Breadcrumb
New Zealand tour itinerary name and information
Thrifty Tours

3 Day Christchurch loop including Milford Sound

To begin your journey, you depart Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island, and travel through the lush farm lands of the Canterbury Plains through to Mackenzie Country and the stunning blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Continuing on toward the Southern Alps toward Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, the home of the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Enjoy some free time to explore some of the dramatic alpine and glacier scenery before continuing on to the Adventure Capital of the World, Queenstown, via the Lindis Pass.
Day two brings some of the best the South Island has to offer, the Milford Sound. Enjoy the relaxing return luxury coach transport from Queenstown, along the shores of Lake Whakitipu and through the rolling countryside of Te Anau, eventually continuing onto the Milford Road to Milford Sound. Board your modern, spacious vessel to embark upon a 1 hour and 40 minute cruise along the fiord, soaking up the multitude of waterfalls, lush rainforest, staggering mountains, and, if you're lucky, playful wildlife. After the cruise, enjoy a relaxing ride back to Queenstown.
Day three sees you departing Queenstown, retracing your steps through the Lindis Pass, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park with free time to explore (or book a scenic flight!) before continuing on to the dazzling blue waters of Lake Tekapo, through the lush farmland of Canterbury Plains back to Christchurch.

Currency selector
Select your currency to view indicative pricing
Tour summary and feature
Quick Itinerary Details

Independent tour (bus & coach)

This suggested tour costs from NZD$1,530 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Christchurch, finishes in Christchurch

3 days/2 nights

Motels

 Customisable? YES

 Viewed 142 times in the last 7 days

price pp from
NZD$1,530
twin share/double
Tour at a glance

Day 1: Christchurch to Mt. Cook then to Queenstown
Accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge

Day 2: Queenstown to Milford Sound including a cruise
Accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge

Day 3: Queenstown to Christchurch

Tour full itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
3 Day Christchurch loop including Milford Sound - Day 1
Christchurch to Queenstown via Mt Cook Day Tour with Gray Line / GreatSights

Depart Christchurch in the morning and travel through the lush farmland of the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo, where you can see the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd as it stands in solitude next to the vibrant blue waters. Leaving Tekapo, continue into the Southern Alps towards Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's tallest mountain. You will have a free time and you can take a sightseeing flight (at your own expense) enabling you experience some of the most dramatic alpine and glacier scenery. After then you will continue to Queenstown via Lindis Pass and the fruit growing area of Cromwell.

Your accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge

Blue Peaks Lodge offers well equipped self contained rooms with a fantastic location overlooking Queenstown and is just an easy five minutes walk to the Queenstown lakefront.
3 Day Christchurch loop including Milford Sound - Day 2
Milford Sound Cruise and coach tour from Queenstown

Return luxury coach transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with a 1 hour 40 minute Cruise along the full length of the fiord. On boarding a Real Journeys luxury glass-roofed coach in Queenstown or Te Anau, you will enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary. After a morning tea break in Te Anau, where you have the option of purchasing refreshments, the coach continues along the spectacular Milford Road. There is time for photo stops and short walks along the way. On reaching Milford Sound, you board the modern, spacious vessel for a leisurely cruise in the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and the wildlife. During the cruise your friendly crew provide commentaries in several languages and point out the sights such as Mitre Peak and the Pembroke Glacier.

Your accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge

Blue Peaks Lodge offers well equipped self contained rooms with a fantastic location overlooking Queenstown and is just an easy five minutes walk to the Queenstown lakefront.
3 Day Christchurch loop including Milford Sound - Day 3
Queenstown to Christchurch via Mt Cook with Gray Line / GreatSights

Depart Queenstown in the morning passing the fruit growing area of Cromwell towards the dramatic Lindis Pass that links Mackenzie Basin with Central Otago. The pass crosses a saddle between the valleys of the Lindis and Ahuriri Rivers at an altitude of 971 metres above sea level. You will continue towards Omarama, which is a favorite place of glider pilots and sometimes known as 'place of light'. You will continue towards Aoraki/ Mount Cook National Park in the Southern Alps. Mt Cook is New Zealand's tallest mountain. You will have a free time to explore Mount Cook Village or you can take a sightseeing flight (at your own expense) enabling you experience some of the most dramatic alpine and glacier scenery. After then, you will continue towards beautiful Lake Tekapo, where you can see the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd as it stands in solitude next to the vibrant blue waters. After visiting Tekapo, you will travel through the lush farmland of the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Tour departure list
See all departure dates & prices
Departure dates and prices
This tour has 400 departure dates.
All prices are in
Go to dates in
Starts Status   Double (2 people sharing) Single occupancy You save  
Nov 27, 2024
(Wednesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Nov 28, 2024
(Thursday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Nov 29, 2024
(Friday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Nov 30, 2024
(Saturday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 1, 2024
(Sunday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 2, 2024
(Monday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 3, 2024
(Tuesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 4, 2024
(Wednesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 5, 2024
(Thursday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 6, 2024
(Friday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 7, 2024
(Saturday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 8, 2024
(Sunday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 9, 2024
(Monday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 10, 2024
(Tuesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 11, 2024
(Wednesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 12, 2024
(Thursday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 13, 2024
(Friday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 14, 2024
(Saturday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 15, 2024
(Sunday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 16, 2024
(Monday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 17, 2024
(Tuesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 18, 2024
(Wednesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 19, 2024
(Thursday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 20, 2024
(Friday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 21, 2024
(Saturday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 22, 2024
(Sunday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 23, 2024
(Monday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 24, 2024
(Tuesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 25, 2024
(Wednesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 26, 2024
(Thursday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
Dec 27, 2024
(Friday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,530 NZD$1,915 Enquire Book
All prices are in
Go to dates in
Contact form
Send enquiry about this tour
Your contact information
Subscribe to our Regular Newsletter for Inspiring Holiday Ideas
Tour quick quote rework

Get an Instant Quote or Book this Tour

3 Day Christchurch loop including Milford Sound

Step 1:
Step 2: Select number of passengers and room configuration

Enter phone number to get a call from a travel planning expert within in 24 hours

Enter email address to receive your instant quote

Tick this box if you do not wish to receive emails about special offers
No pricing loaded - please choose another date or contact us

Your quote for this tour:

Start date:
End date:
Guests:
Rooms:

Total cost for ALL guests on this tour package is:

NZD$0

or
This quote is based on vehicles to accommodate your party in the vehicle type. We suggest changing the car type or contacting us for the best options.
The package cost above excludes rental vehicle hire as you are requesting a price for a vehicle outside of our designated season. Please reach out direct for rental vehicle rates.

NOTE: Quotes are subject to availability of specific accommodation and other inclusions. Our NZ touring experts will be in touch with you regarding this. Costs quoted in currencies other than New Zealand dollars (NZ$) are based on todays exchange rate and is subject to change.Terms and Conditions apply

Remember - we can create this itinerary with any style of accommodation or customise to suit your interests and timeframe. Just contact us here.

Tour recommendation

Some similar tours to this one

3 days Map
3 day TranzAlpine Glaciers and Queenstown
View Tour
 
3 days Map
Christchurch to Milford Sound and Queenstown
View Tour
 
3 days Map
3 day TranzAlpine and West Coast Glaciers to Queenstown
View Tour