This is a great introduction to the highlights of the South Island, developed for people with time constraints in mind. Begin your tour in Christchurch, undoubtedly the most English of all New Zealand cities. Enjoy some time to do some shopping on your first day or boat on the Avon, visit any of the many museums and art galleries or simply relax at a cafe. Spend your next morning having a city sight tour to get a feel for this wonderful city. You will enjoy dinner at the colonial tram restaurant where you will take a journey and enjoy some excellent supper. You will then spend an unforgettable day taking a trip across some spectacular scenery, board the Tranzalpine train and take what is known as one of the top 10 train journeys in the world to Arthurs Pass. A visit will be made to a farm for late afternoon tea, followed by a sheep shearing and sheep mustering demonstration.
Travel overland by coach to Queenstown, stopping off at immense Mt Cook along the way. Embark on a day trip to Milford Sound, where you will take a cruise through this important New Zealand landmark. Finish back in Queenstown. The adventure capital of the country, you can enjoy a renowned hike at Routeburn track or why not try some bungee jumping. This is a wonderful stand alone tour of the South Island, but has been designed to work together with our North Island Explorer for a more complete exploration of New Zealand.

Upon arrival you will be met and taken by private vehicle to your hotel. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy a day at leisure in Christchurch and Canterbury, which are famous for natural beauty and a wealth of things to do. Christchurch has a lively entertainment scene, strong cultural heritage, gorgeous parks and gardens, lots of sports facilities and good shopping. Among the 'must sees' are the weekend Arts Centre market, Christchurch Cathedral, Botanic Gardens and International Antarctic Centre. The Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu exhibit's New Zealand and international art and Canterbury Museum has fine cultural and natural collections as well as creative and imaginative displays. Orana Park is New Zealand's largest wildlife reserve and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve has among its displays New Zealand's largest daytime kiwi viewing area. Air Force World captures the adventure and history of flight in New Zealand and Christchurch Casino offers 24-hour gaming entertainment. Visitors can be introduced to Maori culture at Nga Hau E Wha Marae.
Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

Your City Resort - a unique escape nestled in 5 acres of beautiful and tranquil gardens, the Chateau on the Park offers hotel accommodation in Christchurch that seems a world away from the stresses of city life. Yet just minutes away from this secluded retreat is the vibrant city of Christchurch. Whether you are visiting Christchurch for business or pleasure, the peaceful garden resort of The Chateau on the Park will provide all you need. A 3 minute drive or a 20 minute walk through the stunning Hagley Park Botanical gardens will take you to the centre of Christchurch.

Christchurch is the regional capital of Canterbury, New Zealand. The largest city in the South Island, situated just north of Banks Peninsula. The large number of public parks has given Christchurch the name of The Garden City. Hagley Park and the 30-hectare (75 acre) Christchurch Botanic Gardens, founded in 1863, are in the central city. Other attractions include; Canterbury Museum, Ferrymead Heritage Park, Orana Wildlife Park, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Air Force Museum, Southern Encounter Aquarium and Kiwi House, International Antarctic Centre.

Christchurch is often described as the most English of New Zealand cities, with many English influences clearly visible. As you join your fellow travelers, highlights of this morning tour include the Hagley Park Botanic Gardens, the Port Hills, offering superb views of Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains, Mona Vale Gardens, the beachside suburb of Summer and the port of Lyttelton. It also visits the Arts centre and Canterbury Museum. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). The Christchurch Tramway Restaurant is a truly unique dining experience! Join us and incorporate fabulous five course dinner with breath-taking scenery and heritage.

Sit back in the luxury of our 36 seater air-conditioned, colonial style dining tram and be treated to the finest service, cuisine and beverages New Zealand has to offer.

Enjoy your delicious meal as you ride the tram tracks through the central city, past the Art Gallery, parks and shops, through Cathedral Square and the New Regent St Mall.
Overnight at Chateau on the Park (4*).

We invite you to join us on a tour of discovery, featuring spectacular scenery. From Christchurch travel by road to Springfield at the foothills of the Southern Alps. At Springfield, board the world famous TranzAlpine train to travel through the Southern Alps to Arthurs Pass viewing the alpine scenery through panoramic windows. The TranzAlpine is renowned as one of the top ten train journeys in the world. From Arthurs Pass we tour by road over the snow-capped Southern Alps in the Arthurs Pass National Park and on to the Otira Gorge making a photo stop. Visit the old village of Otira before returning to Arthurs Pass for an included lunch at the Wobbly Kea Restaurant. After lunch explore the village and some of the many walks. The return journey to Christchurch is by road and a visit will be made to a farm for late afternoon tea, followed by a sheep shearing and sheep mustering demonstration. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Chateau on the Park (4*).

This tour takes you by coach from Christchurch, through diverse farmland to Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd. You'll be swept away by the landscape of the flat Canterbury Plains, from the massive hydro dams to the blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Your tour continues along the Tasman River before arriving at the location of New Zealand's tallest mountain Aoraki / Mount Cook. As you travel south from Mt Cook, you will meander through the tawny tussock land of the Mackenzie Country. Sit back and take in the natural wonders and ever changing environment of this spectacular region. There is time to experience an optional scenic helicopter or ski plane flight (weather permitting) before departing for New Zealand's Adventure Capital, Queenstown. Queenstown is an internationally recognised four seasons alpine and lake resort. With a wide variety of things to see and do, it is perfect for adventurers and leisure seekers alike.
Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

Centrally located in Queenstown, this property is near Queenstown Harbour and TSS Earnslaw Steamship. Another nearby point of interest is Steamer Wharf. Guestrooms open to balconies with city, lake or mountain views and feature patios. Other amenities include coffee/tea makers and shower/tub combinations. In addition to a restaurant and a concierge desk, Novotel Queenstown Lakeside features a bar/lounge, complimentary high-speed (wired) Internet access, and 24-hour room service.

Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is built around an inlet on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin lake shaped like a staggered lightning bolt, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains. A resort town, Queenstown is a centre for adventure tourism. Skiing, jet boating, bungee jumping, mountain biking, tramping and fly fishing are all strong promotional themes. Queenstown is a major centre for snow sports in New Zealand, with four main mountain skifields (Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone).

You will make the scenic journey by coach to Milford Sound, where you will be transferred to your boat cruise. Explore dramatic, moody Milford Sound in a leisurely and relaxed way with our nature guides. Our vessels are designed along the lines of traditional trading scows. They have been purpose built to operate in the fiords and offer a laid back, extended cruise option. Throughout your cruise, our nature guide provides an engaging commentary about the magnificent scenery and wildlife (English only). Keep a look out for dolphins, seals and penguins. You will then be returned to your hotel, again by coach.

Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Novotel Lakeside (4*).

This full day walk in the ancient beech forest of the Mount Aspiring National Park starts with a scenic drive to the northern end of Lake Wakatipu and into the Routeburn Valley. The high snow capped mountains provide a magnificent backdrop for the walk up this beautiful river valley. A journey along the edge of the lake from Queenstown to the head of Lake Wakatipu is the ideal preparation for the splendour of the world-famous Routeburn Track. Your walk begins among towering ancient beech forest, climbing gradually through blankets of forest moss and fern and skirting the thundering Routeburn through the gorge it has carved over the millennia. The woodland eventually parts to reveal the rich grassland of Routeburn Flats, overlooked on all sides by cloud-scraping mountains, some so high they have permafrost and small glaciers. The flats is a pristine sites for us to enjoy a well earned lunch, as is the next stop, Routeburn Falls, a short stride through more alpine forest. You and yours Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Novotel Lakeside (4*).

Enjoy a private airport transfer to your accommodation with vehicle and driver. Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.