Lower South Island, Catlins and Te Anau
10 Days
A slightly extended tour of the Lower South Island, taking in wildlife, bushwalks, waterfalls, Fiordland and finishing in the adventure capital Queenstown.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Christchurch
- Penguins
- Wildlife
- Catlins
- Fiordland
- 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 Oamaru
Drive South from Christchurch through the Canterbury dairy farms to Oamaru. These farms are big business, dairy farming being the biggest contributor to the NZ economy. Hard work – we know, we used to do it!!!
Oamaru has impressive buildings and an interesting historic centre and lively arts scene which you can wander around 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 obviously vary with the time of year.
Day 3 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 4 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 5-6 Catlins
You head south today hugging the coastal road through an area called the Catlins – rich in waterfalls, bush walks, deserted beaches, native forest, Hector’s dolphins, Yellow-eyed penguins, seals and sea lions – quiet, sleepy and gentle. Visit Nugget Point Lighthouse, Purakaunui Falls, Jacks Blowhole, McLean Falls. Spend the night at Porpoise Bay – aptly named – you are likely to see Hector’s dolphins.
Day 7 Te Anau
Continue on through the Catlins, visiting the petrified forest at Curio Bay, Waipapa Point and more bush walks and waterfalls before emerging east of Invercargill.
If the end of the line is your thing, take a trip out to Bluff (regarded as the bottom of New Zealand though, Slope Point is officially the most southern point). Make sure you drive up Bluff Hill with its spiral information point, for the view.
Invercargill, home of the World’s Fastest Indian, and Henry, the tuatara in the Southland Museum and Art Gallery. A good spot for a late lunch before heading west and north to Te Anau.
Day 8 Te Anau
Gateway to Milford and Doubtful Sound and a host of tramping tracks. Take a rest from the driving and join a small group tour to Milford – the drive in is equally impressive as the cruise on the Sound itself, so relax and put yourself in the company of someone who knows this road better than any of us and can show you all those little spots. Truly stunning.
You might like to consider an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound – where you can fish, kayak, relax in the beautiful scenery and where you will really feel that you are away from it all – because you are!!! If over night is not your gig, there is also the option of a day trip.
Day 9 Queenstown
Head a couple of hours north through sheep, beef and deer country to 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 10
Fly home or to your next destination.
Some alternatives you may consider:
• Take a trip, day, overnight or a couple of nights to Stewart Island – fly or ferry over. New Zealand’s third island, with a population of only 400! This is a bird lover’s paradise – a trip to Ulva Island a predator free island, is a must if you have got this far.
• Spend longer in Te Anau and do some tramping – day or overnight.
• Spend longer in Te Anau and go to both Milford and Doubtful Sound.
• Head north from Queenstown, either back to Christchurch via Mount Cook or via the West Coast and the Glaciers and then take the train across the Alps.
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.