New Zealand's Scenic South Island

We'll meet you at Christchurch Airport to transfer you to the Observatory Hotel in the Garden City's historic Arts Centre. 

Take the time to explore the city at your own pace, or nurse your jet lag. Visit an art gallery or museum. We'll offer some suggestions. If you love to shop, stroll down to The Crossing and Ballantynes, a short walk from the hotel. Your local guide will be on hand to assist and show you around.

This evening, we'll meet for welcome cocktails at Mr. Brightside's rooftop bar. Soak up the vibrant atmosphere and sweeping views, drink in hand, as you meet new friends. It’s a short walk to Inati, where we will dine this evening.

We'll start our Christchurch sightseeing adventure onboard a restored vintage tram. Our knowledgeable driver will provide interesting commentary on the local landmarks and the changing face of Christchurch. We'll stop at the Transitional Cathedral for a short guided tour to learn the history of this unique house of prayer. It was built with cardboard after the Canterbury earthquakes. Art lovers will enjoy the city’s architecture and the street art we discover on the tour. 

Our next adventure begins onboard a Punt (a long, narrow, flat-bottomed boat, square at both ends and propelled with a long pole). Our classically attired punter will pole us along the serene Avon River. You have free time for lunch. Our guide recommends the Riverside Market for very yummy light meals. 

This afternoon, we'll drive across the Port Hills to Governor's Bay to Ōhinetahi Gardens. The magnificent gardens are situated at the head of Lyttelton Harbour. The gardens and sculptures have a special significance, dating back to 1865 when keen botanist Thomas H. Potts began planting them. We will do an informative tour of the grounds and the historic homestead, followed by afternoon tea.

Next up, enjoy a scenic drive around the bays via the port of Lyttelton and Sumner Beach back to the city. Time permitting, we'll stroll along the Sumner beach promenade.

Tonight, we're having dinner and a wine tasting at The Cellar Door.

After breakfast, we'll journey across to the Banks Peninsula, stopping at Little River for morning tea and a visit to a popular gallery showcasing local art and jewelry. We'll wind our way up the hill and across the top of the peninsula before dropping down into O’Kains Bay. This idyllic little slice of Kiwi paradise is home to several quaint historic buildings, a quiet beach, and the Okains Bay Māori and Colonial Museum. The museum features 3,000 Māori items including several waka (war canoes) that share a space with colonial items from yesteryear. Next, we'll stroll the organic garden and relax with a cold beverage before stopping for lunch at Jane’s Kitchen. 

In the afternoon, we'll travel over the hill, stopping at the top to admire the scenery below. In Akaroa, we'll tour the Giant’s House to discover the unique collection of sculptures and mosaics and the beautiful garden. 

Later this afternoon, we’ll board a comfortable sea vessel for a 2-hour harbor cruise. The aim is to meet the world’s smallest and rarest dolphin, the Hector. They are a cute and playful bunch found only in New Zealand waters. Refreshments and snacks will be served on the cruise. Don’t forget your camera. This is an amazing photo opportunity!  

Tonight is yours to enjoy on your own or with newly found friends.

After checking out of our hotel, we’ll start our journey south, driving across the Canterbury Plains, crossing braided rivers, and breaking up our trip in a rural town for lunch.

We'll reach Lake Tekapo by early afternoon to visit a much-photographed icon – The Church of the Good Shepherd. Revel in the vast vistas this area is known for with its turquoise lakes, golden grasslands, and New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook.

Later this afternoon, we'll check into The Galaxy Boutique Hotel to relax and unwind before we head out for dinner at the popular Kohan Japanese restaurant.

McKenzie Country is an International Dark Sky Reserve. This evening, we'll experience serious "Star Gazing." We'll introduce you to the southern night skies with a unique combination of astronomy and storytelling before relaxing in a hot pool where you can lie on a floating hammock and gaze up at the glittering stars.

After breakfast, let's appreciate the picturesque scenery as we roll across the vast plains via colorful lakes, rivers, and the Lindis Pass before arriving in Lake Wanaka. Here, we’ll visit a local bakery and pick up a picnic lunch to eat lakeside.

This afternoon, we'll partake in a gin and whisky tasting at Cardrona Distillery before continuing to an iconic Kiwi watering hole – The Cardrona Hotel. This is one of the most photographed historic facades in the country. We'll have time to wander through the hotel and discover its history before relaxing in the gardens with a cool refreshment. 

Later, we'll travel across the Crown Range - New Zealand’s highest main road on an epic drive that reaches an altitude of 1,121 meters. Finally, we'll arrive in Queenstown and check into the Kamana Lake House, our home for the next few days.

Dinner tonight is at Rātā, where we'll savor New Zealand cuisine with an inventive twist.

After breakfast, we'll explore nearby Arrowtown. Nestled on the banks of the Arrow River and surrounded by natural beauty, this little town is rich in heritage and charm. Wandering down Main Street, we'll discover cute miners’ cottages and boutique shops. Take time to shop or stroll along the river and explore the Chinese village.

Next, we're off to Gibbston Valley, famed for its rugged schist mountains, swirling blue river, and award-winning Pinot Noir wines. At Kinross, you can sip a variety of regional wines. You'll taste wines from the vineyards of Coal Pit, Hawkshead, Valli, and Wild Irishman as well as their own Kinross offerings. If you prefer not to indulge in wine tasting, you can stay in Arrowtown and join the group for lunch at Kinross later.

A short drive brings us to the world home of bungy jumping at the Kawerau River. AJ Hackett, a New Zealand entrepreneur, led the way in promoting the extreme sport of bungy jumping. He made a bungy jump from the Eiffel Tower in 1987 and founded the first commercial bungy site in 1988 from the Kawerau Bridge. Here, you can watch people launch off the bridge with a rubber rope tied around their legs and hurtle 43m down toward the river. You can also partake in this heart-pounding, exhilarating experience if your heart desires (optional activity not included)!

We'll end our day at the Onsen Pools for a soak in a cedar-lined hot tub filled with pure water from the surrounding mountains. Gaze out to the inspiring scenery below with a glass of bubbly and enjoy this unique Kiwi twist to a Japanese tradition. 

Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own. 

We'll spend today in the stunning high country, venturing out in a luxury 4WD vehicle through epic landscapes and across rivers, climbing the ridgeline to look over mountains and canyons on the way to Ben Lomond Station. This 33,000-acre property is one of the few high country stations still owned and operated by New Zealanders. It has been a major part of the local history for over 150 years. We’ll meet with the station owner to discover intriguing tales about station life in this remote region. We'll share a gourmet picnic lunch before taking a stroll through a stunning beech forest to learn about the gold mining history and the early settlers of the region.

After lunch, we’ll view the dramatic landscapes from the air. Our helicopter will transport us from Moonlight Lodge at the station across mountains and lakes back to Queenstown, a breathtaking experience.

Finally, we will end the day with an exhilarating jet boat ride on the Shotover River. It was a clever Kiwi that invented the jet boat, enabling us to travel into remote places with ease. This afternoon’s thrilling ride through the canyon will blow your mind!

We will share our final dinner at Nest - Queenstown’s highest alfresco restaurant with superb views of Lake Wakatipu through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Sadly, our South Island experience comes to an end after breakfast. You will be transferred to Queenstown Airport for direct flights to Auckland or Australia to connect you to your homeward flight. 

Alternatively, you may prefer to stay here and join our North Island tour that starts in two days. Ask for options to fill in these two days. Stay in Queenstown, head to Auckland early, or take an overnight cruise to Doubtful or Milford Sound.