Tour Southern Spotlight (9 Days)

Hygieneprotocol

As of December 1st 2021, you must be fully vaccinated to travel with us. Your final vaccine dose must have been administered a minimum of 15 days prior to the start of the trip. This is your second dose of Pfizer, Moderna, or Astra Zeneca, or single dose of Johnson & Johnson.  You must be able to show documented proof of vaccination on trip. Your CDC card is sufficient (we recommend saving a picture on your smart phone as a backup option), but please be aware that certain destinations may require you to fill out additional forms online.

Transport

Travel by luxury coach Airport transfers (see flight information below)

Meals

8 Full buffet breakfasts 4 Dinners 1 Highlight Dinner 1 Farewell Dinner

Accommodation

Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort. The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes: Ibis Hotel Christchurch Heritage Gateway Hotel Scenic Hotel Dunedin City Distinction Luxmore Hotel Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing) Ibis Hotel Christchurch

Others

Queenstown is home to more than 150 bars and restaurants. Sometimes, the best travel experiences are those you have on a whim. Enjoy downtime to go at your own pace. The TranzAlpine train ride has been described as one of the most scenic cross-country jaunts in the world. Journey deep into Fiordland National Park. Centrally located premium 3.5-star hotels 1 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Fiordland National Park

Guide

Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Flights

Flights are not included

Optional

Monarch Larnach Castle Tour (Dunedin) NZ$76 Adult NZ$38 Child Monarch Wildlife Cruise (Dunedin) NZ$150 Adult NZ$56 Child Taieri Gorge Railway (Dunedin) NZ$105 Adult NZ$28 Child Haast River Safari (Franz Josef Glacier) NZ$109 Adult NZ$59 The Helicopter Line - Mountain Scenic Spectacular 40min Flight (Franz Josef Glacier) NZ$480 Adult NZ$336 Child The Helicopter Line - Twin Glacier Scenic 30min Flight (Franz Josef Glacier) NZ$350 Adult NZ$245 Milford Sound flight back to Queenstown (Milford Sound) NZ$420 adult NZ$260 Child Air Safaris - Grand Traverse Scenic Flight (Mt Cook) NZ$395 Adult NZ$295 Child Kiwi Birdlife Park (Queenstown) NZ$49 Adult NZ$24 Child Lakeshore, Forest and Bird Guided Walk (Queenstown) NZ$115 Adult / NZ$75 Child Shotover Jet Boat Ride (Queenstown) NZ$149 Adult NZ$79 Child Skippers Canyon Scenic Tour & Jet Boat (Queenstown) NZ$195 Adult NZ$115 Child Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour (Te Anau) NZ$98 Adult NZ$30 Child

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Christchurch
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Christchurch

Since its 2010/11 earthquakes, Christchurch has reinvented itself in more ways than one. Discover how when you step back in time aboard the Christchurch Tram tour, linking some of the city’s most legendary attractions. Expect quite the commentary – your conductors are a hoot.
Day 2 Day 2: Christchurch - Omarama
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Christchurch - Omarama

Christchurch is not only rebuilding itself after the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes, but is changing the way architects think about design. Case in point the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. After your Christchurch tour, your outlook is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. If you wish (and you should wish) take it in on an optional scenic flight for added perspective of the Southern Alps and on to Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere.
Day 3 Day 3: Omarama - Dunedin
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Omarama - Dunedin

If you’ve ever wanted to see New Zealand’s oldest public gardens, today you’re in luck. Oamaru, with its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings, stands proud before you journey further south toward the Edinburgh of the South: Dunedin. It’s easy to while away the afternoon in the city’s atmospheric art-lined alleys. Or venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country – fur seals and penguins among them. Thirsty? Visit Speights Brewery, a New Zealand institution.
Day 4 Day 4: Dunedin - Te Anau
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Dunedin - Te Anau

There are some days when you’re travelling, that all you want to do is sleep in. Go for it. Or channel your inner royalty on a visit to Dunedin’s grand Larnach Castle – the only one of its kind in the country. Dunedin’s Scottish ancestry is everywhere you look, from the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city’s main George Street. Rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep are replaced by soaring mountains as you weave your way into Fiordland National Park and the South Island’s biggest lake and the town of Te Anau. Soak up the serenity – it doesn’t get any better than this.
Day 5 Day 5: Te Anau - Queenstown
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Te Anau - Queenstown

From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and mirror-like lakes. Gin-clear rivers carve the countryside, with all roads leading to your Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour. Cruising this World Heritage listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. Look out for dolphins – they’re a common sight here.
Day 6 Day 6: Queenstown Free Time
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Queenstown Free Time

Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Shotover Jet, perhaps. There’s a reason why Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the country. Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand’s feathered friends at a wildlife centre. Wherever you wander, make sure you’re back in time to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner.
Day 7 Day 7: Queenstown - Franz Josef/Waiau
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Queenstown - Franz Josef/Waiau

Try and keep count of today’s lakes. Leaving Lake Wakatipu behind, Arrowtown appears on the horizon. We know you’ll want to linger in the movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques. But Lake Dunstan awaits, as do its orchards. Pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. Then there’s Lake Hawea followed by Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass, Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere sparkles like a gem. You don’t get many chances in life to land and walk on a glacier. This afternoon is one. How cool is that?
Day 8 Day 8: Franz Josef/Waiau - Christchurch
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Franz Josef/Waiau - Christchurch

Swap snow for pounamu (native greenstone or jade) in Hokitika. In Māori tradition, it’s bad luck to buy this sacred stone for yourself; flutter your eyelids at your loved one. Just when you thought your adventure couldn’t get any better, you’ll aboard the TranzAlpine train bound for Christchurch, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys.
Day 9 Day 9: Farewell From Christchurch
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Farewell From Christchurch

New Zealand’s South Island never fails to wow. We hope you find the words to describe this epic New Zealand tour to your family back home.

9 days tour

Southern Spotlight (9 Days)

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Southern Spotlight (9 Days)

Day 1: Christchurch

Day 2: Christchurch - Omarama

Day 3: Omarama - Dunedin

Day 4: Dunedin - Te Anau

Day 5: Te Anau - Queenstown

Day 6: Queenstown Free Time

Day 7: Queenstown - Franz Josef/Waiau

Day 8: Franz Josef/Waiau - Christchurch

Day 9: Farewell From Christchurch

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania