New Zealand South Island Road Trip (Visit Kaikoura & More)

An unforgettable journey awaits you

Embark on a travel experience that will stay with you forever. We offer a blend of culture, adventure, and tranquility, ensuring every moment is filled with wonder. Whether you’re seeking thrill or relaxation, we create journeys that are truly unforgettable.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Customizable Itinerary

Day 1: Christchurch - Kaikoura (2.5 hours)

Pick up your car rental and drive north to the coastal town of Kaikoura. Take a whale watching tour, Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales, and Southern Right Whales. Orcas and Hector's dolphins are common sightings.

Overnight: Kaikoura
Day 2: Kaikoura - Blenheim (1.5 hours)

As you continue north, make sure you celebrate your arrival in the Marlborough wine region with a glass of world-class Sauvignon Blanc matched with the other local delicacy, greenshell mussels. You may find a chauffer-driven wine tour gives you the perfect day out.

Overnight: Blenheim
Day 3: Marlborough Sound Tour & Mussel Cruise

Enjoy the icons of Marlborough in one day with a tour through the famous Marlborough wine region and the majestic Marlborough Sounds. Marlborough has become world famous for Sauvignon Blanc and this tour starts in the heart of the wine region. Enjoy a range of fine wine experiences in the Marlborough wine region before heading through for lunch (own expense) on the waterfront. Then in the afternoon enjoy the totally unique Seafood Cruise in the Marlborough Sounds

Overnight: Blenheim
Day 4: Blenheim - Nelson (1.5 hours)

Continue your drive to the West Coast to the heart of the Abel Tasman and the Nelson Wine Region.

Overnight: Nelson
Day 5: Nelson Art & Winery Tour

The Gourmet Full Day Wine and Scenic Tour is a truly special exclusive tour of the Nelson Wine Region. Visit 5 wineries on the Waimea Plains and the Moutere Hills. -Waimea' means 'river gardens' in Maori - and has stony soils of alluvial origin, high sunshine hours and a moderating maritime influence. The Moutere Hills are softly rolling hills that were formed from the weathered gravels of an ancient river system, which originally reached from St Arnaud to the coast. The gravel-threaded clay soils are renowned for producing wines of richness and texture.Stop for a gourmet lunch at either an Award Winning vineyard restaurant or another renowned local dining establishment. Enjoy a flexible tour which can be altered to specifically cater for your tastes during the day. Learn to taste wines like a professional, with the possibility of meeting the winemakers and owners of the vineyards (subject to availability). Sampling over approximately 20 boutique nelson wines will tempt the most discerning wine lover.

Overnight: Nelson
Day 6: Abel Tasman National Park

Welcome aboard the Vista Cruising Catamaran. Relax with comfortable seating around tables and panoramic views from open or enclosed viewing decks and enjoy the onboard cafe and bar. With your flexible cruise and walk day pass, choose to spend from three to eight hours exploring the spectacular granite coast. Stay on board or disembark at a golden beach fringed by lush forest and azure waters, ideal for swimming. Enjoy quality beach time with walking options up to four hours. Your friendly crew takes care of your comfort and safety with interpretative commentary and maps.

Overnight: Nelson
Day 7: Nelson - Punakaiki (3 hours)

Drive to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. You'll stay in an eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront. Enjoy dinner while watching the thundering surf at your doorstep!

Overnight: Punakaiki
Day 8: Punakaiki - Franz Josef (3 hours)

Visit the small town of Hokitika, the heritage and cultural centre of the West Coast, for a greenstone (jade) jewellery demonstration by a local carver. Then visit the West Coast's newest attraction, the Treetop Walkway through the canopy of this lush rainforest. Now you're off to the gold-mining town of Ross before arriving at Franz Josef.

Overnight: Franz Josef
Day 9: Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk

Today enjoy an interpretive walk to the glacier to have the perfect opportunity to learn the role of the Franz Josef Glacier in shaping this remarkable landscape. After a short walk through the regenerating rainforest, the trip continues along the glacier valley with your guide calling stops to explain the unique features of the Franz Josef Glacier and its surroundings. With the emphasis more on geographical information and the glaciers history, you're able to venture beyond the public barriers and right up to the dramatic terminal face of this advancing glacier with your experienced and knowledgeable guide.

Overnight: Franz Josef
Day 10: Franz Josef - Christchurch (5 hours)

Drive through Arthur Pass to the city of Christchurch.

Download Full Itinerary

Availability:

AVAILABLE ALL YEAR

Trip start	Trip End	Accommodation	Price	Inquire
Christchurch	Christchurch	Moderate	$1,730 USD
Christchurch	Christchurch	Superior	$2,090 USD

We accept:

All prices are per person based on double occupancy and subject to local taxes - GST, PST or HST.

This itinerary is an independent package, it can be adjusted to suit your travel interests, time frame and budget. Please do not hesitate to call one of our travel specialists for a customized package.

Applicable taxes vary depending on travel destination and are not included. Please ask your sales agent what extra taxes will be payable for your tour.

OUR KEY TO EARNING TRUST IS

Transparency

What’s Included

9 Nights of accommodation
10 Day mid-size car rental (conditions apply)
Kruse GPS system including commentary
Sightseeing and attractions as listed

What’s Not Included

Airfare unless specified as included within the itinerary
Taxes as applicable
Travel Insurance and Cancellation Protection (strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
Gratuities for Local Guides, Tour Managers, and/or Bus Drivers
Meals not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
Items (attractions and sightseeing & entrance fees) not listed as included in the itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Booking & Flight Questions

Yes! We can certainly assist with booking airport transfers for you! Some tours have airport transfers included already. Please inquire for further information and pricing.

Yes! We can certainly assist with booking additional nights of accommodation for you before and/or after your fully escorted tour! Please inquire for further information and pricing.

Yes! We can certainly assist with booking your flights for you! We do not recommend you book any flights until you receive your booking confirmation directly from Anderson Vacations Tours, as some tours are not pre-guaranteed. Please inquire for further information and pricing.

Yes, it is possible to book triple share accommodations on select trips. Please inquire about this option, as pricing may also vary and it will be subject to availability.

Anderson Vacations Tours can work with private groups to customize a tour to your needs. Please inquire for further information and pricing.

Tour Questions

Our tours are suitable for all age demographics. The average age of travelers is typically 45+

There are options for single travelers to join most tours. Solo Travelers can choose to pay the single supplement and have their own room throughout the tour. For those willing to share, we also have a Twin Share option that is offered for the majority of our tours. This means you will be sharing the hotel rooms with another single, same gender traveller who also books the Twin Share option. If this is the case, there will be no single supplement charged to either of you. If we are unable to match you with another Twin Share traveler, there may be a single surcharge applied to cover the full cost of the rooms on some of our longer tours. Please enquire before finalizing your booking for full details.

This tour has a low level of physical demand, although there may be some activities or sightseeing tours that require walking short distances. Please inquire if you have any mobility restrictions before completing your booking to ensure this tour is right for you.

Each passenger may bring one large suitcase and one carry-on bag. The weight limit for this suitcase is 32 kilograms/60 pounds. Baggage handling is provided at the hotels in our tour packages. Please advise our reservations staff if you will be bringing additional items such as a cane, walker or wheelchair. You may also bring one small soft-sided carry-on bag, which should easily fit into the overhead shelf of the coach. Each person is responsible for his/her own carryon luggage. Remember to check your airline baggage restrictions if you are flying, as they may differ from Anderson Vacations Tours guidelines.

The suggested allowance for non-included meals is $40.00 — $60.00 CAD per day (includes tipping).

Yes! There are many meals included on our fully escorted tours. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking so we can ensure there are alternative meal choices and arrangements made for you.

For your convenience, gratuities for local guides and meals stated on the itinerary are included in the price of the tour. For meals not included in your tour package please remember that it is customary to tip your server 15-20% in North America. Gratuities for your Motorcoach Driver and Tour Director are left to your discretion. We recommend $4.00 - $5.00 CAD per person, per day for your Motorcoach Driver and $6.00 - $7.00 CAD per person, per day for your Tour Director. if you can't find your

Do you have more questions?

If you still have questions or need more information, feel free to ask! Simply fill out the form below, and our team will get back to you with the answers you need

Ask A Question

YOU CAN CALL US AT
1-866-347-6881