Hafen
Bluff

If you have a sense of adventure, love nature, wildlife and tranquillity, then you will get to experience all on this unique trip to New Zealand's 3^rd largest Island, Stewart Island.

Flight to Steward Island

Unspoilt, relaxing and incredibly beautiful, Stewart Island is a showcase for untouched New Zealand. In just a 20-minute flight from Invercargill, you will find one of New Zealand's largely undiscovered eco-tourism destinations. With its network of stunning bays, inlets, golden sand beaches and densely forested hills, Stewart Island combines a spectacular mix of breath-taking landscapes and abundant wildlife. All visitors to are guaranteed a special experience - a glimpse into a simpler, slower lifestyle, in rhythm with the sea and the tides, attuned to the natural world of bush and beach.

Ferry Ride to Ulva Island & Wildlife Spotting

Take a short ferry ride to Ulva Island, a pristine forested island which covers an area of 269 hectares within Paterson Inlet. It is one of the few predator-free sanctuaries in New Zealand. Experience the abundant birdlife, lovely beaches and views on your guided walk through this piece of paradise. The well-maintained tracks offer easy to moderate walking for most people to enjoy.

South Sea Hotel & Lunch

Return to Stewart Island to feast on a delicious lunch at South Sea Hotel, an iconic hotel on the central Oban waterfront where you will be treated to a selection of food before departing on a tour to see the highlights of the island.

Narrated Panoramic Drive & Photo Stops

Gain an entertaining insight into New Zealand's southernmost community, and learn about the history and environment of Stewart Island. Our local guides enjoy sharing their knowledge of the area on this mini-bus tour of the Island. You will have plenty of time to get off the bus for photo stops and short walks.

Flight back to the mainland

At the conclusion of your visit, board your flight back to the mainland and head back to the ship after a full day of experiences that will be a highlight of any cruise through New Zealand.

Explore one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand and the farming lifestyle during this panoramic, full-day sightseeing excursion.

Catlins Coast

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour drive to the stunning Catlins Coast, an absolute jewel for the discerning traveller and one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand. In the early days, the Waitaha and Ngati Mamoe lived and gathered along the Catlins Coast. The Nga Tahu, with leaders like Tuhawaiki and Taiaroa, claimed the land by strength. The early whalers and sealers plied their trade along the Catlins, trading with the Maori and becoming part of the land. European settlements followed, and the natural harbours amongst the rugged coast and cliffs sheltered the new occupants.

Curio Bay, Beach Stroll

Upon reaching the Catlins Coast, a brief stop is made at Curio Bay for a delightful stroll on the beach. Here, you may spot some local wildlife, including Hector's dolphins, yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals and/or sea lions. The area also contains the fossilized remains of an ancient forest, and has an interesting history. Following your visit, re-board your coach and head for the Skylark Farm.

Lake Edge Farm, Rolling Hills, Tall Cliffs and Bluffs, Sea and Lake Views, Lunch, Mataura

With its rugged, rolling hills, precipitous cliffs and bluffs, stunning sea, and exquisite lake views, Lake Edge is an area of outstanding beauty and tells the story of 200 years of settlement. It is a land of extremes, but the beauty remains the same. Upon arrival, enjoy an authentic rural experience with a local family that live and work there. Learn about the stories of farming in this area with your hosts and take a guided tour of the farm, then proceed for a lunch consisting of seasonal foods. After lunch, re-board your coach and commence the 2.25-hour drive back to the pier, with a comfort stop at Mataura en route.

Discover the highlights and enjoy the stunning scenery of the Catlins region of New Zealand.

Fortrose, Waipapa Point, Tararua Shipwreck

Depart the pier and journey for approxmately 1.45 hour drive to Fortrose (an old whaling station) for a brief stop and a possibility to see the shipwreck (depending on the tide). Next, travel to Waipapa Point and stroll down to the beach to see an old lighthouse and New Zealand's worst civilian shipwreck, "Tararua". Here you may also spot some New Zealand seals. Continue to Slope Point for an opportunity to take a short walk to the iconic signpost at the southernmost point of the South Island or simply take in the spectacular views of windswept trees and Southern Ocean waves crashing onto the rocks.

Curio Bay & Petrified Forest

Afterwards, continue to Curio Bay, a bay of international significance for its Petrified Forest dating back to the Jurassic period. The tree fossils you see here, similar to Kauri and Matai, are approximately 170 million years old. The forest was alive when New Zealand was part of Gondwanaland.

Living Forest Walkway, Lunch, Tumu Toka Curioscape

Curio Bay's Petrified Forest is best viewed at low tide from the viewing platform. You may choose to walk through the Living Forest walkway to witness how the Petrified Forest may have looked millions of years ago. This is a special occurrence in the world to witness a fossil forest so close to its living counterpart.

After lunch, visit Tumu Toka Curioscape, a world-class interpretive center intended to educate and share the special stories of Curio Bay.

At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach for the 1.45 hour drive back to the pier.

Experience the history of flight in New Zealand in a unique new way during this scenic and exciting, full-day excursion to Mandeville and Gore.

Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour drive to the Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre, which houses mostly aircraft from the 1920s and 1930s, including an extensive collection of de Havilland aircraft. It is unique in that nearly all of the aircraft on display actually fly. This nationally-ranked museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating New Zealand's civil aviation heritage; both the stories of pioneer aviators, and their equally colourful machines.

Vintage Aircraft Flight over Mandeville, Museum Tour, Hangar Visit

Meet your pilot and receive your safety and flight instructions, then board a De Havilland 89 Dragon Rapide/Dominie vintage aircraft for a panoramic and exhilarating, approximately 15-minute flight over Mandeville. As well as your scenic flight, take an informative guided museum tour, including access to the hangar in which aircraft currently being restored are held. Here, you may see staff working on these aircraft.

Gore, Hokonui Moonshine Museum, Guided Tour and Old Hokonui Whisky Tasting

Re-board your coach and continue on to Gore, one of the main hubs in Southland and the official home of country music in New Zealand. Upon arrival, some free time is made available to explore your surrounds at your leisure. You can visit the Hokonui Moonshine Museum. During a self-guided visit, learn about Gore's colourful past as a centre for illicit whisky distilling. Afterwards, proceed for a tasting of Old Hokonui, which is made with the original recipe, and/or even take a bottle home with you.

Eastern Southland Gallery

If you are an art lover, you may also visit the Eastern Southland Gallery, nicknamed the 'Goreggenheim'. The gallery has a formidable collection for a small town the size of Gore. The museum features the international art collection of expatriate New Zealander Dr John Money, and a large body of artwork by leading contemporary New Zealand artist Ralph Hotere. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 1-1.5-hour drive back to the pier.

Explore the local region on this easy panoramic experience.

Bluff, Bluff Hill (Motupohue)

Depart the pier and travel through Bluff - Pearl of the South - home of the world famous Bluff Oyster, and the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in New Zealand. Visit Stirling Point, with its famous signpost and walking tracks, is the beginning of State Highway 1 which traverses the length of the country to Cape Reinga in the far north - the journey really does begin here in Bluff. Enjoy the panoramic views over Bluff port and town from the viewing platform on top of Bluff Hill (Motupohue).

Invercargill

Invercargill is the regional capital and commercial hub of Southland. Founded in the 1850's, it is New Zealand's southernmost city - and one of the southernmost cities in the world. Fondly dubbed the "City of Water and Light", referring to the long summer daylight hours, frequent appearances of the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights), and the city's position beside the Waihopai River estuary, Invercargill has plenty of character and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere.

Queens Park

The pride of Invercargill is Queens Park, a magnificent public park in the heart of the city. The park sprawls across 80 hectares of beautifully kept gardens, wildlife habitats, and sports areas. Highlights of this New Zealand Garden of National Significance include a stunning rose garden, a rhododendron dell, an azalea garden, a Japanese garden, bush paths through a selection of native plants, rock and herb gardens, and a stumpery. An indoor Winter Garden features tropical and flowering plants, and a range of cacti are displayed in an adjoining structure. The park also houses an impressive bird aviary, farmyard area, and animal enclosures.

If you are looking for a unique experience, then a visit to Bill Richardson's Transport World and Motorcycle Mecca could be just for you.

Experience a family legacy that has become the largest private automotive museum of its type in the world. Stunningly crafted within a world-class facility, Bill Richardson Transport World has something for everyone. Hugely popular, discover more than 300 vehicles including trucks, rare classic vehicles, racing cars, tractors, farm machinery, motoring memorabilia and over 200 vintage petrol pumps, and learn about how it all began on your informative guided tour. Outside of the extraordinary vehicle range, you will also find a growing wearable arts collection, movie theatre, children's play zones and the quirky themed bathrooms are fast becoming as famous as the vehicles.

Visit Classic Motorcycle Mecca for a guided tour through the Southern Hemisphere's leading motorcycle museum, regularly described as 'stunning' and 'mind-blowing' in scale. Offering New Zealand's most diverse collection, find displays of classic British, European and American bikes as well as Japanese, Motocross and Speedway, including solo, sidecar and even three wheeled automobiles and machinery dating from 1902 onwards. A tribute to legend Burt Munro and an internationally significant hero bike display of Britten and Brough Superior is also on offer. Enjoy an intimate, up-close experience of the bikes and packed with quirky details, quality exhibits and interactive displays, Classic Motorcycle Mecca is a truly mind-blowing experience.

The tour concludes back at the pier.

Immerse yourself in the extraordinary legacy and daily life at Rosedale Farm during this interactive, full-day farming and culinary excursion.

Waikaka Valley, Rosedale Farm

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 75-minute drive to the Waikaka Valley for a visit to Rosedale Farm, one of the most iconic properties in New Zealand. Upon arrival, meet the growers and producers from Rosedale; worldly hosts who have lived, worked and cared for this land for generations, and are so much more than breeders of top-performing sheep. With governance roles in both their local community and abroad, as well as existing agri-tourism ventures, this community-centric family brings 200 years of stories; stories of whanau (family) and clanship, meeting-and-growing over time, and moving from, and coming back to, the whenua (land).

Lush, Rolling Hills, Flowing Private River

From its lush, rolling hills to its flowing private river, this property ties together two cultures and almost two centuries of history. From this property sprang a village and community, still supported to this day by both the commercial operations and involvement of the property owners. This is a land with many stories. It is deeply local; a land where you stop and breathe. This is the heartland of the Southland.

Farm Tour, Lunch, Interactive Sheep-Shearing Demonstrations

Upon arrival, meet your growers and enjoy a hot beverage. Next, depart for a guided orientation tour of the farm and see a working animal display, then proceed for a farm-to-table-style lunch featuring lamb, artisan breads and home-made baked goods. After lunch, take in interactive, dog-and-sheep and sheep-shearing demonstrations. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 75-minute drive back to the pier.