New Zealand Southern Spotlight

Flexible Holidays

Queenstown is home to more than 150 bars and restaurants. If you don’t know where to look, ask your Travel Director for recommendations. Enjoy downtime at your own pace.

 

Iconic Sites

The TranzAlpine train ride has been described as one of the most scenic cross-country jaunts in the world. But don’t take our word for it…

 

Sustainable Travel

Your journey deep into Fiordland National Park is helping sustain this wild and wonderful part of New Zealand for future generations.

 

Natural Wonders

The West Coast, or 'the Coast' as locals call it, is an untamed natural wilderness of rivers and rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures.

Day 1 Welcome to Christchurch
Since its 2010/11 earthquakes, Christchurch has reinvented itself in more ways than one. Discover how if you choose to step back in time aboard the Christchurch Tram, linking some of the city’s most legendary attractions. It's time tonight to meet your travelling companions for a Welcome Reception.
Hotel: Wyndham Garden

Day 2 Christchurch - Omarama
On your city tour view the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. From here, your outlook is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. Your Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo, hosted by passionate guides, will forever change the way you see the night sky. You'll see for yourself it may be one of the quietest spots on the planet, yet it has one of the busiest skies in the universe.
Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel
Included Meals: Dinner, Breakfast

Day 3 Omarama - Dunedin
If you’ve ever wanted to see New Zealand’s oldest public gardens, today you’re in luck. Oamaru, with its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings, stands proud before you journey further south toward the Edinburgh of the South: Dunedin. It’s easy to while away the afternoon in the city’s atmospheric art-lined alleys. Or venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country – fur seals and penguins among them. Thirsty? Visit Speight's Brewery, a New Zealand institution.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Dunedin - Te Anau
Dunedin’s Scottish ancestry is everywhere you look, from the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city’s main George Street. Rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep are replaced by soaring mountains as you weave your way into Fiordland National Park and the South Island’s biggest lake and the town of Te Anau. Soak up the serenity – it doesn’t get any better than this.
Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Included Meals: Dinner, Breakfast

Day 5 Te Anau - Queenstown
From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and mirror-like lakes. Gin-clear rivers carve the countryside, with all roads leading to your Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Cruising this World Heritage listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. Look out for dolphins – they’re a common sight here.
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Queenstown Free Time
Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Skippers Jet, perhaps. There’s a reason why Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the country. Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand’s feathered friends at a wildlife centre. Wherever you wander, make sure you’re back in time to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner.
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort
Included Meals: Highlight Dinner, Breakfast

Day 7 Queenstown - Franz Josef/Waiau
Try and keep count of today’s lakes. Leaving Lake Wakatipu behind, Arrowtown appears on the horizon. We know you’ll want to linger in the movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques. But Lake Dunstan awaits, as do its orchards. Pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. Then there’s Lake Hawea followed by Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass to the town of Franz Josef, where, this afternoon you may choose to fly over Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Included Meals: Dinner, Breakfast

Day 8 Franz Josef/Waiau - Christchurch
Swap snow for pounamu (native greenstone or jade) in Hokitika. In Māori tradition, it’s bad luck to buy this sacred stone for yourself; flutter your eyelids at your loved one. Just when you thought your adventure couldn’t get any better, you’ll aboard the TranzAlpine train bound for Christchurch, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys.
Hotel: Wyndham Garden
Included Meals: Farewell Dinner, Breakfast

Day 9 Farewell from Christchurch
New Zealand’s South Island never fails to wow. We hope you find the words to describe this epic New Zealand tour to your family back home.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.

Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort. The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:

Day 1 - Wyndham Garden
Day 2 - Heritage Gateway Hotel
Day 3 - Scenic Hotel Dunedin City
Day 4 - Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Day 5&6 - Copthorne Hotel and Resort (2 nights)
Day 7 - Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Day 8 - Wyndham Garden

What's included

• Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
• 1 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Fiordland National Park
• Centrally located premium hotels
• National Park entrance fees

Dining

• 8 Full Breakfasts
• 3 Dinners
• 1 Highlight Dinner
• 1 Farewell Dinner

Flight Information

• Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Christchurch Airport
• Day 9 – flights to depart any time from Christchurch Airport
• Flights are not included in the holiday price
• Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the holiday price

What to Bring

• Water bottle
• Warm layers in cooler months
• Camera
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat

Fitness Requirements

• Low level of fitness required

Although you should read all of the terms and conditions, the following is a summary of the most important:

• Our travel package is non-refundable, however you will receive a travel credit to be applied to our travel services.

• You, as our client, agree to check all documentation immediately for errors. Travel With A Cause (TWAC) does not take responsibility for incorrect dates or names supplied.

• Prices, including, in some cases, of confirmed bookings, may be subject to change. ​

• Some confirmed bookings are non-refundable if cancelled by you and it is your responsibility to check if this applies.

• We will be entitled to retain our service fees even if a booking is cancelled or does not proceed for any reason which is not our fault.

• It is your responsibility to make yourself aware of all information relevant to your travel plans, including but not limited to visa requirements and health precautions.

• There may be some additional fees or other incentives from Suppliers.

• We are not liable for the recent updates of any published Supplier content including websites and brochures.

 

For further information about our T & C, please visit our webpage: https://www.twac.com.au/terms-and-conditions