13 Day The Great Southern ‘Premium’ 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.

Start the day with a fantastic introduction to Christchurch on a Fine Art Tours NZ – Garden City Private Walking Tour. Explore the heart of Christchurch with a private guide and see how a region devasted by earthquakes has rebuilt and re-emerged as a modern, resilient city Christchurch, once known for its Gothic Revival architecture, is now also home to striking modern architecture and interconnected streets and pathways designed for walking and cycling. Tour the city on foot with a mature local guide who will share their new favourite spaces and personal stories of regeneration and the rebuild.

Following your tour, uplift your Intermediate SUV rental and enjoy the freedom to explore the Canterbury region your way. You might choose to cruise up to the Port Hills for stunning views, or head north to Waipara’s scenic vineyards. Looking for more adventure? Ask our consultants about optional tours to Akaroa, a charming French settlement, or Kaikōura, renowned for whale watching.

Prepare your camera for this spectacular trip that takes you inland from Christchurch. You’ll pass through the Canterbury Plains and enter the Mackenzie Country, with breathtaking views of the Southern Alps and the vibrant turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. The route then leads you directly to Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain.

MOUNT COOK/AORAKI – whose Māori name “Aorangi” means “Cloud Piercer” is some 3753.5 metres high and surrounded by a host of massive peaks. Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain, and can quite often be surrounded by cloud, constantly vulnerable to the fast changing weather patterns of an alpine climate.

Upon arrival in Mount Cook, you’ll be heading out on the Glacier Explorer, a scenic boat tour. This 2.5-hour tour is the only one of its kind in New Zealand. You’ll take a short walk to the terminal lake of the Tasman Glacier, where you’ll board a boat to cruise among floating icebergs and get an up-close view of the glacier’s face. Your knowledgeable guide will share the history of the glacier and the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, providing a surreal and educational experience.

As an optional evening activity, we suggest adding in the Big Sky Stargazing experience under clear, dark skies far from city lights. With the help of a local guide, spot constellations, planets, and galaxies through telescopes or the naked eye.

This scenic trip takes you inland from the base of Aoraki / Mount Cook. The journey passes through the rugged landscapes of Central Otago before you get to the coast and the city of Dunedin. The scenery changes dramatically as you approach the city, and you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views of the Southern Alps and the turquoise glacial lakes.

DUNEDIN/OTEPOTI – often called the “Edinburgh of the South”, Dunedin was settled by the Scottish settlers that came to New Zealand. It is a city of spires, of towers, gables and roofs with turrets, and gracious, generally stone, buildings. Dunedin is also home to the Albatross and Penguin colonies plus many species of New Zealand wildlife.

Once in Dunedin, head to Larnach Castle and Gardens. Step back in time at a gothic revival masterpiece built in 1871. Your entry gives you access to the castle’s restored interior, where you can learn about the history of the Larnach family. You can also explore the stunning gardens of international significance and climb the tower for panoramic views of the Otago Peninsula and surrounding harbor.

Today, journey through the stunning Otago Peninsula with Classic Jaguar Limousines. Travel in a classic Jaguar along scenic coastal roads, uncover the region’s rich heritage, and encounter remarkable wildlife in their natural habitat—all part of an unforgettable full-day experience. Take a personal guided tour of Larnach Castle, build in 1871 for local merchant banker William Larnach. Then view the only mainland royal albatross breeding colony in the world, either with a land based tour or on a harbour cruise aboard the MV Monarch. View the world’s rarest penguin on the Yellow Eyed Penguin Tour at the Penguin Place. Further highlights include fur seal viewing, birdlife, the Otakau Marae, and craft shop options. Warm jackets, Pentax binoculars and chilled bottled water provided.

Today’s journey takes you southwest from Dunedin, passing through some lovely rural areas and smaller towns. The landscape is a mix of farmlands and high country, and as you get closer to Te Anau, you’ll start to feel the grandeur of the mountains and lakes that make up Fiordland. Te Anau is a great place to stay overnight before heading into Milford Sound.

This afternoon, get ready for a thrilling ride with a Fiordland Jet – Pure Wilderness tour! This tour is an exhilarating adventure that combines speed with sightseeing. Your jet boat will take you on a journey up the Waiau River, which was used as the River Anduin in the “Lord of the Rings” films. Your guide will provide entertaining commentary as you glide over shallows and spin through the pristine river system, with the stunning Fiordland mountains as your backdrop.

TE ANAU – the focal point of the Fiordland National Park, the country’s most rugged and remote. Lake Te Anau sprawls at the feet of high rugged mountains with its South, Middle and North fiords probing into the ranges. The Lake, New Zealand’s second largest, is 417 metres deep.

Sit back and relax for the day as you join Altitude Tours for a top-rated small group Milford Sound Day Tour. You’ll escape the crowds and get up close and personal with some of the most iconic scenery and wildlife in Fiordland.  This tour is a great way to experience the beauty of Milford Sound. The journey begins with a scenic drive from Te Anau in a luxury coach, with an expert guide providing commentary on the way. You’ll then take a scenic cruise on Milford Sound, getting up close to waterfalls and wildlife, and enjoy a delicious packed lunch on board. After your cruise, rejoin the van and enjoy the return journey to Te Anau. Sit back, relax, and take in the views.

Leave Te Anau and follow the highway east across open farmland. You will pass through Mossburn and Lumsden before entering the Wakatipu Basin with its spectacular mountain views. Your journey concludes as you arrive in Queenstown on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

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, spend the day with Appellation Wine Tours on a thrilling journey that combines an exhilarating jet boat ride with a relaxing afternoon of wine tastings, lunch, and scenic vineyard tours.  You’ll begin with an adrenaline-fueled 45-minute jet boat adventure across Lake Wakatipu and the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers, featuring plenty of 360° spins for an extra rush of excitement. Finish at the Frankton Pier and our wine guide will collect you to begin your wine tour. Visit four boutique vineyards, tasting their unique cool climate wines and discover why the Central Otago region has become world-renowned in its own right. Savour a delightful platter-style lunch made with locally sourced produce and accompanied by a flight of wines. There will also be an opportunity to retrace history with a stroll through the charming historical settlement of Old Cromwell. Learn about the early pioneering history and how the wine region was formed through an array of fun facts and interesting stories from your knowledgeable wine guide.

Finish off the day at Onsen Hot Pools – The Original Onsen. This private hot pool experience is a perfect way to relax and rejuvenate in a luxurious setting. You’ll have a private indoor or outdoor hot pool, where you can soak in the hot water and enjoy the panoramic views of the Shotover River canyon. The experience is intimate and tranquil, with each tub holding up to four people, and you can even add on a massage.

This is an incredibly scenic journey that links the adventure hub with the West Coast glaciers. You’ll travel over the Haast Pass, a route with lush rainforest and past towering mountains. The scenery transforms dramatically as you travel up the West Coast, with lush native bush and dramatic coastal views before you arrive at the glaciers.

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.

Spend the day exploring the Franz Josef Village or, for a more relaxed pace, explore a variety of scenic walks in the area – from the gentle Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk, offering stunning views of the glacier and surrounding mountains, to the lush Lake Matheson Walk, famous for its mirror-like reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Alternatively, fuel your adventurous spirit by booking an optional heli-hike or a breathtaking Grand Traverse scenic flight!

Today you’ll drive from Franz Josef to Greymouth to drop your car off and begin an epic train journey aboard the TranzAlpine. Experience one of the world’s most scenic train rides, traveling through the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island. The journey takes you through the mountains of Arthur’s Pass to the farmlands of the Canterbury Plains through river gorges, offering incredible views from the open-air viewing carriage.

All aboard for the countries best train ride with The Great Journeys of New Zealand – TranzAlpine: Greymouth to Christchurch. Travel on the world famous TranzAlpine Train from Greymouth to Christchurch, enjoying the incredible scenery along the way. The journey will take you coast-to-coast through the ‘Great Divide’ and the indomitable spine of mountains that partitions New Zealand’s South Island. From your carriage you’ll see the lush green valleys of the West Coast, the spectacular Southern Alps, beautiful gorges and river valleys and the fields of the Canterbury Plains. Your train journey is 223.8 kilometres long with 16 tunnels and 5 viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing at 73 metres. An open-air viewing carriage allows you to get even closer to the stunning scenery and provides many opportunities to photograph your favourite spots. With the Scenic Plus experience, savour regionally inspired cuisine paired with wine and beer from the comfort of your luxurious seat as you soak in the spectacular scenery – a hosted dining experience like no other.

You will be met by Hallmark Limousines at the Christchurch Train Station for your private transfer to your Christchurch city hotel.

Head to Christchurch Airport by private transfer and leave New Zealand ready to share your extraordinary memories and plan your next trip down to see us.