South Island Showcase

4.0/5 Based on 1 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Fully Guided Coach Group Scenic
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 Trip Length
9 Days
 Trip Starts
Christchurch
 Trip Finishes
Queenstown
9 Day South Island Showcase Itinerary (Cosmos)
Countries Explored: New Zealand
Trip Style
Regional Discovery
Accommodation
3 - 4 Star
Max. Group Size
50
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
3330

Overview

Read reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Cosmos 9 Day South Island Showcase. From the east coast to the west and back again, this 9-day journey through New Zealand’s South Island comes filled with soul-stirring scenery and unique experiences. Beginning in Christchurch, you’ll travel counter clockwise around the island, with overnight stays in Franz Josef, Wanaka, Te Anau and Queenstown.

Don’t forget your camera - photo opportunities abound throughout this tour! Explore picture-perfect Queenstown, framed by the aptly named Remarkable Mountains;...read more embark on a cruise through UNESCO World Heritage Site, Milford Sound, and discover one of the most beautiful places on earth; spot endangered Hector dolphins while onboard a nature cruise in Akaroa; and be sure to grab a window seat as you board the TranzAlpine - one of the world’s greatest train journeys.

On this South Island tour, you’ll also get the chance to learn about Māori culture. Watch a jade (pounamu) carving demonstration with a traditional carver and learn about its cultural significance, before exploring the beauty of Franz Josef Glacier on a guided walk, where you’ll learn about the Māori legend behind this breath-taking landscape. With the perfect balance of active adventure and relaxation, this Cosmos tour is the best way to explore the spectacular South.

Itinerary

Welcome to Christchurch. Please schedule flights to arrive by 4pm in time for a welcome meeting and drink.

Travel to the charming village of Akaroa, a former French and British settlement. Take a nature cruise on Akaroa Harbour for a chance to see some of the native wildlife, including New Zealand fur seals, the white flippered blue penguin, and the Hector's dolphin, one of the smallest and rarest in the world. After lunch, you will have time to explore the village with its colonial architecture, galleries and cafes. Return to Christchurch where the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B/L)

Today, travel on the scenic TranzAlpine, one of the world's great train journeys. From the comfort of first-class carriages, see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmlands, followed by the spectacular gorges and rivers of the Waimakariri River.

Your train then climbs into the majestic Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass National Park. The train features large panoramic windows, an onboard cafe, and in-seat audio commentary. Disembark in Greymouth and attend a private jade carving demonstration with a traditional carver. Spend the next two nights in the small town of Franz Josef, located at the base of the impressive Franz Josef Glacier. (B)

This morning, explore this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage area. A Local Guide will take you through the Franz Josef Valley and you will learn about the glacier's history, see what is left behind by this majestic giant, and learn the legend of Ka Roimate o Hine Hukatere. After a brief climb to the Glacier Viewpoint, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the rapidly changing face of the glacier.

The remainder of the day is at your leisure. You may opt to take a kayak tour, explore more walking tracks on your own, take a scenic flightseeing or helicopter tour, spend time at the West Coast Wildlife Centre, or relax in one of the glacier hot pools. (B/L)

Today's journey takes us along New Zealand's rugged west coast, through rainforests, and over Haast Pass to the resort town of Wanaka. Free time this afternoon to explore as you wish. Recommendations include paddle boarding or kayaking along Lake Wanaka, take a horseback riding tour, or climb to the top of Mt Iron for amazing views of the Southern Alps, Pisa Range, and Lake Wanaka. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)

This morning, visit Broken Heart Spirits Distillery in Queenstown to learn about the friendship that founded the distillery and to taste some of the award-winning spirits crafted from some of the purest waters in the world. Then embark on a scenic drive across the heart of the South Island to the picturesque township of Te Anau. Known as the gateway to Fiordland National Park, the town sits on the edge of the largest lake in the South Island, with Mt Luxmore and Murchison Mountains providing a magnificent backdrop. Your evening is at leisure. (B)

This morning, embark on an unforgettable cruise through Milford Sound (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience as you cruise past stunning waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, and towering mountain peaks, while keeping a look-out for New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland-crested penguins. Disembark the ship and continue to Queenstown, the "Adventure Capital of the World". As your evening is at leisure, why not take a gondola ride to the top of Bob's Peak for breathtaking views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkable Mountains? (B/L)

Enjoy a day at leisure. Options for your free time include an exciting jet boat ride on the Dart River, a self-guided cycling tour, see movie locations on a Lord of the Rings tour, grab a burger at the famous Fergburger, sample some of the region's best wines, go to new heights on a scenic helicopter flight, or browse the many shops and art galleries in town.

Tonight, join your Tour Director and fellow travel companions for a scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob's Peak where you'll enjoy a delicious farewell dinner and breathtaking views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkable Mountains. The perfect ending to your time in New Zealand! (B/D)

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. You may also choose to extend your time in Queenstown and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides
  • Private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach.
  • Rooms with private bath or shower.
  • Includes hotel taxes, tips and service charges

  • 8 Breakfasts
  • 3 Lunches
  • 2 Dinners

  • Christchurch Ibis Christchurch (Superior Tourist-Class)
  • Franz Josef Aspen Court Motel (Moderate First-Class)
  • Wanaka Wanaka Hotel (Moderate First-Class)
  • Te Anau Distinction Luxmore Hotel Te Anau (Superior Tourist-Class)
  • Queenstown Blue Peaks Lodge (Moderate First-Class)

  • Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
  • Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Why Travel with Cosmos?
Why Travel with Cosmos?

Enjoy inside visits to New Zealand's the must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more

Personalise Your Adventure
Personalise Your Adventure

Cosmos build free time into every one of their holidays, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more

Cosmos's Expert Guides
Cosmos's Expert Guides

Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more

Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'South Island Showcase' Reviews

4.0
AVG. RATING 4.0 / 5
1 Review
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1 Star
Enjoyable short trip to NZ 0 , NSW, Australia, Oct 2023
We booked this 7 day coach tour of the south island of New Zealand to use up some credits Global Journeys were holding for us. Global Journeys had previously helped us organize 2 two-week tours in Canada but we had to cancel them. The NZ tour was good. There were 21 people on our coach, all Aussies and all over 50. They were all experienced travellers ...read more and good fun.

The tour covered all the usual places in the south island, including the TranzAlpine rail trip from Christchurch to Greymouth. We were really enjoying it until we reached Arthur's Pass, and the train was forced to return to Christchurch due to torrential rain. Fortunately our coach was able to pick us up almost immediately, and we continued on our way. We had to organize a few to many of our own meals but the tour was inexpensive, so that's understandable.
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Brochure

Worldwide

Cosmos Worldwide (2023-24)

From Europe’s grand cathedrals to America’s Grand Canyon, we’ll show you the iconic treasures and hidden gems of the world like only Cosmos can. Empty your bucket list without emptying your pockets! Follow your wanderlust to the world’s most fascinating places – from the Great Pyramids to the Great Barrier Reef; or from the Rocky Mountains to the rocky...more shores of Scotland. Cosmos makes it affordable to answer when adventure calls.

Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cosmos. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Cosmos. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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