NEW ZEALAND: SWEET AS SOUTH

Christchurch:

• Welcome to Christchurch (Ōtautahi)! New Zealand’s South Island is the home to adventure, adrenaline and good times and we’re here to take it all on.

Lake Tekapo:

• We’ll stop off to see the intense milky blue waters of glacially-fed Lake Tekapo (Takapō).
• Here we’ll also get to enjoy an unforgettable Dark Sky experience, an interactive multimedia exhibition that mixes stargazing, science and traditional Māori astronomy, teaching us how the Māori people used to use stars to harvest food, and about the importance of reducing light pollution.

Lake Ōhau:

• Onto Lake Ōhau (Ōhau), with its glorious views of Mt. Cook. Yet another swoon-worthy location where you’ll have to pick that jaw up off the ground.

Included Experience:

• Spot the Peaks of Mt Cook
• See the Church of the Good Shepard
• Marvel at the Epic NZ Landscapes
• Visit the Dark Sky Experience

Lake Ōhau:

• Another day, another natural wonder to discover.

Arrowtown:

• We make a quick stop for lunch in the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown (Kā Muriwai) before heading on.

Kingston:

• Our next 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.

Te Anau:

• Arriving in the stunning lakeside town of Te Anau, why not opt to take a guided jet boat trip to Fiordland National Park.
• From Te Anau through Lake Manapouri, it’s a pretty exhilarating way to soak up the scenery.
• Prefer to keep you feet (or wheels) on dry land.
• You can also take a trip to the ethereal glow worm caves (woaahhh) or simply cycle the gorgeous trails through native bush.

Included Experience:

• Support Women in Agriculture MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience

Optional Experience:

• Explore the Fiordland on a JetBoat
• Visit Glowworm caves

Te Anau:

• It’s time to make tracks to the spectacular natural wonder of Milford Sound.

Milford Sound:

• Welcome to New Zealand’s most stunning attraction, 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.

Queenstown:

• Welcome to the adventure capital of the world – Queenstown (Tāhuna). Rest up tonight – the next few days are going to be BIG.

Included Experience:

• Cruise Milford Sound Fjord
• Have Dinner at Winnies

Queenstown:

• Today is yours to get acquainted with Queenstown and spend some time mulling over the activities up for grabs in the next two days.
• First, we’ll visit the legendary Kawarau Bungy Bridge (AKA the home of the world home of the bungy!) for your morning adrenaline hit.
• Later, we’ll stroll around this beautiful city.

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.

Included Experience:

• Visit the AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge

Optional Experience:

• Bungy Jump off Kawarau Bridge
• Take the Canyon Swing Over Shotover River
• Climb Waterfalls (Available Nov – Apr Departures Only)
• Boogie at an Ice Bar
• Experience Indoor Skydiving
• Explore Queenstown on Two Wheels
• Walter Peak Horse Trek
• Milford Sound Day Trip & Cruise
• Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly

Queenstown:

• 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 one that crams in a bungy jump and ziplining & still craves more. It’s your holiday – run wild as you see fit.

Optional Experience:

• Take the Nevis Bungy Jump
• Take the Nevis Swing
• Experience the Nevis Catapult
• Experience the Nevis Thrillogy (Bungy, Swing & Catapult)
• Take a Ride on the Shotover Jet
• Tour Otago’s finest vineyards
• Take the Ziptrek Zipline
• Fly over the Mountains in Queenstown
• Ski in Cardrona (July- Early September)

Queenstown:

• With our last day in adrenalin city edging closer, this is the time to conquer those niggling fears.
• For those who did their dash yesterday, a day staying mellow and enjoying this beautiful region will prove more than sufficient.
• Tonight you can choose to jump on a gondola and to wine & dine atop of the highest restaurant in Queenstown, Skyline. What a way to end our time here!

Optional Experience:

• Take a Kayak Trip to Paradise with Funyaks
• Skydive over Lake Wakatipu
• Dine at the Skyline Restaurant
• Luge ride & dinner at the Skyline Restaurant

Queenstown:

• Time to return our adrenalin levels to normal and make tracks to the wild (and often wet) West Coast and it’s towering glaciers.

Wānaka:

• Enjoying our scenic drive we’ll stop for lunch in Wānaka, a pretty 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 today.

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 away from Queenstown through the Southern Alps.

Franz Josef:

• Playing host tonight is the town of Franz Josef (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere), home to some of NZ’s finest natural beauty with bushlands and glaciers that almost reach the sea.
• Tomorrow we’ll be out and about making the most of it – who’s excited?

Included Experience:

• Discover Wānaka
• Drive through the Show-Stopping Haast Pass

Franz Josef:

• This morning will be another big ol’ tick off the list as 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.

Optional Experience:

• Go Kayaking On Glacial Waters
• Check Out Glaciers on a Heli Ride
• Travel to Franz Josef Glacier by Helicopter and Hike on a Glacier
• Make Your Own Pounamu Pendant
• Get off the Beaten Path at the Franz Josef Glacier
• Skydive over the Franz Josef & Fox Glacier

Franz Josef:

• Armed with a new found appreciation for frozen water, we hop back on the coach & start making our way back to Christchurch.

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.

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.

Christchurch:

• Arriving into Christchurch marks the end of our adventure (sob). NZ – you’ve been real.

Included Experience:

• Learn about Pounamu with a Local Māori Guide MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience