Timaru – High Country Explorer Tour

Full Day
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Tour Overview

This is a cruise ship tour from Timaru travelling into the Tekapo Basin visiting Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki with views of Aoraki / Mt Cook before travelling onto Twizel and Omarama. From Omarama the tour returns via the Waitaki Valley with its Hydo-electricity schemes and the power generating stations of Benmore, Aviemore and Waitaki.

This tour is a set tour departure for 9th March 2027 and is subject to confirmation.

Depart Timaru by road, travelling inland through the country townships of Pleasant Point, Cave and Fairlie before ascending Burkes Pass and reaching the Tekapo Basin. At the top of Burkes Pass you will immediately view the magnificent scenery of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.

The tour proceeds to the tranquil turquoise coloured waters of Lake Tekapo with its famous Church of the Good Shepard and the statue of Mackenzie’s Dog. The next stop is Lake Pukaki with Aoraki Mount Cook, Australasia’s highest mountain, as a backdrop. A stop will be made at the High Country town of Twizel where there will be time for lunch (at own expense).

After lunch there will be a stop at a High Country Salmon farm before moving onto the township of Omarama the gateway to the Waitaki River Valley.

The tour returns to Timaru via the Waitaki valley with its hydro-electricity dams and lakes Benmore, Aviemore and Waitaki. The completion of this circular touring route is via the township of Waimate and the South Canterbury coastline.

Please note this tour may operate in reverse

Highlights

Magnificent High Country Scenery of the Tekapo Basin
Southern Alps, including Aoraki Mount Cook
Lakes Tekapo, Pukaki and Ohau
Church of the Good Shepard
High Country townships of Twizel and Omarama
High Country Salmon Farm
Waitaki River Valley with its Hydro-electricity scheme
Lakes Benmore, Aviemore and Waitaki
Stops for photo opportunities at all the key destinations

Please note

On arriving at the port in Timaru please make your way to one of the waiting shuttles that will transport you into the Timaru I -Site which is approximately a 5 minute drive. The shuttles will be waiting on the dock from where the cruise ships own prebooked coaches are loading. There will be people on the wharf to direct you. Ask for the free Timaru Shuttle.

Please note you are able to walk out of the port, however, the walk is about 20 minutes.

Your Coach and driver will be waiting at the Timaru I-Site with signage displaying your groups name.

This option departs on cruise ship arrival and departure times and will be advised accordingly. Please note the excursion timings may change to meet the cruise ships schedule.