Cities of the South

Cities of the South. Freedom Tour. 8 days/7 nights.

Christchurch - Oamaru - Dunedin - Invercargill. Just $1,790 share twin, $2,780 single.

Commences Christchurch DAILY year round for minimum of 2. You can extend your stay at any point.

Travel down the East Coast is by Intercity coach with local sightseeing provided by local driver/guides on our Freedom tours. For more personal and comprehensive small group tour see itinerary at the end of this one. Intercity do not usually provide commentary and transfers to and from your coach are not included. We do wherever possible arrange accommodation within 2-3 blocks of the coach depot.

Day 1.                           CHRISTCHURCH ARRIVE.   

Arrive Christchurch and transfer to your accommodation close to Cathedral Square. 

Day 2.                                 CHRISTCHURCH.  (B)

We provide a day pass on the Christchurch Tram which serves the inner city, Canterbury museum and Botanic Gardens.   The afternoon is free to explore the shops and/or visit the airforce museum, Antarctic Centre, Willowbank Wildlife Park. Ferrymead historic park etc. We recommend dinner on the tram tonight  - book ahead!

Day 3.                        CHRISTCHURCH - TIMARU - OAMARU      (B)

Intercity coach departs the Transport Hub at 7.45am arriving Oamaru at 11.40. (alternative available departing 2.25pm - arriving Oamaru 6.40pm). Drive south through Rakaia, Ashburton, and Timaru to Oamaru.  Accommodation at the historic Brydone Hotel. The afternoon is free to explore the restored historic area of Oamaru, centre of wool exports in the early days. Visit the Steampunk Museum if you wish (admissions extra), and see the beautiful Oamaru white stone buildings.   Also try famous Whitestone cheese at the factory cafe..  This evening premium seats at the Blue Penguin colony at dusk included.

Day 4.                       OAMARU - DUNEDIN.     (B)

Free morning and we recommend a visit to the Oamaru Gardens

Intercity coaches depart Oamaru at 12.15pm arriving Dunedin 1.50pm.   (alternative coach at 6.45pm - arriving Dunedin 8.50pm). Continue south past the historic Totara Estate farm which prepared the first frozen lamb shipment to the UK in 1882.  Accommodation tonight at Distinction or Scenic Dunedin or Southern Cross Hotels.

Day 5.                      DUNEDIN - OTAGO PENINSULA. (B)

Our morning tour with local guide includes Dunedin's iconic sights - Dunedin Railway Station, Octagon, Heritage churches, University of Otago, Worlds steepest street (walk it if you can!), plus St Clair and St Kilda beaches in South Dunedin. This afternoon visit Larnachs Castle including the Castle, Gardens, grounds, and historic stables. Continue to the Royal Albatross Colony for a 60 minute wildlife experience. View Albatross and their nests from the centre and its exclusive glassed observatory, A Monarch wildlife cruise can be taken instead of the Royal Albatross Centre if you wish but must be specified when booking.

Day 6.                      DUNEDIN - BALCLUTHA - GORE - INVERCARGILL.  (B)

Free morning to support the shopkeepers of Dunedin, visit the excellent Otago Museum or Botanical Gardens, and/or Chinese Gardens. We do recommend a guided tour of historic Olveston House.

Intercity coach departs Dunedin 2.30pm arriving Invercargill 6.30pm. Accommodation at Langlands Hotel

Day 7.                                          INVERCARGILL          (B)

Free day. There are no regular tours available however it is of course possible to visit Bill Richardsons Transport World, Classic Motor cycle Mecca, E Hayes Motorworld collection, Botanical Gardens, and take the local bus to Bluff to visit Stirling Point lighthouse and signpost, and Bluff Maritime Museum. We suggest hire a rental car and explore further to Riverton and/or Mandeville or we can arrange a tour with a local taxi company.

STEWART ISLAND. Invercargill is the gateway to Stewart Island. You are welcome to travel by ferry and stayover if you wish or take a day tour by ferry or air.

Option 1. Ferry  $490

Transfer to Bluff by shuttle and cruise across Foveaux Strait by catamaran. Enjoy a 1 hour tour of Oban and a little free time then cruise on Paterson inlet to the nature reserve of Ulva Island to see the friendly birds. Return to Invercargill about 6pm. (Note the Oban tour is very heavily booked in summer - early bookings essential). Transfers to and from Invercargill airport are not inlcuded

Option 2. Air.  $370

Enjoy a 20 minute scenic flight across Foveaux Strait from Invercargill airport to Oban. A 15 minute walk will bring you to Golden Bay to join a water taxi for beautiful Ulva Island. Explore it at your  leisure and return to Golden Bay to join your 90 minute small coach tour of Oban with local guide before flying back to Invercargill airport. (An option to return to Invercargill by ferry and shuttle is available).

 Day 8.                                   INVERCARGILL  DEPART    (B)

Transfer to the airport for departure.

Why not extend your stay to visit Stewart Island. Transfers are available to Manapouri, Te Anau, or Queenstown. Why not enjoy our FABULOUS FIORDLAND package including overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound plus Milford Sound and Queenstown. 

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'TAIERI GORGE RAILWAY" is back!!!      9.30am - 2.15pm    $99

The iconic "Taieri Gorge Railway operating from Dunedin to Pukerangi in central Otago is back from 05 October. 

Operates: October. 05, 06, 10, 12, 19, 20,24, 26. November 03, 09, 17, 23, 24, 30, December 06, 07, 13,14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 31

"Taieri Gorge" train can be added to our DEEP SOUTH AND STEWART ISLAND tour, RAIL AND SAIL, and CITIES OF THe SOUTH. Our 22 day Grand Rail Tour departing Auckland 04 November includes all mainline trains plus nile River railway, "Kingston Flyer as well as Croydon aircraft factory at Mandeville, "Taieri Gorge Railway" and "Seasider" , 

THE SEASIDER. 3pm - 6.30pm. $59

On many days it connects with "The Seasider" operating on the main trunk line from Dunedin to  Merton via Seacliff for spectacular ocean views. You may disembark at ARC Brwerey for around 90 minutes if you wish missing  the coastal scenery.   

Operates: Octoiber 12, 19, 26, November 03, 17, 23, 30. December 07, 21, 

THE TWILIGHT TRAIN. 6.30pm - 9.50pm    $59

Same route as The Seasider but enjoy an evening out.  

 Operates: October 25, November 22, December 20, 27

Timetable for early 2025 is not available yet.

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SMALL GROUP TOUR WITH PRIVATE VEHICLE AND DRIVER GUIDE AVAILABLE FOR MINIMUM OF 6

Discover the delights of the South Island's (Te Wai Pounamu) East Coast cities and towns with a local identity joining us in each city to prove that their town is best! 6 dinners - including the Tramcar restaurant in Christchurch, and 1 seafood lunch in Bluff, and Larnachs Castle accommodation and dinner included. Which place has the best lifestyle, heritage preservation, restaurants, historic homes, botanic gardens, house prices, car and aviation museums, wildlife, cheese rolls, shopping, entertainment, tourist attractions, and future. Listen to the locals!

Meals Included: (B) Breakfast. (L) Lunch. (D) Dinner

Itinerary

Day 1. Saturday.                             CHRISTCHURCH ARRIVE.   (D)

Arrive Christchurch and transfer to your accommodation at Heritage or Distinction Hotel in Cathedral Square. Please arrive before 3pm. Dinner tonight on the Tramway Restaurant through the inner city.

Day 2. Sunday.                                 CHRISTCHURCH.  (B)

Visit Sumner Beach, Port of Lyttelton, Port Hills drive and Bridal Trail, Sign of the Takahe, Ferrymead Museum,  Botanic Gardens,  and Canterbury Museum. This afternoon visit the airforce museum and you have a choice of EITHER the Antarctic Centre, or Willowbank Wildlife Park.

Day 3. Monday.                         CHRISTCHURCH - TIMARU - OAMARU      (BD)

Drive south through the new town of Rolleston with a short visit to Rakaia then on to Ashburton to meet our local identity and tour the town including a visit to the excellent Aviation Museum. Continue to Timaru for our tour with a local including visit to Caroline Bay, gardens, etc. Mid afternoon we divert inland to Waimate to discover the delights of the town and on to Oamaru.  Accommodation at the historic Brydone Hotel.  This evening premium seats at the Blue Penguin colony at dusk included.

Day 4. Tuesday.                       OAMARU - DUNEDIN.     (B)

Visit the gardens, historic homes, Steampunk Museum, restored historic area, port, and cheese tasting at the Whitestone Cheese factory. Continue south to the historic Totara Estate farm which prepared the first frozen lamb shipment to the UK in 1882, and beach time to explore the Moeraki Boulders. We take high road to Port Chalmers with the opportunity to visit the maritime museum and arrive Dunedin with a visit to the World's steepest street, and Botanic Gardens. Accommodation and dinner tonight at Distinction or Southern Cross Hotel.

Day 5. Wednesday.                DUNEDIN - OTAGO PENINSULA. (BD)

Explore the Octagon, Town Hall, historic churches, Dunedin Railway Station, and enjoy a guided tour of historic "Olveston House".   This afternoon visit the Otago Peninsula including Glenfalloch Gardens and the Albatross Centre and Tairoa Head. Dinner and accommodation at Larnachs Castle. 

Day 6. Thursday.                  DUNEDIN - BALCLUTHA - GORE - INVERCARGILL.  (B)

Travel south to Milton and learn of the early importance of the Woollen Mills to the town then on to Balclutha to meet our identity and see whether this is where you want to live.  We take a detour inland to Mandeville to visit the Croydon Aviation Heritage Tiger Moth restoration centre with the opportunity for a flight if you wish - must be reserved in advance. Unfortunately the Hokonui Moonshine Museum is closed but will be a must do visit if it re-opens. We will however visit "Goreggenheim Gallery"  which has a collection of over 60 Ralph Hotere pieces and meet our resident expert. Continue through Mataura and Edendale to Invercargill. Accommodation at the new Langlands Hotel.

Day 7. Friday.                                          INVERCARGILL          (BLD)

Visit the gardens including the Tuatara Centre, Bill Richardsons Transport World,   Classic Motor cycle Mecca, and drive to Bluff to visit the lookout, Stirling Point lighthouse and signpost, and Bluff Maritime Museum. We sample local oysters and Blue Cod for an included  lunch and this afternoon visit Oreti Beach of the World's fastest Indian fame and historic Riverton and enjoy the Te Hikoi presentation

Day 8. Saturday                                  INVERCARGILL  DEPART    (B)

Transfer to the airport for departure. Why not extend your stay or visit Stewart Island. Transfers are available to Manapouri, Te Anau, or Queenstown. Extra cost $100 per person. Why not enjoy our FABULOUS FIORDLAND package including overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound plus Milford Sound and Queenstown.