13 Day Southern Sensations 1 Wellington ê Christchurch Akarua Winery 13 Day Southern13 Sensations Day 1 Arrive Wellington Day 4 Kaikoura, Christchurch (B) Highlights On arrival in Wellington, you will be met by our representative Stop in picturesque coastal Kaikoura to visit a New + 2 night stopovers in Blenheim, Mt Cook National and transferred to your downtown city hotel. The rest of today Zealand Fur Seal (Kekeno) colony, before travelling on to Park & Te Anau is free to explore the nation’s capital. Named the ‘coolest little Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city. This afternoon + 2 night stay in majestic Queenstown capital in the world’ by Lonely Planet, the city has much to we’ll board the beautifully restored heritage tram to take in offer and a visit to Te Papa, the national museum, is highly the city sights and learn about the Garden City’s rich history. + Queen Charlotte Sound recommended. Wellington has a great arts and crafts scene, Stay: Rydges Latimer + Spectacular Kaikoura a superb café culture and fantastic bistros and restaurants + World heritage Mt Cook National Park offering indoor and al fresco dining. Day 5 Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook (B,D) + Beautiful Southern Lakes region Stay: Bolton Hotel Travel south across the Canterbury Plains and stop at + Fiordland National Park beautiful Lake Tekapo to view the tiny Church of the Good + Twin glaciers of Fox and Franz Josef Day 2 Picton & Blenheim (B,D) Shepherd, built of stone in 1935. Nearby is the well- This morning we board the Interislander Ferry to cruise known bronze statue of a New Zealand Collie Sheepdog, Featured Experiences across the Cook Strait through the magnificent Marlborough commissioned to recognise the indispensable role of the Sounds to the picturesque fishing village of Picton. From sheepdog in the lives of local MacKenzie Country farmers. + Luxury Seafood Odyssea cruise there we drive through the Marlborough Region, renowned for Continue your journey up the western side of Lake Pukaki + Tasman Glacier Explorer boat expedition its world-class vineyards, to Blenheim. Spend the afternoon to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. + Spectacular Milford Sound Nature Cruise exploring the galleries and shops in the charming little town. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery. + Dine at a leading Queenstown winery Stay: Chateau Marlborough (2 nights) + World famous TranzAlpine train journey Stay: Mt Cook Hermitage Hotel (2 nights) Day 3 Queen Charlotte Sound, Blenheim Day 6 Tasman Glacier Expedition (B,D) Iconic Sightseeing (B,D) Today we experience the Tasman Glacier in the most unique Head out on the water to immerse yourself in the natural + Scenic Interislander ferry crossing way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in beauty of Queen Charlotte Sound. On board your luxury + NZ Fur Seals in Kaikoura a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the launch, you will enjoy a tasting of Marlborough’s fresh Regal Tasman Glacier. Get up close to touch and taste 400-year old + Lake Tekapo and Church of the Good Shepherd salmon, Cloudy Bay clams and Greenshell mussels, paired icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the + Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre with the perfect Sauvignon Blanc. Take in the stunning lake. This afternoon, there is time to enjoy one of the many scenery as we cruise near an aquaculture farm and learn + Visit to Historic Arrowtown bush walks. Optional ski-plane and helicopter flights are about the Sounds’ key regional industries. available (subject to weather conditions). Day 7 Cromwell, Lake Te Anau (B,D) Begin the assent over the Lindis Pass to the township of Cromwell, then continue on to the historic village of Clyde, nestled in a sheltered basin at the foot of an immense and Tasman Glacier Boat Expedition Platinum Tour X Season Updates - Kirra Coach 2019/20 13 Day Southern Sensations 2 Day Southern13 Sensations Wellington ê Christchurch Suggested arrival/departure Maximum Train Journey 24 Guests 2 Overnights Kenepuru Sound Queen Charlotte Sound2 1 Picton Wellington 2 Blenheim Greymouth 1 Kaikoura 1 Franz Josef 21 Christchurch 2 Mt Cook Wanaka Milford Sound 23 Queenstown 21 Te Anau Luxury Seafood Odyssea Cruise crooked gorge. Stop for lunch at Alexandra, located on the rail adventure through the Southern Alps, rated as one of the banks of the mighty Clutha River, then travel across the most scenic train journeys in the world. This evening, join farmlands of Central Otago to the township of Gore before your friends for a farewell dinner with drinks and relive the 13 days from $ Per Person Twin Share arriving at the shores of Lake Te Anau, gateway to the many great experiences of the last three weeks. 7,559 Fiordland National Park. Stay: Rydges Latimer Hotel Stay: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (2 nights) Inclusions Day 13 Depart Christchurch (B) + Maximum group size 24 guests Day 8 Milford Sound (B,L) Sadly, your holiday ends today and you will be transferred to + 12 nights luxury hotel and boutique accommodation Today’s highlight is a leisurely nature cruise of the Christchurch airport to connect with your onward flight. Here + Full breakfast daily (B), 2 lunches (L) & 7 dinners (D) breathtaking Milford Sound, cruising the full length of the we bid you ‘Haere Ra’, a fond farewell and hope you leave fiord to the Tasman Sea. An on-board nature guide will give with many happy memories of your stay. + Travel by purpose built, luxury Platinum Touring coach you detailed information of the region’s history, flora and + Guided by a professional Driver Guide fauna and you will view spectacular waterfalls, rainforests Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo + Hotel porterage and towering mountains, including the awesome Mitre Peak. + Complimentary airport transfers on arrival Wildlife includes dolphins, seals, penguins and albatross and departure when in season. Return to Lake Te Anau for the night. Day 9 Queenstown (B) Tour Dates 2019/2020 Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts Start Finish Code an incredible array of adventure and leisure activities in all ê forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. We will arrive Sat 26 Oct 19 Thu 07 Nov 19 XV967 early afternoon and your Coach Captain will be happy to Sat 16 Nov 19 ê Thu 28 Nov 19 XV969 advise you on all the activities and options available. Sat 18 Jan 20 ê Thu 30 Jan 20 XV21 Stay: Heritage Hotel (2 nights) Sat 08 Feb 20 ê Thu 20 Feb 20 XV23 Sat 29 Feb 20 ê Thu 12 Mar 20 XV27 Day 10 Arrowtown, Akarua Winery (B,L) Sat 21 Mar 20 ê Thu 02 Apr 20 XV31 Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a historic Sat 18 Apr 20 ê Thu 30 Apr 20 XV35 village located beside the Arrow River which was once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860’s. It features a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere Pricing straight out of last century. Enjoy time to stroll through this Twin Single historic village, before enjoying a relaxing, sumptuous lunch High Season (Oct - Apr) $7,559 $10,639 at Walnut Cottage, the show piece of Akarua Wines and back dropped by the Remarkables mountain range. Day 11 Wanaka, Franz Josef Glacier (B,D) Franz Josef Glacier There is time to wander around the resort town of Lake Wanaka before enjoying incredible scenery as we travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park. On to Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers where there is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject to weather conditions). Stay: Te Waonui Forest Retreat Day 12 Spectacular TranzAlpine Train, Christchurch (B,D) Head north along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800’s. This afternoon, we board the TranzAlpine train for a coast to coast Platinum Coach Platinum Tour X Season Updates - Kirra Coach 2019/20.