New Zealand South Island Express

Intrepid Travel · 9 days
New Zealand South Island Express
New Zealand South Island Express
New Zealand South Island Express
New Zealand South Island Express
New Zealand South Island Express
New Zealand South Island Express
New Zealand South Island Express
New Zealand South Island Express
New Zealand South Island Express
New Zealand South Island Express
New Zealand South Island Express
New Zealand South Island Express
New Zealand South Island Express
New Zealand South Island Express
New Zealand South Island Express
9 Days
From AUD $2230
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


 (1 reviews)

New Zealand South Island Express

New Zealand South Island Express

Intrepid Travel · 9 days
5.0
1 Reviews
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Duration

9 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

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.

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.

Trip Details

Duration

9 days

Transportation

Private Vehicle

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Christchurch, New Zealand

Finishes

Christchurch, New Zealand

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
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 (Number of Nights: 1)
2
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 Activities:

  • Lake Tekapo - Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd
  • Christchurch - City Tour

Optional Activities:

  • Lake Tekapo - Tekapo Springs Hot Pool (50 NZD)
  • Lake Tekapo - The Crater Experience (129 NZD)
  • Lake Tekapo - The Summit Experience (209 NZD)

Accommodation:

  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
3
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 Activities:

  • Queenstown - Kawarau Gorge

Optional Activities:

  • Lake Tekapo - Hike up Mt John - Free
  • Queenstown - Kawarau Bridge Bungy (320 NZD)

Accommodation:

  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
4
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.

Optional Activities:

  • Queenstown - Canyoning (239 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Shotover River Jet Boat Ride (169 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour (285 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Canyon Swing - from (295 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Coach Day Trip (274 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Nevis Bungy (395 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Skyline Gondola (64 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Dart River Funyaks - from (495 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Time Tripper (20 NZD)

Accommodation:

  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
5
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 Activities:

  • Arrowtown - Village visit

Optional Activities:

  • Wanaka - Happy Hour on the Lake (64 NZD)

Accommodation:

  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
6
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 Activities:

  • West Coast - Haast Pass
  • West Coast - Lake Hawea Lookout

Optional Activities:

  • Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise & Guided Nature Walk (159 NZD)
  • Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise (119 NZD)
  • Wanaka - Waterfall Climbing - from (199 NZD)

Accommodation:

  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
7
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 Activities:

  • Franz Josef - Carve your own Pounamu Necklace

Optional Activities:

  • Franz Josef - Glacier Lake Kayaking (165 NZD)

Accommodation:

  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
8
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 (Number of Nights: 1)
9
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.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • 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.
Important Information
Meals

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 willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

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.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

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. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

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.

Visas

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.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $2,230
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 9 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

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.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 25 May 2027

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
5.0
Liam
Traveled, January 2024

01/14/2024

New Zealand was an incredible place to visit. The South Island tour covered so many amazing places and provided plenty of activities to experience. Our tour guide Connor created a great atmosphere for all of our group to enjoy.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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