Discover the South Island’s immense natural beauty and historic landmarks by driving through unspoiled parkland, exploring gold-rush towns, cruising to Walter Peak and even visiting a glow worm cave.
DAY 1
Disembark the in ship in Dunedin and meet your guide. Dunedin, the South Island’s second largest city, was settled by a Scottish contingent and as such, the city proudly celebrates its Scottish heritage, fondly being referred to as the Edinburgh of the South. The city has a large number of fine Edwardian stone buildings, including the stunning Railway Station and is also blessed with a generous green belt and beautiful harbor which adds to the city’s appeal. Your tour begins with a drive through this historic and scenic town.
Continuing on from Dunedin, travel through the countryside and past a string of beautiful little towns.
From jaw dropping views and quaint villages to something to tantalize the taste buds, there is just enough time to squeeze in a wine tasting and lunch at one of the local wineries. The Central Otago region has been rated amongst the top three in the world for Pinot Noir as well as being lauded for its Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay varieties.
Next you will visit Arrowtown which is a living historic settlement with many stories to tell. Spend some time in the excellent museum or wandering the tree-lined streets filled with restored cottages and explore gold mining sites.
Leaving Arrowtown, we drive the scenic back road into Queenstown where you may have some free time to explore the town.
In the evening, you will get a taste of just what makes Queenstown so special as you board the TSS Earnslaw, a 112 year-old steamship. Cruise to the Walter Peak Station on the opposite side of the lake to one of New Zealand’s most famous high-country sheep stations. The group will dine on a gourmet barbecue dinner in the original homestead and get a taste of farm life as you watch sheep shearers and sheep dogs in action. Shopping is also possible at Walter Peak. Items available may include wool products and possum/merino blended clothing such as gloves, hats and scarves.
The Earnslaw, fondly dubbed ‘The Lady of the Lake’ will then return you to town for the night.
Overnight in Queenstown, a year-round resort town on the shores of Lake Wakatipu fringed by majestic mountain ranges.
DAY 2
After breakfast depart for Te Anau following the scenic east side of Lake Whakatipu and passing through the small rural, settlements of Kingston, Garston, Athol, and Mossburn.
When we arrive in Te Anau, you will board a boat this time for a journey across Lake Te Anau, and after arriving at the western shore will go underground where you will enter a magical network of caves lit by hundreds of tiny glow-worms. A picnic lunch will be served as part of this trip.
NOTE: Inside the caves the temperature is a fairly constant 8 - 12º Celsius, so bring a warm sweater or fleece jacket. At the entrance to the caves there is a large rock overhang and bending is required to pass this section.
There are steps and often the walkways are wet, so care is required in the subdued light. For this reason, this tour is not suitable for guests who utilize a wheelchair or for those with walking difficulties.
Photography and video filming are not permitted inside the cave.
Rated amongst the most spectacular drives in the world, the coach trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound will give you a real appreciation of the drama and sheer size of the 1.2 million-hectare Fiordland National Park.
Equally as inspiring is the manmade wonder of The Homer tunnel through which the group will travel. Forging through sheer rock with a gradient of 1 in 10, the project was started in 1935 by five men using only picks and wheelbarrows. Due to the extreme working conditions, avalanches and the intervention of World War 2, the job wasn’t finally finished until 1954.
Finally, the group arrives in Milford Sound and will be whisked by ferry back to the awaiting ship. Guests will re-board the ship via the tender platform.
Land Program Step by Step:
Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details and the timings indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
Day 1
8:30am Port Chalmers for a brief Dunedin city tour
1:30pm Arrive at Kinross for lunch and wine tasting
3:15pm Depart for Arrowtown for a short stroll through the town and museum visit
4:45pm Arrive at your Queenstown Hotel to check in and free time
5:20pm Arrive Queenstown hotel to check in and free time
6:30pm Meet in the hotel reception for your transfer to the Steamer Wharf and board TTS Earnslaw
7:00pm Earnslaw to Walter Peak
8:00pm Dinner and sheep show at Walter Peak
11:00pm Transfer back to hotel
Overnight at the Crown Plaza or similar hotel
Day 2
7:00am Enjoy breakfast and check out
8:30am Depart for Te Anau
11:00am Arrive at Te Anau
11:15am Board boat and cross the lake to visit the Glow Worm Caves. Picnic lunch on route
2:00pm Depart for Milford Sound
4:30pm Arrive Milford and tender to the ship from Milford Wharf
Expected Weather:
New Zealand's seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. The warmest months are December, January and February, while the coldest are in June, July and August. Regardless, on any given day the weather and temperature can change unexpectedly and sometimes dramatically. You should be prepared for that possibility, particularly if you are engaging in outdoor activities.
Summer in Queenstown means long sunny days and fresh alpine air. The months of December through February are summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Daytime temperatures reach between 20°C and 30°C (68-86 °F) and Queenstown’s 45° south latitude means that dawn is as early as 5am, while dusk settles around 10pm.
What to Bring:
Dress is informal and relaxed. In summer, bring a jacket and sweater in case the weather turns cooler or you visit higher altitudes. You can expect some rain, so also include a light rainproof jacket or coat. If visiting between May and September, pack warm winter garments and layer your clothing.
Local Currency:
New Zealand's unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$). All major credit cards can be used in New Zealand. Travelers Cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores. Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are widely available at banks, along main shopping streets and in malls. International credit cards and ATM cards will work as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded.
Electricity:
Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand at 230/240 volts, 50 hertz. Most hotels and motels provide 110 volts ac sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. Please note that power outlets only accept angled two or three pin Type I plugs (as also used in Australia) depending on whether an earth connection is fitted. We recommend bringing your own travel adaptor for electric devices.
Luggage information:
For this overnight, 1 suitcase per person should suffice
Documents and Visa Requirements:
Guests must take their passports with them on the overland tour.
Hotel addresses:
Crowne Plaza
93 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Phone: +64 3-441 0095
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
• Accommodation for 1 night at Crown Plaza (Lakeview room)
• Transportation by private vehicle with the services of an experienced English-Speaking driver and guide
• One breakfast, two lunches and one dinner (dinner and lunches include a choice of two glasses of house wine, local beer, soft drinks, bottled water, tea, coffee)
• All transfers, sightseeing and entrance fees as per program
• Local ferry tender back to the ship in Milford Sound
Program Excludes for guests:
• Wines (other than were included with meals), liquors, mineral waters, morning or afternoon teas, non-filtered coffee, telephone calls, laundry charges or any items of a personal nature
• Meals, other than those shown in the inclusions above
• Items of a personal nature e.g. room service, laundry, phone calls, etc
• Gratuities to drivers and guides
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing, hats, sunglasses, and flat comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.
Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
The Earnslaw, fondly dubbed ‘The Lady of the Lake’ will then return you to town for the night.
Overnight in Queenstown, a year-round resort town on the shores of Lake Wakatipu fringed by majestic mountain ranges.
DAY 2
After a leisurely breakfast there is time for a wander around Queenstown before taking the famous Skyline Gondola up the sheer cliffs to Bob’s Peak which has the best vantage point for viewing the lake, town and the rugged Remarkables Mountain range beyond.
On arrival in Te Anau you will stop for a picnic-style lunch before once again taking to the water, this time for a journey underground where you will enter a magical network of caves lit by hundreds of tiny glow-worms.
NOTE: Inside the caves the temperature is a fairly constant 8 - 12º Celsius, so bring a warm sweater or fleece jacket. At the entrance to the caves there is a large rock overhang and bending is required to pass this section.
There are steps and often the walkways are wet, so care is required in the subdued light. For this reason, this tour is not suitable for guests who utilize a wheelchair or for those with walking difficulties.
Photography and video filming are not permitted inside the cave.
Rated amongst the most spectacular drives in the world, the coach trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound will give you a real appreciation of the drama and sheer size of the 1.2 million-hectare Fiordland National Park.
Equally as inspiring is the manmade wonder of The Homer tunnel through which the group will travel. Forging through sheer rock with a gradient of 1 in 10, the project was started in 1935 by five men using only picks and wheelbarrows. Due to the extreme working conditions, avalanches and the intervention of World War 2, the job wasn’t finally finished until 1954.
Stop for a brief walk through the rain forest to view The Chasm, a natural extravaganza formed by the rushing waters of the Cleddau River gushing over the rocky formations.
Finally, the group arrives in Milford Sound and will be whisked by ferry back to the awaiting ship. Guests will re-board the ship via the tender platform.
Land Program Step by Step:
Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details and the timings indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
Day 1
9:00am Depart Dunedin
12:00pm Lunch in Clyde
1:00pm Depart for Kinross
2:00pm Kinross Wine Tasting
2:45pm Depart for Arrowtown – ¾ hour for a stroll
3:30pm Depart for Queenstown
4:00pm Drop at Queenstown Hotel
5:30pm Earnslaw to Walter Peak
6:30pm Dinner and sheep show at Walter Peak
9:30pm Transfer back to hotel
Overnight at the Heritage Queenstown or similar hotel
Day 2
8:00am Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a stroll around Queenstown
915am Depart for Skyline Gondola ride
9:30am Gondola ride
10:45am Depart Queenstown
1:00pm Arrive Te Anau and cross the lake to visit the Glow Worm Caves
3:45pm Depart for Milford Sound
6:00pm Arrive Milford and tender to the ship from Milford Wharf
Expected Weather:
New Zealand's seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. The warmest months are December, January, and February, while the coldest are in June, July, and August. Regardless, on any given day the weather and temperature can change unexpectedly and sometimes dramatically. You should be prepared for that possibility, particularly if you are engaging in outdoor activities.
Summer in Queenstown means long sunny days and fresh alpine air. The months of December through February are summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Daytime temperatures reach between 20°C and 30°C (68-86 °F) and Queenstown’s 45° south latitude means that dawn is as early as 5am, while dusk settles around 10pm.
What to Bring:
Dress is informal and relaxed. In summer, bring a jacket and sweater in case the weather turns cooler or you visit higher altitudes. You can expect some rain, so also include a light rainproof jacket or coat. If visiting between May and September, pack warm winter garments and layer your clothing.
Local Currency:
New Zealand's unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$). All major credit cards can be used in New Zealand. Travelers Cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores. Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are widely available at banks, along main shopping streets and in malls. International credit cards and ATM cards will work as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded.
Electricity:
Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand at 230/240 volts, 50 hertz. Most hotels and motels provide 110 volts ac sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. Please note that power outlets only accept angled two or three pin Type I plugs (as also used in Australia) depending on whether an earth connection is fitted. We recommend bringing your own travel adaptor for electric devices.
Luggage information:
For this overnight, 1 suitcase per person should suffice
Documents and Visa Requirements:
Guests must take their passports with them on the overland tour.
Hotel addresses:
Heritage Queenstown
91 Fernhill Road, Queenstown 9300
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
•Accommodation for 1 night at Heritage Queenstown (double room)
•Transportation by private vehicle with the services of an experienced English-Speaking driver-guide
•One breakfast, two lunches and one dinner (dinner and lunches include a choice of two glasses of house wine, local beer, soft drinks, bottled water, tea, coffee)
•All transfers, sightseeing and entrance fees as per program
•Local ferry tender back to the ship in Milford Sound
Program Excludes for guests:
•Wines (other than where included with meals), liquors, mineral waters, morning or afternoon teas, non-filtered coffee, telephone calls, laundry charges or any items of a personal nature
•Meals, other than those shown in the inclusions above
•Items of a personal nature e.g. room service, laundry, phone calls, etc
•Gratuities to drivers and guides
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing, hats, sunglasses, and flat comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.
Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
