Day 1
Christchurch
You'll meet your group mid-morning, before heading for a special lunch at Akaunui homestead, a 117-year-old country home wih deliciously fresh produce by the hosts, Di and Ian Mackenzie.
You'll then continue through Mackenzie Country for beautiful views of glacial lakes and the Southern Alps, plus the Church at Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki before arriving at Aoraki/Mt Cook Village
Overnight: Mount Cook, Hermitage Hotel
Day 2
Aoraki/Mt Cook - Lindis Pass - Queenstown
Today you'll enjoy a scenic walk around Mt Cook. You'll then continue to Omarama, over the Lindis Pass and through the stunning Kawarau Gorge and Gibbston Valley to Queenstown, where you'll be staying for three nights.
Overnight: Scenic Suites
Day 3
Queenstown - Milford Sound Cruise - Scenic flight - Queenstown
A beautiful day today. You'll begin with a cruise on MilfordSound where you might spot seal colonies and dolphins, before taking a scenic flight back over the Southern Alps to Queenstown.
Overnight: Scenic Suites
Day 4
Queenstown
Today is a day free for you to explore at your own pace. There are lots of great optional excursions, including jet boat rides on the Dart River, seeing Lord of the Rings scenery, or going to a vineyard.
Overnight: Scenic Suites
Day 5
Queenstown - Arrowtown - Cardrona Valley - Wanaka
Your first destination today is the leafy village of Arrowtown which has a lively gold mining history. The road then climbs over the Crown Range, offering amazing views of the Gibbston Valley.
Overnight: Edgewater Resort
Day 6
Wanaka - Haast Pass - Lake Matheson - Franz Josef
Driving along Lakes Hawea and Wanaka and into the pristine mountain scenery, you’ll begin today’s journey venturing along the Haast Pass in Mt Aspiring National Park. You can follow the tracks through the native beech forests to crystal-clear pools where trout thrive and magical cascading waterfalls following the Haast River out to sea.
Overnight: Aspen Court
Day 7
Franz Josef - Hokitika - Punakaiki
The morning is free for you to walk to the Franz Josef Glacier lookout. You could even enjoy an optional flight onto the glacier, or search for rare birds on a cruise out on Okarito Lagoon.
Once in Hokitika, you'll meet the carvers of the treasured Pounamu (greenstone) before continuing to Papamoa National Park.
Overnight: Scenic Hotel
Day 8
Punakaiki - Paparoa National Park - Charleston - Westport
Today you will see the Pancake rocks, limestone cliffs and blowholes at this subtropical rainforest. The day is free for you to enjoy at your own pace. Why not walk to an isolated beach to see the seal colony at Cape Foulwind, or go to the glow worn cave at Charleston.
Overnight: Scenic Hotel
Day 9
Punakaiki - Cape Foulwind - Murchison - Nelson
Travelling north up the West Coast we call into Tauranga Bay and Cape Foulwind. Turning inland, continue through the rugged Buller Gorge to Nelson, known for its arts and crafts scene.
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Enjoy an easy stroll to see the Cape Foulwind seal colony
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Pass through the rugged Buller Gorge to Murchison and on to Nelson
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Nelson is home to vineyards, orchards and a lively arts and crafts scene
Overnight: Tides Hotel, Nelson
Day 10
Nelson - Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman is a highlight of the entire tour for many people. A picnic lunch is included so you can take your pick from a full scenic cruise or a cruise/walk combo to explore a section of the coastal track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, with time to relax on the beach or even jump in for a swim.
Overnight: Tides Hotel, Nelson
Day 11
Nelson - Kaikoura
Overnight: White Morph Inn, Kaikoura
Day 12
Kaikoura – Christchurch
This morning is free to see Kaikoura’s bountiful marine life, the result of an ocean canyon close offshore. After lunch depart for Waipara, the Canterbury Plains and our final farewell in Christchurch.
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Stroll the Kaikoura coastal walkway to the seal colony
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Take an optional whale watching flight
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Option to enjoy a guided kayak trip to see seabirds and seals
* We strongly recommend booking an extra night in Christchurch if you flying internationally.*
