5-Day Great Southern Circle Tour from Christchurch

Day One: Christchurch – Mount Cook – Queenstown

Travel by coach across Canterbury Plains and the MacKenzie Country via Lake Tekapo to Mt Cook National Park. Arrive at the Hermitage Mount Cook early afternoon. Enjoy spectacular alpine scenery with New Zealand's largest mountain, Mt Cook, and the Southern Alps as your backdrop. Mid-afternoon continue to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand, via Linda’s Pass, Lake Dunstan, Cromwell and the Kawarau Gorge.

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar

Day Two: Milford Sounds Day Excursion

Travel by coach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. From the Homer Tunnel emerge into the Cleddau Valley. Join your Milford Sound Nature Cruise for an unforgettable experience and explore the wonder of this majestic fiord before returning to Queenstown.

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar

Day Three: Queenstown

A free day at leisure in Queenstown to either simply explore this most beautiful township or enjoy one of the many actives that are on offer.

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar

Day Four: Queenstown – Haast Pass – Franz Josef

Travel along the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea to the Haast Pass: Gateway to World Heritage Westland National Park. Continue up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native rainforests, and lakes to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. The Franz Josef Glacier is 11km in length and more than 7,000 years old. Its terminal face creaks and arches over the cave from which the river emerges. This living ‘river of ice’ is a must see for any visitor to New Zealand.

Accommodation: Scenic Circle Franz Josef Hotel or similar.

Day Five: Franz Josef – Greymouth – Christchurch

Today continue along the rugged West Coast to Greymouth, once the site of thousands of diggers and miners during the historic gold strikes of the 1860’s. From Greymouth, journey over the Southern Alps through Arthurs Pass and on to Christchurch by the TranzAlpine train. This train 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.

Highlights

• 5 full days to explore the South Island's natural splendours
• Sights include Lake Pukaki, Mount Cook & the Kawarau Gorge
• Cruise beneath Mitre Peak on the world-famous Milford Sound
• Franz Josef Glacier in Westland National Park
• Free time in Queenstown & Alpine Train Ride from Greymouth