SOUTH ISLAND SHORT TOUR EXPERIENCES

SOUTHERN SCENIC ROUTE

8 NIGHT SELF-DRIVE SHORT TOUR

historic cities • wilderness & wildlife • full day tour of Milford Sound

DAY 1 Dunedin

On arrival collect your car and make your own way to your hotel . Surrounded by dramatic hills and at the foot of a long , picturesque harbour , Dunedin is one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere .

DAY 2 Dunedin / Owaka

Before leaving , perhaps visit Larnach Castle , see the ornate Dunedin Railway Station or head to the Otago Peninsula to see rare yellow-eyed penguins . Later , drive on to the largest town in the Catlins , Owaka , whose name means ‘ the place of canoes ’ ( 68 miles ).

DAY 3 Owaka

A day to get out and about . Attractions include picturesque Purakaunui Falls and Pounawea , a great place for bird watching . Wonderful wildlife and sensational views await at Nugget Point , while nearby Surat and Cannibal Bays are great places to spot seals .

DAY 4 Owaka / Invercargill

Drive across to Invercargill , New Zealand ’ s southernmost city and whose Victorian , Edwardian and Art Deco heritage buildings give it a charming old-world feel ( 82 miles ).

DAY 5 Invercargill / Stewart Island

Make your way to Bluff for the ferry that takes you across to Stewart Island , whose name in Maori language means ‘ the land of glowing skies ’, as it ’ s often possible to see the Aurora Australis in these southern skies ( 16 miles land only ).

DAY 6 Stewart Island

Over 85 % of the island is national park , so you ’ ll find ample walking tracks to experience much of its wild beauty . The island is also a haven for brown kiwi , and offshore on Ulva Island is a predator-free bird sanctuary with dozens of native species .

DAY 7 Stewart Island / Te Anau Return to the mainland and drive on to Te Anau ( 111 miles ).

DAY 8 Te Anau

Join a small group guided tour to Milford Sound with a two hour nature cruise on the fjord , with views of waterfalls and wildlife . You ’ ll enjoy fun , informative commentary from your guide and plenty of off-the-beaten-track visits away from the crowds .

DAY 9 Te Anau / Queenstown

Drive on to Queenstown where your tour concludes as you return your car . Alternatively , why not extend your stay in New Zealand ’ s adventure playground ?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Departures : Daily . Accommodation : 4H ^PLUS Distinction Dunedin ; 3H Catlins Mohua Park , Owaka ; 3H ^PLUS Quest Invercargill ; 3H ^PLUS Stewart Island Lodge & 3H Distinction Luxmore , Te Anau . Meals : Room only . Continental breakfast included on days 6-7 . Lunch included on day 8 .

Tour price : The price shown includes 9 days compact car hire , accommodation , return ferry to and from Stewart Island , and Milford Sound tour on day 8 .

136 NEW ZEALAND

WHALES & WILDERNESS

6 NIGHT SELF-DRIVE SHORT TOUR

spot whales in Kaikoura • sip world-famous wine • enjoy the great outdoors

DAY 1 Christchurch / Kaikoura

Collect your hire car and get your tour underway as you drive north , following the coast , up to the picturesque coastal town Kaikoura ( 112 miles ).

DAY 2 Kaikoura

A perfect base for wildlife experiences of all kinds , with whales , fur seals and dolphins living permanently in the coastal waters . Whale watching trips leave the town several times a day and the local seal colony is always entertaining . The town itself has plenty of shops , cafés and restaurants , with crayfish a particular feature on many menus .

DAY 3 Kaikoura / Blenheim

Continue to wind your way northwards and head for Blenheim , which lies in the heart of wine-growing Marlborough ( 80 miles ).

DAY 4 Blenheim

In and around Blenheim you ’ ll find an array of cafés , restaurants , wineries , bars , shops , artisan food outlets and golf courses along with popular walkways along the Taylor River Reserve . Within driving distance of the town , are more than 30 wineries and most of them welcome visitors for sampling sessions and cellar door sales .

DAY 5 Blenheim / Marlborough Sounds

Perhaps stock up with some delicious local produce to take home before you head on to Picton , where you ’ ll catch a boat through the scenic waterways of the Marlborough Sounds to Punga Cove ( 16 miles land only ).

DAY 6 Marlborough Sounds

Punga Cove is ideally placed for exploring part of the Queen Charlotte Track , which takes you through lush native bush with many scenic sea views along the way . Alternatively , why not hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard for some time out on the water .

DAY 7 Marlborough Sounds / Christchurch

Take the return ferry back to Picton and then proceed onwards to Christchurch where your tour concludes . Alternatively , why not extend your tour and stay a few days in this beautiful city ?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Departures : Daily . Accommodation : 4H Sudima Kaikoura ; 4H ^PLUS Chateau Marlborough , Blenheim &

3H ^PLUS Punga Cove Resort , Marlborough Sounds . Meals : Room only .

Tour price : The price shown includes 7 days compact car hire , accommodation and return boat transfer for Punga Cove .

visit your local travel agent or call 08444 937 900