Queenstown to Franz Josef via Wanaka Small Group Day Tour (1-Way)
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the ultimate adventure along New Zealand's West Coast from Queenstown to Franz Josef via Wānaka. Our small group, fully-guided tour takes you to the picturesque Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea, over the stunning Haast Pass and along the beautiful West Coast beaches to Franz Josef.
Led by our passionate guides, this tour goes beyond the destinations, offering secret stops, wildlife viewings, and delightful surprises along the way. Travel in comfort with modern minibuses, enjoy complimentary refreshments and provided lunch as you journey through one of New Zealand’s most picturesque regions.
At Cheeky Kiwi Travel, it's the journey, the stories, and the small group experience that truly set our tours apart.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children aged 7 years and below are required to travel in a child safety car seat. You can hire seats ($20NZD per seat) or you can provide your own
Luggage allowance - 1 large & 1 small per person
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Cardrona
Located on the spectacular Crown Range Road between Queenstown and Wānaka, the Cardrona Hotel is one of New Zealand's oldest and most iconic hotels. Its rustic charm, spectacular mountain setting and rich history make it a must-see in Central Otago.
Wanaka
We’ll stroll down to the lakeside for that iconic photo of the Wānaka Tree. Soak in the beauty of this expansive lake, backdropped by Mt Aspiring and the Southern Alps—a paradise for photographers.
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Snacks
Sit down - free choice from a set menu
Luggage allowance - 1 large & 1 small per person
Restroom on board
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Queenstown - Franz Josef 1 Way
Duration: 12 hours: Arrive in Franz Josef around 7pm
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van
Pickup included
Reviews
62 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Terrific tour Queenstown to Franz Josef.
susanhQ627XZ,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was fabulous, thanks to a great guide, Hanna. She was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, personable and cheerful. Everything you could want in a tour guide and more. She went above and beyond to inform us all about the history and relevance of every stop of the tour, as well as most of what we were driving past. Our 12 hour tour, from Queenstown to Franz Josef, went by in a flash and we even managed around 16000 steps at the various stops along the way. Plenty of comfort stops, a great lunch at the Hard Antler, in Haast, just added to the value of this tour. Thanks Hanna, and Cheeky Kiwi.. it was a great day.
Great one way tour
awgriff,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great way to transit with intentional sightseeing along the way. Good, quick hits and none of the stops feel overly long.
Brilliant guide and excellent back office.
T1276WNholgerk,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour, great guide and a back office that solved all challenges. They know what they are doing and they are good at it ☺️.
Excellent tour
Coastal725543,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We love the kind guide/driver. We like all spots to visit
Kindly recommended, very well done.
elenafI1888HE,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was amazing! The nature was impressive even in a rain. The car was comfortable and I really feel myself good with our guide Hannah who was very smart and passionate with her work. She was really interested in telling and sharing with us more about Nzee's animals and plants, nature and it all. I really liked Cheeky kiwi company and will recommended it to all.
Experiencing New Zealand’s purity
albertac797,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were just 2 people so it was basically a private tour and it was awesome! Udi came with us on the walks pointed out different plants and showed us cool things such as blue mushrooms. He also told us a lot about New Zealand’s history and culture and I could fire away all my questions. The scenery was just gorgeous and we saw some breathtaking places. My personal favorite was our walk at Ship Creek and generally crossing the Alps and entering this lush and dense vegetation! To sum it up: I saw beautiful places, I learned a lot about New Zealand, and we had a lot of laughs on the trip :)
Totally recommend
B445NZmjm,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Martin was knowledgeable and he took us to plenty of places. Lunch is included and it’s a good value for money as we stopped by plenty of places. The fee for this tour is only a hundred dollars more than the intercity bus but you get to see places that you wouldn’t normally see. We were lucky to have a good weather and had a glimpse of the glacier in Fox Glove
Wonderful trip!
L7063SGmartav,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful trip, amazing landscapes, very well organized, and Shura is a really nice and friendly driver.
Scenic one-way trip with expert, personable guide!
41pl,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hanna was a wonderfully enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and personable guide for our day trip to Franz Joseph! She expertly paced our day so we could take in all the dynamic and stunning sights along the way: lakes, mountains, forests, beaches, waterfalls, and glaciers! Hanna did this all while safely driving and traversing the roads. She made a long day feel so memorable and worthwhile with her easygoing nature, extensive knowledge of New Zealand and deep respect for the Māori people and culture. Thank you Hanna!
Intimate and personal
Benjorama3,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic, intimate tour taking in lots of incredible sights on the road between Queenstown and Franz Josef. Colin was a wonderful guide, the lunch was spot on at Hard Antler in Haast (I can recommend the venison burger) and the complimentary WiFi on the minibus was a nice touch. Cheeky Kiwi Travel really do offer a more personalised experience than most and utilising smaller transport means they can get to places the larger buses can’t access. Also, do not pass on the freshly-baked cheese scones at the Cardrona Hotel for breakfast!
From NZ$290.00
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