New Zealand Tour: Christchurch to Queenstown

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Discover New Zealand’s iconic landscapes on a 2-day tour from Christchurch to Queenstown via Franz Josef. Enjoy personalized service and expert local guides.

Duration: 2 days

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Christchurch to Franz Josef via Hokitika

Christchurch - Begin your adventure in Christchurch, the garden city, as you set off on your journey.
Castle Hill - Discover the impressive weathered limestone rocks that proudly stand on the tussocky hills, once submerged in the ocean. Over time, they have eroded into the unique shapes visible today….

Christchurch to Franz Josef via Hokitika

Christchurch - Begin your adventure in Christchurch, the garden city, as you set off on your journey.

Castle Hill - Discover the impressive weathered limestone rocks that proudly stand on the tussocky hills, once submerged in the ocean. Over time, they have eroded into the unique shapes visible today. This landscape may be familiar from films like Lord of the Rings and Narnia! While exploring the rocks, you might also spot climbers and boulderers, as this area is a haven for thrill-seekers. Enjoy the freedom to explore this natural wonder at your own pace.

Arthur’s Pass Village - As you travel through, admire the stunning backdrop of the majestic Southern Alps. Upon arrival, choose to walk the Devils Punch Bowl or explore the local shop.

Devils Punchbowl Walking Track - This optional walking track takes approximately 1 hour and features a gradual incline with steps leading to a magnificent 131-meter-tall waterfall. The walk requires low to moderate fitness as you traverse through bush and forest.

Otira Viaduct Lookout - Also known as Deaths Corner, the Otira Viaduct Lookout offers a breathtaking view of the national park. This impressive 440-meter-long bridge makes driving through Arthurs Pass possible and is a perfect spot for photos of the bridge and surrounding landscape. You might even catch a glimpse of a cheeky Kea, the mischievous Alpine Parrot of NZ. Next, continue the adventure towards the charming town of Hokitika.

Greymouth - Situated in the heart of New Zealand’s South Island, Greymouth is the largest town in the West Coast Region, with a population of around 14,000. This delightful town is not only picturesque but also a key hub for the renowned TranzAlpine train service. Enjoy a lunch stop here with a free choice from a set menu.

Cobden Beach - Cobden is a beach break with a rock breakwater at its southern end, creating standout waves that break right against the structure. This scenic spot is a photographer’s dream, offering a stunning backdrop for breathtaking images.

Hokitika - Take some free time to explore this charming coastal town. Stroll along the black sand beach, see the iconic Hokitika sign, and browse local art shops.

Hokitika Gorge Walk - Venture to a hidden gem on the West Coast, Hokitika Gorge, known for its striking turquoise waters and otherworldly beauty. Nestled amidst lush native bush, this enchanting gorge attracts nature enthusiasts and photographers eager to capture its unique essence and unforgettable views. After capturing those Instagram-worthy shots, head to the final destination for the day, Franz Josef.

Lake Ianthe - Surrounded by hills and podocarp forests, Lake Ianthe features a large flax swamp at its southern end. The lake is home to a diverse array of wetland birds, including the endangered Great Crested Grebe, which boasts one of the largest populations in New Zealand. Situated in a glacial trough, the lake is encircled by a moraine and flows into the Wanganui River through Ianthe Creek.

Franz Josef - Upon arrival in Franz Josef Village, you will be dropped off at your accommodation to relax. (Drop-off in Fox Glacier is not available)

Franz Josef to Queenstown via Wanaka

Franz Josef - Day 2 begins with collection from your accommodation in central Franz Josef, as you journey south along the West Coast.

Lake Matheson Walk - A photographer’s paradise, on a calm day, you can capture Mt Cook elegantly reflected across this picturesque lake. This easy bushwalk offers breathtaking views of the Southern Alps.

Bruce Bay - Witness where the dense native rainforest meets the seemingly endless open ocean of the Tasman Sea. This stunning beach truly showcases the best of the west.

Ship Creek Walks - As you travel south along the border where ancient rainforest meets the ocean, stop at Ship Creek. Feel the sand between your toes and the crash of the relentless Tasman Sea waves. Explore the dunes via an easy 1km walking track.

The Hard Antler - Time for a lunch break!

Thunder Creek Falls - A short 5-minute walk rewards you with the spectacular view of Thunder Creek Falls. This 28-meter waterfall is a remnant of a once-great glacier, cascading from a hanging valley into the Haast River below.

Lake Hawea Lookout - As you leave the national park, keep your eyes open for the stunning Lake Hawea. Stop for a quick photo at a lookout point between Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea.

Wanaka - Stretch your legs and take a walk down to the lakeside for the iconic photo of the Wanaka Tree. Soak in the beauty of this expansive lake, framed by Mt Aspiring and the Southern Alps. This is a photo opportunity not to be missed!

Cardrona - From Wanaka, travel over the Crown Range Road connecting Queenstown and Wanaka. Make a quick stop to see the Cardrona Hotel, one of New Zealand’s oldest and most iconic hotels. Its rustic charm, spectacular mountain setting, and rich history make it a must-see in Central Otago.

Queenstown - Conclude your tour in the stunning town of Queenstown. As you drive into town, your guide will point out key sites and local highlights before dropping you off at your central Queenstown accommodation.

What's Included

Fully guided small group tour
Lunch
Water & snacks
Luggage allowance - 1 large & 1 small per person

What's Not Included

Accommodation
On-board restrooms
Drop off in Fox Glacier

Additional Information

Join Cheeky Kiwi Travel for an unforgettable adventure through New Zealand’s stunning scenery. This two-day tour from Christchurch to Queenstown, passing through Franz Josef, provides a unique chance to discover New Zealand’s iconic landscapes and hidden treasures. Experience personalized service, small group settings, and knowledgeable local guides who…

Location

Bus Interchange (Intercity stop)

Intercity stop on Litchfield Street. PICKUP TIME: 7:08am.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

5.0

(12 Ratings)

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Henk_k

Feb 13, 2026

Fantastic trip!!! - Great trip, nice stops along the way where you can walk to great lookout points and take pictures. Had fantastic guides, Rosie and Lynette, and lots of information about the area and NZ in general.

Review provided by Viator

Ian_l

Feb 8, 2026

Amazing time - Great fun lots of walks Rosie and Colin were amazing very knowledgeable interesting we had the best time

Review provided by Viator

Hazelrabbit

Jan 9, 2026

Great 2-day tour along the remote and beautiful west coast. - We spent 3 weeks in New Zealand and had planned to do a lot of travelling by bus since we were not confident to drive on the right side of the road. This 2-day tour was a great choice and gave us more than we expected for the cost. First off, the bus we rode in is really a well-fitted and comfortable van which had 10 guests on our tour. The driver is also the tour guide and ours was very good at sharing both insight and humor about New Zealand’s indigenous and Euro-Asian history. Each day includes up to 10 stops along the route that takes you through the remote and less populated west coast of the South Island (and there's an option to take the Trans Alpine train to the western side of the island, which is a separate cost and skips the Castle Hill and Arthur's Pass visits). Some stops on the route are only for 5-10 minutes to grab a picture and stretch your legs but several stops are up to an hour in length including Castle Hill, a site that is sacred to the Maori tribes, Arthur's Pass village and the Devil's Punch Bowl walking track, and the Hokitika Gorge walk, which was stunning. We ended day 1 in the town of Franz Joseph. Keep in mind this is not a stop on the glacier, which we couldn’t even see. But after the long day of travel it was a great place to stop and spend the night. Plan to visit the local grocery store before grabbing dinner at one of numerous restaurants on the main route. The next day kicked off with a morning visit to Lake Matheson, which was stunningly beautiful and the coffee at the local bakery was delicious. After a couple more stops lunch was at the Hard Antler, an unexpected treat with interesting history. I recommend trying the Sammy. The afternoon included 4 more stops before ending up in Queenstown, which was our final destination. All in all a great day trip and I would do it again.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Michael_m

Jan 8, 2026

I love these one-way NZ... - I love these one-way NZ tours by Cheeky Kiwi. And to do it over 2 days made it spectacular. You get to see so much along the way and with more time and stops to soak in. The landscape is beautiful as you travel and you learn so much from talking to the guides (Rosie - day 1, and Noah - day 2) and the other passengers.

Review provided by Viator

Jennifer_c

Jan 2, 2026

Great way to get from Christchurch to Queenstown (or reverse)! - On the first day of our tour, Rosie was fantastic! Punctual, conscientious, and determined to keep us on track to arrive at Franz Josef at 6:30PM. The van was a very well-appointed Mercedes sprinter and was in excellent shape for a tour van -- clean, leather seats, good intercom, outfitted with all the latest safety features including wind assist (which Rosie definitely ended up needing). Rosie was a very safe driver despite extremely windy & rainy conditions. We also did all the stops and were pretty fortunate to arrive at breaks in the weather for Castle Hill (used for Narnia movie scenes), the waterfall at Arthur's Pass, Hokitika Gorge, etc. Rosie was a font of knowledge and strove to be engaging with NZ facts on geography, history, flora & fauna, culture, and politics -- all whilst driving a van in inclement weather for 7 hours! On the second day, Kristina was a wonderful guide who kept her energy up for a long day of driving and chatting. Our stops included a variety of locations: lakes w/ beautiful reflections, glaciers, beaches, waterfalls, and other scenic vantage points. Lunch was arranged at a decent restaurant along the way. There is only one major road along the west coast of NZ, and this was a great way to see the change from temperate rainforest to the interior land in the range's rain shadow. The scenery and road all felt very remote, so it was nice to see this part of the country with an experienced and knowledgeable guide. Kristina remained focused and willing to engage but also allowed time for us to just enjoy the scenery and listen to her playlist of NZ artists. Overall this whole trip was a great way to get to Queenstown from Christchurch and see some great scenery and absorb some local knowledge at the same time. Well worth it! Oh, this particular tour only runs in the summer when the pass over the mountains is reliably accessible.

Review provided by Viator

Mylene_b

Dec 16, 2025

This is the best way to... - This is the best way to get from Christchurch to Queenstown. My guides, Carl and Linnette, were amazing. Both are very knowledgeable. I really recommend this tour.

Review provided by Viator

Cavincarmen1208

Nov 9, 2025

Good and organized trip - The two days were actually split between two guides. The trip was well organized. On the first day on our way to Franz Josef, there were only 2 of us to Greymouth as the couple in our group took the train, so it became a private tour for the first part. Our guide was nice. He gave us flexibility on the things we wanna do and the time to spent at each point. The next day to Queenstown there were still only 4 of us in total. It was a good experience overall.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Harrietl43

Sep 19, 2025

Highly recommend - an epic trip! - We had a fantastic experience and was the perfect way to see all the sights. Both guides were super knowledgeable about everywhere we went. Absolutely a must-do!!!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Atexine

Apr 23, 2025

Cheeky but consummate professionals - book them, you won't regret it - We did 3 separate tours with Cheeky Kiwi (Christchurch to Franz Josef; Franz Josef to Queenstown; Queenstown to Christchurch via Mt. Cook) - some of these were partnered/split with a partner, so this may be a mixed review of both companies. It doesn't matter because all the experiences were EXCELLENT. Kudos to all the drivers who were SAFE, organized, thorough and knowledgeable about everywhere we went. I hope I have all their names right: Mark, Jonathan, Greg, and Joseph. The logistics of the company are frankly, impressive. I communicated with them a few times on booking changes for pickups/dropoffs when our itinerary was thrown into chaos from a late ferry, and they never dropped the ball with our bookings. Each tour had multiple built in touring stops that were well-planned and timed almost perfectly to the minute. We hiked waterfalls, lakes, saw glaciers, made some museum visits - and in-between learned lots of interesting facts and stories about the areas. Drivers were very flexible - on the second leg of our Franz Josef to Queenstown, one of the attractions was closed off, and we pivoted easily to see other things. My only critique is that the vans are inconsistent in terms of amenities. Not all have WiFi or even USB chargers, but this wasn't a make-or-break deal for us. Just something to keep in mind when you are on the road for hours at a time and using your phone cameras heavily. In vans without multiple USB ports, the driver was always happy to use the front driver's seat charger. In summary, Cheeky Kiwi is a great way to get from point-to-point between major sights on the South Island if you're not driving. A much better option than the Intercity Bus System (which we used on occasion) and well worth the cost when you consider the built-in touring stops and snacks. We checked nearly everything off our South Island bucket list with their help.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Brenda_c

Mar 11, 2025

Our tour guides Clive... - Our tour guides Clive from Christchurch to Franz Josef and Lynette from Franz Josef to Queenstown were both awesome. Very knowledgeable and kind. Highly recommend this tour......

Review provided by Viator

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