5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch

5 Days

Mobile Ticket

Hotel Pickup Offered

English

Language Offered

Overview

See the top sights of the spectacular South Island on a 5-day guided coach tour, round-trip from Christchurch. Stop at Mt Cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain; enjoy free time to explore the adventure capital of Queenstown; take a boat cruise on Milford Sound, surrounded by steep rock walls; view Fox and Franz Josef glaciers; and travel by rail through the Southern Alps aboard the scenic TranzAlpine Express. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off, and four nights' accommodation in Queenstown and Franz Josef.

Free leisure day in Queenstown
Pickup and drop-off from centrally located Christchurch hotels
Five-day coach tour of New Zealand's scenic South Island
Lunch at Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain
Cruise on Milford Sound
Spectacular Franz Josef Glacier
Trip aboard the famous TranzAlpine Express train
Fully guided tour and commentary

Inclusions & Exclusions

Departure & Return

What To Expect

Begin your 5-day exploration of New Zealand's South Island with hotel pickup in Christchurch. Peer through the windows of your comfortable coach at the vivid scenery while you journey through the foothills of the Southern Alps. Your guide makes a stop at Mt Cook for lunch (own expense) before your first night in Queenstown, including free time to explore at your leisure.After a memorable cruise on Milford Sound, nestled in the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park, you'll drive along Haast Pass to Westland National Park, another World Heritage site. The rugged West Coast route takes you past soaring mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the must-see Franz Josef Glacier, where you'll spend the night with scenic views.On the final day, you'll travel to the reconstructed gold-rush town of Shantytown. Conclude your South Island tour with a train trip from Greymouth aboard the TranzAlpine Express. The route takes you over the Southern Alps through Arthur's Pass to Christchurch, renowned as one of the world's top 10 train journeys.ItineraryDay 1: Christchurch or Mt Cook or QueenstownTravel through the rich pastoral farm land of the Canterbury Plains and the ever-changing spectacular scenery of the foothills of the Southern Alps. Continue traveling across Burkes Pass before descending to the stunning glacial fed Lake Tekapo and visiting the Church of the Good Shepherd which stands on the foreshore. From here you travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to arrive at Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. Stop at Mt Cook for lunch (additional at own expense) where you will be mesmerized by the surroundings of this truly unique region. Cross the Lindis Pass, leaving the MacKenzie Country and travel along the Kawerau Gorge before arriving in Queenstown.Overnight Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar).Day 2: Milford Sound Day ExcursionTravel along the edge of Lake Wakatipu beneath the rugged Remarkables to Te Anau, the 'Gateway to Fiordland National Park'. On entering the Fiordland National Park you pass through the Eglinton Valley. See ancient beech forest, stunning waterfalls and the famous Mirror Lakes where you will pause for a photo stop. Continue through the upper Hollyford Valley, past the stunning Christie Falls and enter the 1.2 km Homer Tunnel, drilled through the solid rock of a mountain. On exiting the Homer Tunnel prepare for the breathtaking impact of the Cleddau Valley and the descent into Milford Sound. On arrival, take an unforgettable cruise on the majestic Milford Sound where you will see the wonders of Mitre Peak and rock walls scarred by glaciers which rise to 1200m vertically from the sea. Then reboard the coach for the return journey to Queenstown. Optional lunches onboard the cruise are available.Overnight Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar).Day 3: At QueenstownEnjoy a free day in Queenstown.Overnight Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar).Day 4: Queenstown or Franz Josef GlacierTravel along the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea to the Haast Pass, the most stunning highway in New Zealand and gateway to World Heritage Westland National Park. Initially the pass travels through the treeless grasslands of Central Otago, then at the highest point, the majestic peaks of the Southern Alps and the rivers and rainforests of Westland dominate the landscape. Continue to travel up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. The Franz Josef Glacier is 11 kilometers in length and more than 7,000 years old. Its terminal face creaks and arches over the cave from which the river emerges, pale with powdered rock and can advance or retreat at over a meter per day. This living 'river of ice' is a must see for any visitor to New Zealand.Overnight Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (or similar).Day 5: Franz Josef or Greymouth or Arthur's Pass or ChristchurchToday you continue to travel along the rugged West Coast to Shantytown, a faithful reconstruction of a Westland Gold Rush town. From Shantytown, travel to Greymouth, the center for thousands of diggers during the historic gold strikes of the 1860's. From Greymouth, journey over the Southern Alps, through Arthur's Pass and onto Christchurch by the famous TranzAlpine Express. This journey is renowned as one of the top ten train journeys in the world.

5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch

Inclusions & Exclusions

Departure & Return

What To Expect

Additional Info

Cancellation Policy

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