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Fiordland Navigator, Doubtful Sound

Best of New Zealand's South Island

13-day tailor-made self-drive & rail journey from £4,555 pp

Summary

Short description

A tailor-made road trip taking in the dramatic landscapes of New Zealand's South Island

Highlights

  • Explore the stunning fjord landscapes of Doubtful Sound on an overnight cruise
  • Board the TranzAlpine train for a spectacular journey across the Southern Alps
  • Take to the ice of the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers on a heli-hiking tour
  • Join a whale-watching tour in Kaikoura
  • Hit the adventure trail in Queenstown

In Brief

  • 2 Nights Christchurch
  • 2 Nights Franz Josef or Fox Glacier
  • 2 Nights Queenstown
  • 1 Night Doubtful Sound
  • 1 Night Wānaka
  • 1 Night Tekapo

About

Recommended for:
Best of holidays | City | Food & wine | National Parks | Natural world | Rail holidays | Self-drive | Wildlife

This is your chance to showcase New Zealand’s South Island finest highlights on a compact, self-drive tour. Beginning in the charminh city of Christchurch, you’ll head up the coast to Kaikoura before crossing the country on one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys – the TranzAlpine Express. Next, collect your hire car in Greymouth to explore the caves and crevasses of Fox Glacier, the peaks of Queenstown’s Remarkables, the majestic landscapes of Fiordland and the electric blue of luminous Lake Tekapo. Along the way you’ll enjoy everything from whale-watching tours to glacier heli hikes and an unforgettable overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound. If you've got more time, why not combine this itinerary with our Highlights of the North Island fly-drive?

Day by day itinerary

Days 1-2
UK/Christchurch

Begin your holiday in style with included airport lounge access, leaving you relaxed for your flight to Christchurch, which arrives on day three.

Day 3
Christchurch

Arrive into charming Christchurch and transfer to your hotel. It's long been regarded as New Zealand’s most ’English’ city, with its botanical gardens, weeping willows and summertime punting on the Avon River. For further respite, perhaps make a jaunt to next-door Arrowtown, a historic town that's still living off its mining town riches. 

Stay: Orari Bed and Breakfast (Superior) or The George (Deluxe)

Day 4
Kaikoura Whale Watch

Take a day trip to the whale-watching capital of New Zealand, Kaikoura, for our highly recommended tour. Every trip is a unique experience, and, as you head out on a purpose-built catamaran, complete with outside viewing deck and plasma screen displays, you'll look out for giant sperm whales, migratory humpbacks (Jun to Jul), orcas (Dec to Mar), fur seals, and both hector and dusky dolphins. That's not to mention mainland New Zealand’s largest variety of sea birds, including albatross, petrels and shearwaters. What's more, passenger numbers are kept to a minimum to ensure the best possible experience. Return to Christchurch after the tour. 

Stay: Orari Bed and Breakfast (Superior) or The George (Deluxe)

Meals: B

Days 5-6
Franz Josef or Fox Glacier

Transfer to Christchurch railway station to begin one of the world’s great scenic rail journeys. The TranzAlpine Train crosses the country from east to west, heading first through the patchwork farmland of the Canterbury Plains before crossing a series of spectacular viaducts and climbing into the snow-dusted  landscapes of the Southern Alps. After stopping at Arthur’s Pass, you’ll emerge from the Otira Tunnel and descend through subtropical rainforest past beautiful Lake Brunner, finally reaching Greymouth. Then, having collected your hire car, you'll drive down the coast to Fox Glacier (Superior) or Franz Josef (Deluxe) for an exhilarating heli-hike. These thrilling excursions combine a short scenic flight with a guided walk among the glaciers' caves, crevasses and blue-tinted pinnacles.

Stay: Distinction Fox Glacier Hotel (Superior) or Te Waonui Forest Retreat (Deluxe)

Meals: B

Days 7-8
Queenstown

Your destination today is Queenstown, set against a backdrop of the Remarkables mountain range and the deep blue of Lake Wakatipu. This is New Zealand at its adventurous and beautiful best, where everything from skydiving to winery visits make the most of the town's uniquely beautiful setting. It's also the gateway to one of the region's most spectacular walks, the Hollyford Track, which we can include on a guided three-day extension.

Stay: Browns Boutique Hotel (Superior) or Hotel St Moritz (Deluxe)

Meals: B

Day 9
Doubtful Sound

Following a short cruise across Lake Manapouri, two hours' drive from Queenstown, and a coach trip on the remote sub-alpine route over Wilmot Pass, you'll board the Fjordland Navigator for an overnight wilderness cruise amid the unspoilt beauty of Doubtful Sound. Your ship is purpose built for sailing New Zealand's fjords and offers spacious viewing decks, a comfortable dining room, a licensed bar and an observation lounge. As you travel, knowledgeable nature guides will point out the pod of resident dolphins, fur seals and rare penguins before you drop anchor in a sheltered cove. Here, you'll explore the dramatic coastline by kayak, tender boat or – for the brave – an icy swim. Warm back up with an indulgent three-course buffet dinner. Please note: the cruise does not operate during winter. 

Stay: Fjordland Navigator (Superior)

Meals: B D

Day 10
Wanaka

After a night spent marvelling at the twinkling night sky and a morning spent further exploring the fjord, disembark and make your way to Wanaka, a small town on the edge of a stunning lake surrounded by the towering peaks of the Southern Alps. Spend the day exploring this gateway to the spectacular glaciers of the Mount Aspiring National Park. It's a more relaxed side to Queenstown, with equal opportunities for skiing and walking.

Stay: Te Wanaka Lodge (Superior) or Edgewater Resort (Deluxe)

Meals: B

Day 11
Tekapo

Travel north towards Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest elevation. The peak’s permanent cover of snow and ice contrast vividly with the turquoise, glacier-fed lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, which stretch beneath its eastern flanks. Though surrounded by breathtaking scenery, Tekapo is little more than a roadside ribbon of buildings; its true draw is its setting. That said, you should certainly make the trip to the Church of the Good Shepherd. Overlooking the lake from a small raised platform, the tiny stone building was built as a memorial to the pioneers who opened up the region. Behind the rough-hewn Oamaru stone altar a square window perfectly frames the lake and surrounding hills and mountains.

Stay: Peppers Bluewater Resort (Superior) or Lake Tekapo Lodge (Deluxe)

Meals: B (Deluxe)

Days 12-13
Christchurch/UK

Return your hire car at Christchurch airport in time to catch your flight home, arriving the following day. Alternatively, extend your stay in New Zealand with a tour of the country's beautiful North Island.

Meals: B

Map

Pricing

Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.

Accommodation rating: Superior Deluxe

13-day tailor-made self-drive & rail journey
from £4,555 pp

Meet our experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7981 9996

Meet the team

Adjust your itinerary with our recommended extensions

Mt. Cook Grand Circle and Landing

Mt. Cook Grand Circle and Landing

On-the-day excursion

Can’t choose? This scenic flight showcases the best of the South Island’s dramatic alpine scenery, glaciers and all

Wings Over Whales

Wings Over Whales

On-the-day excursion

Take in the sheer size of both the world’s largest mammals and the South Island’s northeast coast on a whale watching flight

Abel Tasman Discovery

Abel Tasman Discovery

On-the-day excursion

Enjoy the best of both worlds as you explore the Abel Tasman National Park on a cruise and choice of walking trails

Milford Sound Return Flight & Cruise

Milford Sound Return Flight & Cruise

On-the-day excursion

Bookend a dwarfing cruise set against Milford Sound’s giant cliffs with sweeping aerial views of its raking geography

Stewart Island

Stewart Island

Three-day extension

Discover the unique wildlife and coastal geography of Stewart Island between catamaran cruises, scenic walks and island conservancy visits

Hollyford Track

Hollyford Track

Three-day extension

Ranging hikes, a wilderness boat ride and a scenic flight will bring you through the Fjordlands’ majestic scenery over three days suffixed by cosy lodge stays.

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7981 9996 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

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