Highlights include: The world famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train • The wild West Coast • Visit Franz Josef Glacier • Lakes Wanaka and Hawea • the Gibbston Valley • Queenstown
**Please be advised that certain aspects of this tour may operate on specific days of the week during the winter months. We recommend contacting one of our travel specialists to identify a departure date that suits your schedule.
Independent tour (bus & coach)
This suggested tour costs from NZD$2,130 per person (twin share, low season)
Starts in Christchurch, finishes in Queenstown
2 days/1 nights
Hotel 4 star
Customisable? YES
Viewed 489 times in the last 7 days
Day 1: Christchurch to Greymouth Tranz Alpine Scenic Train then to Franz Josef Glacier
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Day 2: Franz Josef Glacier to Queenstown
The early morning departure is rewarded with incredible scenery today onboard the TranzAlpine Scenic Train. Considered one of the world's great train journeys, it travels between the East Coast, Christchurch and the West Coast, Greymouth. From your carriage, you'll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. The train then climbs into the Southern Alps passing through small settlements and Arthur's Pass National Park before descending through the lush beech rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth, a great base for visits to Punakaiki and the West Coast glaciers.
Depart Greymouth, and head south through Hokitika and towards Glacier Country. Pass through Ross, a historic gold mining town where several old buildings remain intact. Travelling further down the coast drive through Hari Hari, the town where Guy Menzies, the first person to fly solo over the Tasman crash-landed. Follow the coast through several small towns including Whataroa, the only home to the Kōtuku-White Heron which is showcased on the New Zealand $2 coin. From there it is a short drive and on a clear day you may even catch a glimpse of the Franz Josef glacier as you arrive in the town centre.
You’ll be transferred up the Franz Josef Valley to the road end, where you’ll have the opportunity to walk to a viewing platform with views of the glacier. Alternatively, you can enjoy one of the other scenic short walks in the area.
Your accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Only a breath away from the Franz Josef Glacier, Scenic Hotel is located in the heart of Franz Josef Village. Here you will find all of the amenities you would expect, as well as being close to the shops, restaurants and activities on offer in the beautiful Westland region.Set off from the small village of Franz Josef, set at the edge of Franz Josef Glacier (one of the world's most accessible glaciers), and travel through the remote and unspoiled scenery of the West Coast. Take the scenic Haast Pass through the Southern Alps, the southernmost pass between the East and West coasts of the South Island. See the clear and pristine waters of Lake Hawea as you travel east, passing Lake Hawea and Lake Wānaka as you continue through to New Zealand's 'Adventure Capital', Queenstown.
Starts | Status | Double (2 people sharing) | Single occupancy | You save | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 27, 2025
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
May 28, 2025
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
May 29, 2025
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
May 30, 2025
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
May 31, 2025
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 1, 2025
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 2, 2025
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 3, 2025
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 4, 2025
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 5, 2025
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 6, 2025
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 7, 2025
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 8, 2025
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 9, 2025
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 10, 2025
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 11, 2025
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 12, 2025
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 13, 2025
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 14, 2025
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 15, 2025
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 16, 2025
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 17, 2025
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 18, 2025
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 19, 2025
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 20, 2025
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 21, 2025
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 22, 2025
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 23, 2025
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 24, 2025
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 25, 2025
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 | |||
Jun 26, 2025
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,130 | NZD$3,850 |