Highlights
- Ride the Coastal Pacific Train from Christchurch to Blenheim
- Take an organic picnic up the slopes of Mount Fyffe by private helicopter
- Cruise the Marlborough Sound on a working mail boat
- Sip your way around the Central Otago wine country
- Get up close with icebergs in a kayak at the Haupapa / Tasman Glacier
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Christchurch, Tramway Dinner | Christchurch |
| Day 2 | Train to Kaikōura, Heli-Picnic on Mount Fyffe, Whale Watching | Kaikōura |
| Day 3 | Matai Peak Coastal Farm Tour, Seasonal Feast Cooking Class | Kaikōura |
| Day 4 | Train to Blenheim, Marlborough Wine Tasting | Blenheim |
| Day 5 | Marlborough Sound Mail Boat, Drive to Abel Tasman National Park | Abel Tasman N.P. |
| Day 6 | Full-Day Slice of Paradise Boat & Hike Tour | Abel Tasman N.P. |
| Day 7 | Drive to Nelson, Middlehurst Station Heli-Farm Tour | Nelson |
| Day 8 | Fly to Queenstown, Shotover River Jet Boat, Onsen Evening Session | Queenstown |
| Day 9 | Fly-Cruise-Fly to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, Routeburn Guided Walk | Queenstown |
| Day 10 | Glenorchy 4WD Safari, Half-Day Wine Sampler | Queenstown |
| Day 11 | Drive to Aoraki / Mount Cook, Scenic Flight & High Altitude Whisky Bar | Aoraki / Mount Cook |
| Day 12 | Tasman Lake Kayaking, Glacier Ski Plane & Helicopter Adventure | Aoraki / Mount Cook |
| Day 13 | Drive to Christchurch, Māori Cultural Walking Tour | Christchurch |
| Day 14 | Depart Christchurch |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch, Tramway Dinner
Kia ora! Welcome to New Zealand's South Island! You'll land in Christchurch, the country's second-largest metropolis, filled with beautiful green spaces. On arrival, a private driver will take you on the short transfer to your hotel, a luxurious historic property known as The George. Named after Sir George Seymour, one of the pioneers who arrived on one of the First Four Ships to Canterbury in 1850, the hotel pays homage to its historical past while featuring modern elements for an elevated stay. From here, you can visit picturesque Hagley Park and the Avon River / Ōtākaro within minutes.
Visitors to Christchurch today will witness a virtual rebirth of the city, which was rebuilt following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. The urban city center is full of new secrets, from modern architecture and immense street art to cocktail bars and bustling restaurants. Explore the city ahead of tonight's unique dining experience, when you'll board a historic colonial-style dining tram for a moving four-course dinner. Journey along the inner city tram loop, taking in the regenerating central business district and the city's top landmarks, all while enjoying a memorable feast.
Day 2: Train to Kaikōura, Heli-Picnic on Mount Fyffe, Whale Watching
This morning you'll board the Coastal Pacific Train, taking you on a scenic three-hour journey from Christchurch up to beautiful Kaikōura. As the name suggests, this rail route travels alongside the sea, passing verdant wine-growing regions and a rich patchwork of nature and farmland. Upon arrival in Kaikōura, the fun starts with a fantastic heli-picnic experience. You'll be whisked away to a favorite local spot on Mount Fyffe, where you'll unpack a locally prepared, organic picnic hamper and a bottle of local Marlborough wine.
Devour the spread while soaking up 360-degree views of surrounding mountain ranges, the Kaikōura Peninsula, and the Pacific Ocean. Then, in the afternoon, you'll sail the South Pacific on a special catamaran designed for whale watching. During your 3.5 hours on the water, you'll be looking for giant sperm whales and will likely also spot fur seals and dusky dolphins leaping through the waves while albatross swoop overhead. Depending on the season, you might also catch southern right, pilot, or blue whales and, if you're lucky, migrating humpbacks.
Day 3: Matai Peak Coastal Farm Tour, Seasonal Feast Cooking Class
After a lush breakfast at the lodge, hop into a beach buggy for a private tour of Matai Peak Coastal Farm. You'll cruise along the beach, keeping an eye out for Hector's dolphins, which regularly feed in the area, and then continue to a traditional kiwi farm. Your guide will introduce you to Te Mania's prized bulls, which are globally sought after. Next, ascend a mountain peak to admire ocean views; on a clear day, you can see along the peninsula all the way to Christchurch's Port Hills. End with a drink at the iconic Saloon Bar, surrounded by farming memorabilia.
This afternoon, you'll venture into the wild Kaikōura landscape for a private experience with Chef Fiona from Hapuku Kitchen. Start with a locally roasted coffee, then forage for fresh ingredients in the property's garden. Return to the kitchen to prepare seasonal dishes, learning cooking techniques as you go. End the day enjoying your homemade feast, paired with local wine or beer, and take home a recipe booklet and your Hapuku Kitchen apron as keepsakes.
Day 4: Train to Blenheim, Marlborough Wine Tasting
Board the Coastal Pacific Train once more, continuing your scenic ride north on a 2.5-hour journey from Kaikōura to Blenheim, the heart of New Zealand's world-famous Marlborough wine region. This area is renowned for its excellent sauvignon blancs, and the unique climate and breathtaking scenery make it a must-visit destination for wine lovers. In the 1990s, there were just 18 vineyards, but now you'll find more than 160. Pick up a rental car on arrival and make your way to Marlborough Boutique Hotel, an elegant retreat set on 16 acres (6.4 ha) of secluded gardens and vines.
The peaceful destination is the ultimate retreat in the heart of New Zealand's gourmet province, so drop your bags and refresh ahead of this afternoon's private wine tour of the Marlborough wine region. You'll visit cellar doors to taste plenty of the region's award-winning wines. Good wine starts in the vineyard, and your wine guide will explain how vines are planted, pruned, managed, and harvested in Marlborough. After a big day of wine tasting, your driver will return you to your hotel for a relaxed evening.
Day 5: Marlborough Sound Mail Boat, Drive to Abel Tasman National Park
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Start today with a cruise on The Beachcomber, New Zealand's only official mail boat. Sit back and enjoy views of the gorgeous Queen Charlotte Sounds as your skipper delivers mail, freight, and groceries to the families who live in the various bays, inlets, and coves. Keep an eye out for New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, blue penguins, and other wildlife as your captain shares commentary about the region's wildlife and history.
After, make the three-hour drive to Abel Tasman National Park. You'll pass Mount Cullen on the way to Havelock, cruise through charming Nelson, and finally enter New Zealand's smallest national park. Named after Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman, the first European to sight New Zealand in 1642, the park covers an area of 91 square miles (237 sq km), and you can explore by boat, water taxi, or on foot. The marine reserve has crystal-clear water and is famous for its golden sandy beaches, carved granite cliffs, and coastal trekking.
You'll settle in for the next two nights at Split Apple Retreat, a luxurious retreat perched on a cliffside above Tasman Bay. This serene and intimate destination hotel has a firm focus on wellness. Check into your room, then venture over for a special treatment at the spa or a dip in the saltwater infinity pool before a healthy gourmet dinner on-site.
Day 6: Full-Day Slice of Paradise Boat & Hike Tour
Today's big adventure starts with a cruise along the length of the national park, jetting down to Totaranui and back to Onetahuti, where you'll disembark for a hike along the most beautiful part of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. En route, you can stop to swim at various small coves and beaches and watch fur seals at Tonga Island before starting your hike. You'll have a choice of how long to hike for—from two hours up to 3.5 hours—and the skipper will drop you at different points depending on what you choose.
You'll carry a gourmet packed lunch to enjoy as you explore the golden sands and untouched scenery of the protected reserve. Be sure to keep an eye out for the famous Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock, which looks like a split apple and is located right in the middle of the sea. After, return to your bayside retreat for a private yoga class, meditation session, or outdoor massage set within a rainforest.
Day 7: Drive to Nelson, Middlehurst Station Heli-Farm Tour
Get back on the road today and make the short, hourlong drive from Abel Tasman to Nelson. The country's sunniest city attracts artists and artisans, many of whom contributed to the millions of accessories used in "The Lord of the Rings" film trilogy. Upon arrival, you can visit the World Of Wearable Art and Collectible Cars museum or wander South Street, where 16 original cottages and pottery galleries give you plenty to see. Movie fans can make a stop at Jens Hansen Goldsmith, the famous jeweler who created the most famous ring in the world for the movie trilogy.
After a spin around town, check into the nearby Pihopa Retreat, a relaxed getaway set on 5.5 acres (2.2 ha) of park-like gardens that border the Bishopdale Reserve. Put your feet up for a bit on your private terrace, then join your private guide for a heli-farm tour of Middlehurst Station. After a dizzying helicopter flight to this remote high-country property, you'll be met with warm hospitality as you learn about the authentic day-to-day workings of a New Zealand wool farm. Partway through, you'll stop for a gourmet lunch by Middlehurst's chef before returning to town by helicopter.
Day 8: Fly to Queenstown, Shotover River Jet Boat, Onsen Evening Session
Today you'll drop off your rental car and catch a connecting flight south to Queenstown. Parked on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is a small but bustling town nestled below soaring vistas of the Remarkables mountain range. As the self-proclaimed adventure capital of the world, it's famous for its adrenaline-inducing thrills, such as paragliding and bungee jumping.
Collect another rental car upon arrival and drive to the secluded Rosewood Matakauri, a luxury lodge set on the edge of the lake with mountain panoramas. Leave your bags in your suite, then set out to chase some Queenstown thrills! Start with a ride on a high-speed jet boat that navigates 46 miles (75 km) of rapids and narrow twists and turns along the upper Shotover River. Then, slow down the pace in a hot pool under the stars. The Onsen Hot Pools is based on the Japanese bathing tradition, where cedar-lined steaming pools sit on a cliffside overlooking the same river. Enjoy a relaxing hourlong soak before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Day 9: Fly-Cruise-Fly to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, Routeburn Guided Walk
Any trip to New Zealand should include a visit to the spectacular Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, and today's private Fly-Cruise-Fly option from Queenstown takes you to the heart of the Fiordland region and back in half a day. Your scenic flight from Queenstown will soar over the rugged backcountry of Central Otago, offering views of alpine lakes, lush rainforest, rugged snowcapped mountains, and the glacially carved valleys of Milford Sound / Piopiotahi and Fiordland National Park.
Once at Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, you'll board an intimate and immersive two-hour cruise and simply relax while taking in the passing scenery of Mitre Peak, cascading waterfalls, towering cliffs, and native animals. If you're lucky, you'll spot seals basking in the sun, dolphins leaping, and sometimes the rare Fiordland crested penguins. After soaking up nature from the water, you'll fly back to town via a different, no less scenic route.
If you're still looking for more adventure this afternoon, hike the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand's most renowned trails. Tackling this 20-mile (32 km) track takes a few days, so you'll experience just a part of it with a 4.5-hour guided hike. Enjoy the landscapes of Fiordland National Park and Mount Aspiring National Park and the sound of rivers, waterfalls, and native birds as you hike, then return to your Queenstown retreat to soothe your muscles in the lakeside Jacuzzi.Day 10: Glenorchy 4WD Safari, Half-Day Wine Sampler
This morning you'll traverse the countryside searching for the filming locations that brought Tolkien's Middle-earth to the big screen on a Glenorchy 4WD safari. Today's off-road adventure will give you the chance to experience the otherworldly panoramic landscapes as you follow one of the South Island's most scenic drives. Look outside your window for brilliant views of the Southern Alps, and enjoy the ride as you explore "The Lord of the Rings" filming locations such as Isengard, Ithilien Camp, Lothlórien, Fangorn Forest, and the Battle of Amon Hen.
Afterward, return to town and join a half-day visit to four of Central Otago's best cellar doors, including a stop at the famous Gibbston Valley underground wine cave. With the help of your charismatic wine guide and knowledgeable cellar staff, you'll sample over 18 cool-climate wines, pausing at a vineyard for a scrumptious lunch partway. As you travel between vineyards in a luxury Mercedes van, you'll learn about the local region, its stories, facts, and legends.
Day 11: Drive to Aoraki / Mount Cook, Scenic Flight & High Altitude Whisky Bar
Make your way north today to the village of Aoraki / Mount Cook, which sits at the base of its namesake mountain. The 3.5-hour drive winds through the heart of the South Island, over the pastoral Canterbury Plains. New Zealand's highest peak measures 12,315 feet (3,754 m) and is known by the Māori title Aoraki, which means "Cloud Piercer." The mountain is one of over 20 peaks in the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Check into the high-end Mount Cook Lakeside Retreat, set on 163 acres (66 ha) on the shores of Lake Pukaki, where you'll stay in a private villa with windows that frame views of the snow-topped Ben Ohau Range, furnished in farm-chic style with vaulted wooden ceilings and fireplaces. After settling in, get your bearings with a short flight over the mountain-studded landscape of Aoraki / Mount Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks. Fly over 124 miles (200 km) of New Zealand's most astounding scenery, from topaz lakes to fields of golden tussock, winding rivers, and deep glacial valleys.
Later, you'll take a private helicopter trip from Lake Tekapo to The Bad Decision Hut, enjoying views of the Southern Alps and glittering glaciers along the way. This alpine shelter, perched on a mountain saddle at 6,800 feet (2,072 m), is the world's highest-altitude whisky hut. Take in the 360-degree mountain scenery as you savor a dram or two from the bar's extensive selection before returning via private helicopter for a relaxing evening at your lakeside sanctuary.
Day 12: Tasman Lake Kayaking, Glacier Ski Plane & Helicopter Adventure
After a tasty breakfast, dress up warmly and go to Tasman Lake, the terminal lake of the Haupapa / Tasman Glacier, for the kayaking adventure of a lifetime. Paddling beneath the towering mountains, with views out to the glaciers and Aoraki / Mount Cook, you'll get up close to some pretty impressive icebergs—you may even see one calving. Your kayak is fitted with an outrigger for stability, but this isn't a trip for complete rookies, and some prior experience is necessary. If you'd prefer a more sedate experience, you can also opt for a cruise of the lake.
Later today, step aboard a thrilling ski plane and helicopter flight to get the chance to stand on the mighty Haupapa / Tasman Glacier itself. The journey through the mountains is spectacular, passing wonders like the magnificent 3,200-foot (1,000 m) Hochstetter Icefall. It culminates with a snow landing atop the glacier, where you can take in the vast ice fields and complete quiet before heading back down the mountain.
Day 13: Drive to Christchurch, Māori Cultural Walking Tour
Rise early to make your way back to Christchurch. Leaving in the morning gives you plenty of time to stop in Lake Tekapo, the first of the large Southern Lakes, along the four-hour drive. Take a photograph of the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, then continue through Burkes Pass and pass more of the sweeping Canterbury Plains on the approach into Christchurch. Your destination for the night is the opulent Otahuna Lodge, which lies 20 minutes outside the city in rural Taitapu. Built in 1895, this stately home belonged to Canterbury pioneer Sir Heaton Rhodes and is now a Category One listed building.
Settle into your elegantly restored suite, which features Queen Anne architecture and fine New Zealand timber, then head out for a private Māori cultural walking tour of the city. Over 75 minutes, you'll discover the rich history of Ōtautahi (Christchurch) as your guide shares stories of their ancestors' settlement in Ōtautahi, taking you on a tour past the city's landmark attractions and hidden historical treasures. Listen to Māori creation stories and tales of early settlers, and explore the city's vibrant laneways and along its tranquil riverside.
Day 14: Depart Christchurch
It's your final morning in New Zealand! If you have time before departure, go for a final wander around Christchurch and reflect on a brilliant two weeks exploring the South Island. When the time is right, drive to Christchurch airport with enough time to return the rental car before your flight home or onward. Safe travels!
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