Sweet as South | Westbound | Oct 2023 - Oct 2024
Christchurch
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Experience the best of Southern New Zealand! From Christchurch to Queenstown to Lake Ohau, it’s an adventure you won’t ever want to end. In Franz Josef you’ll hike a glacier, then it’s on to Queenstown, the adventure Capital of the World. Take the leap on a bungy, canyon swinging - the possibilities are endless. Maybe take a day break to Milford Sound cruise past stunning waterfalls or a scenic flight over Mt. Cook!
Availability
From 18/05/2024 to 17/10/2024
Departure dates & prices
Dates
Availability
Price
What's included
Highlights.
3 Dinner (D)8 Breakfast (B)Wanaka: A lake town with views for days, surrounded by beech forests, alpine lakes, and wilderness glaciers.
Milford Sound: Cruise along the glassy waters and get the kind of view people write poems about.
You'll soon see why it's a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Arrowtown: A historic gold mining town, Arrowtown is known as one of the cutest towns in New Zealand, so see for yourself on a walking tour that covers all the best things to see in Arrowtown.
Lake Tekapo: See the church on the shores of Lake Tekapo with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks - and get that iconic Insta pic too!Lake Tekapo: We'll stop at Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and Geraldine.
and watch happily on as NZ's astonishing natural beauty takes your breath away.
Lake Ohau: Looking out at the peaks of Mt Cook across the glacial waters of Lake Ōhau.
It was once a dream, but today we'll make it your reality.
(You're welcome.
)Lake Tekapo: The Dark Sky Experience combines Māori astronomy, storytelling and science together in one truly unique interactive display.
Hokitika: The South Island is known for Pounamu (in fact, it’s even named after the stuff.
) Today in Hokitika, we’ll meet with a local Māori Guide, who’ll tell us all about the connection between the illustrious greenstone and the Māori people.
After that, we’ll go and check some out for ourselves.
Te Anau: Today we’ll visit a local farm in Te Anau to support the Fairlight Foundation, which works to advance women in Agriculture.
We’ll learn all about farming, as well as the Fairlight Foundation and the work that they do.
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Itinerary
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Day 1 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. Take in the beautiful scenery as we wind our way across the highest and most spectacular mountain pass across the Southern Alps. In the gold rush town of Hokitika, we'll meet with a local M?ori guide who'll teach us all about pounamu on a unique tour. We'll learn about the history of the illustrious green stones (which the South Island is named after) and its connection with the M?ori people. Back on the coach, we're coastline bound to one of the island's most jaw-droppingly beautiful spots (and that's saying something). We'll pull up for the night in glorious Franz Josef, probably one of the most beautiful places you'll ever of clapped eyes on. A bold statement we know, but well deserved.
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Day 2 This morning 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 M?ori people, and this is a great way to learn about its cultural significance, while also creating a beautiful please of jewellery.
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Day 3 Armed with a new found appreciation for frozen water, we'll hop back on the coach & start making our way to Queenstown, making a few cheeky stops along the way. Our first piece of NZ eye-candy comes in the form of Haast Pass, beautified by ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls. Note how the scenery changes as we roll towards Queenstown through the Southern Alps and region of Otago. Intermitting 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. Welcome to the adventure capital of the world - Queenstown. 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. Tonight you can choose to jump on a gondola and to wine & dine atop of the highest restaurant in Queenstown, Skyline. What a way to start our time here! Rest up tonight - the next few days are going to be BIG.
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Day 4 Armed with a new found appreciation for frozen water, we'll hop back on the coach & start making our way to Queenstown, making a few cheeky stops along the way. Our first piece of NZ eye-candy comes in the form of Haast Pass, beautified by ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls. Note how the scenery changes as we roll towards Queenstown through the Southern Alps and region of Otago. Intermitting 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. Welcome to the adventure capital of the world - Queenstown. 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. Tonight you can choose to jump on a gondola and to wine & dine atop of the highest restaurant in Queenstown, Skyline. What a way to start our time here! Rest up tonight - the next few days are going to be BIG.
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Day 5 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 exploring wine cellars and caves, or you may be that guy that crams in a bungy jump and ziplining & still craves more. It's your holiday - run wild as you see fit. Please note: If you're here during ski season, you can opt for an exclusive Ski day-trip to Cardrona. Check out 'Dates & Pricing' to see these "Special Departures".
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Day 6 With our last day in adrenalin city edging closer, this is the time to push yourself to the limits and jump over any mental barriers you've put up around yourself. Embrace the spirit of adventure 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.
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Day 7 Alright, it's time to return our adrenaline levels to a normal level and make tracks to the spectacular natural wonder of 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. Arriving in the stunning lakeside town of Te Anau, why not opt to take a guided jet boat trip to explore the Fiordland National Park. From Te Anau through Lake Manapouri, it's a pretty exhilirating way to soak up the scenery. Prefer to keep you feet (or wheels) on dry land. You can also take a trip to the ethereal glow worm caves (woaahhh) or simply cycle the gorgeous trails through native bush.
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Day 8 So long, Te Anau. It's been fun. Our first stop today is Kingston for an authentic and important NZ farm experience. Where a charity helps local girls to learn practical farming skills and gain qualifications. Contiki makes a donation on behalf of every traveller who visits the farm, so you can help more NZ women and girls plough through barriers and get ahead in their 'field' just by turning up. We make a quick stop for lunch in this historic gold mining town before heading onto Lake ?hau. For our last night, we'll go out with a bang. Or perhaps a splash. Sketchbooks at the ready folks - we'll spend our final night by Lake ?hau, with a spectacular view of Mt Cook in the distance!
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Day 9 We'll kick off our final day with a visit to the glacier-fed Lake Tekapo, admiring the crystal clear water. Next, it's time for a Dark Sky experience - a multimedia exhibition that combines stargazing, science and traditional M?ori astronomy. Here we'll learn how the M?ori people would use the stars to help aid their harvests, plus why reducing light pollution is so important. And then the adventure ends in Christchurch. Sure, there'll be some sadness, but that's normal when awesome things end. And this has been more than awesome. On a brighter note, the memories will put a smile on your face for years to come.
- Prices quoted valid for sale until 04 May 2024 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
- Price is per person and subject to availability. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
- Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
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