The Far South and Milford Sound
7 day small group South Island tour
Exploring country roads, seaside settlements and undiscovered places of Otago and Southland. Cruise on Lake Hauroko and hear the stories of the lake and mysterious Mary Island. Join a small boat cruise out on Milford Sound to Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls and Bowen Falls. Then take the gravel road to secluded Mavora Lakes and onto Mt Nicholas Station for lunch before catching the boat across Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown.
WHAT TRACY LOVES ABOUT THIS TOUR: It takes commitment to reach the south western corner of the South Island, an isolated region with a rugged charm and a fascinating history, that’s well worth the journey. Special treasures along the way are Dunedin’s Orokonui Eco-Sanctuary, Lake Hauroko, the Mavora Lakes and historic Mt Nicholas Station.
Day 1
Fly to Dunedin – Aramoana – Orokonui Ecosanctuary – Matanaka
We call into Port Chalmers and visit Aramoana at the entrance to Dunedin Harbour.
At Orokonui Ecosanctuary a predator fence protects over 300 hectares of coastal forest. Walk a short trail to see bellbirds, takahe, rifleman and kaka. We lunch nearby at Blueskin Cafe. Truby King’s former house is at picturesque Karitane, a favourite holiday spot.
At Waikouitai the collection of farm buildings at Matanaka, built by Johnny Jones in the 1840s, are the South Island’s first European buildings.
We stay at Scenic Hotel Southern Cross Hotel and dine in.
- Orokonui Ecosanctuary
- The farm buildings at Matanaka
- Dunedin - Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
See More
Accommodation
DUNEDIN - SCENIC HOTEL SOUTHERN CROSS
Dunedin’s most prestigious hotel, the four star plus Southern Cross enjoys a premium location.
What we love about Scenic Hotel Southern Cross – This landmark building blends Dunedin’s charm and heritage with modern day comforts.
Day 2
Dunedin – Benhar – Balclutha – Bluff - Invercargill
We head to Brighton and the Taieri Mouth. At Benhar, once home to McSkimmings porcelain factories, we enjoy a hosted lunch with Matt Brooking in the founder’s historic house and garden.
The famous sign at Stirling Point, Bluff is an irresistible photo stop. Bluff’s Maritime Museum tells the stories of this wild coastline and one of its prize exhibits is the speedy fishing boat “Monica” built in 1909 and usually the first to bring back the oysters on the opening day of the season.
We stay in Invercargill at the Ascot Hotel for two nights and dine in both evenings.
- Lunch at historic Benhar
- Seafaring stories at the Maritime Museum
- Invercargill - Ascot Park
See More
Accommodation
INVERCARGILL - ASCOT PARK
At Invercargill’s premier hotel, Ascot Park, relax in the indoor heated pool, enjoy a sauna or spa or stroll the beautiful gardens.
What we love about Ascot Park – A modern and comfortable place to stay. Experience southern hospitality at one of the several onsite bars.
Day 3
Invercargill – Riverton– Templeton Heritage Flax Mill – Invercargill
Exploring Southland’s heartland we visit Riverton’s renowned Te Hikoi Museum then call into popular surfing spot, Colac Bay and continue on to Cosy Nook with its cribs and fishing boats.
Hear the history of the once thriving flax industry and see the unique, century old, Templeton Heritage Flax Mill in action.
- Riverton’s renowned Te Hikoi Museum
- Learn about flax milling, our nation’s oldest export
- Invercargill - Ascot Park
See More
Accommodation
INVERCARGILL - ASCOT PARK
At Invercargill’s premier hotel, Ascot Park, relax in the indoor heated pool, enjoy a sauna or spa or stroll the beautiful gardens.
What we love about Ascot Park – A modern and comfortable place to stay. Experience southern hospitality at one of the several onsite bars.
Day 4
Invercargill – Otautau – Lake Hauroko – Te Anau
Farmlands give way to native forest surrounding Lake Hauroko, a hidden treasure deep in Fiordland National Park. Johan and Joyce tell us the stories of this remote region as we cruise out on the deep, crystal clear lake and around mysterious Mary Island.
On the way to Manapouri, at Clifden there’s an historic suspension bridge to check out, built in 1898 to replace the punt across the Waiau River. We stay at Distinction Hotel, Te Anau and dine in both evenings.
- Te Anau - Distinction Hotel
See More
Accommodation
TE ANAU - DISTINCTION HOTEL
Located on the Te Anau lake front, a short stroll from the Te Anau town centre, Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas is perfectly situated to make the most of this beautiful area.
What we love about Distinction Hotel – Surrounded by extensive, colourful gardens and overlooking spectacular Lake Te Anau and the Fiordland ranges, this 4 star hotel and villa accommodation sets the tone for your stay in one of the world’s most breathtaking regions.
Day 5
Te Anau– Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Cruise – Te Anau
Enjoy the beauty of the Fiordland National Park again today on the magnificent Milford Road. Stop in the Eglinton Valley, at the Mirror Lakes, Homer Tunnel and the Chasm.
At Milford Sound we board Cruise Milford for a small boat cruise to Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls and Bowen Falls. We cruise down the Sound to the Tasman Sea and keep a look out for seals and dolphins. We return to Te Anau in the late afternoon.
- Te Anau - Distinction Hotel
See More
Accommodation
TE ANAU - DISTINCTION HOTEL
Located on the Te Anau lake front, a short stroll from the Te Anau town centre, Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas is perfectly situated to make the most of this beautiful area.
What we love about Distinction Hotel – Surrounded by extensive, colourful gardens and overlooking spectacular Lake Te Anau and the Fiordland ranges, this 4 star hotel and villa accommodation sets the tone for your stay in one of the world’s most breathtaking regions.
Day 6
Te Anau – Mavora Lakes – Mt Nicholas Station - Queenstown
From Te Anau we head into the back country to Mavora Lakes nestled in the mountains of Te Wahipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage area.
We leave the Southland province for Otago on the stunning drive along the Von River to Mt Nicholas Station to enjoy lunch with our hosts in the woolshed on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
From Mt Nicholas we cruise across the lake to Queenstown where we stay at the Scenic Suites and dine in this evening.
- The Mavora Lakes Road into Mt Nicholas Station
- Lunch at Mt Nicholas Station on Lake Wakatipu
- Queenstown - Scenic Suites
See More
Accommodation
Queenstown - Scenic Suites
Everyone wants to be close to all the action in Queenstown, and we’re just minutes walk from the Mall and Lakefront. This is our home for 3 nights on tour, you’ll love all the space and being so close to it all.
What we love about the Scenic Suites – Being able to walk into town so easily!
Day 7
Queenstown – Arrowtown – Gibbston Valley – Return flight
There’s time to relax this morning and enjoy a leisurely stroll around the lakefront to the Botanic Gardens and perhaps check out the boutique shops. Later we drive up Coronet Peak for the spectacular views.
We call into Arrowtown and stroll in the Chinese miners’ settlement on the banks of the Arrow River. We lunch with Annabel and Bruce Russell close to where the first vineyard was planted in Otago. Our flight departs Queenstown in the late afternoon.
- A relaxing morning in Queenstown and Arrowtown
- Private farewell lunch in the Gibbston Valley
See More
Next departures
General inclusions
- All transport by comfortable, air conditioned coach (maximum of 18 travellers).
- Services of your knowledgeable MoaTours Kiwi guide.
- Quality accommodation chosen for a “sense of place”.
- Return airfares from Auckland. (please ask us about flights from other airports)
All Meals Are Included
- All Breakfasts
- All Lunches
- All Dinners
Included Experiences
The following activities and attractions are all included in the price of your tour:
Included Sightseeing & Exploring
You’ll visit all the following places on the tour:
