XperieNZ Southern Escapade 10 day tour

XperieNZ - Southern Escapade

The Southern Escapade program takes you on a journey from the charming English influenced city of Christchurch to the Southern Hemispheres only International Dark Sky Reserve, the largest in the world, the Aoraki Mackenzie region, where Lake Tekapo is located. From here you will head to the Scottish inspired city of Dunedin, then onward to UNESCO world heritage site Te Wahipounamu, Te Anau, Doubtful Sound before you end excursion at the Alpine wonderland, Queenstown.

Meet your travel companions

On arrival in Christchurch, your concierge/driver guide will transfer you to your accommodation and help check you in as required. This evening you will meet your fellow travellers, over a drink and a briefing dinner to get to know each other. During dinner, your program director (or concierge/driver guide) will go over your program for the next 9 days. As the welcome dinner is scheduled for 7 pm onward, it is advised that you arrive into Christchurch no later than 4 pm.

Journey south to Lake Tekapo

This morning you will enjoy a late start to the day, you could perhaps take a little tour of Christchurch before you join the group and head to Lake Tekapo. You can discuss with your concierge/driver guide the previous day if you want to be taken on a little tour of Christchurch and surrounds or if you want to head straight to Lake Tekapo. Lake Tekapo is the second largest lake in the Canterbury/Mackenzie Basin region.
In 2012, Lake Tekapo which is in the Mackenzie region was declared an International Dark Sky Reserve, the southern hemisphere's sole dark sky reserve and one of only eight in the world. The world-renowned Mount John observatory in Lake Tekapo is New Zealand’s premier astronomical research centre. This evening, you will partake in the ultimate mountain top stargazing experience to see for yourself the stunning and pristine southern skies.

Lake Tekapo to Dunedin

This morning, after breakfast, your concierge/driver guide will drop you off at the Pukerangi station for your Taieri Gorge Rail Journey to Dunedin. On arrival in Pukerangi your concierge/driver guide will we waiting to take you to your accommodation.

A day in Dunedin

This morning is free for you to do as you please. You can wake up lazily and have a late breakfast or go on a city exploration tour, visit the historic Olveston home and if there is enough time, even drop in at the Otago Museum. In the afternoon, you will go on a Private Peninsula Wildlife Encounter Tour in the Otago Peninsula. The Otago Peninsula is known for its amazing marine/land animals and you get to witness some of the really unique animals up close, such as the rare and endangered Blue Penguins, endemic Yellow-Eyed Penguins and the Hooker Sea Lions etc.

Dunedin to Te Anau

Early this morning, we will be driving via the Catlins Forest Park, Nugget Point, Purakaunui Falls, Mclean Falls etc. to Invercargill. Visit Bill Richardson Transport World; Motorcycle Mecca, it is the largest private automotive museum of its type in the world. After your visits to both museums, you will head to Te Anau for the night. Rest up for a bit before you head out for your Glowworm Caves tour.

Board the Doubtful overnight cruise

This morning you will leave for Lake Manapouri where you will meet your overnight Doubtful Sound Cruise. It is the second-longest and deepest of South Island's fiords. Unlike the easily accessible Milford Sound, it is not possible to drive to Doubtful Sound. On the cruise, the nature guides will ensure you miss nothing, be it a pod of resident dolphins, fur seals or the rare penguin you may encounter. They will anchor for the night at a sheltered spot where you can either choose to explore the shoreline by kayak or relax onboard. For dinner, you will have a three-course buffet meal and if the skies are clear you can head to the upper deck and gaze at the starry night.

Doubtful Sound to Queenstown

Enjoy breakfast on the cruise before you are returned to Lake Manapouri. Your concierge/driver guide will pick you up and bring you to Queenstown. You can relax and freshen up before being collected for your dining experience at Skyline on the top of Bob's Peak.

Otago Rail Trail

After a relaxing day on the cruise, it's time to get a little adventurous today. You will be taken to Clyde where you will meet a specialist guide for your bike tour through the Central Otago Rail Trail and if time permits maybe even try your hand at the Naseby Indoor Curling Rink.

Central Otago Wine Tour

The Central Otago Wine region is the southernmost wine-growing region in the world. It is world-renowned for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay; Sauvignon Blanc's. Today you will go on a behind the scenes tour of some of the boutique vineyards in the region and have a delicious lunch paired with wine.

Depart the tour

All good things must come to an end and so does this amazing vacation. Depending on your onward plans, you will either get dropped off at the airport or at a place of your choosing.