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Day 1
Wellington/Picton/Blenheim
Your tour departs from the Bay Plaza Hotel, 40
Oriental Parade at 8.00am. Join the Interislander
Ferry and cruise to the South Island with
spectacular views of the city left
behind. Sail across Cook Strait and into the
sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound. In Picton,
you are welcomed by your South Island Coach Captain.
Explore Picton, before making the short drive to
Blenheim for an afternoon’s sightseeing and a visit
to the Montana Winery for a complimentary tasting
and afternoon tea.
Blenheim Country Hotel (1 night)
Day 2
Blenheim/Kaikoura/Christchurch
Past Lake Grassmere and follow the coastline to
Kaikoura, an area noted for whale watching. Over the
Hundalee Ranges and onto the Canterbury Plains to
reach the Garden City of Christchurch. Visit the
International Antarctic Centre before a city tour,
noting the city’s strong English influence. See the
parklands and River Avon before boarding the Tourist
Tram for a circuit of the city which showcases the
main points of interest.
Pavilions Hotel (1 night)
Day 3
Christchurch/Mt Cook/Omarama
Cross the Canterbury Plains and enter the foothills
near Geraldine to the barren MacKenzie Country. View
the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog
memorial overlooking the milky waters of Lake Tekapo.
Time for a spectacular flight over the Southern
Alps, lakes and glaciers with Air Safaris
(optional). Visit Mt Cook National Park, with New
Zealand’s highest snowcapped peak, before travelling
around Lake Pukaki to Twizel and Omarama.
Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 night)
Day 4
Omarama/Dunedin
Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the
Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin the “Scottish”
city. An early arrival allows for a choice of
excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch
harbour cruise or Newton’s Citibus tour to see
albatross, penguins and seals. Board the Taieri
Gorge Railway or explore the city yourself. This
evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a
traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with
piper, address to the Haggis and gift.
Cargills Hotel (1 night)
Day 5
Dunedin/Lake Manapouri/Te Anau
Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich
farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and
Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at
Lake Te Anau.
Fiordland National Park Hotel (2 nights)
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Day 6
Milford Sound Day Trip
A highlight of any tour. Follow the Eglinton and
Hollyford Valleys where the beech forests reach to
the roads edge and snow capped peaks tower above.
Descend into the Cleddau Canyon to Milford Sound,
dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you
to the open sea and to Bowen and Stirling Falls.
Time to take a walk into
the rainforest to visit The Chasm, a spectacular
waterfall, or to the entrance of Homer Tunnel. If
conditions permit, your Coach Captain may make a
short drive into the Hollyford Valley. Return to Te
Anau late afternoon.
Day 7
Te Anau/Queenstown
Cruise across Lake Te Anau to explore the
underground world of rushing water and drift beneath
the luminous shimmer of thousands of glow-worms, an
unforgettable sight. This afternoon drive north to
Kingston and around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to
picturesque Queenstown. This evening, cruise across
the lake aboard the steamship Earnslaw for dinner in
the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak Sheep
Station.
Rydges Hotel (2 nights)
Day 8
Queenstown
A day to explore the delights of this alpine resort
at leisure. Your Coach Captain will happily advise
on the many optional sightseeing activities
available. We recommend the world famous Shotover
Jet Boat ride, take a Gondola ride to the Skyline
high above the resort, a tour to the gold mining
area of Skippers Canyon, white water rafting or
browse in the many shops and galleries.
Day 9
Queenstown/Haast Pass/Fox Glacier
Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on to an area steeped in
fascinating history relating to early settlement and
the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture
postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular
mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper
reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora into Mt Aspiring
and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the
coast to the glacier region. Explore the township or
take the optional guided walk to the glacier face.
Fox Glacier Hotel (1 night)
Day 10
Fox Glacier/Christchurch
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the
glaciers, then on to Greymouth to a Greenstone
(Jade) factory to see craftsmen cutting and
polishing giant boulders to create fine jewellery.
Cross the Otira Gorge and Arthurs Pass to the
Canterbury Plains and into Christchurch. Your tour
will conclude at approximately 5.30pm. |
