Ultimate South Island Escape Itinerary

Welcome to Christchurch

On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a representative who will transfer you to your hotel. Meet your travelling companions over a complimentary pre dinner drink.

Some suggested excursions around Christchurch if you have time.

Easygoing Cycling Tour	Punting the Avon River	Lyttelton Harbour Wildlife Cruise
Māori Cultural Evening	French Akaroa Tour	Southern Alps Ballooning
Christchurch Gondola	Clearwater Golf	Arthur's Pass TranzAlpine Hike

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night

Accommodation:

Sudima Christchurch City

Featuring an on-site restaurant and free high-speed WiFi, Sudima Christchurch City is situated in Christchurch, just 500 m from Hagley Park and less than 1 km from Victoria Street. At the hotel, every room is equipped with a fridge, wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. Complete with a private bathroom, all units at Sudima Christchurch City are fitted with air conditioning, and selected rooms will provide you with a seating area. You can also enjoy streaming movies.

TranzAlpine Train Journey into Glacier Country

This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass National Park located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your Ultimate coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing to Franz Josef Glacier where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 1 night

Accommodation:

Te Waonui Forest Retreat - Franz Josef

Te Waonui is the only luxury property of its kind in the area. The retreat is nestled in the lush bush with views of the natural environment at almost every turn. Located in Franz Josef, the retreat offers easy access to the many natural wonders of the South West World Heritage Area. Mountains, glaciers, rivers, lakes, coastline, and native flora and fauna all lie in wait at the doorstep for visitors to admire and explore.

Following the Wild West Coast to Queenstown

See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Heritage Queenstown or similar - 2 nights

Accommodation:

Heritage Hotel Queenstown

Crafted from centuries-old-schist stone and cedar, this comfortable and sophisticated Queenstown hotel enjoys stunning views over Lake Wakatipu and is the perfect place to mix business and pleasure. Guests can enjoy all the hotel has to offer, with extensive leisure facilities, including heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool, spa pool, sauna, gym, restaurant and bar. The modern, alpine-style accommodation sit in peaceful, scenic surroundings.

Queenstown at Leisure

Today relax and enjoy the stunning lakes & rivers - there is a bounty of vineyards, cafes and restaurants scattered throughout the wider district of Queenstown, Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley. You don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to enjoy Queenstown and part of its charm is the array of less hectic quality activities on offer – but if interested Queenstown is home to the ultimate adventure bucket list – Just ask. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner which the chef will prepare in front of you at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

Recommended excursions in and around Queenstown

Routeburn Day Walk	Highest Bungey Jump	Dart River Jetboat Safari
Wine Tasting Central Otago	Biking Skippers Canyon	Round at Millbrook Golf Resort
Gibbston Valley Wine Trail

Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner

Te Anau - Gateway to Fiordland National Park

Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to picturesque Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to the lakeside town of Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park . Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional). The caves have only been recently rediscovered, because someone had known they were there as Te Anau is a shortened form of “Te Ana-au” which means “the cave of the swirling water current”. Getting to the caves involves a scenic cruise to the western shores.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Te Anau - 2 nights

Accommodation:

Distinction Hotel Te Anau & Villas

Located on the Te Anau lake front, a short stroll from the Te Anau town centre, Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas is perfectly situated for you to make the most of this beautiful area. The rooms are very comfortable and the hotel has all the facilities you would expect from a property of this standard.Distinction Te Anua Hotel and Villas, offering chic, elegant accommodation. This 4 Star hotel is surrounded by extensive landscaped gardens where you can enjoy the spectacular view of Lake Te Anua and the Fiordland ranges.

Cruise the Magnificent Milford Sound

The Road to Milford is one of New Zealand’s most scenic drives. The first part is relatively mild farmland, then you’ll ease into beech forest near the entrance to the Fiordland National Park. We show you the 'Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain' and the 'Mirror Lakes'. The rough hewn Homer Tunnel brings you into Milford Sound, where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord.

A cruise on Milford Sound is an essential component of your time in Fiordland and is an amazing 22 km (14 mile) long fiord dominated by the towering Mitre Peak and spectacular Bowen Falls. As you enjoy a picnic lunch onboard, tall waterfalls, vertical rock faces and seals are some of the things you’ll remember - all carved by glaciers during the last ice age.

This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Dunedin - Scottish City of Grace and Grandeur

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. Enjoy an informative city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. Options available include a tour of the Speight’s Brewery, which produces New Zealand’s most popular beer, see Albatross in their natural habitat or take a tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing many treasures of a bygone era.

Some options available in and around Dunedin:

Speights Brewery Tour

Peninsula Wildlife Cruise

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 night

Accommodation:

The Distinction Hotel Dunedin

The former Dunedin Chief Post Office (1937), transformed the 1937 former Chief Post Office in Dunedin into an elegant 4 1/2 star luxury hotel. It occupies an entire city block in The Exchange, the historic business centre of Dunedin. The impressive building was considered a monument to the importance of the role of the state and also to Dunedin's preeminent position as the country's most prosperous city. The Distinction Dunedin Hotel offers a variety of brand new accommodation to suit everyone from the businesses traveller requiring spacious and modern facilities to those wanting a relaxing weekend away.

Mt Cook National Park

Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, hear the tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour with time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Mt Cook Village - 1 night

Accommodation:

The Hermitage - Aoraki/Mount Cook

A stunning destination surrounded by the silent splendor of the Southern Alps and with spectacular views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and the surrounding National Park World Heritage area. There is a selection of properties within the Terrace Road campus from Hotel to Chalet and Mountainview Motels - all budgets and standards can be catered for.

High Country Lakes / Christchurch

This morning marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a Scenic Flight and Glacier Landing (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving into Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new found friends.

Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night

Accommodation:

Sudima Christchurch City

Homeward Bound

Haere rā and Bon Voyage!

We are sure you will enjoy the 'Ultimate South Island of New Zealand Luxury Coach Tour' - and our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Meals: Breakfast

Notes

INCLUSIONS >> NO HIDDEN EXTRA'S

Pre-paid Attractions

• TranzAlpine Rail Journey
• Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
• Lakes District Museum
• Milford Sound Cruise & Lunch
• Larnach Castle*
• City sights tour of Christchurch & Dunedin

*Guided tour.

Ultimate Small Group Touring
• Ultimate Small Group Tour Coach with 20 luxury leather reclining seats on a full size vehicle, 2 door access and panoramic windows
• Professional Coach Captain
• Personalised Meet & Greet on arrival
• Return airport transfers in New Zealand
• 9 nights 4.5 Star hotel accommodation
• 2 two night stays
• Hotel porterage
• 2 cruises and 1 rail journey
• All sightseeing and pre paid attractions
• Ultimate documentation pack

Meals

• 9 cooked breakfasts
• 8 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 2 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Christchurch
• 1 picnic lunch
• 1 Ultimate High Tea, Larnach Castle
• Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)

Note: Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.

See Pricing Options

What Michelle says about this tour: I recommend this tour to my VIP guests who are looking for a small luxury tour. Taking in the stunning South's mountains, lakes, glaciers and national parks and combining that with premium accommodation and exclusive extras. This is a remarkable 10 day treat.

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