5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Christchurch - Mount Cook - Queenstown
6 stops
Canterbury Region (Pass by)
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.
Admission ticket free
Burkes Pass (Pass by)
Burkes Pass is a mountain pass and at its base
Admission ticket free
Lake Tekapo (Pass by)
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.
Admission ticket free
Lake Pukaki (Pass by)
From here you travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to arrive at Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain.
Admission ticket free
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) (Pass by)
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.
Admission ticket free
South Island (Pass by)
Experience the south Island on this 5 day epic journey!
Admission ticket free
Day 2
Milford Sound Day Excursion
6 stops
Fiordland National Park (Pass by)
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
Admission ticket free
Mirror Lakes Walk (Pass by)
See ancient beech forest, stunning waterfalls and the famous Mirror Lakes where you will pause for a photo stop.
(Pass by)
Continue through the upper Hollyford Valley, past the stunning Christie Falls.
Admission ticket free
Homer Tunnel (Pass by)
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
Admission ticket free
Milford Sound (Pass by)
On arrival, take an unforgettable cruise on the majestic Milford Sound
Admission ticket free
Mitre Peak (Pass by)
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.
Admission ticket free
Day 3
Queenstown
1 stop
Queenstown (Pass by)
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.
Admission ticket free
Day 4
Queenstown - Franz Joseph
5 stops
Lake Wanaka (Pass by)
Travel along the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea.
Admission ticket free
Haast Pass (Pass by)
Haast Pass is the most stunning stretch of highway in New Zealand.
Admission ticket free
Westland Tai Poutini National Park (Pass by)
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
Admission ticket free
Fox Glacier (Pass by)
Continue to travel up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.
Admission ticket free
Franz Josef Glacier (Pass by)
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.
Admission ticket free
Day 5
Franz Joseph - Greymouth - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch
4 stops
1
Hokitika
On the final day of your South Island tour, today you continue to travel along the rugged West Coast to Hokitika founded in the 1860's during the West Coast Gold Rush. The township is now famous for its Green Stone Shops and the Green Stone ornaments and jewellery they produce.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
Greymouth
From Hokitika travel to Greymouth, the center for thousands of diggers during the historic gold strikes of the 1860's. Also a major outlet for the Green Stone for which this region is now famous. There will be time here to do some last minute shopping and or get some lunch.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
(Pass by)
From Greymouth, journey over the Southern Alps, on the world famous TranzAlpine train through to Arthur's Pass and then on to Christchurch
TranzAlpine: Scenic Train Christchurch - Greymouth (Pass by)
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.
Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• This is an independent multiday tour with guaranteed daily departures, on each day of travel you will be travelling with a different driver / guide and different passengers.
• This is not a fully escorted group tour.
• On day one, two & four the travel is in a large coach and the passenger numbers may at any given time exceed 35 people.
• Maximum of two checked bags per person (up to 23kg each)

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