Southern Explorer

Enjoy New Zealand’s south Island on AAT King’s 9 day escorted Southern Explorer, see Christchurch, TranzAlpine, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Queenstown & Mt Cook

Tour code ZRC
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
• Discover the beauty of the Southern Alps on-board the TranzAlpine train
• See the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki
• View magnificent Franz Josef Glacier
• Enjoy a day at leisure in Queenstown
• Explore spectacular Milford Sound
• See Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak
• Cruise on the T.S.S. Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station
• View mighty Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak
• Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd
• Travel across the Canterbury Plains

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 Dinners (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 Mon: Arrive Christchurch

On arrival at the hotel the afternoon is free for you to explore the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch at your leisure. This evening enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Accommodation: The Heritage Hotel, Christchurch.

Day 2 Tue: TranzAlpine – Franz Josef

Today enjoy a spectacular journey over the Southern Alps aboard the TranzAlpine train. Visit the fascinating Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki. Next we visit Hokitika where you can see beautiful native greenstone (jade) jewellery and artefacts. We explore amazing Franz Josef Glacier and you also have the opportunity to take a spectacular optional scenic flight over the glacier (weather permitting).
Accommodation: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, Franz Josef. (B)

Day 3 Wed: Franz Josef

Experience picturesque scenery today and see the Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls, Lake Wanaka, Cromwell and Kawarau Gorge. Visit colourful and historic Arrowtown this afternoon, before continuing to Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital. Tonight enjoy an evening at leisure in Queenstown.
Why not experience the Kiwi Haka & 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 4 Thu: Queenstown

Explore Queenstown at your leisure today (ask your Tour Director about optional activities). You could take an exhilarating jet boat ride or go 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 to Walter Peak Station. 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 5 Fri: Milford Sound

Discover the stunning scenery of Fiordland this morning as we travel into Milford Sound. We drive through the Homer Tunnel, a tunnel one mile long and completely hand hewn. Stop briefly at The Chasm and enjoy a short bush walk, before arriving at Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on the waters of this natural wonder, with Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls high above. This evening we overnight in pretty Te Anau, on the shores of glorious Lake Te Anau. Tonight we also have the opportunity to view the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.
Accommodation: Village Inn, Te Anau. (B)

Day 6 Sat: Te Anau – Dunedin

Today we travel through rich fertile South Otago and enjoy time at leisure to explore charming Dunedin, founded by Scottish settlers. Perhaps visit Cadbury World or take an optional Albatross & Yellow Eyed Penguin cruise.
Accommodation: Southern Cross Hotel, Dunedin. (B)

Day 7 Sun: Dunedin – Mt. Cook

Enjoy a guided tour of Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only authentic castle, followed by a sightseeing tour of Dunedin. View Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world, Dunedin’s historic Edwardian Railway Station and The Octagon. Later we journey through Oamaru, famous for its white limestone buildings. Follow the Waitaki River past hydro-electric dams at Aviemore and Waitaki to Twizel, the gateway to Mount Cook National Park.
Accommodation: MacKenzie Country Inn – Deluxe Rooms, Twizel. (B)

Day 8 Mon: Christchurch

See the fantastic scenery of Mt Cook National Park, a world heritage site and home to New Zealand’s highest mountain. Time to take an optional scenic flight over this mighty mountain (weather permitting). Visit the beautiful turquoise Lake Tekapo and see the Church of the Good Shepherd, before travelling over the colourful Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. This afternoon discover the sights of Christchurch on the Christchurch Tram with the opportunity to explore the Canterbury Museum, Botanic Gardens and Christchurch Cathedral.
Accommodation: The Heritage Hotel, Christchurch. (B)

Day 9 Tue: Depart Christchurch

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

Tour Dates & Prices

* = Guaranteed Departure