West Coast Glaciers & Southern Alps Hotels & Resorts

Depart from Queenstown and travel along through the picturesque Southland farming country to Te Anau. Continue to the Fiordland National Park and the renowned Milford Road. This corridor to the fjord unveils a different side of New Zealand, with its majestic mountains and winding rivers. Throughout the journey, there will be multiple stops for photo opportunities, short walks, and the chance to learn about the fascinating local facts and stories. Embark on a nature cruise that takes you beneath the towering peaks of the fjord.

Admire spectacular alpine scenery and look out for unique wildlife including dolphins and seals, before heading back to Queensland.

• Duration: full day
• Start time: 7.30am
• Departs daily
• Operates year-round
• Group experience

Journey aboard the renowned TranzAlpine train between Christchurch and Greymouth via Arthur’s Pass. Enjoy the magnificent alpine scenery as the train crosses the Canterbury Plains and heads through the Southern Alps where it wind its way through the Waimakariri Gorge. The excursion also operates in reverse or as a return. You can upgrade to the Scenic Plus Dining experience which includes local delicacies which are created on board using the finest farm-to-rail produce.

• Duration: full day
• Times: 8.15am to 7pm
• Departs daily from October to April
• Departs Friday to Monday between May and September
• Operates year-round
• Group experience

This evening experience takes you to the summit of Mount John above Lake Tekapo for guided stargazing in one of the world’s best dark-sky locations. You’ll spend time outdoors and at telescopes with expert astronomy guides, learning how to read the Southern Sky and seeing planets, star clusters and distant galaxies that are usually lost to light pollution.

You travel up to the summit of Mount John, home to the University of Canterbury’s Mount John Observatory and set within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. With almost no artificial light for miles, the sky here feels noticeably deeper and more detailed than in most places, even before you look through a telescope. 

You’ll spend time observing with the naked eye and through powerful telescopes, which bring planets, star clusters and distant galaxies into sharp view. Between observations, the guides talk about the science behind what you’re seeing, how this region became such an essential site for astronomy, and why protecting dark skies matters more than most people realise.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Group experience