South Island Explorer

This tour begins and ends in beautiful Christchurch. Upon arrival, you will be collected from the airport and taken to your first hotel. At the end of the tour, we will drop you back off at the airport to meet your onward flight. 

Exclusions

• Return international flights
• Visas
• Optional activities/tours, personal expenses/transfers not mentioned
• Travel insurance
• Tips & gratuities
  
  

Age restrictions

• This tour is restricted to guests aged 18 years or older
  
  

Group size

• Minimum number for this tour to operate is two people
  
  

Passport & visa requirements

• All visitors require a passport to enter New Zealand. For Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport, you do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand
• Any visitor that is not an Australian citizen may require a visa to enter
• It is the visitors responsibility to ensure they are holding the correct and current visa for the countries they are visiting
• If the visitor is a non-Australian passport holder, a valid re-entry visa may be required
• Important: Please start arranging your visa at least 6-8 weeks prior to departure to account for any delays due to consulate operating hours and processing times
• A valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months beyond your return travel date is required for all passengers (including children and infants)
  
  

Travel insurance

• We recommend you purchase travel insurance as soon as possible after purchasing this package
  
  

Health & vaccination

• Travellers are advised to check with their local health professional at least 45 days prior to departure, as some vaccinations require 30 days or more to be effective
• New Zealand’s public and private medical/hospital facilities provide a high standard of treatment and service. It is advised that you ensure you have adequate health insurance cover as part of your travel insurance
  
  

Porterage

• Porterage is included throughout the trip
  
  

Tipping

• Tipping and gratuities are not included in the package and are at your own discretion
   

Fitness requirements

• Travellers should have a good level of physical fitness and mobility. They must be able to negotiate uneven surfaces and in some cases climb stairs
• Please note that some tours can include a lot of walking so please be sure to check if a comfortable pair of hiking boots is necessary
  
  

Dietary requirements

• Any dietary requirements must be received by DealsAway at least 30 days prior to your scheduled departure date. Failure to provide these details by this date may result in an inability to cater for your requirements
• In most cases DealsAway can cater for special dietary requirements but please note that on occasion, this may not be possible due to location, lack of availability of ingredients, and other extenuating circumstances. It is always advised to carry supplies with you
  
  

Transfers

• All transfers are included on this trip
  
  

Documentation

• For travellers residing in Australia, your documentation pack will be sent to you prior to travelling. For travellers residing outside of Australia, your personalised itinerary will be emailed to you. Your Documentation Pack will be ready for collection at your first tour hotel in New Zealand
  
  

Luggage limits

• All travellers are supplied with a travel bag for personal and small items which can be carried on the coach when travelling. The travel bag is designed to carry a maximum of 6kg (13lbs). Due to limited space on board the coach, please ensure carry-on bags do not exceed this limit. Each traveller is entitled to travel with ONE suitcase on tour measuring (length + width + depth) no more than 150cm (59”)
• Weight limits also apply to luggage due to Occupational Health and Safety issues. Approximately, the maximum suitcase weight allowed is 23kg (50lbs). If a traveller brings more than the allocated limit of luggage, any additional arrangements made to get their luggage to the final destination will be at their own expense
• Please be aware that oversized or overweight luggage may be refused to be carried by coach companies. All luggage is entirely at the ‘owners risk’ whilst on tour and we strongly recommend that travel insurance be taken out by each traveller to cover accidental damage or loss

Luggage tags

• Located in your ticket wallet. For proper identification, please ensure you attach your luggage tag to the top handle of your main suitcase and not your hand luggage. This will assist the Coach Captain to identify your luggage when loading the coach throughout your tour
  
  

Money matters

• New Zealand’s unit of currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). All major international credit cards are accepted and provided they are encoded with a PIN, may be used to obtain cash from Automatic Teller Machines throughout New Zealand. Check with your bank whether this facility is available to you. It is highly recommended you obtain a small amount of New Zealand currency prior to your arrival in New Zealand
• Cash Passports or Travel Money Cards are popular and are a safe and convenient way to allow you to access cash at Automatic Teller Machines throughout New Zealand

Name badge

• For travellers receiving their documentation pack prior to arrival in New Zealand, please ensure you are wearing your personalised name badge upon arrival at the airport for easy identification
• For all other travellers, your name badge will be included as part of your documentation pack made available at your first tour hotel in NZ. Please ensure you wear your name badge at all times whilst on tour

Tipping

• New Zealanders do not depend on tips for their income, however tipping in appreciation for extra-special service is at the discretion of the individual traveller
• Some tours may organise an envelope to be circulated for a group presentation to the Coach Captain and/or Tour Guide but any contribution is based on individual appreciation and is not mandatory

Smoking laws

• Smoking is not permitted in all indoor spaces in New Zealand hospitality venues. This means you can no longer smoke inside places such as bars, gaming venues, clubs, hotel rooms, and restaurants
  
  

Incidentals

• We suggest you allow a minimum of NZ $40 - $50 per day per person for incidental cash expenses such as lunch, morning and afternoon tea
  
  

Role of your Coach Captain & Tour Guide

• Your Coach Captain is responsible for driving and maintaining the coach and for providing commentary throughout the tour. Your Tour Guide is responsible for your wellbeing and for co-ordinating all the accommodation and activities. It is important whilst travelling on tour that you follow all Crew instructions
  
  

Coach seat rotation

• For the enjoyment of all travellers a daily seat rotation operates which all travellers must participate in as a condition of booking. The coach seat plan is displayed on the coach for your reference
  
  

DealsAway savings

• The value and comparative savings have been determined based on published rack rates and the value of inclusions. Please be advised that rack rates may not be reflective of actual rates being charged, dependent on the timing and manner of your booking and therefore are only indicative of the level of saving
  
  

Itinerary amendments & changes

• Occasionally our itineraries are updated prior to departure to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers’ feedback as well as updates from our ground operators. Please note that while we operate successful tours in this region throughout the year, some changes may be necessary due to inclement weather, public holidays, common seasonal changes to timetables and transport routes, and unforeseen circumstances. This can happen with little notice so please be prepared for modifications to the route. The order and timing of included activities may also vary from time to time
  
  

Surcharges

• Any prices quoted exclude specific costs/measures which may be introduced at a later stage as a result of Government changes due to COVID-19 health and safety restrictions. DealsAway will inform its guests of these changes as soon as possible, these additional charges will be passed on by DealsAway to the guest
  
  

AMENDMENTS & CHANGES

Name change or corrections

• Name corrections may incur a fee
• Name changes are not permitted
  
  

Date changes

• Date changes are not permitted
  
  

Refunds

• Please refer to our booking conditions for all information on refunds
  
  

DealsAway reserves the right to modify prices for marketing and commercial reasons. Please note that full terms and conditions apply. Refer to the website's terms and conditions.

The South Island is absolutely packed with natural beauty. Evoking the Northern European countries of Norway and Scotland, the South Island really delivers in raw beauty and we wanted to make sure that we explored this outstanding element in all its splendour. 

Milford Sound is a must on any visit to the South Island and your cruise and lunch on this otherworldly fjord will take your breath away. And of course, we had to include the TranzAlpine express, a rail journey like no other that takes you through mountainous passes and glorious valleys.  

We also wanted to make sure that you get a chance to see what makes the people of the South Island tick, so we get in-depth in Queenstown, Christchurch and quirky Dunedin. We will explore the different sides of each of these contrasting urban environments so that when the trip comes to an end, you feel like you really know the South Island inside-out.

Quality Hotel Elms - Christchurch

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Free Wi-Fi

Heritage Gateway Hotel - Omarama

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Free Wi-Fi

Heritage Hotel - Dunedin

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Free Wi-Fi

Distinction Hotel - Te Anau

• On-site coffee house
• Bar
• Restaurant
• Free Wi-Fi
• Currency exchange
• Fitness centre

Copthorne Hotel and Resort Lakefront - Queenstown

• Free Wi-Fi 
• Restaurant and bar 
• Jacuzzi 
• Dry cleaning and laundry

Heartland Hotel - Fox Glacier

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Free Wi-Fi

Quality Hotel Elms - Christchurch

With its warm, bright and contemporary design, the hotel has been designed to maximise the beautiful surrounds, which live up to Christchurch’s reputation as the “garden city.” The beautifully manicured rose garden area offers an idyllic setting for relaxing, socialising, dining or just enjoying a glass of wine on a warm summer evening.

• Deal occupancy - 2 people
• Bedding configuration - king or twin beds
• Max occupancy - 2 people

Heritage Gateway Hotel - Omarama

With modern styled, clean and comfortable rooms with beautiful views of the gardens and mountains you can be assured of a great night’s sleep at the Heritage Gateway.

• Deal occupancy - 2 people
• Bedding configuration - king or twin beds
• Max occupancy - 2 people

Heritage Hotel - Dunedin

The rooms here are designed for comfort and space, a place to relax and unwind. Full of all the modern conveniences you would expect, Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge is located within two acres of beautifully kept garden for a relaxing, peaceful atmosphere. 

• Deal occupancy - 2 people
• Bedding configuration - king or twin beds
• Max occupancy - 2 people

Distinction Hotel - Te Anau

Your Deluxe Rooms are well-appointed, modern rooms, tastefully designed and decorated with plain, deep cream walls, complemented by luxurious gold bedspreads on queen-sized beds.

• Deal occupancy - 2 people
• Room size - 26-28 sqm
• Bedding configuration - king or twin beds
• Max occupancy - 2 people

Copthorne Hotel and Resort Lakefront - Queenstown

Overlooking the beautiful rose gardens your room at the Copthorne is styled with comfort in mind. Sitting on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, the hotel is a haven of tranquillity with many walking routes winding along the edge of the lake.  

• Deal occupancy - 2 people
• Bedding configuration - king or twin beds
• Max occupancy - 2 people

Heartland Hotel - Fox Glacier

Right in the heart of Fox Glacier village, Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier offers ready access to the many natural attractions of the area. Enjoy the hotel's cozy evening atmosphere after a long day of exploring.

• Deal occupancy - 2 people
• Bedding configuration - king or twin beds
• Max occupancy - 2 people