Christchurch Trip Overview
Allowing you to see the South Island of New Zealand in a cost friendly and flexible way. This Hop-On Hop-Off flexible bus pass allows you to take your time and see all that the South Island offers! Join in with our friendly driver guide who will show you around, offering activities and some incredible accommodation options that can all be booked in on the bus along the way.
Depart from Christchurch ( main pick-up point YMCA Christchurch 7:15am) and head in a loop around the South Island taking a minimum of 11 days to complete, or up to 365 days if you’d like! This guided tour lets you relax and see all that the South Island of New Zealand has to offer whilst we do the work for you!
• Fully guided flexible tour allowing you to choose what you want to do
• Meet mates from all around the world
• Largest and original hop-on hop-off NZ travel network
Additional Info
Duration: 12 days
Starts: Christchurch, New Zealand
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Christchurch Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Allowing you to see the South Island of New Zealand in a cost friendly and flexible way. This Hop-On Hop-Off flexible bus pass allows you to take your time and see all that the South Island offers! Join in with our friendly driver guide who will show you around, offering activities and some incredible accommodation options that can all be booked in on the bus along the way.
Depart from Christchurch ( main pick-up point YMCA Christchurch 7:15am) and head in a loop around the South Island taking a minimum of 11 days to complete, or up to 365 days if you’d like! This guided tour lets you relax and see all that the South Island of New Zealand has to offer whilst we do the work for you!
• Fully guided flexible tour allowing you to choose what you want to do
• Meet mates from all around the world
• Largest and original hop-on hop-off NZ travel network
Itinerary
Day 1: Christchurch to Kaikoura
Stop At: Whale Watch Kaikoura, Whaleway Station Road, Kaikōura 7340, New Zealand
You have the opportunity to do a Whale Watch tour this afternoon
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Encounter Kaikoura (Dolphin Encounter), 96 Esplanade, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand
You have the opportunity to go swimming with dolphins this afternoon or the following morning.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Kaikoura, Kaikoura, Canterbury Region, South Island
Departing Christchurch bright and early, we arrive in Kaikoura in time for you to check out what it’s most famous for – its whale watching or swimming with the dolphins. Spend the evening chilling on the beach or sampling some of the best seafood New Zealand has to offer for your dinner. In fact, the name Kaikoura means to eat crayfish (“kai” meaning to eat, “koura” meaning crayfish).
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Kaikoura to Abel Tasman
Stop At: Abel Tasman National Park, Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson-Tasman Region, South Island
We head north and take in the last of the dramatic Kaikoura coastline. It’s a spectacular drive and we stop for a close look at the seals that lay about on the rocks before travelling through vineyards to Nelson, New Zealand’s sunniest city.
Duration: 18 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: Abel Tasman to Westport
Stop At: Westport, Westport, West Coast Region, South Island
Spend the morning kayaking out to Split Apple Rock and along the golden bays near Kaiteriteri, looking out for the local marine wildlife; or catch a water taxi to one of the bays in the Abel Tasman National Park to go for a morning stroll in the native New Zealand forest. This afternoon we stop at the iconic Nelson Lakes, so you can get your legendary wharf jumping shot before hitting surf town Westport.
Duration: 18 hours
Stop At: Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand
spend an hour at the lake
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 4: Westport to Lake Mahinapua
Stop At: Cape Foulwind Walkway, Coast Road, Cape Foulwind, Westport New Zealand
Check out the seal colony
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Punakaiki, Punakaiki, West Coast Region, South Island
Check out the pancake rocks
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Greymouth, Greymouth, West Coast Region, South Island
check out this small village on the West Coast
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Lake Mahinapua, Hokitika New Zealand
Today we start our journey down spectacular State Highway 6, that stretches 435 kilometres along the rugged Tasman shoreline. The road winds through a diverse series of landscapes which never cease to amaze. Highlights today include the Cape Foulwind seal colony walk, rugged beaches, and the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. Tonight’s unique accommodation is a chance to enjoy a delicious group meal and bond with your bus mates.
Duration: 18 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 5: Lake Mahinapua to Franz Josef
Stop At: Franz Josef, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast Region, South Island
After breakfast at Lake Mahinapua, we hit the road on our way to Franz Josef. Franz Josef is the northern gateway to Te Wahipounamu, the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage area. The region includes Aoraki/Mount Cook, Westland Tai Poutini, Mount Aspiring, the Fiordland National Parks, and surrounding conservation lands. We factor in a free day in Franz Josef so that you can get out there and experience what Franz Josef has to offer. It’s a wicked spot and whatever you get out and do, you will be blown away by the views of the glacier and Alps.
Duration: 18 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 6: Franz Josef free day
Stop At: Franz Josef, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast Region, South Island
Today we have a free day in Franz Josef where you have the opportunity to experience a Heli-Hike to New Zealand’s most famous Franz Josef Glacier or you can explore this lush corner of New Zealand (for free) on foot; hitting up the many walking trails in the area. For those wanting something a little more special to take home with them; passengers can carve their own greenstone necklaces (pounamu).
Duration: 1 day
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 7: Franz Josef to Wanaka
Stop At: Wanaka, Wanaka, Otago Region, South Island
We start out early in order to catch the perfect mirror reflection of Mt Cook and the Southern Alps on Lake Matheson. We then cruise down the last stretch of Highway 6, stopping at popular scenic spots along the way. Then it’s into Mount Aspiring National Park, arriving in the awe-inspiring destination of Wanaka in the afternoon.
Duration: 18 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 8: Wanaka to Queenstown
Stop At: Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago Region, South Island
Before we leave Wanaka get your brain working at Puzzling World and then its on to the world’s first commercial bungy site – the Kawarau Bridge. Only the brave will sign themselves up for this iconic New Zealand activity. On arrival in Queenstown, we will head down to the spectacular waterfront before it’s out on the town exploring Queenstown’s infamous nightlife with all the crew!
Duration: 18 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 9: Queenstown free day
Stop At: Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago Region, South Island
Queenstown is one of the most amazing places on Earth. No matter what time of the year it is rated as one of our passenger’s favourite spots. Take the time to spend a few days here as it is one of the most picturesque places in the world. Make the most of the beautiful lake and surrounding walks, or get into a whole range of adrenalin pumping activities. If there was one activity that you couldn’t miss it would be the day trip to Milford Sound, commonly referred to as The Eighth Wonder of the World.
Duration: 1 day
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 10: Milford Sound day trip
Stop At: Milford Sound, Milford Sound, Southland Region, South Island
Visiting Milford Sound is a must when visiting the South Island. The Milford Explorer departs Queenstown early and the first stop for breakfast, coffee or just a snack is at the picturesque town of Te Anau. Before getting to the Homer Tunnel, we make plenty of photo stops at places like Mirror Lakes and the Chasm. Once at Milford, you will go on an unforgettable scenic boat cruise through the sound exploring soaring peaks and towering waterfalls. Seeing New Zealand’s scenery and nature at its best. Then it’s back on the bus for your journey back to the adventure capital.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 11: Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
Stop At: Lake Tekapo, Lake Tekapo, Mackenzie District, Canterbury Region, South Island
We head out of Queenstown, through the Lindis Pass, so get your cameras ready because this is ‘Lord of the Rings’ territory. After stopping to admire Mt Cook at Lake Pukaki, we travel to Lake Tekapo with its amazing location by snow-capped alps and clear starry skies. Lake Tekapo has something for everyone – relaxing at the lakeside and taking in the untouched view, soaking in the hot springs, discovering one of the many scenic walkways or checking out the mind-boggling stars in what is the world’s largest dark sky reserve.
Duration: 18 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 12: Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
Stop At: Christchurch, Christchurch, Canterbury Region, South Island
We have a straight run into Christchurch, our largest city in the South Island and the 3rd largest in New Zealand. Witness a city rebuilding and flourishing in the wake of the 2011 earthquakes, and explore the street art, see the blooming botanical gardens and learn about the history of a city that’s experienced so much in recent times.
Duration: 18 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
