Scenic South Island 11 days

Suggested activities for Christchurch

Explore: Christchurch

New Zealand's garden city is steadily being transformed into a vibrant urban destination. Encompassing a large green belt, it is known for its wide tree-lined avenues and lush gardens. A great way to explore is to take the double-decker hop on/hop off bus for an easy way to see the sights – or ride a historic tram across town to the renowned botanic gardens and the unique cardboard Transitional Cathedral.

Culture: Ko Tāne Māori Experience and Guided Kiwi Tour

Get a unique glimpse into New Zealand's indigenous Māori culture when you visit the Ko Tāne Living Māori Village and Willowbank Wildlife reserve. This activity begins with a guided Kiwi Tour of the reserve with one of Willowbank's experienced guides. The performance also gives you an opportunity to learn the poi and the haka, then enjoy a four-course hāngī dinner.

World Famous: The TranzAlpine Scenic Train

Considered one of the world's great train journeys, the TranzAlpine Scenic Train takes you from Greymouth to Christchurch. You'll travel across the South Island from the west to the east coast through Arthur's Pass National Park. From the comfort of your carriage see lush beech forest, deep river valleys, and the spectacular peaks of the Southern Alps. Descend to the windswept Canterbury Plains before arriving in the city of Christchurch.

Suggested activity

Relax: Glacier Hot Pools

Nestled within the lush rainforest surrounds, the Glacier Hot Pools is a haven of tranquillity. Unwind in one of the three main pools. Temperatures range from 36 to 40 degrees and the water comes directly from a glacial stream.

Suggested activities for Franz Josef

Explore: Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef is a small but lively town in the heart of the West Coast, known for its 12km long glacier. Surrounded by lush rainforest-clad mountains the township has a vibrant and bustling atmosphere. To see the ice from a viewpoint you can walk along the valley floor to the viewpoint below the terminal face. However, to go on the glacier itself you must take a licensed helicopter tour.

Adventure: Half Day Franz Josef Glacier Eco Tour

Enjoy walking through regenerating forest for your first glimpse of the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier. Your experienced guide will take you off the beaten track as much as they can safely, to discover hidden waterfalls and 'dead' ice, and lots of other treasures.

Adventure: Franz Josef Glacier Helihike

Take a scenic flight over all three Franz Josef glacier icefalls. Landing high on the glacier, take a two-hour guided trip through some of the most beautiful terrain in the country. Your guide will choose the route as you go through a wonderland of blue ice and frozen pinnacles. You'll have endless views of the surrounding mountains and rainforest as well as plenty of opportunities to take photographs.

Heading south, you pass through the small town of Fox Glacier. A short side trip to view the glacier is recommended before heading along the coast and through more classic West Coast bush scenery. At Knights Point Lookout, fur seals and even elephant seals can often be seen basking on the sandy beaches at the far end of the point. Crossing the Haast River, you’ll turn inland and through the mountainous valley studded with waterfalls. Continue on past lakes Hawea and Wanaka into the alpine township of Wanaka.

Suggested Activity

Nature: Lake Wanaka Cruise and Island Nature Walk

Lying close to the center of Lake Wanaka is Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve. A unique glacial remnant of the last ice age, the island is also the historic site of early shipbuilding and was once a stopping place for the steamers and log rafts that plied the lake. A well-formed track leads from the landing and climbs steadily through native bush to near the top of Tyrwhitt Peak. Near the top, we see Arethusa Pool, a small lake on the island with its own small islands in it - very intriguing! At the top, enjoy a sweeping 360-degree view of Lake Wanaka.

Suggested activities for Te Anau

Explore: Te Anau

The gateway to the Fiordland National Park, Te Anau sits on the shores of the 345 square kilometre Lake Te Anau, which reaches depths of 417 metres. Te Anau Township is the starting point for many walking tracks including two of New Zealand's Great Walks, the Milford Track and the Kepler Track. The Milford road originates here and is arguably one of the country's most scenic stretches of highway.

Nature: Te Anau Glow Worm Caves

Begin your Te Anau glow worm experience with a scenic cruise across to the western shore of Lake Te Anau, on board a luxury catamaran. On arrival, you'll enter the caves through Cavern House, where informative displays detail the history of this 12,000-year-old underground network.

You'll then explore by limestone pathway while your guide points out hidden whirlpools, sculpted rock formations and a rushing underground waterfall. See a magical display of thousands of glow-worms as you glide through the darkness in a small boat.

Nature: Milford Sound

Get up close and personal with Milford Sound on a leisurely cruise of this spectacular, famous fiord. Thrill in the spray from thundering waterfalls, marvel at sky-high peaks and marvel at lush rainforest as you cruise close to sheer rock faces. Informative, participative, and relaxed, this is the perfect way to experience this natural wonder.

Nature: Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise

Onboard the Milford Mariner you will cruise the full length of this spectacular fiord to the Tasman Sea. Accompanied by a nature guide you can go exploring in the tender craft and kayaks or simply relax on deck. After the day's activities, you enjoy a delicious evening buffet in the spacious saloon before retiring to your private cabin. There is plenty of time to view waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife, and the experienced nature guide on board will be able to answer any questions you may have.

After reaching the open sea, subject to weather and favourable conditions the sails are hoisted for a period. The vessel returns to the calm and shelter of Harrison Cove for your overnight stay.

Suggested Activity

Explore: Queenstown and surrounds

Celebrated as New Zealand's adventure capital, Queenstown offers far more than a fast-paced action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of historic, gastronomic, and scenic wonders.

Suggested activities for Queenstown

World Famous: TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak including gourmet BBQ dinner and a farm tour

Enjoy a quintessential Kiwi experience – a delicious gourmet BBQ buffet meal and a farm demonstration in a stunning lakeside setting.

Take in the stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and its surroundings as you cruise across the lake to the historic Walter Peak high country farm aboard the TSS Earnslaw Steamship.

After dinner, watch the farm dogs in action with a sheep-herding demonstration and say hello to the other farm animals.

World Famous: Shotover Canyon River Jet Boat Adventure

Riding the iconic ‘Big Red’ Jet Boat through the narrow Shotover Canyon is an exhilarating experience not to be missed. Your skilled jet boat driver pushes the boat to 85 kph, skimming across shallow water and past towering canyon walls.

Food and Wine: Gibbston Valley Wine Tour

Experience a tasting journey through Central Otago’s incredibly scenic and varied wine sub-region the Gibbston Valley. Visit boutique vineyards, taste their unique cool climate wines, and discover why the Gibbston Valley region has become world-renowned in its own right.

Suggested activities for Queenstown

History and Shopping: Arrowtown Sightseeing Tour

Tour the old gold mining town of Arrowtown, with its quaint shops, world-class restaurants, and amazing history. It’s like stepping onto a movie set. Your guide will amaze you with tales of old and gold, and give you free time to shop and explore at your own pace.

Adventure: Skyline Gondola

In the heart of Queenstown, located 450 metres above the town in the Ben Lomond Scenic Reserve, is the Skyline Complex. A gondola ride to the summit makes for awe-inspiring views of the city's surroundings.

It’s time to leave or journey onto the North Island for the second part of your New Zealand vacation.