10 Day South Island Discovery Coach Tour Package

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

Enjoy exploring Christchurch today and experience three of Christchurch’s must-do activities!

These activities include a journey in style through the changing face of Christchurch’s city centre on the Tramway, a unique experience combining history and sightseeing. Soaking up the panoramic views over the city on the Christchurch Gondola, and a romantic punting trip down the Avon River.

Day 3 Greymouth via TranzAlpine Train Journey -> 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 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.

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 via Wanaka Day Tour

Embark on the ultimate scenic adventure from Franz Josef to Queenstown on a fully guided small-group tour — a journey filled with awe-inspiring landscapes, captivating stories, and countless moments worth capturing.

Your experience begins in the spectacular glacier village of Franz Josef, where you’ll travel south along the wild West Coast on an unforgettable road trip into the heart of the Southern Alps.

Marvel at the mirror-like reflections of Aoraki / Mt Cook and Mt Tasman at Lake Matheson, one of New Zealand’s most iconic photography locations. Follow the rugged coastline where ancient rainforest meets the Tasman Sea — dip your toes into the black sands of Ship Creek, take in the windswept shores of Bruce Bay, and breathe in the untouched beauty that defines this remarkable region.

Entering Mt Aspiring National Park, discover glacial-blue waters on the scenic walk to the Blue Pools, then continue through dramatic alpine valleys as the landscape opens to the tranquil shores of Lake Wanaka. Capture a perfect keepsake of the world-famous Wanaka Tree, and enjoy a snapshot stop at “The Neck,” framing both Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea in one breathtaking view.

Journey over the stunning Crown Range Road and pause at the historic Cardrona Hotel, one of New Zealand’s oldest and most photographed hospitality icons — a charming slice of Kiwi heritage.

As you arrive in Queenstown, your guide will share local tips and must-see highlights before dropping you at your accommodation — the ideal welcome to the Adventure Capital of the World.

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.

Day 9 Queenstown -> Milford Sound Day Tour

Enjoy a scenic coach journey through heartland New Zealand to reach Milford Sound. The Milford Road (between Te Anau and Milford) is one of the finest alpine drives in the world. The scenery is exceptional, ranging from broad grassy flats, dense rainforest, and towering mountains through to glacial lakes and alpine herb fields. The schedule includes plenty of time for short nature walks and photo opportunities along the way.

Upon reaching Milford Sound you will you will board your cruise with Cruise Milford. The Cruise Milford experience offers a boutique cruise on a smaller boat which is less crowded and a crew that offers a much more informative and personal tour of Milford Sound. The smaller boat means you get closer to the wildlife and nature including the New Zealand fur seals basking on the rocks, massive rock faces rising for hundreds of metres out of the sea and the waterfalls cascading from an ancient rainforest high in the mountains. This cruise is unbeatable. While on the boat cruise you will be able to marvel at the awe-inspiring Mitre Peak with its steep triangular peak rising high up above the reflective waters of the Milford Sound.

As the day draws to an end, the tour heads back to Queenstown but your day is not over with a fully guided return trip and stops along the way.

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.