South Island Wanderer

Touring Highlights in New Zealand

• Six National Parks – Aoraki/Mt Cook, Mt Aspiring, Fiordland, Westland Tai Poutini, Paparoa, Abel Tasman
• Scenic flight across the Southern Alps from Milford Sound to Queenstown (weather permitting)
• Included Activities – hosted homestead lunch, Milford Sound cruise, Milford Sound scenic flight, Abel Tasman cruise, picnic and guided walk, Lunch and wine tasting in Marlborough, Farewell lunch

Sample Itinerary (Subject to Change)

Day 1: Christchurch – Aoraki/Mt Cook

Meet your group in Christchurch and head south for a hosted lunch at a 117-year-old Canterbury country home. Continue through the spectacular Mackenzie Country for sweeping vistas of tussock lands, glacial lakes and the Southern Alps. Stop at the Church at Lake Tekapo and the stunning backdrop of the turquoise Lake Pukaki before arriving at Aoraki/Mt Cook village. Enjoy a welcome dinner at The Hermitage.

Day 2: Aoraki/Mt Cook – Queenstown

Aoraki/Mt Cook is our highest mountain and “home ground” of the most famous Kiwi of all, Sir Edmund Hillary. Your morning is free to explore with short walks right on the doorstep, or take an optional flight up onto the Tasman Glacier (flight additional expense). After lunch, head south over the Lindis Pass to Queenstown.

Day 3: Queenstown – Milford Sound – Queenstown

Follow the shores of the great lakes Wakatipu and Te Anau into the mountains and waterfalls of Fiordland National Park. Take a small boat cruise on Milford Sound that is home to seal colonies, dolphins and the dramatic Mitre Peak. Enjoy a highlight memorable scenic flight over the Southern Alps to Queenstown.

Day 4: Queenstown

Today is free to spend at your leisure exploring Queenstown and the surrounding region. There is almost an infinite number of activities to choose from. Popular experiences include a jet boat ride on the Dart River through ‘Lord of the Rings’ backdrop scenery, wine tasting at vineyards, e-biking or cruising on the heritage steamship TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu, bungy jumping or offroad back country adventures (Optional activities, additional expense).

Day 5: Queenstown – Wanaka

Today is a highlights reel of the Southern Lakes beauty, from Arrowtown we travel up the Crown Range for our last views of the beautiful Whakatipu basin before calling into picture perfect Cardrona Hotel and on to our accommodation in Wanaka.

Day 6: Wanaka – Haast Pass – Franz Josef

Today is a quintessential New Zealand day … where else in the world can you visit the seaside, a rainforest and a glacier all in the same day? From Lakes Hawea and Wanaka over the Haast Pass and out to the West Coast before ending our day in Franz Josef Glacier, your camera will be working overtime today!

Day 7: Franz Josef – Hokitika – Punakaiki

Your morning is free to explore the village, take an optional helicopter ride with glacier landing or a visit to Okarito, home of the revered Kotuku – White Heron (activities optional, additional expense). Travel north to Paparoa National Park and Punakaiki.

Day 8: Punakaiki

Paparoa National Park is very different to any other area on the trip, towering limestone cliffs and karst rock formations with beautiful river valleys draped in subtropical forest.

Day 9: Punakaiki – Nelson

Travelling north up the West Coast we call into Tauranga Bay and Cape Foulwind. Turning inland, we continue through the rugged Buller Gorge to Nelson, known for its arts and crafts scene.

Day 10: Nelson – Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman is a highlight of the tour for many travellers. A picnic lunch is included so you can choose from a scenic cruise or a cruise/walk combo to explore a section of the coastal track, one of New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’, with time to relax on the beach or even jump in for a swim.

Day 11: Nelson – Kaikoura

Stop at Havelock at the head of Pelorus Sound to appreciate the spectacular views. In Marlborough enjoy lunch and wine tasting in the heart of this world famous sauvignon blanc region. You can take an optional scenic whale watching flight or kayaking at sunset when we arrive in Kaikoura (optional, additional expense).

Day 12: Kaikoura – Christchurch

Join hosts at Midhurst Farm on the Canterbury Plains, to celebrate your New Zealand travels with a delicious farewell lunch. Hear about their third generation family farm, wander the farmhouse gardens and stroll to the lake before departing for Christchurch where your tour ends.

Flights from Canada to New Zealand and pre/post accommodation in Christchurch are not included.  Ask the Downunder Travel New Zealand travel specialists about adding these, extending New Zealand vacation, adding Australia or perhaps add an island stopover in Fiji or the Cook Islands.