From

US $12,065 per person

New Zealand Coastal Expedition with Queenstown Escape Wellington - Queenstown (2026)

13 days

•

From Wellington to Queenstown

4.2 (27 reviews)

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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

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

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

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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)
Day 2
Ship Cove/Meretoto
Ship Cove/Meretoto
Included Activities
- Visit James Cook memorial at Meretoto/Ship Cove
- Walk through Motuara Island wildlife sanctuary
- 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 catamaran excursion from Kaikōura
- 3.5 kilometre peninsular track walk with scenic views
- Shuttle bus transfer from walk to marina
Optional Activities
- Free time in Kaikōura township
Landmarks
Kaikōura
Day 4
Lyttleton to Christchurch
Lyttleton to Christchurch
Included Activities
- Scenic drive from Lyttleton to Christchurch
Optional Activities
- Christchurch city exploration at own pace
- Hop-on hop-off tram tour of city centre (additional expense)
Landmarks
Christchurch
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Day 5
Dunedin
Dunedin
Meals
Lunch
Included Activities
- Special welcome presentation at Araiteuru (community meeting space)
- City tour of Dunedin including Ovelston House, Railway Station, Dunedin University, and Baldwin Street
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Dunedin at own pace
Landmarks
Ovelston House
Dunedin Railway Station
Baldwin Street
Day 6
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Included Activities
- Guided discovery of Stewart Island/Rakiura
- Access to various hikes of different fitness levels
Optional Activities
- Ancient forest exploration
- Oban coastal town visit
- Former whaling station visit
Landmarks
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Oban
Day 7
Dusky Sound/Tamatea
Dusky Sound/Tamatea
Included Activities
- Viewing of Dusky Sound/Tamatea fjord scenery
- Navigation through Acheron Passage
Landmarks
Dusky Sound/Tamatea
Acheron Passage
Fiordland National Park
Te Wāhipounamu
Day 8
Doubtful Sound/Patea
Doubtful Sound/Patea
Included Activities
- Navigation through The Gut into Doubtful Sound
- Easy walk between Deas Cove and Neck Cove
Optional Activities
- Tender vessel cruise along Doubtful Sound coastline
Landmarks
Doubtful Sound/Patea
The Gut
Thompson Sound
Day 9
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Included Activities
- Access to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi fjord
Optional Activities
- Tender vessel excursion to visit waterfalls
- Rugged coastline exploration to view fur seals, dolphins, and penguins
Landmarks
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Fiordland National Park
Day 10
At Sea
At Sea
Included Activities
- Sailing past Te Niho a Kewa/Solander Island
Optional Activities
- Scenic sailing alongside Solander Island (weather permitting)
- Tender vessel viewing of Solander Island birdlife (weather and time permitting)
Landmarks
Te Niho a Kewa/Solander Island
Day 11
Bluff to Queenstown
Bluff to Queenstown
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Two Nights: Millennium Hotel Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Disembarkation breakfast
- Transfer from Bluff to Queenstown
Optional Activities
- Walter Peak High Country Farm vintage steamer cruise with gourmet barbecue dinner
- Stratosfare Restaurant gondola dinner with lake views
- Fergburger dinner
- Finz Seafood & Grill waterfront dinner
- Hotel restaurant dinner
Landmarks
Walter Peak High Country Farm
Bob's Peak
Lake Wakatipu
The Remarkables
Day 12
Queenstown
Queenstown
Meals
Dinner (Memorable farewell dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner at hotel with fellow travellers
Optional Activities
- The Lord of the Rings 4WD Safari to film locations
- Wine Tour of New Zealand's southernmost wine region
- Skippers Canyon 4WD adventure along Shotover River valley
- Million Dollar Cruise on Lake Wakatipu
- Dart River Wilderness Jet in Mount Aspiring National Park
- Best of Queenstown tour including Arrowtown and Ayrburn with wine tasting and cheese platter
Landmarks
Mount Aspiring National Park
Dart River
Shotover River
Arrowtown
Day 13
Depart Queenstown
Depart Queenstown
Meals
Breakfast

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

Landmarks
Kaikōura

Landmarks
Christchurch
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
The Gut
Thompson Sound

Landmarks
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Fiordland National Park

Landmarks
Te Niho a Kewa/Solander Island

Landmarks
Walter Peak High Country Farm
Bob's Peak
Lake Wakatipu
The Remarkables

Landmarks
Mount Aspiring National Park
Dart River
Shotover River
Arrowtown

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Optional
Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Coral Adventurer
Hotel
day 1
Two Nights: Millennium Hotel Queenstown
Hotel
day 11

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

Upcoming departures

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From Monday
4 Jan, 2027
To Saturday
16 Jan, 2027
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Good to know

Tour ID: 317657

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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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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.
Checking which travel protection options are available for 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 Coastal Expedition with Queenstown Escape Wellington - Queenstown (2026)

Explore our featured adventures

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

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional 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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