Southern Spotlight
Southern Spotlight
$3655
Southern Spotlight
9 Days Starting and ending in Christchurch, New Zealand
Visiting: Christchurch, Dunedin, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park, Queenstown, Franz Josef
Tour operator:
Tour code:
LCQR24
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
0-
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the Southern Spotlight adventure tour and explore the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand's South Island. This escorted journey begins and ends in Christchurch, taking you through iconic destinations like Fiordland National Park, Dunedin, Queenstown, and Franz Josef. Experience the stunning TranzAlpine train ride and enjoy seamless travel with a dedicated Travel Director and Driver Guide. Stay in comfortable accommodations with easy access to city centers, including renowned hotels in Christchurch, Omarama, and Queenstown. Highlights include a cruise through Milford Sound, a visit to the Victorian heritage town of Oamaru, and a gourmet barbecue dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm. With a focus on sustainable travel, this tour supports the preservation of New Zealand's natural wonders for future generations. Enjoy the flexibility of free time in Queenstown, known as the adventure capital, and savor the local cuisine with included breakfasts and dinners.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Garden
Since its 2010/11 earthquakes, Christchurch has reinvented itself in more ways than one. It's time tonight to meet your travelling companions for a Welcome Reception.
Day 2: Christchurch - Omarama
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation Name: Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Christchurch is not only rebuilding itself after the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes, but is changing the way architects think about design. Case in point the mind-bending Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold clad central library. You will view these on your city tour. From here, your outlook is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. Your Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo, hosted by passionate guides, will forever change the way you see the night sky. You'll see for yourself it may be one of the quietest spots on the planet, yet it has one of the busiest skies in the universe.
Day 3: Omarama - Dunedin
Location: Dunedin
Accommodation Name: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City
Oamaru, with its Victorian heritage buildings, stands proud before you journey further south toward the Edinburgh of the South: Dunedin. It’s easy to while away the afternoon in the city’s atmospheric art-lined alleys. Or venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country – fur seals among them. Thirsty? Visit Speight's Brewery, a New Zealand institution.
Day 4: Dunedin - Te Anau
Location: Te Anau
Accommodation Name: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Dunedin’s Scottish ancestry is everywhere you look, from the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city’s main George Street. Rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep are replaced by soaring mountains as you weave your way into Fiordland National Park and the South Island’s biggest lake and the town of Te Anau. Soak up the serenity – it doesn’t get any better than this.
Day 5: Te Anau - Queenstown
Location: Fiordland National Park
Accommodation Name: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown
From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and mirror-like lakes. Gin-clear rivers carve the countryside, with all roads leading to your Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour. Cruising this World Heritage listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments.
Day 6: Queenstown Free Time
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown
Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Skippers Jet, perhaps. There’s a reason why Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the country. Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand’s feathered friends at a wildlife centre. Wherever you wander, make sure you’re back in time to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner.
Day 7: Queenstown - Franz Josef/Waiau
Location: Franz Josef
Accommodation Name: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Meals Included: Dinner
Try and keep count of today’s lakes. Leaving Lake Wakatipu behind, Arrowtown appears on the horizon. We know you’ll want to linger in the movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques. But Lake Dunstan awaits, as do its orchards. Pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. Then there’s Lake Hawea followed by Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass to the town of Franz Josef, where, this afternoon you may choose to fly over Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere.
Day 8: Franz Josef/Waiau - Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Garden
Swap snow for pounamu (native greenstone or jade) in Hokitika. Just when you thought your adventure couldn’t get any better, you’ll aboard the TranzAlpine train bound for Christchurch, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys.
Day 9: Farewell From Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
New Zealand’s South Island never fails to wow. We hope you find the words to describe this epic New Zealand tour to your family back home.
What's Included
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Specialist team of Travel Director and Driver Guide
Your journey includes the expertise of a specialist team consisting of a highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide.
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UNESCO World Heritage Site - Fiordland National Park
The tour includes a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fiordland National Park.
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National Park entrance fees
Entrance fees to national parks are included in the tour.
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TranzAlpine train ride
Experience the iconic TranzAlpine train ride, known for its scenic cross-country journey.
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Comfortable coach travel
Enjoy comfortable coach travel between destinations, ensuring a seamless and scenic journey.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from the start and end of your trip are not included in the trip price.
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Personal items and expenses
Personal items such as water bottles, warm layers in cooler months, cameras, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel through New Zealand's stunning landscapes with a specialist team of a Travel Director and Driver Guide. Experience the iconic TranzAlpine train ride, and enjoy comfortable coach travel between destinations, ensuring a seamless and scenic journey.
Accommodation
Enjoy comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centres, including stays at the Wyndham Garden in Christchurch, Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel in Omarama, Scenic Hotel Dunedin City, Distinction Luxmore Hotel in Te Anau, Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown, and Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier.
Dining Summary
- 8 Full Breakfast (B)
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 1 Highlight Dinner (HD)
- 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
Fitness Requirement
- Low level of fitness required
Flexible Holidays
- Queenstown is home to more than 150 bars and restaurants. If you don’t know where to look, ask your Travel Director for recommendations. Enjoy downtime at your own pace.
Flight information
- Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price. Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Christchurch AirportDay 9 – flights to depart any time from Christchurch Airport
Iconic Sites
- The TranzAlpine train ride has been described as one of the most scenic cross-country jaunts in the world. But don’t take our word for it…
Natural Wonders
- The West Coast, or 'the Coast' as locals call it, is an untamed natural wilderness of rivers and rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures.
What to Bring
- Water bottle Warm layers in cooler months Camera Comfortable walking shoes Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is provided during the Southern Spotlight tour?
The tour includes travel through New Zealand's stunning landscapes with a specialist team of a Travel Director and Driver Guide. You will experience the iconic TranzAlpine train ride and enjoy comfortable coach travel between destinations, ensuring a seamless and scenic journey.
-
What type of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
You will enjoy comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centres. The tour includes stays at the Wyndham Garden in Christchurch, Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel in Omarama, Scenic Hotel Dunedin City, Distinction Luxmore Hotel in Te Anau, Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown, and Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier.
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Are there any UNESCO World Heritage Sites included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes a visit to Fiordland National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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What is the fitness requirement for the Southern Spotlight tour?
A low level of fitness is required for this tour.
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What meals are included in the Southern Spotlight tour?
The tour includes 8 full breakfasts, 3 dinners, 1 highlight dinner, and 1 farewell dinner.
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What is the highlight of the Queenstown free day?
During the free day in Queenstown, you can choose to experience high-octane activities like the Skippers Jet or explore a wildlife centre. In the evening, you can enjoy a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm after gliding across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw.
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What unique experience is offered at Lake Tekapo?
At Lake Tekapo, you will have an Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience hosted by passionate guides, which will change the way you see the night sky.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It is important to adhere to departure times while on tour for the comfort of everyone on-board, and to make sure no one misses out on the planned experiences. The coach will not be able to wait for you, and in some instances, if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to re-join the tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays have competitive single supplement rates available if you prefer to confirm your own room. Or we can match you to share with a guest of the same gender at no extra cost. If we fail to match you, we will accommodate you in a single room at no extra cost.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 100 years
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
We will email your documents to you approximately four weeks before your departure date provided you have completed your pre trip registration using the My Travel Portal. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, your documents will be emailed directly to your agent.
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Low Deposit
AAT Kings requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of aat kings charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.