Tour: More Southern Beauty
Days: 21
Meals: Breakfast 20, Dinner 19
$4,450 Per Person

DAY  1 – Palmerston North – Nelson D

Eager to get on the road and begin our More South Island tour, we wave goodbye to Palmerston North with an early bird departure of 5.00am arriving in Wellington for a morning ferry. Crossing the Cook Strait, through the Tory Channel we reach the harbour town of Picton, travel along Queen Charlotte Drive to Havelock. We continue on to Nelson for a city tour and arrival at our hotel at approx 4.30pm.

DAY 2 – Nelson – Cape Farewell – Takaka B + D

Today we head to the most Northern point of the South Island as we travel up the coast of the Tasman Sea to this glorious cliffed cape. Our guided sightseeing tour from Takaka to the end of the road at Cape Farewell, is a great way to appreciate the Golden Bay. Enjoy an exciting optional excursion to Farewell Spit and Light House. Reflect on the rugged beauty of this isolated splendour as the day draws to a close in Takaka.

DAY 3 – Takaka – Reefton – Greymouth B + D

Leaving the Golden Bay we travel over the hill for morning tea in Motueka then head along SH 6 through Tapawera on to Murchison for lunch. We stroll through Reefton before our last stop in Blackball with arrival in Greymouth at approx. 4.30pm.

DAY 4 – Greymouth – Hokitika-Franz Josef B  +  D

Wave goodbye to the heart of the West Coast as we journey back in time to Shantytown. Hokitika is our lunch destination then we marvel at nature’s stunning beauty at the Hokitika Gorge before heading to Franz Josef.

DAY 5 –  Franz Josef – Haast – Queenstown B  +  D

Travelling on SH 6 we head to the beautiful Lake Matheson before stopping at Fox Glacier for morning tea. We continue our journey on the West Coast along the scenic Haast Pass, along the shore of Lake Wanaka through the rugged Kawarau Gorge to New Zealand’s home of adventure tourism Queenstown.

DAY 6 – Queenstown-Wanaka- Arrowtown-Return B  +  D

This morning we spend the morning in Wanaka before a visit to the beautiful and famous Gibbson Valley Winery. Optional wine & cheese tastings. After enticing your taste buds we head to the historical town of Arrowtown, beautiful quaint little township. Returning to our hotel approx 4.30pm

DAY 7 – Queenstown B  +  D

Free Day or Optional Excursions.

DAY 8 – Queenstown – Te Anau B  +  D

Set against the tranquil Lake Wakatipu is the historic and beautiful ‘Middle Earth’ town of Glenorchy where we enjoy morning tea before returning to Queenstown for lunch. In the afternoon we travel through Kingston and Mossburn on the way to retire for the evening in Te Anau—the gateway to Fiordland.

Day 9 – Te Anau – Milford Sound – Return B  +  D

Enjoy one of New Zealand’s most spectacular drives through Fiordland National Park—the largest national park in New Zealand. Prepare to be mesmerised as today we travel to the majestic Milford Sound—a true jewel in nature’s crown. Geographically awe inspiring , nowhere else in Fiordland can compare. An Optional Experience is the Scenic Cruise on the Sounds

Day 10 – Te Anau – Invercargill B  +  D

Travel straight through to Invercargill this morning arriving in time for an early lunch. Experience one of our tour highlights with an optional excursion to Stewart Island, or feel free to explore the culture of our southern most city.

DAY 11 – Te Anau – Catlins – Cromwell B  +  D

Enjoy the coastal journey through the Catlins with a short stop at Curio Bay, then we continue on to Balclutha for lunch. Tour around historic Lawrence, travel on to Roxburgh town and dam before arriving in Cromwell for the night.

DAY 12 – Cromwell – Alexandra Return B  +  D

We take a lovely journey this morning from Alexandra visiting the historic town of Ophir then onto Clyde to view the township and dam. Have the afternoon to yourself and enjoy the sights and sounds of Alexandra before heading back to our resort for the night.

DAY 13 – Cromwell – Central Otago – Dunedin B  +  D

Get ready to breathe the sea air again as we head east towards Dunedin, passing through St Bathans, stopping at the famous Vulcan Hotel before morning tea at Naseby. Enjoy the historical gold mining areas that Central Otago has to offer. Lunch in Ranfurly before making our way to Dunedin.

DAY 14 – Dunedin B  +  D

Otago is home to breathtaking sights and landscapes, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Dunedin this morning. Enjoy a free afternoon exploring Dunedin at your leisure.

DAY 15 – Dunedin B  +  D

Free Day or Optional Excursions.

DAY 16 – Dunedin – Christchurch B  +  D

Marvel at the views of the Pacific Ocean as we travel north towards Christchurch. Travel to Oamaru for morning tea and on to Timaru for an extended lunch break. Arrive in Christchurch around 5pm for a two night stay.

DAY 17 – Christchurch B  +  D

Free Day or Optional Excursions

DAY 18 – Christchurch – Hanmer Springs B + D

We say farewell to Christchurch this morning and make our way slightly inland heading for Hanmer Springs. Afternoon is free to familiarise yourself and take in the surroundings.

DAY 19 – Hanmer Springs B 

Free day to soak in the hot pools or a optional day excursion of Molesworth Heritage Day Tour departing at 8am returning at 5pm.

DAY 20 – Hanmer Springs – Lewis Pass-Blenheim B  +  D

On the home stretch, we make our way to Blenheim, via Lewis Pass. The Pass is home to gorgeous views of the Southern Alps and forestry. The journey on to Blenheim leads us through Kawatiri to Lake Rotoiti and onward to the spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, something to treasure as our time together draws to a close.

DAY 21 – Blenheim – Wellington – Palmerston North B

Board the ferry in Picton as we bid farewell to the stunning south. Disembark in Wellington and return to Palmerston North with memories, photographs and new friends to treasure.