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Today your journey continues to the South Island as you board the morning Interislander ferry from Wellington. After a week of conference sessions, it is now time to enjoy some of the sights of New Zealand on a trip exclusively offered to conference delegates and their accompanying partners. This fully guided journey will take you from Wellington to Christchurch, featuring a rich and varied itinerary designed to showcase the very best of New Zealand’s South Island.

Your guide will meet you in Wellington for an early morning departure. Please confirm your central Wellington hotel with us at least two months prior to your arrival in New Zealand so we can provide your pick-up time and full contact details. Breakfast is available for purchase on the ferry.

The crossing over the Cook Strait offers stunning views of the rugged coastline and the calm, intricate waterways of the Marlborough Sounds. Once you reach Picton, your drive takes you through the lush, rolling hills of the Marlborough region, famous for its world-renowned vineyards, where you will stop for a delightful wine and chocolate tasting.

Continuing through the charming town of Havelock, you will pause at the scenic Pelorus Bridge to admire the crystal-clear river flowing through a lush beech forest gorge. As you head into the sunny Tasman region, you will visit the golden shores of Kaiteriteri, offering a perfect opportunity for a refreshing ocean swim. In the late afternoon, board the Wilsons Abel Tasman Vista cruise for a relaxing happy hour experience, taking in the spectacular coastline of the Abel Tasman National Park as the sun begins to set. Your adventurous day concludes with an included dinner and a relaxing overnight stay.

Travel southwest on a scenic byway through the picturesque Motueka River Valley. Near Westport, enjoy a refreshing stop at Cape Foulwind, where a short, scenic coastal hike leads you to a viewing platform to observe a large, active colony of New Zealand fur seals in their natural habitat.

Continuing south, a wild and romantic landscape unfolds. The road traces the coastline, running parallel to the majestic Paparoa mountain range, whose folded peaks reach up to 1,500 meters. The rugged terrain of this national park is mostly inaccessible, pierced only by deep, canyon-like gorges. A major highlight of this route is Punakaiki, famous for its intricate "Pancake Rocks." Here, an easy 1.1-kilometer walking loop guides you through ancient limestone formations meticulously sculpted by the relentless sea and weather to resemble massive stacks of pancakes, often accompanied by spectacular blowholes during high tide.

After driving through historic gold-mining areas that echo the region's rich pioneer past, you will arrive in the charming town of Hokitika. Known as the premier center for carving greenstone (New Zealand jade/pounamu), you can watch local artisans craft this sacred stone. Conclude your day with a peaceful stroll along the wild Hokitika beachfront, a perfect spot to admire the creative driftwood art scattered along the shore and watch the sun sink into the Tasman Sea.

Your journey continues south to Ross, an atmospheric, historic gold mining village that echoes with tales of the 19th-century gold rush. Legend has it that the town still sits on an untapped reserve of 700 million dollars' worth of gold, a tantalising prospect that continues to draw modern-day adventurers to the area.

Leaving the goldfields behind, you journey deeper into the dramatic glacier region of the Southern Alps. Here, the landscape transforms dramatically as the highest peaks of the alpine divide rise abruptly to impressive altitudes of over 3,500 metres just south of Hokitika.

Acting as a formidable natural weather barrier, this immense mountain ridge traps moisture rolling in from the Tasman Sea, resulting in one of the world’s most extreme precipitation regimes. High above the snowline, these heavy snowfalls accumulate into vast reserves of ice, which are compressed and channelled into fast-flowing valley glaciers. The renowned Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier are particularly extraordinary; unique in temperate latitudes, these colossal rivers of ice descend the mountainside, terminating in lush rainforest just 300 metres above sea level.

During your time in Franz Josef, enjoy a visit to the West Coast Wildlife Centre, where you will take part in a VIP Backstage Pass experience. This exclusive indoor attraction offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at conservation efforts, including a guided Kiwi and Tuatara tour, providing a rare opportunity to see these iconic New Zealand species up close.

To further appreciate the scale of this remarkable alpine environment, you may also choose to book optional activities such as a scenic helicopter flight over the majestic glaciers or a guided rainforest walk leading towards the dynamic terminal face of the ice.

Today, your journey continues through the moss-draped landscapes of the lowland rainforest and dense swamp forests as you cross the dramatic Haast Pass. Descending from the mountains, the route unveils a stunning succession of glacial lakes nestled among rugged alpine peaks. You will pass by the spectacular shores of Lake Wānaka, Lake Hāwea, and Lake Hayes. Notably, Lake Hāwea is a vital resource actively utilized for New Zealand's hydroelectric power generation.

Take time to pause in Wānaka, a beautiful town located at the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park. Known as a hiker's paradise, it offers idyllic, sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and crystal-clear waters. Continuing south, make a highly recommended stop in the charming town of Arrowtown. This historic gold-mining village invites you to take a leisurely break and wander its quaint, tree-lined streets, browse boutique shops, and relax in cozy cafés. While here, you can step back in time with a visit to the remarkably preserved historic Chinese mining settlement to learn about the region's rich pioneer heritage.  Afterwards, enjoy a quick photo stop at the picturesque Lake Hayes, famous for its stunning mountain reflections, before your drive culminates in Queenstown.

Queenstown is affectionately referred to as the St. Moritz of the South Seas. Beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, this once-small holiday resort has blossomed into the vibrant tourist centre of the South Island, framed by the elongated lake and steeply rising mountain ranges. As evening falls, you will embark on a scenic cruise across the waters of Lake Wakatipu to enjoy the renowned Walter Peak dinner and farm show—a perfect, immersive end to an adventurous day. Afterward, you will unwind for the night at your comfortable accommodation.

Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world, and today is a free day for you to spend at your leisure. You can choose from several optional activities, for example: taking a full-day excursion to the spectacular Milford Sound (with a scenic flight return option), or riding the gondola to the Queenstown Skyline for fantastic mountain views. Alternatively, you can explore the rugged Skippers Canyon by 4WD jeep or join a guided Lord of the Rings location tour. After your day of exploration, you will relax at your accommodation.

The journey from Queenstown to Twizel is an unforgettable road trip through stunning South Island landscapes. Leaving Lake Wakatipu and the towering Remarkables behind, you will travel through the rugged Kawarau Gorge before reaching Cromwell and Lake Dunstan, a reservoir utilized for hydroelectric power generation.

The route then crosses the dramatic Lindis Pass, where the landscape opens up to golden tussock fields and expansive alpine views. Continuing north through Omarama, you will arrive at your overnight destination, Twizel, located near Lake Ruataniwha—another vital lake in the region's hydroelectric network.

This evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner together at your hotel, celebrating the final official night of the tour and reflecting on the memorable experiences shared throughout your journey. After dinner, take some time to step outside and enjoy the peaceful Mackenzie night sky. As part of one of the world's largest Dark Sky Reserves, the region offers exceptional stargazing opportunities, and on a clear night you may be lucky enough to see the Milky Way stretching overhead or even catch a glimpse of the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis).

Departing Twizel, your journey takes you to the vivid turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo. Both of these glacial lakes are actively utilized as part of the region’s Waitaki hydroelectric power scheme. While at Lake Tekapo, you will visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps.

Leaving the alpine region behind, the drive crosses the vast agricultural expanses of the Canterbury Plains, with a scheduled rest stop in the charming rural town of Geraldine. You will arrive in Christchurch at 2:00 PM to embark on a guided city tour exploring the vibrant highlights of the “Garden City.” The tour concludes at 4:00 PM with a Seat-In-Coach (SIC) airport transfer.

From Christchurch, you may fly home directly. Alternatively, a return flight to Wellington can be arranged at an additional cost, along with an optional overnight stay in Christchurch, also available at an additional cost upon request.