Maher Escorted Tour - 9 Day Fiordland and Stewart Island Tour

A flight or coach connection to Dunedin is not included in your tour but can easily be added by one of our expert sales team. If you are struggling to coordinate this or would just rather someone else managed your booking then please get in touch for support and advice

Meet at Dunedin Airport this morning and depart the airport at 1 pm. This afternoon, enjoy a comprehensive tour of Larnach Castle and Gardens and Olveston Historic Home before you check in to your hotel for your overnight stay.
Tonight, you will all meet for your first dinner together at the hotel.

Depart Dunedin this morning and travel the route through the Catlins, and onto Invercargill. See Curio Bay, Fossilised Forest, the Lost Gypsy Caravan (if open), Purakaunui Falls, Owaka and more. Arrive in Invercargill this afternoon and transfer to your overnight accommodation.
The evening is at leisure.

No visit to Invercargill is complete without visiting the Bill Richardson Transport World and Classic Motorcycle Mecca, a wheeled collection that has taken nearly 50 years to amass. Starting out as one man's passion and further developed by his family, it now includes two world-class automotive museums which house hundreds of classic cars, vintage trucks and motorcycles. Enjoy a tour this morning, followed by free time for exploration.
After lunch, make your way to Invercargill Airport where you join your mid-afternoon flight to Stewart Island. Check into your hotel and enjoy dinner together this evening.

You have a full day to enjoy this natural wonderland. Over 85% of the island is National Park and it is a prime destination for birdwatchers and those wishing to catch a glimpse of the famous Aurora Australis which often appears in these southern skies. Starting with a morning at leisure after the late-night yesterday, discover Stewart Island from the water on a leisurely cruise of beautiful Paterson Inlet and a guided walk in Ulva Island Wildlife Sanctuary. The cruise will showcase some of Paterson Inlet's stunning scenery with its hidden coves and unspoilt beaches. You will hear fascinating stories of early Maori history and European settlement from your guide as you pass various landmarks. While on board, keep a lookout for fur seals and penguins known to frequent this area

This morning enjoy a morning Village and Bays tour. Gain an entertaining insight into New Zealand's southernmost community and learn about the history and environment of Stewart Island. Highlights include a visit to the gateway to Rakiura National Park at Lee Bay and Observation Rock with its stunning views of Paterson Inlet.
Join a 1.30 pm return flight to Invercargill mid-afternoon, before rejoining your coach for the drive to Te Anau.
Before dinner at a lovely local restaurant, see the Ata Whenua – Shadowland movie at the Fiordland Cinema. A 30-minute film showcasing the unique beauty and remote wilderness of Fiordland from the air to the screen for all to enjoy!

Milford Sound is the most famous and accessible of the grand glacier-carved fiords scattered along New Zealand's south-western coast. The road to Milford is one of the world's finest alpine drives and is an easy drive from Te Anau. The road follows the Eglinton and Hollyford valleys, then through the Homer Tunnel where you will meet Mitre Peak, towering from the glassy waters of Milford Sound. Join your cruise at 1 pm and relax as you soak in the close-up views of awe-inspiring scenery. These cruises are often accompanied by playful dolphins and seals basking on rocks are a common sight. Return to Te Anau with the evening at leisure.

This morning join a tour of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. The tour begins with a cruise to the western shores of Lake Te Anau - at the entry to the caves at Cavern House, view the informative displays and learn about this geological wonder before joining your guide underground. On the tour of the caves, friendly guides will point out the highlights and share their knowledge of the caves and its history. Deep inside the caves, beyond the roar of the water, you will be taken by a small boat into a silent hidden grotto inhabited by hundreds of glowworms, unique to New Zealand. In the subterranean darkness, they produce a glittering display that is nothing short of extraordinary. (NB: Some bending is required at the entrance of the cave and steps are involved).
At the conclusion of the tour, rejoin your coach and enjoy a leisurely drive through to Arrowtown, arriving late afternoon. Home for the next 2-nights is the stunningly beautiful Millbrook resort. Enjoy dinner together at the resort this evening.

This morning, visit the Chantecler Gardens, a 40-acre property that includes 12 acres of mature gardens and nestled in the heart of the Wakitipu Basin. At midday, set off on a cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw across to Walter Peak High Country Farm (approx. 45-minutes) for lunch. Once at the lakeside Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant, savour the delicious aromas as the chef has the best of local produce sizzling away on the grill. Overlooking Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown's alpine scenery, the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak High Country Farm is the perfect place to spend a few hours. Its colonial architecture and sweeping grounds evoke the elegance of a bygone era. An entertaining farm demonstration is also included, or you can explore the beautiful lakeside gardens. The rest of the afternoon is free prior to meeting for your final group dinner of the tour.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. Bid your fellow tour members farewell today as you transfer to Queenstown airport to join your flight home.