13 Day Island of Delight | Hotel

On arrival at Wellington, collect your car hire and make your way to your chosen accommodation. The rest of today is at leisure to explore the nation’s capital. A visit to Te Papa National Museum is highly recommended.

This morning, head to the ferry terminal and enjoy a scenic cruise across Cook Strait by the Interislander to the picturesque fishing village of Picton. Transfer by water taxi to your remote resort located in the stunning Marlborough Sounds.

A free day to relax and marvel at the magic that is the Marlborough Sounds. Lodge staff will share their love of the area with you through the wide range of water and nature-based experiences they put at your fingertips. Complimentary fishing tackle, kayaks and mountain bikes are provided at the lodge and there are a number of bushwalks to enjoy.

After a leisurely breakfast, return to Picton and pick up your car for your journey south to Kaikoura, a coastal town nestled between the Kaikoura Mountain range and the Pacific Ocean.

This morning, there is time to enjoy a whale-watching cruise. This icon location is home to many marine species including Sperm and Humpback Whales, Bottle Nosed Dolphins, Royal Albatross and NZ Fur Seals. This afternoon continues south to Christchurch. The gateway to your South Island Adventure.

This morning travel south, stopping at beautiful Lake Tekapo to view the tiny Church of the Good Shephard. On to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site that covers over 70,0000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery. Optional ski-place and helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions

Experience the Tasman Glacier in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-fac of the Tasman Glacier. This afternoon, drive through the MacKenzie Country before beginning the assent over the Lindis Pass and emerging into the lush green farmland that surrounds the spectacular alpine village of Queenstown.

Enjoy two free days to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts an incredible array of adventure and leisure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration.

Travel by coach to spectacular Milford Sounds where you will enjoy a leisurely nature cruise of this breathtaking fiord, cruising its full length to the Tasman Sea. An on-board nature guide will give you detailed information of the region’s history, flora and fauna and you will view spectacular waterfalls, rainforests and towering mountains, including the awesome Mitre Peak. Return to Queenstown by spectacular scenic flight.

Take time to stroll through the historic village of Arrowtown on you drive to the spectacular lakeside resort of Wanaka. Then enjoy incredible scenery as you drive past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. 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).

Head north along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800’s. At Greymouth, return your rental car and board the TranzAlpine train for a coast-to-coast rail adventure through the Southern Alps, rated as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world.

Sadly, your holiday ends today and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport to connect with your onward flight.