Accommodation
Iconic luxury lodges, remote alpine chalets and ultraluxe villas
Experiences
From the farmyard to the vineyard
Itineraries
From Northland to Southland and the West Coast to the East Cape
Vibrant and everchanging, there’s always something new to explore in Christchurch, while penguins, whales, seals and dolphins delight in the nearby towns of Kaikoura and Akaroa.
Swanky new office buildings of steel and glass neighbour the neo-gothic Arts Centre, the picturesque Antigua Boat Sheds and the Christ Church Cathedral. Dozens of new restaurants and bars line Chistchurch’s Avon River, while fantastic boutique stores hide down super cool laneway precincts. Christchurch is a city transformed, and just waiting to be rediscovered.
Kaikoura is all about scenery and sealife. Towering above Kaikoura town are the northern reaches of the Southern Alps, often dusted with snow. At sea level Kaikoura’s rocky and rugged beaches, home only to discarded driftwood, swathes of seaweed and the hardiest of surfers. But it’s what’s offshore, under the sea, that draws you here. Huge pods of dolphins numbering in the hundreds, numerous colonies of delightfully inquisitive seals, and majestic humpback and sperm whales which glide by year-round.
Luxury Destinations in Christchurch & Kaikoura
Explore a selection of our favourite locations
Luxury accommodation Christchurch & Kaikoura
Experience some of our favourite places to stay
Luxury Experiences Christchurch & Kaikoura
Discover a few of our favourite activities
Itinerary Inspirations
These itineraries have been designed to inspire you with a small selection of the many unique adventures to be had in this beautiful region. Once you have a feel for the destinations and experiences that best resonate with you, we will tailor every element of your perfect luxury travel itinerary, exclusively for you.
Take a weekend break in Christchurch
Rediscover the southern city of Christchurch as fantastic new developments continue to open and bring vibrancy back to central city. Shop at the iconic department store of Ballantynes, and get lost in the maze of laneway stores that have opened up around Cashel Mall. Stop by the stalls of the Riverside Market for lunch, or settle in for a longer stint at the bars lining the Avon River on The Terrace. Then perhaps get your culture fix at the restored Arts Centre or Canterbury Museum, or even head further afield to the Christchurch Adventure Park or the delightful French village of Akaroa.
- Inclusions
3 nights’ accommodation (3 nights at Otahuna Lodge including dinner with wine pairing and breakfast), 4 days rental vehicle including full insurance and GPS, and a half day private guided tour of the city.
Complete seclusion on Banks Peninsula
Escape to Banks Peninsula, just outside of Christchurch, for a luxurious and completely secluded weekend away. Seascape is a sublime villa of glass set into a private and ruggedly beautiful bay, on land that makes up the huge Annandale farm. Spend your days combing the beach, exploring the farm on the network of hiking and biking trails, or simply sitting in front of the fire with a wine as seals, dolphins and seabirds frolic in the ocean beyond.
- Inclusions
3 nights’ accommodation (3 nights at Seascape at Annandale including breakfast, lunch and dinner) and return private transfers between Christchurch Airport and your accommodation.
Discover the rich sealife of Kaikoura
Travel to the charming seaside town of Kaikoura to see the seals, dolphins, seabirds and whales the town is famous for. While you’re there perhaps learn to surf on the towns reputable breaks, and be sure to dine on the deliciously fresh crayfish and paua pulled up from the sea floor. Enjoy your accommodation in the wonderfully novel Treehouses at Kaikoura’s exclusive Hapuku Lodge.
- Inclusions
3 nights’ accommodation (3 nights at Hapuku Lodge including dinner and breakfast), 4 days rental vehicle including full insurance and GPS, shared whale watching cruise, and shared seal swimming adventure.
From farmyard to vineyard
Experience some of the best culinary delights this country has to offer. Start in Christchurch at Otahuna Lodge, renowned for their amazing food and wine offering, here you’ll have a cooking class with their head chef. Then head north to the seaside town of Kaikoura, known for the freshest seafood in the country, and home to celebrity chef Fiona Read, with whom you’ll enjoy another cooking class. Continue north to Marlborough, New Zealand’s largest and most famous wine producing region. Here visit Cloudy Bay, known around the world for their Sauvignon Blanc. Sail across to the North Island for a night in our capital city of Wellington before finishing at Wharekauhau Country Estate, one of New Zealand’s top luxury lodges.
- Inclusions
12 nights’ accommodation (2 nights at Otahuna Lodge, 2 nights at Hapuku Lodge, 2 nights at the Shack at Cloudy Bay, 1 night at Sofitel Wellington, 2 nights at Wharekauhau Country Estate, and 3 nights at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers) including daily breakfast, 4 lunches and 9 dinners per person, private vehicle and driver transfers to and from airports and accommodation, private cooking class at Otahuna Lodge, Coastal Pacific train journey, shared whale watching cruise, culinary experience at Hapuku Kitchen, winery tour and wine tasting at Cloudy Bay, Interislander ferry, private guided tour of Te Papa, Museum of New Zealand, and a private guided cycling excursion of the Hawke’s Bay.
Two weeks in New Zealand's best lodges from north to south
This classic ultraluxe itinerary has you visiting the very best of New Zealand’s lodges throughout the country. Start in the city of Auckland and enjoy the wines of Waiheke Island before heading south to Taupo for a stay at iconic Huka Lodge. Delve into New Zealand farming life, with a luxury twist, at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers. Stay in a grand Downtown-esque manor on the outskirts of Christchurch. And finally, as you head towards Queenstown, take two epic helicopter rides, one through the Southern Alps and another to Milford Sound, a pièce-de-résistance you’ll never forget!
- Inclusions
14 nights’ accommodation (2 nights at Park Hyatt Auckland, 2 nights at Huka Lodge, 3 nights at the Farm at Cape Kidnappers, 2 nights at Otahuna Lodge, 2 nights at The Lindis, and 3 nights at Matakauri Lodge, inclusive of breakfast daily, 7 lunches and 12 dinners), private car and driver transfers to and from airports and accommodations, private seaplane flight to Waiheke Island with a private wine and food tour of the island, private tour of the Hobbiton movie set, private guided hike and cruise of Lake Taupo, private wine and food tour of the Hawke’s Bay, green fees, club and cart hire at Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, cooking class at Otahuna Lodge, private tour of Banks Peninsula and Akaroa with dolphin cruise, private helicopter journey through the Southern Alps, private guided fly fishing day, private helicopter excursion to Milford Sound, and s private full day touring of Queenstown art and highlights.
The most luxurious and private villas New Zealand has on offer
This is the itinerary for those seeking absolute privacy in New Zealand’s most exclusive villas. Enjoy the Bay of Island’s famed beaches; sip wines amongst the vineyards of Hawke’s Bay; see seals, dolphins and penguins on the rugged Banks Peninsula; hike, ebike or kayak through the Southern Alps, and be captivated by majestic Milford Sound. Each villa offers at least four bedrooms and all the standard facilities, plus some very unique ones such as a recording studio, a collection of important Maori artefacts, a frisbee golf course, and even an observatory. A full complement of staff can be at your every beck and call, or perhaps you’re happy with just a chef-cum-sommelier?
- Inclusions
16 nights’ accommodation (3 nights at The Landing, 3 nights at Summerlee, 3 nights at Scrubby Bay at Annandale, 3 nights at Flockhill in the Homestead, and 4 nights at Piwakawaka, including meals and beverages to suit), private scenic helicopter transfers between Auckland and the Bay of Islands, private cruise through the Bay of Islands, private wine tour of Hawke's Bay, private swimming with dolphins experience and private penguin spotting tour in Akaroa, your choice of hiking, ebiking, kayaking, fishing and caving in the Southern Alps, private helicopter excursion to Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park, and private hike and jetboat excursion into Mount Aspiring National Park.
many many many thanks!!!!!!
We have been blown away by everything - hotels, food, people, golf, wine - the list is endless. You did an amazing job
Planning a 7 week trip is daunting enough without the complications of COVID cancellations, rebookings, and closures. Yet every connection, every transportation detail, every accommodation, every meal, everything was flawless.
From our arrival in Sydney .. to our last stop in Queenstown .. we will carry with us the best memories of our trip and all of your efforts. The incredible private boat tours .. the bespoke wine tours with the best guides .. our accommodations .. and the excellent itinerary and pacing, made for a perfect trip.
We can't thank Southern Crossings enough for making this trip all, and more, than we had imagined. You allowed us to see the best of your countries: the people, the beauty, the culture. Five stars, a blue ribbon, and a gold medal to everyone at Southern Crossings!
