Home| Experiences| New Zealand| Scenic Daytrip|Cheeky Kiwi – Christchurch to Queenstown Tour via Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo (One Way)

Cheeky Kiwi – Christchurch to Queenstown Tour via Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo (One Way)
From $399

Travel from Christchurch to Queenstown in the most scenic way possible with this one-way, small-group, fully guided tour.

Combining the region’s top highlights, this journey takes you through the breathtaking landscapes of Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook National Park, and the Tasman Glacier. Led by famously passionate guides—known for their engaging stories and deep local knowledge—you’ll experience the best of the South Island in comfort and style. Traveling in modern, well-equipped minibuses, you can sit back, relax, and soak in the stunning views while enjoying extra touches designed for your comfort and safety. The first leg of the trip, from Christchurch to Mt Cook, is expertly guided by our trusted partners, Cheeky Kea. Along the way, you’ll visit iconic landmarks such as the Church of the Good Shepherd, check out the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki, cross the dramatic Lindis Pass, and journey through the rugged beauty of Kawarau Gorge—making this the ultimate way to travel from Christchurch to Queenstown.

Trip Itinerary

Christchurch

Your journey begins in the beautiful city of Christchurch, where your guide will set the stage for an unforgettable adventure. As we leave the city, they’ll highlight key landmarks and share fascinating insights, ensuring you don’t miss any of the region’s must-see spots along the way.

Canterbury Plains

Leaving Christchurch behind, we journey through the vast and picturesque Canterbury Plains, where rolling farmland and scenic countryside create a quintessential New Zealand backdrop.

Lake Tekapo

You’ll set your sights on the renowned blue waters of Lake Tekapo, but first, you’ll navigate through stunning alpine passes that offer jaw-dropping views. As you crest the hill and catch your first glimpse of Tekapo, prepare to be awe-struck by the breathtaking sight of the lake.

Church Of The Good Sheperd

Upon arriving in the charming township of Tekapo, you’ll have time to visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, snap photos with the famous Mackenzie Sheepdog, and capture Instagram-worthy shots of the stunning Lake Tekapo before we continue our journey to Mt Cook.

Lake Pukaki

As you turn west, you enter Aoraki National Park, and the striking Lake Pukaki begins to unfold before us. Known for its vibrant blue hue, the lake is magnificently framed by the towering Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. You’ll stop for some breathtaking photos and take a moment to fully appreciate the incredible scenery. It’s no surprise that many Lord of the Rings scenes were filmed nearby, and you’ll be able to see them along the way.

Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park

While in the national park, you’ll have 2.5 hours of free time to explore at your own pace. Choose from a variety of walks or optional activities, including the Kea Point Track, the Blue Lakes Track, scenic flights over the region (with the option to land on the Tasman Glacier), or a visit to the Mt Cook Visitor Centre and the iconic Hermitage Hotel. Whatever you choose, we’ll ensure you’re well taken care of, picking you up and dropping you off where needed.

High Country Salmon

As you say goodbye to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village and head back to Queenstown, you’ll make a stop at High Country Salmon, a local salmon farm. Here, you’ll have the chance to feed the fish and sample some of the freshest salmon New Zealand has to offer.

Lindis Pass

Climbing in altitude, Lindis Pass has amazing views down through the valleys. Being one of only three alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps.

Jacksons Orchard

As you approach Queenstown, you will make a stop at Jacksons Orchard, where you can indulge in fresh, delicious local fruit or treat yourself to a refreshing real fruit ice cream.

Kawarau Suspension Bridge

As you near Queenstown, you’ll journey through the breathtaking Kawarau Gorge, taking in stunning views, crossing the iconic Kawarau Suspension Bridge, and passing by the famous Roaring Meg Lookout.

Queenstown

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end as you arrive in Queenstown and bid your farewells.

Inclusions & Extras

Included

  • Small Group
  • Fully Guided Tour
  • Picnic Lunch

Not Included

  • Skydiving
  • All Meals
  • Drinks

What to bring

  • Hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Snacks
  • Swimwear
  • Towel
  • Jacket
  • Walking Shoes

Pick Ups & Departures

Pickups and drop offs to designated hotel and accommodation locations.

Supplier Terms & Conditions

Cheeky Kiwi Terms & Conditions

CHILDREN’S FARES

Children’s fares: 4 – 14 years inclusive.
Infants fares: under 4 years old.
Children aged 14 or under cannot travel on Cheeky Kiwi Travel tour services without an accompanying adult aged 18 or over.
PRICE INCLUSIONS

All entrance fees for booked activities or destinations (some destinations may have optional extras that must be booked for the activity or extra to be included in your tour).
All meals where indicated.
Snacks and refreshments.
Guided tours through most places of interest.
PRICES

All costs quoted are in NZ$ (unless stated) and include Goods & Services Tax at 15%.
Overnight tour packages must be paid for in full at the time of booking.
Quoted prices do not include credit card fees of up to 2.9% of the tour value or a minimum of $3.
CREDIT CARDS

We accept the following credit cards:

Visa
American Express
MasterCard
Personal cheques are not accepted.

LANGUAGES

English commentary is provided by your driver/guide on points of interest en route.
Multilingual commentaries (Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, Czech) available on selected tours. Refer to fare inclusion. Due to operational reasons this service may not always be available on the selected tour. We recommend contacting us in advance of your tour to arrange.
CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL

Cheeky Kiwi Travel reserves the right to alter fares, arrange alternative transport, tour routes, services or accommodation. In the event that Cheeky Kiwi Travel are unable to operate the tour – an alternative operator will be provided. If an alternative is not available, then a full refund will be issued.
Cheeky Kiwi Travel reserves the right to cancel the tour if the tour has not meet the minimum passenger numbers required for the tour to operate. In the event that Cheeky Kiwi Travel are unable to operate the tour – an alternative operator will be provided. If an alternative is not available, then a full refund will be issued. Minimum operational numbers for public tours is usually 4.
Cheeky Kiwi Travel shall not be held responsible for any property loss or damage and/or for any damages resulting in death or personal injury which may arise whilst on tour or when utilising any other service provided by Cheeky Kiwi Travel agents. Some services featured in this brochure or website are not operated by Cheeky Kiwi Travel.
Clients are reminded that optional activities such as Luging, Eco-Zip, Zorbing etc always have an element of risk and clients should note the above clause. Cheeky Kiwi Travel shall not be held responsible for any loss, injury or damage resulting in any activities beyond its control such as fire, machinery breakdown, civil disturbances, theft or any delays or itinerary changes that may include additional expense that have been brought about by circumstances beyond the company’s control.
Refunds cannot be made for unused tour portions.
The operator cannot be held responsible for any personal items or luggage passengers forget to remove from the coach.
Cheeky Kiwi Travel reserves the right to request passengers leave the coach if their behaviour is detrimental to the enjoyment of other paying passengers. In such circumstances, no refunds shall be given.
At times during busy seasons (usually November to March) accommodation may not be available at some overnight destinations on the tour you have chosen. Should this occur at the time of your booking our reservations staff will suggest reversing your itinerary or date of departure to enable confirmation of the tour you have chosen.
Not all tours operate daily and are subject to availability at the time of booking.
In the event of a coach breakdown, Cheeky Kiwi Travel reserves the right to alter the tour itinerary. Compensation will be considered if the coach is more than 2 hours late.
Should we cancel the tour due to force majeure (i.e political unrest, war or threat of war, riots, acts of god, civil strife, industrial disputes, natural and nuclear disasters, adverse weather conditions or similar events beyond Cheeky Kiwi Travel ’s control) we will give a full refund of any monies paid to us less reasonable expenses incurred by us in respect of your booking.
Cheeky Kiwi Travel is not responsible for the costs of any other travel arrangements due to cancellations or rescheduling of any tour departure.
CANCELLATION & AMENDMENT FEES:

A minimum cancellation fee of $20 applies to all online bookings at the discretion of the supplier.
7 days or more prior to travel – overnight tours will incur a cancellation fee at the discretion of the supplier.
(day tours/ trips) – 7 days – 48 hours prior to travel – 25% of the total fare at the discretion of the supplier.
(over night or package tours) – 7 days – 48 hours prior to travel – 50% of the total fare at the discretion of the supplier.
Within 24 hours prior to travel – 100% cancellation fee.
An amendment fee of NZ$20 per booking will be charged for any bookings changed 7 days prior to travel. Within 7 days fees will be charged in accordance with the policies of other suppliers.
It is strongly recommended that customers insure themselves against cancellation charges and a possible loss of money or personal belongings.

HEALTH & SAFETY – RISK & DISCLOSURE

All tours have inherent risks involved and can be dangerous. By booking a tour with Cheeky Kiwi Travel Limited you agree that you understand and accept the risks of the tour and agree to participate. All tour participants accept that Cheeky Kiwi Travel is not responsible for any injury or damage incurred during Cheeky Kiwi Travel tours or a third parties tour/activity/ attraction either booked by Cheeky Kiwi Travel or that makes up part of a Cheeky Kiwi Travel Tour and agree to participate at their own risk. Many of Cheeky Kiwi Travel tours operate in areas that maybe remote, have rapidly changing and sometimes extreme weather, have difficult to access paths, uneven or steep terrain, moderate to high fitness requirements or be close to or on cold water. While all safety precautions are taken it is the participants responsibly to ensure they have brought with them appropriate clothing and have the appropriate fitness/ skill level for each tour. Participant of Cheeky Kiwi Travel tour must advise Cheeky Kiwi Travel of any health or fitness issues that may affect their ability to participate in their booked tour/activity or may risk a tours timing or operational requirements in writing via the contact us page on our website within 12 hours of booking a tour. Cheeky Kiwi Travel recommends consulting with a team member about any health concerns they may have before booking.
Cheeky Kiwi Travel reserves the right to cancel or alter a participant’s tour if we feel an activity or part of an activity may risk the health and safety of the individual or adversely affect the tour’s operation. No refunds will be given to participates in these circumstances when the participant has not advised Cheeky Kiwi Travel of health issues, have not advised Cheeky Kiwi Travel of the severity of the health issue or have consulted with Cheeky Kiwi Travel about the health issue and decided to continue with the tour anyway.
Cheeky Kiwi Travel is not responsible for health and safety of passengers that are participating in third party activity/ attraction, including third party activities that are booked by Cheeky Kiwi Travel or make up part of a Cheeky Kiwi Travel Tour. Health and safety of passengers participating in a third party activity will be handed over to the company operating the activity or attraction and their guides. Cheeky Kiwi Travel will pass onto the third party guides responsible for health and safety any health and safety concerns that a Cheeky Kiwi Travel tour participant may have. For health and safety disclosures of any third parties activities or attractions that Cheeky Kiwi Travel tour participants maybe participating in the participants are to refer to the third party health & safety information. Upon booking a tour with Cheeky Kiwi Travel participants agree to accept any risks that may be present at or during a third party activity or attraction.
LUGGAGE POLICY

Cheeky Kiwi Travel carries checked luggage subject to the below terms and the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017

All luggage carried must be clearly labelled with the passenger’s name, address, contact details and destination. The size, weight and number of luggage items that can be carried is specified below. If a passenger wishes to travel with more luggage than is permitted, or with oversize items, the item(s) may be refused if there is no available space.
CHECKED-IN LUGGAGE

Up to two pieces per person weighing a maximum of 25 kg each per person. Each piece of luggage should not exceed total dimensions (length + width + height) of 158 cm (62 inches).
If you are travelling with a wheelchair, mobility scooter or baby pushchair that can collapse down to fit within the Checked Luggage size and weight dimensions, it can be counted as one of your two Checked Luggage entitlements. If the item cannot be collapsed down to fit our Checked Luggage size and weight dimensions, it will be regarded as Oversize Luggage.
CARRY-ON LUGGAGE

Handbags, umbrellas, walking sticks and other aids are permitted.
You are responsible for your carry-on luggage, and Cheeky Kiwi Travel accepts no responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage to carry-on luggage.
RIGHT OF REFUSAL TO CARRY LUGGAGE

Cheeky Kiwi Travel has the right to refuse to take luggage if it does not meet the requirements set out in these Terms and Conditions, or if it breaches the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017, Part 5, Subpart 1.
If a passenger travels with more luggage than permitted as above, then the additional item(s) may be refused if there is no available space.
Prohibited items are not permitted either on board or in the luggage compartment.
Cheeky Kiwi Travel does not carry unaccompanied parcels under any circumstances. Passengers must never accept luggage or parcels on behalf of someone.
Cheeky Kiwi Travel will not be responsible or liable for any loss or inconvenience if a passenger is refused travel under any of these circumstances.
IMAGE USE/PRIVACY

The passenger acknowledges and gives consent for Cheeky Kiwi Travel/Cheeky Kiwi Travel by itself or through an agent to take photographs, audio or video recordings, or other forms of recordings that capture the passenger’s image, likeness, voice, performance or all of these (“Images”) during the course of this activity / tour. The passenger acknowledges and gives consent for Cheeky Kiwi Travel to receive and use Images of the passenger from other.
Cheeky Kiwi Travel may use Images for marketing and promoting its services. The ways in which the Images will be used for marketing purposes include, but are not limited to, incorporating the Images in print, broadcast, internet media, direct marketing channels, downloadable content and applications, and all other media, platform or technology now known or to be developed for distribution around the world. The Images may be altered, modified, changed, combined or incorporated into other works.
The passenger has a right to request access to the passenger’s Images and to correction of those Images to ensure they are complete and not misleading. However, the passenger acknowledges that if the Images have been incorporated into marketing materials, it may not be reasonably practicable for Cheeky Kiwi Travel to make any changes to the Images. The passenger authorizes Cheeky Kiwi Travel to refuse the request to correction in such circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

What do I do if I need help with my tour booking?

If you need help with an existing booking please email us at [email protected] if your enquiry is urgent please follow up your email with a quick call on +61 2 5633 1149 so we can help you.

Do you offer payment plans?

Absolutely, we understand that paying off a big trip in one go isn’t always that easy. We offer flexible payment plans to suit all types of travellers with zero interest or fee’s (minimum $100NZD deposit required).

Do I need travel insurance?

We endorse the recommendation that all travellers take out travel insurance. If you already have Travel Insurance please understand that it is your responsibility to ensure that your Travel Insurance covers you for all of the adventure style travel you have booked with us.

Can I book a package but travel in the reverse direction?

Absolutely, just let us know your preferred start and finish location and we’ll make it work.

What is the best way to travel New Zealand?

There is definitely no wrong way to travel New Zealand. Depending on what type of traveller you are, you might enjoy a Campervan road trip over the Hop On Hop Off Bus Packages. We recommend booking a free consultation with one our friendly team and they can tailor their recommendation to your personality and  travel plans.

What if something comes up and I can't make my tour?

We get it. Life is all about the unexpected, especially when you are travelling. If you are unable to make your pre-arranged tour you will need to reach out to our [email protected] so we can give you a helping hand. In all cases we strongly recommend having a valid travel insurance policy which covers you for unexpected cancellations.

Can I add additional tours or make changes to this package?

Yes. All of our packages are customisable so if you would like to make any changes please contact our team under [email protected] or our WhatsApp (+64) 3409 0617

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Cheeky Kiwi - Christchurch to Queenstown Tour via Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo (One Way)

Cheeky Kiwi – Christchurch to Queenstown Tour via Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo (One Way)

Valid for 12 months

Travel from Christchurch to Queenstown in the most scenic way possible with this one-way, small-group, fully guided tour.

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