Southland, Stewart Island and Doubtful Sound - Calder ...
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DISCOVER NZ
Southland, Stewart Island and Doubtful Sound
Friday 9 - Saturday 17 April 2021
8 nights
TOUR OVERVIEW
The deep south is an area many New Zealanders have
on their bucket lists but have not yet seen. Join us on a
comprehensive tour of the best of Southland including
spending two nights on Stewart Island. Visit the
captivating Catlins, where the strong winds shape the
forests and raise impressive waves along the coast. A
cruise and overnight stay onboard the Fiordland
Navigator on Doubtful Sound is sure to be a highlight.
The ride over Wilmot Pass is spectacular enough but the
Sound is breath-taking in its grandeur and the serenity
and peacefulness you will experience will be
memorable. At this time of the year, the late summer
days are perfect for exploring and vivid sunsets and long
twilight evenings lead to ideal star gazing opportunities.
You may find that this tour which blends natural beauty,
unspoilt landscapes, fascinating history and southern
culture and hospitality takes you to another world and
rivals any international experience you may have had.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• Cruise overnight on the majestic Doubtful Sound
• Explore the native forests, waterfalls, lakes,
lighthouses and petrified forests of the rugged
Catlins.
• Spot seals, sea lions, dolphins and penguins in the
Catlins and Doubtful Sound
• Stay for two nights on Stewart Island and go kiwi
spotting
• Cruise stunning Paterson Inlet and Ulva Island
• Visit Western Southland and the historic settlement
of Riverton, spectacular Colac Bay and the
magnificent Clifden suspension bridge
• Enjoy the excellent Bill Richardson Transport World
• Experience the warm welcome of Southlanders
TOUR INCLUSIONS TOUR EXCLUSIONS
• The services of an experienced driver and tour • Domestic travel to Invercargill and from
manager Queenstown (flights can be booked for you at
an additional cost)
• 7 nights hotel accommodation
• Travel insurance
• 1 night on the ‘Fiordland Navigator' on
• Meals not specified in the itinerary
Doubtful Sound. Designed along the lines of a
traditional scow, the Fiordland Navigator blends old • Beverages during included meals, unless
world charm with modern comforts that include specified
spacious viewing decks, a dining saloon with fully
• Personal expenses
licensed bar and an observation lounge
• If you wish to pay by credit card, a surcharge of
• Meals as specified in the itinerary
2.5% will be charged
• Local guides
• All group transfers
• Admissions as detailed in the itinerary TOUR PRICE
Share twin or double occupancy NZD$3,990
• Activities and sightseeing tours with local guides as Single Supplement NZD$1,490
detailed in the itinerary
• Pre-tour material Please contact Calder & Lawson Tours if you are
interested in a single occupancy place, as they are
IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? limited.
This will be an excellent opportunity to
GROUP SIZE Minimum 10, maximum 18
experience the best of the deep south. This tour
will not be physically challenging, however ability
VARIATIONS IN TRAVEL We can make arrangements
to stand and walk for 2-3 hours will enable you to
fully participate in all activities. for any travel you would like to do before or after this
tour. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
DAILY ITINERARY
Friday 9 April 2021 Arrive in Invercargill, New Zealand’s southernmost city known for its warmth
Your home - Invercargill and hospitality, and transfer to your hotel.
Meals: D
Overnight: Invercargill In the afternoon, meet your tour manager and visit Bill Richardson Transport
World. This is the largest privately owned automotive museum of its type in
the world where you will see hundreds of historic vehicles including retro
Kombi’s, Ford Letter cars Diamond T Trucks, stunning 1930’s V8’s and more.
Enjoy a welcome dinner with the group this evening.
Saturday 10 April The Catlins is a spectacular coastal stretch between Balclutha and
Invercargill - Catlins - Invercargill Invercargill which boasts a rugged beauty and untouched quality. Here you
Meals: B/L find a world of native forests fringed by high cliffs, deserted sandy beaches,
Overnight: Invercargill sparkling bays, cascading waterfalls, hidden lakes, blowholes, caves,
picturesque lighthouses and even a petrified forest. These environments are
home to an array of fauna, from native birds, to seals, sea lions, dolphins,
and penguins. Today you’ll experience the very best that the Catlins has to
offer.
Sunday 11 April This morning you journey into the unspoilt landscapes of Western Southland,
Invercargill - Invercargill tucked between the towering peaks of Fiordland and the Takatimu
Meals: B/L/D mountain range. Start with a visit to the township of Riverton, one of New
Overnight: Invercargill Zealand’s oldest European settlements, known to the locals as ‘The Riviera
of the South’ and famous for its impressive beach and iconic seaside
baches. After morning tea at the Beach House Café, you will visit the award
-winning Te Hikoi Southern Journey museum. The museum features life size
displays, adventurous characters and engaging stories which reveal how
Maori and European adapted to survive on nature’s edge.
From here it’s a short drive to spectacular Colac Bay, Monkey Island,
Gemstone Beach, and the historic Orepuki. Overlooking the impressive Te
Waewae Bay, Orepuki was once a gold mining settlement of 3000 people,
and abandoned stores, goldmining relics and sluicing scars are reminders of
it’s former glory. Stop for lunch at Orepuki Café, housed in a grand house
with old character charm and offering farm to table food.
After an enjoyable day, return to Invercargill with a little time to relax before
enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.
Monday 12 April This morning you take the short drive south to the township of Bluff, situated
Invercargill - Stewart Island at the end of New Zealand’s State Highway 1, and famous for its fishing fleet
Meals: B/D and the best oysters in the world. Board the ferry for the 1 hour crossing of
Overnight: Stewart Island Foveaux Strait to Stewart Island, New Zealand’s third largest island,
comprising 1570 square kilometres, Stewart Island is a special place, and
offers a glimpse into a simpler, slower lifestyle, in rhythm with the sea and the
tides, and attuned to the natural world of bush and beach.
On arrival you will take a chartered 1 1/2 hour ‘Villages & Bays’ mini-bus tour
of the island, including a visit to the gateway of Rakiura National Park at Lee
Bay, Horseshoe Bay, and Observation Rock with its stunning views of
Paterson Inlet.
There will be free time this afternoon to relax and explore the township. After
an early dinner at the South Seas Hotel, you may wish to enjoy the optional
Wild Kiwi Encounter Excursion (additional cost).
Tuesday 13 April A relaxing day to browse the quaint shops and boutiques, walk the beach,
Stewart Island visit the local museum and movie theatre, or perhaps hire an E-bike or car to
Meals: B/D further explore. Your excursion today is a Paterson Inlet and Ulva Island
Overnight: Stewart Island Cruise. The cruise will showcase the hidden coves and unspoilt beaches of
Paterson Inlet. You’ll hear fascinating stories of early Maori history and
European settlement from your guide as you pass various landmarks. While
on board, keep a look out for fur seals and penguins. Paterson Inlet is home
to renowned wildlife sanctuary Ulva Island and you’ll stop there for a 45
minute guided walk. On the Island you may see weka (native woodhen),
bush robins, rare saddlebacks and yellowheads amongst other species. It is
also a protected habitat for some of New Zealand’s rarest plant species. A
regular highlight is to encounter an inquisitive weka on the beach.
You’ll dine at the hotel again this evening.
Wednesday 14 April Cross back over Foveaux Strait by ferry this morning, pausing in Bluff for a
Stewart Island - Te Anau group photo at the iconic AA sign at Stirling point, located at the very end
Meals: B of State Highway 12. Drive to Te Anau via Winton and the coal mining area
Coach: 3 hours 30 minutes of Nightcaps and Ohai before stopping off at the Clifden suspension bridge
Overnight: Te Anau which was built in 1898-99 and originally used by horse and cart traffic.
You will have a free afternoon in Te Anau. There is an option to take a tour
of the Te Anau glow worm caves or just take the time to relax. Dinner at
leisure tonight.
Thursday 15 April Today you will begin your adventure at Doubtful Sound. Start the journey
Te Anau - Doubtful Sound with a short cruise across Lake Manapouri and then a coach trip across
Meals: B/D Wilmot Pass, The road journey itself is amazing. Construction took two years
Overnight: Fiordland Navigator to enable machinery to be transported in for the Manapouri Power Station.
It is believed to be New Zealand’s most expensive road and the only one on
the mainland not connected to the rest of the roading network.
Spend the day cruising past stunning scenery, keeping a watch for the
resident dolphins, fur seals and rare penguins.
There will be a chance to explore the shoreline by tender boat. Kayaks are
available to use, and even a bracing swim is possible for the adventurous!
In the evening, enjoy a three course dinner, a drink from the bar and bask
in the silence of Doubtful Sound.
Friday 16 April Wake up to the quiet beauty of the Sound and spend the rest of the
Doubtful Sound - Queenstown morning exploring other parts of the fiord before disembarking at Deep
Meals: B/D Cove and continuing by coach via Manapouri and onto Queenstown.
Coach: 2 hours 30 minutes
Overnight: Queenstown Enjoy a farewell dinner with the group in Queenstown this evening.
Saturday 17 April Check out and transfer to the airport for your homebound flights or
Queenstown choose to stay in Queenstown. We can help arrange extensions and
Meals: B activities for you.
TOUR MANAGER
David McNay is a true “Southern Man”. Born and
bred in Southland not only has he worked for the
iconic Speights brewery for a decade but was the
publican of the Waiau Hotel at Tuatapere for twenty
years. Dave has spent the last 17 years driving and
leading tours of Southland and is intimately familiar
with the land and its people. He looks forward to
welcoming you to his neck of the woods.
Photo credits: Thanks to Real Journeys
HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS TOUR
A deposit of $500 is required to secure your place on the tour. When minimum numbers are reached, the tour will
become a ‘confirmed departure’ and your deposit will be non-refundable. At that point we will advise when the
tour payment will be due. If the tour is unable to operate as a result of government travel restrictions
due to Covid-19, you will have the choice of transferring your deposit to another tour or receive a full refund.
• Click here to complete the online registration form, pay the $500 per person deposit and your place in this
tour is secured.
• Or you can complete a paper registration form. You can down load one from the website
www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, or give us a call and we will email or post one to you.
• TERMS & CONDITIONS
Can be found on the website www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, on the back of the paper registration form
or on the summary page when you complete an online registration. If you wish to pay by credit card, a
surcharge of 2.5% will be charged.
VARIATIONS
This itinerary is Version 1 dated 07/10/2020 and is subject to change.
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