Queenstown to Christchurch One-Way via Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo

based on 38 reviews

Duration:14 hours (approx.)
Location: Queenstown, South Island

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Queenstown to Christchurch via Mt Cook, this small group, fully-guided tour combines two of the most stunning locations in the South Island with the time and options to enjoy the activities, unlike other tours.

Highlights:
• Mt Cook & Aoraki National Park
• Lake Tekapo & Lake Pukaki
• Church of the Good Shepherd, Lindis Pass and the Southern Alps
• Free time for activities & walks

Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.

While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, we at Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, complementary refreshments and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Queenstown
Your tour starts in the stunning city of Queenstown. As we drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your adventure today but also point out and guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.
2. Kawarau Suspension Bridge
Departing Queenstown we then make our way north through the stunning Kawarau Gorge passing beautiful views. The Kawarau Suspension Bridge and the famous Roaring Meg Lookout. Time and light permitting we will stop for that first great shot of the tour.
3. Cromwell
Exiting the Kawarau Gorge we enter the fruit and wine growing region of Cromwell. Passing huge fields of vines we cross Lake Dunstan and follow this striking lake towards Lindis Pass.
4. Lindis Pass
Climbing in altitude, Lindis Pass has amazing views down through the valley. Being one of only three alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps, we stop at the Lindis Pass lookout 971m above sea level for an essential photo.
5. Omarama
While driving through the endless plains of the Mackenzie district we will spot several of the celebrated Merino breed of sheep before stopping at the quaint township of Omarama. While in Omarama we have time for a break or even to try the best creamy chicken pie in NZ (in our opinion)!
6. 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 stunningly framed by the backdrop of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. We stop for some amazing photos and to just marvel the sight that we are beholding. It’s not hard to see why so many Lord of the Rings scenes were filmed nearby and we will point them out for you.
7. Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Visitor 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.
8. Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
While in the national park you have 3 hours free time to enjoy free walks/hikes or one of the extra optional activities. Some of our recommendations include: Hooker Valley hike – This easy 3 hour hike is considered one of New Zealand’s most beautiful, Scenic flights – see the region from the air and land on the Tasmin Glacier or Heli Hikes. Whatever you have decided to do, we will pick you up and drop you off where you need to go and make sure you are well looked after.
9. Lake Tekapo
Farewelling Mt Cook we make our way to Lake Tekapo. This turquoise blue lake is famous world over for its pristine beauty. We have a short time here but long enough to get those Instagram breaking photos, explore the Church of the Good Shepherd and see the Mackenzie dog before starting to head towards Christchurch.
10. Geraldine
Departing Tekapo for Christchurch we will pass through more amazing passes and high country towns before arriving in the peaceful town of Geraldine for a final quick break before heading to your final destination - Christchurch.
11. Christchurch
Upon arriving in Christchurch your guides will point out any highlights we pass while travelling to the drop off locations.

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : am232018
All the stops were amazing and the guide made everything even greater, he gave so many great facts and history knowledge about NZ.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-06 05:25:10

Posted By : Caroline_H
Great way to get from Queenstown to Christchurch. We walked to the first bridge at Aoraki (Mt Cook) - the view was stunning. Colin and Dianne provided really interesting commentary.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-01 02:40:20

Posted By : Jo-Anne P
It is the other way around - Christchurch to Queenstown via Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo. Both cheeky kea and cheeky kiwi were great! Excellent tour guides - Joseph and Renee. Joseph (Cheeky Kea) made sure my kids were looked after and even played snow balls with them. Highly recommended!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-27 21:02:57

Posted By : stelladT1384MQ
he trip was amazing throughout, drive was long but the driver (I think his name was Will) had some awesome facts to tell us was very informative and the way he approached it also showed his genuine interest and enthusiasm about the geographical and historical context, although a cloudy day he made sure to get us a nice view and even changed up the stops for the better so we could get better photos and see more. The food was really good glad it was fresh and from a local bakery, the amount of stops was great toilet and food breaks spaced out well. We travelled through to Queenstown this means we had to get on another bus with the driver as cam, he was just as great energy and enthusiasm was high, he made the trip more enjoyable due to his passion for the outdoors and travel, we got back in a timely fashion and driving was safe and fantastic. The only thing I can critique about the trip was due to the lack of time we didn't get to see much on the way to Queenstown, however most people on the bus had already seen it. Also the drivers did seem to give different information about a few things, Overall a fantastic experience!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-25 03:07:18

Posted By : Lealla_S
Mt Cook was great. It was a very long day. Maybe too long. Georgia to start the trip was warm and fun. If you want to see more of the South Island a good option other than flying or self driving.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-14 02:42:55

Posted By : paulmitchell
Trip to Mt Cook was excellent and informative with good driver and staff. Something seemed to go wrong for our trip from Mt Cook to Christchurch the new bus was overcrowded and seemed to be from a different tour company to the one we were told was taking us the rest of the way. Driver was in a great rush and quite dangerous
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-11 13:30:28

Posted By : Verena_B
I had an amazing day. The pick up was easy and on time. Our tour guide Jonathan was great! He’s a pretty nice and funny guy and knows his stuff about the area. The long ride didn’t get boring.
I did the hooker valley track on the 3hr stop near Mt Cook. It’s a relatively easy hike (for a person with an average fitness level) and totally doable in the 3hrs time. You’ll get great views!
I was glad I brought my own food, but you can easily buy it on your way to Mt Cook. There you switch drivers (and busses) to get to Christchurch. After your departure from Mt Cook you only have shorter stops and no opportunity to buy food. So I’d recommend doing that before hand.
Overall an unforgettable experience.
Cheers

Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-28 19:29:31

Posted By : Huiling_D
The beauty of Mount Cook , the lakes , the nature is incredible!
You should not force tourists to write so many words if they don’t want to say that much!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-24 18:59:03

Posted By : carmineg854
The tour was fantastic only thing was on the site the prices were in NZ Dollars but we got charged in USD . Won't be recommending or booking with Trip adviser again.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-22 02:59:58

Posted By : Sharimat49
Mount Cook was the most stunning hike, in a country filled with stunning hikes. This was a great way for us to get from Queenstown to Christchurch with some gorgeous stops on the journey. I wish we had about a half hour more at Mt. Cook, as the hike was a little more rushed (not that we couldn't see what we wanted, but that I had to walk at a pretty brisk pace to ensure we were able to hike to the end and back in time) than I would have liked. Both tour guides (Jonathan from Queenstown to Mt. Cook and I can't remember the name of the woman who drove us to Christchurch) were terrific and gave us all sorts of interesting info as we drove. The transfer from the Queenstown bus to the Christchurch bus was seamless.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-18 07:31:40