Touring

Holiday

Treasures of New Zealand’s South Island

Includes a Fully Escorted Southern Spotlight Tour

Book Now for 2021

Get the full experience...

Discover the allure of New Zealand’s South Island during this spectacular eight night holiday where you’ll enjoy a series of hotel stays, embark on a series of immersive tours to better explore the area, soak in mesmerising scenery and relish a captivating rail journey.

Beginning in Christchurch, you’ll explore the striking scenery of the fertile Canterbury Plains as you head south to the heart of the Mackenzie Country at Omarama. Here, you’ll embrace landscapes that are laced with an intricate series of lakes and canals before discovering the historic town of Oamaru and continuing to Dunedin where you’ll enjoy some time at leisure. Following a scenic journey through the enchanting Fiordland National Park, you’ll explore the town of Te Anau before marvelling at the magnificent Milford Sound.

Arriving in Queenstown, you’ll embark on an orientation tour before enjoying an overnight where you’ll have some time at leisure to discover treasures of the area yourself and relish a peaceful dinner cruise in the evening. Leaving this beautiful town behind, you’ll head for the wild west coast Franz Josef, stopping along the way at the gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown.

Your final tour before returning to Christchurch takes you to Hokitika and on to Arthur’s Pass where you’ll board the iconic TranzAlpine train for one of the world’s most renowned rail journeys. Enjoy a final night in Christchurch before your flight back home.

Package Includes

All flights, taxes & transfers

Meals

  • 11 meals included

Hotel Stays

  • 2 night hotel stay at the ibis Christchurch with breakfast and dinner
  • 1 night hotel stay at the Heritage Gateway Hotel in Omarama with breakfast and dinner
  • 1 night hotel stay at the Scenic Hotel Dunedin City with breakfast
  • 1 night hotel stay at the Distinction Luxmore Hotel Te Anau
  • 2 night hotel stay at the Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview with breakfast
  • 1 night hotel stay at the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier with breakfast and dinner

Fully Escorted Southern Spotlight Tour

  • Visit to the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme
  • Visit to the Fiordland National Park
  • Visit to Milford Sound including the Mirror Lake, Cleddau Valley, the Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and Lake Watatipu
  • Lake Wakatipu cruise aboard the century-old TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm with a highlight dinner and after-dinner show
  • Visit the gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown, Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls and rainforest walk
  • Scenic TranzAlpine train journey

 

Touring Holiday

At a glance

8 nights
Departing Oct 21 - Dec 21
All flights and taxes

Prices from

Twin Share
$3,599 pp
Price based on 24 Oct 2021 departure
Solo Passenger
$4,699 pp
Price based on 24 Oct 2021 departure
View all prices & departures

Here to help

Call to book:

(09) 941 2549

Holiday code:

TOU2223

Opening hours:

Mon to Fri: 11am - 8pm | Sat & Sun: 11am - 6pm

Southern Island

The South Island of New Zealand is officially named Te Waipounamu and is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand in surface area. It’s known for its oaring mountains, glossy lakes and shimmering glaciers. The Southern Alps stretch across the entire length of the island and in the southwest you’ll find the captivating Fiordland National Park.

Your Itinerary

3 January 2019: Christchurch, New Zealand - A vintage tram turns into Cashel Street near the Bridge of Remembrance in the ce…
DAY 1 | 24 Oct 2021
Christchurch

Although it’s the largest city in New Zealand’s South Island, Christchurch is still small enough to be explored on foot. Perhaps the best way of seeing this compact city is on the hop-on, hop-off tram. There are 17 stops, which include punting on the River Avon, which runs through the heart of the city. It also boasts a strong cultural heritage, a lively music scene and a great selection of museums and art galleries. Visit one of the wildlife parks, catch a bargain at the market, or ride the Christchurch Gondola – a scenic cable car ride.

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DAY 2 | 25 Oct 2021
Omarama
Discover how Christchurch has rebuilt itself after the devastating destruction from the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes and explore the Transitional Cathedral, built almost entirely of cardboard. Next, you’ll embark on a journey across the verdant Canterbury Plains, New Zealand’s largest area of flat land, with straight roads that slice through a patchwork of paddocks. Embrace the awe-inspiring scenery that stretches for miles around and view the famous Church of the Good Shepherd. Your day finishes in Omarama, where you’ll enjoy a hotel stay.
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DAY 3 | 26 Oct 2021
Dunedin
Today, you’ll enjoy a visit to the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme, an intricate series of interconnected lakes and canals and the tremendous aqueduct of the nearby Benmore Dam, one of the largest dams on the southern hemisphere. From here, you’ll travel to the historic town of Oamaru, known for its striking limestone architecture of the Victorian Precinct. You’ll then continue onto Dunedin, New Zealand’s southernmost city. Amble along the beautiful harbour, soak in the scenery from the Otago Peninsula or marvel the eye-watering array of exotic flora in the botanic gardens.
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DAY 4 | 27 Oct 2021
Te Anau
Delve into the delights of Larnach Castle, a designated New Zealand Landmark. Roam the exquisite Victorian interiors, learn about the scandals and history of the house and lose yourself in the stunning gardens spanning seven acres. This afternoon, you’ll journey through the fertile sheep-grazing country on your way to the breathtaking Fiordland National Park and the town of Te Anau. Sprawling over 1.2 million hectares in size, the alluring Fiordland National Park is awash with climbing mountains, glassy midnight blue lakes, lush fiord and dense rainforest environments.
South Island, New Zealand
DAY 5 | 28 Oct 2021
Queenstown
A highlight of your tour will no doubt be the captivating Milford Sound, New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attraction. As you travel through this enchanting landscape, you’ll witness the awe-inspiring sights of mountainscapes, native rainforests and shimmering waterfalls. As you make your way to Queenstown, you’ll see Mirror Lake; Cleddau Valley, nestled between snow-scattered mountainscapes; the trickling streams of the Chasm; iconic Mitre Peak and the majestic Bowen Falls. Continuing on your journey, you’ll travel along the winding Devil’s Staircase and embrace the serene Lake Wakatipu before arriving in Queenstown where you’ll embark on an informative orientation tour.
Queenstown, New Zealand - 28 December 2018: Steamship TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu.
DAY 6 | 29 Oct 2021
Queenstown
Poised on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, and set against the impressive Southern Alps, Queenstown is renowned for adventure sports, lush vineyards and historic mining towns. Following a day of exploring, you’ll savour a peaceful cruise across the majestic lake on board the authentic TSS Earnslaw, the only remaining commercial passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship in the Southern Hemisphere, to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Here you’ll relish a gourmet BBQ Highlight Dinner and enjoy an entertaining post-dinner show which offers a glimpse into high country farm life.
Aerial view of a snow-covered Franz Josef glacier in New Zealand.
DAY 7 | 30 Oct 2021
Franz Josef
Your destination today is the wild west coast of the South Island. En route, you’ll stop to visit the gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown. Revel in the stark beauty of the region’s brilliant blue lakes, the most famous of which is the tranquil Lake Wanaka, home to the lonely tree. From here, you’ll drive over the stunning Haast Pass and pass the 96-metre Thunder Creek Falls. Relish an opportunity to embark on a leisurely rainforest walk through the imposing alpine trees and breathe in the fresh crisp air on your way to the remarkable Franz Josef Glacier.
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DAY 8 | 31 Oct 2021
Christchurch
Today you’ll begin your journey back to Christchurch. Explore Hokitika, founded as a gold-mining town during the gold-rush era and famous for its greenstone. Pounamu, it’s Maori name, is of great cultural significance in the Maori culture and was prized for its strength and beauty. From here, you’ll continue to Arthur’s Pass where you’ll board the iconic TranzAlpine train for one of the world’s most renowned rail journeys. As you roll through the landscapes, you’ll admire captivating sights, from the dramatic gorges and ice-peppered lakes of the Southern Alps to the flourishing lands of the Canterbury Plains.
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DAY 9 | 1 Nov 2021
Fly Home

Your fabulous South Island adventure complete, today you’ll enjoy a final hearty breakfast at your hotel before you head for your flight back home.

Southern Island Tour

Did you know?

During this eight night holiday of the beautiful Southern Island of New Zealand, you’ll embark on a series of tours that will allow you to delve deeper into the island’s treasures; from the sprawling greenery of the Canterbury Plains to the snow-draped mountains of the Southern Alps.

Did you know?

During this eight night holiday of the beautiful Southern Island of New Zealand, you’ll embark on a series of tours that will allow you to delve deeper into the island’s treasures; from the sprawling greenery of the Canterbury Plains to the snow-draped mountains of the Southern Alps.

TranzAlpine Train

Embark on one of the world’s great train journeys and relish an unforgettable journey through some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery, from the soaring skyline of the Southern Alps to the verdant landscapes of the Canterbury Plains.

Milford Sound

A majestic fiord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. Home to the soaring Mitre Peak, rich rainforests and the cascading Stirling and Bowen waterfalls. It’s famous for being one of the wettest places in the world.

Franz Josef Glacier

Experience the ultimate glacier adventure at the Franz Josef Glacier, a temperate maritime glacier nestled in the heart of the Westland Tai Poutini National Park, sprawling 7.5 miles.

Prices & Departures

  All flights included
regional flights available at a supplement
Departing
Departing 24 October 2021
Departing 7 November 2021
Departing 5 December 2021
Twin Share
Twin Share $3,599
Twin Share $3,699
Twin Share $3,699
Solo Passenger
Solo Passenger $4,699
Solo Passenger $4,799
Solo Passenger $4,799
Departing
Departing 24 October 2021
Departing 7 November 2021
Departing 5 December 2021
Twin Share
Twin Share $3,799
Twin Share $3,899
Twin Share $3,899
Solo Passenger
Solo Passenger $4,899
Solo Passenger $4,999
Solo Passenger $4,999

CALL TO BOOK: (09) 941 2549

HOLIDAY CODE: TOU2223