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Thrifty Tours

3 Day Christchurch loop including Milford Sound

To begin your journey, you depart Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island, and travel through the lush farm lands of the Canterbury Plains through to Mackenzie Country and the stunning blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Continuing on toward the Southern Alps toward Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, the home of the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Enjoy some free time to explore some of the dramatic alpine and glacier scenery before continuing on to the Adventure Capital of the World, Queenstown, via the Lindis Pass.
Day two brings some of the best the South Island has to offer, the Milford Sound. Enjoy the relaxing return luxury coach transport from Queenstown, along the shores of Lake Whakitipu and through the rolling countryside of Te Anau, eventually continuing onto the Milford Road to Milford Sound. Board your modern, spacious vessel to embark upon a 1 hour and 40 minute cruise along the fiord, soaking up the multitude of waterfalls, lush rainforest, staggering mountains, and, if you're lucky, playful wildlife. After the cruise, enjoy a relaxing ride back to Queenstown.
Day three sees you departing Queenstown, retracing your steps through the Lindis Pass, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park with free time to explore (or book a scenic flight!) before continuing on to the dazzling blue waters of Lake Tekapo, through the lush farmland of Canterbury Plains back to Christchurch.

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Quick Itinerary Details

Independent tour (bus & coach)

This suggested tour costs from NZD$1,530 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Christchurch, finishes in Christchurch

3 days/2 nights

Motels

 Customisable? YES

 Viewed 208 times in the last 7 days

price pp from
NZD$1,530
twin share/double
Tour at a glance

Day 1: Christchurch to Mt. Cook then to Queenstown
Accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge

Day 2: Queenstown to Milford Sound including a cruise
Accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge

Day 3: Queenstown to Christchurch

Tour full itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
3 Day Christchurch loop including Milford Sound - Day 1
Christchurch to Queenstown via Mt Cook Day Tour with Gray Line / GreatSights

Depart Christchurch in the morning and travel through the lush farmland of the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo, where you can see the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd as it stands in solitude next to the vibrant blue waters. Leaving Tekapo, continue into the Southern Alps towards Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's tallest mountain. You will have a free time and you can take a sightseeing flight (at your own expense) enabling you experience some of the most dramatic alpine and glacier scenery. After then you will continue to Queenstown via Lindis Pass and the fruit growing area of Cromwell.

Your accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge

Blue Peaks Lodge offers well equipped self contained rooms with a fantastic location overlooking Queenstown and is just an easy five minutes walk to the Queenstown lakefront.
3 Day Christchurch loop including Milford Sound - Day 2
Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Tour from Queenstown with RealNZ - Lunch Included

Departing from Queenstown sit back and relax aboard a luxury glass-roofed coach to enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary and plenty of photo opportunities. After a morning tea break in Te Anau, the coach continues along the spectacular Milford Road. On reaching Piopiotahi-Milford Sound, board your vessel for a leisurely cruise in the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforests, mountains and wildlife. Rain or shine, every day in Piopiotahi-Milford Sound will leave you in awe.

Your accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge

Blue Peaks Lodge offers well equipped self contained rooms with a fantastic location overlooking Queenstown and is just an easy five minutes walk to the Queenstown lakefront.
3 Day Christchurch loop including Milford Sound - Day 3
Queenstown to Christchurch via Mt Cook with Gray Line / GreatSights

Depart Queenstown in the morning passing the fruit growing area of Cromwell towards the dramatic Lindis Pass that links Mackenzie Basin with Central Otago. The pass crosses a saddle between the valleys of the Lindis and Ahuriri Rivers at an altitude of 971 metres above sea level. You will continue towards Omarama, which is a favorite place of glider pilots and sometimes known as 'place of light'. You will continue towards Aoraki/ Mount Cook National Park in the Southern Alps. Mt Cook is New Zealand's tallest mountain. You will have a free time to explore Mount Cook Village or you can take a sightseeing flight (at your own expense) enabling you experience some of the most dramatic alpine and glacier scenery. After then, you will continue towards beautiful Lake Tekapo, where you can see the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd as it stands in solitude next to the vibrant blue waters. After visiting Tekapo, you will travel through the lush farmland of the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

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Starts Status   Double (2 people sharing) Single occupancy You save  
Feb 13, 2025
(Thursday)
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Feb 14, 2025
(Friday)
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Feb 15, 2025
(Saturday)
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Feb 16, 2025
(Sunday)
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Feb 17, 2025
(Monday)
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Feb 18, 2025
(Tuesday)
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Feb 19, 2025
(Wednesday)
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Feb 20, 2025
(Thursday)
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Feb 21, 2025
(Friday)
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Feb 22, 2025
(Saturday)
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Feb 23, 2025
(Sunday)
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Feb 24, 2025
(Monday)
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Feb 25, 2025
(Tuesday)
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Feb 26, 2025
(Wednesday)
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Feb 27, 2025
(Thursday)
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Feb 28, 2025
(Friday)
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Mar 1, 2025
(Saturday)
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Mar 2, 2025
(Sunday)
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Mar 3, 2025
(Monday)
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Mar 4, 2025
(Tuesday)
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Mar 5, 2025
(Wednesday)
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Mar 6, 2025
(Thursday)
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Mar 7, 2025
(Friday)
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Mar 8, 2025
(Saturday)
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Mar 9, 2025
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Mar 10, 2025
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Mar 11, 2025
(Tuesday)
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Mar 12, 2025
(Wednesday)
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Mar 13, 2025
(Thursday)
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Mar 14, 2025
(Friday)
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Mar 15, 2025
(Saturday)
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3 Day Christchurch loop including Milford Sound
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