expedia
Skip to Main Content.
List your propertySupportTrips
Member discount illustration

Members save 10% or more on over 100,000 hotels worldwide when you’re signed in

Sign in
Learn about Expedia Rewards
Feedback

5-Day Great Southern Circle Tour from Christchurch

By Canterbury Leisure Tours
See tickets
Features
Overview
  • 5 full days to explore the South Island's natural splendors
  • Sights include Lake Pukaki, Mount Cook & the Kawarau Gorge
  • Cruise beneath Mitre Peak on the world-famous Milford Sound
  • Franz Josef Glacier in Westland National Park
  • Free time in Queenstown & Alpine Train Ride from Greymouth

Activity location

    • Queenstown, New Zealand

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Christchurch (Hotel/Motel Pickup)
    • Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Check availability

Sorry this activity isn't available on Mon, 11 Aug
Please choose a different date

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included5-day guided tour of the South Island
  • What's includedWhat's includedNational Park entrance fees
  • What's includedWhat's includedGuided cruise on Milford Sound with picnic lunch
  • What's includedWhat's includedOvernight accommodations
  • What's includedWhat's includedTranzAlpine Train Journey
  • What's includedWhat's includedRoundtrip transportation to and from your Christchurch hotel
  • What's includedWhat's includedLive tour commentary provided in English
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedAll meals not listed as Inclusions

Know before you book

  • Children 2 and younger are complimentary provided they do not occupy an additional seat.
  • Four-star accommodations in Queenstown & Franz Josef
  • The tour departs Christchurch between 6:30 - 7.30AM on Day 1 and returns at 7.00 PM on Day 5. Upon arrival back in Christchurch, you will be met at the train station and transferred to your accommodation.
  • Independent Touring - this is not a Group Tour - we use local suppliers and you will have a different coach & driver each day
  • Tour may operate in Reverse

What you can expect

Day One: Christchurch – Mount Cook – Queenstown

Travel by coach across Canterbury Plains and the MacKenzie Country via Lake Tekapo to Mt Cook National Park. Arrive at the Hermitage Mount Cook early afternoon. Enjoy spectacular alpine scenery with New Zealand's largest mountain, Mt Cook, and the Southern Alps as your backdrop. Mid-afternoon continues to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand, via Linda’s Pass, Lake Dunstan, Cromwell, and the Kawarau Gorge.

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar

Day Two: Milford Sounds Day Excursion

Travel by coach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. From the Homer Tunnel emerge into the Cleddau Valley. Join your Milford Sound Nature Cruise for an unforgettable experience and explore the wonder of this majestic fiord before returning to Queenstown.

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar

Day Three: Queenstown

A free day at leisure in Queenstown to either simply explore this most beautiful township or enjoy one of the many activities that are on offer.

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar

Day Four: Queenstown – Haast Pass – Franz Josef

Travel along the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea to the Haast Pass: Gateway to World Heritage Westland National Park. Continue up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native rainforests, and lakes to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. The Franz Josef Glacier is 11km in length and more than 7,000 years old. Its terminal face creaks and arches over the cave from which the river emerges. This living ‘river of ice’ is a must-see for any visitor to New Zealand.

Accommodation: Scenic Circle Franz Josef Hotel or similar.

Day Five: Franz Josef – Greymouth – Christchurch

Today continues along the rugged West Coast to Greymouth, once the site of thousands of diggers and miners during the historic gold strikes of the 1860s. From Greymouth, journey over the Southern Alps through Arthurs Pass and on to Christchurch by the TranzAlpine train. This train 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.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    • Queenstown, New Zealand

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLEChristchurch (Hotel/Motel Pickup)
    • Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand