South Island NZ Tour - Island of Delight

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12 days Small Group Tours Wellington to Christchurch

Wellington - Marlborough Sounds - Kaikoura - Mount Cook - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Fox Glacier - Methven - Christchurch

The South Island is a land of contrast and is your chance to escape. On this South Island New Zealand Tour, you'll find a magical land where the air is pure and the lakes an unearthly shade of blue ... where stunning fiords wait to be explored and towering mountains cloak wide-open spaces of pristine, untouched wilderness.

Day 1 Arrive Wellington
On arrival at Wellington, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your city hotel. The rest of today is at leisure to explore the nation's capital. A visit to Te Papa National Museum is highly recommended.

Stay James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel (1 Night)

Day 2 Picton & the Marlborough Sounds (B, D)
This morning we cruise across Cook Strait by Interislander ferry to the picturesque fishing village of Picton and then transfer by floatplane to your remote resort located in the stunning Kenepuru Sound. A scenic mussel cruise to the resort is available for those who prefer to travel by boat..

Stay Raetihi Lodge (2 Nights)

Day 3 Stunning Kenepuru Sound (B, D)
A day to relax & marvel at the magic that is the Marlborough Sounds. Resort staff will share their love of the Sounds with you through the range of water and nature based experiences they put at your fingertips. Complimentary fishing tackle, kayaks & mountains bikes are provided at the lodge and there are a number of bush walks to enjoy. Nearby is a picturesque 13-hole rural golf course grazed by sheep with fenced greens or you can simply relax with a book & soak in the spectacular scenery.

Day 4 Blenheim, Kaikoura (B)
Return by water taxi to Picton. Rejoin your coach and travel through Blenheim to Kaikoura, world-renowned as the whale-watching centre of New Zealand. There is time to enjoy an optional whale-watching adventure, a swim with the dolphins or join local Maori for a unique, award winning cultural experience.

Stay White Morph Inn (1 Night)

Day 5 Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mount Cook (B, D)
TContinue your journey south and stop at beautiful Lake Tekapo to view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Then travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery. Optional skiplane and helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions.

Day 6 Tasman Glacier, Queenstown (B)
Experience the Tasman Glacier in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier. Get up close to touch & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. This afternoon, travel through the MacKenzie Country before beginning the assent over the Lindis Pass and emerging into the lush green farmland that surrounds Queenstown, a beautiful alpine resort regarded as New Zealand's premier holiday destination.

Stay Heritage Queenstown Hotel (4 Nights)

Day 7 & 8 Explore Queenstown (B)
Enjoy three full days to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. Here you can take a thrilling jet boat ride, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, take a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf or 4WD sheer canyons.

Day 9 Milford Sound Nature Cruise (B, L)

Your highlight today is a leisurely Nature Cruise of the breathtaking Milford Sound, cruising the full length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea. An on-board nature guide will give you detailed information of the region's history, flora & fauna and you will view spectacular waterfalls, rainforests and towering mountains, including the awesome Mitre Peak. Wildlife includes dolphins, seals, penguins & albatross when in season. A truly memorable experience.

Day 10 Arrowtown, Wanaka, Fox Glacier (B,D)
Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy time to stroll through this historic village located beside the Arrow River, once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860's. There is time to wander around
Lake Wanaka before enjoying incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. On to Fox Glacier where there is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject to
weather conditions).

Stay Distinction Te Weheka Inn (1 Night)

Day 11 Spectacular TranzAlpine Train, Methven (B)
Head north along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800's. This afternoon, board the TranzAlpine train for a coast to coast rail adventure through the Southern Alps, rated as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. Disembark at Darfield & travel on to Methven for your last night.

Stay Terrace Downs Resort (1 Night)

Day 12 Depart Christchurch (B)
SSadly, your holiday ends today and you will be transferred late morning to Christchurch city or airport to connect with your onward flight..

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