SUN 22 January | No Meals

Day 1  Arrive at Christchurch airport and transfer to the city hotel by the airport shuttle bus

Free time for the remainder of today

Accommodation for three nights in a studio room is at the Quest Christchurch

MON 23 January  | CB

Day 2  Continental breakfast provisions are supplied for you to enjoy in your studio.

A hop on- hop off tram pass will be provided for your use today.

Today is free to enjoy at your leisure.

TUE 24 January |  CBD

Day 3   Continental breakfast provisions are supplied for you to enjoy in your studio

This morning we visit the International Antarctic Centre, which features a range of immersive experiences. Learn about the human impact on the continent, the wildlife and ecosystems, and Antarctica’s effect on the earth. Experience an Antarctic storm, go off-road in a Hägglund, befriend a Husky, and mingle with the penguins.

Afterward, we will take in some of the sights of Christchurch, including a punting trip on the Avon river, Quake city, the Botanic Gardens or the Canterbury Museum. 

Enjoy a light lunch at Ilex café in the Botanic gardens.

Optional tour suggestion- Join a dinner tour at Christchurch Historic Tramcar Restaurant, departure point is right at your door! – optional tour, additional cost of A$116 per person

WED 25 January | CBD

Day 4   Continental breakfast provisions are supplied for you to enjoy in your studio.

Private 20 seater coach 10 day / 9 night tour in the south island commences

Depart Christchurch early this morning, taking the scenic route to Mt Cook – New Zealand’s highest mountain. Arriving mid afternoon check into our accommodation in Mount Cook Village, before taking the Glacier Explorers 2.5hr tour at 3.30pm.

Visit New Zealand’s Tasman Glacier terminal lake for a fascinating glacial encounter. Cruise the rapidly growing terminal lake taking in spectacular mountain views and scenery. Icebergs of every shape and size periodically tear away from the glacier allowing you to touch and taste the 300-500 year old glacial crystals. 

The tour bus will take us to the Tasman Valley, followed by a 30 minute alpine walk through the moraine and National Park. Board a custom built MAC boat. View the Tasman Glacier ice face from a distance along with icebergs.   

Accommodation for one night in a studio room is at the Mount Cook Lodge

Buffet Dinner in the restaurant at the Hermitage

THU 26 January | B

Day 5 Buffet Breakfast in the Alpine restaurant in the Hermitage

Depart Mt Cook this morning and drive south to visit Oamaru the largest town in North Otago and the Steampunk capital of New Zealand Oamaru features renowned limestone Victorian architecture and Steampunk HQ – an art collaboration and gallery in the historic Victorian precinct. Free time in Oamaru suggest a visit to Steampunk HQ  (additional cost) or a stroll around the Victorian precinct shops/cafes.

This afternoon continue driving south to Dunedin, stopping along the way at the famous Moeraki Boulders – mysteriously spherical stones scattered across Koekohe beach. Each boulder weighs several tonnes and is up to two metres high. Scientists explain the boulders as calcite concretions formed about 65 million years ago. According to Maori legend, the boulders are gourds washed ashore from the great voyaging canoe Araiteuru when it was wrecked upon landfall in New Zealand hundreds of years ago. Drive onto Dunedin accommodation for check-in.

Accommodation for one night in a standard Run of House room is at the Dunedin Leisure Lodge

The remainder of this afternoon is at your leisure

FRI 27 January | BD

Day 6 Cooked breakfast in the hotel restaurant

Check out of your room this morning. Depart on an orientation tour in Dunedin

Additional sightseeing today MAY include a trip on the Taieri Gorge Railway (train schedules yet to be determined – if the railway is not running, alternative local sightseeing will be substituted).

This afternoon transfer to Larnach Castle, where we check into their lodge accommodation. Free time relax or walk around the stunning gardens and take a self-guided tour of Larnach Castle.

Accommodation for one night in a superior room is at Larnach Castle Lodge

Larnach Lodge accommodation is located within the grounds of Larnach Castle. Being built beside the original historic Stables and over the foundations of old farm buildings, Larnach Lodge was designed as a re-creation of a colonial farm building, positioned with spectacular harbour, ocean and Peninsula views. Featuring twelve themed rooms, encapsulating the historic Larnach Castle setting. Themes include: Scottish, Enchanted Forest, Rhododendron, Kate’s, New Zealand, Rose, Sea, White, Kauri, Pink, Goldrush, Victorian.

Tonight, dine on a special 3 course dinner in the castle dining room, whilst being entertained by the     Larnach Castle story.

SAT 28 January | CB

Day 7 Breakfast in the Stables Café

Check out of your room and depart the lodge early this morning.

Today we travel from Dunedin to Te Anau, via Invercargill. Upon arrival in Invercargill, visit E Hayes and Sons store.

This unusual hardware store also holds The E Hayes Motorworks Collection of over 100 classic and vintage motorcycles, vehicles and memorabilia, featuring Burt Munro’s original “worlds fastest Indian”.

Next visit Bill Richardsons Transport World, see over 300 classic vehicles on display.

Discover a treasure trove of the rare and colourful vehicles, and take a nostalgic walk back in time. Examples of almost every Henry Ford letter car, gleaming V8s, a display of Volkswagen Kombis, vintage trucks and classic cars.

Enter Bill’s Shed and discover a colourful display of wearable art crafted from the most inventive of materials. Featuring a selection of vibrant masterpieces created by Kiwis, the wearable art display is a showstopping part of the Bill Richardson Transport World. Travel onto Te Anau later this afternoon.                       

Accommodation for one night in a standard hotel room is at the Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau

 Enjoy a group dinner in the hotel or a local restaurant.

SUN 29 January | BL

Day 8 Full breakfast in the hotel restaurant

Morning departure, tour to the iconic Milford Sound, where we enjoy a scenic cruise. A picnic boxed lunch is included in today’s tour. After the tour, transfer to Queenstown, arriving this evening.

Accommodation for three nights in a King / Twin guest standard room is at the Doubletree by Hilton Queenstown.   

MON 30 January | B

Day 9 Breakfast in the hotel restaurant

Free day at your leisure to enjoy the many delights of Queenstown or perhaps take an optional full or half-day tour, a jet boat ride or even a relaxing soak in an onsen – the choice is yours (optional tours / own arrangements)

TUE 31 January | BD

Day 10 Breakfast in the hotel restaurant

Morning sightseeing tour to Glenorchy with free time to look around the area, before returning to Queenstown, where we take a ride on the Skyline Gondola for the best panoramic views of the town and surrounds. Depending on how long you choose to stay up at the Gondola summit, you will also have some free time late this afternoon to look around Queenstown, before checking in for our cruise. The TS Earnslaw steamboat cruise on Lake Wakatipu with BBQ dinner at Walter Peak Farm departs at 6.00pm. Return transfer back to our accommodation at the conclusion of the tour.

WED 01 February| BL

Day 11 Breakfast in the hotel restaurant

Check out of your hotel this morning. Today our tour continues to Wanaka. Along the way we make a stop in the quaint village of Arrowtown and then visit the Gibbston Valley Winery for a group wine tasting. Continue driving through the central Otago wine region, stop for lunch in Cromwell.

Next stop is at the Wanaka Lavender Farm. Time to look around the farm and perhaps enjoy a hot beverage or their famous icecream. Afterward, we drive a short distance into Wanaka and check into our accommodation for this evening. Short time to settle in before we transfer to the lakefront.

See the “lone tree of Lake Wanaka” – said to be one of the most photographed trees in New Zealand. Join Lake Wanaka Cruises for their 1 hour Happy Hour cruise on the lake. This cruise includes a local wine or beer plus refreshments (New Zealand cheese, meat and fresh fruit board).

Cruise down the Wanaka waterfront, before tracking up to Waterfall Creek and Ruby Island. We then head across to Stevensons Peninsula before returning via Beacon Point and Eley Point. Disembark and return transfer to our accommodation (or you may choose to stay in town and make your own way back to the hotel).

Accommodation for one night in a standard room is at the Oakridge Resort

Free time for the remainder of today

THU 02 February | BLD

Day 12 Breakfast in the hotel restaurant

This morning the drive takes us from Wanaka to Franz Josef, with a stop at the South Westland Salmon farm and café. Feed the salmon from the café balcony and enjoy a light lunch. Take the opportunity to taste some of their products and visit the farm shop.

Tour continues onto Franz Josef, where those guests who are feeling energetic, will be dropped off at the Franz Josef Glacier carpark. There is an easy 1.5 hour round trip walk to the base of Franz Josef Glacier from the car park. Walk past a waterfall along the wide river stone track (distance 5.4kms return). The coach will return this afternoon to collect the participants from the Franz Josef Glacier and transfer to the accommodation. Those guests who do not want to take the walk will be transferred to the hotel for check-in or perhaps some more sightseeing in the town.

Optional tour suggestion – visit the West Coast Wilderness Centre (additional cost)

Accommodation for one night in either a Run of House room is at the Alpine Glacier Motel, Franz Josef Village

Group dinner at a local restaurant

FRI 03 February |B

Day 13 Continental breakfast provisions are supplied for you to enjoy in your room.

After breakfast, depart Franz Josef village and travel to Greymouth with a stop in Hokitika. Check-in for our Tranzalpine train journey departing at 2.00pm. Experience one of the world’s great train journeys covering 223 kilometres one-way, taking just under 5 hours.  Featuring stunning views of New Zealand through panoramic windows and open-air viewing carriage. The Tranzalpine arrives in Christchurch at 7.00pm

Our coach will meet us at the Christchurch train station, and transfer us to our accommodation for this evening.

Accommodation for one night in a standard room is at the Sudima Hotel Christchurch City

Free time for the remainder of today

SAT 04 February | B

Day 14 Breakfast in the hotel restaurant

Free time this morning

Check out of your room by 10 am, you can leave your luggage at reception until your shuttle bus transfer to the Christchurch International Airport, for your flight back to Australia.