Splendid South: New Zealand's South Island Circuit
Travel through the South Island’s defining landscapes on a seven-day guided circuit from Christchurch. Cross the Canterbury Plains into the Mackenzie Basin, where the glacial colours of Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki lead toward Aoraki Mt Cook. Continue to Queenstown for two nights, including free time for optional adventures, before the full-day journey through Fiordland to Milford Sound and its dramatic granite walls and waterfalls. Return to Christchurch by coach after a route that balances major scenery with manageable stops. Six nights’ accommodation, airport transfers, guided transport and a Milford Sound cruise with lunch are included. This itinerary suits travellers who want the South Island’s essential arc without driving or coordinating the long regional connections themselves.
A Glimpse of Your Journey
- ◆Lake Tekapo — turquoise glacial lake under some of the darkest skies in the Southern Hemisphere
- ◆Aoraki Mt Cook — New Zealand's highest peak, framed by Lake Pukaki
- ◆Queenstown — two nights in the South Island's adventure capital
- ◆Milford Sound — fiord cruise through Fiordland's granite walls and waterfalls
- ◆Christchurch — gateway city set between the Pacific and the Southern Alps
Itinerary & Route
Your arrival in Christchurch is a private transfer from the airport to your hotel — a straightforward start that gives you the afternoon to orientate yourself. Christchurch sits between the Pacific Ocean and the Southern Alps, and its city centre has been substantially rebuilt since the 2011 earthquake. The result is a city that feels newer than most New Zealand cities, with a riverside walkway along the Avon and inner-city gardens that have survived intact.
Christchurch City Centre — The post-earthquake rebuild has produced some genuinely interesting architecture alongside the restored heritage buildings. The central botanic gardens and the Avon River precinct are within easy walking distance of most accommodation.
Optional: Christchurch Tram Tour — a heritage tram circuit of the central city with commentary; Punting on the Avon River — a 30-minute pole-punt along the tree-lined river through the botanic gardens (own expense, bookable at the hotel).
Your arrival in Christchurch is a private transfer from the airport to your hotel — a straightforward start that gives you the afternoon to orientate yourself. Christchurch sits between the Pacific Ocean and the Southern Alps, and its city centre has been substantially rebuilt since the 2011 earthquake. The result is a city that feels newer than most New Zealand cities, with a riverside walkway along the Avon and inner-city gardens that have survived intact.
Christchurch City Centre — The post-earthquake rebuild has produced some genuinely interesting architecture alongside the restored heritage buildings. The central botanic gardens and the Avon River precinct are within easy walking distance of most accommodation.
Optional: Christchurch Tram Tour — a heritage tram circuit of the central city with commentary; Punting on the Avon River — a 30-minute pole-punt along the tree-lined river through the botanic gardens (own expense, bookable at the hotel).
What's Included
- hotel
Accommodation
6 nights’ accommodation
- restaurant
Meals
Lunch on the Milford Sound cruise
- airport_shuttle
Transport
Airport transfers and guided coach touring
- tour
Guide
Guided Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook and Milford Sound experiences
- local_activity
Activities
Aoraki Mt Cook, Lake Tekapo and Milford Sound cruise
Dates & Prices
Pricing coming soon
Season pricing for this route hasn't been published yet. Enquire and we'll get you a quote, or ask to be notified once it's live.
