DAY1

Arrive Christchurch

Welcome to New Zealand and Christchurch! You will be met with a smile and transferred to your hotel accommodation by a representative. En route you will see why Christchurch is aptly named “The Garden City” passing beautiful gardens and the impressive Hagley Park on the way to your hotel. Tonight meet your New Zealand Tour travelling companions at Welcome Drinks. 

Christchurch Currently tours travelling through Christchurch until May 2011 are being relocated. We are doing this in order to ensure our customers New Zealand holiday experience is unaffected by the tragic events in Christchurch.

Accommodation

Pavilions Hotel, Christchurch

DAY3

Omarama / Dunedin

As your New Zealand holiday continues, follow the beautiful braided Waitaki River east, passing Benmore and Avemore hydro lakes before reaching the Pacific Ocean at Historic Oamaru. En route visit Moeraki Boulders, marvelling at the huge spherical stones, found strewn along a stretch of Koekohe Beach near Moeraki. These boulders are grey-coloured concretions which have been exposed through shoreline erosion from black mud stone coastal cliffs that back the beach. 

An early arrival into Dunedin, “The Edinburgh of the South” allows you plenty of time to explore this nature lover’s playground. Take the opportunity to experience at least one of these optional tours – combine a Monarch Harbour cruise with a Newton’s Citibus tour, and see penguins, albatross and seals. 

Alternatively take a nostalgic trip on the Taieri Gorge Train, leaving from Dunedin’s historic Railway Station. Maybe you would rather visit Cadbury World and Speights brewery, both options filling you one way or the other. Your Kirra Tours coach captain will be more than happy to assist with any bookings. This evening prior to dinner, Kirra Tours are treating you to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony complete with the address to the Haggis, bag pipes and a bonnie wee dram.

Accommodation

Cargills Hotel, Dunedin

DAY5

Milford Sound Day Trip

Today your coach will climb through the Southern Alps, travelling on one of the highest and most scenic state highways in New Zealand. Leave Te Anau and travel through Fiordland National Park, following the Eglington and Hollyford Valleys, passing through the Homer Tunnel to descend into the Cleddau Canyon to magnificent Milford Sound. 

You will see for yourself why Rudyard Kipling described Milford Sound as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. Experience Milford Sound from the water, a launch cruise will take you to the Tasman Sea and back, stopping at the raging Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls. A truly exhilarating experience, make sure your camera is fully charged. If time and weather permits your Tours Coach Captain will explore the lower Hollyford Valley before your return to Te Anau.

Accommodation

Destinction Luxmore Hotel, Te-Anau

DAY7

Queenstown

A day to explore the many delights of this stunning alpine resort. Try the world renowned Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers Canyon in search of gold or a steamer cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station. You may wish to travel by Double Decker coach to quaint Arrowtown, or even a bungy jump. Alternatively, explore Queenstown’s many boutiques and galleries – your Tours Coach Captain will be more than happy to assist with any optional sightseeing.

Accommodation

Rydges Queenstown

DAY9

Fox Glacier / Christchurch

Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. Snow capped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes with and small pockets of farmland. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory. Here you will find many artisans carving Jade into contemporary carvings of traditional NZ designs or modern designs, and beautiful sculptures of whales, birds or just about anything that reflects the area where these carvers live. Greenstone or Pounamu has been recovered locally from the Westland or the South Westland area. 

From Greymouth leave behind the lush beech rain forests through undulating farmlands, hugging the Taramakau River as it descends the valley. Travel over the Otira viaduct and into Arthurs Pass, traversing the main divide. As you leave Arthurs Pass follow the Waimakariri River, note it flows the opposite direction to the Taramakau as you have crossed the main divide, and the majestic Southern Alps. Head east through New Zealand’s wheat belt and the Canterbury plains into Christchurch. 

Optional Extra: TranzAlpine Train

Accommodation

Pavilions Hotel, Christchurch