Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch at your own pace and have the afternoon to settle in. The city has a reputation for creative architecture and forward-thinking food and drink spots. Later this evening, you'll meet your Travel Director and the rest of the group for drinks to kick things off.
Optional Activities
- Explore Christchurch's innovative architecture
- Dine at forward-thinking restaurants and bars
- Day 2
Christchurch to Omarama
Start with a guided city sights tour that includes the innovative Cardboard Cathedral, then spend some free time wandering the Botanic Gardens. After that, head to Geraldine to stop at Barkers Store for local cheeses and other treats. From there, you'll travel along the East Coast through the Waitaki Valley, passing rolling farmland and snow-capped mountains with Lake Benmore as a backdrop, finishing up in the small country town of Omarama.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City sights tour including Cardboard Cathedral
- Free time in Botanic Gardens
- Visit to Geraldine and Barkers Store
Landmarks/POIs Cardboard Cathedral Botanic Gardens Lake Benmore Waitaki Valley - Day 3
Clyde to Invercargill
Start by visiting the charming historic town of Clyde, which has old gold mining buildings now converted into cafes and shops. Continue south to Invercargill, a city that celebrates motor vehicles and speed. You'll take a guided tour of Transport World where you can see classic and rare vehicles collected over decades, followed by dinner there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Transport World)
Included Activities
- Visit historic town of Clyde
- Guided tour of Transport World
- Dinner at Transport World
Landmarks/POIs Clyde Transport World - Day 4
Southland to Te Anau
Drive through rolling farmland and lush pastures to Templeton Flax Mill where the curator will guide you through how the flax mill industry shaped the Southland economy. From there, continue to the seaside town of Riverton and then head into Fiordland National Park toward Te Anau, which sits on the shores of the South Island's largest lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Templeton Flax Mill with presentation from Nathan Templeton
- Visit Riverton
Landmarks/POIs Templeton Flax Mill Riverton Fiordland National Park Te Anau Lake - Day 5
Milford Sound
Travel through Fiordland National Park with its beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and mirror-like lakes. Gin-clear rivers cut through the landscape as you head toward Milford Sound. Once there, you'll go out on an included sightseeing cruise through the fiord itself, seeing towering cliffs, waterfalls and wildlife like the alpine Kea parrot.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Fiordland National Park
- Included sightseeing cruise in Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Landmarks/POIs Fiordland National Park Milford Sound/Piopiotahi - Day 6
Real Country to Queenstown
You'll get a taste of country life at Real Country where you'll meet a local farmer and learn about horse communication and sheep dog mustering (the experience supports the Fairlight Foundation). Later, drive through to the historic gold rush village of Arrowtown with its tree-lined streets and independent boutiques. Then continue on to Queenstown for a two-night stay in the adventure capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Real Country Farm Experience with demonstrations of horse communication and sheep dog mustering
- Visit historic gold rush village of Arrowtown
Landmarks/POIs Real Country Arrowtown - Day 7
Queenstown
This day is yours to explore Queenstown and the surrounding area at your own pace. You'll have an included lunch at Fergburger, which is known for gourmet burgers and a lively atmosphere. If you want more activities, there are optional adventures like jet boat rides on the Shotover River, vineyard tours, or an afternoon cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner (at your own cost).
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Fergburger)
Included Activities
- Included lunch at Fergburger
Optional Activities
- High-octane jet boat ride on Shotover River
- Wine tasting tours through surrounding vineyards
- Afternoon cruise on historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm with gourmet barbecue dinner (all own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Shotover River Lake Wakatipu Walter Peak High Country Farm - Day 8
Queenstown to Christchurch
Stop at the Jones Family fruit stall to pick up fresh local stone fruit. Then head over the alpine crossing of The Lindis Pass between Otago and the Mackenzie Basin with panoramic views of rugged mountain peaks, including Mount Cook. You'll see Lake Tekapo's turquoise waters and the stone Church of the Good Shepherd. After that, drive through Canterbury Plains to reach Christchurch for a city tour of major landmarks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Jones Family fruit stall
- Alpine crossing of The Lindis Pass
- View Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
- City tour of Christchurch major landmarks
Landmarks/POIs The Lindis Pass Mount Cook Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd Canterbury Plains - Day 9
TranzAlpine Train to Punakaiki
Board the scenic TranzAlpine train heading toward Arthur's Pass. The route takes you through tunnels and over viaducts with views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. Stop in Greymouth, known for its mining history. Then on to Punakaiki where you'll see the Pancake Rocks and blowholes formed by crashing surf, finishing at your coastal eco retreat.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine Train journey through Southern Alps
- Visit Greymouth
- View Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks
Landmarks/POIs Arthur's Pass Greymouth Punakaiki Pancake Rocks - Day 10
Punakaiki to Nelson
Travel the Heritage Highway toward Nelson. Along the way, you'll pass over Buller Gorge and through Kahurangi National Park with its wild rivers, high plateaus, alpine herbfields and coastal forests.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel Heritage Highway
- View Buller Gorge
- View Kahurangi National Park
Landmarks/POIs Buller Gorge Kahurangi National Park - Day 11
Nelson
Explore Nelson, the South Island's oldest city and one of the sunniest places around. You can spend time at nearby Tahunanui Beach or travel further to Abel Tasman National Park if you want to see golden beaches framed by sculpted granite cliffs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Nelson
- Access to Abel Tasman National Park
Optional Activities
- Explore Tahunanui Beach
- Visit Abel Tasman National Park
Landmarks/POIs Tahunanui Beach Abel Tasman National Park - Day 12
Nelson to Wellington
Board a cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound and up the Tory Channel. You'll cross Cook Strait from the South Island to the North Island, moving through a maze of arms and inlets to reach Wellington, New Zealand's capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound
- Cruise through Tory Channel
- Cruise across Cook Strait to Wellington
Landmarks/POIs Queen Charlotte Sound Tory Channel Cook Strait - Day 13
Wellington
Wellington is famous for its cool cafes, so grab a coffee before heading out on a city sights tour. After the tour wraps up, you'll say goodbye to your New Zealand group. Depending on your schedule, you can either depart directly or stay longer to check out Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, and learn more about Māori culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City sights tour of Wellington
Optional Activities
- Visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand (entrance fee applies)
Landmarks/POIs Te Papa
