Escape and enjoy New Zealand’s majestic South Island on this deluxe 10 day small group holiday. Begin your journey in the Garden City of Christchurch; marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges of Mount Cook; enjoy the Scottish heritage of Dunedin; cruise the magnificent fiord, Milford Sound; enjoy a relaxing two night stay in the year round resort town of Queenstown and witness the rugged Southern Alps of the mighty West Coast. Whether it’s your first time to New Zealand’s South Island or a repeat visit, the landscape continues to change and this comprehensive tour will allow you to sit back, relax and discover!
Small group tour escorted
This suggested tour costs from NZD$5,545 per person (twin share, low season)
Starts in Christchurch, finishes in Christchurch
10 days/9 nights
Hotel 4 star
Pre and post tour options? YES
Viewed 118 times in the last 7 days
Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch
Accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City (or similar)
Day 2: Enjoy the world famous TranzAlpine scenic train
Accommodation: Te Waonui Forest Retreat (or similar)
Day 3: Travel inland through the Southern Alps to Queenstown
Accommodation: Heritage Queenstown (or similar)
Day 4: Dine tonight at a family homestead looking back at Queenstown
Accommodation: Heritage Queenstown (or similar)
Day 5: Highlights today include a visit to the gorgeous gold mining village of Arrowtown
Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (or similar)
Day 6: Te Anau to Milford Sound
Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (or similar)
Day 7: Visit the 'Edinburgh of the South' - Dunedin
Accommodation: Distinction Dunedin Hotel (or similar)
Day 8: Today hear tales of scandal as you head towards the mountains
Accommodation: The Hermitage Hotel (or similar)
Day 9: Wake up immersed by mountains
Accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City (or similar)
Day 10: Bid your travel companions farewell as you depart Christchurch
On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.
Quality merchandise is great value for money and will provide a special memento of your holiday for years to come. Tour jackets and tour caps are avai...
Read moreQuality merchandise is great value for money and will provide a special memento of your holiday for years to come. Tour jackets and tour caps are available for purchase. Merchandise items must be ordered at the time of booking and are not available for purchase in New Zealand
HideYour accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City (or similar)
This new 5 star boutique hotel is ideally located on Victoria Street amidst an array of cafes, restaurants and bars, and is only a martini olive pips’ throw from beautiful Hagley Park and Christchurch’s CBD. Experience the ‘garden city’ in style with Sudima Christchurch City.This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur's Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before arriving to Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
*Please be aware, there are some departure dates where the train may not be available due to schedule changes outside of Grand Pacific's control. If this occurs, your journey through the incredible Arthur's Pass will continue onboard your coach. Chat to a consultant to check the current schedule for your preferred departure.
As you leave Christchurch, you will cross the fertile farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, and enjoy thrilling vistas over deep gorges as you travel alongside the ice-fed Waimakariri River. Arthur's Pass is a mecca for trampers, snow boarders, mountain climbers and nature lovers. There are many short and long walks in the area including some that start near the comfortable accommodation found in Arthur's Pass village.
Arthur's Pass National Park itself is a landscape of two halves. On the eastern side you'll see wide, shingle-filled riverbeds and vast swathes of beech forest. Descend the western side and you venture through dense rainforest alongside and over deeply gorged rivers. You'll probably spot New Zealand's inquisitive and comical alpine parrot, the kea. And during winter you can join the skiers and snowboarders enjoying spectacular runs in the Temple Basin Ski Area.
Your accommodation: Te Waonui Forest Retreat (or similar)
Nestled amongst native West Coast rainforest at Franz Josef is a very special five-star retreat. Designed with utmost care of its precious environment, guests at Te Waonui Forest Retreat will find themselves encircled by rainforest and accommodated in natural and sustainable luxury.See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast to Fox Glacier. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Your accommodation: Heritage Queenstown (or similar)
At Heritage Queenstown you could be forgiven for thinking you were in a postcard. Soak in the amazing view of the towering Remarkables mountain range rising from the rippled waters of Lake Wakatipu.Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.
Enjoy a quintessential Kiwi experience – a delicious gourmet BBQ buffet meal and a farm demonstration in a stunning lakeside setting.
Take in the stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and its surroundings as you cruise across the lake to the historic Walter Peak high country farm aboard the TSS Earnslaw Steamship.
Enjoy the ambiance of the heart of the stately homestead while your Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant chef prepares a gourmet BBQ dinner. Your seasonal menu includes an extensive selection of local New Zealand produce, including succulent meats and a selection of delicious vegetables and salads. Complete your meal with your choice of delicious desserts, New Zealand cheeses, tea and coffee.
After dinner, watch the farm dogs in action with a sheep-herding demonstration and say hello to the other farm animals. Finally, cruise home under the southern stars and enjoy the fresh night air as the lights of Queenstown draw ever closer.
Your accommodation: Heritage Queenstown (or similar)
At Heritage Queenstown you could be forgiven for thinking you were in a postcard. Soak in the amazing view of the towering Remarkables mountain range rising from the rippled waters of Lake Wakatipu.Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. This innovative museum is heavily involved in the protection of the historic buildings scattered around town. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Your accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (or similar)
The Te Anau Hotel and Villas offers a range of accommodation from hotel rooms and suites to villas. Ideally located on the lake front the hotel is just a few minutes stroll for the shops, cafes and activities on offer.Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy lunch on board. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).
Return luxury coach transport from Te Anau to Milford Sound, with a 1 hour 40 minute cruise along the full length of the fiord. On boarding a ReaNZ luxury glass-roofed coach in Te Anau, you will enjoy a relaxing trip along the spectacular Milford Road through impressive, awe-inspiring scenery. There is time for photo stops and short walks along the way. Friendly coach drivers provide detailed commentary throughout the trip. On reaching Milford Sound, you board the modern, spacious vessel for a leisurely cruise in the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and the wildlife. During the cruise your friendly crew provides commentary and will point out the sights such as Mitre Peak and the Pembroke Glacier.
Your accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (or similar)
The Te Anau Hotel and Villas offers a range of accommodation from hotel rooms and suites to villas. Ideally located on the lake front the hotel is just a few minutes stroll for the shops, cafes and activities on offer.Today you will travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, famous for its stunning Edwardian and Victorian architecture dating back to the gold rush of the 1800's. Dunedin is known as New Zealand's oldest university city.
Your accommodation: Distinction Dunedin Hotel (or similar)
Distinction Dunedin Hotel occupies the grand Chief Post Office built in the 1930’s. This art deco inspired building has recently been transformed into a 4 star hotel with elegant décor, set in the heart of the city.Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, hear the tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour with time to wander around this Garden of International Significance. This is followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook.
Larnach is New Zealand's only Castle, built in 1871 by politician and merchant, William Larnach, a man of great vision who helped shape New Zealand's early history. It was built for William's beloved first wife Eliza; it took 200 workmen three years to build the shell and a further twelve years were spent by master craftsmen to embellish the interior. The Castle is located high up on the Otago Peninsula and looks down on Dunedin city giving beautiful views. The gardens have an International Garden of Significance status and have a unique collection of specialised areas for you to explore. The Ballroom cafe is a fantastic place to rest and reflect on all you have seen while enjoying a delicious range of refreshments. As with the entire castle, the ballroom had an interesting and varied history prior to its beautiful restoration, uses ranged from a lunatic asylum, antique sales room to the penning of sheep.
Your accommodation: The Hermitage Hotel (or similar)
The Hermitage Hotel ringed by magnificent snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps, is a world-renowned tourist destination and has been an icon of superior accommodation and dining since 1884.This morning marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving into Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with selected beverages with your new-found friends.
Your accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City (or similar)
This new 5 star boutique hotel is ideally located on Victoria Street amidst an array of cafes, restaurants and bars, and is only a martini olive pips’ throw from beautiful Hagley Park and Christchurch’s CBD. Experience the ‘garden city’ in style with Sudima Christchurch City.Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.
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