New Zealand: South Island Encompassed
Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply
From AUD $2961 Was AUD $3949
Small Group
Average
Rating
(20 reviews)
New Zealand: South Island Encompassed
Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply
16 days
Small Group
Basic
Average
English
Experience Overview
Now's the time to explore New Zealand on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. If you prefer your travel experiences paired with adrenaline-pumping activities, then look no further than the South Island of New Zealand.
Includes
Activities
- Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef Your Discover Moment: Queenstown Your Big Night Out Moment: Wellington
- Boat excursion to Abel Tasman National Park
- Walk in Abel Tasman National Park
- Seal colony visit
- Pancake Rocks
- Lake Matheson walk
- Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
- Milford Sound day cruise
- Lake Tekapo Bike Ride
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hostels & basic lodges (15 nts, multi-share with 4-8 people). **All nights are multi-share on this trip.
- 15 breakfasts, 4 dinners
Transport
- Private vehicle, bus, boat, ferry, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Highlights
- Explore the trails of Abel Tasman National Park by foot
- Get an adrenaline rush in Queenstown
- Cruise through the remote fjords of Milford Sound
- Explore Franz Josef
Trip Details
16 days
Private vehicle, bus, boat, ferry, walking.
English
Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington, New Zealand
Basic
18 - 39 Year Olds Only, Budget
Average
Itinerary
Day 1: Wellington
Tonight, get to know your group on a night out in Wellington. Choose to head to your CEO's favourite local spot for dinner together before enjoying a social evening of bar games, music, and singing.
There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city.
Check out New Zealand's National Museum, a must-see with great displays of historical Maori artifacts and relatively modern exhibits such as the motorbike that was built in a shed and won the world championships. Afterwards, opt for a night out on the town. Wellington has an abundance of nightlife, bars, cafes and restaurants all located on and around the entertainment district of Courtenay Place.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Cambridge Hotel
Day 2: Wellington/Abel Tasman National Park
Catch a morning ferry and cross the scenic Cook Strait. Make sure to stand outside and enjoy the views of the Marlborough Sounds at the top of the South Island. Disembark and transfer to Abel Tasman National Park, well-known for its stunning white sand beaches.
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Transport - Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.Accommodation - The Barn Cabins & Camp
Day 3: Abel Tasman National Park
This is the kind of day that awaits you in Abel Tasman NP, you are free to explore the golden beaches and winding waterways any way you'd like! So have fun, build a sand castle for us, and let the adventures continue!
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Catch an Aqua Taxi from your accommodation in Marahau up to Anchorage. Walk back to Marahau at your own pace, and make stops along the way at some of the world's most scenic golden sand beaches to relax in the sun.Accommodation - The Barn Cabins & Camp
Day 4: Abel Tasman National Park/Westport
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Stop by a viewing platform over a New Zealand fur seal colony at Cape Foulwind. Female seals will live in the same colony for the duration of their lives, whereas male seals move around more. The males visit the Cape Foulwind colony between late November and mid-January for mating season. All seasons offer plenty of activity to check out, from mating to the raising of baby pups and feeding out at sea.Accommodation - Bazil's Hostel & Surf School
Day 5: Westport/Franz Josef
Continue following the coastal road towards Franz Josef arriving at a unique wilderness lodge set in the rainforest for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Walk along a loop trail with informative signs detailing how the 'Pancake Rocks' were formed millions of years ago. When the trail reaches the coast, there are many lookouts for photo stops and beautiful views of the coast, the rocks and the blowholes found along the area.Free_time - With tons of optional activities available around Franz Josef, get out there and explore!Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Rainforest Retreat
Day 6: Franz Josef
If your goal is to make actual contact with the glacier then try a heli-hike or guided ice walk. Or you could let nature be your guide and lose yourself in the rainforests, lakes, and waterfalls that surround Franz Josef. If you'd rather stay in town, then grab a bite to eat before booking a spa treatment at the Glacier Hot Pools... the choice is yours!
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy a free day to explore the beautiful Franz Josef area.Accommodation - Rainforest Retreat
Day 7: Franz Josef/Queenstown
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Nomads Queenstown Hostel
Day 8: Queenstown
Gear up for a free day that is sure to leave you breathless. Opt to be a dare devil and get ready to have those hearts pumping with some adrenaline-filled options like jet boating, bungee jumping, or skydiving.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Do as much or as little as wanted during a free day to explore the area.Accommodation - Nomads Queenstown Hostel
Day 9: Milford Sound Day Trip/Queenstown
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound from the deck of a boat. Recharge your camera and be ready to shoot stunning photos of waterfalls, mountains stretching up to the sky and down to the sea and then search for dolphins and seals. This place is any artist's dream!Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Nomads Queenstown Hostel
Day 10: Queenstown
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Do as much or as little as wanted during a free day to explore the area. Queenstown is the perfect place to venture out of those comfort zones as you take part in adrenaline pumping activities.Accommodation - Nomads Queenstown Hostel
Day 11: Queenstown to Tekapo
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Free_time - Enjoy free time in the area to go for a hike in the beautiful scenery or to visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Visitors Centre.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Lakes Edge Holiday Park
Day 12: Tekapo
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Set out on a 21km ride in Lake Tekapo. Pedal along a flat, quiet, sealed country back road pass by the canals, and soak in the grand mountain views while getting a bit of exercise.Free_time - Spend time exploring Tekapo today. Opt to visit some hot springs, relax around Lake Tekapo, or hike to the Mt John Observatory and check out the incredible Dark Sky Reserve.Accommodation - Lakes Edge Holiday Park
Day 13: Tekapo to Christchurch
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Free_time - Spend the afternoon exploring Christchurch during free time.Accommodation - Drifter Christchurch Hotel
Day 14: Christchurch/Kaikoura
Spend the afternoon swimming with dolphins or taking a scenic flight over the peninsula.
Bird watchers will be pleased to know that big ocean birds such as albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters frequent the area.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Free_time - Head out and explore this beautiful area. View some of the wildlife in the area or hit the trails to get a workout with a view.Accommodation - Dusky Lodge
Day 15: Kaikoura/Wellington
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Transport - Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.Activity - Immerse yourself in the nightlife of Wellington on this night out with the group. Put those competitive hats on and play games at Blend Bar (may the best person win) and then put those dancing shoes to good use as you shimmy and shake the night away with your adventure buddies by your side. There’s no one cooler than this travel crew right here!Accommodation - Cambridge Hotel
Day 16: Wellington
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
- Flights to and from origin and destinations
- Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
- Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
- Recommended gratuities/tipping
- Optional activities/tours
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.
You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.
Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.
This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.
Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.
If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.
If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.
Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
- Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
- Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
From
AUD $3949
Duration: 16 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Average
Now's the time to explore New Zealand on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. If you prefer your travel experiences paired with adrenaline-pumping activities, then look no further than the South Island of New Zealand.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 28 May 2026
Customer Reviews
12/29/2023
Staying in hostels when you are a certain age and want peace and tranquility along with a proper night sleep is not ideal for every traveler.
12/22/2023
Fantastic first experience in New Zealand!
Tour Operator
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
12/29/2023
Staying in hostels when you are a certain age and want peace and tranquility along with a proper night sleep is not ideal for every traveler.
12/22/2023
Fantastic first experience in New Zealand!
12/15/2023
Because it was a pretty cool experience. You meet a lot new people, make friends and have a good time. it's funnier to travel in a group than alone.
12/15/2023
I had a good time overall on this trip and I think the itinerary is perfect but I felt the value for money was not great. In my view, accommodation was good but not always very comfortable, the included meals were too few and we couldn't always find the breakfast food that was included (because hostel kitchen are often a mess). The optional activities suggested were great but I felt most of them were above 150$ which was not the kind of money I could spend every day on this trip. I would have liked to have more optional activities in a lower price range. I personally would have liked to have more Ç cultural È background during this trip (M?ori culture, NZ history) whether with optional or included activities.
12/15/2023
Highly likely but a little bit stressful for holidays
12/08/2023
Tour was really well structured and friendly for solo travellers, definitely worth the price and a good range of activities were available
12/08/2023
The tour was brilliant. We got so Much fit in. It was so well organised and our tour guide jack and trainee Benji made it really unforgettable.
12/08/2023
On this tour everything was organised so perfectly. It was the perfect way to explore New Zealand as my first time being a ?solo? traveller. However, I did not feel alone at all! I made so many friends and Jack and Benji really made the whole experience so fun and comfortable.
12/01/2023
Value for money on core Trip. Good experiences with guide. Guide knowledge.
11/24/2023
it was the most amazing experience I've ever had. so we?ll organised and i saw everything i could have wanted to see
11/24/2023
Everything about the tour was amazing, but more/different activities could be on offer
11/24/2023
You get to go off the beaten track and experience things you wouldn't in a standard holiday
11/17/2023
I would definitely recommend G Adventures, especially to first time solo travellers. The tours are great if you aren',t sure about where to go and the CEOs go out of their way to make sure you have a great experience. I can't speak for everyone but as someone who doesn't want to travel on their own, pick a country you would like visit and look at the options G Adventures has to offer.
11/17/2023
Because of the brilliant tours I've had in the past
11/10/2023
Good value for money.
11/10/2023
Great option for group travel
11/10/2023
I would recommend G Adventures for this kind of journey but also would tell them the pros and cons of this kind of travel
11/10/2023
It depends on the age and budget of the friend. This style of travel is suited more for younger people who have a budget.
11/10/2023
The tour was correctly organised fitting in everything that a person who has never been to new zealand would want to see and more, allowed everyone to be apart of activities as well as offering alternatives. When first greeting the group the tour guide was more than welcoming which was the most reassuring thing. He (Jack) asked questions about individuals and paid attention to everyone individually as well as a group, he ensured everyone was included, catered for all our needs and went above and beyond for all of us. He personally encouraged me to carry on my travels outside of new zealand offering life changing advice and for this I'm forever grateful. I have made life long friends and have come out of my shell completely.
11/03/2023
The accommodation in Wellington (Nomads Capital Hostel) was absolutely filthy and should be replaced by another hostel. Nomads in Queenstown was fine as were all other accommodations on this trip, only Nomads in Wellington was absolutely disgusting.
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