Christchurch-Queenstown, New Zealand

Starting in Christchurch, travel through Arthur’s Pass to the wild West Coast home of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Experience action-packed Queenstown,
Christchurch is one of the world’s most unique destinations, combining urban regeneration and innovation with heritage, culture and exhilarating activity.
The central city is filled with cutting-edge architecture alongside some of the oldest buildings in New Zealand. The Avon River intersects the city, bringing a natural landscape to the urban environment. Christchurch is the basecamp for South Island exploration, with the Banks Peninsula within reach, as well as the stunning Southern Alps and famed Canterbury Plains.

The West Coast is an untamed natural wilderness of rivers and rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures.

Arthur’s Pass National Park is a great spot for climbing, hiking, hunting and skiing adventures. On the other side of the pass lies Greymouth, a town steeped in gold mining history.

While glaciers around the world are retreating, the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers still flow almost to sea level. The temperate climate at this low altitude means these glaciers are among the most convenient to visit in the world. An easy walk is available to the foot of Franz Josef Glacier along the river valley with steep sides bearing gigantic horizontal scars from when the glaciers have retreated and advanced over millennia.

Queenstown sits on the shore of Lake Wakatipu among dramatic alpine ranges. Head out of Queenstown and the drama of the Central Otago landscape unfolds around you. If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan you’ll recognise many Middle earth locations here.

Queenstown is sophisticated and fantastically scenic. Its lake and mountain landscape is suited to almost any kind of adventure.