11 Day - Southern Adventure

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand!

On arrival you will be met by our representative & transferred by limousine to your city hotel.

Christchurch is the nation’s second largest city and because of its extensive gardens and the Avon River meandering though, it is regarded as the most English of New Zealand cities “The Garden City”. Residents and visitors alike love the city's vibrant nightlife, award-winning restaurants and cafes, fashion precincts, heritage architecture and of course its gardens and wide open spaces for which the city is internationally renowned. This is a city of contrasts, a place where its residents continue to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle amidst a natural environment it is world-renowned for. It really is the 'city that shines'.

Some sightseeing and activity options available are:

Three Nights Accommodation at the Heritage Hotel in Christchurch. Experience Christchurch in the finest tradition at The Heritage Christchurch. Located in the heart of New Zealand's most "English" of cities, The Heritage Christchurch offers you the opportunity to stay in a magnificent Italian Renaissance building the "OGB", as it is affectionately known, has been lovingly restored from the former turn-of-the-century Old Government Building into a luxury hotel.

Spend your day getting close to nature. Travel by train through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury to Kaikoura, where mountains meet the sea. This area is renowned for the variety of marine mammals that can be seen, not least of all giant Sperm Whales & the acrobatic Dusky Dolphin. You’ll often see other whale species, seals & the Royal Albatross. Return to Christchurch by coach, stopping en-route at a leading vineyard where a wine tasting has been arranged for your pleasure.

Marine Mammal encounters available:

This morning, travel east over the Banks Peninsula to the quaint village of Akaroa, a beautiful, unspoilt French whaling depot home to the early French settlers of the 1840’s. The French heritage is still reflected in the street names & the architecture of its buildings. Visit the cheese factory at Barrys Bay & sample some fine New Zealand cheese and following lunch, enjoy a wildlife cruise exploring the delights of the harbour and sighting dolphins, penguins & seals.

The Tranz Alpine is described as "The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure" and is rated as one of the top six scenic train journeys in the world. After crossing the huge and fertile patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, the Tranz Alpine winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and the stunning Waimakariri River valley. It tracks its way up and across the spectacular Southern Alps via the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass situated 737 metres above sea level. Here your Tour Host will meet you & you then travel along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800's, to the township of Fox Glacier for our overnight stay.

Some  alternative sightseeing and activity options available:

One Nights Accommodation at Te Weheka Inn in Fox Glacier. Te Weheka offers luxury bed & breakfast accommodation nestled beneath the towering Southern Alps on the awesome West Coast of New Zealand.

There is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject to weather conditions) before our departure this morning. Today, view incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. We then travel over the magnificent Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes District. Time to wander around the popular lakeside townships of Hawea and Wanaka before travelling to the beautiful alpine resort of Queenstown, New Zealand's premier holiday destination.

Four Nights Accommodation at the Heritage Hotel in Queenstown. Brilliantly positioned overlooking the awe-inspiring vistas of Queenstown, The Heritage Queenstown is a sophisticated European-style resort hotel within easy walking distance of the Queenstown Township. Standing proud above the shores of the picturesque Lake Wakatipu, with magnificent views of the majestic Remarkables Mountain Range.

Enjoy two full days to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. Here you can take a thrilling jet boat ride, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, take a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf or 4WD sheer canyons. There are numerous activities from which to choose and your Tour Host will be pleased to offer advice and help you in your selection.

Here is a selection of the many options available:

Today, journey by coach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through rolling countryside to Te Anau. Then continue along the Milford Road through the Eglinton Valley & the famous, hand-strewn Homer Tunnel to the Sound itself. Here you board a purpose-built vessel, designed along the lines of a traditional trading scow, for an extended 2 ½ hour nature cruise the full length Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea. This magnificent glacier-carved fjord is home to the famous, mile-high Mitre Peak and you will view spectacular waterfalls, rainforests, mountains and wildlife whilst enjoying an extensive commentary from the on-board nature guide. After disembarking from the cruise, board your light aircraft for a spectacular scenic flight back to Queenstown (weather permitting). You’ll marvel at the awesome alpine scenery, flying over waterfalls, mountains & rainforests on this never-to-be-forgotten experience.

Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy some time to stroll through this historic village located beside the Arrow River, once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860’s. Later, we travel through the towns of Omarama & Twizel before driving up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. Mt Cook is Australasia's highest mountain at 3764 metres. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery and is also home to the Tasman Glacier, the longest in the Southern hemisphere (optional Ski-plane & helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions).

Some sightseeing and activity options available:

One Nights Accommodation at the Hermitage in Mt Cook Village. The Hermitage Hotel is a world renowned tourist destination and has been an icon of superior accommodation and dining since 1884. From an intrepid journey through glacial valleys to a mouthwatering culinary dining adventure, The Hermitage Hotel is the perfect ‘base camp’ to discover your Peak Experience.

Experience the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest, in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier where you will also get to touch & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. Later we visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built of local stone and oak in 1935. Leaving the High Country, cross the vast Canterbury Plains to the 'Garden City' of Christchurch.

One Nights Accommodation at the Heritage Hotel in Christchurch. Experience Christchurch in the finest tradition at The Heritage Christchurch. Located in the heart of New Zealand's most "English" of cities, The Heritage Christchurch offers you the opportunity to stay in a magnificent Italian Renaissance building the "OGB", as it is affectionately known, has been lovingly restored from the former turn-of-the-century Old Government Building into a luxury hotel.

Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport today for your onward flight. Here, we bid you ‘Haere Ra’, a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Please take the time to view our “Virtual Tour” for the 11 Day Southern Adventure tour or download/print the detailed “Tour Dossier”. Both can be found on the right hand column of this page. Alternatively you can simply contact us. For a comprehensive list of all activities available in each location featured in this tour, please refer to the "Destination Guide" found at the top of this page.