South Island - Bottom Half Highlights (10 nights)

South Island - Bottom Half Highlights (10 nights)

Chirstchurch (2) - Tekapo (1) - Queenstown (2) - Te Anau (2) - Dunedin (2) - Oamaru (1) - Christchurch

CHRISTCHURCH:

Described by Lonely Planet as a "vibrant city in transition, coping resiliently and creatively,” Christchurch's energy is evident wherever you go. The city has bounced back after the Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 with innovative new attractions, as well as some old favourites.Visit the Re Start container mall, the transitional Cardboard Cathedral, and some of the many pop up restaurants and bars. Contemporary art galleries, boutique shops and open-air markets add to Christchurch’s creative vibe.

About Christchurch

Traditionally known as the Garden City, Christchurch’s award winning Botanic Gardens are over 150 years old and boast an enviable collection of exotic and native plants.
The Avon River flows through the city centre so why not take an Edwardian punt ride while you're there
Vintage trams make their way around the city making it an great way to see the city sights. The tram car restaurant is also a popular way to enjoy a meal onboard the lovingly restored carriages
The city is nice and flat making a leisurely bike ride a great option in the summer months. Biking through the Botanic Gardens and stopping off for an ice cream is the perfect way to spend an afternoon
Banks Peninsula offers sightseeing day trips out to the French township of Akaroa with many interesting stops along the way

Distance from Christchurch to Tekapo - 229 kms / (3hrs)

Recommended Sightseeing:  Botanic Gardens  | Punting on the Avon River  | Tram Car City Tour & Restaurant |

French Akaroa Day Tour |   4WD High Country Tour   | Guided City Bike Tour

Recommended Accommodation   5* Luxury Lodge -    Otahuna Lodge | Annadale Lodges

Recommended Accommodation   5* Hotels -   The George |  Heritage Hotel

TEKAPO:

Lake Tekapo is about three hours drive south-west of Christchurch in the Mackenzie Basin. The township faces north across the remarkable turquoise coloured lake to the mountainous drama of the Southern Alps.

Lake Tekapo gets its intense milky-turquoise colour from the fine rock-flour (ground by glaciers) which is suspended in the water. Picturesque by day and dazzling by night, Lake Tekapo is part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing.

About Lake Tekapo

Best seen between April and September, Lake Tekapo is known for it's clear nights and lack of light pollution, making it a great viewing destination.
Head to Mount John Observatory - perched high in the mountains and south-facing - for your best chance of experiencing this spectacular natural light show.

Distance from Tekapo to Queenstown - 257 kms / (3hrs)

Recommended Sightseeing: Church of the Good Shepherd | Mt John Observatory (Night Sky) |

Mt Cook & Surrounds Scenic Flight

Recommended Accommodation: Lake Tekapo Lodge | Peppers Blue Water Resort

QUEENSTOWN:

Welcome to Queenstown - the 'Adventure Capital of New Zealand'

Located in the south-western alpine region of the South Island, Queenstown is the most iconic tourist destination in the country
sitting snugly around a pristine inlet on the sparkling Lake Wakatipu. The region around Queenstown is characterised by jagged mountain ranges, deep canyons, wild cascading rivers, crystal-clear lakes, rain forest, tussock grassland and fresh mountain air – in short this region one of nature’s finest marvels.

About Queenstown

Queenstown offers a dizzying array of activities from those that involve throwing yourself off a bridge, airplane or mountain top, to the more gentle excursions that are guaranteed to keep your feet on the ground at all times!
This resort town is a great place to visit throughout the seasons, with spring and autumn becoming more popular as it's a good way to avoid the summer crowds
Be sure to get out in to the regions where the gold mining past remains part of the current landscape.
Wine making is a booming part of the area with Pinot Noir being a favourite drop both locally and internationally. Wine tours are well worth your time as the locations of the vineyards are nothing less than spectacular
Local produce features highly in your culinary experience in and around Queenstown with venison, stone fruits and wild thyme honey being a few of the ingredients you can expect to enjoy

TE ANAU :

As one of the most dramatic and beautiful parts of New Zealand, Fiordland has achieved World Heritage status and is often called the Sightseeing and Walking Capital of the world.

The best base for exploring the Fiordland region is the attractive resort town of Te Anau. From here it is an easy two hours drive to Milford Sound and twenty minutes drive to Lake Manapouri and the start of a Doubtful Sound excursion.

About Te Anau

The road from Te Anau to Milford Sound is considered to be one of the world's finest alpine drives.
The township lies at the base of Mt Luxmore and the Murchison mountain range. It boarders Lake Te Anau which is the largest lake in the South Island (depths of over 400m) and the second largest in New Zealand.
Te Anau is the main gateway to the fiords, Fiordland National Park and Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area.

By road it’s a 2 hour drive from Queenstown and about 2 ½ hours from Milford Sound.

Distance from Te Anau to Dunedin - 291 kms / (3hrs 30)

Recommended Sightseeing:    Milford Sound Overnight Cruise | Half Day Kepler Track Guided Walk |

Glow Worm Caves  |   Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Recommended Accommodation: 4* Lodge -    Fiordland Lodge

DUNEDIN:

Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest city. It's home to the countries oldest university and possesses a unique combination of cultural riches, fine architecture and world-famous wildlife reserves on the Otago Peninsula.

Dunedin was largely founded by Scottish immigrants, whose legacy includes many impressive buildings which contribute to much of the city's charm.

About Dunedin

The Otago Peninsula which lies within the city boundaries has internationally renowned wildlife reserves, including the rare Royal Albatross breeding ground and Yellow-Eyed & Little Blue Penguin colonies.
No visit to Dunedin is complete with out visiting the worlds steepest Street - according to the Guiness Book of Records! Be sure to visit Baldwin Street and take a walk to the top Baldwin St
The cities past merges easily with the present and makes for an interesting visit as you immerse yourself in the Southern Hemisphere’s finest Victorian and Edwardian architecture and discover it's many hidden gems.
If you happen to be visiting on a Saturday be sure to visit the wonderful produce market at the central railway station. It's full to the brim with locally grown goodness and the wonderfully friendly local growers who bring the market to live each weekend

Distance from Dunedin to Oamaru - 113 kms / (1 hr 30)

Recommended Sightseeing:   Heritage Tour | Settlers Museum |   Larnarch Castle |   Olverston House |

Full Day City & Wildlife Tour

Recommended Accommodation:   5* Hotel Hotel Distinction   | Camp Estates

Recommended Accommodation:   4* Hotel Scenic Hotel & Suites

OAMARU :

The drive north from Dunedin to Oamaru takes approx. 1.5 hrs, but with several 'must see' stops along the way, we encourage you to take a the leisurely option and take in some of the districts historic places of interest.

The coastline between Oamaru and Palmerston offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, uncrowded beaches and a host of friendly townships each with their own unique character.

About Oamaru

The world famous Moeraki boulders are just south of Oamaru and well worth a visit. The fantastic rock formations sit on the foreshore and at low tide are a fantastic sight to behold.
European settlement began in Oamaru in 1853. The Harbour, during the late 19th Century, was vital for Oamaru and its farming hinterland. Grain and wool were housed in often-ornate warehouses built and carved from locally quarried Oamaru limestone.
Today the wonderful limestone buildings make up the Victorian precinct now home to a collection of curio shops, restaurants and gift stores.
Oamaru Harbour is home to the Little Blue Penguins. They head out to sea to feed by day and return home to their hutches as the sun sets. They are impossible not to love so be sure to make this evening tour a priority during your stay

Distance from Oamaru to Christchurch - 249 kms / (3 hrs 15)

Recommended Sightseeing:   Moeraki Boulders | Oamaru Victorian Precinct |   Totara Estate |

Little Blue Penguins

Recommended Accommodation:   5* Lodge Pen-y-bryn Lodge

Recommended Accommodation:   5* B&B   The Douglas B&B

CHRISTCHURCH: Your tour ends on arrival back into Christchurch today.

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