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Offered languages
- English
Discover the highlights of New Zealand's South Island, from stunning glaciers to vast National Parks there's plenty to explore! Tour highlights include the world-famous TranzAlpine Scenic Train, a glacier Heli Hike, Glacier Hot Pools and an unforgettable day trip to Fiordland for a Milford Sound Nature Cruise. The perfect way to fit the best of the South Island into five day!
This is an Independent coach tour, where you travel on a combination of touring coaches and sightseeing services with commentary and/or point to point coaches which may not have commentary. You will be with different people on each part of the tour and different drivers. You have free time to explore on your own and are free to choose where and when to eat, meals are not included unless specified.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet the TranzAlpine Scenic Train at the Train Station for an 08:15 departure. Please check-in at least 20 minutes prior and present yourself to the ticket office.
Itinerary
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1
Considered one of the world's great train journeys, the TranzAlpine Scenic Train travels between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one coast of New Zealand to the other. From your carriage you'll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through the lush beech rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth.
5 hours • Admission ticket included -
2
On arrival into Greymouth you will be greeted by your driver who will take you on a semi-private tour to Franz Josef, where you will stay overnight. Travel down the West Coast, enjoy the beautiful landscape of vast rain forests, gushing waterfalls and snow-capped mountains before arriving into the small village of Franz Josef. From here you can explore the world-famous Franz Josef Glacier.
3 hours • Admission ticket free -
3
Franz Josef has plenty to offer visitors, including an abundance of forest and alpine walking tracks. The main attraction in Franz Josef is, of course, the glacier. Very few places in the world have such large glaciers almost at sea level and even more unusual is that the lower slopes are among the rainforest.
Admission ticket free -
4Franz Josef Glacier
Experience a thrilling Heli Hike today! After an exhilarating scenic flight, high above the rugged terrain, you will land on the glacier, ready to undertake a 2.25 hour guided glacier hike. Your guide will choose your route carefully as you go and, with an eye for the most spectacular ice formations, you’ll soon be making your way through an extraordinary landscape of towering peaks and glistening blue ice.
4 hours • Admission ticket included -
5Queenstown
Our lovely driver will collect you from your accommodation this morning. Leave the small village of Franz Josef and journey through the remote and rugged landscape of the West Coast. Cross over to the east through Haast Pass, the southernmost pass in the Southern Alps. On the other side, enjoy picture-postcard views of vibrant blue lakes like Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka and Lake Dunstan as you make your way into scenic Queenstown, arriving in the late afternoon.
8 hours • Admission ticket free -
6Milford Sound
Hop on board a Real Journeys luxury glass-roofed coach in Queenstown, you will enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau while the coach driver provides an informative commentary. After a morning tea break in Te Anau (own expense), the coach continues along the spectacular Milford Road where there is time for photo stops and short walks along the way. On reaching Milford Sound, you board your Milford cruise for a leisurely extended cruise of the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rain forest, mountains and wildlife with extensive commentary by the onboard nature guide.
12 hours • Admission ticket included -
7
Travel to the foothills of New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki / Mount Cook on your way to Christchurch. Travel through ruggedly beautiful landscape and over the Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Country. Enter the amazing Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's highest mountain and stop at Mount Cook Village, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch at the famous Hermitage Hotel.
5 hours • Admission ticket free -
8
In the afternoon, travel past Lake Pukaki to Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd. Then continue through the diverse farmland of the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, where your tour concludes.
5 hours • Admission ticket included
TranzAlpine Scenic Train from Christchurch to Greymouth and continue on to Franz Josef
Experience an awe-inspiring Heli Hike and the beauty of Franz Josef
Franz Josef Glacier to New Zealand's Adventure Capital of Queenstown
Enjoy a Milford Sound Nature Cruise and Coach from Queenstown
Queenstown to Christchurch via stunning Mt Cook National Park
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- For a 50% refund, you must cancel 2–6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
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