Itinerary Details
Luxury Gold: The Southern Drift
Day 1 - Welcome to Christchurch
Your New Zealand luxury tour begins by private car to your boutique hotel located in the heart of Christchurch and just minutes from North Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens. Pay a visit to the blooms at the Botanic Gardens or ride the Christchurch Tram before meeting your Travel Concierge where you’ll raise a glass to a grand journey.
Accommodations: Hotel Montreal, Christchurch.
Day 2 - Christchurch to Franz Josef
Embark on one of the world's greatest scenic railway journeys aboard the TranzAlpine train to the small village of Arthur's Pass. In Franz Josef, your eco-friendly retreat nestled in the wilderness welcomes.
Accommodations: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - The Mighty Franz Josef Glacier
Explore Franz Josef, where a Local Expert reveals the glacier's impressive history.
Accommodations: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 - Travel from Franz Josef to Queenstown
Cruise down the Haast River in a jet boat basking in the beauty of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area. Visit the historic gold-mining village of Arrowtown before arriving at your hotel in Queenstown, offering expansive views across Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables.
Accommodations: The Rees Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Explore Queenstown
Take a scenic bike ride on the Arrow River Trail or sample the Central Otago region's best Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc on a boutique wine tour.
Accommodations: The Rees Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 - Queenstown at Leisure
Queenstown’s adventure culture is yours to experience. Take a Locally Available Experience jet boat ride down the mighty Shotover River, or whitewater raft down the Kawarau River. In the evening, dine at one of Queenstown’s exclusive restaurants.
Accommodations: The Rees Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - Queenstown to Milford Sound
Journey to Milford Sound through Fiordland National Park. View Mirror Lakes, the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel and Cleddau Valley en route to the dramatic Chasm.
Accommodations: Milford Sound Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 - Milford Track Walk and Milford Sound Cruise
Take a guided walk on Milford Track through pristine lakes, sky-scraping mountain peaks, glaciers and deep valleys. Bask in the spectacular scenery of Milford Sound aboard a catamaran before dining at Pio Pio Restaurant.
Accommodations: Milford Sound Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Milford Sound to Dunedin
Take a scenic journey from Fiordland National Park through rolling green pastures before arriving in Dunedin. Your heritage hotel welcomes you with a cosy atmosphere in the city center. Dine on favourites such as surf and turf, braised lamb, catch of the day, or other modern twists on traditional local dishes at Parcels Restaurant.
Accommodations: Distinction Dunedin Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - Distillery Tour and Dunedin at Leisure
Enjoy a relaxed start this morning before taking a guided tour at Dunedin Craft Distillers, the first distillery in Aotearoa New Zealand and one of only a handful worldwide, to produce botanical spirits from surplus bread and bakery products that would otherwise go to landfill. Discover on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, how owners, Jenny McDonald and Sue Stockwell do it in a ‘Bread to Bottle Tour’ which takes you through the process used to turn bread into spirits. Venture just next door for a special Chocolate tasting journey at OCHO Chocolate covering the history of chocolate in Dunedin, OCHO's genesis, how 'real' chocolate is made and a 10-sample bean to bar tasting. Relax or continue exploring Dunedin as you wish. Perhaps take a wildlife cruise of the Otago Peninsula or visit the iconic Larnach Castle.
Accommodations: Distinction Dunedin Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 - Dunedin to Christchurch
Travel up the coast though the towns of Oamaru and Timaru to Christchurch to uncover the city’s highlights on a fascinating sightseeing tour. Sample the best of the city over dinner at Polo Bar and Restaurant.
Accommodations: Hotel Montreal, Christchurch.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12 - Farewell from Christchurch
Bid farewell to your fellow travellers after breakfast, as your journey comes to an end with a transfer to Christchurch International Airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast