4 Day Southern Circuit: Glaciers, Christchurch and Mt Cook Tour from Queenstown

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Enjoy a scenic coach journey from Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier
2 stops
1
Leaving Queenstown, travel past picturesque scenery of massive mountain peaks and crystal-clear blue lakes. Travel across the Haast Pass to the other side of the Southern Alps, the landscape changes dramatically. Welcome to the wild and wonderful West Coast, a remote and unspoiled region. Wind your way past native rainforest, rocky coastlines and powerful waterfalls. Your journey concludes in the village of Franz Josef, your base for exploration of the area.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
2
Franz Josef Glacier
You will be met by a representative from Glacier Shuttles and taken on a short tour to view the glacier from the end of the road. Here you will have the opportunity to walk around and view the glacier from a viewing platform or enjoy one of the short walks available in this area.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Franz Josef to Greymouth and take the famous TranzAlpine train to Christchurch
3 stops
3
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.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
4
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.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
5
Christchurch is known as the gateway to the South Island. Boasting a plethora of activities both inside and outside the town centre.
Admission ticket free
Day 3
Christchurch to beautiful Aoraki Mt Cook National Park
2 stops
6
Depart Christchurch in the morning and travel through the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo, where you can see the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd as it stands in solitude next to the vibrant blue waters. Leaving Tekapo, continue into the Southern Alps towards Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's tallest mountain. The tour concludes on arrival at Mount Cook Village, where you can explore and soak up the views of Aoraki / Mount Cook.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
7
At 3754 metres Aoraki-Mt. Cook is New Zealand's highest mountain, located deep in the heart of the Southern Alps. As well as its impressive beauty, Mt. Cook National Park is also home to a huge range of awe-inspiring sights and activities. There are many short hikes in and around the park and these are well signposted. The region is also considered to have one of the clearest night skies in the world and is one of the few gold-rated dark sky reserves worldwide.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Spend the morning in Mt Cook National Park before heading back to Queenstown
1 stop
8
Depart Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park this afternoon and head south through the Mackenzie Country. You pass the Mackenzie Basin and head into Central Otago before approaching Queenstown, where the impressive Remarkables mountain range and beautiful Lake Wakatipu come into view. You will be dropped at your accommodation which will conclude your tour.
5 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

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