Catlins & Stewart Island
Highlights
The Catlins
Stewart Island
Olveston House
Taieri Gorge Railway
Nugget Point Lighthouse
Purakaunui Falls
Curio Bay
Waipapa Lighthouse
Invercargill
Tour of Invercargill and Bluff
Queenstown
Lake Wakatipu
TSS Earnslaw Cruise
Skyline Restaurant
Arrowtown
Experience New Zealand’s natural landscape of the Catlins and Stewart Island first hand.
From native forests abundant with birdlife and jagged coastlines, to wandering through the delightful small towns and historic architecture that makes the South Island truly unique.
Take in views of vast, undulating green fields that lead to the shores of turquoise blue lakes.
We’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable adventure.
Itinerary
Day 1
We fly from Auckland to Dunedin where we spend the first 2 nights. Dunedin is New Zealand’s best kept secret, a city full of authentic welcoming characters, heritage buildings and abundant wildlife on its doorstep.
Please contact us if you wish to fly to Dunedin from a different airport.
Day 2
Today, we visit historical Olveston House for a guided tour around this national treasure. Olveston was built for Dunedin businessman, collector and philanthropist David Theomin and his wife Marie. It was opened as a historic house museum in 1967. Olveston House is like a time capsule as very little has changed.
After lunch, we depart from Dunedin’s beautiful railway station on the Taieri Gorge Railway as it begins its scenic journey into some of New Zealand’s most spectacular and iconic scenery. The train makes its way through the southern parts of Dunedin until arriving at Wingatui Junction where it turns off on to the Taieri branch. We cross the Taieri Plains and climb into the Taieri Gorge, a narrow and deep gorge carved out over many years by the ancient Taieri River.
Day 3
A real treat in store today as we set off on an amazing journey through the scenic and historical area of the Catlins in the South Otago and Southland Coastal area. This area with its spectacular coastline, quiet beaches, waterfalls and extensive native forests has something for everyone. Travelling through Balclutha, our first stop is at Kaka Point where we have morning tea while looking out to sea over the beautiful beach.
Next is the Nugget Point Lighthouse which was built in 1869. We go on a breathtaking walk along a spectacular track to the lighthouse.
After that, there is really only one stop to make and that is for our lunch in Owaka. The town’s name means ‘the place of canoes’ due to being so close to the Owaka River.
After lunch, our next stop is at the Purakaunui Falls which is one of the most photographed waterfalls in New Zealand and is at the heart of the Catlins Forest Park. An easy walk leads to the falls. At Curio Bay, best known as the site of a petrified forest some 180 million years old and home to a yellow-eyed penguin colony, we take a short walk to see the fossilised logs on the shore.
Our last visit of the day is to Waipapa Lighthouse where we may come across sea lions lounging around on the beach. Our stay for the next 2 nights is in Invercargill.
Day 4
This morning, we meet up with our local guide Lynette Jack. She has been a guide for 25 years and is still passionate about her city and it shows. The tour takes us around the city, seeing all the grand old restored buildings.
We continue to Bluff which is the oldest European settlement in New Zealand and has a rich and varied history. We stop here for lunch. Who can resist the famous Bluff Oysters as they will be in season? Before returning to Invercargill, we stop for a photo opportunity at one of the most photographed signposts in New Zealand. We arrive back in Invercargill early afternoon and there is some free time to explore or just relax back at the hotel.
Day 5
Today, we are off to Stewart Island for 2 nights. Here, we have the opportunity to relax into a simpler, slower lifestyle in time with the sea and the tides and attuned to the natural world of bush and beach.
After our short flight, we join Philip Smith for a cruise around the sheltered waters of Paterson Inlet. We visit the birdwatchers’ delight of Ulva Island and maybe even spot some fur seals and penguins as well as seeing a myriad of secluded bays and coves that the locals have at their back door. On the return, we relax on board and enjoy lunch while looking out over the coastal scenery before heading back to our hotel.
Day 6
This morning, we join our local tour guide who takes us around many of the breathtaking sights of this special region of paradise. There is free time later in the day to explore the area around Halfmoon Bay near to the hotel.
Day 7
This morning, we fly back to Invercargill then it’s back on our coach as we continue along the Southern Scenic Route. We stop in Riverton and have morning tea while overlooking the beach. Riverton is situated on the south-eastern shorelines of the Jacobs River Estuary being formed by the Aparima and Pourakino Rivers.
Our lunch stop is in Tuatapere which sits on the edge of Fiordland's wilderness amid spectacular unspoilt scenery and lush rolling farmland. After lunch, we take time to look in at the Yesteryears Museum then it’s on to Queenstown for 2 nights.
Tonight, we go up on the Skyline Gondola for dinner at the famous scenic Skyline Restaurant.
Day 8
A quiet start to the day with some free time for everyone. At lunchtime, we board the 105 year old TSS Earnslaw to sail across Lake Wakatipu, showcasing some of Queenstown’s spectacular alpine scenery. The cruise takes 90 minutes so there’s time to enjoy lunch from the onboard Promenade Cafe and Bar. On the return to Queenstown, we take a short drive to visit the historic and delightful Arrowtown.
Day 9
We depart the hotel and head to Queenstown Airport to catch our flight to Auckland. As we fly, we can while away the time by reflecting on a spectacular tour around the most southern parts of the South Island.
Please contact us if you wish to fly from Queenstown to a different airport.