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South Island Itinerary
 This itinerary is suggested for family travelers, adventure seekers, eco tourists etc. The 9 day itinerary covers much of
South Island with
Christchurch being the starting and ending destination. The itinerary involves both train and road journey covering cities, mountain ranges, lakes, Fiordland, glaciers, marine life etc. There are organized tour services provided by coach services with guide, which can be booked through the internet.
Day 1
Arrive in
Christchurch. Explore the cathedral square, tram rides. There are many Victorian landmarks such as
Christchurch cathedral, Arts centre, Arts gallery and
Canterbury museum. Dine in few of the best restaurants located around
Christchurch. Stay overnight in
Christchurch.
Day 2
Visit Kaikoura for a whale watching experience. The whale watch excursion takes you deep into the sea for about 2 to 3 hours. There are many coach services from
Christchurch offering a single day tour to Kaikoura. You can also drive to Kaikoura. However, Tranz Coastal Scenic Rail Journey is the most preferred and suggested mode of transportation between
Christchurch and Kaikoura. You can return back to
Christchurch on the same day evening. Stay overnight in
Christchurch.
  Day 3
From
Christchurch, take Tranz Alpine rail journey to Greymouth via Arthur Pass. This rail journey passing through the
Southern Alps is one of the most scenic rail routes in the world. The train reaches Greymouth by
noon. Visit Punakaiki pancake rocks and blowholes located an hour drive towards north from Greymouth. Stay overnight in Greymouth.
 Day 4
Drive south towards Queenstown. Along the way visit the Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers. It is worth spending some time here. You can take optional heli scenic rides with snow landing on top of the Glaciers. For adventure savvy travelers, you can go on a glacier hiking tour. You may choose to stay overnight in the nearby townships. This would add an extra night to your itinerary. Otherwise, continue driving towards Queenstown. You can take a break in Hokitika know to visit jade mining and carving outlets. Further down the road you will pass through Wanaka and Arrowtown, before reaching Queenstown. Stay overnight in Queenstown.
 Day 5
Spend the day in Queenstown at leisure. There is a lot to do for every type of visitors. For family and kids take gondola ride or explore the majestic
Lake
Wakatipu on board TSS Earnslaw or take a Shotover river jet boat ride. To give a boost to your adrenalin, go for various bungy rides offered in Queenstown. Visit The Station located in the city centre to plan and book your activities in Queenstown. It is worth spending an extra day in the adventure capital of the world. Stay overnight in Queenstown.
 Day 6
Take day tour to Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound. Milford Sound is the most beautiful and the most traveled of the two fiordlands. There are many single day coach+ferry tours or scenic flight tours departing from Queenstown. Alternately you can choose to drive to the Milford Sound ferry terminal for a cruise ride and choose to stay overnight in the
township of
Te Anau.
Day 7
Drive towards west to
Dunedin. Explore the Scottish heritage city with its sizable collection of churches of various denominations, museums and the famous railway station. Visit to
Larnach
Castle, the only
castle of
New Zealand is worth the effort. You can also take the Taieri Gorge Rail journey if you have some time to spare. Stay overnight in
Dunedin.
 Day 8
Drive towards the north to Mt Cook National Park. Along the way you will pass through Oamaru and Timaru. Oamaru is a must to visit for it has
New Zealand's most impressive streetscapes due to the many prominent buildings constructed from local limestone. Drive further north and you can visit the Moeraki Boulders. By evening, you would have driven through one of most picturesque landscapes to reach Mt Cook National Park. You can choose to stay overnight in Omarama or Mt Cook village.
Day 9
Visit the Mt Cook national park,
Lake
Tekapo and
Lake
Pukaki. Don’t miss the eye catching site of the Mt Cook reflecting from blue waters of
Lake
Tekapo. Visit the
Church Of
The Good Shepherds located on the banks of
Lake
Tekapo. Drive further north east through the plush green
Canterbury plains to reach
Christchurch. You can spend the remaining time of the day shopping souvenirs from the shops located around the cathedral square.
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