NOVEMBER SPECIAL - SAVE $1000. PER PERSON
Tour 304. MAGNIFICENT SOUTH AND STEWART ISLAND. 13 days/12 nights. Part tour possible.
Christchurch, Tekapo, Mt Cook, Oamaru, Dunedin, Catlins, Invercargill, (Stewart Island option), Te Anau, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound. Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Hokitika, Punakaiki, Christchurch.
2024: Commences Christchurch October 01, November 19, December 10, 2023 - January 21, February 25, March 24, 2024.
Part tour possible. See end of itinerary.
Unsolicited comments from past passengers:
I speak for J and myself in praising Roy, our driver. He was an exceptional courier with his vast knowledge of the South Island. His expertise helps makes dreams come true. My son and myself are starting to save for a further trip to New Zealand. (J.D. England).
Just a note to say a big THANK YOU for a superb tour in the South Island, all the better for having Roy in command. (R.W. England)
We have just returned to England after a memorable and very enjoyable six weeks holiday in New Zealand. we booked a tour for 11 days to visit the South Island with your company and both P and I want to thank very much for making it such a wonderful unforgettable experience. All your drivers were very professional and knowledgeable and with a friendliness rarely encountered in other parts of the world. I would certainly have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending you and your company to any of my friends wanting to visit New Zealand. (B.D. and P.M. England)
Day 1. Sunday. ARRIVE CHRISTCHURCH
Arrive Christchurch. You will be met and transferred to your accommodation.
Day 2. Monday. CHRISTCHURCH - MOUNT COOK (B)
Pickup from your hotel or home anywhere in metro Christchurch. Drive across the fertile Canterbury Plains and over Burke's Pass to Lake Tekapo. See the sheep dog monument and Church of the Good Shepherd. Travel along the shores of Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. Free time for alpine walks, visit the National Park headquarters, or take a ski plane or helicopter flight to land on the snows of the glaciers - extra expense and weather permitting. Accommodation at the Hermitage in Mt Cook view rooms.
Day 3. Tuesday. MOUNT COOK - OAMARU - DUNEDIN (B)
We highly recommend the cruise among the icebergs on the lake at the base of the Tasman Glacier in summer - extra expense.
Drive down the Waitaki River Valley with a visit to the Benmore Hydro dam, the historic centre of Oamaru, and enjoy some beach time to explore the unique Moeraki Boulders. Accommodation in Dunedin for 2 nights.
Day 4. Wednesday. DUNEDIN (B)
Visit historic "Olveston House", Dunedin Chinese Garden, Knox Church, The Octagon, and the world's steepest street. This afternoon tour the Otago Peninsula including Larnachs Castle, Royal Albatross Centre, and see the local wildlife including seals, and Yellow Eyed penguins.
Day 5. Thursday. DUNEDIN - CATLINS - INVERCARGILL. (B)
Enjoy a scenic drive through the Catlins. one of New Zealand's most beautiful and unspoiled wilderness areas. See the wildlife, waterfalls,and beautiful coastal scenery and visit Nugget Point lighthouse, petrified forest (available low tide only), and Curio Bay. Two nights at Kelvin Hotel in the centre of the city.
Day 6. Friday. INVERCARGILL - Stewart Island option. (B)
Visit Bluff Hill and the famous Stirling Point lighthouse, Bill Richardsons Transport World, World's fastest Indian display, Gardens and Museum and you have time to explore the city. Optional visit to Mandeville Tiger Moth reconstruction centre- extra cost $100.
Stewart Island (Rekohu). We strongly recommend a visit to our Southernmost inhabited island by ferry or air.
Day tours:
1. FERRY: including transfers to and from Bluff, return ferry from Bluff to Oban, 1 hour tour of Oban, guided tour of Ulva Island. picnic lunch - extra cost $370
2. AIR: 20 minute flight each way from Invercargill airport plus 3.5-4 hour cruise of Paterson Inlet including Harolds Bay stone ottage, Ackers Point, Ulva Island, wildlife, Marine Farms, The Neck and historic whalers base. Extra cost $390. (cruise January - April only)
3. OVERNIGHT - 1 or 2 nights on Stewart Island to really enjoy the ambience. Accommodation is very scarce and early bookings are esential
Ulva Island Lodge complete package: Wake up to the Kereru and Tui visiting in front of the Lodge and enjoy a guided one hour tour of Oban before cruising Patterson Inlet for a guided walk through the Ulva island wildlife sanctuary. Cruise back to Bluff for a photo stop at the famous Stirling Point signpost and return to Invercargill. Extra cost per night $150 including continental breakfast. Dinner not included but available at the hotel or local restaurant. Early bookings essential.
Alternative accommodation is available. Go to www.stewartisland.co.nz or Booking.com for options. Arrange your own and deduct $140 per person per night for unused accommodation at Kelvin Hotel.
Timetable and fares - subject to confirmation when you reserve. (extra sailings and flights may operate January-March)
Ferries depart Bluff at 9.45am, 1.45pm and 5.15pm and depart Stewart Island at 8am, 12.15, and 3.30pm in summer. Fare $110 each way
Flights depart Invercargill airport 8am, 1pm and 5pm and depart Stewart Island 8.30, 1.30, and 5.30pm in summer. Fare $140 one way, $240 return.
Day 7. Saturday. INVERCARGILL - TE ANAU (B)
We take the scenic back roads via Riverton with a guided tour of the Te Hikoi Museum with film and learn the early history of settlement in the area and visit the beach. Continue through Tuatapere (drop off for the challenging Hump Ridge track) to Te Anau. Accommodation at Luxmore Hotel or similar.
Day 8. Sunday. TE ANAU - DOUBTFUL SOUND (B)
Day cruise - Transfer to Manapouri and cruise across the bush clad Lake Manapouri to the West Arm. Drive across Wilmot Pass, and join our cruise ship. Doubtful Sound is much more extensive than Milford Sound. Explore the fiords and travel to the entrance with the Tasman Sea. See the seals and often dolphins and other wildlife are to be seen. Picnic lunch included. Return to Te Anau for accommodation
Overnight cruise - extra cost $100 per person. Transfer to Doubtful Sound and board your overnight cruise. Dinner included on board. Comfortable 'compact' cabins with private shower/toilet. Anchor overnight in a quiet bay. Optional evening exploring by kayak or ships tender to get up close and personal with the Fiords. Return to Manapouri Sunday midday and transfer to Queenstown. Those doing the overnight cruise do not visit Milford Sound
Overnight cruises are very popular. October is already waitlisted. Limited space available on February departure.
Day 9. Monday. TE ANAU - MILFORD SOUND - QUEENSTOWN (BL)
People on Manapouri day cruise saturday travel to Milford Sound for cruise with picnic lunch and drive to Queenstown arriving early evening.
Day 10. Tuesday. QUEENSTOWN (B)
Free day with many optional activities available
This evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the historic steamer "Earnslaw" to Walter Peak for dinner.
Day 11. Wednesday. QUEENSTOWN - WANAKA - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER (B)
Drive to the historic gold mining centre of Arrowtown. Explore the town and the remains of the Chinese village and continue through the Kawarau Gorge or over the Crown Range to Wanaka for a brief stop with optional (own expense) visit to amazing Puzzling World. Continue through Makarora and over the Haast Pass into the rainforest and spectacular coastline of the West Coast. Visit Shipwreck Beach, and beautiful Lake Matheson. Overnight Scenic Franz Josef Hotel.
Day 12. Thursday. FRANZ JOSEF - HOKITIKA OR PUNAKAIKI (B)
Visit the Franz Josef Glacier lookout with time for a helicopter or ski plane flight or heli hike on the glacier (extra expense and weather permitting) or bush walk. Drive north to enjoy the Treetops walk overlooking Lake Mahinapua. Enjoy the wetlands eco cruise and see jade carvers at work. Overnight Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika or Scenic Punakaiki Hotel.
Day 13. Friday. HOKITIKA - PUNAKAIKI - CHRISTCHURCH (B)
After a short tour of Greymouth continue to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks in the Paparoa National Park. Explore the area before visiting the recreated gold mining village of Shantytown to pan for gold and ride the train into the forest and the site of an old saw mill. Drive over spectacular Arthurs Pass and the Canterbury Plains arriving Christchurch airport around 4pm and Christchurch city about 4.30pm.
Option to travel on the "Tranz Alpine" train if you wish from Greymouth to Christchurch departing Greymouth 2.05pm and arriving Christchurch 7.00pm. Extra cost $240 per person
Day 14, Saturday TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT FOR DEPARTIURE
Tour cost per person
14 days. Christchurch - Christchurch: 2 per room $5,990......... Single room $7,780
Tour cost includes:
** Arrival and departure transfers in Christchurch
** All travel from Christchurch to Christchurch by people mover or mini bus. (travel to Doubtful and Milford Sounds may be by big bus with the cruise operator.)
** 12 nights accommodation and breakfast
** Sightseeing admissions to "Olveston House", Chinese Gardens, Larnachs Castle, Albatross Centre, Te Hikoi, Doubtful Sound day cruise, (Those doing Doubtful Sound day cruise omit Milford Sound cruise), Treetops, ecocruise, Shantyytown.
We are flexible!!
You are welcome to join us for part of the tour provided a minimum of 4 consecutive nights are on tour with us. For any combination not listed above please ask us.
Option A. 11 days. Start Christchurch day 1. End Queenstown Day 11 morning.
Option B. 9 days Join in Dunedin Tuesday day 3, End Queenstown day 11.
Option C. 6 days. Join Queenstown day 9 - end Christchurch day 13.
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