Christchurch to Queenstown and visa versa
If you want the expertise and comfort of a fully escorted tour but would like to go at your own pace as well as choose the accommodation you want let us organise a “hop on hop off” tour with one of our quality suppliers. You don’t have to self drive to explore New Zealand at your own pace . The flexibility of these tours also lets us add more activities and experiences once you get to the regions you want to spend time in. This South Island highlights is just one of the many experiences we can tailor make for you.
Christchurch To Queenstown via Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo. This one-way, small group, fully guided day trip combines all of the key highlights in the area with the famous Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook National Park and Tasman Glacier. The ultimate way to get from Christchurch to Queenstown. Led by famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.
Inclusions:
Small Group
Fully Guided Tour
Picnic Lunch
Optional Extras:
Scenic flights with Glacier landings
Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, the Cheeky Kiwi small groups, and guides, make the journey ,the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, complimentary refreshments and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.
- Christchurch – Your tour starts in the stunning city of Christchurch. As we drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your adventurous day but also point out and guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.
- Canterbury Plains – Departing Christchurch we then make our way through the impressive Canterbury plains with plenty of amazing New Zealand farmland and countryside to see along the way.
- Lake Tekapo (5 mins) – we head towards the famous blue lakes of Lake Tekapo but to get there first we must go through some impressive alpine passes with amazing views. As we come over the hill to Tekapo you will be stunned by amazing view of the lake.
- Church of the Good Shepherd (10 mins) – Once in the township of Tekapo you will have time to explore the very popular Church of the Good Shepherd, see the Mackenzie Sheep dog and get those Instagram worth shots of Lake Tekapo before we continue to Mt Cook.
- Lake Pukaki (10 mins)– Turning west we begin to enter the Aoraki National Park and Lake Pukaki begins to emerge in front of us. Lake Pukaki is one of the bluest lakes you will ever see and is stunningly framed by the backdrop of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. We stop for some amazing photos and to just marvel at the sight that we are beholding. It’s not hard to see why many Lord of the Rings scene were filmed nearby and we will point them out for you.
- Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park – While in the national park you have 2.5 hours free time to enjoy free walks/hikes or one of the extra optional activities. Some of our recommendations include Kea Point Track, Blue Lakes Track, Scenic flights (see the region from the air and land on the Tasman Glacier) or Mt Cook Visitor Centre & Hermitage Hotel. Whatever you decide to do we will pick you up and drop you off where you need to go and make sure you are well looked after.
Tonight is an overnight at Mt Cook or longer if you like
High Country Salmon – Farewelling Aoraki/Mt Cook Village and making our way back to Queenstown we stop in at High Country Salmon, a local salmon farm, where you can feed the fish and taste some of the freshest salmon in New Zealand.
Lindis Pass – Climbing in altitude, Lindis Pass has amazing views down through the valleys. Being one of only three alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps.
Jacksons Orchard – As we get close to Queenstown we often stop at Jacksons Orchard to try or buy some delicious local fruit or real fruit ice cream.
Kawarau Suspension Bridge – Nearing Queenstown we then make our way through the stunning Kawarau Gorge passing stunning views, the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and the famous Roaring Meg Lookout.
Queenstown – Once In Queenstown take time to explore with great activities such as
Cruises from Queenstown & Te Anau
Don’t feel like driving to Milford Sound yourself? Sit back and relax and let our local guides show you the very best of the Fiordland National Park. They will share their local knowledge and stories while showing you the most amazing spots along the way.
Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining
One of the best things to do in Queenstown is discover its ultimate dining destination, Walter Peak High Country Farm.
Secluded across Lake Whakatipu, your long lunch or dinner awaits at Walter Peak’s Homestead Restaurant, a restored colonial building stationed on elegant sweeping grounds.Lunch or dinner buffet of local and homegrown produce at the Homestead Restaurant
Lakeside dining on the shore of Walter Peak High Country Farm, with views of vibrant Queenstown
Return scenic cruise across Lake Whakatipu on your vessel of choice. If you would like to sail onboard the historic TSS Earnslaw, make sure you select the ‘vintage steamship’ option when booking
Dinner and a show: relax after dessert with a skilful farm dog show
Duration: 3 hours 30 mins – 4 hours
DAILY WINE TOURS GOURMET FOOD & WINE TOUR The ultimate tour for those who have a full day to indulge in fine wines, unique local cuisine and stunning alpine scenery. There is ample time enroute for scenic stops, photo opportunities and includes time to explore historic Arrowtown. This daily tour tends to run with smaller numbers ensuring a personalised yet interactive day out.
Queenstown to Christchurch
Searching for the best way to get from Queenstown to Franz Josef? Join Cheeky Kiwi on a fully-guided, small group tour to Franz Josef and experience the West Coast’s most unmissable destinations.
Led by our famously passionate guides, you’ll get a unique glimpse into the rugged landscapes, natural gems and rich cultural heritage of the West Coast with multiple stops along the way.
While in Franz Josef, you’ll have the chance to experience heli hikes, scenic flights with glacier landings, hot springs and nature walks, immersing yourself in the natural wonders of this epic region!
Destination Highlights: Cardrona Pub, Lake Wānaka, Lake Hāwea, Blue Pools, Thunder Falls, Ship Creek, Bruce Bay and Lake Matheson
Your tour begins in the stunning city of Queenstown. As we depart, your guide will set the scene for your journey, pointing out and providing insights into some of the area’s top highlights.Located on the spectacular Crown Range Road between Queenstown and Wānaka, the Cardrona Hotel is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most iconic hotels. Its rustic charm, spectacular mountain setting and rich history make it a must-see in Central Otago.We’ll stroll down to the lakeside for that iconic photo of the Wānaka Tree. Soak in the beauty of this expansive lake, backdropped by Mt Aspiring and the Southern Alps—a paradise for photographers.
You can continue on today to Franz Josef today or take a day or two to enjoy lake Wanaka
Crossing the mighty Clutha River, we’ll head westward past the stunning Lake Hāwea. We’ll stop for a quick photo at a lookout point between Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea.
Located in Mt Aspiring National Park, the aptly named Blue Pools are a must-see. This easy 3km round trip is well worth the effort to witness the breathtaking blue waters of the Makarora River.
An easy 5-minute walk will reward you with a spectacular view of Thunder Creek Falls. This 28-metre waterfall, a remnant of a once-great glacier, pours from a hanging valley.
As we head north along the border where ancient rainforest meets the ocean, we’ll stop at Ship Creek. Dig your toes in the sand and feel the crash of the relentless waves of the Tasman Sea. Explore the dunes via an easy 1km walking track.
Here, thick native rainforest meets the seemingly endless open ocean. Bruce Bay truly showcases the best of the West Coast!
We continue to every photographer’s dream: Lake Matheson. On a calm day, you can capture Mt Cook reflected elegantly across this picturesque lake. This 4.4km/90-minute easy walk will reward you with breathtaking views of the Southern Alps.
We’ll pass many glacial rivers as we journey past Fox Glacier to our destination of Franz Josef. Our guide will drop you at any central accommodation in either Franz Josef or Fox Glacier.
The West Coast of New Zealand offers a unique holiday experience, featuring scenic roads, breathtaking landscapes, and picturesque spots. This iconic route takes you on a bucket list adventure along the ever-changing coastline, passing through hidden gems and towns, and offering endless opportunities to stop and explore. You will be driven in comfort in our modern, comfortable Mercedes Sprinter packed with extras, just to make your journey that bit easier. Led by our fun, knowledgeable and passionate tour guides, this journey will come to life in a new way for you.
Memories made, hearts happy and photos a plenty in this tour!
Highlights
Castle Hill
Devils punchbowl
Arthurs Pass Village
Otira Lookout
Hokitika Sign
Hokitika Gorge
Franz Josef – We depart to the quiet town of Franz Josef, this treasured gem in New Zealand offers an array of thrilling hikes with awe-inspiring views and backdrops, as well as unique local experiences. But the real piece of history is the chance to marvel at the majestic glaciers up close, whether by exploring the icy terrain on foot or taking to the skies for a bird’s-eye view.
Franz Josef Glacier (30min) – New Zealand’s West Coast Glacier Country is one of the only two locations in the world where you can view glaciers flowing into rainforests. Despite minimal snowfall in the towns of Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, the surrounding high mountains receive plenty of snow, ensuring the glaciers remain icy. While direct access to the glacier face is not possible, you are able to walk to the lookout and read up about the amazing history behind this scenic attraction.
Lake lanthe (5 mins) – Lake Ianthe is surrounded by hills and podocarp forests, with a large flax swamp at its southern end. The lake is home to a diverse array of wetland birds, including the endangered Great Crested Grebe, which has one of the largest populations in New Zealand. The lake is situated in a glacial trough, surrounded by a moraine and flows into Wanganui River through Ianthe Creek.
Hokitika Gorge (1hr) – After lunch and sometime in the town we venture towards a stop hidden away on the West Coast, Hokitika Gorge is a treasured gem that consistently inspires awe, with its striking turquoise waters radiating an otherworldly beauty. Nestled amidst a lush canopy of native bush, this enchanting gorge is a magnet for nature enthusiasts and photographers, who flock to capture its unique essence and unforgettable vistas. After getting those Instagram worthy shots we head to our final destination for the day, Franz Josef.
Hokitika (1.5hrs) – Experience the laid-back atmosphere that’s sure to evoke a sense of nostalgia once we arrive in Hokitika. Allowing time for lunch and a stroll down Hokitika’s wild beach, where black sand meets the rugged coastline. Our guides give you the time needed to enjoy this “cool town” and a little teaser of what it has to offer.
Cobden Breakwater (5mins) – Cobden is a beach break with a rock breakwater at its southern end, producing standout waves that break right up against the structure. This picturesque spot is a photographer’s paradise, with a stunning backdrop that’s sure to capture breathtaking images.
Greymouth (5mins) – A quick stop at the information centre! Located in the heart of New Zealand South Island, Greymouth is the largest town in the West Coast Region, with a population of around 14,000 people. This charming town is not only a beautiful spot, but also a key hub for connecting via tthe renowned TranzAlpine train service.
Today you can either leave the tour for an overnight to explore Greymouth
There is an option also to take the Tranz Alpine express from Here to Christchurch
One of the world’s great train journeys
Weaving coast-to-coast through the stunning Southern Alps, the TranzAlpine journey is one of a kind. Ranked amongst the best train journeys in the world, the TranzAlpine route is truly stunning. Cutting through the mountainous spine of New Zealand’s South Island, the railway weaves through cliff-lined river gorges, over high mountain plains, over braided rivers and around pristine mountain lakes.
The TranzAlpine journey follows two railways on its journey from east to west. Starting in Christchurch, the journey rumbles across the expansive Canterbury Plains on the South Island Main Trunk line (SIMT). Then at Rolleston, the TranzAlpine train turns north onto the Midland Line. Following an ancient Māori trail through the mountains that was later plotted by engineer Arthur Dobson, it is the Midland Line’s passage through the Southern Alps that astounds the senses.
On your journey today, you will understand why this route was so hard to build – and why it remains a treacherous railway to maintain. And that is what makes it so spectacular.
Depart Greymouth
Otira Gorge Lookout (10mins) – Also known as Deaths Corner! The Otira Viaduct Lookout is an amazing spot to see the national park in all its glory. This bridge is the only reason driving Arthurs Pass is possible! It’s huge at 440 Meters long and is a great spot for a photo of the bridge and the surrounding landscape. A little bonus too, you might see a wee Cheeky Kea! The sneaky Alpine Parrot of NZ. We then embark on the next adventure towards the gorgeous town of Hokitika.
Arthurs Pass Village (1hr)– On the way through you will be able to see the beautiful backdrop of the majestic Southern Alps up close. Once we arrive you will have the opportunity to either walk the Devils Punch Bowl or spend this time walking around the local shop.
Devils Punch Bowl – This walking track is approx. 1 hour with a gradual incline including steps towards a ferocious 131-meter-tall waterfall. Fitness is low to moderate as you walk through the bush and forest.
Arthurs pass village – Grab a bite to eat, a coffee and shop for local goodies! This village is a great way to really get to know the area.Castle Hill (1hr) – Weathered limestone rocks sit proudly on the tussocky hills and were once in the ocean! Over time they eroded away and started forming these amazing unique shapes you’ll see today. You might recognize this landscape from movies such as Lord of the Rings and Narnia! That’s right. Not only that, but while you walk amongst the rocks you will also see climbers and boulderers! This place is a magnet for thrill seekers. This is not a guided walk so you will be left to explore this piece of beauty on your own.
Lake Lyndon (5 mins) – Lake Lyndon, located near Porters Pass, it is a popular spot for rainbow trout fishing due to its thriving population, the lake is nestled within the Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park and is fed by the Acheron River, which flows into the Rakaia River.
Christchurch – Arrive in to Christchurch at the end of our Journey and are taken to your accommodation
