Grand Pacific Tours - 10 Day Signature South Island Itinerary

‘Haere Mai’ and Welcome to New Zealand.

On arrival into Christchurch we will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Check in and freshen up before spending the remainder of the day exploring the Garden City. New Zealand’s second-largest city and the gateway to the South Island, Christchurch sits on the very edge of the Canterbury Plains and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. The people are friendly and there is plenty to see and do.

This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.

Some suggested activities if you have time:

Meals: Dinner (not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm)

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel through spectacular gorges to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps.

Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing to the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation Franz Josef Glacier - 1 Night

See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps Alps as you travel south along the West Coast to Fox Glacier. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown. This sophisticated all-season town enjoys the best of both worlds offering bespoke and authentic luxury experiences in beautifully natural settings hosted by our naturally warm and welcoming people. You don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to enjoy Queenstown.

This evening is free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 Nights

Today is a free day. There are plenty of sightseeing options and your crew are available to assist. The surrounding area is known for its natural landscape with wild rivers, high peaks and deep canyons and has allowed Queenstown to developed an exciting array of outdoor adventure activities - and there's plenty to choose from.

But if you just want to chill out then Queenstown's compact downtown area is relaxed during the day and huge fun at night. In any season, you can count on stylish designer shops and many trendy restaurants offering a kaleidoscope of dining experiences.

This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Enjoy the best of New Zealand’s high country cuisine with a gourmet BBQ dinner. 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.

Recommended Queenstown Excursions:

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown to visit the Lakes District Museum. Sitting alongside the gold-bearing Arrow River, Arrowtown established in 1862 is rich in heritage and as a former gold mining town is considered one of the most picturesque settlements in New Zealand. Charming Arrowtown has maintained its rich heritage and historic buildings with more than 60 pioneer constructed cottages, shops, hotels and churches.

Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to beautiful Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Te Anau - 2 Nights

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. Enjoy a full-length cruise of the fiord in a modern, purpose built vessel offering excellent viewing of waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife with large windows, spacious decks, and comfortable lounges. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to round off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin for an informative city tour followed by some free time at leisure. 'Dunedin' comes from 'Dun Eideann' the Scots-Gaelic name for Edinburgh, founded largely by Scottish immigrants, who raised the impressive buildings which now add much to the city's charm. These buildings incorporate a diverse array of styles from Tudor, Jacobean, Georgian, Carpenter, Gothic and Arts and Crafts styles also feature - to some very fine examples of Neo-Gothic. Dunedin is regarded as one of the best-preserved Victorian cities in the Commonwealth.

Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this garden of international significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 Night 

Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru. While its façade is strictly of the Victorian era with ornately decorated grand white stone buildings that once housed upstanding banks, hotels and restaurants, the residents ‘the Oamaruivans’ are certainly not. In fact quite the contrary, unlike the Victorians they (the locals) are bohemians artisans, creative’s and antiquarians who run ‘out-there’ galleries, museums, shops and venues – it has to be seen to be believed.

Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you continue to 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. Travel to Twizel for your overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Twizel - 1 Night 

Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the sheep dog statue before arriving into Christchurch for a city tour. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

Accommodation Christchurch - 1 Night

Haere rā and Bon Voyage!

We are sure you will enjoy this tour and our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Meals: Breakfast

Itinerary Variations:
The provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions.