7-Day South Island Coastal Splendor Tour from Christchurch

3.5
(4 reviews)

Show all photos
7 days (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

Experience South Island of New Zealand on this seven day independent coach tour. Travelling by coach and train through the specular South Island of New Zealand. Your journey commences in Christchurch travelling on day one to Greymouth on the world famous TranzAlpine Train and then by road to Franz Josef. Then by road up the rugged West Coast, via Haast Pass and Wanaka to Queenstown. You will have three nights in Queenstown and during your stay there you will visit Milford Sound and enjoy a nature cruise on the sound. You will also have a full free day to explore the township on your own or partake in one of the many activities that are on offer. From Queenstown you will travel by road to Dunedin where you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city plus a day tour out onto the Otago Peninsula for a visit to Larnach Castle and for a wildlife cruise on the harbour during your two night stay. On your final day you will return to Christchurch by road where your 7 day tour will conclude.

What's Included

6-nights 4 Star accommodation
TranzAlpine train journey
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Larnach Castle and Otago Harbour Wildlife Cruise
Air-conditioned vehicle
Milford Sound Cruise
Dunedin City Sightseeing tour
Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
OR
Meeting point

Christchurch Bus Exchange Regional Platform on Litchfield Street

End point

A transfer will be provided from Train station to your Christchurch Accommodation

Itinerary

Duration: 7 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Christchurch - TranzAlpine - Greymouth - Franz Josef

    4 stops
  • 1

    Collected from your accommodation and transferred to Christchurch Railway Station for the TranzAlpine train journey through the Southern Alps to Greymouth

    5 hours • Admission ticket included
  • 2

    The TranzAlpine train arrives in Greymouth and you will have time to briefly explore the township prior to departing by coach to Franz Josef

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 3

    Arriving in Franz Josef late afternoon and check into your hotel accommodation.

    15 hours • Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Franz Josef Glacier

    Late afternoon collected from your accommodation and transferred into the terminal car park of the Franz Josef Glacier. A short walk through native bush takings you to a viewing area where you you can see the retreating glacier in the distance.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
    • Day 2

    Franz Josef - Haast Pass - Wanaka - Queenstown

    5 stops
  • 5

    This morning departing Franz Josef by road you will travel south along a narrow corridor of flat land with the magnificent South Alps on your left and the Tasman Sea on your right. First stop in at the Westland National Park, a world heritage reserve.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 6

    From the Westland National Park the tour continues through the Haast Pass, which forms part of the National Park and offers stunning scenery.

    Admission ticket free
  • 7

    Your journey then takes across a saddle with Lake Wanaka on your right and Lake Hawera on you left and then the road travels along the shores of Lake Hawea.

    Admission ticket free
  • 8

    The next stop is the township of Wanaka on the shores of Lake Wanaka with the magnificent southern alps as a back drop.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 9
    Queenstown

    Your destination for today. Queenstown with its scenic beauty nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and renown as the adventure capital of the world.

    2 days • Admission ticket free
    • Day 3

    Queenstown - Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau - Queenstown

    7 stops
  • 10
    Lake Wakatipu

    Departing Queenstown this morning by road initially travelling along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau

    Admission ticket free
  • 11
    Te Anau

    A comfort stop on route to Milford Sound at the Te Anau township of the shores of Lake Te Anau.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 12

    Travel by road from Te Anau through the Fiordland National Park with several wonderful photo stops on route including Mirror Lake and a view point over the Hollyford Valley.

    Admission ticket free
  • 13
    Homer Tunnel

    Prior to descending down from a high mountain pass into Milford Sound you will travel through the Homer Tunnel carved through the top of a mountain.

    Admission ticket free
  • 14
    Milford Sound

    On your arrival in Milford Sound you will enjoy a 2 hour nature cruise on the sound

    3 hours • Admission ticket free
  • 15
    Mitre Peak

    Enjoy many highlights on the nature cruise including Mitre Peak, numerous waterfalls dropping from hanging valleys, marine life including dolphins and New Zealand fur seals, plus a picnic lunch being provided on the cruise for your enjoyment.

    5 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 16
    Lake Te Anau

    Departing Milford Sound mid afternoon for your return journey to Queenstown by road, stopping again on route in Te Anau on the shores of Lake Te Anau prior to being returned to your Queenstown accommodation in the early evening.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
    • Day 4

    Queenstown - Free Day

    1 stop
  • 17

    On this your free day in Queenstown enjoy on or more of the wonderful attractions the township has to offer, such as The Skyline Gondola, The Shotover Jet, TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak, A J Hackets Bunny Jumping, or A Gibstone Valley Wine Tour, just to name a few.

    2 hours • Admission ticket not included
    • Day 5

    Queenstown - Dunedin

    3 stops
  • 18

    This morning you will depart Queenstown by road and travel via the the central Otago townships of Cromwell, Alexandra, Lawrence and Clyde all renown for their fruit growing, specifically stone fruit during the summer months with Orchards dominating the landscape.

    Admission ticket free
  • 19

    Dunedin the second largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and known as the Scotland of the south for its Scottish Heritage. Here in Dunedin you will spend two nights

    1 day • Admission ticket free
  • 20

    This afternoon you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of this magnificent city and its heritage. The tour will include the worlds steepest street, the University of Dunedin, stately homes and historic buildings including the Dunedin Railway Station and the cities great beaches renown for their large surf.

    Admission ticket free
    • Day 6

    Dunedin and Otago Peninsula

    4 stops
  • 21

    Today you will get to experience the history, natural scenic beauty and the native wildlife unique to this area. from your hotel you will travel by road to Larnach Castle with its shocking history, beautiful gardens and magnificent scenery. A guided tour of the castle has been arranged for your enjoyment.

    1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 22

    From Larnach Castle you will travel by road to Taiaroa Heads at the end of the peninsula and the entrance to Otago Harbour. Here you will join a wildlife cruise.

    Admission ticket free
  • 23

    Cruising around the Taiaroa Heads you are likely to view while enjoying this nature cruise the Royal Albatross that nest on the rocky slopes of the headland, New Zealand Fur Seals and possibly Hector Dolphins and Little Blue Penguins as well as a host of other marine and bird life.

    1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 24

    You will return to Dunedin cruising up the length of the harbour to Dunedin City where you will be returned to your Dunedin accommodation by road.

    Admission ticket free
    • Day 7

    Dunedin - Oamaru - Timaru - Christchurch

    3 stops
  • 25

    This the final day of your 7 day tour travels from Dunedin to Christchurch by road. You will be collected from your Dunedin accommodation and transferred to the intercity Coach for your travel to Christchurch with your first stop in Oamaru.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 26

    From Oamaru you will continue north to the township of Timaru where you will have another brief stop.

    15 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 27

    Early afternoon you will return to the city of Christchurch where your 7 day tour commenced. On arrival in Christchurch your tour concludes with a transfer to your Christchurch accommodation to the Christchurch Airport.

    1 minute • Admission ticket free

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
Supplied by Leisure Tours

Show 5 more

Tags

Nature and Wildlife Tours
Multi-day Tours
Bus Tours
Likely to Sell Out
Small Group

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.

Show more

Rating

3.5 Based on 4 4 reviews
5 stars
2
4 stars
0
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
1
Likely to sell out
from per person
Was {{currencySymbol}}{{ summaryFromPriceBeforeDiscount }}
Check availability