Tour highlights: Christchurch - Akaroa - Mount Cook - Tasman Glacier - Oamaru - Dunedin - Catlins - Stewart Island - Milford Sound - Queenstown - Wanaka - South Island West Coast - Fox Glacier - Franz Joseph Glacier - Pancake Rocks - Nelson - Marlborough Sounds - Kaikoura
6 National Parks 2 cities 2 islands (South Island and Stewart Island)
This "New Zealand South Island Tour" itinerary is a good introduction to the specific nature, landscapes, birds and marine mammals of South Island and Stewart Island. It is aimed at whoever likes nature; you will enjoy it even if you are not an ornithologist, a geologist or a botanist.
For the more urban traveller, this tour also includes nice cities (Christchurch - the most English city out of England; and Dunedin Scottish city) as well as interesting towns (Oamaru white stone town, Twizel, Hokitika, etc.).
This suggested New Zealand itinerary starts and ends in Christchurch. You can purchase international flights arriving directly into Christchurch. Alternatively, I can supply a domestic connecting flight from / to Auckland upon request.
May I recommend to book your tour well ahead; I am usually booked 3-6 months in advance. I hope to have the pleasure to guide you on your New Zealand tour. - Mark Wolk
Endemic and native New Zealand bird species spotted in the wild on this tour (30%-95% likelihood depending on the bird species and the circumstances): kea, kaka, tui, silvereye, fantail, tomtit, bellbird, riroriro, albatross, cormorants, penguins, wood pigeon, weka wood hen, pied stilt, oystercatcher, paradise duck, white heron, New Zealand kingfisher, australasian gannet, fernbird, kiwi, etc.
Marine mammals spotted on this tour: New Zealand furseals (100%), Hooker sealions, dolphins and whales (80%)
Day 1: Christchurch
New Zealand South Island Tour
Your guide awaits you at Christchurch airport. Christchurch sightseeing. Museum, Cathedral, Arts Centre, Christ's College, Pastel Street, botanical gardens, primitive forest. 2 nights in Christchurch. - LDA*
2: Christchurch - Akaroa - Christchurch
New Zealand South Island Tour
Scenic drive to Port Hills. Volcanic landscapes (calderas). Akaroa French colony. Dolphin spotting cruise (swim with dolphins optional). 2nd night in Christchurch. - BLDA*
3: Christchurch - Twizel
New Zealand South Island Tour
Church of the Good Shepherd, lake Tekapo. Lake Pukaki. Mount Cook National Park. Glacier lake cruise (weather permitting) and walks. Overnight in Twizel. - BLDA*
4: Twizel - Oamaru
New Zealand South Island Tour
Maori rock paintings. Aviemore and Benmore lakes. Oamaru - white stone town. Blue penguin colony. Overnight in Oamaru. - BLDA*
5: Oamaru - Dunedin
New Zealand South Island Tour
Moeraki boulders. Royal albatrosses, New Zealand furseals, cormorants, yellow eyed penguins on Otago Peninsula. Overnight in Dunedin. - BLDA*
6: Dunedin - Catlins
New Zealand South Island Tour
Dunedin city sightseeing. Otago University, world's steepest street, historic railway station. 2 nights in the Catlins wildlife area. - BLDA*
7: Catlins Nature Tour
New Zealand South Island Tour
Full day guided nature tour in the Catlins: Hooker sealions, yellow eyed penguins, endemic plants and birds (with local naturalist guide). 2nd night in the Catlins. - BLDA*
8: Catlins - Stewart Island
New Zealand South Island Tour
Invercargill and its museum. Ferry crossing to Stewart Island. Kiwi bird spotting tour. 2 nights on Stewart Island. - BLDA*
9: Stewart Island Nature
New Zealand South Island Tour
Guided nature tours and cruises on Stewart Island and Ulva Island. Spotted bird species include: kaka parrot, tui, bellbird and pelagic birds. 2nd night on Stewart Island. - BLDA*
10: Stewart Island - Milford Sound
New Zealand South Island Tour
Back to Invercargill. Backcountry road to Manapouri and Te Anau. Fiordland National Park. Overnight cruise on a very comfortable boat on Milford Sound. (Subject to availability; if not available, overnight in Te Anau.) - BLDA*
11: Milford Sound - Queenstown
New Zealand South Island Tour
Kea mountain parrot spotting. Te Anau bird sanctuary. Lake Wakatipu. 2 nights in Queenstown / Arrowtown. - BLDA*
12: Queenstown
New Zealand South Island Tour
Queenstown sightseeing (bungy jumping, jet-boating) and shopping. Driving tour to Glenorchy. Arrowtown gold mining village. Second night in Queenstown / Arrowtown. - BLDA*
13: Queenstown - Haast
New Zealand South Island Tour
Wanaka and its lake. Lake Hawea. Haast Pass. Waterfalls. Jackson's Bay remote settlement. Overnight in Haast. - BLDA*
14: Haast - Glaciers
New Zealand South Island Tour
West Coast rainforest. Swamp and dune ecosystems. Fox Glacier and / or Franz Joseph Glacier. Overnight at Fox Glacier or Franz Joseph Glacier. - BLDA*
15: Glaciers - Hokitika
New Zealand South Island Tour
Optional helicopter flights. White heron colony or rainforest cruise. Lake Mahinapua. Ross open cast gold mine. Overnight in Hokitika. - BLDA*
Nelson, its orchards and crafts. Marlborough Sounds scenic drive (Queen Charlotte Drive). Overnight in Picton. - BLDA*
18: Picton - Kaikoura
New Zealand South Island Tour
Blenheim winery tours (i.e. Cloudy Bay, Stoneleigh or Hunter's). Scenic coastal road (Pacific Ocean). 2 nights in Kaikoura. - BLDA*
19: Kaikoura
New Zealand South Island Tour
Pelagic bird watching cruise or whale watching cruise. Scenic drive to Hanmer Springs. Time to relax in the thermal pools. Second night in Kaikoura. - BLDA*
20: Kaikoura - Christchurch
New Zealand South Island Tour
Transfer to Christchurch. Time for shopping, visit Botanical Gardens or Antarctic Centre. Drop-off at Christchurch International or domestic airport. Haere ra e te manuhiri tuarangi (farewell, honoured guests). - BL*
* B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner; A = Accommodation
Prices include: private driver-guide, transport (all tour vehicles air conditioned), all entrance fees as per suggested itinerary, accommodation in boutique/luxury style small hotels and Bed & Breakfasts (comfortable double room with private bathroom), continental breakfasts, light lunches (i.e. quiche, sandwich, soup), dinners in best available restaurants (3 items to choose freely ŕ la carte) with best available New Zealand wine (half a bottle per dinner per person), all taxes and tolls, all guide's fees and expenses including repositioning from Christchurch to Auckland. This price does not include: personal expenses, insurance, flights to and from New Zealand, drinks other than mentioned and optional activities.
To secure your booking, New Zealand Splendeur Tours need 20% non refundable deposit a.s.a.p. (usually 3-6 months ahead); balance is payable 60 days before the start of the tour. Visa / Mastercard accepted. Please use the secure payment means as described during
our booking correspondence.
Cancellations: the 20% deposit is non refundable; 50% refund for cancellations received in writing until 30 days before departure; 20% refund for cancellations received in writing until the day before departure; no refund for cancellations received later.
I look forward to guiding you in New Zealand. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions by emailing me at
private.tours@nzst.co.nz. I am always gladly at your service. - Mark Wolk
