South Island Discovery:

Places Covered:

Christchurch, Dunedin, Te Anau, Queenstown, Glaciers.

8 Nights / 9 Days

Detailed Itinerary:    

Day 01: Arrive Christchurch

On arrival at Christchurch Airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. (Self-drive passengers collect your rental car for your exclusive use until the end of the tour package).

Day 02: Christchurch - Dunedin

Travel across the Canterbury Plains through Timaru and Oamaru to reach Dunedin early afternoon, rest of the day is free for optional activities, such as wildlife cruises and the Taieri Gorge Train ride. (Self-drive passengers may wish to explore Mt Cook on the way from Christchurch to Dunedin).

Day 03: Dunedin - Te Anau

Morning is free for further optional activities such as visiting Larnach Castle or the Royal Albatross. In the afternoon travel across the rich farming country of South Otago and Southland. Pass Lumsden, Mossburn and the first glimpses of Fiordland. (Self-drive passengers are free to participate in more optional activities before driving to Te Anau).

Day 04: Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown

Today we pass forests and lakes to reach Milford Sound. The cruise travel the full length of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea, providing excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time to enjoy the waterfalls, rainforests, mountains and wildlife. You will pass Mitre Peak, the highest mountain in the world to rise vertically from the sea. View the Stirling and Bowen Falls as you cruise out to the Tasman Sea. Return to the pier where you reboard your coach for your return journey to Queenstown.

Day 05: Queenstown

This is completely free day for you to pursue your own activities. Queenstown offers jet boating, lake cruised, bungy jumping, rafting, hose riding etc and may be a visit to the Sky Alpine Casino. (B)

Day 06: Queenstown - West Coast Glaciers

Travel to the Kawarau Gorge past Lake Dunstan on toward Wanaka. On past Lake Hawea as you head toward "the neck", a stop is made in Makarora before crossing the Southern Alps as you enter the Haast Pass. We pause at Knights Point to view magnificent seascapes. From here pass Lakes Moeraki and Paringa then past Bruce Bay to arrive at the Glaciers region in the evening.

Day 07: West Coast Glaciers

A full day at leisure to enjoy the magnificent glaciers. Climb on to the slow moving river of ice or take a scenic flight (optional) for a bird's eye view of this spectacular terrain.

Day 08: West Coast Glaciers - Greymouth – Christchurch

Travel along the coast to Greymouth to join the Tranz Alpine Express across the Southern Alps to Christchurch (seat-in coach passengers only). (Self-drive passengers travel via Arthur's Pass road en route to Christchurch).

Day 09: Depart Christchurch

Transfer to the airport is included for your departure flight. (Self-drive passengers return your car directly at the airport).