Discover New Zealand on this Inspiring Journey through the natural treasures of the South Island. From the still waters of Milford Sound and snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps to the rolling hills of Central Otago, delve into the beauty of landscapes that have remained unchanged for millennia.
(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner Tour Code: NZSI
Sitting in the heart of the inner-city, just a stone’s throw from Hagley Park, the luxury apartments are the perfect base in Christchurch. The generous rooms are designed in Superior, Junior or Family configurations, so there’s plenty of space. Adorned with all of the features and comforts you expect of five-star accommodation, Hotel Montreal’s serviced apartments are a reliable and relaxing home away from home.
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.
Blending understated luxury with warmth, and genuine hospitality, Hotel St Moritz offers a choice of rooms and suites, each handsomely appointed to cleverly blend timeless classics with modern essentials. Hotel St Moritz features Lombardi Restaurant, Bar and Library, a gymnasium, and hot tub garden. The hotel is perfectly positioned for sightseeing and adventure. Take a stroll down the Esplanade for spectacular waterfront views, and into the town centre. A five minute stroll down to the lake front will see you discovering the delights of Queenstown’s vibrant township, retail precinct and renowned eateries.
https://all.accor.com/2074
The Mariner is a purpose-built vessel designed to replicate a traditional trading scow and is perfectly suited to cruising the fiords. It sleeps 64 people in private cabins with en-suites (twin or double bed configuration) and there is limited quad-share bunk-style compartments with en-suites (mixed gender). The vessel has spacious viewing decks and observation lounge, a dining saloon and licensed bar and carries 30 kayaks and 2 tender craft onboard.
This property once was the 1937 former Chief Post Office in Dunedin and has now been transformed into this elegant hotel, located in the rejuvenated and vibrant Warehouse Precinct in the heart of the city. All rooms offer superior soundproofing and are outfitted with cloud-like beds, a microwave, washer/dryer, 55″ televisions and luxurious dual fixture walk-in rain showers. Complimentary high speed WiFi is available. You can also take advantage of complimentary access to the gym, or enjoy pre-dinner drinks in the stylish Post Bar and the popular Parcels Restaurant is open daily for breakfast and dinner.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Haast River Safari operates river jet boat rides in the South Westland World Heritage area on NZ’s West Coast. They offer jet boat tours in fully enclosed river boats. Great visibility is ensured, yet you remain warm, dry and comfortable.
Learn about the remarkable glacial valley, where temperate rainforest thrives, from the local and highly experienced jet boat driver/guides. Hear stories of the Kiwi spirit that enabled the Haast community to survive on the edge of the wilderness. And there’s a stop, so you can get out of the boat and reflect on the fact you are on one of New Zealand’s last frontiers.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages. This allows us to improve the customer experience and meet our audience's needs.
We also collect information required to respond to enquiries and facilitate the sales process via, our customer service solution, Active Campaign. Rest assured, this information is not shared with anyone, except where necessary to facilitate a tour booking or respond to an information request.
Keeping these cookies enabled helps us to improve our website and provide you with great service and support as you find your perfect New Zealand tour.
Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!
More information about our Cookie Policy
