Is this a Cruise all of the trip?

AAT Kings only offers fully guided coach tours and not cruises.

Do I need to advise you if I have any mobility issues or a serious medical condition?

Its essential you advise our team of Travel Experts at the time of booking if you have any mobility issues or serious medical conditions, so that we can ensure, as much as possible, your needs are met on your tour. Unfortunately due to space considerations on this tour it is not possible to accommodate motorised scooters and non-collapsible wheelchairs.

Do you cater for special dietary requirements?

If you have a special dietary requirement such as gluten-free, vegetarian etc please advise our team of Travel Experts at the time of booking to ensure the tour operator can do their best to accommodate your request.

When will I receive my travel documents?

Your travel documents will be posted to you in a travel wallet which will contain your documents and luggage tags to you approximately four weeks before your departure date.

Can airport transfers be arranged?

Arrival and departure transfers can be arranged for you once you have a confirmed booking. Please contact our team of Travel Experts if you would like a transfer added to your tour booking or for more information.

I am travelling alone, is there a single supplement?

If you are a single traveller you can either choose to share a room with another guest of the same gender at no extra cost or if you prefer the privacy of your own room you can pay a single supplement to upgrade to a single room. If you would like to book a single room please make sure to choose this option on the booking page or simply contact our team of Travel Experts.

Am I able to bring my children on this tour?

Children are welcome on all AAT Kings tours however they are required to be a minimum age of 5 years or older. It is recommended that if you are travelling with children to consider whether the itinerary is suitable and in particular the activities involved.

Where do I meet the tour and tour manager?

Your tour will start from a centrally located hotel on day 1 of the tour, as this hotel is subject to change it is recommended to contact our team of Travel Experts for more information once your booking is confirmed.

Can I join the tour later or finish the tour earlier?

You can choose to join the tour at a later date or finish the tour early however, it is important to note that AAT Kings is unable to offer a discount for choosing to do as the tour is a set package with a strict itinerary.

On travelling days how often do we get a break?

On travelling days you will stop every 2 to 3 hours either at a rest stop or for sightseeing, activities or free time.

From

$3,645

US $3,353 per person

Southern Spotlight

9 days

•

Start and end in Christchurch

3.9 (7 reviews)

View all
We've done two other Trafalgar bus tours and she has been our favourite tour guide. It was fast paced, but we did cover an incredible amount in 8 days.
Dianne•traveled in December5.0
View all

From

$3,645

-8%

US $3,353 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Gold Operator: AAT Kings
City & Culture: Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 20 - 50
All Ages Welcome

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Intro
Introduction
Day 1
Christchurch
Christchurch
Accommodation
Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)
Day 2
Christchurch to Omarama
Christchurch to Omarama
Accommodation
Hotel (Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel)
Included Activities
- Christchurch city tour viewing the cardboard Cathedral and Turanga central library
- Visit Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
- Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience hosted by local specialists)
Landmarks
Cardboard Cathedral
Turanga Central Library
Church of the Good Shepherd
Lake Tekapo
Day 3
Omarama to Te Anau
Omarama to Te Anau
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation
Hotel (Distinction Luxmore Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour - NZ$98 Adult NZ$30 Child
Landmarks
Clyde
Gore
Fiordland National Park
Lake Te Anau
Day 4
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Day Trip
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Day Trip
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Distinction Luxmore Hotel)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing cruise in Milford Sound/Piopiotahi with towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and untouched fiord scenery
Optional Activities
- Milford Sound flight back to Queenstown - NZ$420 adult NZ$260 Child
Landmarks
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Day 5
Te Anau to Queenstown
Te Anau to Queenstown
Meals
Dinner (Gourmet barbecue dinner and farm show at Walter Peak High Country Farm)
Accommodation
Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront)
Included Activities
- Visit historic gold rush village of Arrowtown
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak on TSS Earnslaw Steamship
- Gourmet BBQ Dinner and Farm Show at Walter Peak High Country Farm
Landmarks
Lake Wakatipu
Devil's Staircase
Arrowtown
Walter Peak High Country Farm
Day 6
Queenstown
Queenstown
Accommodation
Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront)
Optional Activities
- Shotover Jet Boat Ride (NZ$149 Adult NZ$79 Child)
- Skippers Canyon Scenic Tour & Jet Boat (NZ$195 Adult NZ$115 Child)
- Kiwi Birdlife Park (NZ$49 Adult NZ$24 Child)
- Lakeshore, Forest and Bird Guided Walk (NZ$115 Adult / NZ$75 Child)
Landmarks
Kiwi Birdlife Park
Day 7
Queenstown to Franz Josef/Waiau
Queenstown to Franz Josef/Waiau
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier)
Optional Activities
- The Helicopter Line - Mountain Scenic Spectacular 40min Flight - NZ$480 Adult NZ$336 Child
- The Helicopter Line - Twin Glacier Scenic 30min Flight - NZ$350 Adult NZ$245 Child
- Haast River Safari - NZ$109 Adult NZ$59 Child
Landmarks
Lake Dunstan
Lake Hawea
Haast Pass
Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere
Day 8
Franz Josef to Christchurch
Franz Josef to Christchurch
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation
Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine train journey through the Southern Alps with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys
Landmarks
Hokitika
Day 9
Christchurch
Christchurch

Landmarks
Cardboard Cathedral
Turanga Central Library
Church of the Good Shepherd
Lake Tekapo

Landmarks
Clyde
Gore
Fiordland National Park
Lake Te Anau

Landmarks
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi

Landmarks
Lake Wakatipu
Devil's Staircase
Arrowtown
Walter Peak High Country Farm

Landmarks
Kiwi Birdlife Park

Landmarks
Lake Dunstan
Lake Hawea
Haast Pass
Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere

Landmarks
Hokitika

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Optional
Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Ibis Hotel Christchurch
Hotel
Days 1, 8
Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel
Hotel
day 2
Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Hotel
Days 3, 4
Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront
Hotel
Days 5, 6
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Hotel
day 7

Operated by

AAT Kings

Gold Operator

Rating: 4.4 (118 reviews)
Response time: within 2 days
Response rate: 64%
Cancellation policy

Traveler Reviews

3.9

Overall rating based on 7 Reviews

Itinerary
4.8
Transport
4.8
Guide
5.0
Accommodation
4.3
Food
4.3
Tour Operator
4.4

Woldeyesus5.0•April 2026
Led by Christin
Service was great and the touring team was awesome!!
Traveled in March 2026
Marina5.0•January 2026
We were very happy with our tour! It was very well organised, good accommodation, tasty meals, and with tour...
We were very happy with our tour! It was very well organised, good accommodation, tasty meals, and with tour director and driver doing the best job of looking after people!Show more
Traveled in December 2025
David1.0•December 2024
Beware, this tour does not operate fully throughout the year and if, like us, the Tranz Alpine Railway is not running...
Show more
Traveled in October 2024
Dianne5.0•December 2023
Isobel was an outstanding tour guide, full of amazing and interesting information, funny, down to earth, a wonderful...
Isobel was an outstanding tour guide, full of amazing and interesting information, funny, down to earth, a wonderful story teller, competent, organised, nice to everyone. We've done two other Trafalgar bus tours and she has been our favourite tour guide. Darrell was a superb bus driver, always calm, navigating different terrains and weather with ease. We felt 100% safe in his competent hands. I liked that so much of the good stuff was included in the tour, e.g. the cruise on Milford Sound, and the wonderful ferry ride and dinner on the farm in Queenstown. It was fast paced, but we did cover an incredible amount in 8 days.Show more
Traveled in November 2023
Moumita3.0•March 2020
We had a great guide but the tour itself had a very brief covering of the Franz and fox that was very dissappointing....
Show more
Traveled in March 2020
Reply from: AAT Kings
Hi Moumita, thanks for taking the time to share your feedback. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed travelling with our Travel Director, but we are sorry to hear that other parts of the Guided Holiday did not meet expectations. If you would like to discuss further then please contact us at guestrelations@ttc.com with some further information including your name, booking reference and departure date. Many thanks, AAT Kings
Show more
Rosemary4.0•February 2020
Very good tour, excellent tour director and driver. Itinerary super, fantastic scenery, food mostly very good, hotels...
Show more
Traveled in February 2020
Reply from: AAT Kings
Hello Rosemary, Thank you very much for your feedback. We are looking forward to welcoming you on an AAT Kings time again in the future. Many thanks, AAT Kings
Show more
GingerSutton4.0•February 2019
View in English
Traveled in January 2019
Reply from: AAT Kings
Hi Ginger, Thanks so much for sharing your feedback! We hope to see you again soon on another AAT Kings tour! Many thanks, AAT Kings
Show more

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

Hurry, deals only available for a limited time!

Ends on 23 Sep, 2026

From Sunday
27 Sep, 2026
To Monday
5 Oct, 2026
This departure date is not available or sold out
Sold out
From:
US$3,645 per person
See Similar Tours For These Dates
From Sunday
11 Oct, 2026
To Monday
19 Oct, 2026
English
Almost Sold Out
Check the availability with the operator
Departure on request
From:
US$3,645 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
From Sunday
1 Nov, 2026
To Monday
9 Nov, 2026
This departure date is not available or sold out
Sold out
From:
US$3,827 per person
See Similar Tours For These Dates
From Sunday
15 Nov, 2026
To Monday
23 Nov, 2026
English
Almost Sold Out
Check the availability with the operator
Departure on request
From:
US$3,827 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
From Sunday
6 Dec, 2026
To Monday
14 Dec, 2026
English
Almost Sold Out
Check the availability with the operator
Departure on request
From:
US$3,645 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
-8%
From Sunday
13 Dec, 2026
To Monday
21 Dec, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
$3,645
US$3,353 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
-8%
From Sunday
17 Jan, 2027
To Monday
25 Jan, 2027
English
Filling Fast
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
$3,755
US$3,455 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
From Sunday
24 Jan, 2027
To Monday
1 Feb, 2027
This departure date is not available or sold out
Sold out
From:
US$3,755 per person
See Similar Tours For These Dates
Instant Confirmation
-8%
From Sunday
31 Jan, 2027
To Monday
8 Feb, 2027
English
Filling Fast
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
$3,755
US$3,455 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
From Sunday
7 Feb, 2027
To Monday
15 Feb, 2027
This departure date is not available or sold out
Sold out
From:
US$3,755 per person
See Similar Tours For These Dates

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

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V
Victor
Asked on March 23rd, 2023
Is this a Cruise all of the trip?
Tour Details
- AAT KingsOperator•Written March 2023
  AAT Kings only offers fully guided coach tours and not cruises.
R
Rachel
Asked on December 4th, 2018
Do I need to advise you if I have any mobility issues or a serious medical condition?
Travel Support
- AAT KingsOperator•Written December 2018
  Its essential you advise our team of Travel Experts at the time of booking if you have any mobility issues or serious medical conditions, so that we can ensure, as much as possible, your needs are met on your tour. Unfortunately due to space considerations on this tour it is not possible to accommodate motorised scooters and non-collapsible wheelchairs.
K
Ken
Asked on December 4th, 2018
Do you cater for special dietary requirements?
Meals
- AAT KingsOperator•Written December 2018
  If you have a special dietary requirement such as gluten-free, vegetarian etc please advise our team of Travel Experts at the time of booking to ensure the tour operator can do their best to accommodate your request.
S
Sophie
Asked on December 4th, 2018
When will I receive my travel documents?
Travel Support
- AAT KingsOperator•Written December 2018
  Your travel documents will be posted to you in a travel wallet which will contain your documents and luggage tags to you approximately four weeks before your departure date.
J
Judy
Asked on December 4th, 2018
Can airport transfers be arranged?
Flights / Transfers
- AAT KingsOperator•Written December 2018
  Arrival and departure transfers can be arranged for you once you have a confirmed booking. Please contact our team of Travel Experts if you would like a transfer added to your tour booking or for more information.
K
Katrina
Asked on December 4th, 2018
I am travelling alone, is there a single supplement?
Single supplement
- AAT KingsOperator•Written December 2018
  If you are a single traveller you can either choose to share a room with another guest of the same gender at no extra cost or if you prefer the privacy of your own room you can pay a single supplement to upgrade to a single room. If you would like to book a single room please make sure to choose this option on the booking page or simply contact our team of Travel Experts.
A
Ashley
Asked on December 4th, 2018
Am I able to bring my children on this tour?
Age Range
- AAT KingsOperator•Written December 2018
  Children are welcome on all AAT Kings tours however they are required to be a minimum age of 5 years or older. It is recommended that if you are travelling with children to consider whether the itinerary is suitable and in particular the activities involved.
N
Nadia
Asked on December 4th, 2018
Where do I meet the tour and tour manager?
Tour Details
- AAT KingsOperator•Written December 2018
  Your tour will start from a centrally located hotel on day 1 of the tour, as this hotel is subject to change it is recommended to contact our team of Travel Experts for more information once your booking is confirmed.
C
Carl
Asked on December 4th, 2018
Can I join the tour later or finish the tour earlier?
Tour Details
- AAT KingsOperator•Written December 2018
  You can choose to join the tour at a later date or finish the tour early however, it is important to note that AAT Kings is unable to offer a discount for choosing to do as the tour is a set package with a strict itinerary.
D
Dan
Asked on December 4th, 2018
On travelling days how often do we get a break?
Transport
- AAT KingsOperator•Written December 2018
  On travelling days you will stop every 2 to 3 hours either at a rest stop or for sightseeing, activities or free time.

From

$3,645

-8%

US $3,353 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 137149

Currency
$
New Zealand Dollar
New Zealand
Plugs & Adapters
As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type I.
Type I
New Zealand
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before November 21st, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after November 21st, 2026, a minimum payment of $200 is required to confirm your booking with AAT Kings. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and AAT Kings will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "AAT Kings" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of AAT Kings. Please familiarize yourself with the AAT Kings payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Insurance
Our travel protection from our award-winning partner, XCover, means you and your travel companions can book with peace of mind knowing there’s protection available in case your trip doesn’t go to plan. At checkout you will be able to select between different options in case you or the tour are eligible for insurance. In case no option is available, you are always able to purchase travel insurance outside of TourRadar.
Checking which travel protection options are available for you…
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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AAT Kings
Explore Australia and New Zealand with AAT Kings

Southern Spotlight

Itinerary

Introduction

Christchurch

Christchurch to Omarama

Included Activities

Omarama to Te Anau

Optional Activities

Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Day Trip

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Te Anau to Queenstown

Included Activities

Queenstown

Optional Activities

Queenstown to Franz Josef/Waiau

Optional Activities

Franz Josef to Christchurch

Included Activities

Christchurch

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What's Included

What's Not Included

Where You'll Stay

Traveler Reviews

Dates & Availability

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What our customers ask about this tour

Good to Know

Videos

Keep Exploring New Zealand

Southern Spotlight

Itinerary

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

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What's Included

What's Not Included

Where You'll Stay

Traveler Reviews

Dates & Availability

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