Christchurch, Mt Cook, Otago to Queenstown
8 Days
Mountains and coast, wildlife and adventure – this varied tour takes you through farmland, high county, the wilds of the Otago Peninsula to the adventure capital, Queenstown.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Christchurch
- Mt Cook
- Otago Peninsula
- Penguins
- Wildlife
- Queenstown
Day 1 Christchurch
This is a city on the up – coping remarkably well with the savage effects of the recent earthquakes. Visit the Transitional Cathedral, the Re:Start Mall, the Canterbury Museum, or the Antarctic Centre.
Day 2 Mount Cook
From Canterbury farmland, the dairy hub of New Zealand and into the Mackenzie Country and the blue blue waters of Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki– the landscape will certainly change today.
Aoraki Mount Cook at 3724m is New Zealand’s highest mountain. It is unlikely that you will be looking to climb it, but an afternoon spent walking the many trails, particularly the 2.5 hour return up the Hooker Valley to Hooker Lake with its soaring alpine views is the best way to appreciate the area.
Day 3 Oamaru
Head back down Lake Pukaki to Twizel and onto Omarama. Have a walk around the Clay Cliffs – the “bad lands” before heading down the Waitaki Valley with its string of hydro lakes to Oamaru.
Oamaru has impressive buildings and an interesting historic centre and lively arts scene which you can enjoy for the remainder of the afternoon. Early evening is penguin time! Both yellow eyed (hoiho) and blue penguins (Korora). There are a variety of tours both evening and early morning where you can see them coming in from the sea or going back out again. Times vary with the time of year.
Day 4 Dunedin
It is a relatively short drive today to Dunedin. The “must stop” is Moeraki – best at low tide – with its beach scattered with spherical boulders – another of New Zealand’s geological oddities. Do also stop at the town of Moeraki, for lunch at Fleur’s and a walk to the Katiki Lighthouse, where you may be lucky enough to see some more penguins. Spectacular.
It is an easy run into Dunedin where you can visit the Settlers Museum, Speight’s Brewery, Botanic Gardens, wander around the historic centre and buildings or take a walk to Tunnel Beach – naturally sculptured sandstone cliffs, thundering surf, beautiful beach accessed by a manmade tunnel, built in 1870s by a father intent on protecting the privacy of his daughters while swimming.
Day 5 Otago Peninsula
Give the whole day to the Otago Peninsula – self drive or take a tour – rugged coastline, diverse wildlife all within an easy distance of the city – a great day out. Visit the Royal Albatross Centre, take a wildlife cruise, visit the Penguin place, take a walk on one of the many beaches where you may see sea lions and fur seals. Back to Dunedin for the night.
Day 6 Queenstown
Drive through Central Otago, with its rolling hills, gold rush towns, stone fruit (do stop at a road side stall). Head through the Gibbston Valley, maybe having a taste of Otago Pinot Noirs (remember the driving!) and into Queenstown.
Day 7 Queenstown
Adventure, adrenalin but so much more. When it comes to crazy adrenalin fuelled adventures – if you dreamt it – you can probably do it here. But if this isn’t your thing, we have heaps of suggestions for scenic drives, walks, winery visits, scenic flights, mountain biking, 4WD tours, Lord of the Rings film sites. Take a trip to Arrowtown, head up the Lake to Glenorchy. You do what you want at your pace. Round off the day in one of the many world class restaurants, drinking some of the best pinot noir in the world – or if you are into “best in the world” don’t go past a Ferg Burger!
Day 8
Fly home or to your onward destination.
Some alternatives you may consider:
•Spend another day in Dunedin and take a trip on the Taieri Gorge Railway.
• Spend one – three days cycling part or all of the Central Otago Rail Trail.
• Head north from Queenstown to Wanaka and over Haast Pass to the West Coast and the Glaciers.
• Spend longer in Queenstown and go to Milford Sound, or head to Glenorchy to go tramping.
• Head straight down the East Coast to Dunedin and travel back to Christchurch via Mount Cook.
Remember – our knowledge, your journey – so mix and match bits of these itineraries so that they suit you! Nothing is fixed. We will talk and email as much as you wish until you get what you want– this is YOUR holiday.