Arrive early to get your bearings on a self-guided Christchurch tour. The best way to do that? Aboard the Christchurch Tram. Your journey not only takes you past jaw-dropping attractions but also tells an inspiring story of community spirit in the rebuilding and reinvigoration of the city since the 2010/11 earthquakes. Explore at your leisure. We recommend jumping aboard the Christchurch Tram.

This evening, it's time to meet your fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception. Stay: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

Step out with your guide for a deeper dive into ‘The City of Gardens' before traversing the colourful Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and snow-capped mountains. Your Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo, hosted by passionate guides, will forever change the way you see the night sky. You'll see for yourself it may be one of the quietest spots on the planet, yet it has one of the busiest skies in the universe. (B/D) Stay: Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel

Architectural drama awaits in Dunedin. While away the afternoon in atmospheric art-lined alleys or sipping a lager or two in Speight's Brewery (a national institution). Or venture further afield to discover Larnach Castle, which nods to Dunedin's Scottish link - it's known as ‘Little Edinburgh' for a reason. (B) Stay: Dunedin Leisure Lodge

If you've find yourself humming a Garth Brooks tune en route to Gore, you're not alone; it's the country music capital of NZ. Invercargill is obsessed with something else: motor vehicles. Tributes to speed legends colour the city. So it's only fitting that you visit Classic Motorcycle Mecca for a tour and Highlight Dinner. (B/D) Stay: Kelvin Hotel

Invercargill is the gateway to the southernmost community in the country.

Welcome to Stewart Island, a wild and wonderful drop of land that is 97% national parkland. Naturally, it's a magnet for endemic flora and fauna, as you'll discover on a guided Village and Bays tour. (B) Stay: Kelvin Hotel

You've probably already noticed that there's a lot of farmland here in New Zealand. It's fitting, then, that you meet southern girl Laura, who will introduce you to the sheep farm where she was born and raised. The Real Country Farm Show, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, offers an authentic taste of what rural New Zealand is like. For every guest, we donate funds to The Fairlight Foundation, Advancing Women in Agriculture. Continue to Queenstown and take the afternoon at your own pace. (B) Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort

We wouldn't blame you for using today to linger by the banks of Lake Wakatipu, marvelling at sky-scraping Remarkables. But if you want to venture further afield, we have a few ideas. Top of our list today is an epic journey through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, carved by waterfalls and a playground for dolphins and seals. There's a reason why this part of the island has World Heritage status. (B) Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort

Atmospheric Arrowtown was born from gold, and its movie-set-like streets still shimmer today. It's hard to tear yourself away, but the Alpine country of the Southern Lakes is calling, from Lake Dunstan - pause for juicy stone fruit picked fresh from the tree - to oh-so-blue Lake Hawea and lovely Lake Wanaka, with its shoreline of poplars and willows.

Over the Haast Pass, the pretty town of Franz Josef/Waiau, awaits. Get some perspective on an optional Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere flight tour - if the weather behaves, you may even get to land on it. New Zealand tours don't get much cooler than this. (B/D) Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

On the wild West Coast, Hokitika may be small in size, but boy is it big in personality, not to mention natural attractions. Wander the windswept coast before discovering the town's other beauty: pounamu (native greenstone or jade). Steel yourself for Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks and blowholes; they owe their existence to the thundering surf that will lull you to sleep. (B/D) Stay: Scenic Hotel Punakaiki

After action-packed days, all you need to do today is sit back and enjoy the drama of the Heritage Highway en route to Nelson. Gaze over Buller Gorge - a deep canyon home to New Zealand's longest swingbridge - and Kahurangi National Park, a place of wild rivers, high plateaus, alpine herbfields and coastal forests. (B) Stay: The Rutherford Hotel

The South Island's oldest city, Nelson is the ideal starting point for outings through Abel Tasman National Park. This pocket in the north of the island is a beguiling union of golden beaches framed by sculpted granite cliffs. It's home to one of the country's most legendary coastal tracks, if you fancy stretching your legs on a hike. Otherwise, drift away on a cruise around the coast, revealing unpeopled bays and dreamy inlets. The choice is yours. (B) Stay: The Rutherford Hotel

All aboard the Interislander for a cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel and across Cook Strait, from the South Island to the North, navigating a maze of arms and inlets into New Zealand's cool little capital of Wellington. End your tour on a high note at a Farewell Dinner with your Travel Director and travel companions. (B/D) Stay: Travelodge Wellington

Wellington also knows a thing or two about good coffee, and you'll need a strong one to get you through this morning's sightseeing. You may wish to linger in town, discovering Māori culture at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. It's hard to say goodbye to your tour of the South Island of New Zealand. If you can't bear to leave, we have a few ideas up our sleeves to extend your holiday. (B)

You don't have to arrive in Christchurch early, but we recommend you do – this South Island city has some of New Zealand's most innovative architecture, not to mention forward-thinking restaurants and bars.

Tonight, it's time to meet your Travel Director and travelling companions for drinks. Stay: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

Onboard this morning's city sights tour discover Christchurch's innovative Cardboard Cathedral and enjoy some free time in the serene Botanic Gardens, showcasing global plant collections and tranquil riverside views. Leaving the Garden city behind, visit Geraldine, renowned for local cheeses and treats at Barkers Store.

Travel along the East Coast through the Waitaki Valley's winding rivers, rolling farmlands, and snow-capped mountains framing Lake Benmore. Conclude your day in Omarama, a quintessential country town, where you'll unwind for the evening. (B/D) Stay: Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel

Your visit to Clyde will have your camera clicking non-stop. This charming historic town may be small, but it's full of character, with its town centre designated as a historic precinct, featuring buildings from its gold mining past now transformed into cafes and shops.

Today's destination is Invercargill, a city obsessed with motor vehicles. Tributes to speed legends colour the city, so it's only fitting that you visit Transport World for a guided tour and dinner. Explore classic vehicles as you are transported on a nostalgic walk back in time. Bill Richardson began collecting old trucks in 1967 and, in his words, sometimes "bought a truck more with our hearts than with our heads." The collection now comprises of many rare and unusual vehicles, along with popular classic vehicles. (B/D) Stay: Kelvin Hotel

Journey through the rolling farmland and lush pastures of Southland to Templeton Flax Mill. Here, you will have a guided tour and presentation from Nathan Templeton, Mill curator and grandson of the Mill founder. Learn about the history and importance of the flax mill industry to the Southland economy on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. All proceeds go directly to maintaining the Mill as a living Museum.

Continue to Riverton, a charming seaside town known for its charming local cafes and on to Fiordland National Park and the stunning Te Anau, nestled on the shores of the South Island's largest lake. Immerse yourself in the serenity—this is as good as it gets. (B/D) Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and mirror-like lakes. Gin-clear rivers carve the countryside, with all roads leading to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Venture out into the pristine fiord on an included sightseeing cruise for awe-inspiring scenery with towering cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and abundant wildlife. The New Zealand alpine parrot, the Kea are a common sight. (B)

Today on your New Zealand tour, get a taste of country life combined with good old-fashioned southern hospitality as you meet a local farmer at Real Country. Get a feel for life on the farm as you have demonstrations of horse communication and working sheep dog mustering. Plus, for every guest, we donate funds to The Fairlight Foundation, Advancing Women in Agriculture, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

Visit the historic gold rush village of Arrowtown, where you can wander the movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques, then continue to Queenstown for your two-night stay in the adventure capital of New Zealand. (B) Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown

You have time today to appreciate Queenstown and its surrounds. Enjoy an included lunch at your leisure at cult eatery Fergburger, famous for its mouthwatering gourmet burgers and vibrant atmosphere. You may like to sign up for an Optional Experience or two. Like adventure? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane jet boat ride, perhaps, twisting and revving along Queenstown's Shotover River.

Wine aficionado? Sip your way through surrounding vineyards. Tours of the South Island don't get much tastier than this. There's also the option of an afternoon cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner (all own expense). (B/L)

Visit the Jones Family fruit stall for fresh local stone fruit and then travel over the breathtaking alpine crossing of The Lindis Pass between Otago and the Mackenzie Basin, offering panoramic views of rugged mountain peaks, Mount Cook among them. See the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, it's quite the backdrop for the stone-hewn Church of the Good Shepherd. Continue through the aptly named Canterbury Plains to the Garden city of Christchurch, enjoy a city tour of the major landmarks. (B) Stay: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

All aboard the scenic TranzAlpine train bound for Arthur's Pass, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. Visit Greymouth, known for its rich mining history, and prepare yourself for Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks and blowholes; they owe their existence to the thundering surf that will lull you to sleep at your coastal Eco retreat tonight. (B/D) Stay: Scenic Hotel Punakaiki

After action-packed days, all you need to do today is sit back and enjoy the drama of the Heritage Highway en route to Nelson. Gaze over Buller Gorge and Kahurangi National Park, a place of wild rivers, high plateaus, alpine herbfields and coastal forests. (B) Stay: The Rutherford Hotel

The South Island's oldest city, Nelson is also one of the sunniest. Explore nearby Tahunanui Beach, or you may choose to head further afield to the world-famous Abel Tasman National Park. This pocket in the top of the island is a beautiful union of golden beaches framed by sculpted granite cliffs. (B)

All aboard for a cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel and across Cook Strait, from the South Island to the North, navigating a maze of arms and inlets into New Zealand's cool little capital of Wellington. (B) Stay: James Cook Grand Chancellor

Wellington is known for its uber-cool cafes, so grab a coffee before you head out on your city sights tour. After the tour, bid farewell to your NZ crew. You may wish to depart directly, or if you have time, linger in town, discovering Māori culture at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand (entrance fee applies). (B)