Book with Discover New Zealand in February to go in the draw to win your holiday for FREE* Enquire Now | Terms & Conditions

Breadcrumb
New Zealand tour itinerary name and information
AAT Kings

AAT Kings Southern Spirit 25/26

It’s hard to do the South Island of New Zealand justice in just two weeks. But we’ve been exploring this part of the country for years, and know which azure lakes, yawning gorges, gem-like glaciers and unpeopled beaches will set your heart racing. From Milford Sound tours to Franz Josef Glacier tours, Christchurch tours to Queenstown tours, get set for 14 days of eye-opening attractions glimpsed from planes, trains, automobiles and boats. This trip to New Zealand is hard to beat.

Currency selector
Select your currency to view indicative pricing
Tour summary and feature
Quick Itinerary Details

Guided Coach Touring

This suggested tour costs from NZD$6,540 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Christchurch, finishes in Wellington

13 days/12 nights

Hotel 3 star

 Pre and post tour options? YES

 Viewed 82 times in the last 7 days

Tour Inclusions

Christchurch City Tour
Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
Day trip to Stewart Island
Punakaiki Rocks
Wellington City Tour
price pp from
Was NZD$6,890
Now NZD$6,540
twin share/double
Contact form
Send enquiry about this tour
Your contact information
Subscribe to our Regular Newsletter for Inspiring Holiday Ideas
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Tour at a glance

Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch

Day 2: Christchurch - Omarama

Day 3: Omarama - Dunedin

Day 4: Dunedin - Invercargill

Day 5: Stewart Island Sightseeing

Day 6: Invercargill - Queenstown

Day 7: Queenstown

Day 8: Queenstown - Franz Josef/Waiau

Day 9: Franz Josef - Punakaiki

Day 10: Punakaiki - Nelson

Day 11: Nelson

Day 12: Nelson - Wellington

Day 13: Farewell from Wellington

Tour full itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
Christchurch Transitional Cardboard Cathederal

You don’t have to arrive in Christchurch early, but we recommend you do – this South Island city has some of New Zealand’s most innovative architecture, not to mention forward-thinking restaurants and bars. Your conductors are quite the entertainers. Tonight, it's time to meet your Travel Director and travelling companions for a Welcome Reception.

Staying in:

  • Ibis Hotel Christchurch (1 night)
Christchurch Tramway

Day two of your tour of the South Island of New Zealand sees you step out with your guide for a deeper dive into ‘The City of Gardens’ before traversing the colourful Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, snow-capped mountains and wildflower-strewn meadows. It’s quite the backdrop for the stone-hewn Church of the Good Shepherd. Your Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo, hosted by passionate guides, will forever change the way you see the night sky. You'll see for yourself it may be one of the quietest spots on the planet, yet it has one of the busiest skies in the universe.

Staying in:

  • Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 night)
Aerial View of Otago Peninsula

Easing through the Waitaki Valley, you’re en route toward the pretty town of Oamaru, known for its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings.  Architectural drama of a different kind awaits in Dunedin. While away the afternoon in atmospheric art-lined alleys or sipping a lager or two in Speight's Brewery (a national institution). Or venture further afield to discover Larnach Castle, which nods to Dunedin’s Scottish link – it’s known as ‘Little Edinburgh’ for a reason.

Staying in:

  • Dunedin Leisure Lodge (1 night)
Dunedin Railway Station

Travel through rolling farmlands and lush pastures to Invercargill, a city obsessed with motor vehicles. Tributes to speed legends colour the city so it's only fitting that you visit Transport World for a guided tour and Highlight Dinner. Explore classic vehicles as you are transported on a nostalgic walk back in time. Bill Richardson began collecting old trucks in 1967 and in his words sometimes "bought a truck more with our hearts than with our heads." The collection now comprises of many rare and unusual vehicles, along with popular classic vehicles.

Staying in:

  • Kelvin Hotel (1 night)
Aerial View of Stewart Island

Invercargill is the gateway to the southernmost community in the country. Welcome to Stewart Island, a wild and wonderful drop of land that is 97% national parkland. Naturally, it’s a magnet for endemic flora and fauna, as you’ll discover on your guided Village and Bays tour. Later you have the option to join a leisurely cruise around Paterson Inlet, around Paterson Inlet that will take you past unique places including Acker’s Cottage before docking at Ulva Island to admire the bird life and native flora.

Staying in:

  • Kelvin Hotel (1 night)
TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu Queenstown

Today on your New Zealand tour, get a taste of country life combined with good old fashioned southern hospitality as you meet a 'Southern Girl' local farmer. The Real Country Farm Show, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, offers an authentic taste of what rural New Zealand is like. For every guest, we donate funds to The Fairlight Foundation, Advancing Women in Agriculture. Continue to Queenstown and take the afternoon at your own pace.

Staying in:

  • Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown (1 night)
View from the Skyline Gondola in Queenstown

We wouldn’t blame you for using today to linger by the banks of Lake Wakatipu, marvelling at sky-scraping Remarkables. But if you want to venture further afield, we have a few ideas. Top of our list today is an epic journey through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, carved by waterfalls and a playground for dolphins and seals as you’ll discover on a Milford Sound cruise (own expense). There’s a reason why this part of the island has World Heritage status.

Staying in:

  • Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown (1 night)
AAT Kings coach alongside a South Island lake

Atmospheric Arrowtown was born from gold, and its movie-set-like streets still shimmer today. It’s hard to tear yourself away, but the Alpine country of the Southern Lakes is calling, from Lake Dunstan – pause for juicy stone fruit picked fresh from the tree – oh-so-blue Lake Hawea with its shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass, the pretty town of Franz Josef/Waiau at the edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, awaits. Get some perspective on an optional Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere flight tour – if the weather behaves, you may even get to land on it. New Zealand tours don’t get much cooler than this.

Staying in:

  • Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (1 night)
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks

On the wild West Coast, Hokitika may be small in size, but boy is it big in personality, not to mention natural attractions. Wander the windswept coast before discovering the town’s other beauty: pounamu (native greenstone or jade). Steel yourself for Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks and blowholes; they owe their existence to the thundering surf that will lull you to sleep.

Staying in:

  • Scenic Hotel Punakaiki (1 night)
Nelson Inlet

After action-packed days, all you need to do today is sit back and enjoy the drama of the Heritage Highway en route to Nelson. Gaze over Buller Gorge – a deep canyon home to New Zealand’s longest swingbridge – and Kahurangi National Park, a place of wild rivers, high plateaus, alpine herbfields and coastal forests.

Staying in:

  • The Rutherford Hotel (1 night)
Bell Tower in Nelson

The South Island’s oldest city, Nelson is also one of the sunniest. Explore nearby Tahunanui Beach, or you may choose to head further afield to the world-famous Abel Tasman National Park. This pocket in the north of the island is a beguiling union of golden beaches framed by sculpted granite cliffs.

Staying in:

  • The Rutherford Hotel (1 night)
Interislander Cruise to Wellington

All aboard the Interislander for a cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel and across Cook Strait, from the South Island to the North, navigating a maze of arms and inlets into New Zealand’s cool little capital of Wellington. End your tour on a high note at a Farewell Dinner with your Travel Director and travel companions.

Staying in:

  • Travelodge Wellington (1 night)
The Beehive in Wellington, NZ Parliment Building

Wellington also knows a thing or two about good coffee, and you’ll need a strong one to get you through this morning's sightseeing. You may wish to linger in town, discovering Māori culture at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. It's hard to say goodbye to your tour of the South Island of New Zealand. If you can't bear to leave, we have a few ideas up our sleeves to extend your holiday.

Tour departure list
See all departure dates & prices
Departure dates and prices
This tour has 5 departure dates.
All prices are in
Go to dates in
Starts Status   Twin/Double Single occupancy  
Oct 2, 2025
(Thursday)
Guaranteed
departure date
Enquire Book
was NZD$6,890
now NZD$6,540
was NZD$9,009
now NZD$8,659
Enquire Book
Nov 27, 2025
(Thursday)
Enquire Book
was NZD$6,890
now NZD$6,565
was NZD$9,009
now NZD$8,684
Enquire Book
Jan 29, 2026
(Thursday)
Guaranteed
departure date
Enquire Book
was NZD$6,890
now NZD$6,565
was NZD$9,009
now NZD$8,684
Enquire Book
Feb 19, 2026
(Thursday)
Guaranteed
departure date
Enquire Book
was NZD$7,097
now NZD$6,772
was NZD$9,284
now NZD$8,959
Enquire Book
Mar 19, 2026
(Thursday)
Enquire Book
was NZD$7,097
now NZD$6,772
was NZD$9,284
now NZD$8,959
Enquire Book
All prices are in
Go to dates in
Tour quick quote rework

Build Your Dream Tour

AAT Kings Southern Spirit 25/26
Travel Date:
Guests & Room Preference:
Save trip for future access:
Tick this box if you do not wish to receive emails about special offers
No pricing loaded - please choose another date or contact us
 

NZD$0

This quote is based on vehicles to accommodate your party in the vehicle type. We suggest changing the car type or contacting us for the best options.
The package cost above excludes rental vehicle hire as you are requesting a price for a vehicle outside of our designated season. Please reach out direct for rental vehicle rates.

Quotes are subject to the availability of specific accommodations and inclusions. Once you save your quote, one of our NZ touring experts will reach out to discuss it with you. Please note, costs quoted in currencies other than New Zealand dollars (NZ$) are based on today’s exchange rate and may vary. Terms and conditions apply.

Want to tailor this itinerary to your style, interests, and schedule? Get in touch to start customising today!

Tour recommendation

Some similar tours to this one

13 days Map
Grand Pacific Tours 13 Day Classic Warbirds South Island
View Tour
 
13 days Map
Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer from Christchurch to Wellington
View Tour
 
11 days Map
Grand Pacific Tours 11 Day Signature South Island Christmas
View Tour