Premium New Zealand South Island















From AUD $8650
Small Group
Light
Rating
(16 reviews)

Premium New Zealand South Island
10 days
Small Group
Unknown
Light
English
Experience Overview
Taking you from Christchurch to Queenstown via glaciers, wineries, lakes and fiords, this 10-day Premium trip showcases the natural beauty and thriving food and wine scene in New Zealand’s South Island.
Taking you from Christchurch to Queenstown via glaciers, wineries, lakes and fiords, this 10-day Premium trip showcases the natural beauty and thriving food and wine scene in New Zealand’s South Island. Forage for fresh ingredients with a local chef in Otago, cruise the quiet waters of Doubtful Sound and come face to face with endangered species – including New Zealand’s rarest kiwi bird – at a wildlife centre on the West Coast. With a knowledgeable local leader to guide the way, you’ll get to know the history and stories of landscapes shaped by the elements over thousands of years.
Highlights
- Embark on an Exclusive cruise in Doubtful Sound / Patea – Patea means ‘place of silence’ in Maori, and you’ll soon see why. Coast past sheer cliffs and waterfalls and learn about the local wildlife with an onboard naturalist.
- Savour the flavours of the Otago region with an Exclusive chef-led food and foraging experience at a high-country deer station.
- Explore Arrowtown – a heritage town that dates back to the gold rush era – and taste some of Central Otago’s best drops at a well-loved winery in Gibbston Valley.
- Enjoy a ranger-guided walk around the aptly named Blue Pools that feed the Makarora River and learn about the important work of the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust to reduce predators and save some of New Zealand’s rarest species.
- Take a backstage tour of the West Coast Wildlife Centre which is helping to save the critically endangered rowi and Haast tokoeka kiwi birds from extinction.
Trip Details
10 days
Private vehicle
Small Group
English
Christchurch, New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand
Unknown
Explorer
Light
Itinerary
Included Activities:
- Christchurch - Welcome Dinner
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Accommodation:
- The Fable Christchurch or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Greymouth - Monteith's Brewery Tour & Tasting
- Greymouth - Pounamu (Greenstone) Studio Visit
- Christchurch - Leader-led Orientation Walk
- Lake Brunner - Nature Walk
Accommodation:
- Scenic Hotel Punakaiki or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Hokitika - West Coast Treetops Walk
- Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre Visit with Ranger
- Punakaiki - Rocks & Blowhole Visit
Accommodation:
- Rainforest Retreat Deluxe Tree Hut or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Optional Activities:
- Franz Josef - Lake Mapourika Scenic Cruise (125 NZD)
- Franz Josef - Waiho Hot Tubs - from (89 NZD)
- Franz Josef - Heli-Hiking Tour - from (695 NZD)
- Franz Josef - Kayaking Excursion - from (149 NZD)
Accommodation:
- Rainforest Retreat Deluxe Tree Hut or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Makaroa - Aspiring Biodiversity Trust Lunch
- Makaroa - Guided Flora and Fauna Walk with Local Ornithologist
Accommodation:
- Edgewater Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Wanaka - Criffel Station Lunch Experience
Accommodation:
- Edgewater Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Doubtful Sound - Cruise
Accommodation:
- Doubtful Sound Cruise (Feature Stay) (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Milford Sound - Day Cruise
Accommodation:
- Millenium Queenstown or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Queenstown - Lake Whakatipu Steamboat Cruise
- Queenstown - Walter High Peak Country Farm visit and BBQ dinner
Accommodation:
- Millenium Queenstown or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
- 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.
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.
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. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).
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.
Duration: 10 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Light
Taking you from Christchurch to Queenstown via glaciers, wineries, lakes and fiords, this 10-day Premium trip showcases the natural beauty and thriving food and wine scene in New Zealand’s South Island.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 18 Sep 2026
Customer Reviews
01/22/2024
Summer was the best (she told me to say that , but it is true. She always had everything organized, timely, communicated very well. She looked out for and took care of everyone and made everyone feel special. We have a trip lined up for Japan, that leader has there work cut out for them to meet the expectation Summer has provided for us . We look forward to our next trip with Intrepid.
01/16/2024
Perfect balance between planned activities and free time so there is freedom to explore through more physical activities, or relaxing and enjoy the amazing scenery and food. Highly recommend this amazing trip.
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
01/22/2024
Summer was the best (she told me to say that , but it is true. She always had everything organized, timely, communicated very well. She looked out for and took care of everyone and made everyone feel special. We have a trip lined up for Japan, that leader has there work cut out for them to meet the expectation Summer has provided for us . We look forward to our next trip with Intrepid.
01/16/2024
Perfect balance between planned activities and free time so there is freedom to explore through more physical activities, or relaxing and enjoy the amazing scenery and food. Highly recommend this amazing trip.
01/10/2024
It was such an amazing trip that I got emotional when I was leaving and shed tears after saying goodbye. The New Zealand Premium tour was the experience of a lifetime. Everything was perfectly thought out and organized. Each day was like being in a new little world! I had an absolute blast with the fellow travelers and our amazing, knowledgeable guide, Summer. If you are considering this trip-GO FOR IT. I wish I could do it all over again. thank you intrepid for the lifelong memories!!! I can’t wait to do another trip with you again one day!!!
12/18/2023
Good tour spectacular scenery well organised. Detour because of road closure was well handled. Good guide very friendly approachable flexible knowledgeable Good variety of activities. On the whole we met well informed people who delivered their knowledge very well. Milford Sound was a big highlight. Great emphasis on biodiversity. Have come away from tour with very positive feelings about New Zealand the people, their history and traditions, their excellent food quality, their care for the environment, people flora fauna and the country’s traditions. Would recommend highly.
06/09/2023
The grandeur of New Zealand and our excellent tour leader made this a memorable trip.
04/16/2023
An excellent itinerary that covered a variety of landscapes and many differing and interesting experiences, including learning more about what is being done to protect NZ's natural species and biodiversity. Our tour leader/driver Michelle did an excellent job, which added to the overall trip experience.
03/10/2023
The South Island tour led by Michelle was fantastic and exceeded our expectations. With a small group our individual needs were accommodated when needed. The itinerary and accommodations were top rate. We had a good mix of personal and group time.
01/06/2023
This was a phenomenal tour that provides the perfect balance between thoughtfully-organized group activities and ample time for self-guided adventures. If you're looking to check the 'must-sees' of the South Island off your bucket list in the company of a rockstar tour guide and fairly luxurious accommodations, I would strongly consider hopping on board.
05/16/2022
An amazing experience led superbly by passionate, knowledgeable, experienced guides. An inaugural trip in a small group, went without a hitch. Stunning scenery, food and experiences. Miss the group already, the friendly guides added so much.
05/30/2022
The tour was very well planned out and the activities were awesome. The pace of the tour was good and amount of planned vs free time was just nice. This was our first Intrepid tour but definitely won't be our last!
03/10/2025
Intrepid again provided a terrific experience. In particular our leader, Grant , was wonderful. New Zealand is not to be missed and we’ll be back next year! Well done Intrpid and all!!
03/20/2025
The tour on the South island is incredible. So many amazing views and experiences. Our guide was fantastic, keeping us organized and informed, while driving us safely through the mountainous terrain. There are great walks and beautiful town to see along the way. We had many beautiful look out stops. There was plenty of free time as well, to do your own thing. A great vacation. Highly reccomend it!
04/06/2025
New Zealand is an absolutely stunning country. Anne, our guide showed us all its magic
04/06/2025
The Premium South Island trip was an adventure of a life time. Excellently planned, Annie was a fantastic tour guide and worth every minute she spent on the trip
04/06/2025
Amazing trip of the South Island. Our trip leader, Annie, was super knowledgeable about the history, culture and environment of the amazing country. Saw such a variety of landscapes, from alpine regions to beaches to fjords. Learnt a lot about the Maori culture and the unique wildlife of New Zealand. Would recommend.
05/08/2024
A truly wonderful trip completely made by our extremely professional and knowledgeable tour guide/driver/ organiser, Wayne. Hotels and food mediocre but scenery amazing, The itinerary needs updating as time was wasted and many additional miles travelled in a squashed minibus visiting pointless now empty former attractions. Admin and communication from Intrepid needs improving.

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