Kirra Platinum 13 Day Southern Sensations

Welcome to Wellington, transfer to your hotel

On arrival into Wellington a representative of Kirra Tours will meet you from your flight and a transfer will deliver you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the capital.

Coastal Pacific Train & the Marlborough Sounds

This morning we board the Interislander ferry for the cruise across Cook Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound to the picturesque fishing village of Picton. Continue on to Havelock where we board our vessel for a scenic mussel & wine cruise to our remote resort located in the stunning Kenepuru Sound.

Enjoy Kenepuru Sound

A free day to relax & marvel at the magic that is the Marlborough Sounds. Lodge staff will share their love of the region with you through the wide range of water and nature based experiences they put at your fingertips. Complimentary fishing tackle, kayaks & mountains bikes are provided at the lodge and there is a number of bush walks to enjoy. Or you can simply relax with a book & soak in the spectacular scenery.

Marlborough Sound to Kaikoura

Return to Havelock by water taxi and board your coach for the journey to the small coastal town of Kaikoura. Here you can enjoy an optional whale-watching adventure, swim with the dolphins or join local Maori for a unique, award winning cultural experience.

Kaikoura to Aoraki Mt Cook

Travel south across the Canterbury Plains and stop at beautiful Lake Tekapo to view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Then travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery.

Tasman Glacier Expedition

Today you will experience the Tasman Glacier in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier. Get up close to touch & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. Later today, there is time to enjoy one of the many bush walks and optional ski-plane and helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions.

Omarama to Te Anau

Begin the assent over the Lindis Pass to the township of Cromwell, then continue on to the historic village of Clyde, nestled in a sheltered basin at the foot of an immense and crooked gorge. Stop for lunch at Alexandra, located on the banks of the mighty Clutha River, then travel across the farmlands of Central Otago to the township of Gore before arriving at the shores of Lake Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park.

Te Anau to Milford Sound to Queenstown

Your highlight today is a leisurely nature cruise of the breathtaking Milford Sound, cruising the full length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea. An on-board nature guide will give you detailed information of the regions history, flora, fauna and you will view spectacular waterfalls, rainforests and towering mountains, including the awesome Mitre Peak. Wildlife includes dolphins, seals, penguins, albatross when in season. Continue your journey on to Queenstown, regarded as New Zealands premier holiday destination.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Overnight Cruise Milford Sound option

The Milford Mariner offers you a very special dinner, bed and breakfast experience on Milford Sound. On board the Milford Mariner you will cruise the full length of this spectacular fiord to the Tasman Sea before anchoring for the night in sheltered Harrison Cove. Accompanied by a nature guide you can go exploring in the tender craft and kayaks or simply relax on deck. After the days activities you enjoy a delicious evening buffet in the spacious saloon before retiring to your private cabin.

The vessel itself was designed along the lines of a traditional New Zealand coastal trading scow to reflect Fiordland’s heritage. Departing from the Milford Wharf, the Milford Mariner cruises the length of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea leisurely exploring on the way many points of interest, There is plenty of time to view the waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife and the experienced nature guide on board will be able to answer any questions you may have. After reaching the open sea, subject to weather and favourable conditions the sails are hoisted for a period. The vessel returns to the calm and shelter of Harrison Cove for your overnight stay.

Explore Queenstown

Enjoy a free day to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts an incredible array of adventure & leisure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration.  Your tour host will be happy to advise you on all the activities and options available.

Arrowtown & Akarua Winery

Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, an historic village located beside the Arrow River which was once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860s. It features a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy time to stroll through this historic village, before enjoying a relaxing, sumptuous lunch at Walnut Cottage, the show piece of Akarua Wines and back dropped by the Remarkables mountain range.

Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier

There is time to wander around the resort of Lake Wanaka before enjoying incredible scenery as we travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park. On to Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers where there is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject to weather conditions).

Tranz Alpine Train Greymouth to Christchurch

Head north along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800's. This afternoon, you will board the TranzAlpine train for a coast to coast rail adventure through the Southern Alps, rated as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. On arrival you will be transferred to your resort hotel for a farewell dinner.

Transfer to Christchurch airport

You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Christchurch airport in time for your onward flight.