An introduction to the South Island including Mt Cook National Park, Christchurch, Milford Sound and the West Coast Glaciers. Highlights are the renowned Tranz Alpine Scenic Train journey and the Milford Sound Nature Cruise.
New Zealand Independent Tour
This suggested tour costs from NZD$4,640 per person (twin share, low season)
Starts in Queenstown, finishes in Queenstown
8 days/7 nights
Motels
Customisable? YES
Viewed 206 times in the last 7 days
On arrival into Queenstown airport your private transfer will collect you from the airport and drive you to your centrally located accommodation.
Jet boating on the Shotover River is one of the must do Queenstown activities, even the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge climbed aboard ‘Big Red’. During this unforgettable ride you’ll skim across shallow water, past rocky outcrops as you hurtle through the narrow chasm of the Shotover Canyon before your skilled driver takes you into a scream worth 360 degree spin.
With breathtaking views across Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, the Skyline Complex is a must-do. Catch the fully enclosed gondola to the summit for a remarkable panorama of the city surrounds. Wander the outdoor viewing decks then enjoy a gourmet buffet meal in the Stratosphere Restaurant.
Your accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge
Blue Peaks Lodge offers well equipped self contained rooms with a fantastic location overlooking Queenstown and is just an easy five minutes walk to the Queenstown lakefront.Departing from Queenstown sit back and relax aboard a luxury glass-roofed coach to enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary and plenty of photo opportunities. After a morning tea break in Te Anau, the coach continues along the spectacular Milford Road. On reaching Piopiotahi-Milford Sound, board your vessel for a leisurely cruise in the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforests, mountains and wildlife. Rain or shine, every day in Piopiotahi-Milford Sound will leave you in awe.
Your accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge
Blue Peaks Lodge offers well equipped self contained rooms with a fantastic location overlooking Queenstown and is just an easy five minutes walk to the Queenstown lakefront.Leaving Queenstown, travel past picturesque scenery of massive mountain peaks and crystal-clear blue lakes. Travel across the Haast Pass to the other side of the Southern Alps, the landscape changes dramatically. Welcome to the wild and wonderful West Coast, a remote and unspoiled region. Wind your way past native rainforest, rocky coastlines and powerful waterfalls. Your journey concludes in the village of Franz Josef, your base for exploration of the area.
You 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.
Your accommodation: Punga Grove Motel & Suites
Punga Grove is right in the heart of Franz Josef Glacier village stylish accommodation in a beautiful rainforest setting.Head north from Franz Josef through to the historic gold mining region of Hokitika. Known for its Pounamu (New Zealand Greenstone) this seaside town has a rich history dating back to the 1860’s. Continue on to Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast and the starting point for the next leg of your journey - the TranzAlpine Scenic Train.
Considered one of the world's great train journeys, the TranzAlpine Scenic Train takes you from Greymouth to Christchurch. 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.
On arrival at the Christchurch railway station, you will be met by a driver and transferred to your Christchurch accommodation.
Your accommodation: Bella Vista Christchurch
Bella Vista Motel Christchurch offers a great range of comfortable modern units with excellent facilities. Enjoy the convenience of being located in close proximity to the Christchurch CBD, shops, entertainment and other activities.Nowhere else in New Zealand will you find such a wide range of New Zealand wildlife so close to you. Willowbank provides you with a "Kiwi Guarantee" and is home to New Zealand's largest and most accessible Kiwi viewing area. With this unique experience, you will see New Zealand's natural splendor firsthand, and view Kiwis that are not hidden behind glass. You will explore one of the most complete selections of New Zealand native and introduced wildlife in natural bush surroundings. Much of the Willowbank wildlife wander free and can be petted and fed.
Choose to explore the reserve yourself, or for an up-close Kiwi experience, you can take a guided tour.
A half-day sightseeing tour of Christchurch highlighting both the damage to the city inflicted by several large earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 and the rebuild which is currently in progress, together with the surviving beauty of the city and the historical landmarks. Experience the grand architecture, beautiful gardens, and scenic viewpoints on a half-day city tour of Christchurch.
The tour commences in the central city of Christchurch and covers the area that was completely devastated by the Christchurch earthquakes in February 2011. The guide will explain both the history of the city and the effects of the earthquake. On leaving the inner city, the tour travels to Mona Vale a historic homestead and gardens. Then you will travel to the Sign of the Takahe, a historic building with a lookout providing spectacular views over the city, Canterbury Plains, and the Southern Alps. The tour then travels via the Port Hills and Lyttleton Harbour by way of the Sign of the Kiwi and Governors Bay to the Port of Lyttleton. The tour proceeds through the Lyttleton harbor tunnel to the seaside suburb of Sumner and Cave Rock before returning to the central city where the tour will conclude.
Your accommodation: Bella Vista Christchurch
Bella Vista Motel Christchurch offers a great range of comfortable modern units with excellent facilities. Enjoy the convenience of being located in close proximity to the Christchurch CBD, shops, entertainment and other activities.This small group, fully-guided day trip combines all of the key highlights in the area with the famous Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and Tasman Glacier. The ultimate way to get from Christchurch to Aoraki/Mount Cook. Led by famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.
Enjoy a glacier experience that is unique in New Zealand and one of only three in the world. Get up and close and personal with icebergs, on a glacial terminal lake.
It is extremely rare for a glacier to terminate into a lake and rarer still to find one that is accessible to visitors. Join your group on our boat for an intimate encounter with a glacier -- see massive icebergs and soaring ice cliffs. You'll experience seldom seen and inaccessible parts of New Zealand's largest glacier in a safe way aboard your boat. Few people can say they have seen, touched and tasted 500 year old ice. Now you will be one of them!
Tours depart from Mount Cook Village outside The Hermitage Hotel, where you'll board a small bus for an enjoyable trip to the Tasman Valley. This is followed by a relaxing 30 minute stroll through the National Park to your waiting MAC boat. Now it’s time to witness the changing ice face of the Tasman Glacier and the icebergs it spawns on the Tasman Glacier Lake. Throughout your 2.5 hour trip (45 min to 1 hour on the lake) your experienced guide offers an informative and entertaining commentary that ensures you don't miss a thing.
Your accommodation: Mt Cook Motel
Mt Cook Motel is located in the centre of Mt. Cook village. The self-contained units are spacious and all are surrounded by alpine mountain views.A tribute to New Zealand's Sir Edmund Hillary, a humanitarian, ambassador, and one of the world's greatest explorers. The centre showcases the Aoraki Mount Cook region, the history of climbing, and early transport used throughout the region. This comprehensive museum details the life of Sir Edmund Hillary, the Hermitage, and provides access to the 126-seat custom-designed theatre. Check out the daily film schedule which includes 3D Movies, documentaries, and 360-degree digital dome features.
Departing spectacular Aoraki/Mt Cook, this scenic tour winds its way through some of the best the Southern Alps area has to offer; stunningly blue Lake Pukaki, High Country Salmon experiences, the panoramic Lindis Pass, the grand Kawarau Gorge before finally coming to an end in breathtaking Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world.
Your accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge
Blue Peaks Lodge offers well equipped self contained rooms with a fantastic location overlooking Queenstown and is just an easy five minutes walk to the Queenstown lakefront.You will be met at your accommodation by your private driver and transferred to Queenstown Airport for your onward journey.
Queenstown is where bungy jumping was pioneered by AJ Hackett and the first commercial jump started in 1988 at the Kawarau Bridge (on the main road into Queenstown from the east). If a bungy jump is on your 'to do' list them Queenstown is the place and the Kawarau Bridge is a 43 metre jump from an historic bridge with an optional 'dip' in the Kawarau River.
It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information see here.
Starts | Status | Double (2 people sharing) | Single occupancy | You save | ||
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Dec 15, 2024
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 16, 2024
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 17, 2024
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 18, 2024
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 19, 2024
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 20, 2024
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 21, 2024
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 22, 2024
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 23, 2024
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 24, 2024
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 25, 2024
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 26, 2024
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 27, 2024
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 28, 2024
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 29, 2024
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 30, 2024
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Dec 31, 2024
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Jan 1, 2025
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Jan 2, 2025
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Jan 3, 2025
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Jan 4, 2025
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Jan 5, 2025
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Jan 6, 2025
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Jan 7, 2025
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Jan 8, 2025
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Jan 9, 2025
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Jan 10, 2025
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Jan 11, 2025
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Jan 12, 2025
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Jan 13, 2025
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 | |||
Jan 14, 2025
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$4,640 | NZD$7,775 |
At NZ Coach Tours we choose only the best coach tours out there. We have up to date knowledge and experience, so we can give you the best advice on which tour is right for you. We can combine tours, maybe one tour that offers the best in the North Island and one that offers something different for the South Island. Our range of independent tours depart daily and can be custom designed to suit you perfectly. We have loads of accommodation options, activity ideas, and sell a beautiful destination that is guaranteed to blow you away!
Put simply - we have something for everyone and we are confident you will not be left disappointed.
In summary