South Island Sojourn

Adventure begins from your Australian homeport, where you will be whisked across the Tasman to Christchurch for 10 action-packed and fun-filled days touring the South Island fully escorted, in style and comfort. 

After a night in Christchurch with a welcome dinner to set the scene, the excitement builds as you board the TranzAlpine for a thrilling train journey from east to west over the spine of the Southern Alps. Gaze out of the windows, or step into the open-air viewing carriage to capture a memorable photo as the dramatic scenery changes from shades of green farmland to jagged mountains and deep ravines dotted with aquamarine lakes. With the coach at the ready at the end of one of the world’s greatest train journeys, it’s on to the pretty town of Hokitika, known as the ‘jade’ capital for New Zealand’s treasured greenstone found in the area. Then on to the Franz Josef Glacier village nestled into the base of Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area, where there’ll be time for an optional spectacular flight over the glacier if the weather permits. 

Geographically blessed on the shores of picture-perfect Lake Wakatipu, against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, Queenstown is world-renowned for its friendly vibe. Enjoy two nights staying in the centre of the action, including a free day to hop on a jet boat, take a hike, ride a horse, admire the architecture, shop for woollen goodies, taste local wines, or anything else that takes your fancy. The day caps off with a barbecue dinner at a lakeside restaurant followed by a cruise complete with a singalong on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. 

From there, it’s on to Arrowtown to discover gold—because you never know your luck in an old gold mining town—before continuing to the gateway to Fiordland, Te Anau, for the next few nights. Before the day’s end, you might like to add an optional extra and delve beneath the ground into the fascinating world of glow worms in the Te Anau caves.

Declared ‘the eighth wonder of the world’ by Rudyard Kipling in the 1890s, there are no words that could ever do justice to the beauty of Milford Sound. From the drive-in to the lunch cruise it’s a day you’ll want to live in slow motion, taking in every detail of the lush rainforests, thundering waterfalls surrounded by towering mountain peaks of New Zealand’s most famed tourist destination and UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. 

With some free time back in Te Anau, you might like to visit the small bird sanctuary on the shores of the lake where you can see the flightless akahē, kākā, and other birds that have been rescued.

Travelling north, the next stop is a seaside pause in Dunedin before heading back to mountainous territory. Settled by the Scots in 1848, with its grandeur, whisky bars, and the sound of bagpipes floating in the air, this elegant city is known as the Edinburgh of the south. Hear tales of old on a guided city tour before a short drive along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, a majestic building with a tragic history. 

From Dunedin, it’s time to feast your eyes on Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, and weather permitting, take an optional scenic flight for an up close and personal peek. Stay overnight in the picturesque village of Twizel at the entrance to the Mount Cook National Park and cross your fingers for clear conditions when night falls and the sky is crammed with stars. 

The following day, the sparkling turquoise water of Lake Tekapo beckons where you can pay homage to the history of working dogs at the pretty Church of the Good Shepherd and sheepdog statue. It’s then on to Christchurch for the final night before flying back to Australia with an extra imaginary suitcase filled with treasured memories.

This article is featured in National Seniors Australia’s quarterly member magazine, Our Generation. 

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