Description

Sweet as South 9 day’s trip with breakfasts and dinner

‘Book with Flexibility

Book with confidence with our flexible holiday options, knowing that if things change, you’ll have room to move without the fear of fees! See the inclusions below for more details on flexible bookings.

Inclusions

9 day trip departing Christchurch.

7 nights accommodation in a Lodge.

1 night accommodation in a Hotel.

8 Breakfasts and 3 Dinners.

Included Experiences.

See the peak of Mt Cook from across the beautiful blue glacial Lake Ohau.

See the historic Church of the Good Shepard.Stop at Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo & Geraldine.

Experience rural NZ country life with a farm visit in Te Anau.

Cruise the glassy waters of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Milford Sound.

Stop at AJ Hackett’s Kawarau Bridge.

View a native greenstone carving demonstration in the goldrush town of Hokitika.

SAVE up to 15%*.

Your accommodation

Day 1 Christchurch to Lake Ohau.

Christchurch. Christchurch what’s up? New Zealand’s South Island is the home to adventure, adrenaline and good times and we’re here to take it all on. Lake Tekapo. We’ll stop off to see the intense milky blue waters of glacially-fed Lake Tekapo. Here (from October 2020) we’ll also get to enjoy an unforgettable Dark Sky experience, an interactive multimedia exhibition that mixes stargazing, science and traditional Maori astronomy, teaching us how the Maori people used to use stars to harvest food, and about the importance of reducing light pollution. Lake Ohau. Onto Lake Ohau, with its glorious views of Mt. Cook. Yet another swoon-worthy location where you’ll have to pick that jaw up off the ground.

Day 2 Lake Ohau to Te Anau.

Lake Ohau. Another day, another natural wonder to discover. Arrowtown. We make a quick stop for lunch in this historic gold mining town before heading onto Te Anau. Te Anau. Arriving in the stunning lakeside town of Te Anau, why not take a guided jet boat trip to Fiordland National Park? From Te Anau through Lake Manapouri, it’s an exhilirating way to soak up the scenery. You can also take a trip to the ethereal glow worm caves or simply cycle the gorgeous trails through native bush.

Day 3 Te Anau to Queenstown.

Te Anau. It’s time to make tracks to the spectacular natural wonder of Milford Sound. Milford Sound. Welcome to New Zealand’s most stunning attraction, with a magical combination of mountain peaks, forest-clad cliffs and deep dark waters. We take an included cruise of the fiord and experience the beauty of this pristine destination by boat, the best way to see Milford Sound in all its glory. Queenstown. Later, we head to our home for the night in Queenstown.

Day 4 Queenstown.

Queenstown. Today is yours to get acquainted with Queenstown and spend some time mulling over the activities up for grabs in the next two days. First stop is the legendary Kawarau Bungy Bridge, get your morning adrenaline hit with a heart pounding jump at the world home of the bungy. Later, take a stroll around beautiful Queenstown, nestled in the Southern Alps this stunning town has plenty to offer other than adventure activities.

Day 5 Queenstown.

Queenstown. With our last day in adrenalin city ahead of us, this is the time to push yourself to the limits and hurl over any mental barriers you’ve put up around yourself. Jump into #NOREGRETS spirit and conquer those niggling fears once and for all. For those who did their dash yesterday, a day staying mellow and enjoying this beautiful region will prove more than sufficient.

Day 6 Queenstown.

Queenstown. It’s times like this that you really start to work out what sort of traveller you are. And human for that matter. You might be the one trailing through wine country and doing a spot of horse back riding, or you may be that guy that crams in a bungy jump, a skydive and a heliraft & still craves more. It’s your holiday – run wild as you see fit.

Day 7 Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier.

Queenstown. Time to return our adrenalin levels to normal and make tracks to the wild (and often wet) West Coast and it’s towering glaciers. But before we do, bridge bungy jump, anyone? Wanaka. Enjoying our scenic drive we’ll stop for lunch in Wanaka, a pretty ski resort town situated on a lake front and dwarfed by mountains. This town is fast becoming one of NZ’s most popular spots, and a trip to the ‘Dough Bin’ for a luscious pie should be high on the list today. Haast Pass. Our first piece of NZ eye-candy comes in the form of Hasast Pass, beautified by ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls. Note how the scenery changes as we roll away from Queenstown through the Southern Alps. Franz Josef Glacier. Playing host tonight is the town of Franz Josef, home to some of NZ’s finest natural beauty with bushlands and glaciers that almost reach the sea. Tomorrow we’ll be out and about making the most of it – who’s excited?

Day 8 Franz Josef Glacier.

Franz Josef Glacier. This morning will be another big ol’ tick off the list as we take to the ice of Franz Josef Glacier. We’ve got a heli ride over the glacier up for grabs, or the opportunity to carve your own Pounamu (jade) pendant, under the tuition of a Maori mastercraftsman. Pounamu is sacred to the Maori people, and this is a great way to learn about its cultural significance, while also creating a beautiful please of jewellery. An optional highlight today is a boat cruise across Lake Mapourika. But this ain’t your ordinary boat cruise. You’ll cruise up the glassy lake, framed by glaciers and mountains, before switching to a stand up paddle board and gliding along a narrow estuary. This takes you to your journey’s destination, the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary, where you’ll get to meet New Zealand’s adorable but vulnerable national bird.