SOUTHERN ADVENTURE - 11 days

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Arrive Christchurch

On arrival you will be met by our representative & transferred by limousine to your city hotel. Christchurch is the nation’s second largest city and because of its extensive gardens and the Avon River meandering though it, is regarded as the most English of New Zealand cities.

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Kaikoura Whale Watch adventure (B)

Spend your day getting close to nature. Travel by train through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury to Kaikoura, located on a narrow strip of coastline where mountains meet the sea. This area is renowned for the variety of marine mammals that can be seen, not least of all giant Sperm Whales & the acrobatic Dusky Dolphin. You’ll often see other whale species, seals & the Royal Albatross.

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Akaroa day tour (B,L)

This morning, travel the Banks Peninsula to the quaint village of Akaroa, a beautiful, unspoilt French whaling depot home to the early French settlers of the 1840’s. The French heritage is still reflected in the street names & the architecture of its buildings. Visit the cheese factory at Barrys Bay & sample some fine New Zealand cheese. After lunch, enjoy a wildlife cruise exploring the delights of the harbour and sighting dolphins, penguins & seals.

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Spectacular TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers (B)

The TranzAlpine is described as “The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure” and is rated one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. After crossing the huge and fertile patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, the TranzAlpine winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and the stunning Waimakariri River valley. It tracks its way up and across the spectacular Southern Alps via the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass situated 737 metres above sea level. Travel along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800’s, to the towns of Franz Josef & Fox Glacier.

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Haast, Lake Wanaka & Queenstown (B)

There is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over this remarkable region before our departure this morning (subject to weather conditions). Today, view incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. Travel over the magnificent Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes District. There is time to wander around the popular lakeside townships of Hawea and Wanaka before travelling to the beautiful alpine resort of Queenstown, New Zealand’s premier holiday destination.

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Explore Queenstown & surrounds (B)

Enjoy two full days to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. Here you can take a thrilling jet boat ride, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, take a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf or 4WD sheer canyons. There are numerous activities from which to choose and your Tour Host will be pleased to offer advice and help you in your selection.

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Milford Sound Nature Cruise & Fly (B)

Today, journey by coach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through rolling countryside to Te Anau. Continue along the Milford Road through the Eglinton Valley & then travel through the famous, hand-strewn Homer Tunnel to the Sound itself. Here you board a purpose-built vessel, designed along the lines of a traditional trading scow, for an extended 2½ hour nature cruise. Explore the full length of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea. This magnificent glacier-carved fjord is home to the famous, mile-high Mitre Peak and you will view spectacular waterfalls, rainforests, mountains and wildlife whilst enjoying an extensive commentary from the on-board nature guide. After disembarking from the cruise, board your light aircraft for a spectacular scenic flight back to Queenstown (weather permitting). You’ll marvel at the awesome alpine scenery, flying over waterfalls, mountains & rainforests on this never-to-be-forgotten experience.

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Arrowtown, Mt Cook National Park (B,D)

Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy some time to stroll through this historic village located beside the Arrow River, once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860’s. Later, we travel through the towns of Omarama & Twizel before driving up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. Mt Cook is Australasia’s highest mountain at 3764 metres. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery. It is also home to the Tasman Glacier, the longest in the Southern hemisphere (optional Ski-plane & helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions).

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Tasman Glacier, Lake Tekapo, Christchurch (B)

Experience the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest, in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier where you will also get to touch & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. Later we visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built of local stone and oak in 1935. Leaving the High Country, cross the vast Canterbury Plains to the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch.

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Depart Christchurch (B)

Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport today for your onward flight. Here, we bid you ‘Haere Ra’, a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

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