peterpans pin
calendar_month9 days - 8 nights

9 Day KAKA Christchurch to Christchurch | STRAY NZ

location_on Christchurch
calendar_mealMeals Included
calendar_monthMulti-day Tour
sentiment_calmHotel Room
sentiment_calmLocal Guide
$3668.56
per person
calendar_month
calendar_meal
Meals Included
calendar_month
Multi-day Tour

Take the pressure off, kick back, relax, soak up the scenery and let someone else do the driving. After your TranzAlpine train ride, you'll travel by private, air-conditioned bus with one of our experienced and friendly guides.

High-quality twin share rooms are included. You'll stay in comfy 3-4 star hotels for most of nights and high country farm or scenic lodges close to waterfront or national park in our unique destinations. 

We are fun and multi-cultural small group tours with a maximum of 24 passengers plus a driver guide per bus. Most travellers on our Journey Tours are aged between 20-50 although we have no maximum age because we believe age doesn't matter - it's all about attitude! 

Expect entertaining anecdotes, great recommendations, extra support and local insider knowledge from your charismatic guide. They know every inch of this country. You can't get this from a Google search!

Highlights:

  • Experience the South Island's striking landscape as you travel on the TranzAlpine Train journey
  • Explore the township of Franz Josef Glacier
  • Stroll by the lakeside in the peaceful alpine resort town of Wanaka
  • See the stunning Ata Whenua movie at Fiordland Cinema
  • Take a water taxi and complete part of the Kepler Track - one of New Zealand’s great walks
  • Immerse yourself in NZ 'Must Do' - Milford Sound Day Trip including a scenic road trip and cruise in Fiordland National Park
  • Enjoy a touch of luxury at the Mercure hotel Queenstown complete with swimming pool
  • Stay at a stunning alpine lodge at the base of NZ's highest mountain - Aoraki Mt Cook
  • Free time in Queenstown
  • Plenty of stops at lakes, lookouts, mountains, hikes, beaches, national parks, rivers, waterfalls and more...

Important Notes:

  • Tour starts on a Saturday and ends 9 days later on a Sunday
  • Luggage is limited to one piece per person with a maximum weight of 23kg plus a day pack
  • A basic level of fitness is required for medium length walks
  • Christchurch TranzAlpine Train Departure Info: 8:15am, Christchurch Railway Station, Addington, Christchurch
  • Single travellers will be put in a twin room with another single traveller of the same gender. For single travellers wanting a private room, they will need to purchase the 'Private/Sole Use' product option
  • Our itinerary is a guide. Given the spontaneous nature of our trips and lack of control over New Zealand's weather(!), what we do each day might occasionally vary.

Minimum Age: 12
Maximum Age: 65
Fitness Requirement: Easy
Agent Restriction: 12
Group Size: 6 - 24
Operating Partner: Stray Limited
What To Bring: Hat/Sunscreen, Camera, Waterproof Jacket, Warm clothing you can layer, Sturdy walking shoes/boots, Refillable water bottle, Toiletries, Optional items you might want to bring: Motion sickness tablets, Insect repellent

Day 1:

Christchurch to Hokitika (via Tranzalpine Train)

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Kia Ora (hello) and welcome to your Stray Adventure. You'll start the day by travelling through the stunning Arthur's Pass to the historic gold mining town of Greymouth on the West Coast where you’ll meet your Stray group outside the Greymouth train station. From here we’ll make our way to Hokitika, a vibrant, artistic town and the best place to buy ‘Pounamu’, a native greenstone. Our accommodation tonight is absolute beachfront, located on the shores of the Tasman Sea. Treat yourself to some dinner in their Ocean View restaurant or go for a walk and explore Hokitika. Accommodation: Hokitika Beachfront Hotel or similar. Included activities: TranzAlpine Scenic Train. Meal options: Local eateries. Free activities: Head down to Hokitika Beach for sunset

Day 2:

Hokitika to Franz Josef Glacier

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It’s a short drive today towards the charming little village of Franz Josef. The landscape will change from coastline to dramatic, lush rainforest so basically another day of incredible views and stunning scenery (have your phone charged for pics). We’ll get to Franz Josef around lunchtime, giving you plenty of time to experience Franz Josef Glacier, an iconic highlight of the West Coast and New Zealand in general. Get a shuttle to the beginning of the track and then hike through native bush and across glacial streams to the terminal face of the glacier for spectacular photos or just relax in the township and enjoy the views. If you’d like to see the glacier up close (before that pesky climate change melts it for good) you can go for an incredible heli-hike and actually stand on the glacier! Accommodation: Franz Josef Motels or similar. Meal options: Local restaurants. Meals included: Breakfast. Free activities: Relax in Franz Josef

Day 3:

Franz Josef Glacier to Queenstown

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We’ll start our day with a relaxed walk around Lake Matheson, known for its stunning views of Aoraki/Mt Cook which reflects back onto the lake on still days! Next we’ll visit charming Wanaka, famous for its stunning lake and breathtaking mountain scenery. We'll enjoy a late lunch and take time to soak in the views and perhaps even snap a picture of THAT Wanaka tree. Afterwards, we’ll make our way to Queenstown - the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’! Queenstown is the spiritual home of bungy jumping, and offers unlimited adventure and entertainment. When we arrive we’ll head straight to our accommodation which offers a swimming pool, fitness centre and sauna, so you have plenty of opportunities to relax after all that excitement! Accommodation: Mercure Queenstown or similar. Meals included: Breakfast. Meal options: Local restaurants and cafes. Free activities: Lake Matheson scenic walk.

Day 4:

Queenstown Free Day

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Today is a free day in Queenstown. Yaaaasssss Queen(stown)! After breakfast, go and explore the beautiful mountain scenery with one of the many free hikes or join an activity of your choice! This evening, we recommend trying the famous Fergburger, checking out the nightlife, or enjoying a hot chocolate on the lakefront and listening to the live artists scattered across the shore. Accommodation: Mercure Queenstown or similar. Meals included: Breakfast. Meal options: Local restaurants. Optional paid activities: Bungy, jet boating, skydiving, ziplining, horse riding, wine tasting, luging. Free activities: Hike Ben Lomond, the Queenstown Hill, or Bob’s Peak

Day 5:

Queenstown to Te Anau

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After all that adventure it’s time to depart Queenstown towards Te Anau, the gateway to the stunning Fiordland National Park. On arrival in Te Anau, we’ll make our way to the Fiordland cinema to watch Ata Whenua - Shadowland, where we’ll see incredible footage over the National Park, it’s wondrous landscapes and unique wildlife before we see it for ourselves on our cruise along the Milford Sound tomorrow. In the afternoon we’ll take a water taxi to Brod Bay where we’ll be able to walk a part of the Kepler track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, across the Coal Creek Bridge and along the shores of Lake Te Anau back to our accommodation (summer only). We’ll spend the night at our hotel by the serene lakeside. Accommodation: Te Anau Distinction Luxmore Hotel or similar. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner. Included activity: Entrance to Ata Whenua movie, Water Taxi to Brod Bay (Oct-Apr). Free activities: Kepler Track Great Walk. Meal options: Local restaurants.

Day 6:

Day Trip to Milford Sound

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This morning we’ll depart Te Anau and head towards the iconic Milford Sound where we’ll board a boat and cruise across the Sound (fun fact: it's not actually a sound, it’s a fjord!) to see towering Mitre Peak plus rainforests, waterfalls, and loads of amazing wildlife like Fur Seals, Penguins and Dolphins. In the evening you have the option to see the glowworm caves in Te Anau, go for a stroll through the town or around the lake, or relax at our lakeside accommodation. Accommodation: Te Anau Distinction Luxmore Hotel or similar. Meals included: Breakfast. Meal options: Local restaurants. Included activity: Milford Sound Day Trip including Scenic Cruise. Optional paid activities: Glow worms.

Day 7:

Te Anau to Mount Cook

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We’ll depart Te Anau early to drive over the Lindis Pass and through the Mackenzie Country, past the vivid blue waters of Lake Pukaki on the way to our amazing stop at the base of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki/Mt Cook. We’ve made this drive sound great but honestly - we reckon it’s one of the most stunning days you’ll have in the whole of NZ. We arrive in the early afternoon with time to do an optional experience like a boat tour on a glacial lake surrounded by snow-capped alps (sounds epic? It is.) Alternatively, we can check out the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre or do one of the many great short walks in the park. We would be remiss if we didn’t recommend the Hooker Valley track (weather dependent) which in our opinion is in the top 3-day walks in NZ. If it’s a clear night, head outside to experience one of the best stargazing spots in the country. Accommodation: Mount Cook Alpine Lodge. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner. Optional paid activities: Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (entrance included May-Sep), Glacier Explorer boat tour. Free activities: Take photos of awe-inspiring scenery, do one of the many great short walks to the Hooker glacial lake (weather dependent), stargazing.

Day 8:

Mount Cook to Christchurch

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Leaving Mount Cook we’ll make our way through a landscape made famous by the ‘Lord of the Rings’ films. We’ll stop to check out the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd (an iconic photo stop) and if you like you can go and relax in the Tekapo hot pools, do some snow tubing or ice skating (winter only) or hike up to the Mt John Observatory for incredible views of the lake from above. After lunch, we’ll continue to our final overnight stop in Christchurch where we can head out for our final group dinner together to celebrate an incredible journey around Aotearoa/New Zealand (own cost). Accommodation: Scenic Cotswold or similar. Meals included: Breakfast. Free activities: Hike to Tekapo Mt John Summit, check out the historic Church of Good Shepherd, Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park.

Day 9:

Depart Christchurch

Today your adventure comes to an end. We hope you had a blast! If you have some time at the end of your trip, why not stay a few extra days in Christchurch and explore the city. Meals included: Breakfast

  • 8 nights Accommodation (twinshare or private single upgrade)
  • Experienced Tour Guide
  • Private coach transport
  • Scenic Tranzalpine Train Journey (world famous)
  • Day Trip to Milford Sound
  • 8 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners
  • Lake Matheson (mirror lake) visit
  • Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd visits
  • Water Taxi to Brod Bay (Oct-Apr) OR Entrance to Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (May-Sep)
  • Ata Whenua movie at Fiordland Cinema
  • Loads of walks, wildlife, waterfalls, lakes, lookouts and so much more...

Departures & Pickups

CHRISTCHURCH TRANZALPINE TRAIN DEPARTURE INFO

8:15AM, Christchurch Railway Station, Addington, Christchurch

*Subject to change. Check in closes 20 minutes prior to the time.

None

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.

call Australian Phone: +61 3 9125 3620 call International Phone: +61 (0)3 9125 3620 call WhatsApp: +61 480 064 975
location_on Peterpans Cairns Esplanade 83A Esplanade Cairns, 4870 Queensland, Australia