FABULOUS FIORDLAND 7 days/6 nights (extendable)
Semi Independent departures (minimum 2 passengers) commence Queenstown DAILY to April 25, 2025.
Features: 2 nights Queenstown, day tour to Milford Sound including cruise, 2 nights Te Anau, 1 overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound, 1 night Queenstown. Early bookings are essential as we do not hold an allotment on the cruise. Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound, Manapouri, and back to Queenstown is by 'big bus' operated by RealNz who operate the cruises at Milford and Doubtful Sounds.
This tour connects from our MINI RAIL TOUR Auckland to Christchurch departing Auckland Mondays and Thursdays, and COOK CONNECTION coach tour Christchurch/Mt Cook/Queenstown which operates daily.
FABULOUS FIORDLAND AND WEST COAST 9 days/8 nights. New Year Special January 05-13. See itinerary at bottom of this page. This tour can operate any week commencing fridays for minimum of 4 passengers subject to availability of driver/guide and space on cruise and at hotels.
Itinerary
Day 1. ARRIVE QUEENSTOWN
Arrive Queenstown and you will be transferred to your hotel.
Day 2. QUEENSTOWN (B)
Free day with many options available - extra expense.
We recommend the cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the historic steamer "Earnslaw" and a barbecue lunch or dinner at the Colonel's Homestead. Lunch 11am - 2.30pm OR 1pm - 4.30pm $199.. Dinner 5pm - 9pm OR 7pm - 11pm. $199
Day 3. QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND - TE ANAU (BL)
A day of fabulous scenery as we drive to Te Anau then visit the Mirror Lakes and continue through the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys and through the Homer tunnel to magnificent Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise to the head of the Sound under majestic Mitre Peak with picnic lunch included and see the Bowen Waterfall before returning to Te Anau for accommodation at Luxmore Hotel.
Day 4. TE ANAU (B)
Free day to relax and explore Te Anau. Take a cruise across the lake to the Te Ana-au caves - $129, scenic float plane flight, enjoy the Fiordland movie, etc. All activities are extra expense.
Day 5. TE ANAU - DOUBTFUL SOUND (BD)
Late morning we transfer to Manapouri and cruise across the bush clad Lake Manapouri to the West Arm. Drive across Wilmot Pass, and join our cruise ship "Fiordland Navigator. Sail mid afternoon. Doubtful Sound is much more extensive than Milford Sound. Explore the fiords and travel to the entrance with the Tasman Sea. See the seals and often dolphins and other wildlife are to be seen. Dinner included on board. Anchor overnight in a quiet bay. Optional evening exploring by kayak or ships tender to get up close and personal with the Fiords.
Day 6. DOUBTFUL SOUND - QUEENSTOWN (B)
Disembark after breakfast and we retrace our steps to Manapouri and return to Queenstown arriving mid afternoon.
Day 7. QUEENSTOWN DEPART (B)
You will be transferred to the airport for departure.
You are welcome to stayover in Queenstown and explore further if you wish.
Tour cost per person.
September 01 - October 31, 2024: April 1-30 2025......... 2 per room/cabin $2,390. Single room/cabin $3,630
November 01 - December 19 2024........ 2 per room/cabin $2,590. Single room/cabin $3,990
December 20, 2024 - 31 March, 2025: 2 per room/cabin...... $2,690... Single room/cabin... $4,160
Tour cost includes:
** Return transfers from Queenstown airport to your hotel.
** 5 nights accommodation and breakfast at hotels. 3 nights in Queenstown, 2 nights in Te Anau
** Full day tour to Milford Sound including cruise, and picnic lunch.
** 1 night aboard Fiordland Navigator including 1 dinner and 1 breakfast.
DEEP SOUTH AND STEWART ISLAND - Dunedin - Catlins - Invercargill - Stewart island options. See our DEEP SOUTH AND STEWART ISLAND TOUR commencing Queenstown and Invercargill every monday (Eastbound) and Dunedin every monday Westbound). Read more
DISCOVER STEWART ISLAND
Travel on our FABULOUS FIORDLAND tour and on returning to Manapouri transfer to Invercargill via the scenic route via Tuatapere and Riverton for one night. Owing to a great shortage of accommodation on Stewart Island it is often necessary to stay in Invercargill and take a day tour by ferry or air
The ending is flexible. Stay longer on Stewart Island, fly back from Invercargill, or join our 3 day/2 night tour departing Queenstown wednesdays for 1 night at Franz Josef Glacier, 1 night at Hokitika, then on to Punakaiki finishing in Christchurch friday afternoon.
FABULOUS FIORDLAND AND WEST COAST 9 days/8 nights.
New Year special. January 05-13, 2025
Itinerary
Day 1. Sunday. 05 January ARRIVE QUEENSTOWN
Arrive Queenstown and you will be transferred to the Millennium Hotel.
Day 2. Monday. 06 January QUEENSTOWN (B)
Enjoy a tour along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to the beautiful town of Glenorchy. See some of the scenes where Lord of the Rings was shot and enjoy the scenery. Return to Queenstown about 12.30pm. The afternoon is free.
This evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the historic steamer "Earnslaw" for a barbecue dinner at the Colonel's Homestead.
Day 3. Tuesday 07 January. QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND - TE ANAU (BL)
A day of fabulous scenery as we drive to Te Anau then visit the Mirror Lakes and continue through the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys and through the Homer tunnel to magnificent Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise to the head of the Sound under majestic Mitre Peak with picnic lunch included and see the Bowen Waterfall before returning to Te Anau for accommodation at Luxmore Hotel.
Day 4. Wednesday 08 January TE ANAU - DOUBTFUL SOUND (BD)
Late morning we transfer to Manapouri and cruise across the bush clad Lake Manapouri to the West Arm. Drive across Wilmot Pass, and join our cruise ship "Fiordland Navigator. Sail mid afternoon. Doubtful Sound is much more extensive than Milford Sound. Explore the fiords and travel to the entrance with the Tasman Sea. See the seals and often dolphins and other wildlife are to be seen. Dinner included on board. Anchor overnight in a quiet bay. Optional evening exploring by kayak or ships tender to get up close and personal with the Fiords.
Day 5. Thursday 09 January. DOUBTFUL SOUND - QUEENSTOWN (B)
Disembark after breakfast and we retrace our steps to Manapouri and return to Queenstown arriving mid afternoon. Accommodation again at the Millennium Hotel.
Day 6. Friday. 10 January. QUEENSTOWN - LAKE MATHESON - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER (B)
Drive through the Kawarau Gorge and see the original bunjy site - try it if you dare! Continue to Wanaka for a short visit then through Makarora and over Haast Pass to the rainforest of the West Coast. Visit waterfalls and take a hike to the Blue Pools en route of you wish. Visit Shipwreck Creek and Knights Point coastal lookout and continue to Fox Glacier to visit Lake Matheson. You have time for a hike around the lake if you wish. Accommodation at Scenic Franz Josef Hotel.
Day 7. Saturday. 11 January. GLACIERS - OKARITO - HOKITIKA. (B)
Enjoy a 2 hour boat cruise on Okarito Lagoon, main breeding ground of the White Heron. Also see Godwits and many other birds. Return to the wharf for a picnic lunch and meet a local guide to explain the local restoration efforts and take a guided walk through the Okarito Rainforest. The total tour is 4-4.5 hours. Continue to Treetops walkway and walk among the towering Kahikatea tree canopy. Late afternoon we cruise the scenic Lake Mahinapua waterways. Overnight in Hokitika at Beachfront Hotel.
Day 8. Sunday. 12 January. HOKITIKA - TRANZ ALPINE TRAIN - CHRISTCHURCH
Explore the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks in the Paparoa National Park. Return to Greymouth to visit Shantytown to pan for gold and ride the steam train into the forest. Depart Greymouth 2.05pm aboard the award winning "Tranz Alpine" train scheduled to arrive Christchurch 7pm. You will be transferred to your hotel in the central city, or to the Novotel airport for early departures monday.
Day 9. Monday 13 January CHRISTCHURCH DEPART (B)
Transfer to the airport for departure if staying in the city or if staying at the Novotel at the airport its a 2 minute walk to check in counters.
Tour cost per person 2 per room $5,850. Single room/cabin $7,650
If you prefer to do a day cruise on Lake Manapouri and Doubtful Sound instead of overnight you can stay 2 nights at Te Anau on the 8th and 9th January and day cruise including lunch on the 9th. Cost reduces to $5,600 2 per room and $6,800 single room.
Tour cost includes:
** Transfer from Queenstown airport to your hotel.
** 7 nights accommodation and breakfast at hotels.
** 1 night cruise on Doubtful Sound aboard Fiordland Navigator incuding dinner and breakfast.
** Full day tour to Milford Sound including cruise, and picnic lunch.
** Sightseeing admissions to: Glenorchy tour, "Earnslaw" cruise and Walter Peak dinner, Okarito Lagoon 4 hour cruise, Treetops Walk, Lake Mahinapua cruise, Shantytown, "Tranz Alpine" fare.
** Services of driver/guide and exclusive People Mover or mini bus from Queenstown 10 January to Christchurch. Travel from Queenstown to and from your cruises may be by big bus operated by the cruise company.
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