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13-Day South Island Adventure & Wine Tour

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Extraordinary Experiences

  • Join a very special Heli Wine Tour in Queenstown and discover unique food and wine at the Gibbston Valley.
  • Explore the Marlborough wine region by bike, for what is sure to be a memorable day amongst the vines.
  • See the highlights along the coast from the beautiful outcrops to the lush sands, green forest and wildlife..

Overview

Staggering natural beauty, sublime mountain scenery, beautiful beaches and very welcoming hospitality is just a taste of everything you'll experience over 13 days on the South Island of New Zealand!

Beginning in the adventure capital, Queenstown, you'll self-drive your way to East Coast and up to the north of the South Island. You'll cover iconic destinations including Christchurch, Dunedin, Canterbury, Mackenzie Country, Marahua, Kaikoura, Oamaru, Arthurs Pass, Abel Tasman National Park, Motueka, Rapaura and so much more!

You'll go wine tasting, helicopter riding, hiking, trekking, jet boating and more on this stunning New Zealand South Island itinerary!
Food & Drink
Outdoors & Nature
Sightseeing
Hiking & Trekking
Cruising

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to New Zealand!

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Welcome to New Zealand!

You will be picked up at Queenstown Airport and transferred to your Queenstown city hotel by your private booked transfer. Queenstown is a popular tourist destination on the South Island due to its beautiful mountain location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The long lake stretches between steeply rising mountain ranges and there are plenty of adventures to be had here in Queenstown during your free time.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Kamana Lakehouse

    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

    QueenstownOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Queenstown Airport to Queenstown

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

Day 2

Heli Wine Tour in Queenstown

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Heli Wine Tour in Queenstown

Today you will be joining a very special Heli Wine Tour in Queenstown. You'll travel by scenic helicopter flight with an alpine landing for a perfect photo opportunity. You will be dropped at the Gibbston Valley after the helicopter flight where Queenstown Wine Trail will pick you up to continue on with the wine tour. This tour offers unique food and wine experiences at a relaxed pace in picturesque surroundings. You will visit three wineries and enjoy a winery lunch.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Kamana Lakehouse

    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

    Heli Wine Tour in Queenstown

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

Day 3

Self-Drive from Queenstown to Dunedin

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Self-Drive from Queenstown to Dunedin

This morning, you'll pick up your rental car and driver to Dunedin. On New Zealand's South Island, Dunedin is a region of unique landscapes and fascinating cultural history. After settling into your hotel, you can set out to explore Dunedin's Victorian and Edwardian architecture, get close to rare wildlife and soak up the quirky city vibe.

  • 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.
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    Activities

    DunedinOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Queenstown to Dunedin

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

    Dunedin

  • notes icon
    Notes

    Rental Car Delivery

Day 4

Dunedin to Oamaru

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Dunedin to Oamaru

Today's short journey takes you further to Oamaru. Oamaru is known for the country’s oldest public gardens, renowned Victorian architecture, two penguin colonies and Steampunk HQ. Oamaru’s main attraction is undoubtedly the colonies of blue penguins, the smallest and only blue species of penguin in the world. Once this highlight has been ticked off the list, take a stroll around the well-preserved Historic District, with its distinctive, limestone, nineteenth-century buildings.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Vicarage

    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

    OamaruOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Dunedin to Oamaru

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Dunedin

    Oamaru

Day 5

Onwards to Mount Cook National Park

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Onwards to Mount Cook National Park

Your next destination will be Mount Cook, a 2.5-hour car journey away. Mount Cook is a hiking paradise and the incredible landscape forms part of the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area. It can also be explored by mountain climbing, hiking, skiing and even scenic flight tours. In the evening, you have the possibility to take part in an Earth & Sky Tour and admire the southern night sky and, with a little luck, even the Milky Way.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Mt Cook Lodge and Motel3 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

    Mount CookOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Oamaru to Aoraki Mount Cook Village

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Oamaru

    Canterbury

Day 6

Hooker Valley Scenic Day Trek

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Hooker Valley Scenic Day Trek

Today you'll embark on the Ultimate Hikes Hooker Valley day walk, one of the many beautiful guided nature walks in this region. On the trek, you'll be rewarded with some of the most breathtaking views of New Zealand's highest peaks. Your guides will tell you all about the flora and fauna that is unique to the region as you trek through these amazing landscapes. The hike ranges from 6-13 kilometres depending on if you choose to do the half-day or full-day route.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Mt Cook Lodge and Motel3 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

    Ultimate Hikes - Hooker Valley Day Walk

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Canterbury

Day 7

Journey to the Highest Pass Over the Southern Alps

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Journey to the Highest Pass Over the Southern Alps

Today's five-hour self-drive journey takes you to Arthur's Pass. Arthur's Pass is the highest pass over the Southern Alps. Long before surveyor Arthur Dudley Dobson found his way over in 1864, it was known to Maori. Arthur’s Pass National Park itself is split into two halves: one is shingle-filled riverbeds and beech forests and the other is vast and dense rainforest and deep river gorges. If you're up for an adventure, you can go hiking or mountaineering in Arthur’s Pass National Park.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Grasmere Lodge

    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

    Arthur's PassOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Aoraki Mount Cook Village to Grasmere Lodge

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Canterbury

    Arthur's Pass

Day 8

Long Drive to the Sunny Little Town of Motueka

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Long Drive to the Sunny Little Town of Motueka

Today, you'll say goodbye to the beautiful Arthur's Pass and drive onwards to Motueka. Motueka is a vibrant town, known for its lively café culture and artistic community. It is also a gateway town to the Abel Tasman National Park. Motueka's features a vibrant main street offers lovely little boutiques, quaint cafes and charming restaurants. Don’t miss a visit to the wonderful Sunday morning farmers’ market and pretty, leafy beer garden where you can sample delicious local craft beers.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Abel Tasman Lodge

    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

    Motueka

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Grasmere Lodge to Motueka

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Arthur's Pass

    Motueka

    Marahau

Day 9

Vista Barbeque Cruise in the Abel Tasman National Park.

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Vista Barbeque Cruise in the Abel Tasman National Park.

Today, you'll embark on a Vista Barbeque Cruise in the stunning Abel Tasman Nationalpark. On a Wilsons Vista Barbecue Cruise, you can see all of the highlights along the coast from the beautiful outcrops to the lush sands and green forest. You'll have the chance to spot lots of wildlife including sea birds, seals and if you're lucky, little blue penguins. You'll head to a sheltered cove where you'll relax as the crew prepare your classic Kiwi barbecue food which will then be enjoyed onboard.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Abel Tasman Lodge

    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

    Wilsons Abel Tasman Vista Barbecue Cruise

    Abel Tasman National Park

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Marahau

    Motueka

    Abel Tasman National Park

Day 10

Beautiful Drive to the Marlborough Plain on the East Coast

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Beautiful Drive to the Marlborough Plain on the East Coast

Today, you'll drive north along the east coast until you reach Blenheim in the Marlborough Plain. Viticulture in this region began in the 1970s when Montana Wines was on the lookout for new land. The composition of the earth, high sunshine, long autumn and cold winter, are excellent conditions for premium wine. Later, you'll join a guided wine tour by bike and let one of the knowledgeable guides share their unique insights into this majestic region and its world-class wine.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    14th Lane Urban Hotel

    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

    Explore Marlborough Wine Tours

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Motueka to Marlborough Vintners Hotel - Luxury Vineyard Accommodation

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Marahau

    Rapaura

    Blenheim

Day 11

Journey to Kaikoura & Whale Watching Tour

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Journey to Kaikoura & Whale Watching Tour

Today, your journey continues to your day's destination Kaikoura. Here, sperm whales occur regularly, attracted by the rich food supply of the warm ocean currents. You can also see fur seals lying on the rocks along the highway, and with a little luck, even dolphins will jump acrobatically out of the water. A whale watching tour takes you out by boat under expert guidance to get closer to the whales.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Lemon Tree Lodge4 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

    Whale Watch KaikouraOptional Activity

    Kaikoura

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Marlborough Vintners Hotel - Luxury Vineyard Accommodation to Kaikoura

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Blenheim

    Kaikoura

    Motueka

Day 12

Travel to Christchurch & Historic Tram Dinner

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Travel to Christchurch & Historic Tram Dinner

Today, you'll continue driving along the east coast to your next destination, Christchurch. Upon arrival, you can explore the city centre by historic tram. The tram also has a restaurant wagon for an elegant dinner so you can dine stylishly in the restored historic tram, in an air-conditioned wagon. During a sightseeing tour through the heart of the reconstructed city centre, you will experience a unique mixture of old and new.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Muse Christchurch Art Hotel

    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

    Christchurch GondolaOptional Activity

    Christchurch Tram DinnerOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Kaikoura to Christchurch

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Motueka

    Christchurch

Day 13

Goodbye New Zealand!

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Goodbye New Zealand!

Your New Zealand South Island itinerary ends today. You'll drive to the Christchurch airport and return your rental car at the car rental before boarding your departing flight.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Christchurch to Christchurch International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Christchurch

Included in Price

  • 12 nights accommodation
  • 5 activities
  • 12 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 1 dinner
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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