Overnight Experiences Queenstown

Highlights

• Experience a full South Island circuit with lakes, mountains, coastlines, and historic towns
• Marvel at Lake Tekapo’s turquoise waters, the Southern Alps, and Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park
• Discover Christchurch’s mix of culture, gardens, and heritage before venturing to the rugged West Coast
• Journey through lush rainforests, glaciers, and coastal towns like Greymouth and Hokitika
• Fully private and customisable — design each day to match your pace, with plenty of stops along the way

Be collected from your Queenstown hotel or residence by your local guide in one of our comfortable fleet vehicles — family sedans, spacious wagons, or SUVs. Over five days, travel in a loop across the South Island, spending each night in a different destination before returning to Queenstown on Day 5.

This tour blends South Island highlights with hidden gems, giving you the freedom to choose scenic walks, photo stops, cafés, and optional activities along the way.

Day 1 – Queenstown to Lake Tekapo

Depart Queenstown and journey north through the Central Otago landscapes. Stop at Lake Pukaki for breathtaking views of Aoraki / Mt. Cook before arriving in Lake Tekapo. Visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, stroll by the lakeshore, and enjoy optional activities like Tekapo Hot Pools or stargazing. Overnight near Lake Tekapo.

Day 2 – Lake Tekapo to Christchurch

Travel across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Along the way, enjoy sweeping high-country views and optional stops at Geraldine or Ashburton. In Christchurch, explore the Botanic Gardens, the Avon River, and the modern city centre. Overnight in Christchurch.

Day 3 – Christchurch to Greymouth / Hokitika (West Coast)

Cross the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass, one of New Zealand’s most spectacular mountain routes. Stop for short walks, waterfalls, and dramatic alpine views before reaching the rugged West Coast. Explore Greymouth or Hokitika, known for pounamu (greenstone), craft shops, and wild beaches. Overnight on the West Coast. Optional Tranz Alpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth.

Day 4 – Greymouth / Hokitika to Wanaka

Travel south along the West Coast, passing Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Optional stops include glacier walks, helicopter flights, or rainforest trails. Continue to Haast, a UNESCO World Heritage area known for its untouched wilderness, rivers, and coastline. Overnight near Haast.

Day 5 – Wanaka to Queenstown

Journey back to Queenstown via the Haast Pass, with plenty of scenic stops at waterfalls, lakes, and viewpoints. Pause at Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka, cross the Crown Range, and finish your loop back in Queenstown.

Stops & Highlights (All Stops Are Optional at no additional cost — Choose What You Love!)

• Day 1 (Up to 8 hours): Cromwell, Lindis Pass, Lake Pukaki, Aoraki/Mt. Cook Village (optional detour), Lake Tekapo, Church of the Good Shepherd, Tekapo Hot Pools, Dark Sky Reserve (stargazing)
• Day 2 (Up to 8 hours): Fairlie, Geraldine, Canterbury Plains, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Avon River, Christchurch City Centre
• Day 3 (Up to 8 hours): Arthur’s Pass, Devil’s Punchbowl Falls, Otira Viaduct Lookout, Greymouth, Hokitika Gorge, Hokitika Beach & Driftwood Sign

• Day 4 (Up to 8 hours): Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson (Mirror Lakes), West Coast Rainforest Walks, Bruce Bay, Haast Pass Lookouts

• Day 5 (Up to 8 hours): Haast River, Blue Pools, Lake Hawea, Wanaka (That Wanaka Tree), Cardrona Hotel, Crown Range Road

Notes

• Pick-up location: Your address must be within 25 km of Queenstown CBD, including Arrowtown and Gibbston Valley.

• Accommodation & meals: Not included. Please book 1 night near Lake Tekapo, 1 night in Christchurch, 1 night on the West Coast (Greymouth or Hokitika), and 1 night near Haast. Price includes tour guide's accommodation & food.

• Weather conditions: If road closures prevent travel, you will be offered a full refund.

• Optional paid activities: Activities requiring admission (e.g., hot pools, heli tours, stargazing, glacier walks) must be booked and paid separately. These can be arranged to fit within your trip.

• Flexibility: This tour is fully customisable. Choose more photo stops, short hikes, or relaxed breaks — your guide adapts the journey to your pace.

  
  

Highlights Experience a full South Island circuit with lakes, mountains, coastlines, and historic towns Marvel at Lake Tekapo’s turquoise waters, the Southern Alps, and Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park Discover Christchurch’s mix of culture, gardens, and heritage before venturing to the rugged West Coast Journey through lush rainforests, glaciers, and coastal towns like Greymouth and Hokitika Fully private and customisable — design each day to match your pace, with plenty of stops along the way


Be collected from your Queenstown hotel or residence by your local guide in one of our comfortable fleet vehicles — family sedans, spacious wagons, or SUVs. Over five days, travel in a loop across the South Island, spending each night in a different destination before returning to Queenstown on Day 5.


This tour blends South Island highlights with hidden gems, giving you the freedom to choose scenic walks, photo stops, cafés, and optional activities along the way.

Day 1 – Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
Depart Queenstown and journey north through the Central Otago landscapes. Stop at Lake Pukaki for breathtaking views of Aoraki / Mt. Cook before arriving in Lake Tekapo. Visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, stroll by the lakeshore, and enjoy optional activities like Tekapo Hot Pools or stargazing. Overnight near Lake Tekapo.

Day 2 – Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
Travel across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Along the way, enjoy sweeping high-country views and optional stops at Geraldine or Ashburton. In Christchurch, explore the Botanic Gardens, the Avon River, and the modern city centre. Overnight in Christchurch.

Day 3 – Christchurch to Greymouth / Hokitika (West Coast)
Cross the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass, one of New Zealand’s most spectacular mountain routes. Stop for short walks, waterfalls, and dramatic alpine views before reaching the rugged West Coast. Explore Greymouth or Hokitika, known for pounamu (greenstone), craft shops, and wild beaches. Overnight on the West Coast. Optional Tranz Alpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth.

Day 4 – Greymouth / Hokitika to Wanaka
Travel south along the West Coast, passing Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Optional stops include glacier walks, helicopter flights, or rainforest trails. Continue to Haast, a UNESCO World Heritage area known for its untouched wilderness, rivers, and coastline. Overnight near Haast.

Day 5 – Wanaka to Queenstown
Journey back to Queenstown via the Haast Pass, with plenty of scenic stops at waterfalls, lakes, and viewpoints. Pause at Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka, cross the Crown Range, and finish your loop back in Queenstown.

Stops & Highlights (All Stops Are Optional at no additional cost — Choose What You Love!) Day 1 (Up to 8 hours): Cromwell, Lindis Pass, Lake Pukaki, Aoraki/Mt. Cook Village (optional detour), Lake Tekapo, Church of the Good Shepherd, Tekapo Hot Pools, Dark Sky Reserve (stargazing) Day 2 (Up to 8 hours): Fairlie, Geraldine, Canterbury Plains, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Avon River, Christchurch City Centre Day 3 (Up to 8 hours): Arthur’s Pass, Devil’s Punchbowl Falls, Otira Viaduct Lookout, Greymouth, Hokitika Gorge, Hokitika Beach & Driftwood Sign
Day 4 (Up to 8 hours): Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson (Mirror Lakes), West Coast Rainforest Walks, Bruce Bay, Haast Pass Lookouts
Day 5 (Up to 8 hours): Haast River, Blue Pools, Lake Hawea, Wanaka (That Wanaka Tree), Cardrona Hotel, Crown Range Road

Notes
Pick-up location: Your address must be within 25 km of Queenstown CBD, including Arrowtown and Gibbston Valley.
Accommodation & meals: Not included. Please book 1 night near Lake Tekapo, 1 night in Christchurch, 1 night on the West Coast (Greymouth or Hokitika), and 1 night near Haast. Price includes tour guide's accommodation & food.
Weather conditions: If road closures prevent travel, you will be offered a full refund.
Optional paid activities: Activities requiring admission (e.g., hot pools, heli tours, stargazing, glacier walks) must be booked and paid separately. These can be arranged to fit within your trip.
Flexibility: This tour is fully customisable. Choose more photo stops, short hikes, or relaxed breaks — your guide adapts the journey to your pace.