New Zealand South Island Express

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Beach Natural landmarks sightseeing Active and outdoor Guided and Escorted Budget

Carbon neutral

9 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Christchurch, New Zealand

Ends

Christchurch, New Zealand

Highlights

Stand in awe of the epic Franz Josef glacier and visit a local gallery to learn about the significance of pounamu (greenstone) to Maori culture while carving your own pendant.

Calling all adventure seekers! Queenstown is overflowing with adrenaline-pumping activities, so dive straight in or sit back with a glass of world-class local wine.

Spend a night seeing the stars of Lake Tekapo – this gorgeous bright blue lake is also a designated Dark Sky Reserve and after sunset, the sky comes alive with stars. Maybe watch the sky change colours at the Church of Good Shepard for one of the most gorgeous backdrops!

Soak in the beauty of Wanaka – from its centrepiece lake to surrounding mountains, you’ll uncover all this pretty little spot has to offer, including the iconic Wanaka Tree.

Wander around Arrowtown – a heritage town and living historic settlement that’s perfect for exploring on foot. This town, surrounded by sometimes-snowy peaks, dates back to gold mining times and is now a popular spot with cute cafes, small shops and scenic landscapes.

New Zealand South Island Express

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Itinerary

Imagine a land of endless lakes, dramatic mountains, and adventure at every turn—welcome to the New Zealand South Island Express. Over nine days, discover the South Island’s highlights: stargazing in Lake Tekapo, adrenaline-fueled activities in Queenstown, and the wild beauty of Franz Josef Glacier and Wanaka. Led by a passionate local guide, this beach tour is packed with options for thrill-seekers and scenery lovers alike.

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day 1 - Christchurch

Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand. Your adventure begins in Christchurch – the largest city in the South Island. After being rocked by an earthquake in 2011, much of Christchurch’s downtown has been destroyed, but there are now tonnes of examples of the cool and creative ways the locals rebuilt what was lost across the city. One of the best examples of this is the Christchurch Cathedral – rebuilt out of cardboard, this is now one of the city’s most interesting architectural features. Tonight, you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm to get to know your leader and group. After, why not head out for dinner at one of the city’s excellent restaurants.

accommodation:Multi-share hostel with shared facilities

day 2 - Christchurch / Lake Tekapo

This morning, head out with your local leader to get to know Christchurch. After exploring some of the sites, it’s time to get on the road and drive to Lake Tekapo – this spot is a designated Dark Sky Reserve and the lake is a truly stunning sight, with its bright blue waters and surrounding mountains. Keep an eye out for newlyweds snapping pictures in front of the Church of the Good Shepherd, which boasts one of the world’s most gorgeous backdrops! Night fall reveals a whole new side of Tekapo – this is one of the top spots in the country for stargazing, so if the weather’s right, maybe set your gaze up to the glittering stars above.

included:Lake Tekapo - Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, Christchurch - City Tour

accommodation:Multi-share hostel with shared facilities

meals:1 Breakfast

day 3 - Queenstown

Rise and shine! If you’d like to really embrace the morning, maybe take a hike to the summit of Mt John for views of the Southern Alps. If you skip the walk, don’t worry, there’s still plenty of incredible views to be seen today. You’ll drive past the tussock lands of the Mackenzie Basin and the snow-dusted peaks of the Southern Alps today, as you travel down to Queenstown, making plenty of photo-worthy stops along the way. Swing by the Kawarau Gorge, where you’ll have the chance to take the plunge with a bungy jump if you’re feeling brave! Arrive in the adventure capital of the world and your home for the next two nights. Whether you’re into high-adrenaline experiences or sitting back with a glass of wine, Queenstown is sure to tick all your boxes.

included:Queenstown - Kawarau Gorge

accommodation:Multi-share hostel with shared facilities

meals:1 Breakfast

day 4 - Queenstown

The day is yours to experience all Queenstown has to offer. If you want to get your heart racing, look no further! Paragliding, jet boating, mountain biking, canyon swinging and bungy jumping could all be on the cards for you today – just speak to your leader. For scenery lovers, a day trip to Milford Sound is a must. Sail past outstanding mountains and plunging waterfalls as you cruise down the fiord - these views cannot be missed! For Lord of the Rings fans, maybe take a 4WD adventure through landscapes where some of the film’s scenes were shot. If you’re a wine lover, this is one of the top wine-producing regions in the world and there’s no shortage of fantastic wineries where you can sample some for yourself.

accommodation:Multi-share hostel with shared facilities

day 5 - Queenstown / Arrowtown / Wanaka

Take the morning to tick off anything you didn’t get to see or do yesterday, then leave Queenstown in the rear-view mirror and begin the super scenic drive across the Crown Range to Wanaka. Along the way, stop off in the little gold-rush town of Arrowtown, where the high street’s historic facades make it easy to imagine what life here once looked like. Take a walk around this gorgeous town, then continue to the huge Lake Wanaka – the star of the show. With the surrounding mountains, there’s no doubt this is one of the most attractive towns in New Zealand. Hit a hiking trail, explore on a bike or find a cosy cafe to admire the view.

included:Arrowtown - Village visit

accommodation:Multi-share hostel with shared facilities

meals:1 Breakfast

day 6 - Wanaka / Franz Josef

Soak up a free morning to explore Wanaka at your own pace. Maybe take a bike ride along the shores of Lake Wanaka or get on the water and cruise to Mou Waho Island, where you’ll find an island in a lake on an island in a lake! There are heaps of beautiful short walks in the area, and a visit to the famous #thatwanakatree is a must. Depart Wanaka in the afternoon and venture further north, stopping off at a lookout point over either Lake Wanaka or Lake Hawea, depending on conditions. Grab a window seat as you pass the impressive waterfalls of the Haast Pass and the spectacular coastline (your leader will make a few special stops along the way too!). Arrive to Franz Josef village – your base for the evening.

included:West Coast - Haast Pass, West Coast - Lake Hawea Lookout

accommodation:Multi-share hostel with shared facilities

meals:1 Breakfast

day 7 - Franz Josef

Franz Josef is where glaciers and soaring peaks make a spectacular background to the slow-paced, daily life. This part of the country is known as Te Wahi Pounamu, meaning ‘the place of greenstone’, due to the region’s abundance of this culturally and spiritually significant stone. Visit a local gallery and carve your own pendant while learning about pounamu’s importance to Maori culture. This afternoon, if you’d like to get closer to the Franz Josef Glacier, speak to your leader about the options available. There’s the chance to kayak over a glacial lake. No matter how you choose to spend the day here, it’s sure to be a good one!

included:Franz Josef - Carve your own Pounamu Necklace

accommodation:Multi-share hostel with shared facilities

meals:1 Breakfast

day 8 - West Coast / Christchurch

Travel up the wild and wet West Coast, where the country’s highest annual rainfall means the landscapes are unbelievably green, standing in striking contrast to the blues of the ocean. If time allows, you may visit a kiwi centre, where kiwi birds can be observed in a nocturnal house. Drive on through Arthur’s Pass on your way back to Christchurch and enjoy the mountain scenery (making a couple of stops along the way for photos). Arrive to Christchurch in the evening and maybe head out for dinner and drinks with your group.

accommodation:Multi-share hostel with shared facilities

meals:1 Breakfast

day 9 - Christchurch

Your adventure comes to an end this morning, but if you’re not ready to go home yet, just get in touch ahead of time and your booking agent can arrange additional accommodation in Christchurch.

meals:1 Breakfast