Valid for departures be guaranteed between 26 Sep 2020 and 10 Apr 2021
On arrival to the largest city in the South Island, you will be transferred to your city hotel for the first night of your tour. Depending on your arrival time you may like to enjoy a walk around the exciting redevelopment of central Christchurch surrounding your city hotel. This afternoon meet your local tour representative who will provide a tour briefing and confirm tomorrow’s departure details.
Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
On leaving Christchurch this morning you will head across the vast Canterbury Plains and through the rural service towns of Geraldine and Fairlie before arriving in Tekapo. You will have time to visit the most photographed church in New Zealand – the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of the stunning turquoise Lake Tekapo. After leaving the MacKenzie Country you will head back to the East Coast along the Waitaki Valley – home to a major hydro electric power scheme and lakes Benmore,
Aviemore and Waitaki. Travel south through the township of Oamaru and on to the famous Moeraki Boulders at Hampton Beach. These concretions started forming around 60 million years ago and the largest boulders are estimated to have taken around 4 million years to get to their current size.
The final destination today is Dunedin. Dinner is included this evening at your hotel.
Hotel: Distinction Hotel Dunedin. B,D
Today entails a comprehensive tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula. The morning will start with a tour of the City including the recently reclaimed steepest street in the World – Baldwin St and a visit to Olveston House. Olveston House is an authentic and original historic home depicting the life of a wealthy merchant family in the early 1900’s. In the afternoon head to the Otago Peninsula where you will visit the famous Larnach Castle – lovingly restored by the Barker family before arriving at the Royal
Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head for a tour. B
The Catlins cover the bottom South East corner of the South Island. This is a relatively unknown gem at the bottom of New Zealand and today you will travel through the area stopping at stunning coastal viewpoints such at Nugget Point and its photogenic lighthouse. Continue to Invercargill and then Bluff before boarding the Ferry to Stewart Island. After crossing Foveaux Strait and arriving at Oban – the main settlement on Stewart Island you will be transferred to the Bay Motel.
Motel: Bay View Motel. B
This morning gain an entertaining insight into the lifestyle of a Stewart Islander on a tour of the main village and over to Lee Bay, the gateway to Rakiura National Park. Time will be given to get off the bus for photo stops and short walks. This afternoon will be at leisure. You may choose to visit Ulva Island. Just a short boat ride from Golden Bay Wharf, Ulva Island lies within Paterson Inlet and is an eco sanctuary for many New Zealand native birds and plants. (additional cost)
Depart Stewart Island on the return Ferry to the South Island. Once back on the mainland travel back through to Invercargill and visit Bill Richardson’s Transport World. This is one of the Worlds greatest collections of trucks and petrol pumps, with historic memorabilia and classics cars. There will be something of interest for everyone. There is even a growing wearable arts collection. Continue along the gorgeous Southern Scenic Route. The road takes you via the coastal settlement of Riverton and the historic sawmilling town of Tuatapere before arriving at the Lakeside community of Te Anau. Dinner is included this evening at your hotel.
Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel. B,D
Begin today with a journey along one of the most breathtakingly scenic drives in New Zealand the Milford Sound Road. You will make a number of stops this morning making the most of the scenic opportunities. These will include the Eglinton Valley and the Mirror Lakes. The road continues through the Homer Tunnel at 1200 metres long – opening Milford to tourism in 1953. On arrival to Milford board your cruise and survey the fiord. Onboard take in Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls and a range of wildlife. Travel back along the Milford Road heading further inland and alongside Lake Wakatipu to the lakeside resort of Queenstown. Dinner is included this evening at your hotel.
Hotel: Heartland Hotel Queenstown. B,D
As part of your exploration of Queenstown, today you will enjoy a morning visit to Arrowtown, established on the back of a major gold rush in 1860’s. Then join a cruise on the iconic TSS Earnslaw Steamship across to the Walter Peak High Country Sheep Station where you will receive a BBQ lunch. B,L
Queenstown has so many options on offer. Exhilarating jet boat rides, 4WD adventures, Bungy Jumping. The list is endless. Your Coach Captain will go through a list of optional tours to suit you and assist with any bookings you would like to make. Or you may simply choose to soak up the beauty of the
surrounding lake and mountain views. B
Today journey west from Queenstown past lakes Hawea and Wanaka as the road takes you through the small settlement of Makarora before reaching Haast Pass at 564 metres above sea level. From Haast, cross over the Haast River on New Zealand’s longest one lane bridge. Then travel north along the rugged West Coast of the South Island through lush rain forest passing by wind swept Bruce Bay, tranquil Lake Moeraki and Lake Paringa with it’s bounty of trout. You will pass through the small town of Fox Glacier and then eventually arrive at Franz Josef township. There will be an opportunity for a Scenic Helicopter Flight this afternoon or tomorrow morning, however as the flights are weather dependent we ask that you see your Coach Captain for additional costs. Dinner is included this evening at your hotel.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier. B,D
Leaving Franz Josef on State Highway 6 climb over Mt Hercules and alongside the Whataroa River passing by the towns of Hari Hari and Ross. Stop at the coastal township of Hokitika with a population of around 3000 people and where there is a long history of Gold Mining and Greenstone carving.
Continue on to the Kumara Junction and take the road inland heading back across the Southern Alps, stopping at Arthurs Pass. This historic township is named after the explorer Arthur Dobson who was the first European to travel through here to the West Coast in 1864. Continue on to Christchurch. A farewell Dinner is included tonight
Hotel: Distinction Hotel Christchurch. B,D
Your tour will conclude today following breakfast and your transfer to the Airport. B
Inclusion
Christchurch, Tekapo, Dunedin, Catlins, Invercargill, Stewart Island, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Franz Josef
Christchurch Airport to City Hotel Transfer
Eleven nights in excellent centrally located accommodation including Breakfast Daily (B)
Modern air conditioned vehicle as per Itinerary outline
Meals as stipulated in Itinerary include 5x Dinners, 1x Lunch
Sightseeing includes
• Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo
• Olveston House
• Larnach Castle
• Royal Albatross Colony
• Return Stewart Island Ferry
• Bill Richardsons Transport World
• Milford Sound Cruise
• Arrowtown
• TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak Lunch
• Franz Josef Glacier Valley
Christchurch City Hotel to Airport Transfer
Exclusion
Domestic Air Fares
Additional /Optional Tour Costs
Hotel Mini Bar
Sightseeing/Meals not stated in Itinerary
Note
Valid for departures be guaranteed between 26 Sep 2020 and 10 Apr 2021
Minimum 6 passengers to guarantee departure
Cost for rental car options, private driver options or exclusive group travel is available on request
Child supplement is available on request
Supplement cost for Optional tours is available on request
Optional Christchurch add on - Includes an extra night in Christchurch and a Christchurch and Waipara Tour - Supplement cost available on request.
Day 12 Christchurch and Waipara Tour B,L
This morning depart on an exclusive tour of Christchurch City, where you will learn about the amazing rebuilding efforts taking place in the city following the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Leaving Christchurch your tour will take you north to the Waipara region re-nown for producing rich and spicy Pinot Noirs and Rieslings. You will visit two wineries with tasting and lunch included. Returning to Christchurch your tour will visit the New Brighton Pier – the biggest ocean Pier in Australasia.
Day 13 Depart Christchurch B
Your tour will conclude today following breakfast and your transfer to the Airport.
