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West Coast Adventure: Scenic New Zealand Tour
5.0
14 Ratings
Christchurch
Journey from Christchurch to Franz Josef via Hokitika in comfort. Enjoy expert guides, stunning scenery, and unforgettable memories on this small group tour.
Journey from Christchurch to Franz Josef via Hokitika in comfort. Enjoy expert guides, stunning scenery, and unforgettable memories on this small group tour.
Duration:
12 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Christchurch - Leave the Garden City and journey west towards the mountains while the guide shares fascinating stories and highlights of the Canterbury region.
- Castle Hill - Explore the stunning limestone rock formations at Castle Hill, a landscape so remarkable it has been featured in films like Narnia and The Lord of the Rings.
- **Arthur’s…
- Christchurch - Leave the Garden City and journey west towards the mountains while the guide shares fascinating stories and highlights of the Canterbury region.
- Castle Hill - Explore the stunning limestone rock formations at Castle Hill, a landscape so remarkable it has been featured in films like Narnia and The Lord of the Rings.
- Arthur’s Pass Village - Arrive in the heart of the Southern Alps. Opt for the Devil’s Punchbowl track for an hour-long walk to a breathtaking 131-metre waterfall, or explore the village for a meal or coffee.
- Otira Viaduct Lookout - Pause at this renowned viewpoint, known as Death’s Corner, to admire the impressive Otira Viaduct and expansive mountain views. Watch out for the playful Kea parrots.
- Greymouth - Stop in Greymouth for lunch, the largest town on the West Coast and the gateway to the TranzAlpine route.
- Cobden Beach - Visit this coastal lookout where rugged waves meet the rock breakwater, an ideal spot for photos of the Tasman Sea.
- Hokitika - Enjoy some leisure time to explore this delightful coastal town. Stroll along the black sand beach, see the iconic Hokitika sign, and browse local art shops.
- Hokitika Gorge Walk - Take a short walk through native bush to admire the turquoise waters of Hokitika Gorge, one of the West Coast’s most photographed natural attractions.
- Lake Ianthe - Make a brief stop at this tranquil lake surrounded by forest and wetlands, home to rare birdlife and a serene glacial environment.
- Franz Josef - Arrive in the laid-back township of Franz Josef, where the guide will check you into your accommodation and offer tips for exploring the area’s glacier walks and scenic flights. Drop-off is available to central Franz Josef accommodations only.
What's Included
- English speaking guide
- Lunch
- Luggage allowance - 1 large & 1 small per person
- Water available & snacks provided
- English speaking guide
- Lunch
- Luggage allowance - 1 large & 1 small per person
- Water available & snacks provided
What's Not Included
- On-board restrooms
- Private transportation
- Drop off in Fox Glacier
- On-board restrooms
- Private transportation
- Drop off in Fox Glacier
Additional Information
Explore New Zealand’s untamed West Coast on this remarkable small group, fully guided day tour from Christchurch to Franz Josef. Travel from the Canterbury Plains through the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass, and proceed along the dramatic coastline to the glacier region. With stunning landscapes, brief walks, and genuine Kiwi storytelling throughout the…
Explore New Zealand’s untamed West Coast on this remarkable small group, fully guided day tour from Christchurch to Franz Josef. Travel from the Canterbury Plains through the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass, and proceed along the dramatic coastline to the glacier region. With stunning landscapes, brief walks, and genuine Kiwi storytelling throughout the journey, this tour offers the ideal mix of adventure, comfort, and exploration.
- The tour duration includes travel time between attractions
- 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
- Not recommended for travelers confined to a wheelchair
- Not recommended for travelers with limited mobility
- If you have dietary requirements. Please kindly indicate it to the special requirements at the time of booking
Location
Bus Interchange (Intercity stop)
PICKUP TIME: 7:08. Please meet your guide at the Intercity Bus Stop on Litchfield Street.
If your accommodation is yet to be confirmed, we ask that you select the Christchurch Bus Interchange (Intercity stop on Litchfield Street) for now. You can update this later.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(14 Ratings)
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R9185ivdanielu
Feb 26, 2026
Lovely way to experience the West Coast! - Grant and Cosmo were amazing guides! So insightful and polite. Felt very taken care of.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
347marielucec
Feb 10, 2026
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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Voyager38646133954
Feb 7, 2026
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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Celia_t
Feb 6, 2026
amazing experience - Amazing !! Incredible ! the tour was awesome! The guide Nathalie is very amazing, helpful, awesome, always with a big smile, verry kind. I lost my mobile phone and Nathalie and Rosie help me to pick up it. Thank you very much.
A must do ! Thanks to Cheeky Wiki Travel, we are so happy to made the tour ! We strongly recommend it !
Review provided by Viator
Tomfy1161it
Jan 15, 2026
Highly recommend Cheeky Kiwi - Yew - Really enjoyed the tour with Logan who filled the day with interesting information and responded to questions but never overdid it. The tour was relaxed, Logan didn’t pressure us to maintain a speed and we were able to enjoy the stops and even used leftover time to visit the Franz Josef glacier. Will highly recommend to friends and family, cheers crew.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Craigsi7954aa
Jan 14, 2026
The Joy is in the Journey - The trip from Christchurch to Franz Josef was enjoyable and informative. We saw heaps of spots that we would have otherwise missed had we driven, and Paul was an excellent guide. Highlights were the Devil’s Punchbowl for the view and opportunity to elevate the heart rate, and the amazing Castle Hill rocks.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Max1368
Dec 27, 2025
A Journey Through the Heartland of the South Island - If you are looking for the absolute best way to travel from Christchurch to Franz Josef, look no further. This small-group tour via Arthur’s Pass is not just a transfer; it is a full-day immersive experience that showcases the very best of New Zealand’s rugged natural beauty.
What truly elevated this trip from "good" to "unforgettable" was our guide, Joel. From the moment we set off, Joel’s expertise was evident. He managed the day with impeccable timing and planning, ensuring we arrived at every scenic spot—from the majestic Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall to the serene shores of Lake Ianthe—just at the right moment to beat the crowds and catch the best light.
Navigating the winding roads of the Southern Alps requires a pro, and we felt completely secure in Joel’s hands. His safe, smooth driving allowed us to relax and soak in the views of the Otira Viaduct and the lush rainforests of the West Coast. Beyond his skills behind the wheel, Joel kept the energy high with endless humor and local stories. He has a gift for making everyone on the tour feel like an old friend, turning a long drive into a day of laughter and discovery.
Stopping in Hokitika for lunch and a stroll along the beach was the perfect midpoint. This tour hits the perfect balance of adventure and comfort. If you want a stress-free journey packed with stunning landscapes and great company, book this tour—and hope you get Joel!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Frozzyd
Dec 14, 2025
Smooth journey from Christchurch to Fran Josef - Cheeky Kiwi guide rocks - Smooth ride, bonus scenic stops, and our guide Yanis was fantastic! A great way to travel from Christchurch to Franz Josef.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Departure42873358156
Nov 28, 2025
Magical West Coast - Even though the weather wasn't too good, it still was a beautiful drive. The Gorge is stunning, the drive is nice and we could stop in a few beautiful places that we all loved (like the waterfall!). The tour guide Yanis was very helpful giving us interesting facts about the areas. I totally recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Natalie_h
Nov 25, 2025
Wonderful - It was a fun informative trip. We were very well looked after. It felt like travelling with friends.
Review provided by Viator
