Description
Experience the best of South with the NZ Sweet As South Eastbound! From Lake Ōhau to Queenstown to Christchurch – it’s an adventure you won’t want to end. Start off on a scenic flight over Mt. Cook then get ready to hit Queenstown, the adventure Capital of the World. Try bungy, or you can opt to take a stunning Milford Sound cruise. In Franz Josef you’ll hike a glacier before your tour ends in Christchurch.
NZ Sweet As South Eastbound Highlights
Departures
- Departs Christchurch at 9am
- Ends Christchurch approx. 5pm.
Dining Summary
- 8 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Dinner (D)
What’s included
- 8 Breakfasts
- 3 Dinners
- Expert Trip Manager, Driver Team, Local Guides
- 11 included experiences
- ALL INTERNAL TRANSPORT
- ALL ACCOMMODATION
What’s not included
- Flights to/from the start/end location
- Travel insurance
- Free-time Add-ons
Itinerary
Christchurch
Welcome to Christchurch (Ōtautahi)! 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 (Takapō). Here we’ll also get to enjoy an unforgeable Dark Sky experience, an interactive multimedia exhibition that mixes stargazing, science and traditional Māori astronomy, teaching us how the Māori people used to use stars to harvest food, and about the importance of
reducing light pollution.
Lake Ōhau
Onto Lake Ōhau (Ōhau), with its glorious views of Mt. Cook. Yet another swoon-worthy location where you’ll have to pick that jaw up off the ground.
Meals: Dinner
Included Experiences:
- Spot the Peaks of Mt Cook
- See the Church of the Good Shepard
- Marvel at the Epic NZ Landscapes
- Visit the Dark Sky Experience
Lake Ōhau
Another day, another natural wonder to discover.
Arrowtown
We make a quick stop for lunch in the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown (Kā Muriwai) before heading on.
Kingston
Our next stop today is Kingston (Takerehaka) 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.
Te Anau
Arriving in the stunning lakeside town of Te Anau, why not opt to take a guided jet boat trip to Fiordland National Park. From Te Anau through Lake Manapouri, it’s a prey exhilarating 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.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences: Support Women in Agriculture MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
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 araction, 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 (Piopiotahi) in all its glory.
Queenstown
Welcome to the adventure capital of the world – Queenstown (Tāhuna). Rest up tonight – the next few days are going to be BIG.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences:
- Cruise Milford Sound Fjord
- Have Dinner at Winnies
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, we’ll visit the legendary Kawarau Bungy Bridge (AKA the home of the world home of the bungy!) for your morning adrenaline hit. Later, we’ll stroll around this beautiful city.
Please Note: The Free Time Add-Ons which take place in Queenstown can be booked for any day you are there. Just let your Trip Manager know, and they’ll arrange this for you.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences: Visit the AJ Hacke Kawarau Bridge
It’s times like this that you really start to work out what sort of traveller you are. And human for that maer. You might be the one trailing through wine country and exploring wine cellars and caves, or you may be that one that crams in a bungy jump and ziplining & still craves more. It’s your holiday – run wild as you see fit.
Meals: Breakfast
With our last day in adrenalin city edging closer, this is the time to conquer those niggling fears. For those who did their dash yesterday, a day staying mellow and enjoying this beautiful region will prove more than sufficient. 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 end our time here!
Meals: Breakfast
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.
Wānaka
Enjoying our scenic drive we’ll stop for lunch in Wānaka, a prey 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
Our first piece of NZ eye-candy comes in the form of Haast Pass (Tioripatea), 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
Playing host tonight is the town of Franz Josef (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere), 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?
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences:
- Discover Wānaka
- Drive through the Show-Stopping Haast Pass
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 Māori master craftsman. Pounamu is sacred to the Māori people, and this is a great way to learn about its cultural significance,
while also creating a beautiful please of jewellery.
Meals: Breakfast
Franz Josef
Armed with a new found appreciation for frozen water, we hop back on the coach & start making our way back to Christchurch.
Hokitika
In the gold rush town of Hokitika, we’ll meet with a local Māori 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 aer) and its connection with the Māori people.
Arthur’s Pass
Take in the beautiful scenery as we wind our way across the highest and most spectacular mountain pass across the Southern Alps.
Christchurch
Arriving into Christchurch marks the end of our adventure (sob). NZ – you’ve been real.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences: Learn about Pounamu with a Local Māori Guide MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Included Experience
Lake Ōhau:
- 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:
- See the church on the shores of Lake Tekapo with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks – and get that iconic Insta pic too!
- We’ll stop at Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and Geraldine… and watch happily on as NZ’s astonishing natural beauty takes your breath away.
- The Dark Sky Experience combines Māori astronomy, storytelling and science together in one truly unique interactive display.
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.
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.
Queenstown:
- Check out the epic views of the valley from the world’s first ever (and some would say most famous) bungy jump bridge. You might even witness some epic bungy jumps!
Wānaka:
- A lake town with views for days, surrounded by beech forests, alpine lakes, and wilderness glaciers.
Haast:
- Ready for some incredible views? We’ll drive through the gorgeous mountains of the Gates of Haast and catch once-in-a-lifetime views of the river below. Seems like Mother nature does have a favourite!
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.
Important Info
- Trip starts in Christchurch at 9am and ends in Christchurch approx. 5pm. It is not recommended to book flights arriving on the first day of the trip or prior to 9pm on the last day of trip. When booking a twin room you are guaranteed a twin bed (2 beds) configuration in all locations except Queenstown where you may get a double room (1 Queen size bed). Please contact reservations to confirm if travellers require 1 or 2 beds (applicable to the hotel stay in Queenstown), subject to availability.
Please ensure that your name is correct on your ticket, as per your passport. Name changes or amendments may incur Contiki and/or Airline fees. It is the passenger’s responsibility to have a valid passport and all visas, permits and certificates required for their selected holiday as well as any necessary vaccinations. It is compulsory for travellers to take out comprehensive insurance cover for cancellation, personal injury, death, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and evacuation expenses before travelling on a Contiki holiday. We strongly recommend insurance also covers cancellation, personal liability and loss of personal property, and is arranged at time of deposit. Contiki has the right to refuse travellers without the required insurance cover to join our trips. For full details please visit www.contiki.com/booking-conditions. As Contiki trips are specifically designed for likeminded 18-35 year old travellers, to confirm space on the trip each travellers date of birth must be provided. Full payment must be received no later than 60 days before the trip start date.
