5 Day South Island Tour from Christchurch Including Queenstown and Milford Sound

Itinerary

Day 1: Christchurch – Greymouth – Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier

Stop At: TranzAlpine & Coastal Pacific, Troup Drive, Addington, Addington, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Make your own way to Christchurch Railway Station and board the TranzAlpine. One of New Zealand’s most popular passenger rails, the TranzAlpine traverses the Canterbury Plains, Arthur’s Pass and the Southern Alps with commentary via your headset.
Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: Franz Josef Glacier, Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
On arrival, it’s a short walk to the bus stop, where you’ll board an Intercity Coach for the journey down the West Coast to the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, you’re dropped off in the early evening for an overnight stay in either township.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Choice of standard 3-star or superior 4-star accommodation

Day 2: Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers

Stop At: Franz Josef Glacier, Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
njoy an entire day free to explore on your own. Opt for a Fox Glacier helicopter flight, embark on a guided valley walk to Franz Josef Glacier or soak up the scenery from the villages. (Note: talk to us about prebooking a helicopter flights, as they often sell out early.)
Duration: 1 day

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Choice of standard 3-star or superior 4-star accommodation

Day 3: Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier – Queenstown

Stop At: Queenstown Bus Station, 30 Camp St, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Today's full-day coach journey travels south into rainforest and rugged coastal vistas, reaching Lake Wanaka and continuing through Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown.
Duration: 8 hours

Stop At: Queenstown i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, Corner Camp & Shotover Streets Clocktower Building, Queenstown 9300 New Zealand
You'll arrive at your destination by late afternoon, so you have plenty of free time to explore. Ride the Skyline Queenstown Gondola for unrivaled views of the Remarkables mountain range, or spend your evening on a boat cruise aboard the steamship TSS Earnslaw, riding across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm (all additional activities at own expense).
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Choice of standard 3-star or superior 4-star accommodation

Day 4: Queenstown – Milford Sound – Queenstown

Stop At: Milford Sound, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park 9679 New Zealand
Get an early start on your full-day tour, motoring around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Lake Te Anau, then into UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. You’ll pass through pristine beech forests and the Homer Tunnel, listening to commentary and stopping for photos and walks along the way.

Then view the majesty of Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls on a Milford Sound cruise, enjoying lunch served on board before the return to Queenstown in the evening.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Choice of standard 3-star or superior 4-star accommodation

Day 5: Queenstown – Mount Cook – Christchurch

Stop At: Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre, 1 Larch Grove, Mt. Cook Village, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) 7999 New Zealand
Today, travel through Kawarau Gorge and over the Lindis Pass to reach Aoraki/Mount Cook — New Zealand’s highest mountain — around midday.
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Christchurch Bus Interchange, Lichfield St, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Passing Lake Tekapo, your coach then heads north to Christchurch to end a full day of narrated sightseeing.
Duration: 5 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.