The Deep South 1 - 10 April 2019 - Doubtful Sound - Tranzit Tours

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                        Doubtful Sound

       The Deep South
                     1 - 10 April 2019

Itinerary
Day 1: Monday 1 April - Flying to Dunedin
An early start today as we are transferred to Wellington Airport to join our morning Air
New Zealand direct flight to Dunedin. Our tour driver awaits us at Dunedin Airport to take
us on our first excursion, to Larnach Castle on the Otago Peninsula. Taking the “high
road”, a scenic drive providing magnificent views of remote beaches and bays, we enjoy
a guided tour of NZ’s only castle and lunch in the old ballroom (included). From here we
drop down into Portabello to take the “low road” back to the city. We check in to our hotel
for a well earned rest, before enjoying in-house a special Dunedin Haggis Ceremony -
performed by the Piping Hot Haggis entertainers. An evening of fun is guaranteed.

Day 2: Tuesday 2 April - Dunedin Attractions
This morning we make the short journey to the historic Dunedin Railway Station (well
worth a photo or two - both by day and by night) for our excursion on the Taieri Gorge
Railway. The journey takes us through the rugged and spectacular Taieri River Gorge,
across wrought iron viaducts and through tunnels carved by hand more than 100 years
ago, and is supported by full commentary, photo stops and on-board refreshments. The
end of the line today is Pukerangi, where our coach and driver will meet us. We travel
back to Dunedin to enjoy a short jaunt around this fine city to see a few of the sights
Dunedin offers before being let loose to enjoy lunch (own choice and cost).

The rest of the day is ours free to enjoy at our own cost and leisure. Some of NZ’s finest
museums are based here, e.g., the Otago Settlers Museum, or alternatively the Otago
Museum - described as one of the world’s best museums - where we can discover the
richness and vibrancy of the southern region through outstanding collections covering
culture, nature and science. The extra special feature of this museum is their Discovery
World Tropical Forest, including over 1,000 butterflies (an extra cost not included in
the tour), together with their other galleries; Southern Land, southern People, Tangata
Whenua - People of the Land, Pacific Cultures, People of the World, Maritime, Animal
Attic, and Nature. Another option is a tour of the Speights Brewery. For those who want
to indulge in art, shopping and culture - Dunedin has many great choices. Tonight we
dine in.

Day 3: Wednesday 3 April - Dunedin – Catlins - Invercargill
Today we journey down the beautiful Catlins Coast, part of “The Southern Scenic Route”
and New Zealand’s first touring route. Rugged coastline, sweeping beaches, lakes
and forest will unfold before us as we explore this isolated stretch of coast. Special
highlights of today will include Nugget Point, the much photographed Purakaunui Falls,
Lake Wilkie, Waikawa Bay, and Curio Bay - where, tide dependant, we will be able to view
a unique fossilised forest on the shoreline. Lunch is included en route. Our destination
tonight is Invercargill where our motel is but a short walk from the famous Queens
Park, best loved for its magnificent trees, gardens and walkways. We dine at a local
restaurant this evening, before packing an overnight bag for our expedition to Stewart
Island the next day.

Day 4: Thursday 4 April - Invercargill to Stewart Island
Today we join our morning Stewart Island flight to Oban with time for settling in to our
accommodation and finding the best spots for lunch (at own cost). This afternoon
we join Real Journey’s Village & Bays Tour with an entertaining insight into the Island’s
community, history and environment being provided by their local guide. We return mid
afternoon with time to relax before dining in-house tonight.

Day 5: Friday 5 April - Stewart Island to Invercargill
This morning we have time to relax and explore before joining Real Journeys again, this
time on their Ulva Island Explorer Cruise with a picnic lunch included. This cruise takes
in the site of the historic Whalers Base in Paterson Inlet, prior to visiting Ulva Island -
an internationally acclaimed open sanctuary, where many rare and endangered native
species of birdlife and plants flourish in a predator-free protected environment. Our
cruise returns in time for a mid afternoon flight back to Invercargill for the night. We dine
out at a nearby restaurant again this evening.

Day 6: Saturday 6 April – Invercargill
We discover a couple more southern treasures today, this morning travelling out to
Wyndham where we visit Maple Glen Garden. Maple Glen is a 30 acre private garden,
nursery, aviary, woodland and wetland set in rolling green Southland countryside.
Planted for colour in all seasons, there are hundreds of rhododendrons, bulbs, and
bedding plants, while conifers and maples provide structure. Back in town we visit Bill
Richardson’s Transport Museum, first of all enjoying lunch in the café onsite (included)
before setting off to explore this expansive museum. This is the largest private
collection of its type in the world. The museum currently has 210 trucks and 120 petrol
bowsers, and is still growing. Whether you are a truck enthusiast or not, this is a must
see.

With a little bit of free time at our disposal later this afternoon, we can explore nearby
Queens Park – Invercargill’s Botanical Gardens at a leisurely pace, or enjoy a bit of
Invercargill retail therapy. We dine out again this evening.

Itinerary Continued
Day 7: Sunday 7 April – Invercargill/Bluff to Te Anau (via Southern Scenic Highway)
Having come this far, we then travel the short remaining distance to the bottom of the
South Island: Bluff, where we visit the Bluff Maritime Museum and take that famous
photo.

This afternoon we embark on the second part of the Southern Scenic Route travelling
through to Te Anau, our home for the next two nights. During our journey we take time to
visit the picturesque fishing village of Riverton, which is where our lunch stop is today
(at your own cost) before continuing our journey, following the shoreline of Colac Bay.
We stop for a leg stretch in Tuatapere before moving on to Clifden – site of the historic
suspension bridge across the Waiau River – one of the oldest in the South Island. We
dine in tonight at our Te Anau Hotel.

Day 8: Monday 8 April - Doubtful Sound
Today we join the Real Journey’s Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise which begins with
a short coach trip to Manapouri’s Pearl Harbour, where we pick up scrumptious picnic
lunches, before boarding our cruise vessel to journey across Lake Manapouri to West
Arm. From here we travel by coach through dense rainforest across the Wilmot Pass
to Deep Cove where we take a 3 hour cruise on Doubtful Sound. This is an opportunity
to appreciate the beauty of nature in its rarest form. Following a full and awe inspiring
day’s experience we enjoy relaxed dining in-house again tonight.

Day 9: Tuesday 9 April - Te Anau to Cromwell via Arrowtown
This morning before departing Te Anau we pay a final tribute to this region, visiting a
special attraction; Ata Whenua – Shadowland - a spectacular film experience bringing
us the Fiordland World Heritage Wilderness we would otherwise never see. Filmed
across extremes of season, climate and terrain, it will take us on an unforgettable
journey through one of the most stunning landscapes on earth.

Leaving Te Anau behind, we travel on roads surrounded by the Eyre and Snowdon
Mountain ranges before opening up into rolling Southland farmland. The shoreline of
Lake Wakatipu soon comes into view, as we approach Queenstown. We continue on to
Arrowtown, our lunch stop today (own cost), with a little time to wander and explore this
picturesque historic village.

This afternoon we pass through the Gibbston Valley wine area before travelling the
scenic Kawarau Gorge road. Our destination today is Cromwell, the fruit bowl of Central
Otago. We dine in tonight at our hotel.

Day 10: Wednesday 10 April – Travelling Home
Returning to Queenstown this morning, we will be transferred to Frankton airport in time
for our final adventure. Flying out of Queenstown is an incredible experience as the
aircraft ascends over the tops of Coronet Peak and the Remarkable Ranges. Farewelling
fellow travellers at Wellington Airport we will be met by transfer vehicles to return us to
our home towns.

Highlights

Historic Dunedin

Taieri Gorge railway excursion

Doubtful Sound

Entire Southern Scenic Route

Catlins & Invercargill to Te Anau

Maple Glen Garden

Overnight stay on Stewart Island

Village & Bays tour

Ulva Island Explorer

Pricing
Price Per Person:
Double or twin share ..................................................................$4055.00 per person
Single Accommodation ...............................................................$4797.00 per person
Early Bird Special…….............................................................Save $75.00 per person!*
*Applies to bookings made before 21st August 2018 only

Non refundable deposit required to confirm your booking:........................$455.00
Cost of Tour Includes:
 >       All coach travel
 >       Good quality hotel accommodation
 >       All dinners – 2 course or buffet
 >       5 lunches shown below
 >       All breakfasts
 >       All coach travel
 >       Wellington to Dunedin Flight
 >       Queenstown to Wellington flight
 >       Taieri Gorge Railway excursion
 >       Haggis Dinner entertainment - Dunedin
 >       Larnach Castle - guided tour and lunch
 >       Picnic lunch - Catlins
 >       Stewart Island return flights
 >       Village and Bays Tour – Stewart Island
 >       Ulva Island Explorer Stewart Island (incl picnic)
 >       Maple Glen Garden entry
 >       Bill Richardson’s Transport Museum - entry and lunch
 >       Bluff Maritime Museum - entry
 >       Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise (including lunch)
 >       Fiordland Cinema film screening

Balance payable by................................................................................11 February 2019

To: Tranzit Coachlines Wairarapa Ltd,
		           P O Box 116 MASTERTON 5840
		           Phone (0800) 471 227 or (06) 370 6600

          Or: Book online at www.tranzittours.co.nz

          Please read “Terms and Conditions ” enclosed