New Zealand West Coast Tour
New Zealand West Coast Tour
This boutique, group tour caters for no more than 10 to 16 travellers. If you want to make an impromptu photo-stop to capture something that caught your eye, it’s easy. And you can choose to simply drop in and out of places, and there are no long queues to get on and off the coach.
Whether you are travelling with friends, family, or alone, this South Island tour provides you with the personal service, flexibility, freedom and comfort to enhance your time in New Zealand. The tour can be taken on the set dates or organized for your own small group.
6 nights / 7 days
Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1: Auckland ~ Queenstown (L, D)
Depart Auckland airport for your flight departing at 10am with your tour escort. On arrival in Queenstown you drive to lunch in Arrowtown where the Autumn Festival is in full swing. There’s time to relax at your hotel or perhaps check out the shops before dining in this evening.
Day 2: Queenstown ~ Glenorchy – Kinloch – Queenstown (B, L, D)
You take the Gondola ride to the Skyline for morning tea. Then you drive beside the lake to Glenorchy and on to historic Kinloch Lodge for lunch. This evening you board coal-fired steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across to Walter Peak Station for dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead.
Day 3: Queenstown ~ Lake Manapouri ~ Doubtful Sound (B, L, D)
You drive to Manapouri to board the launch to cruise to the head of the lake. Travel over Wilmot Pass by coach to Doubtful Sound where “Fiordland Navigator” awaits. Cruise the sheltered arms of this beautiful fiord out to the Tasman Sea where seals bask on the islands. In the evening the ship anchors in a peaceful cove.
Note: Luggage is limited to one overnight bag each. Include a waterproof jacket, walking shoes, woollen pullover, a change of clothing, camera, sunglasses and insect repellent.
Day 4: Doubtful Sound ~ Manapouri ~ Crown Range ~ Wanaka (B, L, D)
Wake up to the perfect stillness and mirror reflections of this remote wilderness. Disembark at Deep Cove at 10am. Return over Wilmot Pass and across the lake to Manapouri. Retracing your steps towards Queenstown and over the tussock-land of the Crown Range. Visit historic Cardrona Hotel before checking into the Edgewater. You dine in at the hotel.
Day 5: Wanaka sightseeing (B, L, D)
You visit the Wanaka Transport and Toy Museum before lunching with locals n their contemporary Wanaka home on Mt Barker with views out to the lake and mountains. This afternoon you sightsee in and around Wanaka.
Day 6: Wanaka ~ Franz Josef Glacier ~ Franz Josef Glacier (B, L, D)
Drive through the superb mountain and river scenery of the Haast Pass and visit the Haast DOC centre for an insight into the colourful history, flora and fauna of the Coast. Continuing through lush rainforest to Fox Glacier, we stop to view the Glacier then drive on to Franz Josef to enjoy the luxury of Westwood Lodge.
Day 7: Franz Josef Glacier ~ Hokitika ~ Arthur’s Pass ~ Christchurch (B, L)
The Coast scenery is stunning – mirror lakes, boulder-laden rivers and glimpses of the Alps as you drive north to visit Hokitika’s artisan craft galleries and enjoy morning tea. Then drive up the Otira gorge on the stunning cantilevered highway to the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass where you stop for lunch. Continue through magnificent scenery to Porters Pass and across the Canterbury Plains. You transfer you to Christchurch Airport for your departure flight.
Typical Inclusions:
• Auckland/Queenstown/Christchurch/Auckland air fares
• 6 nights en suite accommodation
• All transport by comfortable, air conditioned coach
• Services of experienced driver/guide
• Services of tour escort
• All breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Some morning and afternoon teas
• Special lunch in a private home in Wanaka
• Cruise on vintage steamship tss Earnslaw to dine at Walter Peak Station
• Queenstown Gondola to the Skyline, Bob’s Peak
• Doubtful Sound 24 hour excursion, overnighting on “Fiordland Navigator”
• Visit to Wanaka’s Transport and Toy Museum
Prices and departures may vary please contact your Concierge Traveller Advisor for more information.
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