New Zealand Coach Tours - Small Group Tours
7 Day South Island Small Group Tour: Christchurch Loop
price from
NZ$ 4520
per person (twin share)
New Zealand - South Island 
Small Group Tour 
7 days 
Christchurch 
Christchurch Your 7 Day South Island New Zealand Small Group Tour
New Zealand’s South Island delivers scenery that photos never quite capture. This South Island New Zealand tour takes you through the best of it in just seven days. First, you depart Christchurch. Then you loop through the Mackenzie Basin, Fiordland, Queenstown and the West Coast, before returning to where you started.
Along the way, you will stargaze beneath Lake Tekapo’s famous night sky. It sits within the largest Dark Sky Reserve in the world. Next, you will taste wine at Mt Difficulty Vineyard in Central Otago, with lunch included. After that, you will cruise through Milford Sound. Locals often call it the eighth wonder of the world. This 7 day New Zealand tour also builds in free time in Queenstown, the adventure capital, and in Franz Josef, home to one of the country’s most accessible glaciers.
Small groups and expert local guides make the journey easy. Because accommodation is premium twin share, every night matches the scenery in comfort. Along the way, your guide books optional activities for you. So there is nothing to arrange in advance. We include breakfast daily, along with a Welcome Dinner and standout meals at Milford Sound and Mt Difficulty Vineyard.
For more options, explore our tours collection. Or, if you want to see the North Island too, browse our New Zealand Highlights Tour for a longer, full country journey. Overall, few itineraries cover this much of the South Island in just one week. That is exactly why this South Island New Zealand tour is one of our most popular short breaks.
Tour Photo Gallery
Tour Information, Departure Dates & Price
Transportation
- Minibus
Tour Departures
- Check the tour departures below
Airport Transfers
- Not Included
Pricing
-
From NZD 4,520
Meals
- Check the meal details in the itinerary
Accommodation
- Superior Hotels
Cities/Regions Visited
-
Tekapo – Te Anau – Milford Sound – Queenstown – Franz Josef
Group Size
- maximum 14 travelers
Tour Code
- WK0720262
Pre & Post Accommodation
- N/A
7 Day South Island Small Group Tour: Christchurch Loop Days
Welcome to New Zealand. Your premium bus tour departs Christchurch this morning. The route travels through the scenic Rakaia Gorge, a dramatic natural landmark, before a stop for lunch in the charming town of Geraldine. You continue on to Lake Tekapo, famous for its striking turquoise water and views of the Southern Alps.
Included activities today:
- Self guided stargazing at Lake Tekapo, the largest Dark Sky Reserve in the world
- Welcome Dinner, a great chance to meet your fellow travellers and your guide
Optional add-ons available in Tekapo include a visit to the Church of the Good Shepherd, a soak at Tekapo Springs, or a guided Dark Sky Summit Experience at Mt John Observatory.
Travel south, stopping at Mt Difficulty Vineyard for an included lunch and wine tasting amid stunning Central Otago scenery. Continue on to Te Anau, on the shores of the South Island’s largest lake, gateway to Fiordland National Park.
Travel to Milford Sound, often called the eighth wonder of the world. Enjoy an included scenic cruise past towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls, with a chance to spot local wildlife, plus lunch on board. Continue to Queenstown, set among dramatic mountains and lakes.
A free day in the adventure capital of the world. Options include bungy jumping, skydiving, jet boating, scenic hikes, or exploring the town at your own pace.
Travel from Queenstown to Franz Josef, pausing in the lakeside town of Wanaka along the way. Follow the scenic west coast route through dramatic mountain and rainforest scenery.
A free day to explore the glacier region. Options include a guided glacier walk, a soak in thermal pools, or a helicopter tour over the surrounding icy landscape.
Travel back to Christchurch, stopping in Hokitika, known for its jade carving, and through Arthur’s Pass with its striking mountain scenery. Visit Castle Hill’s dramatic limestone rock formations before finishing the tour in Christchurch.
Inclusions & Highlights
- Mercedes Sprinter Luxury Bus with expert local guide driver throughout
- 3 to 4 star twin share accommodation with private ensuite bathrooms
- Breakfast every day
- Welcome Dinner on arrival in Tekapo
- Milford Sound Cruise, including lunch on board
- Lunch and wine tasting at Mt Difficulty Vineyard, Central Otago
- Self guided stargazing at Lake Tekapo
- Guide handles all optional activity bookings on the road, nothing to book in advance
Tour Departure Dates
-
- August 22
- October 17
- November 14
- December 5, December 19
- January: Jan 2, Jan 16, Jan 30
- February: Feb 13, Feb 27
- March: Mar 13, Mar 27
- April: Apr 17
- May: May 8, May 29
- June: Jun 19
- July: Jul 17
- August: Aug 14
- September: Sep 11
Accommodation
- Lake Tekapo Hotel or similar, 1 night (Day 1), Twin Share Room with private ensuite
- Te Anau Hotel or similar, 1 night (Day 2), Twin Share Room with private ensuite
- Queenstown Hotel or similar, 2 nights (Days 3 to 4), Twin Share Room with private ensuite
- Franz Josef Hotel or similar, 2 nights (Days 5 to 6), Twin Share Room with private ensuite
For your South Island New Zealand tour, you can select from a variety of accommodation styles, including Standard, Superior, First Class Hotels, Boutique Hotels, Boutique B&Bs, and Luxury Lodges.
Included activities
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