10 Day South Island Highlights ‘Premium’ Golf Tour 

Welcome to Christchurch New Zealand! Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel by private transfer.

CHRISTCHURCH/OTAUTAHI – Located on a level plain, Christchurch is defined by its historic past and vibrant future. The willow and oak-lined River Avon meanders through its heart, where you can enjoy a punt ride or explore the sprawling Botanic Gardens. Much of the city’s unique charm comes from its blend of old and new; elegant stone buildings sit alongside striking contemporary architecture. Following a series of earthquakes, the city has been thoughtfully and creatively rebuilt, resulting in innovative new spaces like the Transitional Cathedral and Margaret Mahy Playground. This spirit of renewal makes Christchurch an exciting hub for arts, culture, and dining, while its proximity to both the stunning Canterbury Plains and the volcanic Port Hills offers easy access to outdoor adventures.

Today you will pick up your Budget Rental Car Intermediate SUV and head to play at the stunning Clearwater Golf Club. Situated in the picturesque outskirts of Christchurch, Clearwater Golf Club offers a truly world-class golfing experience. The course is famously set among a series of interconnected lakes and pristine wetlands, which not only provide a stunning backdrop but also serve as strategic challenges on every hole. The par-72 course is designed as a hybrid between a links and parkland style, with wide, fast-draining fairways and challenging greens that demand precision. Its reputation for excellence has made it a regular host for major professional events, including the New Zealand Open. Beyond the golf, the club provides a serene and beautiful environment, with native birdlife and views of the snow-capped Southern Alps.

Today you will drive out to Terrace Downs and play Fable Terrace Downs Resort (includes cart). This stunning 18-hole championship golf course is integrated into the heart of the Canterbury high country, providing a truly unique and memorable game. The course is characterized by its dramatic alpine setting, with fairways winding through tussock and alongside the deep gorges of the Rakaia River. Designed to challenge players of all levels, the course features numerous water hazards, strategic bunkering, and large, fast greens. From nearly every hole, players are treated to panoramic, uninterrupted views of the snow-capped Southern Alps, which serve as a spectacular backdrop.

This journey offers a spectacular transition from the urban east coast to the pristine alpine landscapes of the South Island. Departing from Christchurch, you’ll travel across the vast and fertile Canterbury Plains, where patchwork fields stretch to the horizon. As you head inland, the foothills of the Southern Alps begin to rise, and the landscape becomes more dramatic. The final part of the drive is truly breathtaking as you arrive at Lake Tekapo, known for its brilliant turquoise-blue water, a result of fine rock flour suspended in the glacial meltwater.

LAKE TEKAPO/TAKAPŌ – located in the Mackenzie country, with fantastic views of the surrounding Alps. The Lake’s unusual turquoise colour is given by fine rock-flour, which is dust ground by glacial movement and held in suspension by the Lake’s waters. The Lake is also well known for its brown and rainbow trout.

This evening you are in for a real treat as you join the team from Dark Sky Project and take Crater Experience Tour – At Cowan’s Private Observatory. This exclusive stargazing experience is for those who want an intimate and personal journey through the cosmos. Your private guide will take you to Cowan’s Private Observatory, where you will use a high-powered telescope to view constellations, planets, and galaxies. The tour is a perfect way to learn about the night sky in one of the world’s best stargazing locations.

Depart Lake Tekapo and travel south, passing through Twizel and the Mackenzie Basin. The route then climbs the iconic Lindis Pass, with its vast and sweeping tussock landscapes. Descend into Central Otago, a region of world-class vineyards and dramatic mountain valleys. Your trip ends on the shores of Lake Wakatipu as you arrive in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital.

QUEENSTOWN/TAHUNA – is the South Island’s most popular resort, set alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu, under the gaze of the Remarkables Ranges. See the contrast of smooth glacier rounded hills, and jagged mountain summits that reach high above the ancient ice floor. The town is renowned for its jet boating, bungy-jumping, skiing and awe-inspiring scenery. Local story has it, that the gold prospectors of the 19th century pronounced the town as “fit for any Queen”, and so she was called Queenstown.

This afternoon you will play Millbrook Resorts Coronet 18 Holes. The Coronet 18 (includes cart) is a world-class course, designed by Greg Turner and Scott Macpherson, it seamlessly integrates into the surrounding landscape, with fairways winding through schist rock outcrops, wetlands, and large undulations. With a backdrop of the majestic Remarkables and Coronet Peak, every hole offers breathtaking views. The course provides a unique variety of terrain, from the serene Mill Stream to the drama of sheer rock faces, creating a distinct and challenging test of golf. As one of two championship layouts at Millbrook Resort, the Coronet 18 provides an unforgettable experience that combines exceptional course quality with a stunning natural amphitheater.

Today enjoy a round at Millbrook Resorts Remarkables 18. As part of Millbrook’s 36-hole championship layout, the Remarkables 18 course provides a distinct and dramatic golfing experience. Designed by Greg Turner and Scott Macpherson, it is characterized by its expansive, links-style feel, with wide, undulating fairways and challenging bunkering that seamlessly integrates into the rugged landscape. The course is famously named for its backdrop—the magnificent Remarkables mountain range, which provides a stunning visual on nearly every hole. It is known for its exposed, open terrain and natural schist rock features, which present a unique challenge and a beautiful contrast to the resort’s more traditional parkland holes. A round on the Remarkables 18 is a memorable and challenging journey through a raw, untamed landscape, offering a premier golfing test with some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in New Zealand.

A break from golf today to join Altitude Tours Queenstown on their renowned Milford Sound – Coach / Cruise / Fly, Including Lunch Tour. This full-day, all-inclusive tour is a “bucket list” experience that showcases the stunning beauty of Fiordland from every angle. Your adventure begins with a comfortable coach trip from Queenstown in a premium Mercedes van, where your knowledgeable local guide will provide entertaining commentary and make multiple stops for incredible photo opportunities at iconic spots like Mirror Lakes and the Chasm. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, you’ll board a small-boat nature cruise to explore the length of the fiord, getting up close to its towering waterfalls and spotting unique wildlife. The grand finale is a breathtaking scenic flight, where you’ll soar over the razor-sharp mountain peaks, glaciers, and alpine lakes you just traveled through, arriving back in Queenstown in a fraction of the time. This seamless tour is designed for comfort and convenience, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the natural wonder of the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”

Today you will play a round at the fantastic Arrowtown Golf Club. Situated in the historic gold-mining town of Arrowtown, this course offers a unique and intimate golfing experience unlike the larger resort courses nearby. Opened in 1911, the course is known for its narrow, rolling fairways framed by schist rock outcrops, mature trees, and the winding Arrow River. Though shorter than modern championship courses, it presents a formidable challenge that requires accuracy and strategic placement over power. The course is particularly famous for its beauty in autumn when the surrounding hills explode in vibrant colours. With stunning views of the surrounding mountains and a warm, welcoming clubhouse atmosphere, a round at Arrowtown Golf Club is a memorable and charming journey through a beautiful piece of Central Otago history.

Prepare to be gob smacked by the extraordinary Jack’s Point Golf Course as both the course and the vistas will leave you spellbound. Designed by New Zealand golf course architect John Darby, Jack’s Point is one of New Zealand’s most exhilarating golf courses. The striking natural setting allows for a course created through minimal earth movement to harmonise with nature. Just 15 minute drive from downtown Queenstown, and located beneath the Remarkables mountain range on the edge of beautiful Lake Wakatipu, the course winds its way through a variety of schist outcrops, native wetland and bush areas along with local wildlife which make Jack’s Point their home. Fescue fairways, brown top greens, and four teeing options ensure that golfers of all skill levels can enjoy Jack’s Point.

Today you’ll return your rental car today, hop on a private airport transfer and sadly leave New Zealand ready to share your extraordinary memories and plan your next trip down to see us.