Australia
Cross the Southern Alps by rail, then drive the West Coast to glacier country.
A one-way 12 hour small group day from Christchurch to Franz Josef: the TranzAlpine train through the Southern Alps, then a guided West Coast road trip via Hokitika to glacier country.
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From
$449 AUD
per person
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The TranzAlpine is the train everyone tells you to ride, and this one-way day uses it for what it is good at, crossing the Southern Alps, then hands you to a guide for the part a train cannot do: the West Coast's beaches, gorges and lakes on the way south to Franz Josef. Your bags ride the mini-coach across the Alps while you ride the train.
The day starts with a transfer to Tower Junction to board the TranzAlpine. You settle into the panoramic carriages and climb through the Waimakariri valleys and Arthur's Pass, then down into the rainforest side. At Greymouth your guide meets the train and you get an hour for lunch at a local pub from a set menu, included. Then it is the road: five minutes at the Cobden Breakwater, 30 minutes in Hokitika for the driftwood sign and the black-sand beach, an hour at Hokitika Gorge for the turquoise water, swing bridges and native bush, and a photo stop at Lake Ianthe before the final run into Franz Josef, where your guide drops you at your accommodation.
It is about 12 hours door to door. Groups are capped at 16 in a modern Mercedes mini-coach, and water and snacks are complimentary. You can bring one large bag up to 25kg plus a 7kg day bag. The train is run by a third party and delays of up to 30 minutes happen, so the road leg flexes to suit. The walking is light: beach, gorge track and viewpoints. Accommodation in Franz Josef is not included, so book your bed before you go.
TranzAlpine panoramic carriages over Arthur's Pass
Guide meets the train in Greymouth, lunch included
Hokitika's black-sand beach and driftwood sign
Turquoise water and swing bridges at Hokitika Gorge
Lake Ianthe photo stop in the rainforest
Luggage rides the mini-coach while you ride the train
Drop-off at your Franz Josef accommodation
A transfer takes you to Tower Junction, Christchurch's rail terminal, to board the TranzAlpine. Your main bag goes on the mini-coach, which drives across the Alps to meet you.
Panoramic carriages through the Waimakariri valleys, over Arthur's Pass and down through the beech forest and rivers of the western side to Greymouth.
Your guide collects you off the train in Greymouth, the Coast's main hub, and you sit down to an included lunch from a set menu at a local pub before heading south by road.
A quick stop at the breakwater on the Grey River mouth to watch the surf hit the wall.
Time for the famous Hokitika sign and a stroll on the wild black-sand beach where the rainforest meets the coast.
Inland to the gorge for the walk over the swing bridges through native bush, with the glacier-fed river running an unreal turquoise below.
A peaceful roadside stop at a forest-ringed lake for photos before the last leg into Franz Josef.
Your guide drops you at your accommodation in Franz Josef Village, around 12 hours after the day began.
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Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.
"The museum stops gave a great look into the history and culture, and all the stops for views, visits, and food were spot on. All in all, a really fun tour and a great experience!"
Coline G
Tripadvisor review
"Picked up at a very convenient place close to our hotel. Very nice vehicle (new) and a great guide."
Petur
Tripadvisor review
"We had an awesome experience. The length of the visit was good. It was a fun day. And the crowd size was good."
Margie R
Tripadvisor review
Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.
New Zealand
9 days · 8 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
Auckland to Wellington
6 meals included
$1999 AUD
≈ $222/day
New Zealand
9 days · 8 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
Christchurch to Queenstown
7 meals included
$1999 AUD
≈ $222/day
New Zealand
17 days · 16 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
Auckland to Queenstown
13 meals included
$4399 AUD
≈ $259/day
From
$449
