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10 Day Ultimate Small Group South Island

Days
10

Pricing From
$6519

South Island
Book Now

Overview

10 Day Ultimate South Island Escape map

Journey to New Zealand’s dramatic South Island on luxury leather reclining seats and panoramic views throughout your trip, the 10 Day Ultimate Small Group South Island Escape will take you to some of the best destinations in the south. 

We start in Christchurch where you board the scenic TranzAlpine train. As you travel along the West Coast from Fox Glacier, see the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps and stay in the world-renowned resort town of Queenstown. You will have a free day to explore the city’s beautiful landscapes and its surrounding areas.

We continue the trip to Te Anau where you will stay the night and take a cruise on the magnificent Milford Sound the following morning. From Te Anau to Dunedin where you will visit historical and fascinating locations like Lanarch Castle and Olveston House. From Dunedin, we travel to Mt. Cook and marvel at the country’s highest mountain peak.

10 Day Ultimate South Island Escape

Larnarch Castle Garden, Dunedin

10 Day Ultimate South Island Escape

Olveston House Library, Dunedin

10 Day Ultimate South Island Escape

TranzAlpine Train

10 Day Ultimate South Island Escape

TSS Earnslaw in Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown

10 Day Ultimate South Island Escape

Cherry Blossoms, Christchurch

10 Day Ultimate South Island Escape

Business Class coach

10 Day Ultimate South Island Escape

Business Class seats

10 Day Ultimate South Island Escape

Ultimate view

10 Day Ultimate South Island Escape

Entertainment

10 Day Ultimate South Island Escape

10 Day Ultimate South Island Escape

10 Day Ultimate South Island Escape

Milford Sound Nature Cruise

Itinerary

Open All
Day 1Arrive Christchurch (D)

On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.

Hotel: Sudima Christchurch City

Day 2Christchurch - Arthur’s Pass - Franz Josef/Fox Glacier(B,D)

This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing to the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Hotel: Te Waonui Forest Retreat

Day 3Franz Josef/Fox Glacier - Queenstown (B)

See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is at leisure, you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.

Hotel Heritage Queenstown (2 nights)

Day 4Queenstown (Free Day)(B,SD)

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon or to get up close to a Kiwi bird. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

Day 5Queenstown - Te Anau (B,D)

Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. This innovative museum is heavily involved in the protection of the historic buildings scattered around town. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

Hotel: Distinction Te Anau Hotel& Villas (2 nights)

Day 6Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau (B,L,D)

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a nature cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).

Day 7Te Anau - Dunedin (B,D)

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. Enjoy a city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. Optional activities include a tour of the Speight’s Brewery, which produces New Zealand’s most popular beer, see wildlife in their natural habitat or take a tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing many treasures of a bygone era.

Hotel Distinction Dunedin Hotel

Day 8Dunedin - Mt Cook (B,D)

Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, hear the tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour. There is time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook.

Hotel The Hermitage Hotel (Aoraki Wing)

Day 9Mt Cook - Christchurch (B,SD)

This morning marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving in Christchurch for an introductory city sights tour. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new found friends.

Hotel Sudima Christchurch City

Day 10Depart Christchurch (B)

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable
New Zealand holiday.

Cost per person twin share

September 2024 - May 2025
Land Only
AU$6,519
Single Supplement
AU$1,980
Extra nights accommodation Pre/Post Tour   
City Twin Share Single
Christchurch AU$195
AU$390
Extra night rates are per person in Australian Dollars, based on room only.   

* Please Note*

Prices are correct at time of printing, but are subject to exchange rate variations and component price changes.

PAYMENT

  • Deposit: $600 per person on booking
  • Full Payment: 75 Days before travel
  • Airfares (if applicable): Paid in full on booking

CANCELLATION CHARGES

  • 60 days or more prior to departure, loss of deposit plus the cost of the airline ticket if issued.
  • Between 7 and 59 days prior to departure, 50% of the tour package price.
  • Less than 7 days prior to departure, 100% of the tour package price.

If a traveller wishes to cancel their existing booking and transfer to a new departure date, the above cancellation fees still apply.

Itinerary

Open All
Day 1Arrive Christchurch (D)

On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.

Hotel: Sudima Christchurch City

Day 2Christchurch - Arthur’s Pass - Franz Josef/Fox Glacier(B,D)

This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing to the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Hotel: Te Waonui Forest Retreat

Day 3Franz Josef/Fox Glacier - Queenstown (B)

See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is at leisure, you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.

Hotel Heritage Queenstown (2 nights)

Day 4Queenstown (Free Day)(B,SD)

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon or to get up close to a Kiwi bird. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

Day 5Queenstown - Te Anau (B,D)

Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. This innovative museum is heavily involved in the protection of the historic buildings scattered around town. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

Hotel: Distinction Te Anau Hotel& Villas (2 nights)

Day 6Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau (B,L,D)

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a nature cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).

Day 7Te Anau - Dunedin (B,D)

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. Enjoy a city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. Optional activities include a tour of the Speight’s Brewery, which produces New Zealand’s most popular beer, see wildlife in their natural habitat or take a tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing many treasures of a bygone era.

Hotel Distinction Dunedin Hotel

Day 8Dunedin - Mt Cook (B,D)

Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, hear the tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour. There is time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook.

Hotel The Hermitage Hotel (Aoraki Wing)

Day 9Mt Cook - Christchurch (B,SD)

This morning marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving in Christchurch for an introductory city sights tour. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new found friends.

Hotel Sudima Christchurch City

Day 10Depart Christchurch (B)

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable
New Zealand holiday.

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