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8-Day South Island Escape

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Overview

This fantastic journey truly showcases the very best of the beautiful South Island of New Zealand. You will experience the Abel Tasman National Park, the rugged West Coast and finish up in the beautiful Queenstown.

You'll experience several once-in-a-lifetime experiences from landing on glaciers in a helicopter to a wilderness jet boat trip along the Dart River. Throughout the New Zealand South Island tour, you will be staying in luxurious boutique accommodation with an authentic Kiwi flavour!
Outdoors & Nature
Cruising
Sightseeing

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Your New Zealand South Island Tour!

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Welcome to Your New Zealand South Island Tour!

On arrival in Nelson Airport, you will pick up your rental car and begin the hour drive to your luxury eco-lodge where you'll stay for two nights.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Resurgence Luxury Eco Lodge5 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.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Nelson Airport to The Resurgence Luxury Eco Lodge

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Riwaka

Day 2

Best Abel Tasman Day Trip

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Best Abel Tasman Day Trip

Today, you'll get a taste of all the Abel Tasman National Park has to offer from the comfort of an Abel Tasman Charters' boat. Throughout the day, you'll visit various bays where you can just stay on board and relax or take one of the kayaks for a paddle to work up an appetite for your delicious lunch. You'll also be able to go for a swim, snorkel over the marine reserve or venture off on a bushwalk; the cruise itinerary is entirely flexible to your wishes.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Resurgence Luxury Eco Lodge5 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

    Abel Tasman Guided Cruise

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Riwaka

Day 3

Head to the West Coast

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Head to the West Coast

Today, you'll head southwest to Hokitika on the South Island's West Coast. Taking around 4-5 hours, this stunning drive will take you back spectacular bush scenery and wild coastline. On the way, you should make sure to stop at the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki to gaze in wonder at this geological phenomenon that has been formed over millions of years. Here, you can also walk to the dramatic blowholes to see water shoot metres high into the sky before continuing your journey to Rimu Lodge.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Rimu Lodge5 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

    Punakaiki

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from The Resurgence Luxury Eco Lodge to Rimu Lodge

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Riwaka

    Punakaiki

    Ruatapu

Day 4

The Remarkable Franz Josef Glacier

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The Remarkable Franz Josef Glacier

This morning, you'll continue your spectacular scenic drive down the West Coast to Franz Josef, home to the magnificent France Josef and Fox Glaciers. The West Coast is one of only two places in the world where you can view glaciers descending into temperate rainforest and it is home to two of the most accessible glaciers in the world. Once you arrive, you may want to go on a guided walk of the Franz Josef Glacier or explore the town.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Te Waonui Forest Retreat5 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

    Franz Josef GlacierOptional Activity

    Franz JosefOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Rimu Lodge to Te Waonui Forest Retreat

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ruatapu

    West Coast

    Franz Josef Glacier

Day 5

Twin Glacier Helicopter Trip with Snow Landing

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Twin Glacier Helicopter Trip with Snow Landing

Discover the scenic wonders of both the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers with a scenic helicopter flight this morning. You can take advantage of the terrific photo opportunities of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman and enjoy your landing on the snow during this trip. In the afternoon, you'll continue your incredible journey south to Queenstown, being sure to stop in at the Blue Pools at Makarora for a refreshing swim!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Millbrook Resort5 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

    Twin Glacier with Snow Landing

    Blue Pools Walk at MakaroraOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Franz Josef Glacier to Millbrook Resort

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Franz Josef Glacier

    Otago

    Arrowtown

Day 6

4WD Safari of the Scenes

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4WD Safari of the Scenes

Today, your small group scenic tour offers gold panning, 4WD river crossings in the Arrow Gorge and a great overview of the diverse scenery of the Queenstown area. You'll witness everything the area has to offer from towns, rolling farmland and the rugged Skippers Canyon to the mountains and the famous Kawarau Gorge Bungy bridge. On your way back to Queenstown, you'll also stop by some of the famous Lord of the Rings filming locations.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Millbrook Resort5 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

    Macetown 4WD

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Arrowtown

    Macetown

Day 7

Jet-Boat Wilderness Safari

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Jet-Boat Wilderness Safari

The Wilderness Safari takes you on a spectacular 1.5 hour Jet Boat journey through the Dart River and includes an easy guided 30-40 minute walk through the 'Heritage Trail' at Paradise. You'll also journey by 4WD coach via a scenic back-road route and stopping to view scenery that has formed the epic backdrop for many international films, including Lord of the Rings.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Millbrook Resort5 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

    Wilderness Jet

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Arrowtown

    Glenorchy

Day 8

Goodbye Queenstown

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Goodbye Queenstown

Today, your unforgettable New Zealand South Island tour comes to an end as you return your car to the Queenstown Airport and check-in for your flight home.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Millbrook Resort to Airport

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Arrowtown

Included in Price

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • 5 activities
  • 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

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