Tour Type: Independent Coach Tour
Duration: 7 Days
Tour Starts In: Wellington
Tour Finishes In: Christchurch
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from NZ $2099 pp
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7 Day South Island Scenic Touring Route:
Tour Inclusions:
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Day
1 |
Wellington - Picton - Christchurch
Catch the ferry across Cook Strait and through the tranquil Marlborough Sounds to Picton in the South Island. Boarding the Coastal Pacific Train you pass through Picton and Blenheim, then edge down the narrow coastal strip where the surf pounds the rugged Kaikora ranges. Cross into dry North Canterbury sheep country to Christchurch, where you will overnight. As you will arrive in the evening, you might like to add an additional day in Christchurch, the South Island's largest city.
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Day
2 |
Christchurch - Glaciers
Board the renowned TranzAlpine Train and cross the Canterbury Plains to the mountains. Arthur’s Pass and the lengthy Otira Tunnel lead you to the West Coast. Join your coach in Greymouth and travel via the jade carvers of Hokitika to the Glacier region. Stay two nights at the Fox or Franz Josef Glacier.
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Day
3 |
At Fox or Franz Josef Glacier
Today you have a whole day at leisure. Perhaps enjoy an optional guided walk on the glacier, a heli-hike or a scenic flight, or an unguided walk to the terminal face. Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers both extend 12 kms from the high snow fields of the Southern Alps. The terminal face of the Franz Josef glacier is just 5 kms from the Franz Josef township and at Fox an easy walk from the village to the terminal face. |
Day
4 |
Glaciers - Queenstown
Dense rainforest contrasts with rugged coastal vistas as you plunge deeper into South Westland. Cross the pass to reach the southern lakes district and the alpine playground of Queenstown. Stay in Queenstown for three nights.
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Day
5 |
Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
An early start takes you alongside the lake to Kingston, then on to Mossburn and Lake Te Anau. Travel through the Fiordland National Park, passing the Mirror Lakes, the Chasm, the Homer Tunnel and the Cleddau Chasm. A cruise on Milford Sound beneath lofty Mitre Peak, waterfalls and out to the mouth of the Tasman Sea is included. Then you climb out of Milford Sound to return to Queenstown by evening. |
Day
6 |
At Queenstown
Today is at your leisure to enjoy the many sights of Queenstown. This world renowned alpine resort offers something for everyone - you can enjoy the quiet beauty and tranquility of this mountain retreat and enjoy several walking trails in the town area. For sheer excitement there is white-water rafting, helicopter rides, the famous jet boats, bungy jumping to pump your adrenalin, and offroad 4WD tours with plenty of river crossings. There are cruises on the lake and a visit to a high country sheep station, and wine tasting tours. We have included the Skyline Gondola ride in your tour package. |
Day
7 |
Queenstown - Mt Cook - Christchurch
Travel through the rocky Kawarau Gorge and past Cromwell to climb up and over the Lindis Pass. The tussocky plains of the Mackenzie Country lie before you as you head towards Mt Cook village in the heart of the Southern Alps. You have a brief stop here for optional flight seeing or lunch (not included) before travelling on to Tekapo to see the Church of the Good Shepherd. Cross Burkes Pass to Fairlie and Geraldine before returning to Christchurch once more. Tour ends on your arrival at 6.15 pm. |
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from NZ $2,099
7 Day South Island Scenic
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7 Day South Island Scenic Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 7 Day South Island Scenic. |
All the arrangements went well. We enjoyed the the South Island. Saw a lot in a short time. Maybe one extra day Christchurch would have been nice. Weather OK. The coach divers were good and infomtative.
Paul Pratchett (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 12/10/2011 |
Hi to everyone, especially Georgie and Frances who were so helpful in organising the tour. For feedback concerning the 'Relaxing Journeys' team, I could not have found you more helpful, organised, professional and I sincerely thank you for all the organisation and expert advice that you gave me. You truly have a spectacular country and people and I was hugely touched by the outstanding beauty of your country and the sincere and genuine kindness of the New Zealand people. Regarding the tour: - all the coach drivers were extremely helpful, knowledgeable, punctual and carried out their duties with true energy and professionalism. They provided such great added value to the experience and did NZ proud with all their knowledge of the surrounding area and history. When I went to Milford Sound, I had no idea how long the journey there and back would be. I took a flight back. I was wondering....is it noted on the website that you can take a flight back and the price? It would be helpful to then budget etc the cost of all you wanted to do for that day. One day of the tour that I would not do again would be the day from Queenstown to Christchurch via Mount Aoraki/Cook. To be honest, I did find that day a bit of a waste as it was a very long day on the bus and the stop at Mount Cook too long. If the option had been there to fly back to Auckland from Queenstown I would have taken it and spend an extra day in Queenstown. When I think of it, at Mount Aoraki, we had over two hours, which was not really needed. This meant an extra night hotel in Christchurch, taxi, meals etc. Just a thought..how about an iPhone or Android application for your company? Then we could download itinerary and other information about the tour :-) Very much liked having the choice of a range of hotels before booking, and being able to know what hotels I booked. Thank you. - It was SUCH a help to be allowed to pay off the tour in installments prior to travelling. Great service and I thank you again. I sincerely hope to be back in your country again soon. Last but not least.....HUGE HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on the All Blacks win. Thoroughly deserved. Wishing you all a happy, warm, summer!
Oliver Connick (Switzerland)
Tour Date 19/09/2011 |
The tour was fantastic and worked very well. Please take the following suggestions in the spirit of constructive criticism - I had a great time!! One suggestion was that the toilet stops etc were often a bit long (and designed to make us spend money on tat in the tourist shops and cafes) but I suspect this is the policy of the coach companies & drivers, and not yours. Also, perhaps you would consider another option, less expensive than the motel. At times the accomodation was very good, but perhaps excessive for my budget (for instance I often had a double bed plus a single bed in my room and I was on my own, kicthenettes which I rarely used, small living areas etc).
Tom Walker (Australia)
Tour Date 24/04/2011 |
Toni, thank you, thank you, thank you, so very much for everything you did for us....we had an absolute ball! I'll be recommending this way of travelling to everyone I know. It was so easy! The hotels, breakfasts, shuttle bus drivers and tour drivers were brilliant, so friendly and on time. Dion, the bus driver who took us to Milford Sound was just brilliant and so enthusiastic!! You guys must never want to leave New Zealand....what a place!!! We'll be back for a North Island tour!
Sue Ottewell (Australia)
Tour Date 23/04/2010 |
This was a wonderful tour! The tour was very well arranged, we had wonderful accomodations and drivers there to pick us up on arrival at the different centres. Our drivers and tour guides were most accomodating and courtious. They were very knowledgeable supplying us with information on the history and geography of the many sights we visited and passed through. They were always cheerful and helpful in every way, just a great bunch. We would reccommend the tour to anyone visiting New Zealand. Toni Harris did a wonderful job in arranging our tour and our special request getting to and from Auckland for the tour. Thank you for a wonderful holiday.
Don & Roselyn Veitch (Canada)
Tour Date 24/01/2010 |
Thank you for organising our relaxing holiday. Everything went like clockwork and all the accommodations and transport was well organised. The sights were of course amazing and as a New Zealander we were proud of our country especially the people who hosted us during this trip. The only thing that let us down was the weather - but you can't control that! Thanks again.
Matthew & Supranee McLachlan (New Zealand)
Tour Date 06/01/2010 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices below are per person. |
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| Stay |
Twin Share |
Single |
Triple |
Breakfasts |
| Motel |
NZ $2,099 |
NZ $2,809 |
NZ $1,949 |
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| Bronze |
NZ $2,179 |
NZ $2,979 |
NZ $2,099 |
NZ $120 |
| Silver |
NZ $2,479 |
NZ $3,569 |
NZ $2,319 |
NZ $140 |
| Gold |
NZ $2,649 |
NZ $3,879 |
NZ $2,419 |
NZ $156 |
| Apartment |
NZ $2,489 |
NZ $3,599 |
NZ $2,259 |
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EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER
2012 Season Sale! Take $100pp off prices shown if you place your tour deposit this month!
Valid for bookings made with Relaxing Journeys between 1 February 2012 and 29 February 2012
with your tour starting between 11 April 2012 and 31 March 2013 . Subject to availability at time of booking. |
*Prices above are valid 01 November 2011 to 30 September 2012. Prices before or after this period are on request.
*Terms & Conditions apply to any discounts and/or specials above. Your designated tour consultant will apply the appropriate discounts automatically to your quote and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'. |
Tour Information
This is an independent coach tour and operates daily. |
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Independent New Zealand Coach Tours
Independent coach tours are
the ideal way to explore New Zealand. We pre-book all your travel arrangements including coach, rail and ferry transport, accommodation, transfers between your transport and accommodation and key sightseeing activities. We can add and take off days in the middle, start or end of your tour and you can choose to add meals and/or pre and post tour accommodation. You also choose the level of accommodation that suits you best, from 3 star to 5 star! While the coaches do not have dedicated tour guides, the multi-talented coach drivers provide excellent onboard commentary. You will receive an informative touring wallet which will include brochures, detailed maps, tour vouchers and comprehensive itinerary.
Accommodation Levels
Your coach tour accommodation is in specially chosen properties, centrally located and of a high standard. Choose from 5 levels of accommodation - Motel, Bronze, Silver, Gold & Apartments. All accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking so get in early!
Daily Departures
Our independent coach tours operate daily, using regular coach, train and ferry services. This provides you with excellent flexibility when planning your coach tour start date to coincide with your flights or other holiday arrangements.
General Information
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