5 Day Majestic Milford, Glaciers & Rail

Independent Coach Trip

5 Day Majestic Milford, Glaciers & Rail Coach Trip

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome Christchurch - Queenstown

Welcome to Christchurch, New Zealand’s Garden City. Experience the beauty and grandeur of the Southern Alps on a sightseeing day tour to Mount Cook.

Leaving Christchurch in the morning, we travel through the fertile farmland of the Canterbury Plains to the shores of the stunning, glacier-fed Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd and take in the sights of the spectacular Southern Alps. We then continue to the location of New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Aoraki / Mount Cook, situated in a national park and UNESCO World Heritage site.

Rising to 3,724 metres high, Aoraki certainly lives up to its name, which in Māori can be translated as ‘cloud piercer’. Legend tells of a young boy named Aoraki who was stranded with his brothers when their canoe struck a reef. As it tilted, the brothers climbed to the high side, where they were frozen by the south wind and turned into stone. Aoraki and his brothers now form the Southern Alps.

Enjoy lunch (optional extra) at the famous Hermitage Hotel in Mount Cook Village. After lunch you’ll have time to explore the village and soak up the view.

The tour continues south, past Lake Pukaki and through the tawny tussock of the Mackenzie Country. En route, enjoy afternoon tea (own expense) in the quaint village of Omarama and if time permits, visit the Jones Family Orchard near Cromwell. Your tour concludes in the evening upon reaching Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand

Hotel: Blue Peaks Lodge - Queenstown

Day 2: Queenstown Free Time

Explore Queenstown your way! Take the opportunity to encounter a Queenstown legend and ride the Shotover Jet or venture out on a Skippers Canyon Scenic Tour. If laid-back and relaxed is more your idea of fun, then join a Wine Tour and sample some of Central Otago’s award-winning wines.

Perhaps you would enjoy a peaceful evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand’s oldest steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, to Walter Peak Station. Launched in 1912, the TSS Earnslaw is the largest and grandest vessel ever to ply Lake Wakatipu. Today, the TSS Earnslaw is believed to be the only coal-fired passenger carrying vessel still operating in the southern hemisphere. You may partake in a gourmet BBQ Highlight Dinner at Walter Peaks’ Colonel’s Homestead and then enjoy an entertaining after-dinner farm show providing a glimpse into high-country farm life. On the cruise back to Queenstown, join in a vintage sing-along or grab your partner for a dance across the polished wooden floors of the Earnslaw.

Hotel: Blue Peaks Lodge - Queenstown

Day 3: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise - Includes Lunch – Queenstown

Travelling along Milford Road is one of the finest alpine drives in the world. The scenery is exceptional, ranging from broad grassy flats, dense rainforests, and towering mountains to glacial lakes and alpine herb fields.

Let us take you there and look after you every step of the way. Our professional drivers know Milford Road like the back of their hands, including the best stops for photos, places to spot wildlife, and beautiful moments in nature.

They’ll also chat to you along the way about interesting facts and stories from the area.

Well-paced schedule to allow for stops at the best photo locations.

• Glass-roof coaches that don’t get in the way of you and your view of epic mountains

• Comfortable return coach transfers from Queenstown

• Custom build coaches, with extra-large windows, glass roof, and angled seating for optimal viewing

• Great viewing decks, comfy interiors and fresh craft beer on tap

• Insightful commentary by our friendly guides

• Amazing nature and wildlife viewing opportunity

• Breathtaking cruise included

• Lunch included

Hotel: Blue Peaks Lodge Queenstown

Day 4: Queenstown – Franz Josef

Catch the bus Queenstown to Franz Josef with InterCity. The journey from Queenstown takes approximately 8 hours, travelling through some of the most beautiful scenery in the South Island.

The bus from Queenstown to Franz Josef passes through Cromwell and Wanaka, with stops at Makarora and Haast, before arriving in Franz Josef at the bus stop on the Main Road.

Search for a bus to Queenstown to Franz Josef with New Zealand's most popular national bus network.

The small town of Franz Josef on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island is the perfect base to explore the world famous Franz Josef Glacier.

German explorer Julius von Haast named the Franz Josef Glacier after Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria. Located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park, it is approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) long and part of a World Heritage Site. Explore its spectacular scenery with one of the many local guiding companies or opt for a flightseeing tour via helicopter or plane.

Hotel: Punga Grove - Franz Josef

Day 5: Franz Josef – Greymouth & Christchurch by TranzAlpine Rail

InterCity operates regular buses to Greymouth - the largest town on the west coast of the South Island.

Located at the mouth of the Grey River, the foot of the Southern Alps and the edge of the west coast coastline, Greymouth provides an abundance of outdoor activities in a range of settings!

Gold was first discovered in Greymouth in 1864, leading to a huge increase in population and a bustling city centre. Today, the population has dropped to less than half of what it once was and you'll only be able pan for gold in a recreational manner. To learn more, pay a visit to Shantytown, a lively heritage park, which showcases the gold rush history and gives an insight into what life was like over 150 years ago.

You’ll then jump on the rail journey that is the TranzAlpine train ride, recognised as one of the world's most scenic train rides in the world! Explore the Southern Alps, covering 223 kilometres (139 miles) one-way and taking just under 5 hours.

Our TranzAlpine train travels coast-to-coast through the 'Great Divide' and the indomitable spine of mountains that partitions New Zealand's South Island. You’ll end this trip in the garden city of Christchurch approximately 7pm.

Departure Day - Or extend and customise this trip with us!