The West Coast of New Zealand offers a unique holiday experience, featuring scenic roads, breathtaking landscapes, and picturesque spots. This iconic route takes you on a bucket list adventure along the ever-changing coastline, passing through hidden gems and towns, and offering endless opportunities to stop and explore. Join us as you hop on the train towards Arthurs Pass in the morning offering views only possible through the Tranzalpine, this allows a panoramic landscape of the Majestic Southern Alps up close. With collection at the National Park, our guide will take you the rest of the way in this small group tour to Franz Josef
Memories made, hearts happy and photos a plenty in this tour!
Inclusions:
- Small Group
- Picnic Lunch
- Fully Guided Tour
- Bottled Water & Snacks
Highlights
- Tranzalpine
- Devils punchbowl
- Arthurs Pass Village
- Otira Lookout
- Hokitika Sign
- Hokitika Gorge
tinerary
1. Railway Station/ Christchurch - We start our journey towards the wild west coast by dropping you of at Tower Junction to catch your train towards Arthurs Pass via the Tranzalpine. This journey offers open viewing carriages for you to enjoy the scenery through the panoramic windows.
2. Greymouth (5mins) - Greymouth is located in the heart of New Zealand's South Island, Greymouth is the largest town in the West Coast region, with a population of around 14,000 people. Nestled amidst chiseled cliff tops, wild beaches, and the picturesque Grey Valley, this charming destination is not only a beautiful spot itself, but also a key hub for connecting via the renowned TranzAlpine train service.
Please note the train is a third-party company in conjoined with our tour, there may be train delays of up to 30 minutes meaning you might not be able to have time for the views in Cobden. Please be aware of this and be patient if this occurs.
3. Cobden Breakwater (5min) - Cobden is a beach break with a rock breakwater at its southern end, producing standout waves that break right up against the structure. This picturesque spot is a photographer's paradise, with a stunning backdrop that's sure to capture breathtaking images.
4. Hokitika (1.5hrs) – Experience the laid-back atmosphere thats sure to evoke a sense of nostalgia once we arrive in Hokitika. Allowing time for lunch and a stroll down Hokitikas wild beach, where black sand meets the rugged coastline. Our guides give you the time needed to enjoy this “cool town” and a little teaser of what it has to offer.
5. Hokitika Gorge (1hr) – After lunch and sometime in the town why not join the group on an excursion towards a stop hidden away on the West Coast, Hokitika Gorge is a treasured gem that consistently inspires awe, with its striking turquoise waters radiating an otherworldly beauty. Nestled amidst a lush canopy of native bush, this enchanting gorge is a magnet for nature enthusiasts and photographers, who flock to capture its unique essence and unforgettable vistas. After getting those Instagram worthy shots we head to our final destination for the day, Franz Josef.
6. Lake Ianthe (5min) - Lake Ianthe is surrounded by hills and podocarp forests, with a large flax swamp at its southern end. The lake is home to a diverse array of wetland birds, including the endangered Great Crested Grebe, which has one of the largest populations in New Zealand. The lake is situated in a glacial trough, surrounded by a moraine and flows into Wanganui River through Ianthe Creek.
** There will be two options once you arrive in Franz Josef Village. Please let our driver know if you prefer to be dropped straight at your accommodation or if you want to do the walk towards the famous Franz Josef Glacier and be dropped off after. **
7. Franz Josef Glacier (30min) - New Zealand's West Coast Glacier Country is one of the only two locations in the world where you can view glaciers flowing into rainforests. Despite minimal snowfall in the towns of Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, the surrounding high mountains receive plenty of snow, ensuring the glaciers remain icy. While direct access to the glacier face is not possible, you are able to walk to the lookout and read up about the amazing history behind this scenic attraction.
8. Franz Josef – We arrive to the quiet town of Franz Josef, this treasured gem in New Zealand offers an array of thrilling hikes with awe-inspiring views and backdrops, as well as unique local experiences. But the real piece of history is the chance to marvel at the majestic glaciers up close, whether by exploring the icy terrain on foot or taking to the skies for a birds-eye view. Our guide will check you into your accommodation as this is only the beginning of your great adventure.
Please note additional stops are taken into consideration for toilet breaks.
Minimum Age: 1
Maximum Age: 99
Fitness Requirement: Moderate
Agent Restriction: NA
Group Size: 1 - 16
Dietary Requirements: Kindly advise of any dietary requirements
Luggage Limit: 1 large & 1 small luggage per person
What To Bring: Comfortable clothing and footwear, charger for phone/camera, e ticket or booking confirmation number, rain jacket may come in handy
Christchurch to Franz Josef
- Fully guided small group tour
- Lunch, bottled water & snacks
Departures & Pickups
To be advised when checking availability
Optional Extras:
Scenic flights
Bookings Terms & Conditions
These booking terms and conditions apply to bookings you make with Peterpans Adventure Travel PTY LTD (ACN 673 404 389) trading as Peterpans Travel (whether over the phone or by email) as well as online bookings you make on our website. We will rely on the authority of the person making the booking to act on behalf of any other traveller on the booking and that person will bind all such travellers to these terms and conditions.
The ticket(s) (“voucher(s)”) for your travel or experience are booked by us on your behalf with various Service Providers. Each Service Provider may have their own terms and conditions applying to your travel. It is important that you read the relevant and corresponding brochure for each of your bookings in order to understand all applicable terms and conditions. If you require additional information to that contained in the brochure then we recommend that you contact the Service Provider for further clarification.
BOOKING CONFIRMATIONS
Your responsibilities: Open tickets: You must book your travel dates in advance with the individual Service Provider as per the details provided on your voucher.
Tickets with booked dates: It is your responsibility to ensure you redeem your vouchers on the dates booked. If you wish to change these dates you must organise it with the Service Provider directly, with adequate notice. You must reconfirm all booked dates 48 hours prior to travel (minimum guide only) or in the manner stated on your voucher. If applicable, dietary requirements should also be confirmed at this time.
CANCELLATIONS and REFUNDS
Credit card fees, and additional fees paid to us for deposits of accommodation, transport and luggage storage are not transferable or refundable.
Please note that deposits on bookings are also non-refundable but may be used as credit towards future bookings.
Cancellations by service providers
If a service provider cancels your booking for any reason you WILL NOT be charged any cancellation fee and will be entitled to a full refund (other than any amount we are charged on your behalf by the service provider). ALL TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION is NON-REFUNDABLE, in some cases it may be transferable.
Cancellations by you outside of 14 days from the date of travel
Where you provide us with at least 14 days’ notice that you wish to cancel your booking for any reason, you will be charged a 10% cancellation fee and will be entitled to a refund (in addition to any amount we are charged on your behalf by the service provider) or can transfer, with no fee, any balance (in addition to any amount we are charged as a cancellation fee on your behalf by the service provider) to a new booking or credit voucher. ALL TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION is NON-REFUNDABLE, in some cases it may be transferable.
Cancellations by you within 14 days of the date of travel
Where you provide us with less than 14 days notice that you wish to cancel your booking for any reason, you will be charged a 30% cancellation fee and will be entitled to a refund ( in addition to any amount we are charged on your behalf by the service provider) or can transfer, with a $30 per product transfer fee, any balance (in addition to any amount we are charged as a cancellation fee on your behalf by the service provider) to a new booking or credit voucher. ALL TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION is NON REFUNDABLE, in some cases they may be transferable.
In addition, if a Service Provider charges us for the cancelled travel you must also pay us the amount that we are charged on your behalf by the Service Provider. It is, therefore, possible your cancellation fees could be up to 100% of the cost of the booking, regardless of whether travel has commenced (for example cancellations made within 24hrs of travel or certain flight bookings). The Cancellation Fee will apply in all cases where a tour is able to run. For example, if you are unable to reach a tour due to an “act of God” (for example a road is cut off due to flooding) the normal Cancellation Fee will apply if the tour still runs in your absence or would have run but for your absence. If a tour or other travel service is cancelled by the Service Provider, we will refund you in full the amount paid for the tour or other travel service. This full refund is subject to a fully refundable amount being given to our agency from the supplier who is cancelling. We highlight here that all suppliers have different cancellation terms.
All refunds will occur in the local currency and will be refunded to the same card that payment was made with. If your credit card uses a different currency, the amount refunded may be different from the original amount paid due to exchange rate fluctuations. We are not liable for these fluctuations, or any fees your bank charges.
Please note that in the case of natural disasters (e.g. flood, fire, cyclone, etc.), many Service Providers do not offer refunds, and we may therefore be unable to provide a refund to you. We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover this situation.
The 10% or 30% agency cancellation fee does not apply to: Dive Courses where you fail a Dive Medical test; or Skydives cancelled by the Service Provider within 3 days of booking due to weather, in which case a full refund will apply.
Where a refund or other payment applies, you may choose to transfer the full cost of your booking to another tour. However, a transfer fee of $30 may apply. While we aim to process refunds swiftly, high-demand situations (such as natural disasters) may result in delays.
We strongly recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy at the time of booking to protect yourself against unexpected cancellations and changes. Depending on your policy, your insurance provider may cover up to 100% of cancellation fees and other costs incurred. Cancellation fees for tours and bus bookings can be up to 100%, so having appropriate coverage can help minimise financial risk.
Please act responsibly and with respect on your travels. All Service Providers reserve the right to cancel bookings based on recommendation from another provider due to misconduct/misbehaviour during another stage of their trip. We will treat this as any normal cancellation and charge the above-mentioned Cancellation Fee, plus any Service Provider fees.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We endorse the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that all travellers take out travel insurance. It is your personal responsibility to purchase your own travel insurance to cover any liability which may be incurred to us or a Service Provider and other travel misadventures that you wish to be insured against. We recommend that you source travel insurance with a low excess payment, to make claiming on cancelled tours worthwhile.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
We endeavour to package tours that will meet your expectations. However, we take no responsibility for any matters that arise with regard to or during individual tours or arrangements with individual Service Providers. We appreciate your feedback, whether complaints, compliments or suggestions. However, to the extent permitted by law we will not be responsible to you for any loss, expense or damage that you may suffer during any particular tour, accommodation or travel, no matter the cause. These matters are the responsibility of each individual Service Provider and you agree that you will not hold us liable in any such circumstance.
TOUR DETAILS
The inclusions, departure details and itinerary points of each tour and activity listed on our websites are current as of the last product update. We endeavour to reflect up-to-date information on all website pages but will not be held accountable for changes from suppliers which are yet to be reflected on site. Upon booking we ask that you review details listed in your vouchers as these will be the most reliable.
PRICES
We endeavour to package the best value tours available at the best prices. However, we take no responsibility for price fluctuations arising from changes in the prices charged by Service Providers occurring before final payment. The price of your travel is subject to change until such time as you pay for the travel in full.
EXTRA COSTS
Many tours have extra costs and you should be aware that there may be added expenses. These expenses will differ for each Service Provider but some of the more usual extras may include: EMC Tax, Stinger suit Hire, Luggage storage, Sleeping Bag Hire, Linen Hire, National Park Fee, Food, Insurance, Accommodation, Equipment Hire, Petrol Levy. We will alert you to extra costs to the extent reasonably practicable. However, you must also check with each individual Service Provider when you confirm your voucher.
PASSPORT and VISAS
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid passports, visas and re-entry permits which meet the requirements of immigration and other government authorities. Any fines, penalties, payments or expenditures incurred as a result of such documents not meeting the requirements of those authorities will be your sole responsibility. All travellers must have a valid passport for international travel and many countries require at least 6 months validity from the date of return and some countries require a machine-readable passport. Transfers between tours may incur a $30 administration fee.
By proceeding with a purchase via our Call Centre or Website you declare that you have read, understood, acknowledge and agree to the terms and conditions of this booking and if your booking is accepted, you will be bound by these terms and conditions.
