A 10 day tour departing Wellington, and highlighting some of the best of the South Island. Includes sightseeing tours, scenic cruises, and some of the most spectacular scenery New Zealand has to offer. Scenic flights over the Southern Alps are also available.
Day 1 Wellington - Picton - Blenheim
Your tour departs from the Bay Plaza Hotel, 40 Oriental Parade at 8.00am. Join the Interislander Ferry and cruise to the South Island with spectacular views of the city left behind. Sail across Cook Strait and into the sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound. In Picton, you are welcomed by your South Island Coach Captain. Explore Picton, before making the short drive to Blenheim for an afternoon's sightseeing and a visit to the Montana Winery for a complimentary tasting and afternoon tea. Blenheim Country Hotel (1 night)
Day 2 Blenheim - Kaikoura - Christchurch
Past Lake Grassmere and follow the coastline to Kaikoura, an area noted for whale watching. Over the Hundalee Ranges and onto the Canterbury Plains to reach the Garden City of Christchurch. Visit the International Antarctic Centre before a city tour, noting the city's strong English influence. See the parklands and River Avon before boarding the Tourist Tram for a circuit of the city which showcases the main points of interest. Pavilions Hotel (1 night)
Day 3 Christchurch - Mt Cook - Omarama
Cross the Canterbury Plains and enter the foothills near Geraldine to the barren MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog memorial overlooking the milky waters of Lake Tekapo. Time for a spectacular flight over the Southern Alps, lakes and glaciers with Air Safaris (optional). Visit Mt Cook National Park, with New Zealand's highest snowcapped peak, before travelling around Lake Pukaki to Twizel and Omarama. Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 night)
Day 4 Omarama - Dunedin
Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin the Scottish city. An early arrival allows for a choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton's Citibus tour to see albatross, penguins and seals. Board the Taieri Gorge Railway or explore the city yourself. This evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift. Cargills Hotel (1 night)
Day 5 Dunedin - Lake Manapouri - Te Anau
Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at Lake Te Anau. Fiordland National Park Hotel (2 nights)
Day 6 Milford Sound Day Trip
A highlight of any tour. Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys where the beech forests reach to the roads edge and snow capped peaks tower above. Descend into the Cleddau Canyon to Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and to Bowen and Stirling Falls. Time to take a walk into the rainforest to visit The Chasm, a spectacular waterfall, or to the entrance of Homer Tunnel. If conditions permit, your Coach Captain may make a short drive into the Hollyford Valley. Return to Te Anau late afternoon.
Day 7 Te Anau - Queenstown
Cruise across Lake Te Anau to explore the underground world of rushing water and drift beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glow-worms, an unforgettable sight. This afternoon drive north to Kingston and around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to picturesque Queenstown. This evening, cruise across the lake aboard the steamship Earnslaw for dinner in the Colonel's Homestead at Walter Peak Sheep Station. Rydges Hotel (2 nights)
Day 8 Queenstown
A day to explore the delights of this alpine resort at leisure. Your Coach Captain will happily advise on the many optional sightseeing activities available. We recommend the world famous Shotover Jet Boat ride, take a Gondola ride to the Skyline high above the resort, a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon, white water rafting or browse in the many shops and galleries.
Day 9 Queenstown - Haast Pass - Fox Glacier
Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the glacier region. Explore the township or take the optional guided walk to the glacier terminal face. Fox Glacier Hotel (1 night)
Day 10 Fox Glacier - Christchurch
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glaciers, then on to Greymouth to a Greenstone (Jade) factory to see craftsmen cutting and polishing giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Cross the Otira Gorge and Arthurs Pass to the Canterbury Plains and into Christchurch. Your tour will conclude at approximately 5.30pm.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sightseeing tours of Christchurch and Dunedin
- Scenic cruise Wellington-Picton
- Montana Winery visit with tasting and afternoon tea
- Spectacular Kaikoura Coast
- World renowned Mt Cook Region
- Massive man-made Hydro Electric schemes
- Traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony
- The might of Milford Sound
- Te Anau glow-worm caves
- Spectacular Southern Lakes region
- Earnslaw Cruise and Dinner in Historic Homestead
- Remote National Parks of Westland and Fiordland
- West Coast Glaciers
- Visit Greenstone (Jade) Factory
- International Antarctic Centre
- Christchurch Sightseeing Tram
- Olveston House
- Milford Sound Launch Cruise
TRANZ ALPINE OPTION
Join the world famous Tranz Alpine train for a journey through the Southern Alps to Christchurch.
All transfers are provided. Ask for details.
Your tour concludes on arrival in Christchurch scheduled for 6.05pm.
ScenicPacific Tours, based in Christchurch and Auckland, offer the combined experience with two of New Zealand's leading coach and tour operators, with affiliations to the New Zealand Bus & Coach Association, the Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand, the Overseas Tour Operators Association and the Inbound Tour Operators Council.
Visitors are assured of a wonderful New Zealand experience with:
- The knowledge of traveling with an experienced tour operator
- Wide choice of tours and timetabled services every day
- Daily guaranteed departures on our Independent tours
- Centrally located hotels and motels for all overnight tours
- Train and national park inclusions where possible
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