Holiday Schedule
Day 01 - Christchurch – Hanmer Springs - Kaikoura Day 02 - Kaikoura – Blenheim – Picton – Nelson Day 03 - Nelson – Marahau – Awaroa Lodge Day 04 - Awaroa Lodge – Marahau–FoxDay 05 - Fox Glacier - Wanaka Day 06 - Wanaka – Te Anau Day 07 - Te Anau – Milford Sound – Queenstown Day 08 - Queenstown Day 09 - Queenstown – Mt Cook Day 10 - Mt Cook - Christchurch Day 11 - Depart Christchurch
Christchurch – Hanmer Springs - Kaikoura
Day 01
This morning you will board your luxury coach at your CBD hotel and depart Christchurch travelling north to the township of Kaikoura. En-route you will make a stop at Hanmer Springs Village. Here you will enjoy a rejuvenating soak at the thermal pools, and a Devonshire Tea at the Heritage Hotel Hanmer Springs, before continuing onto today’s destination of Kaikoura.
After lunch in Kaikoura the luxury coach will transfer you to enjoy an experience of a lifetime, the world renowned Whale Watch cruise. After check-in at tonight’s accommodation, the Te Kaikoura Lodge, you will be allowed to catch your breath from the days excitement before the luxury coach will take you to the relaxing surroundings of the Fyffe Country Lodge for your 3 course dinner.
Kaikoura – Blenheim – Picton – Nelson
Day 02
After breakfast at the Te Kaikoura Lodge you will depart Kaikoura and travel north to the winery district of Blenheim to the first of the day’s winery visits.
New Zealand’s largest winery the Montana Brancott Estate is where morning tea and wine tasting awaits you before visiting other vineyards en-route to a sumptuous lunch at Allan Scott’s.
Today’s destination of Nelson, via the port of Picton, is where you will find the night’s accommodation, the Monaco Hotel & Resort. After check-in dinner will be served amongst the resorts elegant surroundings.
Nelson – Marahau – Awaroa Lodge
Day 03
After breakfast this morning you will be transferred from Nelson, to the spectacular Marahau Bay.
Here you will board a private water taxi, for your 1 ½ hour cruise to Awaroa Lodge, which is situated in the Abel Tasman National Park area.
The Lodge staff will welcome you before you leisurely explore the walking trails and ambience of the National Park. By evening you will have earned your 3 course dinner at the Lodge restaurant.
Awaroa Lodge – Marahau – Fox Glacier
Day 04
After breakfast at Awaroa Lodge you will depart by water taxi and re-board your luxury coach at Marahau to begin your journey to the west coast of the south island. Travelling past the Wild West coast you will arrive at the “Pancake Rocks”. Punakaiki, is where the rocks take on the extraordinary appearance of a pile of pancakes giving them the name, The “Pancake Rocks”.
Your tour continues onto Fox Glacier for the evening. Dinner will be served at your hotel restaurant this evening - Te Weheka Inn.
Fox Glaier - Wanaka
Day 05
Your day starts with a guided walk on either Fox or Franz Josef glaciers, before continuing onto an idyllic venue for lunch then through Haast and the wonderful views of the Southern Alps you will link up with the Southern Lakes District of Central Otago via the Haast Pass. As you continue to admire the lush vegetation of the west and dry tussocked Otago landscape you will descend to Wanaka and your hotel for the night, the Grand Mercure Oakridge
Wanaka – Te Anau
Day 06
After breakfast this morning the luxury coach will transfer you to another mode of transport at the railway station at Kingston. Here you will join the Kingston Flyer for a short journey on this historic steam train.
After your experience on the steam train the luxury coach will greet you at Fairlight to take you for lunch at the “Five Brothers Station” café and art gallery where you will enjoy a sumptuous 2 course lunch.
Te Anau is the next stop where you will check into the Te Anau Hotel & Villas for a relaxing evening.
Te Anau – Milford Sound – Queenstown
Day 07
You have a memorable day ahead of you after breakfasting at the hotel as you depart Te Anau for a day of unsurpassed scenery, beginning with a drive through the beech forests of the Eglinton Valley before entering the Hollyford Valley, and descending through the Homer Tunnel into Milford Sound. During your journey, there is time for photo stops and short walks along the way.
On arrival, you will embark on a cruise of Milford Sound, including the hidden mouth of the Sound, towering Mitre Peak and the cascading Stirling Falls while a Gourmet Picnic style lunch is served on board.
At the end of the cruise, there is an optional flight over the fiords and world famous Milford Track to your day's destination, Queenstown.
The luxurious Sofitel Hotel is where you will meet your winery host who will discuss with you the samples of Pinot wines, cheeses and canapés you will be tasting from their onsite winery.
Queenstown
Day 08
After breakfast you have the choice to make the day as action packed as possible or to simply enjoy the serenity of the mountainous setting.
Queenstown is home to some of the most memorable activities such as;
- Dart River Safari Excursion including Light BBQ Lunch
- ½ Day Skippers Canyon adventure by 4WD
- Shotover Jet Boat Ride
- Golf at Millbrook – 18holes
- TSS Earnslaw Cruise & BBQ Lunch at Walter Peak Station
Queenstown – Mt Cook
Day 09
The Sofitel breakfast will energize you for your journey to Christchurch via Mount Cook. Following the Kawarau River to the township of Cromwell, you cross the Lindis Pass, which links northern central Otago with Mt. Cook and the Mackenzie Country. This inland route winds through some of the most evocative hill country to be found in New Zealand, with the forever-present Southern Alps splitting the South Island distinctly into west and east.
Omarama and The Wrinkly Rams is where you will stop to enjoy the sheep shearing show, café, art gallery and wine bar. After lunch you continue the journey to the southern most tip of Lake Pukaki before arriving at Mt Cook and your accommodation for the night the Hermitage Hotel.
Mt Cook - Christchurch
Day 10
After breakfast you will depart Mt Cook for Christchurch, retracing your route along the shoreline of Lake Pukaki to Lake Tekapo, a turquoise glacial lake. A stop is made at the lake's edge to look at the simple stone Church of the Good Shepherd and nearby, the bronze sheep dog.
Lunch in the Township of Geraldine awaits you before the luxury coach whisks you into Christchurh to your central city accommodation, the Heritage Hotel. Le Bon Bolli restaurant will serve you your 3 course dinner before your luxury coach returns you back to your hotel to enjoy your final night.
Depart Christchurch
Day 11
Upon waking you have the choice of a full continental or cooked buffet breakfast at the hotel restaurant before being taken by limousine to the Christchurch International Airport.