SOUTH ISLAND with PREMIER HOLIDAYS
Here ’ s just a few ideas to consider : -
TOURING
Be sure to read over the itineraries of our escorted or self-drive tours ( see pages 126- 129 ). If you prefer to plot your own route , that ’ s not a problem either . Choose from our excellent range of touring hotels ( see pages 131-137 ) and short tour experiences , as well as our Christchurch Highlights tour ( see page 131 ).
UNMISSABLE EXPERIENCES
All holiday time is precious , so why waste it when you ’ re there ? Pre-book some of our unmissable experiences and you know that you ’ ll not miss a thing ( see below & page 130 ).
MIX & MATCH
Take in the best bits of South Island then fl y or catch the ferry to North Island . We have several tours combing both or we can create a bespoke tailor-made trip . Perhaps add in a stay in Australia too , or after touring include a few days at a dreamy beach in the South Pacifi c .
GETTING THERE Christchurch is about 26 hours from the UK ( with a stop ). Queenstown and Dunedin also have international airports , while other island areas have domestic airports or are within an easy drive .
Tasman Sea
Mount Aspiring NP Wanaka
Milford Sound Fiordland NP
Doubtful Sound Te Anau
STEWART ISLAND
SOUTH ISLAND
Franz Josef Fox Glacier
Aoraki / Mount Cook NP
Queenstown
Invercargill
Punakaiki Greymouth Hokitika
Twizel Omarama
Lake Tekapo
Otago Peninsula Dunedin
Abel Tasman NP Nelson
Arthur ’ s Pass NP
Timaru
Omaru
South Pacific Ocean
Marlborough Sounds
Picton Cook Stait Marlborough Blenheim
Kaikoura Hanmer Springs
Christchurch
Marlborough Sounds
Fox Glacier
UNMISSABLE SOUTH ISLAND EXPERIENCES Get more out of your stay . Prices are per person
GLOWWORM CAVES from £ 61
This two hour tour from Te Anau begins with a cruise across beautiful Lake Te Anau . Discover fossils and rock formations , view waterfalls and whirlpools as well as thousands of tiny glowworms . Also enjoy a 15 minute walk into the forest . Minimum age 5 years .
JETBOAT RIDE from £ 66
Prepare for an hour of thrills , spins and exhilaration starting with Lake Wakatipu before zooming over the Kawarau Dam onto the deep green waters of the Kawarau River . Finally , navigate the fastmoving currents of Shotover River . Available from Queenstown . Minimum age 5 years .
WHALE WATCH EXPERIENCE from £ 92
During this 3½ hour tour from Kaikoura , you may encounter fur seals , pods of dusky dolphins and the endangered wandering albatross . You may also see migrating humpback whales , pilot whales , blue whales and southern right whales . Minimum age 3 years .
Blenheim
MILFORD SOUND CRUISE from £ 115 ( includes picnic lunch ) Travel from Te Anau and along Lake Wakatipu to Milford Sound , stopping enroute for short walks and photo opportunities . At Milford Sound , cruise past sheer cliff faces and cascading waterfalls , keeping watch for seals , dolphins and more . Also available from Queenstown .
MARLBOROUGH ICONS from £ 138 ( includes lunch & wine tastings ) A full day tour from Blenheim visiting two wineries in the morning for two fine wine experiences . In the afternoon , enjoy a cruise through the Marlborough Sounds , which includes a seafood tasting matched to a glass of Sauvignon Blanc .
DOUBTFUL SOUND WILDERNESS CRUISE from £ 181
Travel by coach from Te Anau to Manapouri , where you then cruise to West Arm . Continue by coach to Deep Cove where you board a catamaran for your wilderness cruise of Doubtful Sound . View waterfalls , rainforest and mountains , plus if you ’ re lucky , you ’ ll see seals and dolphins too . Minimum age 5 years .
FOX & FRANZ JOSEF TWIN GLACIER FLIGHT from £ 234
On this 30 minute flight from Fox Glacier , explore the glacial icefalls of two glaciers . Discover up close their unusual ice formations plus landing on the snowfields is a highlight ! Minimum age 4 years .
MOUNT COOK SPECTACULAR from £ 319
This 40 minute helicopter flight from Fox Glacier is sure to thrill . Cross the Southern Alps spine and circle the peak of Mount Cook before a spectacular glacier landing . Minimum age 4 years .
www . premierholidays . co . uk NEW ZEALAND 125