First Choice
Southern Spectacular
10 Day Guided Vacation | Christchurch Return
Travel Period
Southern calling? This trip to New Zealand unites some of the country’s most fabled playgrounds – think adventure-filled Queenstown tours, a World Heritage listed Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour and possible gem-like Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere tours – with some of its must off-the-radar pockets. Have you heard of the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, or glimpsed the turquoise lakes outside Twizel?
On Sale
Prices From CODE: ZCQR
Was $4770
Was $6130
$4293
Above lowest price is based on 2024-04-16 departure
$5517
Above lowest price is based on 2024-04-16 departure
Single rooms are limited and subject to availability
Child prices may be available on request
Secure your trip with a deposit
Trip Details
What's included
- • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
• 1 UNESCO World Heritage Sites –Fiordland National Park
• Centrally located premium 4 & 5 hotels
• Arrival and departure private airport transfers
Dining
- • 9 Full Breakfasts
- • 5 Dinners with Wine
- • 1 Be My Guest Afternoon Tea
- • 1 Highlight Dinner
- • 1 Lunch
- • 1 Farewell Dinner
Flight Information
- Day 1 – flights to arrive by 4.00pm into Christchurch Airport
Day 10 – flights to depart any time from Christchurch Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
What to Bring
- • Comfortable walking shoes
- • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
- • Water bottle
- • Warm layers in cooler months
- • Camera
Fitness Requirements
Low level of fitness required
Itinerary Generating PDF...
Southern Spectacular (Travel Period: 01 Apr 2024 – 31 Mar 2025)
At once forward-thinking and fun, Christchurch is the kind of city you could lose yourself in for a week – or more. You have this afternoon, so make the most of it. We recommend riding the rails on the vintage Christchurch Tram, a narrated hop-on, hop-off experience that loops around town, your host pointing out historic architecture and new developments that have popped up since the 2010/2011 earthquakes. Time to meet your fellow adventure-seekers over a Welcome Reception.
Hotel:
Distinction Christchurch Hotel
If you didn’t get your Christchurch bearings yesterday, you certainly will on today’s city tour, taking in the record-breaking Transitional Cathedral – who knew you could build a church from cardboard? The buildings of the city fade into a patchwork of farms as you ease across the Canterbury Plains toward Morelea. Here, Angie and Stan Taylor welcome you to their home with a slap-up Be My Guest afternoon tea and tales about life on the land. And this land is truly dramatic, backdropped by powdery mountains and cut with turquoise lakes, none quite as pretty as Lake Tekapo, on its banks the stone-hewn Church of the Good Shepherd.
Hotel:
MacKenzie Country Hotel
Included Meals:
Be My Guest Afternoon Tea, Dinner with Wine, Breakfast
Oamaru has a rich history and proud heritage, enriched by passionate and perhaps quirky locals. Explore the shops, galleries and traditional crafts within some of the Southern Hemisphere's most complete Victorian streetscapes. You’re en route to Dunedin, replete with rolling green meadows and grand stone castles. It kind of feels like you’ve been transported to Scotland – small wonder it’s known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. Afternoon at your leisure, we recommend a visit to Speight’s Brewery – a New Zealand institution. And pretty much everything in between. There’s always that castle to explore… Larnach may not have the history of Scotland’s grand estates, but it’s just as pretty in our humble opinion. A NZ holiday must.
Hotel:
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
Included Meals:
Dinner with Wine, Breakfast
Leave Dunedin’s pastoral sheep-farming countryside behind as you venture into World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park, a place of yawning gorges and gem-like glaciers, and azure lakes so large they have their own islands. Case in point Pomona Island, where a charitable trust of passionate volunteers works to restore flora and fauna. With your help. Take a thrilling jet boat ride down the Waiau River to Lake Manapouri and if that's not enough water for one day, you may choose to cruise to the iconic Glowworm Caves. Can we tempt you?
Hotel:
Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas
Included Meals:
Dinner with Wine, Breakfast
Nature rules again today, from the moment you depart Te Anau and begin your journey deep into the heart of Fiordland National Park. Think native rainforests, beech forests, alluvial flats and meadows; Mirror Lakes perfectly reflecting mountain scenery; and precipitous lookouts holding guard over alpine rivers. And this is just the entrée. The main course is your Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour, where you cruise in the company of dolphins that frolic under the torrent of mighty Bowen and Stirling Falls, and gaze at misty escarpments so sheer they appear to cleave off the edge of the Earth. You’re in the company of a naturalist who knows every nook and cranny of this mighty cavern and will point out flora and fauna you would have never spotted on your own.
Hotel:
Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on a high-octane jet boat ride, perhaps. Prefer wine to get your heart started? See why Central Otago makes some of the world’s most raved about cool-climate pinots on a cellar door tour. Wherever your daily wanderings take you, reunite with your companions come dusk to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw, your barbecue Highlight Dinner served on the grounds of Walter Peak High Country Farm.
Hotel:
Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
Included Meals:
Highlight Dinner, Breakfast
In the shadow of the Remarkables, Queenstown is pretty spectacular. But it has some stiff good-looks competition from neighbouring Arrowtown, with its movie-set tree-lined avenues and 19th-century buildings that once housed gold-rush fortune-seekers. Things grow well in this verdant countryside, from cherries to pinot grapes and all manner of stone fruit. Prepare for a flavour explosion. The next explosion is a visual one as you arrive in the town of Franz Josef/Waiau, home to Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere. Get some perspective of this immense ice fall on an optional helicopter flight – you may even get to land on it.
Hotel:
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Included Meals:
Dinner with Wine, Breakfast
Explore the small but lively Franz Josef/Waiau village before venturing to Hokitika, home of New Zealand's native jade greenstone. Then soak in the natural surroundings as you head to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, where waves thunder through cracks in the Earth. This is the soundtrack that lulls you to sleep at tonight’s eco-resort.
Included Meals:
Dinner with Wine, Breakfast
Wine may steal the scene across much of New Zealand, but at legendary Monteith’s Brewery, beer rules. Sip your way through a tasting paddle of XPA, IPA, lager and pale ale because, hey, you’re not driving to the station where your TranzAlpine train awaits. Just as well lunch is included. This is one of those experiences where the journey matters just as much as the destination, as you sweep through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. What a way to end a day.
Hotel:
Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Included Meals:
Farewell Dinner, Lunch, Breakfast
Wait, the last 10 days flew by. Return home with new friends, a full SD card on your camera – and even more memories.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.
Southern Spectacular
First Choice
10 Day Guided Vacation
Christchurch Return
Southern calling? This trip to New Zealand unites some of the country’s most fabled playgrounds – think adventure-filled Queenstown tours, a World Heritage listed Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour and possible gem-like Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere tours – with some of its must off-the-radar pockets. Have you heard of the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, or glimpsed the turquoise lakes outside Twizel?
Highlights
Local Connection
Angie and Stan Taylor serve up a mean afternoon tea on their estate in Tekapo. Perhaps the only thing better is cruising Milford Sound/Piopiotahi with a guide pointing out dolphins.
Cultural Immersion
Farming is a big deal in New Zealand, as you’ll fast discover at Walter Peak Station. Sit down to a barbecue dinner before being immersed in a farm show.
Sustainable Footprints
Pomona Island Charitable Trust works with passionate volunteers to rehabilitate the South Island’s largest inland island. You get to be a part of the magic.
Wildlife & Nature
Snow-capped mountains, a mirror-like lake, white-water rivers and vine-laced fields. Queenstown is blessed with natural assets.
Accommodation
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort.
The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:
Day 1 - Distinction Christchurch Hotel
The newly renovated Distinction Christchurch Hotel is an urban escape combining sophisticated smarts and familiar warmth whilst standing proud amongst the buzz of the rejuvenation of Cathedral Square.
Ideally positioned in the heart of the city only a few minutes' walk from the Avon River, Botanical Gardens, Christchurch Casino, Cashel Mall and future Christchurch Convention Centre.
Features
- Wi-Fi
- Sauna
- Gym facilities
- TV
1/7
Day 2 - MacKenzie Country Hotel
Corner Of Ostler & Wairepo Streets, Twizel 7901 New Zealand
The MacKenzie Country Hotel is located in the heart of the Mackenzie region, a unique area of New Zealand's South Island. Featuring natural stonework, the architecture beautifully reflects and compliments the mountains and riverbeds of the surrounding landscape.
Features
- Private balcony
- Wireless Internet access
- Refrigerator
- Electric blankets
- Flat Screen TV
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Hairdryer
- Tea & Coffee Facilities
- Ensuite
- Phone
2/7
Day 3 - Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
118 High St, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
The Scenic Hotel Southern Cross is Dunedin's largest and most established hotel. Located in the heart of Dunedin, this hotel has been extensively refurbished and now provides guests with modern style, exquisite quality, convenience and exceptional service. The Scenic Hotel Southern Cross provides stylish inner city accommodation, giving the convenience of having entertainment, shopping and restaurants close at hand. Just a short walk from the Octagon, railway station, theatres, shops, and close to Otago university, it is the perfect location from which to explore Dunedin. Whether you are staying for business or pleasure, it is hard to go past the Scenic Hotel Southern Cross.
Features
- TV
- Mini Bar
- Hair Dryer
- Refrigerator
- Wireless Internet access
- Guest Laundry
- Dry cleaning service
- Gym facilities
- 24 hour room service
3/7
Day 4 - Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas
64 Lakefront Terrace, Te Anau 9460, South Island
Located on the Te Anau lake front, a short stroll from the Te Anau town centre, Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas is perfectly situated for you to make the most of this beautiful area. If you need an escape from everyday life and a chance to indulge yourself with a relaxing holiday, this is the place for you.
Features
- 2 Queen Beds
- Individual heater control
- Flat Screen TV
- In-house movies
- Refrigerator
- Coffee/tea making facilities
- Phone
- Hair Dryer
- Iron / Ironing Board
4/7
Day 5 - Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
32 Frankton Rd, Queenstown 9300, South Island
Millennium Hotel Queenstown is only minutes from Queenstown shopping, entertainment and outdoor activities such as bungee jumping, white water rafting and jet boating.
Features
- Air Conditioning
- Colour TV
- Refrigerator
- Mini Bar
- Phone
- In-room safe
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Hair Dryer
- Electric blankets
- Broadband Internet access
5/7
Day 7 - Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
36 Main Road, Franz Josef Glacier 7886, New Zealand
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier sits at the edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, and is just moments from one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions, the Franz Josef Glacier. Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier makes the most of its alpine location and offers quality accommodation in two separate hotel ‘wings’. Stay in either the Douglas or Graham wing, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings within Franz Josef village. Our hotel is in a premium location, making it the perfect place to base yourself while exploring the magnificent Westland region.
Features
- Hair Dryer
- Work Desk
- Mini Bar
- Wireless Internet access
- Tea & Coffee Facilities
- Four Spa Pools
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Refrigerator
6/7
Day 9 - Distinction Christchurch Hotel
The newly renovated Distinction Christchurch Hotel is an urban escape combining sophisticated smarts and familiar warmth whilst standing proud amongst the buzz of the rejuvenation of Cathedral Square.
Ideally positioned in the heart of the city only a few minutes' walk from the Avon River, Botanical Gardens, Christchurch Casino, Cashel Mall and future Christchurch Convention Centre.
Features
- Wi-Fi
- Sauna
- Gym facilities
- TV
7/7
Optional Experiences
Please note, prices for Optional Experiences are subject to change.
To ensure your holiday is filled with memorable experiences, we have included a range of quality Optional Experiences for you to choose from and partake in, if you wish, during your holiday. The experiences can be booked on tour through your Travel Director.
Air Milford - Milford Sound Flight Back to Queenstown (Queenstown)
NZ$470 Adult NZ$375 Child
A scenic flight from Milford Sound to return back to Queenstown. During the 35 minute flight take in panoramic views of spectacular scenery including glaciers, rivers, lakes and rainforest. Returrn transport to Queenstown accommodation is included.
Air Safaris - Grand Traverse Scenic Flight (Mt Cook)
NZ$470 Adult NZ$375 Child
Explore the alpine wonderland of the Southern Alps’ highest peaks and glacial lakes on this 45-minute scenic flight, including Murchison Glacier, Tasman Glacier, Main Divide, Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, westland coastal rainforests and Mount Cook.
Haast River Safari (Franz Josef Glacier)
NZ$119 Adult NZ$69 Child
Travel on a purpose built fully enclosed river jet boat with front-loading access. Great visibility is ensured, yet you remain warm, dry and comfortable, making this a unique and safe experience suitable for anyone of any age to participate in and enjoy.
Pure Glenorchy - Lord of the Rings Scenic Tour (road-Queenstown)
NZ$189 Adult NZ$99 Child
Lord of The Rings Scenic Tour: Visit the stunning locations from Lord of The Rings. Encounter lsengard, Lothlorien Forest, The Misty Mountains, Ithilien and many more. Experience the absolute beauty of the Dart River Valley and our closest world heritage area. Learn about the remarkable history and unique culture of Glenorchy. Our tour feature’s some of the world’s most spectacular scenery visiting Mt Aspiring World Heritage Area, Glenorchy, The Dart River Valley and Paradise. Encounter ancient beech forest, braided rivers and glacier carved valleys.
The Helicopter Line - Neve Discoverer Flight 20mins (Franz Josef Glacier)
Adult: $330.00 NZD
Lift off and fly up over the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier to land amongst this alpine wonderland on a 20-minute scenic flight. Highlights include landing at the head of the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier and a snow or icefall landing.
Larnach Castle Tour (Dunedin)
NZ$91.00 Adult NZ$54.00 Child
Let your local driver take you on an exciting Otago Peninsula drive to New Zealand’s only castle. Your guided tour of the Larnach family home will give you insight into not only the architecture and style of the stately building, but also into William Larnach’s family life and the restoration done by the current owners during the past three decades. Enjoy views from the tower and marvel at the immaculate gardens before your return to Dunedin.
City to Sea Tour (Dunedin )
Adult: $105.00 NZD
Child: $45.00 NZD
Meet our unique local wildlife and discover why Dunedin is NZ’s nature capital. Enjoy a special wildlife experience around Taiaroa Head and out to sea. Enjoy uninterrupted views of the royal albatross nesting colony, the world’s only mainland breeding site for albatross. Watch as these huge birds glide in from the ocean on three metre wings and then soar high above the hillside. The boat will get close to spectacular volcanic cliffs for postcard views of a historic lighthouse. Below the cliffs you’ll watch as NZ fur seals play, swim and interact around their breeding rookery. A short way out to sea and we may spot rarely seen ocean birds, like other albatross species, cormorants and petrels. On some trips we come across sea lions, blue penguins, dusky dolphins, hectors dolphins and other marine mammals.
Speights Brewery - Guided Tour (Dunedin)
Adult: $35.00 NZD
No visitor to Dunedin should leave without taking the Speight’s Brewery Tour. Since 1876 the brewery has been proudly producing Speight’s legendary ales from the same site in Rattray Street. On the Speight’s Brewery Tour you’ll see, smell, touch and taste the ingredients that go into making Speight’s beers – and of course, get to sample “The Pride of the South” for yourself!
The Helicopter Line - Mountain Scenic Flight 40mins (Franz Josef)
Adult: $580.00 NZD
Discover the gigantic expanse of the Franz Josef and Fox snowfields on this 40-minute scenic flight. Cross the main divide for breathtaking views of Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. Highlights include a snow landing, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and Mt Cook.
The Helicopter Line - Twin Glacier Flight 30mins (Franz Josef Glacier)
Adult: $425.00 NZD
From a mantle of pure white snow, massive rivers of ice wind their way down glacier valleys. Explore the glaciers, an incredible natural phenomenon on this 30-minute scenic flight. Highlights include a snow landing at the head of the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier.
Dart River Jet (Queenstown)
NZ$299 Adult NZ$205 Child
A stimulating not-to-be missed journey into the Dart River Valley where mythology, heritage & fantasy meet reality. our Jet trip is an exhilarating and spectacular journey deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mt Aspiring National Park, with the only jet boat operator allowed on the Dart River.
Kiwi Birdlife Park (Queenstown)
Adult: $52.00 NZD
Child: $26.00 NZD
The Kiwi Birdlife Park is a wildlife sanctuary found in the heart of Queenstown. They hold and display over 20 species of native NZ wildlife in our 5 acre Park, all of which are part of nationally managed programmes. Your entry fee supports their conservation work. They offer guaranteed kiwi viewing in our specially constructed nocturnal houses, audio tours (available in English and Japanese; allow 45min), Conservation Shows (11am, 3pm; allow 30min) and Kiwi Feedings (10am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 4.30pm; allow 15min). They offer an all-day pass and the park can be enjoyed in all weather. Experience conservation in action!
Skippers Canyon Scenic Tour & Jet Boat (Skippers Canyon)
Adult $189 Child: $115
The Skippers Canyon Scenic Tour offers a great balance of stunning scenery and local history just a short drive from central Queenstown. The trip includes a guided drive into historic Skippers Canyon via the infamous Skippers Road, on board commentary from knowledgeable drivers about the history of the area including the miners who battled the harsh New Zealand conditions to extract gold from the richest gold bearing river in the world.
Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (Te Anau)
NZ$119 Adult NZ$59 Child
2.5 hour tour incorporating a cruise across Lake Te Anau to Cavern House. Enjoy a guided tour (in small groups) through the limestone caverns, waterfalls and the glow worm grotto. Complimentary tea & coffee is available at Cavern House
Appellation Central Wine Tours - Gourmet Food & Wine Tour (Queenstown)
Adult: $269.00
Bread to Bottle Tour MTM Experience (Dunedin)
Adult: $25.00 NZD
Visit Dunedin Craft Distillers, the first distillery in Aotearoa New Zealand and one of only a handful worldwide, to produce botanical spirits from surplus bread and bakery products that would otherwise go to landfill. Discover on this Make Travel Matter Experience, how owners, Jenny McDonald and Sue Stockwell do it in a ‘Bread to Bottle Tour’ which takes you through the process used to turn bread into spirits.
KJET (Queenstown)
NZ$135 Adult NZ$69 Child
Take on the mighty Shotover River with Kawarau Jet (KJet) – Queenstown’s original Jet boat ride. Only KJet offers a 60 minute Queenstown Jet boat experience with unforgettable thrills, spins & exhilaration across three waterways in one of the world’s most stunning locations.
Monarch Wildlife Cruise & Larnach Castle Tour (Dunedin)
NZ$160 Adult NZ$80 Child
Let your local driver take you on an exciting Otago Peninsula drive to New Zealand’s only castle. Your guided tour of the Larnach family home will give you insight into not only the architecture and style of the stately building, but also into William Larnach’s family life and the restoration done by the current owners during the past three decades. Enjoy views from the tower and marvel at the immaculate gardens before your return to Dunedin. Join our invigorating Wildlife Cruise around Taiaroa Head, home to the world's only mainland nesting place of royal albatross. Watch as these huge birds glide in from the ocean and soar high above their hillside nests.
Trip Details
What's included
- Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
- Be My Guest Experience with Angie and Stan Taylor at their property in Tekapo
- Centrally located premium 4- & 5-star hotels
Dining
- • 9 Full Breakfast
- • 1 Lunch
- • 1 Dinner
- • 4 Dinners with Wine
- • 1 Highlight Dinner
- • 1 Farewell Dinner
- • 1 Be My Guest Afternoon Tea
Flight Information
- Day 1: Flights to arrive by 4:00pm in Christchurch Airport
What to Bring
- • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
- • Water bottle
- • Warm layers in cooler months
- • Camera
- • Comfortable walking shoes
Fitness Requirements
- •
Itinerary Download Itinerary
Southern Spectacular (Travel Period: 01 Apr 2023 – 31 Mar 2024)
At once forward-thinking and fun, Christchurch is the kind of city you could lose yourself in for a week – or more. You have this afternoon, so make the most of it. We recommend riding the rails on the vintage Christchurch Tram, a narrated hop-on, hop-off experience that loops around town, your energetic host pointing out historic architecture and new developments that have popped up since the 2010/2011 earthquakes. Freshen up because it’s time to meet your fellow adventure-seekers over a couple of wines at a Welcome Reception.
Hotel:
Distinction Christchurch Hotel
If you didn’t get your bearings yesterday, you certainly will on today’s Christchurch tour, taking in the city’s record-breaking Transitional Cathedral – who knew you could build a church from cardboard and not much else? – as well as past the gilded library, gleaming like an architectural beacon. The buildings of the city fade into a patchwork of farms as you ease across the Canterbury Plains toward Morelea. Here, Angie and Stan Taylor welcome you to their home with a slap-up Be My Guest afternoon tea and tales about life on the land. And this land is truly dramatic, backdropped by powdery mountains and cut with turquoise lakes, none quite as pretty as Lake Tekapo, on its banks the stone-hewn Church of the Good Shepherd. It’s like someone has taken the glasses off your nose and cleaned them for the first time.
Hotel:
MacKenzie Country Hotel
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Be My Guest Afternoon Tea, Dinner with Wine
More water awaits on day three, your journey following the Waitaki River to mighty Benmore Dam; it powers 300,000 New Zealand homes. You’re en route to the city of Dunedin, replete with rolling green meadows and grand stone castles. It kind of feels like you’ve been transported to Scotland – small wonder it’s known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. With this afternoon at your leisure, we recommend a cruise to spot penguins and fur seals along the Otago Peninsula, or perhaps a visit to Speight’s Brewery – a New Zealand institution that makes everything from a fragrant Old Dark to a crisp Apple Cider. And pretty much everything in between. There’s always that castle to explore… Larnach may not have the history of Scotland’s grand estates, but it’s just as pretty in our humble opinion. A NZ holiday must.
Hotel:
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Leave Dunedin’s bucolic sheep-farming countryside behind as you venture into World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park, a place of yawning gorges and gem-like glaciers, and azure lakes so large they have their own islands. Case in point Pomona Island, where a charitable trust of passionate volunteers works to restore flora and fauna. With your help. Your cruise across Lake Manapouri is remote and ravishing during the day – it’s even prettier at night, when glowworms fill caves. Can we tempt you?
Hotel:
Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner
Nature rules again today, from the moment you depart Te Anau and begin your journey deep into the heart of Fiordland National Park. Think native rainforests, beech forests, alluvial flats and meadows; Mirror Lakes perfectly reflecting mountain scenery; and precipitous lookouts holding guard over alpine rivers. And this is just the entrée. The main course is your Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour, where you cruise in the company of dolphins that frolic under the torrent of mighty Bowen and Stirling Falls, and gaze at misty escarpments so sheer they appear to cleave off the edge of the Earth. You’re in the company of a naturalist who knows every nook and cranny of this mighty cavern and will point out flora and fauna you would have never spotted on your own.
Hotel:
Millennium Hotel, Queenstown,
2 Nights
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Shotover Jet, perhaps. Prefer wine to get your heart started? See why Central Otago makes some of the world’s most raved about cool-climate pinots on a cellar door tour. Wherever your Queenstown New Zealand tour wanderings take you, reunite with your companions come dusk to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw, your barbecue Highlight Dinner served on the grounds of Walter Peak High Country Farm. Trips to New Zealand don’t get much tastier than this.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
In the shadow of the Remarkables, Queenstown is pretty spectacular. But it has some stiff good-looks competition from neighbouring Arrowtown, with its movie-set tree-lined avenues and 19th-century buildings that once housed gold-rush fortune-seekers. Things grow well in this verdant countryside, from cherries to pinot grapes and all manner of stone fruit. Have you ever eaten a freshly-plucked peach handed to you by a farmer? Prepare for a flavour explosion. The next explosion is a visual one as you arrive at Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere. Get some perspective of this immense ice fall on an optional helicopter flight – you may even get to land on it.
Hotel:
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Emerald hues are reflected in the greenstone (jade) mined in Hokitika, where artisans show you just how talented they are at carving jewellery and mementos. Just try and keep your purse closed here. Nature carved Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks and blowholes, where waves thunder through cracks in the Earth. This is the soundtrack that lulls you to sleep at tonight’s eco-resort.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Wine may steal the scene across much of New Zealand, but at legendary Monteith’s Brewery, beer rules. Sip your way through a tasting paddle of XPA, IPA, lager and pale ale because you’re not driving to the station where your TranzAlpine for your train trip across New Zealand’s South Island. This is one of those NZ holiday experiences where the journey matters just as much as the destination, as you sweep through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. What a way to end a day.
Hotel:
Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner
The last 10 days of your NZ holiday flew by. Return home with new friends, a full SD card on your camera – and even more memories.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.
Southern Spectacular
First Choice
10 Day Guided Vacation
Christchurch Return
Southern calling? This trip to New Zealand unites some of the country’s most fabled playgrounds – think adventure-filled Queenstown tours, a World Heritage listed Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour and possible gem-like Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere tours – with some of its must off-the radar pockets. Have you heard of the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, or glimpsed the turquoise lakes outside Twizel?
Highlights
Insider Knowledge
Cruising World Heritage listed Milford Sound/Piopiotahi is a ‘pinch me’ experience. The only way it gets better is with a guide pointing out dolphins and fur seals.
Local Connection
Angie and Stan Taylor are the kind of people you will want as best friends. After visiting their lush estate in Tekapo – Angie’s afternoon tea is a dream – they will be.
Cultural Immersion
Farming is a big deal in New Zealand, as you’ll fast discover at Walter Peak Station. Learn about life on the land, then sit down to a barbecue dinner.
Sustainable Footprints
Pomona Island Charitable Trust works with passionate volunteers to rehabilitate the South Island’s largest inland island. You get to be a part of the magic.
Wildlife & Nature
Snow-capped mountains, a mirror-like lake, white-water rivers and vine-laced fields. Queenstown is blessed with natural assets.
Accommodation
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort.
The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:
Day 1 - Distinction Christchurch Hotel
The newly renovated Distinction Christchurch Hotel is an urban escape combining sophisticated smarts and familiar warmth whilst standing proud amongst the buzz of the rejuvenation of Cathedral Square.
Ideally positioned in the heart of the city only a few minutes' walk from the Avon River, Botanical Gardens, Christchurch Casino, Cashel Mall and future Christchurch Convention Centre.
Features
- Wi-Fi
- Sauna
- Gym facilities
- TV
1/7
Day 2 - MacKenzie Country Hotel
Corner Of Ostler & Wairepo Streets, Twizel 7901 New Zealand
The MacKenzie Country Hotel is located in the heart of the Mackenzie region, a unique area of New Zealand's South Island. Featuring natural stonework, the architecture beautifully reflects and compliments the mountains and riverbeds of the surrounding landscape.
Features
- Private balcony
- Wireless Internet access
- Refrigerator
- Electric blankets
- Flat Screen TV
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Hairdryer
- Tea & Coffee Facilities
- Ensuite
- Phone
2/7
Day 3 - Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
118 High St, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
The Scenic Hotel Southern Cross is Dunedin's largest and most established hotel. Located in the heart of Dunedin, this hotel has been extensively refurbished and now provides guests with modern style, exquisite quality, convenience and exceptional service. The Scenic Hotel Southern Cross provides stylish inner city accommodation, giving the convenience of having entertainment, shopping and restaurants close at hand. Just a short walk from the Octagon, railway station, theatres, shops, and close to Otago university, it is the perfect location from which to explore Dunedin. Whether you are staying for business or pleasure, it is hard to go past the Scenic Hotel Southern Cross.
Features
- TV
- Mini Bar
- Hair Dryer
- Refrigerator
- Wireless Internet access
- Guest Laundry
- Dry cleaning service
- Gym facilities
- 24 hour room service
3/7
Day 4 - Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas
64 Lakefront Terrace, Te Anau 9460, South Island
Located on the Te Anau lake front, a short stroll from the Te Anau town centre, Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas is perfectly situated for you to make the most of this beautiful area. If you need an escape from everyday life and a chance to indulge yourself with a relaxing holiday, this is the place for you.
Features
- 2 Queen Beds
- Individual heater control
- Flat Screen TV
- In-house movies
- Refrigerator
- Coffee/tea making facilities
- Phone
- Hair Dryer
- Iron / Ironing Board
4/7
Day 5 - Millennium Hotel, Queenstown (2 Nights)
32 Frankton Rd, Queenstown 9300, South Island
Millennium Hotel Queenstown is only minutes from Queenstown shopping, entertainment and outdoor activities such as bungee jumping, white water rafting and jet boating.
Features
- Air Conditioning
- Colour TV
- Refrigerator
- Mini Bar
- Phone
- In-room safe
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Hair Dryer
- Electric blankets
- Broadband Internet access
5/7
Day 7 - Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
36 Main Road, Franz Josef Glacier 7886, New Zealand
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier sits at the edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, and is just moments from one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions, the Franz Josef Glacier. Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier makes the most of its alpine location and offers quality accommodation in two separate hotel ‘wings’. Stay in either the Douglas or Graham wing, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings within Franz Josef village. Our hotel is in a premium location, making it the perfect place to base yourself while exploring the magnificent Westland region.
Features
- Hair Dryer
- Work Desk
- Mini Bar
- Wireless Internet access
- Tea & Coffee Facilities
- Four Spa Pools
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Refrigerator
6/7
Day 9 - Distinction Christchurch Hotel
The newly renovated Distinction Christchurch Hotel is an urban escape combining sophisticated smarts and familiar warmth whilst standing proud amongst the buzz of the rejuvenation of Cathedral Square.
Ideally positioned in the heart of the city only a few minutes' walk from the Avon River, Botanical Gardens, Christchurch Casino, Cashel Mall and future Christchurch Convention Centre.
Features
- Wi-Fi
- Sauna
- Gym facilities
- TV
7/7
Optional Experiences
Please note, prices for Optional Experiences are subject to change.
To ensure your holiday is filled with memorable experiences, we have included a range of quality Optional Experiences for you to choose from and partake in, if you wish, during your holiday. The experiences can be booked on tour through your Travel Director.
Air Milford - Milford Sound Flight Back to Queenstown (Queenstown)
NZ$470 Adult NZ$375 Child
A scenic flight from Milford Sound to return back to Queenstown. During the 35 minute flight take in panoramic views of spectacular scenery including glaciers, rivers, lakes and rainforest. Returrn transport to Queenstown accommodation is included.
Air Safaris - Grand Traverse Scenic Flight (Mt Cook)
NZ$470 Adult NZ$375 Child
Explore the alpine wonderland of the Southern Alps’ highest peaks and glacial lakes on this 45-minute scenic flight, including Murchison Glacier, Tasman Glacier, Main Divide, Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, westland coastal rainforests and Mount Cook.
Haast River Safari (Franz Josef Glacier)
NZ$119 Adult NZ$69 Child
Travel on a purpose built fully enclosed river jet boat with front-loading access. Great visibility is ensured, yet you remain warm, dry and comfortable, making this a unique and safe experience suitable for anyone of any age to participate in and enjoy.
Pure Glenorchy - Lord of the Rings Scenic Tour (road-Queenstown)
NZ$189 Adult NZ$99 Child
Lord of The Rings Scenic Tour: Visit the stunning locations from Lord of The Rings. Encounter lsengard, Lothlorien Forest, The Misty Mountains, Ithilien and many more. Experience the absolute beauty of the Dart River Valley and our closest world heritage area. Learn about the remarkable history and unique culture of Glenorchy. Our tour feature’s some of the world’s most spectacular scenery visiting Mt Aspiring World Heritage Area, Glenorchy, The Dart River Valley and Paradise. Encounter ancient beech forest, braided rivers and glacier carved valleys.
The Helicopter Line - Neve Discoverer Flight 20mins (Franz Josef Glacier)
Adult: $330.00 NZD
Lift off and fly up over the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier to land amongst this alpine wonderland on a 20-minute scenic flight. Highlights include landing at the head of the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier and a snow or icefall landing.
Larnach Castle Tour (Dunedin)
NZ$91.00 Adult NZ$54.00 Child
Let your local driver take you on an exciting Otago Peninsula drive to New Zealand’s only castle. Your guided tour of the Larnach family home will give you insight into not only the architecture and style of the stately building, but also into William Larnach’s family life and the restoration done by the current owners during the past three decades. Enjoy views from the tower and marvel at the immaculate gardens before your return to Dunedin.
City to Sea Tour (Dunedin )
Adult: $105.00 NZD
Child: $45.00 NZD
Meet our unique local wildlife and discover why Dunedin is NZ’s nature capital. Enjoy a special wildlife experience around Taiaroa Head and out to sea. Enjoy uninterrupted views of the royal albatross nesting colony, the world’s only mainland breeding site for albatross. Watch as these huge birds glide in from the ocean on three metre wings and then soar high above the hillside. The boat will get close to spectacular volcanic cliffs for postcard views of a historic lighthouse. Below the cliffs you’ll watch as NZ fur seals play, swim and interact around their breeding rookery. A short way out to sea and we may spot rarely seen ocean birds, like other albatross species, cormorants and petrels. On some trips we come across sea lions, blue penguins, dusky dolphins, hectors dolphins and other marine mammals.
Speights Brewery - Guided Tour (Dunedin)
Adult: $35.00 NZD
No visitor to Dunedin should leave without taking the Speight’s Brewery Tour. Since 1876 the brewery has been proudly producing Speight’s legendary ales from the same site in Rattray Street. On the Speight’s Brewery Tour you’ll see, smell, touch and taste the ingredients that go into making Speight’s beers – and of course, get to sample “The Pride of the South” for yourself!
The Helicopter Line - Mountain Scenic Flight 40mins (Franz Josef)
Adult: $580.00 NZD
Discover the gigantic expanse of the Franz Josef and Fox snowfields on this 40-minute scenic flight. Cross the main divide for breathtaking views of Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. Highlights include a snow landing, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and Mt Cook.
The Helicopter Line - Twin Glacier Flight 30mins (Franz Josef Glacier)
Adult: $425.00 NZD
From a mantle of pure white snow, massive rivers of ice wind their way down glacier valleys. Explore the glaciers, an incredible natural phenomenon on this 30-minute scenic flight. Highlights include a snow landing at the head of the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier.
Dart River Jet (Queenstown)
NZ$299 Adult NZ$205 Child
A stimulating not-to-be missed journey into the Dart River Valley where mythology, heritage & fantasy meet reality. our Jet trip is an exhilarating and spectacular journey deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mt Aspiring National Park, with the only jet boat operator allowed on the Dart River.
Kiwi Birdlife Park (Queenstown)
Adult: $52.00 NZD
Child: $26.00 NZD
The Kiwi Birdlife Park is a wildlife sanctuary found in the heart of Queenstown. They hold and display over 20 species of native NZ wildlife in our 5 acre Park, all of which are part of nationally managed programmes. Your entry fee supports their conservation work. They offer guaranteed kiwi viewing in our specially constructed nocturnal houses, audio tours (available in English and Japanese; allow 45min), Conservation Shows (11am, 3pm; allow 30min) and Kiwi Feedings (10am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 4.30pm; allow 15min). They offer an all-day pass and the park can be enjoyed in all weather. Experience conservation in action!
Skippers Canyon Scenic Tour & Jet Boat (Skippers Canyon)
Adult $189 Child: $115
The Skippers Canyon Scenic Tour offers a great balance of stunning scenery and local history just a short drive from central Queenstown. The trip includes a guided drive into historic Skippers Canyon via the infamous Skippers Road, on board commentary from knowledgeable drivers about the history of the area including the miners who battled the harsh New Zealand conditions to extract gold from the richest gold bearing river in the world.
Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (Te Anau)
NZ$119 Adult NZ$59 Child
2.5 hour tour incorporating a cruise across Lake Te Anau to Cavern House. Enjoy a guided tour (in small groups) through the limestone caverns, waterfalls and the glow worm grotto. Complimentary tea & coffee is available at Cavern House
Appellation Central Wine Tours - Gourmet Food & Wine Tour (Queenstown)
Adult: $269.00
Monarch Wildlife Cruise & Larnach Castle Tour (Dunedin)
NZ$160 Adult NZ$80 Child
Let your local driver take you on an exciting Otago Peninsula drive to New Zealand’s only castle. Your guided tour of the Larnach family home will give you insight into not only the architecture and style of the stately building, but also into William Larnach’s family life and the restoration done by the current owners during the past three decades. Enjoy views from the tower and marvel at the immaculate gardens before your return to Dunedin. Join our invigorating Wildlife Cruise around Taiaroa Head, home to the world's only mainland nesting place of royal albatross. Watch as these huge birds glide in from the ocean and soar high above their hillside nests.
Bread to Bottle Tour MTM Experience (Dunedin)
Adult: $25.00 NZD
Visit Dunedin Craft Distillers, the first distillery in Aotearoa New Zealand and one of only a handful worldwide, to produce botanical spirits from surplus bread and bakery products that would otherwise go to landfill. Discover on this Make Travel Matter Experience, how owners, Jenny McDonald and Sue Stockwell do it in a ‘Bread to Bottle Tour’ which takes you through the process used to turn bread into spirits.
KJET (Queenstown)
NZ$135 Adult NZ$69 Child
Take on the mighty Shotover River with Kawarau Jet (KJet) – Queenstown’s original Jet boat ride. Only KJet offers a 60 minute Queenstown Jet boat experience with unforgettable thrills, spins & exhilaration across three waterways in one of the world’s most stunning locations.
