Scenic South Tour

Tour Highlights:

• Tranzalpine Rail journey across the Southern Alps
• Franz Josef
• Lake Wakatipu cruise to Walter Peak on vintage Steamship with BBQ dinner and farm show
• Milford Sound Cruise
• Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
• Indoor Guided Dark Sky & Astronomy Experience in Tekapo

Sample New Zealand Tour Itinerary (Subject to change).

Day 1: Christchurch, New Zealand

Haere Mai – welcome to Aotearoa (New Zealand). Tonight, meet your Travel Director and travelling companions for drinks.

Day 2: Christchurch – Franz Josef

Start your tour on a literal high as you travel aboard the Tranzalpine train, crossing the Canterbury Plains towards the Southern Alps and Arthur’s Pass. This is one of the world’s most scenic rail experiences that travels through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. Arrive in Hokitika, home of pounamu (New Zealand greenstone or jade) and travel onward to Franz Josef.  You may choose to take a scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier (optional, additional expense, weather permitting).

Day 3: Franz Josef – Queenstown

Travel over the Haast Pass and down the west coast where there are almost more waterways here than you can count. See Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan, visit the historic goldmining village of Arrowtown before reaching Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables and Queenstown.

Day 4: Queenstown

Today is at your leisure with free time to explore Queenstown.

Day 5: Queenstown – Te Anau

Nature rules today as you drive from the Mirror Lakes through the Cleddau Valley to World Heritage-listed Milford Sound (Piopiotahi). Cruise across the sound to see its string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. The road back through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and gin-clear rivers, carving up the countryside enroute to Te Anau.

Day 6: Te Anau – Dunedin

The South Island’s biggest lake is a blissful place for an invigorating morning walk before travelling further south to the city of Dunedin. Spend the afternoon at leisure wandering art-lined alleys, sipping a lager or two in Speight’s Brewery (a national institution), or visit grand Larnach Castle, the only one of its kind in the country. You could venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country (Dunedin excursions option, additional expense).

Day 7: Dunedin – Omarama

Sleep in or take a stroll around the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city’s main George Street. Leave Dunedin today stopping in Oamaru, a town with a rich history, featuring Victorian architecture and original boutiques.

Day 8: Omarama – Christchurch

If there’s a lake with a more vivid turquoise colour than Tekapo, we’re yet to see it. It is even more dramatic by snow-capped mountains, the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd and atmospheric tiny towns that surround it. Experience the indoor Dark Sky Astronomy experience at Tekapo, hosted by passionate local specialists that will change the way you see the night sky. Travel through the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Your Travel Director will show you the city’s miraculous transformation over the last decade. Tonight, enjoy farewell drinks and dinner with your group to toast the last night of your adventure.

Day 9: Depart Christchurch, New Zealand

Your kiwi adventure comes to an end today in Christchurch.

Want to extend your trip or customise a different New Zealand tour?

Contact our destination specialists.

Browse other popular sample New Zealand trips for inspiration:

Bay of Islands Escape – 4 day Tour

New Zealand Uncovered – 17 day Guided Tour

Kiwi Experience – 21 day Guided Tour

NZ Walks Adventures – 13 day Walking & Hiking

Best of New Zealand – 19 day Road Trip