South Island & South Australia: Glaciers, Fiords & Vineyards Itinerary

A warm welcome to New Zealand's South Island, where heritage architecture, leafy parks, and innovative city spaces create the perfect introduction to your journey.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Private airport transfer
• Explore Christchurch at leisure
• Riverside Market
• 2 nights in Christchurch

Make it yours
Elevate your first evening with a four-course dinner aboard the historic Christchurch Heritage Tram.

Suggested Accommodation:

Spend the day discovering Christchurch at your own pace, from beautiful botanic gardens and colourful street art to boutique cafés and vibrant riverside precincts.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Explore Christchurch at leisure
• Christchurch Botanic Gardens
• Street art and laneways

Make it yours
Visit the International Antarctic Centre for an interactive wildlife experience or explore the city on a privately guided sightseeing tour.

Journey into the heart of New Zealand's Southern Alps, where turquoise lakes, snow-capped peaks, and dramatic alpine landscapes lead you to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, dinner
• Scenic drive through Mackenzie Country
• Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki views
• 2 nights in Mount Cook

Ready to make the journey yours? Speak with one of our Travel Designers to personalise your New Zealand and Australian adventure. 

Approximate Distance: 311 km | 193 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 15 mins

Suggested Accommodation:

A scenic alpine adventure takes you deep into the Tasman Glacier’s icy wilderness for a guided heli‑hike amid the soaring peaks of Aoraki/Mt Cook.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, dinner
• Scenic Helicopter flight
• 2 hour mountain experience
• Tasman Glacier hike

Take a scenic journey through glacier‑fed lakes, golden tussock plains and towering Southern Alps peaks to Wānaka. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, spectacular lake views, and endless outdoor adventures.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast 
• Lake Hāwea stopover
• Famous Wānaka Tree
• 2 nights in Wānaka

Make it yours
Experience Wānaka from above on a breathtaking scenic flight or tandem skydive. 

Approximate Distance: 205 kms | 127 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Suggested Accommodation:

Cruise across crystal-clear waters to Mou Waho Island, a predator-free wildlife sanctuary with panoramic views and a remarkable secret: a lake on top of an island, on a lake, on an island!

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Lake Wānaka Cruise
• Mou Waho Island Nature Walk
• Native tree planting and wildlife encounters

Make it yours:
Feeling adventurous? Swap your activity for a thrilling day of skiing at Cardrona Alpine Resort, one of New Zealand’s most well-known ski fields, offering a range of terrain set against a spectacular alpine backdrop. (winter activity)

Travel over the Crowne Range through ever-changing landscapes to Queenstown, where alpine scenery and lakeside charm await. This evening, cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw for a memorable dining experience.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, dinner
• TSS Earnslaw Lake Cruise
• Walter Peak High Country Farm
• 3 nights in Queenstown

Approximate Distance: 70 kms | 43 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 15 mins 

Suggested Accommodation:

Discover the flavours of Central Otago on a scenic wine journey through one of the world's southernmost wine regions.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, lunch, pre-dinner drinks & canapes 
• Full day wine tour
• Central Otago landscapes
• Wine cave experience

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Continue your adventure with a thrilling jet boat ride or enjoy Queenstown's Skyline Gondola and premium dining experience.

Enjoy a coach journey through spectacular mountain scenery, then a scenic cruise beneath towering cliffs and waterfalls, and a breathtaking return flight over Fiordland’s impressive landscapes.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Morning tea, lunch
• Glass roof coach tour
• Milford Sound nature cruise
• Scenic return flight to Queenstown

You will be transferred to Queenstown Airport and fly to Adelaide where you will collect your rental vehicle and make the scenic drive through rolling vineyards into McLaren Vale.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Private airport transfer
• Flight to Adelaide
• Rental vehicle collection
• 2 nights in Mclaren Vale

Approximate Distance: 40 km | 25 miles  Total Driving Time: 45 mins

Suggested Accommodation:

A McLaren Vale wine experience at d’Arenberg blends hands‑on winemaking with a personalised blend to take home, followed by an eight‑course degustation showcasing the region’s craft and flavour.

Inclusions at a glance:

• 8 course degustation lunch 
• Hands-on wine blending
• Personalised wine bottle to take home
• Sensory wine tasting experience

Today, driving from McLaren Vale to Renmark will take you through sun‑soaked vineyard country, open farmland and river country as you travel deeper into South Australia’s Murraylands.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Scenic vineyard country drive
• Murray River
• 2 nights in Renmark

Approximate Distance: 295 km | 183 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Suggested Accommodation:

A free day at The Frames lets you unwind in your private retreat or explore the Riverland with options ranging from river cruises to wellness, local touring and relaxed time by the Murray.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Relax and enjoy your private pool, spa, sauna and riverfront deck
• Private gondola‑style Murray River cruise with local produce
• Explore the Riverland and visit wineries, wetlands and/or distilleries

Travelling from Renmark to the Barossa Valley takes you from quiet Murray River country into undulating wine landscapes shaped by historic towns and cellar doors.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Charming historic towns
• Globally recognised Shiraz wine region
• 2 nights in Barossa Valley

Approximate Distance: 205 km | 127 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Suggested Accommodation:

A small‑group Barossa day uncovers character‑filled boutique wineries, old‑vine Shiraz and a chef‑prepared lunch that breaks up a relaxed, crowd‑free tasting journey.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, chef's menu lunch
• Expertly guided wine tour
• 3 boutique family-owned winery tastings

• Personalised hosted experiences

   

Spend the day exploring one of Australia's most spectacular national parks at your own pace.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Explore Wilsons Promontory at leisure
• Walking tracks and secluded beaches
• Native wildlife encounters
• Granite mountain landscapes

Make it yours
Take to the water on an ultimate wilderness cruise or enjoy an incredible whale watching adventure along the spectacular coastline of Wilsons Promontory.

Travel along Victoria's coast before arriving at Phillip Island for one of Australia's most iconic wildlife experiences.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Penguin Parade admission
• Phillip Island wildlife
• 1 night on Phillip Island

Approximate Distance: 138 km | 86 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours

Suggested Accommodation:

Arrive in Melbourne and discover the hidden laneways, historic arcades, and vibrant culture of Australia's cultural capital.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Guided laneways and arcades tour
• Melbourne street art
• Historic arcades
• 1 night in Melbourne

Approximate Distance: 142 km | 88 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours

Suggested Accommodation:

Enjoy a final morning in Melbourne before making your way to the airport for your onward journey, taking with you unforgettable memories of New Zealand's spectacular landscapes and Australia's iconic coastlines.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Explore Melbourne at leisure
• Private airport transfer

Ready to make the journey yours? Speak with one of our Travel Designers to customise your own unforgettable Australia and New Zealand adventure.