South Island Independent Touring

Enjoy 5 days exploring New Zealand's South Island with this excellent independent touring itinerary. Journey from Christchurch in a loop around the South Island. Cruise through Milford Sound, visit Mt. Cook National Park, explore the West Coast glaciers, and travel on the TranzAlpine scenic train.

Highlights include: Queenstown • the Gibbston Valley • Lakes Wanaka and Hawea •  Visit Franz Josef Glacier • the wild West Coast • The world famous TranzAlpine Scenic Train

From Christchurch you’ll cross the Southern Alps on board the world famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train.  On reaching the ruggedly beautiful West Coast you’ll follow the coastline south to Franz Josef where you’ll spend the next 2 nights.  From your base in Franz Josef you’ll have time to explore the pristine wilderness of Westland Tai Poutini National Park and the fabulous glaciers.  Leaving the glacier region you’ll continue south through the stunning Haast Pass to the Southern Lakes region and the ‘Adventure Capital’ of Queenstown.

Enjoy the scenery of Canterbury, the Mackenzie country and Mt Cook National Park before arriving into Queenstown. Take a fully escorted day tour to Milford Sound with Real Journeys.

Highlights include: The world famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train • The wild West Coast • Visit Franz Josef Glacier •  Lakes Wanaka and Hawea • the Gibbston Valley • Queenstown

This 5 day tour is great for people who wish to experience as much as they can as they journey from Christchurch to Queenstown. Along the way you will explore Mt Cook National Park, before continuing on to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, for a few days of relaxation or exhilaration - you decide!

A great 8 day tour which introduces you to Mt Cook National Park, Queenstown. Fiordland, Milford Sound and the West Coast Glaciers and includes the Tranz Alpine Scenic Train journey.

Highlights include: The world famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train, The wild West Coast, Visit Franz Josef Glacier, Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, the Gibbston Valley, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Mt Cook National Park.

This 13 day tour follows the classic route around the South Island but with multiple night stays in Queenstown, Mt Cook and Dunedin.  Also includes Doubtful Sound and the West Coast Glaciers as well as the scenic Tranz Alpine train journey.

This is one of our most popular 9 day South Island touring itineraries. Travel the coastline from Christchurch to Dunedin with an afternoon to explore the 'Edinburgh of the South'. Cross the rich farmland of Southland to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park. Then visit Milford Sound and a 2 1/2 hour nature cruise. Return to Queenstown for 2 nights and a full day to explore at your leisure. Your journey continues north to the rugged West Coast and the unique Franz Josef region. A full day to fully enjoy the regions walks and unique activities. Then its onto Greymouth where you board the world famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train for your return across the Southern Alps to Christchurch.