* New Zealand’s South island is mostly tight roads, single lane each way and SLOW
Qtown TO Fox Glacier is a substantial trip one way.
All our clients who have travelled there from QT generally stay the night, and then have us transport them onto Franz Joseph for a look and short bush walk, down to Lake Matheson (One of New Zealand’s most picturesque) and take the TIME to bush walk.. there is 3-4 WORLD CLASS shorter 4-5 mile (8km return hikes that are honestly stunning)
QT to Fox Glacier alone is not to be rushed. There are
*Blue Pools
* Fantail Falls
* Gates of Haast
* And a number of black sand West Coast Iron beaches and wildlife like seals to possibly see on the way.
Allow around 8 hours Alone ONE WAY not to rush and miss the best spots to stop
These roads are windy and in parts down to 30km phr… they ARE challenging especially with tourists driving at times!
Remembering our shuttle and driver must return back after your drop off, and that’s not just a few hours…
Minimum Shuttle Transport Cost: (Up to and inc of 4 people)
Its $988 Inc for our Private Shuttle Guide transport (one day QT to Fox)
Its $1095 Inc QT to Franz Joseph Drop off one way (one day QT to Fox)
*Add $85pp for 5 to 11 passengers
*Add $65 per day sector IF a Shuttle luggage trailer is being towed (Extra weight and extra considerable fuel)
Or simply add $645 from Fox or Franz to Hokitika (Following day) – Allowing 6 hours +/-
And – Add $165 from Hokitika to Greymouth
BONUS INFO – In addition, one of NZ BEST Short Walks is called Rob Roy Glacier (but that in itself is a day trip from QT o Wanaka) But google that too..
Anyway, for our driver guide and shuttle, He/she has to stay overnight somewhere anyway, as their duty time must not go over 11 hours, and we cant get back to QT in one day as a professional operation. Most of our private groups that go to the West Coast do Two days with us, as we get them to Hokitika for the second night.
Then in the late morning we drop them at Greymouth Train Station so they tend to take the World Beautiful TRANZ ALPINE Train back over the mountains to Christchurch
IF you want us to move you all the following day or days, we obviously stay in town overnight
Simply add $165 total per overnight to cover out driver guide and their meal (s)
Lastly, one of our private group Popular KIWI Local Guided HAULA in-depth Private TOURS for 5-6 days (4-5 nights) is:
It’s all sightseeing guided transport and misc stops (Some of which visitors and Tourist will otherwise miss)
* An average of 7-8 hours +/- travel each day (Driver Guide can only be available working for 11 hours in a day) Our driver guides generally park up from around 5pm,
and Rest – own time until from around 8am following morning. They Must have time out too!
* Your accommodation and meals are all at your own cost, and you have to pre book on the nights and days you prefer direct with whomever you wish
(We aren’t a tourism booking agency, and don’t have the logistics to do that for you)
* Additional or preference side trips can and are sometimes added, like Akaroa from Chch and an additional Night at MT Cook as the day hikes are stunning!
Its around $985 per day and night for your private guide and shuttle over a 5 day +/- return tour (Inc of up to 4 people)
(Includes our driver guides accommodation and meals away)
All fuel included obviously.
Add $85 per day per person over 4 (So 5-11 pax)
Includes up to 2000kms (This trip is around 1900kms +/-)
Daily Travel times are usually – depart by 9.15am arrive check in destination (AS BOOKED BY CLIENTS) by 4.30 – 5pm ish +/-
* Inc Stops, short walks and or sightseeing, and a lunch stop as per clients request
Day 1 – QT To Fox Glacier Or Franz (clients choice)
Day 2 – Glacier town to Lake Matheson 2 hour bush walk hike option – onto Hokitika or Greymouth (Client choice)
Day 3 – Greymouth or Hokitika over the Arthur’s Pass to Christchurch city
Day 4 – Chch City down inland to Geraldine and Fairlie onto Tekapo
Day 5 – Tekapo onto MT Cook – Afternoon Hike
Day 6 – An additional day and night at MT Cook – Google and you will see why) or back to QT via Cromwell town
Day 7 return of extra night above (client choice)