Southern Spectacular

10 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
View all 7 photos
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
premier

USTOA

Small Group Tour
Southern calling? This trip to New Zealand unites some of the country’s most fabled playgrounds – think adventure-filled Queenstown tours, a World Heritage listed Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour and possible gem-like Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere tours – with some of its must off-the radar pockets. Have you heard of the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks,...
26%
$5,972
From$4,424
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

What's this trip about?

    Southern calling? This trip to New Zealand unites some of the country’s most fabled playgrounds – think adventure-filled Queenstown tours, a World Heritage listed Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour and possible gem-like Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere tours – with some of its must off-the radar pockets. Have you heard of the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, or glimpsed the turquoise lakes outside Twizel?      

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 22 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityChristchurch (Nz)
End CityChristchurch (Nz)

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

  • New Zealand

Activities

  • Culture

Trip includes

    • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
    • Be My Guest Experience with Angie and Stan Taylor at their property in Tekapo
    • Centrally located premium 4- & 5-star hotels

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch

At once forward-thinking and fun, Christchurch is the kind of city you could lose yourself in for a week – or more. You have this afternoon, so make the most of it. We recommend riding the rails on the vintage Christchurch Tram, a narrated hop-on, hop-off experience t...

Day 2: Christchurch - Twizel

If you didn’t get your bearings yesterday, you certainly will on today’s Christchurch tour, taking in the city’s record-breaking Transitional Cathedral – who knew you could build a church from cardboard and not much else? – as well as past the gilded library, gleaming...

Day 3: Twizel - Dunedin

More water awaits on day three, your journey following the Waitaki River to mighty Benmore Dam; it powers 300,000 New Zealand homes. You’re en route to the city of Dunedin, replete with rolling green meadows and grand stone castles. It kind of feels like you’ve been t...

Day 4: Dunedin - Te Anau

Leave Dunedin’s bucolic sheep-farming countryside behind as you venture into World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park, a place of yawning gorges and gem-like glaciers, and azure lakes so large they have their own islands. Case in point Pomona Island, where a char...

Day 5: Te Anau - Queenstown

Nature rules again today, from the moment you depart Te Anau and begin your journey deep into the heart of Fiordland National Park. Think native rainforests, beech forests, alluvial flats and meadows; Mirror Lakes perfectly reflecting mountain scenery; and precipitous...

Day 6: Queenstown Free Time

Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Shotover Jet, perhaps. Prefer wine to get your heart started? See why Central Otago makes some of the world’s most raved about cool-climate pinots on a cellar door...

Day 7: Queenstown - Franz Josef/Waiau

In the shadow of the Remarkables, Queenstown is pretty spectacular. But it has some stiff good-looks competition from neighbouring Arrowtown, with its movie-set tree-lined avenues and 19th-century buildings that once housed gold-rush fortune-seekers. Things grow well ...

Day 8: Franz Josef/Waiau - Punakaiki

Emerald hues are reflected in the greenstone (jade) mined in Hokitika, where artisans show you just how talented they are at carving jewellery and mementos. Just try and keep your purse closed here. Nature carved Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks and blowholes, where waves thunder through cracks in the Earth. This is the soundtrack that lulls you to sleep at tonight’s eco-resort.

Day 9: Punakaiki - Christchurch

Wine may steal the scene across much of New Zealand, but at legendary Monteith’s Brewery, beer rules. Sip your way through a tasting paddle of XPA, IPA, lager and pale ale because you’re not driving to the station where your TranzAlpine for your train trip across New ...

Day 10: Farewell from Christchurch

The last 10 days of your NZ holiday flew by. Return home with new friends, a full SD card on your camera – and even more memories.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $4,424
Price per day$442
Last Updated: 5/4/2024
Select your preferred departure month and scroll down to see available departure dates during that month.
To see more departure dates, return to the top of the list and select your preferred departure month.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with AAT Kings.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

AAT Kings Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
721
Great
168
Average
43
Disappointing
12
Terrible
10
A

Antoinette Jamison

May 2024

Written on

Southern Spectacular

I had an amazing time our tour guide Isobel and her Driver Mark made this trip extra special We had such an adventure met some lovely people made new friends and hav...

T

Therese Drew

May 2024

Written on

Southern Spectacular

This was a great tour - loved the experience and have recommended it to a number of family and friends. The Tour guide and Driver made the experience more enjoyable...

Write a Review

Other AAT Kings Reviews

T

Trusted Customer

May 2024

Written on

South Australian Outback Adventure

We had an absolutely wonderful trip. It was a combination of places and experiences we would never have found ourselves, nor would we have travelled there ourselves....

B

Brent Eckert

May 2024

Written on

The welcoming people in both New Zealand and Australia towards Canadians.

Nellie in Australia was very organized and willing to help with any questions or needs that arose. She gave a great perspective of life in her home country. Hope i...

Write a Review

Tour Operator

AAT Kings

premier
View Profile

A century ago, the Australian outback was but a twinkle in most travelers’ eyes. But thanks to visionaries like the Pyke family and Bill King, the way we explore the Land Down Under was about to change in unimaginable ways. Over the coming decades, maps were unfolded, desert cruisers and coaches were customized, and guides were trained. From humble beginnings, the company now known as AAT Kings was going places few had gone before, pioneering new paths across Australia and New Zealand and taking intrepid travelers on a wild and wonderful ride. We’ve come a long way and clocked a few kilometers in the process. But some things will never change. Like our spirit for adventure. Our oh-so-knowledgeable Travel Directors. The local characters we meet (and will never forget) along the way. The epic, goosebump-inducing stories we’re told by First Nations guides. The life-changing experiences on offer – the kind that only 100 years of exploring affords. We’ve never been more passionate about our next discovery. Join us and fall in love with Australia and New Zealand all over again. #aatkings


Why we love this operator
AAT Kings is renowned for its quality service, knowledgeable guides, and extensive network of destinations.
What they’re known for
AAT Kings is known for being one of Australia and New Zealand's leading tour operators, specializing in guided tours.

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

Distinction Christchurch Hotel MacKenzie Country Hotel Scenic Hotel Southern Cross Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas Millennium Hotel, Queenstown Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
aatkin-ZCQR24

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >