5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle, Christchurch

About this activity

A five-day INDEPENDANT travel package departing Christchurch daily, see all the highlights of New Zealand's scenic South Island. Travel by coach from Christchurch to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook, experience the majesty of Milford Sound, a free day in Queenstown, view the glacier at Franz Josef and travel aboard the famous Transalpine train. The tour includes 4 nights' accommodation

This tour may operate in reverse order, subject to transport provider availability.

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At a glance

Duration: 5 days
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 35 people
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: English
Operated by: Leisure Tours

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–13 years) · Adults (14–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: This is an INDEPENDENT travel package not a group tour
Included: Lunch
Included: Great Sights Coach journey from Christchurch to Queenstown
Included: Tranzalpine train journey between Greymouth and Christchurch
Included: All transfers and coaching
Included: Milford Sound Cruise
Included: Franz Josef

Not included

Not included: Food and drinks, unless specified
Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Day 1 · Christchurch - Mount Cook - Queenstown

Canterbury Region

Passing by

Your five-day exploration of New Zealand's spectacular South Island begins with the stunning scenery of the foothills of the Southern Alps. Travel through the rich pastoral farm land of the Canterbury Plains and the ever-changing spectacular scenery of the Southern Alps. Continue traveling across Burkes Pass before descending to the stunning glacial fed Lake Tekapo and visiting the Church of the Good Shepherd which stands on the foreshore.
Burkes Pass

Passing by

Burkes Pass is a mountain pass and at its base
Lake Tekapo

Passing by

Continue traveling across Burkes Pass before descending to the stunning glacial fed Lake Tekapo and visiting the Church of the Good Shepherd which stands on the foreshore.
Lake Pukaki

Passing by

From here you travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to arrive at Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain.
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)

Passing by

Stop at Mt Cook for lunch (additional at own expense) where you will be mesmerized by the surroundings of this truly unique region. Cross the Lindis Pass, leaving the MacKenzie Country and travel along the Kawerau Gorge before arriving in Queenstown.
South Island

Passing by

Experience the south Island on this 5 day epic journey!

4-Star standard

Day 2 · Milford Sound Day Excursion

Fiordland National Park

Passing by

Travel along the edge of Lake Wakatipu beneath the rugged Remarkables to Te Anau, the 'Gateway to Fiordland National Park'. On entering the Fiordland National Park you pass through the Eglinton Valley
Mirror Lakes Walk

Passing by

See ancient beech forest, stunning waterfalls and the famous Mirror Lakes where you will pause for a photo stop.
Stop 3

Passing by

Continue through the upper Hollyford Valley, past the stunning Christie Falls.
Homer Tunnel

Passing by

Enter the 1.2 km Homer Tunnel, drilled through the solid rock of a mountain. On exiting the Homer Tunnel prepare for the breathtaking impact of the Cleddau Valley and the descent into Milford Sound
Milford Sound

Passing by

On arrival, take an unforgettable cruise on the majestic Milford Sound
Mitre Peak

Passing by

See the wonders of Mitre Peak and rock walls scarred by glaciers which rise to 1200m vertically from the sea. Then reboard the coach for the return journey to Queenstown. Optional lunches onboard the cruise are available.

4-Star standard

Day 3 · Queenstown

Queenstown

Passing by

A free day at leisure in Queenstown to either simply explore this most beautiful township nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounds by mountains which are snow-capped for much of the year or enjoy one of the many actives that are on offer.

4-Star standard

Day 4 · Queenstown - Franz Joseph

Lake Wanaka

Passing by

Travel along the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea.
Haast Pass

Passing by

Haast Pass is the most stunning stretch of highway in New Zealand.
Westland Tai Poutini National Park

Passing by

World Heritage Westland National Park. Initially the pass travels through the treeless grasslands of Central Otago, then at the highest point, the majestic peaks of the Southern Alps and the rivers and rainforests of Westland dominate the landscape
Fox Glacier

Passing by

Continue to travel up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.
Franz Josef Glacier

Passing by

The Franz Josef Glacier is 11 kilometers in length and more than 7,000 years old. Its terminal face creaks and arches over the cave from which the river emerges, pale with powdered rock and can advance or retreat at over a meter per day. This living 'river of ice' is a must see for any visitor to New Zealand.

4-Star standard

Day 5 · Franz Joseph - Greymouth - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch

Hokitika

20 min

On the final day of your South Island tour, today you continue to travel along the rugged West Coast to Hokitika founded in the 1860's during the West Coast Gold Rush. The township is now famous for its Green Stone Shops and the Green Stone ornaments and jewellery they produce.
Greymouth

one hour

From Hokitika travel to Greymouth, the center for thousands of diggers during the historic gold strikes of the 1860's. Also a major outlet for the Green Stone for which this region is now famous. There will be time here to do some last minute shopping and or get some lunch.
Stop 3

Passing by

From Greymouth, journey over the Southern Alps, on the world famous TranzAlpine train through to Arthur's Pass and then on to Christchurch
Stop 4

Passing by Admission included

Continue through Arthur's Pass and onto Christchurch by the famous TranzAlpine Express. This 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.

Not included

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

outside the Christchurch Bus Interchange

End point

Christchurch Railway Station

Using your ticket

You will be provided with a full itinerary from Leisure Tour for your travel

Cancellation

Free cancellation

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

If you cancel	You get back
At least 6 days before	100%
At least 2 days before	50%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is an independent multiday tour with guaranteed daily departures, on each day of travel you will be travelling with a different driver / guide and different passengers.
This is not a fully escorted group tour.
On day one, two & four the travel is in a large coach and the passenger numbers may at any given time exceed 35 people.
Maximum of two checked bags per person (up to 23kg each)
One piece of small hand luggage permitted onboard
This tour may operate in reverse order, subject to transport provider availability.

Options

Twin Share

5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch in twin share accommodation.
Triple Share

5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch in triple share accommodation.
Single Room

5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch in a single room.