Southern Highlights - 10 day Tour Itinerary

You depart at 09.00am for a stunning journey across the Canterbury Plains, over Arthur's Pass and down to the West Coast.  Along the way the scenery changes constantly so you stop often for walks and photo opportunities. Stop in Hokitika, famous for pounamu (jade) and at the Bushman's Centre to learn about the local history, before heading down to Franz Josef for its majestic glacier.  Stay in a lodge in the rainforest at Franz Josef  (D).

Today is free for exploring this World Heritage area. There are many great walks but we highly recommend that you pay to go on one of the guided trips (where they provide you with specialised equipment) so that you can get further onto the glacier.  Self-cater tonight - there are great local cafes and a kitchen at the lodge (B).

N.B. in winter a half day guided glacier hike is included.

You follow the coast further south today for even more amazing scenery (including New Zealand's most photographed lake), some great walks, waterfalls and a breathtaking alpine pass. Arrive at your wilderness accommodation at the foot of Mount Aspiring National Park by mid-afternoon. The locals provide some of the most spectacular activities from scenic flights to wilderness jet boating. Your accommodation tonight is in chalets
(B, D)..

You journey on to the adventure capital of the world; Queenstown, the spiritual home of bungy jumping.  On the way you stop in the scenic town of Wanaka for a walk and lunch before heading to the bungy bridge. Everyone has the option of observing or jumping themselves. Arrive at your accommodation in the afternoon ready for two days of whatever activities you choose to do from the relaxing to full-on adrenaline. Your guide will take you on an orientation of the resort when you arrive and a tour of the town's night spots in the evening. (B).

Enjoy Queenstown.... Optional activities and meals at your own expense.You have two days to explore this adventure town or just relax in the array of coffee shops on and around the lakes edge; the surrounding view will see your day pass very easily.Queenstown is one of the top, and most scenic adventure venues in the world. Within the stunning setting of mountains and lake, you can do almost anything here. There are a number of wineraries here that offer very good wines - especially Pinot Noir - and claim to be the most southerly wineraries in the world. So instead of jetboating on the Shotover, perhaps a relaxing wine trail is more to your liking. (No meals)

This morning you head into the awe-inspiring Fiordland National Park.  Doubtful Sound is truly an amazing place; one of the most remote and untouched places on earth where you will see fur seals, Fiordland Crested Penguins and dolphins. You spend the day and night on a purpose-built boat, which includes a dedicated nature guide and sea kayaks.  Overnight in a secluded bay in the fiord (D). ** See Note at bottom of Itinerary.

N.B. In winter you do the Doubtful Sound day cruise and stay overnight in Te Anau.

The morning is spent departing Doubtful Sound. You board your own mini-coach at midday and head through the beautiful Otago region.  You explore relics of the gold rush, which was responsible for the European settlement of this area.  Stay in your own exclusive accommodation in the middle of Otago gold country. You have the option of curling tonight (like bowling but with big stones on an ice rink). We challenge you to try and beat your guide (B, D).

In the morning you grab your mountain bikes and head out to sample part of the old Otago Gold Mining Rail Trail.  It is an ideal activity for riders of all abilities and a great way to soak up the incredible scenery and history of the area. You then express along the Canterbury plains to Rangitata, one of the region's original sheep stations surrounded by the Southern Alps. Tonight we build a campfire and exchange stories from the trip. (B)

 

Day 10: Rangitata to Christchurch:

This morning you express along the Canterbury Plains flanked by the Southern Alps to Christchurch, the 'Garden City', where this New Zealand tour ends at approximately 09.00am. (B).

Most cabins on the Doubtful Sound are multi-share and therefore private accommodation is limited. We will confirm at time of booking if twin/double/ single is available.