5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch

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 is a mountain pass and at its base

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.

From here you travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to arrive at Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain.

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.

Experience the south Island on this 5 day epic journey!

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

See ancient beech forest, stunning waterfalls and the famous Mirror Lakes where you will pause for a photo stop.

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

On arrival, take an unforgettable cruise on the majestic Milford Sound

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.

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.

Travel along the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea.

Haast Pass is the most stunning stretch of highway in New Zealand.

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

Continue to travel up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.

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.

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.

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.

train through to Arthur's Pass and then on to Christchurch

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.