Tour title bar

9 Day AAT Kings Southern Spotlight 23/24

9 days 8 nights
Christchurch to Christchurch
from NZD$3,896pp
was NZD$4,036pp
Breadcrumb
Tour summary and feature with map

The 9-day Southern Spotlight tour explores the wonderful scenery of the South Island. The city of Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Franz Josef Glacier and you take the world-famous TranzAlpine train from Arthurs Pass to Christchurch. With lots of opportunities to enjoy the many great optional tours and activities, this is the ideal tour for those wishing to see the best of the South Island at a relaxing pace.

Wildlife & nature

This Tour Also Features

  • Christchurch City Tour
  • Christchurch Tram
  • Franz Josef Glacier
  • Milford Sound Cruise
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey
  • TSS Earnslaw cruise & dinner at Walter Peak high country farm, Queenstown
  • Visit a Local Orchard
  • Meals included: 8 breakfasts, 4 dinners, 1 special dinner
Tour full itinerary
Itinerary
Day One - Christchurch
Tour day 1
Christchurch City Tram

Since its 2010/11 earthquakes, Christchurch has reinvented itself in more ways than one. Discover how when you step back in time aboard the Christchurch Tram tour, linking some of the city’s most legendary attractions. Expect quite the commentary – your conductors are a hoot.

Staying in:

  • Ibis Hotel Christchurch (1 night)

Return to Top

Day Two - Christchurch - Omarama
Tour day 2
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
View of Lake Tekapo

Christchurch is not only rebuilding itself after the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes, but is changing the way architects think about design. Case in point the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. After your Christchurch tour, your outlook is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. If you wish (and you should wish) take it in on an optional scenic flight for added perspective of the Southern Alps and on to Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere.

Staying in:

  • Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 night)

Return to Top

Day Three - Omarama - Dunedin
Tour day 3
Meals included: Breakfast
Dunedin Railway Station

If you’ve ever wanted to see New Zealand’s oldest public gardens, today you’re in luck. Oamaru, with its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings, stands proud before you journey further south toward the Edinburgh of the South: Dunedin. It’s easy to while away the afternoon in the city’s atmospheric art-lined alleys. Or venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country – fur seals and penguins among them. Thirsty? Visit Speights Brewery, a New Zealand institution.

Staying in:

  • Scenic Hotel Dunedin City (1 night)

Return to Top

Day Four - Dunedin - Te Anau
Tour day 4
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
View of Te Anau Lake

There are some days when you’re travelling, that all you want to do is sleep in. Go for it. Or channel your inner royalty on a visit to Dunedin’s grand Larnach Castle – the only one of its kind in the country. Dunedin’s Scottish ancestry is everywhere you look, from the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city’s main George Street. Rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep are replaced by soaring mountains as you weave your way into Fiordland National Park and the South Island’s biggest lake and the town of Te Anau. Soak up the serenity – it doesn’t get any better than this.

Staying in:

  • Distinction Luxmore Hotel (1 night)

Return to Top

Day Five - Te Anau - Queenstown
Tour day 5
Meals included: Breakfast
Milford Sound Cruise

From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and mirror-like lakes. Gin-clear rivers carve the countryside, with all roads leading to your Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour. Cruising this World Heritage listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. Look out for dolphins – they’re a common sight here.

Staying in:

  • Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown (1 night)

Return to Top

Day Six - Queenstown Free Time
Tour day 6
Meals included: Breakfast, Speciality Dinner
View of Queenstown

Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Shotover Jet, perhaps. There’s a reason why Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the country. Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand’s feathered friends at a wildlife centre. Wherever you wander, make sure you’re back in time to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner.

Staying in:

  • Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown (1 night)

Return to Top

Day Seven - Queenstown - Franz Josef/Waiau
Tour day 7
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Road to Franz Josef

Try and keep count of today’s lakes. Leaving Lake Wakatipu behind, Arrowtown appears on the horizon. We know you’ll want to linger in the movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques. But Lake Dunstan awaits, as do its orchards. Pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. Then there’s Lake Hawea followed by Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass, Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere sparkles like a gem. You don’t get many chances in life to land and walk on a glacier. This afternoon is one. How cool is that?

Staying in:

  • Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown (1 night)

Return to Top

Day Eight - Franz Josef/Waiau - Christchurch
Tour day 8
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
TranzAlpine Train at the Station

Swap snow for pounamu (native greenstone or jade) in Hokitika. In Māori tradition, it’s bad luck to buy this sacred stone for yourself; flutter your eyelids at your loved one. Just when you thought your adventure couldn’t get any better, you’ll aboard the TranzAlpine train bound for Christchurch, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys.

Staying in:

  • Ibis Hotel Christchurch (1 night)

Return to Top

Day Nine - Farewell from Christchurch
Tour day 9
Meals included: Breakfast
AAT Coach Crew

New Zealand’s South Island never fails to wow. We hope you find the words to describe this epic New Zealand tour to your family back home.

Return to Top

Tour quick quote
Get an Instant Quote
Step 1: Select a chosen start date
Step 2: Select number of passengers and room configuration
Select the number of adults per room type
Double room (based on 2 adults in 1 room, 1 bed)
Twin room (based on 2 adults sharing 1 room with 2 beds)
Single occupancy (based on 1 adult in one room)
No pricing loaded - please choose another date or contact us
Your quote for this tour:
Start date:
End date:
Guests:
Rooms:
The total cost for this tour package is: NZD$0
This quote is based on vehicles to accommodate your party in the vehicle type. We suggest changing the car type or contacting us for the best options.
Save and send a copy of this quote to

NOTE: Quotes are subject to the availability of specific accommodation and other inclusions. Our touring experts will be in touch with you regarding this. Costs quoted in currencies other than New Zealand dollars (NZ$) are estimated on today's exchange rate and are subject to change and may fluctuate. The NZ$ value will not change. Terms and Conditions apply.

Remember - we can create this itinerary with any style of accommodation or customise it to suit your interests and timeframe. Just contact us here.

Tour departure list
Departure dates and prices
This tour has 30 departure dates.
All prices are in
Go to dates in
Starts Status Twin/Double Single occupancy  
Oct 22, 2023
(Sunday)
Sold out
NZD$4,195 NZD$5,675
Nov 12, 2023
(Sunday)
Sold out
NZD$4,195 NZD$5,675
Nov 19, 2023
(Sunday)
Sold out
NZD$4,195 NZD$5,675
Dec 10, 2023
(Sunday)
Sold out
NZD$4,195 NZD$5,675
Dec 17, 2023
(Sunday)
Guaranteed
departure date
NZD$4,195 NZD$5,675 Enquire
Jan 21, 2024
(Sunday)
Guaranteed
departure date
NZD$3,896 NZD$5,421 Enquire
Jan 28, 2024
(Sunday)
Guaranteed
departure date
NZD$3,896 NZD$5,421 Enquire
Feb 18, 2024
(Sunday)
Sold out
NZD$4,324 NZD$5,849
Feb 25, 2024
(Sunday)
Guaranteed
departure date
NZD$4,324 NZD$5,849 Enquire
Mar 17, 2024
(Sunday)
Guaranteed
departure date
NZD$3,896 NZD$5,421 Enquire
Mar 24, 2024
(Sunday)
Guaranteed
departure date
NZD$3,896 NZD$5,421 Enquire
Apr 28, 2024
(Sunday)
Sold out
NZD$4,383 NZD$5,816
Sep 15, 2024
(Sunday)
Guaranteed
departure date
NZD$4,247 NZD$5,637 Enquire
Sep 29, 2024
(Sunday)
Guaranteed
departure date
NZD$4,247 NZD$5,637 Enquire
Oct 20, 2024
(Sunday)
Guaranteed
departure date
NZD$4,247 NZD$5,637 Enquire
Nov 3, 2024
(Sunday)
Guaranteed
departure date
NZD$4,247 NZD$5,637 Enquire
Nov 17, 2024
(Sunday)
Guaranteed
departure date
NZD$4,247 NZD$5,637 Enquire
Dec 8, 2024
(Sunday)
Guaranteed
departure date
NZD$4,247 NZD$5,637 Enquire
Dec 15, 2024
(Sunday)
Sold out
NZD$4,247 NZD$5,637
Dec 29, 2024
(Sunday)
Sold out
NZD$4,247 NZD$5,637
Jan 19, 2025
(Sunday)
Guaranteed
departure date
NZD$5,345 NZD$7,030 Enquire
Feb 2, 2025
(Sunday)
Sold out
NZD$5,345 NZD$7,030
Feb 16, 2025
(Sunday)
Guaranteed
departure date
NZD$5,345 NZD$7,030 Enquire
Mar 2, 2025
(Sunday)
Sold out
NZD$5,345 NZD$7,030
Mar 16, 2025
(Sunday)
Guaranteed
departure date
NZD$5,345 NZD$7,030 Enquire
Mar 30, 2025
(Sunday)
Sold out
NZD$5,345 NZD$7,030
Apr 27, 2025
(Sunday)
NZD$5,860 NZD$7,710 Enquire
Sep 14, 2025
(Sunday)
NZD$5,705 NZD$7,504 Enquire
Sep 28, 2025
(Sunday)
NZD$5,705 NZD$7,504 Enquire
Oct 19, 2025
(Sunday)
NZD$5,705 NZD$7,504 Enquire
Nov 2, 2025
(Sunday)
NZD$5,705 NZD$7,504 Enquire
All prices are in
Go to dates in
Contact form
Enquire about this tour
Subscribe to our Regular Newsletter for Inspiring Holiday Ideas
Tour recommendation
Other tours you might like
9 days Map
9 Day AAT Kings Southern Spotlight
View Tour
 
9 days Map
9 Day Intrepid Travel Tasmanian Explorer
View Tour
 
9 days Map
Grand Pacific 9 Day Signature North Island
View Tour
 
Can we help?
Call us on +64 3 443 0812

Our friendly support team is just a phone call away.

Contact Us Today