A fresh, clean country with the ideal growing environment for fruit and vegetables of outstanding quality. A southern hemisphere country with growing seasons opposite to those of its northern hemisphere customers. Come on a food tour in the South Island and enjoy a fantastic range of local and multicultural foods. New Zealand's cuisine has been described as Pacific Rim, drawing inspiration from Europe, Asia and Polynesia. This blend of influences has created a mouth-watering range of flavours and food in cafes and restaurants nationwide. Its distinctiveness is more in the way New Zealanders eat, generally preferring as relaxed and unaffected as possible, in keeping with the laidback Kiwi lifestyle.
Private guided tour itinerary- 5 nights
Day 1: Christchurch arrival – Area tour (Re start container mall, Waipara wineries, the Amuri Truffiere farm)
Day 2: Christchurch – Lake Tekapo (Private Sheep farm tour, Church of Good Shepherd, Stargazing)
Day 3: Lake Tekapo – Wanaka (Salmon farm, Private tour of “Two Paddocks” winery, visit of fruit orchard)
Day 4: Wanaka – Queenstown (Lavender farm, Brewery, Kawarau gorge, lunch at Amisfield winery, Arrowtown)
Day 5: Queenstown – Trip to Fiordland (Fly/cruise/fly to Milford Sound, afternoon to your own leisure)
Day 6: Queenstown departure
Prices: We recommend the following guidelines for customized tour packages, excluding international flights:
4* (3* internationally) to 5*: From around NZ$ $400 - $1150+ per person per day. The customized package will include accommodation, airport transfers and other transportation within New Zealand, guided tours or activities, unique experiences, trip planning, and 24X7 support during your trip. Please enquire for a custom quote. The price is customized based on final accommodation choices, travel dates, and other custom preferences.
Day 1: Christchurch arrival – Area tour (Re start container mall, Waipara wineries, the Amuri Truffiere farm)
Driving distance 2h
Start of private guided tour South Island. Christchurch city promises an eclectic mix of historic elegance and contemporary culture. Described by Lonely Planet as a "vibrant city in transition, coping resiliently and creatively,” Christchurch's energy is evident wherever you go. The city has bounced back after the Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 with innovative new attractions, as well as some old favourites. Visit the Re Start container mall, the transitional Cardboard Cathedral, and some of the many pop up restaurants and bars. Contemporary art galleries, boutique shops and open-air markets add to Christchurch’s creative vibe. An easy drive (45 minutes) north of Christchurch you will find the Waipara Valley wine region. The Waipara Valley is a sunny and well drained valley and is fast becoming the new vine growing region. Waipara is the unknown secret within New Zealand’s wine industry. Stop at the family-owned Pegasus Bay winery, with an emphasis on freshness and simplicity, using predominantly local and home grown ingredients. Or be tempted by the Mud House Winery sign inviting you to try their “Wild Pies.” Goat curry and tahr (yes tahr) are common on the midday menu. From here travel to the only New Zealand truffle farm. Among the rolling hills of north Canterbury is the Amuri Truffiere. It’s here from these limestone soils that Canterbury Truffles harvest young seedlings growing among the roots of truffle-infected oaks and hazelnuts. With their roots heavily-infected with Black Truffle (Tuber melanosporum) fungus from their productive parent trees, these seedlings are nurtured in our Christchurch nursery until they are fully established and any new root growth also infected. Late afternoon we take you back to Christchurch. Accommodation: Christchurch
Day 2: Christchurch – Lake Tekapo (Private sheep farm tour, Church of Good Shepherd, Stargazing)
Driving distance 3,5h
First we take you inland to the Canterbury plains and here we have organised a private Sheep farm tour. The tour includes viewing seasonal farming activities, sheep dog mustering, sheep handling and lamb feeding (in season). Escorted by the owners, the history of the property is explained and there is the opportunity to examine current high country farming practices. Farm visits usually begin or conclude with morning teas or lunches in the homestead garden. A visit to Middle Rock offers the opportunity to be guests of a New Zealand farming family in a non-commercial environment amidst the stunning high country scenery of the Lake Coleridge area. Each tour day is different depending on what is happening on the farm. After lunch we take you to Lake Tekapo in the Mackenzie Basin. The township faces north across the remarkable turquoise coloured lake to the mountainous drama of the Southern Alps. Lake Tekapo gets its intense milky-turquoise colour from the fine rock- flour (ground by glaciers) which is suspended in the water. On the shores of the lake you'll see the beautiful Church of the Good Shepherd, where the altar window frames a perfect view of the Southern Alps beyond the lake. The southern hemisphere's equivalent of the Northern Lights, Lake Tekapo is one of the best places in New Zealand to see this symphony of colour come to life. Best seen between April and September, Lake Tekapo is known for its clear nights and lack of light pollution, making it a great viewing destination. Head to Mount John Observatory - perched high in the mountains and south-facing - for your best chance of experiencing this spectacular natural light show. Recommended: Scenic flight and snow landing: Experience the adventure of flying through the towering mountains of the Southern Alps and explore the flawless, snow covered Tasman Glacier. Fully appreciate this remote alpine landscape with panoramic views of Aoraki Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Accommodation: Tekapo
Day 3: Lake Tekapo – Wanaka (Salmon farm, Private tour of “Two Paddocks winery, visit of fruit orchard)
Driving distance 3h
In the morning visit a Salmon farm. Hatched and raised in the pristine, glacial waters of New Zealand's Southern Alps, Mt Cook Alpine Salmon speaks for itself. Alpine Salmon A unique alpine environment, fast-flowing habitat and the delicate touch of the seasons, create the world's finest freshwater King Salmon. Nature has done all the hard work and the flavour tells her story. Travel over the Lindis pass to Central Otago. From this golden countryside, where old trails still wind through historic gold mines and ice blue lakes nestle below rugged mountains, comes some of the world's best Pinot Noir: Pinot Noir that will rival the great Pinot Noirs of Burgundy. It's the region's continental climate with its hot dry summers, cool autumns, and cold winters that provides the perfect environment to nurture the perfect grape. Add to that warm days and cool nights for colour and stability and the wine that results is nothing less than excellence. Taka private tour with a winemaker at Two Paddocks, a small family wine producing business that is entirely dedicated to making great wine. Central Otago is renowned for the rich, flavoursome stone fruits grown in the region. Cold crisp winters, hot dry summers, and a low annual rainfall combined with the rich mineral soils of a former gold-mining area provide the optimum conditions for producing some of the world's best apricots and cherries. Take an interesting and informative Orchard Tour with the opportunity to pick your own fruit or in the off season a basket of assorted fruits is included from the fruit stall. You will be taken through the different sectors of the 73 acre operation, from picking the ripened fruits, be they apples, pears, peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums or cherries, to sorting and grading. You can handpick your own fruit during late November to April or during the off-season May to November we complete your tour with a take away basket produce from our fruit stall. The Fruit stall offers seasonal fresh fruits, juices, nuts, dried fruits, honey ice creams and preserves. By afternoon we take you to Lake Wanaka. Wanaka is the perfect place to go kayaking, hiking or biking; Wanaka is the most beautifully set of the South Island lakes so you'll want to explore. Or Visit a deer farm: One of New Zealand’s Most Beautiful Deer Farms… Deer Breeding Stud and Venison Finishing Operations. Converted into one of New Zealand’s largest deer farms and breeding stud in 1993, Criffel Station is an historic Otago high country station outside Wanaka. Accommodation: Wanaka
Day 4: Wanaka – Queenstown (Lavender farm, Brewery, Kawarau gorge, lunch at Amisfield winery, Arrowtown)
Driving distance 1h
Wanaka Lavender Farm is just a few minute’s drive from Wanaka, where you can experience 10 acres of beautiful lavender fields and display gardens. Enjoy a walk through the flowers, play a garden game, relax over a cup of herbal tea and indulge in our lavender and honey ice-cream. Sample the many Lavender products that are produced on site. Visit Brewski Country a drafts beer company in Wanaka. They use pure ingredients and alpine water to create hand crafted, micro brewed beers. In simple terms, they make darn good beer in an amazing place. The Crown Range lies between Queenstown and Wanaka. The road over the range, known as the Crown Range Road, is the highest main road in New Zealand. For an impressive view, leave your car and walk up the track to the lookout that gives you spectacular views over the Queenstown valley and the Remarkable Mountains. Whether it's a long lunch at a winery or a wine trail stopping at the many cellar doors, experiencing the Central Otago wineries is an absolute must! We have organised a lunch at Amisfield - Queenstown's premier winery, set back from Lake Hayes, surrounded by mountains, the unique scene set here is one you won't forget. Visit the surrounding areas to Arthur's Point and stop in Arrowtown, a historic colonial village that takes you back into the Gold Mining days of the Otago region. Late afternoon we take you to Queenstown, the Southern Hemisphere’s premier four season lake and alpine resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains and nestled on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, the stunning scenery is inspiring and revitalising. There’s a permanent buzz in downtown Queenstown, where you’ll find a fantastic choice of restaurants, a lively bar scene and excellent shopping. Recommended: (Optional) Shotover Jet boat ride: Take a unique breath-taking ride through dramatic and narrow canyons, and hold on tight for Queenstown’s only exhilarating full 360° spins. ‘Can you handle the canyons?’ Accommodation: Queenstown
Day 5: Queenstown – Trip to Fiordland (Fly/cruise/fly to Milford Sound, afternoon to your own leisure)
Taupo Milford Sound flights are the best way to reach this isolated gem. Situated on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, it is a world renowned area of extraordinary beauty. Milford Sound is actually named incorrectly a sound, it actually is a true fiord, which measures 12 km long and is up to 320 metres deep. The fiord receives an average yearly rainfall of approximately 7.5m (300 inches) because it is situated on one of the world’s most formidable coastlines, which is subject to rapidly changing weather conditions. The weather is famous for its ability to deteriorate or improve within a very short period of time. These dramatic weather patterns result in some of nature’s most amazing scenery transformations, especially when viewed from one of our scenic Milford Sound flights. The Milford Sound Fly Cruise Fly combo is a popular way to experience one of the most photographed and most-visited areas of New Zealand’s South Island. Queenstown is a natural playground providing the perfect backdrop for a range of activities all year round. If you’re looking for family fun, adrenaline-fuelled adventure, a skiing break, or romance and relaxation, Queenstown has the ideal mix of activities and attractions to keep you entertained on your visit. World-renowned for its adventure, Queenstown is home to a huge choice of adrenaline based activities including white water rafting and skydiving – all guaranteed to get your blood pumping! The region also has a world-class ski and snowboard season from June to October. Queenstown has over 150 restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from with everything from fine dining restaurants offering premium, local artisan fare to family friendly eateries catering to everyone’s tastes. Do you love a good burger? Queenstown is known for the famous Fergburger. Accommodation: Queenstown
Day 6: Queenstown Departure A taxi will take you to your flight at Queenstown airport. |