5-Day South Island Highlights Scenic Guided Tour from Christchurch

5-Day South Island Highlights Scenic Guided Tour from Christchurch

See all the highlights of New Zealand's scenic South Island on this five-day guided sightseeing tour. Travel by coach from Christchurch to Queenstown, experience the majesty of Milford Sound, view the glacier at Franz Josef and travel aboard the famous TranzAlpine Express train. Highlights include Mount Cook, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Haast Past, Franz Joseph and the incredible TranzAlpine Rail Journey

Itinerary

Day 1: Christchurch - Mount Cook - Queenstown

Stop At: Canterbury Region, Canterbury Region, South Island
Your five-day exploration of New Zealand's spectacular South Island begins with the stunning scenery of the foothills of the Southern Alps. Travel through the rich pastoral farm land of the Canterbury Plains and the ever-changing spectacular scenery 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.

Stop At: Burkes Pass, Burkes Pass, Mackenzie District, Canterbury Region, South Island
Burkes Pass is a mountain pass and at its base

Stop At: Lake Tekapo, Lake Tekapo, Mackenzie District, Canterbury Region, South Island
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.

Stop At: Lake Pukaki, New Zealand
From here you travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to arrive at Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain.

Stop At: Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Mackenzie District, Canterbury Region, South Island
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.

Stop At: South Island, South Island
Experience the south Island on this 5 day epic journey!

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or Similar)

Day 2: Milford Sound Day Excursion

Stop At: Fiordland National Park, Fiordland National Park, Southland Region, South Island
Travel 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

Pass By: Mirror Lakes Walk, Milford Road,, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
See ancient beech forest, stunning waterfalls and the famous Mirror Lakes where you will pause for a photo stop.

Stop At: Hollyford Valley, Саутленд 9679, New Zealand
Continue through the upper Hollyford Valley, past the stunning Christie Falls.

Stop At: Homer Tunnel, 94 S.h., Milford Sound New Zealand
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

Stop At: Milford Sound, Milford Sound, Southland Region, South Island
On arrival, take an unforgettable cruise on the majestic Milford Sound

Stop At: Mitre Peak, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
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.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar).

Day 3: Queenstown

Stop At: Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago Region, South Island
A free day at leisure in Queenstown to either simply explore this most beautiful township nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounds by mountains which are snow-capped for much of the year or enjoy one of the many actives that are on offer.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar).

Day 4: Queenstown - Franz Joseph

Stop At: Lake Wanaka, Wanaka 9343 New Zealand
Travel along the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea.

Stop At: Haast Pass, New Zealand
Haast Pass is the most stunning stretch of highway in New Zealand.

Stop At: Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu), West Coast Region, South Island
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

Stop At: Fox Glacier, Fox Glacier, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu), West Coast Region, South Island
Continue to travel up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.

Stop At: Franz Josef Glacier, Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
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.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight Accommodation: Scenic Circle Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (or similar).

Day 5: Franz Joseph - Greymouth - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch

Stop At: Shantytown Heritage Park, Rutherglen Rd Paroa, Greymouth 7805 New Zealand
On the final day of your South Island tour, today you continue to travel along the rugged West Coast to Shantytown, a faithful reconstruction of a Westland Gold Rush town.

Stop At: Greymouth, Greymouth, West Coast Region, South Island
From Shantytown, travel to Greymouth, the center for thousands of diggers during the historic gold strikes of the 1860's.

Stop At: Southern Alps, Canterbury 7999, New Zealand
From Greymouth, journey over the Southern Alps, through Arthur's Pass.

Stop At: TranzAlpine & Coastal Pacific, Troup Drive, Addington, Addington, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Continue 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. In Christchurch you will be transferred to your accommodation or the airport where your tour concludes.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.