Description
Experience the best of Southern New Zealand with the NZ Sweet As South Westbound Loop! From Christchurch to Queenstown to Lake Ōhau, 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!
NZ Sweet As South Westbound Highlights
Departures
- Departs Christchurch at 8am
- Ends Christchurch approx. 4pm.
Dining Summary
- 8 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Dinner (D)
What’s included
- 8 Breakfasts
- 3 Dinners
- Expert Trip Manager, Driver Team, Local Guides
- 8 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
Christchurch (Ōtautahi) 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.
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.
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 after) and its connection with the Māori 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).
Franz Josef
We’ll pull up for the night in glorious Franz Josef (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere), probably one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever of clapped eyes on. A bold statement we know, but well deserved.
Meals: Dinner
Included Experiences: Learn about Pounamu with a Local Māori Guide MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
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 Māori mastercraftsman. 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
With a new appreciation for frozen water, we’ll hop on the coach & continue to Queenstown, with a few cheeky stops along the way.
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 towards Queenstown through the Southern Alps and region of Otago.
Wānaka
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.
Queenstown
Welcome to the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown (Tāhuna)! First stop is the legendary Kawarau Bungy Bridge, get your adrenaline hit with a heart pounding jump. Tonight you can choose to jump on a gondola and to wine & dine atop of the highest restaurant in Queenstown, Skyline. Rest up tonight – the next few days are going to be BIG.
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: Discover Wānaka
Today is yours to get acquainted with Queenstown and check out the activities up for grabs in the next two days. Take a stroll around beautiful this stunning town, nestled in the Southern Alps that has so much to offer.
Meals: Breakfast
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 zip lining & 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”.
Meals: Breakfast
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.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Queenstown
Alright, it’s time to return our adrenaline levels to a normal level and 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.
Te Anau
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 prey exhilirating way to soak up the scenery. Prefer to keep you feet on dry land. You can also take a trip to the ethereal glow worm caves (woaahhh).
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences: Cruise Milford Sound Fjord
Te Anau
So long, Te Anau. It’s been fun.
Kingston
Our first 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.
Arrowtown
We make a quick stop for lunch in the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown (Kā Muriwai) before heading onto Lake Ōhau.
Lake Ōhau
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 Ōhau (Ōhau), with a spectacular view of Mt Cook in the distance!
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences:
- Support Women in Agriculture MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
- Discover Arrowtown
Lake Ōhau
We’re moving on to Christchurch but not before one final stop.
Lake Tekapo
We’ll kick off our final day with a visit to the glacier-fed Lake Tekapo (Takapō), admiring the crystal clear water. Next, it’s time for a Dark Sky experience – a multimedia exhibition that combines stargazing, science and traditional Māori astronomy. Here we’ll learn how the Māori people would use the stars to help aid their harvests, plus why reducing light
pollution is so important.
Christchurch
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.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences:
- See the Church of the Good Shepard
- Marvel at the Epic NZ Landscapes
- Visit the Dark Sky Experience
Included Experience
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.
Wānaka:
- 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.
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.
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.)
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!
- 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.
Important Info
Trip starts in Christchurch at 8am and ends in Christchurch approx. 4pm. It is not recommended to book flights arriving on the first day of the trip or prior to 8pm on the last day of the 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.
