Overview
This small group fully-guided tour takes you along the beautiful beaches of the West Coast, over the Hast Pass, past the stunning lakes of Wanaka and Hawea, en route to Queenstown. Highlights include Lake Matheson, Bruce Bay, Ship Creek, Thunder Creek Falls, Lake Hawea & Lake Wanaka (includes the Wanaka Tree) and Cardrona Hotel. Our modern and comfortable minibuses are packed with extras, ensuring your comfort and safety.
What you will be doing
Your tour starts in the stunning village of Franz Josef. We will be heading south down the coast on our fully guided adventure to Queenstown.
This spot is every photographer's dream. On a calm day you can capture Mt Cook reflected elegantly across this picturesque lake. This 4.4km / 90-minute easy bushwalk will reward you with breathtaking views across the southern alps.
At this location, you will see where the thick native rainforest meets a seemingly endless open ocean of the Tasman Sea. This beautiful beach is the best in the west
As we make our way south along the border where the ancient rainforest meets the ocean we will make a stop at Ship Creek. Dig your toes in the sand and feel the crash of the relenting waves of the Tasman Sea. Explore the dunes via an easy 1km walking track.
This easy 5-minute walk will reward you with a spectacular view of Thunder Creek Falls. This 28-meter waterfall is the remanence of a once great glacier that pours from a hanging valley into the Haast River below
Located in Mt Aspiring National Park is the aptly named Blue Pools. This easy 3km round trip is well worth the effort to see the breathtaking blue waters of the Makarora River.
As we leave the national park behind make sure to keep your eyes open as we make our way westwards and past stunning Lake Hawea. We will stop for a quick photo at a lookout point between Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea.
Stretch your legs and take a walk down to the lakeside for that iconic photo of the Wanaka Tree. Soak in the beauty of this expansive lake backdropped by Mt Aspiring and the Southern Alps. This is truly a photo opportunity that you do not want to miss!
From Wanaka, we head over the Crown Range Road that connects Queenstown and Wanaka. We do a quick stop here to see the Cardrona Hotel, one of New Zealand's oldest and most iconic hotels. Its rustic charm, spectacular mountain setting and rich history make it a must-see while in Central Otago.
Your tour concludes in the stunning town of Queenstown. As we drive into the town, your guide will point out key sites and any local highlights before dropping you off at your central Queenstown accommodation.
Where we'll meet
🧭 Meeting/pick-up point: 36-44 Main Road Franz Josef Glacier, Main Road, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886, New Zealand
🗺️ Instructions: We pick up from the below hotels in Franz Josef: Franz Josef Oasis Hotel Kea Accommodation Village Franz Josef Aspen Court Franz Josef Cron Motel Franz Josef Rain Forest Retreat Franz Josef Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Bella Vista Franz Josef Glow Worm Accommodation Franz Josef Alpine Glacier Motel Franz Josef Franz Josef Montrose Franz Josef Haka House Franz Josef Te Weheka Bed & Breakfast Inn Fox Glacier Distinction Fox Glacier Te Weheka Hotel The Westhaven Motel Fox Glacier Top 10 Holiday Park & Motels Mt Cook View Motel Heartland Hotel Glacier Country Bella Vista Fox Glacier Fox Glacier Lodge If you are not staying in any of the above, please choose the closest pickup location to where you are staying. We will meet you outside the entrance. If you have not booked your hotel at the time of booking, we will set you up as picking up from Scenic Hotel. Please let us know once your hotel is confirmed.
Things to know
Accessibility:
Children friendly
Fitness requirement
Moderate fitness level
Tour Language
English
License requirement
None
Additional information:
Minimum age is 4
Children under the age of 7 must be in a child safety seat, as it is a legal requirement in New Zealand. If you need a safety seat or booster seat these can be added during the booking process.
Wear comfortable clothing, sensible footwear, a charging cable for your phone or camera, your e-ticket or booking confirmation number, and a small amount of cash for lunch and souvenirs. A rain jacket is a handy thing to have with you in New Zealand!
We have room for luggage, There is enough room for one large case and one carry-on bag per person on all tours. Additional luggage will be an additional NZ$40 per item and must be pre-arranged with us before the day of your tour Oversized items including bikes, surfboards and your pet can not be accommodated.
Inclusion ✅
Lunch
Water
Snack
Pick up and drop off transport
Tour transport
Tour guide
Exclusion ❌
Dinner
Gratuities
About your host
Cheeky Kiwi TravelWe are all about giving you a real Kiwi Adventure. Our tours and day trips have a maximum of 16 guests! We believe it's the small extra things we do, combined with being flexible, that make all the difference to your experience and give you an amazing trip. Our trips have been described as fun and informative, with, of course, a little bit of cheekiness. From the outset, our mission has been to nurture both our communities and the environment, aligning with and advocating for The Tiaki Promise. We've reduced our carbon emissions by adopting fuel-efficient vehicles and closely monitoring fuel usage. Our drivers are incentivised to follow eco-friendly practices, ensuring your journey is as environmentally responsible as possible. We pride ourselves on being a fully paperless office, and we prioritise responsible waste management during our operations. We encourage our guests to travel responsibly with Wild Kiwi and to commit to The Tiaki Promise to care for New Zealand, for now, and for future generations.
Qualmark Gold: Qualmark works with Tourism New Zealand to help the tourism industry deliver high-quality experiences and maintain a high level of visitor satisfaction. Only businesses that deliver a quality sustainable experience, ones that have undergone an independent evaluation, and showcase true New Zealand hospitality, are recognised through a Qualmark accreditation. It has three levels: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
For every trip booked, Kodama Travel donates £1 to Just One Tree to restore our forests and the ocean.