4 Day Southern Circuit Tour Including Milford Sound and Glaciers from Queenstown

Itinerary

Day 1: Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier - travel by luxury coach through the stunning scenery of the South Island.

Stop At: Haast Pass, New Zealand
After a morning tea break in Makarora on the border of Mount Aspiring World Heritage Park, you'll travel through the Haast Pass, journeying through native beech forest and over the Southern Alps, before emerging on the West Coast, arriving in the afternoon at the small village of Franz Josef.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Franz Josef Glacier, Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
ou will be met at your accommodation by a representative from Glacier Shuttles and taken on a short tour to view the glacier. Your shuttle vehicle will transfer you up the Franz Josef valley to the road end. Here you will have the opportunity to walk to view the glacier from a viewing platform. Or enjoy one of the short walks available in this area. You will be returned to your accommodation by the Glacier Valley Shuttles.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Choose from one of our favourite motels or a four star Hotel

Day 2: Franz Josef to Greymouth train station, Tranz Alpine train to Christchurch

Stop At: Hokitika Beach, Beach Street, Hokitika New Zealand
This morning travel north through the small townships of Whataroa and Harihari. Stop at the Bushman's Centre for refreshments and a chance to experience a bit of West Coast humour. Continue through the township of Ross, which in the late 1800s was the centre of one of New Zealand's richest alluvial goldfields. On arrival in Hokitika there is time to purchase lunch and explore the town centre.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Greymouth i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 164 Mackay Street, Greymouth 7805 New Zealand
Continue onto Greymouth Railway Station from where you catch the world famous TranzAlpine train across the Southern Alps to Christchurch.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: TranzAlpine & Coastal Pacific, Troup Drive, Addington, Addington, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
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.
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Choose from one of our favourite motels or a four star Hotel

Day 3: Christchurch to Mt Cook National Park

Stop At: Mount Cook Alpine Memorial, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) 7999 New Zealand
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.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Mount Cook Alpine Memorial, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) 7999 New Zealand
There are many short scenic walks beginning in and around the Mt. Cook Village, suitable for all ages and abilities. Located within the Mount Cook Village is the Department of Conservation information centre, where updates on the track conditions and suitability is available as well as information on the history of the area and its wildlife.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Choose from one of our favourite motels or a four star Hotel

Day 4: Mt Cook back to Queenstown

Stop At: Tasman Glacier, New Zealand
Experience 500 year old icebergs up-close on the Mt Cook terminal lake. The Glacier Explorers tour is the only one of its kind in New Zealand - and one of only three in the world! Very few glaciers terminate into lakes and even fewer of them are accessible. See towering ice cliffs and floating icebergs from the safety of a specially designed boat. These boats provide a safe way to view unseen and inaccessible areas of New Zealand's largest glacier - The Tasman.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Queenstown Bus Station, 30 Camp St, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Depart Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park in the 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.

Tour concludes this evening on arrival into Queenstown.
Duration: 3 hours

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