South of the South including Stewart Island. Eight days

Tour 305.     SOUTH OF THE SOUTH INCLUDING STEWART ISLAND                       

Day 1. Thursday.     ARRIVE DUNEDIN                           Arrive Dunedin this morning. Transfer from airport or bus station provided. This afternoon tour the city including historic Olveston Homestead, Dunedin Chinese Gardens, Knox Church, the Octagon, and the world's steepest street.

Day 2. Friday.               DUNEDIN                           (B)
Enjoy a ride on the privately operated "Taieri Gorge" railway to Pukerangi and return. This afternoon tour the Otago Peninsula including Larnachs Castle, Royal Albatross Centre, and see the local wildlife including seals, and Yellow Eyed penguins.

Day 3. Saturday.  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 and the petrified forest. Accommodation in Invercargill at the Kelvin Hotel or similar.

Day 4. Sunday.  INVERCARGILL-STEWART ISLAND        (B) 

Transfer to Bluff near the bottom of the South Island and cruise to Stewart Island.Transfer to your accommodation. This afternoon tour the town of Oban .

Day 5. Monday  STEWART ISLAND - INVERCARGILL       (B)                       Enjoy a cruise on Patterson Inlet in a local boat with a visit to the nature sanctuary of Ulva island to meet some of the friendliest native birds in New Zealand before returning to Invercargill. Patterson inlet and Ulva Island tour operate November - April only.

Day 6. Tuesday.     INVERCARGILL - TE ANAU   (B)                                       Transfer to Te Anau (may be by scheduled bus) for 3 nights accommodation. Free afternoon and we recommend a cruise across Lake Te Anau to the Te Anau glowworm 'Cave of Rushing Waters' - extra expense.                                                          
Day 7. Wednesday.      DOUBTFUL SOUND     (B)             Transfer to Lake Manapouri and cruise across the lake to West Arm. Drive across Wilmot Pass among the rainforest and cruise beautful Doubtful Sound, much more extensive than Milford Sound. Return to Te Anau tonight.

Doubtful Sound overnight cruise. To really appreciate the extent and beauty of Doubtful Sound we recommend an overnight cruise. Join your ship tuesday midday and return midday wednesday and transfer to Te Anau. Anchor overnight in a quiet bay and kayak or cruise in the ships tender to get up close to nature. Dinner and breakfast are provided on board.                                                         Extra cost 2 per cabin  $      Single cabin 

Please note this cruise is booked out weeks and sometimes months in advance. Please request early.

Day 8. Thursday.                 TE ANAU - MILFORD - QUEENSTOWN    (BL)          A day of magnificent scenery as we drive through the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys. Visit the Mirror Lakes and Roaring Chasm and drive through the Homer tunnel before we arrive in Milford Sound. Board your cruise to travel the length of Milford Sound under majestic Mitre Peak. See the seal colony and Bowen Falls before retracing our steps to Te Anau and on to Queenstown. A buffet lunch is included during your cruise.            

You are welcome to stay in Te Anau to explore furtrher, do a day hike on the start of the  Milford Track, or just relax. 

Day 9. Friday.       QUEENSTOWN                    (B)
We will transfer ytou to the airport for departure. 

You are welcome to stay in Queenstown as long as you like