Fall in love with the highlights of this 10 day South Island itinerary that takes you on a circuit of spectacular mountains, lakes, rivers, glaciers, waterfalls and rainforests and gives you the opportunity to enjoy all the bucket list adventures you could wish for.
Created for travellers in their mid-thirties and upwards, on this New Zealand South Island itinerary you’ll visit Christchurch, Queenstown, Lake Wanaka, Lake Tekapo (and Lake Wakatipu, Lake Mapourika, Lake Hawea, plus more lakes!), the Mackenzie Country, and Franz Josef, plus you’ll get to take one of the world’s greatest train rides! Your comfortable 3–4 star accommodation on tour includes a boutique hotels and a rainforest retreat.
We’ll travel from the wide plains of Canterbury, through the mountains and lakes of Central Otago, to the glaciers and pristine rainforest of the West Coast via the spectacular Haast Pass. By the end of this New Zealand South Island itinerary, you will have lost count of the number of times you’ve uttered the words: “Wow!”, “So beautiful!” and “It’s breathtaking!”.
You’ll have the opportunity to swim, kayak, jet boat, skydive, hike, bike, see kiwis, relax in hot pools, eat and drink like a local, and more.
But only if you want to; this is your trip, and it’s designed to be flexible. Across this 10 day South Island itinerary we include some of the things that we reckon are absolute essentials, but rather than force you into activities you’re not so sure of, we leave the choice up to you. You can pre-book activities that you definitely want to do before the trip starts, and then add more while you’re on tour.
As our tours are made up of a combination of tours, the composition of your group may change throughout your tour (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch are the hubs where the group may change).
Marty was extremely helpful and informative throughout the entire tour. His knowledge and humour was fantastic.
The various drivers during the tour were also very friendly and helpful.
The consideration the company extended to my wife's dietary requirements was immense.
I would recommend AAT to anyone who is considering a guided tour.
Discover some of the most magnificent mountains, breathtaking fjords, fascinating cities, and spectacular rainforests on the planet with this tour of New Zealand and Australia! Begin your journey in Auckland, the capital of New Zealand and a vibrant city that sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Learn about the past and present volcanic activity of the city as you explore the diverse neighborhoods and historic landmarks. Drive over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and take in the magnificent views of the Hauraki Gulf and the city skyline. Visit The Domain, the oldest park in Auckland and one of the largest in the city! Head on a tour of the Waitomo Caves as you will travel through the beautiful farmlands and enjoy a breathtaking boat ride on the Glowworm Grotto, illuminated by thousands of tiny glowworms. Catch a flight to Christchurch to uncover the extraordinary sights of the Southern Alps from Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand with a height of 3,724 meters, before you visit Lake Tekapo en route to Queenstown. From there you will fly to Melbourne, the cultural capital of Australia filled with fascinating hidden gems including an underground art scene, extraordinary restaurants, and ample shopping opportunities. Wander around the Fitzroy Gardens, one of the most beautiful gardens in Melbourne, and visit Albert Park, home to the Australian Grand Prix. Take a train to Sydney to visit the Opera House, known for its extraordinary architectural design, and drive to Bondi Beach, the most famous surfing beach in the country. Your tour of New Zealand and Australia will end in Sydney, and you will head home filled with fascinating memories!
The itinerary covered all important things to see and experience. Accommodations are well placed for city life, night life, botanical gardens, parks and close to all the amenities. Day tours are arranged to discover nature wonders, beautiful countryside, famous landmarks. The trip wound up with relaxing warm beautiful beaches in Fiji.
My wife and I have been on several trips with the Trafalgar group (AAT Kings / Insight / Trafalgar). We have not had a bad experience yet. The travel directors were like personal concierges to us. Our travel directors, Tony and Marty, were fantastic people. Funny, professional and helpful. Bus drivers were excellent, optional experiences were great. We look forward to going on future tours with the Trafalgar group.
I had an amazing experience with intro traveling the north and south island with James and Ben as my tour leaders. New Zealand is a beautiful place and our tour leaders were great. I would highly recommend this trip.
I had an amazing experience with intro traveling the north and south island with James and Ben as my tour leaders. New Zealand is a beautiful place and our tour leaders were great. I would highly recommend this trip.
Between old forest landscapes, mountainscapes and glacial hikes, you’ll journey through New Zealand’s diverse natural beauty on this 24-day adventure. Explore sub-tropical islands and soak up the coastal beauty of Tutukaka – home to one of the world’s most gorgeous coastlines (as voted by National Geographic Traveller). Cruise through the scenic Poor Knights Islands, visit a hot water beach for a swim in Coromandel and ride a train across the Southern Alps. Learn about local cultural history at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, spot wildlife in Wellington and live it up in the South Island’s ‘adventure capital of the world’ (Queenstown) during your free time.
Explore New Zealand, where snow-dusted peaks rub shoulders with glacial lakes and off-the-grid surf towns give way to cosmopolitan cities. This in-depth 20-day adventure takes you to some of the best landmarks of the country, from the North Island to the South Island. Join your local leader in Auckland, travel through the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and relax on the beaches of Coromandel and Raglan. See the otherworldly landscapes at Tongariro National Park, then continue to the South Island, where the high-adrenaline activities of Queenstown, the fabulous wineries of Marlborough and the beautiful scenery of Franz Josef await.
Experience the best of New Zealand’s South Island on this twelve-day guided tour. Travel on the TranzAlpine, one of the world’s great train journeys, to the wild West Coast. Discover the Franz Josef Glacier on a guided walk with local experts. Journey along the Haast River in an enclosed jet boat, then travel to the picturesque former mining village of Arrowtown. Take time to explore Queenstown at your leisure — perhaps with a guided e-bike adventure or a serene cruise across Lake Whakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a meaningful Eco Experience. Then journey into the heart of Fiordland National Park for an overnight cruise through the untouched majesty of Doubtful Sound, complete with enriching insights from your onboard naturalist and exquisite cuisine crafted from local ingredients.
Geoff VenningTravel Expert in New Zealand
