5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch
Overview
Available languages
120 hours
Mobile ticket
See all the highlights of New Zealand's scenic South Island on this five-day sightseeing tour. Travel by coach from Christchurch to Queenstown, experience the majesty of Milford Sound, view the glacier at Franz Josef and travel aboard the famous TranzAlpine Express train. Highlights include Mount Cook, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Haast Past, Franz Joseph and the incredible TranzAlpine Rail Journey
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Independent Touring - this is not a Group Tour - we use local suppliers and you will have a different coach & driver each day
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
Solo Travellers will need to book the option "Single Room"
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
Accommodation as per itinerary
Air-conditioned vehicle
Milford Sound Cruise
Tranz Alpine from Greymouth to Christchurch
Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Christchurch - Mount Cook - Queenstown
Accommodations
Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or Similar)
Canterbury Region
Your five-day exploration of New Zealand's spectacular South Island begins with the stunning scenery of the foothills of the Southern Alps. Travel through the rich pastoral farm land of the Canterbury Plains and the ever-changing spectacular scenery of the Southern Alps. Continue traveling across Burkes Pass before descending to the stunning glacial fed Lake Tekapo and visiting the Church of the Good Shepherd which stands on the foreshore.
Burkes Pass
Burkes Pass is a mountain pass and at its base
Lake Tekapo
Continue traveling across Burkes Pass before descending to the stunning glacial fed Lake Tekapo and visiting the Church of the Good Shepherd which stands on the foreshore.
Lake Pukaki
From here you travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to arrive at Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain.
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
Stop at Mt Cook for lunch (additional at own expense) where you will be mesmerized by the surroundings of this truly unique region. Cross the Lindis Pass, leaving the MacKenzie Country and travel along the Kawerau Gorge before arriving in Queenstown.
South Island
Experience the south Island on this 5 day epic journey!
Milford Sound Day Excursion
Accommodations
Overnight Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar).
Fiordland National Park
Travel along the edge of Lake Wakatipu beneath the rugged Remarkables to Te Anau, the 'Gateway to Fiordland National Park'. On entering the Fiordland National Park you pass through the Eglinton Valley
Mirror Lakes Walk
See ancient beech forest, stunning waterfalls and the famous Mirror Lakes where you will pause for a photo stop.
Continue through the upper Hollyford Valley, past the stunning Christie Falls.
Homer Tunnel
Enter the 1.2 km Homer Tunnel, drilled through the solid rock of a mountain. On exiting the Homer Tunnel prepare for the breathtaking impact of the Cleddau Valley and the descent into Milford Sound
Milford Sound
On arrival, take an unforgettable cruise on the majestic Milford Sound
Mitre Peak
See the wonders of Mitre Peak and rock walls scarred by glaciers which rise to 1200m vertically from the sea. Then reboard the coach for the return journey to Queenstown. Optional lunches onboard the cruise are available.
Queenstown
Accommodations
Overnight Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar).
Queenstown
A free day at leisure in Queenstown to either simply explore this most beautiful township nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounds by mountains which are snow-capped for much of the year or enjoy one of the many actives that are on offer.
Queenstown - Franz Joseph
Accommodations
Overnight Accommodation: Scenic Circle Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (or similar).
Lake Wanaka
Travel along the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea.
Haast Pass
Haast Pass is the most stunning stretch of highway in New Zealand.
Westland Tai Poutini National Park
World Heritage Westland National Park. Initially the pass travels through the treeless grasslands of Central Otago, then at the highest point, the majestic peaks of the Southern Alps and the rivers and rainforests of Westland dominate the landscape
Fox Glacier
Continue to travel up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.
Franz Josef Glacier
The Franz Josef Glacier is 11 kilometers in length and more than 7,000 years old. Its terminal face creaks and arches over the cave from which the river emerges, pale with powdered rock and can advance or retreat at over a meter per day. This living 'river of ice' is a must see for any visitor to New Zealand.
Franz Joseph - Greymouth - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch
Hokitika
On the final day of your South Island tour, today you continue to travel along the rugged West Coast to Hokitika founded in the 1860's during the West Coast Gold Rush. The township is now famous for its Green Stone Shops and the Green Stone ornaments and jewellery they produce.
Greymouth
From Hokitika travel to Greymouth, the center for thousands of diggers during the historic gold strikes of the 1860's. Also a major outlet for the Green Stone for which this region is now famous. There will be time here to do some last minute shopping and or get some lunch.
From Greymouth, journey over the Southern Alps, on the world famous TranzAlpine train through to Arthur's Pass and then on to Christchurch
Continue through Arthur's Pass and onto Christchurch by the famous TranzAlpine Express. This journey is renowned as one of the top ten train journeys in the world. In Christchurch you will be transferred to your accommodation or the airport where your tour concludes.
Options
Single Room
5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch in a single room.
Pickup included
Twin Share
5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch in twin share accommodation.
Pickup included
Triple Share
5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch in triple share accommodation.
Pickup included
Reviews
70 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Awesome!
Paula S,
Jul 29, 2025
- Viator
5.00Brilliant tour! It was well organised from start to finish. All the drivers were friendly, informative and were very safe as some of the roads are quite tricky. All the accommodation we stayed in was superb. Best of all , however, was the amazing tour itself and the scenery we managed to see whilst on the coach or at the many spectacular stops we made along the way. Loved it!¡!!!
Misleading
Alexandra B,
May 5, 2025
- Viator
1.00The description is misleading. This is not a “tour”. They book you onto one excursion provided by another operator to Milford Sound (and provided the wrong pick-up location and time as well as getting the name of the operator wrong) and the vast majority of the time you spend sat on inter-city coaches, so imagine 12 hour days sat on a coach for 4 days, the other day you have to plan yourself. This is how you get to see the landmarks they have listed. The “guided commentary” is just the coach driver and it’s a gamble whether or not you’ll get one that provides information about what you’re seeing out of the windows. You do not get to see the Franz Josef or Fox glaciers. By the time you get to Franz Josef town it is dusk without appropriate time to hike safely or go to the viewing platform and the next day you leave at 7am. The stops the coaches do provide seem random and you spend time at places like a salmon farm for breakfast (so bad luck if you’re a vegetarian). Other places that are actual viewpoints with scenery and landscape worth looking at are 5-10 minute stops max. To top it off our pre-paid taxi that was supposed to pick us up at the end of the 5-day journey didn’t show so we had to arrange alternative transport and effectively pay twice. We contacted Leisure Tours during our trip to communicate how disappointed we were and were told that management would be in contact after the conclusion of the trip. We’re now 6 days post-conclusion and have not heard anything. Awful customer service, and a complete joke of a “tour”. Don’t waste your time or money- you could book this all by yourself and cut out the middle man.
A fabulous 5 Day Bus Tour
Susan K,
Nov 2, 2024
- Viator
4.00I really enjoyed my 5 Day bus tour. Visiting Franz Joseph Glacier was a little disappointing because it was rather late in the day, and therefore the fog and mist hid nearly everything. The Glacier is so far away from the viewing platforms, that even in good weather not much would be seen in good detail. A vantage point closer would be great, but I completely understand that this is not possible unless you fly there! The accommodation in Queenstown for three nights was fabulous and the view from my room overlooking the lake was awesome. On the last day of the tour, a massive rain and snow weather event moved in. Our time visiting Mt Cook was cancelled because the snow was very high on the road, and we got to the turnoff not long before the road was closed. At that time it was -14° on Mt Cook! We experienced quite a full on snow storm and the towns and lakes along our journey looked more like ski resorts! We were very lucky to get through that area, and thanks to our wonderful driver, we made it back to Christchurch with no dramas! This was my first up close and personal experience with snow, and an adrenaline charged journey I'll never forget. I've now learned that the weather in New Zealand is very changeable and that just adds to the overall excitement and uncertainty of what lies ahead. Thanks to Leisure Tours for a well organised bus tour.
Best option for solo travelers, all arranged
Abhay S,
Oct 22, 2024
- Viator
5.00This was 5 day packages linked and tailored to see the South Island. The hotels were top quality and good location and the tour drives were all friendly and knowledgeable. Just have to ensure you are punctual and board the bus as per the detailed itinerary provided. Enjoyed South Island due to this tour.
Bas experience so far !!
Eduardo G,
Sep 22, 2024
- Viator
1.00Operator is not respecting stops , times in locations . They only give 10 mins instead 30. Besides we were not taken to fox glacier as it says in Viator.
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