Scenic Southern (with extension to Wellington) View More Reviews

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Fly over the international date line on your way to New Zealand.

Arrive in Christchurch & check into the Ibis Hotel Christchurch, the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore. Meet your fellow travelers & Tour Manager this evening.

Hotel

Kia Ora! Meet up with your Contiki Crew in Christchurch and hit the road traveling through MacKenzie Country. We’ll stop off to see the intense milky blue waters of glacially-fed Lake Tekapo.

Kick start your tour with a spectacular optional glacier flight over Mt Cook, Australasia’s highest peak.

With views over towering Mt Cook and a lakeside position, our overnight stay at Lake Ohau in a traditional ski lodge is all about its fantastic location. Tonight, get to know the other Contiki travellers, your Tour Manager and Driver over dinner. Then relax in the hot outdoor Jacuzzi, or play darts at the lodge bar.

Lodge Dinner

This morning it’s time to leave this stunning area as we head towards the student city, Dunedin! We’ll hit the road & make a stop at Benmore Dam for a look at this impressive structure & maybe spot some gliders – it’s one of the world’s premier spots for this pretty cool sport.

We’ll also stop in at historic Oamaru, with it’s cute old buildings, many of which are made out of it’s own stunning white Oamaru stone.

Take a peek at Moeraki, our next short stop, for a look at these massive boulders located right on the beach. It’s hard to believe these impressive formations really are natural & they make for some pretty cool pics to show off to your mates.

On arrival in Dunedin you’ll see why it really is the city that looks old, but definitely thinks young! Before we arrive into the city centre we’ll head to the base of Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest street, for a look at the sheer angle!

Then it’s time to hit up Dunedin. Originally a Scottish settlement, you’ll see references to the city’s past dotted throughout the city.

This afternoon arrival we’ll visit the iconic Speight’s Brewery for a look at how this iconic Kiwi brew is made. As you tour the brewery with our guide, learn about the brewing process of this much loved Southern Ale. You’ll finish up with a few tasters so you’ll discover for yourself why the locals love it so much!

Then, it’s time for a sweet taste of New Zealand, literally! Take a tour of the Cadburyworld. Cadbury New Zealand’s very own chocolate factory. As you make your way around with a guide you’ll learn about the chocolate making process & the history of chocolate as you see it being made right before your eyes. This truly lives up to its name as Dunedin’s tastiest attraction & there’s you’re chance to taste some of the delicious freshly made chocolate for yourself. Delicious.

There’s loads of places to head out in Dunedin, from cool clubs & bars in the Octagon to the student pub vibes around George Street. So later, why not take it up a level & head to some of the local night spots for a taste of how partying is really done! Ask your Tour Manager for some tips on where’s hot to head, or make your way to one of the local favourites around the Octagon – there’s a huge variety of places to head for a fun night out.

Hotel Breakfast

This morning, we make our way towards New Zealand’s adventure hub, Queenstown! This place is awesome. With so many amazing activities to choose from, plus fantastic nightlife, cool people & stunning surroundings, you’re in for a few incredible days here. First though, we’ll take a spin in the thrilling Shotover Jet one of NZ’s iconic activities, where you’ll speed through the canyons of the Shotover River by jetboat!

Later, ask your Tour Manager for some tips & head to one of the town’s nightspots for a taste of the party lifestyle here.

Hotel Breakfast

With two days here, you’ve got time to try out adrenaline-pumping activities, to take it easy with a glass of local wine or beer and of course, to party – something Queenstown in known for.

There’s also the option to take advantage of our explore more highlight optional – your chance to experience the stunning Milford Sound.

Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s gems. This slice of paradise has been voted one of the world’s top destinations & is known around the world for its gorgeous waters & stunning scenery. Set in Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound is a UNESCO World Heritage listed site so get ready for the epic scenery - high mountains rise straight out of the sea and waterfalls pour down sheer cliffs into the deep, dark waters of the fiord.

You’ll get the ultimate angle on this natural wonder from the water when we cruise – you’ll learn about this jaw-droppingly beautiful region from the on-board nature specialist. You’ll get a really good look around the area and up close to its more hidden spots.

You can chill out and enjoy the scenery on deck & hopefully you’ll get a chance to spot seals, dolphins, whales and penguins.

Choose to take a coach over, then jump on a boat & cruise this stunning spot then head back to Queenstown on the coach. Or, if you’re feeling up for it, there’s the option to fly back to Queenstown too.

Back in Queenstown, if the season’s right, get into the alpine action and hit the slopes of some of New Zealand’s best ski resorts over the next two days. Ski and board for 2 full days and explore what the Southern Hemisphere has to offer. Take off at your own pace or carve up the mountain with some friends. We can even organise ski equipment and lessons for you, so you don’t need to worry about a thing.

Walk around the quaint town, hit the shops or head down to the lake for beautiful views of the surrounding mountain ranges, fittingly called The Remarkables. Board the old steam boat, the TSS Earnslaw, for a lake cruise and see it all from the water.

For adrenaline junkies, there’s bungy jumpy, sky diving, jet boating, canyon swinging and quad biking. In fact there are so many adventure activities in Queenstown that you couldn’t do them all in the 2 days if you tried. For those who like to keep their feet planted firmly on the ground, take an easy-going hike or push yourself with a tougher trail.

Pumping at night, Queenstown is the place to hit some of New Zealand’s best bars and clubs. With cool cocktail bars, old-style pubs and plenty of clubs, there is so much to choose from.

Lodge Breakfast, Breakfast

Relax on the coach, chat with friends and take in the stunning scenery as we head to the rugged West Coast. Leaving the golden grasslands, cliffs and hills of the Otago region behind us, we travel through Haast Pass. See the ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls that give this area its unique atmosphere.

Then cruise past remote beaches and the coastal dunes of the West Coast before arriving in the Westland National Park, where lush bush land and glaciers almost reach the sea.

Get physical and pull on your crampons, grab an ice-pick and head out onto the ice of either the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. On this optional activity, you’ll learn about how these glaciers came about with our professional Local Guides. Otherwise, you can get a bird’s eye view over these icy formations and sweeping vistas in an optional helicopter ride.

We overnight in Franz Josef, a cute alpine township.

Hotel Breakfast, Dinner

Sticking to the untamed coastline, we stop in at the former gold rush town of Hokitika on the West Coast. It’s great for a look into a traditional Maori art. Watch authentic carvers work with New Zealand greenstone (jade) and learn about the importance of this stone. You could even pick up a piece to take home.

We travel east through stunning Arthur’s Pass, following an old trade route. The dense native forest, alpine atmosphere and crystal clear rivers give the area its pioneer feel.

Then it’s back to Christchurch for a chilled out evening.

Please note: Due to the devastating earthquake that hit Christchurch on the 22nd February 2011, the central city is closed as many buildings are set to be demolished. There are changes to our regular itinerary in Christchurch, for the foreseeable future, so expect things to be different. One thing that hasn’t changed is the warm Canterbury hospitality extended to visitors. Contiki remains committed to supporting the people and businesses in this region as the rebuilding of Christchurch begins.

Hotel Breakfast

It’s another jaw-dropping drive up to the top of the South Island today.

The coach cuts across the Canterbury Plains to Kaikoura. This seaside settlement is known for whales, dolphins and delicious, fresh crayfish sold from roadside vans. We’ll stop at a seal colony before travelling up the wild, rugged east coast and the wine country of Marlborough.

Jump on the Inter-Island ferry and leave the South Island behind. Cruise through the gorgeous Marlborough Sounds, where thick forested peaks rise straight up from the sea. It’s a camera-friendly spot with picturesque inlets, remote coves and tiny beaches that dot the islands. You’ll also see some old wooden baches (New Zealand holiday houses) and boat jetties.

We dock in the capital city of Wellington - the country’s political centre and cultural core with funky shops, fringe festivals, galleries, as well as a huge amount of cool cafes and bars.

The peak of Mt Victoria gives an amazing overview of the windy city. Take in the sweeping views of pretty beaches, narrow streets, and weather worn Victorian houses.

Tonight, enjoy an optional dinner with the group in the heart of the downtown area, which has a great, lively atmosphere and plenty of cutting edge restaurants and bars.

Hotel Breakfast

Say a final farewell to your new friends as your trip ends this morning after breakfast.

Breakfast