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Map of Queenstown Southern Loop including New Zealand

Discover the silent Sounds, spectacular scenery and Stewart Island of the south

Explore the rugged reaches of the South Island on this six-day trip with Intrepid, beginning and ending in Queenstown. Make your way to the shores of the South Island’s biggest lake and sail the silent waters of glacier-carved Fiordland National Park with an unforgettable cruise on Milford Sound. Cross to the sometimes forgotten corner of Otago – the rugged cliffs of the Catlins – to hike to coastal caves, then span the gap to untouched Stewart Island to explore the wilderness, listening out for the call of the kiwi. Crafted to give the right amount of active adventure and time to relax, this is the perfect southern getaway.

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Start
Queenstown, New Zealand
Finish
Queenstown, New Zealand
Destination
New Zealand
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
PHSQ
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Soak up the silence of Milford Sound on a cruise across its waters – you’ll be left speechless by the hundreds of tumbling cascades and deeply forested mountains.

  • Explore the Cathedral Caves of the Catlins, an untamed coastal wilderness home to rugged cliffs, dense forest, and spectacular hidden waterfalls.

  • Cross the Foveaux Strait to unspoilt Stewart Island, a haven for hikers and birdwatches and the place to spot a wild kiwi.

  • Enjoy two nights and one full day to explore the wilderness of Stewart Island, cruising the bays and inlets to spot penguins and seabirds and walking along its forested coastal tracks.

Is this trip right for you?

  • With six days in the lesser visited regions of the South Island, you’ll have time to visit places others don’t.

  • This trip involves some walking over varied terrain and is best suited to travellers with a good level of mobility. Details on physical activities can be found in the itinerary.

  • Please ensure you consult your local government’s advice regarding domestic travel prior to booking this trip.

Doubtful Sound View, New Zealand
Woman taking in the views at Te Anau, New Zealand
Kiwi Sign, New Zealand
Gondola Tower view, Queenstown, New Zealand
Spend some time in fun-filled Queenstown on the South Island of New Zealand
gibbston Valley Winery New Zealand
Purakaunui Falls, Catlins, New Zealand

Itinerary
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Welcome to the South Island! Make your own way to the hotel, where the adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting where you'll join up with your leader and group. If you’re looking for more time in ‘Adventure Capital of the World', look to book in some time after the end of the trip. After the meeting, head to the lovely lakeside town of Te Anau – gateway to Fiordland National Park. Watch the stunning landscapes pass by as you round the bottom of Lake Wakatipu with the aptly named The Remarkables mountains in the background. The 3.5-hour drive will take you to the shores of the South Island’s biggest lake, which extends into the fiords and deeply forested mountains. Once arrived, there are plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy the spectacular surrounding nature. Perhaps head out to see the glow worms on the opposite shore of the lake, or simply hire bicycles and pedal along the lake.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Te Anau - Glow Worm Cave with Cruise & Guide - NZD99
  • Te Anau - Bicycle Hire - from - NZD39
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. The welcome meeting will take place at 10am. Please make sure you are on time for this important meeting as we will head out of town right after the meeting. If you are going to be late please let your booking agent know.

The stunning, unforgettable sights of the fiords are best experienced by boat, so today you’ll set off for a memorable cruise on Milford Sound, known locally as Piopiotahi. Sail along the waters that pour out into the Tasman Sea, and look out for bottlenose dolphins and fur seals at play. Nature feels close here in the silence of the sound as you make your way past countless tumbling, misting cascades, soaring icy peaks, lush rainforest and twisting inlets. Soak up the surrounds so stunning that they feel almost fake, and breathe in the crisp mountain air. Afterwards get a different perspective of the sound, surrounded by native bush, as you take on the lookout track with your leader. There’s a bit of a climb, but the views are more than worth it to look down on the water and up at the peaks. The spectacular views keep on coming with a Mirror Lakes walk, where the peaks and greenery reflect in the clear lake waters. Return to Te Anau in time for dinner this evening – maybe seek out some local fare like venison or even lobster for dinner.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Milford Sound - Nature Boat Cruise
  • Milford Sound - Leader-led walk to Milford Lookout
  • Milford Sound - Walk to Mirror Lakes & Lake Gunn
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning it’s time to swap one side of the island for the other as you make your way to what feels like a forgotten corner of Otago – the Catlins. This untamed coastal wilderness is home to rugged cliffs, dense forest, and some spectacular hidden waterfalls. Visit Nugget Point and its lighthouse, situated on a rocky outcrop jutting out into the South Pacific Ocean, and hike through dense forest to pretty McLean Falls. In the afternoon take the time to soak up the sights of pounding surf, windswept beaches and sunbathing sea lions as you stroll the sands with your leader.
Accommodation
  • Cabin (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • The Catlins - Leader-led walk to Nugget Point & McLean Falls
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
If Cathedral Caves cannot be visited due to high tide we will instead journey to the thunderous McLean Falls.

Head to the very bottom of the island and take a ferry across the Foveaux Strait to the country’s third largest landmass, remote and rugged Stewart Island. It takes about one hour to travel the 30-kilometre strait. The island is almost entirely national park, which makes its unspoiled forests, beaches and bays a haven for hikers of all abilities as well as birdwatchers – it’s home to endangered brown kiwi, flightless Stewart Island kiwi and nearly extinct kakapo parrots. In the Maori language the island is known as Rakiura, which means ‘the land of glowing skies’. So tonight your leader will brief you and point you towards the best nearby vantage point to explore the night sky.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Stewart Island - Scenic Ferry Crossing
  • Stewart Island - Leader-led Dark Sky Briefing & Star Gazing
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that the passage to Stewart Island can be quite rough, depending on weather. Please make sure you prepare yourself for this leg of the journey.

Enjoy a full free day to explore the island as you discover the coast and Rakiura National Park. Optional activities include cruises on the bays and inlets spotting penguins and seabirds and walks along forested coastal tracks past early Maori settlements. Learn about the local flora and fauna, and relax on the beach for a picnic lunch. Take in the views over glistening William Bay and see if you can spot the mountains of the South Island in the distance. Return to your accommodation and enjoy the rest of the evening to relax after your full day of island exploration. Perhaps join the group for dinner at a local restaurant tonight.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Stewart Island - Village & Bay Trip - NZD59
  • Stewart Island - Wild Kiwi Encounter - NZD215
  • Stewart Island - Beaks & Feathers Kiwi Spotting - NZD100
  • Stewart Island - Ulva Island Explorer - NZD115
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Head back over to the mainland, then continue back to Queenstown. Your trip comes to an end today when you arrive back in Queenstown at approximately 2pm. If you have extra time to spend in Queenstown, make sure to get out and take advantage of the numerous adventure activities on offer. The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu not only serve as spectacular props to get your adrenaline fix, they’re also beautiful to look at. The town is also a great base for exploring Central Otago’s excellent vineyards and historic mining towns.
Included Activities
  • Stewart Island - Scenic Ferry Crossing
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

5 breakfasts

Transport

Private vehicle, Ferry

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights), Cabin (with shared facilities) (1 night)

Included activities

  • Milford Sound - Nature Boat Cruise
  • Milford Sound - Leader-led walk to Milford Lookout
  • Milford Sound - Walk to Mirror Lakes & Lake Gunn
  • The Catlins - Leader-led walk to Nugget Point & McLean Falls
  • Stewart Island - Scenic Ferry Crossing
  • Stewart Island - Leader-led Dark Sky Briefing & Star Gazing

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Queenstown Southern Loop trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

Travellers on Intrepid trips are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Read details here.

This trip will begin on Day 1 at 10am at the Heartland Hotel Queenstown. The trip concludes at 2pm on Day 6. Please take this into account when making onward travel arrangements.

A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 3 (Cabin) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

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.

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