Tour Details - Southern Experience

Day 1: Arrive Christchurch

On arrival at Christchurch Airport you will be transferred to your alpine resort in the foothills of the Southern Alps. An evening welcome drink offers you the chance to meet your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions.
Hotel: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield.

Day 2: Mt Cook

You are invited to enjoy a taste of country life with a barbecue lunch on your hosts’ Stan and Angie’s working farm. Later we’ll see Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the spectacular alpine scenery of Mt. Cook National Park. You can also take an optional scenic flight over Mt. Cook (weather permitting).
Hotel: Mackenzie Country Inn, Deluxe Rooms, Twizel. B L D

Day 3: Dunedin

On our way to Dunedin, we see the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme, Benmore Dam and the famous white limestone buildings of Oamaru. At Dunedin we tour the city, then you’ve got the afternoon to yourself – take a Wildlife Cruise, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway, it’s your choice.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin.B D

Day 4: Dunedin – Te Anau

A guided tour of New Zealand’s only castle – Larnach Castle and its gardens starts the day with your own time in town. Then we head to Te Anau across fertile farming land to the shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island. Tonight, if you choose to, you can see the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.
Hotel: Distinction Hotel, Te Anau. B D

Day 5: Milford Sound

Today is a feast for the senses. Be wowed and awe-struck by the beauty of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, New Zealand’s largest. Keep your camera close by as we see Mirror Lake, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley, the Chasm, the hand-made Homer Tunnel, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and stunningly photogenic Milford Sound, where you will cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. The Devil’s Staircase and Lake Wakatipu pass us by. We arrive at Queenstown for an orientation tour. The dinner option tonight is the Skyline Restaurant on Bob’s Peak – sensational views over Queenstown and a bonus Kiwi Haka Maori Show, plus you’ll ride the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere just to get there!
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. B

Day 6: Queenstown 'Free Time'

Explore Queenstown your way. Go wild with jet boat rides or white water rafting. For the less adventurous there are wine and garden tours. For dinner we’ll travel across Lake and back on the TSS Earnslaw, New Zealand’s oldest steam ship, to Walter Peak Sheep Station for a carvery meal and sheep shearing demonstration. B HD

Day 7: Queenstown – Franz Josef

The historic gold mining town of Arrowtown is our first stop today. The second stop is Cromwell and its sensational stone fruit. We’ll see a trio of lakes – Wanaka, Hawea and Dunstan. Travel over the Haast Pass, view the amazing Thunder Creek Falls, take a small rainforest walk, then it’s on to the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier – the world’s most accessible glacier.
Hotel: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef. B D

Day 8: Franz Josef – Punakaiki

Explore Franz Josef Glacier – take an optional flight (weather permitting) or a glacier hike! Then we depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. It’s on to Punakaiki where we’ll view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. We overnight at our eco- friendly resort right on the waterfront. Enjoy dinner while watching the thundering surf at your doorstep!
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki. B D

Day 9: TranzAlpine – Christchurch

Enjoy time at leisure before travelling via Greymouth to Arthur’s Pass where we’ll board the TranzAlpine, one of the top 6 train journeys in the world, which travels through the Southern Alps to Darfield. Gather together this evening for a farewell dinner with your Tour Director and new-found friends.
Hotel: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield. B D

Day 10: Depart Christchurch

You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. B