10 Day Southern Icons Adventure Independent Coach Tour

Arrive in Christchurch, a city known for its leafy parks, heritage charm, and modern revival. Spend the rest of the day settling in or exploring the vibrant streets, riverside precincts, and local cafés.

Included: Private transfer from Christchurch Airport to accommodation
Enjoy a seamless arrival with a private transfer taking you directly to your hotel. This personalised service ensures a relaxed and comfortable start to your South Island journey.

Suggested Activity: Discover Christchurch Afternoon Tour
Explore Christchurch on a guided afternoon tour that showcases both its historic charm and inspiring rebuild following the earthquakes. Discover elegant architecture, tranquil gardens and key landmarks while gaining insight into the city’s resilience and transformation.

Travel across the Canterbury Plains towards the Southern Alps, where dramatic scenery unfolds. Today introduces you to alpine lakes, vast landscapes, and New Zealand’s highest peak.

Included: Small group tour from Christchurch to Aoraki/Mount Cook via Lake Tekapo
Journey through iconic South Island landscapes, including the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo. Expert guides bring the region to life with stories and insights along the way.

Included: Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre Museum and Theatre Explorer Pass
Discover the legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary through engaging exhibits that showcase his life, achievements and connection to the Aoraki Mount Cook region. Enjoy access to interactive displays and a state-of-the-art theatre featuring documentaries, 3D films and immersive digital presentations.

Wake up surrounded by alpine beauty before continuing south towards Dunedin. The journey showcases diverse landscapes, from high country to coastal heritage towns.

Suggested Activity: Glacier Explorers
Get up close to ancient icebergs as you cruise across the Tasman Glacier terminal lake, surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery. This unique experience offers rare access to New Zealand’s largest glacier, where you can safely view towering ice cliffs and floating formations.

Included: Mt Cook to Dunedin with Iconic
In the afternoon you will be picked up from your accommodation in Mt Cook Village for the journey through to Dunedin. Along the way you stop for a short break in Omarama, then onto Oamaru for a scenic tour of the historic Whitestone Precinct. You will then enjoy a guided walk along Koekohe Beach at Moeraki Boulders before reaching Dunedin, where you will be dropped off at your accommodation.

Discover Dunedin’s unique blend of wildlife and heritage on the Otago Peninsula. This region is known for its rare species and fascinating history.

Included: Castle to Cruise Tour and Penguin Experience
Explore the Otago Peninsula with a wildlife cruise around Taiaroa Head, where you may spot royal albatross, seals, dolphins and penguins in their natural habitat. Continue with a visit to historic Larnach Castle and a guided experience at a protected reserve to observe the rare yellow-eyed penguin up close.

Travel through the remote and rugged Catlins region, known for its untouched beauty. Today’s journey highlights waterfalls, coastal cliffs, and native wildlife.

Included: Dunedin to Te Anau via Invercargill and The Catlins tour
Travel along the rugged southern coastline, exploring the remote and untouched beauty of The Catlins region. Discover dramatic cliffs, native forests and hidden waterfalls while your expert guide shares stories and insights into this wild and fascinating part of New Zealand.

Included: Ata Whenua – Shadowland Film
Experience Fiordland’s remote wilderness from a unique perspective through this stunning cinematic journey across the region. With breathtaking aerial footage and immersive sound, it offers an inspiring glimpse into one of New Zealand’s most untouched and dramatic landscapes.

Journey through Fiordland National Park to experience the breathtaking Milford Sound. Towering peaks, waterfalls, and rainforest create one of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes.

Included: Milford Sound coach and cruise tour from Queenstown with lunch
Travel through the spectacular landscapes of Fiordland National Park aboard a comfortable coach, with scenic stops and expert commentary along the way. Once in Milford Sound, enjoy a relaxing cruise surrounded by towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls and native wildlife in one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking natural settings.

Spend the day exploring Queenstown, known for its stunning alpine scenery and diverse activities. Whether relaxing or seeking adventure, there is something for everyone.

Suggested Activity: Wilderness Jet Experience with Dart River Safaris
Speed through the breathtaking landscapes of Mt Aspiring National Park on an exhilarating jet boat adventure surrounded by towering peaks and pristine wilderness. This thrilling experience combines dramatic scenery with expert commentary, bringing the region’s history and cinematic beauty to life.

Suggested Activity: Best of Queenstown Scenic Tour with Altitude Tours
Discover Queenstown’s highlights on a premium guided tour, visiting scenic viewpoints, historic Arrowtown and the renowned Gibbston wine region. Complete the experience with wine tasting, local produce and a relaxing cruise on Lake Wakatipu, offering a well-rounded taste of the region.

Suggested Activity: Gondola and Buffet Dinner with Skyline Queenstown
Ride the Skyline Gondola to the summit for panoramic views over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. At the top, enjoy a delicious gourmet buffet dinner while taking in one of the most spectacular dining backdrops in New Zealand.

Travel through alpine landscapes and along the West Coast to Franz Josef. This scenic journey highlights lakes, mountain passes, and coastal rainforest.

Included: Queenstown to Franz Josef via Wānaka Small Group Tour with lunch
Travel from Queenstown to Franz Josef on a scenic journey featuring iconic South Island highlights, including the historic Cardrona Hotel and the famous Wānaka Tree. Along the way, enjoy stunning stops at Lake Hāwea, Thunder Creek Falls and Ship Creek, where rainforest meets the rugged West Coast shoreline.

Travel north along the rugged West Coast before crossing the Southern Alps. This day combines coastal scenery with one of the world’s great train journeys.

Included: Franz Josef to Greymouth transfer via Hokitika
Travel north along the rugged West Coast, passing through Hokitika, a historic town renowned for its pounamu and gold mining heritage. This scenic journey showcases coastal landscapes and rich history before arriving in Greymouth.

Included: TranzAlpine Scenic Train from Greymouth to Christchurch
Experience one of the world’s great rail journeys as you travel through Arthur’s Pass National Park and across the Southern Alps. Enjoy ever-changing scenery from rainforest and river valleys to wide open plains as you make your way to Christchurch.

Your South Island adventure comes to an end in Christchurch. Take time to reflect on the incredible landscapes and experiences before your departure.

Included: Private transfer from accommodation to Christchurch Airport
Enjoy a stress-free transfer to the airport for your onward journey. This final service ensures a smooth and comfortable departure.