Holiday Overview
New Zealand’s South Island is packed full of natural wonders that won’t fail to disappoint. You kick off this trip with the Tranzalpine train through the soaring Southern Alps - what a way to start! Franz Josef is next of your travels and this can easily be explored by foot as you climb through its ice holes or by landing on it by helicopter. Sit upon the lakeshore of Lake Wanaka, Lake Wakatipu, Lake Tekapo looking at its crystal waters and finish with a tour of Milford Sound at the very south of this epic island.
Start Christchurch End Christchurch
9 nights / 10 days
Islands visited: South Island
Highlights;
Tranzalpine train through the Southern Alps
Experience Franz Josef Glacier - climbing or helicopter
Walk the shores of Lake Wanaka
Tour on the Milford Sound, south of Queenstown
Visit the turquoise coloured Lake Tekapo
South Island’s Natural Wonders includes:
- 2 Nights Accommodation Christchurch
- Tranzalpine Train
- 2 Nights AccommodationFranz Josef
- 1 Night Accommodation Wanaka
- 3 Nights Accommodation Queenstown
- Milford Sound Tour
- 1 Night Accommodation Tekapo
- Car Hire
- Transfer - Christchurch hotel to train station
Day 1 - Christchurch
Arrive in Christchurch, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
BreakFree on Cashel
Day 2 - Christchurch – Tranzapline – Franz Josef
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. Pick up your car hire and continue your journey to Franz Josef.
Featured accommodation
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Day 3 - Franz Josef
Enjoy a full day to explore the glacier at your own pace. Ask your consultant for details regarding a once in a lifetime helicopter experience.
Featured accommodation
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Day 4 - Franz Josef – Wanaka
Today begin the journey to Wanaka, on the edge of the lake, Wanaka affords stunning lake and mountain views. Enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Tin Tub Resort
Day 5 - Wanaka – 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 6 - Queenstown & Milford Sound
Take a full day tour to Milford Sound. Described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world', Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. Breath-taking in any weather, the fiord's cliffs rise vertically from the dark waters, mountain peaks scrape the sky and waterfalls cascade downwards from as high as 1000 metres.
Featured accommodation
Heritage Queenstown
Day 7 - Queenstown
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Queenstown.
Featured accommodation
Heritage Queenstown
Day 8 - Queenstown – Tekapo
Today drive along to 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, dropping off your car hire and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
BreakFree on Cashel
Day 10 - Christchurch
Your itinerary concludes today in Christchurch.
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.
Tin Tub Resort
Wanaka Luxury Lodge Tin Tub Wanaka is the perfect place if you want the very best in accommodation.
Image Gallery
Wanaka
Tranz Apline
Tekapo
Franz Josef
Milford Sound
Tranz Alpine
Tekapo
Christchurch
Glacier
Queenstown
Chistchurch
Wanaka
Queenstown
Tranz Alpine
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
Wilderness, Wine & Whales
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Blenheim
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins
- Giant Sperm Whales of Kaikoura
- Blenheim wine tour
- Wellington Botanic Gardens
11 Nights from £3450pp
New Zealand’s Best of Both Islands
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Abel Tasman
- Punakaiki
- Christchurch
- Geo Thermal Activity in Rotorua
- Tranzalpine Train
- Abel Tasman National Park
- Hawkes Bay Winelands
13 Nights from £3525pp
Natural Wonders of Australia & New Zealand
- Christchurch
- Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
- Sydney
- Cairns
- Melbourne
- Stunning Mountain Scenery in New Zealand
- See Sydney and the Blue Mountains
- Visit the Great Barrier Reef and Tropical Rainforest
- Get up close to Koala's and Penguins on Phillip Island
14 Nights from £4430pp
Ultimate Australia & New Zealand
- Melbourne
- Uluru (Ayers Rock)
- Alice Springs
- Cairns
- Sydney
- Queenstown
- Franz Josef
- Christchurch
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Experience the dusty Outback
- Explore the Great Barrier Reef
- Enjoy beautiful Sydney & The Blue Mountains
- Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery of New Zealand
21 Nights from £6829pp
New Zealand By Train
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Blenheim
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- Scenic Rail Journeys
- North and South Islands
- See Mount Ruapehu
- Unwind in The Marlborough Sounds
13 Nights from £3670pp
North Island’s Hot Spots
- Wellington
- Taupo
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Visit Geo Thermal Rotorua
- See the impressive Huka Falls
- Experience Maori Culture
- Spend time in Auckland and Wellington
8 Nights from £1055pp
New Zealand Highlights
- Queenstown
- Christchurch
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Visit Stunning Milford Sound
- See the Hobbiton Movie Set
- Experience Geo Thermal Rotorua
- Enjoy free time in Queenstown
7 Nights from £1320pp
South Island’s Natural Wonders
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
- Lake Tekapo
- Travel on the Tranzalpine Train
- See beautiful Milford Sound
- See the impressive Franz Josef Glacier
- Enjoy free time in Queenstown
9 Nights from £3375pp
Australia and New Zealand Combined
- Melbourne
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Queenstown
- Sydney
- Magnificent Melbourne
- Cruise Milford Sound
- Catch the scenic train between Auckland and Wellington
- See Sydney and the Blue Mountains
14 Nights from £4285pp
Holland America Australia & New Zealand Cruise
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Picton
- Wellington
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Milford Sound
- Hobart
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Amazing Holland America Cruise
- Explore the New Zealand Fjords
- Cruise into Sydney Harbour
- Marvel at geo-thermal Rotorua
15 Nights from £4495pp
Complete New Zealand Self Drive
- Singapore
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Blenheim
- Kaikoura
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
- Christchurch
23 Nights from £4995pp
Shiraz to Sauvignon
- Adelaide
- Sydney
- Wellington
- Napier
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Barossa & Hawkes Bay Vineyards
- Sydney & The Blue Mountains
- Maori culture in Rotorua
- Hobbiton movie set
14 Nights from £5365pp
New Zealand Up Close Rail Holiday
- Auckland
- Hamilton
- Rotorua
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- Hokitika
- Franz Josef
- Queenstown
- Travel onboard the scenic Tranz Alpine Train
- Experience the bioluminescent glowworm caves of Waitomo
- Escape on nautical adventures along Milford Sound, Queen Charlotte Sound and Lake Wakatipu
- Discover Haast Pass on a unique Kiwi-style Road Trip adventure
16 Nights from £9340pp
Silversea Australia & New Zealand Cruise
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Milford Sound
- Hobart
- Adelaide
- Kangaroo Island
- Melbourne
- Fantastic Silversea Cruise
- New Zealand Fijords
- Remote Stewart Island
- Cosmopolitan Melbourne
17 Nights from £10275pp