New Zealand South Island • 8 Days, Two Train Journeys • Grand Glacier Loop (Round Trip from Christchurch)

Punting on the Avon River is one of Christchurch’s most iconic attractions. Whatever the season, you can glide along the peaceful, beautiful Avon River aboard an elegant boat, while a skilled punter guides you past Christchurch’s romantic city scenery. In spring and summer, you’ll see sunlight softly falling on the sparkling water as ducklings play happily in the river; in autumn and winter, you can enjoy the enchanting waterside scenery.

Known as the “Garden City,” Christchurch is New Zealand’s third-largest city. Founded 150 years ago, it is filled with beautifully laid-out gardens. Since most early settlers were English, the city’s historic buildings reflect the Victorian era in Britain. The English have even given Christchurch a new definition: “a city outside Britain that feels very much like Britain.”

The Bridge of Remembrance spans the Avon River in central Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. This stone arch bridge is of significant historical importance. It was named after the historic scene of soldiers departing for the front and saying farewell to their families here during World War I. A triumphal arch-style gateway at the bridge entrance serves as a memorial. The bridge was officially designated a heritage site by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust in April 1985. The existing bridge was restored after the 2010 Christchurch earthquake.

The Christchurch Arts Centre is one of New Zealand’s most iconic Gothic-style building complexes and was formerly the site of the University of Canterbury. The complex is characterized by Gothic features such as patterned stone walls and pointed archways. After the university relocated in 1974, it was transformed into an arts and cultural centre, with around 30 craft shops and artists’ studios. The centre regularly hosts weekend craft markets and art performances, creating a distinctive cultural scene. The 2011 Christchurch earthquake damaged the buildings, and restoration and maintenance work was still underway as of 2025.

Arthur’s Pass National Park is located 150 kilometres from Christchurch. The Alpine Scenic Train passes near the entrance to the pass, which lies along the historic route from eastern Canterbury to the West Coast. Covering 114,500 hectares, it is New Zealand’s third national park. The park features beautiful gorges and streams, as well as majestic mountains that inspire awe. Its defining landscapes include steep slopes, a network of rivers and rugged gorges. There are 30 backcountry huts and basic campsites in the park, with good access between them. The Arthur’s Pass Visitor Centre is the starting point for hiking trails, with several routes offering excellent scenery along the way.

One of New Zealand’s most popular scenic mountain railways is located at Arthur’s Pass. At an altitude of 737 metres, it is one of the world’s six great scenic rail journeys. Along the way, you can admire New Zealand’s distinctive farms, snow-capped peaks, narrow bridges, deep valleys, tunnels and towering ancient trees.

Shantytown is one of New Zealand’s important heritage attractions, faithfully recreating a pioneering town established in the early 20th century during the gold rush of the 1860s. Set amid regenerating rainforest, Shantytown brings to life the most influential period of post-Māori colonisation through immersive visitor experiences, giving you a real sense of life in New Zealand’s past and its significance to New Zealanders today. Shantytown is also one of the West Coast’s leading venues for events, conferences and weddings.

Fox Glacier is named after Sir William Fox, New Zealand’s Prime Minister from 1869 to 1872. The name refers both to the glacier and the nearby village. Like its sister destination, Franz Josef, the glacier flows down the western slopes of the Southern Alps, reaching temperate rainforest just 300 metres above sea level. To take in the glacier’s beauty, enjoy unparalleled views along Cook Flat Road on your way to Lake Matheson. Several glowworm caves are within walking distance of the town centre, where you’ll also find great cafés and restaurants. Beautiful Lake Matheson, near Fox Glacier, is one of New Zealand’s most photographed lakes. On a clear day, you can see Aoraki/Mount Cook reflected in the water.

As the saying goes, good things take time. For the Pancake Rocks, it took 30 million years! These heavily eroded limestone formations on the West Coast have unusual shapes. Seawater shoots through vertical blowholes in the rocks, creating an astonishing spectacle.

The Haast region is named after German geologist Julius von Haast and comprises three settlements: Haast Junction, Haast Beach and Haast itself. Here, you’ll feel as though you’re at the frontier—helicopters take deer hunters into rugged mountain country, and local pubs are known for decorating their premises with animal skulls. The surrounding World Heritage Area is the region’s main attraction. Wherever you look, West Coast rainforest stretches across the landscape. Activities in Haast include river adventures, visits to seal and penguin colonies, sea fishing, rainbow trout fishing, hunting, and driving to Jackson Bay, one of New Zealand’s most remote rural communities.

Queenstown is located in the southwest of the Otago region on New Zealand’s South Island. Nearby Arrowtown, a former gold-mining town, preserves the remains of Chinese miners’ settlement in New Zealand—the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement. The city is built around the entrance to Lake Wakatipu, whose long, slender “S” shape is surrounded by spectacular mountains. The scenery is ever-changing, with the lake and mountains creating an almost otherworldly landscape. The town was named in 1850 in honor of Queen Victoria. Today, Queenstown is a world-famous holiday destination, both in New Zealand and beyond.

Lake Wanaka stretches 45 kilometers and covers 193 square kilometers. Its clear waters are a paradise for speedboating and kayaking enthusiasts and sailors. After filming the New Zealand season of Where Are We Going, Dad?, celebrity families Huang Lei and Duoduo, Yang Wei and Yang Yangyang, and Lu Yi and Bei’er came straight to Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island for a holiday. This was one of the places they visited. Among the lakes of the South Island, Wanaka is like a shy young woman, hiding her beauty between Lake Wanaka, Lake Hāwea, and the Southern Alps, waiting to be discovered by curious visitors. Winter is Wanaka’s busiest season, when ski enthusiasts from around the world flock here to enjoy exceptional downhill skiing at Cardrona and Treble Cone, cross-country skiing at Snow Farm, and, of course, the thrilling heli-skiing at Harris Mountains.

Winding through dense beech and rimu forests, an easy short walk leads to these natural wonders, formed by alpine meltwater. Cross open flats and admire spectacular mountain views, enjoy the cool shade of the beech forest, and eventually reach a suspension bridge spanning the Makarora River. Continue along the boardwalk to a second suspension bridge, which overlooks the Blue Pools. From here, enjoy sweeping views of the river gorge. The suspension bridges have a limit on the number of people crossing at once—if the limit has been reached, please wait at the entrance.

You may be surprised to learn that the Wanaka Tree has not stood on this land since ancient times. More than 80 years ago, it was merely an unremarkable fence post—a willow branch driven into the lakebed to keep livestock from entering the lakeside area. Today, the Wanaka Tree has become much more than an ordinary tree: it is both a symbol of resilience and a quiet reflection of the surrounding landscape. This solitary tree stands in the lake with the Southern Alps as its backdrop, taking on a different appearance with each passing season. In autumn, golden leaves reflect on the water, casting a warm glow; in winter, its bare branches stand out against the snowy peaks like a frozen sculpture. Photographers and visitors from around the world are drawn to this tranquil scene, capturing the tree at sunrise and sunset, and beneath star-filled night skies. Its transformation from an unremarkable fence post into one of the world’s most sought-after natural landmarks is proof of the unexpected ways in which nature can surprise and inspire us.

Located at Queenstown's highest point, the Skyline Gondola complex combines dining and entertainment and is a must-see attraction during your visit. The gondola ride, with views overlooking Queenstown from above, is one of the first attractions to draw visitors to the town. Ride the gondola to Bob's Peak and take in breathtaking scenery. Relax and admire Queenstown's dazzling views. Cafés, restaurants, a luge track, stargazing, Māori haka performances, and mountain biking offer a variety of activities to enrich your trip.

Known as the “Adventure Capital of the World,” Queenstown is the birthplace of tandem skydiving in New Zealand and the perfect place to fulfill your skydiving dream! Our drop zone is at the foot of the famous Remarkables mountain range, surrounded by picturesque sheep farms. It takes a special kind of person to leap from an aircraft at 4,500 metres—doing so takes real courage. As your mind, soul, and body overcome their natural instinct for self-preservation and you jump from the plane, you’ll experience what it feels like to be weightless. It’s a major challenge to yourself.

Horse riding is a wonderful way to explore Middle-earth! The horses here are tall, strong, and beautiful; some even appeared in The Lord of the Rings films. This hidden paradise is dotted with babbling streams and dense lupin fields. In midsummer, a spectacular sea of purple blooms makes for incredible photos. From the banks of the Rees River, you can see the magnificent backdrop featured in The Lord of the Rings. Ride through Middle-earth and enjoy a cinematic journey.

Mystery, heritage, fantasy and reality come together here. Dart River Valley is a must-visit destination for exploration! On this thrilling adventure, your jet boat will venture deep into the heart of the world-famous Mount Aspiring National Park. Take in breathtaking scenery and speed through winding glacial lakes by jet boat. Your knowledgeable and entertaining guide will share the region’s history and culture. Walk through ancient beech forests and see woodlands dating back 80 million years, as well as filming locations used to portray Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings.

The University of Otago is located in Dunedin, the capital of the Otago region of New Zealand. Founded in 1869, it was New Zealand’s first national university and is also the country’s oldest university. The university covers nearly 2,000 hectares and boasts beautiful surroundings and a rich academic culture, offering a comfortable and peaceful environment. Trees shade the campus, with landscaping covering 60 percent of its area, alongside both historic and modern buildings. A visit to the University of Otago gives you a full appreciation of its leafy grounds. You can admire its distinctive historic and modern architecture and experience the university’s vibrant cultural atmosphere. The campus is home to a wide variety of plants and trees, including rare and valuable species from New Zealand and around the world. Its gardens are filled with flowers and fragrance, making a stroll through them feel like entering a sea of blossoms.

St Paul’s Cathedral is a Gothic-style building constructed in 1971. It is built from Oamaru limestone quarried in Oamaru, and its exterior walls are adorned with magnificent stained glass. Inside, an impressive organ with an astonishing 3,500 pipes takes centre stage. You can visit the “War Memorial Window”, created to honour soldiers from the Otago region who died in World War I. There are also works depicting the “Death, Resurrection and Ascension” of Christ, each adding to the cathedral’s artistic character.

Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park lies in the west-central part of New Zealand’s South Island, extending 40–90 kilometres inland from the 450-kilometre-long West Coast. The park is long and narrow, stretching 64 kilometres and measuring just 20 kilometres across at its narrowest point. It covers 70,696 hectares, 40 percent of which is glaciated. The park is home to New Zealand’s highest peaks and largest glaciers. Of the 27 mountains in New Zealand that rise above 3,050 metres, 22 are located here, including the highest, Aoraki / Mount Cook, at 3,755 metres. In Māori, Mount Cook is also called Aoraki, meaning “Cloud Piercer.” The park extends south to Arthur’s Pass and west to the Main Range, in the most spectacular and scenic central section of the Southern Alps. Mount Cook is magnificent, and a short hike is a great way to take in the scenery and spot wildlife such as tahr and red deer.

The Church of the Good Shepherd stands on high ground beside Lake Tekapo. Built in 1935, it was named after a sculpture of a sheepdog. Constructed entirely from blocks of stone, it is a classic feature of Lake Tekapo postcards. At night, the church looks especially beautiful beneath the starry sky and is also an excellent spot for photographing star trails. Its exterior is rustic and simple, yet full of character. Though small, it has a distinctive charm. The exterior walls combine the stones’ natural shades of dark gray, light gray, blue-green and brown, while the roof is made of black stone slabs. This rugged, natural appearance blends harmoniously with the open lakeside landscape.