ANZCRO and Jetstar sent six lucky agents on a recent Southern Way famil, touring the wildlife-rich coastline, alpine towns, and star-studded night skies from Dunedin to Queenstown. We’ve got the deets on what went down.
The Southern Way brings together the regions of Dunedin, Waitaki, Clutha, Central Otago, Queenstown, Wānaka, Southland, and Fiordland, enticing visitors to journey through the lower South Island’s hidden gems. This initiative invites exploration of stunning landscapes, unique experiences, and southern hospitality that make this region truly special.
Already highly praised for highlighting the region’s best tourism experiences across key themes, the Southern Way and ANZCRO have made booking and exploring the lower South Island easier than ever. Especially since Jetstar launched direct Gold Coast-Dunedin flights last June.
It turned out to be the perfect way to celebrate the natural beauty, community vibes, and epic attractions: sending Australian agents to explore Southern Way’s gems.
Touring the Southern Way
The famil kicked off at Gold Coast Airport with a champagne breakfast at Wollombin Café and Bar before a smooth three‑hour Jetstar flight to Dunedin.
While both groups started in Dunedin and ended in Queenstown, staying at either Distinction Dunedin or Dunedin Leisure Lodge, and the Holiday Inn Express Queenstown – between these two South Island hubs, their itineraries differed. A taste of Southern Way’s nature, wildlife, culture, and fun-filled activities was woven across both itineraries.
Scenic Wonder
On a journey from Dunedin to Invercargill, Te Anau, Milford Sound, and Queenstown, Flight Centre agents Robert Fletcher, Leaha Cribb, and Tenille Fava joined Jetstar’s Rosaline Dempsey for a feast for the senses.
Exploring the Otago Peninsula, they visited the iconic Larnach Castle, before a Monarch Wildlife Cruise to see the expansive wingspan and majesty of the peninsula’s Royal Albatross Colony, the world’s only mainland breeding colony.
The wildlife spotting didn’t end there, with a visit to Blue Penguins Pukekura to see korarā, the world‘s smallest penguins. The group revelled in watching the little blue penguin’s waddle from the sea at sunset.
In their Hertz rental car, the group headed south to Invercargill with both a visit and a stay at Bill Richardson Transport World, a popular attraction with over 300 vehicles, including classic cars, trucks, and a few surprises. The Lodges at Transport World offer well-equipped apartments over the road from the museum, in the heart of Invercargill.
The drive to Milford Sound is a standout stretch of the journey, and the group made the most of it with plenty of scenic stops before arriving at their lakeside stay at Distinction Te Anau.
RealNZ hosted the group on two scenic cruises. The first, the signature Milford Sound cruise, allowed them to discover firsthand why Rudyard Kipling called it “the 8th wonder of the world.”
In Queenstown, the two groups united for a Lake Wakatipu cruise with a Walter Peak Gourmet dining experience, showcasing more of RealNZ’s offering.
Skyline Queenstown rounded things off with a Gondola ride, luge thrills, and lunch at the Stratosphere, where the two famil groups enjoyed expansive Southern Alps views while excitedly swapping Southern Way stories.
When asked about his trip highlights, Robert Fletcher from Flight Centre Elanora raved about Milford Sound and the surrounding Fiordland scenery.
It was Dunedin, though, that offered his greatest surprise: “Discovering the unique connection to Scottish heritage in Dunedin was impressive. It really is the Edinburgh of the South”.
Fletcher’s top tip for agents booking the Southern Way? “Get your customers to explore with a hire car. It’s very accessible and a must to see all the amazing sights.”
Check out ANZCRO’s Scenic Wonder package.
Coast to Alpine Discovery
The second famil was no less of an adventure, with Claire Hiesler from Helloworld Travel Dalby, Kate Bellew from Windsong Travel, and Elise Kilpatrick from Helloworld Travel Browns Plains, joining ANZCRO’s Gabrielle Briese on a journey from Dunedin to Oamaru, Wānaka, Cromwell, and Queenstown.
After touring Larnach Castle, the group drove their Hertz hire car north to Õamaru, renowned for its preserved Victorian architecture and steampunk culture. A tour of the Steampunk HQ proved the perfect introduction to the latter, before time to meet the city’s other claim to fame: little blue penguins.
Õamaru Penguins revealed their conservation and guardianship roles for the colony, before an awe-inspiring sunset penguin viewing.
A scenic drive to Wānaka showcased the beauty and life of the rural communities on route, before a cruise and walk with Lake Wānaka Cruises. It proved the perfect introduction as to why the picturesque town holds such appeal for visitors around the world.
In nearby Cromwell, the group experienced two thrills: the freedom experienced and the heritage uncovered while cycling the Lake Dunstan Trail and the rip-roaring fun of joining a pro-driver on a 200-kph lap at Highlands Motorsports Park’s world-class circuit. All before reuniting with the other fam group in Queenstown.
For Claire Hiesler from Helloworld Travel Dalby, the hot lap in a Ferrari was her famil highlight and “a bit of an adrenaline rush”. Beyond the high-speed track, she shares, “There was so much more to do and explore than I realised. And the incredible food and wines – I had no idea how much focus the Southern Way had on amazing food!”
Hiesler’s top tip for agents selling the Southern Way is all about pace. “Give your clients time to really explore the different locations, don’t rush them through. They will regret not having more time to see all that is on offer.”
Explore ANZCRO’s Coast to Alpine Discovery package.
Discover more
Looking to sell the Southern Way to your clients? ANZCRO have made it easier than ever with ready-to-book itineraries and handy resources. Find them here, then contact their award-winning reservations team on 1300 366 966 or email reservations@anzcro.com.au.
This article is brought to you by ANZCRO, Southern Way & Jetstar:
