Today you are in for a treat. It’s an early start as make our way to Milford Sound, one of NZ’s most famous destinations, sometimes referred to as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’. You won’t want to nap on this leg of the journey as we drive past Lake Wakatipu and watch the landscape change from farmland to mountains, glacier carved valleys and fiords. There is time to do an afternoon boat cruise around Milford Sound to soak up this untouched world. Known for its rich marine ecology, it’s likely you’ll spot a few wild dolphins, seals and penguins.

Next, we head for our unique overnight stop, Gunn’s Camp, located in the solitude of Hollyford Valley. There’s no better place to enjoy an evening under the stars, spot glow-worms in the bush and listen out for kiwi bird calls in the night.

Optional Paid Activities:
- Milford Sound cruise (ask the driver about the special Milford Sound + Stewart Island combo)

Free Activities:
- Visit the historic museum
- Take in the incredible surroundings at Gunn’s Camp
- Chasm walk

We start the morning with a short riverside stroll through beech forest on the Viewing Gantry walk. Fiordland is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Te Wahipounamu (which incorporates four national parks including Mt Cook, Mt Aspiring, Westland and Fiordland) and you’ll understand why as you marvel at the spectacular surrounding landscape.

This afternoon we travel further south via Te Anau to Invercargill and on to Bluff, where you can catch a ferry to Stewart Island. NZ’s third largest island has an abundance of activities for the outdoor enthusiast, such as fishing, kayaking, diving, bird watching and tramping tracks. Those not going to Stewart Island will spend the night in Invercargill.

Optional Paid Activities:
- Te Anau Wildlife Centre,
- Catch the ferry to Stewart Island (ask the driver about the special Milford Sound + Stewart Island combo)

Free Activities:
- Humbolt Falls walk
- Viewing Gantry walk

For those who stayed overnight on Stewart Island, this morning is free for you to explore, meet the locals, go fishing or enjoy some of the walks before catching an afternoon ferry back to the mainland. Those in Invercargill will have the day free to explore. We recommend a visit to Demolition World (a world entirely constructed from demolished buildings and recycled items), race your bus mates around a go-karting track or walk up to the Bluff Hill lookout before reuniting with the island-goers for an express journey back to Queenstown.

Optional Paid Activities:
- Stewart Island: fishing, Village & Bays tour, a visit to Ulva Island
- Invercargill: Go-karting, Demolition World

Free Activities:
- Stewart Island: explore the island and amazing birdlife
- Invercargill: Bluff Hill walk

You need at least one free day in Queenstown to make the most of the wide range of activities on offer. With a buzzy night life, beautiful mountain scenery and an exciting outdoor lifestyle, it’s easy to understand why our passengers often hop off here to spend extra time exploring. Options include: bungy or swing, zipline tours, canyoning, jet boating, skiing, skydiving, local bush walks, or just enjoy the stunning scenery and do nothing.

Optional Paid Activities:
- Bungy
- Swing
- Jet boating
- Skydiving
- Mountain biking
- Zipline
- Horse riding

Today we'll head over the Lindis Pass through the beautiful Mackenzie Country and past picturesque Lake Pukaki on the way to our amazing stop at the base of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki / Mt Cook.

We'll arrive in the early afternoon with time to do a 4WD & Argo Tour, check out the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre or do one of the many great short walks in the park. If you want to hop off the bus for a few days there are some incredible longer walks you can do (we’d recommend leaving climbing Mt Cook to the experienced mountaineers though).

Optional Paid Activities:
- Argo tour of alpine region
- Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre

Free Activities:
- Take photos of awe-inspiring scenery
- Do one of the many great short walks to the Hooker glacial lake (weather dependent)
- Stargazing

Leaving Mt Cook we make our way through a landscape made famous in the Lord of the Rings films. We make a stop at turquoise Lake Tekapo for a photo op before heading through Geraldine to get to our overnight stop in Rangitata Peel Forest. Arriving in the afternoon, there is plenty of time for thrill seekers to raft the top notch white water on the Rangitata River. Tonight spend the night in one of Canterbury’s original sheep stations, a great place to get outdoors, go horse trekking or wander through the native bush of Peel Forest.

Optional Paid Activities:
- Walk through Peel Forest
- Rangitata River Rafting (late September – late March only)

Free Activities:
- Take photos of stunning scenery
- Go for a walk

This morning, you will have the opportunity to sign up to a top-notch grade 5 white water rafting experience on Rangitata River under the foot of the Southern Alps or to explore the stunning Peel Forest scenery on horseback. Tonight, we’ll stay in Christchurch - a city where old meets new, as an enormous rebuild continues following the devastating 2011 Earthquake.

You will find some of New Zealand’s most modern architecture nestled next to some of our oldest buildings. Wander the city streets and laneways to discover creative street art intended to bring cheer and colour to a city once buried in rubble. Spend your afternoon exploring the city or getting involved in one of the activities on offer.

Optional Paid Activities:
- White water rafting
- Horse trekking

Free Activities:
- Explore Christchurch by foot
- Check out the Re-Start Mall
- Cardboard Cathedral and inner-city street art