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12 Day South Island Splendour Tour

 

Summary of Tour Included Activities

Starting in Wellington and ending in Christchurch, this 12 day tour encompasses all the highlights and wonders of the South Island, with the added bonus of the Cook Strait crossing on the InterIslander Ferry. The stunning three hour journey between Wellington and Picton is one of the most spectacular cruises in the world! A highlight of this tour is a 2 night stay at Mt Cook's stunning Hermitage Resort.  With over 35 quality highlights, 13 pre-paid sightseeing inclusions and 19 meals in the base package, this is a great value tour!


New Zealand Tour Activities Best New Zealand Coach Tours

ARRIVE WELLINGTON

Wellington airport / hotel transfers
Free transfers from airport to hotel are provided for those requiring them. On arrival at Wellington International Airport look for the “Great Experiences Welcome Sign” and be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to spend on optional activities.
 

WELLINGTON / PICTON / CHRISTCHURCH

Interislander Ferry
The Interislander Ferry cruise across Cook Strait is a 3 hour, 92km voyage that has been described as "one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world". Watch for dolphins and other wildlife as you cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound before docking at the fishing village of Picton.  Your vessel this morning will be the Kaitaki, a Maori word meaning "Challenger" with a capacity to carry up to 1600 passengers and the largest ship in the fleet.  Kaitaki provides an array of options designed to enhance your journey, from the many observation decks and local cuisine, coffee and wines from the many food and beverage outlets.
 
Kaikoura seal spotting
You will stop at Kaikoura, a quaint fishing town that boasts some of the world’s finest whale watching.  Time to stretch your legs and do a bit of seal spotting at the local seal colony from the main street.
 
Sightseeing Tour of Christchurch
Relax and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the amazing garden city of Christchurch with it's historic buildings and cathedrals, the art gallery, Hagley Park and Botanic Gardens and of course, the beautiful Avon River. Observe the benefits of living in a city built on a huge river plain.
 

CHRISTCHURCH / FOX

Glass Blower
This studio hosts some of the finest hand-crafted glassware in the world.
 
Greenstone Factory
Hokitika is the jade and greenstone capital of New Zealand. At the Greenstone Factory you will find artisans carving jade into carvings of traditional New Zealand or modern designs.  A great place to purchase souvenirs and an interesting experience for all ages.
 
Cook Saddle Restaurant
Enjoy traditional food, country hospitality and local wines at this country style establishment. 
 

FOX / WANAKA

Lake Matheson Walk
If the weather is fine this morning, your coach captain will take you to the carpark where the self-guided walk commences. 
Lake Matheson was formed about 14,000 years ago, when the Fox Glacier retreated from its last major advance towards the sea and left a depression which later filled with water. It may very well be the most photographed lake in New Zealand and if you are fortunate enough to see it, you will see why. 
The waters of Lake Matheson are dark brown, so on a calm day they create the ideal reflective surface. An easy walk passes over the Clearwater River suspension bridge, just a few minutes from the car park. The Clearwater River drains off the lake and is brownish under the bridge, however it quickly becomes clear and true to its name. The track continues through ancient native forest, including tall rimu and kahikatea trees, to a pontoon that extends out onto the lake. Long finned native eels thrive in the darkness of Lake Matheson, which is also home to many water birds. For this reason the lake is a traditional mahinga kai (food gathering place) for Maori people.

The walk from the car park takes 40 minutes to the pontoon, or 1.5 hours around the lake.
 
 

WANAKA / QUEENSTOWN

Gibbston Valley Winery
Gibbston Valley Wines is an award-winning wine producer in New Zealand's Central Otago region. The boutique winery offers a unique experience incorporating a fabulous winery restaurant, wine tours and tasting events. Established in 1987, they were the first commercial wine producers in the region and the winery earned an internationally acclaimed reputation for the Otago Pinot Noir and other thriving grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Blanc.  You will enjoy a Cellar Door Experience and Harvest Platter Lunch.  Indulge & enjoy!
 
Puzzling World
Stuart Landsborough’s Puzzling World is a world unique attraction specialising in puzzling eccentricity. For over 35 years this remarkable business has entertained and amazed visitors of all ages, attracted to this beautiful part of the world. Offering the world's first "modern-styled" Great Maze, incredible Illusion Rooms, a Puzzle Centre/Café, large Gift Shop and eccentric architecture and oddities.

Located in the heart of the breathtaking Southern Lakes region of the South Island of New Zealand, Puzzling World is set amongst 7 acres of rolling lawns, trees and gardens.  You will love it here!
 

QUEENSTOWN / MILFORD / TE ANAU

Milford Sound Cruise
Board the Milford Sovereign and embark on a 1hr 40min spectacular cruise of the Milford Sound. View Mitre Peak and search for wildlife and waterfalls, cruising out to the Tasman Sea to a rocky seal colony before returning. If the day is wet the display of falling, tumbling waterfalls abound. The Stirling Falls and the Bowen Falls when full are magnificent.
 
Milford Sovereign lunch
Whilst on board the Milford Sovereign viewing the stunning scenery of Milford Sound - you will be treated to an international buffet lunch (included).
 

TE ANAU / DUNEDIN

Sightseeing Tour of Dunedin
Dunedin is known as the 'Edinburgh of the South' and is New Zealand's oldest city, a university city of Scottish heritage, possessing a unique combination of cultural riches, fine architecture and world-famous wildlife reserves. Dunedin's art gallery and museums contain some of the best collections in New Zealand and "Baldwin Street" the steepest street in the world is here also. Your coach captain will provide a brief orientation tour of the city before taking you to your hotel, where you'll receive a Scottish welcome.
 
Speights Heritage Brewery
Speights is the brew of the "Southern Man" and Speights Brewery have thirteen alehouses in New Zealand, with Dunedin's being the first and original! The tour includes tasting of the brew (pour your own) plus the chocolates and ice cream that contain by-products of this famous Southern brew. A beer lovers paradise!
 
Speights Ale House Dinner
After your tour of the Speights Heritage Brewery you will follow the skirl of the bagpipes as you walk to the Speights Ale House. Tonight you will enjoy a uniquely different venue with a wonderful atmosphere and Specialty Dinner.
 
Fiordland Theatre Movie
Assemble at the Fiordland Theatre a short walk from your hotel, where you will watch the movie “Ata Whenua…The Shadowlands”, a very special short film and one which will set the scene for tomorrow.
 

DUNEDIN / MT COOK

Nature's Wonders tour
Nature lovers will love this visit to Nature's Wonders, a working farm where you will view wildlife up close. Board the Argo 8 Wheel Transport, an exciting but smooth ride that will take you to seals, penguins, nesting seabirds and spectacular views.  Your hosts are Perry and Tracey Reid and they will take wonderful care of you as they share their home, their stories and spectacular property during this fun, interesting and educational tour.
 
Larnach Castle tour
Larnach Castle is New Zealand’s only castle and is renowned for it’s gardens of 'International Significance'. Stroll through the magnificent grounds and take a guided tour of the castle’s interior. With it's exciting, sometimes scandalous and tragic history, magnificent carved ceilings, New Zealand antiques and breathtaking views, Larnach Castle offers you a vision of the past and present.
 
Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Located at The Hermitage Mt Cook is the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. You will be provided with an unlimited pass, including entry to the Theatre and Planetarium, the Sir Edmund Gallery and the 3D movie, “Mt Cook Magic” taking you on a thrilling journey to the top of the mountain. Open from 7.30am to 9.30pm and offering something different every day, you could spend many hours here and still not see it all!
 

AORAKI MT COOK

Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Located at The Hermitage Mt Cook is the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. You will be provided with an unlimited pass, including entry to the Theatre and Planetarium, the Sir Edmund Gallery and the 3D movie, “Mt Cook Magic” taking you on a thrilling journey to the top of the mountain. Open from 7.30am to 9.30pm and offering something different every day, you could spend many hours here and still not see it all!
 

MT COOK / CHRISTCHURCH

Lake Tekapo
At Lake Tekapo you will have the opportunity to take a stroll around this beautiful alpine village.  The views of the Southern Alps and turquoise lake are breathtaking and stopping here provides wonderful photo opportunities.
 
Church of Good Shepherd
You will stop at the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, built on the shores of Lake Tekapo in 1935 as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie Country. Congregations of the three main faiths worship regularly in the Church, arguably one of the most photographed in New Zealand, and features an altar window that frames stunning views of the lake and mountains. Nearby is the statue of the famous sheep dog, which was commissioned to honour the work of the dogs of the high country sheep stations.
 
 

CHRISTCHURCH

Tamaki Heritage Show & Dinner
Tamaki Heritage Tours presents a uniquely different cultural show and dinner that will take you on a journey from the past to the present. Trams, old steam trains and historic buildings fill the amazing sets. Based on a true story of real characters and actual events, the re-enactments are mind-blowing! Enjoy the arts, craft, song, dance and the roast dinner banquet, for this is an emotional, unique night that will fill your senses. You will be collected from the hotel at 6pm for a 6.30 show.  Enjoy this entertaining evening, with complimentary drinks on us!
 

CHRISTCHURCH / TOUR END

Hotel / Airport Transfer
For those requiring them transfers will be provided to the airport for your flight home.