The Southern Heart

The Heart of New Zealand is the South Island with its extreme scenery. From the wild blue sea of Kaikoura to heli-hiking at Franz Josef Glacier and big-sky stargazing at Mount Cook — a feast of experiences in a land forgotten by time.

First-time visitorsTouring couplesNature loversYear-round

This New Zealand South Island tour holds sights you'll be in awe of, with so much diversity and beauty. Kaikoura with its wild and deep blue sea, the majestic Southern Alps contrasted by a Marlborough wine and food experience, heli-hiking at Franz Josef Glacier, big-sky stargazing at Mount Cook — all in amongst a feast of experiences and sights.

Get alongside the wildlife, enjoy world-class wine and food, and take in the ever-varied scenery of this land forgotten by time. You will cover the most amazing parts of the South Island and live a lifetime of scenery on this tour. A dedicated Driver/Guide accompanies you throughout, sharing local knowledge and ensuring every day unfolds seamlessly.

Key experiences

◈Kaikoura wildlife encounter — seals, dolphins, or whale watching

◈Marlborough wine tasting and Sounds seafood cruise

◈Abel Tasman National Park bush and beach cruise

◈Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes

◈Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike or guided walk

◈Rippon Estate wine tasting on Lake Wanaka

◈Choice of Queenstown excursion: Milford Sound, wine tour, farm excursion, or wilderness safari

◈Big Sky Stargazing at Aoraki / Mount Cook

Your route

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Day by day

Welcome to New Zealand! Upon arrival in Christchurch, your Driver/Guide will collect you and after a brief city sights tour drop you at your hotel. Christchurch is a beautiful city, rebuilt, compact and easy to explore — dissected by a beautiful river, full of nature and a friendly, vibrant atmosphere.

◈Driver/Guide welcome
◈Christchurch city sights

Overnight: Hotel Montreal, Christchurch

What's included

13 nights accommodation across 9 hand-picked properties
Hotel Montreal, Christchurch — 1 night (breakfast)
Sudima Kaikoura — 1 night (breakfast)
Chateau Marlborough, Blenheim — 2 nights (breakfast)
The Waters, Nelson — 2 nights (continental breakfast and bottle of wine)
Punakaiki Resort — 1 night (breakfast)
Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef — 2 nights (dinner first night, full breakfast daily)
Edgewater Hotel, Wanaka — 1 night (breakfast)
The Rees Hotel, Queenstown — 2 nights (breakfast)
The Hermitage, Mount Cook — 1 night (breakfast)
Dedicated Driver/Guide for the duration of the programme
In Kaikoura: choice of Swimming with the Seals, Dolphin Encounter, or Whale Watching Cruise
Full-day Marlborough Tour and Seafood Cruise
Abel Tasman National Park bush and beach cruise
In Queenstown: choice of Milford Sound coach/cruise, Boutique Wine Tour, Walter Peak farm excursion and Shotover Jet, or Wilderness Safari jet-boat and forest walk
Evening Big Sky Stargazing at Aoraki / Mount Cook

Every journey is fully customisable