Day 1 Queenstown ⭐ Meeting day
All day
Today is a full-day gathering day. Tourists are requested to take their flights to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand's South Island.
There are currently two options for flights to Queenstown:
1. Domestic departures (such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong) via Auckland to Queenstown.
2. There are also many direct flights from Australia to Queenstown.
3. Queenstown Airport code: ZQN.
Day 2 Queenstown → Wanaka
·morning
After breakfast, we will go to the famous town of Arrowtown and take a leisurely City Walk in the town:
Arrowtown Chinese Settlement: An important historical site that records the residences and historical culture of the first generation of Chinese who came to New Zealand to pan for gold.
[Lake District Museum]: This mini museum, converted from the old bank site in 1875, hides the wildest soul of Arrowtown.
The museum's three must-see treasures are: the Chinese miner's boots, the love nugget, and the ghost photography collection. Tourists also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in:
Gold Hunter: Sifting river sand using a tin pan in an antique workshop.
Smell time travel: When you open a drawer in an 1880s pharmacy, you're suddenly greeted by the scent of mercury ointment used to treat syphilis.
Secret Door Game: Find the passage in the exhibition hall disguised as a bookshelf and go inside to see a miniature scene of Chinese miners celebrating the Spring Festival.
Buckingham Street: Arrowtown's main street. Tourists can stroll here, browse souvenir shops, and check out street food cafes.
·afternoon
After a free lunch, we'll depart for the town of Wanaka. Visitors can hike up Iron Mountain on the outskirts of the town to admire Lake Wanaka and the surrounding peaks. Alternatively, they can visit the Lone Tree on the shores of Lake Wanaka.
·night
Check in in the evening. This hotel is built on the site of a former sheep station. Adjacent to the magnificent Wanaka Station Park on the shores of Lake Wanaka, it's just a short stroll from Wanaka town, allowing tourists to experience the charm of this small town.
Day 3 Wanaka → Makaroa → Franz Josef Glacier
·morning
Today you can sleep in. After breakfast, we will depart from Wanaka and head to the glacial town of Franz Josef.
Along the way, stop in Makoroa to visit the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust, an organization dedicated to protecting and restoring native biodiversity.
·afternoon
After lunch at the Trust, take a guided walk through the flora and fauna, led by a local ornithologist and ecologist. While learning about the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust and its work to save some of New Zealand's rarest species, tourists can also keep an eye out for some endangered birds.
·night
Arrive in Franz Josef in the evening and have the evening free at leisure.
Day 4: Free day at Franz Josef
All day
Enjoy a day of free walking to admire the icy wonderland created by Franz Josef Glacier, one of New Zealand's steepest glaciers.
Recommended hiking routes and free time:
Tourists can choose the Robert's Point Track, a 5-hour round-trip hike with no water involved. The first half offers river views, the middle section features waterfalls, and the second half involves climbing over a large rock path to a small viewing platform where you can see the glacier in the distance.
2. If tourists are more adventurous, they can take part in an optional helicopter glacier hiking tour (round trip, about 4 hours) to get closer to the glacier.
3. Other optional activities include kayaking, a sightseeing cruise on Lake Mapourika, or soaking in the Franz Josef Hot Springs.
Day 5 Franz Josef → Hochitika → Punakaiki
·morning
After breakfast, join a private ranger-led tour of the West Coast Wildlife Centre, home to the official breeding program for the world's rarest kiwi bird, the Rowi. You'll also be able to keep an eye out for lizards, reptiles unique to New Zealand.
·afternoon
Afterwards, we will drive to the west coast town of Punakaiki. Along the way, tourists can relax in the charming west coast town of Hochitika, stroll through the ancient Rimu and Kamahi tree canopies, and enjoy the exciting "Treetop Adventure".
Afterwards, we will pass through Greymouth and visit Monteith Brewery for a visit and tasting, which is considered the birthplace of New Zealand craft beer.
·night
After the tour, check in to the hotel and rest.
Day 6 Punakaiki → Castle Hill → Christchurch
·morning
After breakfast, visit Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks. Resembling a black sesame layer cake, this spectacular sight showcases the wonders of nature. Several viewing platforms along the trail allow tourists to view these unique rocks up close from different perspectives.
·afternoon
After lunch in Moana, stop briefly at Lake Brunner.
Afterwards, depart for Christchurch, passing through Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill: The spectacular mountain scenery may look familiar, as parts of The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings films were filmed here.
·night
Upon arrival in Christchurch, check in to the hotel and rest.
Day 7 Christchurch → Akaroa → Christchurch
·morning
In the morning, you can take a stroll with your guide to visit some of Christchurch's landmarks.
After breakfast, we will head to the French town of Akaroa and pass by the Akaroa Hilltop Observation Deck, where we can overlook the entire French town.
Afterwards, we'll head to New Zealand's most beautiful [Instagram-famous Alpaca Ranch] (approximately 1 hour), nestled on a hillside with stunning views of lakes and mountains, where you can get up close and personal with the alpacas!
It's time to pet an alpaca! Male alpacas are easier to pet, while female alpacas require food to lure them.
·afternoon
After lunch, we'll depart for Akaroa Harbor for a 2-hour lobster fishing trip. Tourists will embark on a catamaran, sailing along the tranquil bay, served Maori sacred tea on board. En route, they may encounter Hector's dolphins, the world's smallest species. The captain and crew will fish for New Zealand coldwater red lobsters and other wild seafood. Upon completion, they'll return with a bountiful catch.
Seafood boat upgrade: tourists can charter the boat!
·night
After the trip, we headed to a Christchurch restaurant and enjoyed a sumptuous seafood feast using the day's catch.
Day 8 Christchurch → Tekapo → Gibbston Valley
·morning
After breakfast, depart from Christchurch and head to the small town of Tekapo.
Take a hike up Mount John: see the tranquil lake, the island within it, the boundless mountains, and the snow-capped peaks looming in the distance! The trail is mostly gentle slopes or flat ground, with only a short section where it slopes slightly.
Note: The entire hike to Mount John is approximately 8.2 kilometers, with an elevation gain of approximately 400 meters. A fast hike takes about 2.5 hours, while a slow hike takes about 3.5-4 hours.
Friends who don't hike can move freely in the town of Tekapo.
The Shepherd's Church in the town center and Lake Tekapo are both good check-in spots.
·afternoon
After a free lunch, head to Gibbston Valley's Kinross Winery for a unique winery experience. This vineyard winery near Queenstown features a hot tub and stunning South Island mountain views.
·night
During their stay, tourists will enjoy a wine tasting followed by a 3-course group dinner featuring fresh local produce.
Day 9 Gibbston Valley → Queenstown ⭐ Dismissal Day
All day
After breakfast, the tourists' New Zealand trip ended. Since the trip was short in Queenstown, if you want to experience all the charm of this town, it is recommended that tourists spend a day or two more.
