10 Day South Island Discovery Coach Tour Package (currently not available until October 2023)

* INCLUDES FREE RETURN AIRPORT TRANSFERS *

Experience the best of the South Island on our all-inclusive South Island coach tours. Travel at a relaxed pace as you encounter highlights that include glaciers, fiords, and native rainforest.

Our South Island coach tours include all coach transportation between destinations, as well as transfers for all activities.

Read on for the full details of the 10 Day South Island Discovery Coach Tour Package.

10 Day South Island Discovery Coach Tour Package | South Island Coach Tours

Day 1 Arrive Christchurch

Arrive in Christchurch, New Zealand’s “Garden City,” and make your way to your accommodation.

In the afternoon, explore the downtown. You might like to visit the Canterbury Museum where you can find rare Maori artefacts; the stories behind them will fascinate you. The museum has a frequent range of special exhibitions, a café and a gift shop for you to browse.

Stay 2 nights in Christchurch.

Day 2 Christchurch

Experience the best of Christchurch with the Christchurch Grand Tour! You will be collected from your accommodation in the morning to begin your iconic Christchurch tour. Your fully-guided day tour includes a romantic punting trip down the Avon River; a tour of Christchurch’s famous Botanic Gardens; panoramic views over the city on the Christchurch Gondola; a visit to the quirky, independent seaside township of Sumner; and a ride through the central city on the Christchurch Tramway.

Day 3 Christchurch -> Hokitika

Train travel Christchurch to Greymouth 223 km / 138 miles, 4.5 hours

Board the TranzAlpine Train today for an unforgettable alpine journey. Pass through the fields of the Canterbury Plains, a landscape of picturesque farmland, before entering the mountains. From your carriage, you’ll see lush beech rainforest, the spectacular Southern Alps, and the gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. All carriages include both one-way seating and tabled group seating, allowing you to experience the amazing views while enjoying the company of other passengers on-board. An open–air viewing carriage allows you to get even closer to the stunning scenery. The trip is 223.8 kilometres long and takes just 4.5 hours. There are 16 tunnels and 5 viaducts, the highest being the ‘Staircase’ standing at 73 metres.

When you arrive in Greymouth, your bus connection will take you south to Hokitika, a small town famous for its arts and crafts. The West Coast still has a “Wild West” atmosphere, with fiercely independent locals and vast wilderness surrounding the small settlements.

Stay 1 night in Hokitika.

Day 4 Franz Josef

Continue your journey south today as your coach takes you along the West Coast to Franz Josef, home of New Zealand’s most famous glaciers.

While in Franz Josef you may wish to soak in the Glacier Hot Pools, nestled in lush rainforest in a haven of natural tranquility. You can walk to the terminal face of Franz Josef Glacier to take a look at the ice, or enjoy one of the local walks. In Franz Josef township you have the chance to see New Zealand’s rarest kiwi at the West Coast Wildlife Centre, a unique and interactive experience that brings together nature, conservation, and wildlife all under one roof.

Stay 2 nights in Franz Josef.

Day 5 Franz Josef

If you like adventure, today you will get a chance to explore the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier on a heli-hike. Take a short helicopter ride up to the Pinnacles area of Franz Josef Glacier, where you will explore a world of towering ice formations and shimmering blue caves. Afterwards, soak in the Glacier Hot Pools to warm up after a fantastic day on the ice.

If you would rather sit back and enjoy the views, you will experience the best of the Southern Alps on the Grand Tour helicopter flight, which encompasses Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, and Mount Cook (New Zealand’s highest mountain). Top off the flight with a snow landing!

Day 6 Queenstown

Take a sightseeing day tour from Franz Josef to Queenstown and discover the beauty of Haast Pass Highway. Leaving Franz Josef, travel by luxury coach through the stunning scenery of the South Island. Your driver guide will provide entertaining commentary and point out sites of interest as you pass the ruggedly beautiful West Coast landscape of vast rainforests, gushing waterfalls and snow-capped mountains.

You’ll travel through the Haast Pass, journeying through native beech forest and over the Southern Alps. After a morning tea break in Makarora on the border of Mount Aspiring World Heritage Park, you will emerge in the Queenstown-Lakes region. You’ll pass by the crystal clear waters of Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka, and Lake Dunstan before arriving in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand.

Stay 5 nights in Queenstown.

Day 7 Queenstown

Venture deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mount Aspiring National Park today on the Dart River Jet Wilderness Safari! The sheer diversity of what’s on offer means you experience a unique combination of breathtaking scenery matched with exciting jet boating on braided, glacier fed rivers. Highly informative guides add the personal touch, revealing fascinating stories about the area’s history, the Greenstone trail, and the local Maori legends. Walk amongst ancient beech forest unchanged for 80 million years and view the scenic backgrounds for many Lord of the Rings scenes on your authentic New Zealand experience in an untouched world.

Day 8 Queenstown

Experience the history and rich heritage of the Queenstown region on your Skippers Canyon 4WD tour. Travel the dramatic road hacked into the sheer cliffs of the Shotover Valley as your guide takes you to a series of historic gems, including the Skippers Suspension Bridge and the township of Skippers. The area is known for its gold mining history – you will have the opportunity to partake in the storied tradition of panning for gold and take home a souvenir of Skippers Canyon.

Some may also recognise spots along the Skippers Road as being featured in The Lord of The Rings. Includes pick up and drop off from your accommodation.

Day 9 Queenstown -> Milford Sound

Embark on a scenic coach journey through heartland New Zealand to reach Milford Sound, where you will enjoy a 2.5 hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise. As you cruise through the spectacular fiord, you won’t be able to tear your eyes from the wonders of Milford Sound! Sheer cliffs, towering snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls, hanging valleys, sub-tropical rainforests, marine life… words just don’t do it justice, you have to see it for yourself! After your cruise, relax while your coach returns through stunning scenery before delivering you back to your Queenstown accommodation.

Day 10 Queenstown

Enjoy your last day in paradise! Add on a cruise and high country gourmet meal with the TSS Earnslaw to celebrate the end of a fantastic holiday, take the plunge with a thrilling skydive, taste the flavours of the region on a Central Otago wine tour, or simply relax and soak in the stunning views.

Day 11 Depart Queenstown

Make your way to Queenstown Airport and depart Queenstown at your leisure.

Planning South Island Coach Tours

As you begin planning your New Zealand coach tour, you may wish to explore our 7 Day Iconic South Island Coach Tour Package. We also offer North Island coach tours and New Zealand coach tours.

All of our coach tour packages are fully customisable. In other words, you have the option to add or remove activities, change your itinerary, or amend your accommodation level.

Our coach tours are independent. This means you will not travel with a group. Instead, you will join coach tours or shuttle transfers between each destination, while exploring each town independently.

Contact New Zealand Travel Organiser today to begin planning your coach tour.