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Picturesque mountains, deep fiords and icy glaciers - this is New Zealand's South Island. See for yourself on a four-day independent tour highlighting this scenic region. Travel by coach from Christchurch to Queenstown via Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki and Mount Cook. From Queenstown enjoy a day tour to Milford Sound with a two hour nature cruise on the fiord. From Queenstown it is then a days travel up the West Coast to Franz Josef and Franz Josef Glacier. On the final day of the tour the journey takes you to Greymouth where you will board the TranzAlpine Train for your return to Christchurch.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Travellers can be collected from any of the named hotels or any hotels within 5 kilometres from Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Itinerary
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1
This morning you will depart Christchurch by road, initially travelling via the Canterbury Plains and through the foothills of the Southern Alps to Lake Tekapo
Admission ticket free -
2
Arriving Lake Tekapo your first stop will be at the Church of the Good Sheppard where you will have some magnificent photo opportunities of the Church with the lake as a back drop. There will be then time to have some refreshments in the township if required.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
From Lake Tekapo the tour then continues along the shoreline of Lake Pukaki, providing you with some great views of Mount Cook and the Southern Alps on a clear day, through to Mount Cook
Admission ticket free -
4
Arriving at Mt Cook Village mid afternoon which is located at the base of Mount Cook, Australia's highest mountain. There will be time here for lunch prior to continuing on to Queenstown.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
From Mount Cook the tour continues into to Twizel and then through Omarama and the Lindis Pass.
Admission ticket free -
6
Travelling through the Lindis Pass which is snow covered for much of the year you will reach the submit which is the highest point of your travel through the Southern Alps. From the Lindis Pass the tour continues along the shores of Lake Dunstan to Cromwell
Admission ticket free -
7
Cromwell is famous for its fruit orchards which are in full production during the summer months
Admission ticket free -
8
From Cromwell the tour follows the Kawarau River through the River Gorge to the Gibbston valley renown as main wine growing area in New Zealand and then onto the famous old suspension bridge with AJ Hacketts world renown bungy jumping.
Admission ticket free -
9Queenstown
The tour will arrive Queenstown Lake afternoon your destination for today. Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand
12 hours • Admission ticket free -
10Lake Wakatipu
This morning you will depart Queenstown for Milford Sound, initially travelling by road along the shore line of Lake Wakatipu to Kingston and then onto Te Anau
Admission ticket free -
11Lake Te Anau
Arriving Lake Te Anau mid morning there will be time for a refreshment stop in the township prior to proceeding onto Milford
30 minutes • Admission ticket included -
12
From Te Anau you will travel into the Fiordland National Park with photo stops on route at Mirror lakes and other places of interest
Admission ticket free -
13Homer Tunnel
Prior to travelling into Milford Sound you will travel through the Homer Tunnel which has been carved through the top of a mountain to create the only road access to this famous sound.
Admission ticket free -
14Milford Sound
Arriving Milford Sound you will join a two hour nature cruise on the sound with full commentary and a picnic lunch
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
15Te Anau
Mid afternoon departing Milford Sound you will retrace your steps through the Fiordland National Park to Te Anau where again there will be a refreshment stop in the township prior to continuing onto Queenstown
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
16Queenstown
Early Evening arrive back in Queenstown your destination for this the second day of your four day tour.
12 hours • Admission ticket free -
17Queenstown
This morning depart Queenstown by road for your journey today through to Franz Josef
Admission ticket free -
18
Your first stop today in the township of Wanaka nestled on the shores of Lake Wanaka with a magnificent mountain back drop which is snow covered for much of the year. There will be time for a refreshment break here if required.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
19
From Wanaka the tour proceeds along the shores of Lake Hawea prior to entering the Haast Pass and the Westland National Park
Admission ticket free -
20
Travel through the remote Haast Pass with magnificent mountain, river and lake views on route.
Admission ticket free -
21
The tour will travel through the remote Westland National Park with rain forest, rugged mountain rivers and a narrow strip of land separating the mountain from the sea.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
22
The tour arrives Franz Josef late afternoon your destination for today the location of tonights accommodation
15 hours • Admission ticket free -
23Franz Josef Glacier
From your accommodation you will be collected and transferred into the car park at the old base of the Franz Josef Glacier. As the glacier has retreated the terminal of the Glacier is now sound distance from the car park. However, a short 15 minute easy walk through native bush brings you to a viewing area where you can see the glacier in the distance. You will then be transferred back to your accommodation
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
24
Departing Franz Josef this morning by road you will travel north to the township of Greymouth.
Admission ticket free -
25
Arriving Greymouth there will be time to have a look around the township and have some lunch if required prior to boarding the TranzAlpine Train for your return to Christchurch
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
26
Early afternoon depart Greymouth by Transalpine train, renown to be one of the top 10 train journeys in the world. You will travel through the heart of the Southern Alps from the West Coast of the South Island to the East Coast of the South Island.
6 hours • Admission ticket included -
27
Arriving Christchurch early evening your tour will conclude with a transfer to your Christchurch accommodation.
Admission ticket free -
28
From Franz Josef the tour will continue further North up the ruggard West Coast of the South Island to Hokitika, founded in the 1860's during the New Zealand Gold Rush. There will be a brief stop in the township for refreshments and to have a look around the some the green stone shops for which the town is now famous.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Christchurch / Mt Cook / Queenstown
Queenstown / Te Anau / Milford / Te Anau / Queesntown
Queenstown / Wanaka / Haast Pass / Franz Josef
Franz Josef / Greymouth / Transalpine Train / Christchurch
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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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
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Please note that this tour is an independent tour and you may be traveling with a different driver/guide and group each day
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
- Tour may operate in Reverse
Tags
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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