4 Days, Milford Sound and Glaciers: From Christchurch

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Christchurch to Queenstown via Aoraki Mt Cook National Park and Tekapo
6 stops
1
Christchurch
This tour starts in the stunning city of Christchurch. As you drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your adventurous day but also point out and guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
Geraldine
Departing Christchurch you will make your way through the impressive Canterbury plains with plenty of amazing New Zealand farmland and countryside to see along the way to Geraldine. Arriving in this quaint town you will stop for a quick morning tea.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
Lake Tekapo
Exiting Geraldine you head towards the famous blue lakes of Lake Tekapo and as you come over the hill you will be stunned by amazing views of the lake. Once in the township of Tekapo you will have time to explore the very popular Church of the Good Shepherd, see the Mackenzie sheep-dog and get those Instagram worthy shots of Lake Tekapo before continuing on to Aoraki/Mount Cook.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Lake Pukaki (Pass by)
On the way to Aoraki National Park, take in views of Lake Pukaki, one of the bluest lakes you will ever see and is stunningly framed by the backdrop of Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Southern Alps.
4
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
While in the national park you have 2 hours free time to enjoy free walks and hikes or one of the extra optional activities. One recommendation during your free time is the Tasman Glacier Lake walk and viewpoint. Icebergs can usually be seen floating in the lake in summer, and in winter, the lake freezes over. The track leads through the glacier’s old terminal moraines with amazing views of the glacier, river and lake. Arriving at Mt Cook Village, weather depending, you should get some amazing shots of the mountain itself. At 3724m, Aoraki/Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak, however, the mountain can be viewed without any acclimatisation whatsoever from the village which is just 750m above sea level.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
5
Queenstown
Farewelling Aoraki/Mount Cook Village and making your way back to Queenstown you will stop in at High Country Salmon, a local salmon farm, where you can feed the fish and taste some of the freshest salmon in New Zealand. From here you will be climbing in altitude, through the Lindis Pass, which has amazing views down through the valleys. Being one of only three alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps. Nearing Queenstown you then make your way through the stunning Kawarau Gorge passing stunning views, the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and the famous Roaring Meg Lookout. From here it just a 20 minute ride into Queenstown CBD where you will be dropped at your accommodation.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Enjoy a Milford Sound Nature Cruise and Coach from Queenstown
1 stop
6
Milford Sound
Hop on board a Real NZ 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 on board nature guide.
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier via Wānaka
2 stops
7
Wanaka
Departing from Queenstown, this journey takes you to the historic Cardrona Hotel, renowned for its rustic charm and spectacular mountain setting. In Wānaka, you'll capture the iconic photo of the Wānaka Tree with Mt Aspiring and the Southern Alps in the background.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
8
Franz Josef Glacier
Continuing past the Clutha River, you'll enjoy scenic stops at Lake Hāwea, Thunder Creek Falls, and Ship Creek, where the rainforest meets the ocean. The tour concludes at Franz Josef, after passing glacial rivers and the picturesque Lake Matheson, a photographer's paradise.
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Franz Josef to Greymouth and take the famous TranzAlpine train to Christchurch
3 stops
9
Greymouth
Today you’ll head north through the historic gold mining region of Hokitika. Known for its Greenstone (Pounamu) this seaside town has a rich history dating back to the 1860’s. Continue on to Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast and the starting point for the next leg of your journey - the TranzAlpine Scenic Train.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
10
TranzAlpine: Scenic Train Christchurch - Greymouth
Considered one of the world's great train journeys, the TranzAlpine Scenic Train takes you from Greymouth to Christchurch. You'll travel across the South Island from the west to the east coast through Arthur's Pass National Park. From the comfort of your carriage see lush beech forest, deep river valleys and the spectacular peaks of the Southern Alps. Descend to the windswept Canterbury Plains before arriving in the city of Christchurch.
5 hours • Admission ticket included
Christchurch (Pass by)
Christchurch is known as the gateway to the South Island. Boasting a plethora of activities both inside and outside the town centre.

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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