From

US $10,411 per person

New Zealand Expedition Cruise Wellington → Queenstown (2027)

11 days

•

From Wellington to Queenstown

4.2 (27 reviews)

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From

US $

+ $985 Port Taxes/Fees

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Operator: APT
Sailing: Catch the wind and set sail for new horizons
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 1 - 200
Ages 8+

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Wellington
Wellington
Accommodation
Hotel (Coral Adventurer)
Day 2
Motuara Island
Motuara Island
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit James Cook memorial at Meretoto/Ship Cove
- Walk through wildlife sanctuary on Motuara Island
- Shoreline walk with views of Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound
Landmarks
James Cook Memorial at Meretoto/Ship Cove
Motuara Island
Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound
Day 3
Kaikōura
Kaikōura
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Whale watching excursion by catamaran with onboard hydrophones
- 3.5 kilometre peninsular track walk with scenic views
- Marine wildlife observation (dolphins, seals, albatrosses)
Optional Activities
- Free time in Kaikōura township
Landmarks
Kaikōura
Day 4
Christchurch
Christchurch
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic drive from Akaroa to Christchurch
- Self-guided exploration of Christchurch city centre
Optional Activities
- Hop-on hop-off tram tour of Christchurch city centre with live commentary
Landmarks
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Canterbury Museum Christchurch
Day 5
Dunedin
Dunedin
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- City tour of Dunedin with guided highlights
- Special welcome presentation from Marae member at Araiteuru
- Visit to Oveiston House
- Visit to Flemish Renaissance-style Railway Station
- View of Dunedin University
- View of Baldwin Street (world's steepest street)
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Dunedin at own pace
Landmarks
Araiteuru
Oveiston House
Dunedin Railway Station
Dunedin University
Baldwin Street
Day 6
Stewart Island
Stewart Island
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Stewart Island
- Access to ancient forests and hiking trails
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration at leisure
- Various hikes suited to different fitness levels
- Visit Oban coastal town
- Visit former whaling station
Landmarks
Stewart Island
Oban
Day 7
Fiordland National Park
Fiordland National Park
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic viewing of Dusky Sound from ship
- Navigation through Acheron Passage with captain commentary
- Wildlife and scenery observation
Landmarks
Dusky Sound
Acheron Passage
Fiordland National Park
Te Wāhipounamu
Day 8
Doubtful Sound
Doubtful Sound
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic navigation through The Gut into Doubtful Sound
- Easy short walk between Deas Cove and Neck Cove
- Wildlife observation (bottlenose dolphins, Fiordland crested penguins, unique flora and fauna)
Optional Activities
- Tender vessel cruise exploring Doubtful Sound coastline and local history
Landmarks
Doubtful Sound (Pātea)
Thompson Sound
Deas Cove
Neck Cove
Day 9
Milford Sound
Milford Sound
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic viewing of Milford Sound
- Tender vessel excursion to waterfalls and coastline
Optional Activities
- Explore rugged coastline searching for fur seals, dolphins and penguins
Landmarks
Milford Sound
Day 10
Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island)
Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island)
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic sailing past Solander Island
- Birdlife observation from ship or tender vessel (weather permitting)
Landmarks
Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island)
Day 11
Bluff to Queenstown
Bluff to Queenstown
Meals
Breakfast
Landmarks
Bluff

Landmarks
James Cook Memorial at Meretoto/Ship Cove
Motuara Island
Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound

Landmarks
Kaikōura

Landmarks
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Canterbury Museum Christchurch

Landmarks
Araiteuru
Oveiston House
Dunedin Railway Station
Dunedin University
Baldwin Street

Landmarks
Stewart Island
Oban

Landmarks
Dusky Sound
Acheron Passage
Fiordland National Park
Te Wāhipounamu

Landmarks
Doubtful Sound (Pātea)
Thompson Sound
Deas Cove
Neck Cove

Landmarks
Milford Sound

Landmarks
Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island)

Landmarks
Bluff

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Coral Adventurer
Hotel
day 1

Operated by

APT

Rating: 4.2 (27 reviews)
Response time: within 1 day
Response rate: 60%
Cancellation policy

Reviews from other tours by APT

Tour Operator
4.2

John4.0•February 2023
The tour started on a wrong note because we were not met at the airport in Auckland. After some time and effort...
The tour started on a wrong note because we were not met at the airport in Auckland. After some time and effort another gentleman unrelated to the tour drove us to our hotel and wouldn't dream of taking any money. This was the first of many interfaces with NZ people, who seem to be universally friendly and helpful. Once we met with tour director Fernando and the rest of our tour group the trip was terrific. Although this was billed as "rail tour" we spent much more time on the tour bus then on the rails. However, the two bus drivers - John and then Rob - were excellent and provided local insight into all of the areas we visited, in a knowledgeable and humorous manner. We managed to leave our passports in a hotel safe, and Fernando went all out to recover them for us. The tour group were all seniors, and we made some good friends that we hope to see again. The NZ weather was perfect for the whole tour, and we were in warm dry Christchurch when Auckland had their floods Clearly we would have needed a much longer time to see all that NZ has to offer, but what we did see was impressive - incredible greenery, roads and rail lines installed thru impossible terrain, huge cattle and sheep herds, entrepreneurship displayed every where. Terrific tour, nice folks!Show more
David5.0•March 2020
Our tour director, Daniel, did a really good job and made our 6 days very enjoyable. The bus driver was also very...
Show more
Anonymous4.0•January 2012
We went on the Southern Sensation premier plus tour. It was absolutely amazing!! We live in the North Island and i...
We went on the Southern Sensation premier plus tour. It was absolutely amazing!! We live in the North Island and i can honestly say i fell in love with my country all over again. We had never been to the south island before and wanted to go and explore before we take the kids. Our bus driver and tour guide were both fantastic. Our tour guide made sure everything was perfect and any thing else we needed was not a problem. Our bus driver was just as good and helpful. They worked so well together and they both knew stories about the history of places. I highly recommend using APT, even if it is around your own country and trust me you will still be amazed. - Michelle K, New ZealandShow more

Dates & Availability

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From Monday
4 Jan, 2027
To Thursday
14 Jan, 2027
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From

US $

+ $985 Port Taxes/Fees

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: 314546

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 December 3rd, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after December 3rd, 2026, a minimum payment of $750 is required to confirm your booking with APT. 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 120 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- The following cards are accepted for "APT" 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
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of APT. Please familiarize yourself with the APT payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
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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New Zealand Expedition Cruise Wellington → Queenstown (2027)

Itinerary

Wellington

Motuara Island

Included Activities

Kaikōura

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Christchurch

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Dunedin

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Stewart Island

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Fiordland National Park

Included Activities

Doubtful Sound

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Milford Sound

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island)

Included Activities

Bluff to Queenstown

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Where You'll Stay

Reviews from other tours by APT

Dates & Availability

Want to read it later?

Why book with TourRadar?

Good to Know

Keep Exploring New Zealand

New Zealand Expedition Cruise Wellington → Queenstown (2027)

Itinerary

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Where You'll Stay

Reviews from other tours by APT

Dates & Availability

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Why book with TourRadar?

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Good to Know

Keep Exploring New Zealand

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