See Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere from a panoramic viewpoint near Franz Josef/Waiau. Take in the glacier’s mountain setting and the steep, forested valley that leads towards its ice.

This is one of the West Coast’s best-known natural landmarks, set within a landscape of heavy rainfall, temperate rainforest and high alpine peaks. Pause for wide-ranging glacier views and appreciate the contrast between the green valley and the ice above.

• 2 Dinner (D)
• 3 Breakfast (B)

• Day 1: Flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Christchurch AirportDay 4: Flights to depart anytime from Queenstown Airport Airport to Hotel transfers are available to purchase on request. Flights to and from your tour are not included in the tour price.

• Comfortable walking shoes Warm layers in cooler months Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat Water bottle Camera

• Medium level of fitness required.

AAT Kings

Visit Hokitika, a West Coast town known for its connection to pounamu, or New Zealand greenstone. Discover a place shaped by its coastal setting and the history of the region’s nineteenth-century gold rush.

Pounamu holds deep significance in Maori culture, particularly for the people of Te Tai Poutini, the West Coast. Hokitika offers a distinctive introduction to the materials, heritage and independent character associated with this part of the South Island.

Travel through Haast Pass, where glacier-fed rivers, dense rainforest and mountain ranges define the crossing from the West Coast towards inland Otago. Take in views of Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan along the route.

The changing scenery reveals how quickly South Island landscapes shift between wet alpine forest and the more open country beyond the divide. This is a scenic journey centred on the landforms and waterways rather than simply the distance travelled.

Explore Arrowtown, a former gold-mining settlement near Queenstown. Its preserved streetscape offers a sense of the town that grew beside the Arrow River during the nineteenth-century gold rush.

Gold-rush heritage remains central to Arrowtown’s character, alongside the stories of the people who came to seek a living here. The town’s compact scale and mountain backdrop make it a rewarding place to experience a different side of the Queenstown region.

Take an optional scenic helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier for an aerial perspective on its ice and alpine surroundings. Where conditions allow, the experience includes a glacier landing for a closer encounter with the mountain environment.

Seen from above, the glacier’s scale and its setting among the Southern Alps become especially clear. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; flights and landings are weather permitting.

Choose an optional Queenstown jet boat ride for a fast-paced way to experience the region’s waterways. Feel the speed and manoeuvrability that have made jet boating one of the area’s signature adventure activities.

The ride pairs an active experience with views of the surrounding South Island landscape. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour; the specific route and operator depend on the option available during your visit.

Choose an optional native wildlife encounter during your time in Queenstown. This offers an opportunity to learn more about New Zealand’s distinctive animals and the conservation work associated with protecting them.

Many native species evolved in isolation, making the country’s wildlife an important part of its natural heritage. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; the location and species you may see depend on the option available.

Choose an optional wine tasting in the vineyards around Queenstown to explore the flavours of the surrounding wine region. Sample local wines and learn how the area’s climate and landscape influence what growers produce.

Central Otago is particularly associated with Pinot Noir, grown amid striking mountain scenery. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; the vineyard and wines tasted depend on the option available during your visit.

Board the TranzAlpine train in Christchurch for a rail journey across the Canterbury Plains and into the Southern Alps. Watch the landscape change as the train crosses viaducts, passes through tunnels and follows icy rivers towards Arthur’s Pass.

Snow-capped peaks and beech forests frame one of New Zealand’s most distinctive rail routes. The journey makes the alpine crossing an experience in its own right, with mountain scenery to enjoy from the comfort of the train.

Visit a local fruit stall near the Southern Lakes to sample fresh, seasonal produce. It is a small but flavourful introduction to the fruit-growing country around Central Otago.

The region’s warm summers and cool winters help shape its harvests, though what is available depends on the season. Tasting local fruit offers a direct connection to the orchards and agricultural traditions beyond the area’s mountain and lake scenery.

Cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Enjoy views across the water towards Queenstown’s surrounding mountains before sitting down to a gourmet barbecue dinner.

The experience also includes a farm show at Walter Peak, bringing the region’s rural traditions into focus. The vintage steamship, lakeside farm setting and shared meal make this a distinctive evening that combines Queenstown scenery with high-country hospitality.