Tour highlights: Christchurch - Akaroa - Mount Cook - Tasman Glacier - Oamaru - Dunedin - Catlins - Stewart Island - Milford Sound - Queenstown - Wanaka - South Island West Coast - Fox Glacier - Franz Joseph Glacier - Pancake Rocks - Nelson - Marlborough Sounds - Kaikoura
6 National Parks 2 cities
2 islands (North Island and South Island)
2 islands (North Island and South Island)
For the more urban traveller, this tour also includes nice cities (Christchurch - the most English city out of England; and Dunedin Scottish city) as well as interesting towns (Oamaru white stone town, Twizel, Hokitika, etc.).
This suggested New Zealand itinerary starts and ends in Christchurch. You can purchase international flights arriving directly into Christchurch.
Suggested Tours
Essential (14)
Day 1: Christchurch
Arrive at Christchurch airport. Christchurch sightseeing. Museum, Cathedral, Arts Centre, Christ's College, Pastel Street, botanical gardens, primitive forest. 2 nights in Christchurch.
Arrive at Christchurch airport. Christchurch sightseeing. Museum, Cathedral, Arts Centre, Christ's College, Pastel Street, botanical gardens, primitive forest. 2 nights in Christchurch.
Day 2: Christchurch - Akaroa - Christchurch
Scenic drive to Port Hills. Volcanic landscapes (calderas). Akaroa French colony. Dolphin spotting cruise (swim with dolphins optional). 2nd night in Christchurch.
Scenic drive to Port Hills. Volcanic landscapes (calderas). Akaroa French colony. Dolphin spotting cruise (swim with dolphins optional). 2nd night in Christchurch.
Day 3: Christchurch - Twizel
Church of the Good Shepherd, lake Tekapo. Lake Pukaki. Mount Cook National Park. Glacier lake cruise (weather permitting) and walks. Overnight in Twizel.
Church of the Good Shepherd, lake Tekapo. Lake Pukaki. Mount Cook National Park. Glacier lake cruise (weather permitting) and walks. Overnight in Twizel.
Day 4: Twizel - Oamaru
Maori rock paintings. Aviemore and Benmore lakes. Oamaru - white stone town. Blue penguin colony. Overnight in Oamaru.
Maori rock paintings. Aviemore and Benmore lakes. Oamaru - white stone town. Blue penguin colony. Overnight in Oamaru.
Day 5: Oamaru - Dunedin
Moeraki boulders. Royal albatrosses, New Zealand furseals, cormorants, yellow eyed penguins on Otago Peninsula. Overnight in Dunedin.
Moeraki boulders. Royal albatrosses, New Zealand furseals, cormorants, yellow eyed penguins on Otago Peninsula. Overnight in Dunedin.
Day 6: Dunedin - Catlins
Dunedin city sightseeing. Otago University, world's steepest street, historic railway station. 2 nights in the Catlins wildlife area.
Dunedin city sightseeing. Otago University, world's steepest street, historic railway station. 2 nights in the Catlins wildlife area.
Day 7: Catlins Nature Tour
Full day guided nature tour in the Catlins: Hooker sealions, yellow eyed penguins, endemic plants and birds (with local naturalist guide). 2nd night in the Catlins.
Full day guided nature tour in the Catlins: Hooker sealions, yellow eyed penguins, endemic plants and birds (with local naturalist guide). 2nd night in the Catlins.
Day 8: Catlins - Stewart Island
Invercargill and its museum. Ferry crossing to Stewart Island. Kiwi bird spotting tour. 2 nights on Stewart Island.
Invercargill and its museum. Ferry crossing to Stewart Island. Kiwi bird spotting tour. 2 nights on Stewart Island.
Day 9: Stewart Island Nature
Guided nature tours and cruises on Stewart Island and Ulva Island. Spotted bird species include: kaka parrot, tui, bellbird and pelagic birds. 2nd night on Stewart Island.
Guided nature tours and cruises on Stewart Island and Ulva Island. Spotted bird species include: kaka parrot, tui, bellbird and pelagic birds. 2nd night on Stewart Island.
Day 10: Stewart Island - Milford Sound
Back to Invercargill. Backcountry road to Manapouri and Te Anau. Fiordland National Park. Overnight cruise on a very comfortable boat on Milford Sound. (Subject to availability; if not available, overnight in Te Anau.)
Back to Invercargill. Backcountry road to Manapouri and Te Anau. Fiordland National Park. Overnight cruise on a very comfortable boat on Milford Sound. (Subject to availability; if not available, overnight in Te Anau.)
Day 11: Milford Sound - Queenstown
Kea mountain parrot spotting. Te Anau bird sanctuary. Lake Wakatipu. 2 nights in Queenstown / Arrowtown.
Kea mountain parrot spotting. Te Anau bird sanctuary. Lake Wakatipu. 2 nights in Queenstown / Arrowtown.
Day 12: Queenstown
Queenstown sightseeing (bungy jumping, jet-boating) and shopping. Driving tour to Glenorchy. Arrowtown gold mining village. Second night in Queenstown / Arrowtown.
Queenstown sightseeing (bungy jumping, jet-boating) and shopping. Driving tour to Glenorchy. Arrowtown gold mining village. Second night in Queenstown / Arrowtown.
Day 13: Queenstown - Haast
Wanaka and its lake. Lake Hawea. Haast Pass. Waterfalls. Jackson's Bay remote settlement. Overnight in Haast.
Wanaka and its lake. Lake Hawea. Haast Pass. Waterfalls. Jackson's Bay remote settlement. Overnight in Haast.
Day 14: Haast - Glaciers
West Coast rainforest. Swamp and dune ecosystems. Fox Glacier and / or Franz Joseph Glacier. Overnight at Fox Glacier or Franz Joseph Glacier.
West Coast rainforest. Swamp and dune ecosystems. Fox Glacier and / or Franz Joseph Glacier. Overnight at Fox Glacier or Franz Joseph Glacier.
Day 15: Glaciers - Hokitika
Optional helicopter flights. White heron colony or rainforest cruise. Lake Mahinapua. Ross open cast gold mine. Overnight in Hokitika.
Optional helicopter flights. White heron colony or rainforest cruise. Lake Mahinapua. Ross open cast gold mine. Overnight in Hokitika.
Day 16: Hokitika - Murchison
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks karst landscape. Truman Track walk. Cape Foulwind furseal colony. Buller Gorge. Overnight in remote mountain countryside, near Murchison.
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks karst landscape. Truman Track walk. Cape Foulwind furseal colony. Buller Gorge. Overnight in remote mountain countryside, near Murchison.
Day 17: Murchison - Picton
Nelson, its orchards and crafts. Marlborough Sounds scenic drive (Queen Charlotte Drive). Overnight in Picton.
Nelson, its orchards and crafts. Marlborough Sounds scenic drive (Queen Charlotte Drive). Overnight in Picton.
Day 18: Picton - Kaikoura
Blenheim winery tours (i.e. Cloudy Bay, Stoneleigh or Hunter's). Scenic coastal road (Pacific Ocean). 2 nights in Kaikoura.
Blenheim winery tours (i.e. Cloudy Bay, Stoneleigh or Hunter's). Scenic coastal road (Pacific Ocean). 2 nights in Kaikoura.
Day 19: Kaikoura
Pelagic bird watching cruise or whale watching cruise. Scenic drive to Hanmer Springs. Time to relax in the thermal pools. Second night in Kaikoura.
Pelagic bird watching cruise or whale watching cruise. Scenic drive to Hanmer Springs. Time to relax in the thermal pools. Second night in Kaikoura.
Day 20: Kaikoura - Christchurch
Transfer to Christchurch. Time for shopping, visit Botanical Gardens or Antarctic Centre. Drop-off at Christchurch International or domestic airport. Haere ra e te manuhiri tuarangi (farewell, honoured guests).
Transfer to Christchurch. Time for shopping, visit Botanical Gardens or Antarctic Centre. Drop-off at Christchurch International or domestic airport. Haere ra e te manuhiri tuarangi (farewell, honoured guests).This New Zealand tour is best enjoyed in:
Fergus and Mary Sutherland, of Catlins Ecotours, offer 2/4-day eco-tours with accommodation for all budgets.
Queenstown offers an amazing array of adventures, from high intensity activities to many more subdued options. Bungee jumping, scenic helicopter flights, river surfing or a spin on the breathtaking Shotover Jet - an action packed ride along the famous Shotover River are all unique and exhilarating options. If you prefer a slower pace, Queenstown is a renowned wine destination and has many lovely winery tour options as well as world class spas if you feel the need to relax and be pampered. There are also many options for scenic walking and hiking, with many trails beginning from the centre of town. The many cafes, restaurants and bars create a wonderful ambience throughout the town.