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 Wanaka
Cruise down the Haast River in a jet boat basking in the beauty of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area. Experience fairy-tale lavender fields. Arrive at your hotel at the edge of Lake Wanaka, designed to flow with the seasons.
Accommodations: Edgewater Wanaka Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Wanaka
After a morning at leisure, spend your afternoon on a leisurely cruise out to Stevensons Arm, home to Mount Burke high country sheep station. Verdant green pastures precede Mount Gold which rises majestically into the Northern skyline. On Stevensons Island take a short hike with your guide and enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and cookies back onboard.
Accommodations: Edgewater Wanaka Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 - Wanaka to Queenstown
Visit Highlands Motorsport Museum and come face to face with the state-of-the-art machines. Meet Mrs Jones Orchard, a traditional fruit stall owner, and indulge in real fruit ice-cream and stone fruit. Enjoy lunch and experience exclusive wine tasting in Gibbston Valley of the Vines at Kinross. Visit the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown.
Accommodations: The Rees Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine
Day 7 - Queenstown
Take in the surrounding landscape on a Lake Wakatipu scenic cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw and visit Walter Peak High Country farm for an Eco Experience - an idyllic place to spend a few peaceful hours. Or, choose a guided e-bike scenic ride along the lake. Enjoy dinner tonight at local restaurant The Bathhouse, located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
Accommodations: The Rees Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 - Queenstown to Doubtful Sound (overnight cruise)
Travel by road to Manapouri, then by Catamaran and coach to Doubtful Sound to meet the Fiordland Navigator. Doubtful Sound a stunning fiord with ancient valleys, waterfalls and wildlife. Your overnight nature cruise comes complete with an onboard naturalist, activities and lectures, not to mention delicious locally sourced cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Doubtful Sound to Dunedin
Upon disembarking the cruise, continue by road to Dunedin, stopping for lunch at Te Anau. In Dunedin, your heritage hotel welcomes you with a cosy atmosphere in the city centre. 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 Montreal 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