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10-Day South Island Traditional Highlights

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Overview

Known for its spectacular natural beauty, breathtaking glaciers and glacial lakes and abundance of wildlife opportunities, the South Island of New Zealand is a paradise for those that love the great outdoors!

On this ten-day journey beginning and ending in Christchurch, you'll drive yourself to and from the iconic destinations that scatter the South Island. You'll embark on the most wonderful train journey on the KiwiRail TranzAlpine to Greymouth, take a helicopter tour of the mighty Franz Josef Glacier and embark on a thrilling Jetboat adventure!

If that wasn't enough, you'll also take a cruise on the Milford Sound, head on a glowworms cave tour, observe incredible wildlife on the Otago Peninsula and spend a night stargazing in Mount Cook National Park.

For those that truly want to experience the South Island, this is the trip for you!
Outdoors & Nature
Sightseeing
Cruising
Adventure
Food & Drink
Hiking & Trekking

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Christchurch & Optional Visit to Akaroa

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Arrive in Christchurch & Optional Visit to Akaroa

Today, you'll pick up the rental SUV, take some time to explore Christchurch. With your rental car, you'll have the option to drive southeast to visit Akaroa. Located on the south-east side of the deep, sheltered Akaroa Harbour, the charming township of Akaroa is best explored on foot. You can visit local restaurants, take a self-guided walk to see historic cottages or, if you have time, take a harbour cruise to view dolphins, penguins and fur seals.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Grange Boutique B&B and Motel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    ChristchurchOptional Activity

    AkaroaOptional Activity

    Akaroa HarbourOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Christchurch to AkaroaOptional Activity

    Rental Car from Akaroa to ChristchurchOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Christchurch

    Akaroa

Day 2

Self-Drive to West Coast or KiwiRail TranzAlpine Scenic Journey to Greymouth

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Self-Drive to West Coast or KiwiRail TranzAlpine Scenic Journey to Greymouth

Like a patchwork quilt made with every shade of green, the Canterbury Plains lie serenely between the mountains and the sea. Today, you'll make your way across them as you travel from Christchurch to Punakaiki via Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Punakaiki Resort4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Arthur's PassOptional Activity

    Castle Hill WalkOptional Activity

    PunakaikiOptional Activity

    Punakaiki

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Christchurch to Punakaiki

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Christchurch

    Arthur's Pass

    Castle Hill

    Punakaiki

Day 3

Journey to Hokitika & Franz Josef Glacier Helicopter Tour

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Journey to Hokitika & Franz Josef Glacier Helicopter Tour

You'll begin the day with a visit to the historical gold mining town of Hokitika. Historic Hokitika is a place to appreciate the fascinating history of the west coast. Hear about the shipwrecks, gold miners and pounamu hunters. You'll then continue the journey to the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, two of New Zealand largest glaciers. Upon arrival at Franz Josef, you'll head out on a helicopter tour to view and appreciate the towering ice formations and vastness of the glaciers from above.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Rainforest Retreat Franz Josef4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    HokitikaOptional Activity

    Franz Josef Helicopter Ride - Mountain Scenic Spectacular

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Punakaiki to Franz Josef Glacier

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Punakaiki

    Hokitika

    Franz Josef Glacier

Day 4

Thrilling Jetboat Experience, Wilderness Walk & Queenstown

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Thrilling Jetboat Experience, Wilderness Walk & Queenstown

Today, you'll leave Franz Josef behind and head off to Mount Aspiring National Park en route to Queenstown. Named for Mount Aspiring, one of New Zealand's highest peaks, this park is a dreamland of mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes. Here, you'll embark on the most exciting half-day Jet Boating adventure in New Zealand beneath the spectacular scenery of Glaciers and Lord of the Rings film locations, into Mount Aspiring National Park. Afterwards, you'll continue to Queenstown.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    QT Queenstown5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Waiatoto River Safari

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Rainforest Retreat Franz Josef to Haast

    Rental Car from Haast to Queenstown

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Franz Josef Glacier

    Jackson Bay

    Queenstown

Day 5

Journey to Te Anau & Fiordland National Park

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Journey to Te Anau & Fiordland National Park

In the morning, you'll travel past the Eastern shores of Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park. En route, you'll have the choice to stop in the Gibbston Valley to visit some of the wineries, known as one of New Zealand's top wine regions. Nestled on the edge of a lake, Te Anau is the perfect town to base yourself from to visit Milford Sound. The picturesque township is the main visitor base for the glacier-carved wilderness that is Fiordland National Park.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Loch Vista Villa Accommodation4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Gibbston Valley WineriesOptional Activity

    Te AnauOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Queenstown to Te Anau

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

    Gibbston

    Te Anau

Day 6

Milford Sound Encounter Cruise & Optional Glowworms Cave Tour

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Milford Sound Encounter Cruise & Optional Glowworms Cave Tour

Today, you'll join your expert nature guides on a special cruise that takes you closer to the natural beauty of Milford Sound. You'll get closer on the longest cruise in the Milford Sound and learn about the unique wildlife, geology and history from the expert nature guides. In the afternoon, you'll have the option to experience a mysterious underground world of rushing water before drifting in silent darkness on a glowworms cave tour!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Loch Vista Villa Accommodation4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Southern Discoveries - Milford Sound Nature Encounter Cruise

    Real Journeys Glowworm Cave TourOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Te Anau to MilfordOptional Activity

    Rental Car from Milford to Te AnauOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Te Anau

    Milford Sound

Day 7

Te Anau to Otago Peninsula & Dunedin

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Te Anau to Otago Peninsula & Dunedin

From the Fiordland National Park, the journey will take you back to the East Coast of the South Island. The splendour of many of its public buildings reflects Dunedin's economic and cultural pre-eminence in Victorian New Zealand. Today, Dunedin has a rightly deserved reputation as one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. Flanking the southern edge of Dunedin's extensive harbour, Otago Peninsula is simply spectacular.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Larnach Castle4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    DunedinOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Te Anau to Dunedin

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Te Anau

    Dunedin

Day 8

Albatross & Wildlife Encounter Tour

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Albatross & Wildlife Encounter Tour

Today, this wildlife tour caters for small groups providing a glimpse into the world of tourism and conservation working in a symbiotic relationship for the benefit of the wildlife providing absolutely unrivalled viewing of estuarine and marine wildlife. The private conservation area ensures exclusivity with brilliant opportunities to photograph hooker's Sea lions, yellow-eyed penguins, blue penguins, a breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals and other sea bird colonies such as albatrosses.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Larnach Castle4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Wildlife Encounter & Albatross Tour

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Dunedin

Day 9

Journey to the Mount Cook National Park

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Journey to the Mount Cook National Park

Today, you'll set off from Dunedin to make your way to Mount Cook National Park. On the way, you'll stop at the Moeraki Boulders as you drive along the North Otago coast. Moeraki is now most famous for its boulders; mysteriously spherical stones scattered across a beach. Upon arrival in Mount Cook Village, you'll have the option to visit the Tasman Glacier lake for a fascinating glacial encounter on a cruise. Late in the evening, you'll head out on a Lake Tekapo stargazing adventure.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Aoraki Court Mount Cook Village4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Moeraki BouldersOptional Activity

    Glacier Explorer Cruise Mount CookOptional Activity

    Aoraki Mt Cook Stargazing

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Dunedin to Aoraki Mount Cook Village

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Dunedin

    Hampden

    Aoraki Mount Cook Village

    Mount Cook

    Canterbury

Day 10

Lake Tekapo to Christchurch

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Lake Tekapo to Christchurch

Today, you'll make your way back to Christchurch from Lake Tekapo via Canterbury Plains and the Mackenzie Region. Like a patchwork quilt made with every shade of green, the Canterbury Plains lie serenely between the mountains and the sea. Nestled in the heart of the majestic South Island, you will find the Mackenzie Region, renowned for its incredibly clear starry nights, brilliant sunny days and remarkable turquoise lakes. Upon arrival in Christchurch, your trip will come to an end.

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Lake TekapoOptional Activity

    ChristchurchOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Aoraki / Mount Cook to Christchurch

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Aoraki Mount Cook Village

    Lake Tekapo

    Christchurch

Included in Price

  • 9 nights accommodation
  • 6 activities
  • 9 breakfasts
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Airport transfer
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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