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.
Leisure Tours · New for 2027
Southern New Zealand Highlights
Nine days through the Deep South, from the wild Catlins coast to Milford Sound and Queenstown. Travel by guided coach, cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard TSS Earnslaw, dine at Walter Peak and return through the Mackenzie Country.
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 & cruiseOptional Taieri Gorge train
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.
See the places that make the southern South Island so special, with time to enjoy the towns, stories and hospitality along the way.
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
Cruise beneath Mitre Peak, cross Lake Wakatipu by steamship and share a gourmet 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.
From a day on the Catlins coast to dinner across the lake at Walter Peak, there is something different to look forward to each day.
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.
Day 4
The wild Catlins coast
A full day discovering the southern coast, including the lighthouses at Waipapa Point and Nugget Point.
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.
Day 2 · optional extra
Taieri Gorge by train
Add a rail journey through Otago’s river gorges, tunnels and historic viaducts, or spend the day exploring Dunedin at your own pace.
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
- Included experiences and optional extras
- All seven 2027 departures and pricing
February to April 2027
Choose your nine days in the South.
Seven departures, each starting and ending in Christchurch. Choose your date in the live booking form and continue through the Leisure Tours checkout.
What’s included
The journey, the stays and the highlights.
Your coach travel, accommodation, guiding and included experiences are brought together in one tour price.
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.
Breakfasts & selected meals
Eight cooked breakfasts, selected lunches and five dinners, including the welcome dinner and Walter Peak gourmet BBQ.
Southern experiences
Bill Richardson Transport World, a full-day Catlins excursion, Te Hikoi Museum and the Takahē Sanctuary.
An experienced Driver/Guide
A fully escorted journey, with commentary and support from your Driver/Guide along the way.
The Taieri Gorge train journey is an optional extra. Flights, travel insurance and pre-tour or post-tour accommodation 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 02A day in DunedinTime to explore · optional Taieri Gorge train
Enjoy a day at leisure in Dunedin, with its gardens, heritage buildings and distinctive railway station. For a different view of Otago, add the optional Taieri Gorge train journey through river gorges, historic tunnels and the Wingatui Viaduct. This excursion is an additional cost and can be booked before your tour.
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.
Travel south by coach from Christchurch through Dunedin to Invercargill. Explore the Catlins and Fiordland, cruise Milford Sound and Lake Wakatipu, then return via Queenstown, Wānaka and the Mackenzie Country.
ChristchurchDunedinInvercargillThe CatlinsTe AnauMilford SoundQueenstownWānakaOmaramaTekapo
A look at the journey
The places you’ll remember.
Milford Sound
Lake Wakatipu
Walter Peak
Moeraki Boulders
Lake TekapoBefore 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 main journey is by coach, with a Milford Sound cruise and TSS Earnslaw lake cruise included. The Taieri Gorge train journey on day 2 is an optional extra, booked separately before the tour.
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, the optional Taieri Gorge train journey, and meals outside the published inclusions are additional. Ask the team about arranging optional extras when you book.
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 journey worth looking forward to.
From NZ$4,950 per person sharing.