6-Day South Island Heritage Tour
Enjoy a 6-day New Zealand South Island Heritage tour from Christchurch to the key tourism destinations of the South Island. Explore New Zealand’s South Island on a six-day semi-independent tour by coach and train from Christchurch.
Visit Mount Cook, take a cruise through Milford Sound to Queenstown for a free day, and then cross the Taieri Gorge Railway into Dunedin. Before returning to Christchurch, take a guided tour of the Otago Peninsula and the royal albatross colony. Getting around town and staying at a hotel are all provided.
6-Day South Island Heritage Tour
Highlights
- See the mighty Aoraki / Mount Cook
- Free day in Queenstown
- Discover the wildlife of Milford Sounds
- Travel along the Taieri Gorge Rail Journey
- Explore the history of Dunedin
- See the amazing Yellow-Eyed Penguin of Otago
During this semi-independent 6-day journey from Christchurch to Queenstown and Dunedin, you’ll have plenty of time to explore on your own. Mount Cook National Park, Milford Sound, Taieri Gorge Railway, and a seasonal tour of the Otago Peninsula’s royal albatross colony are all included in this tour. Enjoy five nights of lodging and live commentary while traveling in the vehicle.
Itinerary
Day 1: Christchurch – Mt. Cook – Queenstown
The Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps’ foothills provide a diverse and ever-changing backdrop as you journey through the rich pastoral farmland.
Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, which stands on the shore of glacier-fed Lake Tekapo, as you continue across Burkes Pass.
Mt Cook, New Zealand’s tallest peak, can be reached via a scenic drive up to Lake Pukaki’s west side. Stop for lunch (own expense) at Mt Cook, where you’ll be awestruck by the breathtaking scenery.
Passing through the Lindis Pass, you’ll enter the Kawerau Gorge and arrive in Queenstown. The Heartland Hotel Queenstown or a similar establishment is a good place to stay overnight.
Day 2: Queenstown – Milford Sound – Queenstown
Along the shore of Lake Wakatipu, beneath the Remarkables, you’ll reach Te Anau, the “Gateway to Fiordland National Park.” The Eglinton Valley is the first thing you see as you approach the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. The Mirror Lakes, a world-famous photo stop, are among the highlights of this tour through an ancient beech forest.
Enter the Homer Tunnel, a tunnel drilled into the rock of a mountain, as you continue through the upper Hollyford Valley. Expect the Cleddau Valley and your descent into Milford Sound to be breathtaking when you emerge from Homer Tunnel.
On your first day in New Zealand, take a cruise on the majestic Milford Sound to see Mitre Peak and rock walls scarred by glaciers that rise vertically out of the sea. Before returning to Queenstown, board the coach. Lunches on board the cruise ship are available for an additional fee. Inns in the area, such as the Heartland Hotel Queenstown
Day 3: Queenstown
A free day in Queenstown is a wonderful opportunity. The Heartland Hotel Queenstown or a similar establishment is a good place to stay overnight.
Day 4: Queenstown – Dunedin
The journey to Pukerangi, where you will board the Taieri Gorge Railway, will take about an hour by coach. This train journey takes you into a rugged pioneering territory, with stops for sightseeing, as you travel through Otago’s unspoiled landscape. This afternoon, we’ll arrive in Dunedin. Overnight: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City or an equivalent
Day 5: Dunedin
In Dunedin, you have the day off today. Explore Olveston Historic House, Larnach Castle, or Glenfalloch Gardens while you’re in the area. A tour of the Otago Peninsula will be offered this afternoon, including a visit to the renowned royal albatross colony (seasonal due to albatross breeding). Overnight: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City or an equivalent
Day 6: Dunedin – Christchurch
This morning, you’ll have more time to explore Dunedin’s historic attractions. Before returning to Christchurch by coach or train, consider a trip to the art gallery or some last-minute shopping.
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