Tour Inclusions
- Christchurch - explore from the Christchurch Tram
- Dunedin - Larnach Castle NZ's only castle
- Franz Josef Glacier - the magnificent glacier
- Haast Pass
- Lake Tekapo - Church of the Good Shepherd
- Mt Cook - NZ/s tallest mountain
- Milford Sound - cruise
- Milford Sound - Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls
- Punakaiki - Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
- Queenstown - T.S.S. Earnslaw cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station
- Queenstown - Free day in New Zealand's adventure capital
- TranzAlpine Train - Discover the beauty of the Southern Alps
Meals
- 9 Full Buffet Breakfasts (B)
- 1 Exciting Highlight Dinner (HD)
- 6 Hotel Dinners (D)
- 1 'You are invited' Lunch (L) (2011 Departures Only)
- Welcome Drink
Escorted Coach Tour Standard Inclusions
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, seatbelts, reclining seats, panoramic windows
- Experienced, professional Tour Director
- Luxury coach Driver
- Twin share accommodation with private facilities in quality hotels
- Admissions Outlined in the Itinerary
- Airport transfers to/from hotel
- Hotel Porterage
- Travel wallet and map
| 1 | Arrive Christchurch We meet and transfer you from the airport to your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure to explore Christchurch. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Novotel Christchurch |
| 2 |
Mt Cook |
 ACCOMMODATION: MacKenzie Country Inn - Deluxe Rooms, Twizel |
| 3 (B) (D) |
Dunedin On our way to Dunedin we see the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme, Benmore Dam andthe famous white limestone buildings of Oamaru. At Dunedin we tour the city, then you’ve got the afternoon to yourself. Take a Wildlife Cruise to see Penguins and the Royal Albatross, visit the Cadbury Factory or ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Southern Cross Hotel |
| 4 (B) (D) |
Dunedin – Te Anau This morning enjoy a guided tour of New Zealand’s only castle - Larnach Castle and its gardens. Then we head to Te Anau across fertile farming land to the shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island. Tonight, if you choose to, you can see the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Distinction Hotel |
| 5 (B) |
Milford Sound Today is a feast for the senses. Be wowed and awestruck by the beauty of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Keep your camera close by as we see Mirror Lakes, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley, The Chasm, the hand-made Homer Tunnel, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and stunningly photogenic Milford Sound. The Devils Stair Case and Lake Wakatipu pass us by. We arrive at Queenstown for an orientation tour and group photo. The dinner option (own expense) tonight is the Skyline Restaurant on Bob’s Peak – sensational views over Queenstown and a bonus Kiwi Haka Maori Show, plus you’ll ride the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere just to get there! A top night. |
ACCOMMODATION: Millennium Hotel (2 nights) |
| 6 (B) (HD) |
Queenstown Explore Queenstown at your leisure today. You could take an exhilarating jet boat ride or go white water rafting. For the less adventurous there are wine and garden tours. Tonight board the historic steamship T.S.S. Earnslaw for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station where you experience an entertaining sheep shearing demonstration, some friendly Kiwi hospitality and a sumptuous carvery dinner. |
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| 7 (B) (D) |
Queenstown – Franz Josef Colourful Arrowtown is our first stop today to discover the rich gold mining history and browse through the delightful shops. See the Kawarau Gorge before stopping in Cromwell for the opportunity to taste fresh stone fruit. Later pass Lake Dunstan, New Zealand's largest man made lake before views Lakes Hawea and Wanaka. Travel over the Haast Pass to the West Coast. View the mighty Thunder Creek falls and take a short bush walk. Enjoy the scenery of the towering mountains and the sparkling Tasman Sea along the coastal road to Franz Josef Glacier - the world’s most accessible glacier. |
ACCOMMODATION: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel or Te Waonui Forest Retreat |
| 8 (B) (D) |
Franz Josef – Punakaiki Explore Franz Josef Glacier – take an optional flight (weather permitting) or a glacier hike! Then we depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. It’s on to Punakaiki where we’ll view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. We overnight at our exclusive eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Punakaiki Resort |
| 9 (B) (D) |
TranzAlpine - Christchurch Enjoy time at leisure before travelling via Greymouth to Arthur's Pass where we climb aboard the TranzAlpine – one of the top 6 train journeys in the world – and travel through the picturesque Southern Alps to Christchurch. From our carriage we enjoy views of lush beech rainforest before descending over spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. We travel through sixteen tunnels and five viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing 73 metres. |
ACCOMMODATION: Novotel Christchurch |
| 10 (B) |
Depart Christchurch Today is yours, take your time exploring Christchurch – the Garden City – famous for its gardens and being the most English city outside of England. See Hagley Park, Canterbury Museum, whatever – just make the most of it – it’s your last chance to experience New Zealand before we transfer you to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. |
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| This tour in reverse is Southern Explorer - ZRS. |
Prices are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD).
To book this tour:
- Click on the DATE - a tick will appear in the checkbox.
- Click on the PRE or POST accommodation you require.
- Change the "NUMBER OF TRAVELLERS" to 2, or If you are a single traveller, "Single Supplement" checkbox.
- Click [Add to Cart].
- Airfares are not included in the prices, unless where stated.
- You receive a smart travel wallet, luggage labels and a useful booklet containing valuable holiday information. Plus, while on tour, you will receive a map of New Zealand as a memento of your special escorted coach holiday.
- Twin-share accommodation is the basis of the price.
- TRAVELLING ALONE? If you are willing to share a room with a person of the same gender then you can save paying a single room supplement. We will ensure you share a room with a person of the same gender, if you tell us at booking time. If we fail to match you, we'll provide a single room at no extra cost. Please note: No smoking policy in all shared rooms.
- A single supplement must be added for travellers wanting a room alone.
- All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, and all details will be confirmed at time of booking.
- Dates are subject to availability at time of booking. You will receive confirmation within 24 hours from booking.
- Prices indicate brochure rates and dates, less discounts, however are still subject to final confirmation.
- Please refer to any additional General Information, eg Refund Policy, etc.
- If in doubt for any reason, please use the "Contact Us" form for this tour.
