Save up to $133* pp twin share

Southern Wonders

   
Destination:
Christchurch, New Zealand
Duration:
8 Nights
Offer ends:
15 December 2024
Valid for travel:
27 Jan 2025, 10 Feb 2025, 24 Feb 2025.

Details

A little bit city, a little bit country. A whole lot of nature, and just as much culture. Oh, and plenty of opportunities to indulge in food and wine. This tour of the South Island of New Zealand delivers the perfect recipe for a taste of the country. Look forward to Franz Josef/Waiau tours, Milford Sound cruises and glimpses into cosmopolitan life on Christchurch and Queenstown tours.

Was $5,320* per person twin share
Save $133* per person twin share (including 2.5% helloworld exclusive offer where applicable)

Now $5,187* per person twin share

Highlights

Flexible Holidays
We love leading you to NZ’s top attractions. But we also give you the freedom to discover at leisure. Ask us about Queenstown’s best restaurants, or enjoy an unplanned adventure.

Iconic Sites
The TranzAlpine train ride has been described as one of the most scenic cross-country jaunts in the world. But don’t take our word for it.

Make Travel Matter
Dark Sky Project is committed to preserving our night skies by connecting manuhiri (visitors) to the relevance of the night sky via scientific and cultural experiences.

Natural Wonders
The Dunedin coast dials up the natural drama, its wind-carved cliffs and beaches attracting wild seabirds, sea lions and penguins.

In partnership with:

Inclusions

  • Travel in a fully air-conditioned luxury coach
  • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
  • 1 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Fiordland National Park
  • Comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centres
  • National Park entrance fees
  • 8 Full Breakfasts. 3 Dinners. 1 Highlight Dinner. 1 Farewell Dinner.

Itinerary

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 a Welcome Reception.
Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

Your South Island New Zealand Tour starts on a literal high as you jump aboard the TranzAlpine train, crossing the Canterbury Plains towards the Southern Alps and Arthur’s Pass. This is one of the world’s most scenic rail experiences, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. At the other end of the line is Hokitika, the home of pounamu (native greenstone or jade). Just when you thought your day couldn’t get any better, Franz Josef town twinkles on the horizon. This afternoon, you may choose to fly over Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere.

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner.

Over the Haast Pass, alpine drama awaits. The Southern Lakes deserve their name: there are almost more waterways here than you can count. First up there’s oh-so-blue Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan, where you’ll pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. As tempting as it is to linger in Arrowtown’s movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques, Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables await in Queenstown.

Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort
Included Meals: Breakfast

The adventure capital doesn’t disappoint when it comes to activities that are fast and furious. Take your pick, you could explore the natural drama of Skippers Canyon. Prefer life at a more leisurely pace? Opt to step onto a Lord of the Rings movie set or sip your way through surrounding vineyards (all own expense). Wherever you wander, make sure you’re back in time to cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner.
 

Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort
Included Meals: Breakfast & Highlight Dinner.

Nature rules today as you motor from the Mirror Lakes through the Cleddau Valley. But this is just a teaser of what’s to come: World Heritage listed Milford Sound. A Milford Sound cruise across this dreamy expanse will give you goosebumps, its string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. Look out for fur seals – they’re a common sight here. The road back through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and gin-clear rivers, carving up the countryside en route to Te Anau. And just when you thought things couldn’t get any more magical, nestled on the edge of the South Island’s largest lake, Te Anau is the perfect place to savour some peace and relaxation after the spectacle of the day.

Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner.

The South Island’s biggest lake is a blissful place for an invigorating morning walk. If it doesn’t set your pulse racing, then your outlook of rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep surely will. This pastoral countryside surrounds Dunedin. While away the afternoon in atmospheric art-lined alleys or sipping a lager or two in Speight’s Brewery, or visit grand Larnach Castle (own expense).

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City
Included Meals: Breakfast

Time is on your side this morning. Sleep in or take a stroll. Visit Oamaru, known for its Victorian heritage buildings.

Hotel: Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner.

If there’s a lake with a more vivid turquoise colour than Tekapo, we’re yet to see it. It’s made even more dramatic by snow-capped mountains, the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd and atmospheric towns that surround. 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. Back on earth, you’re becoming reacquainted with Christchurch, your in-the-know Travel Director pointing out the city’s miraculous transformation over the last decade. Local spirit is strong here.

Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch
Included Meals: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner.

If you feel like you’ve only seen the tip of the South Island’s iceberg, you’d be correct. This beguiling part of the country could keep travel enthusiasts entertained for eons. Thankfully, we have more itineraries 

Included Meals: Breakfast

Terms & Conditions

*Conditions apply. Prices correct as at 20 Sep 2024 but may fluctuate if surcharges, fees, taxes or currency change. Offers subject to availability. Agents may charge service fees, rates vary. Payments by credit card will incur a surcharge.  Airfare not included. All savings are included in the advertised price. Offers may be withdrawn without notice and are not combinable with any other offers unless stated. Please check all prices, availability and other information before booking. AAT Kings and Helloworld Travel booking terms and conditions apply, see in store for details.  

Save a further 2.5% with the exclusive Helloworld offer on AAT Kings New Zealand Guided Holidays when you use the promotion code HLOSALENZ. Offer valid for sale between Sep 16, 2024 – Dec 15, 2024 for select travel departures from Sep 16, 2024 – Mar 31, 2025. Discounts are subject to availability (for select tours and departures), limited seats, offer may be withdrawn at any time without notice. For new bookings only made through Helloworld Brands. Excludes group and charter bookings. Other standard booking conditions apply. Combinable with selected offers, contact your Helloworld travel agent or speak to our experts for more details. Updated Sep 16, 2024. 

From

$5,187* | per person twin share
Save up to $133* pp twin share
Destination:
Christchurch, New Zealand
Duration:
8 Nights
Offer ends:
15 December 2024
Valid for travel:
27 Jan 2025, 10 Feb 2025, 24 Feb 2025.