10 Day Signature South Island Christmas Itinerary

Welcome to Christchurch

‘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.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 2 Nights

Accommodation:

Distinction Hotel Christchurch

The Distinction Hotel is a brand new hotel opening in 2019 in the revitalised heart of Christchurch and Cathedral Square. Centrally located and a short stroll to the Botanical Gardens, New Regent Street, the Arts Centre, and Avon River. This luxury Christchurch hotel offers 179 elegant, air-conditioned hotel rooms including 3 floors of brand new Superior Rooms and Suites.

Christchurch at Leisure

Today is a free day to explore Christchurch at leisure. Enjoy a journey on board the Christchurch
Tram, one of Christchurch’s leading attractions. The all-day ticket allows you to visit the central
sights onboard a beautifully restored heritage tram. This evening is also free to dine at an eatery
of your choice.

Some suggested activities around Christchurch

Christchurch Gondola	Punting the Avon River	Arthur's Pass TranzAlpine Hike
Clearwater Golf	French Akaroa Tour	Southern Alps Ballooning

Meals: Breakfast

Christchurch - Arthur’s Pass - Franz Josef

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 - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Situated on the very edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier will welcome you in true New Zealand style. The Hotel makes the most of its alpine location and is only moments from spectacular Franz Josef Glacier. The highly regarded Hot Pools are within walking distance. Featuring patios or balconies, the simple, warmly decorated rooms and suites include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, plus tea and coffee making facilities. Suites add living areas. (formerly known as the Scenic Circle Franz Josef Glacier Hotel) has quality rooms with balcony views and special access.

Franz Josef - Queenstown

See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty. Continue to picturesque Queenstown, situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu.

This sophisticated all-season town enjoys the best of both worlds offering bespoke and authentic luxury experiences in beautiful natural settings hosted by our naturally warm and welcoming people. You don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to enjoy Queenstown.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 Nights

Accommodation:

Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Millennium Hotel Queenstown is only minutes from Queenstown central shopping, entertainment and outdoor activities and offers a peaceful haven from the variety of activities in this lively city. With many guest rooms and suites to choose from the centre boasts a gym, sauna, spa, bar and restaurant, feature contemporary city-inspired designed. Many of our rooms also offer scenic views of the city and mountains, providing the perfect backdrop to your journey.

Queenstown - Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Today board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Enjoy a gourmet Christmas lunch and the best of NZ’s high-country cuisine in the Colonel’s Homestead.

Reboard the TSS Earnslaw and enjoy a sing along by the piano on your return cruise to Queenstown. This evening is free to dine at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Lunch

Queenstown - Arrowtown - Te Anau

Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. From here we travel to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. There is time this afternoon for an optional excursion to the Lake Te Anau Glowworms.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Te Anau - 2 Nights

Accommodation:

Distinction Luxmore Hotel - Te Anau

Distinction Luxmore Hotel provides comfortable newly refurbished accommodation in one of New Zealand's most popular scenic areas - Te Anau. Within easy walking distance of the township, surrounded by all local services, this 4-star hotel welcomes guests with 2 restaurants, free self parking, a fitness centre and free unlimited WiFi. Luxmores management and staff take pride in providing a warm, friendly and efficient service to all guests.

Cruise the Magnificent Milford Sound

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your vessel for a cruise on the magnificent fjord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and might Mitre Peak, as you enjoy a picnic lunch on board. This afternoon return to Te Anau and enjoy some free time.

You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Te Anau - Dunedin

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, famous for its stunning Edwardian and Victorian architecture dating back to the gold rush of the 1800s. Enjoy a city tour before travelling 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

A large statue of Robert Burns in front of a grand cathedral.

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Southern Cross - Dunedin

The Scenic Hotel Southern Cross is Dunedin's largest and most established hotel. Located in the heart of Dunedin, this hotel has been extensively refurbished and now provides guests with modern style, exquisite quality, convenience and exceptional service. Your every comfort is well provided for, with 178 attractive rooms and suites, extensive hotel facilities.

Mount Cook National Park & Twizel

Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. 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

Accommodation:

Distinction MacKenzie Country Hotel - Twizel

The MacKenzie Country Hotel, Twizel, is located very in the heart of the historic MacKenzie Basin. The hotel offers 108 spacious guestrooms including 80 standard rooms and 28 deluxe rooms; all offer shower over bath ensuites with surrounding views of the spectacular Ben Ohau Ranges and Mount Cook. Enjoy a meal in the restaurant or bar by choosing from the hearty menus revealing local cuisine accompanied by a range of New Zealand wines.

Beautiful Lake Tekapo & Christchurch

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 farewell dinner with your new found friends.

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Distinction Hotel Christchurch

Farewell Christchurch

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 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.