Grand Pacific Tours 10 Day Ultimate South Island
Escape and enjoy New Zealand’s majestic South Island on this deluxe 10 day small group holiday. Begin your journey in the Garden City of Christchurch; marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges of Mount Cook; enjoy the Scottish heritage of Dunedin; cruise the magnificent fiord, Milford Sound; enjoy a relaxing two night stay in the year round resort town of Queenstown and witness the rugged Southern Alps of the mighty West Coast. Whether it’s your first time to New Zealand’s South Island or a repeat visit, the landscape continues to change and this comprehensive tour will allow you to sit back, relax and discover!
Included in this tour package
- Accommodation: 9 nights, Hotel 4 star
- Includes: 8 dinners
- Includes: All breakfasts
- Includes: Airport transfers
- Includes: Professional Coach Captain
- Includes: TranzAlpine Train from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass
- Includes: Larnach Castle
- Includes: TSS Earnslaw cruise & dinner at Walter Peak high country farm, Queenstown
- Includes: Real Journeys Milford Sound nature cruise
- Includes: Christchurch City Sights tour
- Includes: Dunedin City Sights tour
- Includes: Lakes District Museum
At a glance - Grand Pacific Tours 10 Day Ultimate South Island
Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch. Accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City (or similar)
Day 2: Enjoy the world famous TranzAlpine Scenic Train. Accommodation: Te Waonui Forest Retreat (or similar)
Day 3: Travel inland through the southern alps to Queenstown. Accommodation: Heritage Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
Day 4: Dine tonight at a family homestead looking back at Queenstown. Accommodation: Heritage Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
Day 5: Highlights today include a visit to the gorgeous gold mining village of Arrowtown. Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (or similar)
Day 6: Te Anau to Milford Sound. Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (or similar)
Day 7: The "Edinburgh of the South". Accommodation: Distinction Dunedin Hotel (or similar)
Day 8: Today hear tales of scandal as you head towards the mountains. Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel (or similar)
Day 9: Wake up immersed by mountains. Accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City (or similar)
Day 10: Bid you travel companions farewell as you depart Christchurch.
Back to topGrand Pacific Tours 10 Day Ultimate South Island - Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch
Arrive Christchurch City
On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative who will transfer you to your hotel. This evening, meet your travelling companions over a complimentary pre-dinner drink.
Your Accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City (or similar)
This new 5 star boutique hotel is ideally located on Victoria Street amidst an array of cafes, restaurants and bars, and is only a martini olive pips’ throw from beautiful Hagley Park and Christchurch’s CBD. Experience the ‘garden city’ in style with Sudima Christchurch City.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2: Enjoy the world famous TranzAlpine Scenic Train
Christchurch to Franz Josef Glacier
This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur's Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before arriving to Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Your Accommodation: Te Waonui Forest Retreat (or similar)
Nestled amongst native West Coast rainforest at Franz Josef is a very special five-star retreat. Designed with utmost care of its precious environment, guests at Te Waonui Forest Retreat will find themselves encircled by rainforest and accommodated in natural and sustainable luxury.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Travel inland through the southern alps to Queenstown
Franz Josef Glacier to Queenstown
See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu.
Your Accommodation: Heritage Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
At Heritage Queenstown you could be forgiven for thinking you were in a postcard. Soak in the amazing view of the towering Remarkables mountain range rising from the rippled waters of Lake Wakatipu.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4: Dine tonight at a family homestead looking back at Queenstown
Queenstown free day with TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Dinner
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner which the chef will prepare in front of you at the Colonel's Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.
Your Accommodation: Heritage Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
At Heritage Queenstown you could be forgiven for thinking you were in a postcard. Soak in the amazing view of the towering Remarkables mountain range rising from the rippled waters of Lake Wakatipu.
Meals included: Breakfast, Speciality Dinner
Day 5: Highlights today include a visit to the gorgeous gold mining village of Arrowtown
Queenstown to Te Anau
This morning travel to Arrowtown, best known for its spectacular autumn colours. Visit the Lakes District Museum a treasure trove of stories and exhibits about the exciting mining era of the late 1800s. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).
Your Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (or similar)
The Te Anau Hotel and Villas offers a range of accommodation from hotel rooms and suites to villas. Ideally located on the lake front the hotel is just a few minutes stroll for the shops, cafes and activities on offer.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Te Anau to Milford Sound
Te Anau to Milford Sound to Te Anau
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a nature cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch on board. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).
Your Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (or similar)
The Te Anau Hotel and Villas offers a range of accommodation from hotel rooms and suites to villas. Ideally located on the lake front the hotel is just a few minutes stroll for the shops, cafes and activities on offer.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: The "Edinburgh of the South"
Te Anau to Dunedin
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the "Edinburgh of the South". Enjoy an informative city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. Optional sightseeing activities available include a tour of the Speight's Brewery, which produces New Zealand's most popular beer, a tour to the Royal Albatross Centre to see Albatross in their natural habitat or a tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing many treasures of a bygone era.
Your Accommodation: Distinction Dunedin Hotel (or similar)
Distinction Dunedin Hotel occupies the grand Chief Post Office built in the 1930’s. This art deco inspired building has recently been transformed into a 4 star hotel with elegant décor, set in the heart of the city.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Today hear tales of scandal as you head towards the mountains
Dunedin to Mt. Cook National Park
Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, hear the tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour with time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook.
Your Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel (or similar)
The Hermitage Hotel ringed by magnificent snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps, is a world-renowned tourist destination and has been an icon of superior accommodation and dining since 1884.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Wake up immersed by mountains
Mt. Cook to Christchurch
This morning marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and see the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving into Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with selected beverages and with your new friends.
Your Accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City (or similar)
This new 5 star boutique hotel is ideally located on Victoria Street amidst an array of cafes, restaurants and bars, and is only a martini olive pips’ throw from beautiful Hagley Park and Christchurch’s CBD. Experience the ‘garden city’ in style with Sudima Christchurch City.
Meals included: Breakfast, Speciality Dinner
Day 10: Bid you travel companions farewell as you depart Christchurch
Depart Christchurch
After breakfast (included) your tour concludes this morning. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
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