Southland, Stewart Island and Doubtful Sound

Monday 8 - 16 March 2021

8 nights

DISCOVER NZ

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 EXCLUSIONS

• Domestic travel to Invercargill and from

Queenstown (flights can be booked for you at

an additional cost)

• Travel insurance

• Meals not specified in the itinerary

• Beverages during included meals, unless

specified

• Personal expenses

• If you wish to pay by credit card, a surcharge of

2.5% will be charged

TOUR INCLUSIONS

• The services of an experienced driver and tour

manager

• 7 nights hotel accommodation

• 1 night on the ‘Fiordland Navigator' on

Doubtful Sound. Designed along the lines of a

traditional scow, the Fiordland Navigator blends old

world charm with modern comforts that include

spacious viewing decks, a dining saloon with fully

licensed bar and an observation lounge

• Meals as specified in the itinerary

• Local guides

• All group transfers

• Admissions as detailed in the itinerary

• Activities and sightseeing tours with local guides as

detailed in the itinerary

• Pre-tour material

TOUR PRICE Share twin or double occupancy NZD$3,990

Single Supplement NZD$1,490

Please contact Calder & Lawson Tours if you are

interested in a single occupancy place, as they are

limited.

GROUP SIZE Minimum 10, maximum 18

VARIATIONS IN TRAVEL We can make arrangements

for any travel you would like to do before or after this

tour. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? This will be an excellent opportunity to

experience the best of the deep south. This tour

will not be physically challenging, however ability

to stand and walk for 2-3 hours will enable you to

fully participate in all activities.

DAILY ITINERARY

Monday 8 March 2021

Your home - Invercargill

Meals: D

Overnight: Invercargill

Tuesday 9 March

Invercargill - Catlins - Invercargill

Meals: B/L

Overnight: Invercargill

Wednesday 10 March

Invercargill - Invercargill

Meals: B/L/D

Overnight: Invercargill

Arrive in Invercargill, New Zealand’s southernmost city known for its warmth

and hospitality, and transfer to your hotel.

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.

The Catlins is a spectacular coastal stretch between Balclutha and

Invercargill which boasts a rugged beauty and untouched quality. Here you

find a world of native forests fringed by high cliffs, deserted sandy beaches,

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.

This morning you journey into the unspoilt landscapes of Western Southland,

tucked between the towering peaks of Fiordland and the Takatimu

mountain range. Start with a visit to the township of Riverton, one of New

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.

This morning you take the short drive south to the township of Bluff, situated

at the end of New Zealand’s State Highway 1, and famous for its fishing fleet

and the best oysters in the world. Board the ferry for the 1 hour crossing of

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).

A relaxing day to browse the quaint shops and boutiques, walk the beach,

visit the local museum and movie theatre, or perhaps hire an E-bike or car to

further explore. Your excursion today is a Paterson Inlet and Ulva 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.

Cross back over Foveaux Strait by ferry this morning, pausing in Bluff for a

group photo at the iconic AA sign at Stirling point, located at the very end

of State Highway 12. Drive to Te Anau via Winton and the coal mining area

of Nightcaps and Ohai before stopping off at the Clifden suspension bridge

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.

Today you will begin your adventure at Doubtful Sound. Start the journey

with a short cruise across Lake Manapouri and then a coach trip across

Wilmot Pass, The road journey itself is amazing. Construction took two years

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.

Thursday 11 March

Invercargill - Stewart Island

Meals: B/D

Overnight: Stewart Island

Friday 12 March

Stewart Island

Meals: B/D

Overnight: Stewart Island

Saturday 13 March

Stewart Island - Te Anau

Meals: B

Coach: 3 hours 30 minutes

Overnight: Te Anau

Sunday 14 March

Te Anau - Doubtful Sound

Meals: B/D

Overnight: Fiordland Navigator

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 2 dated 22/06/2020 and is subject to change.

Monday 15 March

Doubtful Sound - Queenstown

Meals: B/D

Coach: 2 hours 30 minutes

Overnight: Queenstown

Tuesday 16 March

Queenstown

Meals: B

Photo credits: Thanks to Real Journeys

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.

Wake up to the quiet beauty of the Sound and spend the rest of the

morning exploring other parts of the fiord before disembarking at Deep

Cove and continuing by coach via Manapouri and onto Queenstown.

Enjoy a farewell dinner with the group in Queenstown this evening.

Check out and transfer to the airport for your homebound flights or

choose to stay in Queenstown. We can help arrange extensions and

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.