15 Day South Island Encompassed

DAY 01 – Wellington

You will be picked up from the airport and taken to your hotel where you will check in for 1 night.  The balance of your day is at leisure.

DAY 02 – Interislander Ferry to Kaikoura

Take the Interislander Ferry to Kaikoura where you will check in to your hotel for 2 nights.  The balance of your day is at leisure.

DAY 03 – Whale Watching Cruise

The main focus of your tour is to locate and view the Giant Sperm whale. Around 80% of the world’s whale and dolphin species migrate past the region’s coastline so at any given time there is the opportunity for other species of marine mammals to be sighted such as Blue, Fin, Sei, Humpback, Minke, Pilot, Orca and Southern Right Whales, Common Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Southern Right Whale Dolphins, Elephant Seals and Leopard Seals.

Depending on the amount of time available after viewing the Sperm whales, the captain of the vessel may decide to move in along the coastline and see what other types of marine life can be encountered. This could include Dusky and Hector Dolphins and the New Zealand Fur Seal.

DAY 04 – Coastal Pacific to Christchurch

Head to Kaikoura Railway Station where you will take the Coastal Pacific Rail to Christchurch.

You will be picked up and transferred to Christchurch where you will check in to your hotel for 1 night.  The balance of your day is at leisure.

DAY 05 – Hanmer Springs

Collect your rental car today.

Drive to Hanmer Springs where you will check into your hotel for 1 night.  The balance of your day is at leisure.

DAY 06 – Punakaiki

Drive to Punakaiki where you will check into your hotel for 1 night.  The balance of your day is at leisure.

DAY 07 – Franz Josef

Drive to Franz Josef where you will check into your hotel for 1 night.  The balance of your day is at leisure.

DAY 08 – Wanaka

Drive to Wanaka where you will check in to your hotel for 1 night.  The balance of your day is at leisure.

DAY 09 – Queenstown

Drive to Queenstown where you will check in to your hotel for 3 nights.  The balance of your day is at leisure.

DAY 10 – Wakatipu Basin Safari

A Queenstown adventure safari packed with breathtaking Lord Of The Rings filming locations and thrilling 4WD action. Our guides will rediscover the magic of Tolkien’s Middle-earth and bring it to life with rare facts and thrilling tales. On this great escapade, we will visit filming locations such as the Misty Mountains, the Pillars of the Kings (Argonath)and many more. Furthermore, we will follow a historic gold mining road and take the opportunity to plunder gold. Take in all of this while taking seeing the spectacular panoramic views of the Queenstown area.

DAY 11 – Gondola & Buffet Dinner Queenstown

Take a scenic ride in the iconic Skyline Gondola and take in the stunning views as you ride the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere!

You’ll be carried 450 metres above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu to the top of Bob’s Peak, where you’ll enjoy a spectacular 220-degree panorama with breath-taking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter and Cecil Peak and, of course, Queenstown. Dinner is included with this excursion.

DAY 12 – Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Doubtful Sound is unspoiled, unmatched and unforgettable. So get ready to create some lifelong memories as the Fiordland Navigator takes you through the ultimate Doubtful Sound experience.  Your itinerary starts in Manapouri with a short cruise across Lake Manapouri. A coach then takes you across Wilmot Pass, travelling on a sub-alpine road through dense rainforest. Arriving at Deep Cove you’ll be met by our crew and the majestic Fiordland Navigator.

As you cruise through some of New Zealand’s most stunning scenery, our knowledgeable nature guides will provide commentary ensuring you miss nothing, be it the pod of resident dolphins, fur seals or rare penguins you might encounter. Dinner and next-day breakfast is included with this excursion.

DAY 13 – Dunedin

Drive to Dunedin where you will check in to your hotel for 1 night.  The balance of your day is at leisure.

Day 14 – Christchurch

Drive to Christchurch where you will check in to your hotel for 1 night.  The balance of your day is at leisure.

DAY 15 – Depart

Drop off your rental car at the airport this morning… why not stay longer?