3 Day Christchurch loop including Milford Sound
To begin your journey, you depart Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island, and travel through the lush farm lands of the Canterbury Plains through to Mackenzie Country and the stunning blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Continuing on toward the Southern Alps toward Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, the home of the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Enjoy some free time to explore some of the dramatic alpine and glacier scenery before continuing on to the Adventure Capital of the World, Queenstown, via the Lindis Pass.
Day two brings some of the best the South Island has to offer, the Milford Sound. Enjoy the relaxing return luxury coach transport from Queenstown, along the shores of Lake Whakitipu and through the rolling countryside of Te Anau, eventually continuing onto the Milford Road to Milford Sound. Board your modern, spacious vessel to embark upon a 1 hour and 40 minute cruise along the fiord, soaking up the multitude of waterfalls, lush rainforest, staggering mountains, and, if you're lucky, playful wildlife. After the cruise, enjoy a relaxing ride back to Queenstown.
Day three sees you departing Queenstown, retracing your steps through the Lindis Pass, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park with free time to explore (or book a scenic flight!) before continuing on to the dazzling blue waters of Lake Tekapo, through the lush farmland of Canterbury Plains back to Christchurch.
Tour overview
Departs every day - flexible independent travel
This suggested tour costs from NZD$1,530 per person (twin share, low season)
Starts in Christchurch, finishes in Christchurch
3 days/2 nights
Motels
Customisable? YES
Viewed 24 times in the last 7 days
We can customize this tour suggestion to suit you perfectly. Add more time in favourite locations, stay in different accommodations, experience activities that interest you - we can arrange it all. Just get in touch to get your Tailor-Made itinerary
Day 1 - Christchurch to Mt. Cook then to Queenstown
Depart Christchurch in the morning and travel through the lush farmland of the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo, where you can see the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd as it stands in solitude next to the vibrant blue waters. Leaving Tekapo, continue into the Southern Alps towards Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's tallest mountain. You will have a free time and you can take a sightseeing flight (at your own expense) enabling you experience some of the most dramatic alpine and glacier scenery. After then you will continue to Queenstown via Lindis Pass and the fruit growing area of Cromwell.
Your accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge
Blue Peaks Lodge offers well equipped self contained rooms with a fantastic location overlooking Queenstown and is just an easy five minutes walk to the Queenstown lakefront.
Day 2 - Queenstown to Milford Sound including a cruise
Return luxury coach transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with a 1 hour 40 minute Cruise along the full length of the fiord. On boarding a Real Journeys luxury glass-roofed coach in Queenstown or Te Anau, you will enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary. After a morning tea break in Te Anau, where you have the option of purchasing refreshments, the coach continues along the spectacular Milford Road. There is time for photo stops and short walks along the way. On reaching Milford Sound, you board the modern, spacious vessel for a leisurely cruise in the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and the wildlife. During the cruise your friendly crew provide commentaries in several languages and point out the sights such as Mitre Peak and the Pembroke Glacier.
Your accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge
Blue Peaks Lodge offers well equipped self contained rooms with a fantastic location overlooking Queenstown and is just an easy five minutes walk to the Queenstown lakefront.Day 3 - Queenstown to Christchurch
Depart Queenstown in the morning passing the fruit growing area of Cromwell towards the dramatic Lindis Pass that links Mackenzie Basin with Central Otago. The pass crosses a saddle between the valleys of the Lindis and Ahuriri Rivers at an altitude of 971 metres above sea level. You will continue towards Omarama, which is a favorite place of glider pilots and sometimes known as 'place of light'. You will continue towards Aoraki/ Mount Cook National Park in the Southern Alps. Mt Cook is New Zealand's tallest mountain. You will have a free time to explore Mount Cook Village or you can take a sightseeing flight (at your own expense) enabling you experience some of the most dramatic alpine and glacier scenery. After then, you will continue towards beautiful Lake Tekapo, where you can see the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd as it stands in solitude next to the vibrant blue waters. After visiting Tekapo, you will travel through the lush farmland of the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
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