Partner Programs

Arthur’s Pass Day Trip, Train, Jetboat & Farm Visit

8.00am depart from your hotel with your driver and guide and travel across the Canterbury Plains to Springfield, here you will board the Tranzalpine train and travel through to Arthur’s Pass.

9.15am. Depart from Springfield on the Tranzalpine train. The Tranzalpine is world renowned as “The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure”. Crossing the huge and fertile patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, The Tranzalpine winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular gorges and river valleys to the settlement of Arthur’s Pass. The pass, built by pick and shovel and completed in 1866, is named after Arthur Dudley who discovered it in 1864.

10.42am. At Arthur’s Pass join your coach and transfer to the visitors centre, time will be available for a brief walk into the native bush.

Arthur’s Pass National Park is in the heart of the Southern Alps/Ka Tiritiri o te Moana. Its high mountains with large scree slopes, steep gorges and wide braided rivers, straddles the main divide – the ‘back bone’ of the South Island – between Canterbury and the West Coast. It’s a park of contrasts, with dry beech/tawhai forest in the east, luxuriant rainforest on western slopes, and a historic highway and railway running through the middle. Arthur’s Pass was New Zealand’s third national park and the first one in the South Island.

Depart Arthur’s Pass by coach and follow the Bealey River and cross the Waimakariri River (on which you will soon be jet boating).
Pass the high country lakes Grasmere, Pearson and Lyndon before descending from the summit of Porters Pass towards Springfield. We then travel to the banks of the Waimakariri River where we board a Jet boat for a 30 minute spectacular jet boat ride in boats specifically designed by Waimak Alpine Jet to suit the conditions they operate in.

A warm welcome then awaits you at “Homebush”. A mix of home-grown hospitality, a superb machinery museum, a wonderful craft shop, an interesting presentation on the pioneering history of the Deans family and extensive gardens boasting one of the finest collections of rhododendrons in the South Island - Homebush appeals to outdoor enthusiasts, historians, gardeners and tourists alike. Afternoon tea and a sheep shearing demonstration is included before boarding your coach for the 40 minute drive back to Christchurch.

Depart 8.00am, returns 5.30pm (approx)

Christchurch Shopping Tour
This morning depart from your hotel and transfer by coach to the Hornby Dress-Smart shopping centre on the outskirts of Christchurch city, With 50 separate retail clothing and fashion stores offering shoppers quality brands at up to 70 per cent off regular retail prices. Brands include Canterbury New Zealand, Rod and Gunn, Pumpkin Patch, Rip Curl, Sunglass Style to name just a few. On the way back to the city stop at the Blenheim Road Warehouse. The Warehouse is one of New Zealand’s largest retailers, known and loved by Kiwis for its wide range of departments, including apparel, entertainment and technology, music, sporting, gardening and many others. The Warehouse has been giving Kiwis bargains since 1982 and has grown to over 85 stores throughout New Zealand employing over 9,000.

Depart 9.30am, returns 12.30pm (approx)

Taste of New Zealand Tour

Visit 4 of Canterbury's top cuisine outlets and taste some of New Zealand's finest delights - de Spa chocolates, Akaroa Salmon, New Zealand cheese and ice-cream, St Helena wines and continental meats.

* de Spa Chocolatier produce over 70 varieties of hand-made chocolates. Taste and observe the chocolates being made.
* Akaroa Salmon is a niche producer at the highest end of the quality salmon market. This exclusive brand is not available in supermarkets. Taste hot-smoked, cold-smoked and raw salmon.
* Euro Deli Meats are Canterbury producers of the finest quality salami and small goods. All products are hand made and smoked on site. Taste a variety of specialty meats.
* St Helena Wine Estate is an award winning winery. Taste various South Island wines including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir.
* New Zealand cheese and ice-cream are also tasted on this tour

Depart 9.00am, returns 12.30pm (approx)

Half Day Wine Tour

Travel to Waipara, Canterbury's premier wine growing region, 45 minutes north of Christchurch. Visit 4 award winning wineries, selected from the following: Pegasus Bay, Daniel Schuster, Muddy Water, Torlesse, Floating Mountain, Waipara Springs, Sherwood, Canterbury House, for tastings. Talk with a local winemaker and share their industry knowledge and experiences. Included is a lunch platter with tea & coffee at Canterbury House Winery or Waipara Springs Winery.

Depart 12noon, returns 6.00pm (approx)