10 Day Southern Explorer
Enjoy New Zealand's south Island on AAT King's 10 day Southern Explorer, see Christchurch, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Queenstown and other sightseeing highlights.
- Famous TranzAlpine Train
- See the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki
- View Franz Josef Glacier
- Thunder Creek Falls
- Day at leisure in Queenstown
- Cruise on the TSS Earnslaw
- Fiordland National Park
- Cruise on Milford Sound
- Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak
- Scottish heritage of Dunedin
- View mighty Mt. Cook
- Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki
- Church of the Good Shepherd
- The Canterbury Plains
- OPTIONAL Maori Cultural Experience
- 'You are invited' experience
PREMIUM HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS
Quality Touring
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Professional Team
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DATES & PRICES |
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| Tour Dates | |
| Departs on | Returns on |
| 2011 | |
| $3439 | |
| 04 Dec | 13 Dec |
| 11 Dec | 20 Dec |
| 18 Dec | 27 Dec |
| 2012 | |
| $3439 | |
| 01 Jan | 10 Jan |
| 22 Jan | 31 Jan |
| 05 Feb | 14 Feb |
| 26 Feb | 06 Mar |
| 29 Feb | 09 Mar |
| 04 Mar | 13 Mar |
| 11 Mar | 20 Mar |
| 18 Mar | 27 Mar |
| 25 Mar | 03 Apr |
| 15 Apr | 24 Apr |
| 22 Apr | 01 May |
| $3169 | |
| 13 May | 22 May |
| 24 Jun | 03 Jul |
| 22 Jul | 31 Jul |
| 19 Aug | 28 Aug |
| 02 Sep | 11 Sep |
| 16 Sep | 25 Sep |
| 30 Sep | 09 Oct |
| Red shaded dates are Guaranteed Departures | |
| Prices AUD | Land Content Only | |
| Single Supplement | $880 | |
| Child 15 years and under | Save | $690 |
| Triple Share | Save | $170 |
| Concession Card Holders | Save | $45 |
| Note: Itinerary & departure dates may change from 01/10/12. Price is guaranteed upon payment of deposit. | ||
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
Transfer from the airport to your hotel, and relax. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Hotel: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield. D
Day 2: TranzAlpine - Punakaiki
We catch the TranzAlpine through the Southern Alps for a world class journey fromChristchurch to Arthur's Pass. View the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes on arrival inPunakaiki. You'll spend the night at your eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront.
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki.B D
Day 3: Punakaiki - Franz Josef
Travel via Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast, to Hokitika to visit a New Zealand native jade factory for a jewellery demonstration. Continue to Franz Josef Glacier. You can see it from the air on an optional scenic flight (weather permitting) or take a glacier hike!
Hotel: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef. B D
Day 4: Franz Josef - Queenstown
Get your camera ready today as you’ll experience some spectacular sights. Drive over the Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls, Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan. We’ll enjoy the tastes of sumptuous stone fruit at Cromwell – the stone fruit capital. Next up, visit historic gold mining Arrowtown on the Arrow River, previously one of the world’s richest rivers. A Queenstown orientation tour finishes your day. Tonight you have the option to dine at Skyline Restaurant at Bob’s Peak via the Southern Hemisphere’s steepest Gondola!And the Kiwi Haka Maori Show will top off a great night out.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. B
Day 5: Queenstown 'Free Time'
Explore action-packed, adventure-capital Queenstown for yourself. Take it easy with wine and garden tours, or walk on the wild side with jet boat rides and white water rafting. Maybe you’d prefer to relax or go sailing? Tonight dinner and a sheep shearing demonstration are at Walter Peak. Cruise there and back on board New Zealand’s oldest steam ship – the TSS Earnslaw – over Lake Wakatipu. B HD
Day 6: Milford Sound
Journey over the Devil’s Staircase and along Lake Wakatipu’s shore to Te Anau and its lake – the South Island’s largest. World Heritage Fiordland National Park is next, travelling through rainforest, sighting glaciers and mountain ranges. Drive through the hand built Homer Tunnel to the abundant photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lake, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Cruise on Milford Sound. Then return to Te Anau. Tonight you have the option to see the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.
Hotel: Distinction Hotel, Te Anau.B D
Day 7: Te Anau - Dunedin
Cross rich fertile farming land en route to Dunedin and a city tour. The afternoon is yours. Take a Wildlife Cruise to see Penguins and the Royal Albatross, visit the Cadbury Factory or ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway – you’re free to discover Dunedin however you like.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin. B D
Day 8: Dunedin - Twizel
A guided tour of Larnach Castle and its stunning gardens starts the day. Enjoy some ‘Free Time’ in town, before you set off to the white limestone buildings of Oamaru and on to the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam.
Hotel: MacKenzie Country Inn, Deluxe Rooms, Twizel. B D
Day 9: Mt. Cook - Christchurch
Be wowed today with the sensational alpine landscape of Mt. Cook National Park. A total scenic highlight, you may wish to see Mt. Cook on an optional scenic flight. Continue on to Christchurch. Along the way you’ll see Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, the Church of the Good Shepherd.You are invited to enjoy a taste of country life with a barbecue lunch on a working farm. Travel over the patchwork countryside of the Canterbury Plains. Relax on arrival in Christchurch at your hotel.
Hotel: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield. B L
Day 10: Depart Christchurch
Relax until your transfer to Christchurch Airport.B
