Tour 305. DEEP SOUTH AND STEWART ISLAND.
5 days/4 nights ending in Invercargill, Te Anau, or Queenstown friday.
10 days/8 nights ending in Queenstown
13 days/12 nights ending in Christchurch
Commence Dunedin every monday to 15 April 2024. Minimum 2 passengers.
Day 1. Monday. DUNEDIN ARRIVE.
Arrive Dunedin today and transfer to your accommodation in Dunedin for 2 nights. Accommodation usually at Southern Cross or Distinction Hotels in the centre of the city. We recommend arriving early and having time to explore the city.
Day 2. Tuesday. 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 3. Wednesday. 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. Visit Bluff including Stirling Point. 2 nights in Invercargill.
Day 4. Thursday. STEWART ISLAND by boat or air (B)
Cruise: Transfer to Bluff and visit Stirling Point. Cruise to Stewart Island for a 90 minute tour of Oban to learn of its history before cruising to the bird sanctuary of Ulva Island. Explore the island and meet the friendly birds before returning to Invercargill for the night.
Air: Transfer to Invercargill airport for the 20 minute flight to Stewart Island. Tour Oban for an hour and enjoy a 2.5 hour historic cruise on Patterson inlet before returning to Invercargill..
Please note. It is possible to stay for 1 or both nights on Stewart Island if accommodation is available for additional cost. Book early as accommodation is very scarce
Day 5. Friday. INVERCARGILL DEPART - TE ANAU OR QUEENSTOWN (B)
Visit the gardens and continue to Riverton for 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 to Te Anau Accommodation at Luxmore Hotel. Those finishing in Queenstown arrive early evening.
5 day tour finishes in Invercargill, Te Anau, or Queenstown.
Day 6. Saturday. TE ANAU - DOUBTFUL SOUND (B)
Transfer to Manapouri and cruise the lake to West Arm and cross Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound and board your overnight cruise. Dinner included on board. Comfortable 'compact' cabins with private shower/toilet. Explore the extensive fiords to the Tasman Sea. Anchor overnight in a quiet bay. Optional evening exploring by kayak or ships tender to get up close and personal with nature.
Overnight cruises are very popular. Book early
Day 7. Sunday. DOUBTFUL SOUND - TE ANAU. (B)
Disembark after breakfast and return to Manapouri and Te Anau about midday.
Day 8. Monday MILFORD SOUND - QUEENSTOWN (B)
Enjoy a day of magnificent scenery travelling through the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys to magnificent Milford Sound. Cruise to the head of the sound under majestic Mitre Peak and see Bowen Falls. Picnic lunch included. return through Te Anau to Queenstown arriving early evening.
Day 9. Tuesday QUEENSTOWN (B)
Free day to enjoy the scenery and all activities of Queenstown.
Day 10. Wednesday. QUEENSTOWN DEPART. (B)
You will be transferred to the airport for departure or why not continue to the West Coast and Christchurch.
Tour cost per person
5 days. Dunedin - Invercargill. 2 per room $1,990. Single room $2,590. To end or start in Te Anau or Queenstown friday add $100.
10 days. Dunedin - Queenstown: 2 per room $3,990......... Single room $5,500
13 days. Dunedin - Christchurch. 2 per room $5,700......... Single room $7,700
Tour cost includes - 5 day tour:
** Arrival transfers in Dunedin and Invercargill
** All travel from Dunedin to Invercargill. To end in Te Anau, or Queenstown add $100
** 4 nights accommodation and breakfast at hotels
** 1 night on overnight cruise.
** Sightseeing admissions to "Olveston House", Chinese Gardens, Larnachs Castle, Albatross Centre. 10 day tour includes Te Hikoi, Milford Sound cruise, Doubtful Sound overnight cruise.
Please note: transfers to Doubtful Sound cruise and from cruise to Queenstown may be by 'big bus operated by RealNZ, operators of the cruises.
SOUTH OF THE SOUTH PLUS WEST COAST.
Day 10. 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 11. 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 12. 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 late afternoon. You will be taken to any address in Metro Christchurch.
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 13. Friday. CHRISTCHURCH DEPART (B)
You will be transferred to the airport for departure.
Tour cost per person
13 days. Dunedin - Christchurch: 2 per room $6,500......... Single room $8,700
Tour cost includes:
** Arrival transfer in Dunedin
** All travel from Dunedin to Christchurch
** 12 nights accommodation and breakfast
** Sightseeing admissions to "Olveston House", Chinese Gardens, Larnachs Castle, Albatross Centre, Te Hikoi, Milford Sound cruise, Doubtful Sound overnight cruise, Treetops, eco cruise, Shantytown.
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