Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch and get settled into South Island's most innovative city. The evening brings you together with your Travel Director and fellow travelers for drinks and a tour briefing, so you'll get oriented and meet everyone right away.
Optional Activities
- Explore Christchurch's innovative architecture
- Visit forward-thinking restaurants and bars
Landmarks/POIs Christchurch - Day 2
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
Start with a guided tour through Christchurch, then head out through the Canterbury Plains. You'll pass turquoise Lake Tekapo surrounded by snow-capped mountains and wildflower meadows. Stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd, and later join an indoor dark sky astronomy experience where knowledgeable guides share their passion for the stars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Christchurch
- Visit Church of the Good Shepherd in Tekapo
- Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo
Landmarks/POIs Church of the Good Shepherd Lake Tekapo Canterbury Plains - Day 3
Lake Tekapo to Dunedin
Travel through the Waitaki Valley to reach Oamaru, a town with tree-lined streets and distinctive limestone buildings. From there, continue to Dunedin where you can explore art-covered alleyways and tour Speight's Brewery, or head to Larnach Castle to learn about the city's Scottish heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore atmospheric art-lined alleys in Dunedin
- Visit Speight's Brewery in Dunedin
- Tour Larnach Castle
Landmarks/POIs Oamaru Speight's Brewery Larnach Castle - Day 4
Dunedin to Invercargill
Head through rolling farmlands and lush pastures toward Invercargill, a city with a strong motor vehicle culture. At Transport World you'll get a guided tour of classic and rare vehicles, then enjoy dinner while surrounded by motor vehicle history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Transport World)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Transport World in Invercargill
- Dinner at Transport World
Landmarks/POIs Transport World - Day 5
Invercargill to Stewart Island
Travel to Stewart Island, where 97% of the land is national parkland. Join a guided tour of the village and bays to see endemic plants and animals. You also have the option to take a leisurely cruise around Paterson Inlet to see Acker's Cottage and spot the bird life around Ulva Island.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Village and Bays tour on Stewart Island
Optional Activities
- Leisurely cruise around Paterson Inlet with visit to Ulva Island
Landmarks/POIs Stewart Island Paterson Inlet Ulva Island - Day 6
Stewart Island to Queenstown
Experience authentic rural New Zealand at the Real Country Farm Show hosted by a local southern farmer. You'll learn about country life and hospitality firsthand. After that, head to Queenstown and spend the rest of your afternoon however you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Real Country Farm Show experience with local farmer (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience)
Landmarks/POIs Queenstown - Day 7
Queenstown
Spend your day relaxing by Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkables mountains visible across the water. If you're up for something more active, you can join an optional journey through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound where you'll cruise past waterfalls and potentially see dolphins and seals.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Fiordland National Park journey to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
- Milford Sound cruise
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wakatipu Remarkables Fiordland National Park Milford Sound/Piopiotahi - Day 8
Queenstown to Franz Josef
Visit Arrowtown, a gold-mining town with distinctive streets that feel like a movie set. Travel through the Alpine country of the Southern Lakes, passing Lake Dunstan and Lake Hawea. Cross the Haast Pass and reach Franz Josef at the edge of Westland World Heritage Park. There's an optional glacier flight tour if you want an aerial view.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere flight tour
Landmarks/POIs Arrowtown Lake Dunstan Lake Hawea Haast Pass Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere Westland World Heritage Park - Day 9
Franz Josef to Hokitika
Head to Hokitika on the wild West Coast, a small town with character and natural attractions. Walk the windswept coast and look for pounamu, the native greenstone found here. Continue to Punakaiki where you'll see the dramatic Pancake Rocks and blowholes carved by powerful surf.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- View Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks from scenic viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Explore Hokitika's windswept coast
- Discover pounamu (native greenstone/jade) in Hokitika
Landmarks/POIs Hokitika Punakaiki Pancake Rocks - Day 10
Hokitika to Nelson
Travel along the Heritage Highway toward Nelson, a scenic route with views over Buller Gorge and Kahurangi National Park. You'll see wild rivers, high plateaus, alpine herbfields, and coastal forests from your transport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Buller Gorge Kahurangi National Park - Day 11
Nelson
Explore Nelson, the South Island's oldest city and known for having plenty of sunshine. Visit Tahunanui Beach nearby, or if you want something more involved, head to Abel Tasman National Park where golden beaches meet sculpted granite cliffs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Nelson, gateway to Abel Tasman National Park
Optional Activities
- Visit Tahunanui Beach
- Explore Abel Tasman National Park
Landmarks/POIs Nelson Tahunanui Beach Abel Tasman National Park - Day 12
Nelson to Wellington
Cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound and the Tory Channel, then cross Cook Strait from the South Island to the North. You'll navigate through a maze of arms and inlets before reaching Wellington, New Zealand's capital. End the evening with dinner and your Travel Director.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with Travel Director and travel companions in Wellington)
Included Activities
- Cruise Cook Strait on interisland ferry from Picton to Wellington
- Dinner with Travel Director and companions in Wellington
Landmarks/POIs Queen Charlotte Sound Tory Channel Cook Strait Wellington - Day 13
Wellington Departure
Start your morning with Wellington's popular coffee while exploring the city. You have the option to visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, to learn about Māori culture. After that, you'll depart Wellington with memories from your South Island journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand (entrance fee applies)
Landmarks/POIs Te Papa (Museum of New Zealand)
