15-Day Discover South Island New Zealand Trip

An unforgettable journey awaits you

Embark on a travel experience that will stay with you forever. We offer a blend of culture, adventure, and tranquility, ensuring every moment is filled with wonder. Whether you’re seeking thrill or relaxation, we create journeys that are truly unforgettable.

The journey Begins

Day 1: Arrive Christchurch

Upon arrival you will be transferred to your accommodation.

Overnight: Christchurch
Day 2: Christchurch - Kaikoura (Rail)

Take the Coastal Pacific Train to Kaikoura.Take a whale watching tour, Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales, and Southern Right Whales. Orcas and Hector's dolphins are common sightings.

Overnight: Kaikoura
Day 3: Kaikoura - Blenheim - Nelson (Rail & Coach)

Continue your train trip to the top of the North Island and continue over to Nelson.

Overnight: Nelson
Day 4: Abel Tasman National Park

Welcome aboard the Vista cruising catamaran. Relax with comfortable seating around tables and panoramic views from open or enclosed viewing decks and enjoy the onboard cafe and bar. With your flexible cruise and walk day pass, choose to spend from three to eight hours exploring the spectacular granite coast. Stay on board or disembark at a golden beach fringed by lush forest and azure waters, ideal for swimming. Enjoy quality beach time with walking options up to four hours. Your friendly crew takes care of your comfort and safety with interpretative commentary and maps.

Overnight: Nelson
Day 5: Nelson - Punakaiki

Take a coach to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. You'll stay in an eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront. Enjoy dinner while watching the thundering surf at your doorstep!

Overnight: Punakaiki
Day 6: Punakaiki - Franz Josef

Visit the small town of Hokitika, the heritage and cultural centre of the West Coast, for a greenstone (jade) jewellery demonstration by a local carver. Then visit the West Coast's newest attraction, the Treetop Walkway through the canopy of this lush rainforest. Now you're off to the gold-mining town of Ross before arriving at Franz Josef.
Day 7: Franz Josef Sightseeing

Today enjoy an interpretive walk to the glacier to have the perfect opportunity to learn the role of the Franz Josef Glacier in shaping this remarkable landscape. After a short walk through the regenerating rainforest, the trip continues along the glacier valley with your guide calling stops to explain the unique features of the Franz Josef Glacier and its surroundings.With the emphasis more on geographical information and the glaciers history, you're able to venture beyond the public barriers and right up to the dramatic terminal face of this advancing glacier with your experienced and knowledgeable guide.
Day 8: Franz Josef - Queenstown

Your coach today will take you to the adventure capital of New Zealand - Queenstown.

Overnight: Queenstown
Day 9: Queenstown Sightseeing

Today you will be collected from your hotel by Limousine South for your Queenstown Highlights tour. Enjoy Queenstown's diverse attractions with your friendly, knowledgeable local guide. You will be captivated by the amazing views over Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range. Watch the fearless jumpers hurl themselves off AJ Hackett's original Bungy Bridge while learning about the history and excitement of bungy jumping. Enjoy a wine tasting tour at Gibbston Valley Winery savouring the flavours of fine local wines. You will also see where key scenes from Lord of the Rings were shot and re-live the 1860s gold rush at beautiful Arrowtown, where remnants of that fascinating era merge with modern, speciality shopping, before being dropped back off to your accommodation.

Overnight: Queenstown
Day 10: Milford Sound Tour & Cruise

Today you will travel by luxury coach on an unforgettable journey from Queenstown into Milford Sound. Located within the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, this region is rich with dense rainforest, lakes and waterfalls cascading from rugged mountain peaks. Travel through the Southern Alps via the Homer Tunnel, a 1.2km tunnel drilled through a solid mountain of rock. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, board your vessel for a spectacular cruise on New Zealand's most famous waterway. At the end of the cruise you will return by coach to Queenstown.

Overnight: Queenstown
Day 11: Queenstown at leisure

Enjoy a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm onboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. On disembarking at Walter Peak, you are welcomed and escorted through the lakeside gardens to the Colonel's Homestead where you are seated for dinner. The Gourmet BBQ menu, designed by Kiwi Celebrity Chef Josh Emett, incorporates fresh seasonal produce and locally hunted game and seafood so famous in the Central Otago region. All meat and seafood is cooked on the outdoor BBQ and rotisserie, in front of you and served immediately. A locally influenced wine list and other beverages are also available to purchase at the bar. Following dinner, you have the option of a brief farm show or relaxing at the bar before returning onboard the TSS Earnslaw to Queenstown. A tradition is the TSS Earnslaw's sing-along around the piano on the return journey.

Overnight: Queenstown

Meals: Dinner
Day 12: Queenstown - Dunedin (Rail & Coach)

Travel South to Dunedin
Day 13: Dunedin Sightseeing

Start the day with a one hour city tour of Dunedin, before departing for the Otago Peninsula to see the Yellow eyed & Blue Penguins.
Day 14: Dunedin - Christchurch

Travel by Coach back to Christchurch.

Overnight: Christchurch
Day 15: Package ends

Today the package comes to an end.

Download Full Itinerary

Availability:

AVAILABLE ALL YEAR

Trip start	Trip End	Accommodation	Price	Inquire
Christchurch	Christchurch	Moderate Accommodation (Airfare included from Vancouver or Los Angeles)	$4,100 USD
Christchurch	Christchurch	Superior Accommodation (Airfare included from Vancouver or Los Angeles)	$4,560 USD

We accept:

All prices are per person based on double occupancy and subject to local taxes - GST, PST or HST.

This itinerary is an independent package, it can be adjusted to suit your travel interests, time frame and budget. Please do not hesitate to call one of our travel specialists for a customized package.

Applicable taxes vary depending on travel destination and are not included. Please ask your sales agent what extra taxes will be payable for your tour.

OUR KEY TO EARNING TRUST IS

Transparency

What’s Included

14 nights of accommodation
Coastal Pacific train Christchurch to Blenheim
Coach service Blenheim to Nelson
Coach service Nelson to Punakaiki
Coach service Punakaiki to Franz Josef
Coach service Franz Josef to Queenstown
Coach and train service from Queenstown to Dunedin
Coach service Dunedin to Christchurch
Sightseeing and attractions as listed

What’s Not Included

Airfare unless specified as included within the itinerary
Taxes as applicable
Travel Insurance and Cancellation Protection (strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
Gratuities for Local Guides, Tour Managers, and/or Bus Drivers
Meals not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
Items (attractions and sightseeing & entrance fees) not listed as included in the itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tour Questions

The tour officially starts and ends in Christchurch, New Zealand. Travelers arrive in Christchurch on Day 1 for their accommodation transfer, embark on an in-depth 15-day journey across the South Island, and complete the package back in Christchurch on Day 15.

This is a comprehensive 15-day "Discover the South Island in Depth" tour package designed to showcase New Zealand's dramatic landscapes and coastal wonders. The itinerary begins upon arrival in Christchurch on Day 1 and concludes on Day 15 as the package comes to an end.

Key highlights include a whale watching cruise in Kaikōura and exploring Abel Tasman National Park via a cruising catamaran. Additional experiences feature a Franz Josef Glacier valley walk, a Queenstown highlights tour with a Gibbston Valley wine tasting, a Milford Sound guided tour and cruise, and a Walter Peak evening cruise with dinner.

The package includes 14 nights of accommodation (with Moderate or Superior options available) and round-trip airfare included from Vancouver or Los Angeles. It also covers scenic rail journeys like the Coastal Pacific Train, coach services, sightseeing attractions, and return airport transfers.

Exclusions from the package include optional excursions not listed in the itinerary and travel insurance (which is strongly recommended). Additionally, local taxes, gratuities for local guides, tour managers, and bus drivers, as well as unmentioned meals, are not covered.

While the tours are suitable for all age demographics, the average age of travelers is typically 45 and older. This ensures a comfortable, well-paced, and relaxing environment for mature explorers discovering New Zealand's South Island.

Solo travelers can choose options to join most tours by paying a single supplement to secure their own private room throughout the trip. For those willing to share, a Twin Share option is offered for the majority of our tours, allowing you to room with another single, same-gender traveler to avoid single fees.

This tour features a low level of physical demand, combining comfortable rail and coach travel with short walks like the Franz Josef glacier valley walk and Abel Tasman coastal strolls. You should inquire about any specific mobility restrictions before completing your booking to ensure the activities suit your needs.

Each passenger is allowed to bring one large suitcase and one carry-on bag, following standard airline and tour guidelines. Baggage handling is conveniently provided at the hotels included throughout your tour package to make transitions effortless.

Yes, the tour operators and partner dining venues can accommodate reasonable dietary restrictions such as food allergies, vegan, and vegetarian requirements. Guests are requested to inform staff of any specific dietary needs at the time of booking so appropriate alternative meal choices can be arranged.

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