Holiday Overview
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 AccommodationFranz Josef
- 1 Night Accommodation Wanaka
- 3 Nights Accommodation Queenstown
- Milford Sound Tour
- 1 Night Accommodation Tekapo
- Car Hire
- Transfer - Christchurch hotel to train station
Day 1 - Christchurch
Arrive in Christchurch, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
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.
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.
Staying at Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
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.
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.
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.
Staying at Heritage Queenstown
Day 7 - Queenstown
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Queenstown.
Staying at Heritage Queenstown
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.
Day 9 - Tekapo – Christchurch
Return to Christchurch, dropping off your car hire and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 10 - Christchurch
Your itinerary concludes today in Christchurch.
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Image Gallery
Wanaka
Tranz Apline
Tekapo
Franz Josef
Milford Sound
Tranz Alpine
Tekapo
Christchurch
Glacier
Queenstown
Chistchurch
Wanaka
Queenstown
Tranz Alpine
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2026, 2027 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 917 5742 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
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