Christchurch to Franz Josef Small Group Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Scenic drive through Hokitika
- Photo opportunities along the route
- Comfortable transportation provided
- Knowledgeable guide sharing insights
- Convenient one-way trip to Franz Josef
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Comfortable transportation from Christchurch to Franz Josef
- Scenic drive through Hokitika with photo opportunities
- Knowledgeable guide providing insights into the region's history and culture
- Meals and personal expenses
Itinerary
Pass by: Depart the Garden City and head west toward the mountains as your guide shares stories and highlights of the Canterbury region.
Wander among the dramatic limestone rock formations of Castle Hill, a landscape so striking it featured in movies like Narnia and The Lord of the Rings.
Arrive in the heart of the Southern Alps. Choose to take the Devil’s Punchbowl track for an hour-long walk to a spectacular 131-metre waterfall, or explore the village for a bite to eat or coffee.
Stop at this famous viewpoint known as Death’s Corner to admire the impressive Otira Viaduct and sweeping mountain views. Keep an eye out for cheeky Kea parrots.
Make a stop in Greymouth for lunch, the largest town on the West Coast and gateway to the TranzAlpine route.
Visit this coastal lookout where rugged waves meet the rock breakwater, a perfect stop for photos of the Tasman Sea.
Enjoy some free time to explore this charming coastal town. Walk along the black sand beach, see the iconic Hokitika sign, and browse local art shops.
Take a short walk through native bush to marvel at the turquoise waters of Hokitika Gorge, one of the West Coast’s most photographed natural spots.
Pause briefly at this peaceful lake surrounded by forest and wetlands, home to rare birdlife and a serene glacial setting.
Arrive in the relaxed township of Franz Josef, where your guide will check you into your accommodation and share tips for exploring the area’s glacier walks and scenic flights. Drop off to central Franz Josef accommodations only
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour is conducted in English; proficiency in the language is recommended.
- The tour operates on a fixed schedule; please arrive at the departure point on time.
- Meals and personal expenses are not included in the tour price.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for travel and short walks.
- Bring a camera to capture the scenic views along the route.
- Ensure you have a valid ID for check-in purposes.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Guests can bring 1 large & 1 small piece of luggage each
- Children aged 7 years and below are required to travel in a child safety car seat. You can hire seats ($20NZD per seat) or you can provide your own
- Drop off in Fox Glacier not available - we reccommend booking accommomation in central Franz Josef
Traveler reviews
Lovely touring day
The itinerary was perfect with just the right amount of stops. The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. In particular our guide Jannis was extremely knowledgeable, pleasant, and had a great sense of humor. Would definitely do the trip again.
Amazing day out!
I cannot say enough good things about this tour! Honestly one of my best travel days yet. I was solo, and my guide, Logan was phenomenal. He had incredible knowledge of the areas, was very accommodating, a great conversationalist, and went above and beyond to make it an amazing day. The cherry on top was a sweet gift from his kids- a rose they made from New Zealand flax leaves. I highly recommend Cheeky Kiwi, and if you’re lucky enough to have Logan as your guide, you’re in for a treat!
Lovely way to experience the West Coast!
Grant and Cosmo were amazing guides! So insightful and polite. Felt very taken care of.
knowledgeable guide in amazing scenery!
Amazing scenery and well-planned stops to enjoy some local delights, scenic walks, quick photo stops, longer walks. Clear explanations or where to meet after the walks. Our guide Grant (?) was an excellent driver, friendly, very chilled, very knowledgeable. Van was very comfortable and spacious for only 6 of us. Lunch was great. Arrived on time in Franz Josef without feeling rushed. We did everything that was planned. Small downside is that the guide was sometimes hard to understand for a non native speaker (strong local accent). Highly recommend the tour! I learned so much and all the stops were great! I particularly liked Castle Hill, Hokitika beach and the gorge.
Our Incredible New Zealand Highlight!
Joel was our driver from Christchurch to Fran's Joseph. He was outstanding! He was so knowledgeable, professional and he had so many interesting facts on the flora, farming and culture. We think he was one of the best guides we've ever had. Cheeky Kiwi gave us a spectacular and personalized small group experience. The itinerary was wonderful with at least 10 stops along the way and Joel had interesting history and commentary on each. One was better than the next from Castle Hill seeing where Lord of the Rings was filmed, stunning Arthur's Pass, the Devils punch Bowl, and getting my shoes wet by choice in the crystal beach waters of Greymouth. We felt like we had our own little group on a private trip. The small group made new interactions with people from Finland, Germany, Japan, Canada, China and more. Another treat was the great 80's music he had playing in the background! This tour turned out to be one of the highlights of our entire New Zealand trip. We highly recommend Joel and Cheeky Travel!