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7 Day South Island New Zealand Itinerary: West Coast Highlights South Island Tours New Zealand

Franz Joseph

7 Day South Island New Zealand Itinerary: Embark on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island, where nature unfolds its beauty in a series of captivating sights. From the Wild West Coast to the serene lakes and towering glaciers, this itinerary promises an unforgettable adventure.

Explore a land of ice-age glaciers, stunning waterfalls, turquoise lakes, and towering granite cliffs with our NZ West Coast vacation package. This tour showcases New Zealand’s glacial history and highlights the diverse landscapes across the country’s vast interior and along its dramatic west coast.

7 Day South Island New Zealand Itinerary (car rental included) has been pre-planned and for ease and peace of mind, we have pre-booked all your accommodation and sightseeing needs to allow a truly memorable experience. The West Coast of New Zealand is an untamed coastal paradise bursting with remarkable scenery and rare native wildlife.

If you want to spend additional time exploring New Zealand, we highly recommend checking out our extensive selection of day tours or all of our New Zealand self-drive tours.

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  •    TOUR DURATION:
    7 days
  •    TOUR STARTS/ENDS:
    Christchurch to Christchurch
  •    TOUR CATEGORY:
    Self Drive Tour
  •    TRANSPORTATION:
    Rental Car
  •    TOUR DEPARTURES:
    Daily
  •    AIRPORT TRANSFERS:
    N/A
  •    MEALS:
    6 x Breakfast 
  •    ACCOMMODATIONS:
    First Class Hotels, Superior Hotels, Standard Hotels, Apartments
  •    PASSENGERS:
    no minimum number of passengers
  •    TOUR CODE:
    GTNZ18
  •    PRE & POST ACCOMMODATION:
    “Available“
  •    CITIES/REGIONS VISITED:

    CHRISTCHURCH – PUNAKAIKI – GREYMOUTH – GLACIER REGION – QUEENSTOWN – MT COOK

ITINERARY

Depart from United States Of America, US

DAY 1 : Arrive Christchurch

Depending on your preferred travel choice, you will either be met and privately transferred or self-drive to your accommodation.

Christchurch is between the deep blue Pacific Ocean and the mighty snow-capped Southern Alps. This vibrant, ever-changing city has inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River.

Enjoy admission to the International Antarctic Centre today or tomorrow for an icy insight into this astounding continent. Overnight: Christchurch

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Antarctic Centre

 

DAY 2 : Christchurch - Glacier Region

Depart across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, through the spectacular scenery of Arthurs Pass National Park and on to the West Coast.  New Zealand’s rugged West Coast is a wild and untamed place known for its rivers, rainforests, glaciers, and geological treasures.  Here, mighty rivers of solid white ice, relics of the world’s last ice-age, tumble down the rocky valleys.  Overnight: Glacier Region

Christchurch – Glacier Region: 240-380km (approx 3.5-5hrs)

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Westcoast Treetop Walkway

 

DAY 3 : Glacier Region

A temperate climate at a low altitude make Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers among the most convenient to visit in the world. Steep valleys bear scars from where glaciers have retreated and advanced over millennia and here, the ice age is still underway. This morning’s walk takes you to the face of the Franz Josef Glacier, the afternoon is free to explore or add another activity. Overnight: Glacier Region

Visit Punakaiki Pancake Rocks or, for an absolute bucket list experience, add a scenic flight with a glacier landing and a thrilling hike to your itinerary. Overnight: Glacier Region

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike
Fox Glacier Valley E-Bike and Hike

 

DAY 4 : Glacier Region - Queenstown

Travel through wilderness towns, waterfalls, and river scenery on today’s scenic journey to Queenstown. We recommend stopping for a break, and to stretch the legs, at Makarora’s Blue Pools. Make a stop at Wanaka to visit the wonderful world of weirdness at Puzzling World before arriving at Queenstown. Overnight: Queenstown

Glacier Region – Queenstown: 350km (approx 4hrs,45mins)

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Puzzling World

 

DAY 5 : Queenstown

Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World.

Make your way to the Skyline Base for a Gondola Ride to the top of Bob’s Peak and enjoy some spectacular panoramic views high above Queenstown. You might also like to add some Luge rides to your bucket list for some extra fun. There is plenty of free time today to add some of the endless optional activities on offer. Overnight: Queenstown

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Gondola Ride

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Glenorchy Lord of the Rings 4WD Safari
Walter Peak BBQ Lunch by Vintage Steamship
Shotover Jetboat Ride
Original Onsen Exclusive Indoor Pool

 

DAY 6 : Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown

Queenstown – Milford Sound – Queenstown

Fiordland is one of the world’s last great wildernesses. Today’s stunning journey takes you past mirror lakes, spectacular waterfalls and water-sculpted rocks. Venture into Milford Sound, a New Zealand treasure carved by ice age glaciers and famously described as the eighth wonder of the world. After a big day out, reflect on memories of a lifetime on your return to Queenstown. Overnight: Queenstown

Queenstown – Milford: 287km (approx 3hrs, 50mins) each way

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Milford Sound Cruise

DAY 7 : Depart Queenstown

Arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer or return of your rental car.

Please Note
(i) Rental Car “Days” are based on a 24 hour hire.
Early arrivals into and/or late departures out of New Zealand may necessitate a longer hire period.
(ii) Adding Optional Tours may necessitate an additional nights’ stay in that location.

Arrive to United States Of America, US

ACCOMMODATION

Standard Accommodation Options
Standard is equivalent to a good 3-star tourist hotel.These hotels represent excellent value for money and usually have a licensed restaurant and bar on the premises.

Superior Accommodation Options
Superior describes hotels in the 3 1/2 to 4-star category. More often than not, these will be centrally located and offering a wide range of services and facilities.

First Class Accommodation Options
First Class are central city or resort location hotels at the top end of the scale rating 4 to 4 1/2 stars. All hotels at this level have excellent facilities, bars and restaurants etc, full services, and many feature swimming pool, spa baths, and fully equipped gymnasium for the enjoyment of guests.