From

US $10,381 per person

New Zealand Expedition Cruise Wellington - Queenstown (2026)

11 days

•

From Wellington to Queenstown

4.2 (27 reviews)

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View all

From

US $

+ $982 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 departure month

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Pay only $750 today. The rest is due 120 days before departure. Learn more

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Operator: APT
Nature & Wildlife: Explore untamed landscapes teeming with wildlife
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+

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Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Intro
Introduction
Day 1
Wellington
Wellington
Meals
Dinner (Relaxed dinner on board)
Accommodation
Hotel (Coral Adventurer)
Included Activities
- Dinner on board ship
Day 2
Ship Cove/Meretoto
Ship Cove/Meretoto
Included Activities
- Visit to James Cook memorial at Meretoto/Ship Cove
- Walk through wildlife sanctuary on Motuara Island
- Shoreline walk with views of Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound
Landmarks
Meretoto/Ship Cove
Motuara Island
Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound
Day 3
Kaikōura
Kaikōura
Included Activities
- Whale watching excursion aboard catamaran in Kaikōura
- Viewing of marine wildlife including whales, dolphins, seals, and albatrosses
- Onboard hydrophone experience to hear whale communication
- 3.5 kilometre peninsular walk with wildlife viewing
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Kaikōura township
Landmarks
Kaikōura
Day 4
Lyttleton - Christchurch
Lyttleton - Christchurch
Included Activities
- Scenic drive from Lyttleton to Christchurch
Optional Activities
- Visit to Christchurch city centre
- Visit to world-class museum
- Visit to Botanic Gardens
- Hop-on hop-off tram tour with live commentary (additional expense)
Landmarks
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Day 5
Dunedin
Dunedin
Meals
Lunch
Included Activities
- Special welcome presentation at Araiteuru (community meeting space)
- City tour including Ovelston House, Railway Station, Dunedin University, and Baldwin Street
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Dunedin independently
Landmarks
Ovelston House
Dunedin Railway Station
Baldwin Street
Day 6
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Stewart Island
- Access to ancient forests and hiking trails
Optional Activities
- Various hikes across the island suited to different fitness levels
- Visit to Oban coastal town
- Visit to former whaling station
- Free time to explore Stewart Island at leisure
Landmarks
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Oban
Day 7
Dusky Sound/Tamatea
Dusky Sound/Tamatea
Included Activities
- Navigation through Acheron Passage
- Viewing of Dusky Sound fjord scenery and wildlife
Landmarks
Dusky Sound/Tamatea
Acheron Passage
Fiordland National Park
Te Wāhipounamu
Day 8
Doubtful Sound/Patea
Doubtful Sound/Patea
Included Activities
- Navigation through Thompson Sound into Doubtful Sound
- Easy short walk between Deas Cove and Neck Cove
Optional Activities
- Tender vessel cruise exploring Doubtful Sound coastline and local history
Landmarks
Doubtful Sound/Patea
Thompson Sound
Deas Cove
Neck Cove
Day 9
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Included Activities
- Tender vessel excursion to waterfalls in Milford Sound
- Viewing of fur seals, dolphins, and penguins
Optional Activities
- Exploration of rugged coastline
- Wildlife viewing
Landmarks
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Day 10
At Sea
At Sea
Included Activities
- Sailing past Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island)
- Viewing of birdlife including Buller's albatrosses, diving petrels, and gannets
Landmarks
Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island)
Day 11
Bluff - Queenstown
Bluff - Queenstown
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast on board ship
Landmarks
Bluff

Landmarks
Meretoto/Ship Cove
Motuara Island
Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound

Landmarks
Kaikōura

Landmarks
Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Landmarks
Ovelston House
Dunedin Railway Station
Baldwin Street

Landmarks
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Oban

Landmarks
Dusky Sound/Tamatea
Acheron Passage
Fiordland National Park
Te Wāhipounamu

Landmarks
Doubtful Sound/Patea
Thompson Sound
Deas Cove
Neck Cove

Landmarks
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi

Landmarks
Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island)

Landmarks
Bluff

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Coral Adventurer
Hotel
day 1

All accommodations are subject to change

Operated by

APT

Rating: 4.2 (27 reviews)
Response time: within 1 day
Response rate: 58%
Cancellation policy: Learn more

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 & Prices

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

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From Monday
4 Jan, 2027
To Thursday
14 Jan, 2027
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Good to know

Tour ID: 314546

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Deposit only
Book now with just a $750 deposit. The remaining balance is due 120 days before departure.
$ - New Zealand Dollar
You’ll encounter New Zealand Dollar in New Zealand.
Plug type I
You’ll need an adapter for these sockets in New Zealand.

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
  Used in New Zealand
Visa
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and how long you stay. We can’t process visas for you, but here’s a quick indication for this trip.
This is only an indication. Visa rules depend on your passport, trip length and purpose. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate before you travel.
Payment information
Pay now
A $750 deposit
Balance due
120 days before departure
Currency
USD
Booking fee
None
Book now with just a $750 deposit and pay the rest later. The remaining balance is due 120 days before departure, charged automatically to your card. Everything is charged in USD, and TourRadar never adds a booking fee. Any trip departing before March 3rd, 2027 will need to be paid in full at checkout.
Accepted for APT tours
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PayPal
TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation terms may vary per tour. Please check for the full cancellation policy here.
Checking the cancellation terms for this tour…
Your money is protected. TourRadar is an authorized agent of APT, and we handle payments so you don’t have to. Payment is securely transferred to the operator based on your departure date.
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.
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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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From

US $

+ $982 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 departure month

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Pay only $750 today. The rest is due 120 days before departure. Learn more

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

New Zealand Expedition Cruise Wellington - Queenstown (2026)

Explore our featured adventures

Itinerary

Included Activities

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

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 & Prices

Want to read it later?

Why book with TourRadar?

Deposit only

$ - New Zealand Dollar

Plug type I

Currency

Plugs & adapters

Visa

Payment information

Accepted for APT tours

Cancellation Policy

Insurance

Best price guarantee

How it works

Your quote needs

What doesn’t count

Accessibility

People also viewed

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