Can We pick up this tour starting in Queenstown?

This tour is a coach group tour which has the fixed schedule. If you will arrive in Queenstown on your own, you will need to skip the first day's tour and check in the hotel on your own. You will start the tour with the group on Day 02 together.

Is none of the accommodation in private rooms?

For single traveler, we will arrange the single room. The tour price for the person with single room is AUD6345.

She would like to book this trip, but the accommodation option on the book now page is only Double Room and she is a solo traveller. Would you be able to update a quote that reflects a single supplement on this page if this option is available.

I am sorry it is too urgent to arrange this tour starting on Dec 27, 2022. Our local office is on holiday now. May I know if it is possible for you to postpone your tour date?

Do you not accept bookings for single travellers? Only in groups of 2?

As you travel alone, you will need to pay the single room supplement. The tour price is USD3779 per person for single traveler.

I am interested in 5 Day Essence Coach tour on South Island for Jan 2023 and was trying to access cancellation information.

Thanks for your enquiry - you've selected a great tour.

For Milford Sound, is it just driving up to it or is there a boat tour also included? For Te Anau do you also get to see the glow worm caves?

On reaching Milford Sound, you board the modern, spacious vessel for a leisurely cruise in the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and the wildlife. During the cruise your friendly crew provide commentaries in several languages and point out the sights such as Mitre Peak and the Pembroke Glacier. But there might be no time to see the glow worm caves.

Are you able to leave the bus tour in Queenstown for approx three days and then rejoin on a different date to continue the tour back to Christchurch?

You should join the tour for one date from the beginning to the ending.

Approximately how long would the visit be in Milford Sound. Would it be long enough to take a boat tour?

The tour already includes a boat tour to visit Milford Sound.

what is the additional price for a single room in all accommodation

The tour price is USD2063 per person for single occupancy in May and June

when's earliest departing date in may I have be back in Sydney by 15th May 2022

This Independent coach tour is available every Monday in May. The earliest departing date is May 02.

From

US $3,369 per person

New Zealand South Island Essence Coach Tour

5 days

•

Start and end in Christchurch

4.8

218 traveler reviews

View all
View all

From

US $3,369 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Operator: Agate Travel
Explorer: Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Partially Guided: Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 2 - 20
All Ages Welcome

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Christchurch to Queenstown
Start point
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand (Your hotel in Christchurch, 08:00 - 08:30)
Meals
Lunch (Lunch at Hermitage Hotel)
Accommodation
Lodge (Blue Peaks Lodge)
Included Activities
- Visit Lake Tekapo
- Visit Church of the Good Shepherd
- Drive through Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
- Drive through Lake Pukaki and Mackenzie Country
- Stopover at Omarama
Landmarks
Lake Tekapo
Church of the Good Shepherd
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
Lake Pukaki
Day 2
Queenstown
Accommodation
Lodge (Blue Peaks Lodge)
Optional Activities
- Parachuting
- Bungee jumping
- Board TSS Earnslaw steamboat
- Visit Arrowtown
Landmarks
TSS Earnslaw
Arrowtown
Day 3
Queenstown to Milford Sound and return
Meals
Lunch
Accommodation
Lodge (Blue Peaks Lodge)
Included Activities
- Fully guided cruise in Milford Sound
- Wildlife viewing - seals and penguins
Landmarks
Milford Sound
Te Anau
Day 4
Queenstown to Franz Josef
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Punga Grove Motel & Suites)
Included Activities
- Visit Franz Josef Glacier
- Glacier scenic area tour
Optional Activities
- Hiking on Franz Josef Glacier
Landmarks
Franz Josef Glacier
Lake Dunstan
Lake Wanaka
Lake Hawea
Day 5
Franz Josef to Christchurch
End point
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand (Your hotel in Christchurch, 17:30)
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch break in Hokitika)
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine Scenic Train from Greymouth to Christchurch
Landmarks
Greymouth
Hokitika

Landmarks
Lake Tekapo
Church of the Good Shepherd
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
Lake Pukaki

Landmarks
TSS Earnslaw
Arrowtown

Landmarks
Milford Sound
Te Anau

Landmarks
Franz Josef Glacier
Lake Dunstan
Lake Wanaka
Lake Hawea

Landmarks
Greymouth
Hokitika

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Blue Peaks Lodge
Lodge
Days 1, 2, 3
Punga Grove Motel & Suites
Hotel
day 4

Adventure Type

Choose the type of organized adventure that suits your preferences.

Group Adventures
Join a group and forge lifelong friendships.
What to expect
- Group of 20 travelers max.
- Fast booking confirmation
- Carefully planned itineraries
- Travel with like-minded people
Starting at
US $3,369 / traveler
Check availability
Personalized Adventures
Customize an existing itinerary or create your own.
What to expect
- Travel with your own group of min. 1 travelers
- Choose your preferred dates and duration
- Upgrade your accommodation
- Customize the itineraries
After requesting a quote, we will get back to you with a price based on your requirements.
Request quote

Operated by

Agate Travel

4.8

(218 reviews)

Number of tours

516

Age Range

1 to 99 years old

Response time

less than 1 hour

Response rate

100%

Agate Travel is a leading travel operator set up in 1997, aims to provide...

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Reviews from other tours by Agate Travel

Tour Operator
4.8

Larry
January 25th, 2023
4
Except for Cordis, Hotels could have been better. Tour guide, driver and sights weee excellent

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

From Wednesday
18 Mar, 2026
To Sunday
22 Mar, 2026
English
Filling Fast
From:
US $3,369 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Thursday
19 Mar, 2026
To Monday
23 Mar, 2026
English
Filling Fast
From:
US $3,369 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Friday
20 Mar, 2026
To Tuesday
24 Mar, 2026
English
Filling Fast
From:
US $3,369 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Monday
23 Mar, 2026
To Friday
27 Mar, 2026
English
Filling Fast
From:
US $3,369 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Tuesday
24 Mar, 2026
To Saturday
28 Mar, 2026
English
Filling Fast
From:
US $3,369 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Wednesday
25 Mar, 2026
To Sunday
29 Mar, 2026
English
Filling Fast
From:
US $3,369 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Thursday
26 Mar, 2026
To Monday
30 Mar, 2026
English
Filling Fast
From:
US $3,369 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Friday
27 Mar, 2026
To Tuesday
31 Mar, 2026
English
Filling Fast
From:
US $3,369 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Monday
30 Mar, 2026
To Friday
3 Apr, 2026
English
Filling Fast
From:
US $3,369 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Tuesday
31 Mar, 2026
To Saturday
4 Apr, 2026
English
Filling Fast
From:
US $3,369 per person
Multiple Room Types

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

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D
Diana
Asked on December 12th, 2024
Can We pick up this tour starting in Queenstown?
Tour Details
- Agate TravelOperator•Written December 2024
  This tour is a coach group tour which has the fixed schedule. If you will arrive in Queenstown on your own, you will need to skip the first day's tour and check in the hotel on your own. You will start the tour with the group on Day 02 together.
J
Jason
Asked on March 11th, 2023
Is none of the accommodation in private rooms?
Accommodation
- Agate TravelOperator•Written March 2023
  For single traveler, we will arrange the single room. The tour price for the person with single room is AUD6345.
S
Sylvia
Asked on December 24th, 2022
She would like to book this trip, but the accommodation option on the book now page is only Double Room and she is a solo traveller. Would you be able to update a quote that reflects a single supplement on this page if this option is available.
Accommodation
Single supplement
- Agate TravelOperator•Written December 2022
  I am sorry it is too urgent to arrange this tour starting on Dec 27, 2022. Our local office is on holiday now. May I know if it is possible for you to postpone your tour date?
S
Sarah
Asked on September 27th, 2022
Do you not accept bookings for single travellers? Only in groups of 2?
Group size
Single supplement
- Agate TravelOperator•Written September 2022
  As you travel alone, you will need to pay the single room supplement. The tour price is USD3779 per person for single traveler.
A
Ashley
Asked on August 15th, 2022
I am interested in 5 Day Essence Coach tour on South Island for Jan 2023 and was trying to access cancellation information.
Tour Details
Travel Support
- Agate TravelOperator•Written August 2022
  Thanks for your enquiry - you've selected a great tour.
L
Lori
Asked on August 3rd, 2022
For Milford Sound, is it just driving up to it or is there a boat tour also included? For Te Anau do you also get to see the glow worm caves?
Tour Details
Transport
- Agate TravelOperator•Written August 2022
  On reaching Milford Sound, you board the modern, spacious vessel for a leisurely cruise in the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and the wildlife. During the cruise your friendly crew provide commentaries in several languages and point out the sights such as Mitre Peak and the Pembroke Glacier. But there might be no time to see the glow worm caves.
- L
  Lori
  Traveler•Written August 2022
  Thank you for the details. Is the price being doubled? When I looked at my dates for single occupancy it was $2,109 USD. I'm now concerned by your price quote that I will be charged a ton of hidden fees.
- Agate TravelOperator•Written August 2022
  The tour price in New Zealand has been adjusted recently, but we did not updated the price on the website yet. The new price is much higher than the original one. I have quoted for the latest tour price for you and there is no hidden charges.
- L
  Lori
  Traveler•Written August 2022
  But if I book now at the current rate, you are saying you are going to add costs later?
- Agate TravelOperator•Written August 2022
  Now, the tour price is USD4165 per person for single occupancy and this is the final price. We do not add other fees.
M
Martin
Asked on August 1st, 2022
Are you able to leave the bus tour in Queenstown for approx three days and then rejoin on a different date to continue the tour back to Christchurch?
Tour Details
Transport
- Agate TravelOperator•Written August 2022
  You should join the tour for one date from the beginning to the ending.
V
Veronica
Asked on July 23rd, 2022
Approximately how long would the visit be in Milford Sound. Would it be long enough to take a boat tour?
Tour Details
- Agate TravelOperator•Written July 2022
  The tour already includes a boat tour to visit Milford Sound.
- V
  Veronica
  Traveler•Written August 2022
  I have checked the itinerary on the website again, but there is no mention of a boat tour of the Milford Sound on this leg of the tour. It does not mention it on the transport section either. Please double check before I go ahead and book as this is on my bucket list, and I would be very upset to miss this.
- Agate TravelOperator•Written August 2022
  On day 3, you will be guided to sail on the fjord by cruise and see the beautiful natural scenery, as well as to encounter wildlife such as seals and penguins. For the rest of the year, the Tranzalpine train is operating on Fridays - Mondays. To meet this train, you should start the tour on Mondays to Thursdays. As the fuel charge and the service charge increased, the tour price will be USD4252 for sole occupancy.
C
Christopher
Asked on May 6th, 2022
what is the additional price for a single room in all accommodation
Accommodation
Single supplement
- Agate TravelOperator•Written May 2022
  The tour price is USD2063 per person for single occupancy in May and June
P
Paul
Asked on April 27th, 2022
when's earliest departing date in may I have be back in Sydney by 15th May 2022
Tour Details
- Agate TravelOperator•Written April 2022
  This Independent coach tour is available every Monday in May. The earliest departing date is May 02.
- P
  Paul
  Traveler•Written April 2022
  I am looking at 23rd May. it'll allow me enough time to arrange things. What will be the cost for that day for this tour?
- Agate TravelOperator•Written April 2022
  The cost for a single traveller on this tour is USD1959 of May 23.

From

US $3,369 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 218610

Currency
$
New Zealand Dollar
New Zealand
Plugs & Adapters
As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type I.
Type I
New Zealand
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before May 19th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after May 19th, 2026, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with Agate Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and Agate Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "Agate Travel" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of Agate Travel. Please familiarize yourself with the Agate Travel payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Video

New Zealand South Island Essence Coach Tour

Itinerary

Christchurch to Queenstown

Included Activities

Queenstown

Optional Activities

Queenstown to Milford Sound and return

Included Activities

Queenstown to Franz Josef

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Franz Josef to Christchurch

Included Activities

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Where You'll Stay

Adventure Type