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Fiordland And Stewart Island Explorer Tour
Visit: Queenstown - Walter Peak Station - Te Anau - Invercargill - Stewart Island
• TSS Earnslaw Lake Wakatipu Cruise
• Back Road Adventure through Von valley and via
Mavora Lakes to Te Anau including picnic lunch
• Ata Whenua – Shadowlands Film screening
• Fiordland Jet Pure Wilderness journey
• Milford Sound Day trip including cruise
• Bill Richardson’s Transport Museum
• Stewart Island return ferry
• Stewart Island Village and Bay orientation tour
• Ulva Island guided tour ❙ Kiwi spotting
Upon arrival into Queenstown, you will be transferred to the Copthorne Lakefront Hotel for your stay in a Lake View room. This 4-star hotel overlooks the shores of Lake Wakatipu and is just a short 5-10 minute walk to town centre via the picturesque Queenstown gardens. This evening meet your tour escort and the rest of your group for a welcome drink at the hotel’s Impressions Cocktail bar followed by dinner at Impressions Restaurant.
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Steamer Wharf in Queenstown to board the TSS Earnslaw steamship for a cruise to Walter Peak Station. Enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains as you steam across Lake Wakatipu, taking time to explore the vessel and historic displays onboard.
From Walter Peak Station enjoy a road less travelled – the back road through the Von Valley and via the Mavora Lakes to Te Anau. You will travel along a scenic road into the remote Southland high country. The area is vast and unique with rolling hills covered in red tussock, with the occasional scattering of cattle and sheep, crystal clear rivers and distant snow-capped mountains. There are ample opportunities for photographic and scenic stops, as well as short walks. A picnic lunch will be included along the way.
On arrival into Te Anau you will visit the Fiordland Cinema for a viewing of ‘Ata Whenua – Shadowland,’ a 30-minute film showcasing the Fiordland World Heritage Status wilderness you would otherwise never see. Leaving Fiordland Cinema we travel a short distance to Fiordland Jet for a ‘Pure Wilderness’ jet boat experience exploring Fiordland National Park. Beginning with an exhilarating ride down the Waiau river, lined by ancient beech forest and featured in the Lord of the Rings movies. You will emerge from the river onto the breath-taking Lake Manapouri, surrounded by mountains carved by snow and ice over centuries. After a full day, check into the centrally located Distinction Luxmore Hotel in Te Anau for two nights. Dinner is included tonight
After breakfast at the hotel travel to Milford sound on a leisurely day where you will get to experience some of Fiordland’s most famous locations. Glacier carved valleys, perfect mirror lakes, towering granite faces and the impressive Homer tunnel. There will be plenty of photo opportunities. On arrival into Milford Sound, join a cruise in one of the most spectacular parts of our country in the Fiordland National Park. Get close to fur seals basking on the rocks, massive cliff faces rising for hundreds of metres out of the sea and witness waterfalls cascading from ancient rainforest high in the mountains. Following the cruise return to Te Anau to enjoy the rest of the afternoon in this small Southland town. You may wish to take an optional trip to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (not included). Dinner is included at the hotel.
Following breakfast at the hotel you will be collected for your journey to Invercargill along the Southern Scenic route. The journey begins through an area tucked between the towering peaks of Fiordland and the Takatimu range, before crossing rural hinterland, an important dairy farming region, and on to Tuatapere before reaching the wild and raw southern coast line at Te Waewae Bay. Continue to Colac Bay, one of New Zealand’s top surfing spots and through the affectionately known Riviera of the South – Riverton, a small town populated by an interesting mix of locals, artists and fishermen.
Once in Invercargill, visit the Bill Richardson Transport World. Highlights include retro Kombi’s, Henry Ford Letter Cars, Model T’s, Diamond T Trucks, stunning 1930’s V8’s and over 200 vintage petrol pumps. This evening stay at the centrally located Kelvin Hotel, with dinner included.
Following breakfast transfer to Bluff for your ferry to Stewart Island. During the one hour crossing of Foveaux Strait on board an express catamaran keep a look out for wildlife, especially seabirds such as mollymawks (albatross) skimming above the waves. Onboard commentary will highlight interesting landmarks including Dog Island lighthouse, Ruapuke Island, The Titi Islands and Mt Anglem. On arrival to Stewart Island, join a sightseeing tour showcasing Oban and surrounding bays, including a stop at Observation Rock with expansive views across Paterson Inlet. An informative commentary will be provided, and there will be time for a short walk at Lee Bay, the gateway to Rakiura National Park. Check in to the Bay Motel for your 3-night stay. Centrally located, rooms offer gorgeous views of Half Moon Bay or the surrounding bush. A continental Breakfast will be provided for each morning.
After a short walk to Golden Bay you will board your water taxi to Ulva Island for a guided walk. Ulva Island (Te Wharawhara), is renowned for its diverse and abundant birdlife with a forest dominated by Rimu, Southern Rata and Kamahi, surrounded by marine reserve. It was visited by Ngai Tahu Maori as part of their food gathering trips and in the 1890s it became one of New Zealand’s first reserves.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure – maybe go for a walk, hire a bike, or settle in at the South Seas Hotel to enjoy a few quiet drinks and meet the locals. This evening we include Kiwi Spotting where you will have the chance to see Kiwis in their natural environment. We offer exclusive access to private land where the kiwi come out to feed
A full day at leisure to enjoy Stewart Island. There are many walks close to the village, local artists, cycling, kayaking and many other activities available or you might choose to relax in your room and enjoy the peaceful surrounds
We recommend the Port William and Maori Beach Walk with ‘Beaks and Feathers,’ one of the most popular coastal and native bush walks on Stewart Island. Water taxi to Port William, site of early Maori settlement, before continuing on to beautiful Maori beach, where early Maori settled. With your expert local guide, make your way to Lee Bay via Little River. The Port William and Maori Beach walk is $260pp, operates with small groups and we suggest pre-booking to secure your space for this while on the island
Board the early Ferry this morning back to Bluff, where you will be collected and transferred back to Queenstown for an afternoon at leisure. Return to the Copthorne Lakefront hotel for the final night of your tour and enjoy a farewell dinner with your group at Blue Kanu restaurant.
After breakfast this morning you will be provided with individual transfers to Queenstown Airport.
Inclusion
- All transfers
- Sightseeing and excursions are included
- 8 Night’s accommodation
- 2 nights in Queenstown
- 2 nights in Te Anau
- 1 night in Invercargill
- 3 nights on Stewart Island.
- Daily Breakfast, 1xLunch, 4xDinners
- Private Tour Guide
- Private Coach
Exclusion
- International / Domestic airfares until mentioned
- Optional activities
- Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Voluntary tips for guides or drivers
- Travel and medical insurance
- Any items not mentioned as included
Note
Maximum 15 passengers
Private Touring
- Flexible Dates
- Flexible Itinerary
- Upgrade Accommodation
- Local Guide Service
- Modern Airconditioned Vehicle
Tour Category
Tour Guide
Local English only guide
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