New Zealand Accommodation
Inclusions
- 7 Day Economy car hire - pick up Christchurch Airport, drop off Queenstown airport (one-way fees may apply)
- Christchurch 1 night 4-star Peppers Clearwater Resort a Standard Room & breakfast
- Christchurch International Antarctic Centre General Admission
- Methven 2 nights 4-star Fable Terrace Downs MGallery in a Superior Villa & breakfast daily
- Lake Tekapo 2 nights 4-star Peppers Bluewater Resort in a 1 Bedroom Suite with Lake view & breakfast daily
- Queenstown 1 night at 4-star Peppers Beacon Queenstown in a Standard Room & breakfast
Exclusions
Flights & taxes, any costs associated with PCR testing and quaratine, transfers not mentioned, optional extras/optional sightseeing excursions, admission fees into sights of interest, items of a personal nature, meals & drinks not specified, tips, porterage & gratuities, visas & travel insurance
More Information
Set off on a scenic journey through New Zealand's South Island, where each stop promises adventure and relaxation. Start with a night in Christchurch at a cozy 4-star spot. Explore the International Antarctic Centre before heading to Methven for two nights of luxury. Then, soak in the views at Lake Tekapo for two more nights. Wrap up your trip with a laid-back night in Queenstown.
Day 1 Welcome to Christchurch.Arrive in Otautahi Christchurch and you'll notice its new, cool confidence. The South Island's largest city has developed in leaps and bounds over the past decade and it's better than ever.
Grab an e-bike or e-scooter and get lost as you roam.
Don't miss Riverside Market. It has an abundance of local merchants selling some of the best treats the South Island has to offer, grab a cookie pie from Moustache Cookie Bar or if savoury's more your jam The Butchers Pie Shop is the one for you.
Meander through the boutiques in the laneways surrounding Riverside - grab a kiwi-made keepsake from Beehive Collective or Shopology.
Christchurch is the birthplace of some iconic outdoor apparel brands - so ensure you're fully decked out for your trip at Macpac and Kathmandu.
For dinner, The Terrace offers everything from teppanyaki to modern Mexican fare and if you fancy something sweet to finish your day, visit the delightful patisserie Sweet Soul (the brainchild of two Brazilian sisters) or another local favourite Rollickin' Gelato.
Maybe a tipple after dinner is what you need, The Pink Lady Rooftop Bar will offer a unique view of the city and late night cocktail bar the Austin Club has an intimate atmosphere and live music (don't forget to look up the secret password on their website).
Day 2 Drive to Methven 94km.There are plenty of options for a leisurely breakfast in Christchurch � award-winning eggs benny from Little Poms, a pork belly croffle (croissant waffle!) from Doubles or Miro's breakfast board.
Once you're fuelled up, whip to Christchurch Adventure Park. This place has the longest zipline in New Zealand, mountain biking, walks (for both the fearless and the faint-hearted) and a chair lift with phenomenal views.
Cruise west to Methven.
A brew and a dinner at The Blue Pub or The Brown Pub (or both) are a great way to wind down and ensure a good night's sleep so you're ready for the snow tomorrow.
Day 3 Methven.Wake up and get cracking - Mount Hutt is calling.
Voted New Zealand's best ski resort seven years running, Mount Hutt has wide-open terrain and spectacular views over the Canterbury Plains.
This great ski field caters for all abilities with off-piste skiing for those looking to test their skills.
Have a mid-ski pit stop at Corona Bar located halfway down the mountain at the top of Highway 72 and Broadway runs.
If your muscles are starting to ache and it feels like time to call it a day, Opuke Thermal Pools and Spa are just down the road with both adults-only and family options depending on what kind of soak you're after.
For dinner, look no further than The Dubliner which has classic pub grub that will taste extra good after your day on the slopes.
Day 4 Drive to Lake Tekapo 156km.Morena! Jump in the car and hit the road early.
If you can wait for an hour or so for brekkie - you'll be able to treat yourself to the breakfast of champions - a pie from the Fairlie Bakehouse. Pork belly with apple sauce and crackling (is your mouth watering?), steak and cheese, and bacon and salmon are all bangers but you could pick any flavour you like and be in for a win.
If you're up for the extraordinary, book an epic adventure with Helicopter Line or head off the beaten track in a 4WD with Tekapo Adventures.
Unwind with an afternoon soak and massage at Tekapo Springs - it has some of the best views in town.
Come dinner time, you're spoiled for choice � Kohan offers great Japanese and Thai, dine with a view at the waterfront's TLV Restaurant or head to Blue Lake Eatery and Bar for some great Kiwi kai.
Day 5 Tekapo.Start the day and grab a quick bite for breakfast from the Greedy Cow then let's get cracking.
Mt Cook has a plethora of glacial activities waiting to be explored, undeniable highlights are Tasman Glacier Skiing and Tasman Glacier Heli-Skiing.
These promise to be one of the best days in your life - with New Zealand's longest ski runs amid panoramic vistas of the biggest mountains and glaciers in the country. There's a reason it's on many people's bucket lists.
Or, for a different view of the glacier, grab a boat ride with Glacier Explorers and marvel at the glacier and the icebergs that float around it.
After the best day ever, it's only right that you indulge in Tekapo's finest: Ramen Tekapo. The spicy miso ramen is incredible.
Day 6 Drive to Queenstown 256km.Fuel up before you hit the road at The Greedy Cow - it's so good you'll wish you could eat here tomorrow too. If it's busy head to Jack Rabbit.
There are plenty of pitstops on the way to Queenstown - the scenery's so spectacular you'll want to take five regularly to grab some snaps.
No matter what night of the week it is, Queenstown will be abuzz. For drinks, all you need to know is the three B's - Bardeaux, The Bunker and Barmuda.
Dinner is the dealer's choice, brave the lines of the infamous Fergburger (it's absolutely worth it), go upmarket at Rata or perhaps Asian fusion with a whole lot of flare at Paddy Gaddy.
Whatever you decide, trust us and do Patagonia Ice Cream for desert - there's a reason their banana split is award-winning.
Day 7 Queenstown.Queenstown has some brilliant places for brekky, including Bespoke Kitchen, Vudu Cafe & Larder and Big Fig.
Today is another day to hit the slopes and you are spoiled for choice - the Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Cardona and Treble Cone.
The Remarkables Ski Field is a short 40-minute drive from Queenstown. It spans more than 380 hectares - freeride terrain, a jump park and plenty of room to back-country ski - the views are stunning.
Coronet Peak is a hop, skip and a jump from Queenstown making it a popular option. Its runs cater to both beginners and experienced skiers with night skiing sessions on offer � you won't want your day to end.
Further afield, Cardrona is home to one of the Southern Hemisphere's most extensive ski terrains with four parks ready and waiting. Locals believe Cardrona has its own special climate - rumour has it can be raining in the rest of the region but Cardrona will be dry as a bone. We should add, Cardrona has more to offer than just ski fields - it has six different eateries and a decked bar.
The South Island's largest ski area is Treble Cone. With over 1,300 acres of room as well as New Zealand's longest vertical rise - any day at Treble Cone is a good day. This is the place for more experienced snowboarders and skiers with 90% of the terrain dedicated to those of higher skill.
If you chose Cardrona or Treble Cone, head to Francesca's Italian Kitchen for dinner. Don't look at the menu (you don't need to) get potato skins and beef cheek gnocchi.
Closer to Queenstown? Book into Botswana Butchery or Jervois Steak House for some of the best food you'll ever eat.
Terms and conditions
- Prices are per person sharing, include discounts, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes.
- Single supplement may apply for travellers not sharing a room.
- Black dates may apply to travel dates.
- All Inclusive offers have selected drink options.
- Offers are a guide only and will vary depending on the departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at the time of loading.
- Visas may be necessary, and insurance is essential.
- Tour Operator terms and conditions apply and may be found on the tour operators website.
- Rates are based on availability and rate of exchange.
- Airfares are only guaranteed once air tickets are issued.
- The offer is not combinable with other offers.
- All prices are subject to rate of exchange fluctuation.
- Advance purchase, public holiday, peak season, weekend surcharges, block out periods and minimum stay conditions may apply.
- PLEASE NOTE: City tax, tourist tax, conservation levies and tourism levies are compulsory in some destinations and is payable by passengers directly.
- Full payment may be required at time of booking.
- Prices and availability are correct as at 21 July 2024 and are subject to change without notice.
- Prices quoted are on sale until 31 December 2024 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
- All packages to be booked and paid for before 31 December 2024.
- All packages are quoted per person sharing.
- E&OE.
