South Kiwi Explorer

Kia Ora and welcome to Christchurch, New Zealand. You will be met and shown to your coach, as your New Zealand adventure begins.

Our drive from the airport will include a scenic City sighseeing Tour

Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand situated on the edge of the Canterbury Plains and the second largest in the country. It is also known as the “Garden City” due to its well-planned expansive parks and public gardens such as Hagley Park and the Botanic Garden both with stunning displays of native and exotic trees, flowers and plants. It also has a distinct English flavour which can be experienced by walking along the gently winding Avon River.

This evening, as we are in the Garden City, our dinner is a 3 course Flower Dinner (don’t worry, it just takes its name from some flower/herb decorations that are used).

We depart for Dunedin, travelling from Christchurch along a scenic drive to Oamaru - the Whiestone city, where we visit the Victorian quarter. Our journey continues on, stopping at Moeraki boulders and arriving late afternoon at Dunedin

Dunedin - often called the "Edinburgh of the South", Dunedin was settled by the Scottish settlers that came to New Zealand. It is a city of spires, of towers, gables and roofs with turrets, and gracious, generally stone, buildings. Dunedin is also home to the Albatross and Penguin colonies plus many species of New Zealand wildlife.

Our day begins with a Dunedin City Sightseeing Tour, we see the Octagon, Otago University, the iconic Railway Station and Baldwin Street.

We then take a drive out to the Royal Albatross Centre. A unique, not to be missed chance to visit the world’s only mainland breeding colony of magnificent Royal Albatross. Witness the fascinating social and family life of the breeding colony and have the chance to be awed by the soaring three metre wingspan of the birds flying above. Visitors enjoy intimate insights into the amazing world of the Royal Albatross. Includes fully guided tour, short film, information on albatross breeding life cycle and colony viewing from our exclusive observatory.

Next up is the Little Blue Penguin Tour, located close to the albatross centre at the end of the Peninsula. We continue to learn about the unique wildlife of this area.

Our day concludes with a visit to Larnach Castle, including entry (the tour includes a headset for the audio). Experience New Zealand's only Castle through a visually stunning presentation and discover the history that surrounds the Castle and its Gardens. Delve into the past and visualise life in the Castle when it was the Larnach family residence. Entry to the gardens is also included.

Travel through lush green pastures, crossing sheep-filled farming land. New Zealand is internationally known for its sheep farming, and these are sights many visitors to this country recognise as typically ‘New Zealand’. You are sure to find the perfect sheep photo here! As your journey continues, the rolling, grassy hills once again turn back into heavily forested, rugged mountains, and you meander your way up into the Fiordland National Park to the South Island’s biggest lake and the town of Te Anau. 

It is then time for some fun, via Fiordland Jet. After arriving and getting kitted outm we take a short ride (7 min) through Southland farms to the Queen’s Reach boat ramp.

The jet boat travels down the Upper Waiau River with lush beech forest on either side and staggering mountain peaks in every direction. The guide will make stops along the river to talk about the area and its rich history – and also provide plenty of iconic 360 degree spins! Stops will include spots to look for Rainbow and Brown Trout in the crystal-clear waters and three film locations featured in Lord of the Rings.

The mouth of the river opens onto Lake Manapouri – named NZ’s most beautiful lake - and provides one of the most impressive views in Fiordland – if not all of NZ. Here guests have the unique opportunity to experience solitude and silence as the guide turns off the engine. As guests look towards Leaning Peak – the entrance to Doubtful Sound - , the guide will discuss the vast array of conservation efforts to ‘save our birds’ and how Fiordland Jet and guests contribute to such efforts. Highlights include Pomona Island – one of 33 islands located on Lake Manapouri - that is also predator free. Surrounded by towering mountains, this place is one not to missed and our Fiordland Jet boat is almost always the only powered craft for miles.

The guide will then take the boat ashore so guests can disembark and step foot into Fiordland National Park to explore the native bush. You will learn about the local flora and fauna from our knowledgeable guides up close, all while breathing in the ancient beech forest in one of the largest protected areas in the world.

After the short nature walk, board the boat to head back up the river to the boat ramp as their driver adds in more spins and commentary to make the most of our motto – FUN IS GOOD!

Te Anau - the focal point of the Fiordland National Park, the country's most rugged and remote. Lake Te Anau sprawls at the feet of high rugged mountains with its South, Middle and North fiords probing into the ranges. The Lake, New Zealand's second largest, is 417 metres deep.

Optional Service (additional Cost)

Te Anau - Glowworm Caves:
Cruise across beautiful Lake Te Anau, to the Cavern House. On arrival, learn about the caves and view fascinating displays. Your guides will then take you in small groups by path and small boats underground into the caves. Highlights include incredible limestone caverns, whirlpools, waterfalls and the magical glow-worm grotto. Return to Te Anau. (Not suitable for wheelchair passengers or for heeled shoes. Steps are involved).

Today is one of those days where you want to have your camera battery charged and ready to go. After leaving Te Anau, you will journey through the Fiordland National Park and out to Milford Sound on one of the most scenic roads you could hope for. Travel through native rainforests, beech forests, alluvial flats and meadows. You will stop at Mirror Lakes where, as the names suggests, you can see the stunning mountain scenery perfectly reflected in the waters of the lakes. Then on to the Homer Tunnel, man's attempt to master the sheer rocky ranges, still left rough-hewn around the edges. As you emerge out the other side of the tunnel, you are presented with one of the world's most dramatic alpine drives, down through the Cleddau Valley. You will have a stop at the Chasm, where the roaring Cleddau River has carved its way through solid rock, and then it's on to Milford Sound, where you will cruise the waters of this natural wonder. Your cruise meanders down the sound, taking in the Bowen and Stirling Falls as they plummet from glacier hanging valleys sharply into the sea, and the sheer pinnacle of Mitre Peak, rising from the deep waters of the fiord. From the spectacular scenes of Milford Sound, you will travel on to the beautiful sights of Queenstown.

No other Milford Sound experience takes you further. Explore the natural world of the fiord and get closer to one of the most dramatic places on earth. The only experience in Milford Sound that includes a visit to the underwater observatory.  Includes Fresh Picnic Lunch.

Afterwards, we drive on to Queenstown and our next stop.

Queenstown - is the South Island's most popular resort, set alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu, under the gaze of the Remarkables Ranges. See the contrast of smooth glacier rounded hills, and jagged mountain summits that reach high above the ancient ice floor. The town is renowned for its jet boating, bungy-jumping, skiing and awe-inspiring scenery. Local story has it, that the gold prospectors of the 19th century pronounced the town as "fit for any Queen", and so she was called Queenstown.

Queenstown city sightseeing Highlights: Arrowtown, View Bungy Jumping, and Lake Wakatipu

Tonights dinner includes a return scenic cruise from Queenstown Bay across stunning Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw, a farm tour and a delicious gourmet BBQ dinner.

A dining experience that's unlike any other in Queenstown, guests disembark from their cruise at Walter Peak where they are escorted through the lakeside gardens to the recently refurbished Colonel's Homestead and seated for dinner. Relax in the unique ambiance in front of a roaring open fire and soak in the views from this stunning lakeside setting while chefs prepare a gourmet BBQ on the outdoor grill. Enjoy a selection of succulent New Zealand meat and seafood accompanied by delectable seasonal salads, tasty dessert treats and local cheeses. All meat and seafood is cooked on the outdoor BBQ and rotisserie in front of guests and served immediately. A locally influenced wine list and other beverages are available for purchase from the bar. After your meal, guests join an entertaining farm experience which gives guests an insight into the life on a New Zealand high country including a sheep shearing demonstration. The night cruise home is magical. Join in the camaraderie of a sing-a-long with the ship's pianist on the return journey.

The day is at leisure, until your transfer to Queenstown Airport for your onward/return flight (not included)