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Birds of the South Island Tour

This 17 day tour starts in Christchurch and finishes in Christchurch.

Starting in Christchurch, travel to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, where alpine parrots, the playful kea, reign supreme. Continue to Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula, home to royal albatross, yellow-eyed penguins, and abundant seabird colonies. Fly to Stewart Island for three nights immersed in untouched wilderness. Enjoy guided tours spotting rare kiwi in their natural habitat and exploring Ulva Island, a predator-free sanctuary teeming with native birds like tūī, saddlebacks, and robins. Travel to Te Anau and the spectacular Milford Sound, staying overnight in the fjord for a serene evening of birdwatching and wildlife encounters. Journey to Queenstown, then venture north to Franz Josef, where lush rainforest is alive with native birdsong. In Hokitika, discover the region’s natural beauty before retreating for two magical nights in a Te Aka Treehouse, surrounded by native forest and a symphony of birds. Conclude your adventure with the iconic TranzAlpine train, a scenic ride back to Christchurch.

Accommodation type on this tour is: Boutique Lodges & Hotels.

This tour also features:

Included activity: Private Transfer Christchurch International Airport to Christchurch Accommodation

Included activity: The Visitor Promise - Cultural Learning Course

Included activity: Bob's Cove Flora and Fauna Hike with Alpine Luxury Tours

Included activity: Lake Cruise and Island Nature Walk with Eco Wanaka

Included activity: White Heron Sanctuary Tour

Included activity: Okarito Lagoon Guided Kayak Trip with Okarito Kayaks

Included activity: Māwhera Pounamu Pathway Immersive Experience

Included activity: TranzAlpine Scenic Train: Greymouth to Christchurch Scenic Plus with Great Journeys NZ

Included activity: Shared Transfer from Christchurch Train Station to Christchurch CBD Accommodation with Christchurch Touring Company

Included activity: Private Transfer from Accommodation to Airport with Christchurch Touring Company

Included activity: The Panorama Room 3-course Dinner with The Hermitage Hotel

Included activity: Dinner at Camp Estate, Larnach Castle

Included activity: Dinner at Camp Estate, Larnach Castle

Included activity: Penguin Tour with The Opera

Included activity: Royal Albatross Centre - Unique Albatross and Fort Taiaroa Tour

Included activity: Invercargill to Stewart Island with Stewart Island flights

Included activity: Evening Kiwi Spotting with Ulva's Guided Walks

Included activity: Ulva Island Half Day Guided Walk with Ulva's Guided Walks

Included activity: Ata Whenua - Shadowland Film at Fiordland Cinema

Included activity: Stewart Island to Invercargill with Stewart Island flights

Included activity: Milford Sound Overnight Cruise on the Fiordland Jewel with Fiordland Discovery

16 breakfasts, 1 dinner, 3 special dinners

Itinerary summary for: Birds of the South Island Tour

Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch
Accommodation: Merivale Manor House

Day 2: Journey to majestic Aoraki-Mount Cook landscapes
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki Wing Premium

Day 3: Enjoy alpine peaks to the coastal plains of Dunedin
Accommodation: Larnach Lodge at Larnach Castle

Day 4: Explore the wildlife of Otago! Today, see albatross and penguins
Accommodation: Larnach Lodge at Larnach Castle

Day 5: Journey to Rakiura National Park, Stewart Island
Accommodation: Church Hill Boutique Lodge & Restaurant

Day 6: Join an experienced guide and spend the evening kiwi spotting
Accommodation: Church Hill Boutique Lodge & Restaurant

Day 7: Explore Stewart Island's wilderness on foot
Accommodation: Church Hill Boutique Lodge & Restaurant

Day 8: Farewell Stewart Island with a scenic flight
Accommodation: Te Anau Lodge

Day 9: Drive to Milford Sound, nature’s breathtaking masterpiece
Accommodation: Fiordland Jewel

Day 10: Disembark your overnight vessel and discover Queenstown
Accommodation: Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel

Day 11: Explore Queenstown’s stunning landscapes and vibrant native wildlife
Accommodation: Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel

Day 12: Drive Queenstown to Franz Josef via Wanaka for a stunning lake cruise
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat

Day 13: Watch the landscapes change from glaciers to the coast
Accommodation: Rimu Lodge

Day 14: Explore Pounamu Pathway, then unwind at Te Aka Treehouse
Accommodation: Te Aka Treehouse Native Forest Retreat

Day 15: Reconnect with nature, history, and birdsong at Te Aka
Accommodation: Te Aka Treehouse Native Forest Retreat

Day 16: Experience the scenic TranzAlpine rail journey to Christchurch
Accommodation: Merivale Manor House

Day 17: Explore, relax, and conclude your journey in Christchurch