Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
After you arrive in Christchurch, you'll be picked up and taken to your hotel. Early afternoon is when things get really interesting - you'll join punting boatmen dressed in traditional Edwardian clothing for a relaxed boat ride through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens along the River Avon. From there, you'll hop on a heritage tram that takes you through the city centre, giving you a nice sense of the place.
Included Activities
- River Avon punt cruise through Christchurch Botanic Gardens in Edwardian-dressed boats
- Heritage tram journey through Christchurch city centre
Landmarks/POIs Christchurch Botanic Gardens River Avon - Day 2
Christchurch to Fox Glacier
This morning you board the Tranz-Alpine rail journey across the Southern Alps. The train rolls through the Canterbury Plains, along the Waimakariri River gorges, and past dramatic mountain views before reaching Greymouth. After that, a coach takes you south toward Hokitika where you'll check out greenstone jewellery galleries. You'll stop at Hokitika Gorge to see the striking blue-green water, then continue on to Fox Glacier village, which sits below the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tranz-Alpine rail journey through Southern Alps to Greymouth
- Visit to Hokitika greenstone jewellery and artwork galleries
- Stop at Hokitika Gorge
Optional Activities
- Helicopter ride over the glaciers (extra cost)
Landmarks/POIs Tranz-Alpine Rail Canterbury Plains Waimakariri River Southern Alps Greymouth Hokitika Hokitika Gorge Franz Josef Glacier Fox Glacier - Day 3
Fox Glacier to Wanaka
Start your morning at Lake Matheson, where on clear days you can see Mount Cook's reflection perfectly mirrored in the water. After that, you'll drive over the Haast Pass along a scenic river road into Mt Aspiring National Park. The drive takes you to Wanaka, a resort town right on the shores of Lake Wanaka where you'll spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Lake Matheson
Landmarks/POIs Lake Matheson Mount Cook Haast Pass Mt Aspiring National Park Lake Wanaka Wanaka - Day 4
Wanaka
Today you choose between two options. One is an eco tour by boat to an island where you hike through native vegetation and find a hidden mountaintop lake with 360-degree views of Lake Wanaka and its mountains, plus you might spot rare Buff Weka birds. The other option is a 4WD adventure on remote farm roads with Lake Wanaka as your backdrop, where you'll see farm animals and historical sites. The afternoon is free - you can relax or explore Wanaka however you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Eco tour boat cruise to island with native vegetation hike to mountaintop lake and Arethusa Pool
- Alternative: 4WD adventure exploring High Country farm with farm animals, historical sites, and optional alpine and lakeside hikes
Optional Activities
- Optional hikes through alpine meadows and lakeside forests during 4WD adventure
- Leisure activities in Wanaka town
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wanaka Arethusa Pool - Day 5
Wanaka to Te Anau
You leave Wanaka stopping at the iconic Cardrona Pub, then head over Crown Range Road to Arrowtown, a charming gold rush village with great mountain views. From there, you'll drive a scenic route between the Remarkables mountains and Lake Wakatipu through a glacial valley, arriving at Te Anau on the South Island's largest freshwater lake. Later, you board a jet boat on the Waiau River to Lake Manapouri, then visit Woodstone Farm for sheep-shearing and dog demonstrations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Cardrona Pub
- Exploration of historic Arrowtown gold rush village
- Jet boat journey on Waiau River to Lake Manapouri
- Woodstone Farm visit with sheep-shearing and working dog demonstration
Landmarks/POIs Cardrona Pub Crown Range Road Arrowtown Arrow River Remarkables Lake Wakatipu Lake Te Anau Fiordland National Park Waiau River Lake Manapouri Woodstone Farm - Day 6
Te Anau to Queenstown
Today you drive through Fiordland National Park on one of the world's most scenic routes to Milford Sound in the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area. You'll cruise through the fiord on a comfortable boat, passing iconic Mitre Peak and reaching the Tasman Sea, watching for seals and dolphins. After returning to Te Anau, you continue through Southland farmlands and around Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Milford Sound cruise lunch)
Included Activities
- Fiordland National Park scenic drive
- Milford Sound cruise passing Mitre Peak to Tasman Sea
Landmarks/POIs Fiordland National Park Milford Sound Mitre Peak Tasman Sea Lake Wakatipu Queenstown - Day 7
Queenstown
You have the full day free in Queenstown, which sits among mountains on Lake Wakatipu's shores. If you're into adventure, you can do zip-lining at Bob's Peak, a Shotover jet-boat ride, or white-water rafting. Prefer something slower paced? Try a gondola ride up Bob's Peak, a 4WD safari to Skippers Canyon, local wineries and gardens, or a cruise on the elegant TSS Earnslaw steamship to Walter Peak High Country Farm. It's really your call.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Zip-lining at Bob's Peak
- Shotover jet-boat ride
- White-water rafting
- Gondola ride to Bob's Peak
- 4WD safari to Skippers Canyon
- Boutique wineries visit
- Local gardens visit
- Lake Wakatipu cruise on TSS Earnslaw steamship
- Visit to Walter Peak High Country Farm
Landmarks/POIs Bob's Peak Shotover River Skippers Canyon Lake Wakatipu TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak High Country Farm - Day 8
Queenstown to Twizel
You head north from Queenstown through Kawarau Gorge and past Lake Dunstan. The drive crosses Central Otago countryside over the Lindis Pass, then descends into the Mackenzie Basin with the Southern Alps stretching across the horizon. You'll have a scenic drive along Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook Village at the base of Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak, before reaching the charming town of Twizel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Kawarau Gorge Lake Dunstan Central Otago Lindis Pass Mackenzie Basin Southern Alps Lake Pukaki Mt Cook Village Aoraki/Mt Cook Twizel - Day 9
Twizel to Christchurch
You travel to Lake Tekapo to visit a local home on the lakeshore where you'll learn to make Pavlova, a beloved New Zealand dessert. You'll eat your freshly made Pavlova during morning tea with lake views in the background. Next, you visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, a small stone chapel set against the Southern Alps. From there, you continue through high country tussock plains and charming towns like Fairlie and Geraldine before crossing the Canterbury Plains back to Christchurch. This evening you'll gather for a relaxed farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Breakfast (Morning tea with Pavlova at Lake Tekapo), Dinner (Farewell dinner at a local restaurant (Travelling in or after October 2026))
Included Activities
- Pavlova-making class at a local home on Lake Tekapo
- Visit to Church of the Good Shepherd
Landmarks/POIs Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd Southern Alps Fairlie Geraldine Ashburton Canterbury Plains Christchurch - Day 10
Christchurch
Your New Zealand adventure concludes today. A transfer takes you to Christchurch Airport in time for your flight home.
