South Island Express Tour by Haka Tours

9 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Starts

Christchurch, New Zealand

Ends

Christchurch, New Zealand

Highlights

Carve your own Pounamu pendant

Visit Kawarau Bridge Bungy Centre, World Home of Bungy

Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd

Discover Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of the World

Itinerary

New Zealand’s South Island is a paradise for adventure-seekers and nature lovers alike. This nine-day guided tour whisks you from Christchurch to the turquoise lakes of Wanaka, the alpine allure of Queenstown, and the glaciers of Franz Josef. Traverse Tekapo’s Dark Sky Reserve, cross Arthur’s Pass, and opt for side trips to Milford Sound or adrenaline-charged activities like bungy jumping and skydiving—or take it easy with scenic flights and stargazing. With flexible accommodation options and plenty of free time to tailor your exploration, this trip stands out for its customizable pace and stunning variety of landscapes. Whether you’re chasing thrills or soaking up scenery, this small-group road trip offers the full South Island experience.

day 1 - Day 1 Christchurch to Christchurch

This evening is a great opportunity to get to know each other a little better in a relaxed atmosphere, over food and drinks. After dinner you can wander around the city and bars to familiarise yourselves with the diverse and eclectic night life. Or, have an early night to prepare for our journey the next day!

day 2 - Day 2 Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

This morning we’ll explore iconic downtown Christchurch, and your guide will show you the cool and creative ways the city is being rebuilt after the life-changing 2011 earthquake here. Christchurch folk are a resilient, innovative and creative bunch – the Transitional Cathedral, created from cardboard, is totally inspirational.

After lunch we leave the city behind and head for Lake Tekapo. The lake’s breathtaking turquoise colour and mountain backdrop is a photographer’s dream come true.

The tiny Church of the Good Shepherd stands right at the water’s edge, it’s a spectacular church and is one of the most photographed spots in New Zealand. Grab some confetti and congratulate any passing brides – couples travel from all over the world for wedding shots in front of the chapel!

Tekapo has been declared an International Dark Sky Reserve and the super clear skies make it the best place in New Zealand to see the stars and galaxies on a clear night. Sit back, relax and enjoy gazing up at the constellations and the Milky Way above.

day 3 - Day 3 Lake Tekapo to Queenstown

Feeling energetic? You can hike up to the summit of Mt John and enjoy breathtaking views of the Southern Alps at sunrise. You’ll feel on top of the world!

Today we drive from Lake Tekapo to Queenstown, and it’s quite the showstopper. From the golden tussocklands of Mackenzie country – where the epic battles from Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King were filmed – to the dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps, the views seem too beautiful to be true.

We stop just outside of Queenstown at the Kawarau Bridge, home to the world’s first commercial bungy jump which has been attracting thrill seekers since 1988! You can jump yourself or just enjoy watching the jumpers in awe as they plummet 43m towards the river below.

Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, an avid hiker, wine taster or scenery lover, Queenstown has something for absolutely everyone. We have two nights and plenty of daylight hours to explore this alpine town and all it has to offer – which is A LOT!

day 4 - Day 4 Queenstown to Queenstown

We have a full day in Queenstown and there is a myriad of different ways you can spend it! You can paraglide over the Lake Whakatipu, swing through a canyon, jump out of a plane, hike some of New Zealand’s most picturesque trails or rent a bike and head out on a day mission to seek solitude away from the hustle and bustle! If you can, we recommend scheduling in a full day to visit Milford Sound, also known as Piopiotahi. Whether you fly or drive, the scenery en route is as awesome as the destination. Once in Milford, sailing beneath thundering waterfalls and towering cliff faces, you’ll understand why it's been famously dubbed the “8th Wonder of the World”

Queenstown comes alive at night! Choose from a heap of bars and tasty restaurants all scattered around the town centre. Our guides will be more than happy to make some recommendations and can point you in the direction of a good party!

day 5 - Day 5 Queenstown to Wanaka

We wake up in Queenstown and have one last morning to explore, or tick something off your bucket list! The choice is yours.

Later in the day we head on over the Crowne Range to Wanaka, a mere one-hour drive away. We stop at Arrowtown en-route, a charming, gold rush town seeped in character and beauty. Stepping foot in Arrowtown’s main street is like stepping back in time, be mesmerised by the old, hand painted shop fronts and antique relics, and you can imagine horse and carts trotting down the road 150 years ago. Its heritage buildings paired with the ever-changing colours on the surrounding peaks makes Arrowtown truly quaint, it’s no wonder it has won New Zealand’s ‘Most Beautiful Small-Town Award” multiple times!

Shortly after leaving Arrowtown, we’ll journey through the Cardrona Valley, a stunning bus ride which provides beautiful vistas of the Gibbston Valley wine region below. Blessed with towering peaks and a glacial blue lake, you’ll soon see why Wanaka’s considered to be one of New Zealand’s most beautiful mountain towns. There are lots of accessible trails which are suitable for hiking and bike riding, catering for a mix of ability levels. It’s the perfect destination to relax and soak up serenity.

day 6 - Day 6 Wanaka to Franz Josef

This morning you can explore Wanaka; in whatever way you like! If you are looking to book onto an activity there are plenty of options – take a flying lesson, go skydiving, or take a lake cruise and enjoy a nature walk over on Mou Waho Island. You guide will be able to provide recommendations or can point you in the direction of some beautiful walks.

The journey to Franz Josef is another stunner – many of our Haka Guides rate it as their favourite drive in New Zealand. You need to see it for yourself.

As we hit the road, we’ll stop at one of our favourite lakeside lookout points at Lake Hawea or Lake Wanaka. Your guide will keep an eye on the weather and pick the best option.

From the cascading waterfalls of Haast Pass to classic Kiwi coastal views, you won’t want to nap on the bus in case you miss anything. Your guide will make sure you stop at some of the best places for photos and for short walks along the way. More than anything, just soak up the atmosphere and enjoy this very special journey in Aotearoa.

We roll into Franz Josef late afternoon/early evening to mooch, recuperate and relax before a busy day of exploration tomorrow.

day 7 - Day 7 Franz Josef to Franz Josef

With Aoraki/Mount Cook (New Zealand’s highest mountain) twinkling behind the glaciers, Franz Josef is about as beautiful a setting as you can find in New Zealand. Westland Tai Poutini National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage area, is famous for the spectacular Franz Josef glacier which is located just 5 kilometres from town.

Te Wāhi Pounamu (which means ‘the place of greenstone’ in Māori) is the name given to this part of the West Coast because of the abundance of pounamu (greenstone/jade) to be found here. Today you have the special opportunity to carve your very own pounamu pendant at a local gallery, it’s a very special experience.

Although they are weather permitting, there are heaps of ways to enjoy Franz Josef Glacier in the afternoon. Enjoy a scenic helicopter flight and hike onto the glaciers, kayak on a glacial lake or just take a walk in the National Park, the choice is yours. Later in the evening you may even like to take part in some group karaoke. . . or maybe just watch!

day 8 - Day 8 Franz Josef to Christchurch

After breakfast we head further along the beautiful west coast on another one of the most spectacular drives in the country (or some might say, the world). The West Coast is a rugged, primeval landscape of lush rainforest in contrast against breathtaking beach and ocean waves.

We stop at Hokitika and visit a greenstone factory, a great place to stock up on souvenirs for your friends and family back home. Time permitting, we may also visit the National Kiwi Centre where there is guaranteed viewing of rare kiwi birds in their nocturnal house.

We traverse the South Island on the stunning Arthur’s Pass back to Christchurch, arriving at our accommodation in the early evening. It’s our last night together so feel free to party hard, or head on out to one of Christchurch’s many restaurants and bars to enjoy each other's company and to reflect on the amazing adventure had together.

day 9 - Day 9 Christchurch to Christchurch

The tour has officially finished. Spend today at your leisure - let our team know if you want us to extend your accommodation.

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What's Included

Accommodation

With plenty of room to spread outHIGH-END HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION

Meals

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST EVERY DAY

Transport

COMFORTABLE TRANSPORT

Guide

EXPERIENCED LOCAL GUIDE

Others

ORIENTATION TOURSWe give you the low-down on every locationHeaps of options for everyone (you too, vegans!)Dorm share, upgrades availableCULTURAL EXPERIENCESTo teach you about our unique Māori cultureFriendly, knowledgeable and passionate about NZSMALL GROUPS - MAXIMUM 16Because you're more than just a number!Discover NZ's most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas and journey through National ParksExplore downtown Christchurch and see its inspiring regeneration since the 2011 quakeVisit the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, nestled into the shores of Lake TekapoUnparalleled stargazing opportunities in Tekapo’s Dark Sky ReserveVisit the charming, historic gold rush village of ArrowtownCarve your own pounamu (greenstone/jade) pendant in Franz JosefDiscover the beauty and history of pounamu in Hokitika, the greenstone capital of the country

What's Excluded

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Highlights

Itinerary

day 1 - Day 1 Christchurch to Christchurch