9-Day South Island Express: Christchurch to Queenstown Small Group Adventure

Tour Overview

Data source: Haka Tours (hakatours.com) — “South Island Express” tour, published price NZD $1,905 per person. Itinerary verified against Haka Tours published route as of 2025.

Day 1: Christchurch / Ōtautahi — Arrival & Garden City Welcome

• Arrive at Christchurch International Airport (CHC). Transfer to your central city accommodation. Christchurch, the largest city on Te Waipounamu (South Island), is known as Aotearoa’s “Garden City” — a place of resilience and reinvention following the 2011 earthquakes
• Mid-afternoon orientation walk with your guide: Start at Cathedral Square, the symbolic heart of the city, where the partially restored Christ Church Cathedral stands beside the innovative Cardboard Cathedral (Transitional Cathedral), designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban using cardboard tubes, timber, and steel
• Stroll along the Avon River / Ōtākaro. Watch punters glide under weeping willows past the charming Botanic Gardens (founded 1863), home to one of the finest collections of exotic and native plants in New Zealand, including the spectacular Rose Garden (250+ varieties) and the New Zealand icon garden with pōhutukawa and kōwhai trees
• Explore New Regent Street — a beautifully restored 1932 heritage precinct with Spanish Mission-style architecture, pastel-coloured facades, boutique shops, and excellent cafés. Try a flat white at one of the laneway coffee spots
• Evening: Welcome dinner with your group at a restaurant in The Terrace riverside precinct. Toast to the adventure ahead with New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough. Your guide briefs the group on the journey through some of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth

Overnight in Christchurch.

Day 2: Christchurch → Lake Tekapo — Canterbury Plains to Mackenzie Country

• Depart Christchurch crossing the Canterbury Plains — a vast patchwork of farmland stretching to the foothills of the Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. The plains produce 80% of New Zealand’s grain and are dotted with distinctive macrocarpa shelter belts
• Stop at Geraldine, a charming rural town known for its artisan food producers. Visit the famous Barker’s of Geraldine food store to sample their award-winning fruit preserves, chutneys, and syrups made from locally grown berries
• Climb into the Mackenzie Basin — named after James Mackenzie, a legendary 1850s Scottish shepherd and alleged sheep rustler whose border collie, Friday, became a folk hero in New Zealand history. The landscape transforms: golden tussock grasslands give way to the surreal turquoise of glacial lakes
• Arrive at Lake Tekapo. The lake’s mesmerizing milky-turquoise colour comes from “rock flour” — finely ground particles of rock suspended in the water, crushed by glaciers in the Southern Alps above. On a clear day, the contrast of turquoise water against the snow-capped Two Thumb Range is breathtaking
• Visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd (built 1935). This tiny stone church on the lake’s edge has one of the most photographed views in New Zealand: through the altar window, the cross is framed by the lake and mountains beyond. The church was built as a memorial to the Mackenzie Country’s pioneer runholders
• Meet the Bronze Sheepdog Monument nearby — a tribute to the working border collies without whom high-country farming in this rugged terrain would have been impossible
• Optional evening activity (own expense): Soak in Tekapo Springs — hot pools overlooking the lake at the base of Mount John. Stay after dark for stargazing at one of the clearest night skies on Earth. The Mackenzie Basin is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, the largest dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere (4,367 km²) and one of only eight gold-tier reserves worldwide. The visibility of the Milky Way here, with the Southern Cross and Magellanic Clouds overhead, is unforgettable

Overnight in Lake Tekapo.

Day 3: Lake Tekapo → Aoraki/Mt Cook — Heart of the Southern Alps

• Morning: Drive along the stunning shores of Lake Pukaki — another glacier-fed lake of impossible turquoise. On a clear day, the drive toward Aoraki/Mt Cook with the lake in the foreground and the mountain dominating the horizon is one of the world’s great alpine approaches
• Stop at the Mt Cook Alpine Salmon shop at the southern end of Lake Pukaki. Sample fresh King Salmon (Chinook) sashimi fed by the pure, fast-flowing glacial waters of the Tekapo Hydro Canal — some of the freshest salmon you’ll ever taste
• Arrive at Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park (Te Wāhipounamu — South West New Zealand UNESCO World Heritage Area). Aoraki means “Cloud Piercer” in Ngāi Tahu tradition — the mountain is the tallest in New Zealand at 3,724m and is sacred to Māori as the most revered ancestor of Ngāi Tahu. The park contains 19 of New Zealand’s 20 peaks over 3,000m
• Choose your hike (your guide adapts to weather and group fitness):
  • Hooker Valley Track (3 hours return, easy): Follow the Hooker River over three swing bridges through golden tussock, past the Alpine Memorial (a cairn of stones commemorating climbers lost in the park), to Hooker Lake. The terminal face of the Hooker Glacier calves icebergs into the lake, and Aoraki towers directly above — on a calm day, the reflection in the lake mirrors the mountain perfectly
  • Tasman Glacier View Track (40 min return, easy): Climb the short track to view the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s longest glacier at 23km. From the viewpoint above Tasman Lake, you’ll see icebergs that have calved from the glacier’s terminal face — some the size of houses, glowing an eerie blue in the sunlight
  • Kea Point Track (2 hours return, easy): A gentler walk with outstanding views of Aoraki, Mount Sefton, and the Mueller Glacier moraine wall. Keep an eye out for kea — the world’s only alpine parrot, known for its intelligence, curiosity, and mischievous nature (they’ve been known to strip windshield wipers from cars)
• Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre at The Hermitage Hotel. Hillary trained on Aoraki/Mt Cook before his historic first ascent of Everest with Tenzing Norgay in 1953. The centre houses a 3D theatre, a planetarium (excellent on cloudy days), and exhibits on the region’s climbing and conservation history
• Evening: Watch alpenglow paint Aoraki pink and gold at sunset — one of the most beautiful natural light shows you’ll ever witness

Overnight at Aoraki/Mt Cook Village.

Day 4: Aoraki/Mt Cook → Wanaka — Lindis Pass to Lakeside Paradise

• Morning: Farewell to Aoraki with a final sunrise view. Depart the national park and drive south through the Mackenzie Country
• Stop at Omarama, the gliding capital of New Zealand. The town sits at a convergence of mountain air currents that create world-class soaring conditions. The local hot tubs filled with pure mountain water are a popular stop
• Cross Lindis Pass (971m) — one of New Zealand’s highest and most dramatic alpine roads. The pass traverses a landscape of golden tussock-covered mountains that roll endlessly to the horizon, eerily beautiful in its starkness. In summer, wild lupins and Mount Cook lilies dot the roadside; in autumn, the colours are extraordinary
• Arrive at Wānaka, a laid-back lakeside town that rivals Queenstown for scenery but offers a more relaxed, authentic vibe. Lake Wānaka is New Zealand’s fourth-largest lake, carved by glaciers and surrounded by the Southern Alps
• Afternoon: Walk the lakefront trail to see #ThatWanakaTree — a lone crack willow growing in the lake, its roots submerged, with the mountains reflected behind it. It has become one of the most photographed trees in the world and an unofficial symbol of New Zealand’s natural beauty
• Visit Puzzling World, a Wanaka institution since 1973. Experience the illusion rooms, the tilting house, the Roman-style toilets, and the Great Maze — a two-level labyrinth with four colour-coded corner towers that challenges even the most direction-savvy travelers
• Evening: Explore Wanaka town. Try a craft beer at Rhyme & Reason Brewery or dine at one of the excellent lakefront restaurants. Watch the sun set behind the mountains, painting the lake in shades of pink, orange, and purple

Overnight in Wanaka.

Day 5: Wanaka → Queenstown / Tāhuna — Adventure Capital via Crown Range

• Morning at leisure in Wanaka. Optional activities (own expense): Roys Peak Track (5-6 hours return, challenging) for the famous Instagram viewpoint 1,578m above Lake Wānaka — one of the most spectacular day hikes in New Zealand; or the shorter Mount Iron Track (1.5 hours loop, easy) for 360° views over the lake, town, and surrounding mountains
• Depart Wanaka taking the Crown Range Road — New Zealand’s highest sealed highway at 1,121m. The drive winds through a dramatic alpine landscape of schist rock formations and tussock. Stop at the Crown Range summit viewpoint for a panorama encompassing the Cardrona Valley, the Remarkables mountain range, and Lake Wakatipu in the distance
• Stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel (est. 1863), one of New Zealand’s oldest and most iconic pubs. Its whitewashed stone facade, colourful gardens, and rustic interior have featured in countless photographs and tourism campaigns. Enjoy a drink in the beer garden that has welcomed travelers for over 160 years
• AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge Bungy: Pass the world’s first commercial bungy jumping site (operational since 1988) at the Kawarau Gorge. Watch jumpers take the 43m plunge into the turquoise river below — or sign up yourself for this bucket-list experience at the birthplace of adventure tourism
• Arrive in Queenstown / Tāhuna. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu (New Zealand’s longest lake at 80km, shaped like a lightning bolt) and surrounded by the Remarkables mountain range, Queenstown is the undisputed adventure capital of the world. The name Tāhuna means “shallow bay” in Māori — a reference to the area where the lake shallows at Queenstown Bay
• Evening: Explore Queenstown’s vibrant dining scene. Stroll along the lakefront, ride the Skyline Gondola (own expense) 450m above town for panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, and enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the town centre

Overnight in Queenstown.

Day 6: Queenstown — Milford Sound / Piopiotahi Day Trip

• Early morning: Depart Queenstown for one of the most scenic drives on Earth — the journey to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi through Fiordland National Park (Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area)
• Drive along the eastern shore of Lake Wakatipu past The Devil’s Staircase, through Kingston and into the rolling farmlands of Southland. Stop at Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland, for a brief break beside New Zealand’s second-largest lake
• Enter Fiordland National Park — 1.25 million hectares of pristine wilderness where mountains plunge directly into the sea, waterfalls cascade from hanging valleys, and ancient rainforests draped in moss and lichen evoke a primeval world. The rainfall here can exceed 7,000mm annually, making it one of the wettest inhabited places on Earth
• Mirror Lakes: Stop for the classic reflection shot — on a still morning, the Earl Mountains are perfectly mirrored in these small pools. Look for the sign written backwards so it reads correctly in the reflection
• The Chasm: A short walk to a powerful waterfall where the Cleddau River has carved smooth, sculptural shapes into solid rock over thousands of years. The force of water through the narrow gorge is mesmerizing
• Homer Tunnel: Drive through this 1.2km engineering marvel (completed 1953) that burrows through solid granite at 945m elevation. Emerging on the other side, you descend a steep, winding road with glimpses of the valley below — each switchback reveals a more dramatic view
• Arrive at Milford Sound. Board your nature cruise for a 1.5–2 hour journey through one of the most spectacular fjords in the world. Rudyard Kipling called it the “eighth wonder of the world”:
  • Mitre Peak / Rahotu rises 1,692m directly from the sea — one of the highest mountains in the world to rise directly from the ocean floor
  • Bowen Falls / Lady Bowen Falls (162m) — a permanent waterfall fed by a hanging valley, thundering in a continuous cascade into the fjord
  • Stirling Falls (155m) — the cruise captain will nose the bow under the waterfall so those brave enough can feel the spray of pure glacial water
  • Spot wildlife: New Zealand fur seals (kekeno) basking on Seal Rock, rare Fiordland crested penguins (tawaki — one of the world’s rarest penguins, breeding July–November), and if you’re very lucky, bottlenose dolphins surfing the bow wave
  • The fjord’s unique ecosystem: a layer of freshwater stained dark by forest tannins sits on top of the saltwater, blocking light and creating a deep-sea environment at shallow depths — you can see species like black coral (normally found at 100m+ depths) at just 10–30m
• Return drive to Queenstown. The journey back through Fiordland, especially in late afternoon light, offers an entirely different perspective on this extraordinary landscape

Overnight in Queenstown.

Day 7: Queenstown → Franz Josef / Waiau — West Coast via Haast Pass

• Leave Queenstown heading west toward the wild and remote West Coast / Te Tai Poutini. The drive follows Lake Wakatipu and then climbs through the Kawarau Gorge into the heart of Central Otago
• Stop in Arrowtown, a beautifully preserved gold-rush village established in 1862 after Jack Tewa (known as Maori Jack) discovered gold in the Arrow River. Walk down Buckingham Street past restored 19th-century wooden cottages, visit the Lakes District Museum for gold-rush history, and explore the Chinese Settlement — a restored village where Chinese miners lived in the 1870s–1880s, built into the hillside with informative exhibits on their contributions and hardships during the Otago gold rush
• Cross the Haast Pass / Tioripātea (563m), the lowest and one of the most scenic of the Southern Alps crossings. This is the traditional route used by Māori travelling between the pounamu (greenstone) sources of the West Coast and the settlements of Otago. Stop at:
  • Thunder Creek Falls — a 28m waterfall plunging into the Haast River valley, just a 5-minute walk from the road. The short rainforest walk through ancient podocarp forest (rimu, kahikatea, mīro trees) and dense ferns is magical
  • Fantail Falls — a fan-shaped waterfall cascading over schist bedrock, named for the native fantail birds (pīwakawaka) that flit around the pool below
  • Blue Pools (optional short detour) — cross a swing bridge over the Makarora River to view vibrantly blue pools fed by glacier meltwater, so clear you can watch large brown and rainbow trout swimming below
• Descend into the West Coast region — a narrow strip of land between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea, renowned for its raw, untamed beauty, dense rainforests, and some of the highest rainfall in New Zealand. The landscape changes dramatically: from golden tussock and schist to lush temperate rainforest dripping with mosses, lichens, and ferns (ponga/silver fern, whekī, and mamaku tree ferns)
• Arrive at Franz Josef / Waiau, a tiny glacier village on the edge of Westland Tai Poutini National Park. The Franz Josef Glacier / Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere (meaning “the tears of Hine Hukatere” in Māori legend — the frozen tears of a young woman mourning her lost lover who fell from the peaks) is one of only three glaciers in the world that descend into temperate rainforest. At 12km long, it’s one of the most accessible glaciers on the planet

Overnight at Franz Josef.

Day 8: Franz Josef — Glacier Country & West Coast Wilderness

• Choose your glacier experience today (own expense or included options vary by package):
  • Guided Glacier Valley Walk (3 hours): Walk with an expert guide up the Waiho River valley to within 750m of the glacier’s terminal face. Learn about the glacier’s dramatic advance-and-retreat history (it advanced 700m between 1983–2008, then receded 800m in the past decade — a powerful firsthand lesson in climate dynamics). Cross streams fed by melting ice, walk over ancient moraine, and see the glacier up close — its surface fractured into deep blue crevasses and seracs
  • Heli-Hike (own expense, NZD $485): Take a scenic helicopter flight over the glacier’s névé (accumulation zone) before landing on the ice. Spend 2 hours guided on the glacier itself, exploring ice caves, crevasses, and seracs with crampons — a truly unforgettable experience walking on a river of ice
  • Scenic Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing (own expense, NZD $299): A 20-minute flight over both the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, landing on a snowy ridge with 360° views of the Southern Alps, Tasman Sea, and West Coast rainforest
• Afternoon: Explore the West Coast rainforest on one of several excellent short walks:
  • Douglas Walk / Peters Pool (30 min return): A gentle walk through ancient kahikatea forest to a reflective kettle pool — on a calm day, the glacier and mountains are perfectly mirrored in the dark water
  • Ōkārito Lagoon (20 min drive south): New Zealand’s largest unmodified coastal wetland, home to the kōtuku (white heron/Great Egret — their only New Zealand breeding colony is nearby) and royal spoonbills. Take the 3-hour kayak tour (own expense) through this pristine wilderness corridor
• Glacier Hot Pools (own expense, NZD $29): Soak in naturally heated rainforest pools at the base of the glacier valley. Three main pools (36°C, 38°C, 40°C) surrounded by native bush — the perfect way to ease tired muscles after a day of adventure in Te Tai Poutini

Overnight at Franz Josef.

Day 9: Franz Josef → Hokitika → Christchurch — Jade Country & TranzAlpine Return

• Depart Franz Josef heading north along the West Coast. First stop: Hokitika, a historic gold-rush town and the pounamu (greenstone/jade) capital of New Zealand. The town sits where the Hokitika River meets the Tasman Sea and was once one of New Zealand’s busiest ports during the 1860s gold rush — at its peak, 41,000 people crowded this town of wide streets built to accommodate bullock trains
• Visit a pounamu carving studio. Watch master carvers work with New Zealand jade (nephrite), prized by Māori for centuries as taonga (treasure) and used for tools, weapons, and adornment. Learn about the cultural significance: pounamu is considered to increase in mana (prestige) as it’s passed through generations. You can try your hand at carving your own jade pendant under expert guidance (own expense, 2–3 hours)
• Walk Hokitika Gorge (30 min drive inland): A short walk through native bush leads to a swing bridge over the impossibly turquoise Hokitika River. The gorge’s water colour — a vivid electric blue — comes from glacial flour suspended in the water, creating one of the most photogenic spots on the West Coast
• Visit the National Kiwi Centre in Hokitika: See New Zealand’s national icon, the kiwi, in a nocturnal enclosure. This is one of the best opportunities to see the Southern Brown Kiwi / Tokoeka up close, alongside giant longfin eels (tuna) — some over 100 years old — that you can hand-feed
• Board the TranzAlpine Train at Greymouth (1 hour drive from Hokitika) for one of the world’s greatest train journeys. The 4.5-hour journey crosses the Southern Alps through the Ōtira Tunnel (8.5km, the longest in the British Commonwealth when completed in 1923), past the beech forests of Arthur’s Pass National Park, through the dramatic Waimakariri Gorge, and across the Canterbury Plains. The open-air viewing carriage lets you feel the alpine air as you traverse one of the most spectacular railway lines on the planet
• Arrive Christchurch early evening. Farewell dinner with your group — share memories of glaciers, fjords, and mountain passes over a final glass of Central Otago Pinot Noir

Overnight in Christchurch (tour concludes next morning after breakfast).

What’s Included

• 8 nights twin-share accommodation (3-star hotels/motels), 8 breakfasts, professional English-speaking tour guide/driver, all transport in air-conditioned minibus, Milford Sound nature cruise, TranzAlpine train (Greymouth to Christchurch), Hooker Valley or Tasman Glacier guided walk, Arrowtown visit, Hokitika Gorge walk, National Kiwi Centre entry, all national park fees