Southern Highlights

Welcome to Wellington, the nation's capital, enjoy a two-night stay. (D)

Welcome to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. This colourful waterfront city lies on the southern end of the North Island, and provides a compelling mix of nature, creativity, and culture. Street art abounds, and the story of New Zealand is told across a range of world-class museums. The Wellington Cable Car is a great way to take in the scope of this compact city. (B/D)

Enrich: Take an in-depth journey of Te Papa, New Zealand's interactive and immersive national museum, to discover the treasures and stories of the country and its people.

Say goodbye to the North Island as you travel across the Cook Strait and the Marlborough Sounds to the South Island. You will arrive in the seaside town of Picton before heading to Nelson, the oldest city in the South Island and known for its local arts and craft stores and art galleries. It is also the home of hops, producing New Zealand's entire commercial harvest. Visit the McCashins Brewery and get the full story, which dates to the arrival of thirsty settlers from England and Germany in the mid-19th century.

Enjoy your two-night stay in luxury at your hotel in Nelson. (B/D)

Nelson is also the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park, known for its pristine beaches and turquoise water, as well as for being the smallest national park in New Zealand. Enjoy a cruise from Kaiteriteri Beach where you’ll have a chance to see the famous Split Apple rock, observe native fur seals in their natural habitat and admire the golden sands. (B)

Travel today to the wild West Coast of NZ. Enjoy the scenery on the Great Coast Road, one of Lonely Planet's top 10 coastal drives in the world. Take a short, paved walk to the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes of Punakaiki, where columns of water shoot skyward from rock formations that resemble the breakfast favourite. Your overnight stay in Punakaiki is a stone's throw from the Pancake Rocks. (B/D)

Start your day with a visit to Weta Workshop's Pounamu Pathway – an immersive storytelling experience about the great Maori chiefs of the West Coast. Then it's time to see the ever-changing face of the imposing Franz Josef Glacier for yourself. This World Heritage area is just five kilometres from the town of Franz Josef and offers a unique look at a relic of the last ice age.

For a better view, you may choose to take a helicopter flight over Franz Josef or the nearby Fox Glacier and get a new perspective on this natural alpine landscape (additional expense, please book prior to departure).

Stay overnight in Franz Josef. (B/D)

Enjoy a ride on the fully enclosed Haast River Safari jet boat for a closer look at the glacial valley of the South Westland World Heritage area. Stay warm and dry as you cruise past spectacular mountain views, rushing waterfalls and lush native forests.

Afterwards, you'll head to the alpine city of Queenstown for a three-night stay. (B)

Welcome to Queenstown, the South Island alpine village that’s the adventure capital of New Zealand.

Today, elevate your Queenstown stay with your choice of these exciting Scenic Freechoice activities. (B/D)

Freechoice:

• Dart River Safari: Travel to the frontier township of Glenorchy and discover a unique and dramatic environment in the pristine Dart River Valley. Combining breathtaking World Heritage-listed scenery, exhilarating wilderness jet-boating and Maori heritage, this is an inspiring adventure.
• Boutique Winery Tour: Enjoy a relaxed tour visiting a selection of Queenstown’s award-winning boutique wineries. Sample fine wine and food, with wine barrel-cooked tasting dishes including both traditional and wild foods.
• Shotover Jet Adventure: As the accelerator hits the floor, your adrenaline hits the roof as you power through the Shotover River and deep into the nearby canyons. It’s an amazing ride, as your driver skilfully whips past rocky outcrops.
• Safari of the Scenes Tour: Step into the real locations of films such as ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ trilogies. Bring the films to life with authentic replica props, dress up and take photos or simply soak up the breathtaking mountain and forest scenery.
• Skyline Gondola: Take a scenic ride in the iconic Skyline Gondola and enjoy spectacular views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
• Skippers Canyon: Discover this gold mining area on a tour offering some of the most spectacular remote mountain scenery and historic sites at every corner. Travel in a comfortable 4WD minibus.

Freechoice Dining: Take a steamship cruise on TSS Earnslaw and enjoy dinner at Walter Peak, dine at a local restaurant or enjoy dinner at your hotel.

• TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak Station: Relive the elegance of bygone days with a cruise aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw, followed by a carvery style dinner at Walter Peak High Country Station, featuring an expansive array of local produce.
• Boardwalk Restaurant: Located in one of Queenstown’s most iconic waterfront sites and offering a contemporary blend of fresh seafood, meats and local produce.
• Peaks Restaurant & Bar: The Peaks Restaurant & Bar celebrates the very best of New Zealand’s fresh produce with hearty dishes from around the globe that are sure to tantalise any taste buds. Situated within the Scenic Suites Queenstown, you will be assured of fantastic views of the Southern Alps and over Lake Wakatipu.

Enjoy a day at leisure to discover Queenstown. Best known for its thrilling skiing scene, Queenstown also offers an incredible assortment of scenic walks and hikes, a thriving boutique winery scene, jet boats and kayaking, and of course, spectacular views at every turn. (B)

Visit the lakeside town of Te Anau, a visually remarkable gateway to Fiordland National Park, where you'll witness the spectacular beauty of Milford Sound. Stand in awe of the towering cliffs, peaks and waterfalls as this natural wonder unfolds around you.

You'll then spend the night at your elegant hotel in Te Anau. (B/D)

Sunset Drinks: Tonight, enjoy a drink at your hotel as you watch the sunset.

See the mountainous, fertile, sheep-filled farming land of Central Otago en route to the heady alpine landscape of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, where the mountains touch the sky.

Enjoy a Scenic Special Stay at your hotel, a location renowned for its commanding scenery. (B/D)

Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo. Built in 1935, the Church of the Good Shepherd acts as a memorial to the pioneers of the surrounding Mackenzie region. A popular and charming tourist attraction, the Church holds regular Sunday Services.

Then, travel through the patchwork countryside and past the braided rivers of the Canterbury Plains on your way to Christchurch. This agricultural hub produces more than 80% of New Zealand’s grains, crops and seeds.

You’ll arrive Christchurch for a two-night stay. (B)

Welcome to Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island and a vibrant example of resilience. Christchurch’s arts scene is one of the most eclectic in the country, with boutique galleries and street art all over town. Charming and quirky cafes are a common sight, while the Riverside Market and the restaurant-filled Terrace are unmissable.

Today, enhance your Christchurch stay with your choice of one of the following Scenic Freechoice activities. (B/D)

Freechoice:

• Punting on the Avon: Enjoy one of Christchurch’s iconic tourist attractions as a skilled punter propels you along the Avon River. Travel past trailing willows, woodlands and the leafy banks of the Botanic Gardens or through the city of Christchurch on board a classic punt.
• Botanic Gardens Tour: Explore the Botanic Gardens including commentary by your expert guide and driver. Discover the natural beauty, history and culture of this central city oasis while at the same time being taken around the gardens in comfort and style.
• Christchurch Sightseeing Tour: A half day sightseeing tour of Christchurch highlighting both the damage to the city inflicted by several large earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, and the rebuild currently in progress, together with the surviving beauty of the city and the historical landmarks.
• Akaroa Day Trip with Nature Cruise: Explore the historic French settlement of Akaroa, set on a long harbour, surrounded by volcanic hills, and experience majestic scenery and stunning wildlife on a two-hour nature harbour cruise.
• International Antarctic Centre: Take a ride on the Penguin Express to the Antarctic Centre. The centre provides an exciting experience where you can discover the enchanting penguins, seals and other wildlife and learn about life on this vast continent.

Enrich: Celebrate your adventures during an iconic Christchurch Tram ride, a delightful blend of history and sightseeing.

It’s time to bid a fond farewell to your new friends and the wonders of New Zealand and head home with stories for life.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. (B)