From

US $12,486 per person

New Zealand Coastal Expedition with Queenstown Escape Queenstown - Wellington (2027)

13 days

•

From Queenstown to Wellington

4.2 (27 reviews)

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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
Queenstown
Queenstown
Meals
Dinner (Welcome dinner at hotel)
Accommodation
Hotel (Avani Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to hotel
- Welcome dinner at hotel
Day 2
Queenstown
Queenstown
Accommodation
Hotel (Avani Queenstown)
Optional Activities
- The Lord of the Rings 4WD Safari - visit dramatic film locations from the trilogies
- Wine Tour - personalized tour of New Zealand's southernmost wine region with tastings
- Skippers Canyon 4WD adventure - follow Shotover River valley with views of cliffs and gorges
- Million Dollar Cruise - luxury vessel cruise on Lake Wakatipu with views of peaks and native birdlife
- Dart River Wilderness Jet - glacier-fed jet boat journey into Mount Aspiring National Park
- Best of Queenstown - panoramic views of Queenstown, historic Arrowtown, Ayrburn, wine tasting and cheese platter
- Walter Peak dinner - vintage steamer cruise to farm with gourmet barbecue dinner
- Stratosfare Restaurant dinner - gondola ascent to Bob's Peak with buffet and lake views
- Fergburger dinner - acclaimed burger restaurant
- Fin restaurant dinner
Landmarks
Lake Wakatipu
Mount Aspiring National Park
Arrowtown
The Remarkables
Bob's Peak
Day 3
Queenstown to Bluff
Queenstown to Bluff
Meals
Dinner (Welcome dinner on board)
Accommodation
Hotel (Coral Adventurer)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Bluff port
- Board Coral Adventurer
- Welcome dinner on board
Landmarks
Bluff
Day 4
At Sea
At Sea
Included Activities
- Day at sea sailing past Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island)
Optional Activities
- Scenic sailing alongside Solander Island (weather and time permitting)
- Tender vessel excursion to view island's birdlife (weather and time permitting)
Landmarks
Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island)
Day 5
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Included Activities
- Tender vessel excursion to visit waterfalls in Milford Sound
- Coastal exploration and wildlife viewing
Optional Activities
- Explore rugged coastline by tender vessel
- Look for fur seals, dolphins, and penguins
Landmarks
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Fiordland National Park
Day 6
Doubtful Sound/Patea
Doubtful Sound/Patea
Included Activities
- Navigation through 'The Gut' from Thompson Sound into Doubtful Sound
Optional Activities
- Easy short walk between Deas Cove and Neck Cove to see local flora and fauna
- Tender vessel cruise exploring fjord coastline and local history
Landmarks
Doubtful Sound/Patea
Thompson Sound
Deas Cove
Neck Cove
Day 7
Dusky Sound/Tamatea
Dusky Sound/Tamatea
Included Activities
- Navigation through Acheron Passage
- Viewing of glaciers and alpine ranges in Dusky Sound
Landmarks
Dusky Sound/Tamatea
Fiordland National Park
Acheron Passage
Te Wāhipounamu
Day 8
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Included Activities
- Guided discovery of Stewart Island
- Wildlife and forest exploration
Optional Activities
- Various hikes suited to different fitness levels
- Visit Oban coastal town
- Explore former whaling station
Landmarks
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Oban
Day 9
Dunedin
Dunedin
Meals
Lunch
Included Activities
- Disembark after lunch
- City tour of Dunedin
- Visit Araiteuru for welcome presentation from Marae member
- Visit Oveeston House
- Visit Railway Station
- Visit Dunedin University
- Visit Baldwin Street
Optional Activities
- Free time to discover Dunedin at own pace
Landmarks
Dunedin
Araiteuru
Oveeston House
Dunedin Railway Station
Dunedin University
Baldwin Street
Day 10
Akaroa to Christchurch
Akaroa to Christchurch
Optional Activities
- All-day hop-on hop-off tram tickets with live commentary of city centre highlights (additional expense)
Landmarks
Christchurch
Akaroa
Christchurch Museum
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Day 11
Kaikōura
Kaikōura
Included Activities
- Whale watching excursion on catamaran
- Marine life viewing with hydrophone experience
- 3.5 kilometre peninsular walk with shuttle transfer
Optional Activities
- Free time in Kaikōura township
Landmarks
Kaikōura
Day 12
Ship Cove/Meretoto
Ship Cove/Meretoto
Included Activities
- Visit James Cook memorial at Meretoto/Ship Cove
- Walk through Motuara Island wildlife sanctuary
- Shoreline stroll with views of Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound
Landmarks
Meretoto/Ship Cove
Motuara Island
Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound
Day 13
Wellington
Wellington
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Disembark after breakfast
- Transfer to Wellington airport or APT hotel
Landmarks
Wellington

Landmarks
Lake Wakatipu
Mount Aspiring National Park
Arrowtown
The Remarkables
Bob's Peak

Landmarks
Bluff

Landmarks
Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island)

Landmarks
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Fiordland National Park

Landmarks
Doubtful Sound/Patea
Thompson Sound
Deas Cove
Neck Cove

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

Landmarks
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Oban

Landmarks
Dunedin
Araiteuru
Oveeston House
Dunedin Railway Station
Dunedin University
Baldwin Street

Landmarks
Christchurch
Akaroa
Christchurch Museum
Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Landmarks
Kaikōura

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

Landmarks
Wellington

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

Where You'll Stay

Avani Queenstown
Hotel
Days 1, 2
Coral Adventurer
Hotel
day 3

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 Friday
21 Jan, 2028
To Wednesday
2 Feb, 2028
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Good to know

Tour ID: 353848

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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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Cancellation Policy
Cancellation terms may vary per tour. Please check for the full cancellation policy here.
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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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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 Queenstown - Wellington (2027)

Explore our featured adventures

Itinerary

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

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What's 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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