New Zealand South Island Express

8 days52 reviews
Explorer
From
AUD $2,045

Find out what makes the South Island one of the world’s most admired places

This is the New Zealand you’ve always heard about – endless lakes, snow-capped mountains and pristine glaciers. Spend seven days discovering the best of the South Island with a passionate local leader at the helm. Encounter creativity and resilience in Christchurch, gaze at out-of-this-world stars in Lake Tekapo, get your adrenaline pumping in Queenstown, take your time in postcard-pretty Wanaka and stand in awe of the Franz Josef Glacier. With thrilling activities available around every corner, this adventure is sure to get your heart racing (and that’s just from the views!).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. We are aware of a system functionality limitation incorrectly indicating "twin-share" when you manage your booking on our website.

Map of New Zealand South Island Express including New Zealand
Trip code: PHRS
Start
Christchurch, New Zealand
End
Christchurch, New Zealand
Destinations
New Zealand
Meals
7 breakfasts
Transport
Private Vehicle, Train
Accommodation
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (7 nights)
Days
8
Group size
Min 6 - Max 16
Ages
Min 18
Theme
Every trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
Explorer
Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Orginal: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Basix
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip

Starting off in Christchurch, see the cool and creative ways the city has rebuilt post-earthquake before heading to the stunning shores of Lake Tekapo.

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.

It just doesn’t get better looking than Wanaka. From its centrepiece lake to surrounding mountains, uncover all this pretty little spot has to offer.

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.

All aboard for one of the world’s most spectacular train journeys – take the famous TranzAlpine through the Southern Alps for the final stretch of your adventure.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 September 2023 to 04 June 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 05 June 2025 - 31 August 2026

Itinerary

Map of New Zealand South Island Express including New Zealand

Inclusions and activities

Meals

7 breakfasts

Transport

Private Vehicle, Train

Accommodation

Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (7 nights)

Included activities
  • Lake Tekapo - Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd
  • Christchurch - City Tour
  • Queenstown - Kawarau Gorge
  • Arrowtown - Village visit
  • West Coast - Haast Pass
  • West Coast - Lake Hawea Lookout
  • Franz Josef - Carve your own Pounamu Necklace
  • Greymouth - Tranz Alpine Train Journey
  • Hokitika - Mountain Jade Greenstone Factory

Optional activities
  • Lake Tekapo - Tekapo Springs Hot Pool - NZD50
  • Lake Tekapo - The Crater Experience - NZD129
  • Lake Tekapo - The Summit Experience - NZD209
  • Lake Tekapo - Hike up Mt John - Free
  • Queenstown - Kawarau Bridge Bungy - NZD320
  • Queenstown - Canyoning - NZD239
  • Queenstown - Shotover River Jet Boat Ride - NZD169
  • Queenstown - Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour - NZD285
  • Queenstown - Canyon Swing - from - NZD295
  • Queenstown - Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Day Trip - NZD674
  • Queenstown - Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Coach Day Trip - NZD274
  • Queenstown - Skydiving - from - NZD430
  • Queenstown - Nevis Bungy - NZD395
  • Queenstown - Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Fly Day Trip - NZD789
  • Queenstown - Skyline Gondola - NZD64
  • Queenstown - Dart River Funyaks - from - NZD495
  • Queenstown - Time Tripper - NZD20
  • Wanaka - Happy Hour on the Lake - NZD64
  • Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise & Guided Nature Walk - NZD159
  • Wanaka - Skydiving - from - NZD379
  • Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise - NZD119
  • Wanaka - Waterfall Climbing - from - NZD199
  • Franz Josef - Glacier Lake Kayaking - NZD165
  • Franz Josef - Glacier Heli Hike - NZD795
  • Franz Josef - Heli Experience with Snow Landing - NZD325
  • Franz Josef - Skydiving - from - NZD399

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip is operated and run by Haka Tours, an Intrepid Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Haka customers and Intrepid customers. Intrepid works closely with Haka Tours to ensure that all of our customers enjoy their time in New Zealand.
  • Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. Dorms generally consist of 4-8 beds (private rooms are available on request).

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. This trip starts in Christchurch on Day 1 at 8am. You will depart the city immediately after the welcome meeting. This trip ends on Day 8 in Christchurch and you are free to leave at any time.
2. Accommodation on this trip is in multi-share hostels. Multishare typically includes 4-8 beds. You may be required to share with group members of a different gender, couples and non-Intrepid travellers outside of your group. People travelling together may occasionally be separated due to rooming configurations.
3. A single supplement (with shared bathroom facilities) is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. If you are a single traveller this will give you a single room, if you are travelling as a couple a double room will be allocated to you. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. This trip requires a minimum number of booked customers to guarantee the departure. Your Booking Agent will advise at time of booking if the departure has met minimum numbers. If minimum numbers are not met, you will be advised no later than 56 days out from departure (prior to full payment due). We recommend arranging flights and related travel services once your departure is guaranteed. In the event that your departure is cancelled due to minimum numbers not being met, a full refund will be provided of monies paid.
5. This trip is operated and run by Haka Tours, an Intrepid Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Haka customers and Intrepid customers. Intrepid works closely with Haka Tours to ensure that all of our customers enjoy their time in New Zealand.

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.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Brooke · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 19 Oct 2024

Liam · Traveled January 2024
Review submitted 14 Jan 2024
New Zealand South Island Express
From
AUD $2,045