2 Day West Coast Glaciers and TranzAlpine Train: Queenstown to Christchurch

Experience the very best of New Zealand on this two day West Coast adventure!
Tour highlights include Queenstown, Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, the wild West Coast and the world-famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train. Hailed as one of the greatest train journeys in the world, the TranzAlpine Train will take your breath away on the journey to your final destination of Christchurch.

This is an Independent coach tour, where you travel on a combination of touring coaches and sightseeing services with commentary and/or point to point coaches which may not have commentary. You will be with different people on each part of the tour and different drivers. You have free time to explore on your own and are free to choose where and when to eat, meals are not included unless specified.

Itinerary

Day 1: Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier

Stop At: Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago Region, South Island
Depart Queenstown by coach, passing through Cromwell, Wanaka and Hawea before travelling over the magnificent Haast Pass into Westland. On arrival, you will be dropped off at or near your accommodation.
Duration: 8 hours

Stop At: Franz Josef, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast Region, South Island
You will be met at your accommodation by a representative from Glacier Shuttles and taken on a short tour to view the glacier. Your shuttle vehicle will transfer you up the Franz Josef valley to the road end. Here you will have the opportunity to walk to view the glacier from a viewing platform. Or enjoy one of the short walks available in this area.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Franz Josef Glacier, Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park New Zealand
Spectacular photo opportunities abound of these huge ice masses. Watch out for keas (native parrots) and their inquisitive cheeky play.

You will be met at your accommodation by a representative from Glacier Valley Eco Tours and taken on a short tour to view the glacier. Your shuttle vehicle will transfer you up the Franz Josef valley to the road end. Here you will have the opportunity to walk to view the glacier from a viewing platform. Or enjoy one of the short walks available in this area. You will be returned to your accommodation by the Glacier Valley Eco Tours shuttle.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Choose from either a Premium Motel or 4-Star Hotel

Day 2: Franz Josef to Greymouth, then take the TranzAlpine Scenic Train to Christchurch

Stop At: Greymouth i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 164 Mackay Street, Greymouth 7805 New Zealand
This morning travel north through the small townships of Whataroa and Harihari. Continue through the township of Ross, where the largest gold nugget ever found in New Zealand was discovered at Jones Creek, weighing 2807 grams. On arrival into Hokitika there is time to purchase lunch, walk around the town centre, or just relax and enjoy the windswept coast. Continue onto Greymouth Railway Station from where you catch the world-famous Tranz Alpine train across the Southern Alps to Christchurch.

Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: TranzAlpine & Coastal Pacific, Troup Drive, Addington, Addington, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Considered one of the world's great train journeys, the Tranz Alpine scenic train takes you from Greymouth to Christchurch. You'll travel across the South Island through the Arthur's Pass National Park from the west to the east coast.
Duration: 6 hours

Pass By: Christchurch, Christchurch, Canterbury Region, South Island
From the comfort of your carriage see lush beech forest, deep river valleys and the spectacular peaks of the Southern Alps. Descend to the windswept Canterbury Plains before arriving in the city of Christchurch.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.