Milford Sound at Twilight, South Island
Milford Sound at Twilight, South Island
Queenstown Cityscapes, South Island
Queenstown Cityscapes, South Island
Fiordland National Park Wildlife & Scenery, South Island
Fiordland National Park Wildlife & Scenery, South Island
Queenstown New Zealand
Queenstown New Zealand
Mount Cook Aoraki, Haast Pass and Fox Glacier, South Island
Mount Cook Aoraki, Haast Pass and Fox Glacier, South Island
Pancake Rocks & Glow Worm Caves, South Island
Pancake Rocks & Glow Worm Caves, South Island
Arthur's Pass, Canterbury Plains & Castle Hill
Arthur's Pass, Canterbury Plains & Castle Hill

South Island Kea (Small Group Tour)

11 nights from £5,599 per person Including Flights

Overview

The South Island features some of New Zealand’s best loved locations, from Milford Sound to Queenstown. Including cruises on Milford Sound, scenic flights over the Southern Alps, walks through the beech forests of the Haast Pass, sightseeing in Punakaiki and whles in Kaikoura plus lits more, this tour packs a lot of exciting experiences in to its twelve days. Enjoy your small group tour with an intimate group of up to 18 people, making your trip personalised and special to you. (MOA).

Prices are quoted per person on a twin-share basis and do not include international flights.

Highlights

  • Take a wildlife cruise on Milford Sound
  • Spend some free time exploring Queenstown
  • Visit the gold mining village of Arrowtown
  • Explore Franz Josef and Okarito Lagoon
  • Visit the quirky Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki
Whats included?
  • Internal travel
  • Sights and excursions
  • Tour guide throughout
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Day 1

Christchurch

You'll meet your group mid-morning, before heading for a special lunch at Akaunui homestead, a 116-year-old country home wih deliciously fresh produce by the hosts, Di and Ian Mackenzie.

You'll then continue through Mackenzie Country for beautiful views of glacial lakes and the Southern Alps, plus the Church at Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki before arriving at Aoraki/Mt Cook Village

Overnight: Mount Cook, Hermitage Hotel

Day 2

Aoraki/Mt Cook - Lindis Pass - Queenstown

Today you'll enjoy a scenic walk around Mt Cook. You'll then continue to Omarama, over the Lindis Pass and through the stunning Kawarau Gorge and Gibbston Valley to Queenstown, where you'll be staying for three nights.

Overnight: Scenic Suites

Day 3

Queenstown - Milford Sound Cruise - Scenic flight - Queenstown

A beautiful day today. You'll begin with a cruise on MilfordSound where you might spot seal colonies and dolphins, before taking a scenic flight back over the Southern Alps to Queenstown.

Overnight: Scenic Suites

Day 4

Queenstown

Today is a day free for you to explore at your own pace. There are lots of great optional excursions, including jet boat rides on the Dart River, seeing Lord of the Rings scenery, or going to a vineyard.

Overnight: Scenic Suites

Day 5

Queenstown - Arrowtown - Cardrona Valley - Wanaka

Your first destination today is the leafy village of Arrowtown which has a lively gold mining history. The road then climbs over the Crown Range, offering amazing views of the Gibbston Valley.

Overnight: Edgewater Resort

Day 6

Wanaka  - Haast Pass - Lake Matheson - Franz Josef

Driving along Lakes Hawea and Wanaka and into the pristine mountain scenery, you’ll begin today’s journey venturing along the Haast Pass in Mt Aspiring National Park. You can follow the tracks through the native beech forests to crystal-clear pools where trout thrive and magical cascading waterfalls following the Haast River out to sea.

Overnight: Aspen Court

Day 7

Franz Josef - Hokitika - Punakaiki

The morning is free for you to walk to the Franz Josef Glacier lookout. You could even enjoy an optional flight onto the glacier, or search for rare birds on a cruise out on Okarito Lagoon.

Once in Hokitika, you'll meet the carvers of the treasured Pounamu (greenstone) before continuing to Papamoa National Park.

Overnight: Scenic Hotel

Day 8

Punakaiki - Paparoa National Park - Charleston - Westport

Today you will see the Pancake rocks, limestone cliffs and blowholes at this subtropical rainforest. The day is free for you to enjoy at your own pace. Why not walk to an isolated beach to see the seal colony at Cape Foulwind, or go to the glow worn cave at Charleston.

Overnight: Scenic Hotel

Day 9

 

Punakaiki - Cape Foulwind - Murchison - Nelson

Travelling north up the West Coast we call into Tauranga Bay and Cape Foulwind. Turning inland,  continue through the rugged Buller Gorge to  Nelson, known for its arts and crafts scene.

  •     Enjoy an easy stroll to see the Cape Foulwind seal colony
  •     Pass through the rugged Buller Gorge to Murchison and on to Nelson
  •     Nelson is home to vineyards, orchards and a lively arts and crafts scene

Overnight: Tides Hotel, Nelson

Day 10

Nelson - Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman is a highlight of the entire tour for many people. A picnic lunch is included so you can take your pick from a full scenic cruise or a cruise/walk combo to explore a section of the coastal track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, with time to relax on the beach or even jump in for a swim.

  •     Cruise the crystal clear blue waters of Abel Tasman National Park
  •     A guided walk and picnic lunch on the Abel Tasman coastal track

Overnight: Tides Hotel, Nelson

Day 11

Nelson - Kaikoura

Firts, its a call into Havelock at the head of Pelorus Sound to appreciate the spectacular views. In Marlborough enjoy a private lunch and wine tasting at FROMM Winery in this renowned wine region.

  • Private lunch and wine tasting in this renowned wine region
  • Be awed by the coastline between the Pacific Ocean and Kaikoura Ranges

 

Overnight: White Morph Inn, Kaikoura

Day 12

Kaikoura – Christchurch

This morning is free to see Kaikoura’s bountiful marine life, the result of an ocean canyon close offshore. After lunch depart for Waipara, the Canterbury Plains and our final farewell in Christchurch.

  • Stroll the Kaikoura coastal walkway to the seal colony
  • Take an optional whale watching flight
  • Option to enjoy a guided kayak trip to see seabirds and seals

 

 

* We strongly recommend booking an extra night in Christchurch if you flying internationally.*


 

 

 

  • Hotels 11 nights with group
  • Breakfast every day, 3 lunches (some are picnics) and 2 dinners
  • Internal travel in an air-conditioned coach
  • Sights and excursions as listed in itinerary
  • Friendly Kiwi guide throughout

Please note - International flights and domestic flights throughout New Zealand are not included in the price shown.

This tour departs Christchurch on Day 1 and you will need to book at least one night before the the tour departs. We also recommned booking one night in Christchurch at the end of the tour.

The following excursions are available to book, please contact one of our travel consultants for prices and availability:

Also note - it is advisable to pre-book your optional tours prior to arrival

  • Queenstown – Bike the Bridges Half Day Tour
  • Queenstown – The Basin Explorer – Full Day Bike Tour
  • Queenstown – Boutique Wine Tour
  • Queenstown – Dart River Jet Boat Wilderness Experience
  • Queenstown – Routeburn Track Day Hiking
  • Queenstown – Glenorchy Lord of the Rings Scenic Tour
  • Queenstown – Moa 4 Line Tour
  • Queenstown – TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise with BBQ Lunch or dinner
  • Queenstown – Station to Station Mt Nicholas Farm Experience & Bike Hire
  • Queenstown – Kawarau River Rafting
  • Queenstown – Kawarau & Shootover Rivers Jet Boat Ride
  • Wanaka – Lake Cruise and Island Nature Walk
  • Franz Josef – Twin Glacier Scenic Heli Flight and Snow Landing
  • Franz Josef - Glacier Heli Hike
  • Franz Josef – Okarito Guided Kayak Trip
  • Franz Josef – Okarito Eco Tour
  • Punakaiki – Charleston Glowworm Caves Tour
  • Punakaiki – Underworld Rafting
  • Punakaiki – Underworld Rafting
  • Punakaiki – TranzAlpine Train Arthurs Pass to Christchurch
  • Kaikoura - Flightsee Whale Watching
  • Christchurch – Akaroa Harbour Day Cruise
  • Christchurch – Akaroa Day Tour & Swim with Dolphins

Holly Reid
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