Itinerary

Tour Itinerary

Join us for a spectacular one day tour into the breathtaking Southern Alps of New Zealand. This tour has it all! Four types of transport, three unique adventures, two course café lunch, one entertaining Kiwi tour guide, this equals the ultimate Alpine experience.

This tour will appeal to adventure lovers! Your adventure begins in Christchurch, where you are picked up from your accommodation, and taken across the spectacular Canterbury Plains, towards Springfield. Around 10 minutes north of Springfield you will arrive at your first exciting activity of the day: the Waimak Alpine Jet.

Climb aboard the world famous Hamilton Jet Boat. and set off on a thrilling 45 minute ride through high walled rock canyons and white water rapids. With the Torlesse range as a backdrop you will experience the beauty of the Waimakariri river, with it's borders of lush native beech and exotic plants. Your guide will highlight features such as the Staircase Viaduct. Completed in 1918, the railway viaduct was imported in sections from England. At this point in your tour you will view the viaduct from below, but later in the afternoon, you will travel across the viaduct, 100 metres above the valley floor, during your TranzAlpine train journey home.

When you return to the shore, your Four Wheel Drive transport is waiting to take you on an unforgettable journey .You will pass through sections of native bush and learn about the farm and the local community. It’s a great chance to experience a working sheep station and even get up close and personal with it’s woolly residents. You’ll have time to take photos and walk onto the farm and breathe in the clear mountain air.

The 4WD tour stops for lunch and after a great meal, you will board the 4WD again and travel on to Arthurs Pass. This breathtaking trip follows the course of the Waimakariri River and as the road climbs slowly, you will notice dramatic changes in the flora and fauna, with the lush green pastures giving way to the more desolate high country hills of Porters Pass.

Arriving at Arthurs Pass, a look around the visitor’s centre offers an opportunity to learn more about the town and it’s history before you board the train and begin your journey back to Christchurch. The TranzAlpine train takes a dramatic route through numerous tunnels and across towering viaducts. The scenery takes in small hidden lakes and valleys along with and majestic mountain peaks. Depending on the time of year, you can be surrounded by snow or bare cliffs bleached in the summer sun.

The two hour train trip passes through the contrasting landscapes of the mountains, foothills and plains and you arrive back in Christchurch with plenty of memories of an unforgettable day.

More information from Relaxing Journeys:

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