The Southern Drift

Your New Zealand luxury tour begins at your boutique hotel located in the heart of Christchurch and just minutes from North Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens. Pay a visit to the blooms at the Botanic Gardens or ride the Christchurch Tram before meeting your Travel Concierge where you’ll raise a glass to a grand journey.

Travel down the coast through the towns of Timaru and Oamaru to Dunedin to uncover the city’s highlights. Discover grand Edwardian architecture at the Dunedin Railway Station before arriving at your heritage hotel. Dine on favourites such as surf and turf, braised lamb, catch of the day, or other modern twists on traditional local dishes at Parcels Restaurant.

Enjoy a relaxed start this morning before taking a guided tour at Dunedin Craft Distillers, the first distillery in Aotearoa New Zealand and one of only a handful worldwide, to produce botanical spirits from surplus bread and bakery products that would otherwise go to landfill. Discover on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, how owners, Jenny McDonald and Sue Stockwell do it in a ‘Bread to Bottle Tour’ which takes you through the process used to turn bread into spirits. Venture just next door for a special Chocolate tasting journey at OCHO Chocolate covering the history of chocolate in Dunedin, OCHO's genesis, how 'real' chocolate is made and a 10-sample bean-to-bar tasting. Relax or continue exploring Dunedin as you wish. Perhaps take a wildlife cruise of the Otago Peninsula or visit the iconic Larnach Castle.

• Dunedin's Craft Distillers Tour with Tasting
• Curated Chocolate Tasting Experience at OCHO Chocolate

Travel by road to Manapouri, then by Catamaran and coach to Doubtful Sound to meet the Fiordland Navigator. Doubtful Sound is a stunning fiord with ancient valleys, waterfalls and wildlife. Your overnight nature cruise comes complete with an onboard naturalist, activities and lectures, not to mention delicious locally sourced cuisine.

• Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Spend the morning discovering hidden coves and soaking up the serenity of this majestical fjord. At the completion of the cruise, you will be welcomed to a local farm, where you will enjoy a rustic lunch and hear from landowner Chris. There will be farm animals to pet and stories aplenty. Continue to Queenstown to enjoy lakeside views from your award-winning boutique hotel, The Rees.

• The Farm Shed visit and lunch

Take in the surrounding landscape on a Lake Wakatipu scenic cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw and visit Walter Peak High Country farm for an Eco Experience - an idyllic place to spend a few peaceful hours.Or, enjoy a bespoke tour of New Zealand’s most iconic Lord of the Rings filming locations. Explore Lothlórien Forest and Isengard in Mt. Aspiring National Park, capture memorable photos and hear behind-the-scenes stories from your passionate guide. A light morning tea with hot drinks, cakes and biscuits is included. Enjoy dinner tonight at local restaurant The Bathhouse, located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

• Guided E-Bike Tour
• Earnslaw Cruise and Eco Tour
• The Bathhouse Restaurant dinner

Enjoy a relaxed start this morning before discovering the picture postcard historic gold mining village of Arrowtown. Enjoy lunch and a wine tasting in Gibbston Valley of the Vines at Kinross before continuing to Highlands Motorsport Museum and come face to face with the state-of-the-art machines. Meet Mrs Jones Orchard, a traditional fruit stall owner, and indulge in real fruit ice-cream and stone fruit. Later today enjoy a breathtaking walk through the flower fields at the Wānaka Lavender Farm. Your destination is your hotel in Wānaka: sitting at the edge of Lake Wānaka and designed to flow with the seasons, Edgewater is a place you’ll find nature at your own pace.

• Visit the Highlands National Motorsport Museum
• Visit Wānaka Lavender Farm
• Wine Experience and Lunch at Kinross

Cruise the tranquil waters of Lake Wānaka to Stevenson’s Island, where a guided walk with your Local Expert reveals dramatic alpine vistas. This afternoon, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region with a leisurely walk in serene surroundings.

• Lake Wānaka Cruise

Cruise down the Haast River in a purpose-built, fully enclosed jet boat past snow-capped mountains contrasting with sub-tropical, untouched rainforest basking in the beauty of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. Your guide is eager to share their expert knowledge of this glacial valley as the sunlight pours across the wilderness or the waterfalls tumble down in a light, misty rain. In the the town of Franz Josef, your eco friendly retreat nestled in the wilderness welcomes with natural ambience paired with impeccable luxury, inviting you to enjoy the view from your private balcony.

• Te Waonui Forest Retreat
• Haast River Jet Boat Safari
• Te Waonui Rainforest Retreat Restaurant Dinner

Glide across the mirror-like waters of Lake Mapourika aboard a private vessel, surrounded by dramatic alpine vistas. Step ashore into a pristine rainforest sanctuary, where a Local Expert reveals rare wildlife and ancient flora on an intimate guided walk. The remainder of your afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure – perhaps take time to unwind, explore the surroundings or indulge in the serenity of your luxurious accommodation.

• Lake Mapourika Cruise & Nature Walk – a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience

Visit the charming town of Hokitika, the cultural centre of the West Coast where you will meet a local expert for a guided history walk. Embark on one of the world's great scenic railway journeys aboard the Tranzlapine train and travel in luxury on the Scenic Plus purpose-built premium carriage designed to enhance every aspect of your journey including a specialist concierge. Enjoy service dinner onboard with exclusive drinks and dining service throughout the journey with a Paddock to Plate regionally inspired food menu and Paired drinks menu. Travel through the dramatic Southern Alps passing the ice fed Waimakariri River and native beech forest, before you traverse the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

• TranzAlpine Scenic Train
• Hokitika Orientation

Bid farewell to your fellow travellers after breakfast, as your journey comes to an end with a transfer to Christchurch International Airport for your onward flight.