Day 1
Oamaru & Moeraki Boulders
Explore Oamaru’s Victorian character and visit the remarkable boulders on the Otago coast as you travel south to Dunedin.
Leisure Tours · 9-Day Coach, Train & Cruise Tour · 2027
Southern NZ Highlights Tour 2027
Discover the Deep South on a fully escorted nine-day coach, train and cruise tour. Journey through the Taieri Gorge by rail, cruise Milford Sound, and take the TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu for dinner at Walter Peak.
Christchurch return · February to April 2027
Part of Pounamu Tourism GroupNZ’s Leading Tour Operator 2025
Milford Sound · Photo: Rob Suisted
The journeyChristchurch returnA complete southern circuit
Duration9 days, 8 nightsFully escorted
How you travelCoach · Train · CruiseScenic rail, fiord and lake cruises
2027 departures7 datesFebruary, March & April
Part of Pounamu Tourism Group
Four years of award-winning journeys.
New Zealand’s Leading Tour Operator
World Travel Awards 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
A journey through the spectacular south
Coastlines. Fiords. Lakes. High country.
Enjoy the best of the southern South Island by coach, train and cruise, from the Otago coast and Taieri Gorge to Fiordland, Southland and the Mackenzie Country.
01
The southern icons, together
Milford Sound, the Catlins, Queenstown and the Mackenzie Country, all in one nine-day itinerary.
02
Experiences to look forward to
Travel through the Taieri Gorge by train, cruise beneath Mitre Peak and cross Lake Wakatipu by steamship for dinner at Walter Peak.
03
Time to settle in
Two-night stays in Dunedin, Invercargill and Te Anau, with an experienced Driver/Guide throughout your journey.
The tour highlights
Some of the South’s finest experiences.
Discover the Taieri Gorge by train, the wild Catlins coast, Milford Sound and dinner across the lake at Walter Peak. Each day offers a new perspective on the South.
Day 2
Taieri Gorge by train
Travel with Dunedin Rail through dramatic river gorges and historic tunnels, taking in the remarkable Wingatui Viaduct.
Day 4
The wild Catlins coast
A full day discovering the southern coast, including the lighthouses at Waipapa Point and Nugget Point.
Day 6
Milford Sound
Cruise beneath Mitre Peak, past waterfalls and sheer rock faces, with lunch on board. The spectacular Milford Road is part of the experience.
Day 7
TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak
Cross Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic steamship, then sit down to a gourmet BBQ dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm.
Days 8 & 9
The Mackenzie Country
Travel through Wānaka and Lindis Pass, then take in Lake Pūkaki, views towards Aoraki / Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo.
The full tour brochure
Take a closer look at your next holiday.
Have the complete journey on hand while you choose your date or talk it through with your travel companion.
- The day-by-day itinerary and route map
- Your accommodation each night
- Taieri Gorge train journey and two scenic cruises
- All seven 2027 departures and pricing
February to April 2027
Choose your departure.
Seven departures, each starting and ending in Christchurch. Select a date below and the live Leisure Tours booking window will open in a new tab.
What’s included
The journey, the stays and the highlights.
Your tour includes scenic coach touring, the Taieri Gorge rail journey, cruises on Milford Sound and TSS Earnslaw, accommodation, selected meals and escorted excursions.
Scenic coach touring
Comfortable coach travel throughout the circuit, with transfers to your accommodation and included excursions.
8 nights’ accommodation
Selected hotels across the south, with two-night stays in Dunedin, Invercargill and Te Anau, followed by Queenstown and Omarama.
Two memorable cruises
A Milford Sound cruise and a Lake Wakatipu journey aboard TSS Earnslaw, including dinner at Walter Peak.
19 included meals
Eight cooked breakfasts, six lunches and five dinners, including the welcome dinner and Walter Peak gourmet BBQ.
Taieri Gorge scenic train
A scenic Day 2 rail journey through the Taieri Gorge with Dunedin Rail, passing historic tunnels and the Wingatui Viaduct.
Escorted southern experiences
An experienced Driver/Guide, Bill Richardson Transport World, the Catlins excursion, Te Hikoi Museum and the Takahē Sanctuary.
Flights, travel insurance, pre-tour or post-tour accommodation, and meals not listed in the itinerary are additional. See the practical details.
Your day-by-day itinerary
Nine days, carefully paced.
Two-night stays in Dunedin, Invercargill and Te Anau give you time to explore each region.
Day 01Christchurch to DunedinOamaru · Moeraki Boulders · welcome dinner
Meet your guide and fellow travellers at the Commodore Hotel in Christchurch from 8:20am. Your coach departs at 9:10am, travelling south across the Canterbury Plains and through Timaru. Enjoy lunch and time in Oamaru, visit the Moeraki Boulders, then continue to Dunedin for a 6:30pm welcome dinner and tour briefing.
Meals: Lunch in Oamaru and welcome dinner.
Stay: Dunedin Leisure Lodge, A Distinction Hotel.
Day 02Dunedin and the Taieri Gorge trainTaieri Gorge rail · tunnels · Wingatui Viaduct
Travel through the Taieri Gorge with Dunedin Rail, passing remote river gorges and historic tunnels and crossing the remarkable Wingatui Viaduct, a feat of 1880s engineering. Return to Dunedin for your second night at Dunedin Leisure Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense.
Stay: Dunedin Leisure Lodge, A Distinction Hotel.
Day 03Dunedin to InvercargillBalclutha · Gore · Transport World
Travel by coach past Lake Waihola and through Balclutha and Gore into the heart of Southland. In Invercargill, explore Bill Richardson Transport World and its extensive collection of restored vehicles, with lunch included during your visit.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch at Transport World and dinner at your hotel.
Stay: Distinction Invercargill Hotel.
Day 04Invercargill and the CatlinsWaipapa Point · Nugget Point · wild coastline
Spend the day exploring the Catlins on a scenic coach excursion from Invercargill. Follow the Southern Scenic Route through coastal landscapes and southern farmland, visiting Waipapa Point Lighthouse and Nugget Point before returning to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch. Dinner is at your own expense.
Stay: Distinction Invercargill Hotel.
Day 05Invercargill to Te AnauRiverton · Te Hikoi Museum · Takahē Sanctuary
Follow the Southern Scenic Route via Riverton and Tuatapere, with a visit to Te Hikoi Museum. Travel inland through Southland towards the Takitimu Mountains and Fiordland, stopping at the Takahē Sanctuary on your way to the lakeside township of Te Anau.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner at your hotel.
Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau.
Day 06Te Anau and Milford SoundMilford Road · Homer Tunnel · fiord cruise
Travel through the Eglinton Valley and Homer Tunnel on the Milford Road, surrounded by rainforest, alpine scenery and towering peaks. Board your included Milford Sound cruise for close-up views of the fiord, waterfalls and Mitre Peak as you journey towards the Tasman Sea. Lunch is included on board before returning to Te Anau.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch on the cruise. Dinner is at your own expense.
Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau.
Day 07Te Anau to QueenstownArrowtown · TSS Earnslaw · Walter Peak dinner
Visit the historic gold-mining town of Arrowtown before arriving in Queenstown. Cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where a gourmet BBQ dinner rounds off the day.
Meals: Breakfast and Walter Peak dinner. Lunch is at your own expense.
Stay: Oaks Queenstown Shores Resort.
Day 08Queenstown to Wānaka and OmaramaWānaka · Lindis Pass · Mackenzie Country
Continue by coach to Wānaka, then travel through the golden tussock landscapes of Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Basin. Spend the evening in Omarama, with dinner at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner at your hotel. Lunch is at your own expense.
Stay: Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama.
Day 09Omarama to ChristchurchLake Pūkaki · Tekapo · Geraldine
Stop at Lake Pūkaki lookout for views towards Aoraki / Mount Cook, then visit the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo. Continue to Geraldine for lunch at Barkers Café before returning to Christchurch, where your tour concludes. Optional post-tour accommodation at the Commodore Hotel can be arranged separately.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch at Barkers Café.
The itinerary is subject to change. Please confirm final arrangements with the Leisure Tours team before departure.
The route
A full circle through the Deep South.
Begin with a scenic coach journey to Dunedin and a rail journey through the Taieri Gorge. Continue through Invercargill, the Catlins and Fiordland, cruise Milford Sound and Lake Wakatipu, then return via Queenstown, Wānaka and the Mackenzie Country.
ChristchurchDunedin & Taieri GorgeInvercargillThe CatlinsTe AnauMilford SoundQueenstownWānakaOmaramaTekapo
A look at the journey
The places you’ll remember.
Milford Sound
Lake Wakatipu
Walter Peak
Moeraki BouldersTaieri Gorge trainBefore you book
The practical details.
Have a question about the tour? The Leisure Tours team can help you plan your trip.
Ask a questionIs this a coach tour or a rail tour?
The tour brings together coach, rail and cruise travel. Explore the South Island with your Driver/Guide, ride the Taieri Gorge train on day 2, cruise Milford Sound and cross Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw.
What is the Taieri Gorge train journey like?
On day 2, travel with Dunedin Rail through the Taieri Gorge, taking in steep river valleys, historic tunnels and the Wingatui Viaduct. Breakfast is provided that morning, with lunch and dinner at your leisure.
Where does the tour start and finish?
The tour starts and ends in Christchurch. Registration is at the Commodore Hotel from 8:20am on day 1, with the coach departing at 9:10am. The tour returns to Christchurch on day 9.
What are the price and payment terms?
The tour is NZ$4,950 per person sharing. A single supplement of NZ$999 applies. A 20% deposit is required to secure your booking, with the balance due in the month before departure.
Where will we stay?
- Dunedin Leisure Lodge, A Distinction Hotel: 2 nights
- Distinction Invercargill Hotel: 2 nights
- Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau: 2 nights
- Oaks Queenstown Shores Resort: 1 night
- Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama: 1 night
What is additional to the tour price?
Flights to and from Christchurch, travel insurance, optional pre-tour and post-tour accommodation, and meals outside the published inclusions are additional.
What level of mobility is required?
A reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required. Guests need to manage stairs on coaches, excursions and at hotels, move their own bag to the coach, and walk some distances on uneven ground. Please speak with the team before booking if you have questions about the itinerary or your access needs.
Can I stay in Christchurch before or after the tour?
Yes. Optional accommodation at the Commodore Hotel in Christchurch is available before and after the tour at an additional cost. Ask the Leisure Tours team to include this when arranging your booking.
Southern New Zealand Highlights
Make 2027 the year you see more of the South.
Nine days, eight nights, and a southern itinerary featuring the Taieri Gorge train, Milford Sound and TSS Earnslaw.
From NZ$4,950 per person sharing.