9 Days/ 9 Nights Christchurch to Blenheim
Experience the finest scenery the South Island has to offer, explore our sparkling glacial lakes, magnificent Milford Sound, wild mountains and of course our premium wine and vineyard regions: Marlborough and Central Otago.
Visit: Lake Tekapo, Clyde, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Franz Josef/Fox Glaciers, Punakaiki, Blenheim & Marlborough.
South Island Wine, Lakes & Glaciers Map (view map)
What’s Included:
- 9 nights, 4 star accommodation in hotels, lodges and premium serviced apartments.
- Breakfast each morning
- Wine & cheese tastings
- 2 x gourmet lunches at premium vineyard restaurants
- Entry to hot springs in Lake Tekapo
- Milford Sound day tour and nature cruise
- Visit to the Fox & Franz Josef glaciers
- Guided tour of Omaka aviation heritage centre
- Walking tour of a a historic Marlborough vineyard
- Driver/guide for the duration of the tour
Day 1. Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
To start the tour you will be met by your guide at the airport on your arrival or at your accommodation in Christchurch. From here travel south through rolling farmland and small towns into the high country region and foothills of the spectacular Southern Alps mountain range. Arriving in Lake Tekapo you will be greeted by a large turquoise sparkling lake formed by old glaciers thousands of years ago.
This small alpine village is known for its glacial fed hot springs (entry included), Mt John observatory star gazing tours, hiking and picturesque chapel of the Good Shepherd. You have time to explore this town or simply enjoy your evening relaxing at the hot springs.
Accommodation: Premium hotel room
Tour inclusions: Airport pick up and hot springs entry
Day 2. Lake Tekapo to Clyde & Central Otago
Departing lake Tekapo we continue south stopping to take in the spectacular sight of Aoraki/Mount Cook our highest peak, sitting at the head of beautiful Lake Pukaki. From here the road winds through mountain passes, grazing merino sheep country and stark tussock and shist landscapes until we arrive at the heart of Central Otago and wine country: the town of Cromwell. Here we stop for lunch(optional extra) at the very popular boutique winery Wooing Tree, who are known for their refreshing Rosé and velvety smooth Pinot Noir.
There is time to stop in and buy some fresh orchard fruit, before travelling a little further down the road to view one of New Zealand’s largest hydro electric dams, the Clyde dam. Built in the 1980′s it sunk part of the old Cromwell town and formed the very large Lake Dunstan.
Arriving shortly thereafter in the historic town of Clyde, this small village is the perfect place to unwind, stroll through the main street, shop for gifts or wander the side roads and smell the wild thyme or watch wild rabbits forage on the hillside.
Accommodation: Boutique lodge
Tour inclusions: Breakfast and wine tastings
Day 3. Clyde to Queenstown via Bannockburn wineries
This morning after a leisurely breakfast, we will visit a selection of premium wineries for tasting in the Bannockburn region. This region is known particularly for its serious Pin
ot Noir and racy Rieslings. Wineries often visited include: Kings Mill, Felton Road, Akarua, Mt Difficulty, Bald Hills or Quartz Reef.
Early afternoon we follow the road alongside the Kawerau river stopping in to view any Bungy Jumpers flinging themselves off this famous bridge ( AJ Hackets worlds first commercial bungy operation). Continuing to Queenstown, we will arrive late afternoon where you will have time to explore this vibrant resort town known as the adventure capital of New Zealand. Your guide can inform you on all the best options and activities to advantage on while you are here.
Accommodation: Hotel or premium serviced apartment
Tour inclusions: Breakfast and wine tastings
Day 4. Queenstown to Milford Sound return
An early start this morning where you will be met by your tour and coach driver for your scenic drive to the heart of Fiordland National Park. Spectacular deep lakes and piercing mountains give way to an abundance of native bird song and lush rain forest. Arriving in Milford Sound you will be transferred to the cruise terminal where you will board a modern vessel and spend 2.5 m
agic hours cruising this magnificent wilderness area.
At the end of your cruise you may have the option of flying back to Queenstown (weather dependant & optional extra) over these beautiful mountains on a 30 minute flight. Otherwise board your coach for the return drive back to Queenstown, arriving 8.30 pm.
Accommodation: Hotel or premium serviced apartment
Tour inclusions: Breakfast, day tour to Milford Sound & crusie.
Day 5. Queenstown and Gibbston Valley wineries
After a leisurely breakfast we will visit the boutique and historic town of Arrowtown. Born of a gold rush in the 1860s, this town has become a mecca for visitors who enjoy good coffee, local artwork and boutique gift shopping set amongst a wealth of history and cobbled streets.
From Arrowtown a short drive brings us to Amisfield Winery and restaurant. Here you will sample a selection of their premium and reserve wines before sitting down to a feast fo
r lunch. The ‘Trust the chef’ menu provides an assortment of dishes specially selected and prepard from local season produce. You will want to linger here a while to digest this delicious meal before we visit one last winery in this region: Chard Farm.
Originally farmed as a fruit orchard to provide for the gold miners, the late 1980′s heralded change when the Hay brothers converted it to vineyards becoming amongst the earliest pioneers of wine in this region. It also ranks amongst the most beautiful vineyard in New Zealand.
Heading back to Queenstown we will stop in for sample of the delicious cheeses at the Gibbston Valley Cheesery.
Accommodation: Hotel or premium serviced apartment
Tour inclusions: Breakfast, vineyard gourmet lunch and wine & cheese tastings.
Day 6. Queenstown to Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers
An early departure this morning sees us travelling up and over the famed Crown Range road, showcasing vistas over much of the Central Otago region. Stopping for mid morning coffee in Wanaka, this town also sits on the edge of another large glacial lake before continuing into another dramatic change in landscape and the Westland National Park. The 5 hour road to the glaciers is remote, mountainous and bush laden. Sub tropical rain forest, birdsong and beech forest dominate this very wild part of New Zealand. 
Arriving at the Fox Glacier, we will take a short hike to get a full glimpse of the 3rd largest glacier in New Zealand, if time allows we can take the easy 30 minute hike to the terminal face of the glacier where you can experience up close the majesty of this beautiful frozen river.
Another short drive takes us to the town of Franz Josef and its glacier, the fifth largest in New Zealand. Here we can take a short walk to a great vantage viewing point of this slowly retreating glacier. Back in the town there are plenty of options to choose from: Visit the Kiwi Wildlife Centre(optional extra) here you can view the precious and rarest of Kiwi, the Rowi Kiwi. Take a behind the scenes tour and view incubating eggs or just enjoy seeing them up close in their protective environment. Other options include soaking at the Glacier Hot Springs and Spa or taking a spectacular scenic 30 minute flight over the glaciers.
Accommodation: Hotel
Tour inclusions: Breakfast and glacier viewing
Day 7. Franz Josef to Punakaki
This morning we continue north through more lush forest and remote roads to Hokitika where we can rest for lunch at this seaside town. Further north we follow the coast and seashore to the small village of Punakaiki made famous by its spectacular Pancake rocks and blowholes. Here you can view the sea as it sends shoots of seawater and spray high into the air through eroded rock holes in a impressive display. Enjoy a evening of strolling along the sea shore under the stars with no light pollution to dim the southern hemispheres evening display.
Accommodation: Premium Eco Motel
Tour inclusions: Breakfast
Day 8. Punakaiki to Blenheim
This morning we drive north and east through mountains and lakes to our lunch stop in a small rural town called Murchison. This town is popular with kayakers and whitewater rafting enthusiasts as it is located near the crystal waters of the Buller river. A little further up the road we are greeted to more beautiful lakes as we pass through Nelson Lakes National Park on our way towards Blenheim and New Zealand’s largest wine growing region: Marlborough.
Arriving in Blenheim mid afternoon, there is time to wander around town, or visit a winery for those who are parched before settling into your accommodation.
Accommodation: Vineyard cottage or Hotel
Tour inclusions: Breakfast
Day 9. Marlborough Wineries
This morning we will set out to discover why Marlborough holds the key to new world Sauvignon Blanc. With more than 22,000 hectares of planted vines, 70% of which is Sauvignon Blanc, this region provides a excellent display of wines which you will enjoy a small selection of today. We begin with a tour of Aunstfield winery where the regions first vineyard was planted in the 1890′s. We will take a guided tour through the vineyard and visit the location of the original winery. Followed by a tasting of their delicious wines including Sav Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The next winery visit is Highfield Estate, here the beautiful Italian style castle leads you into the cellar door where you can sample a glass of method traditionelle sparkling wine and other premium wines before settling into a delicious vineyard lunch.
Next winery visit will be the biodynamic vineyards of Seresin Estate. Here these wines are crafted with the utmost care to produce concentrated wines true to their terroir. Taste Sav Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gerwurztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 
Finishing the afternoon, we take a visit to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, here a collection of some of WWIs finest aircraft have been restored and are set within life like scenes. This museum is rated as one of the best displays of this type in the world and is not to be missed.
Enjoy your last evening on the tour savouring memories of the delicious wine, vast mountains, giant glaciers and sparkling lakes.
Accommodation: Vineyard cottage or hotel
Tour inclusions: Breakfast, vineyard lunch, wine tastings and entry to Aviation centre.
Tour Cost: NZ $5,940 per person, double occupancy. Minimum 2 people. For larger groups please ask about our group rates on this tour.
Travel Dates: This tour runs on demand any time of the year for private groups, subject to availability.
Following the tour, travel can be arranged back to Christchurch the next morning for a small charge of $25 p/p.
