Visit the scenic South Island of New Zealand on this seven day independent coach tour. Travel by coach and train from Christchurch to the city of Dunedin, then head to Queenstown and up the rugged West Coast before returning to Christchurch. The highlights of this tour include a scenic cruise on majestic Milford Sound, a tour of the Scottish influenced city of Dunedin, viewing the mighty Franz Josef Glacier and enjoying scenic train journeys.

Schedule Details

Departure Dates:

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 the Christchurch Railway Station on Day 7 at 6:40pm

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 / Dunedin
This morning, travel by coach or train for your journey to Dunedin. Head south through the Canterbury Plains and onto Dunedin, which boasts some of the most beautiful architecture in New Zealand.


Overnight Accommodation: Skyline Leisure Lodge (or similar).

Day 2: Dunedin
Board a double decker bus this morning for a one and a half hour tour of Dunedin's historic sights. 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 3: Dunedin / Queenstown
Today, board the Taieri Gorge Train and enjoy the rugged, unspoiled landscape of Otago with the opportunity for sightseeing stops along the way. Experience the breathtaking views of this historic journey to Pukerangi where you will board your coach and continue the journey to Queenstown, adventure capital of New Zealand.

Overnight Accommodation: Aspen on Queenstown (or similar).

Day 4: 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 5: At Queenstown
Enjoy a free day in Queenstown.

Overnight Accommodation: Aspen on Queenstown (or similar).

Day 6: Queenstown / Franz Josef Glacier
Travel along the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea to the Haast Pass, the most stunning highway in New Zealand and gateway to World Heritage Westland National Park. Initially the pass travels through the treeless grasslands of Central Otago, then at the highest point, the majestic peaks of the Southern Alps and the rivers and rainforests of Westland dominate the landscape. Continue to travel up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. The Franz Josef Glacier is 11 kilometers in length and more than 7,000 years old. Its terminal face creaks and arches over the cave from which the river emerges, pale with powdered rock and can advance or retreat at over a meter per day. This living 'river of ice' is a must see for any visitor to New Zealand.

Overnight Accommodation: Franz Josef Hotel (or similar).

Day 7: Franz Josef / Greymouth / Arthur's Pass / Christchurch
Today you continue to travel along the rugged West Coast to Shantytown, a faithful reconstruction of a Westland Gold Rush town. From Shantytown, travel to Greymouth, the center for thousands of diggers during the historic gold strikes of the 1860's. From Greymouth, you journey over the Southern Alps on the world famous Tranzalpine Train, through lush beech forests and past serene lakes, over massive viaducts, through the stunning Waimakariri Gorge and across the fertile farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Additional Information

Inclusions:

• All coach and train transportation with fully guided tour and commentary
• Six nights accommodation, as specified in the itinerary
• Dunedin Peninsula Sightseeing tour
• Royal Albatross Colony admission (seasonal due to Albatross breeding)
• Milford Sound Cruise
• New Zealand's Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Exclusions:

• All meals and beverages not specified in the tour itinerary

Hotel list:

DUNEDIN:
Skyline Leisure Lodge
Duke Street
Dunedin
Telephone: (+64 3) 477-5360
Fax: (+64 3) 477-5460

QUEENSTOWN:
Aspen on Queenstown
139 Fernhill Road
Queenstown
Telephone: (+64 3) 442-7700
Fax: (+64 3) 442-4715

FRANZ JOSEF:
Franz Josef Glacier Hotel
State Highway 6
Franz Josef

Telephone: (+64 3) 752-0729

Fax: (+64 3) 752-0709

Due to operational requirements, Hotel Lists are subject to change by the tour operator without notice.

Additional Info:

• This tour must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of travel.
• Confirmation for this product will be received at time of booking.
• Please note that this tour is an independent tour and you may be traveling with a different driver/guide and group each day.
• Tour is operated in English unless otherwise stated.
• This tour requires a minimum of 2 adults to operate.

Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

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