Southern Pioneer

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Carbon neutral

10 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

One of the world’s most scenic Rail Journeys

A Boat Cruise to the Remote Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve

Carve Your Own Greenstone/Pounamu Pendant

Itinerary

Picture yourself circling New Zealand’s South Island, uttering “Wow!” at every turn. The "Southern Pioneer" tour is a 10-day city sightseeing trip that showcases mountains, lakes, glaciers, and rainforests, designed for travelers eager to tick off bucket list experiences while savoring the comfort of boutique hotels and rainforest retreats.

Begin in Christchurch and journey through Aoraki, Kaikoura, Wanaka, and beyond. Marvel at Central Otago’s lakes, traverse the mighty Haast Pass, and witness the pristine wilderness of Franz Josef. Opportunities abound to swim, kayak, jet boat, hike, bike, or simply relax in hot pools. With flexible options, you can customize your adventure—pre-book your must-do activities or decide as you go.

The unique aspect of this tour package is its adaptability: each participant shapes their trip, ensuring a personalized adventure. The mix of structured highlights and free-choice activities makes this the ideal journey for those who want both guidance and independence in discovering New Zealand’s breathtaking South Island.

day 1 - Day 1 Christchurch

Welcome to Christchurch!

Settle into your accommodation and be ready for the 6pm pre-tour meeting. Here you will get to know your Tour Manager and be introduced to your new roadtrip friends.

Afterwards, the evening is yours to enjoy. We recommend checking out the Christchurch Art Gallery, located in the heart of the city in a landmark building featuring flowing glass. Or how about heading to New Regent’s Street for an ice cream where you will find vintage buildings painted in pastel colours.

day 2 - Day 2 Christchurch to Ohau (via Lake Tekapo)

Rise and shine! After a continental breakfast 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 an innovative and creative bunch – the Transitional Cathedral, created from cardboard, is totally inspirational.

Mid-morning we head for Lake Tekapo. Ready your camera – 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, proving that small is bold and definitely beautiful. Grab some confetti and congratulate any passing brides – couples travel from all over the world for wedding shots in front of the chapel!

Meals:Breakfast, Dinner

Others:Mt John Lookout

day 3 - Day 3 Ohau to Queenstown

From the golden tussocklands of Mackenzie country – where epic battles of Return of the King were filmed – to the dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps, it’s like you’re driving into a postcard.

We’ll pause for lots of photo stops en route to give your camera a workout, including a stop at the spectacular Kawarau Gorge. This also happens to be the world home of bungy! Give it a go or enjoy watching the jumpers scream their way into the gorge.

Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, an avid hiker, wine taster or scenery lover, Queenstown has something for absolutely everyone. With 2 nights and plenty of daylight hours here, get ready – this town certainly knows how to live life to the max.

Meals:Breakfast

day 4 - Day 4 Queenstown

With a full day in Queenstown, let’s work on that bucket list!

There are heaps of options to choose from: extreme jet boat rides, river kayaking, 4-wheel driving through Lord of the Rings scenery, and the skyline gondola are just a few of our favourites.

For scenery lovers, Milford Sound is a must-see. Whether you fly or drive, the scenery en route is as awesome as the destination. Once on the Sound, as you sail beneath thundering waterfalls and towering cliff faces you’ll understand why we call it the “8th Wonder of the World”.

Meals:Breakfast

day 5 - Day 5 Queenstown to Wanaka

With the morning in Queenstown, you have another chance to tick off your bucket list today. What will it be? A trip to the top of the Skyline Gondola, or perhaps an adrenaline-pumping jet boat ride through the Shotover Canyon? You decide!

This afternoon we jump back onto the road and head off to Wanaka, a quick one hour drive away.

The drive is a scenic highlight in itself, so make sure your camera is fully charged and ready to go. En route we’ll stop in charming Arrowtown, a historic gold rush village with heaps of old-world character.

This afternoon is your chance to relax in stunning Wanaka, known as Queenstown’s slightly quieter little sister

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 breathtaking hikes and easy bike rides for a welcome chance to relax.

Meals:Breakfast

day 6 - Day 6 Wanaka

Today is your chance to explore one of the most beautiful towns in the southern lakes region with plenty of activities to tempt every lover of the outdoors.

Included today – a visit to Mou Waho Island. Accessible only by boat from Wanaka and famous for being home to an (unnamed) island, in a lake (Arethusa Pool), on an island (Mou Waho), in a lake (Lake Wanaka), on an island (the South Island) in the ocean (the Pacific). Sounds complicated, but once you are there it will all make sense! Mou Waho Island is also a predator-free reserve with a natural glacial-formed lake at its summit. On Mou Waho you can see the rare flightless Buff Weka (extinct on New Zealand’s mainland since 1920) and the Mountain Stone Weta.

In Wanaka there are many walks, hikes and biking trails to choose from – check out the famous “Wanaka Tree” while making your way around the lake! Or, if you feel like relaxing, ask your guide to recommend their favourite secret spots to enjoy the surrounding scenery.

After a busy day checking out Wanaka, head back to the hotel and rest up for another day of exploring the sites en route to Franz Josef.

Meals:Breakfast, Dinner

Others:Mou Waho Island Cruise & Nature Walk

day 7 - Day 7 Wanaka to Franz Josef

After a relaxing morning in Wanaka, the journey to Franz is another stunner – many of our Haka Guides rate it as their most favourite drive in New Zealand.

As we hit the road, we’ll stop at one of our most popular 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 have some epic surprise photo stops and short walks along the way. .

We roll into Franz Josef around late afternoon/early evening. This UNESCO World Heritage area is famous for its spectacular glacier, just 5km from town, which is begging to be explored tomorrow.

Meals:Breakfast

Guide:Blue Pools Walkway currently closed (your guide will find an alternative walk)

day 8 - Day 8 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.

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. Included in your tour today is a special opportunity to carve your very own pounamu pendant at a local gallery.

There are heaps of ways to enjoy Franz Josef Glacier; weather permitting, to get up onto the bluest ice you can take a scenic helicopter flight and hike onto the glaciers. Or maybe you’d prefer to kayak on a glacial lake.

As well as the awesome glacier activities, you could also get your heart pumping and try out skydiving or even a bit of group karaoke tonight in Franz Josef!

Meals:Breakfast

Others:Greenstone pendant carving

day 9 - Day 9 Franz Josef to Christchurch

Before you know it, it’s your last full day!

After breakfast we head further along the beautiful west coast on another of the most spectacular drives in the country (and, some would say, the world): a rugged, primaeval landscape of luxuriant rainforest juxtaposed 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.

On the way back to Christchurch, you'll traverse the South Island on the stunning TranzAlpine train crossing. Travelling across the Southern Alps through Arthur’s Pass, this is considered as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys. Along the way you’ll see epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River and see miles of native beech forest.

You'll arrive in Christchurch around 6. 30pm before transferring to your accommodation.

Meals:Breakfast

Others:Visit a Greenstone Factory in Hokitika, TranzAlpine Train

day 10 - Day 10 Christchurch

Today is the final day of the tour, where we exchange photos and stories over breakfast before saying our goodbyes and parting ways.

Meals:Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

Stay each night in twin-share 3–4 star accommodation: a mix of hotels, motels, lodges, and rainforest retreats.Stay 9 nights in twin-share 3–4 star accommodation: a mix of hotels, motels, lodges, and rainforest retreats.

Meals

Feast on daily hearty breakfasts and 2 dinners.

Transport

Comfortable and air-conditioned bus transport

Guide

Passionate and knowledgeable local Kiwi guide

Others

Orientation tour of each and every locationSmall groups of maximum 16 peopleExperiences to teach you about our unique Māori cultureTake in the stunning Southern Alps and the vast Canterbury Plains aboard the TranzAlpine, New Zealand’s finest inland rail journey.Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Wanaka to the remote Mou Waho Island nature reserve.Carve your own pounamu (jade) pendant in Franz Josef.

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a good tour as it is run by a trusted travel specialist who has received 1 review for other tours with an average 5.0rating.

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