Wellington > Nelson > Punakaiki > Fox Glacier > Wanaka > Te Anau > Queenstown > Twizel > Christchurch
This escorted tour squeezes more jaw-dropping scenery into two weeks than any other! The South Island has an unparalleled variety of landscapes from the majestic Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, to the stunning views across Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, to the Remarkable Mountains, plus the wilderness of Fiordland.
Haere mai – welcome! Today you are free to explore. Depending on your interests, we suggest a stroll along Oriental Parade, or a city tour (at own cost) to pack more in!
Enjoy one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world. From the South Island port of Picton it’s a short drive into sauvignon country, so we pause at a Marlborough winery for a tasting session, before arriving in Nelson.
The idyllic Abel Tasman National Park is best explored by boat and on foot. Sailing from Kaiteriteri, today offers a choice:
Scenic Cruise: 3-4 hours (no walking) – A morning cruise reveals golden sands and turquoise waters, returning to Nelson for a free afternoon.
Astrolabe Beaches & Bays (plus 2.5 hour walk) – After the Scenic Cruise, disembark at Apple Tree Bay for a self-guided walk (7 kms) to Anchorage Beach. Later transfer to Nelson.
Forest & Swing-Bridge (plus 4 hour walk) – After the Scenic Cruise, disembark at Medlands Beach for a self-guided hike (10.5 kms) that includes South Head lookout and Cleopatra’s Pool. Late transfer to Nelson.
We travel through Nelson Lakes National Park to the shores of Lake Rotoiti, then follow the gold-miners’ route, crossing the Buller River Gorge by single-track bridges. Emerging onto the west coast, we marvel at Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks: limestone stacks weathered by the stormy Tasman Sea.
The Great Coast Road – one of the world’s 10 most scenic coastal drives – is our route today, to Hokitika, where there’s the chance to browse excellent art and craft galleries, and on to Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. These rivers of ice flow down almost to sea level and (weather permitting) there’s time for an optional (at own cost) helicopter trip to see them at closer quarters!
A stroll beside Lake Matheson may be rewarded by a fabulous photo of Mount Cook mirrored in its waters. Then head over the Haast Pass through Mt Aspiring National Park to Lake Wanaka – for many South Islanders, their favourite spot for R&R.
Nature lovers may take a lake cruise to a conservation island with an eco-guide to discover native birds like the flightless Buff Weka or you can choose to enjoy a scenic 4WD adventure to a high country farm above the lake.
Drive over the Crown Range to charming Arrowtown, a gold rush village, then down the eastern shore of spectacular Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau: gateway to Fiordland National Park.
We follow river gorges through a wilderness of ancient rain forests and arrive at Milford Sound. Our small ship cruise takes us past Mitre Peak towards the Sound’s opening into the Tasman Sea. In a tour packed with scenic journeys, today’s is unforgettable!
What a stunning resort! Sophisticated Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu are yours to enjoy. The choice of optional experiences (at own cost) is awesome: zip-line, jet-boat and bungee thrills, with a gondola glide to Bob’s Peak, a cruise on TSS Earnslaw, wine-tasting or walking more relaxing ideas!
Leaving Queenstown by the Kawarau Gorge we cross Central Otago and drive beside Lake Pukaki into the Southern Alps to get as close to Aoraki Mount Cook as is possible by road.
Day 12 Twizel to Lake Tekapo across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch
Head down the Tasman Valley from Mount Cook and on to Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd, where the window behind the altar frames an astonishing view of the lake.
Then across the high country’s tussock plains, through Fairlie and Geraldine to the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch
What better way to see this most English of New Zealand cities than from a punt steered by an Edwardian-era boatman on the River Avon? Then we take a trip on a heritage tram through a city re-inventing itself after the 2010/11 earthquakes, with exciting buildings like the ‘cardboard’ Cathedral. Tonight, we come together for a farewell dinner.
After breakfast we transfer you to Christchurch Airport or, if we are making additional arrangements for you, set you on the next stage of your trip of a lifetime. Haere ra!
Very much enjoyed the superb Gallipoli exhibition at Te Papa Museum, Wellington. Loved the jet boat trip on our day out to Arthur’s Pass and the caves at Charleston.
A wonderful holiday!Chris and Joyce Brill
The Million Dollar cruise on Lake Wakatipu was absolutely brilliant – the guide was very knowledgeable and we would highly recommend this trip.
Our meal on the Mission Estate was one of the best meals of the holiday and the gardens at Hamilton were a real surprise.
But the main highlight has to have been the Milford Mariner overnight cruise – not the best of weather, we couldn’t get out on the kayaks – but a wonderful experience.Colin and Maureen Smith
Choosing a small group tour means you don’t have to worry about organising travel at all. With every one of our small group tours, we’ll arrange all of your transportation. We can even organise your initial flights to New Zealand! If you’d like to find out more about any of our tour packages, please do get in touch.
