home contact us about us specials |
|
8 day southern experience | back to itineraries index Day 1: Christchurch - Greymouth Depart Christchurch travelling east on State Highway 73 through Arthur's Pass National Park, a spectacular trip. The Park has a diverse landscape, with forests, waterfalls, snowy peaks, walkways and trails, and rare wildlife including the endangered and reclusive kiwi and the kea, the cheeky mountain parrot. Travellers may wish to stop and stretch their legs in the Park and choose from a variety of short walks that leave from the vicinity of Arthur's Pass village. Alternatively, take the TranzAlpine scenic train from Christchurch to Greymouth. The train arrives early afternoon and rental cars are available for pick-up in Greymouth. (Suggested Greymouth accommodation) Day 2: Greymouth - Franz Josef Day 3: Franz Josef - Wanaka Depart the Glaciers and continue south through Haast Pass to Wanaka. On the drive south to Haast, don't miss Lake Matheson's reflection of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman. Call in to the Visitor Centre at Haast Junction for information on other activities and attractions the area offers. The trip through Haast Pass is very rugged and scenic, so take the time to enjoy the scenery and stop along the way. The journey winds around the lakes of Hawea and Wanaka before arriving in Wanaka township mid-afternoon. Visit the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum where you can see a collection of flyable World War II fighter aircrafts, or Puzzling World where you can get lost in a world of jigsaw puzzles and a maze! Overnight in Wanaka. (Suggested Wanaka accommodation) Day 4: Wanaka - Queenstown Drive the short distance on State Highway 6 or over the newly sealed Crown Range road. Stop at the old goldmining village of Arrowtown for morning tea and a look through the shopping area. Spend the rest of the day and evening in Queenstown. There is always something to do in Queenstown, no matter what the season. In the summer as the temperatures rise, Queenstown's numerous waterways come into their own. Explore pristine waterways from a raft, canoe, jet boat, steam boat or sail boat. In autumn when the colours are vivid, Arrowtown throws its annual Autumn Festival. In winter, Queenstown and the surrounding region turn into an alpine playground with skiing and snowboarding opportunities everywhere as well as the annual Winter Festival. Finally in spring, skiers can enjoy spring snow conditions, the sailing is exciting and the Queenstown gardens are in full bloom. (Suggested Queenstown accommodation) Day 5: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau Leave Queenstown as early as possible - 7am is recommended as the day's journey, although scenic, is long. Travel to Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area and the largest national park in New Zealand. Milford Sound provides visitors with unequalled experiences of the natural beauty and wilderness of New Zealand. The road to Milford is a wonderful alpine drive. From Te Anau the road winds down the Eglington and Hollyford Valleys, then through the Homer Tunnel before being greeted by Mitre Peak towering from the glassy waters of Milford Sound (approximate driving time from Queenstown - five hours five minutes). Arrive around midday or early afternoon. One of the main activities at Milford Sound is a boat cruise(fiordland tour thumbs) the full length of the Sound to the Tasman Sea, stopping at various points of interest along the way to view waterfalls and marine life. Cruises leave from the main wharf at Milford Sound. (Suggested Te Anau accommodation) Day 6: Te Anau - Dunedin Travel on State Highway 94 until reaching State Highway 1 on the east coast. Travel north on State Highway 1 to Dunedin. Enroute to Dunedin stops could include the Hokonui Moonshine Museum, which reflects the social history of the time of this illicit industry, the Gore Historical Museum, sited in the Hokonui Heritage Centre, the Croydon Aircraft Company at the old Mandeville airfield, which specialises in restoring and repairing vintage planes, and the Gore Airforce Museum and Hokonui Pioneer Park, which capture what life would have been like in earlier years. Overnight in Dunedin. (Suggested Dunedin accommodation)
Travel north to Oamaru, only 1.5 hours' drive from Dunedin. Oamaru prospered from the gold discovered in Central Otago, and its restored whitestone historic precinct with Victorian shops and eateries is a perfect place to stop. Arrive in Christchurch late afternoon. On arrival visit the Christchurch & Canterbury Visitor Information Centre in Cathedral Square for evening activity options such as punting on the Avon River. Overnight in Christchurch. (Suggested Christchurch accommodation)
|
email: [email protected] phone: 61 7 3512 8100 fax: 61 7 3876 4645 | © TravelOnline Australia Pty Ltd |