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Tour Itinerary and Meals
These meals are included in your Tour Price (No extra cost - no extra supplements)
(B) = B’fast (Continental) 20; - (D) = Dinner (2 course) 19
Day 1, Palm Nth - Wellington - Nelson (D.)
An exceptionally early departure from Palmerston North this morning to get to Wellington in time for the 8.25am sailing to Picton. We cruise across the Cook Strait, through the Tory Channel and onto Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton.We continue on to Havelock or Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve where we have our lunch stop. Another hour’s drive and we are at Nelson. A tiki tour around Nelson fi nishing around 5.00pm.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 2, Nelson - Westport - Greymouth (B.D.)
8.15 a.m. is usually our departure time for the days we are travelling from one place to another. Following S.H. 6 will take us to the historic Kawatiri Junction and on to Murchison for our morning tea stop. Travelling through Upper and Lower Buller Gorge with its incredible scenery, we arrive at Westport in time for lunch. Along the West Coast road to Punakaiki where we view the fascinating Pancake Rock formation and the blow holes. Afternoon tea here and another hours drive will take us on to Greymouth at around 5pm.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 3, Greymouth - Arthur’s Pass - Harihari (B.D.)
We view Lake Brunner this morning and we travel to Arthur’s Pass to see the latest tourist attraction in the South Island - the OTIRA GORGE ROAD VIADUCT completed in Spring ‘99. Over the Arthur’s pass and to the village for morning tea before we return to the west coast and we should be down to Hokitika in time for lunch. Travelling further south, we spend some time at the historic gold town of Ross before we skirt Lake Ianthe on the way to Harihari later in the afternoon.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 4, Harihari - Glaciers - Haast (B.D.)
Viewing Lake Wahapo and Lake Mapourika we arrive at Franz Josef in an hour’s time. Here we have the opportunity to have a Heli ride and step on to the snow at the top of Franz Josef Glacier (optional). Our leisure itinerary will give us plenty of time to explore the glaciers area before we make our way to Haast for our next stop.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 5, Haast - Wanaka - Queenstown (B.D.)
We leave the West Coast behind this morning as we travel along the Haast River and over the Haast Pass, one of the most exciting scenic roads ever built. Morning tea stop at Makarora and then travel along the shores of Lake Wanaka, through the “Neck” and along the shores of Lake Hawea to Wanaka. We travel further south to the re-born town of Cromwell which is now surrounded by the new Lake Dunstan created after the completion of the famous Clyde Dam. Lunch at Cromwell before we travel through the rugged Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 6, Queenstown - Arrowtown - Rtn (B.D.)
We visit the historic Arrowtown this morning and the afternoon together with our free day tomorrow can be spent at leisure or take some of the so many options available in Queenstown such as a cruise on Lake Wakatipu on board the historic TSS Earnslaw, or a gondola ride to enjoy the magnificent scenic views from the top of the skyline restaurant, or perhaps some jet boating or white water rafting for the more adventurous. If you want to explore further afield, then the breath-taking trip to Skipper's Canyon is another option.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 7, At Queenstown (B.D.)
Free day in Queenstown Today
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 8, Queenstown – Te Anau (B.D.)
We travel to Te Anau today stopping at Kingston where the ‘steam age’ has been kept alive and where visitors and tourists can have a nostalgic trip aboard the Kingston Flyer (optional) - the vintage coal-fired “Ab” class locomotive which used to run the Invercargill to Kingston service in the old days. We arrive at Te Anau (Fiordland Hotel) at about 12.30 in time for lunch. In the afternoon we can take the cruise on Lake Te Anau to the Glowworm caves (optional).
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 9, Te Anau - Milford Sound - Rtn (B.D.)
Today we travel to one of the best and most remote tourist attractions in the country, the magnificent Milford Sound. After we have lunch it is time to board the boat for our cruise on the Milford Sound and all the way out to the Tasman Sea having a closer look at Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. (Boat cruise optional.) It’s already late afternoon when the boat returns.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 10, At Te Anau (B.D.)
Today we can add another great adventure in our diary by visiting the remarkable Manapouri Underground Power Station, travel over Wilmot Pass and have a cruise on Doubtful Sound (optional). Free day otherwise.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 11, Te Anau - Invercargill (B.D.)
A comfortable drive this morning off the beaten track and through Riverton to arrive at Invercargill in time for lunch. In the afternoon we travel to Bluff and Sterling Point (END of S.H. 1). On our return to Invercargill we visit the Information Centre Complex which is housing the Museum, Art Gallery, the Roaring 40’s, and the breeding place of Tuataras. Finishing our day around 5pm.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 12, At Invercargill (B.D)
Today is the day that another dream will become a reality for most of us. That is, to visit the most southern part of the country and the third island of New Zealand - Stewart Island (optional). Free day otherwise.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 13, Invercargill - Dunedin (B.D.)
A short stop at the prosperous rural town of Gore before we arrive at Balclutha where we have our morning tea stop. After that we arrive at the “Edinburgh of the South” - the city of Dunedin for lunch. We have our conducted sightseeing tour this afternoon before we settle in our hotel which is right in the centre of the city.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 14, At Dunedin (B.D)
Free day. Our Hotel is centrally situated and that gives us the advantage to do as much as we can or as little as we wish. Information Centre, Old Railway Station, Early Settlers Museum, First Church of Otago, Olverston House, all within easy walking distance from where we stay. The Taieri Gorge Train trip in the afternoon (2.30pm - 6.30pm) is another option for consideration.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 15, Dunedin - Mount Cook - Twizel (B.D.)
This morning we might view the Moeraki Boulders before we arrive at Oamaru for our morning tea stop. After that we travel up the Waitaki Valley where we view the massive hydro-electric power projects on the Waitaki River. We arrive at Omarama in time for lunch. We travel on to Twizel and continue on along the shore of Lake Pukaki to the Hermitage for our “close encounter” with Mount Cook. Return to Twizel for our overnight stop.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 16, Twizel - Timaru - Christchurch (B.D.)
We travel through the MacKenzie country this morning with a short stop at Tekapo visiting the world famous Church of the Good Shepherd and the statue of the Mackenzie Dog. Through Burke’s Pass stopping at Fairlie or Pleasant Point for our morning tea stop. We have a sightseeing tour around the City of Timaru, before we have lunch either in Timaru or Geraldine and onto Christchurch arriving around 4.30pm
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 17, Christchurch - Akaroa - Rtn (B.D.)
We travel to the picturesque town of Akaroa today and we return to Christchurch around 3.30pm. If enough interest an (Optional) visit to the International Antarctic Centre can be arranged for this afternoon.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 18, At Christchurch (B.D.)
We have a sightseeing tour of the city this morning and the afternoon is free. The end of the tour is getting close and this evening is perhaps the most desirable for a few drinks and a few laughs. The first drink is on Unique tonight.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 19, At Christchurch (B.)
Free day. (Tranz Alpine Express option.)
(Dinner not provided tonight.)
Day 20, Christchurch – Blenheim – Picton (B.D.)
Travelling north today we reach the coastal town of Kaikoura in time for lunch. Ensure you have plenty of film in your cameras because the seals along this beautiful coast will be waiting for us and usually they put on a good show on our arrival. Travelling further north, we reach Blenheim about 3.15pm, afternoon tea stop here before we travel to Picton.
(Hotel dinner tonight.)
Day 21, Picton - Wellington – Palm Nth (B.)
Crossing over on the 10.00am sailing (Aratere) arriving Wellington at 1.00pm and back to Palmerston North at around 4.30pm provided the ferry is running on time. Our Tour ENDS on arrival in Palmerston North.