Day 1 - Queenstown - Arrive

After clearing customs and immigration, you are transferred from Queenstown Airport to your Queenstown accommodation.

The rest of the day is free to explore Queenstown.

Click for further information, prices and book your Airport to City transfer.

Click for further information, rates and book your Queenstown accommodation.

Day 2 - Queenstown

A free day to relax and explore Queenstown and the surrounding region.

You might be interested in the following optional sightseeing attractions and/or half and full day sightseeing tours -

Click for further information, price and book your Shotover River Jet Boat Ride - Duration 1 Hour.

Click for further information, prices and book your Skippers Canyon Half Day 4WD Tour - Duration 4 Hours.

Click for further information, prices and book your Glenorchy Lord of the Rings Locations Tour - Durations 4 Hours.

Click for further information, prices and book your Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise - Duration 4 Hours.

Click for further information, prices and book your Gourmet Central Otago Wine Tour - Duration 7 Hours.

Click for further information, prices and book your Queenstown/Milford Sound/Queenstown Day Excursion.

Click for further information, prices and book your Queenstown/Doubtful Sound/Queenstown Day Excursion.

Day 3 -  Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier

After early morning pickup from your Queenstown hotel, travel by comfortable coach 200 miles (323km) to Franz Josef Glacier townships, with rest stops and photo ops along the way. Admire the scenic landscape as you pass through the interior of Central Otago, New Zealand’s most inland region, known for its rolling hills, snow capped mountains, clear rivers and deep gorges. Drive over Haast Pass, a forested section of highway that crosses through the mountain ranges of Mount Aspiring National Park. In the late morning, your coach stops at a visitors center bordering the national park where you can stretch your legs and purchase a bite to eat. Later, pop into a salmon farm where you can see the operations and have a snack at the cafe. Arrive at Franz Josef township in the late afternoon and check into your hotel for two nights. Have the rest of the day to explore the town at your leisure. Your hotel can suggest restaurants for dinner.

You might be interested in the following optional sightseeing attractions -

Click for further information, prices and book your Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight - Duration 30 Minutes.

Click for further information, prices and book your Franz Josef Mountain Scenic Helicopter Flight - Duration 40 Minutes.

Day 4 - Franz Josef

Experience the Fox Glacier on a 2-hour Glacier valley walk with an expert guide. After introductions, your guide provides a safety briefing and hiking gear that includes boots, socks and a rain coat if needed. Once you have put on your gear, take a short ride along the glacial valley to the start of the trail. Depending on the day’s conditions, you'll be taken as close to the ice as possible.

Snap photos of fantastic views of the valley and glacier. Throughout your walk, your knowledgeable guide shares fascinating stories and facts about the glacier. Afterward, have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure. You have several choices of places to purchase lunch in Franz Josef, including a cafe at the Fox Glacier guiding office.

Day 5 - Franz Josef to Christchurch

In the morning, travel by coach 125 miles (200km) north to Greymouth, with stops along the way where you can purchase a snack or take a short stroll. When you reach Greymouth, your coach delivers you to the famous TranzAlpine train. Board the train and enjoy amenities that include an open-air platform, a cafe car with food and drinks for purchase, recorded commentary that you can listen to on a provided headset, and comfortable seats with large panoramic windows and skylights for excellent viewing. Leaving Greymouth, the train passes the former coal-mining town of Dobson, then crosses a broad shallow river in a deep valley flanked by misty mountains and waterfalls. Enter the Otira Tunnel, one of the longest tunnels in New Zealand at 5.3 miles (8.6km) long. At Arthurs Pass station, take in Arthurs Pass National Park and the surrounding mist-shrouded mountains.

As you descend from the Southern Alps, get breathtaking views of the Waimakiriri River gorge. The train travels over a series of steel girder bridges and deep gorges; the highest viaduct rises 240 feet (73m) above the river. Pass through fields of sheep, cattle, and red deer, as you cross the Canterbury Plains before arriving in Christchurch. After your 4.5-hour train journey, your tour ends upon arrival in Christchurch - the garden city.

Click for further information, prices and book your Queenstown to Christchurch 3 Day travel package.

Click for further information, rates and book your Christchurch city accommodation.

Day 6 - Christchurch - Leave

It is time to say goodbye as you are transferred from your central city accommodation to Christchurch airport.

Click for further information, prices and book your accommodation to airport transfer.

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