Independent Coach Tours - New Zealand Coach Tours
12 Day South Island Coach Tour: Wild & Wonderful
price from
NZ$ 4804
per person (twin share)
New Zealand - South Island
Independent Coach Tour
12 days
Christchurch
Christchurch
Inquiry & Booking
12 Day South Island Coach Tour | Summer Only | Backcountry Adventures with 4 Included Activities & Accommodation
Embark on an unforgettable journey through New Zealand’s breathtaking South Island, where the spirit of adventure awaits around every bend. The Wild & Wonderful, a 12 Day South Island Coach Tour, celebrates the roads less traveled, guiding you deep into the heartland and revealing hidden gems far from the usual tourist trails. Over 12 remarkable days, you’ll explore stunning backcountry landscapes, discover remote towns rich in character, and experience the natural beauty and warm hospitality that define this extraordinary region. Get ready for a true Kiwi adventure unlike any other!
Your South Island Journey Awaits
Prepare for an unforgettable 12-day adventure filled with unique experiences and seamless travel. This carefully crafted 12-day independent coach tour package includes everything you need to explore New Zealand in comfort and style. From the moment you arrive, enjoy an exclusive meet-and-greet airport transfer, setting the tone for a journey full of discovery and delight.
With 11 nights of comfortable accommodation, you’ll immerse yourself in some of New Zealand’s most iconic attractions, marvel at the breathtaking scenery on a Milford Sound tour complete with a scenic cruise and lunch, and travel in comfort between Queenstown, Mt Cook, and Christchurch. Convenient airport transfers ensure a stress‑free journey from start to finish. Join us and experience the very best of the South Island, with every detail thoughtfully included for your enjoyment.
Tour Information, Departure Dates & Price
Transportation
- Coach
Tour Departures
- Operates Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon, Tue only
Airport Transfers
- Included
Pricing
-
07 November 2025 – 24 April 2026. (Not operating 19 Dec 2025)
(Must arrive Christchurch Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon or Tue)
Meals
- 11 x Breakfast
Accommodation
- First Class Hotels
- Superior Hotels
- Standard Hotels
Cities/Regions Visited
-
Summer Tour Christchurch – Franz Josef – Queenstown – Dunedin – Tekapo – Christchurch
Group Size
- no minimum number
Tour Code
- GTNZ042025
Pre & Post Accommodation
- Available
12 Day South Island Coach Tour: Wild & Wonderful Days
Operates Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon, Tue only
Upon arrival in Christchurch, you’ll be greeted and privately transferred to your accommodation. Nestled between the deep blue ocean and the snow-capped Southern Alps, Christchurch is a vibrant, ever-evolving city where lush inner-city parks are beautifully interwoven by the meandering Avon River.
Overnight: Christchurch
Optional Activities:
-
Christchurch Tram Dinner
-
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Travel across the flat, green farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, alongside spectacular braided rivers, and through the foothills of the majestic Southern Alps toward the untouched wilderness of the West Coast. Arrive in Glacier Country, where steep valleys still bear the scars of glaciers that have advanced and retreated over millennia—a region where the Ice Age continues.
Overnight: Franz Josef
Make your own way to the town center to join your off-road buggy tour. With an expert guide at the wheel, sit back and enjoy the thrill of tackling rugged tracks, riverbeds, and muddy stretches.
Overnight: Franz Josef
Included Activity:
-
Off-Road Buggy Ride
Optional Activities:
-
Heliservices Snow Landing (20 minutes)
-
Scenic Cruise
-
West Coast Wildlife Centre VIP Backstage Tour
Travel past wilderness towns, waterfalls, and scenic rivers on the dramatic journey to Queenstown. Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this vibrant alpine resort town. With such an expansive natural setting, it’s no wonder Queenstown is known as the Adventure Capital of the World.
Overnight: Queenstown
Optional Activity:
-
Original Onsen Exclusive Indoor Pool
Make your own way to the Queenstown CBD departure point for today’s tour. A spectacular scenic drive along the lake’s edge leads you to ancient forests and the stunning filming locations of Glenorchy and Paradise Valley.
Overnight: Queenstown
Included Activity:
-
Glenorchy & Paradise Explorer Tour
Optional Activity:
-
Skyline Gondola Ride with Buffet Dinner
Today is a free day to enjoy Queenstown at your own pace or add some of the endless optional activities available.
Overnight: Queenstown
Optional Activities:
-
Skippers Canyon Scenic Jet Boat Tour
-
Kawarau Bridge Bungy
Depart Queenstown and travel through charming townships rich in gold rush history. At Pukerangi, say farewell to your driver and board the Taieri Gorge Railway for a spectacular scenic journey accessible only by train, bound for Dunedin.
Overnight: Dunedin
Included Activity:
-
Taieri Gorge Train
Gateway to the Otago Peninsula, Dunedin is renowned for its remarkable wildlife, including penguins, seals, and wading birds. Today, venture out onto the peninsula for a unique wildlife adventure, traveling by all-terrain Argo 8-wheel drive vehicle.
Overnight: Dunedin
Included Activity:
-
Argo Wildlife Tour
Optional Activity:
-
Brewery Tour & Tasting
Head north through the region’s natural geological marvels to the Mackenzie Basin, a landscape dotted with lakes of unreal turquoise blue and framed by snow-capped peaks.
Overnight: Tekapo or Twizel
Optional Activity:
-
Twizel Stargazing
Journey into the heart of New Zealand’s high-country farming region on a scenic 4WD Backcountry Tour to a private high-country station. Marvel at sheep, cattle, and deer thriving in their spectacular natural environment.
Overnight: Tekapo or Twizel
Included Activity:
-
Cass Valley Backcountry Tour
Enjoy a scenic drive through golden tussock lands and alongside wide braided rivers. The patchwork of green fields signals your arrival back into the vibrant city of Christchurch.
Overnight: Christchurch
Your tour arrangements conclude today with a transfer to Christchurch Airport for your departure.
Optional Activity:
-
Antarctic Centre
Inclusions & Highlights
- Exclusive Meet & Greet Arrival Transfer
- 11Nights Accommodation
- Off-Road Buggy Tour
- Glenorchy & Paradise Tour
- Taieri Gorge Train
- Argo Wildlife Tour
- Back Country Station Tour
- Departure Transfer
- Private Touring can be arranged upon request
Tour Departure Dates
The tour runs from 7 November 2025 to 24 April 2026, except on 19 December 2025. Arrivals in Christchurch must be on Friday through Tuesday.
Accommodation
We offer a wide range of accommodations for our self-drive or coach tours, including:
- Standard, Superior, and First-Class Hotels
- Boutique Stays
- Motels
- Apartments
- Luxury Lodges


















