Escorted Coach Tour Holiday - 11 Day Southern Explorer

Great value New Zealand vacations, coach tours & self drive holidays for independent travellers

Popular Coach Tour Features > Popular Series South Island Tours > 9 Day Southern Explorer

11 Day Southern Explorer
- Escorted South Island Coach Tour

A comprehensive holiday itinerary with the flexible option of finishing in Christchurch or Wellington.


Tour Price On Sale:

Season:


	1 May 11 - 30 Sep 11 Book by 30 June	$2378
	1 Oct 11 - 31 Jan 12	$2645
	1 Feb 12 - 30 Apr 12	$2706

Optional Extras:

	Breakfast Supplement (10)	$200
	Dinner Supplement (8)	$275
	Single Room Supplement	$745

Note: All prices are NZ$, per person & include 15% GST

Promotions and Deals:

Selected departures now guaranteed - see below 10% Earlybird Super Saver discount available on all new bookings when the tour is booked and paid for in full 6 months prior to travel (not available with any other offers) Triple discount. 5% off the tour price applies for 3 people booking together and sharing the same room. Four or More Discount. $50 per person discount if 4 or more adults travel on the same tour together (not available with the EarlyBird Super Saver offer). Terms and conditions apply - please ask for details.

Click here
to make me bigger


Special Included Highlights:


Sightseeing tour of Christchurch World renowned Mt Cook region Traditional Scottish haggis ceremony Olveston House Spectacular southern lakes Milford Sound launch cruise Dinner at Skyline Restaurant Remote national parks of Fiordland and Westland Visit Shantytown with gold panning	Visit Greenstone (Jade) Factory Punakaiki pancake rocks Montana Winery visit with tasting and afternoon tea Scenic cruise PictonWellington or Tranz Coastal train Picton Christchurch

Day by Day Itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrive Christchurch

You will be met at Christchurch Airport and transferred to your hotel. Overnight: Pavilions Hotel

Day2 - Christchurch / Mt Cook / Omarama

A city sights tour will highlight the main attractions of Christchurch before traveling across the Canterbury Plains into the MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog statue at Lake Tekapo. Opportunity to fly over the Southern Alps with Air Safaris (optional), before continuing to Mt Cook National Park. Admire the majesty of Mt Cook before traveling on to Omarama.

Overnight: Heritage Gateway Hotel. (1 night)

Day3 - Omarama / Dunedin

Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin the Scottish city. An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newtons Citibus tour to see the albatross, penguins and seals. Enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train excursion or explore the city only a few minutes walk away. This evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift.

Overnight: Cargills Hotel. (1 night)

Day4 - Dunedin / Lake Manapouri / Te Anau

Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at Lake Te Anau.

Overnight: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

Day5 - Te Anau / Milford Sound / Queenstown

Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, pass through the Homer Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Return to Te Anau and on to Mossburn, then skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the Skyline Restaurant, where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed.

Overnight: Rydges Hotel. (2 nights)

Day6 - Queenstown

A day to explore the delights of this alpine resort at your leisure. Your Coach Captain will happily advise on the many sightseeing activities available. We recommend the world famous Shotover Jet Boat ride, take a Gondola to the Skyline high above, a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon or for the adventurous white water rafting. Alternatively browse in the many shops and galleries.

Day7 - Queenstown / Haast Pass/ Fox Glacier

Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the glacier region. Explore the township or take the optional guided walk to the glaciers terminal face.
Overnight: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier

Day8 - Fox Glacier / Greymouth

Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. Snowcapped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen cut and polish giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Next is Shantytown, a restored gold mining town of the 1860s where you pan for gold, ride on the steam train, at no extra cost.

Overnight: Hotel Ashley. (1 night)

Day9 - Greymouth / Blenheim

View the unusual rock formations and blowholes at Punakaiki and pass Charleston, a former goldmining township. Follow the Buller River through the Buller Gorge and on to Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Follow the long Wairau Valley to Blenheim. A short tour of the area includes a visit to Montana Winery. Enjoy a hosted tour of the winery, learn about and taste a range of the famous local wines (purchase if you wish) followed by afternoon tea.

Overnight: Heartland Hotel Blenheim

Day10 - Blenheim / Picton / Christchurch or Wellington

Explore Picton, nestled on the shores of the Marlborough Sounds. You now have the option of continuing to Wellington via the Cook Strait ferry or returning to Christchurch by Tranz Coastal train along the Kaikoura coast.
Overnight Wellington: Bay Plaza Hotel or
Overnight Christchurch: Pavilions Hotel

Day11 - Depart Christchurch or Wellington

Today is goodbye to your new found friends. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Departure Dates:

Tour Code	Start Christchurch	Finish Christchurch or Wellington	Promotions & Deals	Guaranteed Departure
11 days	2011
K11	Sun 07 Aug	Wed 17 Aug	See above for great discounts
K14	Sun 28 Aug	Wed 07 Sep	See above for great discounts
K162	Fri 16 Sep	Mon 26 Sep	See above for great discounts
K172	Fri 23 Sep	Mon 03 Oct	See above for great discounts
K18	Sun 25 Sep	Wed 05 Oct	See above for great discounts
K182	Fri 30 Sep	Mon 10 Oct	See above for great discounts
K192	Fri 07 Oct	Sun 23 Oct	See above for great discounts
K212	Fri 21 Oct	Sun 06 Nov	See above for great discounts
K222	Fri 28 Oct	Sun 13 Nov	See above for great discounts
K24	Sun 06 Nov	Tue 22 Nov	See above for great discounts
K25	Sun 13 Nov	Tue 29 Nov	See above for great discounts
K26	Sun 20 Nov	Tue 06 Dec	See above for great discounts
K27	Sun 27 Nov	Tue 13 Dec	See above for great discounts
K28	Sun 04 Dec	Tue 20 Dec	See above for great discounts
K29	Sun 11 Dec	Tue 27 Dec	See above for great discounts
K30	Sun 18 Dec	Tue 03 Jan	See above for great discounts
K302	Fri 23 Dec	Sun 08 Jan	See above for great discounts
K312	Fri 30 Dec	Sun 15 Jan	See above for great discounts

	2012
K32	Sun 01 Jan	Tue 17 Jan	See above for great discounts
K322	Fri 06 Jan	Sun 22 Jan	See above for great discounts
K33	Sun 08 Jan	Tue 24 Jan	See above for great discounts
K34	Sun 15 Jan	Tue 31 Jan	See above for great discounts
K35	Sun 22 Jan	Tue 07 Feb	See above for great discounts
K352	Fri 27 Jan	Sun 12 Feb	See above for great discounts
K36	Sun 29 Jan	Tue 14 Feb	See above for great discounts
K362	Fri 03 Feb	Sun 19 Feb	See above for great discounts
K37	Sun 05 Feb	Tue 21 Feb	See above for great discounts
K38	Sun 12 Feb	Tue 28 Feb	See above for great discounts
K382	Fri 17 Feb	Sun 04 Mar	See above for great discounts
K39	Sun 19 Feb	Tue 06 Mar	See above for great discounts
K392	Fri 24 Feb	Sun 11 Mar	See above for great discounts
K40	Sun 26 Feb	Tue 13 Mar	See above for great discounts
K402	Fri 02 Mar	Sun 18 Mar	See above for great discounts
K41	Sun 04 Mar	Tue 20 Mar	See above for great discounts
K42	Sun 11 Mar	Tue 27 Mar	See above for great discounts
K43	Sun 18 Mar	Tue 03 Apr	See above for great discounts
K432	Fri 23 Mar	Sun 08 Apr	See above for great discounts
K44	Sun 25 Mar	Tue 10 Apr	See above for great discounts
K442	Fri 30 Mar	Sun 15 Apr	See above for great discounts
K46	Sun 08 Apr	Tue 24 Apr	See above for great discounts
K47	Sun 15 Apr	Tue 01 May	See above for great discounts
K48	Sun 22 Apr	Tue 08 May	See above for great discounts
K49	Sun 29 Apr	Tue 15 May	See above for great discounts


		Back to top

Premier Plus Coach Tour Features >

Premier Plus Full New Zealand Tours > 18 Day New Zealand Adventure | 18 Day New Zealand Encounter |
15 Day New Zealand Highlights | 15 Day New Zealand Panorama

Premier Plus South Island Tours > 9 Day Contrasts of New Zealand | 10 Day Southern Explorer |
10 Day Southern Experience | 7 Day Southern Wanderer

Premier Plus North Island Tours > 8 Day Northern Experience

Superior Coach Holidays Features >

Ultimate Luxury South Island | 19 Day Grand New Zealand | 16 Day Highlights of New Zealand | 11 Day North & South Island | Superior South Island Tour | Superior Rail/Coach Tour

Popular Coach Tour Features >

Ultimate New Zealand Tours > 23 Day All New Zealand Ultimate | 20 Day Ultimate New Zealand |
13 Day Ultimate Southern Highlights

Highlights New Zealand Tours > 18 Day New Zealand Highlights | 17 Day Highlights of New Zealand |
11 Day Alpine of New Zealand

website design by zeevo