SAT 09 November | No Meals

Day 1 Fly to New Zealand (flight own arrangements, additional cost)

Upon arrival at the Queenstown airport, transfer to the hotel by shuttle bus

Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful regions. Situated between Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountains, Queenstown is promoted as the adventure capital of New Zealand. 

Accommodation for two nights in a standard room is at the Rydges Queenstown Hotel

Room upgrade to a Lake view room is an additional cost of $100 total for the 2 night stay, subject to availability at time of booking.

Free time for remainder of today

SUN 10 November | BD

Day 2  Breakfast at accommodation

Free morning to look around Queenstown and enjoy at your leisure or join an optional tour to ride on the historic Kingston Flyer train (1.5 hour journey – additional cost).

Mid afternoon our group will take the easy stroll to the wharf, for a 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise on Lake Wakatipu on board the famous TS Earnslaw steamboat departing at 3 pm.

After the cruise, walk a short distance to the Skyline Gondola. From the gondola summit enjoy panoramic views of the town and surrounds and then enjoy a “welcome” dinner in the Stratosfare Restaurant.  

After dinner walk back to our hotel or you may choose to stay in town and return at leisure. 

MON 11 November | BD

Day 3  Boxed breakfast

Early morning departure for the long drive to the iconic Milford Sound

Included in today’s tour is a 2-hour scenic cruise on Milford Sound. Light lunch options are available onboard (own expense). After our tour today, our group will be taken to our Te Anau hotel.

Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. 

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

Early this evening, transfer the short distance to the Fiordland Cinema for a 32 minute feature Ata Whenua – Shadowland, showcasing the Fiordland World Heritage wilderness.

Dinner in the hotel restaurant

TUE 12 November |  BD

Day 4   Cooked Breakfast in the hotel restaurant

Check out of your room, and transfer the short distance to check in for our morning glow worm tour, departing at 09.00am

Experience a mysterious underground world with a guided cave tour drifting in silent darkness beneath the shimmer of hundreds of glowworms. Cruise on Lake Te Anau to the caves on the western side. View the informative displays before joining your guide underground. The caves are a network of limestone passages carved out by the force of the river that flows through them. You will be taken by a small boat into a silent grotto inhabited by hundreds of glowworms.

After the tour, you will have the opportunity to purchase lunch in Te Anau (own expense), before departing for Dunedin. The drive is approximately 4.5 hours, including a comfort stop along the way. Arrive at our accommodation early this evening.

Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand. Known as the Wildlife Capital of New Zealand, Dunedin has amazing wildlife and unique landscapes.

Accommodation for one night in a standard hotel room is at the Quest Dunedin

Short walk to the Dunedin Train Station to have dinner at the onsite Cobb & Co Restaurant

WED 13 November | CBD

Day 5   Continental Boxed Breakfast for you to enjoy in your room

Check out this morning and depart on an orientation tour of Dunedin’s sights including a photo stop at Dunedin Railway Station.

Sightseeing MAY include a trip on the Taieri Gorge Railway (if the railway is not running, alternative local sightseeing will be substituted) OR tour at Speights Brewery

This afternoon transfer to Larnach Castle, where we check into the 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.

THU 14 November | BD

Day 6 Breakfast in the Stables Café (open from 7.30am)

Check out of your room and depart the lodge at 9.00am.

This morning travel to Oamaru 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 Oamaru, for some free time in this historic town. Oamaru is the largest town in North Otago and the Steampunk capital of New Zealand. Featuring limestone Victorian architecture and Steampunk HQ – an art collaboration and gallery in the historic Victorian precinct.

Late this afternoon drive to Aoraki, Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain.

Accommodation for one night in a standard room is at The Hermitage Hotel

Enjoy dinner at the Hermitage Hotel

FRI 15 November | BD

Day 7 Breakfast in the Alpine restaurant at the Hermitage

Check in for this morning’s Glacier Explorers tour at 9.20 am. Discover New Zealand’s Tasman Glacier terminal lake on this 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. Then board a custom-built MAC boat to view the Tasman Glacier ice face from a distance along with icebergs. Return to the Hermitage after the tour.

This afternoon drive along the scenic route to Christchurch.  

Accommodation for two nights in a studio room is at the Quest Cathedral Junction Christchurch

Room upgrade to a 1 Bedroom apartment is an additional cost of $110 total for the 2 night stay, subject to availability at time of booking. 

Group dinner at a local hotel or restaurant

SAT 16 November | BL

Day 8 Cooked Breakfast at the café in Cathedral Junction

This morning take in some of the sights of Christchurch, including the Hop on hop off tram, Quake city, the Canterbury Museum and a light lunch at Ilex café in the Botanic gardens. After lunch you can use your hop on hop off tram pass, to visit other areas in the city, or enjoy this afternoon at your leisure.

Optional tour suggestion– Join a dinner tour on Christchurch Historic Tramcar Restaurant, departure point is right at your door! – optional tour, additional cost A$149 per person

SUN 17 November | CB

Day 9 Continental Breakfast pack will be provided for you to self cater for breakfast

Early morning shuttle bus transfer to the Christchurch train station

Alternatively, if you are only joining the South Island tour, a shuttle bus transfer to the Christchurch airport will be provided.