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:
16-
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Southern Spotlight" tour and explore the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand's South Island. Begin your journey in Christchurch, a city reborn with innovative architecture, before venturing through the stunning Canterbury Plains to the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo. Discover the Victorian charm of Oamaru and the Scottish heritage of Dunedin, then immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Fiordland National Park. Experience the thrill of Queenstown, the adventure capital, and relax on a scenic cruise through Milford Sound. Traverse the picturesque lakes and orchards en route to Franz Josef, where you can marvel at the majestic glacier. Conclude your adventure with a ride on the TranzAlpine train, offering panoramic views of the Southern Alps. With comfortable accommodations and expert guides, this tour promises an unforgettable exploration of New Zealand's cultural and natural wonders.
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
On your city tour view the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. 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
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
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. 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
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
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 two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
The tour includes a specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide to enhance your travel experience.
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1 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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Comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centres
The tour provides comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centres.
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National Park entrance fees
Entrance fees to national parks are included in the tour.
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Quality accommodation
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort, including Wyndham Garden, Heritage Gateway Hotel, Scenic Hotel Dunedin City, Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Copthorne Hotel and Resort, and Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier.
What's Not Included
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Flights to and from the start/end of your trip
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
Swap snow for pounamu (native greenstone or jade) in Hokitika. In Maori tradition, it’s bad luck to buy this sacred stone for yourself; flutter your eyelids at your loved one. 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.
Accommodation
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort. The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes: Wyndham Garden, Heritage Gateway Hotel, Scenic Hotel Dunedin City, Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on the Southern Spotlight tour?
The Southern Spotlight tour includes a range of quality accommodations for your comfort, such as Wyndham Garden, Heritage Gateway Hotel, Scenic Hotel Dunedin City, Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Copthorne Hotel and Resort, and Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier.
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Are flights included in the Southern Spotlight tour package?
Flights to and from the start and end of the trip are not included in the trip price. You should arrange flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Christchurch Airport on Day 1 and can depart any time from Christchurch Airport on Day 9.
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What is the fitness level required for the Southern Spotlight tour?
The tour requires a low level of fitness, making it accessible for most travelers.
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What unique experiences are included in the Southern Spotlight tour?
The tour includes unique experiences such as a city tour of Christchurch, an Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo, a cruise on Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, and a ride on the TranzAlpine train with panoramic views.
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What should I pack for the Southern Spotlight tour?
It is recommended to pack a water bottle, warm layers for cooler months, a camera, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat.
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Is there any free time during the Southern Spotlight tour?
Yes, on Day 6 in Queenstown, you have free time to explore at your own pace, whether you prefer adventure activities or nature exploration.
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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 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 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 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.