Best Buys

Southern Spotlight

9 Day Guided Vacation | Christchurch Return

The South Island of New Zealand dials up the natural drama, whether you’re enjoying a Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour through World Heritage listed wilderness or basking in the beauty of Fox or Franz Josef glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere on a tour. And in between are cities that take your breath away. Queenstown tour, anyone?

On Sale

Prices From CODE: LCQR

Was $3665

Was $4825

$3299

Adult Twin i A person 16 years and over (note a person 16–17 years must be accompanied by a person 18 years and over). All prices are per person, land only unless otherwise indicated.
Above lowest price is based on 2024-09-15 departure

$4343

Single i A person, who must be 18 years and over, travelling alone, must pay the single room price. All prices are per person, land only unless otherwise indicated.
Above lowest price is based on 2024-09-15 departure
Prices above are per person in USD
Single rooms are limited and subject to availability
Child prices may be available on request

guests considering this tour
See dates & prices Request a quote

Secure your trip with a deposit

Trip Details

trip-details-whats-includedWhat's included

  • • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
    • 1 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Fiordland National Park
    • Centrally located premium hotels
    • National Park entrance fees

trip-details-diningDining

  • • 8 Full Breakfasts
  • • 3 Dinners
  • • 1 Highlight Dinner
  • • 1 Farewell Dinner

trip-details-flight-infoFlight Information

  • Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Christchurch Airport
    Day 9 – flights to depart any time from Christchurch Airport
    Flights are not included in the holiday price
    Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the holiday price

trip-details-what-to-bringWhat to Bring

  • • Water bottle
  • • Warm layers in cooler months
  • • Camera
  • • Comfortable walking shoes
  • • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat

trip-details-fitness-level-requirementsFitness Requirements

    Low level of fitness required

Itinerary Generating PDF...

image map

Since its 2010/11 earthquakes, Christchurch has reinvented itself in more ways than one. Discover how if you choose to step back in time aboard the Christchurch Tram, linking some of the city’s most legendary attractions. It's time tonight to meet your travelling companions for a Welcome Reception.

  Hotel: Wyndham Garden

On your city tour view the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. From here, your outlook is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. Your Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo, hosted by passionate guides, will forever change the way you see the night sky. You'll see for yourself it may be one of the quietest spots on the planet, yet it has one of the busiest skies in the universe.

  Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel

  Included Meals: Dinner, Breakfast

If you’ve ever wanted to see New Zealand’s oldest public gardens, today you’re in luck. Oamaru, with its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings, stands proud before you journey further south toward the Edinburgh of the South: Dunedin. It’s easy to while away the afternoon in the city’s atmospheric art-lined alleys. Or venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country – fur seals and penguins among them. Thirsty? Visit Speight's Brewery, a New Zealand institution.

  Hotel: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City

  Included Meals: Breakfast

Dunedin’s Scottish ancestry is everywhere you look, from the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city’s main George Street. Rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep are replaced by soaring mountains as you weave your way into Fiordland National Park and the South Island’s biggest lake and the town of Te Anau. Soak up the serenity – it doesn’t get any better than this.

  Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

  Included Meals: Dinner, Breakfast

From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and mirror-like lakes. Gin-clear rivers carve the countryside, with all roads leading to your Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Cruising this World Heritage listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. Look out for dolphins – they’re a common sight here.

  Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort

  Included Meals: Breakfast

Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Skippers Jet, perhaps. There’s a reason why Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the country. Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand’s feathered friends at a wildlife centre. Wherever you wander, make sure you’re back in time to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner. 

  Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort

  Included Meals: Highlight Dinner, Breakfast

Try and keep count of today’s lakes. Leaving Lake Wakatipu behind, Arrowtown appears on the horizon. We know you’ll want to linger in the movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques. But Lake Dunstan awaits, as do its orchards. Pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. Then there’s Lake Hawea followed by Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass to the town of Franz Josef, where, this afternoon you may choose to fly over Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere.

  Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

  Included Meals: Dinner, Breakfast

Swap snow for pounamu (native greenstone or jade) in Hokitika. In Māori tradition, it’s bad luck to buy this sacred stone for yourself; flutter your eyelids at your loved one. Just when you thought your adventure couldn’t get any better, you’ll aboard the TranzAlpine train bound for Christchurch, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys.

  Hotel: Wyndham Garden

  Included Meals: Farewell Dinner, Breakfast

New Zealand’s South Island never fails to wow. We hope you find the words to describe this epic New Zealand tour to your family back home.

  Included Meals: Breakfast

Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.


Southern Spotlight

Best Buys

9 Day Guided Vacation

Christchurch Return

The South Island of New Zealand dials up the natural drama, whether you’re enjoying a Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour through World Heritage listed wilderness or basking in the beauty of Fox or Franz Josef glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere on a tour. And in between are cities that take your breath away. Queenstown tour, anyone?

Highlights

Flexible Vacations

Queenstown is home to more than 150 bars and restaurants. If you don’t know where to look, ask your Travel Director for recommendations. Enjoy downtime at your own pace.

Iconic Sites

The TranzAlpine train ride has been described as one of the most scenic cross-country jaunts in the world. But don’t take our word for it…

Sustainable Travel

Your journey deep into Fiordland National Park is helping sustain this wild and wonderful part of New Zealand for future generations.

Natural Wonders

The West Coast, or 'the Coast' as locals call it, is an untamed natural wilderness of rivers and rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures.

Accommodation

Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort.
The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:

Optional Experiences

Please note, prices for Optional Experiences are subject to change.

To ensure your holiday is filled with memorable experiences, we have included a range of quality Optional Experiences for you to choose from and partake in, if you wish, during your holiday. The experiences can be booked on tour through your Travel Director.

Air Milford - Milford Sound Flight Back to Queenstown (Queenstown)

NZ$489 Adult NZ$349 Child

A scenic flight from Milford Sound to return back to Queenstown. During the 35 minute flight take in panoramic views of spectacular scenery including glaciers, rivers, lakes and rainforest. Returrn transport to Queenstown accommodation is included.

Air Milford - Milford Sound Flight Back to Queenstown

Air Safaris - Grand Traverse Scenic Flight (Mt Cook)

NZ$470 Adult NZ$375 Child

Explore the alpine wonderland of the Southern Alps’ highest peaks and glacial lakes on this 45-minute scenic flight, including Murchison Glacier, Tasman Glacier, Main Divide, Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, westland coastal rainforests and Mount Cook.

Air Safaris - Grand Traverse Scenic Flight

Fiordland Jet - Pure Wilderness Jet Boat Experience (Te Anau)

$179 Adult

Explore Fiordland National Park,  journey from the glistening lakefront in Te Anau to the quiet banks of the Waiau River, travelling the waters of the deserted shores of Lake Manapouri.  Experience a hidden world framed by mountains and wild forest, steeped in natural beauty and rich in history.  Embrace this rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the remote isolation of Fiordland National Park, one of the largest protected areas in the world – famous for its conservation efforts. 

Fiordland Jet - Pure Wilderness Jet Boat Experience

Haast River Safari (Franz Josef Glacier)

NZ$119 Adult NZ$69 Child

Travel on a purpose built fully enclosed river jet boat with front-loading access. Great visibility is ensured, yet you remain warm, dry and comfortable, making this a unique and safe experience suitable for anyone of any age to participate in and enjoy.

Haast River Safari

Pure Glenorchy - Lord of the Rings Scenic Tour (road-Queenstown)

NZ$189 Adult NZ$99 Child

Lord of The Rings Scenic Tour: Visit the stunning locations from Lord of The Rings. Encounter lsengard, Lothlorien Forest, The Misty Mountains, Ithilien and many more. Experience the absolute beauty of the Dart River Valley and our closest world heritage area. Learn about the remarkable history and unique culture of Glenorchy. Our tour feature’s some of the world’s most spectacular scenery visiting Mt Aspiring World Heritage Area, Glenorchy, The Dart River Valley and Paradise. Encounter ancient beech forest, braided rivers and glacier carved valleys.

Pure Glenorchy - Lord of the Rings Scenic Tour

The Helicopter Line - Neve Discoverer Flight 20mins (Franz Josef Glacier)

Adult: $330.00 NZD

Lift off and fly up over the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier to land amongst this alpine wonderland on a 20-minute scenic flight. Highlights include landing at the head of the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier and a snow or icefall landing.

The Helicopter Line - Neve Discoverer Flight 20mins

Larnach Castle Tour (Dunedin)

NZ$91.00 Adult NZ$54.00 Child

Let your local driver take you on an exciting Otago Peninsula drive to New Zealand’s only castle. Your guided tour of the Larnach family home will give you insight into not only the architecture and style of the stately building, but also into William Larnach’s family life and the restoration done by the current owners during the past three decades. Enjoy views from the tower and marvel at the immaculate gardens before your return to Dunedin.

Larnach Castle Tour

City to Sea Tour (Dunedin )

Adult: $105.00 NZD
Child: $45.00 NZD

Meet our unique local wildlife and discover why Dunedin is NZ’s nature capital. Enjoy a special wildlife experience around Taiaroa Head and out to sea. Enjoy uninterrupted views of the royal albatross nesting colony, the world’s only mainland breeding site for albatross. Watch as these huge birds glide in from the ocean on three metre wings and then soar high above the hillside. The boat will get close to spectacular volcanic cliffs for postcard views of a historic lighthouse. Below the cliffs you’ll watch as NZ fur seals play, swim and interact around their breeding rookery. A short way out to sea and we may spot rarely seen ocean birds, like other albatross species, cormorants and petrels. On some trips we come across sea lions, blue penguins, dusky dolphins, hectors dolphins and other marine mammals.

City to Sea Tour

Speights Brewery - Guided Tour (Dunedin)

Adult: $35.00 NZD

No visitor to Dunedin should leave without taking the Speight’s Brewery Tour. Since 1876 the brewery has been proudly producing Speight’s legendary ales from the same site in Rattray Street. On the Speight’s Brewery Tour you’ll see, smell, touch and taste the ingredients that go into making Speight’s beers – and of course, get to sample “The Pride of the South” for yourself!

Speights Brewery - Guided Tour

The Helicopter Line - Mountain Scenic Flight 40mins (Franz Josef)

Adult: $580.00 NZD

Discover the gigantic expanse of the Franz Josef and Fox snowfields on this 40-minute scenic flight. Cross the main divide for breathtaking views of Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. Highlights include a snow landing, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and Mt Cook.

The Helicopter Line - Mountain Scenic Flight 40mins

The Helicopter Line - Twin Glacier Flight 30mins (Franz Josef Glacier)

Adult: $425.00 NZD

From a mantle of pure white snow, massive rivers of ice wind their way down glacier valleys. Explore the glaciers, an incredible natural phenomenon on this 30-minute scenic flight. Highlights include a snow landing at the head of the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier.

The Helicopter Line - Twin Glacier Flight 30mins

Kiwi Birdlife Park (Queenstown)

Adult: $52.00 NZD
Child: $26.00 NZD

The Kiwi Birdlife Park is a wildlife sanctuary found in the heart of Queenstown. They hold and display over 20 species of native NZ wildlife in our 5 acre Park, all of which are part of nationally managed programmes. Your entry fee supports their conservation work. They offer guaranteed kiwi viewing in our specially constructed nocturnal houses, audio tours (available in English and Japanese; allow 45min), Conservation Shows (11am, 3pm; allow 30min) and Kiwi Feedings (10am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 4.30pm; allow 15min). They offer an all-day pass and the park can be enjoyed in all weather. Experience conservation in action!

Kiwi Birdlife Park

Skippers Canyon Scenic Tour & Jet Boat (Skippers Canyon)

Adult $189  Child: $115

The Skippers Canyon Scenic Tour offers a great balance of stunning scenery and local history just a short drive from central Queenstown. The trip includes a guided drive into historic Skippers Canyon via the infamous Skippers Road, on board commentary from knowledgeable drivers about the history of the area including the miners who battled the harsh New Zealand conditions to extract gold from the richest gold bearing river in the world.

Skippers Canyon Scenic Tour & Jet Boat

Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (Te Anau)

NZ$119 Adult NZ$59 Child

2.5 hour tour incorporating a cruise across Lake Te Anau to Cavern House. Enjoy a guided tour (in small groups) through the limestone caverns, waterfalls and the glow worm grotto. Complimentary tea & coffee is available at Cavern House

Te Anau Glow Worm Caves

Altitude Wine Tours - Queenstown Wine Sampler Tour (Queenstown)

Adult: $219.00 NZD

Did someone say Queenstown wine tour? It’s time to pinot! Travel in premium Mercedes vehicles visiting four of Central Otago’s finest and boutique cellar doors, including a visit to New Zealand’s famous Gibbston Valley underground wine cave. Look, smell and taste over 18 spectacular cool-climate wines and enjoy an optional scrumptious lunch (additional cost ordered on the day) whilst your charismatic wine guide and knowledgeable cellar staff educate and amuse you with local winemaking facts and stories.The 6 hour Wine Sampler tour departs Queenstown daily at 10 am and returns around 4 pm. This tour was judged the worlds best wine tour 2020-2021 by Tripadvisor, Best of the Best awards and the 4th best activity and tour in all of New Zealand.

Altitude Wine Tours - Queenstown Wine Sampler Tour

Appellation Central Wine Tours - Gourmet Food & Wine Tour (Queenstown)

Adult: $269.00

Experience an indulgent and diverse full-day tour showcasing the very best sights and tastes from the Central Otago region. Let your experienced wine guide lead you on a tasting journey through three contrasting Central Otago wine sub-regions; Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell. Enjoy a guided tour through New Zealand’s largest
underground wine cave, indulge in a cheeseboard which accompanies a wine tasting, and savour a unique lunch perfectly matched with five wines. You will also have an opportunity to retrace history with a visit to the historical settlements of Arrowtown and Old Cromwell (when time permits). Learn about the early pioneering history and how the wine region was formed through an array of fun facts and interesting stories from your knowledgeable wine guide.
Appellation Central Wine Tours - Gourmet Food & Wine Tour

Bread to Bottle Tour MTM Experience (Dunedin)

Adult: $25.00 NZD

Visit 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.

Bread to Bottle Tour MTM Experience

KJET (Queenstown)

NZ$135 Adult NZ$69 Child

Take on the mighty Shotover River with Kawarau Jet (KJet) – Queenstown’s original Jet boat ride. Only KJet offers a 60 minute Queenstown Jet boat experience with unforgettable thrills, spins & exhilaration across three waterways in one of the world’s most stunning locations.

KJET

Monarch Wildlife Cruise & Larnach Castle Tour (Dunedin)

NZ$160 Adult NZ$80 Child

Let your local driver take you on an exciting Otago Peninsula drive to New Zealand’s only castle. Your guided tour of the Larnach family home will give you insight into not only the architecture and style of the stately building, but also into William Larnach’s family life and the restoration done by the current owners during the past three decades. Enjoy views from the tower and marvel at the immaculate gardens before your return to Dunedin. Join our invigorating Wildlife Cruise around Taiaroa Head, home to the world's only mainland nesting place of royal albatross. Watch as these huge birds glide in from the ocean and soar high above their hillside nests.

Monarch Wildlife Cruise & Larnach Castle Tour
+
For guestsFor travel agents

CREATE YOUR WISH LIST

Tell us where to send your custom brochure



Southern Spotlight
ADDED TO BROCHURE

+

PLEASE NOTE

We're experiencing a high volume of enquiries via our email and call centre.

Have a question? Why not head to our website's Frequently Asked Questions section to find what you're looking for, or email hello@aatkings.com.au and we will respond to you as soon as possible.

Need to check your Day Tour's hotel pick-up time? Click below for Day Tour departure information.

We have numerous new measures to elevate our hygiene standards and protocols.

Southern Spotlight
ADDED TO BROCHURE

+

CREATE YOUR WISH LIST

Click "My Brochure" to build a custom made brochure with trips selected by you!

VIEW GUIDED HOLIDAYS

Southern Spotlight
ADDED TO BROCHURE

+

Add tours or remove tours from your list

The maximum number of tours has been reached for your custom brochure.