This is the New Zealand you’ve always heard about – endless lakes, snow-capped mountains and pristine glaciers. Spend nine days discovering the best of the South Island with a passionate local leader at the helm. Encounter creativity and resilience in Christchurch, gaze at out-of-this-world stars in Lake Tekapo, get your adrenaline pumping in Queenstown, take your time in postcard-pretty Wanaka and stand in awe of the Franz Josef Glacier. With thrilling activities available around every corner, this adventure is sure to get your heart racing (and that’s just from the views!).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. We are aware of a system functionality limitation incorrectly indicating "twin-share" when you manage your booking on our website.
Beach
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hostel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queen
Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
I have just completed the 9 day New Zealand North Island tour and I was gutted at the end that I hadnt booked on to the 18 day one, as the whole trip was just amazing. I met some incredible people and did things Ive never done before such as cold water swimming in Lake TaupA and white water rafting. I got to visit Hobbiton, which was a dream come true. Jay our guide was the best and the trip ran smoothly. The week is packed with activities but also enough down time to do your own thing. I will definitely be booking on to another tour next year! If youre unsure about booking, do it, you wont regret it! 10/10
Active and outdoorAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rotorua, Auckland, Lake Ohau , M
Rotorua, Auckland, Lake Ohau , Milford Sound, Maori Village, Taupo, Huka Falls
Had such an amazing time on the South Island NZ Tour - we went to a great range of places with a good amount of chill vs adventure activities and the people were all lovely. Would definitely recommend! º
AdventureActive and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Home-stay, Hostel
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Queenstown, Wanaka, Mi
Auckland, Queenstown, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Te Anau, Tekapo, Lake Tekapo
Brilliant tour of the North Island of NZ. Rhys our group leader was great. He had loads of local knowledge about places we visited and was able to provide great recommendations for activities during our free time, as well as organising group activities for us in the evenings, such as karaoke.
Would recommend this trip!
Active and outdoorAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
What an awesome trip. So many cool activities included and lots of opportunities to do even more on your own! Alex, our guide, was very knowledgeable and fun! Id definitely recommend the NZ South Island trip if you like the outdoors, adventure, and adrenaline!
Active and outdoorAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Home-stay, Hostel
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Queenstown, Taupo, Milford Sound
Queenstown, Taupo, Milford Sound, Te Anau, Wanaka, Aoraki, Lake Tekapo
The tour operator was amazing. I fell in love with New Zealand. Simon was great guide and the small tour group made it even better as we all became close friends. I would highly recommend the tour operator to all my friends and Family. I loved every moment that I was in New Zealand. I would come back in a heart beat and travel with the operator again.
National parksCity sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Franz Jo
Auckland, Christchurch, Franz Josef, Coromandel Peninsula, Raglan, Rotorua, Tongariro National Park, Wellington, Kaikoura, Ohau, Queenstown, Wanaka
Taking you from Christchurch to Queenstown via glaciers, wineries, lakes and fiords, this 10-day Premium trip showcases the natural beauty and thriving food and wine scene in New Zealand’s South Island. Forage for fresh ingredients with a local chef in Otago, cruise the quiet waters of Doubtful Sound and come face to face with endangered species – including New Zealand’s rarest kiwi bird – at a wildlife centre on the West Coast. With a knowledgeable local leader to guide the way, you’ll get to know the history and stories of landscapes shaped by the elements over thousands of years.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Hut
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Christchurch, Queenstown, Punaka
Christchurch, Queenstown, Punakaiki, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Milford Sound
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Explore the rugged reaches of the South Island on this six-day trip with Intrepid, beginning and ending in Queenstown. Make your way to the shores of the South Island’s biggest lake and sail the silent waters of glacier-carved Fiordland National Park with an unforgettable cruise on Milford Sound. Cross to the sometimes forgotten corner of Otago – the rugged cliffs of the Catlins – to hike to coastal caves, then span the gap to untouched Stewart Island to explore the wilderness, listening out for the call of the kiwi. Crafted to give the right amount of active adventure and time to relax, this is the perfect southern getaway.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Queenstown, Te Anau, Otago Penin
Queenstown, Te Anau, Otago Peninsula, Stewart Island
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Step into a captivating world of dazzling peaks, glittering glaciers, icy blue lakes and misty rainforests – it could only be New Zealand. Tucked among these awe-inspiring landscapes you’ll find contemporary cities and laidback little towns, every bit as intriguing as their epic surroundings. Spend 20 days uncovering the very best of New Zealand with a local leader at the wheel. In the South Island, the high-adrenaline activities of Queenstown, fabulous wineries of Marlborough, and awe-inspiring scenery of Franz Josef await. In the North Island, travel through the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, chill out on the beaches of Coromandel and Raglan, explore the otherworldly landscapes of Tongariro National Park and get to know Wellington’s creative side.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Kaikoura
Auckland, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Wellington, Tongariro National Park, Rotorua, Raglan, Coromandel Peninsula, Ohau, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef
From an ancient world of forests and glaciers to a culture of hospitality that has long defined New Zealand’s people, discover the best of the South Island on a 12-day adventure. Take in highlights from Reefton to Fox Glacier, Pancake Rocks to botanical gins, kayaking to spa soaking. Make your way to the shores of the South Island’s biggest lake and sail the silent waters of glacier-carved Fiordland National Park on an unforgettable cruise on Milford Sound. Cross to the cliffs of the Catlins and hike to coastal caves, then span the gap to untouched Stewart Island to explore the wilderness, listening out for the call of the kiwi. When it comes to natural wonders, it doesn’t get better than this.
AdventureActive and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Queenstown, Westport, Stewart Is
Queenstown, Westport, Stewart Island, Karamea, Fox Glacier, Wanaka, Te Anau, Catlins, Christchurch
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).
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Christchurch, Kaikoura, Aoraki
Christchurch, Kaikoura, Aoraki, Ohau, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef
Explore the narrow strip of South Island land sandwiched between the mountains and the Tasman Sea that’s home to some of the country’s most beautiful places. Millions of years of natural history are right in front of you in wild limestone rock formations, powerful glaciers, rushing rivers and surf pounded coast, while the much more recent stories of the gold and coal rush can be found in the heritage settlements and in the resolute spirit of the coasters. Take in highlights from Christchurch to Queenstown, Pancake Rocks to craft gin, kayaking to spa soaking. This is a coastal road trip to rival any other.
Active and outdoorAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Christchurch, Greymouth, Westpor
Christchurch, Greymouth, Westport, Karamea, Fox Glacier, Wanaka, Queenstown
It’s almost like New Zealand was made for cycling. This is a land known for its natural beauty, welcoming people and delicious wine, and this cycling trip just happens to take in the best of it. Kick things off in the outdoor paradise of Queenstown, then cycle the famous Central Otago Rail Trail through small gold-mining towns like Alexandra, Omakau, Wedderburn and Hyde. Meander through the open plains with pristine rivers, enjoy some proper South Island hospitality at local taverns, and rediscover the joy of pedalling through one of the most gorgeous areas in the entire country.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Queenstown, Otago Central Rail T
Queenstown, Otago Central Rail Trail, Wedderburn, Hyde
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
