Southern Experience

Enjoy New Zealand’s south Island on AAT King’s 9 day Southern Experience, see Christchurch, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Queenstown & other sightseeing highlights

Tour code ZCR
9 days
Priced from A$2390
Premium Escorted
Departs from & returns to Christchurch

Highlights

SPECTACULAR SIGHTSEEING EXPERIENCES

• EXCLUSIVE! Experience the Scottish heritage of Dunedin at Larnach Castle
• EXCLUSIVE! Discover the sights of Christchurch on the Christchurch Tram
• Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd
• View mighty Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak
• Cruise on the spectacular Milford Sound
• Enjoy a day at leisure in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital
• See Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak
• View magnificent Franz Josef Glacier
• Cruise on the T.S.S. Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station
• See the Pancake Rocks and blowholes at Punakaiki
• Discover the beauty of the Southern Alps on-board the TranzAlpine train

FIRST CLASS HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS

Transportation

• Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, reclining seats, seat belts and large panoramic windows

Professionally Escorted

• Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director and Tour Driver

Dining Inclusions

• Full Buffet Breakfasts (8) (B)
• Exciting Highlight Dinner (1) (HD)
• Hotel Dinners (5) YOUR CHOICE

Accommodation

• Twin share rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels

Plus

• Welcome drink
• All purpose travel bag and map
• Airport transfers (Day 1 Christchurch Airport to hotel – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm; Day 9 to Christchurch Airport – flights anytime)
• Hotel porterage included

Itinerary

Day 1 Sun: Arrive Christchurch

On arrival at the hotel the remainder of your day is at leisure to explore Christchurch. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions.
Accommodation: The Heritage Hotel, Christchurch.

Day 2 Mon: Mt. Cook

Discover the sights of Christchurch this morning on the Christchurch Tram. Enjoy views of the colourful patchwork plains, then visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and see the Church of the Good Shepherd. We also take in the scenery of Mt. Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest mountain and you have the chance to take a spectacular optional scenic flight (weather permitting).
Accommodation: MacKenzie Country Inn – Deluxe Rooms, Twizel. (B)

Day 3 Tue: Dunedin

See the pretty Oamaru region today, before journeying on to Dunedin. This afternoon is free for you to explore this charming town founded by Scottish settlers. Perhaps visit Cadbury World or take an optional Albatross & Yellow Eyed Penguin cruise.
Accommodation: Southern Cross Hotel, Dunedin. (B)

Day 4 Wed: Dunedin – Te Anau

This morning enjoy a guided tour of Larnach Castle, followed by the highlights of Dunedin on a sightseeing tour. This afternoon we travel over the rolling grass plains of Southland, famous for sheep and deer farming. This evening stay in pretty Te Anau, located on the shores of glorious Lake Te Anau. Tonight there is an opportunity to view the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.
Accommodation: Village Inn, Te Anau. (B)

Day 5 Thu: Milford Sound

Experience the magnificent alpine scenery of Fiordland today. We drive through the mile long hand hewn Homer Tunnel and see The Chasm. Later, we discover spectacular Milford Sound on a memorable cruise. See Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. This afternoon continue to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand.
Why not experience the Kiwi Haka and Dinner tonight? Ride the Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak with stunning views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner.Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. (B)

Day 6 Fri: Queenstown

Explore Queenstown at your leisure today. You could enjoy an exhilarating jet boat ride, white water rafting or a relaxing garden or wine tour. Tonight board the historic steamship T.S.S. Earnslaw for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu. Explore the T.S.S. Earnslaw while enjoying the alpine scenery of Queenstown. Watch the engineers maintain the vessel, enjoy a relaxing drink on the deck or join in the sing-a-long on board. At Walter Peak Station enjoy some kiwi hospitality, a scrumptious carvery dinner in the Colonel’s Homestead followed by an entertaining sheep dog demonstration before re-boarding the T.S.S. Earnslaw for our return cruise. (B) (HD)

Day 7 Sat: Franz Josef

Colourful Arrowtown is our first stop today to discover the rich gold mining history and browse through the delightful shops. See the Kawarau Gorge before stopping in Cromwell for the opportunity to taste fresh stone fruit. Later pass Lake Dunstan, New Zealand’s largest man made lake before viewing Lakes Hawea and Wanaka. Travel over the Haast Pass to the West Coast. View the mighty Thunder Creek Falls and take a short bush walk. Enjoy the scenery of the towering mountains and the sparkling Tasman Sea along the coastal road to Franz Josef.
Accommodation: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, Franz Josef. (B)

Day 8 Sun: Punakaiki – TranzAlpine

Discover the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier. This morning you will have the opportunity to enjoy an optional scenic flight (weather permitting) over Franz Josef and Mt Cook. Next we visit Hokitika where you can see beautiful native greenstone (jade) jewellery and artefacts. Travel past Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast then view the fascinating Pancake Rocks and blowholes at Punakaiki. Later we enjoy the alpine scenery as we climb over Arthur’s Pass. At the Arthur’s Pass Village, we board the TranzAlpine train for a spectacular journey over the Southern Alps. From our carriage we enjoy views of lush beech rainforest before descending over spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. We travel through sixteen tunnels and five viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing 73 metres. Later travel over the Canterbury Plains into the South island’s largest city, Christchurch. Accommodation: The Heritage Hotel, Christchurch. (B)

Day 9 Mon: Depart Christchurch

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

Tour Dates & Prices

* = Guaranteed Departure