11 Day Ultimate South Island SOLO Travellers

Starting From NZD $7,736
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We Tour NZ > Tours > 11 Day Ultimate South Island SOLO Travellers

No travel partner? No worries. Experience the best of New Zealand on a coach tour designed for those who travel SOLO, but want the convenience, company and value of travelling in a group.  Tour with a maximum of 20 travellers in 20 Business Class seats on a full-size coach.

Tour Highlights

  • International Antarctic Centre
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
  • Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
  • Larnach Castle
  • 2 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Intimate Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Christchurch
  • 1 Ultimate High Tea: Larnach Castle

 

Tour Itinerary

(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner

1
Arrive Christchurch (D)
Day 1
Arrive Christchurch (D)
On arrival into Christchurch you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.
Sudima Hotel Christchurch City
A boutique hotel located right in the cafe, restaurant and bar precinct of Christchurch
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2
Christchurch (B)
Day 2
Christchurch (B)
This morning visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. Feel the chill of the Antarctic storm room, take a ride on the Hagglund all-terrain vehicle, see the little blue penguins and be astonished within the immersive 4D theatre. This is followed by a city tour of Christchurch. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure to explore further.
Sudima Hotel Christchurch City
A boutique hotel located right in the cafe, restaurant and bar precinct of Christchurch
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3
Christchurch - Arthur's Pass - Franz Josef (B, D)
Day 3
Christchurch - Arthur's Pass - Franz Josef (B, D)
This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your Ultimate Coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing to the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Te Waonui Forest Retreat
A great example of sustainable accommodation in Franz Josef and near to the glacier and natural wonders of this region.
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4
Franz Josef - Queenstown
Day 4
Franz Josef - Queenstown
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is at leisure, you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Heritage Hotel Queenstown
An elevated setting, overlooking Lake Wakatipu and a short drive from the town centre.
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5
Queenstown Free Day (B, SD)
Day 5
Queenstown Free Day (B, SD)
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon or to get up close to a Kiwi bird. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.
Heritage Hotel Queenstown
An elevated setting, overlooking Lake Wakatipu and a short drive from the town centre.
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6
Queenstown - Te Anau (B, D)
Day 6
Queenstown - Te Anau (B, D)
Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. This innovative museum is heavily involved in the protection of the historic buildings scattered around town. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Distinction Hotel Te Anau Hotel & Villas
Located on the Te Anau lake front, a short stroll from the Te Anau town centre.
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7
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau (B, L, D)
Day 7
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau (B, L, D)
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a nature cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).
Distinction Hotel Te Anau Hotel & Villas
Located on the Te Anau lake front, a short stroll from the Te Anau town centre.
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8
Te Anau - Dunedin (B, D)
Day 8
Te Anau - Dunedin (B, D)
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ and enjoy a city tour. Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance and a delicious Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom.
Distinction Dunedin Hotel
In the centre of the city, a 1937 building transformed into an elegant hotel.
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9
Dunedin - Mount Cook (B, D)
Day 9
Dunedin - Mount Cook (B, D)
Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak.
The Hermitage Hotel
A unique and breathtaking location right in the heart of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
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10
Mount Cook - Christchurch (B, SD)
Day 10
Mount Cook - Christchurch (B, SD)
This morning marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving into Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new found friends.
Sudima Hotel Christchurch City
A boutique hotel located right in the cafe, restaurant and bar precinct of Christchurch
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11
Depart Christchurch (B)
Day 11
Depart Christchurch (B)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

Inclusions

Attractions Included

  • International Antarctic Centre
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
  • Lakes District Museum
  • Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
  • Larnach Castle*
  • City sights tour of Christchurch and Dunedin
    *Guided tour.

Coach Features

  • 20 Business Class seats on a full-size coach
  • 2 door access; dedicated seat side storage with tray table; cup holder
  • Restroom; daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance

Experiences Included

  • Professional Coach Captain
  • Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • 10 nights 4.5 star accommodation
  • 3 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 1 rail journey
  • 2 cruises
  • All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
  • Extensive Optional Tours Programme
  • Deluxe Documentation Pack

Meals Included

  • 10 cooked breakfasts
  • 8 sumptuous dinners including Complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 2 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Intimate Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Christchurch
  • 1 picnic lunch: Milford Sound Nature Cruise
  • 1 Ultimate High Tea: Larnach Castle
  • Enjoy GPT Wine Time (discounted drinks)
    Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.

 

Visited Locations

  • Christchurch
    Christchurch is an fascinating city to explore. It was once a historic garden city. Since the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes it has turned into a fascinating city of regeneration and growth.
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  • Arthur’s Pass
    A small alpine village of Arthur's Pass is located between Canterbury and the West Coast of the South Island. Climbing to more than 900 metres through Arthur's Pass National Park, it is the highest and most spectacular pass across the Southern Alps.
    Read more
  • Franz Josef
    Franz Josef is the name of both the glacier and the nearby village. The small but lively Franz Josef Waiau village is surrounded by lush rainforest with the high snow-capped Alps rising above it.
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  • Queenstown
    Queenstown is a stunning resort town, renowned for its beauty and wealth of adventure activities, it sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps mountains, Queenstown is also a base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns.
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  • Te Anau
    A two hour drive from Queenstown, Te Anau is a Southland town. A pretty lakeside town, it’s known as a gateway to Fiordland National Park.
    Read more
  • Milford Sound
    Famously described by Rudyard Kipling as the "eighth wonder of the world", Milford Sound is a stunning fiord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island.
    Read more
  • Dunedin
    Known as the 'Edinburgh of the South', Dunedin is a city that wears its Scottish heritage with pride. The small city boasts some eye-catching architecture and is one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere.
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  • Aoraki Mount Cook
    Aoraki / Mount Cook, standing at 3,724 metres, is the highest mountain in New Zealand. It is  located within Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
    Read more

Attractions

  • City sights tour of Christchurch and Dunedin
  • International Antarctic Centre
    The International Antarctic Centre transports a slice of this astounding continent to Christchurch. A range of immersive experiences allow everyday visitors to see, touch, feel and fall in love with Antarctica.
    Read more
  • Tranzalpine Rail Journey
    Enjoy a very special view of the South Island’s striking natural landscape. Take the Tranz Alpine train between Christchurch and Greymouth. See epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, traverse the Southern Alps, and see miles of native beech forest.
    Read more
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
    The TSS Earnslaw offers one of the best ways to see Queenstown’s surrounding landscape. Cruise across Lake Whakatipu aboard the iconic century-old coal-fired steamship taking in the views at a leisurely pace.
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  • Lakes District Museum
    Arrowtown's Lakes District Museum was established in 1948 as a Centennial of Otago project. Appropriately set in the former gold mining town, the museum started life in the billiard rooms of the Ballarat Hotel. It then shifted to the current home, the former Bank of New Zealand building, in 1955.
    Read more
  • Milford Sound Cruise & Lunch
    Cruise Milford Sound, the most well-known and accessible of all the fiords in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area. Its 16 kilometre (14 nautical miles) length is lined by sheer rock faces that soar 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) or more from the water. 
    Read more
  • Larnach Castle
    Situated on the picturesque Otago Peninsula, a short distance from Dunedin, Larnach Castle is one of New Zealand’s premier visitor attractions. It took more than 200 workmen three years to build the Castle shell. Then master European craftsmen spent a further 12 years embellishing the interior.
    Read more

Available Dates

Dates Price per person
Available
21 Sep 2025 - 01 Oct 2025 Guaranteed Departure
$ 8409.00 - $ 11149.00
$ 7736.00 - $ 10257.00
Available
07 Jan 2026 - 17 Jan 2026 Guaranteed Departure
$ 8659.00 - $ 11399.00
$ 7966.00 - $ 10487.00
11 Day Ultimate South Island SOLO Travellers
Days
11
Price from
NZD $7,736 per person twin share
Save up to NZ$500 per person twin share on selected departures!