New Zealand Southern Pioneer

Intrepid Travel · 10 days
New Zealand Southern Pioneer
New Zealand Southern Pioneer
New Zealand Southern Pioneer
New Zealand Southern Pioneer
New Zealand Southern Pioneer
New Zealand Southern Pioneer
New Zealand Southern Pioneer
New Zealand Southern Pioneer
New Zealand Southern Pioneer
New Zealand Southern Pioneer
New Zealand Southern Pioneer
New Zealand Southern Pioneer
New Zealand Southern Pioneer
10 Days
From AUD $5260
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


 (2 reviews)

New Zealand Southern Pioneer

New Zealand Southern Pioneer

Intrepid Travel · 10 days
4.3
2 Reviews
View Map
Duration

10 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Comfortable

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

New Zealand’s South Island has a reputation as one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth, yet it still manages to defy expectations.

Highlights

  • Start and finish your adventure in the city of Christchurch, where your local leader will show you the innovative and creative ways the city is rebuilding after a devastating earthquake in 2011.
  • Live it up in the adventure capital of the world – Queenstown. Whether you fancy bungy jumping, jet boating, horseback riding or wine tasting, there’s something here to entice everyone.
  • Get to know Wanaka, one of New Zealand’s prettiest towns (and that’s saying something!) and visit Mou Waho Island – an island in a lake on an island in another lake on an island in the ocean!.
  • Visit a local gallery in Franz Josef and carve a pendant out of pounamu while learning about the precious stone’s significance to Maori culture.
  • Take one of the world’s most scenic train journeys – cross the spectacular Southern Alps on the famous TranzAlpine from the West Coast to Christchurch.

Trip Details

Duration

10 days

Transportation

Private Vehicle,Train

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Christchurch, New Zealand

Finishes

Christchurch, New Zealand

Accommodations

Comfortable

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Christchurch
Welcome to Aotearoa (New Zealand). Sparsely populated and spectacularly beautiful, the South Island is a paradise for lovers of nature, wildlife and the great outdoors. Your adventure begins in Christchurch with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, you may like to stroll through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens to admire the native plants or stop by the Canterbury Museum to learn about the region’s cultural heritage. After the meeting, the night is yours to find the best spot for a cosy dinner.

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Christchurch / Lake Tekapo / Ohau
Christchurch is not just a pretty city – it’s also remarkably resilient. After a devastating earthquake destroyed much of the downtown area in 2011, the city has begun to rebuild in innovative and creative ways. Head out with your leader this morning to see this for yourself. Stop by the Christchurch Cathedral, which stood as a symbol of the city before collapsing in the earthquake and has now been replaced with an architecturally striking and quake-proof structure made from cardboard. After a morning of exploring, say goodbye to Christchurch and drive inland to Lake Tekapo. An eye-catching combination of purple lupins, turquoise waters and snow-dusted peaks makes this one of the most photo-worthy spots in the country. The Church of the Good Shepherd sits on the shores of the lakes and attracts couples from all over the world to shoot their wedding pictures. Continue to Lake Ohau or Twizel (depending on departure) where you’ll spend the night.

Included Activities:

  • Lake Tekapo - Mt John Lookout

Accommodation:

  • Hotel or Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Mackenzie Country / Queenstown
Hit the road this morning for a journey to remember – watch out the window as you pass the sprawling grasslands of the Mackenzie Basin and showstopping peaks of the Southern Alps. Your drive will be broken up with plenty of scenic stops, including a visit to Kawarau Gorge, a popular spot for bungy jumping. If you’re feeling adventurous, get involved and jump off the suspension bridge crossing the gorge, or just stand back and watch brave jumpers take the plunge. Continue on to Queenstown, known as the adventure capital of the world, and rightfully so! Aside from its high-adrenaline attractions, Queenstown has a booming culinary scene, produces some of the world's best wine and boasts unbelievable scenery at every turn.

Optional Activities:

  • Queenstown - Walter Peak Lake Cruise with Gourmet Dinner (189 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Kawarau Bridge Bungy (320 NZD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel or Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Queenstown
The day is all yours to discover the varied delights of Queenstown. There are loads of options to get your heartrate up, whether you fancy shooting down the river on a jet boat, river kayaking, flying above the town in a gondola or a 4WD adventure through landscapes of Lord of the Rings fame. If you’d like to take things a little slower, perhaps head to the Gibbston Valley to taste wines only topped by the inspiring scenery. A walk around the stunning Lake Wakatipu will give you a good dose of fresh air and epic views. There’s no shortage of dining options to tempt your tastebuds – if you’re willing to wait, a famous Fergburger is hard to beat!

Optional Activities:

  • Queenstown - Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour (285 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise (499 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Skyline Gondola (64 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Coach Day Trip (274 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Time Tripper (20 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Shotover River Jet Boat Ride (169 NZD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel or Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Queenstown / Arrowtown / Wanaka
Take the chance this morning to cross off any Queenstown activities you didn’t have time for yesterday – be sure to speak to your leader for tips on the best way to spend a morning here. In the afternoon, get back on the road for the scenic drive to Wanaka, through the Crown Range Mountains. Stop off along the way in Arrowtown – a little goldrush town popular for its heritage buildings and Autumn festival. Take a walk along the tree-lined high street and maybe pop into the old-school lolly shop. Arrive in Wanaka in the afternoon and embrace the vibe of this laidback and beautiful town. With Lake Wanaka as its glittering centrepiece and dramatic mountains as its backdrop, the town is undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s best. This afternoon you may like to head out on a hike or just stretch out on the shores of the lake and take it all in.

Optional Activities:

  • Queenstown - Shotover River Jet Boat Ride (169 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Time Tripper (20 NZD)
  • Queenstown - Skyline Gondola (64 NZD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel or Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Mou Waho Island / Wanaka
Visit Mou Waho Island today. Accessible only by boat 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! Enjoy a walk as you learn more about this predator-free reserve with a natural glacial-formed lake at its summit. Your afternoon is free to explore Wanaka and surrounds. No visit to Wanaka would be complete without seeing #thatwanakatree. Springing up from the waters of Lake Wanaka, this sloping willow is one of the most photographed trees in the world. There's no shortage of excellent hiking routes in the region if you'd like to get out and explore on foot, or you may prefer to hire a bike and hit the cycling trails.

Included Activities:

  • Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise & Guided Nature Walk

Optional Activities:

  • Wanaka - Waterfall Climbing - from (199 NZD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel or Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Franz Josef
Get back on the road and make tracks for Franz Josef. This is another incredible drive, so have your camera ready! Depending on the weather, stop off at either Lake Hawea or Lake Wanaka lookout points. Along the way, your leader will pause at some off the beaten track spots to snap some pictures and stretch your legs. Arrive in Franz Josef in the early evening and perhaps head out to one of the town’s cosy pubs for dinner.

Accommodation:

  • Hotel or Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Franz Josef
Rise and shine – you’re in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and there's so much to discover here. Known for the dazzling Franz Josef Glacier and awe-inspiring views of Mt Cook, this is natural beauty on the biggest scale. The region also has a cultural history that’s every bit as captivating as its natural wonders. Only found in the South Island of New Zealand, pounamu (greenstone) is an important part of Maori culture. Today, you’ll visit a local gallery where you’ll have the chance to carve your own pounamu pendant while learning about its spiritual and cultural significance. If you’d like to get up close and personal with Franz Josef Glacier in the afternoon, you can arrange for a helicopter to drop you in for a hike. You may prefer to sit back and unwind in local hot springs, or head out kayaking on an icy blue glacial lake.

Included Activities:

  • Franz Josef - Greenstone Pendant Carving

Optional Activities:

  • Franz Josef - Glacier Lake Kayaking (165 NZD)
  • Franz Josef - Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk - Free

Accommodation:

  • Hotel or Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: West Coast / Greymouth / Christchurch
Begin the journey up the west coast – this is the rainiest part of New Zealand, resulting in greenery and lush rainforests like nowhere else in the country. If time allows, there may be the chance to check out the National Kiwi Centre – the nocturnal house here gives visitors the opportunity to see how these nocturnal birds behave. The next stretch of your journey may just be the most magnificent – hop aboard the TranzAlpine train back to Christchurch, widely believed to be one of the top train journeys in the world. Cross through the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass and travel past the rushing blue waters of the Waimakariri River and endless native beech forest. Arrive in Christchurch in the evening.

Included Activities:

  • Greymouth - Tranz Alpine Train Journey

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
10
Day 10: Christchurch
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to spend some more time in Christchurch, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
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 $5,260
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 10 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

New Zealand’s South Island has a reputation as one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth, yet it still manages to defy expectations.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 05 Oct 2026

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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
3.5
Rosemary
Traveled, February 2024

02/20/2024

Robbie John the driver was an exceptional leader.... a safe driver and always keen to relate information as we travelled . At the accommodation he was also extremely helpful w rooms ...carrying luggage etc local knowledge too was very good, .He was the outstanding feature of the trip and deserves high praise.

5.0
Gillian
Traveled, February 2024

02/15/2024

Thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Itinerary was excellent & guide Duli was helpful & friendly. Liked the free time so individual preferences for activities was facilitated.

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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