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The Southern Drift

Everyday Price From

$11,870

12 days

No Countries

Overview

Experience the best of New Zealand’s South Island on this twelve-day guided tour. Travel on the TranzAlpine, one of the world’s great train journeys, to the wild West Coast. Discover the Franz Josef Glacier on a guided walk with local experts. Journey along the Haast River in an enclosed jet boat, then travel to the picturesque former mining village of Arrowtown. Take time to explore the charming town of Queenstown: here, you can choose a guided e-bike tour or join a boutique wine tour, then dine on exceptional fare at one of its most exclusive restaurants. Journey through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, where you’ll enjoy a half-day guided walk along the famous Milford Track — often described as the finest walk in the world. Travel to the ‘Edinburgh of the South’, Dunedin, to sample craft gin at Dunedin Craft Distillers. End your adventure in Christchurch, where you will toast your travels during a celebration dinner.

Locations Visited

Christchurch, Arthur's Pass, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Lake Wanaka, Queenstown, Doubtful Sound, Dunedin, Wanaka

Countries Visited

New Zealand

Travel Style

Luxury Gold

Accommodations

11 nights included

Age Requirements

Minimum Age 5

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Itinerary

COLLAPSE ALL EXPAND ALL

Day 1

Welcome to Christchurch

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. 

  • Accommodation

    Hotel Montreal


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 Southern Alps passing the ice fed Waimakariri River and native beech forest. From Arthur's Pass continue by coach to the charming town of Hokitika, the cultural centre of the West Coast. You will meet a local expert for a guided history walk in historic Holkitika. In the the town of Franz Josef, your eco friendly retreat nestled in the wilderness welcomes with natural ambience paired with impeccable luxury, inviting you to enjoy the view from your private balcony.

  • Accommodation

    Te Waonui Forest Retreat


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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TranzAlpine Scenic Train

Experience the striking natural landscape of the South Island as you travel on the TranzAlpine. Famous as one of the world’s great train journeys, you can enjoy the remarkable scenery from the ice-fed Waimakariri River to the magnificent Canterbury Plains.

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Hokitika Orientation

Visit the coastal town of Hokitika, where you’ll find stunning scenery and a cool, arty vibe. Join a Local Expert for a Hokitika History Walk and hear about the area's rich history - from the discovery of New Zealand jade through the many tales from the gold rush in the 1860s.

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 less than 1,000 feet above sea level. Take in its majesty surrounded by distant rainforest, mountain tops, waterfalls and the upper glacier.

  • Accommodation

    Te Waonui Forest Retreat


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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See Franz Josef Glacier

Experience the mighty natural wonder of the Franz Josef Glacier and what the ice age must have felt like. The sheer enormity of these giant ice puzzles will leave you spellbound as you explore the area with your Local Expert. 

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Te Waonui Forest Retreat

Surrounded by pristine wilderness, Te Waonui Forest Retreat is a five-star haven of relaxation and impeccable luxury. With a natural, earthy ambience and attentive service, there’s no better place to take a deep breath and simply unwind.

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 of this glacial valley as the sunlight pours across the wilderness or the waterfalls tumble down in a light, misty rain. Experience fairy-tale lavender fields. Your destination is your hotel in Wānaka: sitting at the edge of Lake Wānaka and designed to flow with the seasons, Edgewater is a place you’ll find nature at your own pace.

  • Accommodation

    Edgewater Wānaka Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Makarora Orientation

Visit Makarora, a great base point to explore the beauty of the Southern Alps. Your Travel Concierge will take you on an orientation of the town where you can admire remarkable scenery and hear more about its history.

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Haast River Jet Boat Safari

Enjoy the unique blend of thrilling speed and calm comfort on a Haast River jet boat safari. Zip past untouched forests and snow-capped mountains in your fully enclosed cabin while you hear beguiling tales of the wilderness communities of the valley.

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Visit Wānaka Lavender Farm

Wānaka Lavender Farm is just a few minutes drive from Wānaka, where you can experience 20 acres of beautiful lavender fields. Enjoy a walk through the flowers, meet our friendly farm animals, play a garden game, unwind over a cup of herbal tea & indulge in our lavender ice-creams. Sample our Lakes Honey and the many Wānaka Lavender Farm products that are lovingly made on site.

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.

  • Accommodation

    Edgewater Wānaka Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Lake Wānaka Cruise

Take a leisurely cruise out to Stevensons Arm, home to Mount Burke high country sheep station. Verdant green pastures precede Mount Gold which rises majestically into the Northern skyline. On Stevensons Island take a short hike with your guide and enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and cookies back onboard.

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.

  • Accommodation

    The Rees Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Lunch with Wine

Highlights

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Visit the Highlands National Motorsport Museum

Visit the Highlands National Motorsport Museum and come face to face with top-of-the-line machines. Since you only ever see them in the movies or on TV, there’s just something about being in the same room with these rare special cars that gets everyone buzzing.

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Wine Experience and Lunch at Kinross

Enjoy wine tasting in Gibbston Valley Wine Region at Kinross, followed by lunch.

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. 

  • Accommodation

    The Rees Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Walter Peak Eco Experience

Fall in love with nature and immerse yourself in a unique experience where conservation, horticulture, and eco-tourism meet. The Walter Peak Eco Experience allows you to learn more about New Zealand conservation and contribute to biodiversity.

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Scenic Guided E-Bike Ride

Ride the scenic Lake trail, visit hidden gems of the area and learn local history.

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The Bathhouse Restaurant dinner

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.

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.

  • Accommodation

    Fiordland Navigator


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Lunch

    Dinner

Highlights

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Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Give in to the wilderness, and escape to the secluded Pātea Doubtful Sound, located in the depths of the Fiordland National Park. Unlike a day cruise, this unique overnight experience completely immerses you in nature. Wake up feeling connected, in harmony, and full of wonder for Aotearoa’s native flora and fauna.

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.

  • Accommodation

    Distinction Dunedin Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Dunedin Parcels Restaurant Dinner

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.

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 landfill. Discover on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, how owners, Jenny McDonald and Sue Stockwell do it in a ‘Bread to Bottle Tour’ which takes you through the process used to turn bread into spirits. Venture just next door for a special Chocolate tasting journey at OCHO Chocolate covering the history of chocolate in Dunedin, OCHO's genesis, how 'real' chocolate is made and a 10-sample bean to bar tasting. Relax or continue exploring Dunedin as you wish. Perhaps take a wildlife cruise of the Otago Peninsula or visit the iconic Larnach Castle.

  • Accommodation

    Distinction Dunedin Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Dunedin's Craft Distillers Tour with Tasting

On this a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, sample exquisite botanical spirits made from surplus bread and bakery products in an effort to reduce landfill waste. Witness how owners, Jenny McDonald and Sue Stockwell, do it as they take you through the process of turning bread into spirits.

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 earthquake. View historic landmarks including Canterbury Museum built in the late 1800s and New Regent Street’s Spanish Mission architectural style and quirky boutiques. Sample the best of Christchurch over dinner at Montreal Bar and Restaurant, highlighting seasonal ingredients with sophistication.

  • Accommodation

    Hotel Montreal


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Christchurch Celebration Dinner

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.

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.

  • Meals

    Breakfast

What's Included

On Road Team

  •  Enjoy seamless personal assistance throughout your journey. From securing exclusive reservations, to organising transportation, your Travel Concierge ensures every aspect of your travel is tailored to your tastes and preferences.  

  • In select destinations, our network of Local Expert Guides will illuminate your journey on a deeper level.  

  • On days where a Relaxed Start (RS) is indicated, you can select to indulge in breakfast in bed.

Porterage

  • Included at all hotels. 

Gratuities

  • Hotel taxes, porterage and tips, as well as tips for included dining experiences, are included.

Meals

  • Enjoy breakfast every morning, and an array of incredible dining options throughout your journey, infused with discovery and adventure.  

Wifi

  • Enjoy complimentary hotel Wi-Fi. And, on select coaches, onboard Wi-Fi may also be available.

Transport

  • Transfers are included on your journey start and end dates, and where additional accommodation has been booked in advance through Luxury Gold. Transfers to train stations or alternate hotels, in the same start or end city as the itinerary, may be requested.

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Airfare is not included, but can be added to quote upon request.
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Start Date Wed, Dec 03, 2025
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Terms & Conditions

Trip Notes:

  • ​International Air: Please note that airfares are not included. We will quote you the lowest possible airfare available on the day you book.
  • ​Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1 of itinerary.

Terms & Conditions:

  • ​Prices listed are per person, land only and based on double occupancy (twin room) in CAD. Single room supplements are available. 
  • For 'Costco Vacations of a Lifetime itinerary, price shown is the final base price, exclusive to Costco members and already reflective of any special member savings. *Please note may not be available at all gateways/cities. Where unavailable, will offer a discount for up to $100 USD.  Additional, limited-time discounts are not applicable, other conditions apply.
  • Please see all separate Vacations of a Lifetime Terms & Conditions:
    • Artistry in Central Europe Terms & Conditions here.
    • Incredible Italy Terms & Conditions here
  • ​'Price with Current Deals' reflects current applicable 'Early Payment Discounts' or 'Last Minute Deals.' Early Payment Discounts (land only) savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all vacations/departure dates and are subject to availability; not valid with all other promotional offers. Last Minute Deals are available on select departures only and only available to travellers departing from Canada; not combinable with Early Payment Discounts or any other promotional offers; full payment due at time of booking. All discounts are for new bookings only, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Call or request a quote for complete details.
  • ​​​Trip prices and information are correct at the time of the trips going live online, however are subject to confirmation - please confirm all details at time of quote and booking.
  • For full details, please refer to our Terms & Conditions page.
  • Other conditions may apply. TICO #1873715