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Home > Christchurch > 5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch
5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch
USD $1,210.00

5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch

Christchurch, New Zealand

See all the highlights of New Zealand's scenic South Island on this five-day guided sightseeing tour. Travel by coach from Christchurch to Queenstown, experience the majesty of Milford Sound, view the glacier at Franz Josef and travel aboard the famous TranzAlpine Express train.

Your five-day exploration of New Zealand's spectacular South Island begins with the stunning scenery of the foothills of the Southern Alps and a lunchtime visit to Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. After spending the night in Queenstown, you'll take an unforgettable cruise on majestic Milford Sound, surrounded by rock walls scarred by glaciers rising vertically from the sea.

You'll have a day free to explore Queenstown on your own, then travel along New Zealand's most stunning highway to the World Heritage Westland National Park. The route up the West Coast takes you past soaring mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. A "living river of ice", the Franz Josef Glacier is more than 7,000 years old and a must-see for any visitor to New Zealand.

On the final day of your South Island tour you'll travel along the rugged West Coast to Shantytown, a faithful reconstruction of a Westland gold-rush town. You'll also stop at Greymouth, the center for thousands of diggers during the historic gold strikes of the 1860s. Your five-day tour concludes with a trip to Christchurch aboard the famous TranzAlpine Express, one of the top 10 train journeys in the world.

USD $1,210.00
Traveler Reviews
Review by:   JANIE M,    November 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
We loved our 5 day south Island Tour! It was perfect for the amount of time we had there! We enjoyed each stop along the way and Milford Sound boat ride was totally awesome!!!
 

Review by:   Jessica C,    November 2017 Review: 1 star rating: I do not recommend this
We are very disappointed at the trip. We stayed in Amity lodge where has a hilly distance to the town and the room is very standard and looks old. The last 2 days were poorly organised. Gave us 10mintues at the scenic spot and 2 unnecessary lunch break. Not recommended.
 

Review by:   Vanessa D,    October 2017 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
We absolutely loved our 5 day trip despite a very rough start after the bus driver left without picking us up. He parked a half block away from the hotel and told me he called our name in lobby without answer, he drove away 11 minutes before our scheduled pickup. Returning to tell me, we were "lucky
 

Review by:   ruthorders,    August 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
This tour was the ideal way to see all the highlights on the South Island. Everything went perfectly--every pickup, every coach ride, every hotel. Even the booking was easy. I highly recommend this tour!
 

Review by:   Trinidad L,    June 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Amazing experience, the sites were spectacular. My favorite part was Milford Sound. _br/_ The hotel in Queenstown was very nice and close to the park and gondola. The staff was very nice and helped make last minute arrangements to use the gondola facilities. The views at top are extraordinary
 

Review by:   chang,    May 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
A well-planned trip covering major sights of South Island. It is a 'customised' tour for every one, and you will be with different groups of people each day. Details of your full itinerary is provided to you before the start of the trip. Mine was sent to my hotel at Christchurch the day I arrived. You will need to be mindful of the pick-up time it's a different timing each day and is all stated in the itinerary. Pick-ups arrived on time every single day of my trip! Amazing!
 

Review by:   sckyutgirl,    March 2017 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
5 day tour was great. Christchurch, Queenstown, all the lakes to the 4th day was great. All the tour buses have a little humor so that makes the tour more interesting. They are very knowledgeable about the sites. The only thing I did not like is that I was expecting a 'glacier' on the 5th day but that didn't happen since the glacier was at the very top. You cannot touch it. If you expect to be actually on the glacier, touch it, be cold and play around it is if you do the helicopter ride which is about 250-350 depending on season / company and is separate. I wish that was clear on the detail information guide / summary.
 

Review by:   Patricia A,    January 2017 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
The sights were great to see. Organized logistics - everything on schedule. Long distance from Christchurch to Queenstown but necessary just be prepared for it. Bus drivers talked way too much. Nice to learn things but passengers need a break at times.
 

Review by:   Catherine L,    January 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Viator set up a five day tour of the South Island of New Zealand for us with less than 24 hour notice! Had a wonderful time . Itinerary was planned for us including transportation , hotels, tickets to sights, and meals. We were given a daily schedule of various activities . Easy to follow and all events went off without problem s. Viator makes traveling hassle free! Would definitely use this service again.
 

Review by:   Preeti,    December 2016 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Amazing experience while covering major spots on the South Island of New Zealand. The natural beauty in the country is breath taking. Great experience. Everything was well planned and went as planned.
 

Review by:   Lori S,    June 2016 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
I was in NZ on business and wanted to get a feel for the South Island in as little time as possible. This was the perfect tour! I hate to call it a tour because it is not your typical bus tour where you are with the same people the entire 5 days. You will be on 4 different buses. Don't let that throw you off! The tour company is well organised and provides all the details you need to get where you are going. I even had pre-booked taxis, all of which arrived on time, to take me to two of the bus pick-ups. On the final leg, the tour operator met me at the rail station and took me to my hotel. I felt like I had personalised treatment and enjoyed that I wasn't with the same people all 5 days. Make sure you call to confirm in advance. When I arrived at my Christchurch hotel, a packet was waiting for me at the desk with the detailed itinerary with times, hotels, etc.
 

Review by:   Sharmila P,    June 2016 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Overall it was great, itinerary could not be beat to cover in 5 days. Canterbury travels was very organized and responsive. There were few hiccups. The taxi ride to the bus on the last day in Queenstown did not show up, we had to call. We were last in the bus and seating was scattered. Hotel in Queenstown could have been better. We were not near the water or the City Center. Rooms were ok. Queenstown, Mt. Cook, Franz Josef Glacier, Tranzalpine rail trip were amazing, spectacular. The tour was a very good price and covered a lot in 5 days. Would do it again.
 

Review by:   Ann H,    February 2016 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Excellent driver/guides with interesting and informative commentaries. Always on time and to schedule. Well organised and supported by the Tours staff. Lots of time on coach but worth it for incredible scenery. Lovely hotels with helpful staff.
 

Review by:   Heejae L,    February 2016 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
This Tour was awesome! Except last 2 days!
 

Review by:   ellentoday,    February 2016 Review: 2 star rating: It was OK, but could have been better
It has been too much road trip and some overlapping routes. The cleanliness level of the hotel chosen for Queenstown stay is not satisfactory.
 

Review by:   RICHARD S,    February 2016 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
absolutely fabulous
 

Review by:   Gail O,    February 2016 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Enjoyed the 5 day south island tour. The schedule was adhered to and timing was good. The commentaries were pretty good by the bus drivers. However the last 1 1/2 day to and from Franz Josef Glacier the commentary was weak. The bus on day 4/5 was less comfortable and airy than the previous days.
 

Review by:   Raymond D,    January 2016 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Everything went off without a hitch. Accommodation was very good.
 

Review by:   Jay B,    June 2015 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Well organized tour provided through several local providers. Good inclusion of highlights of South Island. First hotel below expectations, second hotel above expectations. Timing for Glacier visit too tight.
 

Review by:   Heather S,    June 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
This is an excellent way to see a good deal of sights in a short time. It fairly packs them in too! The timetabling works out well and all of the bus journeys are enjoyable and include commentary and photo stops when time allows too. The train journey was a highlight for me as were the Mount Cook / Lake Tekapo views. Hotel meals aren't included so be aware of that one.
 

Review by:   Olivia W,    April 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Excellent trip, all pick-ups on time. Excellent hotels. A lot of hours on the bus - 8 hours there and back for a two-hour boat ride. Scenery and stops for lunch and tea made bus travel good. Sometimes drivers a little cranky, but usually because people late returning from stops. Overall trip went very smoothly, and scenery was truly amazing.
 

Review by:   David H,    March 2015 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Most of it was very good/excellent. I do prefer smaller group tours, and the scenic train ride wasn't very scenic.
 

Review by:   Daniel C,    March 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
The trip was everything we hoped it would be. However, it was different from what we expected. It was not a set tour with a constant group of people. Rather, it was a series of 4 1-day tours with different people joining and exiting. In addition, it was really a 4 days of touring with a day off in the middle. That's OK because we were exhausted after the second day. The tour guide from "Great Sights" was fantastic. The others were good, but not as good as he was. We especially appreciated the attention to details - that we were picked up and taken from location to location (drivers were waiting for us with our names on a sign.) The hotels were fine. In general, our expectations/hopes were met. This was an excellent introduction to the South Island of New Zealand. I feel comfortable considering Viator for our next adventure. THANKS!!!
 

Review by:   John R,    March 2015 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Everything went to plan as whole event well organised from the start
 

Review by:   John B,    August 2014 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
We can't imagine a more efficient way to see major South Island sites. The tour was unbelievably well organized and ran exceedingly close to schedule. Accommodations, comfort and location were very good. Tour staff, drivers and guides were a real pleasure. That said, it was a whirl wind tour designed to give you the highlights... perhaps encouraging you to come back and spend more time. If that's what you want, this is an excellent choice. If you want a less hurried pace, then maybe look for something else. This options clearly suited our needs and time constraints. But boy we wish we had had a bit more time at some of the beautiful sites that we visited.
 

Review by:   Hui Min C,    June 2014 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Everything was great except we only had about half hour to see Franz Josef Glacier before it got dark (end of June), so we had to walk briskly from the parking lot through the hiking trail to catch a glimpse of the glacier, and then walk back in semi-darkness. Also note that this is actually an "independent coach tour", which means they book you on the various day tours and intercity buses and you need to be able to follow an itinerary sheet yourself; might be obvious for Europeans and Aussies/Kiwis who have a strong backpacking culture, but it would not be clear from the tour descriptions to Americans and Asians.
 

Review by:   William W,    May 2014 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Was top notch. All the pickups were right on schedule and the hotels fine. Great scenery.
 

Review by:   Uolevi K,    January 2014 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
The tour was OK, but why 5 days' tour is only 4 days with one free day? Heidi and Uolevi
 

Review by:   Charles H,    August 2011 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
Main features of tour (Milford Sound Cruise, TransAlpine train ride,etc) were very enjoyable and impressive. Guides were mostly very informative and sometimes funny. Free day in Queenstown was great. But...I guess we are not really guided tour people. We enjoyed not having to drive ourselves but we would have liked the flexibility of doing our own thing.. I guess we should have kept the rental car after all. For example it was pouring as we headed for Mt. Cook.. Could not see mountain at all and could not go walking as we had planned. If we were on our own we would have skipped Mt. Cook and just headed for Queenstown. That would have gotten us in much earlier. _br/_ That reminds me: One of my biggest complaints was that the first 2 days were really long driving days - about 12 hours on the road. Maybe you should consider having people stay in Te Anu as a starting point for Milford Sound. It is lots closer,
 

Review by:   Radhecka R,    July 2011 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Everything was great and perfectly arranged. Prior info and opt ins for additional components (e.g. The helicopter rides) would have made it better.
 

Review by:   Sophie S,    June 2011 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Really great way of seeing the S Island with so much beautiful scenery. I just wish it had been longer, or there was an easy way of making it longer. For an adrenaline junkie like me, one free day in Queenstown wasn't enough. Also, the drive to the Franz Josef glacier is a long one, so if you go in winter, you don't end up with much time there, which was a shame.
 

Review by:   Radhecka R,    May 2011 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Everything was great and perfectly arranged. Prior info and opt ins for additional components (e.g. The helicopter rides) would have made it better.
 

Review by:   Clare F,    March 2011 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
This was a great way to see the highlights of the South Island and the free day in Queenstown was perfect for people wanting to try the various adventure sports The trip was very well organised and would be suitable for all types of traveller.
 

Review by:   John S,    March 2011 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Overall a fantastic trip which is worth the considerable time spent travelling by coach. Amazing scenery and great hotels. Would have liked a little more time at Fran Josef .Thanks for a great holiday.
 

Review by:   Nora S,    February 2011 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
It was very well organized and we loved it
 

Review by:   Judy M,    January 2011 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
I did your 5 day tour with my grand daughter recently, and enjoyed it all thoroughly. The weather was a bit wet, so we missed seeing Mitre Peak and Mt Cook. However, mircaculously it was fine at Franz Josef, and that was great. Having the extra free day at Queenstown was great. We really used that! The coaches were comfortable, and all the drivers friendly. The motels were fine too. having meals not included was a bit of a shame, but I guess that is the nature of the trip Regards Loved NZ Judy
 

Review by:   L R M,    January 2011 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Because our original flight from Sydney was cancelled we had to ask that our travel arrangements be modified by 24 hours .and this was done swiftly and efficiently . Well done !.On each leg of our trip we found the Driver/couriers to be courteous and knowledgable .We particularly enjoyed our free day in Queenstown....a shangri la hidden in the mountains.Atruly memorable trip..
 

Review by:   L R M,    January 2011 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Because our original flight from Sydney was cancelled we had to ask that our travel arrangements be modified by 24 hours .and this was done swiftly and efficiently . Well done !.On each leg of our trip we found the Driver/couriers to be courteous and knowledgable .We particularly enjoyed our free day in Queenstown....shangri la hidden in the mountains.Atruly memorable trip..
 

Review by:   David R,    January 2011 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Had a wonderful time. Buses were very comfortable. drivers were friendly and informative. We learned a lot about New Zealand and were very well looked after.All the hotels we stayed at were well maintained and in central locations. People's needs were well looked after. Once again thank you for a great trip.
 

Review by:   Charles H,    December 2010 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
Main features of tour (Milford Sound Cruise, TransAlpine train ride,etc) were very enjoyable and impressive. Guides were mostly very informative and sometimes funny. Free day in Queenstown was great. But...I guess we are not really guided tour people. We enjoyed not having to drive ourselves but we would have liked the flexibility of doing our own thing.. I guess we should have kept the rental car after all. For example it was pouring as we headed for Mt. Cook.. Could not see mountain at all and could not go walking as we had planned. If we were on our own we would have skipped Mt. Cook and just headed for Queenstown. That would have gotten us in much earlier. _br/_ That reminds me: One of my biggest complaints was that the first 2 days were really long driving days - about 12 hours on the road. Maybe you should consider having people stay in Te Anu as a starting point for Milford Sound. It is lots closer,
 

Review by:   L R M,    November 2010 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Because our original flight from Sydney was cancelled we had to ask that our travel arrangements be modified by 24 hours .and this was done swiftly and efficiently . Well done !.On each leg of our trip we found the Driver/couriers to be courteous and knowledgable .We particularly enjoyed our free day in Queenstown....shangri la hidden in the mountains.Atruly memorable trip..
 

Review by:   L R M,    November 2010 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Because our original flight from Sydney was cancelled we had to ask that our travel arrangements be modified by 24 hours .and this was done swiftly and efficiently . Well done !.On each leg of our trip we found the Driver/couriers to be courteous and knowledgable .We particularly enjoyed our free day in Queenstown....a shangri la hidden in the mountains.Atruly memorable trip..
 

Review by:   David R,    October 2010 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Had a wonderful time. Buses were very comfortable. drivers were friendly and informative. We learned a lot about New Zealand and were very well looked after.All the hotels we stayed at were well maintained and in central locations. People's needs were well looked after. Once again thank you for a great trip.
 

Review by:   Jeff B,   Canada, March 2010 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Queenstown hotel could have been a little nicer, but it was close walking to anything in town. The driver fron Christchurch to Queenstown was great...he had great knowledge and was fun and nice to everyone.
 

Review by:   Jyothirmayi ... ,    March 2010 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Everything was so well organized by Viator. Overall the trip was fantastic. We had a great time in NZ.
 

Review by:   Jyothi D,   Australia, November 2009 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Everything was so well organized by Viator. Overall the trip was fantastic. We had a great time in NZ.
 

Review by:   Jyothirmayi Subhadra D,    November 2009 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Everything was so well organized by Viator. Overall the trip was fantastic. We had a great time in NZ.
 

All Traveler Reviews...

USD $1,210.00
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