The Southern Drift

12 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Additional images not provided by operator
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Small Group Tour
Discover New Zealand on this Inspiring Journey through the natural treasures of the South Island. From the still waters of Milford Sound/Piopiotahi and snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps to the rolling hills of Central Otago, delve into the beauty of landscapes that have remained unchanged for millennia.
$8,232
From$6,098
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

What's this trip about?

    Discover New Zealand on this Inspiring Journey through the natural treasures of the South Island. From the still waters of Milford Sound/Piopiotahi and snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps to the rolling hills of Central Otago, delve into the beauty of landscapes that have remained unchanged for millennia.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 22 people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityChristchurch (Nz)
End CityChristchurch (Nz)

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 22

Trip includes

    • Small group (average 16 guests) 20 included meals 11 Nights premium accommodation

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch

On arrival at Christchurch Airport you'll be driven by private car to your hotel. Spend some time at leisure to relax or explore on your own. Perhaps visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. In the evening meet your Journey Director for a Welcome Reception.

Hotel Montreal Christchurch

Welcome Reception

Day 2: Christchurch - Franz Josef/Waiau

It's all aboard the TranzAlpine train. Rated as one of the world's great scenic railway journeys, you'll travel in comfort across the Canterbury Plains through to the Southern Alps. From Arthur's Pass, visit the small town of Hokitika, the heritage and cultural centre...

Day 3: Franz Josef/Waiau 'Relaxed Start'

We explore this area on a walk with a local guide, who will take you up alongside the Waiho River bed following the glacier’s path of retreat, and will explain the history behind mighty Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere. Later, you may want to get up clos...

Day 4: Franz Josef/Waiau - Arrowtown - Queenstown

This morning it’s time for an adventure as we travel in a purpose-built fully enclosed river jet boat and journey down the Haast River. After a lunch stop at Makarora we head to Queenstown, taking time to stop to explore the historic gold-mining village of Arrowtown. ...

Day 5: Queenstown at Leisure

Enjoy Queenstown your way! Perhaps view The Lord of the Rings film locations on a scenic tour of Queenstown and Glenorchy or spend time having a relaxing massage in the spa. Why not sit back and enjoy a peaceful cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand’s oldest steamship, the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station, for a gourmet BBQ dinner?

The Rees

Full Breakfast

Day 6: Queenstown at Leisure

Make the most of your extended stay in Queenstown. Perhaps join a wine tour and taste some of Central Otago’s world-renowned Pinot Noir; take a jet boat ride down the mighty Shotover River. Or simply relax, shop or enjoy time at one of the many cafés and restaurants w...

Day 7: Queenstown - Te Anau - Milford Sound/Piopiotahi

Travel south along Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, which is nestled on the shores of the South Island’s largest lake. Stop for lunch at a local farm, where you will hear stories of life on the land and meet a cuddly animal or two. Continue through the rainforest of the UNES...

Day 8: Milford Sound - Invercargill

We leave the majestic Fiordland National Park for the fertile sheep-dotted pastures of South Otago through to Gore, the country music capital of New Zealand, for a lunch stop. Journey to Invercargill, New Zealand's southernmost city. This commercial hub is full of gra...

Day 9: Invercargill (Stewart & Ulva Islands)

Board a ferry at Bluff and cruise to Stewart Island, known by locals as Rakiura the Maori reference to Glowing Skies. It has been described as rugged, pristine and tranquil – and rightly so as 97% of the island is designated National Park and Conservation Estate. This...

Day 10: Invercargill - Dunedin

Enjoy a relaxed start in Invercargill before departing for Dunedin. Visit Dunedin Craft Distillers, the first distillery in Aotearoa New Zealand and one of only a handful worldwide, to produce botanical spirits from surplus bread and bakery products that would otherwi...

Day 11: Dunedin - Christchurch

Travel up the east coast of the South Island via Omarau and Timaru. Once back in Christchurch embark on a sightseeing tour of the city to learn about its rebirth after the devastating 2011 earthquake. This evening, toast your tour at a Celebration Dinner with your new-found friends and Journey Director.

Hotel Montreal Christchurch

Full Breakfast, Celebration Dinner

Day 12: Farewell from Christchurch

Say farewell to your fellow travellers as your Inspiring Journey comes to an end and we transfer you by private car to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.

Full Breakfast

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $6,098
Price per day$508
Last Updated: 4/16/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Double Room (Shared)
Single Room
Availability
22 Oct 2025
31 Oct 2025
$6,098
$8,159
05 Nov 2025
14 Nov 2025
$6,775
$9,065
12 Nov 2025
21 Nov 2025
$6,098
$8,159
03 Dec 2025
12 Dec 2025
$6,775
$9,065
31 Dec 2025
09 Jan 2026
$6,098
$8,159
14 Jan 2026
23 Jan 2026
$6,775
$9,065
04 Feb 2026
13 Feb 2026
$6,098
$8,159
18 Feb 2026
27 Feb 2026
$6,098
$8,159
25 Feb 2026
06 Mar 2026
$6,775
$9,065
18 Mar 2026
27 Mar 2026
$6,098
$8,159

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

AAT Kings Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
1,749
Great
476
Average
92
Disappointing
27
Terrible
19
T

Trusted Customer

Mar 2025

Written on

The Southern Drift

Every accomodation was excellent. Beds were all very comfor...

T

Trusted Customer

Mar 2025

Written on

The Southern Drift

The tour director was absolutely perfect, knowledgeable, articulate and witty. Coach was genuinely “business class “ and the driver was safe and added usefully to th...

T

Thomas Edmund Zalaski

Mar 2025

Written on

The Southern Drift

Our tour was wonderful. Our tour guide Hope made the tour interesting and she shared her heritage and personal experiences in the South Island. She made our group fe...

G

Georgina Andrews

Oct 2024

Written on

The Southern Drift

What a wonderful adventure the Southern Drift was. From beautiful scenery, interesting excursions, first class accommodation and meals, luxury coach, friendly fello...

Write a Review

Other AAT Kings Reviews

M

Maureen Goossens

Apr 2025

Written on

Spirit of New Zealand

The coach trip from beginning to end was fantastic, Isabel's know...

T

Trusted Customer

Apr 2025

Written on

It's okay but there is much more room to improve. Hire a competent person.

See my previous comment. I was expecting little better. I was not happy about mandatory tips per person not per family, per day and minimum $10 per day rate. And al...

Write a Review

Tour Operator

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

  • Hotel Montreal Christchurch
  • Te Waonui Forest Retreat
  • The Rees
  • Milford Mariner
  • The Langlands Hotel
  • Distinction Dunedin Hotel
Cancellation policy

Cancellation by the Traveller
Travel arrangements for any member of the party may be cancelled at any time by written notice by the person who made the booking.

If notice of cancellation is received by the Provider before final payment is due (see The Table), the deposit will be retained. If cancellation is made after final payment is due cancellation fees will apply (see The Table). These cancellation fees represent the costs incurred less any expected recoveries. Please also refer to Air cancellation Section where applicable.Notice of cancellation must be made in writing directly to the Provider or through your Travel Agent. Please also refer to the Provider's Gold Seal Additional Protection.

If a person in a party cancels and there is a room change caused by this cancellation (such as a twin share to Single, or Triple to twin share), charges for the new room type will be the responsibility of the remaining party. The charges detailed in the Summary Terms table (which includes GST), representing costs incurred by the Provider in cancelling your travel arrangements, will apply when notice of cancellation for your trip is given after the booking is confirmed. Please also refer to the Provider's Gold Seal Additional Protection.

If a guest fails to join the trip on the day of departure, cancellation fees will be 100% (unless the guest notifies us of the delay and joins the trip later at their own expense).

Cancellation fees as per The Table apply to additional accommodation and/or chargeable transfers prior to and after the trip, itinerary extensions or cruise reserved through the Provider.

Cancellation fees and charges will include any amounts that we have paid or have contractually committed to pay to third parties to deliver your travel arrangements which we cannot reasonably recover (for example payments made or due to airlines and hotels). Any payments we have made to third parties will only be refunded to you once we have deducted the above cancellation fees and charges and once we have actually recovered the amounts from the third parties.

All cancellation fees as per The Table are additional to any cancellation fees or other charges that may be levied by your Travel Agent.

Gold Seal Protection premiums are non-refundable.

If the reason for your cancellation is covered under your insurance, you may be able to reclaim these charges from your insurer. You are responsible for making the claim to your insurer. We will provide you with documentation to support your claim.

Cancellation by the Provider
The Provider reserves the right, to modify or cancel any trip, accommodation, in-destination activity or arrangement, definite or not, at any time.

Cancellation due to Failure to Pay

If full payment is not received by the due date (see The Table), The Provider has the right to cancel your reservation and no refund will be made. The Provider will not be responsible for lost reservations.

Cancellation due to Force Majeure Events

If The Provider cancels a trip as a result of a Force Majeure Event, a future travel credit (FTC) to the value of funds paid to date, less any unrecoverable third-party costs incurred, will be provided. All FTCs will be valid for 24 months from date of issue.

Where a trip is terminated mid-trip due to a Force Majeure event, if we provide you with any alternative services or assistance (such as hotels or travel) then you agree to pay for these costs.

Cancellation due to Events other than Force Majeure Events

If the cancellation by the Provider is not as a result of a Force Majeure Event, the Provider will provide an alternative comparable trip (if available). If an alternative is not available, then a refund will be made. The Provider is not liable for any cancellation or change cost or penalties incurred on other travel arrangements, including air travel, that may be affected thereby.

The Provider is not responsible for other travel arrangements that you or your party have made outside the Provider and which are affected by our cancellations.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of TruTravels at the following web address: https://www.aatkings.com/about-us/booking-conditions-published-5-august-2024/

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
  • 11 Full Breakfast (B)
  • 5 Dinner with Wine (DW)
  • 1 Local Dining Experience (LD)
  • 2 Lunch (L)
  • 1 Celebration Dinner (CD)
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
aatkin-NZSI24

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!