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.
Featured accommodation
BreakFree on Cashel
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
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
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
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
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
Day 7 - Queenstown
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Queenstown.
Featured accommodation
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.
Featured accommodation
Peppers Bluewater Resort
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
Day 10 - Christchurch
Your itinerary concludes today in Christchurch.
BreakFree on Cashel
Christchurch has evolved as a true cultural hub, embracing its chance to become a city re-imagined. This Christchurch accommodation is located in the heart of the CBD near Manchester and Hereford Streets, from BreakFree on Cashel, you’re in the perfect location to stroll to trendy cafes, restaurants or bars on offer.
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
The Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier is close to the edge of one of New Zealand's most spectacular natural attractions, welcoming you to this enticing and dramatic region.
Tin Tub Resort
Wanaka Luxury Lodge Tin Tub Wanaka is the perfect place if you want the very best in accommodation.
Image Gallery
Christchurch
Glacier
Queenstown
Chistchurch
Wanaka
Queenstown
Tranz Alpine
Wanaka
Tranz Apline
Tekapo
Franz Josef
Milford Sound
Tranz Alpine
Tekapo
Christchurch
Glacier
Queenstown
Chistchurch
Wanaka
Queenstown
Tranz Alpine
Wanaka
Tranz Apline
Tekapo
Franz Josef
Milford Sound
Tranz Alpine
Tekapo
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2025, 2026 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0069 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
New Zealand Highlights
- Queenstown
- Christchurch
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Visit Stunning Milford Sound
- See the Hobbiton Movie Set
- Experience Geo Thermal Rotorua
- Enjoy free time in Queenstown
- Save £400 per booking on Australia and New Zealand Holidays book by 30 April
- Receive a free M&S Gift Voucher
7 Nights from £1320pp
South Island’s Natural Wonders
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
- Lake Tekapo
- Travel on the Tranzalpine Train
- See beautiful Milford Sound
- See the impressive Franz Josef Glacier
- Enjoy free time in Queenstown
- Save £400 per booking on Australia and New Zealand Holidays book by 30 April
- Receive a free M&S Gift Voucher
9 Nights from £3375pp
Australia and New Zealand Combined
- Melbourne
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Queenstown
- Sydney
- Magnificent Melbourne
- Cruise Milford Sound
- Catch the scenic train between Auckland and Wellington
- See Sydney and the Blue Mountains
- Save £400 per booking on Australia and New Zealand Holidays book by 30 April
- Receive a free M&S Gift Voucher
14 Nights from £4285pp
Holland America Australia & New Zealand Cruise
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Picton
- Wellington
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Milford Sound
- Hobart
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Amazing Holland America Cruise
- Explore the New Zealand Fjords
- Cruise into Sydney Harbour
- Marvel at geo-thermal Rotorua
- Save £400 per booking on Australia and New Zealand Holidays book by 30 April
- Receive a free M&S Gift Voucher
15 Nights from £4495pp
Complete New Zealand Self Drive
- Singapore
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Blenheim
- Kaikoura
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
- Christchurch
- Save £400 per booking on Australia and New Zealand Holidays book by 30 April
- Receive a free M&S Gift Voucher
23 Nights from £4995pp
Shiraz to Sauvignon
- Adelaide
- Sydney
- Wellington
- Napier
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Barossa & Hawkes Bay Vineyards
- Sydney & The Blue Mountains
- Maori culture in Rotorua
- Hobbiton movie set
- Save £400 per booking on Australia and New Zealand Holidays book by 30 April
- Receive a free M&S Gift Voucher
14 Nights from £5365pp