5 Day Franz Josef Adventure Escape

Included Experience – Christchurch City Accommodation to Train Station Private Transfer
Begin with a private morning transfer from your Christchurch city accommodation to Christchurch Railway Station. Travel directly to the station with sufficient time to check in and prepare for the TranzAlpine journey.

Included Experience – TranzAlpine Train from Christchurch to Greymouth (5 Hours)
Travel across the Canterbury Plains, through the Southern Alps and past the dramatic landscapes of Arthur’s Pass National Park. The journey concludes in Greymouth during the early afternoon, where you collect your rental vehicle.

Included Experience – Hybrid Intermediate AWD SUV Car Rental from Greymouth to Queenstown (5 Days)
Collect your hybrid intermediate AWD SUV in Greymouth and drive south through Hokitika and Ross to Franz Josef. The direct drive takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, although additional time should be allowed for sightseeing stops before checking into your Franz Josef accommodation for four nights.

Included Experience – Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike (4 Hours)
Take an exhilarating helicopter flight above Franz Josef Glacier before landing on the ice for a guided glacier hike. Explore frozen formations, narrow passages and changing ice features while equipped with specialist glacier clothing, boots and equipment. Minimum age: 10 years. 

Alternative Experience – Fox It Up Heli Ice Climbing (8 Hours)
Replace the heli hike with a full-day ice-climbing adventure on Fox Glacier. Helicopter flights take you to the upper glacier, where a professional guide introduces ice-climbing techniques and selects climbs suited to the group’s abilities. Minimum age: 13 years.

Alternative Experience – Pilot’s Choice Franz Josef Helicopter Flight (35 Minutes)
Choose a scenic helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier and either Fox or Tasman Glacier, depending on the day’s conditions. Fly into the Southern Alps for elevated views of the surrounding peaks and an included alpine snow landing, weather permitting.

Alternative Experience – Franz Josef Off-Road Quad Bike Adventure (2 Hours)
Ride through rainforest trails, glacier-fed riverbeds and rugged West Coast terrain on a guided quad-bike or buggy adventure. No previous off-road driving experience is required, with safety instructions and equipment provided before departure. Minimum age: 4 years for buggy passengers.

Included Experience – Lake Mapourika Kayak Classic Tour (3 Hours)
Paddle across the calm waters of Lake Mapourika, surrounded by ancient rainforest and views towards the Southern Alps. Your guide introduces the lake’s natural history and native wildlife while leading the group into sheltered rainforest-lined waterways. Minimum age: 4 years

Alternative Experience – Lake Mapourika Kayak & Walk Tour (4 Hours)
Combine a guided paddle across Lake Mapourika with a nature walk through the rainforest of the Ōkārito Kiwi Sanctuary. This extended experience provides additional time to discover native plants, birdlife and the landscapes surrounding the lake. Minimum age: 4 years

Alternative Experience – Private Lake Mapourika Kayak Tour (4 Hours)
Enjoy a private kayaking experience with a guide dedicated exclusively to your travelling party. The private format provides a flexible pace, personalised commentary and the opportunity to explore quiet waterways away from larger groups.

Alternative Experience – Ōkārito Lagoon Guided Kayak Experience (3 Hours)
Travel to Ōkārito for a guided paddle through New Zealand’s largest unmodified coastal wetland. Explore calm waterways and rainforest creeks while looking for native birds and enjoying Southern Alps views when conditions are clear.

Included Experience – Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers plus Lake Matheson Nature Tour (11–12 Hours)
Spend a full day exploring the natural highlights surrounding Franz Josef and Fox Glacier with a knowledgeable local guide. The tour combines glacier viewpoints, temperate rainforest, scenic walking trails and Lake Matheson, where calm conditions can create reflections of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman.

Walking routes and viewpoints may be adjusted according to weather, track conditions and the group’s abilities. Guided commentary covers the glaciers’ retreat, regional geology, native plants and the natural forces shaping the West Coast landscape. Minimum age: 12 years.

Alternative Experience – Ōkārito Nature Tour (3 Hours)
Explore the rainforest, wetlands and historic coastal settlement of Ōkārito with a knowledgeable nature guide. Look for native birdlife, learn about local conservation and discover the area’s gold-mining history while following gentle walking tracks.

Alternative Experience – Fox Glacier Valley E-Bike & Hike (4 Hours)
Ride an electric bike through ancient podocarp rainforest before continuing on foot into the Fox Glacier Valley. The route provides changing views of the glacier-carved landscape, with commentary about early explorers, natural history and the glacier’s continuing retreat. Minimum age: 13 years

Alternative Experience – Franz Josef Tandem Skydiving (3 Hours)
Experience a tandem skydive above Franz Josef, with views of the Southern Alps, glaciers, rainforest, braided rivers and the Tasman Sea. Harnessed to an experienced instructor, enjoy freefall at around 200 km/h before descending beneath a parachute. Choose a jump from 10,000 ft, 13,000 ft, 16,500 ft or 18,000 ft, subject to weather and availability. Weight: Minimum 35kg, Maximum 100kg

Included Experience – Franz Josef to Queenstown Self-Drive Journey (About 5 Hours Driving)
Leave Franz Josef after breakfast and travel south through Fox Glacier, Haast Pass, Makarora and Wānaka. Recommended stops include Knights Point, Thunder Creek Falls, Lake Hāwea and the Wānaka waterfront.

Continue to Queenstown through the Crown Range or Kawarau Gorge before returning your hybrid intermediate AWD SUV. Allow six to seven hours when including sightseeing, refreshments and rest stops.