Travel Type
Guided Tours
Duration
9 Days/8 Nights
Country
New Zealand
Experience the ultimate South Island tour on this 9-day, small-group journey starting and ending in Christchurch. Travel through dramatic alpine passes, along rugged coastlines, and into pristine wilderness, all while enjoying the comfort of expert guidance, quality accommodation, and delicious meals.
Highlights include the breathtaking Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise, the elegant Larnach Castle, and the world-famous TranzAlpine Train. Explore the Victorian charm of Oamaru, stroll the mirror-like Lake Matheson, and witness the awe-inspiring Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. Each day offers new sights, from epic mountains and wildlife encounters to heritage towns and hidden natural wonders.
Inclusions
– 8-night accommodation
– 13 meals: 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners
– Luxury Coach
– English-speaking guide
– TranzAlpine Train Journey
– Visits as per itinerary:
– Greenstone and Glass Blowing Factory visit
– Seafood Experience in Haast
– Blue Pools walk
– Visit Arrowtown & Wanaka
– Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise
– Hokonui Moonshine Museum
– Larnach Castle visit
– Moeraki Boulders
Exclusions
International flights – Tourist taxes – NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority): An NZeTA application costs NZD 17 via our free mobile app, or NZD 23 if completed online at https://nzeta.immigration.govt.nz/ – Gratuities for hotel staff, guides, and drivers – Optional excursions – Meals other than those mentioned – Drinks unless otherwise specified in the itinerary – Travel insurance – Any other items not mentioned in the inclusions.
1
DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN CHRISTCHURCH
Haere Mai (Welcome) to your South Island journey in New Zealand, beginning in Christchurch, also known as the Garden City for its lush green parks. Check-in to your hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the city at your own pace: discover hidden eateries, enjoy a spot of retail therapy in the shopping district, or hop on the tourist tram to take in the main sights. This evening, you’ll meet your fellow travelers and tour guide at 6:15 pm before enjoying a group dinner and getting to know one another.
Meals : Dinner
Accommodation : Christchurch for 1 night
2
DAY 2 CHRISTCHURCH - DUNEDIN
This morning, we continue our South Island adventure along New Zealand’s stunning east coast. Our first stop is Oamaru, known for its beautifully preserved Victorian and Edwardian architecture. We then visit the Moeraki Boulders, perfectly spherical geological formations over 60 million years old, scattered along the beach like ancient guardians. Formed deep underground and revealed by centuries of erosion, they make for an unmissable photo stop. We then arrive in Dunedin, New Zealand’s “Scottish City,” renowned for its grand architecture, vibrant arts scene, and picturesque harbour. With a free afternoon, you can explore historic streets, browse boutique shops, or relax in a cosy café, an ideal blend of natural beauty, heritage, and culture.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Dunedin for 1 night
3
DAY 3 DUNEDIN - TE ANAU
This morning, we visit the iconic Larnach Castle, a jewel of Dunedin. Built in 1871 by William Larnach, it is New Zealand’s only castle. Its magnificent gardens, recently recognised by the New Zealand Gardens Trust as a Garden of International Significance, are both unique and breathtaking, offering sweeping views over the Otago Peninsula and beyond. Next, our journey continues to Gore, where we explore the town’s colorful past at the Hokonui Moonshine Museum. Discover the daring stories of Scottish settlers who turned Gore into a hub for illicit whisky distilling and bootlegging. You’ll even have the opportunity to sample Old Hokonui, crafted from the original recipe that once defied the law. In the evening, we arrive in Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland and the spectacular Doubtful Sound. Settle in and prepare for tomorrow’s awe-inspiring exploration of one of New Zealand’s most pristine natural wonders.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation : Te Anau for 1 night
4
DAY 4 TE ANAU - DOUBTFUL SOUND - QUEENSTOWN
Departing Te Anau this morning, we travel to Manapouri for a scenic cruise across the lake to West Arm. From there, a short coach journey takes us over Wilmot Pass, New Zealand’s most expensive road, where we pause to admire the dense Fiordland rainforest and sweeping views of Doubtful Sound below. At Deep Cove, we board a modern catamaran to explore Doubtful Sound, the largest and most tranquil fiord in the region. Renowned for its serene beauty and fewer crowds than Milford Sound, it offers breathtaking scenery with towering mountains and pristine waters. As we cruise, enjoy expert commentary on the area’s rich history and keep an eye out for wildlife, including penguins, seals, and dolphins. After the excursion, we continue to Queenstown, where we check in to a stunning alpine resort, our home for the next two nights.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation : Queenstown for 2 nights
5
DAY 5 QUEENSTOWN
Today is a free day to experience the very best of Queenstown, a picturesque alpine resort town renowned for its wide range of adventure activities. If you’d like to explore, we recommend a thrilling ride on the world-famous Shotover Jet Boat or a tour of the historic gold-mining area of Skippers Canyon. For spectacular views over the town, take the gondola up to Bob’s Peak and enjoy lunch at the Skyline restaurant. You could also visit the bungy centre to watch daredevils leap from towering cliffs, after all, bungy jumping is a New Zealand invention! Alternatively, head to the lakeside for a refreshing drink or enjoy a leisurely stroll through Queenstown’s lush parks.
Meals : Breakfast
6
DAY 6 QUEENSTOWN - HAAST
This morning, we embark on one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand, passing through Arrowtown, a picturesque village rich in gold-mining history. We then continue to Wanaka, a charming lakeside town surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery, where we’ll enjoy lunch and take time to take in the views. As we travel further north, the journey follows the spectacular West Coast, renowned for its rugged beauty and dramatic landscapes. Passing through Haast Pass, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we marvel at ancient rainforests, crystal-clear rivers, and towering peaks. The small town of Haast, set against this remarkable backdrop, is home to the famous Haast River and is steeped in natural heritage. This evening, we gather for a group dinner at our hotel to reflect on today’s awe-inspiring journey.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation : Haast for 1 night
7
DAY 7 HAAST - FRANZ JOSEF
Travelling north along the coast of Westland National Park this morning, we head into Glacier Country, home to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. This remarkable region was shaped by powerful glaciers and features lush rainforest growing beneath towering mountains. We’ll stop at Lake Matheson, nestled within ancient forest and famous for its mirror-like reflections of Aoraki, Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. This serene and beautiful spot is perfect for a short walk to a stunning lookout point. This evening, we stay in the township of Franz Josef, surrounded by rainforest and mountains, arriving in time for an optional helicopter flight with a snow landing ($), a highlight of the tour, though dependent on weather conditions.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Franz Josef for 1 night
8
DAY 8 FRANZ JOSEF - CHRISTCHURCH
This morning, we depart Franz Josef and head north to the artistic town of Hokitika, renowned for its beautiful greenstone, before continuing on to the TranzAlpine train station. From there, we board the TranzAlpine train, considered one of the world’s greatest one-day rail journeys. Prepare to be amazed by breathtaking views of forests, rolling plains, and snow-capped mountains. At the end of the journey, we transfer to our hotel in Christchurch, where we gather for a farewell dinner to celebrate the final evening of our tour.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation : Christchurch for 1 night
9
DAY 9 DEPARTURE FROM CHRISTCHURCH
Today marks the final day of the tour, as our journey comes to an end. Enjoy breakfast before saying a fond farewell to your tour leader and fellow travelers. Whether you’re heading home today or staying in Christchurch a little longer, we hope you leave with lasting memories and friendships to cherish for years to come.
Meals : Breakfast
HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR
Christchurch
Distinction Christchurch 4.5*
Dunedin
Scenic Dunedin 4.5*
Te Anau
Distinction Luxmore 4*
Queenstown
Novotel Queenstown 4*
Haast
Heartland Haast 3*
Franz Josef
Scenic Franz Josef 4*
| Rates in CA$, per person, starting from | Land Package |
| Daily departures 2026-2027 | Double occupancy |
| 2026 September 26 October 10, 24 November 14, 28 December 5, 12 | 5789 |
| 2027 January 9, 23 February 6, 20 March 6, 20 April 3, 17 | 5789 |
| Supplements | |
| Single occupancy | On request |
Product Code: ANZ
Minimum of 8 people required to guarantee departure.
Maximum of 24 people per departure.
**Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.
*** PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR TERMS & CONDITIONS. ***
Southern Dream – Detailed itinerary
Southern Dream – Detailed itinerary
