1
Arrive Christchurch
‘Haere Mai’ ... Welcome to New Zealand
On arrival at Christchurch Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel by. After checking into your hotel its time to explore Christchurch. This evening welcome drink offers the chance to meet your Tour Director and fellow passengers.
Here are some suggested excursions If you land early and have time.
| Punting the Avon River | Lyttelton Harbour Wildlife Cruise | |
| French Akaroa Tour | Southern Alps Ballooning | |
| Clearwater Golf | Arthur's Pass TranzAlpine Hike |
Meals: Welcome Reception
Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night
2
Mount Cook National Park
This morning, join our Sustainable Tourism Commitment by planting a native tree in the Port Hills of Christchurch, an area recovering from wildfire. Visit the home of Angie and Stan Taylor for a Be My Guest afternoon tea, and hear about a lifetime spent farming in the Southern Alps. See Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, and view the famed Church of the Good Shepherd. Continue to the outdoor-adventure hub of Twizel for some fantastic photo opportunities at the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the alpine scenery of Mount Cook National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation Twizel - 1 night
3
Day at Leisure in Dunedin
Today is a free day to experience Dunedin and the greater Otago Peninsula. 'Dunedin' comes from Dun Eideann the Scots-Gaelic name for Edinburgh, founded largely by Scottish immigrants, who raised the impressive buildings which now add much to the city's charm. These buildings incorporate a diverse array of styles from Tudor, Jacobean, Georgian, Carpenter, Gothic and Arts and Crafts styles.
For those seeking outdoor adventures, the dramatic Otago Peninsula offers opportunities to search for albatross, penguins, seals and sea lions as well as a variety of walking and biking trails. In the evening, embark on a walking tour to learn more about the history and culture of Dunedin and get up close and personal with the city’s vibrant street art scene. End your tour at one of the cool burger joints, bars or wine cellars on Vogel Street.
Some options available in and around Dunedin:
| Cadbury Chocolate | Penguins and Albatross Tour | |
| Peninsula Wildlife Cruise | Larnach Castle Tour |
Meals: Breakfast
4
Dunedin Sightseeing Experience - Te Anau (Gateway to Fiordland)
Today choose one from a range of Included Choice sightseeing experiences. You have the option to take a Wildlife Cruise, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory, or check out the famous Speights Brewery Tour. Perhaps ride the Taieri Gorge Railway or get on a guided tour of New Zealand’s only castle - Larnach Castle before heading to Te Anau.
We then travel across fertile farming land to the shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner with wine
Accommodation Te Anau - 1 night
*Guests will now stay at the Distinction Luxmore Te Anau in place of the
Distinction Hotel & Villas Te Anau which remains closed for the remainder of 22/23 season.
5
A Cruise on Beautiful Milford Sound
Today is a feast for the senses. Be wowed and awe-struck by the beauty of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, New Zealand’s largest. Keep your camera close by as you’ll see Mirror Lakes, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley, the Chasm, the hand-made Homer Tunnel, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and stunningly photogenic Milford Sound, where you will cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. The Devil’s Staircase and Lake Wakatipu pass you by. Arrive at Queenstown for an orientation tour. We suggest dinner tonight at the Skyline Restaurant on Bob’s Peak - sensational views over Queenstown and a bonus Kiwi Haka Maori Show, plus you’ll ride the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere just to get there!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation Queenstown - 2 nights
6
Queenstown at Leisure
Explore Queenstown your way. You can choose from a range of included activities. Go wild with jet boat rides or white water rafting. For the less adventurous there are wine and garden tours. For dinner you’ll travel across Lake Wakatipu and back on the TSS Earnslaw, New Zealand’s oldest steam ship, to Walter Peak Sheep Station for a carvery meal and sheep shearing demonstration.
Recommended excursions around Queenstown:
| Routeburn Day Walk | Highest Bungey Jump | Explore Arrowtown |
| Biking Skippers Canyon | Round at Millbrook Golf Resort | |
| Earnslaw Steamboat Cruise | Dart River Jetboat Safari |
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
7
Queenstown - Franz Josef
The historic gold mining town of Arrowtown is our first stop today. The second stop is Cromwell and its sensational stone fruit. We’ll see a trio of lakes - Wanaka, Hawea and Dunstan. Travel over the Haast Pass, view the amazing Thunder Creek Falls, take a small rainforest walk, then it’s on to the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier - the world’s most accessible glacier.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with wine
Accommodation Franz Josef - 1 night
8
Franz Josef - Punakaiki
It’s time for an exhilarating adventure among temperate rainforest giants on the West Coast Treetop Walkway. Explore Franz Josef Glacier - take an optional flight (weather permitting) or a glacier hike! Then you depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. It’s on to Punakaiki where we’ll view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. You’ll stay overnight at your eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with wine
Accommodation Punakaiki - 1 night
9
TranzAlpine Train - Christchurch
Join your personal guide for a tour of Monteith’s Brewing Company, including tastings at the brewers’ table, before sitting down to lunch. Afterwards, you'll board the TranzAlpine train to travel from Greymouth to Arthur’s Pass - one of the top 6 train journeys in the world, which travels through the Southern Alps to Christchurch. Join your tour director tonight for a farewell dinner with wine.
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Accommodation Christchurch - 1 night
10
Depart Christchurch
Today is yours; take your time exploring Christchurch, famous for being the most English city outside of England. It’s your last chance to experience New Zealand before you are transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.
Some Suggested Activities to Help you to get to Know the Region
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
Included Highlights
- Visit a working sheep farm
- Experience warm Kiwi hospitality at Morelea Farm with a BBQ lunch
- Visit Church of the Good Shepherd on Lake Tekapo
- Take your pick of a selection of included local highlight experiences at Dunedin
- Journey through spectacular Fiordland National Park with its magnificent scenery
- Cruise on truly inspiring Milford Sound
- Visit historic Arrowtown
- See Franz Josef Glacier
- Visit a green stone factory
- Walk around Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks
- Journey over the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine Train
Premium Inclusions
- Private car airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Enjoy selected New Zealand wines with all hotel dinners
Inclusions
- Experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
- Included Choice experiences Included Choice Icon
- Quality accommodation
- Travel by luxury coach
Dining
- 9 Full Buffet Breakfasts
- 1 Be My Guest Afternoon Tea
- 5 Dinners with Wine
- 1 Highlight Dinner
- 1 Farewell Dinner
What Judith says about this tour: This tour stands out for the mixture of classic kiwi culture, such as farm visits, with history, stunning scenery and contrasting activities. A great itinerary for those who appreciate high quality 4 star accommodation and want the benefits of an expert travel director to smooth the journey.
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