15 Day Small Group - Grand Southern Traveller
 |
||
| Itinerary | ||
| Discover the best the South Island of New Zealand has to offer. Departing the English City of Christchurch we explore countless National Parks, rainforests and fascinating glaciers. Spend time exploring Stewart Island and magnificent Milford Sound. Walk untouched rainforest, relax in alpine scenery, spot native New Zealand bird life. This is an adventure you will remember forever. | ||
| Day 1: Christchurch – Punakaiki We depart Christchurch and journey over the Southern Alps through the scenic Lewis Pass. Continue to Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast. This afternoon we travel along the picturesque coast road to Punakaiki. Visit the fascinating Pancake Rocks and Blowholes before overnighting at our exclusive ecofriendly hotel, right on the waterfront at Punakaiki. Enjoy a welcome drink followed by a scrumptious dinner with your fellow travellers, to the sounds of the thundering surf at your doorstep. Hotel: Punakaiki Rocks Hotel, Punakaiki. Day 2: Nelson Today we soak up the scenic wilderness of the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller Gorge. Time to take in the Buller River and the Kahurangi National Park before arriving in Nelson. This afternoon we visit the World of Wearable Arts and Collectable Cars before checking into our hotel. Hotel: Trailways Inn, Nelson, 2 nights. Day 3: Nelson ‘Free Time’ You have the opportunity to journey to the top of the South Island and enjoy a relaxing cruise on Golden Bay in the Abel Tasman National Park. Perhaps take a scenic flight over the area or join one of the many Arts & Crafts tours in the region. Relax at your hotel or visit Höglund International Glass Centre. Day 4: Hanmer Springs This morning we travel through the Richmond Forest Park to Blenheim, the sunniest city in New Zealand! Continue down the East Coast to Kaikoura where you will have time to explore a Seal Colony or take a Whale Watching flight before following the Seaward Kaikoura Range to our unique Alpine Village of Hanmer Springs. The rest of the day is free for you to unwind in one of the many thermal hot pools or maybe try a relaxing massage. Hotel: Heritage Hotel, Hanmer Springs. Day 5: Christchurch Depart Hanmer Springs late this morning as we continue over the Canterbury Plains to the Garden City of Christchurch. You’ll enjoy an orientation tour before arriving at our hotel. Hotel: Heritage Hotel, Christchurch. Day 6: TranzAlpine Train Today we board the world famous TranzAlpine Train for our journey across the Canterbury Plains and through the Southern Alps. Experience one of the top 6 train journeys in the world. We board our coach at Arthur’s Pass and visit the small town of Hokitika for a Jade demonstration. Later we visit the gold mining town of Ross before arriving at Franz Josef Glacier. Hotel: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, Franz Josef, 2 nights. Day 7: Franz Josef Glacier This morning we take a guided nature hike onto the world famous Franz Josef Glacier. Enjoy informative commentary through the glacier valley as our guides carve out steps in the ice to lead us onto the glacier. Spend time on the ice to explore the terminal face and the lower regions of the glacier before returning to our hotel. This afternoon is free to relax in the village or at your hotel. Perhaps take an optional scenic flight over Mt. Cook (weather permitting). Tonight is at your leisure. Day 8: Wanaka Today we travel south to Haast with stunning views of towering mountains on the left and the mighty Tasman Sea on the right. On arrival we board our exclusive Haast River Safari for an exciting jet boat ride on the Haast River. Later we travel over the Haast Pass and along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Tonight enjoy dinner at your hotel. Hotel: Grand Mercure, Wanaka. |
Day 9: Queenstown This morning is free for you to try some of the many activities available in Wanaka. Your Driver/Guide will advise the best options for you. This afternoon we travel past Lake Dunstan and visit the stone fruit capital of New Zealand, Cromwell, to sample some local fruit. Continue through the Kawarau Gorge to Arrowtown. Explore the old Chinese ruins of this historic gold mining town and the local museum before continuing to Queenstown. Why not enjoy dinner at the Skyline Restaurant at Bob’s Peak? Ride the steepest gondola in the Southern Hemisphere and enjoy a special buffet while taking in the stunning alpine views over Queenstown and the Remarkables Mountain Range. Hotel: Grand Mercure St. Moritz, Queenstown, 2 nights. Day 10: Queenstown ‘Free Time’ Today is free for you to explore the many different activities that Queenstown has to offer. Perhaps try a jet boat ride, white water rafting or for the less adventurous there are wine and garden tours Day 11: Dunedin This morning we travel through the Kawarau Gorge. Rugged and awesome, the steep slopes of the gorge are over 1,200 metres high. We then continue along the shores of Lake Dunstan, the largest man made lake in New Zealand. This afternoon we arrive in Dunedin, a city rich in Scottish History. Enjoy a city tour, including the Octagon, Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world and views of Otago Harbour. Later we visit New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle, for a guided tour. Tonight celebrate Dunedin’s Scottish heritage with a traditional piped welcome and Haggis Ceremony. Hotel: Southern Cross Hotel, Dunedin. Day 12: Catlins – Stewart Island Today we drive south over the Clutha River and the small town of Balclutha before travelling through the Catlins Forest Park. This remote area is full of wildlife and birdlife, with rugged scenery like nowhere else in New Zealand. Enjoy a short bush walk and explore the Cathedral Cove. View Yellow Eyed Penguins and New Zealand Fur Seals. Later we travel to Bluff to board our ferry to Stewart Island. Enjoy a Village and Bays tour upon arrival. Tonight is free for you to sample one of the local cafés. Hotel: Bay Motel, Stewart Island. Day 13: Invercargill Ulva Island is our first stop. Enjoy a cruise with lunch through majestic Paterson Inlet before spending time in a birdlife sanctuary on Ulva Island, a forested island managed by the Department of Conservation. It is predator free and is a must for viewing native birds and flora. This afternoon we board our ferry for the return journey to the mainland. Hotel: Kelvin Hotel, Invercargill. Day 14: Milford Sound Today we travel into the Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Park. We take our time to explore the Mirror Lakes, Pop’s Lookout and the Chasm before arriving into Milford Sound for our overnight cruise. Enjoy dinner on board tonight. Hotel: Milford Mariner, Milford Sound. Day 15: Depart Queenstown This morning try sea kayaking or perhaps take a beach walk in Milford Sound before we board our coach. Later we visit Te Anau before continuing along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown. This afternoon you will be transferred to Queenstown Airport for your onward flight. |
|
|
15 days, Priced from $3740 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tour Dates |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prices AUD | Land Content Only | ||||||
| Single Supplement (May - Sep) | $1335 | ||||||
| Single Supplement (Oct - Apr) | $1595 | ||||||
| Child 15 years and under | Save | $825 | |||||
| Triple Share | Save | $205 | |||||
| Friendly Fours | Save | $205 | |||||
| Concession Card Holders | Save | $75 | |||||
| Note: Itinerary & departure dates may change from 31/12/09. Price is guaranteed upon payment of deposit. | |||||||
Outrigger Resorts & Hotels | Stella Resorts Group | Ambia Villas & Apartments | Sofitel | Novotel | All Seasons | Mercure | Grand Mercure | Hotel Ibis | Comfort Inn | Quality Hotels | Clarion Resorts | Holiday Inn Hotels | Rendezvous Hotels & Resorts | Real Journeys
Mount Ruapehu | Whakapapa | Coronet Peak | Remarkables | Cardrona | Treble Cone | Mt Hutt | Queenstown
NZ Skiing | NZ Snow Accommodation | Queenstown Skiing | Queenstown Snow Accommodation | Christchurch Skiing
