Super Q (11n) The West and South Coast of the South Island. Starts and finishes in Christchurch (or Queenstown). Great for someone who has less than two weeks and wants to experience West Coast culture, the glaciers, adventure activities, fiords, Stewart Island and wildlife. Package Details: Stray bus tours are about getting off the beaten track with unique destinations and activity operators to provide a truly in-depth New Zealand travel experience like no other. The West and South Coast of the South Island. Starts and finishes in Christchurch (or Queenstown). Great for someone who has less than two weeks and wants to experience West Coast culture, the glaciers, adventure activities, fiords, Stewart Island and wildlife. Accommodation Details: Dorm accommodation, shared facilities. Highlights: + Majestic Franz Josef glacier with a free day to hike and explore it. + Spend a few days in Queenstown - the adventure and party capital of NZ! + The stunning fiord of Milford Sound and historic Gunn s Camp. + Stewart Island's natural untouched beauty and wildlife or the Catlins wilderness area for sealions and remote scenery. + Stay at base of NZ's highest mountain Aoraki/Mt Cook. + High country sheep station in Lord of the Rings scenery at Rangitata. Day 1: Christchurch to Franz Josef PLEASE NOTE: The 1st sector of this day is not on the Stray bus so please call the Stray office at least 48 hours before departure to confirm pick up details. Pick up will be at 7.10am (be waiting at 7am) outside the Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Avenue, by an Atomic Shuttle bus (not a Stray bus). This service heads over the stunning Arthur s Pass to Greymouth.
*If you have the TranzAlpine rail option, make your own way to the Railway Station, Troup Drive, Addington. The train departs at 8.15am (be at the Railway Station 30 minutes prior to departure). The Stray bus will pick depart at 1pm from Greymouth train station, make a stop in Hokitika then head to Franz Josef, a town squashed between the Tasman Sea and the mighty Franz Josef glacier. Accommodation at Rainforest Retreat (dorm share) Day 2: Free day in Franz Josef. Today you will do the Ice Explorer trip - a short helicopter ride into the Pinnacles area of the glacier where a guide will take you over the ice and explain the amazing environmental changes that have occurred here over the last few years. After exploring this awesome and unique area you can relax in the hot pools. Accommodation at Rainforest Retreat (dorm share) Includes: - Ice Explorer trip - Entry to Glacier Hot Pools Day 3: Franz Josef to Wanaka Depart at 9am. We head to Lake Matheson for a walk around the amazing mirror lake before briefly stopping in the town of Fox Glacier. Moving on, we travel through the mountainous Haast pass and onto the beautiful Lake Hawea where you will be able to stop for some awesome photos! Arriving into Wanaka in the afternoon - you have time to explore this picturesque lakeside town. Accommodation at Base Wanaka (dorm share) Day 4: Wanaka - Queenstown. Depart at 10.30am. Free time this morning for you to relax and take in the amazing views of Lake Wanaka or if you re feeling adventurous - try skydiving! On arrival into Queenstown, we ll stop at the famous AJ Hackett Bungy site where you can learn the history of Bungy Jumping in New Zealand. You also have the opportunity to jump yourself if you re feeling brave! Accommodation at Base Queenstown (dorm share)
Day 5-6: 2 Non Travel Days: Queenstown You have 2 days to explore the adventure capital that is Queenstown. Options include: sleeping in and doing nothing, great local walks, or taking part in one of many activity options. 2 nights accommodation at Base Queenstown (dorm share) - depending on the departure day from Queenstown to Gunns Camp this will either be before or after the bottom loop. Day 7: Queenstown to Gunn`s Camp Depart from 8.30am onwards. Enjoy the views on the drive past Lake Wakatipu, then get ready for one of the most scenic drives in the world on our way to Milford Sound. We pass through the farmland of Southland and watch it turn into mountains, glacial carved valleys and fiords. We have time to explore Milford and then in the late afternoon we head to our unique overnight stop at Gunn s Camp. Accommodation at Gunns Camp (dorm share) Includes: - Milford Sound Cruise Day 8: Gunn`s Camp to Stewart Island Depart at 8.30am. We start the morning with a great hike up to the Key Summit Track for stunning views over Fiordland mountains. We then head through Southland to Invercargill on the scenic route, next stop Stewart Island! Accommodation at Stewart Island Backpackers (dorm share) Includes Return Ferry ticket from Bluff to Stewart Island Day 9: Stewart Island - Queenstown The morning is yours to explore the island, meet the locals, go fishing or enjoy some of the many walks. We catch the ferry back to Bluff at 3pm and then express back to Queenstown. Accommodation at Base Queenstown (dorm share)
Day 10: Queenstown - Aoraki / Mt Cook Depart from 8.40am. We head over the Lindis pass through the beautiful Mackenzie Country and Lake Pukaki, then head north to our amazing stop at the base of New Zealand s highest mountain Aoraki/ Mount Cook, arriving in the early afternoon. Jump in a 6WD tour of this remote and rugged alpine region Accommodation at Mount Cook Backpackers (dorm share) Includes: - 6WD Argo Tour Day 11: Mt Cook to Rangitata Depart 8.00am (10 am in winter). We make our way to the Lord of the Rings landscape at Rangitata. We head past the scenic Lake Tekapo, with time for photos of the turquoise lake and the picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd. We arrive late morning into Geraldine, and then head through to spend the night at Rangitata. Accommodation included at Rangitata Rafts (dorm share) Day 12: Rangitata to Christchurch Depart 7.30am. It is an express haul across the Canterbury plains to Christchurch where your Stray adventure comes to an end. Arrival time into Christchurch should be approximately 9.30am. Departure Days: Twice a week - season dependent. Fridays: Pax will have 2 free days in Queenstown before doing the Deep South (so they would have 3 nights in Base Qtown and then 1 when they return from the South). Sundays: Pax will have 2 free days in Queenstown after doing the Deep South (so they would have 1 night in Base Qtown and then 3 when they return from the South).
Departure Time: Please see timetable Duration: 12 days (11n) Validity: First day of travel must commence within 12 months of purchase. Inclusions: - 11 nights dorm accommodation, shared facilities - "Ice Explorer" trip with Franz Josef Glacier Guides - Entry to Glacier Hot Pools - Milford Sound Cruise - Return Ferry ticket from Bluff to Stewart Island - 6WD Argo Tour - Transport on selected route over each sector (unlimited travel permitted see terms above) - Commentary and sightseeing - Activity booking service Not Included: - Meals - Optional activities - Attraction entrance fees Reservation Procedure: This is a fixed dated tour; therefore a firm date should be booked at the time of making a reservation. You will be emailed a link to allow you to book and confirm your pickups online, please log in via the Travellers Login (located at the top right of the homepage of www.straytravel.com) and check we have your correct date and correct location to meet or be picked up from. Operated By: Stray Limited
Itinerary Exchange: STA travel itineraries must be exchanged for a Stray ticket prior to boarding. This can be done on your first day of travel. You should have received an email from Stray with instructions on how to book your trip online. Important Information: Nights in Queenstown depend on the departure days. A total of 4 nights is included. Please see Departure Days. Children aged 7-15 years of age may travel if accompanied with an adult All passengers travelling alone with Stray must be over 16 (16-17 years must complete parental consent form) Activity Level: All levels Group Size: Max 41 Scheduled departures Trip Style: Coach touring