Loading
Phone1800 960 693AustraliaMonday to Friday 8am - 9pm (AEDT)
Travel Agent Login

5-Day Southern Highlights with Milford

  • view trip mapView Trip Map
  • downloadDownload
  • shareShare

Overview

Embark on this five-day South Island trip to discover some of New Zealand's spectacular sights!

On this journey by coach, boat and scenic train, you'll visit Queenstown, explore the Fiordland, cruise on Milford Sound and explore the ruggedly beautiful West Coast Glacier of Franz Josef.

To complete your trip, you'll take the TranzAlpine Scenic Train from Greymouth to Christchurch, taking in the incredible scenery as you go.
Outdoors & Nature
Cruising
Hiking & Trekking

Itinerary

Day 1

Scenic Journey from Christchurch to Queenstown

Hide details accordion
Scenic Journey from Christchurch to Queenstown

Leaving Christchurch early, you'll travel through the fertile farmland of the Canterbury Plains to the stunning, glacier-fed Lake Tekapo. You'll continue to New Zealand's tallest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook, situated in a national park. At Mount Cook village, you'll enjoy lunch at the famous Hermitage Hotel. Your South Island trip continues past Lake Pukaki, through the Mackenzie Country, the quaint village of Omarama and concludes in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Blue Peaks Apartments3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Christchurch to Queenstown with GreatSights

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

Day 2

Free Day in Queenstown

Hide details accordion
Free Day in Queenstown

Although celebrated as New Zealand's ‘adventure capital’, Queenstown offers far more than a fast-paced action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of historic, gastronomic and scenic wonders. Go on a wine tour, have lunch in a Michelin-star restaurant, take a hike or get an adrenaline surge with the Shotover Jet, Nevis Bungy, canyon swingor zipline activities on offer.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Blue Peaks Apartments3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Explore Queenstown & Its SurroundsOptional Activity

    Jet Boating on the Shotover RiverOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

Day 3

Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Tour from Queenstown

Hide details accordion
Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Tour from Queenstown

You'll embark on a return luxury journey by coach from Queenstown to Milford Sound with a one hour and 40-minute cruise along the full length of the fiord. You will enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside of Te Anau. At Milford Sound, you'll board the modern vessel for a leisurely cruise on the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time to enjoy the many waterfalls, rainforest views, mountains and wildlife.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Blue Peaks Apartments3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Tour from Queenstown

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

    Southland

Day 4

Scenic Journey from Queenstown to Franz Josef & Glacier Valley Shuttle Tour

Hide details accordion
Scenic Journey from Queenstown to Franz Josef & Glacier Valley Shuttle Tour

Leaving Queenstown early, you'll travel through the stunning scenery of the South Island. You will pass by the crystal-clear waters of Lake Dunstan, Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. After a morning tea break in Makarora on the border of Mount Aspiring World Heritage Park, you'll travel through the Haast Pass, before emerging on the ruggedly beautiful West Coast and arriving at the small village of Franz Josef. From here, you can explore the world-famous Franz Josef Glacier on a shuttle tour.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Punga Grove3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Queenstown to Franz Josef with Intercity

    Glacier Valley Shuttle Tour of Franz Josef

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

    Franz Josef Glacier

    West Coast

Day 5

Scenic Coach Journey to Greymouth & TranzAlpine Train to Christchurch

Hide details accordion
Scenic Coach Journey to Greymouth & TranzAlpine Train to Christchurch

This morning, you'll travel north through the small townships of Whataroa and Harihari. You'll stop at Bushman's Centre for refreshments before continuing to the township of Ross, which in the late 1800s was the centre of one of New Zealand's richest alluvial goldfields. On arrival in Hokitika, you'll have lunch and explore the town centre. You'll then continue on to Greymouth Railway Station from where you'll catch the world-famous TranzAlpine train across the Southern Alps to Christchurch.

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Franz Josef to Greymouth Train Station with Intercity

    TranzAlpine Scenic Train Greymouth to Christchurch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Franz Josef Glacier

    Greymouth

Included in Price

  • 4 nights accommodation
  • 6 activities
  • 1 breakfast and 1 lunch
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
pdf icon

Want to Read This Later?

Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!

Why Choose Designer Journeys

access

Access Exclusive Experiences

Open your eyes to a world of exclusive experiences that will make your next trip extraordinary. Designer Journeys’ local travel designers are connected to unique experiences that are out of reach for most people – so you’ll return with some amazing stories to tell.

local expertise

Extraordinary Local Expertise

Using highly experienced local travel designers means you have access to your very own local expert. You'll find experiences you never knew existed, avoid some of the common pitfalls and, most of all, feel like you have an insider guiding you every step of the way.

support

Supported Every Step of the Way

Our in-destination local travel designers are the first line of support when you are travelling. They are in your time zone and have the local expertise and knowledge to solve any issue that may arise – making you feel more confident about your trip.

custom travel designed

Travel Designed For You

Designer Journeys style of travel is all about how you want to travel – its private travel designed exactly to your needs. Our local travel designers customise every trip to suit you, whether completely bespoke or based on one or more of our 2,000+ gallery of itineraries.

Image - Designer Journeys
Image - Designer Journeys
DESIGN YOUR EXTRAORDINARY

Why Travel with Designer Journeys

Smile icon
Your Trip. Your Version of Extraordinary.

At Designer Journeys, we know that we all travel differently. That's why you decide where you travel, how you travel and your travel experiences when you design your trip with us.

Message icon
Connect and Design With an Expert.

Our trusted Local Designers use their destination insight, local knowledge and travel planning expertise to build your extraordinary trip. Our dedicated Travel Concierge team will be there every step of the way to ensure your perfect trip becomes reality.

Trust icon
Book with Confidence. We are Trusted.

Secure payment platforms, multiple accreditations, rigorous Local Designer selection process, and decades of travel expertise means you are in safe hands with Designer Journeys.

As seen on
Partners