Suggested Tours
Christchurch - Kaikoura - Hanmer Springs - Waipara - Christchurch
Travelling north from Christchurch we travel through plains, rolling then rugged hills to reach the seaside settlement of Kaikoura situated on the rugged east coast and overlooked by majestic mountains which are snow-capped for many months of the year. Kaikoura offers whale watching, dolphin swimming, walks, and much more!
From Kaikoura, we travel the inland route to Hanmer Springs, known as
New Zealand’s premier alpine and spa destination. Stay overnight at this pretty, sub-alpine village and enjoy the outdoor thermal pools before returning to Christchurch via the Waipara wine area where some good wine tasting is an option. 
Two day tour
Christchurch - Franz Josef - Christchurch
This tour is for only two days but in that time you can: traverse our Southern Alps via Arthur's Pass, our middle mountain pass; see our West Coast rain forest; stay overnight at Franz Josef; soak in hot pools in the middle of the bush; view the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers; take a scenic flight that climbs to 6000’ seeing Mount Cook and Mount Tasman before landing on the snow in the mountains.
Two day tour
Christchurch - Queenstown - Franz Josef - Christchurch
Our route to Queenstown is stunning. First the wide open brown tussock landscape of the MacKenzie country and Lake Tekapo, unbelievably followed by Mount Cook across Lake Pukaki. Queenstown itself, nestled in amongst the mountains beside Lake Wakatipu is superbly situated. Our South Island's major resort, it gives accommodation and access to several ski fields, plenty of outdoor activities from jet boating, paragliding to simply walking by the lake.
Our drive via the Haast Pass to Franz Josef enables us to take in the superb rain forest of our West Coast, the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, and perhaps take a scenic flight. Our middle mountain pass, Arthur's Pass, provides the transition route from rain forest to high mountain pass to the Canterbury plains on our way back to Christchurch.
Three day tour
Christchurch - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Franz Josef - Christchurch
Add another day to the above tour and it is possible to go from Queenstown to remote Milford Sound in the Fiordland National Park. Taking a cruise down this remote fiord enables you to fully experience the majesty and grandeur of this area.
Four day tour
Christchurch - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown - Franz Josef - Christchurch
This extended tour gives two days in Queenstown- one to to travel to remote Milford Sound in the natural dense forests of Fiordland National Park; the other to enjoy the local attractions, such as a taking a ride on steamship TSS Earnslaw across the Lake Wakatipu; trying an adventure sport you have always wanted to try; and, importantly, soaking in the beauty of this mountain lake combination.
Five day tour
Christchurch - Queenstown - Dunedin - Christchurch
This tour could be described as showing the two sides of the South Island coin - one side takes in our highly scenic mountains and lakes; the other side is farmlands, a city, the coastal route home. Our route to Queenstown is stunning. First the wide open brown tussock landscape of the MacKenzie country and Lake Tekapo, unbelievably followed by Mount Cook across Lake Pukaki. Queenstown itself, nestled in amongst the mountains beside Lake Wakatipu is superbly situated. Our South Island's major resort, it gives accommodation and access to several ski fields, plenty of outdoor activities from jet boating, paragliding to simply walking by the lake.
Our route to Dunedin is through interesting farming country via Cromwell, Clyde and Roxburgh. We have time to see this city which in 1848 was the principal town for Scottish settlers. The Moeraki boulders and then Oamaru to see yellow eyed penguins are important stops we make on our way back to Christchurch.
Four day tour |
