
5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 77 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle worth booking?
5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle is a 120-hour experience in Christchurch, New Zealand, from $1,232 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 77 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (77)
- Duration
- 120 hours
- From
- $1,232 per person
A five-day INDEPENDANT travel package departing Christchurch daily, see all the highlights of New Zealand's scenic South Island. Travel by coach from Christchurch to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook, experience the majesty of Milford Sound, a free day in Queenstown, view the glacier at Franz Josef and travel aboard the famous Transalpine train. The tour includes 4 nights' accommodation This tour may operate in reverse order, subject to transport provider availability.
What you get
About this experience
A five-day INDEPENDANT travel package departing Christchurch daily, see all the highlights of New Zealand's scenic South Island. Travel by coach from Christchurch to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook, experience the majesty of Milford Sound, a free day in Queenstown, view the glacier at Franz Josef and travel aboard the famous Transalpine train. The tour includes 4 nights' accommodation This tour may operate in reverse order, subject to transport provider availability.
What's included
Included
- This is an INDEPENDENT travel package not a group tour
- Lunch
- Great Sights Coach journey from Christchurch to Queenstown
- Tranzalpine train journey between Greymouth and Christchurch
- All transfers and coaching
- Milford Sound Cruise
- Franz Josef
Not included
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Christchurch
outside the Christchurch Bus Interchange
Meeting point
Christchurch
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Christchurch Railway Station
Options you can book
Twin Share
5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch in twin share accommodation.
Single Room
5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch in a single room.
Triple Share
5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch in triple share accommodation.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Leisure Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This is an independent multiday tour with guaranteed daily departures, on each day of travel you will be travelling with a different driver / guide and different passengers.
- This is not a fully escorted group tour.
- On day one, two & four the travel is in a large coach and the passenger numbers may at any given time exceed 35 people.
- Maximum of two checked bags per person (up to 23kg each)
- One piece of small hand luggage permitted onboard
- This tour may operate in reverse order, subject to transport provider availability.
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 77 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Organization
5 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
77 verified traveler reviews for 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Rushed tour of the south island
Too rushed, take extra time, the travel days are too long You do get to see everything but only for 10 or 20 mins, then back on the bus. If you have limited time pick one or two places and see them properly.
Response from the operator: Yes the five-day tour encompasses a lot of driving to get to places. It does give you a snapshot but NZ is surprisingly difficult to navigate.
via Viator
Unhealthy unclean accommodation provided b VIATOR by Trip advisor
Most horrible accommodation in Queenstown arranged by trip advisor for 3 nights 7th,8th,9th February room #1404 Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront under Millinium hotels Room was not cleaned Carpet was dirty with visible dust and layer of dust was visible under the bed Tea cattle provided was not clean Tea Cups provided were not clean When I complained to front desk they didn’t care for 2 nights and said Hotel was full My wife suffered from an Asthma attack and is still coughing 2-3 weeks after returning home On 3rd day I sent an long e mail to your office and after talking to manager Bella I was shifted to a better room.I will not even put my Dog in such a dirty room and inhale the dust and then we were put into a Dormitory room in Franz Joseph on 10th night I was told that is the best I could get I was very unhappy cheated by Viator
Response from the operator: Thank you for your comments of which we have shared with each accommodation provider - the first time they have received poor reviews so are doing their best to ensure this never happens again.
via Tripadvisor
Long bus trips very...
Long bus trips very tiring. Little time at some stops. Would not do again. I would take trains or fly
Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback and your comments are noted. We try to convey when booking that travelling distances in New Zealand are longer than what it looks like on the map. And we are limited on transport options where in some cases there are no train tracks or airports so you are limited to road options. We are a remote country and do our best to give you a taste; and then you could consider a private tour or self-drive option next time.
via Viator
Super South Island
A must do tour was very well planned good hotels and best way to see South Island. We really loved it
Response from the operator: We make it easy by doing the hard work for you. All you have to do is enjoy our country - we take the stress away. Thank you for your review.
via Viator
Recommended as an introduction to South Island
Having limited time, I booked the four-day version of this tour (the same as the five-day, but without the full day in Queenstown) to get a sense of some of the natural highlights of South Island, and it certainly achieved that. It is important to note that this is not itself a self-contained tour, but a package made up of separate bookings for the various buses, hotels, taxis, etc. I made the booking with Leisure Tours about six months ahead of my visit, and the administration seemed very efficient with prompt responses to any queries. The detailed itinerary was issued (and my credit card charged) only about one week before the start of the trip. Personally, I would quite like to have the itinerary a little earlier, but the sequence of events was made very clear. The step-by-step itinerary involved a number of elements and there seemed to be plenty of scope for things to go wrong, but, in practice, everything worked really smoothly. It would have been possible to arrange the various components of the package myself, but going through Leisure Tours was much less hassle and had the advantage of a central point of contact. Recommended.
Response from the operator: Great review, thank you. Your comments are spot on. Yes you can organise the elements yourself, however, we remove the hassle and are available should anything not go perfectly - we are your backup plan and we know our country very well. These tours are about making it simple for you so you can simply relax and enjoy - which it sounds like you did - brilliant! Thank you again.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 120 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $1,232 to $3,815
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 27
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Leisure Tours, who run 33 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.6.
See everything Leisure Tours runsWhy this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Christchurch.
How much does 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle cost?
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Prices start at $1,232 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Christchurch usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle take?
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Plan for about 120 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Christchurch is not rushed.
Is 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 77 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Christchurch, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 120-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle?
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Around 27 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Christchurch can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Christchurch and add a light layer if any part of the 120-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Christchurch within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Christchurch?
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On Outty we rank every Christchurch experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include TranzAlpine Train, Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip, Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Tasman Glacier Tour from Christchurch, Lord of the Rings, Journey to Edoras Day Tour from Christchurch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Christchurch?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Christchurch?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle?
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Included: This is an INDEPENDENT travel package not a group tour; Lunch; Great Sights Coach journey from Christchurch to Queenstown; Tranzalpine train journey between Greymouth and Christchurch; and All transfers and coaching. Not included: Food and drinks, unless specified; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle?
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outside the Christchurch Bus Interchange Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Christchurch. Standard cancellation terms apply.
What do travelers say about 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle?
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Across 77 reviews averaging 4.2 out of 5, recurring themes include organization, photo opportunities, the guide. Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
What booking options are available for 5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including Twin Share, Single Room, Triple Share. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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