Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll land in Christchurch and have time to wander around this innovative South Island city at your own pace. The local restaurant and bar scene here reflects a real forward-thinking approach to food and drink, and the architecture around the city shows the results of their recent rebuild efforts. This evening you'll meet your Travel Director and the rest of your group for drinks to kick things off.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)
Optional Activities
- Explore Christchurch's innovative architecture
- Dine at forward-thinking restaurants
- Visit bars in the city
Landmarks Christchurch - Day 2
Christchurch to Franz Josef
Today involves boarding the TranzAlpine train, which takes you on one of the world's most scenic rail routes. You'll travel across the Canterbury Plains toward the Southern Alps, passing through snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. The train pulls into Hokitika, known for its pounamu (native greenstone), and then continues on to Franz Josef. If you're interested, there's an optional glacier flight available this afternoon that you can book separately.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier)
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine train journey through Southern Alps
- View Franz Josef Glacier from panoramic viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere
Landmarks Canterbury Plains Arthur's Pass Southern Alps Hokitika Franz Josef Glacier 
- Day 3
Franz Josef to Queenstown
After crossing the Haast Pass through alpine scenery, you'll move into the Southern Lakes region. The route takes you past Lake Wanaka with its tree-lined shores, then Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan. There's a stop along the way where you can grab some local stone fruit. From there you'll head to Arrowtown, a charming town with tree-lined streets and boutique shops. The day finishes in Queenstown, positioned right on Lake Wakatipu with views of The Remarkables mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Landmarks Haast Pass Lake Wanaka Lake Hawea Lake Dunstan Arrowtown Lake Wakatipu The Remarkables 
- Day 4
Queenstown
Queenstown gives you options for how to spend your day. You can explore Skippers Canyon on your own, visit Lord of the Rings filming locations, or check out wineries in the surrounding area, all at your own expense. Later this evening you'll board the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. There's a gourmet barbecue dinner and farm show included with the evening activity.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Gourmet BBQ Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak on TSS Earnslaw Steamship
- Gourmet BBQ Dinner and Farm Show at Walter Peak High Country Farm
Optional Activities
- Explore Skippers Canyon
- Lord of the Rings movie scenery tour
- Vineyard tours and tastings
Landmarks Skippers Canyon Lake Wakatipu Walter Peak High Country Farm - Day 5
Queenstown to Te Anau
You'll drive through Mirror Lakes and the Cleddau Valley before arriving at Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once you're out on the fiord, you'll see towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls and steep rock faces. Keep an eye out for fur seals in their natural habitat. The return journey takes you back through Fiordland National Park, passing beech forests, alluvial flats and clear rivers before reaching Te Anau on the edge of the South Island's largest lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Luxmore Hotel)
Included Activities
- Cruise in Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Landmarks Mirror Lakes Cleddau Valley Milford Sound Fiordland National Park Te Anau - Day 6
Te Anau to Dunedin
Start this morning with a walk around Te Anau's lakeside where you can see rolling green hills dotted with sheep. After that you'll head to Dunedin, a pastoral city surrounded by scenic countryside. In the afternoon there are a few options: you can walk through the atmospheric art-lined alleys, check out Speight's Brewery which is a national institution, or visit Larnach Castle and the surrounding wildlife area. How you spend the time is up to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Dunedin City)
Optional Activities
- Morning walk around Te Anau
- Explore art-lined alleys in Dunedin
- Visit Speight's Brewery
- Visit Larnach Castle
- Wildlife viewing in the area
Landmarks Te Anau Dunedin Speight's Brewery Larnach Castle 
- Day 7
Dunedin to Oamaru
You'll have the option to sleep in or take a leisurely walk around Otago University's grounds down to the city's main George Street. Later you'll travel north to Oamaru, a charming town that's known for its Victorian architecture and original boutique shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Stroll around Otago University grounds
- Explore George Street
- Explore Victorian architecture in Oamaru
- Browse boutiques in Oamaru
Landmarks Otago University George Street Oamaru - Day 8
Oamaru to Christchurch
You'll head to Lake Tekapo, which is famous for its vivid turquoise waters with snow-capped mountains as a backdrop. Stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd overlooking the lake. In the evening there's an indoor Dark Sky Astronomy experience run by local specialists where you can see the night sky in ways you haven't seen before. From there you'll continue to Christchurch and spend time exploring how the city has transformed over the last decade. Later this evening you'll gather for drinks to celebrate.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)
Included Activities
- View the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
- Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo
Landmarks Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd Tekapo Dark Sky Project 
- Day 9
Christchurch Departure
Your South Island adventure wraps up today. You can depart Christchurch at whatever time works for your travel plans.
