South Island: Great Southern Circle 5-Day Guided Tour

Day 1: Christchurch-Mount Cook-Queenstown

On the first day you will travel by coach from Christchurch via Lake Tekapo to Mt Cook National Park. Arrive at the Hermitage Mount Cook early afternoon, where you can consider an optional scenic flight to marvel at the incredible alpine scenery. Mid-afternoon, continue to Queenstown via the Lindas Pass, Lake Dunstan, Cromwell, and Kawerau Gorge before staying overnight at the Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar. 

Day 2: Milford Sound Day Trip

Travel by coach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. Join a Milford Sound nature cruise to explore the wonder of the majestic fjord before returning to Queenstown where you will stay overnight at the Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar.

Day 3: Queenstown

Enjoy a free day in Queenstown to explore the township or enjoy one of the many actives that are on offer. You will then stay overnight at the Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar. 

Day 4: 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 forests and lakes to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, before staying overnight in the Scenic Circle Franz Josef Hotel or similar.

Day 5: Franz Josef-Greymouth-Christchurch

Continue along the rugged West Coast to Greymouth. Then, journey over the Southern Alps, through Arthurs Pass, and on to Christchurch by the TranzAlpine train. This journey is renowned as one of the top ten train journeys in the world. In Christchurch, you'll be transferred to your accommodation or the airport where your tour will conclude.