Scenic Southern (with extension to Wellington)

Southern New Zealand, including Christchurch, Milford Sound, Queenstown and Wellington

Map & Sightseeing List

12 days

Total Price From* $80 per day: $965 per person

*Based on twin share.

Meals: 8 4
Transportation: n/a
Accommodation: Hotel, Lodge, Overnight Cruise

Daily Itinerary Scenic Southern (with extension to Wellington)

Depart for New Zealand Days 1 and 2

Fly over the international date line on your way to New Zealand.
Arrive Christchurch Day 3
Check into the Bealeys Hotel, spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore Christchurch.
- Hotel
Christchurch to Lake Ohau Day 4
Meet your Contiki crew and travel through the MacKenzie country, home to the sheep industry. Get your camera ready, as our first stop today is the beautiful glacial Lake Tekapo. We’ll continue on to view Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain and if you want to start the tour on a real high note, then why not take the option of a spectacular glacier flight over the mountain? We then head to Lake Ohau at the base of the Southern Alps. This evening, its dinner and a chance to get to know your fellow Contiki-ites.
- Lodge
- Dinner
Lake Ohau to Milford Sound Day 5
More scenic splendour this morning as we travel past the orchards of Cromwell and the Clutha River. On to Fiordland National Park where we head through the Homer Tunnel (D’OH!) for our first view of Mitre Peak and Milford Sound. Then it’s all aboard the Milford Wanderer, for an overnight cruise taking in all the beauty of the fjord. There’s the chance to kayak and see whales, dolphins and penguins along with towering mountains and breathtaking waterfalls. It’ll be an evening to treasure!
- Overnight Cruise
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Milford Sound to Queenstown Day 6
We’ll breakfast on board and then hop back on the coach to travel through the picturesque former gold mining centre of Arrowtown. Need an andrenalin boost? We’ll take you to a bridge to jump off! AJ Hackett’s bungy bridge at Kawarau River provides a hair-raising, gob-stopping adrenalin rush. It is one of the options on this tour that separates the tourists from the purists. Pure fun. Pure rush. Why don’t you try it? After all the excitement, tonight we’ll chill out at our lodge, overlooking Lake Wakatipu.
- Lodge
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Queenstown Days 7 and 8
Leisure is probably the wrong word as Queenstown is known as the ‘Adventure-Adrenaline capital of the world’, one of those places that you can literally do as much or as little as you like. A number of options to astound you await! Ever tried Bungy jumping, Sky diving, Jet boating, River boarding, White water rafting, Helicopter riding, Luging, Canyon Swinging, Four wheeldriving, Hiking???? Be extreme! Action by day, action by night - that’s Queenstown. Yes, when you’ve dried off and caught your breath, it’ll be time to experience Queenstown’s legendary nightlife, and there’s no shortage of venues for dining and socialising - why not try an optional meal at the world famous Skyline gondola complex.
- Lodge
- Day 7
- Breakfast
- Day 8
- Breakfast
Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier Day 9
We’ll travel today through the Kawarau Gorge, past glacial lakes and via the Haast Pass to reach the South Island’s rugged West Coast. In the Westland National Park there’s a chance to lace up your hiking boots and explore the icy terrain of this region on a guided glacier walk with the professional guides who will be on hand to show you the beauty of this natural wonder
- Hotel
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Franz Josef Glacier to Christchurch Day 10
This morning we’ll see the art of jade greenstone carving at Hokitika. We’ll cross the Southern Alps via majestic Arthur’s Pass and head towards the “Cathedral City” of Christchurch.
- Hotel
- Breakfast
Christchurch to Wellington Day 11
Heading north, make sure your camera is handy for the spectacular views along the Kaikoura Coastline. If we’re lucky, we’ll spot one of the many Seal colonies in this area. Boarding the Inter-Island ferry we’ll do the South to North Island hop through Marlborough Sound and the Cook Strait. Back on terra firma it’s a drive along the scenic waterfront and up to Mt Victoria, before arriving in Wellington, a cosmopolitan city famed for its cafes, restaurants and trendy bars.
- Hotel
- Breakfast
Finish Wellington Day 12
Say a final farewell to your new friends as your trip ends this morning after breakfast.
- Breakfast