New Zealand

About Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's third-most populous urban area. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula, which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of Christchurch.

The city was named by the Canterbury Association, which settled the surrounding province of Canterbury. The name of Christchurch was suggested by John Robert Godley, who had attended Christ Church, Oxford. Some early writers called the town Christ Church, but it was recorded as Christchurch in the minutes of the management committee of the association. Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter on 31 July 1856, making it officially the oldest established city in New Zealand.

The river that flows through the centre of the city (its banks now largely forming an urban park) was named Avon at the request of the pioneering Deans brothers to commemorate the Scottish Avon, which rises in the Ayrshire hills near what was their grandfathers' farm and flows into the Clyde.

Essential information about Christchurch

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Journey through the North Island of New Zealand and explore Waitomo, Rotorua and Lake Taupo, and discover the natural beauty of Kaikoura and Christchurch on this 10-day trip from Christchurch to Auckland. See the glow worms at Waitomo Caves, relax at Rotorua's geothermal wonderland, see giant sperm whales at play and be mesmerized by the natural beauty of New Zealand. This 10-day tour will have you travelling by coach, train and ferry with plenty of time at leisure to make this holiday truly magical
DAY 01: ARRIVE CHRISTCHURCH
Upon arrival at Christchurch Airport you will be met and privately transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore this Garden City on your own. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 02: CHRISTCHURCH - MT. COOK
Breakfast at the hotel. Check out of the hotel and proceed to Mt. Cook travelling across the patchwork quilt of the flat and fertile Canterbury Plains, passing through the farming towns of Ashburton and Geraldine before travelling through gentle rolling hill country to the Burkes Pass and climb up into the Mackenzie High Country and through Lake Tekapo, with a brief stop at the “Church of the Good Shepherd’, and on around the shores of Lake Pukaki to the Mount Cook National Park. Arrive at the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is at leisure for Optional activities. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 03: MT. COOK – QUEENSTOWN
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the natural beauty of Mt. Cook on your own. Maybe take an optional scenic flight over the glacier (not included in tour cost). In the afternoon, proceed for Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital. On arrival, check into your hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 04 Milford Sound Excursion
Breakfast at the hotel. Take a full day Milford Sound Excursion. Travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park. View the Mirror Lakes as you continue through the Eglinton Valley. From the Homer Tunnel emerge into the Cleddau Valley. Join your Milford Sound Red Boat cruise, for an unforgettable experience, and explore the wonder of this majestic fiord. Journey to the mouth of the sound and see the seals and dolphins, which inhabit this part of the world. Overnight at the hotel in Queenstown.

DAY 05: QUEENSTOWN
Breakfast at the hotel. Today is at leisure. Maybe take an optional tour the Lord of the Rings film location (not included in tour cost). Explore the spectacular backdrops used in the Lord of the Rings and soak in the fabulous panoramas over Queenstown's lakes and mountains. Marvel at the golden, tussock-brown, orange and green vistas of summer and the sparkling white and azure blues of winter. Hand-feed and photograph the Red Deer, Bison, Llama and other exotic animal species and learn the local Maori legend and history of the gold rush. Alternatively enjoy various adventure activities available in Queenstown such as bungy jumping, jetboating, rafting etc. (not included in tour cost). Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 06: Walter Peak High Country Farm
Breakfast at the hotel. Today enjoy a tour to Walter Peak High Country Farm- the lakeside site of the original homestead. Located on the western shore of Lake Wakatipu, Walter Peak is 8 miles from Queenstown. Join a scenic cruise to Walter Peak onboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. Take a walking tour of this working farm, viewing the livestock including sheep, highland cattle, deer and goats. Your hosts will work the sheep dogs and explain high country mustering practices, and also provide a demonstration on the art of sheep shearing. After the tour return to Queenstown by TSS Earnslaw cruise. Overnight stay in Queentown.

DAY 07: Glacier Region - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and travel through the Kawarau Gorge via Lake Wanaka to the Glacier Region. Enjoy the rugged West Coast scenery through the Haast Pass and beech forests. Continue on to spectacular Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 08: FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER – GREYMOUTH - CHRISTCHURCH
After breakfast, check out of the hotel. Today enjoy the world famous TranzAlpine Train - a journey famous for its engineering feat and spectacular mountain scenery. Rated one of the top six train journeys in the world, the Tranz Alpine Train runs from the Pacific Ocean to the Tasman Sea & vice versa crossing the fertile Canterbury plains and the stunning Waimakariri River. Arrive into Christchurch in the evening and transfer to your hotel by a private vehicle. Check in to your hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 09: DEPART CHRISTCHURCH
After breakfast check out of your hotel and transfer to Christchurch airport to board your flight back home or onward journey
- • 02 Nights accommodation in Christchurch with daily breakfast
- • 01 night accommodation at Mt Cook with breakfast
- • 04 Nights accommodation in Queenstown with daily breakfast
- • 01 Night accommodation in Franz Josef Glacier with breakfast
- • Arrival Airport Transfer in Christchurch by private vehicle with meet & greet service
- • Full day Milford Sound day tour ex Queenstown on seat in coach basis including cruise
- • Walter Peak High Country Farm Excursion by TSS Earnslaw on seat in coach basis
- • TranzAlpine train journey from Greymouth to Christchurch
- • Transfer from Christchurch railway station to hotel by private vehicle
- • Departure Airport Transfer in Christchurch by seat in vehicle