New Zealand Tours from Christchurch
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10 best New Zealand tour packages from Christchurch
Compiled by
MelissaNew Zealand travel expert at TourRadar
- Southern Spotlight (2025/2026, Best Buys)
- New Zealand: Sweet As South (Westbound)
- New Zealand: Sweet As South (Eastbound)
- South Island Youth Adventure - 9 days
- Southern Wonders (2026/2027, Best Buys)
- Southern Wonders (2025/2026, Best Buys)
- New Zealand Marvel (2026/2027, Best Buys)
- New Zealand Marvel (2025/2026, Best Buys)
- Southern Loop
- New Zealand Magic (2025/2026, Best Buys)
This 9-day South Island adventure connects 6 major destinations from Christchurch. The route leads through Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo, showcases Dunedin's Victorian heritage, features a UNESCO-listed Milford Sound cruise, and concludes with the scenic TranzAlpine train back to Christchurch.
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Omarama, Dunedin, Te Anau, Queenstown, Franz Josef Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator AAT Kings From $5,570
10% Off- NZ$5,013You save $557
New Zealand: Sweet As South (Westbound)
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great experience for this tour.. would rate this as 5stars.. made new friends along the way.”
Nigel, traveled in February
The 9-day, 580km South Island adventure takes you from Christchurch through Arthur's Pass to Franz Josef Glacier. The route continues to Queenstown via Haast Pass, ventures to Milford Sound and Lake Tekapo, before returning to Christchurch after visiting Lake Ōhau.
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Haast, Wanaka, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, ManapouriSee all destinations Age Range up to 35 year olds Operator Contiki From $2,499
19% Off- NZ$2,028You save $471
A 9-day South Island expedition from Christchurch connects 14 remarkable destinations. The path winds from Lake Tekapo's milky blue waters through Queenstown's adventure hub to Franz Josef Glacier, concluding in Christchurch via historic Hokitika and Arthur's Pass.
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Lake Ohau, Ohau, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park, Manapouri, Arrowtown, Queenstown, Milford SoundSee all destinations Age Range up to 35 year olds Operator Contiki From $2,455
20% Off- NZ$1,964You save $491
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Wanaka, Queenstown, Milford Sound Age Range 18 to 45 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $4,525
10% Off- NZ$4,073You save $452
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Te Anau, Dunedin, Omarama Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator AAT Kings From $5,850
10% Off- NZ$5,265You save $585
A 9-day, 540km odyssey across New Zealand's South Island departs Christchurch via TranzAlpine train through Arthur's Pass. The itinerary links six major cities including Franz Josef, Queenstown, and Te Anau, circling back to Christchurch via Dunedin and Omarama.
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Te Anau, Dunedin, Omarama Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator AAT Kings From $5,570
10% Off- NZ$5,013You save $557
This 14-day, 1,500km New Zealand odyssey departs Christchurch via TranzAlpine train through Southern Alps to Franz Josef. South to Queenstown and Milford Sound, the route continues through Te Anau, Dunedin, and Picton, crossing Cook Strait to Wellington before reaching Auckland via Rotorua.
Duration 14 days Destinations Christchurch, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Te Anau, Dunedin, Omarama, Picton, Wellington, Rotorua, Auckland Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator AAT Kings From $8,799
10% Off- NZ$7,919You save $880
This 14-day passage from Christchurch's 'Garden City' to Auckland spans 1,500km across both islands. The TranzAlpine train crosses the Southern Alps, followed by a Queen Charlotte Sound cruise, with key visits to Franz Josef Glacier, Queenstown, and Wellington.
Duration 14 days Destinations Christchurch, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Te Anau, Dunedin, Omarama, Oamaru, Picton, Wellington, RotoruaSee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator AAT Kings From $8,380
10% Off- NZ$7,542You save $838
Southern Loop
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“This tour blew all my expectations and it was awesome to check out the Upper South Island.”
Anna, traveled in May
The 7-day, 800km South Island circuit from Christchurch crosses the Southern Alps via Lewis Pass to Punakaiki. The route heads north to Abel Tasman National Park, then east through Marlborough wine region and Kaikoura, returning to Christchurch.
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Punakaiki, Abel Tasman National Park, Blenheim, Kaikoura Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Operator Wild Kiwi From
10% Off- NZ$1,912+$287 upfront costs
This 17-day adventure starts in Christchurch with a city tram tour showcasing innovative post-earthquake architecture. The TranzAlpine train crosses Arthur's Pass to Franz Josef, followed by Haast Pass to Queenstown. Auckland marks the finale after visiting Rotorua's geothermal wonders and Bay of Islands' turquoise waters.
Duration 17 days Destinations Christchurch, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Te Anau, Dunedin, Omarama, Picton, Wellington, Rotorua, AucklandSee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator AAT Kings From $9,845
10% Off- NZ$8,861You save $984
What people love about New Zealand Tours from Christchurch
- New Zealand: Sweet As South (Westbound)
Such a great tour! The tour guide (Damo) and bus driver (Ollie) were such an amazing team and together they provided such an amazing experience of NZ. Highly recommend!
It was the best part of my New Zealand Trip! Would totally recommend for a stress-free trip, everything is sorted out for you and Robbie is the man! I got to see every part of the South Island that I have dreamt of visiting and some other places I hadn't even heard of, plus I made some great new friends. If you are looking to see the South Island, do it with Wild Kiwi!
Southern Voyager
Callum was a fantastic tour guide he made our trip memorable beside the hickups he had to fix.
New Zealand South Island Express
What our customers ask about New Zealand Tours from Christchurch
What is the typical duration of tours starting in Christchurch?
Tours from Christchurch span from 6 to 18 days with most travelers choosing 9-14 day trips. The Southern Spotlight tour takes 9 days through South Island highlights while the Spirit of New Zealand extends to a 16-day adventure. A recent TourRadar traveler shared: "The 14-day Big South tour was the perfect length to really experience everything the South Island has to offer with Ben and Daisy as fantastic tour guides."
What's the best season to start a tour from Christchurch?
Summer months from December to February draw the most visitors with pleasant 72°F temperatures and extended daylight. Spring between September and November brings flowering gardens to Christchurch with smaller crowds at spots like Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook. A TourRadar traveler noted: "We started our tour in October and got perfect weather for experiencing Christchurch's famous gardens plus amazing snow-capped mountain views."
What are the most common next destinations after Christchurch?
Most tours head to the Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook area (3 hours by road) or take the scenic TranzAlpine railway to Franz Josef Glacier (5 hours). Some routes pass through quieter towns like Omarama or Twizel on the way to Queenstown. According to a TourRadar review: "The drive from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo was stunning with stops at beautiful viewpoints and the Church of the Good Shepherd - it was the perfect way to start our South Island adventure."
What are the common departure points for tours starting in Christchurch?
Tours typically leave from the Central Railway Station for TranzAlpine train journeys the Distinction Christchurch Hotel in Cathedral Square or the Crowne Plaza on Armagh Street. Morning pickups run from 7:00-9:00 AM at these central spots. Some tours offer 4:00 PM airport departures to match incoming flights.
What accommodation options are available for tours starting in Christchurch?
Lodging ranges from 3-star motels to 4-star hotels including popular choices like the Novotel Christchurch Rydges Latimer and Heritage Hotel Christchurch. In Queenstown properties such as Blue Peaks Lodge are common stops. A TourRadar guest mentioned: "Our accommodations were very clean and comfortable. The blue peaks had been freshly renovated and was very close to Queenstown shopping."
What happens if weather affects the planned route when departing from Christchurch?
Tour companies maintain backup routes and activities for weather-related changes. A TourRadar traveler shared their experience: "We were diverted from seeing the Franz Josef glacier and going on the TranzAlpine train due to weather and road conditions. We were rerouted to Dunedin and we had an enjoyable time there visiting the Botanic garden and museums."
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