Treat yourself to the infamous Tranz Alpine train trip as part of your Kiwi Experience! Catch the Tranz Alpine train across the spectacular Southern Alps, before meeting the Kiwi Experience bus in Greymouth. Tonight your driver will arrange a group meal for you at the Mahinapua Hotel, known as the legendary "Poo Pub". It's an awesome evening of fancy dress and a good way to get to know your fellow travellers.
Incredible views of glaciers towering over subtropical rainforests. Our first stop this morning is the Bushman's Centre, where you will get an insight into how people make a living on the coast with helicopter deer recovery, old timber-milling techniques and possum trapping. We then head through to the Franz Josef Glacier Village, nestled in the Westland National Park.
We recommend staying an extra night in Franz Josef because there's so much to do there. If you're short on time, you can always skip this extra day, timetable allowing, and get to the next stop sooner. Today is your chance to hike on the Franz Josef Glacier, rated as one of the top three activities to do in New Zealand, by Kiwi Experience passengers. You could also take the option of a heli-hike, and be flown up the glacier, or take a more sedate approach and explore the various walks in the area.
Take the time to chill out by Lake Wanaka. We start out early in order to catch the perfect mirror reflection of Mt Cook and the Southern Alps on Lake Matheson. We then cruise down the last stretch of Highway 6, stopping at popular scenic spots along the way. Then it's into Mount Aspiring National Park, arriving in the awe-inspiring destination of Wanaka in the afternoon.
Adventure capital of New Zealand and the world! It's only a short drive today through to New Zealand's adventure capital, Queenstown. Highlights include Puzzling World, skydiving over Lake Wanaka and stopping at the world's first commercial bungy site - the Kawarau Bridge. On arrival in Queenstown you can book all activities and confirm onward bus travel at Base, as well as get a group photo with all your new West Coast mates. Then it's out on the town exploring Queenstown's infamous nightlife with all the crew!
We recommend staying an extra night in Queenstown because there's so much to do there. If you're short on time, you can always skip this extra day, timetable allowing, and get to the next stop sooner. Queenstown is rated as one of our passenger's favourite spots to hang out in New Zealand. Take the time to spend a few days here as it is one of the most picturesque places in the world. Make the most of the beautiful lake and surrounding walks, or get into a whole range of adrenalin pumping activities. If there was one activity that you couldn't miss it would be the day trip to Milford Sound, commonly referred to as New Zealand's most beautiful spot!
Head to the 'garden city', with optional drop off points for Mt Cook and rafting in Rangitata We head out of Queenstown, through the Lindis Pass, so get your cameras ready because this is 'Lord of the Rings' territory. After dropping people in Twizel for the connection to Mt Cook, we travel through to the amazing aqua blue Lake Pukaki, with a stunning view of Mt Cook. We stop for lunch beside Lake Tekapo and the picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd. From there we have a straight run into Christchurch arriving late afternoon.
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