New Zealand South Island

Upon arrival at the Queenstown airport, your private transfer will bring you to your hotel.

Daily Overview

– Journey through Central Otago

– Lunch at Mora wines & Artisan Kitchen

– Walk and Wine tasting at Ayrburn district

– Overnight at Fiordland Lodge (2-nights)

room category Deluxe Room (best available)

(Schedule subject to change)

Today we embark on a scenic 105-mile, 2-hour drive to Te Anau, making a stop in Central Otago for lunch.

At Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen, the essence of “mora” (Latin) — to linger and take pause — comes to life. This haven invites you to savor hand-crafted cuisine made from New Zealand’s finest sustainable ingredients. Mora Central Otago wines complement the honest, comforting, and social dining experience.

Opening to the public on December 9, the highly anticipated historic gold rush village is Ayrburn precinct. Have a walk, explore the avenue after lunch and perhaps enjoy a wine tasting.

Te Anau, nestled on the edge of a lake, serves as the ideal base for exploring Milford Sound. Fiordland, a mesmerizing region, enchants with its breathtaking fiords, majestic waterfalls, and snow-draped peaks. Ancient rainforests cling to mountainsides, and shimmering lakes reflect rugged granite peaks, creating a timeless landscape in Fiordland National Park.

Daily Overview

– 10:00 depart hotel for Milford Sounds

– 12:45 Milford Sound Scenic Cruise with seafood lunch

– 4:00 return to hotel

(Schedule subject to change)

Te Anau to Milford Sounds. 75 miles around 1.45 hours without stopping.

This is a private cruise for Arlington Club.

Embark on a luxurious journey through Milford Sound on a 5-star vessel, the Fiordland Jewel. Guided by expert crew, you’ll witness the natural wonders and local wildlife, including seals, dolphins, and penguins. Designed for optimal enjoyment of Fiordland, the boutique catamaran offers unparalleled views of glacial valleys. As you relax onboard, the knowledgeable crew will highlight wildlife sightings, and an onboard chef will craft a delectable seafood lunch.

Nestled on the South Island’s west coast, Milford Sound stands as a breathtaking fusion of natural wonders, earning its title as the ‘eighth wonder of the world.’ Carved by ancient glaciers, the fiord unveils awe-inspiring visuals in any weather—vertical cliffs, sky-scraping mountain peaks, and cascading waterfalls, some soaring 1000 meters high. Rain transforms the landscape, multiplying the waterfalls dramatically.

Daily Overview

– Depart hotel: Choice to drive or heli (see below)

– Stop Arrowtown – stop for lunch and shopping’

– Lunch at Kinross winery

– 4:00 transfer to hotel

– Hotel St. Moritz (3-nights) Both properties walking distance to trails/walk/hiking along Lake Wakatipu

Te Anau to Queenstown spans approximately 105 miles, a 2-hour drive. Alternatively, a helicopter ride from Fiordland Lodge to Queenstown is available weather permitting. Details below.

Drive

Explore Arrowtown during the drive—stroll and shop. Established in 1862 during the Otago gold rush, Arrowtown’s tree-lined streets feature restored cottages, gold mining sites, and a Chinese settlement from 1868, offering a glimpse into its rich history.

Helicopter with Picnic and Wine Tasting

Experience a helicopter ride over schist-covered slopes to a stunning landing site. Explore the valley floor with the Earnslaw Glacier overhead, marvel at numerous waterfalls, and savor local wine. This up-close encounter with the Earnslaw Burn is a magical experience. This is weather dependent and payment is on-site.

Queenstown, situated on Lake Wakatipu, offers stunning views of the lake, shaped like a lightning bolt, and the Remarkables. The Dart and Rees Rivers feed into the northern end of the lake, while the Kawarau River manages its outflow, creating ever-changing vistas around Queenstown.

Tonight dinner is on your own. We recommend Botswana Butchery with lake views and locally sourced ingredients.

Daily Overview

Day of leisure

7:00 pm: Dinner at Amisfield

Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s top visitor destinations which sits on the shore of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu amidst dramatic mountain ranges; this stunning location will blow you away. Treat yourself to boutique shopping and experience the excellent local food and wine. Queenstown has transformed into a sophisticated cosmopolitan town, tucked into a picturesque bay on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath majestic mountains. There’s a permanent buzz in downtown Queenstown, where you’ll find fantastic restaurants, a lively bar scene and excellent shopping.

Whatever you decide to do today, be sure you are back in time for a special dinner at Amisfield. which was awarded the American Express Restaurant of the Year in 2023/2024 and Included on The Worlds 50 Best Discovery Restaurants list 2022 and the Best Chef Awards – Ranked #44 in the world.

Options for your day of leisure:

1) Numerous walking/hiking trails accommodating beginners and experts

2) Skyline Gondola and Luge

Daily Overview

– 9:00 am depart hotel

– 11:00 Ridgeline 4WD Hills Country Station Tour: Conservation Safari (4 hours, includes lunch)

– 3:00 drive back to Queenstown

(Schedule subject to change)

Driving distance, 45 miles, around 1.15 hours without stops

En route to Wanaka, traverse the Cardrona Valley over the Crown Range, the highest main road in New Zealand.

At the Ridgeline Hills Country station, seize the opportunity to actively contribute, give back, and delve into Wanaka’s distinctive natural environment, fostering a profound connection with both the place and its people.

Kick off your experience with a visit to Te Kakano., Wanaka’s community native plant nursery, dedicated to inspiring native habitat through propagation, education, and hands-on involvement. Engage with passionate local volunteers, participating in activities like potting native trees or planting, depending on the day. Post-refreshments, venture into Wanaka’s wild high country by 4WD to assist in the predator control program. You’ll check and maintain a stoat trapline on West Wanaka Station, gaining insights into the necessity of trapping while surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Cap off your efforts with a well-deserved picnic lunch overlooking Lake Wanaka.

**What to bring:** Hat, sunglasses, windbreaker jacket, and enclosed shoes that can get dirty.

Daily Overview

– Stop at Felton Road Winery for a private wine tasting and tour

– Lunch at The Cloudy Bay Shed, including wine tasting

– 4:00 Arrive at the hotel Grand Suites Lake Tekapo room category executive studio

– 9:00 pm Stargazing Experience
This is a private experience, in front of the hotel.

(Schedule subject to change)

Drive time from Queenstown: 155 miles, around 3.0 hours without stops

On our way to Lake Tekapo, visit Felton Road Wines for a private wine tasting and tour followed by lunch at the Cloudy Bay Shed for more tasting and a light lunch.

Lake Tekapo: A UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, it’s your day-to-night picturesque gem. Its milky-turquoise hue, a product of glacier-ground rock flour, enchants by day. Along the shores, the Church of the Good Shepherd frames Southern Alps’ vistas through its altar window. Built in 1935 for Mackenzie district pioneers, the church remains a place of worship and a beloved photo spot. While visiting, please be mindful of possible weddings and services.

This evening, dinner is on your own and we recommend the http://www.tlv.co.nz/

Later, enjoy a private stargazing tour right at your doorstep, with Alpha Crux, the only mobile astronomy provider in the district, ensuring an extraordinary, crowd-free experience. Bundle up as you explore the night sky with a laser and high-powered telescope.

**Attire:** Dress warm for the evening.

Overnight at Grand Suites Lake Tekapo (2-nights). Room category Executive Studio.

Daily Overview

– 9:00 Depart hotel

– 12:00 Ski Plane Overflight

– 1:30 Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat – Cooking Demo and Lunch

Exploration: multiple stops in Mt Cook NP and Hooker Valley for walks available during the day

(Schedule subject to change)

Driving distance from Tekapo to Mt Cook: 60 miles, around 1.15 without stops

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park boasts New Zealand’s loftiest mountains and lengthiest glaciers, offering an alpine experience at its purest. Towering peaks, glaciers, and eternal snowfields create a celestial spectacle under the starry expanse. With 23 mountains surpassing 3000 meters (9800 feet), this park remains remarkably accessible.

For the quintessential Mt Cook experience, a 30-minute ski plane overflight is your gateway! It offers a comprehensive journey through Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, featuring a circumnavigation of our highest peak at 12,349 feet, Mt Cook itself.

At the heart of this national park, this circular flight unveils all the iconic geographic marvels this New Zealand region boasts. Starting on the eastern side of the main divide, you’ll behold the grandeur of New Zealand’s longest glacier, the Tasman, before crossing the main range to the West Coast to take in the breathtaking Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. A graceful reentry on the eastern side of the Southern Alps into the Hooker Valley concludes your voyage before returning to the Tasman Valley, where your adventure began. This remarkable flight condenses the very best of New Zealand’s captivating scenery into an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

For lunch, dine at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat to savour the tastes of nature. Let the chefs show you how to select, cook and present a seasonal menu with lots of versatility to add your elements. Don your walking shoes and invest in your well-being as you gather produce from the Estate’s organic gardens and wild areas. Then join the Moraine Lodge kitchen chef for a unique cooking class focused on creating a ‘tastes of nature’ 2-course meal based on seasonal herbs and plants that you have gathered, then languish over a truly fresh, nutritious and delicious lunch. Here is a chance to ‘pick chef’s brains’ about your food interest and the cuisine at the Retreat.

**Essentials:** Don’t forget your sunglasses, sturdy footwear, a windbreaker jacket, and warm clothing.

Daily Overview

– Lunch stop in Geraldine at Barker’s Foodstore & Eatery

Driving distance: Tekapo to Christchurch 140 miles, around 3.0 hours without stops

The afternoon in Christchurch is on your own!

You will find a city of exploration where urban renewal and heritage unite. Discover street art, innovation, a vibrant culinary scene, and lush green spaces. As one of the world’s newest cities, Christchurch invites you to rediscover its hidden treasures. In the heart of the city, you’ll find a fusion of street art, fine art, and artistic culture. The ever-evolving hospitality scene ensures there’s always something new for both locals and visitors to savor. Modern architecture meets historic landmarks, and the Avon River weaves a natural tapestry through the urban landscape. Christchurch serves as your South Island basecamp, offering access to the Banks Peninsula, the majestic Southern Alps, and the renowned Canterbury Plains.

This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at the Hotel Montreal Bar & Restaurant.

Overnight: Hotel Montreal

Areas of interest:

– Township of Christchurch (shops, art galleries, restaurants)

– Christchurch Botanic Gardens

– Riverside Market

If you are flying from Christchurch today, your driver will take you directly from the hotel to the airport.