On this Classic Escorted Group tour, travel on a 48 seat coach with a professional Coach Captain and Tour leader. This tour departs from Wellington and tours through the spectacularly scenic South Island of New Zealand, including a visit to the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow finishing in Christchurch. We take care of it all leaving you to get on with creating incredible holiday memories.
(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner
The James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor presents an engaging selection of rooms, thoughtful amenities and gracious hospitality from the heart of Wellington’s city centre. Featuring two restaurants and bars, conference facilities, parking, and free Wi-Fi.
The Scenic Hotel Marlborough brings a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to Blenheim – the heart of Marlborough Wine Country and its world-famous Sauvignon Blancs. Located in the heart of sunny Marlborough, this hotel is just minutes walk from the centre of Blenheim with some of New Zealand’s finest food and wine virtually on your doorstep. Each well-appointed guest room features individually controlled air-conditioning, 42-inch LCD television, desk area with fully integrated media hub, subtle mood lighting and kiwi-made wool and down bedding. Hotel facilities include a hot tub and sauna complex, outdoor solar heated swimming pool (Oct – May).
The renovated Distinction Christchurch Hotel combines sophisticated smarts and familiar warmth whilst standing proud amongst the buzz of the rejuvenation of Cathedral Square. Ideally positioned in the heart of the city only a few minutes’ walk from the Avon River, Botanical Gardens, Christchurch Casino, Cashel Mall and future Christchurch Convention Centre. The hotel offers air-conditioned hotel rooms out-fitted with the latest technology including large, flat screen Smart TVs. The stylish Gumption Restaurant & Bar is the perfect place to enjoy drinks and delicious cuisine with friends or colleagues. There is complimentary high speed WiFi and complimentary access to a new air-conditioned gym on level 3 of the hotel is also available to hotel guests.
Located in Franz Josef, this eco-designed retreat provides an outstanding experience that is close to nature but far from ordinary. Nestled amongst native rainforest the Te Waonui Forest Retreat is the ideal place to reconnect with nature and the dramatic surroundings. This property is a great example of sustainable accommodation. The hotel’s four wings join together to enclose an area of native rainforest that was carefully preserved during construction, and is so dense that you can’t see the opposite wing, ensuring a sense of privacy. A truly unique experience.
Millennium Hotel Queenstown is just minutes from Queenstown central shopping, entertainment and outdoor activities. The property features a business centre, gym and boasts contemporary city-inspired design. Most rooms offer scenic views of Queenstown city and mountains, providing the perfect backdrop to your trip.
Conveniently located in the heart of Te Anau’s town shopping centre, a short stroll from Lake Te Anau, the Distinction Luxmore offers 2 on-site restaurants. Enjoy views of the township looking towards Lake Te Anau from Hilights Restaurant which is known for its excellent breakfasts and delicious carvery buffet dinners. Bailiez’s legendary café style menu and bar is popular among Te Anau locals and a great choice for relaxing after exploring Fiordland.
Ascot Park Hotel is located about 5 km from the city centre and a free shuttle service is provided into the town centre. There is an on-site bar, a restaurant and room service. This property has a spa pool, sauna and a heated indoor swimming pool.
All rooms include a TV as well as free Wi-Fi. For dining there is a restaurant that serves gourmet cuisine, and also a bar that offers a range of beer and wine. There is also a more relaxed second bar which has a large TV screen for sporting events.
Located in the heart of Dunedin, this hotel has been extensively refurbished and boasts a modern style and provides stylish inner city accommodation, giving the convenience of having entertainment, shopping and restaurants close at hand. Just a short walk from the Octagon, railway station, theatres, shops, and close to Otago university, it is the perfect location from which to explore Dunedin. Dating back to 1883, this landmark building now blends Dunedin’s distinctive charm and heritage with modern styles and comforts.
Sudima Christchurch Airport is just five minutes from the airport terminals and next door to the International Antarctic Centre. The property is well equipped to make your stay comfortable, facilities include an in-house restaurant and bar, a gym, conference rooms, high-speed internet and a shuttle that runs 24/7.
Wellington is New Zealand’s capital city and the location of our parliament. Located at the bottom of the North Island it sits on the Cook Strait, which divides the North and South Islands. Strong winds through the Cook Strait give it the nickname “Windy Wellington”.
It is a vibrant and compact city, with a beautiful waterfront promenade, sandy beaches, a working harbour and some lovely turn of the century, timber houses on the steep hills it features. From Lambton Quay, the iconic red Wellington Cable Car heads to the Wellington Botanic Gardens.
Wellington is home to New Zealand’s National Museum, Te Papa, and bespoke art and creative pursuits thrive in this city. Couple this with a strong café and restaurant culture and you have an interesting and unique little city to explore.
Right in the heart of the Marlborough Sounds you will find Picton. This picturesque port town is home to great cafés, restaurants, galleries and specialty shops. It is the heart of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.
The town is built around a very sheltered harbour, full of moored yachts. The attractive seafront is dotted with cafés, restaurants, various types of galleries and a pleasant place to wander.
There’s a floating maritime museum and an aquarium. The Marlborough Sounds offer cruising, fishing, dolphin watching, sea kayaking or mountain biking. And the iconic Queen Charlotte Track, running almost the length of the Queen Charlotte Sound, is a must-do for keen hikers.
Picton is also the South Island port for the Bluebridge and Interislander ferries that link the main islands of New Zealand.
Blenheim sits in the heart of the wine-growing Marlborough region. It is known as one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand. Mountains frame the area and trap the summer heat (temperatures over 30°C are quite normal in February and March).
Rows of vines thrive in this environment and produce the majority of New Zealand’s famous Sauvignon Blanc.
In and around Blenheim you’ll find an array of cafes, restaurants, wineries, bars, shops, artisan food outlets and golf courses along with popular walkways along the Taylor River Reserve.
Aircraft enthusiast are in for a treat. A 10 minute drive from the railway station and you will be outside enormous airport hangers, about to enter a world of flight and excitement. Omaka Aviation Heritage is home to Peter Jackson’s personal collection of WW1 planes and memorabilia.
There are few places on earth like Kaikōura. A small coastal village, with a relaxed beachside vibe, it has some stunning views of both mountains and sea. And it offers to enjoy the bounty of the sea whether eating local kai moana or encountering local sale sea life off the coast.
The nearby Seaward Kaikōura Mountains, a towering snow-clad mountain range, provide a stunning backdrop over the town centre. Meanwhile, the town extends out to the Kaikōura Peninsula, where the waves of the Pacific Ocean roll in.
These mountains rise to heights of 2600m. And the undersea canyon that comes to meet them, plunges to depths of over 1200m very close to shore. These two factors alone make Kaikōura unique.
Stand on top of a snow-capped mountain in the morning. Whale watch or dolphin / seal swim in the afternoon. Then take in a gorgeous sunset while feasting upon fresh seafood beside the sea.
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.
The central city is filled with cutting-edge architecture alongside some of the oldest buildings in New Zealand. But Christchurch is constantly evolving, always giving locals and visitors something new to explore. Expect street art and innovative projects, a bustling hospitality scene and established green spaces.
The Avon River runs through the city, bringing a natural landscape to the urban environment. Cruise along the picturesque river on a flat bottomed punt. Take a ride on a historic tram through the city. With wonderful parks and botanic gardens to explore Christchurch is a great place to visit.
The 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.
The road and rail tracks through this challenging environment are pieces of extreme engineering involving viaducts, bridges, rock shelters and waterfalls redirected into chutes. This is also the route of the famous Tranz Alpine Train journey.
Arthur’s Pass National Park itself is a landscape of two halves. Climbing the eastern side of the alps from Christchurch you’ll see wide, shingle-filled riverbeds and vast swathes of beech forest. Then, as you descend the western side, you’ll pass through dense rainforest alongside and over deeply gorged rivers.
Visitors should look out for New Zealand’s inquisitive and comical alpine parrot, the kea, along the way. This is a rugged and beautiful part of New Zealand.
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.
There are many ways to take in the natural attractions within a short distance of the village. Your options include a cycleway, walks of varying lengths, guided walks, kayaking, and action adventures like rafting or skydiving. You can also visit the white heron colony or see the world’s rarest kiwi.
A short distance from neighbouring Fox Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier is one of the steepest glaciers in New Zealand. It descends from its origins high in the Southern Alps deep into the lush native rainforest of Westland’s National Park.
The glacier moves faster than your average glacier so no two days are the same. The main ice fall moves an average of 50cm per day, but steep sections can move as much as 10 metres in a single day. This creates some truly incredible features in the glacier such as ice caves, tunnels, seracs and crevasses; and all features are constantly changing and evolving.
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.
Iconic adventure activities include bungee jumping off Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge and jet-boating on the Shotover and Dart rivers. And in winter, there’s skiing on the slopes of The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Cardrona ski resorts.
Queenstown is a hub of adventure, thrumming with adrenaline and an buzzing with a carefree sense of fun. But extreme activities aren’t the only options here. This world-famous resort town and its surrounding area boast many things to see, do, eat, drink and explore. Something for everyone at any time of year.
Wanaka is a lively resort town surrounded by some stunning alpine scenery. It offers a picture-perfect location and easy access to the outdoors. The town has the buzz of a genuine alpine town and is the ultimate hub for outdoor adventures.
With Mount Aspiring National Park close by Wanaka is the perfect destination for exploring the Southern Alps. There are an abundance of activities on offer. Sky dive. Take a scenic flight. Go canyoning. Do some climbing or mountaineering. Or hike or bike on the hundreds of kilometres of local tracks offering iconic South Island views.
In summer, the crystal-clear water of the lakes and rivers are ideal for kayaking, fishing, lake cruises and jet-boating. And, in winter, Wanaka is a vibrant centre for skiers and snowboarders with four ski areas just a short drive from the town.
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.
Te Anau offers great views of the lake and mountains beyond and a good range of cafes and restaurants. The awe-inspiring natural beauty of the park’s wilderness, including Milford and Doubtful Sounds is within easy reach.
The region is home to many of NZ’s Great Walks, endangered flightless takahē birds and abundant trout in Lake Te Anau. Te Anau Caves feature a limestone grotto of glowworms and an underground waterfall. To the southwest, the Kepler Track winds through beech forests, glacial valleys and mountains.
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.
The “sound” was carved out by glaciers during the ice age like all modern fiords. But it’s majesty and the drama of its surrounding mountains is hard to match. It is known for the towering Mitre Peak, plus rainforests and waterfalls like Stirling and Bowen falls, which plummet down its sheer sides.
When it rains in Milford Sound — and it often does — those waterfalls multiply with magnificent effect. Whatever the weather it really is a breath-taking sight.
Boat tours are a popular way to explore the inky waters of this pristine natural wonder. The fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins. Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory offers views of rare black coral and other marine life.
Invercargill is a city near the southern tip of Aotearoa’s South Island. The Southland Region’s “Capital”, it is New Zealand’s southernmost city and was founded in the 1850s.
Invercargill is well-equipped for visitors with an excellent range of shops and a selection of lively bars and restaurants. Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco heritage buildings give the city a charming old-world character.
An array of coastal landscapes for visitors to explore is just minutes from the city centre. Experience the long coastal highway of Oreti Beach. Discover the natural wonders of Waituna Wetlands and Omaui. Or explore the boardwalk on the estuary and heritage wharfs.
It may appear Invercargill is obsessed with anything with wheels. The SIT Zero Fees Velodrome will interest bike enthusiasts. Anyone interested in transport history will enjoy the world class vintage truck collection at Bill Richardson Transport World. Meanwhile, motorbike fans can celebrate Invercargill’s motorcycle history at Classic Motorcycle Mecca and learn about the legend of speed, Burt Munro, at E Hayes Motorworks.
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.
A gaelic language namesake of ‘Edinburgh’, Dunedin sits at the end of a long picturesque harbour surrounded by dramatic hills. There is so much to see and do here. Stroll through the city and its heritage buildings. Visit intriguing museums and historic homes like Olveston. Experience the rare wildlife found in the spectacular landscapes that surround the city.
The nearby Otago Peninsula offers endless views and beautifully rugged beaches. Nestled at the foot of Taiaroa Head is the Royal Albatross Centre — the only place in the world on the mainland where you can view Northern Royal Albatross in their natural habitat.
You will also find other wildlife including colonies of the world’s rarest penguin on the Peninsula. On the beaches, you will find fur seals and sea lions just lazing around and enjoying their natural habitat.
Dunedin’s heritage even extends to a real castle, high on the hills of the Otago Peninsula. Larnach Castle is New Zealand’s only castle and a much-loved piece of Dunedin history.
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand’s national museum, located in Wellington. Usually known as Te Papa, it opened in 1998 after the merging of the National Museum of New Zealand and the National Art Gallery.
Rated by Lonely Planet as one of their top 500 places on earth, Te Papa is a museum like no other. This interactive museum is a must-do for any visitor to Wellington. Explore six floors of cutting-edge interactive exhibitions housed in an architectural wonder of a building.
Te Papa’s clever, contemporary and bicultural approach makes it stand out amongst more normal museum experiences. This is a really interesting and interactive experience.
The Interislander is one of The Great Journeys of New Zealand and doubles as a Marlborough Sounds cruise. It is New Zealand’s original Cook Strait ferry, sailing between Wellington and Picton several times a day connecting the North & South Islands’ road and rail networks.
Considered one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world, The Interislander is one of New Zealand’s most iconic travel experiences. The ferry takes around three-and-a-half hours to travel between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island.
From Wellington, your short voyage begins with a tour around Wellington Harbour. You’ll then cross the narrow passage between New Zealand’s two main islands. This passage, The Cook Strait, is named after Captain Cook, the English explorer who first mapped it.
Having crossed Cook Strait, the final stretch of the journey is through the magnificent Marlborough Sounds. This sheltered stretch of water is spectacularly scenic. It’s the reason the trip is known for its scenery. And it is this hour long cruise through the Marlborough Sounds that makes the Interislanderr a must-do experience.
Near Blenheim Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre offers a fascinating insight into the history of war in the air. It features one of the world’s largest private collections of Great War aircraft and artifacts in dramatic displays created by Sir Peter Jackson’s Wingnut Films, with mannequins by Weta Workshop. A second exhibition opened in 2016 and features stories and aircraft from World War II.
The original “Knights of the Sky” exhibition, features Sir Peter’s own collection of WW1 aircraft and artifacts. It tells the story of aviation in the Great War. A story brought to life in sensational sets created by the internationally acclaimed WingNut Films and Weta Workshop.
The second exhibition, “Dangerous Skies”, features stories from World War II. These are tales of daring, valour and tragedy from the British Isles, the forests of Germany, an embattled Russia and the Pacific Islands. Historic scenes and amazing vintage aircraft combine to create an outstanding display that tells a powerful and moving story.
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.
You’ll cross the remarkabley flat Canterbury Plains overlooked by the majestic Southern Alps before eventually crossing the aqua-blue Waimakariri River. Tunnels, viaducts and feats of railway engineering take you across alpine passes where you’ll then travel through lush lake valleys towards the West Coast of the South Island. This iconic train trip is the journey of a lifetime.
The TranzAlpine is acknowledged as one of the world’s great train journeys. The 223 kilometre (139 mile) one-way trip takes just under 5 hours and connects Christchurch and Greymouth on the West Coast via Arthurs Pass through the Southern Alps.
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.
Over the last 60 years, innovative direction has seen the museum recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading small museums. It has a strong hands-on focus. Working displays cover two floors and incorporate three historic buildings. They offer a window into the past — an authentic picture of early Maori life and the harsh lives of European settlers and goldminers.
A short distance from Queenstown, the museum also houses an art gallery, bookshop, archives and research facility and a busy education programme.
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.
Milford Sound is in the heart of a rainforest (annual rainfall is 6,813mm or 268 inches). This creates walls of temporary waterfalls on a wet day. In drier conditions this recedes to just two permanent waterfalls (Lady Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls). Glorious on a fine day, Milford Sound’s ethereal, moody beauty in the rain is equally spectacular.
On your leisurely and informative nature cruise, you’ll see towering cliffs and peaks. The spectacular 1692 metre Mitre Peak — NZ’s most photographed mountain — rises more than a kilometre straight out of the sea. Waterfalls cascade into the fiord. And luxuriant rain forest clings to sheer rock faces in this breath taking place.
The Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre is located in Gore in Southland. It houses mostly aircraft from the 1920s and 30s, including an extensive collection of de Havilland aircraft. And it is unique as most of the aircraft on display actually fly.
This nationally significant museum aims to preserve and celebrate New Zealand’s civil aviation heritage. It tells the stories of pioneer aviators and their equally colourful machines. The Mandeville based Croydon Aircraft Company restored and now maintains many of the aircraft on display.
Bill Richardson’s Transport World is the largest private automotive museum of its type in the world! More than 300 vintage vehicles. Plenty of family fun. And Invercargill café The Grille onsite. This is a great experience for all.
One man’s passion started it all. Entrepreneur Bill Richardson spent decades restoring vintage vehicles. Now, his family has infused his collection with their own interests to create an experience that has become Invercargill’s leading visitor attraction.
With Ford letter cars, 1930s V8s, Volkswagen Kombis, and vintage trucks, including a 1940 Dodge Airflow Texaco tanker, Bill Richardson Transport World is a petrolhead’s heaven. There are also fun areas like the LEGO room, wearable arts, and a movie theatre.
Discover the best of the most iconic classic motorbikes from around the world, in Invercargill’s classic motorcycle museum. Featuring motorbikes from names like Indian, Harley-Davidson, Vincent, John Britten, Brough Superior, BMW and more, this world-class motorcycle collection is guaranteed to wow.
Ride into yesterday and discover the Southern Hemisphere’s leading classic motorcycle collection. Home to more than 300 vintage motorcycles, a visit here is a truly mind-blowing experience for enthusiasts and newbies alike. Housed in two restored historic buildings in the heart of Invercargill, the collection boasts displays of classic British, American, European, and Japanese bikes alongside tributes to motocross and speedway (including legend Ivan Mauger), the collection is also home to the George Begg Bunker: a tribute to a homegrown hero and a golden age in Kiwi motorsport. Discover the largest and most diverse display of classic motorcycles in New Zealand, with motorbikes hailing as far back as 1902.
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.
William Larnach spared no expense on his dream home, which features the finest materials from around the world. Allowed to decay, it has been lovingly restored over decades by the Barker family who purchased it in 1967.
The family has restored the empty buildings from ruin and have assembled a large collection of original New Zealand period furniture and antiques. A living collection that showcases the craftsmanship and spirt of New Zealand.
Visit Larnach Castle to discover its rich history, dating back to 1871. Its interiors are a fascinating insight into Victorian decor. And you’ll enjoy exploring the exquisite gardens, which have attained a Garden of International Significance award from the New Zealand Gardens Trust.
The Air Force Museum of New Zealand had its origins in the RNZAF Historical Centre. Today, the Museum covers 37 hectares of land and spreads across six buildings. It is a world class cultural institution, employing a team of over 30 professional staff, and attracting around 150,000 visitors per year.
It features the “Horizon to Horizon” gallery where you will learn the history of New Zealand’s military aviation. Follow the history through stories, objects, photos, film and some very life-like dioramas.
Established at RNZAF Base Wigram in 1976, this was a small-scale, part-time venture. In 1981 a formal Air Force 0rder established the RNZAF Museum as an official Air Force unit, staffed by uniformed Air Force personnel. Now it is anything but small-scale with approximately 5,000m2 of display area and 14,000m2 of storage and workshop space.
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