Arrive Christchurch airport, collect your rental car and drive to hotel.

Hotel check in time 1400pm. Free at own leisure.

Christchurch city promises an eclectic mix of historic elegance and contemporary culture. As the gateway to the South Island, it's a must on any itinerary.

Enjoy admission to the International Antarctic Centre today for an icy insight into this astounding continent.
See, touch, feel and fall in love with Antarctica at the International Antarctic Centre where a slice of this astounding continent can be experienced. Brave an Antarctic storm, go off-road in a Hägglund Antarctic vehicle ride, befriend a husky sled dog and mingle with the little blue penguins. Experience Antarctica from all four dimensions and leave with a head full of knowledge and a heart full of love and inspiration. Just like the explorers before you.

Optional/Add on Activities: Christchurch Tram Dinner

Depart across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, through the spectacular scenery of Arthurs Pass National Park and on to the West Coast.  New Zealand’s rugged West Coast is a wild and untamed place known for its rivers, rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures.  Here, mighty rivers of solid white ice, relics of the world’s last ice-age, tumble down the rocky valleys.

Optional/Add on Activities: Zipline and Walk Combo

A full day at leisure ( Free & Easy) to explore this magnificent glacier region.

Visit Punakaiki Pancake Rocks or, for an absolute bucket list experience, add a scenic flight with a glacier landing and a thrilling hike to your itinerary. 

Named after Sir William Fox, New Zealand’s Prime Minister from 1869 to 1872, Fox Glacier describes both the glacier and the nearby village. To see the glacier, you can walk to the terminal face, arrange an ice-hiking adventure or book a sightseeing flight. Close to Fox Glacier is beautiful Lake Matheson, one of the most photographed lakes in New Zealand. On a clear day it reflects Mount Cook. Fox Glacier township has a good range of shops and eateries.

Franz Josef Glacier was first explored in 1865 by geologist Julius von Haast, who named it after the Austrian emperor. The glacier is five kilometres from the town of the same name, and a 20 minute walk will take you to its terminal face. From the glacier car park, you can hike to a choice of lookout points for a bigger view of this awesome river of ice. If you want to actually make contact with the glacier, take a guided ice walk or a heli-hike. Aerial sightseeing is another option. There's a range of natural attractions in close proximity to Franz Josef Glacier Village. Lose yourself in the rainforests, waterfalls, and lakes. In the town you’ll find places to eat, or relax at the glacier hot pools or explore the wildlife centre. At nearby Lake Mapourika there are kayaks for hire.

Optional/Add on Activities: Franz Josef Glacier Heli-like / Kayak & Walk Tour

Travel down the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the Haast Pass, gateway to the World Heritage Westland National Park. Continue around the shores of Lake Hawea to arrive in Wanaka early afternoon.

Puzzling World (optional activity) - With a mix of bizzare buildings, rooms of illusion and the world famous Great Maze, this attraction is designed to baffle your brain and challenge your perceptions of reality. Challenging minds of all ages with its themes of wonder and trickery. Puzzling World is designed to fascinate families, children and adults of all ages... allow 1 to 2 hours for your visit.

Continue to Queenstown at your leisure. May stop for lunch in Arrowtown – a quaint historic gold mining village. A short drive from Arrowtown is spectacular Lake Hayes - enjoy an easy walk around the lake.

Spend the evening strolling by the lake, enjoy the boutique shops and cafés. Queenstown is a relatively small town so walking is a great way to get around.

Optional/Add on Activities: Puzzling World

Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World.

The Skyline Gondola base is situated a short five minute walk from central Queenstown. Make your way to the Skyline Base for a Gondola Ride to the top of Bob’s Peak and enjoy some spectacular panoramic views high above Queenstown. The best views in the region are found here, spread out in a spectacular 220 degree panorama with breath taking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peak. You might like to add some Luge rides to your bucket list for some extra fun. 

Then head down to the waterfront to board the iconic TSS Earnslaw steamship for a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Farm. 
Departing from Steamer Wharf, central Queenstown, cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw across to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Once at the lakeside Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant savour the delicious aromas of the best of local produce sizzling away on the grill. Overlooking Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown's alpine scenery enjoy a freshly made gourmet buffet BBQ lunch. An entertaining farm demonstration is also included or you can explore the beautiful lakeside gardens before re-boarding the TSS Earnslaw for the cruise back to Queenstown.
Duration: 3.5 hours

NOTE: The TSS Earnslaw is closed for maintenance for six weeks mid-winter each year.

Today is a free day to add some of the endless optional activities on offer.

Optional/Add on Activities: Milford Sound Cruise / Skippers Canyon Scenic Jet Boat Tour / Original Onsen Exclusive Indoor Pool

Today’s journey takes you to a scenic wonderland with golden tussocks, snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes.  Hug the shores of beautiful Lake Pukaki to a rugged land of ice and rock, home to Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain.

Optional/Add on Activities: Glacier Explorer / Ultimate Alpine Experience Combo - Heli & Ski Plane 45mins

Be sure to stop for a while at Lake Tekapo where the ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ takes pride of place against the backdrop of a vivid blue glacier-fed lake.  Then continue north east where braided rivers and familiar plains will signal your arrival back into Christchurch.  

Optional/Add on Activities: Dark Sky Experience / Tekapo Springs Hot Pools

Your arrangements conclude today. Hotel check out time 1000am.

Your rental car should be dropped off at the airport, by the same time as it was picked up on Day 1, to avoid any additional charges. Rental car 'days' are based on a 24hrs-hire.