Queenstown to Christchurch: Wānaka, Mt Cook & Tekapo 1-Way Tour
Overview
Most people fly from Queenstown to Christchurch. In an hour, they miss everything in between.
This full-day small-group tour covers the same distance on the ground: Kawarau Gorge, the Mackenzie Basin lakes, Aoraki Mt Cook National Park and Lake Tekapo. Lunch, water and Kiwi snacks are included. WiFi and USB charging on board.
At 3724 metres, Aoraki is New Zealand's highest peak and a sacred ancestor to Ngā Tahu iwi. You have 2-2.5 hours at the national park: walk the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track through the moraines of Haupapa, NZ's longest glacier, explore Mt Cook Village, or arrange a scenic flight on the day.
From November 2026, Wānaka will replace the Kawarau Gorge stop where your guide collects lunch while you spend time at the lakefront, home of #ThatWānakaTree. The tour ends at Lake Tekapo beside the Church of the Good Shepherd with the Southern Alps behind it.
Small group, maximum 16. Carbon neutral within Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. Wānaka pickup available.
What's Included
- Bottled water
- Small-group experience, maximum 16 people
- Transport in a modern Mercedes Sprinter or similar vehicle
- WiFi on board
- Drop-off in Christchurch
- USB charging on board
- Carbon neutral tour of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park
- Kiwi snacks
- Lunch (collected by your guide at the Wānaka stop)
- Live guide commentary throughout
- Gratuities
- Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre entry (available to purchase at Mt Cook Village)
- Accommodation
- Additional personal purchases
- Scenic flights (can be arranged through your guide on the day, sold separately)
Meeting and Pickup
The tour departs near public transportation. Wānaka-based travellers: you can join and alight at the Wānaka stop. Select this option at time of booking. Hotel pickups begin from 06:15 am. Please be ready and waiting outside 5 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.Pick up times and locations can be found below: 06:15 Kamana Lakehouse 06:16 Mercure Queenstown 06:17 Heritage Hotel 06:20 Rydges Lakeland Resort 06:21 Hotel St Moritz 06:22 QT Queenstown 06:23 Crowne Plaza 06:24 Pinewood Lodge 06:25 Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel 06:26 Flaming Kiwi Backpackers 06:27 Novotel 06:28 Nomads Hostel 06:30 The Station - Home of Adventure 06:30 LyLo Queenstown 06:30 Sofitel 06:31 Aspen Lodge Backpackers 06:32 Heartland Hotel 06:32 Scenic Suites 06:33 Holiday Inn Express 06:34 Ramada Queenstown Central 06:35 Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront 06:36 Millennium Hotel 06:37 Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Lakeview 06:38 Swiss Belsuites Pounamu 06:39 Oaks Shores Resort 06:40 The Rees 06:41 Holiday Inn Frankton Road (Bus stop on Frankton Road) 06:42 Sherwood Hotel (Bus stop on Frankton Road) 06:44 Frankton Bus Interchange 06:45 Wyndham Garden
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Queenstown (pass by)
Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge
15 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Cromwell (pass by)
Wanaka
15 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Omarama
5 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Twizel
5 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Lake Ruataniwha
5 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Lake Pukaki
5 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
2 hours Admission Ticket Free
Lake Tekapo
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
The Church of the Good Shepherd
5 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for travellers with serious back conditions, heart conditions, or who are pregnant.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress in layers. There is a significant temperature difference between Queenstown and Aoraki Mt Cook.
- Bring a waterproof jacket. Alpine weather changes rapidly.
- Wear closed-toe shoes with grip. The Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track involves uneven and stony terrain.
- Bring sunscreen. UV is strong at altitude, particularly in summer.
- This tour operates with two guides. One guide drives Queenstown to Mt Cook; a second guide drives Mt Cook to Christchurch. The changeover takes place at Mt Cook Village.
- Children aged 7 and under require a child safety car seat. If you need one provided, request it at booking with at least 24 hours notice.
- Scenic flights and Heli Hike are available to arrange through your guide on the day, subject to weather and availability. Sold separately.
- The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre is not included. Entry is available to purchase on arrival.
- Time at Aoraki Mt Cook may be reduced due to delays elsewhere on the route or road conditions.
- Service animals are permitted.
- The tour departs near public transportation.
- Wānaka-based travellers: you can join and alight at the Wānaka stop. Select this option at time of booking.
- Hotel pickups begin from 06:15 am. Please be ready and waiting outside 5 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Queenstown to Christchurch: Wānaka, Mt Cook & Tekapo 1-Way Tour?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-312127P29
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.50 out of 5 stars based on 8 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZDT).
- Bottled water.
- Small-group experience, maximum 16 people.
- Transport in a modern Mercedes Sprinter or similar vehicle.
- WiFi on board.
- Drop-off in Christchurch.
- USB charging on board.
- Carbon neutral tour of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.
- Kiwi snacks.
- Lunch (collected by your guide at the Wānaka stop).
- Live guide commentary throughout.
- Gratuities.
- Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre entry (available to purchase at Mt Cook Village).
- Accommodation.
- Additional personal purchases.
- Scenic flights (can be arranged through your guide on the day, sold separately).
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 4. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Queenstown to Christchurch: Wānaka, Mt Cook & Tekapo 1-Way Tour is as follows:
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for travellers with serious back conditions, heart conditions, or who are pregnant.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Queenstown to Christchurch: Wānaka, Mt Cook & Tekapo 1-Way Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Bottled water
- Small-group experience, maximum 16 people
- Transport in a modern Mercedes Sprinter or similar vehicle
- WiFi on board
- Drop-off in Christchurch
- USB charging on board
- Carbon neutral tour of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park
- Kiwi snacks
- Lunch (collected by your guide at the Wānaka stop)
- Live guide commentary throughout
- Gratuities
- Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre entry (available to purchase at Mt Cook Village)
- Accommodation
- Additional personal purchases
- Scenic flights (can be arranged through your guide on the day, sold separately)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for travellers with serious back conditions, heart conditions, or who are pregnant.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress in layers. There is a significant temperature difference between Queenstown and Aoraki Mt Cook.
- Bring a waterproof jacket. Alpine weather changes rapidly.
- Wear closed-toe shoes with grip. The Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track involves uneven and stony terrain.
- Bring sunscreen. UV is strong at altitude, particularly in summer.
- This tour operates with two guides. One guide drives Queenstown to Mt Cook; a second guide drives Mt Cook to Christchurch. The changeover takes place at Mt Cook Village.
- Children aged 7 and under require a child safety car seat. If you need one provided, request it at booking with at least 24 hours notice.
- Scenic flights and Heli Hike are available to arrange through your guide on the day, subject to weather and availability. Sold separately.
- The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre is not included. Entry is available to purchase on arrival.
- Time at Aoraki Mt Cook may be reduced due to delays elsewhere on the route or road conditions.
- Service animals are permitted.
- The tour departs near public transportation.
- Wānaka-based travellers: you can join and alight at the Wānaka stop. Select this option at time of booking.
- Hotel pickups begin from 06:15 am. Please be ready and waiting outside 5 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers
