4-Day Great Southern Island Circle Tour from Christchurch
Overview
Available languages
96 hours
Mobile ticket
Picturesque mountains, deep fiords and icy glaciers - this is New Zealand's South Island. See for yourself on a four-day independent tour highlighting this scenic region. Travel by coach from Christchurch to Queenstown via Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki and Mount Cook. From Queenstown enjoy a day tour to Milford Sound with a two hour nature cruise on the fiord. From Queenstown it is then a days travel up the West Coast to Franz Josef and Franz Josef Glacier. On the final day of the tour the journey takes you to Greymouth where you will board the TranzAlpine Train for your return to Christchurch.
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
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Please note that this tour is an independent tour and you may be traveling with a different driver/guide and group each day
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
Tour may operate in Reverse
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
What‘s Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
TranzAline Train from Greymouth to Christchurch
Air-conditioned vehicle
3-nights accommodation
Milford Sound Cruise
Live commentary on board
Food and drinks
Gratuities
What To Expect
Christchurch / Mt Cook / Queenstown
Accommodations
Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar
Christchurch
This morning you will depart Christchurch by road, initially travelling via the Canterbury Plains and through the foothills of the Southern Alps to Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo
Arriving Lake Tekapo your first stop will be at the Church of the Good Sheppard where you will have some magnificent photo opportunities of the Church with the lake as a back drop. There will be then time to have some refreshments in the township if required.
Lake Pukaki
From Lake Tekapo the tour then continues along the shoreline of Lake Pukaki, providing you with some great views of Mount Cook and the Southern Alps on a clear day, through to Mount Cook
Mt. Cook Village
Arriving at Mt Cook Village mid afternoon which is located at the base of Mount Cook, Australia's highest mountain. There will be time here for lunch prior to continuing on to Queenstown.
Twizel
From Mount Cook the tour continues into to Twizel and then through Omarama and the Lindis Pass.
Lindis Pass
Travelling through the Lindis Pass which is snow covered for much of the year you will reach the submit which is the highest point of your travel through the Southern Alps. From the Lindis Pass the tour continues along the shores of Lake Dunstan to Cromwell
Cromwell
Cromwell is famous for its fruit orchards which are in full production during the summer months
Kawarau River
From Cromwell the tour follows the Kawarau River through the River Gorge to the Gibbston valley renown as main wine growing area in New Zealand and then onto the famous old suspension bridge with AJ Hacketts world renown bungy jumping.
Queenstown
The tour will arrive Queenstown Lake afternoon your destination for today. Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand
Queenstown / Te Anau / Milford / Te Anau / Queesntown
Accommodations
Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar
Lake Wakatipu
This morning you will depart Queenstown for Milford Sound, initially travelling by road along the shore line of Lake Wakatipu to Kingston and then onto Te Anau
Lake Te Anau
Arriving Lake Te Anau mid morning there will be time for a refreshment stop in the township prior to proceeding onto Milford
From Te Anau you will travel into the Fiordland National Park with photo stops on route at Mirror lakes and other places of interest
Homer Tunnel
Prior to travelling into Milford Sound you will travel through the Homer Tunnel which has been carved through the top of a mountain to create the only road access to this famous sound.
Milford Sound
Arriving Milford Sound you will join a two hour nature cruise on the sound with full commentary and a picnic lunch
Te Anau
Mid afternoon departing Milford Sound you will retrace your steps through the Fiordland National Park to Te Anau where again there will be a refreshment stop in the township prior to continuing onto Queenstown
Queenstown
Early Evening arrive back in Queenstown your destination for this the second day of your four day tour.
Queenstown / Wanaka / Haast Pass / Franz Josef
Accommodations
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef or similar
Queenstown
This morning depart Queenstown by road for your journey today through to Franz Josef
Wanaka
Your first stop today in the township of Wanaka nestled on the shores of Lake Wanaka with a magnificent mountain back drop which is snow covered for much of the year. There will be time for a refreshment break here if required.
Lake Hawea
From Wanaka the tour proceeds along the shores of Lake Hawea prior to entering the Haast Pass and the Westland National Park
Haast Pass
Travel through the remote Haast Pass with magnificent mountain, river and lake views on route.
Westland Tai Poutini National Park
The tour will travel through the remote Westland National Park with rain forest, rugged mountain rivers and a narrow strip of land separating the mountain from the sea.
Franz Josef
The tour arrives Franz Josef late afternoon your destination for today the location of tonights accommodation
Franz Josef Glacier
From your accommodation you will be collected and transferred into the car park at the old base of the Franz Josef Glacier. As the glacier has retreated the terminal of the Glacier is now sound distance from the car park. However, a short 15 minute easy walk through native bush brings you to a viewing area where you can see the glacier in the distance. You will then be transferred back to your accommodation
Franz Josef / Greymouth / Transalpine Train / Christchurch
Franz Josef
Departing Franz Josef this morning by road you will travel north to the township of Greymouth.
Greymouth
Arriving Greymouth there will be time to have a look around the township and have some lunch if required prior to boarding the TranzAlpine Train for your return to Christchurch
TranzAlpine Train
Early afternoon depart Greymouth by Transalpine train, renown to be one of the top 10 train journeys in the world. You will travel through the heart of the Southern Alps from the West Coast of the South Island to the East Coast of the South Island.
Christchurch
Arriving Christchurch early evening your tour will conclude with a transfer to your Christchurch accommodation.
Hokitika
From Franz Josef the tour will continue further North up the ruggard West Coast of the South Island to Hokitika, founded in the 1860's during the New Zealand Gold Rush. There will be a brief stop in the township for refreshments and to have a look around the some the green stone shops for which the town is now famous.
Options
Triple Share
4-Day Great Southern Island Circle Tour from Christchurch in triple share accommodation
Pickup included
Single Room
4-Day Great Southern Island Circle Tour from Christchurch in a single room
Pickup included
Twin Share
4-Day Great Southern Island Circle Tour from Christchurch in twin share accommodation
Pickup included
Reviews
17 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
New Zealand Adventure
Arthur G,
Jan 26, 2025
- Viator
5.00This is my first experience booking a travel tour. I have to admit it does take much of the guess work getting from one location to another. I was impressed with the logistics of lining up all of the necessities for such an adventure. All of the hotels, tour buses, taxis, excursions are plainly identified in the itenary. That made the tour less stressful. The hotel rooms were very comfortable and quiet. I was pleased. The tour guides were full of information for all of the stops we made. Everyone was so friendly. I think it is a New Zealand trademark. The cruise in Milford Sound was amazing, a boat ride I will always remember. Thank you.
Good experience
Louise B,
Dec 1, 2024
- Viator
4.00Everything was as promised. Coach drivers were courteous and prompt. There were a couple of issues of miscommunication, but nothing drastic
New Zealand circle tour
Stay02134793187,
Jan 27, 2019
- Viator
4.00The sights were great but I had not planned on such long "sitting on the bus" type days. The weather was rainy (not the tours fault), but it did not help the views The rain had caused some damage to the transalpine train so we had to continue on the bus. Again, some long days.
This tour arranges everything...
YAHUI S,
Feb 13, 2018
- Viator
5.00This tour arranges everything including hotel pick up /drop off, coach, train tickets and accommodation. Everyday we just sit back and relax and there is always someone taking care of you. The 'one million dollars' view from queenstown to milford sound is so amazing that you won't be disappointed.
This is a good way to see the South...
Terry L,
Jan 18, 2017
- Viator
5.00This is a good way to see the South Island on a short stay. The bus drivers were quite good at explaining what we were seeing as well as giving us a general history of New Zealand. We even got a partly guided tour from one Inter City driver that was not part of the package.
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Operated by Leisure Tours