South Island New Zealand Itinerary: West Coast Highlights

Depending on your preferred travel choice, you will either be met and privately transferred or self drive to your accommodation.

Christchurch is set between the deep blue Pacific Ocean and the mighty snow-capped Southern Alps.  This is a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River. 

Enjoy admission to the International Antarctic Centre today or tomorrow for an icy insight into this astounding continent.  Overnight: Christchurch

Included Activities

• Antarctic Centre

Depart across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, through the spectacular scenery of Arthurs Pass National Park and on to the West Coast.  New Zealand’s rugged West Coast is a wild and untamed place known for its rivers, rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures.  Here, mighty rivers of solid white ice, relics of the world’s last ice-age, tumble down the rocky valleys.  Overnight: Glacier Region

Christchurch - Glacier Region: 240-380km (approx 3.5-5hrs)

Optional Activities

• Westcoast Treetop Walkway

A temperate climate at a low altitude make Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers among the most convenient to visit in the world.  Steep valleys bear scars from where glaciers have retreated and advanced over millennia and here, the ice age is still underway.  This morning's walk takes you to the face of the Franz Josef Glacier, the afternoon is free to explore or add another activity.  Overnight: Glacier Region

Visit Punakaiki Pancake Rocks or, for an absolute bucket list experience, add a scenic flight with a glacier landing and a thrilling hike to your itinerary. Overnight: Glacier Region

Optional Activities

• Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike
• Fox Glacier Valley E-Bike and Hike

Travel through wilderness towns, waterfalls and river scenery on today’s scenic journey to Queenstown.  We recommend stopping for a break, and to stretch the legs, at Makarora’s Blue Pools.  Make a stop at Wanaka to visit the wonderful world of weirdness at Puzzling World before arriving at Queenstown.  Overnight:  Queenstown

Glacier Region - Queenstown: 350km (approx 4hrs,45mins)

Optional Activities

• Puzzling World

Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World.

Today is a free day to add some of the endless optional activities on offer. Overnight: Queenstown

Included Activities

• Skyline Gondola Ride

Optional Activities

• Glenorchy Lord of the Rings 4WD Safari
• Walter Peak BBQ Lunch by Vintage Steamship
• Shotover Jetboat Ride
• Original Onsen Exclusive Indoor Pool

Fiordland is one of the world’s last great wildernesses.  Today's stunning journey takes you past mirror lakes, spectacular waterfalls and water-sculpted rocks. Venture into Milford Sound, a New Zealand treasure carved by ice age glaciers and famously described as the eighth wonder of the world. After a big day out, reflect on memories of a lifetime on your return to Queenstown. Overnight: Queenstown

Queenstown - Milford: 287km (approx 3hrs, 50mins) each way

Included Activities

• Skyline Gondola Ride

Arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer or return of your rental car.

Please Note 

(i) Rental Car "Days" are based on a 24 hour hire.  

Early arrivals into and/or late departures out of New Zealand may necessitate a longer hire period.

(ii) Adding Optional Tours may necessitate an additional nights' stay in that location.