Premium New Zealand South Island Itinerary

When you touch down in New Zealand your detailed documentation pack will be hand-delivered by one of our trusted representatives. You'll find everything you need in one handy place: your personalised itinerary, clear instructions and maps, and reservation details for your accommodation and activities.

24 Hour Assistance: We’re just a free phone call away if you encounter any issues while you're on the road - at any time of day or night. Don’t waste your precious vacation time stressing - First Light Travel are here to help you quickly when every second counts.

What's also included?

‘Haere Mai’ and welcome to Christchurch, Your tour begins with a late afternoon group meeting at 6pm followed by an exclusive Welcome Dinner at a tiny restaurant and natural wine bar featuring produce from the Canterbury region and across the South Island. Enjoy a delicious three course meal celebrating local producers at a restaurant that champions sustainability.

 Included activities

• Christchurch - Welcome Dinner
• Complimentary Arrival Transfer

Accommodation: Christchurch Hotel - 1 night

*The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.

Journey to Punakaiki on the South Island's rugged and remote West Coast, one of New Zealand's most unspoiled and ancient destinations.

Take a morning stroll with your leader around some of the landmarks of Christchurch. Next set off along the Great Alpine Highway No 73 driving through Castle Hill – the spectacular mountain scenery may look familiar, as parts of The Chronicles of Narnia movie were filmed against this dramatic backdrop, and Arthurs Pass. After lunch in Moana, enjoy a short stop at Lake Brunner, the largest lake in the northwestern South Island of New Zealand.

Spend the afternoon in Greymouth, stopping into a boutique studio to learn about the prized west coast jade known locally as Pounamu (Greenstone). Then continue to Monteith's Brewery, considered the original home of New Zealand craft brewing, for a tour and tasting. Arrive at Punakaiki Resort by late afternoon. Situated in Paparoa National Park, the resort is adjacent to the beautiful Punakaiki beach and the magnificent Pancake Rocks and Blowholes - the perfect spot to reflect and relax.

Included activities

• Greymouth - Monteith's Brewery Tour & Tasting
• Greymouth - Pounamu (Greenstone) Studio Visit
• Christchurch - Leader-led Orientation Walk
• Lake Brunner - Nature Walk

Accommodation: Punakaiki  - 1 Night

Total Driving Time: approx 5 hours

Continue your journey today to Franz Josef – and here, you’re in for a real treat. Nestled in a rainforest clearing, Franz Josef Glacier Village lies at the heart of the Westland National Park. Welcome to one of the most diverse and beautiful areas of New Zealand.

The magnificent Franz Josef Glacier is widely regarded as the gem of New Zealand’s West Coast glaciers. It tumbles down from the Southern Alps almost to the sea, its ancient icy faces contrasting spectacularly with the surrounding rainforests. Take the opportunity to experience the most spectacular glacier environment anywhere in the world.

Included activities

• Punakaiki - Rocks & Blowhole Visit
• Hokitika - West Coast Treetops Walk
• Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre Visit with Ranger

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 2 Nights

Total Driving Time: 4 hours

Begin your day with a self-guided walk to see the icy wonderland created by the Franz Josef Glacier, one of the steepest glaciers in New Zealand. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you may like to join an optional heli-hiking tour and get even closer to this incredible glacier. Other optional activities include kayaking, a scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika or a soak in the hot tubs at Franz Josef.

Included activities

• Franz Josef - Glacier View Walk

Meals - Breakfast

The drive from Franz Josef to Wanaka is one of the most scenic in New Zealand, as the windswept West Coast gives way to ancient forests and mountain passes.

There's beauty around every bend as you navigate the Haast Pass, with woodland walks and dramatic waterfalls along the way - perfect for picnic stops.

Depart Franz Josef for the picturesque resort town of Wanaka, the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park, located in the Otago region. Stop along the way at Makorora and visit the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust, an organisation which strives to protect and restore indigenous biodiversity. After lunch, take a guided flora and fauna walk with a local ornithologist and ecologist.

Keep an eye out for endangered birds as you learn about how the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust is working to reduce predators and save some of New Zealand’s rarest species. Arrive in Wanaka by later afternoon, and settle in to your home for the next two nights - a homestead built on the site of a former sheep station. Located next to the resplendent Wanaka Station Park on the shores of Lake Wanaka, and a short stroll from Wanaka township, you'll be perfectly placed to enjoy all this charming town has to offer.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Wanaka - 2 Nights

Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 min

Enjoy a sleep in or perhaps start your day with a hike up Mt Iron for a view over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding peaks. Today's experience is one of the real highlight's of your trip. Central Otago is a region well known for food and wine, and today you will visit the spectacular Criffel Station for a chef-guided tasting and foraging tour, followed by a delicious lunch, washed down with some excellent Central Otago wines.

Included activities

• Wanaka - Criffel Station Foraging & Lunch Experience with Local Chef

Meals Breakfast, Lunch

Depart Wanaka for the drive to Te Anau. Along the way, take in a spectacular scenic drive across the Crown Range and by the shores of Lake Wakatipu. After lunch, continue on to your embarkation point for your Feature Stay, an overnight cruise surrounded by the spectacular beauty of Milford Sound, also known by its Te Reo (Maori) name Piopiotahi. Aboard your purpose-built vessel, enjoy a full length journey of the fjord out to the Tasman Sea, with the possibility to see wildlife such as seals, penguins and dolphins. You will also have access to a specialist guide with information on the fjord's history and natural environment. For those who are keen, kayaking and/or small boat tours allow a truly immersive experience of this special place. Finish your day with a delicious three-course dinner before settling down in your cosy cabin.

Included activities

• Milford Sound - Overnight Boat Cruise

Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Total driving time  5 hours + stops along the way

After a leisurely onboard breakfast surrounded by some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery, you’ll disembark and travel to Queenstown with plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs along the way. After another stop in pretty Te Anau for lunch, you’ll arrive in plenty of time to check into your boutique hotel in Queenstown.

Meals Breakfasst

Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 Nights

Total Driving Time: approx around 3.5 hours.

Today is the grand finale of your trip. In the morning, take an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Kimi Akau (Shotover River), deep into the spectacular Shotover Canyons. Speeding over water as shallow as 10cm, this is an amazing white water experience, operated by the Ngai Tahu, Maori people who have a centuries-old connection with this land. Continue on for a leader-led walk through historical Arrowtown, then enjoy a wine tasting at Gibbston Valley. Perhaps toast the end of your journey with a New Zealand-inspired gin & tonic or glass of Otago wine at a bar & restaurant with arguably the most spectacular views in all of Queenstown.

Included activities

• Queenstown - Shotover River Jetboat Experience
• Gibbston Valley - Wine Cave Tour
• Arrowtown - Leader-led walk
• Queenstown - Farewell Aperitivo

Meals Breakfast

Total Driving Time: 1 hours 30 min

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

Your New Zealand adventure ends this morning after breakfast. As this trip spends very little time in Queenstown, we recommend you spend an extra day or two here if you want to experience all the town has to offer. Let First Light Travel know if you would like us to find additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Meals Breakfast

So what are you waiting for? Contact First Light Travel and book your Holiday in New Zealand - We Guarantee you it will be the Experience of a Lifetime!

The tour operator endeavors to enhance trip itineraries. In instances where improvements are feasible or circumstances necessitate changes beyond their control, the tour operator retains the prerogative to modify the published itinerary and implement substitutions as needed.

1. A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. The price of the single supplement does not include the following nights, where a single room does not form part of the package. In this case you will be matched up with another traveller of the same gender: Day 7 - Milford Sound Cruise
Please also note that due to the small properties we use there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.

2. The Milford Sound Cruise is seasonal and weather dependent. Some departures may require a slight shift in itinerary to make sure the cruise is included. Trips departing on 13 September 2024 (PHPS240913), 29 November 2024 (PHPS241129), and 15 November 2024 (PHPS241115) will stay in Queenstown on day 7 and board the Milford Sound cruise on day 8.

3. On the trip departing on 16 May 2025 (PHPS250516) the Milford Sound cruise has finished for the season so the Feature Stay will instead be at the Milford Sound Lodge.