10-Day Ultimate
South Island Tour
Experience the Best of New Zealand’s South Island
From the dramatic West Coast and Franz Josef Glacier to Queenstown, Milford Sound and Aoraki / Mount Cook, this 10-day itinerary brings together many of the South Island’s most memorable landscapes.
Travelling by private vehicle and the renowned TranzAlpine train, you will experience alpine lakes, ancient glaciers, dramatic fiords and charming towns, with carefully selected activities and comfortable accommodation arranged throughout your journey.
📅 10 Days
A complete South Island journey
🚐 Private or Self-Drive
Choose the travel style that suits you
🛏️ Tailored Accommodation
Quality hotels, boutique stays or luxury lodges
🗺️ Christchurch to Christchurch
The itinerary can also operate in reverse
Experience New Zealand your way with a custom private itinerary designed around your interests, pace and travel style. From private driver-guides and premium accommodation to scenic touring, activities and local support, we create seamless journeys across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Queenstown-Based Luxury Travel Specialists | TIA Member | 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist | Local Support
Route Map
Suggested route: Christchurch → Franz Josef Glacier → Queenstown → Aoraki / Mount Cook → Lake Tekapo → Christchurch
This itinerary can operate in either direction and can be extended with additional nights or destinations.
Tour Highlights
From glacier-carved valleys and rainforest-covered mountains to turquoise lakes, alpine peaks and spectacular fiords, this journey showcases the extraordinary variety of New Zealand’s South Island.
Christchurch | TranzAlpine Train | Arthur’s Pass | Franz Josef Glacier
Wānaka | Queenstown | Milford Sound | Aoraki / Mount Cook
Lake Pukaki | Lake Tekapo | Mackenzie Country
A Real Client Experience
“Kathy and Wayne were the ultimate in travel planning and organisation. This was our trip of a lifetime and everything went like clockwork. From the moment Wayne picked us up until we had to say goodbye we had laughter, adventure and awe inspiring moments in this beautiful country. We really felt we knew New Zealand and her people by the time our trip ended. Kathy was so available and worked with us to include everything we wanted to see and do. Our accommodations were first rate and dining suggestions were great. There is no better company to plan your trip than New Zealand Private Tours. We highly highly recommend them and hope to visit again someday”
Patricia, Larry, Samuel & Shirley Kilgore, Edward and Barbara Partridge
Is This Tour Right for You?
This 10-day South Island itinerary is ideal for travellers who want to experience many of the region’s most iconic landscapes without the stress of planning every detail themselves. It combines scenic touring, carefully selected experiences, private transfers, local guidance, and time to enjoy each destination at a comfortable pace.
It is a great fit if you want:
A well-planned first visit to the South Island, covering Christchurch, the West Coast, Queenstown, Milford Sound, and Aoraki / Mount Cook.
Private touring instead of a large coach tour, with more comfort, flexibility, and personal service.
Iconic scenery and experiences, including the TranzAlpine train, Franz Josef Glacier, Wānaka, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, and Aoraki / Mount Cook.
Help choosing the right route, accommodation, and activities without having to organise everything yourself.
A relaxed but full itinerary, with a balance of guided touring, scenic travel days, special experiences, and free time.
This itinerary can be adjusted to suit your travel style, interests, accommodation preferences, and preferred pace.
Is This Tour Right for You?
Ideal for travellers wanting a comfortable, well-planned South Island journey.
✓ Private touring with personal service
✓ Christchurch, the West Coast and Queenstown
✓ Milford Sound and Aoraki / Mount Cook
✓ TranzAlpine train and Franz Josef Glacier
✓ Guided touring balanced with free time
✓ Flexible to suit your interests and travel style
ITINERARY
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Suggested activities for Christchurch
Explore: Christchurch
New Zealand's garden city is steadily being transformed into a vibrant urban destination. Encompassing a large green belt, it is known for its wide tree-lined avenues and lush gardens. A great way to explore is to take the double-decker hop on/hop off bus for an easy way to see the sights – or ride a historic tram across town to the renowned botanic gardens and the unique cardboard Transitional Cathedral.
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Included: The TranzAlpine Scenic Train - Private Tour to Franz Josef
Begin with one of New Zealand’s great rail journeys, travelling from Christchurch across the Canterbury Plains and into the Southern Alps. Depending on the final route, you may meet your private driver at Arthur’s Pass or Greymouth before continuing through the West Coast landscapes to Franz Josef Glacier.
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Suggested activities for Franz Josef
Explore: Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef is a small but lively town in the heart of the West Coast, known for its 12km long glacier. Surrounded by lush rainforest-clad mountains the township has a vibrant and bustling atmosphere. To see the ice from a viewpoint you can walk along the valley floor to the viewpoint below the terminal face. However, to go on the glacier itself you must take a licensed helicopter tour.
Adventure: Half Day Franz Josef Glacier Eco Tour
Enjoy walking through regenerating forest for your first glimpse of the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier. Your experienced guide will take you off the beaten track as much as they can safely, to discover hidden waterfalls and 'dead' ice, and lots of other treasures.
Adventure: Franz Josef Glacier Helihike
Take a scenic flight over all three Franz Josef glacier icefalls. Landing high on the glacier, take a two-hour guided trip through some of the most beautiful terrain in the country. Your guide will choose the route as you go through a wonderland of blue ice and frozen pinnacles. You'll have endless views of the surrounding mountains and rainforest as well as plenty of opportunities to take photographs
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Included: Private Tour to Queenstown
Depart Franz Josef in comfort on your private tour, with the option to take a short detour for spectacular glacier views. Travel along the scenic West Coast and stop at Knights Point Lookout to photograph fur and elephant seals on the beaches below. Cross the Haast River and follow a winding alpine valley dotted with waterfalls. Continue past the glistening waters of Lakes Hawea and Wānaka, taking in breathtaking alpine scenery, before arriving in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand.
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Included: TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak including gourmet BBQ dinner and a farm tour
Enjoy a quintessential Kiwi experience – a delicious gourmet BBQ buffet meal and a farm demonstration in a stunning lakeside setting.
Take in the stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and its surroundings as you cruise across the lake to the historic Walter Peak high country farm aboard the TSS Earnslaw Steamship.
After dinner, watch the farm dogs in action with a sheep-herding demonstration and say hello to the other farm animals.
Suggested Activity
Everything Queenstown Private Tour
Taking in the best bits of the region: historic Arrowtown and the surrounding area. Join a friendly guide on this relaxed private tour, for local highlights, tasting world famous Manuka Honey, amusing stories about gold history, and Lord of the Rings filming locations.
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A day in Mt Cook National Park
Spend the day surrounded by the dramatic alpine scenery of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. Choose from gentle walks, scenic viewpoints, a Tasman Glacier experience, or time to simply relax and enjoy the mountain views.
Suggested activities Aoraki Mount Cook
Scenery: Glacier Explorer
Cruise around the Tasman Glacial Lake and experience the enormity of NZ's largest glacier. The towering ice wall is really quite incredible, with an astonishing history.
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Included: Private Tour to Christchurch
Today, travel through the heart of the South Island, stopping at the picturesque lakeside town of Tekapo before continuing across the vast Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
World famous: Church of the Good Shepherd
Visit the most photographed stone church in New Zealand. Situated on the shores of Lake Takapō amongst the natural beauty of the lake and the mountains, the Church of the Good Shepherd was built to the glory of God and as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie Country.
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It’s time to say goodbye, with a private transfer to Christchurch Airport.
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Included: Private Tour to Milford Sound - Milford Cruise
Nature: Milford Sound Private Day Tour with Cruise
This full-day experience journeys to Milford Sound via road with photo stops in Te Anau and the Fiordland National Park. Next, take a Milford Sound cruise famous for its wildlife and epic waterfalls. After the cruise, return to Queenstown by road, or choose an optional scenic flight back if weather allows.
Suggested activities
Optional scenic flight return to Queenstown (this reduces the tour to 7.5 hours)
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Travel through Central Otago past the stone fruit capital of Cromwell and the amazing Lindis Pass. Catch your breath in Omarama before taking in the view of Aoraki Mount Cook (New Zealand's tallest mountain) from the shores of Lake Pukaki, known for its glacier-fed turquoise blue color. Continue along the lake to your final destination, Mount Cook Village.
World Famous: Big Sky Star Gazing
Take a mesmerizing journey through the cosmos as you explore the wonders of the night sky, home to planets, stars and a whole other world we only dream about.
Want to adjust the pace?
This itinerary is only a starting point. We can add extra nights in Queenstown, upgrade accommodation, adjust activities, or slow the journey down to suit your travel style.
FAQs About this Tour
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This tour is completely flexible. While we have a well-planned itinerary as a starting point, everything can be tailored to suit your interests, pace, and preferences. Whether you’d like to spend more time at certain stops, add an experience, or adjust the day to better suit your travel style, we’re happy to customise it so the tour feels just right for you.
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The 10 Day Ultimate South Island Tour operates year-round, and each season offers a slightly different way to experience New Zealand. Spring and summer bring longer days and vibrant landscapes, autumn is a favourite for its settled weather and golden colours, and winter adds a special touch with snow-capped mountains and quieter travel periods in some regions.
Because this is a private, fully customisable tour, we’ll also tailor the itinerary to suit the time of year you’re travelling. That might mean adjusting activities, pacing, or accommodation to ensure you get the best possible experience, whatever the season.
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Accommodation on the 10-Day Ultimate South Island Tour is flexible and tailored to suit your preferences. As a guide, the tour is typically based on high-quality boutique hotels and premium lodges, chosen for their comfort, location, and character.
That said, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. If you’re looking for luxury lodges, comfortable 4–5 star hotels, or a mix of styles along the way, we’ll adjust the accommodation to suit your tastes, budget, and travel style. Because this is a private tour, we can also suggest unique stays that add something special to the journey.
We’ll discuss accommodation options with you during the planning process and confirm everything before booking, so you know exactly what to expect and feel comfortable every step of the way.
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Because the 10-Day Ultimate South Island Tour is fully private and customised, the cost can vary depending on a few key factors — including travel dates, accommodation style, number of travellers, and any special experiences you’d like to include.
As a general guide, most guests can expect pricing to start from around NZD $9,000 per person, based on two people travelling and staying in quality 4 star accommodation. Luxury lodges, upgraded experiences, or additional inclusions will naturally increase the overall cost.
Once we understand your travel preferences and wish list, we’ll put together a clear, personalised quote with no hidden surprises. Our goal is to design a trip that offers excellent value, feels well-paced and thoughtful, and delivers a genuinely memorable New Zealand experience.
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Booking the 10-Day Ultimate South Island Tour is simple and personalised. Just get in touch with us via our enquiry form or by email, and we’ll start with a relaxed conversation about your travel dates, interests, and how you’d like the tour to look.
From there, we’ll tailor the itinerary to suit you, confirm accommodation and inclusions, and provide a clear quote. Once you’re happy, we’ll secure the tour with a 20% deposit, along with payment for any internal flights we arrange. The remaining balance is due 70 days prior to travel.
Because this is a private, custom tour, we recommend getting in touch early, especially if you’re travelling in peak season, so we can lock in the best accommodation and experiences for you.