Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch and get settled into your accommodation. 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
After a city sights tour covering Christchurch's Cardboard Cathedral, you'll have free time in the Botanic Gardens. From there, head to Geraldine to pick up local cheeses at Barkers Store before driving through the Waitaki Valley with its winding rivers and snow-capped mountains. You'll end the day in Omarama, a small country town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City sights tour of Christchurch
- Visit Cardboard Cathedral
- Free time in Botanic Gardens
- Visit Geraldine and Barkers Store
Landmarks/POIs Cardboard Cathedral Christchurch Botanic Gardens - Day 3
Clyde to Invercargill
Drive through Clyde, a charming historic town with gold mining heritage, now home to cafes and shops. Continue on to Invercargill, known among motor vehicle fans. You'll get a private tour of Transport World and have dinner there while checking out Bill Richardson's collection of classic and rare vehicles he's been gathering since 1967.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Transport World)
Included Activities
- Privately guided tour of Transport World
- Dinner at Transport World
Optional Activities
- Explore Clyde's historic precinct
Landmarks/POIs Transport World - Day 4
Invercargill to Te Anau
Travel through Southland's rolling farmland to Templeton Flax Mill for a guided tour and presentation about the historic flax mill industry with curator Nathan Templeton. After that, pass through Riverton, a charming seaside town, then head to Fiordland National Park and Te Anau, which sits on the South Island's largest lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Templeton Flax Mill
- Presentation from Nathan Templeton on flax mill history
Optional Activities
- Explore Riverton's local cafes
Landmarks/POIs Templeton Flax Mill Fiordland National Park - Day 5
Te Anau to Queenstown
Spend time at Real Country Farm with a local farmer watching demonstrations of horse communication and sheep dog mustering. Later, visit the historic gold rush village of Arrowtown with its movie-set-like streets and boutiques before arriving in Queenstown for a two-night stay in New Zealand's adventure capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Real Country Farm Experience with demonstrations of horse communication and sheep dog mustering
- Visit Arrowtown historic gold rush village
Landmarks/POIs Arrowtown - Day 6
Queenstown
Take a leisurely day in Queenstown. Lunch is on your own at Fergburger, the famous spot known for gourmet burgers. You can explore the area or choose optional activities like jet boating on the Shotover River, wine tasting at local vineyards, or an afternoon cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Fergburger)
Included Activities
- Lunch at Fergburger
Optional Activities
- Jet boat ride on Shotover River
- Wine tasting at 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 - Day 7
Queenstown to Christchurch
Stop at Jones Family fruit stall for fresh local stone fruit, then drive over The Lindis Pass with panoramic views of rugged mountain peaks including Mount Cook. You'll see the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and the stone-hewn Church of the Good Shepherd before heading through Canterbury Plains back to Christchurch for a city tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Jones Family fruit stall
- Travel over Lindis Pass alpine crossing
- View Lake Tekapo
- View Church of the Good Shepherd
- Christchurch city tour
Landmarks/POIs Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd Mount Cook - Day 8
Christchurch to Punakaiki
Board the TranzAlpine train through Arthur's Pass with views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, and gorges. Visit Greymouth, known for its rich mining history, then continue to Punakaiki to see the dramatic Pancake Rocks and blowholes before settling at your coastal eco retreat.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine train journey through Southern Alps
- Visit Punakaiki Pancake Rocks from scenic viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Explore Greymouth's mining history
Landmarks/POIs Arthur's Pass Punakaiki Pancake Rocks - Day 9
Punakaiki to Nelson
Relax during the scenic drive along the Heritage Highway to Nelson. Along the way, you'll pass over Buller Gorge and through Kahuranui National Park with its wild rivers, high plateaus, alpine herbfields, and coastal forests.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Buller Gorge Kahurangi National Park - Day 10
Nelson
Explore Nelson, the South Island's oldest and sunniest city. Check out Tahunanui Beach or venture to Abel Tasman National Park with its golden beaches framed by sculpted granite cliffs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Nelson, gateway to Abel Tasman National Park
Optional Activities
- Explore Tahunanui Beach
- Visit Abel Tasman National Park
Landmarks/POIs Abel Tasman National Park Tahunanui Beach - Day 11
Nelson to Wellington
Board a ferry for a scenic cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound and the Tory Channel, crossing Cook Strait from the South Island to the North. You'll navigate through a maze of arms and inlets to reach Wellington, New Zealand's capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, Tory Channel, and Cook Strait to Wellington
Landmarks/POIs Queen Charlotte Sound Cook Strait - Day 12
Wellington
Start with coffee at one of Wellington's cool cafes, then head out on a city sights tour. You'll say goodbye to your New Zealand group. You can depart or stick around to explore Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, which showcases Māori culture and more.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wellington city sights tour
Optional Activities
- Visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand (entrance fee applies)
Landmarks/POIs Te Papa Tongarewa
