9 Day New Zealand South Island Exploration

Day 1 Welcome to Christchurch
You’ll have time to relax before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers this evening for a Welcome Reception.
Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

Day 2 Christchurch - Omarama
This morning you may wish to take a brief walk around the city centre and Cathedral Square before departure. See how Christchurch is rebuilding after the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Later, view the Church of the Good Shepherd and enjoy spectacular scenery as you travel to stunning Mount Cook National Park. Your day finishes in the heart of the Mackenzie Country at Omarama. Tonight enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel

Day 3 Omarama - Dunedin
Visit to the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme, an intricate series of interconnected lakes and canals, and the monumental spillway of the nearby Benmore Dam.

This afternoon you will make your way down to the Southernmost New Zealand city, Dunedin. With the rest of your free afternoon you may wish to take part in an optional excursion to see more of the region. Take a Wildlife Cruise out to Otago Peninsula, visit the Speights Brewery – a New Zealand institution or explore the city and its museums, cafés and shops.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City

Day 4 Dunedin - Te Anau
Enjoy some free time this morning before travelling across the fertile pastures of South Otago to serene Lake Te Anau. Tonight, why not consider an optional experience and take a boat tour of the mysterious Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Tonight enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

Day 5 Te Anau - Queenstown

Today is one of those days where you will want to have your camera battery charged and ready to go!

After leaving Te Anau, you will journey through the Fiordland National Park and out to Milford Sound on one of the most scenic roads you could hope for. Travel through native rainforests, beech forests, alluvial flats and meadows.  stop at Mirror Lakes where, as the name suggests, you can see the stunning mountain scenery perfectly reflected in the waters of the lakes. Then on to the Homer Tunnel, man’s attempt to master the sheer rocky ranges. As you emerge out the other side of the tunnel, you are presented with one of the world’s most dramatic alpine drives, down through the Cleddau Valley. You will have a stop at the Chasm, where the roaring Cleddau River has carved its way through solid rock, and then it’s on to Milford Sound, where you will cruise the waters of this natural wonder. Your cruise meanders down the sound, taking in the Bowen and Stirling Falls as they plummet from glacial hanging valleys sharply into the sea, and the sheer pinnacle of Mitre Peak, rising from the deep waters of the fiord. From the spectacular scenes of Milford Sound, you will travel on to the beautiful sights of Queenstown.
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown , 2 nights

Day 6 Queenstown Free Time
Explore New Zealand’s adventure capital at your own pace today. There are jet-boat rides and 4WD safaris for the thrill-seekers, and wine tours or intimate cafés for those who enjoy a more leisurely rhythm. Later this afternoon, cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner.
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown

Day 7 Queenstown - Franz Josef
Your first stop today is the faithfully-restored gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown. Sample luscious stone fruit in Cromwell and enjoy the serenity of the region’s vivid blue lakes. Drive over spectacular Haast Pass, passing the towering Thunder Creek Falls, and stopping for a tranquil rainforest walk. Our final destination for today is the extraordinary rivers of ice that make up Franz Josef Glacier. You may want to get up close and personal with the glaciers on a helicopter flight. Your flight will hover over the snow face and may land high up in the valley so that you can walk across the ice fall – subject to weather conditions (optional – at own expense). Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing)

Day 8 Franz Josef - Christchurch
Travel to Hokitika, home of New Zealand’s famous greenstone. Pounamu (its Māori name), is of great significance in Māori culture and was prized for its strength, durability and beauty. From Hokitika, you will travel inland to the small settlement of Arthur’s Pass. Here you will board the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch city. This spectacular train journey dates back to 1914 and is rated as one of the world’s most scenic train trips. The train forges through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. This evening, join your AAT Kings Travel Director and Driver, and your new-found friends for a Farewell Dinner.
Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

Day 9 Farewell from Christchurch
Say farewell to your fellow travellers when your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast.

Ask us for details on Tour departures in 2022 and 2023

• Twin Share - from $3,861 pp
• Single Traveller - from $4,909

Pricing above are based on the following departure dates:

• 25 April, 2022
• 01 May, 2022
• 05 June, 2022
• 03 Jul, 2022
• 11 Sep, 2022
• 18 Sep, 2022

Additional dates throughout 2022 and 2023 are available, ask our team for details.

Please call our travel team on 1300 414 198 for details.

Interested in seeing the stunning North Island? our team can assist you with this!

Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort. The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:

• Ibis Hotel Christchurch
• Heritage Gateway Hotel
• Scenic Hotel Dunedin City
• Distinction Luxmore Hotel
• Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown
• Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing)
• Ibis Hotel Christchurch

Flight Information

Recommended flight arrival and departure times into Christchurch.

•  Day 1 - Flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Christchurch Airport
•  Day 9 - Flights to depart anytime from Christchurch Airport

Fitness Requirements

• Low level fitness required

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
• Water bottle
• Camera
• Jacket in cooler months