The Southern Drift (Small Groups)
Overview
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Max Group Size
Itinerary
Your New Zealand luxury tour begins by private car to your boutique hotel located in the heart of Christchurch and just minutes from North Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens. Pay a visit to the blooms at the Botanic Gardens or ride the Christchurch Tram before meeting your Travel Concierge where you’ll raise a glass to a grand journey.
Hotel Montreal, Christchurch.
Embark on one of the world's great scenic railway journeys aboard the TranzAlpine train to the small village of Arthur's Pass. Along your journey, view the stunning scenery just outside your massive windows as you traverse the Canterbury Plains through the dramatic So...
Immerse yourself in the grand natural surroundings traversing the brilliant blue ice and deep crevasses of Franz Josef Glacier on a valley walk with a Local Expert. Learn about this uniquely accessible glacier with only a seven-mile descent from the Southern Alps and ...
Cruise down the Haast River in a purpose-built, fully enclosed jet boat past snow-capped mountains contrasting with sub-tropical, untouched rainforest basking in the beauty of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. Your guide is eager to share their expert knowledge ...
Be awed at the natural beauty around you while relaxing on a lake cruise. Complete your bonding-with-nature experience on an afternoon nature walk.
Edgewater Wānaka Hotel
Breakfast
Visit Highlands Motorsport Museum and come face to face with the state-of-the-art machines. Meet Mrs Jones Orchard, a traditional fruit stall owner, and indulge in real fruit ice-cream and stone fruit. Enjoy lunch and experience exclusive wine tasting in Gibbston Valley of the Vines at Kinross. Visit the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown.
The Rees Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch with Wine
Take in the surrounding landscape on a Lake Wakatipu scenic cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw and visit Walter Peak High Country farm for an Eco Experience - an idyllic place to spend a few peaceful hours. Or, choose a guided e-bike scenic ride along the lake. Enjoy dinner tonight at local restaurant The Bathhouse, located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
The Rees Hotel
Breakfast, Dinner
Travel by road to Manapouri, then by Catamaran and coach to Doubtful Sound to meet the Fiordland Navigator. Doubtful Sound is a stunning fiord with ancient valleys, waterfalls and wildlife. Your overnight nature cruise comes complete with an onboard naturalist, activities and lectures, not to mention delicious locally sourced cuisine.
Fiordland Navigator
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Upon disembarking the cruise, continue by road to Dunedin, stopping for lunch at Te Anau. In Dunedin, your heritage hotel welcomes you with a cosy atmosphere in the city centre. Dine on favourites such as surf and turf, braised lamb, catch of the day, or other modern twists on traditional local dishes at Parcels Restaurant.
Distinction Dunedin Hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a relaxed start this morning before taking a guided tour at 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 otherwise go to...
Travel up the coast through the towns of Oamaru and Timaru to Christchurch to uncover the city’s highlights on a fascinating sightseeing tour. On arrival in Christchurch embark on a sightseeing tour of the city to learn about its rebirth after the devastating 2011 ear...
Bid farewell to your fellow travellers after breakfast, as your journey comes to an end with a transfer to Christchurch International Airport for your onward flight.
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
Dates & Availability
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.
Luxury Gold Reviews & Ratings
Other Luxury Gold Reviews
Trusted Customer
Apr 2025
The Southern Drift
A beautiful experience. Our guide, Marty, made sure that on our long bus rides we were occupied. We played trivia, watched movies, saw scenes from the lord of the ri...
Trusted Customer
Apr 2025
Fabulous experience
Organisation was great
Bill/Susie Venohr
Apr 2025
Majestic Japan
Steer clear and beware!!! The brochures are misleading about the “majestic Japan” tour. The Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu hotel is CLOSED every year in March/April...
Tour Operator
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
Accommodation
- Hotel Montreal, Christchurch.
- Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef.
- Edgewater Wānaka Hotel
- The Rees Hotel
- Fiordland Navigator
- Distinction Dunedin Hotel.
- 11 Breakfast (B)
- 6 Dinner (D)
- 1 Lunch with Wine (L)
- 1 Lunch (L)
- Queenstown: Enjoy dinner at the majestic waterfront Bathhouse, try locally grown, foraged and farmed produce, local and international wines, against the spectacular lakefront backdrop of Lake Wakatipu.
- Dunedin: Step into Parcels Restaurant at the Distinction Dunedin and taste their exquisite modern twist on traditional local dishes. Sip delicious wines as you look across to the First Church of Otago from the old post office building which houses the hotel.
- Christchurch: Say farewell to Christchurch with a final dinner. Let your tastebuds be delighted with a delicious meal and raise a glass to the health of your companions and your unforgettable journey.
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations