12 Day Mountains, Whales & Wine Tour 

Welcome to New Zealand! Upon arrival you will be picked up for your private transfer from Christchurch International Airport to your hotel.

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 join Leisure Tours, City Sightseeing for their Discover Christchurch Morning Tour. This morning tour is a fantastic introduction to Christchurch, the “Garden City.” Your guide will provide commentary on the devastating 2011 earthquake and the city’s ongoing revitalization. You’ll visit significant sites like Mona Vale homestead, the Port Hills for spectacular city views, and the seaside suburb of Sumner before returning to the central city.

Christchurch Tramway will be taking you for dinner tonight on their legendary Tramway Restaurant Dinner. Enjoy a truly special evening with this seasonal fine dining experience. The beautifully restored tram serves as a moving restaurant, where you will be treated to a multi-course meal featuring premium local cuisine and beverages. As you dine, the tram winds its way through Christchurch’s city center, allowing you to see the vibrant city lights and a mix of historic and modern architecture.

Today you will pick up your Compact SUV car rental and begin your trip in Christchurch and head north along the coast. The route hugs the Pacific Ocean, offering incredible views, and it’s a great place to spot seals basking on the rocks right next to the highway. You’ll leave the dramatic coastal scenery behind as you approach the city of Kaikōura, a perfect way to end a coastal adventure.

Once in Kaikoura join Whale Watch Kaikoura on their famous Whale Watching Tour – Ocean Cabin. This is a fantastic boat tour with a high success rate for spotting whales. You’ll be on a modern catamaran designed for whale watching, with an enclosed cabin and large outdoor decks. Your expert guides will use specialized equipment to locate giant sperm whales, the stars of the show and year-round residents, and you might also see dolphins, seals, and a variety of seabirds.

KAIKOURA/TE TAUMANU O TE WAKA A MAUI – means “to eat crayfish”, from the Māori words “Kai” meaning food, and Koura meaning crayfish. You can savour crayfish here in Kaikoura, view whales and dolphins at play, or visit local galleries and craft shops, or take a walk along the Peninsula Walkway. If you travel out onto the Kaikoura Peninsula and look back towards the mountains, an amazing tableau will appear before you. The seaward Kaikoura Range appears to rise from the sea, with the snow-capped Southern Alps as a backdrop.

This scenic journey takes you north along State Highway 1, with the Pacific Ocean on your right and the mountains on your left. It’s an easy and beautiful trip. You’ll pass through some lovely coastal scenery before arriving in the rolling vineyards of the Marlborough region, with Blenheim at its center.

BLENHEIM/WAIHARAKEKE – the “Sunshine Capital” of New Zealand is situated on the Wairau Plain near the top of the South Island. Blenheim’s combination of high sunshine hours, a long ripening period, and free-draining river flats have put the district’s vineyards at the forefront of the International Wine Industry. The second Saturday of February is Blenheim’s Wine and Food Festival which draws many to celebrate food, music and dance.

Get your taste buds ready as today you’re joining Marlborough Tour Company on their Taste Marlborough Wine Tour. Indulge your senses on this intimate, full-day wine tour. You’ll visit a selection of Marlborough’s best wineries, sampling award-winning wines and learning about the history and passion of the people who create them. It’s a fantastic experience for both connoisseurs and casual wine drinkers, offering a deep dive into New Zealand’s largest and most famous wine region.

This is a nice journey that links New Zealand’s main wine region with the sunny city of Nelson. You’ll travel through beautiful countryside and pass through a few small towns. Nelson is a creative hub with lots of art, excellent food, and a more relaxed vibe than the bigger cities.

NELSON/WHAKATU – with its gardens and gorgeous sunsets, looks across Tasman Bay. Streets and Parks are named after Admiral Nelson and his exploits, as well as the names of the ships that brought the first pioneers over from England. Forestry, fruit and fishing are the main focus of Nelson’s port, while to the west, apple orchards, tobacco and hop plantations occupy the land.

Today you are off to the Abel Tasman National Park which is one of New Zealand’s most special spots. You’ll join  Wilson’s Abel Tasman Ltd and take advantage of their popular Cruise/Walk Pass. This is a great way to explore Abel Tasman National Park at your own pace. You’ll enjoy a scenic boat cruise past Split Apple Rock and a fur seal colony before being dropped off at a beach of your choice. From there, you can embark on a walk of varying lengths through native forests and along golden beaches, with the shuttle picking you up at the end of your day.

This is a wonderful journey from Nelson that takes you west and then south down the wild West Coast. The route winds through native bush and along the rugged coast, offering some spectacular views. The trip ends at Punakaiki, a small village famous for its unique rock formations and the blowholes that erupt with a loud roar.

PUNAKAIKI – is the gateway to the dramatic limestone country of the Paparoa National Park. It lies halfway between Greymouth and Westport on one of the most spectacular coastal highways. The Pancake Rocks that Punakaiki is famous for are limestone formations that began forming 30 million years ago. The seabed was raised above sea level by earthquakes to form the coastal cliffs and coastline. The sea, wind and rain have since etched out the soft layers to form the unusual rock formations we see today. When conditions are right, large ocean swells thunder into the caverns beneath the rocks and huge water spouts blast skywards through the blowholes creating a spectacular sight. Tourism activities in the area include canoe adventures, horse trekking, caving and guided walks to name just a few.

This is a scenic trip that takes you south along State Highway 6. You’ll be following a winding road that offers continuous views of the rugged coastline. The route passes through charming, historic towns, and plenty of places to stop for photos before you arrive in the stunning glacier country of Franz Josef.

This afternoon you will join Franz Josef Wilderness Tours for their Kayak and Walk Tour. This premium tour offers a tranquil and immersive experience. You’ll start by kayaking on the pristine waters of Lake Mapourika, enjoying reflections of the Southern Alps and glaciers. Your journey then continues with a guided walk through the protected rainforest, where you can get up close with unique native flora and learn about the local kiwi conservation efforts.

FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER/WAIAU – originally named Victoria, after Queen Victoria of England, geologist Julius Von Haast, renamed it, Franz Josef, after the current Emperor of his homeland, Austria. The Glacier is pale blue/green ice that has retreated and advanced many times over the years. A walk from the carpark to the Glacier terminal will give you some impressive views and an idea of the immense size of the Glacier itself. The township of Franz Josef is a small town based around the tourist and supply trade.

This is a trip you’ll never forget. You’ll travel from the unique rainforest environment of Franz Josef, passing through the Haast Pass, with waterfalls and lush native bush, before the landscape completely changes into the rugged high-country of Central Otago. It’s an epic journey that ends in the bustling town of Queenstown where we have a few optional tours from you to choose from plus many more if you chat to your consultant.

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.

Today you are off to wine heaven with Appellation Wine Tours, Classic Wine Tour. This tour is an excellent introduction to the Central Otago wine region. You’ll visit three of the area’s most popular wineries, where you’ll taste a variety of award-winning wines, including the acclaimed Pinot Noir. Your guide will provide insights into the region’s history and viticulture, making for a fun and informative outing.

Today you will drop your car off at Queenstown Airport. Leave New Zealand ready to share your extraordinary memories and plan your next trip down to see us.