Overview
Experience the ultimate adventure from Queenstown to Franz Josef via Wānaka. Our small group, fully-guided tour takes you through the picturesque landscapes of Wānaka and Hāwea lakes, over the stunning Haast Pass, and along the beautiful West Coast beaches to Franz Josef. Get ready for a one-of-a-kind authentic Kiwi experience with our famously passionate guides, renowned for their engaging stories and rich local knowledge. Travel in modern, comfortable minibuses, fully equipped with amenities to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the trip. Lunch is provided on this tour.
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What you will be doing
Your tour begins in the stunning city of Queenstown. As we depart, your guide will set the scene for your journey, pointing out and providing insights into some of the area's top highlights.
Located on the spectacular Crown Range Road between Queenstown and Wānaka, the Cardrona Hotel is one of New Zealand's oldest and most iconic hotels. Its rustic charm, spectacular mountain setting and rich history make it a must-see in Central Otago.
We'll stroll down to the lakeside for that iconic photo of the Wānaka Tree. Soak in the beauty of this expansive lake, backdropped by Mt Aspiring and the Southern Alps
Crossing the mighty Clutha River, we'll head westward past the stunning Lake Hāwea. We'll stop for a quick photo at a lookout point between Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea.
Located in Mt Aspiring National Park, the aptly named Blue Pools are a must-see. This easy 3km round trip is well worth the effort to witness the breathtaking blue waters of the Makarora River.
An easy 5-minute walk will reward you with a spectacular view of Thunder Creek Falls. This 28-metre waterfall, a remnant of a once-great glacier, pours from a hanging valley.
Here we stop at the Hard Antler where you have 45 minutes to enjoy your lunch.
As we head north along the border where ancient rainforest meets the ocean, we'll stop at Ship Creek. Dig your toes in the sand and feel the crash of the relentless waves of the Tasman Sea. Explore the dunes via an easy 1km walking track.
Here, thick native rainforest meets the seemingly endless open ocean. Bruce Bay truly showcases the best of the West Coast!
We continue to every photographer's dream: Lake Matheson. On a calm day, you can capture Mt Cook reflected elegantly across this picturesque lake. This easy walk will reward you with breathtaking views of the Southern Alps.
We'll pass many glacial rivers as we journey past Fox Glacier to our destination of Franz Josef. Our guide will drop you at any central accommodation in either Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. If you are continuing to Christchurch the next day, your guide will pick you up from your hotel to carry on the journey.
Where we'll meet
🧭 Meeting/pick-up point: Queenstown, New Zealand
🗺️ Instructions: We will pick you up from Queenstown.
Things to know
Accessibility:
Children friendly
Fitness requirement
Any fitness level
Tour Language
English
License requirement
None
Additional information:
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.
Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements
Inclusion ✅
Tour guide
Water
Snack
Tour transport
Pick up and drop off transport
Lunch
Exclusion ❌
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.