Holiday Overview
Mountains, mountains and more mountains, New Zealand’s South Island is not in short supply of these amazing natural beauties filling the skyline at every turn. You will be able to explore the South Island by rail and car so you can take in the highlights of this great part of the world. Franz Josef has it’s on resident glacier wedged within a vast valley, Mount Cook’s National Park has some of the highest mountains & longest glaciers, while Lake Tekapo has the Southern Alps. You will be continually looking up in awe throughout this dramatic itinerary.
Start Christchurch - End Christchurch
9 night / 10 days
Islands visited: South Island
Highlights;
Spectacular rail journey through the Southern Alps
Crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park with its glaciers and snow fields
South Island’s Mountain Explorer includes:
- 2 nights accommodation Christchurch
- 2 nights accommodation Franz Josef
- 2 nights accommodation Queenstown
- 2 nights accommodation Mount Cook
- 1 night accommodation Lake Tekapo
- Compact Car Hire
Day 1 - Christchurch
Arrive Christchurch, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
BreakFree on Cashel
Day 2 - Christchurch – Franz Josef via the TranzAlpine train
Take the spectacular rail journey through the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Greymouth, the train departs at 08:15 and arrives in Greymouth at 13:05, continue down the coast to Franz Josef.
Featured accommodation
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Day 3 - Franz Josef
A full day of leisure to explore Franz Josef and its neighbouring glacier. Ask your consultant regarding options for a once in a lifetime helicopter trip to the glacier.
Featured accommodation
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Day 4 - Franz Josef to Queenstown
Queenstown sits on the shore of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu among dramatic alpine ranges and is a wonderful hub for this beautiful region. After checking into your hotel spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Heritage Queenstown
Day 5 - Queenstown
Enjoy a full day of leisure in Queenstown, ask you consultant regarding the many tours and excursions available.
Featured accommodation
Heritage Queenstown
Day 6 - Queenstown – Mount Cook
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is home of the highest mountains and the longest glaciers. It is alpine in the purest sense, with skyscraping peaks, glaciers and permanent snow fields, all set under a star-studded sky.
Featured accommodation
Hermitage Hotel
Day 7 - Mount Cook
Enjoy a full day of leisure to explore Mount Cook, ask you consultant regarding the many tours and excursions available.
Featured accommodation
Hermitage Hotel
Day 8 - Mount Cook – Tekapo
Depart Mount Cook for Tekapo, the township faces north across the remarkable turquoise coloured lake to the mountainous drama of the Southern Alps. Tekapo is also home to the much-photographed Church of the Good Shepherd
Featured accommodation
Peppers Bluewater Resort
Day 9 - Tekapo – Christchurch
Return to Christchurch and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps take the Gondola to take in the magnificent view across the city, over the Canterbury Plains and on to the Southern Alps.
Featured accommodation
BreakFree on Cashel
Day 10 - Christchurch
Today your journey concludes in Christchurch
Featured accommodation
BreakFree on Cashel
BreakFree on Cashel
Christchurch has evolved as a true cultural hub, embracing its chance to become a city re-imagined. This Christchurch accommodation is located in the heart of the CBD near Manchester and Hereford Streets, from BreakFree on Cashel, you’re in the perfect location to stroll to trendy cafes, restaurants or bars on offer.
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
The Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier is close to the edge of one of New Zealand's most spectacular natural attractions, welcoming you to this enticing and dramatic region.
Heritage Queenstown
Queenstown, New Zealand’s mountain playground, is one of the great alpine regions of the world and the charming Heritage Queenstown Hotel calls this place home - the resort offers a hotel experience certain to leave you breathless.
Hermitage Hotel, Mount Cook
Nestled in the beautiful Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, The Hermitage Hotel is the perfect base for your next adventure. Recognised as part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area, the National Park is a breath-taking environment of glaciers, terminal lakes, turbulent rivers and Australasia's tallest peak, the mighty Aoraki Mt Cook soaring above at 3,724 metres.
Image Gallery
Road to Mt Cook
Lake Tekapo
View over Queenstown
Tranzalpine Rail
Franz Josef
Lake Wakatipu
Slopes of Mt Cook
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2024, 2025 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0009 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
New Zealand Self Drive 2024, 2025
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New Zealand Fly Drive Holidays
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- Dunedin
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New Zealand Fly Drive Holidays
New Zealand Self Drive Lodge Holiday
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New Zealand Fly Drive Holidays
Complete New Zealand Self Drive
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Multi-Country Holidays
Shiraz to Sauvignon
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