Christchurch to Queenstown via Mt Cook & Tekapo Small Group Tour (One Way)
Overview
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Christchurch To Queenstown via Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo. This one-way, small group, fully guided day trip combines all of the key highlights in the area with the famous Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook National Park and Tasman Glacier. The ultimate way to get from Christchurch to Queenstown. Led by our 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.
Description
Please note: the Hooker Valley Track is currently CLOSED while the Department of Conservation works on replacing one of the swing bridges. This is expected to be complete in Autumn 2026 so the track will be inaccessible to the public until then.
Highlights:
Lake Tekapo, Church of the Good Shepard
Mt Cook & Aoraki National Park
Tasman Glacier, Lake Pukaki
Lindis Pass, Kawarau Gorge
Itinerary:
Christchurch - Your tour starts in the stunning city of Christchurch. As we drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your adventurous day but also point out and guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.
Canterbury Plains – Departing Christchurch we then make our way through the impressive Canterbury plains with plenty of amazing New Zealand farmland and countryside to see along the way.
Lake Tekapo (5 mins) – we head towards the famous blue lakes of Lake Tekapo but to get there first we must go through some impressive alpine passes with amazing views. As we come over the hill to Tekapo you will be stunned by amazing view of the lake.
Church of the Good Shepherd (10 mins) – Once in the township of Tekapo you will have time to explore the very popular Church of the Good Shepherd, see the Mackenzie Sheep dog and get those Instagram worth shots of Lake Tekapo before we continue to Mt Cook.
Lake Pukaki (10 mins)– Turning west we begin to enter the Aoraki National Park and Lake Pukaki begins to emerge in front of us. Lake Pukaki is one of the bluest lakes you will ever see and is stunningly framed by the backdrop of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. We stop for some amazing photos and to just marvel at the sight that we are beholding. It’s not hard to see why many Lord of the Rings scene were filmed nearby and we will point them out for you.
Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park – While in the national park you have 2.5 hours free time to enjoy free walks/hikes or one of the extra optional activities. Some of our recommendations include Kea Point Track, Blue Lakes Track, Scenic flights (see the region from the air and land on the Tasman Glacier) or Mt Cook Visitor Centre & Hermitage Hotel. Whatever you decide to do we will pick you up and drop you off where you need to go and make sure you are well looked after.
High Country Salmon - Farewelling Aoraki/Mt Cook Village and making our way back to Queenstown we stop in at High Country Salmon, a local salmon farm, where you can feed the fish and taste some of the freshest salmon in New Zealand.
Lindis Pass – Climbing in altitude, Lindis Pass has amazing views down through the valleys. Being one of only three alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps.
Jacksons Orchard – As we get close to Queenstown we often stop at Jacksons Orchard to try or buy some delicious local fruit or real fruit ice cream.
Kawarau Suspension Bridge – Nearing Queenstown we then make our way through the stunning Kawarau Gorge passing stunning views, the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and the famous Roaring Meg Lookout.
Queenstown – Sadly the tour must come to an end as we enter Queenstown and say our goodbyes.
Inclusions:
Small Group
Fully Guided Tour
Picnic Lunch
Optional Extras:
Scenic flights with Glacier landings
Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Cancellation Policy
Terms: Tours will only run if at least 5 people have booked on the tour, we reserves the right to alter the tour due to weather or operational needs.
A full refund will be issued for cancellations made a minimum of 10 days prior to the scheduled departure time.
Meeting points
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Reviews
86 reviews
Great tour, tight squeeze
Emma S,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00This is a wonderful concept - getting you from Christchurch to Queenstown and getting to sightsee along the way. We do have to give props to the drivers, who were both good and shared different but interesting insights. However, the bus was just too small, cramped and uncomfortable for the people being driven over such a long day. It was such a shame, because the concept is brilliant.
Better than Flying. A chance to see the besuty of the tour route
William F,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A beautiful drive through South Island. Much better than flying. Rosie, our tour guide was prompt in picking us up after a liitle miscommnication in locations. The vehicle was very comfortable and snacks, beverages, and lunch was provided. There were enough rest stops along the way and we were on a nice relaxing pace. Plenty of opportunities to take great photos. Rosie was very welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable of the history of the people and area. She was also a very safw and attentive driver. After the required driver change at Mt. Cook, we had a new driver. He was very good and knowledgeable. He providedus with some good advice on things to do and see in Queenstown. It was a memorable and beautiful drive.
A Great Trip from Christchurch to Qweenstowm
HappyBillmore,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A beautiful day to travel by ground from Christchurch to Queenstown. Rosie, our guidd picked us up early in a vwery nice, comfortable vehicle. Thedrive wss very scenic and beautiful. We went at a nice pace and were able to make stops along the way to take photo's and admire the beauty. Rosie was verh friendly, professional, and knowledgeable of the route. We had time to do some trail hikes and a nice lunch with snacks and water was provided. We changed drivers at Mt Cook. Our driver was very enthusiastic and knowledgable of his pprtion of route. He providedus with great information about Queenstown area. We were dropped off near our hotsl which was very nice. A great trip Nd a great day.
Brilliant tour
T3124IVjudithp,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The team at Cheeky Kiwi Tours went above and beyond to ensure we had the best experience. They changed rosters to ensure we made our glacier tour flights, provided abundant interesting commentary on our surroundings and we had a great packed lunch. Every one of the staff we encountered was professional, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Well done team!
stunning vistas
JeanetteM117,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience; scenery, tour guide, lunch
Great way to see the beauty of the South Island!
eileent920,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Cheeky Kiwi's Christchurch to Queensland trip is a great way to travel if you want to see the beautiful scenery of NZ's South Island while moving between locations. The vans are very comfortable. We had 2 different drivers for this trip - one from Queenstown to Mt. Cook (whose name I can't remember - sorry! but he was a wealth of information about agriculture/farming in NZ) and Benny from Mt. Cook to Queenstown. Both were friendly and knowledgeable and injected their own personalities into the trip - I learned a lot! While we didn't have a lot of time at Mt. Cook, I had enough time to climb up and catch a glimpse of the Tasman Glacier. Yes, you can get to Queenstown faster on a plane, but you miss everything in between. If you are looking to experience and learn about the beautiful South Island, I highly recommend Cheeky Kiwi's point-to-point tours!
Bus Tour CHC to Queenstown
charlotteeloy,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great bus tour from Christchurch to Queenstown Jay and Joseph have been great drivers. Jay is a great guide, with a lot of humor, kind and welcoming. It was very nice to spend 10 hours travelling with the team. The breakfast included is good.
Amazing scenery, great drivers !
G4387FNaliceb,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Long day but amazing trip, drivers Willam and Joe were friendly,helpful, and informative. An amazing way to see the countryside of NZ without hiring a camper.
Great way to travel from Christchurch to Queenstown. Highly recommend!
Andrew K,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic way to travel from Christchurch to Queenstown, getting to see amazing scenery and top points of interest along the way. Logan was our tour guide for the first leg to Mount Cook National Park, and Joe took over for the second leg to Queenstown. Both were rock stars, offering lots of insightful, engaging information, including Māori legend. Would highly recommend this trip with Cheeky Kiwi to anyone. They really put the customer experience first.
Good way to travel between Christchurch and Queenstown so one doesn't have to drive
v22h1,Feb 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Overall good experience - pickup was at the promised time and the tour stopped at the essential spots along the way between Christchurch and Queenstown.
From A$335.76
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