The South Island showcases some of its most spectacular scenery throughout its heartland. Head deep into the epic wilderness, tap into M-aori legends and sample some of the finest cuisine around.
Beginning in Christchurch, you’ll have a chance to explore a city rejuvenating itself. Take one of the great rail journeys through the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine before marvelling at magnificent Franz Josef Glacier. Head to Queenstown and indulge in the fantastic experiences on offer. Greet a new day in peaceful and serene Milford Sound. Surrounded by the majesty of Fiordland National Park, exploring this pristine part of the world will take your breath away.
Hi, i have had the most exciting experiences of my life, we have seen and done every thing, accommodation was amazing,ing, we did have one night in a hostel which we all frowned upon but actually it was very clean and was in the town centre of Wanaka and actually turned out really well as we went out to dinner and came back and had a drink in the chill room where everyone came and met and we all chatted all evening which was lovely, our guide Kreig took us to a really lovely place for breakfast the following morning. We had to take a bit of a detour due to a landside which couldn't be helped but our guide more than made up for it making sure we were entertained on the coach doing quizzes with us, he made the trip so exciting for us so I believe we saw more than we would of done had we taken the route we should of taken and explore treated us to dinner to make up for it to.
I really do think we had the best guide we could of had ,Kreig became our friend and on the last night we all got quite emotional. His knowledge was phenomenal and was extremely passionate about his country, explained everything in a way we could understand and answered every question we asked, such a lovely man, he made the trip exciting for us and was an excellent driver, anyone that gets Kreig as their guide would be very lucky.
Experience one of the most remote, historic sectors of the deep South in comfort on this exploratory expedition aboard the luxurious Douglas Mawson. Your journey begins in the subantarctic, where yellow-eyed penguins waddle through wizened rata forests and royal albatross nest amid megaherb moors. Cross the Antarctic Circle and cruise the pack ice, keeping watch for emperor and Adélie penguins porpoising along the ice edge, orcas patrolling for prey and snow petrels soaring against a backdrop of the vast Antarctic Ice Sheet. Embrace the spirit of adventure as you continue along the Victoria Land Coast and into the Ross Sea, where the Antarctic Ice Sheet flows into the world's largest floating ice shelf. These are historic waters, where the explorers of the Heroic Age staged their bold assaults on the South Geographic Pole. Hear the stories of their expeditions and attempt to land at some of their remarkably well-preserved huts.
Navigate through gleaming pack ice - alive with Weddell and leopard seals, Adélie and emperor penguins
Revel in the richness of the unique Ross Sea ecosystem - part of the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area
Visit rowdy beaches - crowded with harems of New Zealand sea lions
Explore rata forests - where rare yellow-eyed penguins can be found
Reflect on the remarkable achievements of the Heroic Age explorers - visit some of their historic huts
Discover the beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Australian and New Zealand Subantarctic Islands on this in-depth expedition to one of the most rugged regions of this part of the world. Witness rich endemic birdlife flourishing on Stewart and Ulva Islands, including the iconic brown kiwi and friendly flightless weka. Celebrate under the crimson blossoms of the flowering rata, affectionately known as the southern Christmas tree. Experience the majesty of Fiordland's deep Sounds and Zodiac-cruise the craggy coast of the Snares and wander through enchanting rata forests on the Auckland Islands, where you can spot endemic mollymawks and hear stories of the early sealers, settlers and explorers.
Explore the antipodean subantarctic - a sanctuary for millions of breeding albatross, penguins and seals.
Discover the delicate subantarctic ecosystem and albatross nesting ground - of mystical Campbell Island
Visit rowdy beaches - crowded with harems of New Zealand sea lions
Explore rata forests - where rare yellow-eyed penguins can be found