South Island Six Day Southern Heritage Tour

Experience a six day independent coach tour of the scenic South Island of New Zealand. Travel by coach from Christchurch to Mount Cook and Queenstown and across to the city of Dunedin, before returning to Christchurch. Visit the Mount Cook National Park, enjoy a scenic cruise on majestic Milford Sound and experience the Taieri Gorge train.

Schedule Details Departs:

Daily

Unavailable Dates:

• December 25 (Christmas Day)
• December 31 (New Years Eve)

Departure Point: Tour departs from the Copthorne Central Hotel, 776 Colombo Street, Christchurch, or from selected Christchurch hotels Departure Time: 7:15am, hotel pick ups start prior to this time Return details: Tour concludes at original point of departure in the late afternoon on Day 6 Hotel Pickup:

Hotel pick up is available from all centrally located Christchurch hotels (below). Please advise your full hotel name and address at time of booking. If you are not staying at one of the hotels listed - the tour operator will advise the most convenient pick up location upon reconfirming your booking 24 hours prior to travel. Contact details provided on confirmation voucher.

Camelot Cathedral Hotel, Carlton Mill Lodge, Chateau Blanc, Chateau on the Park, Commodore Hotel, Copthorne Central, Copthorne Durham, Cotswold Hotel, Crowne Plaza, Fino Casementi, Garden Hotel, Heritage Hotel, Holiday Inn on Avon, Holiday Inn City Centre, Hotel Grand Chancellor, Kingsgate, Millennium Hotel, Pacific Park Hotel, Pavillions Hotel, Russley Hotel, Rydges Hotel, Stonehurst, Sudima Grand Chancellor, The Elms Hotel, The George Hotel, The Manor House, The Orari, The Poplars, The Towers, The Windsor Hotel and YHA Central.

Itinerary: Day 1: Christchurch / Mt Cook / Queenstown
Travel through the rich pastoral farm land of the Canterbury Plains and the ever-changing spectacular scenery of the foothills of the Southern Alps. Continue traveling across Burkes Pass before descending to the stunning glacial fed Lake Tekapo and visiting the Church of the Good Shepherd which stands on the foreshore. From here you travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to arrive at Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. Stop at Mt Cook for lunch (additional at own expense) where you will be mesmerized by the surroundings of this truly unique region. Cross the Lindis Pass, leaving the MacKenzie Country and travel along the Kawerau Gorge before arriving in Queenstown.

Overnight Accommodation: Aspen on Queenstown (or similar).

Day 2: Milford Sound Day Excursion
Travel along the edge of Lake Wakatipu beneath the rugged Remarkables to Te Anau, the 'Gateway to Fiordland National Park'. On entering the Fiordland National Park you pass through the Eglinton Valley. See ancient beech forest, stunning waterfalls and the famous Mirror Lakes where you will pause for a photo stop. Continue through the upper Hollyford Valley, past the stunning Christie Falls and enter the 1.2 km Homer Tunnel, drilled through the solid rock of a mountain. On exiting the Homer Tunnel prepare for the breathtaking impact of the Cleddau Valley and the descent into Milford Sound. On arrival, take an unforgettable cruise on the majestic Milford Sound where you will see the wonders of Mitre Peak and rock walls scarred by glaciers which rise to 1200m vertically from the sea. Then reboard the coach for the return journey to Queenstown. Optional lunches onboard the cruise are available.

Overnight Accommodation: Aspen on Queenstown (or similar).

Day 3: At Queenstown
Enjoy a free day in Queenstown.

Overnight Accommodation: Aspen on Queenstown (or similar).

Day 4: Queenstown / Dunedin
Board the coach for the drive to Pukerangi, where you will transfer to the Taieri Gorge train. View Otago's unspoiled landscape as this journey takes you into rugged pioneering terrain with sightseeing stops along the way. Arrive into Dunedin this afternoon.

Overnight Accommodation: Skyline Leisure Lodge (or similar).

Day 5: Dunedin
This morning is at leisure in Dunedin. Take the opportunity to visit the historic Olveston House, a guided tour of Larnach Castle or a stroll around Glenfalloch Gardens. This afternoon you will be taken on a tour of the Otago Peninsula including the renowned Royal Albatross Colony (seasonal due to Albatross breeding).

Overnight Accommodation: Skyline Leisure Lodge (or similar).

Day 5: Dunedin / Christchurch
Further time at leisure this morning to enjoy the historic sights of Dunedin. Perhaps a visit to the art gallery or some last minute shopping, before returning to Christchurch by either coach or train.

Additional Information