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8 Day South Island Traverse Tour

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8 Day South Island Traverse Tour - TrainsAn eight day South Island tour covering the east and west coasts. Features include: world renowned TranzAlpine scenic railway, West Coast rainforests, guided walk onto a glacier, Queenstown - NZ's premier alpine resort, Fiordland World Heritage Park, Milford Sound cruise, royal albatross & penguin tour and the Dunedin heritage tour.

Prices are per person and include: Pick up from your Christchurch hotel/motel, coach travel, accommodation, transfers to and from your accommodation throughout your tour, TranzAlpine train, half day glacier walk, milford sound scenic cruise, skyline gondola, Dunedin city sightseeing tour, Otago Harbour cruise & penguin tour.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1- Christchurch - Glaciers

Board the world-renowned TranzAlpine train bound for Greymouth via the Arthur's Pass National Park. Cross the Canterbury Plains, travel over viaducts and through tunnels and into the lush rainforests of the West Coast. On arrival in Greymouth board a coach for your journey south to the glaciers.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier, Bella Vista Motel or similar Te Weheka B&B, Rainforest Motel Fox Glacier or similar

Day 2- Full Day at Glaciers

Included is a half-day guided walk which accesses the rugged terminal ice face of the glacier. Round trip takes about four hours with about 1 hour spent exploring the lower glacier. Enjoy a fascinating commentary on the history and geology of the area. The rest of the day is free for optional activities including short walks into the native rainforest or for scenic flights up to the glaciers.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier, Bella Vista Motel or similar Te Weheka B&B, Rainforest Motel Fox Glacier or similar

Day 3 - Glaciers - Queenstown

Travel deeper into South Westland taking in the spectacle of Haast Pass, carved by the Haast River and framed by the Southern Alps. Take in the views of many beautiful lakes including Wanaka, Hawea, Dunstan and Wakatipu. Arrive into Queenstown at 4.15pm.

Accommodation: Scenic Suites Queenstown, Bella Vista or similar.

Day 4 - Free Day in Queenstown

A free day for you to enjoy this fabulous resort. Included is the Skyline Gondola in your tour. There are dozens of activities including white water rafting, jetboating, bungy jumping, lake cruises, high country sheep station tours and excellent walking trails. Something for everyone.

Accommodation: Scenic Suites Queenstown, Bella Vista or similar.

Day 5 - Queenstown - Milford - Te Anau

Travel to the Fiordland National Park – a world heritage park. A vast remote wilderness of snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes and valleys, fiords, waterfalls and dense rainforests.

From Te Anau, travel to the forested Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Homer Tunnel and Chasm before arriving at Milford Sound. Enjoy a one and a half hour cruise of Milford Sound viewing the spectacular waterfalls and famous Mitre Peak.

This evening you may like to take an optional tour across the lake to view the Glow Worm Caves (extra cost).

Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel, Anchorage Motel or similar.

Day 6 - Te Anau - Dunedin

High country tussock soon gives way to the lush pastures of Southland and Otago as you travel through Gore and Balclutha arriving in Dunedin by 12.30pm. In the afternoon depart on a Dunedin heritage tour by double-decker bus. See the well-known landmarks established by the early Scottish settlers. Return to hotel by 5.00pm.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Alexis Motor Lodge or similar.


Day 7 - Otago Peninsula

Enjoy a cruise with around the Taiaroa Heads to view the northern royal albatross soaring high above the headlands. Other species to be seen include the blue penguin, sooty shearwater, variable oyster catcher, three species of shag and other sea birds. Disembark at Wellers Rock and transfer by coach to Penguin Place for a guided land tour of the yellow-eyed penguins. Return to the city by coach.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Alexis Motor Lodge or similar.

Day 8 - Dunedin - Christchurch
Travel north through the cities of Oamaru and Timaru arriving in Christchurch by 1.45pm.




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