10 Day Southern Experience

Discover the natural beauty of the south island of New Zealand on this 10 day fully escorted coach tour from AAT Kings. Travelling onboard a luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and panoramic windows, you can sit back and enjoy the magnificent vistas and expert commentary provided by your professional Tour Guide and Driver on this New Zealand holiday.

Visit spectacular sights such as the Fox Glacier, New Zealand's only castle - Lanarch Castle and its gardens and the picturesque Milford Sound. Explore Queenstown your way - from a wine and garden tour to the ultimate thrill seeking adventure of a jet boat ride and white water rafting.

This coach tour from AAT Kings has an excellent itinerary, allowing you to stay a little longer at each destination and explore it on your own. Consider experiencing the joy of flying over Mt Cook or the Franz Josef Glacier as one of the fantastic optional tours available on your journey.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Christchurch: Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Check in, then explore Christchurch for yourself. You could visit Hagley Park, the Canterbury Museum and the Botanic Gardens. An evening welcome drink offers the chance to meet your Tour Director.

Day 2 Mt. Cook: Your day begins with a ride on the Christchurch Tram. Then you've got time to go shopping or relax. En route today you'll see Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the spectacular alpine scenery of Mt. Cook National Park. You can also take an optional scenic flight over Mt. Cook (weather permitting).

Day 3 Dunedin: On the way to Dunedin, see the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme, Benmore Dam and the famous white limestone buildings of Oamaru. At Dunedin, tour the city, then you've got the afternoon to yourself - take a Wildlife Cruise, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway, it's your choice.

Day 4 Dunedin - Te Anau: A guided tour of New Zealand's only castle - Larnach Castle and its gardens starts the day with your own time in town. Then head to Te Anau across fertile farming land to the shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island. Tonight, if you choose to, you can see the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.

Day 5 Milford Sound: Today is a feast for the senses. Be wowed and awe-struck by the beauty of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, New Zealand's largest. Keep your camera close by as you see Mirror Lakes, Pop's Lookout, Claudu Valley, The Chasm, the hand-made Homer Tunnel, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and stunningly photogenic Milford Sound, where you will cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. The Devil's Staircase and Lake Wakatipu pass by. Arrive at Queenstown for an orientation tour. The dinner option tonight is the Skyline Restaurant on Bob's Peak - sensational views over Queenstown and a bonus Kiwi Haka Maori Show, plus you'll ride the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere just to get there!

Day 6 Queenstown 'Free Time': Explore Queenstown your way. Go wild with jet boat rides or white water rafting. For the less adventurous there are wine and garden tours. For dinner you'll travel across Lake Wakatipu and back on the TSS Earnslaw, New Zealand's oldest steam ship, to Walter Peak Sheep Station for a carvery meal and sheep shearing demonstration.

Day 7 Queenstown - Franz Josef: The historic gold mining town of Arrowtown is the first stop today. The second stop is Cromwell and its sensational stone fruit. You'll see a trio of lakes - Wanaka, Hawea and Dunstan. Travel over the Haast Pass, view the amazing Thunder Creek Falls, take a small rainforest walk, then it's on to the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier - the world's most accessible glacier.

Day 8 Franz Josef - Punakaiki: Explore Franz Josef Glacier - take an optional flight (weather permitting) or a glacier hike! Then depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. It's on to Punakaiki where you'll view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. Overnight at the eco- friendly waterfront resort.

Day 9 TranzAlpine - Christchurch: Enjoy time at leisure before travelling via Greymouth to Arthur's Pass where you'll board the TranzAlpine, one of the top 6 train journeys in the world, which travels through the Southern Alps to Christchurch.

Day 10 Depart Christchurch: Today is yours; take your time exploring Christchurch, famous for being the most English city outside of England. It's your last chance to experience New Zealand before you transfer to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.

Highlights

• The Christchurch Tram
• View mighty Mt. Cook
• Church of the Good Shepherd
• Larnach Castle Dunedin
• Cruise on Milford Sound
• Day at leisure in Queenstown
• Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak
• View Franz Josef Glacier
• Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
• Cruise on the TSS Earnslaw
• TranzAlpine Train journey

Inclusions

• Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach, reclining seats with seatbelts, restroom and panoramic windows
• Experienced services of a professional Tour Director and Tour Driver
• Welcome Drink
• Full Buffet Breakfasts (9)
• Exciting Highlight Dinner (1)
• Hotel Dinners (6)
• Airport Transfers
• All purpose travel wallet and touring map
• Porterage at tour Hotels

Departures

On Day 1, Flights must arrive prior to 4.00pm. On Day 10, flights to depart anytime.

Additional Information

Airport Transfers: AAT Kings offers return hotel or airport transfers
Children: 5 years of age and under are not catered for. Children 6-18 years must be accompanied by an adult
Luggage Allowance: One medium size suitcase per person plus an overnight bag
What to Bring: Casual light weight clothing with warmer articles for the evenings and cooler days in Summer. A warm jacket is recommended for winter. Swimsuit, towel, waterproof jacket and comfortable footwear
Operated by: AAT Kings