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2027 MID-WINTER CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART OF THE SOUTH ISLAND

15 – 20 July 2027 | 6 Days / 5 Nights
Christchurch • TranzAlpine • Lake Brunner • Punakaiki • Hokitika • Arthur’s Pass • Akaroa
Intimate Small Group | Just 7 Rooms at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
Couples, Friends & Family Travelling Together

MID-WINTER CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART OF THE SOUTH ISLAND

There is something rather magical about Christmas in winter. Imagine crisp South Island days, spectacular alpine scenery, a roaring fire, bubbles on arrival, Christmas cocktails, wonderful food, festive music, Santa, dancing and three nights tucked away at an intimate lodge on the West Coast.

Our 2027 Mid-Winter Christmas in the Heart of the South Island is a wonderfully different six-day escape combining some of New Zealand’s most iconic experiences with our very own Christmas in July celebration. Our journey begins in Christchurch before we cross the magnificent Southern Alps aboard the iconic TranzAlpine train – Scenic Plus.

Three nights at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge give us time to explore the wild West Coast, Punakaiki and Hokitika, while also enjoying the lodge itself, wonderful food, selected wines and beers, roaring fires and time to simply relax.

And then there is Christmas! Our Mid-Winter Christmas celebration includes Christmas cocktails and canapés, a traditional festive feast, Christmas music, Santa and gifts, prizes for our most fabulously dressed Christmas guests and, after dinner, music and dancing into the night.

We’ll explore Punakaiki and the Pancake Rocks, try our luck gold panning, visit Hokitika, watch skilled glassblowers at work and, naturally, stop for lunch at the much-loved Hokitika Sandwich Company. Our return journey takes us through spectacular Arthur’s Pass before we finish our adventure with a final day exploring the beautiful French-inspired village of Akaroa.

One of the things that makes this experience particularly special is its size. Lake Brunner Eco Lodge has only seven guest rooms. That means our group will be tiny, our Christmas celebration intimate and the entire experience wonderfully personal. This tour has therefore been designed for couples, partners, friends or family members travelling together and sharing a room. Unfortunately, single occupancy is not available on this particular departure.

Find your favourite travelling companion, start planning that outrageously Christmassy outfit and join Lesley & Rob for Christmas in July, Travel With Lesley Whyte style.

  • July 15, 2027 - July 19, 2027
  • NZ$ 5,600
  • 14
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ITINERARY

DAY 1 – THURSDAY 15 JULY 2027
WELCOME TO CHRISTCHURCH

Dinner included

Our South Island Mid-Winter Christmas adventure begins today in Christchurch. On arrival at Christchurch Airport, take advantage of the Commodore Hotel’s complimentary airport transfer and make your way to our hotel. Settle into your room and enjoy a relaxed evening before our adventure officially gets underway tomorrow morning.

Tonight is deliberately easy with an informal group dinner. Tomorrow morning, it’s an early start as we’re crossing the Southern Alps aboard the TranzAlpine!

Overnight: Commodore Hotel, Christchurch

DAY 2 – FRIDAY 16 JULY 2027
THE TRANZALPINE & LAKE BRUNNER

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

After breakfast, we make our way to Christchurch Railway Station to board one of New Zealand’s great rail journeys, the TranzAlpine. Sit back and watch the scenery transform as we cross the Canterbury Plains and climb into the spectacular Southern Alps.

SCENIC PLUS ONBOARD THE TRANZALPINE

We’ve upgraded your TranzAlpine journey to Scenic Plus, adding an extra touch of indulgence to one of New Zealand’s most spectacular rail journeys. Settle into the exclusive Scenic Plus carriage and enjoy locally inspired food and beverages served at your seat as the magnificent scenery of the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps unfolds outside your window. It’s a wonderfully relaxed way to begin our journey to the West Coast.

Our journey takes us through dramatic river valleys and magnificent alpine landscapes, through Arthur’s Pass and eventually down through native forest towards the West Coast.

On arrival in Greymouth, we’ll be met and transferred to Lake Brunner Eco Lodge, our home for the next three nights.

And what better way to arrive? Bubbles and a cheese platter will be waiting for us, accompanied by the warmth of a roaring fire.

From 5.00pm, the hot tub will be available for those wanting to enjoy a relaxing soak before dinner. Tonight we’ll come together for a three-course set menu dinner accompanied by a selection of wines and beers.

Overnight: Lake Brunner Eco Lodge

DAY 3 – SATURDAY 17 JULY 2027
PUNAKAIKI & OUR MID-WINTER CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

Breakfast, Lunch & Christmas Dinner included

After a continental breakfast, we head towards the wild West Coast to explore Punakaiki and the surrounding region. We’ll visit the extraordinary Pancake Rocks and Blowholes and have time to enjoy this rugged stretch of coastline before returning to Lake Brunner Eco Lodge.

Then it’s time to get ready for Christmas!

DRESS TO IMPRESS… CHRISTMAS STYLE!

We are absolutely embracing Christmas in July, so this is definitely not the evening to be shy. There will be a prize for the Best Christmas-Themed Man and Best Christmas-Themed Woman.

Make sure something funky, fabulous and outwardly Christmassy finds its way into your suitcase. Think Christmas jumpers, flashing lights, festive suits, Santa hats, tinsel, baubles, Christmas earrings, reindeer antlers or something completely outrageous.

The more Christmassy, the better!

LET THE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS BEGIN

From around 5.00pm, the Christmas music begins, the cocktails are poured and our Mid-Winter Christmas celebration officially gets underway. Enjoy Christmas cocktails and canapés while Lake Brunner Eco Lodge comes alive with festive music, twinkling lights, Christmas decorations and beautifully themed dining tables.

Our celebration dinner begins with a plated entrée followed by a family-style Mid-Winter Christmas feast featuring ham and beef, roast vegetables and gravy. And because Christmas dinner is never complete without something sweet, we finish with a buffet of two desserts served with ice cream and cream.

Then there is one more very important guest…Santa!

Santa will join us to hand out our Christmas gifts and, of course, pose for plenty of photographs. We’ll also crown our Best Christmas-Themed Man and Best Christmas-Themed Woman. There are prizes at stake, so make sure you’ve made an effort!

AND THEN… WE DANCE!

Dinner might be finished, but our Mid-Winter Christmas certainly isn’t. After dinner, the music continues, the festive tunes give way to some dance-floor favourites and it is time to kick up your heels and dance the night away.

  • No buses.
  • No transfers.
  • No rushing anywhere.

 

We’re staying right here at our intimate Lake Brunner retreat.

So enjoy another glass, turn up the music and make the most of our Christmas night together.

Christmas cocktails, fabulous food, selected wines and beers, outrageous festive outfits, Santa, Christmas music, prizes, a roaring fire and dancing the night away.

Now THAT is how we celebrate Christmas in July!

Overnight: Lake Brunner Eco Lodge

DAY 4 – SUNDAY 18 JULY 2027
GOLD, GLASS & HOKITIKA

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

After breakfast, we’re off for another fun day exploring the West Coast. First, we’ll try our luck with a spot of gold panning.

The West Coast has a fascinating gold-mining history, and today we get to have a little fun discovering whether there might still be some gold waiting for us. You never know, someone in our group might strike it lucky!

From here, we continue to Hokitika. This creative little West Coast town has long been known for its artists and craftspeople, and we’ll have the opportunity to watch skilled glassblowers at work transforming molten glass into beautiful handcrafted pieces. It could also be the perfect opportunity to find something rather special to take home.

Lunch today is another local experience at the much-loved Hokitika Sandwich Company. And we certainly can’t visit Hokitika without the obligatory photograph at the town’s famous driftwood sign on the beach.

After our day exploring, we return to Lake Brunner Eco Lodge for our final evening. From 5.00pm, there is one last opportunity to enjoy the hot tub before dinner.

Tonight we’ll enjoy another three-course set menu dinner accompanied by a selection of wines and beers.

Overnight: Lake Brunner Eco Lodge

DAY 5 – MONDAY 19 JULY 2027
ARTHUR’S PASS TO CHRISTCHURCH

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

After our final continental breakfast at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge, we farewell our West Coast home and begin our journey back across the Southern Alps.

But today isn’t simply about getting from Lake Brunner to Christchurch. The journey itself is part of the experience.

We’ll travel through spectacular Arthur’s Pass, stopping at scenic viewpoints, photographic locations and some of the iconic sights along the route. Winter brings a completely different atmosphere to this part of the South Island, with towering mountains, crisp alpine air and perhaps even a dusting of snow.

There will be plenty of opportunities to stop, enjoy the scenery and capture photographs as we make our way back across the mountains. Eventually, we arrive in Christchurch and return to the Commodore Hotel for our final night.

Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner together at the hotel and reminisce about our West Coast adventures and Christmas celebrations. Dinner is included this evening. Alcoholic beverages are at your own expense.

Overnight: Commodore Hotel, Christchurch

DAY 6 – TUESDAY 20 JULY 2027
BONJOUR AKAROA!

Breakfast & Late Lunch included

Our adventure may be nearing its end, but we still have one wonderful experience ahead. After breakfast, we head to Banks Peninsula and the historic French settlement of Akaroa.

With its French heritage, colourful colonial architecture, picturesque harbour, galleries, boutiques and cafés, Akaroa offers a little taste of France in the heart of the South Island. There will be time to wander through the village, browse the shops and enjoy the waterfront before we come together for a leisurely late lunch.

It is a wonderfully relaxed way to finish our six-day South Island escape. After lunch, we make our way to Christchurch Airport, arriving at approximately 3.30pm.

Please arrange onward flights departing after 5.00pm.

Our Mid-Winter Christmas in the Heart of the South Island comes to an end after six wonderful days of spectacular scenery, fabulous food, new experiences, plenty of laughter and one very memorable Christmas celebration.

ACCOMMODATION

Over five nights, we’ll stay at two carefully selected properties, with two nights at the Commodore Hotel in Christchurch and three nights at the intimate Lake Brunner Eco Lodge on the South Island’s West Coast.

CHRISTCHURCH – COMMODORE HOTEL

2 nights

Our Christchurch base is the Commodore Hotel, where we stay for our first night and return for our final night.

Conveniently located close to Christchurch Airport, the Commodore Hotel provides complimentary airport transfers, making your arrival arrangements wonderfully easy.

On Day 1, simply arrive at Christchurch Airport, take advantage of the hotel’s complimentary airport transfer and settle in for the evening.

We return to the Commodore Hotel on Day 5 following our scenic journey through Arthur’s Pass.

Dinner on our final evening is included at the hotel. Alcoholic beverages with dinner in Christchurch are not included and are at your own expense.

LAKE BRUNNER ECO LODGE – click here to view the property.

3 nights

The heart of this experience is our three-night stay at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge. With only seven guest rooms, this is much more than simply somewhere to sleep between touring days.

For three nights, it becomes our intimate West Coast home.

Think roaring fires, bubbles on arrival, leisurely dinners, selected wines and beers, beautiful winter surroundings and a hot tub available from 5.00pm each evening. It is also the setting for our very special Mid-Winter Christmas celebration, complete with Christmas cocktails, festive dining, music, Santa, gifts and dancing after dinner.

ROOMING

Accommodation throughout the tour is based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin or double room.

This tour is ideal for couples, partners, friends and family members travelling together.

Due to Lake Brunner Eco Lodge having only seven guest rooms, single occupancy is not available on this particular departure. Rooming location is allocated in order of booking

Total Accommodation: 5 nights

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• 5 nights’ accommodation
• 2 nights at the Commodore Hotel Christchurch
• 3 nights at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
• Twin or double accommodation for two people sharing
• Complimentary Christchurch Airport transfer on arrival provided by the Commodore Hotel
• TranzAlpine rail journey from Christchurch to Greymouth – Scenic Plus seating
• Transfer from Greymouth to Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
• Private touring and transportation as outlined in the itinerary
• Daily breakfast
• Meals specifically listed as included within the itinerary
• Bubbles and cheese platter on arrival at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
• Three-course dinners at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
• Selection of wines and beers during our stay at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
• Full Mid-Winter Christmas celebration
• Christmas cocktails and canapés
• Plated Christmas entrée
• Family-style Christmas dinner featuring ham and beef
• Christmas dessert buffet
• Christmas tree, lights, decorations and festive table settings
• Christmas musical entertainment
• After-dinner music and dancing
• Santa and Christmas gifts
• Prize for the Best Christmas-Themed Man
• Prize for the Best Christmas-Themed Woman
• Hot tub available from 5.00pm each evening at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
• Punakaiki and Pancake Rocks excursion
• Gold panning experience
• Hokitika excursion
• Glassblowing experience
• Lunch at the Hokitika Sandwich Company
• Scenic touring through Arthur’s Pass
• Dinner at the Commodore Hotel on our final evening
• Akaroa excursion
• Late lunch in Akaroa
• Transfer to Christchurch Airport at approximately 3.30pm on the final day
• Fully hosted throughout by Lesley & Rob Whyte
• Travel With Lesley Whyte pre-departure information and support

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• Travel to Christchurch to join the tour
• Onward travel from Christchurch at the conclusion of the tour
• Domestic travel insurance, which is strongly recommended
• Meals not specifically listed as included within the itinerary
• Alcoholic beverages with two dinners in Christchurch
• Alcoholic beverages other than those specifically stated as included at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
• Optional activities or experiences not included within the itinerary
• Personal expenses including shopping, laundry and other personal purchases
• Additional accommodation before or after the Travel With Lesley Whyte programme
• Transfers other than those specifically included within the itinerary, although Commodore Hotel offers complimentary airport transfers
• Any additional meals, accommodation, sightseeing or transportation required as a result of travel disruptions, delays, weather or circumstances outside the control of Travel With Lesley Whyte

LEVEL OF FITNESS

Easy to Moderate

A high level of fitness isn’t required for this tour, but you should be comfortable with regular walking and independently getting in and out of our touring vehicle.

Our itinerary includes walking at locations such as Punakaiki, Hokitika, Arthur’s Pass and Akaroa. Some pathways may be uneven, wet or include steps and gentle inclines.

As we are travelling during a South Island winter, weather conditions may also make surfaces wet, slippery or icy in some locations.

Suitable winter footwear is essential, and you should be comfortable walking outdoors in changeable winter conditions.

If you have any concerns about your mobility or whether this journey is suitable for you, please contact us before booking so we can talk through the itinerary with you.

MEET YOUR HOSTS
LESLEY & ROB WHYTE

Your hosts for our 2027 Mid-Winter Christmas in the Heart of the South Island are Lesley and Rob Whyte.

Lesley and Rob will be with you throughout the six-day journey, from Christchurch and the TranzAlpine through to our three-night Lake Brunner stay, West Coast adventures, Arthur’s Pass and our final day in Akaroa.

They bring a relaxed and personal style to travelling with their groups, and with only seven rooms available at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge, this is exactly the sort of intimate experience they love hosting.

They’ll be there to take care of the details, share the journey, join in the fun and, when our Mid-Winter Christmas night arrives, you can absolutely expect them to embrace the Christmas spirit too.

For Lesley and Rob, a great tour is about much more than simply visiting places.

It’s about the people you travel with, the experiences you share, wonderful meals around the table, plenty of laughter and those unexpected moments that become some of the best memories of the journey.

And with Christmas cocktails, Santa, outrageously festive outfits, Christmas music and dancing after dinner, this is one tour where your hosts intend to be very much part of the celebrations.

PRICING & PAYMENT INFORMATION

Tour Price: NZ$5,600 per person – double or twin rooms

Single occupancy is not available on this departure.

 

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Deposit: NZ$2,000 per person secures your place.

Final Balance: NZ$3,600 per person is due 8 weeks prior to departure.

All payments are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD).

Payment of your deposit confirms your acceptance of Travel With Lesley Whyte Ltd’s Booking Terms & Conditions. Please ensure you have read and understood the Booking Terms & Conditions before securing your place.

July 15, 2027 - July 19, 2027

OTHER INFORMATION

GROUP SIZE

This is a genuinely intimate Travel With Lesley Whyte experience. Lake Brunner Eco Lodge has only seven guest rooms, and accommodation is based on two people sharing.

Keeping our group this small allows us to travel comfortably, enjoy a much more personal style of touring and create a wonderful private-house-party atmosphere for our Mid-Winter Christmas celebration. This isn’t a traditional large coach tour.

It’s seven rooms, one wonderful West Coast lodge and one very special Christmas in July.

WINTER WEATHER & WHAT TO PACK

July is winter in the South Island, and that is all part of the magic of this experience.

Expect cool temperatures and changeable conditions, particularly on the West Coast and while travelling through the Southern Alps.

Warm layers, a waterproof jacket and good walking shoes are essential.

If you’re planning to enjoy the hot tub, don’t forget your swimwear.

And then there is the most important item of all…

YOUR CHRISTMAS OUTFIT!

There are prizes for the Best Christmas-Themed Man and Best Christmas-Themed Woman, so this is your opportunity to go as funky, fabulous and outrageously Christmassy as you dare.

  • Christmas jumpers.
  • Festive suits.
  • Tinsel.
  • Flashing lights.
  • Santa hats.
  • Reindeer antlers.
  • Baubles.
  • Whatever you choose, make sure everyone knows you’ve arrived for Christmas!

CHRISTMAS IN JULY, TRAVEL WITH LESLEY WHYTE STYLE

  • The TranzAlpine.
  • The Southern Alps.
  • The wild West Coast.
  • Three nights at Lake Brunner.
  • A roaring fire.
  • Wonderful food.
  • Wine and Christmas cocktails.
  • A hot tub from 5.00pm.
  • Santa and Christmas gifts.
  • Fabulous Christmas outfits.
  • Music.
  • Dancing.
  • And just seven rooms.
  • Find your favourite travelling companion, start planning that outrageous Christmas outfit and join Lesley & Rob for a Mid-Winter Christmas in the heart of the South Island.

Book now

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2027 MID-WINTER CHRISTMAS - deposit per person $2,000
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