Franz Josef to Queenstown via Wanaka Small Group Tour (One Way)

Franz Joseph to Queenstown via Wanaka. This small group, fully-guided tour takes you along the beautiful beaches of the West Coast, over the Hast Pass, past the stunning lakes of Wanaka and Hawea, on route to Queenstown. 

Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.

Lunch is provided on this tour.

Highlights:

• Lake Matheson 
• Bruce Bay
• Ship Creek
• Thunder Creek Falls
• Blue pools (Temporarily Closed)
• Lake Hawea & Lake Wanaka (includes the Wanaka Tree) 
• Cardrona Hotel 

Itinerary:

1.    Franz Josef - Your tour starts in the stunning village of Franz Josef. We will be heading south down the coast on our fully guided adventure to Queenstown.   

2.      Lake Matheson -This spot is every photographers dream. On a calm day you can capture Mt Cook reflected elegantly across this picturesque lake. This 4.4km / 90 minute easy bushwalk will reward you with breathtaking views across the southern alps.   

3.      Bruce Bay -  At this location you will see where the thick native rainforest meets a seemingly endless open ocean of the Tasman Sea. This beautiful beach really is the best of the west.  

4.      Ship Creek – As we make our way south along the boarder where ancient rainforest meets the ocean we will make a stop at Ship Creek. Dig your toes in the sand and feel the crash of the relenting waves of the Tasman Sea. Explore the dunes via an easy 1km walking track. 

5.      Thunder Creek Falls – This easy 5 minute walk will reward you with the spectacular view of Thunder Creek Falls. This 28 meter waterfall is the remanence of a once great glacier that pours from a hanging valley into the Haast River below.

6.      Blue Pools (Temporarily Closed) – Located in Mt Aspiring National Park is the aptly named Blue Pools. This easy 3km round trip is well worth the effort to see the breathtaking blue waters of the Makarora River.

7.      Lake Hawea –  As we leave the national park behind make sure to keep your eyes open as we make our way westwards and past stunning Lake Hawea. We will stop for a quick photo at a lookout point between Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea.    

8.      Wanaka – Stretch your legs take a walk down to the lakeside for that iconic photo of the Wanaka Tree. Soak in the beauty of this expansive lake backdropped by Mt Aspiring and the Southern Alps. This is truly a photo opportunity that you do not want to miss!

9.      Cardrona Hotel – From Wanaka we head over the Crown Range Road that connects Queenstown and Wanaka. We do a quick stop here to see the Cardrona Hotel, one of New Zealand's oldest and most iconic hotels. Its rustic charm, spectacular mountain setting and rich history make it a must see while in Central Otago.

10.      Queenstown - Your tour concludes in the stunning town of Queenstown. As we drive into the town your guide will point out key sites and any local highlights before dropping you off to your central Queenstown accommodation. 

Inclusions:

• Small Group
• Lunch
• Fully Guided Tour
• Bottled Water & Snacks

While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, we at Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, complementary refreshments and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.

Still have questions? Please visit our FAQs page!