Southern Highlights Itinerary

Haere Mai and welcome to New Zealand. Spend your first day exploring Christchurch at a relaxed pace with a full day tramway pass.

Christchurch, the South Island’s gateway, sits between the Canterbury Plains and the Pacific Ocean. Discover the city with an all-day Christchurch Tram pass, offering a charming way to explore key sights. Visit Riverside Market, a lively hub of eateries and boutiques, or enjoy a peaceful punt along the Avon River. Take in historic landmarks, the Botanic Gardens, and the city’s relaxed charm before your New Zealand adventure continues tomorrow.

Accommodation: Christchurch - 3 Nights

Discover cultural treasures hidden in plain sight while experiencing the many flavours a vibrant city has to offer.

This guided inner-city walk with tasting stops is an ideal way to explore, combining storytelling, local cuisine, and meaningful connections. The tour is grounded in the principles of manaakitanga (hospitality) and whanaungatanga (connection), highlighting the importance of sharing kai (food). Carefully selected tastings showcase iconic flavours created by passionate locals. From stories of traditional food gathering to contemporary culinary delights, this experience celebrates diversity and offers a rich, sensory journey through culture, history, and taste for all.

Included Meals: Small tastings

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Banks Peninsula on this unforgettable tour to the historic French settlement of Akaroa. 

Along the way, enjoy stops at charming stone rest houses and a delightful morning tea in Little River. In Akaroa, embark on a harbour cruise to spot Hector’s dolphins, fur seals, and seabirds. Take free time to savor local cuisine, explore boutique shops, or enjoy a peaceful coastal walk. The return trip follows the scenic Summit Road, with a final stop at Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve before heading back to Christchurch.

Included Meals: Lunch

Journey from Christchurch to Franz Josef, experiencing the dramatic landscapes of New Zealand’s Southern Alps and West Coast.

Embark on a fully guided small-group tour across the Southern Alps, passing dramatic mountain passes, charming alpine villages, and lush native rainforest. Your expert guide shares local stories and provides plenty of opportunities to stop, explore, and take photos. Highlights include Castle Hill, Devil’s Punchbowl Falls, the Otira Viaduct, Hokitika Gorge, and Hokitika’s black-sand beaches. Along the way, enjoy short walks, sightseeing, and a lunch stop in Hokitika before arriving in the picturesque glacier town of Franz Josef.

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 2 Nights

Take on an unforgettable adventure in Glacier Country with this full-day tour, exploring some of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders. 

Led by expert guides, you’ll visit remarkable glacier landscapes and a pristine reflective lake, all in one day. Discover the unique geography of the region and learn how these environments are interconnected. This experience is the perfect way to make the most of your time, immersing yourself in breathtaking scenery and memorable moments while gaining insight into the fascinating natural world that shapes this extraordinary part of the country.

Travel from Franz Josef to Queenstown, the adventure capital known for its alpine scenery and vibrant atmosphere, on this small-group, fully guided journey along the stunning West Coast and Haast Pass. 

Enjoy scenic stops featuring coastal views, rainforest walks, waterfalls, and mirror-like lakes. Capture iconic landscapes and take time to stretch your legs along the way. With insights from your guide throughout, this experience offers a relaxed and enriching way to travel, combining spectacular scenery with local knowledge before arriving in this world-renowned destination.

Accommodation Queenstown - 4 Nights

From Queenstown, enjoy a scenic coach journey along the spectacular Milford Road, one of the world’s most stunning alpine drives.

Take in breathtaking scenery featuring grassy plains, ancient rainforest, towering mountains, alpine meadows, and glacial lakes. Then cruise the awe-inspiring Milford Sound, where waterfalls tumble from sheer cliffs and the famous Mitre Peak rises dramatically from the water. Feel the mist as you approach powerful waterfalls and keep watch for seals, dolphins, and the rare Fiordland crested penguins. After this unforgettable experience, board the coach for the return journey to Queenstown, taking in more of Fiordland’s remarkable and diverse landscapes. 

Included Meals: Lunch

Spend your morning exploring Queenstown’s scenic beauty—wander the waterfront, relax in the peaceful Queenstown Gardens, or browse artisan shops and cafes. 

This evening you will board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw for a leisurely cruise across Lake Wakatipu. On arrival at Walter Peak High Country Station, enjoy a gourmet buffet dinner in the elegant Colonel’s Homestead, featuring locally sourced meats, fresh vegetables, and decadent desserts. After dinner, take in a brief farm demonstration before cruising back under the stars, serenaded by live piano music—a truly unforgettable Queenstown experience.

Included Meals: Dinner 

Dart River’s original jet boat experience offers an exhilarating journey through the stunning landscapes of Mount Aspiring National Park. 

This half-day wilderness adventure travels along a glacier-fed river, revealing breathtaking views and remarkable geological features. With access to vast stretches of water, guests can explore an extensive area, making it one of the longest rides in the region. Knowledgeable guides enhance the experience with engaging stories and cultural insights. Each trip immerses visitors in pristine natural beauty, creating a memorable exploration of this remarkable World Heritage wilderness and its ever-changing landscapes.

Travel in style on this fully guided small-group tour from Queenstown to Mt Cook, with plenty of scenic stops and local stories along the way. 

Led by our passionate guides, you’ll enjoy a relaxed and informative journey through some of the South Island’s most spectacular landscapes. From dramatic gorges and alpine passes to quiet townships and vivid blue lakes, each stop offers a new perspective on its natural beauty. As Aoraki/Mt Cook comes into view, the journey builds to an unforgettable finish in the heart of the national park, surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery and alpine wilderness.

Included Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Mount Cook - 2 Nights

Spend a memorable day exploring the remarkable landscapes of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, beginning with a scenic journey into alpine surroundings.

Experience a Tasman Glacier boat cruise, gliding among floating icebergs while learning about the glacier’s formation and changing environment. After time to take in the dramatic mountain scenery and pristine valleys, relax before nightfall and enjoy an unforgettable big sky stargazing experience at The Hermitage. With minimal light pollution and clear southern skies, discover constellations, planets, and the brilliance of the night sky in one of the world’s most extraordinary dark sky regions.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel from Mt Cook to Christchurch on this fully guided small-group tour. Depart Mt Cook Village with views of New Zealand’s highest peak before following the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki. 

Stop at Lake Tekapo to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and capture memorable photos of this iconic setting. Continue through rolling high country landscapes, passing scenic farmland and alpine views. Pause in the charming town of Geraldine before travelling onward to Christchurch, while your guide shares local stories and highlights along the way, making this a relaxed and scenic journey through the South Island’s diverse countryside.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Christchurch - 2 Nights

Christchurch is a vibrant blend of natural beauty, culture, and history. Explore iconic sights while wandering through beautifully landscaped gardens and along the peaceful Avon River. 

The central city combines historic charm with modern design, showcasing both Gothic and contemporary architecture. Enjoy relaxing green spaces, discover local landmarks, and take in the welcoming atmosphere of the evolving city centre. With its easy pace and scenic surroundings, the city offers a rewarding balance of leisure and culture, making it an ideal place to explore, unwind, and experience the character and creativity of this distinctive destination.

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage! Today we say farewell. We take care of your transfer to Christchurch Airport where you will board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional New Zealand holiday.