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DAY ONE - CHRISTCHURCH - PICTON - NELSON
Either travel empty to Picton to meet Ferry Ex Wellington, travel to Nelson.
( With this option tour
starts from Picton on day 2. )
OR
DAY ONE - CHRISTCHURCH
Spend a day or afternoon in Christchurch and enjoy great shopping or take a tram and see some of the
sights such as the
Museum, Arts Centre, Art Gallery, Cathedral and Avon
River or take a stroll through the Botanical Gardens, you decide as a
group. Largest City in the South Island considered more English than England.
Overnight Stay in Christchurch.
DAY TWO - CHRISTCHURCH-PICTON-NELSON
Depart early for Kaikoura stopping briefly at Cheviot if required. Against the spectacular backdrop of the Inland Kaikoura Mountain Range, a boat cruise will take you out to an area where Sperm Whales inhabit. (Note: If sea conditions are not suitable, Whalewatch Air may fly you (the same cost) to view these magnificent mammals of the deep. After lunch continue up the
rugged coast viewing New Zealand fur seals then inland over rolling farmland through Blenheim, a wine growing region to Picton, where a passenger, vehicle and rail Ferry connects with the North Island. Passengers Ex Wellington may require lunch in Picton before departing for Havlock, a fishing and pleasure boat haven. On to the Pelorus Bridge for a break. Onward through the Rai Valley to Nelson.
Overnight Stay in Nelson
DAY THREE - NELSON-FRANZ JOSEF
Early departure travelling West through Golden Downs Forest. Follow the Owen then Buller River with a break at Murchison. Further West through Inangahua an earthquake region covered in native bush to Hawks
Crag, a photo stop by the Buller River. Continue to the Tasman Sea at Cape
Foulwind where the Weka
a flightless bird similar to a kiwi, but a third in size abounds. Southward to Punakaiki and the Pancake Rocks for lunch. (Mainly photo stops on this tour unless days are added. See Tour 2 for approximate details for overnight at
Greymouth, Wanaka, Queenstown.
Overnight Stay in Franz Josef
DAY FOUR - FRANZ JOSEF-QUEENSTOWN
Depart Franz Josef for Queenstown via Crown Range. Across Haast
River Bridge, along shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea onto Queenstown.
(Queenstown must be One Free Day).
Overnight Stay in Queenstown.
DAY FIVE - QUEENSTOWN-MILFORD SOUND-QUEENSTOWN
Depart Queenstown 7.00am via Lake Te Anau heading for Milford Sound where we board for 1pm Boat Cruise and lunch cruising the Fiordland with the majestic Mitre Peak and
Bowen Falls and hopefully spotting dolphins, seals and penguins en-route. (Optional flight after Cruise departs 3.15 arrives Queenstown 4.00)
Overnight Stay In Queenstown.
OPTION: You may wish to spend an extra day in Queenstown for optional activities such as jet boating, white water rafting, a scenic cruise on the vintage TSS Earnslaw visiting Walter Peak High Country Sheep Farm, or take a ride on the Gondola, there is so much
more to see and do.
DAY SIX - QUEENSTOWN-MOUNT COOK-CHRISTCHURCH
Depart Queenstown for Christchurch via Lindis Pass - a barren tussock covered landscape. As we depart Mt Cook region travelling alongside Lake Pukaki and the canals that connect these Hydro Lakes with Lake Tekapo. On a sunny day the colour of this lake is stunning being Glacier fed, its powder blue tinge makes a great backdrop to the Church of the Good
Shepherd, a highlight of this area. Depending on time either lunch here or travel over the rolling hill country to Geraldine for lunch. Departing Geraldine towards the east coast up the Canterbury Plains farming deer, sheep, alpaca (llama) and ostriches through the town of Ashburton and Rakaia with the longest two way bridge in New Zealand to
Christchurch.
Overnight Stay in Christchurch
DAY SEVEN - CHRISTCHURCH
Transfer from your Hotel to Christchurch Airport (If you did not experience the sights of Christchurch on your first day, today's the day!).
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