9 Day Christchurch to Christchurch
Embark on an unforgettable 9-day adventure through New Zealand’s South Island, beginning and ending in Christchurch. Experience the breathtaking TranzAlpine train journey across the Southern Alps, explore the icy wonders of Franz Josef Glacier, and immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Queenstown.
Discover the serene beauty of Lake Tekapo, hike amidst the towering peaks of Mount Cook National Park, and stargaze in the renowned Dark Sky Reserve. Travel in a small group, enjoy comfortable 3-4 star accommodations, and create lasting memories with new friends.
- TranzAlpine scenic train
- Franz Josef Glacier visit
- Lake Matheson walk
- #ThatWanakaTree photo op
- Queenstown adventure hub
- Lake Pukaki photo stop
- Mount Cook National Park
- Lake Tekapo exploration
- Stargazing in Dark Sky Reserve
- Christchurch city tour
- Milford Sound day trip
- Small group (max 24)
- Trip length:
- 9 Days
- Group size:
- Max 24
- Start:
- Christchurch
- End:
- Christchurch
- Vehicle:
- Airconditoned Mini Bus
- Sleep:
- 3-4 Star Hotels
- Physical Demand:
- Comfortlevel:
Pictures / Videos Itinerary
See MapDAY 1: CHRISTCHURCH TO HOKITIKA
Kia Ora (hello) and welcome to your Stray Adventure. You'll start the day by travelling through the stunning Arthur's Pass to the historic gold mining town of Greymouth on the West Coast where you’ll meet your Stray group outside the Greymouth train station. From here we’ll make our way to Hokitika, a vibrant, artistic town and the best place to buy ‘Pounamu’, a native greenstone. Our accommodation tonight is absolute beachfront, located on the shores of the Tasman Sea. Treat yourself to some dinner in their Ocean View restaurant or go for a walk and explore Hokitika.
Accommodation: Hokitika Beachfront Hotel or similar
Meal options: Local eateries
Included Activities: TranzAlpine Scenic Train
Free Activities: Head down to Hokitika Beach for sunset
DAY 2: HOKITIKA TO FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER
It’s a short drive today towards the charming little village of Franz Josef. The landscape will change from coastline to dramatic, lush rainforest so basically another day of incredible views and stunning scenery (have your phone charged for pics). We’ll get to Franz Josef around lunchtime, and we’ll have the rest of the day to explore the town or relax at our accommodation.
Accommodation: Franz Josef Motels or similar
Meal options: Local restaurants
Meals included: Breakfast
Free Activities: Relax in Franz Josef
DAY 3: FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER FREE DAY
Ice, ice baby! Today is about experiencing Franz Josef Glacier, an iconic highlight of the West Coast and New Zealand in general. We can get a shuttle to the beginning of the track and then hike through native bush and across glacial streams to the terminal face of the glacier for spectacular photos or just relax in the township and enjoy the views. If you’d like to see the glacier up close (before that pesky climate change melts it for good) you can go for an incredible heli-hike and actually stand on the glacier!
Accommodation: Franz Josef Motels or similar
Optional paid activities: Shuttle to the track, heli-hike to the glacier, kayak tours, skydive
Meal options: Local restaurants
Meals included: Breakfast
Free Activities: Glacier Valley hike, bush tracks
DAY 4: FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER TO QUEENSTOWN
It’s another scenic journey today with plenty of photo stops. First up is the amazing Lake Matheson, known as the mirror-lake, for a short walk. We travel inland through the mountainous Haast Pass, stop at the beautiful Lake Hawea on the way to Wanaka and then follow the Kawarau River to Queenstown. When we get to Queenstown we’ll head straight to our accommodation. Staying at the Mercure Resort will provide a touch of luxury to your Queenstown adventure, with a swimming pool, fitness centre and sauna, it’s the best way to relax and ease yourself into life in this truly stunning resort town.
Accommodation: Mercure Queenstown or similar
Meal options: Local restaurants and cafes
Meals included: Breakfast
Free Activities: Lake Matheson "Mirror Lake" scenic walk
DAY 5: MILFORD SOUND DAY TRIP EX. QUEENSTOWN
Today we’ll hop aboard a Coach which will take us to the iconic Milford Sound. We’ll drive along one of the most scenic alpine roads in the world and then cruise across the Sound (fun fact: it's not actually a sound, it’s a fjord!) to see towering Mitre Peak plus rainforests and waterfalls, as well as spotting some amazing wildlife like Fur Seals, Penguins and Dolphins. Once we’ve snapped as many pics as we possibly can, it’s back to Queenstown. This evening, we recommend checking out the buzzy nightlife and sampling a famous Fergburger or just checking out one of the many restaurants Queenstown has to offer.
Accommodation: Mercure Queenstown or similar
Meal options: Local restaurants
Meals included: Breakfast
Included Activity: Milford Sound Day Trip including Scenic Cruise
DAY 6: QUEENSTOWN FREE DAY
Yaaaasssss Queen(stown)! We’ve got a full day in the adventure capital today. With beautiful mountain scenery and plenty of outdoor activities, it’s easy to understand why so many backpackers refuse to leave this place. We’ll have brekkie at the hotel and then the rest of the day is freeeee.
Accommodation: Mercure Queenstown or similar
Optional Paid Activities: Any adventure activity that we mad Kiwis can dream up (bungy, swing, jet boating, skydiving, mountain biking, zipline, horse riding…)
Meal Options: Local restaurants
Meals Included: Breakfast
Free Activities: Hike Ben Lomond, the Queenstown Hill, or Bob’s Peak
DAY 7: QUEENSTOWN TO MOUNT COOK
We’ll depart Queenstown early to drive over the Lindis Pass and through the Mackenzie Country, past the vivid blue waters of Lake Pukaki on the way to our amazing stop at the base of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki/Mt Cook. We’ve made this drive sound great but honestly - we reckon it’s one of the most stunning days you’ll have in the whole of NZ. We arrive in the early afternoon with time to do an optional experience like a boat tour on a glacial lake surrounded by snow-capped alps (sounds epic? It is). Alternatively, we can check out the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre or do one of the many great short walks in the park. We would be remiss if we didn’t recommend the Hooker Valley track (weather dependent) which in our opinion is one of the top walks within Mt Cook National Park. If it’s a clear night, head outside to experience one of the best stargazing spots in the country.
Accommodation: Stunning alpine lodge
Optional Paid Activities: Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, Glacier Explorer boat tour
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Free Activities: Take photos of awe-inspiring scenery, do one of the many great short walks to the Hooker glacial lake (weather dependent), stargazing
DAY 8: MOUNT COOK TO CHRISTCHURCH
Leaving Mount Cook we make our way through a landscape made famous by the ‘Lord of the Rings’ films. We’ll stop to check out the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd (an iconic photo stop), and if you like, you can go and relax in the Tekapo hot pools, do some snow tubing or ice skating (winter only), or hike up to the Mt John Observatory for incredible views of the lake from above. After lunch, we’ll continue to our overnight stop in Christchurch where you can spend the afternoon wandering the city streets and laneways to discover creative street art intended to bring cheer and colour to a city once buried in rubble.
Accommodation: Bealey Quarter or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Optional Paid Activities: Tekapo Hot Pools
Free Activities: Hike to Tekapo Mt John Summit, check out the historic Church of the Good Shepherd, Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park
DAY 9: DEPART CHRISTCHURCH
Today our adventure comes to an end, we’ll say goodbye (or see you soon) to our mates and go our separate ways for now. We hope everyone had a blast and remains Stray Mates for 4ever!
Meals Included: Breakfast
