22 Day Both Islands Family

Enjoy today at leisure. You may wish to drive up Mount Victoria or ride the Cable Car to get some magnificent views over this pretty city. You may wish to simply walk around Oriental Bay, visit Te Papa Museum of New Zealand or visit one of the many fine restaurants.

Today you will travel across Cook Strait, the stretch of water that separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The journey across Cook Strait has a dramatic beauty all of its own. Both islands can be viewed, including the magnificent Kaikoura ranges and there is often the chance to see wildlife such as seabirds, dolphins, seals, whales and orca.

On arrival in Picton, collect your new rental car and make your way past vineyards and wineries until you reach Blenheim, Marlborough.

Travel through vineyards and rolling hillsides to the seaside settlement of Kaikoura. If arriving at Kaikoura early, we recommend purchasing tickets to join a Whale Watching Cruise for the ultimate marine experience or simply visit one of the many spectacular lookouts over Kaikoura Peninsular. Continue driving until you reach Christchurch – the Garden City.

Journey towards New Zealand’s highest mountain as you head south through the picturesque town of Geraldine and across the Canterbury Plains. Be sure you make a photo stop at Lake Tekapo, a beautiful turquoise coloured lake and visit the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of the lake. This is one of the most photographed churches in the world made of stone and sand from around the lake. Mt Cook is Australasia’s highest mountain at 3724 metres.

The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery and is also home to the Tasman Glacier, the longest in the Southern hemisphere. A total scenic highlight, you may wish to see Mt Cook from above by taking an optional scenic flight. Alternatively, you may wish to visit one of the many walking tracks to embrace the enormous peaks.

Continue your journey south today as you travel through the towns of Twizel, Omarama, and Oamaru, before arriving in the vibrant, Scottish heritage city.

Explore Dunedin today, also known as the Edinburgh of the South. Founded by Scottish settlers, Dunedin in a vibrant, architecturally splendid city framed by a magnificent harbour and gateway to an arresting hinterland. Visit Larnach Castle & Gardens and learn of its rich history that dates back to 1871. Enjoy the evening at leisure to visit one of the many restaurants or experience a brewery tour.

Bid farewell to Dunedin this morning as you travel through the rolling hills of South Otago and Southland on your way to Te Anau. Make a stop in Gore along the way, a small-town home to country music and fly fishing. Upon arrival into Te Anau, check-in to your hotel for the next two nights.

Drive through native rainforest and glacier carved valleys as you make your way along Milford Road. Once you have arrived at Milford Sound, board your Cruise Milford cruise and see the fiord in all its glory. Witness cascading waterfalls and towering mountains as you experience New Zealand’s ultimate natural attraction.

Make your way north the adventure capital of the world today, Queenstown. Enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure to explore this lakeside town set against a backdrop of majestic alpine scenery.

Prepare for an action-packed Jet Boat adventure on the spectacular Shotover River today. Experience thrills, spins & speeds of up to 95kph.

This evening, board one of New Zealand’s oldest steamships, the TSS Earnslaw, and enjoy a leisurely cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak where you will enjoy a sumptuous gourmet BBQ dinner.

Travel through the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown and travel over the Crown Range before arriving in Wanaka. Wander this popular lakeside township before travelling through Haast Pass and the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park, before finishing your drive in Franz Josef.

You may wish to add a night in Wanaka to allow for additional time.

Embark on a journey across the Lake and into the sheltered bays of the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary. Enjoy the views and wildlife from the boat then disembark on the far shore for your guided walk through our magical rainforest trail into the Kiwi Sanctuary! The rainforest trail is designed to take you on a walk through another time, Jurassic rainforest, abundant bird life and home to the rarest Kiwi on the planet – the Rowi! Your guide will point out the birds and tell you all about the flora, fauna and kiwi conservation in the region. You may even get to try some edible native plants!

The rest of the day is yours to explore. You may wish to explore the glacier by guided walk, heli-hike or simply travel by helicopter for a once in a lifetime snow landing on top of the glacier.

Enjoy a leisurely morning as you make your way up to Greymouth, where you will return your rental car and board the TranzAlpine for a one-way journey through the alpine scenery of Arthur’s Pass, ending in Christchurch. Upon arrival in the ‘Garden City’ you will be transferred to your accommodation for your final night in New Zealand.

Please note: Due to the TranzAlpine schedule, this package will only be available to book Friday to Monday from 14 May 27 – 02 July 27.

Upon check-out, you will be transferred to Christchurch International Airport where you will check-in for your return flight to Australia.