stopping on occasion to explore the most historical and picturesque towns.
Day 1
Disembark the ship in Timaru and meet your guide for this one-night overland adventure.
On your way out of this port city, enjoy a brief sightseeing tour that will introduce you to a town that has been built on rolling hills created from the lava flows of the extinct Mt. Horrible Volcano, which last erupted thousands of years ago. The result is that most of the main streets are undulating, a clear contrast with the flat landscape of the Canterbury Plains to the north. This volcanic rock is used for the construction of local "bluestone" buildings.
Pass through several small New Zealand towns on the way to the small town of Otematata which is surrounded by the rugged peaks and beautiful lakes of the Waitaki valley. Here you will pause for some photo opportunities.
Your journey continues to Omarama where you will have lunch at The Wrinkly Rams or similar restaurant. Conceived in the early 90’s, The Wrinkly Rams was the dream of a local shearer to bring international and domestic visitors alike to enjoy their homemade cuisine in their café and learn about sheep shearing.
After lunch head for the Omarama Cliffs - a spectacular formation of weathered pillars built from layered silt and gravel that was deposited by rivers a scant million years ago.
From there enjoy the scenic journey through several more small towns en-route to Queenstown – named so because it is home to bungy jumping, the thrill of New Zealand skiing, endless hiking opportunities and pristine golf courses. Queenstown is nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with a picturesque back drop of mountain ranges, so it is no wonder it is one of New Zealand’s must-see destinations.
In the evening, join the coal-fired steamship, T.S.S. Earnslaw, fondly dubbed ‘The Lady of the Lake’, for a 45-minute cruise along the Wakatipuu River to Walter Peak Station, the site of the original homestead of one of New Zealand’s most famous sheep and cattle stations.
Enjoy dinner here and get a taste of farm life as you watch sheep shearers and sheep dogs in action. The Earnslaw will then return you to Queenstown for the night.
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, head over to the world-famous Skyline where you will enjoy a gondola ride with beautiful views overlooking Queenstown and the Remarkables Mountain Ranges.
A refreshment stop will be made in the historic town of Arrowtown, which was once a busy hub of the area during the gold rush era of the mid 1800's. Arrowtown, with its drystone buildings now nestles peacefully beneath the shadows of great trees planted by the miners over a century ago.
Follow the eastern shoreline of Lake Wakatipu in the shadow of the Remarkable Range as you drive towards Te Anu with a stop along the way for lunch at a family-owned western style restaurant packed with character.
Rated amongst the most spectacular drives in the world, the drive through the spectacular Hollyford and Ellington Valleys to Milford Sound will give you a real appreciation of the drama and sheer size of the 1.2 million-hectare Fiordland National Park.
Equally as inspiring is the manmade wonder of The Homer tunnel through which the group will travel. Forging through sheer rock with a gradient of 1 in 10, the project was started in 1935 by five men using only picks and wheelbarrows. Due to the extreme working conditions, avalanches and the intervention of World War 2, the job wasn’t finally finished until 1954.
Upon arrival in Milford Sound, bid your guide farewell and board a private local ferry to return to the ship which will be waiting for you.
Land Program Step by Step:
Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details and the timings indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
Day 1
8:15am Depart Timaru for city a brief city sights tour
8:45am Depart for Otematata
10:45am Arrive at Otematata (photo stop here)
11:00am Depart for Omarama
11:30am Arrive at The Wrinkly Rams or similar venue for lunch
12.30pm Depart for Omarama Clay cliffs
12:45pm Arrive Omarama Clay cliffs
1:15pm Leave Omarama Clay cliffs for Queenstown
3:30pm Arrive in Queenstown
4:30pm Transfer to the Earnslaw
5:00pm Journey to Walter Peak
6:00pm Dinner and farm show
8:00pm Return to Queenstown
Overnight at the Ramada Queenstown Central or similar hotel
Day 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Depart hotel for town
9:30am Skyline Gondola ride
10:15am Leave Queenstown for Arrowtown
10:45am Refreshment stop and short visit to Arrowtown
11:30am Depart Arrowtown for Te Anau
2:00pm Arrive at The Ranch for lunch, Te Anau
3:15pm Depart for Milford Sound
5:45pm Arrive Milford Sound
6:00pm Tender to the ship
Expected Weather:
New Zealand's seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. The warmest months are December, January and February, while the coldest are in June, July and August. Regardless, on any given day the weather and temperature can change unexpectedly and sometimes dramatically. You should be prepared for that possibility, particularly if you are engaging in outdoor activities.
Summer in Queenstown means long sunny days and fresh alpine air. The months of December through February are summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Daytime temperatures reach between 20°C and 30°C (68-86 °F) and Queenstown’s 45° south latitude means that dawn is as early as 5am, while dusk settles around 10pm
What to Bring:
Dress is informal and relaxed. In summer, bring a jacket and sweater in case the weather turns cooler or you visit higher altitudes. You can expect some rain, so also include a light rainproof jacket or coat. If visiting between May and September, pack warm winter garments and layer your clothing.
Local Currency:
New Zealand's unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$). All major credit cards can be used in New Zealand. Travelers Cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores. Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are widely available at banks, along main shopping streets and in malls. International credit cards and ATM cards will work as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded.
Electricity:
Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand at 230/240 volts, 50 hertz. Most hotels and motels provide 110 volts ac sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. Please note that power outlets only accept angled two or three pin Type I plugs (as also used in Australia) depending on whether an earth connection is fitted. We recommend bringing your own travel adaptor for electric devices.
Luggage information:
For this overnight, 1 suitcase per person should suffice
Documents and Visa Requirements:
Guests must take their passports with them on the overland tour.
Hotel addresses:
Ramada Queenstown Central
24 Frankton Road, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Phone: +64 3-244 9000
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If a similar hotel is required it will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
•Accommodation for 1 night at Ramada Queenstown Central Hotel (standard double room)
•Transportation by private vehicle with the services of an experienced English-Speaking driver-guide
•One breakfast, two lunches and one dinner (dinner and lunches include a choice of one glass of house wine, local beer or soft drink)
•All transfers, sightseeing and entrance fees as per program
Program Excludes for guests:
•Wines (other than where included with meals), liquors, mineral waters, calls, laundry charges or any items of a personal nature
•Meals, other than those shown in the inclusions above
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
•Gratuities to drivers and guides
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
