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.
This tour is a great way to see the major sights in New Zealand. Many optional activities offer for an additional price which you can choose to participate in or not. Our tour guide George, made the trip very memorable. He loves his country and his enthusiasm was contagious. Our group started as strangers and left as friends.
Active and outdoorAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hostel, Lodge
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Lake Tek
Auckland, Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua, Murupara, Taupo, Wellington, Kaikoura
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
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
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
New Zealand’s South Island has a reputation as one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth, yet it still manages to defy expectations. On this 10-day round trip from Christchurch, you’ll be met with astonishing sight after astonishing sight as a local leader shows you what they love about their country. Get your heart racing in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, discover the laidback delights of postcard-perfect Wanaka, stand in awe of the Franz Josef Glacier, and cross the Southern Alps on one of the world’s most spectacular train journeys. Between glacial lakes and snow-capped peaks, you’ll soon see what all the fuss is about.
Active and outdoorBeach
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, Ohau, Queenstown
Christchurch, Ohau, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Step into a captivating world of volcanic mountains, icy blue lakes and misty rainforests on a 20-day adventure through New Zealand. Visit Mou Waho Island, travel through the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and learn about the cultural significance of pounamu at a local gallery in Franz Josef. Stop by Christchurch Cathedral, which once stood as a symbol of the city before collapsing in the earthquake, relax on the beaches of Coromandel and Raglan and explore the diverse landscapes of Tongariro National Park.
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, Taupo, Rotorua, Coromandel Peninsula, Ohau, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
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
15% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
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.
Caves
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Home-stay, Hostel
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Queenstown, Lake Tekap
Auckland, Queenstown, Lake Tekapo, Aoraki, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Rotorua, Taupo, Huka Falls, Wellington, Christchurch
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.
CavesWaterfallsCruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
For departures from June 2025.
If you only have a short time to explore the largest island of New Zealand, this is the tour for you! Prepare for nine days of spectacular scenery and lots of opportunity for adventure. Turquoise lakes, majestic glaciers, dramatic mountain peaks, golden tussock lands and the picture-perfect towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Franz Josef are all included on this iconic road trip!
Our small-group guided tour of the South Island will visit Christchurch, Wanaka, Queenstown, Tekapo (an International Dark Sky Reserve), Franz Josef Glacier, and back across to Christchurch via Arthur’s Pass. You’ll have the option to visit Milford Sound (dubbed the ‘8th Wonder of the World’ by Rudyard Kipling), and we’ll stop at many other scenic spots along the way.
There’s a range of optional add-on activities: from adrenaline-pumping bucket-list items like bungy jumping, jet boating, and skydiving to more gentle activities like heli-hiking, quad biking, kayaking, scenic flights and stargazing. None of these are compulsory; you can just add the ones you want.
Looking to extend your time in New Zealand? We can book a few extra nights for you at the beginning or end of your trip, so you can explore further.
New Zealand’s South Island Adventure Tour Tips:
All activities can be purchased on the road – just let your tour guide know and we can book them in for you.
Our tour starts in the evening, so you can spend the day exploring Christchurch at your leisure. You can check out our website for recommendations on what to do and where to explore!
The tour price includes dorm share accommodation but if you would prefer your own space, you have the option to upgrade to a private room. You can select this upgrade when you start building your tour online.
Explorer
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
25% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
For departures from June 2025.
From Auckland to Christchurch (or, from Christchurch to Auckland – please see the reverse New Zealand itinerary), you’ll soon see that New Zealand is filled with many different landscapes and opportunities for adventure!
This small-group guided tour of the North and South Island will visit Auckland, Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupō, Wellington, Kaikōura, Wanaka, Queenstown, Lake Tekapo (an International Dark Sky Reserve), and Franz Josef, with the option to visit Hobbiton, The Tongariro Crossing and Milford Sound along the way.
The New Zealand's Amplified Tour comes with some very special inclusions: experiencing a Māori cultural night and traditional hāngī meal, learning haka and poi dance, and carving your very own pounamu (greenstone/jade) pendant in Franz Josef. Join this Haka Tour for an action packed two and a half weeks in New Zealand!
Keen to explore further? If you'd like to extend your time in New Zealand after the tour has finished, our team can book a few extra nights for you.
*New Zealand Amplified Tour Tips*
- All activities can be purchased on the road – just let your tour guide know and we can book them in for you.
- Our tour starts in the evening, so you can spend the day exploring Auckland at your leisure, you can check out our website for recommendations on what to do and where to explore!
- The tour price includes dorm share accommodation but if you would prefer your own space you have the option to upgrade to a private room for the duration of your tour. You can select this upgrade when you start building your tour online. Please note: private room upgrades are not available for the one-night shared cultural experience (Murupara).
- If you arrive in Auckland with a few days to spare either before or after your tour, we have a great three-day Bay of Islands Tour which showcases the Northland region of New Zealand.
As our tours are made up of a combination of tours, the composition of your group may change throughout your tour (Auckland and Christchurch are the hubs where the group may change).
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hostel, Lodge
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Kaikoura
Auckland, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Wellington, Taupo, Murupara, Rotorua, Coromandel, MacKenzie Country, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef
25% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.