamship Earnslaw for dinner in the Colonel's Homestead at Walter Peak Sheep Station.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel (2 nights)
Cruise across Lake Te Anau to explore the underground world of rushing water and drift beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glow-worms, an unforgettable sight. This afternoon drive north to Kingston and around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to picturesque Queenstown. This evening, cruise across the lake aboard the steamship Earnslaw for dinner in the Colonel's Homestead at Walter Peak Sheep Station.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel (2 nights)
Day 6 - Queenstown
A day to explore the delights of this alpine resort at leisure. Your Coach Captain will happily advise on the many optional activities available. We recommend the world famous Shotover Jet Boat ride, take a Gondola to the Skyline high above the resort, a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon, white water rafting or browse in the many shops and galleries.
A day to explore the delights of this alpine resort at leisure. Your Coach Captain will happily advise on the many optional activities available. We recommend the world famous Shotover Jet Boat ride, take a Gondola to the Skyline high above the resort, a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon, white water rafting or browse in the many shops and galleries.
Day 7 - 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 Wanaka to Makarora into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the glacier region. Explore the township or take the optional guided walk to the glacier terminal face.
Accommodation: Scenic Circle Fox Hotel (1 night)
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 Wanaka to Makarora into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the glacier region. Explore the township or take the optional guided walk to the glacier terminal face.
Accommodation: Scenic Circle Fox Hotel (1 night)
Day 8 - Fox Glacier/Christchurch
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glaciers, then on to Greymouth to a Greenstone (Jade) factory to see craftsmen cutting and polishing giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Cross the Otira Gorge and Arthurs Pass to the Canterbury Plains and into Christchurch. Your tour concludes on arrival in Christchurch at approximately 5.00pm, or 6.15pm if you take the TranzAlpine Train option.
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glaciers, then on to Greymouth to a Greenstone (Jade) factory to see craftsmen cutting and polishing giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Cross the Otira Gorge and Arthurs Pass to the Canterbury Plains and into Christchurch. Your tour concludes on arrival in Christchurch at approximately 5.00pm, or 6.15pm if you take the TranzAlpine Train option.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sightseeing where indicated in cities and resorts
- World renowned Mt Cook Region
- Massive man-made Hydro Electric schemes
- Traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony
- The might of Milford Sound
- Spectacular Southern Lakes Region
- Te Anau glow-worm caves
- Earnslaw Cruise and Dinner in Historic Homestead
- Remote National Parks of Westland and Fiordland
- West Coast Glaciers • Visit Greenstone (Jade) Factory
- Olveston House
- Milford Sound Launch Cruise
TRANZ ALPINE OPTION
Join the world famous Tranz Alpine train for a
journey through the Southern Alps to
Christchurch.
All transfers are provided. Ask for details.
Your tour concludes on arrival in Christchurch which is scheduled for 6.05pm.
All transfers are provided. Ask for details.
Your tour concludes on arrival in Christchurch which is scheduled for 6.05pm.