South Island Multi Day
South Island – 7 day Tour
This 7 day tour takes you into six National Parks and a World Heritage area. Every step of the way is more stunning than the last, visiting the most precious jewels of the South Island. Walk through unforgettable ancient rainforests, beside moving glaciers, view rocky sculptured beaches, spectacular snow covered mountains, hanging valleys and a photographers paradise of mirror lakes. There is plenty of time to take in optional activities, and relax viewing of the most outstanding scenery in New Zealand. Meet the heart of the countries people and cultures, while viewing the flora and forna that makes New Zealand unforgettable. Kevin, your guide is with you every step of the way with his knowledge of history, geology, creatures, flora and forna.
No meals are provided. Quality accommodation (based on a twin share), luxuries super custom coach, excellent host and top scenery makes this the ultimate South Island tour. The greatest of care is taken to make sure you enjoy yourself in a happy safe environment.
Day 1 Christchurch through Arthur’s Pass National Park to Punakaiki – Paparoa National Park.
Day 2 Leaving Greymouth travelling south – greenstone and glass cultures behind for the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers in Westland National Park.
Day 3 Pass through the South-West New Zealand World Heritage area, Mt Aspiring National Park to Queenstown.
Day 4 Queenstown, New Zealand’s tourism capital – adventure or just relax
Day 5 Milford Sounds – tall stunning fiords in Fiordland National Park
Day 6 Mt Cook – New Zealand’s highest mountain in Mt Cook National Park
Day 7 Leave Lake Tekapo and the glacial lakes for Christchurch
Options – Scenic Flights, historic steam boat, jet boating, bungy jumping, rafting, glacier walks, gondola, gold panning, caving, fishing.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for a tour price.
South Island – 5 day Tour
This 5 day tour takes in most of the glamour of the 7 day tour, but finishes in Queenstown.
Day 1 Christchurch through Arthur’s Pass National Park to Punakaiki – Paparoa National Park.
Day 2 Leaving Greymouth travelling south - greenstone and glass cultures behind for the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers in Westland National Park.
Day 3 Pass through the South-West New Zealand World Heritage area, Mt Aspiring National Park to Queenstown.
Day 4 Milford Sounds – tall stunning fiords in Fiordland National Park
Day 5 Queenstown, New Zealand’s tourism capital – adventure or just relax.
Options – Scenic Flights, historic steam boat, jet boating, bungy jumping, rafting, glacier walks, gondola, gold panning, caving, fishing.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for a tour price.
Winter Wonderland Tour – 6 Day
New Zealand in winter has the most scenic landscape that a photographer could ever wish to see. Our snow capped mountains and rolling hills of South Otago are a contrast to the snow drooping trees of the inner South Island’s – Southern Alps. The lake reflections on a calm day, with mountains capped in snow, surrounded by beach or podo-carp forest is a paradise dream of every amateur photographer.
Day 1 Christchurch to Greymouth
‘Off Beat Tours’ collects you from your accommodation in Christchurch and we travel via the Lewis Pass Highway, through the Southern Alps. We visit the Alpine Village of Hanmer Springs – the thermal village of the South Island.
Day 2 Greymouth to Haast
Travel down the West Coast to the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Options are either walks to Observation Point or the terminal face for a close up view. (Extras can be a walk on or flight over, the glacier) At Fox Glacier stop for a short walk at Lake Matheson – our mirror lake. Many photo opportunities can be had with reflections of snow-capped mountains and forest.
Day 3 Haast to Lake Wanaka
Going through the World Heritage Area of Haast Pass Highway we once again cross the Southern Alps into the winter playing field of the South Island. At Wanaka we venture onto the Treble Cone ski field and take a breathtaking ride up on the chair lift, where the view takes in Lake Wanaka and the surrounding MacKenzie Country.
Day 4 Lake Wanaka to Queenstown
Here in the adventure capital of the South Island you have the choice of the rivers, lake and mountains. The night life here is on the move all the time with cafes, bars and the casino. Either enjoy the shops and go for a ride on the ‘TSS Earnslaw steam boat’, cruising across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak sheep farm on the other side of the lake. (Not available for June – though launch trips are available)
Day 5 Queenstown to Mt Cook
Travel up the East Coast Inland scenic route to an Alpine Village in the heart of the South Island – Mt Cook Village. Take in the breathtaking scenery of Aoraki Mt Cook – our highest mountain.
(Option here of a flight over the Tasman Glacier.)
Day 6 Mt Cook to Christchurch
At Geraldine see the craft shops and taste the world renowned Barkers berry juices, chutneys, sources and toppings.
Price includes Treble Cone chair lift, TSS Earnslaw and accommodation is in the middle to high range Hotel or Motel and can be modified by request.
Accommodation is subject to price changes.
Food is not included in the price.
Price on application
All tours are personalised to suit your interest and requirements and include many short walks and stops.
For full information on this ‘Winter Wonderland Tour’ please contact us.
Scenic Rail and Coach Tour
Enjoy two fabulous rail excursions (diesel locomotive) and a vintage steamboat as well as some of the most scenic areas in the lower South Island. It is as rich in history and culture, as a contrast of colours. Throughout the whole tour photo opportunities are in abundance, leaving the amateur and professional photographer standing in awe.
Day 1 Christchurch to Greymouth
Travel via ‘The TranzAlpine’ Scenic Train through the Alpine Village of ‘Arthurs Pass’, in the heart of the Arthur’s Pass National Park.
Once in Greymouth join up with “Off Beat Tours’ and travel our fabulous Coast Road to Punakaiki Blowholes and Pancake Rocks, in the Paparoa National Park.
Day 2 Greymouth to Fox Glacier
Visit our famous rain forest glaciers – Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, and mirror lake – Lake Matheson, in the Westland National Park.
Day 3 Fox Glacier to Queenstown
We travel down through the most lush podocarp forest and fabulous sea views to the famous Haast Pass in the middle of a World Heritage Area onto Queenstown – the adventure capital of the South Island.
Day 4 Queenstown to Te Anau
In the morning we go on the historic stream boat ‘The TSS Earnslaw’ (except in June when it is closed for maintenance) to visit Walter Peak sheep farm across scenic Lake Wakatipu.
In the afternoon travel on the vintage steam train “The Kingston Flyer’. (Operational from September to mid May)
Day 5 Te Anau to Milford Sound and back to Te Anau
We take a boat cruise on the spectacular Milford Sounds. Steep sheer cliffs and massive waterfalls show the extent of the rainfall and make this a cruise not to be missed!
Day 6 Te Anau to Dunedin
At Middlemarch you board the ‘Taieri Gorge Railway’ and travel the 77km trip through a magical gorge with it’s waterfalls, tributary streams and the Taieri River. A lot of New Zealand history is discovered on this train trip. www.taieri.co.nz
This is the end of the tour with ‘Off Beat Tours’ unless you wish to take up the following option-
Day 7 A trip out to the Otago Peninsula, taking in the albatross, Larnach Castle, fur seals, shags, wading and ocean birds and the rare Yellow-eyed Penguin.
Day 8 Dunedin to Christchurch
Travel through rolling hills, flat endless plains and visit the unique Moeraki Boulders on the way to Christchurch.
Price on application
All tours are personalised to suit your interest and requirements and include many short walks and stops.
For full information and cost of this ‘Scenic Rail and Coach Tour’ please contact us.