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About Your Journey
From wild southern shores to magnificent Fiordland
Experience some of the South Island’s most remarkable landscapes on a journey from Dunedin to Queenstown. Ride the Taieri Gorge Railway, venture across to Stewart Island, cruise remote Doubtful Sound and spend an unforgettable night aboard the Milford Mariner in Milford Sound. Add Te Anau’s glow-worm caves, the Catlins and time in Queenstown, and this is a wonderful showcase of the deep south.
Itinerary
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Depart Auckland at 12.30pm, arrive Dunedin 2.25pm and transfer to your hotel. Stay Southern Cross Hotel, 2 nights.
Included: D
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Visit Larnach Castle to explore its historic interior and beautiful gardens, followed by lunch and a visit to the fascinating Olveston Historic Home.
Included: B, L, D
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Board the Taieri Gorge Railway for a spectacular five hour journey through dramatic Otago landscapes, crossing towering viaducts and travelling through hand carved tunnels.
Included: B, L, D
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Travel south from Dunedin through the Catlins to Invercargill. Stay The Langlands Hotel, 2 nights.
Included: B, D
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Ferry across to Stewart Island for a day exploring New Zealand’s third island, including a Village & Bays Tour and beautiful Ulva Island. Return by ferry to Bluff and transfer to Invercargill.
Included: B, L, D
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Travel along the Southern Scenic Route to Te Anau, gateway to the spectacular wilderness of Fiordland National Park. Stay Distinction Luxmore Hotel, 2 nights.
Included: B, D
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Journey across Lake Manapouri and over Wilmot Pass into remote Doubtful Sound. Enjoy a three hour cruise through the heart of Fiordland, surrounded by mountains, rainforest and pristine waterways.
Included: B, L, D 10. Oct - Fiordland and Stewart…
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Explore Te Anau’s remarkable glow-worm caves before travelling the scenic alpine route to Milford Sound. Board the Milford Mariner for an overnight cruise among the fiord’s waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife.
Included: B, D
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Wake to the beauty of Milford Sound before disembarking and travelling to Queenstown. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Stay Novotel Hotel Queenstown, 2 nights.
Included: B, D
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Visit Coronet Peak and Arrowtown before wine tasting at Gibbston Valley. Tonight, cruise across Lake Whakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant.
Included: B, D
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Ride the Queenstown Gondola before transferring to the airport. Depart Queenstown at 1.05pm, arrive Auckland 2.55pm.
Included: B
The deep south at its spectacular best.
Reserve your place on this unforgettable tour. Numbers are limited, so don’t delay.
Why you’ll love this trip
This journey brings together some of the South Island’s most memorable landscapes and experiences without the need to organise a thing yourself. Travel by scenic rail, ferry across to Stewart Island, cruise both Doubtful and Milford Sounds and explore everything from Dunedin’s heritage to Queenstown’s alpine scenery. With quality accommodation, included sightseeing and plenty of variety along the way, it’s a wonderfully complete way to experience the deep south.
Inclusions & Activities
Airfares: Return Economy class airfares Auckland to Dunedin and Queenstown to Auckland
Cruise: Overnight cruise onboard the Milford Mariner through Milford Sound
Accommodation: 9 nights quality accommodation throughout
Sightseeing: All sightseeing and attractions as shown, including day tour to Stewart Island and the Taieri Gorge Railway
Meals: Daily breakfasts plus lunches and dinners as specified
Transfers: Home pick up and drop off in Auckland Metro area
Tour Leader: Travelwise Tour Leader throughout, plus local guides
Unna West, Tour Leader
Your Tour Leader
Unna West
Unna is a warm, adventurous Tour Leader at Travelwise Holidays who brings energy, calm expertise, and a genuine love for discovery to every journey. Her easy-going nature and deep knowledge make her the perfect companion for travellers seeking both adventure and heartfelt connection.
Before you book, you should know
Activity Level 2: A balanced pace with more time exploring throughout the day. Suitable for travellers comfortable with longer walks, standing during sightseeing, independently boarding coaches, trains and boats, walking over some uneven surfaces. A good choice if you prefer: Getting out and about, with a steady but manageable pace.
Departure: 24 October 2026
Other Notes:
This tour is sold out. Waitlist your interest now.
Insurance: Not mandatory for this tour, however we recommend this for peace of mind.
