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Sweet as South | Westbound | Oct 2026
Oct 2027
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
| Sunday 18 Oct 26 — Monday 26 Oct 26 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 26 Oct 26 — Tuesday 03 Nov 26 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 03 Nov 26 — Wednesday 11 Nov 26 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Wednesday 11 Nov 26 — Thursday 19 Nov 26 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 19 Nov 26 — Friday 27 Nov 26 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 27 Nov 26 — Saturday 05 Dec 26 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 05 Dec 26 — Sunday 13 Dec 26 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Sunday 13 Dec 26 — Monday 21 Dec 26 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 21 Dec 26 — Tuesday 29 Dec 26 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 29 Dec 26 — Wednesday 06 Jan 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 02 Jan 27 — Sunday 10 Jan 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Wednesday 06 Jan 27 — Thursday 14 Jan 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Sunday 10 Jan 27 — Monday 18 Jan 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 14 Jan 27 — Friday 22 Jan 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 18 Jan 27 — Tuesday 26 Jan 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 22 Jan 27 — Saturday 30 Jan 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 26 Jan 27 — Wednesday 03 Feb 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 30 Jan 27 — Sunday 07 Feb 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Wednesday 03 Feb 27 — Thursday 11 Feb 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Sunday 07 Feb 27 — Monday 15 Feb 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 11 Feb 27 — Friday 19 Feb 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 15 Feb 27 — Tuesday 23 Feb 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 19 Feb 27 — Saturday 27 Feb 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 23 Feb 27 — Wednesday 03 Mar 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 27 Feb 27 — Sunday 07 Mar 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Wednesday 03 Mar 27 — Thursday 11 Mar 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 11 Mar 27 — Friday 19 Mar 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 19 Mar 27 — Saturday 27 Mar 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Sunday 04 Apr 27 — Monday 12 Apr 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 20 Apr 27 — Wednesday 28 Apr 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 06 May 27 — Friday 14 May 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 22 May 27 — Sunday 30 May 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 07 Jun 27 — Tuesday 15 Jun 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 08 Jun 27 — Wednesday 16 Jun 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 17 Jun 27 — Friday 25 Jun 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 22 Jun 27 — Wednesday 30 Jun 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 29 Jun 27 — Wednesday 07 Jul 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 01 Jul 27 — Friday 09 Jul 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 06 Jul 27 — Wednesday 14 Jul 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 08 Jul 27 — Friday 16 Jul 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 13 Jul 27 — Wednesday 21 Jul 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 15 Jul 27 — Friday 23 Jul 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 20 Jul 27 — Wednesday 28 Jul 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 22 Jul 27 — Friday 30 Jul 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 27 Jul 27 — Wednesday 04 Aug 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 29 Jul 27 — Friday 06 Aug 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 05 Aug 27 — Friday 13 Aug 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 10 Aug 27 — Wednesday 18 Aug 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 12 Aug 27 — Friday 20 Aug 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 24 Aug 27 — Wednesday 01 Sep 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 26 Aug 27 — Friday 03 Sep 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 07 Sep 27 — Wednesday 15 Sep 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 09 Sep 27 — Friday 17 Sep 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 21 Sep 27 — Wednesday 29 Sep 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 23 Sep 27 — Friday 01 Oct 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 07 Oct 27 — Friday 15 Oct 27 | Starting at $1,860 | Get a Quote |
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingDining Summary
3 Dinner (D)
8 Breakfast (B)
FAQs
Christchurch: What's the diff between Eastbound & Westbound? 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: What does a modular trip mean? 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: Are all the Free Time Add-Ons available weather permitting? 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: Can I book a twin-share room on this trip? 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 known for Pounamu (in fact, it’s even named after the stuff.) Today in Hokitika, we’ll meet with a local Māori Guide, who’ll tell us all about the connection between the illustrious greenstone and the Māori people. After that, we’ll go and check some out for ourselves.
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.
Lake Tekapo: The Dark Sky Experience combines Māori astronomy, storytelling and science together in one truly unique interactive display.
3 Dinner (D)
8 Breakfast (B)
FAQs
Christchurch: What's the diff between Eastbound & Westbound? 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: What does a modular trip mean? 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: Are all the Free Time Add-Ons available weather permitting? 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: Can I book a twin-share room on this trip? 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 known for Pounamu (in fact, it’s even named after the stuff.) Today in Hokitika, we’ll meet with a local Māori Guide, who’ll tell us all about the connection between the illustrious greenstone and the Māori people. After that, we’ll go and check some out for ourselves.
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.
Lake Tekapo: The Dark Sky Experience combines Māori astronomy, storytelling and science together in one truly unique interactive display.
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.
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 (or wheels) 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 the glacier-fed Lake Tekapo (Takapō), admiring the crystal clear water. Next, it's time for a Dark Sky experience - a multimedia exhibition that combines stargazing, science and traditional Māori astronomy. Here we'll learn how the Māori people would use the stars to help aid their harvests, plus why reducing light pollution is so important. 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.
