10 Day South Island Tour
Grand Pacific Escorted Coach Tour
An unforgettable coach tour of the South Island that's one of our best-selling tours. With your 32 seat panoramic coach, you will experience New Zealand at its best in comfort and with a professional guide. Take a steamship cruise, experience the famous TranzAlpine train, and gaze at turquoise glacial lakes.
Operated by Grand Pacific Tours
(Christchurch to Christchurch)
STYLE: Signature Group
COACH: 32 seat, Panoramic Views
COACH FEATURES: 2 Door Access, Restroom
ACCOMMODATION: 4 star
FROM: $4999 NZD Per Person, Twin Share
SAVE $500 NZD PER PERSON
No hidden costs.
Read the full itinerary below
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TranzAlpine Rail Journey
Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
Lakes District Museum
Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
Larnach Castle and Devonshire Tea
Dunedin City Sights Tour
Christchurch City Sights Tour
Optional Activities
While your tour package includes pre-paid attractions and sightseeing, you may choose to participate in the Optional Activities outlined during your free time. Once on tour, optional activities will be booked with your Crew.
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Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
Return airport transfers in New Zealand
Professional Coach Captain
Tour Leader
9 nights 4 star accommodation
2 two night stays
Hotel porterage
1 rail journey
2 cruises
All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
Extensive Optional Activities
Signature Documentation Pack
Meals
9 cooked breakfasts
8 sumptuous dinners including 2 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown;
1 picnic lunch: Milford Sound Cruise
1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle
Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)
Day 1: Dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8 pm.
Grand Pacific Tours
10 Day Signature South Island
Daily Itinerary
(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (SL) Specialty Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner
Day 1. Arrive Christchurch (D)
On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.
Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Day 2. Christchurch - Arthur’s Pass - Franz Josef (B,D)
This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing to the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Hotel Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing)
Day 3. Franz Josef - Queenstown (B)
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast to Fox Glacier. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Hotel Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights)
Day 4. Queenstown (Free Day) (B,SD)
Today is a free day to explore Queenstown. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader will assist with the many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon or to get up close to a Kiwi bird. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.
Hotel Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights)
Day 5. Queenstown - Te Anau (B,D)
Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Hotel Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Deluxe Room) (2 nights)
Day 6. Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau (B,L,D)
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).
Hotel Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Day 7. Te Anau - Dunedin (B,D)
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ and enjoy a city tour. Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea.
Hotel Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
Day 8. Dunedin - Mt Cook - Twizel (B,D)
Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you continue to marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Travel to Twizel for your overnight stay.
Hotel MacKenzie Country Hotel
Day 9. Twizel - Christchurch (B,SD)
Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving in Christchurch for a city tour. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.
Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Day 10. Depart Christchurch (B)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.
Enquire Today - 10 Day Signature South Island | Grand Pacific Tours
Our local NZ Coach Specialists can help you select the right tour and create a seamless travel solution. Follow the steps below.
Step 1. Enquire by filling out our form below with a few more details about your touring plans and duration.
Step 2. Our coach tour experts will be in touch to discuss options and ideas with you.
Step 3. We will create your perfect New Zealand coach tour itinerary and discuss each destination and any questions you may have.
Step 4. Once you are happy with everything, we can take a small deposit and you can get excited to travel our backyard knowing that everything is arranged. You will have our 24/7 support when visiting New Zealand.