Christchurch

 

Kia Ora! Meet up with your Contiki Crew in New Zealand’s most English city, Christchurch, before we hit the road and travel through MacKenzie Country. We’ll stop off to see the intense milky blue waters of glacially-fed Lake Tekapo. Kick start your tour with a spectacular optional glacier flight over Mt Cook, Australasia’s highest peak. With views over towering Mt Cook and a lakeside position, our overnight stay at Lake Ohau in a traditional ski lodge is all about its fantastic location. Tonight, get to know the other Contiki travellers, your Tour Manager and Driver over dinner. Then relax in the hot outdoor Jacuzzi, or play darts at the lodge bar. (D)

 

Following the Clutha River, our journey continues through the heart of former gold fields, past historic towns and more rugged landscapes. We travel deeper into the south through to Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage listed site. Get ready for the epic scenery of Milford Sound, where high mountains rise straight out of the sea and waterfalls pour down sheer cliffs into the deep, dark waters of the fjord. Get another angle on this natural wonder from the water when we board our overnight cruise and learn about this jaw-droppingly beautiful region from the on-board nature specialist. You’ll get a really good look around the area and up close to its more hidden spots. You can chill out and enjoy the scenery on deck or get out onto the water and have a go with the paddle, kayaking around secluded coves and inlets. Hopefully, you’ll get a chance to spot seals, dolphins, whales and penguins. Wrap up the day with dinner with the group on the boat, before settling into you cabin. (B/D)

 

It’s a great start to the day when you wake up to peaceful Milford Sound. Enjoy a full cooked breakfast and head back to the mainland before heading on to Arrowtown, the centre of Otago’s important gold-rush history. See old stone buildings and historic cottages that give this town its rustic charm. You can even give gold panning a try. On the way in to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, we stop at the famous bungy-jumping bridge in the gorgeous Kawarau gorge. It’s home to the original AJ Hackett bungy, the ground breaking site where the now famous bungy all started. There’s time to have a go yourself, if you’re keen. Queenstown is one high-energy destination that has something for everyone. From jet boat rides to fantastic local food, gorgeous countryside and the world’s most southern wineries, the list really is endless. Chill out tonight at our lakeside lodge. (B/D)

 

With two days here, you’ve got time to try out adrenaline-pumping activities, to take it easy with a glass of local wine or beer and of course, to party – something Queenstown in known for. If the season’s right, get into the alpine action and hit the slopes of some New Zealand’s best ski resorts over the next two days. Ski and board for 2 full days and explore what the Southern Hemisphere has to offer. Take off at your own pace or carve up the mountain with some friends. We can even organise ski equipment and lessons for you, so you don’t need to worry about a thing. Walk around the quaint town, hit the shops or head down to the lake for beautiful views of the surrounding mountain ranges, fittingly called The Remarkables. Board the old steam boat, the TSS Earnslaw, for a lake cruise and see it all from the water. For adrenaline junkies, there’s bungy jumpy, sky diving, jet boating, canyon swinging and 4W-driving. In fact there are so many adventure activities in Queenstown that you couldn’t do them all in the 2 days if you tried. For those who like to keep their feet planted firmly on the ground, take an easy-going hike or push yourself with a tougher trail. Pumping at night, Queenstown is the place to hit some of New Zealand’s best bars and clubs. With cool cocktail bars, old-style pubs and plenty of clubs, there is so much to choose from. (B)

Relax on the coach, chat with friends and take in the stunning scenery as we head to the rugged West Coast. Leaving the golden grasslands, cliffs and hills of the Otago region behind us, we travel through Haast Pass. See the ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls that give this area its unique atmosphere. Then cruise past remote beaches and the coastal dunes of the West Coast before arriving in the Westland National Park, where lush bush land and glaciers almost reach the sea. Get physical and pull on your crampons, grab an ice-pick and head out onto the ice of either the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. On this optional activity, you’ll learn about how these glaciers came about with our professional Local Guides. Otherwise, you can get a bird’s eye view over these icy formations and sweeping vistas in an optional helicopter ride. (B/D)

 

Sticking to the untamed coastline, we stop in at the former gold rush town of Hokitika on the West Coast. It’s great for a look into a traditional Maori art. Watch authentic carvers work with New Zealand greenstone (jade) and learn about the importance of this stone. You could even pick up a piece to take home. We travel east through stunning Arthur’s Pass, following an old trade route. The dense native forest, alpine atmosphere and crystal clear rivers give the area its pioneer feel. Then it’s back into Christchurch. Your Tour Manager shows you Christchurch’s historic spots on an afternoon tour. See the English flavour Christchurch is famous for and take in the Anglican Cathedral on the central square, the old-style trams, wide boulevards and manicured gardens. There’s also the former university, which is now the happening Arts Centre. It’s busy with local arts and crafts stalls, cinemas and a theatre. In your free time, head straight out into town and uncover Christchurch’s up-and-coming quarter around High Street. Old brick lanes and alleys have been restored and are now packed with backroom bars, cool eateries, funky stores and cafes. Explore this area in a fun night out with your new friends. (B)