14 Day South Island Discovery Tour

Price based on tours starting:

• 2 September 2027
• 7 October 2027
• 20 April 2028
• 27 April 2028

Extra charges apply for:

• 2 March 2028 ($100pp)
• 9 March 2028 ($100pp)
• 23 March 2028 ($100pp)
• 6 April 2028 ($100pp)
• 13 April 2028 ($200pp)

Travel Seasons for this Itinerary

September – November

Spring brings fresh greenery, blooming wildflowers and snow-capped mountain scenery across the South Island. Temperatures gradually warm, making it a lovely time to explore the Southern Alps, visit the West Coast and enjoy the lakeside towns of Wānaka and Queenstown.

December – February

Summer offers warmer temperatures, long daylight hours and excellent conditions for exploring the South Island’s diverse landscapes. Enjoy scenic drives through the Southern Alps, cruise Milford Sound, discover Stewart Island and take in the region’s spectacular lakes, coastlines and walking trails.

March – April

Autumn brings crisp mornings, comfortable daytime temperatures and beautiful golden colours across Central Otago. The vineyards, historic gold-mining towns and lakeside scenery around Cromwell, Arrowtown and Queenstown are particularly picturesque, making this a wonderful time to explore the South Island.

Price based on departing from Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney

Extra charges apply for:

• Adelaide ($200pp)
• Perth ($600pp)

Itinerary
Our multi-stop tours in New Zealand are meticulously planned to highlight the awe-inspiring landscapes and cultural diversity of each region. Each day presents a varied schedule, featuring scenic coach journeys necessary for reaching certain destinations. This tour provides a perfect balance of guided sightseeing and leisure time, allowing you to fully engage with the magnificent scenery and vibrant local culture.

Pace
The pace of this tour is moderate. The tour covers several regions in New Zealand and involves some early starts and some long travel days.

Fitness
A moderate level of fitness is required. You are required to move about unassisted, including boarding and exiting/disembarking vehicles and other forms of transportation, walking up and down flights of stairs, and navigating occasional uneven or steep terrain.
This trip is not suitable for travellers requiring a wheelchair, mobility scooter, or specialised facilities. Other walking aids may be permitted if you are able to move independently and keep pace with the group. Please note there will be a fair amount of walking, and some locations will have stairs. If you have any health concerns, let us know when booking so we can help confirm if this trip is suitable for you.

Transfers
Airport transfers are NOT included.

Enjoy 13 nights in comfortable 3.5 to 4-star hotels, selected for their location, quality and convenience throughout your South Island group tour journey.

Your accommodation will be in hotels such as:

• Cotswold Christchurch Hotel or similar
• Scenic Hotel Franz Josef or similar
• Harvest Hotel, Cromwell or similar
• Mercure Queenstown Resort or similar
• Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau or similar
• Distinction Invercargill Hotel or similar
• Scenic Hotel Dunedin City or similar

Please note: Hotels listed are indicative and subject to change. Your confirmed hotel list will be provided with your final travel documentation, no later than 30 days before departure.

A single supplement from $2000*pp is payable in addition to the twin share price for solo occupancy.

Exclusions
Meals not stated, beverages, airport transfers, optional programs, travel insurance (strongly recommended), tipping, personal expenses and anything not explicitly specified are at your own expense.

Payment
A first deposit from $499 per person is required to secure your booking. A second deposit (partial payment) is due 10 months before departure – the amount to be advised at the time of booking. The final balance will be due 5 months before departure. Full payment is due at the time of booking for departures within 5 months.

Pace
The pace of this tour is moderate. The tour covers several regions in New Zealand and involves some early starts and some long travel days – see the itinerary for an indication of the day by day travels on the premium coach. One to two nights at each destination is standard. Scheduled free days allow some downtime, or alternatively, you have the flexibility to explore further and book optional sightseeing (at your own expense).

Tipping
Tipping in New Zealand is not mandatory however it is recommended as a gesture of appreciation for the service provided by your Tour Leader/local guides.

Triple Share
Triple share is not available.

Extra Accommodation
Unfortunately, pre and post group tour accommodation is not available. You may wish to book your own pre and post tour accommodation however, the group hotels are finalised no later than 30 days prior to departure.

Child
This tour is best enjoyed by adult travellers and is not suitable for children under 8 years of age. Children 8 years and above are subject to the adult price and must be accompanied by an adult.

Price
Surcharges may apply for select travel periods and departure cities. Prices are correct at time of publication and are subject to availability, change, cancellation or withdrawal without notice. All prices are in Australian dollars per person twin share unless stated otherwise.

Amendment
Changes for any reason will incur a fee of $110 per person per change in addition to any travel service provider fees.

Cancellation
Cancellation for any reason will incur a fee of $550 per person in addition to any travel service provider fees. Travel service provider fees for the tour and air components of the package are dependent on the date of the change or cancellation as follows:

• 0-29 days before departure 100% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 30-60 days before departure 65% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 61-99 days before departure 50% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 100-180 days before departure 30% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 181+ days before departure 10% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply

Airfares are generally non-refundable but any refundable ticket taxes will be returned. Full details of the change and cancellation fees is outlined in the Terms & Conditions available on our website

Deviation
Any request to deviate from the original dates or routing, including early arrival and extending your stay, is subject to a flight deviation fee from $150 per person plus applicable airfare and tax difference. Packaged tour extensions are not subject to the deviation fee (applicable airfare and tax difference may still apply) if booked according to the original advertised dates and routing.

Passport
For international travel, each customer must provide a copy of the passport photo page at the time of booking. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure all names are full names exactly matched to the passport with six months validity beyond trip completion. The customer is liable for all fees due to incorrect names, invalid passport information and expired passports.

Visa
A visa is generally not required for Australian passport holders visiting New Zealand for the purpose of short-term tourism, however, this policy is subject to change without notice. Visa requirements for each origin and destination country are the responsibility of the customer to check and obtain (if required) with the local consulate or embassy. The customer is liable for all visa application costs and fees due to the failure to obtain the required travel documents.

Health
It is the responsibility of the customer to check and comply with the health, vaccination, COVID-19 and immigration requirements of each origin and destination country, and health requirements imposed by air, tour, cruise and accommodation providers. Vaccinations, testing and quarantine costs are the expense of the customer. Comprehensive travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage is strongly recommended.

Baggage
Each person is entitled to a strict maximum of one bag not exceeding 20kg on tour, superseding any other baggage allowance. Excess baggage is not permitted. You are strongly encouraged to pack lightly. An additional light day bag or backpack is permitted on the coach. Porterage is not included, and you are required to carry your own bags. Luggage and personal effects are your own risk, and we hold no liability for lost or damaged belongings.

Transfers
Airport transfers are not included.

Meals
Breakfast is offered by the accommodation and is typically buffet style. There are limited vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free options. For meals not included, you will be taken to places with options where possible. Please notify us at the time of booking of any special dietary requirements and allergies. We endeavour to pass on your dietary requirements but cannot guarantee that they can be met as certain choices may be limited or not catered for. You are required to reconfirm dietary requests with your Tour Guide whilst on tour.

Accommodation
All hotel rooms will feature either a twin room (two single beds) or a double room (1 double bed). All bedding requests cannot be guaranteed however all special requests should be made known at time of booking. All rooms are lead-in category or run of house unless otherwise specified. Hotel names mentioned are indicative and subject to change, with final group tour hotels being confirmed on your final documentation. All hotel ratings are local or self-ratings provided by the supplier. The standard check-in time is from 3pm and check-out is prior to 10am.

International Flights
Flights are booked approximately 8 to 10 months prior to departure. The flights included in your package are based on a specific predetermined airfare allowance. Should there be a significant increase in airfares, fuel levies, taxes or government fees at the time of booking flights, then an airfare supplement may be imposed. The flights team will discuss options with you prior to ticketing, should this situation arise. Flights may not operate daily or directly to your destination. No show of any flight sectors will result in the automatic cancellation of all onward flights by the airline.

Fuel
In the unlikely event of a significant increase in fuel costs levied by third-party air, land and cruise transportation operators before travel, a fuel supplement may be passed on to the customer.

Small Group Size
You will meet like-minded travellers on tour and may even make lifelong friends. This holiday will proceed with a minimum group size of 10 passengers and a maximum group size of 24 passengers. If the tour does not operate, you will be offered a credit.

Optional Tours
Optional tours are available for those wishing to explore further during their journey. These experiences are operated by our local supplier, with a list of available options provided while on tour. All optional tours are subject to availability, scheduling, weather conditions and minimum participant numbers.

Stewart Island Ferry & Weather Conditions
Please note that ferry services to Stewart Island are subject to weather conditions and operational requirements, including scheduled maintenance. If ferry services are disrupted, your itinerary may be adjusted, with travel by air substituted where possible or the Stewart Island visit omitted if necessary. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any changes and alternative arrangements.

Itinerary
The operating schedule and itinerary may be impacted without notice by adverse weather, seasonal factors, closures, local conditions, COVID-19 or other factors beyond our control including force majeure. If attractions are not available due to reasons beyond our control such as closures or adverse weather, alternatives will be provided where possible. The itinerary and its order, sightseeing and transportation may be adjusted as deemed appropriate by the operator for optimum safety, enjoyment and operation. Any reference to ‘optional’, ‘not included’ or ‘exclusions/excluded’ means at your own expense.

Breakaway
Customers must remain with the tour group at all times and must not leave the tour unless written approval is provided before departure.

Documentation
Final documentation will be emailed 30 days prior to departure which includes a final hotel list, return flight itinerary and invoice with day by day itinerary.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is strongly recommended. Ask our holiday experts for great coverage options.

Force Majeure
Force majeure means any natural disaster, accident, fire, act of God, act of war, terrorism, legally binding judgment, injunction, action of a court or other relevant authority, emergency, unplanned repairs, maintenance, strike, industrial dispute, work ban, blockade or picketing, travel ban, pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of infectious disease, or other event beyond our reasonable direct or indirect control. In case of force majeure or other extraordinary event that prevents safe travel, the supplier reserves the right to adjust, postpone or cancel the trip.