Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll land in Christchurch anytime today and settle into your hotel. The afternoon is yours to explore the Garden City on your own terms. Wander the streets, pop into some shops, or take a ride on the tourist tram if you're in the mood. Dinner happens at the hotel tonight, and that's when you'll meet your guide and the other travelers on this trip.
- Start point
- 14 Cathedral Square, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand (Distinction Christchurch, 18:00)
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at the hotel (arrival time-dependent))
Optional Activities
- Wander city streets and discover hidden eateries
- Shop in the city's shopping district
- Ride the tourist tram to explore city sights
Landmarks Christchurch - Day 2
Christchurch to Dunedin
After breakfast, you're heading south along the east coast. You'll pass through Oamaru, a heritage township with character, then reach the Moeraki Boulders where massive stone formations line the beach. These geological formations have been sitting there for millions of years. By late afternoon you'll reach Dunedin, which has that Scottish feel, and you'll have time to rest and have a look around.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Moeraki Boulders
- Pass through Oamaru township
Optional Activities
- Speight's Brewery Tour
- Dunedin Train Station visit
- Yellow Eyed Penguin Tour
Landmarks Moeraki Boulders Oamaru Baldwin Street 
- Day 3
Dunedin to Te Anau
Start with Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only castle, where you can explore the grounds and gardens. After that, you're heading to Gore to check out the Hokonui Moonshine Museum and taste Old Hokonui made from the original recipe. From there the drive takes you to Te Anau, your gateway to Fiordland National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Larnach Castle
- Explore Larnach Castle gardens
- Visit Hokonui Moonshine Museum and taste Old Hokonui
Landmarks Larnach Castle Hokonui Moonshine Museum Gore 
- Day 4
Te Anau to Queenstown
You'll leave Te Anau and travel to Manapouri for a relaxed lake cruise to West Arm. Then it's a coach ride over Wilmot Pass through Fiordland's dense rainforest, with views of Doubtful Sound stretching out below. At Deep Cove you'll board a catamaran and cruise into the fiord where you can spot penguins, seals, and dolphins. By evening you'll be in Queenstown, an alpine resort town where you're staying two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cruise across Lake Manapouri to West Arm
- Coach trip over Wilmot Pass through Fiordland National Park rainforest
- Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise aboard modern catamaran
Landmarks Lake Manapouri West Arm Doubtful Sound Deep Cove Fiordland National Park 
- Day 5
Queenstown
Queenstown is all yours today. Take the gondola up Bob's Peak for views of the town and grab lunch at Skyline restaurant if you like. You could try bungy jumping, take a Shotover Jet Boat ride, explore Skippers Canyon's gold mining history, or simply relax by the lake with a drink and walk through the parks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Shotover Jet Boat ride
- Gold mining area tour of Skippers Canyon
- Gondola ride to Bob's Peak
- Lunch at Skyline restaurant
- Watch bungy jumping at the bungy centre
- Lakeside stroll and refreshing drink
- Walk through Queenstown's lush park
Landmarks Bob's Peak Skippers Canyon - Day 6
Queenstown to Haast
You'll drive through Arrowtown, a village tied to New Zealand's gold mining days. Then it's on to Wanaka, a lakeside town with mountains all around it, where you'll stop for lunch and take in the views. The route continues east toward the coast and Haast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Haast River. A group dinner waits for you at the hotel this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Group dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Arrowtown
- Visit Wanaka
- Travel through Haast Pass
- Seafood Experience in Haast
Landmarks Arrowtown Wanaka Haast River 
- Day 7
Haast to Franz Josef
Head north along Westland National Park's coast toward Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. This part of the West Coast gets shaped by active glaciers and thick rainforests below tall mountains. You'll stop at Fox Glacier for a 2.6km walk around Lake Matheson, where you might see reflections of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mount Tasman in the water. Franz Josef township is your base tonight, surrounded by rainforest and mountains, and you'll have a group dinner together.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Group dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Hike around Lake Matheson (2.6km gentle track)
Landmarks Fox Glacier Franz Josef Glacier Lake Matheson Westland National Park 
- Day 8
Franz Josef to Christchurch
Leaving Franz Josef, you'll travel north to Hokitika, an artistic town known for its greenstone. Stop at a Greenstone and Glass-Blowing factory to watch local artists work. Then it's on to Greymouth, famous for jade and its gold mining heritage. From there you board the TranzAlpine train, one of the world's great train journeys, with views of forests, plains, and the snow-capped Southern Alps. You'll return to Christchurch for a farewell dinner with your group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell meal at hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Greenstone and Glass-Blowing factory
- TranzAlpine train journey from Greymouth to Christchurch
Landmarks Hokitika Greymouth - Day 9
Christchurch
Your South Island tour ends today. Have breakfast and say goodbye to your tour leader and the people you've traveled with. You'll head home or stay longer in Christchurch with memories of the trip and new friendships.
- Meals
- Breakfast
