Visit all the South Island of New Zealand’s iconic spots like Aoraki Mt Cook, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Wanaka & the West Coast Glaciers. This Southern Beauty tour is the ultimate small group South Island 9 day itinerary, with all the world famous spots included in one very special tour itinerary. As well as the stunning South Island scenery, you’ll meet the locals and hear their stories, see our unique native wildlife up close, get out on the water and up in the air, enjoy fresh food & wine, make new friends and at the end of each unforgettable day relax in 4-star comfort.
(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner
The Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki/Mount Cook is an iconic hotel with a rich history spanning over 130 years. Located right in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, the Hermitage is the perfect base to explore the natural wonders of this stunning area, with a variety of accommodation options, a collection of dining establishments & unique activities whilst providing genuine kiwi hospitality.
Scenic Suites Queenstown provides a fantastic central Queenstown location. The hotel’s elevated position gives fantastic views of the Southern Alps and over Lake Wakatipu. It’s hard to go past Scenic Suites Queenstown with its convenience and quality of four-star apartment style accommodation.
Located right on the lakefront in Wanaka and a short drive from the town centre, Edgewater Resort has a beautiful scenic setting. All guest rooms have either an outdoor patio or balcony. Enjoy a tranquil and relaxing stay directly on Wānaka’s lakefront. You can relax by playing tennis or biking or relax on The Terrace and enjoy a drink or meal.
The Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier is close to the edge of one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions. In the heart of Franz Josef village and on the edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier is very close to the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier. The hotel offers everything you need to be able to explore this dramatic region in style and comfort. With an exceptional restaurant, serving hearty, West Coast fare, and the Moa Bar with its open fireplace, you are never without choice. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel.
This hotel offers complimentary WIFI throughout the property and has a restaurant and bar onsite. Equipped with handy amenities, guestrooms at Punakaiki Resort guarantee a comfortable stay, some rooms come with extra design features such as a balcony or terrace, all rooms have television and cable TV, there is also a refrigerator and a coffee or tea maker in the rooms.
All meals are included in the tour cost, including:
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.
Aoraki / Mount Cook, standing at 3,724 metres, is the highest mountain in New Zealand. It is located within Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
The park is home of the highest mountains and the longest glaciers. It is alpine in the purest sense — with skyscraping peaks, glaciers and permanent snow fields, all set under a star-studded sky. It is part of the Southern Alps, the mountain range running the length of the South Island.
A popular tourist destination, Aoraki /Mount Cook is also a favourite challenge for mountain climbers. Mt Cook, helped Sir Edmund Hillary to develop his climbing skills in preparation for the conquest of becoming the first person to climb Mt Everest.
Although the National Park encompasses 23 peaks over 3000 metres high, it is very accessible. State Highway 80 leads to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village beside scenic Lake Pukaki, which provides a comfortable base for alpine activities.
Far from city lights, the stargazing here is magnificent. Indeed, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park forms the majority of New Zealand’s only International Dark Sky Reserve.
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.
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.
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.
The drive north from Wanaka to the West Coast passes through the spectacular scenery of Haast Pass. Makarora, at the northern tip of Lake Wanaka, is a launching point for several multi-day walks in Mount Aspiring National Park. It also marks the start of the drive over the pass.
A number of shorter walks begin at the highway’s edge between Makarora and Haast. These lead you through rainforest to fabulous waterfalls. Favourites include walks to the Blue Pools, Fantail Falls, Thunder Creek Falls and Roaring Billy.
At the Gates of Haast gorge, many travellers stop to photograph the wild water as it crashes over the river boulders.
The basins gouged out by Hawea and Wanaka Glaciers are now under the waters of Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. Two arms of the glaciers joined at a narrow piece of land called The Neck, crossed on the drive to Makarora.
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.
Ōkārito Lagoon is a coastal lagoon on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Bounded by ocean, estuary, sea cliffs and lush forest, this small village offers unsurpassed views of the Southern Alps.
The lagoon is now home to around 30 permanent residents. But it was once a gold mining boom town. It is located 130 kilometres south of Hokitika, and covers an area of about 3,240 hectares, making it the largest unmodified coastal wetland in New Zealand.
Take the time to explore and imagine what it was like in days gone by. Donovan’s Store and the Ōkārito wharf offer opportunities to learn more about this town that almost reverted into the wilderness.
Hokitika is a historic town in the West Coast region of NZ’s South Island. Close to the mouth of the Hokitika River, this character-filled town is 40 kilometres south of Greymouth.
Historic Hokitika was first settled in 1860, after the discovery of gold on the West Coast. It is a place to appreciate the fascinating history of the West Coast. Visit to hear about the ship wrecks, gold miners and pounamu hunters.
The town was an important river port. And many ships came to grief on the notorious ‘Hokitika Bar’ – a sandbar that shifts with every tide.
Nowadays Hokitika is known as a Cool Little Town. There are some lovely old buildings on the town’s historic walk. You’ll also notice galleries specialising in pounamu jewellery and art works. And Hokitika’s iconic event is the Wildfoods Festival, held at the end of summer each year.
The Arahura River, entering the sea just north of Hokitika, is a traditional source of pounamu (greenstone). Gold jewellers, wood turners and potters provide other souvenir opportunities.
Punakaiki is a small community on the West Coast of the South Island, between Westport and Greymouth. The community lies on the edge of the Paparoa National Park.
The Pancake Rocks are a very popular tourist destination. At Dolomite Point south of the main village you can explore a limestone landscape of pancake-shaped rock formations, blowholes and surge pools on a short, paved walk.
This all-weather walk takes you through curious limestone formations of ‘Pancake Rocks’ and blowholes.
The blowholes form from a mixture of compressed water and air from caverns below being forced upwards. They create a huge wall of spray and are at their best around high tide when there is a south-westerly swell.
Spectacular views, geological oddities, coastal forest, rich birdlife and marine mammals are highlights along this walk.
With a seal colony, a lighthouse and panoramic views of mountains and coastline, the Cape Foulwind Walkway on the rugged West Coast of the South Island, is a great walk suitable for all abilities.
Beginning at the Tauranga Bay carpark you follow the easy walking path to the fur seal breeding colony, where you can see seals at any time of year.
From the seal colony follow the track along the coastal bluffs to the Cape Foulwind lighthouse. Along the way interpretation panels give a flavour of the region’s history, with stories of early explorers and industries.
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.
The iconic Skyline Gondola gives you the opportunity to take in stunning views as you ride the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere. You’ll be carried 480 metres above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu to the top of Bob’s Peak.
Enjoy a spectacular 220-degree panorama. There are breath-taking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter and Cecil Peaks and, of course, Queenstown.
The short ride on the gondola offers views of the beauty of the Wakatipu basin. When you get to the top there’s a lot to do. Have a drink from the bar and enjoy the view. Take a few rides on the thrilling Luge (once is never enough). Or refuel with a sumptuous buffet lunch or dinner at the restaurant.
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.
An iconic piece of Queenstown’s history, The Earsnlaw has been lovingly maintained since 1912. Take time to explore the vessel, view the engine room, and study the historic displays of the steamship’s former life.
Your trip will take you across the lake, past the Remarkables mountain range and Cecil Peak to Walter Peak for a high country farm experience. Then you’ll cruise back to Queenstown Bay with plenty of time to take in that world-famous alpine scenery.
Cardrona Distillery makes exquisite handcrafted single malt whisky, gin, vodka and liqueurs in Central Otago’s stunning Cardrona valley. Located half-way between Wanaka and Queenstown and turning local ingredients into tasty spirits, it is an intriguing place to visit.
Founded in 2015 and sitting amidst an area of outstanding natural beauty, the distillery is family owned and operated. The very best equipment was sourced from all over the world to allow the creation of the finest spirits. This equipment is now used to combine alpine water from the heart of Mount Cardrona and locally foraged seasonal ingredients to produce an unparalleled signature taste.
In May 2013, distillery founder Desiree Reid-Whitaker sold her farming business to move to Wanaka, ultimately finding the distillery site at Cardrona. On 23 October 2015, the spirit flowed for the first time and on 5 November, the first cask was laid.
Desiree had a dream of making a New Zealand single malt whisky that would stand tall on the international stage. She travelled for two and a half years, learning from the world’s masters, including the former head of Maker’s Mark. And the technical know-how and marketing insight needed to build Cardrona Distillery was gained in trips back to Scotland and through the United States.
Learn more about the distilling process and Desiree’s story when you visit this interesting distillery.
A great way to explore Okarito is on the Okarito Lagoon Cruise. The small village is home to New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetlands covering over 3000 hectares. Experience the magic of this special place and the big landscapes that surround it on a memorable boat tour.
Okarito sits on the South Island’s West Coast, a 25-minute drive from Franz Josef Glacier. The lagoon offers a stunning environment ranging from wetlands to rainforest and mountain landscapes. And there is so much more to see.
Birdlife abounds — white herons and royal spoonbills can be seen year round and many other birds make the lagoon home. The boat will cruise along at slow speeds and often drift alongside feeding white herons, godwits, oystercatchers and dotterels.
And the surrounding landscape is simply breath-taking. There is plenty of opportunity for photos of birds and landscapes. On a clear day you can see Mount Cook, the Tasman Sea and Franz Josef Glacier. Landmarks that provide an amazing backdrop to the ancient kahikatea forest and wetland rushes in the foreground.
“We both thoroughly enjoyed our Southern Beauty Tour. We had visited some parts of it previously, but having everything arranged for us, and listening to Tim’s commentary, made it a special time for us. Our guide Tim was remarkable. His local knowledge of each area was incredible, so much so it equalled the scenery in most cases. I took stacks of notes and learned so so much. He was also an excellent driver, and had a good sense of humour. Liked his knowledge of pre-European Maori life, and their legends too. Would be happy to be on another tour with him and MoaTrek.” Tony & Toni (Aotearoa) – November, 2020
“I liked everything about this tour. The accommodation was good, meals were great and our guide Tim was fantastic. The small group was especially good as it was easy to get to know each other. This was my first group tour so I didn’t know what to expect but it went really well. Big thank you to all the staff and especially Tim.” Julie-Ann (Aotearoa) – November, 2020
“I thoroughly enjoyed my trip, as I got to go to the scenic spots I have always wanted to visit, I don’t think you could improve this trip. Our guide was brilliant, he went over and above his duties. He had the perfect personality always calm and collected and an excellent driver. He was fun and we all enjoyed his company.” Julie-Ann (Aotearoa) – November, 2020
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