ITINERARY:

(B) Breakfast. (L) Lunch. (D) Dinner.

Day 1: ARRIVE CHRISTCHURCH
Arrive Christchurch Airport and transfer to your hotel. Remainder of day and evening at leisure.
Base Accommodation: Quality Hotel Elms Christchurch – 1 night
Upgrade Accommodation: Distinction Hotel Christchurch – 1 night

Day 2: CHRISTCHURCH / DUNEDIN (B)
Travel down the eastern coastline through the towns of Ashburton and Timaru. Continue on through Temuka, which is known for its pottery and Oamaru with its lovely white stone buildings then stop at the intriguing Moeraki Boulders to see these unusual giant marble-like boulders on the beach before arriving into Dunedin, a city proud of its Scottish Heritage. This afternoon make your way out to Taiaroa Heads, a region renowned for wildlife. Visit the Royal Albatross Colony which is the only mainland nesting site in the world for these magnificent birds. Your 45minute guided Classic Tour tells the story of the Northern Royal Albatross and includes a short movie by Natural History NZ then a visit to potential viewing areas on Taiaroa Head. Walk up a steep pathway at a leisurely pace to the Observatory to view the nesting sites. Afterwards return to the central city.
Base Accommodation: Victoria Hotel – 1 night
Upgrade Accommodation: Distinction Hotel Dunedin – 1 night

Day 3: DUNEDIN / TE ANAU (B)
This morning enjoy a guided tour of historic Olveston House which was completed in 1907 and was a masterpiece of modernity in the Edwardian era, featuring central heating, an in house telephone system and even heated towel rails. Olveston has been carefully preserved and now offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of a privileged family in the early 1900’s and the rich historical heritage of Dunedin. Travel through the southern suburbs of Dunedin and on to the fertile Taieri Plains where sheep and dairying are the primary industries. Pass Lake Waihola and the fast flowing Clutha River at Balclutha before reaching the town of Gore (country music capital of New Zealand). Travel over tussock covered hills before approaching Te Anau where the mountains of Fiordland National Park are easily seen in the distance.

Upgrade Sightseeing Package: Te Anau Caves excursion Explore a mysterious underground world of rushing water, before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glow-worms. The excursion commences with a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau to the western side of the lake then experienced guides accompany you underground in small groups. As you explore by path and small boat observe how the rushing water sculpts the rock formations, before gliding through silent darkness to the glow-worm grotto. The delicate incandescence of thousands of tiny glow-worms is a magical sight. On conclusion, return to Te Anau by launch. Please note – a reasonable agility level is necessary (some bending is required due to low caves entrance and steps are involved). Not suitable for wheelchair passengers or heeled shoes.
Base Accommodation: Distinction Hotel Luxmore – 1 night
Upgrade Accommodation: Distinction Hotel Luxmore – 1 night

Day 4: TE ANAU / MILFORD SOUND / QUEENSTOWN (BL)
Depart Te Anau for a full day excursion travelling via Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Fiordland National Park, part of the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area is one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere. The scenery is spectacular with lofty mountains and deep valleys carved out by Ice Age glaciers. There are clear rushing streams and leaping waterfalls set in magnificent native rainforest. At Milford Sound board a comfortable vessel for a scenic cruise down the fiord past Mitre Peak to the open sea. Seals and dolphins are often seen in the clear waters of the fiord. Picnic lunch served aboard. At the conclusion of the cruise, return to Te Anau travelling via the Cleddau Gorge, Homer Tunnel and the lovely Eglinton Valley. From Te Anau travel through the quaint settlements of Mossburn, Athol and Garston then travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown.

Surrounded by majestic mountains and set on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, the natural beauty and the unique energy of the Queenstown region create the perfect backdrop for a holiday full of adventure, exploration or relaxation. As well as the proclaimed ‘adventure capital of NZ’, the resort town of Queenstown is sophisticated and fantastically scenic. Its lake and mountain landscape is suited to almost any kind of adventure; but Queenstown is just as well-known as a place for indulgence, for wine and cuisine and for gold-mining history.
Base Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront – 2 nights
Upgrade Accommodation: The Rees Queenstown – 2 nights includes 2-course dinner in hotel restaurant on Day 4

Day 5: QUEENSTOWN (B,D)
Day at leisure to enjoy the many activities and attractions available in the area. You may wish to experience a thrilling ride on a jetboat, take a guided bush walk, enjoy a scenic flight over the area, join a winery tour to some of the most southern vineyards in the world, ride the aerial gondola to Bob’s Peak for the panoramic view across the lake to the mountains, join a 4WD tour into the home of ‘Middle Earth’ where much of the filming was done for ‘Lord of the Rings’ or if you dare – try bungy-jumping (all at extra cost).
This evening enjoy a taste of rural life in New Zealand. Steeped in Queenstown’s pioneering history, our experience commences with a cruise across Lake Wakatipu in the 1912 vintage steamship, the TSS Earnslaw. Disembark at Walter Peak High Country Farm, one of the first farms set up in the region and still a working farm. In the ambience of the Colonel’s Homestead, enjoy a delicious gourmet BBQ dinner which the chef will prepare in front of you. After dinner enjoy an entertaining brief farm experience including a sheep shearing demonstration. On the magical night-time cruise home, enjoy the camaraderie of a sing-a-long with the ship’s pianist or breathe in the fresh night air on the moonlit decks as you watch the lights of Queenstown draw nearer.

Upgrade Sightseeing Package: • Scenic Helicopter Flight – 20 minute scenic flight Experience the thrill of a helicopter flight while Queenstown’s beauty comes alive as you soar above the Wakatipu Basin. Your alpine landing site will give you spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown and the surrounding mountains. This will be an unforgettable experience!

Day 6: QUEENSTOWN / CHRISTCHURCH (B)
Today’s journey to Christchurch travels north through the rugged Kawarau Gorge, past pretty Lake Dunstan and across the distinctive Central Otago countryside to the Lindis Pass. Pass the small towns of Omarama and Twizel then see the huge Waitaki hydro electricity generation scheme in the Waitaki Valley. On a clear day, New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Mt Cook can be seen from the head of Lake Pukaki. See the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo then cross the MacKenzie Country named after a 19th Century sheep stealer, pass through Burkes Pass and the small rural towns of Fairlie and Geraldine. Travel north across the alluvial Canterbury Plains, New Zealand’s chief cropping area and drive into Christchurch City.

Upgrade Sightseeing Package: • Christchurch Tramway Dinner This 2.5-hour excursion aboard a 36 seater air-conditioned, colonial style dining tram incorporates fabulous dining with a sightseeing tour showcasing Christchurch’s inner city vibrancy and heritage – truly a mix of the old and the new. Your meal includes a 4-course dinner with welcome drink plus tea/coffee included. If staying at Quality Elms Christchurch – own arrangements/cost for taxi/Uber transfers If staying at Distinction Hotel Christchurch, tram stop is only steps away from hotel
Base Accommodation: Quality Hotel Elms Christchurch – 1 night
Upgrade Accommodation: Distinction Hotel Christchurch – 1 night

Day 7: CHRISTCHURCH / DEPART (B)
Farewell from New Zealand. After breakfast you will be transferred from the hotel to Christchurch airport for your flights home to Australia.

Please note: The day by day descriptions published are intended as an indicative guide only. Travel by nature is unpredictable. Weather patterns, road conditions, public holidays, travel restrictions and a multitude of other factors may necessitate itinerary changes that ultimately are for the client’s benefit. It is essential that clients are flexible and open minded in this regard.