8-DAY INDEPENDENT SOUTH ISLAND HOLIDAY
South Island Scenic Explorer Without the Driving
Experience some of the South Island’s most spectacular landscapes on an independent journey connecting Christchurch, Aoraki/Mt Cook, Queenstown, Milford Sound and the wild West Coast.
Travel using small-group tours, scheduled transfers and the famous TranzAlpine scenic train, with accommodation and key experiences arranged along the way.
Travel independently. See more of the South Island. Leave the driving to someone else.
Your Journey at a Glance
Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
Travel Style
Independent travel
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Start
Christchurch
Finish
Christchurch
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From
NZ$9,980 per person twin share
Accommodation
Hotel Accommodation
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Includes small-group touring, scheduled transfers, Milford Sound coach and cruise, and the TranzAlpine scenic train
Pricing is indicative and may vary by season, availability and selected experiences.
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Your 8-Day Route
Christchurch → Aoraki/Mt Cook → Queenstown → Milford Sound → Franz Josef → Christchurch
Travel from the Canterbury Plains into the Southern Alps before continuing to Queenstown and Fiordland. Then cross the Haast Pass to the West Coast and finish with the spectacular TranzAlpine rail journey back to Christchurch.
Why You’ll Love This Journey
A scenic South Island journey connecting Aoraki/Mt Cook, Queenstown, Milford Sound and the West Coast, with transport and key experiences carefully planned for you.
Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
Travel through Lake Tekapo and the Mackenzie Country to the dramatic alpine landscapes of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
West Coast & TranzAlpine
Cross the Haast Pass to glacier country before travelling over the Southern Alps aboard the TranzAlpine scenic train
Queenstown
Enjoy time in New Zealand’s alpine adventure capital with a full free day to explore at your own pace..
Milford Sound
Journey through Fiordland National Park and cruise beneath towering cliffs and waterfalls in Milford Sound.
Your 8-Day Itinerary
Each day is planned around realistic travel times, transport connections and time to enjoy the destinations along the way.
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Arrive in Christchurch and begin your South Island journey. A private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation.
The remainder of the day is free to explore at your own pace. Wander through the central city, visit the Botanic Gardens, follow the Avon River or simply relax after your journey.
Included today: Private airport transfer
Accommodation: Christchurch
Optional experience: Christchurch city tour. -
Leave Christchurch on a small-group journey across the Canterbury Plains and into the spectacular Mackenzie Country.
Stop at Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd before travelling alongside the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki towards Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
Spend the remainder of the day surrounded by the peaks of the Southern Alps.
Included today: Small-group Christchurch to Aoraki/Mt Cook journey and lunch
Accommodation: Aoraki/Mt Cook
Optional experience: Glacier Explorers. -
Travel south from Aoraki/Mt Cook through some of the South Island’s most impressive alpine scenery.
Pass Lake Pukaki and cross the Lindis Pass before travelling through Central Otago and on to Queenstown.
After arriving, settle into your accommodation and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Included today: Small-group Aoraki/Mt Cook to Queenstown journey
Accommodation: Queenstown. -
Today is yours to experience Queenstown at your own pace.
Explore the lakefront, visit nearby Arrowtown, take the Skyline Gondola or choose from one of the many adventure and sightseeing experiences available around the region.
Leaving this day relatively open gives you the freedom to choose the experiences that interest you most.
Accommodation: Queenstown
Optional experiences: Skyline Gondola, Shotover Jet or local touring.
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Travel from Queenstown into Fiordland National Park on one of New Zealand’s great scenic journeys.
Follow the Milford Road through mountains, valleys and native forest before arriving at Milford Sound. Board your cruise and travel through the fiord beneath dramatic cliffs and waterfalls before returning to Queenstown.
Included today: Milford Sound coach journey, cruise and lunch
Accommodation: Queenstown. -
Leave Queenstown and travel north through Wānaka and the spectacular Haast Pass towards the West Coast.
The landscape changes dramatically as alpine country gives way to dense rainforest, waterfalls, rivers and rugged coastal scenery.
Arrive in Fox Glacier village and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Included today: Scheduled Queenstown to Fox Glacier transfer
Accommodation: Fox Glacier. -
Travel north along the West Coast through Hokitika towards Greymouth.
From Greymouth, board the TranzAlpine for one of New Zealand’s great rail journeys. Cross the Southern Alps through Arthur’s Pass and descend across the Canterbury Plains into Christchurch.
On arrival, transfer to your accommodation for your final night.
Included today: Fox Glacier to Greymouth transfer, TranzAlpine scenic train and Christchurch transfer
Accommodation: Christchurch. -
Your South Island journey comes to an end today.
A private transfer will take you from your accommodation to Christchurch Airport in time for your onward flight.
Included today: Private Christchurch Airport transfer.
What’s Included
Your journey brings together accommodation, transport and key experiences, so the major parts of your holiday are arranged before you arrive.
Accommodation
7 nights accommodation
Breakfast where included with selected accommodation
Transport
Christchurch airport transfers
Small-group Christchurch to Aoraki/Mt Cook journey
Small-group Aoraki/Mt Cook to Queenstown journey
Queenstown to Fox Glacier scheduled transfer
Fox Glacier to Greymouth transfer
TranzAlpine scenic train
Christchurch station transfer
Experiences
Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mt Cook touring
Milford Sound coach and cruise
Lunch on selected touring days
Not Included
International flights, travel insurance, meals not specified, optional activities and personal expenses are not included unless stated otherwise.
Planning & Support
Coordinated travel itinerary
Confirmed travel documents
New Zealand-based support during your journey
Where You’ll Stay
Stay in comfortable 4-star accommodation selected for location, quality and how well it fits the journey.
Christchurch
Scenic Hotel Cotswold or similar
A convenient base close to Rotorua’s geothermal attractions and city centre.
Aoraki/Mt Cook
The Hermitage Hotel or similar
Stay in the heart of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park surrounded by alpine scenery.
Fox Glacier
Heartland Hotel Glacier or similar
A convenient base in the village for exploring the West Coast and glacier region.
Queenstown
Queenstown - centrally located hotel
Comfortable accommodation within easy reach of central Queenstown and local touring.
Accommodation may vary depending on availability. If a listed hotel is unavailable, we will use a similar standard and location.
Make This South Island Journey Your Own
Use this 8-day itinerary as your starting point, then we can adjust the route, accommodation and experiences to suit your travel dates, interests and budget.
We’ll bring the transport, accommodation and touring together into one carefully planned New Zealand holiday.