Book this tour for travel between 01 July and 30 Septmber 2010 and you will receive a free Lake Cruise and Farm tour in Queenstown

SOUTHERN NATURE TOUR
Includes Stewart Island &
Milford Sounds Nature Cruise

A 13 Day Nature tour. This tour covers the Southern part of the South Island and visits Stewart Island, it includes; Return Ferry crossing Bluff –Village and Bays Tour, Underwater Explorer Cruise, Paterson Inlet Cruise all on Stewart Island. Te Anau Glow Worm Caves visit, Milford Sounds Nature Cruise, Franz Josef Glacier eco tour, Punakaikai Rocks, Able Tasman Park Cruise, Optional Whale watch cruise. 

TOUR COST nz$2785 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN
TOUR COST nz$3745 SINGLE

TOUR CODE SINT13

DAILY DEPARTURES From 1st Nov 2009 - 30th March 2010

Day 1
Christchurch - Mount Cook - Queenstown
A day for spectacular sights, we farewell Christchurch and travel through Ashburton,A Geraldine and Fairlie, over Burke’s Pass into the vast Mackenzie Basin to the magnificent blue waters of Lake Tekapo. We visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and the statue of the Collie dog, and then continue to Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Time is available to enjoy an optional scenic flight over the ancient rivers of ice and the West Coast Glaciers (weather permitting – a highly recommended option), before continuing on over Lindas Pass and following the Kawerau Gorge to Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital Accommodation in Queenstown for one night

Day 2
Queenstown – Stewart Island
This morning we departure Queenstown for Invercargill and then on to Bluff, home of the famous Bluff oysters, boarding the ferry it is just a short 1 hour journey across Foveaux Strait. Stewart Island is New Zealand’s ultimate eco-tourism destination. Its densely forested hills and untouched coastline of rocky outcrops and creamy golden sand beaches make it a haven for native marine and bird life. Vivid dawn and twilight hues give rise to the island’s Maori name, Rakiura – land of the glowing skies. Cruise between Bluff and Stewart Island in comfort and style on board modern catamarans. This afternoon we explore Oban Township and the surrounding bays in our modern mini-buses. Gain an entertaining insight into New Zealand’s southernmost community, and learn about the history and environment of this beautiful island. Stewart Islanders are proud of their home - enjoying its simpler, slower pace.
Accommodation on Stewart Island for two nights

Day 3
Stewart Island
This morning time to one of the local bush walks, this afternoon we have a leisurely cruise of beautiful Paterson Inlet viewing hidden coves and unspoilt beaches, plus the historic whaler’s base at Prices Inlet. Our skipper and nature guide provide detailed commentary throughout the cruise and are happy to answer any questions. At Ulva Island - a renowned wildlife sanctuary we disembark for a 45-minute guided walk with a specialist nature guide. View rare plants and the abundant bird life during your guided walk. Then relax on board our modern catamaran for the remainder of the cruise around Paterson Inlet and back to base.

Day 4
Stewart Island – Te Anau
This morning we depart Stewart Island and travel to Te Anau gateway to Fiordland National Park. The attractive town of Te Anau lies nestled on the edge of this beautiful lake, with a spectacular backdrop of Mt Luxmore and the Murchison mountains. Time to check into your hotel then it’s off to the glow worm caves.
Have you ever seen limestone passages sculpted by water up close? Have you drifted in silent darkness beneath the luminous blue-green shimmer of thousands of glow-worms? A visit to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves with Real Journeys on the isolated western shores of Lake Te Anau is a must-see. Located on the isolated western shores of Lake Te Anau, these caves were lost in legend for many years. Their ancient Maori name ‘Te Ana-au’ means ‘caves with a current of swirling water’ and it was this that led to their rediscovery in 1948. After three years searching, explorer Lawson Burrows discovered a stream emerging from under a rock structure. He squeezed underwater through the entrance and surfaced into a cavern shimmering with thousands of glow-worms.Today we know that these magical caves are the lower section of a much larger cave system which extends deep under Fiordland National Park.
Accommodation in Te Anau for one night

Day 5
Te Anau – Milford Sounds Nature Cruise – Queenstown
Explore dramatic, moody Milford Sound in a leisurely and relaxed way with our nature guides. Our vessels, the Milford Mariner and Milford Wanderer are designed along the lines of traditional trading scows. They have been purpose built to operate in the fiords and offer a laid back, extended cruise option. Throughout your cruise, our nature guide provides an engaging commentary about the magnificent scenery and wildlife (English only). Keep a look out for dolphins, seals and penguins. Return this afternoon to Queenstown
Accommodation in Queenstown for two nights

Day 6
Queenstown Day at leisure
Your hotel concierge can assist you with information and reservations for the huge number of things to see and do.

Day 7
Queenstown – Franz Josef Glacier
We follow the Kawerau Gorge Road to Cromwell, continuing onto the popular Lake Wanaka, the starting point of the mighty Clutha River. From here we travel past Lake Hawea before following the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makaroa and traversing the rugged Haast Pass into the Westland National Park. Arriving at Haast, you are surrounded by a landscape of rainforest, wetlands, sand dunes and surf-pounded shingle beaches. This wilderness forms part of the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, so designated because South Westland and Fiordland have some of the most dramatic forest and mountain scenery and natural resources in the world.On arrival there is time for a scenic flight (weather permitting, own expense).
Accommodation in Franz Josef for two nights

Day 8
Franz Josef Glacier
Learn about flora, fauna, glaciation, geology and natural history. This tour starts with a short drive to the glacier car park. Enjoy walking through regenerating forest for your first glimpse of the magnificent Fox Josef Glacier. Your experienced guide will take you past the public barriers and safely up to the terminal face of the glacier, they will keep you captivated with an amazing interpretation of glaciation, geology and the natural history of this incredibly dynamic environment. This is a easy to moderate walk. Great photo opportunities are everywhere.

Day 9
Franz Josef Glacier - Greymouth - Punakaiki
Today your tour continues along the rugged West Coast to Greymouth, the centre for thousands of miners during the historic gold strikes of the 1860s. We then continue northward along the Coast to visit the pancake rocks at Punakaiki – These sedimentary rocks have been hammered by the sea, and wind erosion forming layered rocks giving a look of a large stack of pancakes. Paparoa National Park Spectacular cliffs and caves typify the West's rugged coastline, with one of the best known features being pancake rocks and blowholes at Punakaiki. These fascinating limestone formations put on a spectacular spouting display on a high tide with a strong westerly swell. Located in the heart of the Paparoa National Park, the area offers guided beach, forest and mountain walks, or simple rest and relaxation. The area also boasts a vibrant arts and crafts community and a cooperative gallery. 

Day 10
Punakaiki – Nelson
We continue northward along the Coast to Westport, we start to follow the Lower Buller Gorge one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand. We travel through Murchison where in 1929 there was a massive earthquake which destroyed the town, as we leave the town and just to the north, you can see the fault lines on the side of the hills. We then continue to follow the Upper Buller Gorge. Crossing over Hope Saddle and pass through the Golden Downs Forest, then Brightwater, the birth place of Lord Rutherford, the New Zealand science pioneer who split the atom. We arrive in Nelson this being our first city of New Zealand. Met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation.
Accommodation in Nelson for two nights at

Day 11
Nelson
Welcome to the wonderful world of the Abel Tasman - New Zealand’s smallest, sunniest and most popular national park. Abel Tasman, the Dutch explorer, was the first European to visit New Zealand. In 1642 he anchored his two ships in Golden Bay near the present park. The Abel Tasman National Park was opened in 1942, on the 300th Anniversary of Tasman’s voyage. This park is located at the top of the South Island and is best known for its gentle coastal walk, golden beaches, towering granite domes and honeycomb cave systems.

Today you have the option of having a rest day or an optional tour of touring the rich apple growing areas of Richmond, Mapua, Tasman and Redwood Valley to Motueka and then on to Kaiteriteri Beach, a hidden jewel in the top of the South Island. A boxed lunch is provided today as we board our sightseeing boat to cruise close into protected southern bays as we travel past Split Apple Rock and the various seal colonies, then the scenery changes; Onetahuti marks the beginning of the northern beaches- large sweeps of golden sand separated by picturesque bush headlands. We then return to Kaiteriteri for our bus journey back to Nelson. OUR COST is nz$110 p.p.

Day 12
Nelson – Kaikoura
This morning we depart Nelson and travel over the Whangamoa Saddle and the Rai Saddle passing through more manmade forest and any of the vineyards which can be found in the Marlborough Region. Reaching Blenheim, here you have a short break to go for a walk around the city centre before your journey continues down the rugged East Coast to Kaikoura. Met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation.
Accommodation in Kaikoura for one night 

TOUR COSTS INCLUDE:
· 12 Nights accommodation
· All transport
· Transfer is Nelson, Kaikoura.
· Return Ferry crossing Bluff – Stewart Island
· Village and Bays Tour on Stewart Island
· Paterson Inlet Cruise on Stewart Island
· Te Anau Glow worm caves visit
· Milford Sounds Nature
· Franz Josef Eco tour

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING LINK, AS IT WILL EXPLAIN ALL ABOUT BUDGET TOURS http://www.tourandtravel.co.nz/tour.aspx?tourid=1171



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