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New Zealand: Sweet as South | Westbound | Oct 2027
Oct 2028
Tour Description:
Experience the best of Southern New Zealand! From Christchurch to Queenstown to Lake Ōhau, it’s an adventure you won’t ever want to end. In Franz Josef you’ll hike a glacier, then it’s on to Queenstown, the adventure Capital of the World. Take the leap on a bungy, canyon swinging - the possibilities are endless. Maybe take a day break to Milford Sound cruise past stunning waterfalls or a scenic flight over Mt. Cook!
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Dates & Pricing
| Saturday 16 Oct 27 — Sunday 24 Oct 27 | Starting at $1,810 | Get a Quote | |
| Sunday 24 Oct 27 — Monday 01 Nov 27 | Starting at $1,810 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 01 Nov 27 — Tuesday 09 Nov 27 | Starting at $1,810 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 09 Nov 27 — Wednesday 17 Nov 27 | Starting at $1,810 | Get a Quote | |
| Wednesday 17 Nov 27 — Thursday 25 Nov 27 | Starting at $1,810 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 25 Nov 27 — Friday 03 Dec 27 | Starting at $1,810 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 03 Dec 27 — Saturday 11 Dec 27 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 11 Dec 27 — Sunday 19 Dec 27 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Sunday 19 Dec 27 — Monday 27 Dec 27 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 27 Dec 27 — Tuesday 04 Jan 28 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 04 Jan 28 — Wednesday 12 Jan 28 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 08 Jan 28 — Sunday 16 Jan 28 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Wednesday 12 Jan 28 — Thursday 20 Jan 28 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Sunday 16 Jan 28 — Monday 24 Jan 28 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 20 Jan 28 — Friday 28 Jan 28 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 24 Jan 28 — Tuesday 01 Feb 28 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 28 Jan 28 — Saturday 05 Feb 28 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 01 Feb 28 — Wednesday 09 Feb 28 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 05 Feb 28 — Sunday 13 Feb 28 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Wednesday 09 Feb 28 — Thursday 17 Feb 28 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Sunday 13 Feb 28 — Monday 21 Feb 28 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 21 Feb 28 — Tuesday 29 Feb 28 | Starting at $1,850 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 29 Feb 28 — Wednesday 08 Mar 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Wednesday 08 Mar 28 — Thursday 16 Mar 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 24 Mar 28 — Saturday 01 Apr 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Sunday 09 Apr 28 — Monday 17 Apr 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 25 Apr 28 — Wednesday 03 May 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 11 May 28 — Friday 19 May 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 27 May 28 — Sunday 04 Jun 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 12 Jun 28 — Tuesday 20 Jun 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 22 Jun 28 — Friday 30 Jun 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 27 Jun 28 — Wednesday 05 Jul 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 06 Jul 28 — Friday 14 Jul 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 11 Jul 28 — Wednesday 19 Jul 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 13 Jul 28 — Friday 21 Jul 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 18 Jul 28 — Wednesday 26 Jul 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 20 Jul 28 — Friday 28 Jul 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 25 Jul 28 — Wednesday 02 Aug 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 27 Jul 28 — Friday 04 Aug 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 01 Aug 28 — Wednesday 09 Aug 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 03 Aug 28 — Friday 11 Aug 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 08 Aug 28 — Wednesday 16 Aug 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 10 Aug 28 — Friday 18 Aug 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 22 Aug 28 — Wednesday 30 Aug 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 24 Aug 28 — Friday 01 Sep 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 05 Sep 28 — Wednesday 13 Sep 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 07 Sep 28 — Friday 15 Sep 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 19 Sep 28 — Wednesday 27 Sep 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 21 Sep 28 — Friday 29 Sep 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 05 Oct 28 — Friday 13 Oct 28 | Starting at $1,800 | Get a Quote |
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingDining Summary
3 Dinner (D)
8 Breakfast (B)
FAQs
Christchurch: The only difference between the trips is that they travel in different directions. Everything else is the same. On an Eastbound trip, you’ll depart from Christchurch and see Lake Ohau before the Franz Josef. For Westbound, you’ll depart from Christchurch and travel to Franz Josef glacier before visiting Lake Ohau.
Sydney: A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
Christchurch: Yes, all outdoor adventure activities will only be available weather permitting for your safety. Some Free Time Add-Ons may still be available according to the company policies and health & safety protocols. Your Trip Manager will be in touch with all suppliers in case weather conditions disrupt any bookings.
Christchurch: Yep, you’ll be able to book a private twin-share room as an add-on supplement if you’re travelling together with another person.
Included Experience
Hokitika: The South Island is home to Pounamu (greenstone) – so special the island’s even named Te Wai Pounamu, the greenstone waters. In Hokitika, we’ll meet a local Māori guide from the region, who’ll share the history, sacred sites and cultural significance of this treasured stone. Then it’s off to see if we can spot some Pounamu. All of this, while supporting the local trust that keeps the river healthy.
Wānaka: A lake town with views for days, surrounded by beech forests, alpine lakes, and wilderness glaciers.
Milford Sound: Cruise along the glassy waters and get the kind of view people write poems about. You'll soon see why it's a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Te Anau: Today we’ll visit a local farm in Te Anau to support the Fairlight Foundation, which works to advance women in Agriculture. We’ll learn all about farming, as well as the Fairlight Foundation and the work that they do.
Arrowtown: A historic gold mining town, Arrowtown is known as one of the cutest towns in New Zealand, so see for yourself on a walking tour that covers all the best things to see in Arrowtown.
Lake Tekapo: See the church on the shores of Lake Tekapo with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks - and get that iconic Insta pic too!
Lake Tekapo: We'll stop at Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and Geraldine... and watch happily on as NZ's astonishing natural beauty takes your breath away.
3 Dinner (D)
8 Breakfast (B)
FAQs
Christchurch: The only difference between the trips is that they travel in different directions. Everything else is the same. On an Eastbound trip, you’ll depart from Christchurch and see Lake Ohau before the Franz Josef. For Westbound, you’ll depart from Christchurch and travel to Franz Josef glacier before visiting Lake Ohau.
Sydney: A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
Christchurch: Yes, all outdoor adventure activities will only be available weather permitting for your safety. Some Free Time Add-Ons may still be available according to the company policies and health & safety protocols. Your Trip Manager will be in touch with all suppliers in case weather conditions disrupt any bookings.
Christchurch: Yep, you’ll be able to book a private twin-share room as an add-on supplement if you’re travelling together with another person.
Included Experience
Hokitika: The South Island is home to Pounamu (greenstone) – so special the island’s even named Te Wai Pounamu, the greenstone waters. In Hokitika, we’ll meet a local Māori guide from the region, who’ll share the history, sacred sites and cultural significance of this treasured stone. Then it’s off to see if we can spot some Pounamu. All of this, while supporting the local trust that keeps the river healthy.
Wānaka: A lake town with views for days, surrounded by beech forests, alpine lakes, and wilderness glaciers.
Milford Sound: Cruise along the glassy waters and get the kind of view people write poems about. You'll soon see why it's a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Te Anau: Today we’ll visit a local farm in Te Anau to support the Fairlight Foundation, which works to advance women in Agriculture. We’ll learn all about farming, as well as the Fairlight Foundation and the work that they do.
Arrowtown: A historic gold mining town, Arrowtown is known as one of the cutest towns in New Zealand, so see for yourself on a walking tour that covers all the best things to see in Arrowtown.
Lake Tekapo: See the church on the shores of Lake Tekapo with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks - and get that iconic Insta pic too!
Lake Tekapo: We'll stop at Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and Geraldine... and watch happily on as NZ's astonishing natural beauty takes your breath away.
ITINERARY
ITINERARYChristchurch to Franz Josef via Arthur's Pass and Hokitika
Christchurch (Ōtautahi) what's up? New Zealand's South Island is the home to adventure, adrenaline and good times and we're here to take it all on. Take in the beautiful scenery as we wind our way across the highest and most spectacular mountain pass across the Southern Alps. In the gold rush town of Hokitika, we'll meet with a local Māori guide who’ll teach us all about pounamu on a unique tour. We’ll learn about the history of the illustrious green stones (which the South Island is named after) and its connection with the Māori people. Back on the coach, we're coastline bound to one of the island’s most jaw-droppingly beautiful spots (and that’s saying something). We'll pull up for the night in glorious Franz Josef (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere), probably one of the most beautiful places you'll ever of clapped eyes on. A bold statement we know, but well deserved.
Franz Josef
This morning we take to the ice of Franz Josef Glacier. We've got a heli ride over the glacier up for grabs, or the opportunity to carve your own Pounamu (jade) pendant, under the tuition of a Māori mastercraftsman. Pounamu is sacred to the Māori people, and this is a great way to learn about its cultural significance, while also creating a beautiful please of jewellery.
Franz Josef to Queenstown via Haast and Wānaka
With a new appreciation for frozen water, we'll hop on the coach & continue to Queenstown, with a few cheeky stops along the way.Our first piece of NZ eye-candy comes in the form of Haast Pass (Tioripatea), beautified by ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls. Note how the scenery changes as we roll towards Queenstown through the Southern Alps and region of Otago.We'll stop for lunch in Wānaka, a pretty ski resort town situated on a lake front and dwarfed by mountains. This town is fast becoming one of NZ's most popular spots, and a trip to the 'Dough Bin' for a luscious pie should be high on the list.Welcome to the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown (Tāhuna)! First stop is the legendary Kawarau Bungy Bridge, get your adrenaline hit with a heart pounding jump. Tonight you can choose to jump on a gondola and to wine & dine atop of the highest restaurant in Queenstown, Skyline. Rest up tonight - the next few days are going to be BIG. Please Note: The Free Time Add-Ons which take place in Queenstown can be booked for any day you are there. Just let your Trip Manager know, and they'll arrange this for you.
Queenstown
Today is yours to get acquainted with Queenstown and check out the activities up for grabs in the next two days. Take a stroll around beautiful this stunning town, nestled in the Southern Alps that has so much to offer.
Queenstown
It's times like this that you really start to work out what sort of traveller you are. And human for that matter. You might be the one trailing through wine country and exploring wine cellars and caves, or you may be that guy that crams in a bungy jump and ziplining & still craves more. It's your holiday - run wild as you see fit. Please note: If you're here during ski season, you can opt for an exclusive Ski day-trip to Cardrona. Check out ‘Dates & Pricing’ to see these "Special Departures".
Queenstown
With our last day in adrenalin city edging closer, this is the time to push yourself to the limits and jump over any mental barriers you've put up around yourself. Embrace the spirit of adventure and conquer those niggling fears once and for all. For those who did their dash yesterday, a day staying mellow and enjoying this beautiful region will prove more than sufficient.
Queenstown to Te Anau via Milford Sound
Alright, it's time to return our adrenaline levels to a normal level and make tracks to the spectacular natural wonder of Milford Sound. Welcome to New Zealand's most stunning attraction, with a magical combination of mountain peaks, forest-clad cliffs and deep dark waters. We take an included cruise of the fiord and experience the beauty of this pristine destination by boat, the best way to see Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) in all its glory. Arriving in the stunning lakeside town of Te Anau, why not opt to take a guided jet boat trip to explore the Fiordland National Park. From Te Anau through Lake Manapouri, it's a pretty exhilirating way to soak up the scenery. Prefer to keep you feet on dry land. You can also take a trip to the ethereal glow worm caves (woaahhh) or simply cycle the gorgeous trails through native bush.
Te Anau to Lake Ōhau via Kingston and Arrowtown
So long, Te Anau. It's been fun. Our first stop today is Kingston (Takerehaka) for an authentic and important NZ farm experience. Where a charity helps local girls to learn practical farming skills and gain qualifications. Contiki makes a donation on behalf of every traveller who visits the farm, so you can help more NZ women and girls plough through barriers and get ahead in their ‘field’ just by turning up. We make a quick stop for lunch in the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown (Kā Muriwai) before heading onto Lake Ōhau. For our last night, we'll go out with a bang. Or perhaps a splash. Sketchbooks at the ready folks - we'll spend our final night by Lake Ōhau (Ōhau), with a spectacular view of Mt Cook in the distance!
Lake Ōhau to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo
We're moving on to Christchurch but not before one final stop.We’ll kick off our final day with a visit to glacier-fed Lake Tekapo (Takapō), taking in the crystal-clear water and those unreal surrounding peaks. A last lakeside moment to lock in the memories before the trip wraps up.And then the adventure ends in Christchurch. Sure, there'll be some sadness, but that's normal when awesome things end. And this has been more than awesome. On a brighter note, the memories will put a smile on your face for years to come.
