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Be spoilt by the scenic and adventurous delights of South NZ

Hike the Franz Josef Glacier, enjoy a cruise through Milford Sound, view New Zealand's highest peak, Mt Cook, and go wild in Queenstown - the extreme adventure capital of the world. There's so much to do in New Zealand's South Island, this is bound to be an unforgettable travel experience and a rollicking adventure. Where do you sign up? Right here!

Start
Christchurch, New Zealand
Finish
Christchurch, New Zealand
Destination
New Zealand
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
PTOSU
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 15

Why you'll love this trip

  • Share amazing moments with your fellow travellers. As you'll be in a small group, the trip retains a fun, personalised atmosphere throughout

  • Spend several nights in Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital, where's you'll have tonnes of time to explore

  • Cruise Milford Sound watching out for he spectacular views.

  • Franz Josef Glacier is every adventurer's dream. Take a guided hike across the glacier, get your blood pumping on a quad bike ride around the area or enjoy unrivalled views on a scenic flight

Is this trip right for you?

  • Accommodation on this trip isn't luxurious, but it's comfortable enough for you to relax after a day of adventure.

  • There are more optional activities on this trip than included ones. These activities range from trekking moderate hiking trails to white water rafting, so you'll be able to choose your own adventure level.

  • You'll be spending quite a lot of time in a minibus as you travel through the islands. The bus may be small, but it's comfortable, and offers a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers and gaze at passing landscapes.

Map of New Zealand South Island Explorer including New Zealand
Spend some time in fun-filled Queenstown on the South Island of New Zealand
Take a hike past Mt Cook on the South Island of New Zealand
Queenstown New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand has plenty to keep you occupied

Itinerary
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2018 to 01 October 2019. View the itinerary for departures between 01 October 2019 - 31 December 2020

Kia-ora! Welcome to Christchurch, New Zealand. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.

If you arrive early into the city, there's a whole new range of pop up cafes, restaurants and bars to run through. Christchurch has hit the ground running and it's a great chance to get your bearings of this resilient city. Your evening is the free to do as you wish, before settling into your accommodation for the night.

Note: If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive to the welcome meeting in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Depart Christchurch early in the morning and head over the fertile Canterbury Plains, heading for the mountains. Leave the dry earth of the east coast and cross the dividing range to go down to the lush, green west coast. The countryside changes radically, as great deep blue rivers spring from the steep mountainsides. On arrival to Punakaiki, perhaps talk a walk out to Pancake Rocks and watch the power of the waves as they crash against the rocks. In the evening, drive onto Greymouth where you'll spend the night.

Notes: Total driving distance is around five hours (approximately 300kms). Total distance walked is approximately two to three kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Pancake Rocks and Blowhole
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

The drive down the coast later today is beautiful. You have plenty of time in the morning and afternoon to take part in optional activities, before leaving for Franz Josef Glacier along the coast of forests, lakes and hidden beaches. Pull into Franz Josef in the evening and relax before tomorrow's activities. Your evening is free, so possibly head out for dinner with the group.

Notes: Total driving distance takes around three hours (approximately 180kms).
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

After breakfast this morning, your day is free to do as much or as little as you please. There are plenty of amazing optional activities to keep you busy, such as a guided hike across a glacier, kayaking, taking a spin on a quad bike or enjoying unrivaled views of the region on a scenic flight (at your own cost).

Notes: Total driving time is around 30 minutes (approximately 10kms). Total distance walked will be between one and five kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kiwi House
Optional Activities
  • Glacier Flights from - NZD195
  • Glacier Hike from - NZD339
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

After breakfast, drive the remainder of the west coast and climb up through the Haast Pass into the Southern Alps (approximately four to five hours). This is a stunning drive with fantastic views of the mountains, rivers and lakes. Arriving into Queenstown in the late afternoon, enjoy dinner with the rest of your night free. Over the next few days, you'll see and experience a place that's widely acknowledged as being the extreme activity capital of the world. There is simply no end to the line up of optional activities including bungy-jumping, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, helicopter rides, jet boating and paragliding.

Note: Total driving time is around five and a half hours (approximately 360kms).
Total distance walked is around one to two kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lake Matheson
  • Arrowtown Tour
Optional Activities
  • Bungy Jumping - NZD135
  • Jet boating - NZD135
  • River Rafting - NZD220
  • Paragliding NZ - NZD200
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Today is free to take part in as many optional activities as you want. Queenstown will spoil you for choice, as the undisputed adventure capital of New Zealand. Jet boat, bungee jump, paraglide, kayak, mountain bike, ski or river raft - there's so much to do in this grand place (all activities are at own expense). This evening, head out for an included dinner at the renowned Skyline Restaurant - Stratosfare.

Notes: Total driving time is around one hour (approximately 10kms).
Walking distance will depend on what activities you take part in.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (2 nights)
Optional Activities
  • Jet boating - NZD135
  • Bungy Jumping - NZD135
  • Paragliding NZ - NZD200
  • Mountain Biking Tours - NZD170
Meals Included
  • Dinner (1)

Head out after breakfast and take a break from the adrenaline rush of Queenstown, as you drive to Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) to board your cruise boat for a trip through the fjords. This place is stunning with tall mountain peaks (spot Mitre Peak - Rahotu) and Stirling and Lady Bowen Falls, as well as numerous temporary waterfalls after rain. Continue on to Te Anau .


Notes: Total driving time is around 6 hours.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Milford Sound cruise
Meals Included
  • Dinner

Be dwarfed by spectacular Aoraki (Mt Cook) which, at an impressive 3,754 m (12,316 ft), is the highest mountain in New Zealand. Explore meadows, lakes, streams and glaciers that shelter the world's only alpine parrot, the kea.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (2 nights)
Optional Activities
  • 360 Degree Screen Documentary - NZD20
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (1)

This morning we depart Mt Cook in the morning making our way to Christchurch where your adventure concludes at around 6 pm. Please take this into consideration when booking any onward flights.

Notes: Total driving time is around five hours (approximately 325kms).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

3 breakfasts, 2 dinners

Transport

Van

Accommodation

Lodge (10 nights)

Included activities

  • Pancake Rocks and Blowhole
  • Kiwi House
  • Lake Matheson
  • Arrowtown Tour
  • Milford Sound cruise

Dates & availability

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Important notes

1. This trip finishes on arrival in Christchurch on day 11 at approx 6:00pm.
2. A single supplement is available on this trip and valid for all nights accommodation.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
View Essential Trip Information

Reviews

Our New Zealand South Island Explorer trips score an average of 4.56 out of 5 based on 43 reviews in the last year.

New Zealand South Island Explorer, April 2018

susan butler

Review submitted 04 Jun 2018

New Zealand South Island Explorer, March 2018

Eduardo Chakarian

Review submitted 31 May 2018

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