Southern Wild Itinerary

“Haere Mai” and welcome to New Zealand. Start your trip with a heritage tram ride past the city’s top sights and historic landmarks.

Christchurch, New Zealand’s second-largest city and gateway to the South Island, sits between the Canterbury Plains and the Pacific Ocean. A highlight of your visit is the included heritage tram tour, offering a relaxed loop past key city sights and historic landmarks. You may also explore the lively Riverside Market, filled with boutique shops, eateries, and local charm, or enjoy a private punting trip down the Avon River, gliding past the Botanic Gardens. It’s a perfect way to soak in the beauty of the “Garden City” before your South Island adventure begins.

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

Experience the ultimate South Island adventure as you journey from Christchurch to Franz Josef in a group coach tour across the Southern Alps and New Zealand’s wild West Coast.

Embark on a breathtaking journey from Christchurch to Franz Josef across the Southern Alps and New Zealand’s West Coast. This fully guided small-group tour winds through dramatic mountain passes, alpine villages, and lush rainforest, with expert commentary and plenty of photo stops. Highlights include Castle Hill, the Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall, the Otira Viaduct, Hokitika Gorge, and Hokitika’s black-sand beaches. Enjoy short walks, sightseeing, and a lunch stop in Hokitika before continuing to Franz Josef, taking in the region’s stunning landscapes and natural wonders along the way.

Included Meals: Lunch

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 2 Nights

Immerse yourself in the stunning Franz Josef region, where alpine scenery, lush rainforest, and thrilling glacier adventures await.

Today is yours to explore the breathtaking Franz Josef region, set within the heart of Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Surrounded by lush rainforest and dramatic alpine scenery, this area is home to the curious Kea—New Zealand’s mischievous mountain parrot. Choose from a variety of unforgettable experiences: take a Glacier Heli Hike for an exhilarating guided walk among towering ice formations, soar over the Southern Alps on a scenic flight, explore rainforest trails or kayak serene glacial lakes. Whatever your pace, Franz Josef promises a day to remember.

Journey from Franz Josef to Queenstown on a group coach tour today, taking in the West Coast’s stunning landscapes, alpine passes, and iconic lakes along the way.

Travel from Franz Josef to Queenstown on this small group, fully-guided tour along the stunning West Coast and Haast Pass. Enjoy stops at Lake Matheson with its famous Mt Cook reflections, Bruce Bay’s wild coastline, and a walk at Ship Creek’s dunes. After lunch at Haast, see the spectacular Thunder Creek Falls and take a photo stop at Lakes Hawea and Wanaka. In Wanaka, capture the iconic Wanaka Tree before arriving in Queenstown, where your guide will share local tips and highlights.

Accommodation: Queenstown - 3 Nights

Spend the day at your own pace in Queenstown, this evening enjoy a lakeside cruise aboard the vintage TSS Earnslaw.

Enjoy free time in Queenstown to relax or explore at your own pace. Surrounded by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards, wild rivers, high peaks, and deep canyons, the area offers thrilling adventures or peaceful lakeside strolls. Wander the compact downtown with its stylish shops and cafés, or simply soak up the scenery. Later, board the vintage TSS Earnslaw for a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak, where a gourmet buffet dinner awaits in a stunning high-country setting.

Included Meals: Dinner

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Milford Sound today, cruising its dramatic cliffs and waterfalls after a scenic journey along Milford Road.

From Queenstown, enjoy a scenic coach journey along the spectacular Milford Road, one of the world’s most stunning alpine drives. Take in grassy plains, ancient rainforest, towering mountains, alpine meadows, and glacial lakes. Cruise the awe-inspiring Milford Sound, where waterfalls tumble from sheer cliffs and Mitre Peak rises dramatically from the water. Feel the mist of powerful falls and watch for seals, dolphins, and rare Fiordland crested penguins. After this unforgettable experience, return by coach to Queenstown, enjoying more of Fiordland’s remarkable landscapes along the way.

Included Meals: Lunch

Board the Intercity coach service and continue to Dunedin. Majestic Victorian architecture dots the city centre, but one of the main attractions is the rare wildlife that lives here. 

Dunedin is home to rare yellow-eyed penguins as well as the world’s only accessible mainland colony of Northern Royal Albatross. These princely ocean adventurers are thrilling to see up-close. Experience Dunedin your way with an afternoon of free time. Enjoy some time exploring some of the old historical buildings, university and train station! 

Accommodation: Dunedin - 2 Nights

Embark on a half-day Otago Harbour cruise and peninsula tour, discovering historic villages, wildlife, and dramatic coastal scenery.

Cruise the length of the Otago Harbour. Experience an unforgettable half day cruise and peninsula tour and explore Careys Bay historic fishing village, Port Chalmers’ busy wharves and the harbour’s beautiful bays, hills, farmland, and forest. Enjoy Monarch’s fascinating Wildlife Cruise around Taiaroa Head and the surrounding coastline of dramatic cliffs. Watch the NZ Furseals play and swim near their breeding colonies, out at sea you can spot rarely seen ocean birds including other albatross species and petrels, and you may see penguins, dolphins and other marine mammals.

Today, journey by coach from Dunedin to Christchurch, taking in Moeraki’s boulders, charming towns, and stunning coastal and alpine scenery.

Keep your eyes peeled for the perfectly rounded boulders which are embedded in the sand at Moeraki Beach. It’s a scenic coastal and rural route, passing through charming towns like Oamaru—famous for its Victorian architecture and blue penguins—and Timaru, with its lovely Caroline Bay. Along the way, you’ll see rolling farmland, ocean views, and glimpses of the Southern Alps on the inland horizon.

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

Homeward Bound"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

Today it’s time to say farewell to New Zealand. You will be transferred to the airport to begin your homeward journey.