South Island’s Natural Wonders

  • Christchurch
  • Franz Josef
  • Wanaka
  • Queenstown
  • Lake Tekapo
  • 9 nights from
  • £3,625 per person
  • Trip Code: MC-1113

Holiday Overview

South Island’s Natural Wonders

New Zealand’s South Island is packed full of natural wonders that won’t fail to disappoint. You kick off this trip with the Tranzalpine train through the soaring Southern Alps - what a way to start! Franz Josef is next of your travels and this can easily be explored by foot as you climb through its ice holes or by landing on it by helicopter. Sit upon the lakeshore of Lake Wanaka, Lake Wakatipu, Lake Tekapo looking at its crystal waters and finish with a tour of Milford Sound at the very south of this epic island.

 

Start Christchurch End Christchurch

9 nights / 10 days

Islands visited: South Island

Highlights;

Tranzalpine train through the Southern Alps

Experience Franz Josef Glacier - climbing or helicopter

Walk the shores of Lake Wanaka

Tour on the Milford Sound, south of Queenstown

Visit the turquoise coloured Lake Tekapo

South Island’s Natural Wonders includes:

  • 2 nights accommodation Christchurch
  • Tranzalpine Train
  • 2 nights accommodation Franz Josef
  • 1 night accommodation Wanaka
  • 3 nights accommodation Queenstown
  • Milford Sound Tour
  • 1 night accommodation Tekapo
  • Car Hire
  • Transfer - Christchurch hotel to train station
1

Day 1 - Christchurch

Arrive in Christchurch, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Featured accommodation

BreakFree on Cashel

2

Day 2 - Christchurch – Tranzapline – Franz Josef

Take the spectacular rail journey through the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Greymouth, the train departs at 08:15 and arrives in Greymouth at 13:05. Pick up your car hire and continue your journey to Franz Josef

Featured accommodation

Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

3

Day 3 - Franz Josef

Enjoy a full day to explore the glacier at your own pace. Ask your consultant for details regarding a once in a lifetime helicopter experience.

Featured accommodation

Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

4

Day 4 - Franz Josef – Wanaka

Today begin the journey to Wanaka, on the edge of the lake, Wanaka affords stunning lake and mountain views. Enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Featured accommodation

Tin Tub Resort

5

Day 5 - Wanaka – Queenstown

Queenstown sits on the shore of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu among dramatic alpine ranges and is a wonderful hub for this beautiful region. After checking into your hotel spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Featured accommodation

Heritage Queenstown

6

Day 6 - Queenstown & Milford Sound

Take a full day tour to Milford Sound. Described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world', Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. Breath-taking in any weather, the fiord's cliffs rise vertically from the dark waters, mountain peaks scrape the sky and waterfalls cascade downwards from as high as 1000 metres.

Featured accommodation

Heritage Queenstown

7

Day 7 - Queenstown

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Queenstown

Featured accommodation

Heritage Queenstown

8

Day 8 - Queenstown – Tekapo

Today drive along to Tekapo, the township faces north across the remarkable turquoise coloured lake to the mountainous drama of the Southern Alps. Tekapo is also home to the much-photographed Church of the Good Shepherd.

Featured accommodation

Peppers Bluewater Resort

9

Day 9 - Tekapo – Christchurch

Return to Christchurch, dropping off your car hire and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Featured accommodation

BreakFree on Cashel

10

Day 10 - Christchurch

Your itinerary concludes today in Christchurch.

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