Christchurch to Queenstown One Way Tour, Via Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo

Itinerary:

Christchurch - Your tour starts in the stunning city of Christchurch. As we drive out of the city, your guide will not only set the scene for your adventurous day but also point out and guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.


Geraldine – Departing Christchurch, we then make our way through the impressive Canterbury plains with plenty of amazing New Zealand farmland and countryside to see along our way to Geraldine. Arriving in this quaint town, we will stop for a quick morning tea.


Lake Tekapo – Exiting Geraldine, we head to...

Itinerary:

Christchurch - Your tour starts in the stunning city of Christchurch. As we drive out of the city, your guide will not only set the scene for your adventurous day but also point out and guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.


Geraldine – Departing Christchurch, we then make our way through the impressive Canterbury plains with plenty of amazing New Zealand farmland and countryside to see along our way to Geraldine. Arriving in this quaint town, we will stop for a quick morning tea.


Lake Tekapo – Exiting Geraldine, we head towards the famous blue lakes of Lake Tekapo, but to get there first, we must go through some impressive alpine passes with amazing views. As we come over the hill to Tekapo, you will be stunned by the amazing view of the lake. 


Church of the Good Shepherd – Once in the township of Tekapo, you will have time to explore the very popular Church of the Good Shepherd, see the Mackenzie Sheep dog, and get those Instagram-worthy shots of Lake Tekapo before we continue to Mt Cook. 


Lake Pukaki – Turning west, we begin to enter the Aoraki National Park, and Lake Pukaki begins to emerge in front of us. Lake Pukaki is one of the bluest lakes you will ever see and is stunningly framed by the backdrop of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. We stop for some amazing photos and to just marvel at the sight that we are beholding. 
 
Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park – While in the national park, you have 2 hours free time to enjoy free walks/hikes or one of the extra optional activities. Whatever you decide to do, we will pick you up and drop you off where you need to go and make sure you are well looked after. 


Tasman Glacier – One of our recommendations during your free time is the Tasman Glacier Lake walk and viewpoint. Icebergs can usually be seen floating in the lake in summer, and in winter, the lake freezes over. The track leads through the glacier’s old terminal moraines with amazing views of the glacier, river, and lake.  


Mt Cook Information Centre – Arriving at Mt Cook Village, weather depending, we should get some amazing shots of the mountain itself.  At 3724m, Aoraki/Mt Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak; however, the mountain can be viewed without any acclimatisation whatsoever from the village, which is just 750m above sea level.


High Country Salmon - Farewelling Aoraki/Mt Cook Village and making our way back to Queenstown, we stop in at High Country Salmon, a local salmon farm, where you can feed the fish and taste some of the freshest salmon in New Zealand.


Lindis Pass – Climbing in altitude, Lindis Pass has amazing views down through the valleys. It is one of only three alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps. 


Jackson's Orchard – During the summer months, when the sun is still up as we get close to Queenstown, we often stop at Jackson's Orchard to try or buy some delicious local fruit or real fruit ice cream.


Kawarau Suspension Bridge – Nearing Queenstown, we then make our way through the stunning Kawarau Gorge, passing stunning views, the Kawarau Suspension Bridge, and the famous Roaring Meg Lookout. 


Queenstown – Sadly, the tour must come to an end as we enter Queenstown and say our goodbyes.