9 Day Southern Dream

Haere Mai (Welcome) to your New Zealand journey which begins in Christchurch, also known as the Garden City thanks to the lush parks dotted around the city. Check in to your hotel and spend the afternoon wandering the city streets to discover hidden eateries, indulge in some retail therapy in the city’s shopping district or hop on the tourist tram and explore the city sights. This evening you’ll have dinner at the hotel and meet your Guide and your new travelling companions.

After breakfast this morning, we’ll continue our journey south down the east coast. We’ll pass through the township of Oamaru, home to some of the best-preserved heritage buildings in New Zealand before heading onto the mystical Moeraki Boulders. Geological marvels that began to form about 60 million years ago, the Moeraki boulders were exposed by the erosion of sedimentary rocks over time and now stand along the beach as though they are sentinels guarding the coastline. We’ll arrive in Dunedin with plenty of time for a rest and some exploration of the Scottish City.

Optional Activities: Speight’s Brewery Tour, Dunedin Train Station, Yellow Eyed Penguin Tour.

This morning we’ll visit the famous Larnach Castle of Dunedin, the only castle in the country. We’ll explore the area, stroll through the magnificent gardens and enjoy the amazing views before departing for our next destination. We’ll make a stop in Gore where we’ll explore Gore’s colourful past as a centre for illicit whisky distilling and bootlegging at the Hokonui Moonshine Museum. Learn about the adventures of the Scottish settlers and their exploits to avoid run-ins with the law and taste Old Hokonui made from the original recipe. Later, we’ll drive to our destination for the evening, Te Anau – the gateway to Fiordland and the spectacular Doubtful Sound.

Departing Te Anau this morning we’ll travel to Manapouri, where we’ll take a leisurely cruise across the lake to West Arm. This is followed by a short coach trip on New Zealand’s most expensive road, travelling over Wilmot Pass and pausing along the way to experience the dense Fiordland rainforest and view the Doubtful Sound glistening below. At Deep Cove, we’ll board a modern catamaran and set sail into the majestic fiord – a sight that is sure to take your breath away. Listen to the on-board commentary for an insight into the region’s history as you view spectacular towering mountains and soak up the breathtaking views of this unique and beautiful area of New Zealand. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, as penguins, seals and dolphins all enjoy spending time in the sound! Once the tour has ended, we’ll make our way to the alpine resort of Queenstown where we’ll spend the next two nights.

Today is yours to experience Queenstown, a picturesque alpine resort town known for its vast array of adventure activities. If you’d like to explore the area, we recommend taking a ride on the world famous Shotover Jet Boat or taking a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon. For the best views of the town, travel to the top of Bob’s Peak by gondola and have lunch at the Skyline restaurant, why not make your way to the bungy centre to watch people hurling themselves off cliffs – bungy is a NZ invention after all! Alternatively, make your way to the lakeside and enjoy a refreshing drink or stroll through Queenstown’s lush park.

This morning we’ll get to see some incredible scenery as we travel through Arrowtown, a picturesque village steeped in fascinating history relating to NZ’s gold mining era. Next we’ll visit Wanaka, a popular township on the lake’s edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop, before arriving at Jackson Bay where we’ll stop for lunch. A spectacular place that not even many New Zealand nationals have visited, Jackson Bay marks the farthest point of the West Coast’s road network. We’ll enjoy a West Coast lunch at The Craypot – a quirky, little caravan style restaurant situated on the esplanade before heading towards Haast, our destination for the evening.

Travelling north along the coast of the Westland National Park this morning, we’ll travel to the home of the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. This remarkable part of the country was shaped by dynamic glaciers and boasts lush rainforest which grows beneath towering mountains. We’ll make a stop in Fox Glacier where we have the option to walk the gentle 2.6km track around Lake Matheson. Nestled amongst ancient forest and famous for mirror views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, Lake Matheson is a serene and beautiful place to enjoy a stroll. This evening, we’ll spend the night in the township of Franz Josef, surrounded by rainforest and mountains, and enjoy a delicious group dinner together.

This morning we’ll depart Franz Josef and travel north to the artistic town of Hokitika, famous for its beautiful Greenstone. We’ll visit the Greenstone and Glass blowing factory to see the work of some talented local artists before continuing on to Greymouth, a historic town known for jade hunting and gold mining. From Greymouth, we’ll board the Tranzalpine train, which is considered to be one of the world’s greatest one-day train journeys. Prepare to be blown away by epic vistas of forests, rolling plains and snow-capped mountains! At the end of the journey, we’ll transfer to our hotel in Christchurch, where we’ll enjoy a farewell meal together on our final evening of the tour.

Today is the final day of the tour, our trip has come to an end. Enjoy breakfast before saying a fond farewell to your tour leader and all your travel companions. Whether you’re travelling home today or staying in Christchurch for longer, we hope you leave this tour with some happy memories and friends for life.