11 Day Sensational South Guided Tour
Join a local expert as they share with you the wonder of Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s longest glacier, before embarking on a scenic journey through the forests, flats and meadows of Fiordland National Park and out to the unmissable Milford Sound.11 Day Sensational South Guided Tour
A plethora of natural wonders and iconic landscapes await when you embark on a journey through New Zealand’s South Island.Tour Type: | Group Tours |
From: | Wellington to Queenstown |
Departs: | Selected dates |
Duration: | 11 days |
Tour Code: | ZWCQ |
Regions Visited
Click on the region name to view more information about the regionTour Inclusions
- Comfortable accommodation
- Travel by luxury coach
- Experienced Travel Director & Driver Guide
- Airport transfers (flights to arrive by 4:00pm on day 1, flight can depart anytime on day 11)
- Full buffet breakfasts (10)
- Be my guest lunch (1)
- Highlight dinner (1)
- Dinner with wine (4)
- Farewell Dinner (1)
- Visit and enjoy dinner at a Marlborough winery - this region is well known for thier wines
- "Your choice of sightseeing" in Blenheim and Queenstown
- Get on the water with had picked cruises of the Tasman Glacier and the Milford Sound Nature Cruise
- Connect with hosts Angie and Stan Taylor for an insight into farming in the Mackenzie Country at thier property in Tekapo
* Please note: There is an itinerary change from 1 April 2021. Please ask for details.
Frequently Asked Questions – GroupTours
What is a Group tour?
What could be better than travelling with a group of like-minded people, on a coach tour operated by one of our preferred operators, AAT Kings or Grand Pacific Tours. You will be taken care of from your arrival into New Zealand through to your departure.
Do these tours departure every day?
The departure dates are stipulated on our website. Should a date not fit into your schedule, please contact us as we would gladly make alternative arrangements for you.
I am a single traveller, can I be matched up with another single traveller in a twin room?
Yes, you can pay on a share twin basis. You will be matched with a fellow traveller of the same gender, however we are unable to guarantee compatibility.
What is included in my tour?
5 star coach transportation, experienced coach captain with full commentary, some tours include a tour manager. Accommodation, activities and meals as stipulated in the itinerary.
Can I join or leave a tour part way through?
Yes, should you wish to we can arrange this for you. However, there will be no deduction in the cost for unused services.
Does the tour include transfers on arrival and departure?
You will be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to the tour hotel to meet your fellow travellers. At the completion of the tour you will be transferred to the airport in ample time for your departure flight.
Can I add accommodation onto my tour, at the beginning or the end of the tour?
Yes, this is pre or post accommodation. Just let us know and we can include that in your tour.
I am prone to motion sickness, can I guarantee a forward seat?
All tours operate a seat rotation system for the enjoyment of all travellers. All travellers must participate in seat rotation as a condition of booking. Due to this we are unable to guarantee forward seating.
How much luggage can I bring on tour?
Each traveller is entitled to travel with one suitcase. Maximum suitcase weight allowed is 23kg (50lbs). All luggage is entirely at the ‘owners risk’ whilst on tour and we strongly recommend that travel insurance be taken out by each traveller to cover accidental damage or loss. All travellers are supplied with luggage tags. This will assist the Coach Captain to identify your luggage when loading the coach throughout your tour and the delivery of luggage to your room.
What clothing should I bring on tour?
Whilst on tour, dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants. The seasons are more pronounced and the weather is more changeable. In summer, a jacket and sweater should be included in your luggage should the weather turn cooler or you visit higher altitudes. You can expect some rain, so also include a light rainproof jacket or coat. If visiting during the months of May and September, pack warm winter garments and layer your clothing. You may have the option to relax and unwind in thermal hot pools so don’t forget to pack your swimwear.
What can I expect weather wise?
As much as we would like to say 100% sunshine, that is beyond us so the New Zealand Met service have the following averages.
Spring: September, October, November - average daytime temperature 16 – 19 Celsius (61 – 66 Fahrenheit)
Summer: December, January, February - average daytime temperature 20 – 25 Celsius (68- 77 Fahrenheit)
Autumn/Fall: March, April, May - average daytime temperature 17-21 Celsius (62 – 70 Fahrenheit)
Winter: June, July, August - average daytime temperature 12 - 16 Celsius (53 – 61 Fahrenheit)
Do I need to tip in New Zealand?
If you wish to reward someone for a job well done it is always much appreciated.
Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand?
Most visitors to New Zealand do not require a visa to enter for the purpose of a holiday or vacation under the visa waiver program. If you do need a visa to visit New Zealand then you should contact the New Zealand consulate in your home country well before your departure date. We recommend you also check with your local travel agent or airline for any visa requirements to New Zealand particularly if you are passing through Australia. Information on the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) can be found here: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/nzeta
What currency is used in New Zealand?
The New Zealand dollar is the only legal tender in New Zealand. View a guide between your local currency and the New Zealand dollar. Please note: Your tour and all purchases using a credit card in New Zealand will be charged in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) at the current exchange rate at the time of purchase.
Do I require travel insurance?
We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance. Factors may arise that require you to cancel or amend your holiday, so it is essential you are covered for any costs that may be incurred. We recommend purchasing your travel insurance locally at the same time as you book your tour and flights. Pacific Travel Ltd does not sell travel insurance.
Day By Day Itinerary
DAY 1: WELCOME TO WELLINGTON

After settling into your hotel, you’ll have time to explore Wellington independently. This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception at your hotel.
Accommodation: Novotel Hotel
DAY 2: WELLINGTON

This morning, join a local guide for a walking tour to discover Wellington’s vibrant culture and food scene. The afternoon is free for you to spend as you please.
Accommodation: Novotel Hotel
DAY 3: WELLINGTON / BLENHEIM

Board the Interislander for a cruise across the Cook Strait, to the seaside village of Picton. Later it’s on to Blenheim for an orientation tour before heading to your accommodation. Later, visit one of the Marlborough region’s famous wineries, Hans Herzog Estate, for a tasting and 3-course Highlight Dinner.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Marlborough
DAY 4: BLENHEIM

Choose from either land or sea sightseeing experiences: indulge in a half-day winery tour, or take the Greenshell Mussel Cruise into magnificent Marlborough Sounds, where you will learn about local history of the area and visit a mussel farm.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Marlborough
DAY 5: BLENHEIM / CHRISTCHURCH

Travel to Kaikoura, where sperm whales can often be seen not far from shore. Travel along the Pacific Ocean coast and across the colourful Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. See how Christchurch is rebuilding after the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, and pop into the incredible Transitional Cathedral in Latimer Square, the world’s only cathedral made substantially of cardboard.
Accommodation: Novotel Christchurch
DAY 6: CHRISTCHURCH / MT COOK

Enjoy some warm Kiwi hospitality at Morelea, the home of Angie and Stan Taylor, indulge in a Be My Guest barbecue lunch and hear about a lifetime spent farming in New Zealand. You’ll also get to witness Angie preparing her famous dessert pavlova. From here it’s on towards the spectacular Southern Alps and then alongside majestic Lake Pukaki, before arriving in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to see Mt. Cook, the highest mountain in Australasia. Tonight, enjoy dinner with a breathtaking mountain view.
Accommodation: Hermitage Mt Cook
DAY 7: MT COOK

First up, you’ll experience the melting ice face and icebergs of eerie, magical Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest, on a gently paced one-hour cruise guided by a local expert, against an awesome backdrop of New Zealand’s highest and most spectacular mountains. Later, you will have time to enjoy your surroundings back at the Hermitage. A stargazing optional experience is available after dinner.
Accommodation: Hermitage Mt Cook
DAY 8: MT COOK / TE ANAU

Today is another scenic day, travelling over the Lindis Pass through Central Otago. Visit Cromwell, next to pristine Lake Dunstan, and taste delicious stone fruit at a local orchard, then stop at the perfectly restored gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown. The town’s beautiful tree-lined avenues and 19th century wooden buildings feel like a movie set. Afterwards, make your way to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park. This afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to try jet boating down the majestic Waiau River, to the serene Lake Manapouri, stepping into ancient beech forests and learning all about this unique location.
Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
DAY 9: TE ANAU / QUEENSTOWN

Leaving Te Anau, you will take the scenic journey through the forests, flats and meadows of Fiordland National Park and out to Milford Sound. You will stop at Mirror Lakes where the stunning mountain scenery is perfectly reflected in the waters, then on to rough-hewn Homer Tunnel, and after, to one of the world’s most dramatic alpine drives, down through the Cleddau Valley and its impressive Chasm. Then it’s on to cruise the waters of the unmissable Milford Sound. Your cruise will take in the Bowen and Stirling Falls plummeting from glacial hanging valleys sharply into the sea, and sheer Mitre Peak, rising from the fiord’s depths. Finally, you will travel on to the adventure capital, Queenstown. An orientation tour around Lake Wakatipu takes you into the city before arriving at your hotel.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel
DAY 10: QUEENSTOWN

Choose an Included Choice sightseeing experience today: venture out on a scenic tour visiting the many filming locations of the Lord of the Rings, or cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand’s oldest steamship, TSS Earnslaw, to Walter Peak High Country Farm, for a gourmet Barbecue lunch at the Colonel’s Homestead. This evening, join your Travel Director for dinner at The Boatshed, set in the historic New Zealand Railway Shipping Office built in 1936. Restored and relocated to its lakeside setting, The Boatshed, with its spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables is the perfect for your exclusive Farewell Dinner.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel
DAY 11: FAREWELL FROM QUEENSTOWN

Farewell your fellow travellers when your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Queenstown Airport for your onward flight.
01 October 2021 - 31 March 2022
Start Date | End Date | Single traveller | Share / Twin | Guaranteed departure | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
23 October 2021 | 2 November 2021 | $6,930 NZD | $5,360 NZD | No | Enquire / Book |
6 November 2021 | 16 November 2021 | $6,930 NZD | $5,360 NZD | Yes | Enquire / Book |
11 December 2021 | 21 December 2021 | $6,930 NZD | $5,360 NZD | No | Enquire / Book |
8 January 2022 | 18 January 2022 | $6,930 NZD | $5,360 NZD | No | Enquire / Book |
22 January 2022 | 1 February 2022 | $6,930 NZD | $5,360 NZD | No | Enquire / Book |
5 February 2022 | 15 February 2022 | $6,930 NZD | $5,360 NZD | No | Enquire / Book |
19 February 2022 | 1 March 2022 | $6,930 NZD | $5,360 NZD | Yes | Enquire / Book |
5 March 2022 | 15 March 2022 | $6,930 NZD | $5,360 NZD | No | Enquire / Book |