Product Code: MT-2352
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9-Day Fly, Train & Tour uncovering the breathtaking winter beauty of New Zealand’s South Island.
Book By 31 March 2026
9-Day Fly, Train & Tour uncovering the breathtaking winter beauty of New Zealand’s South Island.
Return international flights to Christchurch, New Zealand
This 9 day journey from Christchurch showcases the South Island at its winter best.
Travel aboard the world-famous TranzAlpine, crossing snow-dusted peaks and valleys through the heart of the Southern Alps. Explore glacier country, traverse the rainforest-covered Haast Pass, and experience the dramatic alpine landscapes of Aoraki / Mount Cook and the Mackenzie Country.
Stay warm with Pinot Noir tastings in Central Otago, explore the vibrant alpine towns of Queenstown and Wanaka, and take in the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo beneath the star-filled skies of the Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve.
With relaxed pacing, iconic rail journeys, and unforgettable alpine scenery, this is a winter escape through the Southern Alps like no other.
Tour Inclusions
Tour Highlights
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Welcome to the South Island of New Zealand. Upon arrival at Christchurch Airport, make your own way to your centrally located hotel and settle in.
Depending on your arrival time, enjoy time at leisure to begin exploring Christchurch’s winter charm. Stroll along the picturesque Avon River, wander through the Botanic Gardens, or relax in a cosy café as you soak up the city’s blend of contemporary design and English heritage.
Meals: None
This morning, board the world-famous TranzAlpine, one of the world’s great rail journeys. Cross the expansive Canterbury Plains before climbing into the heart of the Southern Alps, where snow-dusted peaks create a stunning winter backdrop. Pause at Arthur’s Pass and admire the engineering marvel of the Otira Viaduct before descending into lush West Coast rainforest and river valleys.
Arrive in Hokitika and check in to your accommodation. Evening at leisure to enjoy the wild coastal atmosphere and spectacular sunset.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, explore the vivid turquoise waters of Hokitika Gorge and wander along the elevated Treetop Walkway, enjoying views from the forest canopy.
Travel south to Franz Josef, arriving in the early afternoon. The afternoon is free to relax or enhance your visit with an optional scenic helicopter flight over the Franz Josef Glacier, soaring above icefalls and crevasses with snow-dusted peaks as a backdrop.
Please note (Fitness):
Guests which fitness or height concerns for the above, can choose to skip and relax in the café/waiting area as directed by the Tour Leader.
Meals: Breakfast
Optional Tours: Glacier helicopter flights may be available to purchase subject to weather and timings. These optional experiences will be offered by the Tour Leader during the tour.
Cross the Main Divide via Haast Pass, where alpine rivers, cascading waterfalls, and ancient forests give way to the open landscapes of Central Otago.
Stop in Wānaka to visit the National Transport & Toy Museum, a nostalgic glimpse into cars, motorcycles, and aviation history.
Continue to Cromwell and enjoy dinner at your hotel after a day of breathtaking scenery and unique local experiences.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a winter day discovering the flavours of Central Otago, renowned for its Pinot Noir. Visit Gibbston Valley where you can sample local wines and enjoy a specialty vineyard lunch.
Continue to Arrowtown, where heritage streets and riverside walks are especially charming in winter, before arriving in Queenstown in the late afternoon.
Evening at leisure to soak up the vibrant alpine town atmosphere.
Meals: Breakfast, Special Lunch
Spend a full day in Queenstown at your own pace. Wander along the lakefront, explore the vibrant town centre, or choose from optional experiences. Popular options include day excursions to Milford Sound (must be pre-booked), where snow-draped peaks and cascading waterfalls create a dramatic winter landscape. Alternatively, take a scenic gondola, enjoy boutique wine tastings, or cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a high-country winter experience.
Meals: Breakfast
Optional Tour: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise with lunch from $350 per person
Travel north along the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki, with stunning winter views of Aoraki / Mount Cook capped in snow. Explore Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, including the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre to learn about mountaineering history and the unique alpine environment. Optional scenic helicopter or ski-plane flights over the Tasman Glacier provide unforgettable perspectives of the Southern Alps.
In the evening, opt for stargazing to witness clear winter skies and, if lucky, the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Tours: Scenic flights and stargazing tours may be available to purchase subject to weather and timings. These optional experiences will be offered by the Tour Leader during the tour.
Depart Twizel and journey through the vast, open landscapes of the Mackenzie Country, where winter light and wide skies create striking scenery. Stop at Lake Tekapo, famous for its glacial-blue waters and dramatic mountain backdrop. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd before continuing to Christchurch.
Evening farewell dinner celebrating an unforgettable winter journey through the Southern Alps.
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Today your South Island winter adventure concludes, leaving memories of snow-dusted peaks, glacial lakes, and iconic alpine landscapes.
Check out of your hotel by 10:00 am and make your own way to the airport for onward travel. Transfers are easy via taxi, rideshare, or airport shuttle. The hotel front desk team will also be able to assist.
Meals: Breakfast
Price based on tours starting:
Extra charges apply for:
Price based on departing from Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
Extra charges apply for:
Itinerary
Our multi-stop tours in New Zealand are meticulously planned to highlight the awe-inspiring landscapes and cultural diversity of each region. Each day presents a varied schedule, featuring scenic coach journeys necessary for reaching certain destinations. This tour provides a perfect balance of guided sightseeing and leisure time, allowing you to fully engage with the magnificent scenery and vibrant local culture.
Pace
The pace of this tour is easy. The tour covers several regions in New Zealand and involves some early starts and some long travel days.
Fitness
A moderate level of fitness is required. You are required to move about unassisted, including boarding and exiting/disembarking vehicles and other forms of transportation, walking up and down flights of stairs, and navigating occasional uneven or steep terrain.
This trip is not suitable for travellers requiring a wheelchair, mobility scooter, or specialised facilities. Other walking aids may be permitted if you are able to move independently and keep pace with the group. Please note there will be a fair amount of walking, and some locations will have stairs. If you have any health concerns, let us know when booking so we can help confirm if this trip is suitable for you.
Transfers
Airport transfers are NOT included.
Note: The accommodation mentioned above is subject to change. Please refer to your Hotel List provided to you at the time of Final Documentation sent no later than 30 days prior to departure.
Specially crafted optional programs provide flexibility for you to explore further. Optional programs on this tour are operated by a local supplier. Optional programs mentioned below must be booked at least 3 months before departure.
Day 6 – Milford Sound Coach & Cruise with lunch – From AUD $350 per person
Journey from Queenstown through spectacular alpine scenery to Milford Sound, often called the eighth wonder of the world. Enjoy a scenic cruise beneath towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls, with a picnic lunch served onboard before returning to Queenstown in the evening.
This 12 hour full day experience is operated by RealNZ with engaging commentary and scenic stops along the way. Your Tour Leader will not be joining however will reconfirm the start time no later than 24 hours prior. Please note all Milford Sound product is subject to weather and road closures.
A single supplement from $1500*pp is payable in addition to the twin share price for solo occupancy.
Exclusions
Meals not stated, beverages, optional programs, travel insurance (strongly recommended), tipping, personal expenses and anything not explicitly specified are at your own expense.
Payment
Full payment is due at the time of booking for departures within 5 months.
Fitness
A moderate level of fitness is required. You are required to move about unassisted, including boarding and alighting vehicles and other forms of transportation, walking up and down flights of stairs, and navigating uneven terrain and footpaths. Porterage is not included and will be required to carry your own baggage to and from hotels. This trip is not suitable for travellers requiring wheelchair, mobility scooters or facilities for disabled guests. Other walking aids may be permitted if you are able move about unassisted at the required pace. For advice on whether this trip is suitable for you, you must disclose physical ailments at the time of booking.
Pace
The pace of this tour is easy. The tour covers several regions in New Zealand and involves some early starts and some long travel days – see the itinerary for an indication of the day by day travels on the premium coach. One to two nights at each destination is standard. Scheduled free days allow some downtime, or alternatively, you have the flexibility to explore further and book optional sightseeing (at your own expense).
Tipping
Tipping in New Zealand is not mandatory however it is recommended as a gesture of appreciation for the service provided by your Tour Leader/local guides.
Solo Occupancy
A single supplement from $1,500 per person is payable in addition to the twin share price for solo occupancy.
Triple Share
Triple share is not available.
Extra Accommodation
Unfortunately, pre and post group tour accommodation is not available. You may wish to book your own pre and post tour accommodation however, the group hotels are finalised no later than 30 days prior to departure.
Child
This tour is best enjoyed by adult travellers and is not suitable for children under 8 years of age. Children 8 years and above are subject to the adult price and must be accompanied by an adult.
Price
Surcharges may apply for select travel periods and departure cities. Prices are correct at time of publication and are subject to availability, change, cancellation or withdrawal without notice. All prices are in Australian dollars per person twin share unless stated otherwise.
Amendment
Changes for any reason will incur a fee of $110 per person per change in addition to any travel service provider fees.
Cancellation
Cancellation for any reason will incur a fee of $550 per person in addition to any travel service provider fees. Travel service provider fees for the tour and air components of the package are dependent on the date of the change or cancellation as follows:
Airfares are generally non-refundable but any refundable ticket taxes will be returned. Full details of the change and cancellation fees is outlined in the Terms & Conditions available on our website.
Deviation
Any request to deviate from the original dates or routing, including early arrival and extending your stay, is subject to a flight deviation fee from $150 per person plus applicable airfare and tax difference. Packaged tour extensions are not subject to the deviation fee (applicable airfare and tax difference may still apply) if booked according to the original advertised dates and routing.
Passport
For international travel, each customer must provide a copy of the passport photo page at the time of booking. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure all names are full names exactly matched to the passport with six months validity beyond trip completion. The customer is liable for all fees due to incorrect names, invalid passport information and expired passports.
Visa
A visa is generally not required for Australian passport holders visiting New Zealand for the purpose of short-term tourism, however, this policy is subject to change without notice. Visa requirements for each origin and destination country are the responsibility of the customer to check and obtain (if required) with the local consulate or embassy. The customer is liable for all visa application costs and fees due to the failure to obtain the required travel documents.
Health
It is the responsibility of the customer to check and comply with the health, vaccination, COVID-19 and immigration requirements of each origin and destination country, and health requirements imposed by air, tour, cruise and accommodation providers. Vaccinations, testing and quarantine costs are the expense of the customer. Comprehensive travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage is strongly recommended.
Baggage
Each person is entitled to a strict maximum of one bag not exceeding 20kg on tour, superseding any other baggage allowance. Excess baggage is not permitted. You are strongly encouraged to pack lightly. An additional light day bag or backpack is permitted on the coach. Porterage is not included, and you are required to carry your own bags. Luggage and personal effects are your own risk, and we hold no liability for lost or damaged belongings.
Transfers
Airport transfers are not included.
Meals
Hotel names referenced are to be used as an indicative guide for the standard of accommodation to expect. Actual hotels may differ and will be confirmed on your final documentation. All hotel ratings are local or self-ratings provided by the hotel. All rooms are lead-in category or run of house unless otherwise specified. The standard check-in time is after 3pm and check-out is before 10am.
Accommodation
All hotel rooms will feature either a twin room (two single beds) or a double room (1 double bed). All bedding requests cannot be guaranteed however all special requests should be made known at time of booking. All rooms are lead-in category or run of house unless otherwise specified. Hotel names mentioned are indicative and subject to change, with final group tour hotels being confirmed on your final documentation. All hotel ratings are local or self-ratings provided by the supplier. The standard check-in time is from 3pm and check-out is prior to 10am.
International Flights
Flights are booked approximately 8 to 10 months prior to departure. The flights included in your package are based on a specific predetermined airfare allowance. Should there be a significant increase in airfares, fuel levies, taxes or government fees at the time of booking flights, then an airfare supplement may be imposed. The flights team will discuss options with you prior to ticketing, should this situation arise. Flights may not operate daily or directly to your destination. No show of any flight sectors will result in the automatic cancellation of all onward flights by the airline.
Fuel
In the unlikely event of a significant increase in fuel costs levied by third-party air, land and cruise transportation operators before travel, a fuel supplement may be passed on to the customer.
Group Size
You will meet like-minded travellers on tour and may even make lifelong friends. This holiday will proceed with a minimum group size of 12 passengers and a maximum group size of 32 passengers. If the tour does not operate, you will be offered a credit. The operation of optional programs is subject to a minimum group size. If the minimum number for optional programs is not reached, you will be refunded.
Optional Tours
Specially crafted optional programs provide flexibility for you to explore further. Optional programs on this tour are operated by a local supplier. Optional programs mentioned below must be booked at least 3 months before departure.
Day 14 – Milford Sound Coach & Cruise with lunch – From AUD $350 per person
Journey from Queenstown through spectacular alpine scenery to Milford Sound, often called the eighth wonder of the world. Enjoy a scenic cruise beneath towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls, with a picnic lunch served onboard before returning to Queenstown in the evening.
This 12 hour full day experience is operated by RealNZ with engaging commentary and scenic stops along the way. Your Tour Leader will not be joining however will reconfirm the start time no later than 24 hours prior. Please note all Milford Sound product is subject to weather and road closures.
Itinerary
The operating schedule and itinerary may be impacted without notice by adverse weather, seasonal factors, closures, local conditions, COVID-19 or other factors beyond our control including force majeure. If attractions are not available due to reasons beyond our control such as closures or adverse weather, alternatives will be provided where possible. The itinerary and its order, sightseeing and transportation may be adjusted as deemed appropriate by the operator for optimum safety, enjoyment and operation. Any reference to ‘optional’, ‘not included’ or ‘exclusions/excluded’ means at your own expense.
Train Transportation
Please note that in the event of train disruptions, your itinerary may be adjusted to include a flight or coach transfer. Due to weather conditions or scheduled track maintenance, certain services may not operate as planned. Your tour leader will advise you of any changes upon arrival in your destination to ensure your journey continues safely and smoothly.
Breakaway
Customers must remain with the tour group at all times and must not leave the tour unless written approval is provided before departure.
Documentatio
Final documentation will be emailed 30 days prior to departure which includes a final hotel list, return flight itinerary and invoice with day by day itinerary.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is strongly recommended. Ask our holiday experts for great coverage options.
Force Majeure
Force majeure means any natural disaster, accident, fire, act of God, act of war, terrorism, legally binding judgment, injunction, action of a court or other relevant authority, emergency, unplanned repairs, maintenance, strike, industrial dispute, work ban, blockade or picketing, travel ban, pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of infectious disease, or other event beyond our reasonable direct or indirect control. In case of force majeure or other extraordinary event that prevents safe travel, the supplier reserves the right to adjust, postpone or cancel the trip.
Product Code: MT-2352
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