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Map of New Zealand South Island Express including New Zealand

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!).

Start
Christchurch, New Zealand
Finish
Christchurch, New Zealand
Destination
New Zealand
Style
Basix
Theme
Explorer
Code
PHRS
Physical rating
Ages
Min 18
Group size
Min 6, Max 16

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.

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.

Group on the shores of Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand
View over Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand
Group in boat at Milford Sound, South Island, New Zealand
Road to Mount Cook, South Island, New Zealand
Mount Cook, South Island, New Zealand
Shore of lake, Wanaka, South Island, New Zealand

Itinerary
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Welcome to New Zealand! Your adventure begins in Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island. Meet up with your local leader and fellow travellers at 8am this morning to find out about what lies ahead on your journey, then head out to get to know Christchurch. After being rocked by an earthquake in 2011, much of Christchurch’s downtown was destroyed, but the locals are a resilient bunch and examples of the cool and creative ways they’ve rebuilt can be seen across the city. Perhaps the best example of this is the Christchurch Cathedral – rebuilt out of cardboard, this is now one of the city’s most interesting architectural features. Then it’s time to get on the road and drive to Lake Tekapo, a truly stunning sight with its bright blue waters and surrounding mountains. Keep an eye out for newlyweds snapping pictures in front of the Church of the Good Shepherd, boasting one of the world’s most inspiring backdrops! Just when you thought things couldn’t get better here, nighttime reveals a whole new side of Tekapo. A designated Dark Sky Reserve, this is one of the top spots in the country for stargazing.
Accommodation
  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lake Tekapo - Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd
  • Christchurch - City Tour
Optional Activities
  • Lake Tekapo - Dark Sky Project - NZD40
  • Lake Tekapo - Tekapo Springs Hot Pool - NZD35
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
It’s very important that you meet the group at 8am this morning to begin your tour. Find more details in the ‘Joining Point Instructions’ section of your Essential Trip Information. If you are going to be late, we recommend spending a night before your tour begins in Christchurch. If so, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).

Rise and shine! If you’d like to really embrace the morning, a hike to the summit of Mt John rewards with showstopping views of the Southern Alps. If you skip out on the walk, don’t worry, there’s still plenty of incredible views to be seen today. Drive past the tussocklands of the Mackenzie Basin and snow-dusted peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel down to Queenstown, making plenty of photo-worthy stops along the way. Swing by the Kawarau Gorge, where you’ll have the chance to take the plunge with a bungy jump if you’re feeling brave! Arrive in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world and your home for the next two nights. Whether you’re into high-adrenaline experiences or sitting back with a glass of wine, Queenstown is sure to tick all your boxes.
Accommodation
  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Queenstown - Kawarau Gorge
Optional Activities
  • Lake Tekapo - Hike up Mt John - Free
  • Queenstown - Kawarau Bridge Bungy - NZD220
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

The day is yours to experience all Queenstown has to offer. If you want to get your heart racing, look no further! Paragliding, jet boating, mountain biking, canyon swinging and bungy jumping could all be on the cards for you today – just speak to your leader about arranging these optional activities. For Lord of the Rings fans, a horseback ride through scenery where the film was shot is a real highlight. Wine lovers are in the right place – this is one of the top wine-producing regions in the world and there’s no shortage of fantastic wineries where you can sample some for yourself. Queenstown’s nightlife punches above its size, and with more than 40 bars to choose from, you’re guaranteed a good night ahead.
Accommodation
  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Queenstown - Canyoning - NZD219
  • Queenstown - Shotover River Jet Boat Ride - NZD139
  • Queenstown - Paragliding - NZD299
  • Queenstown - Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour - NZD245
  • Queenstown - Canyon Swing - from - NZD299
  • Queenstown - Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Day Trip - NZD559
  • Queenstown - Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Coach Day Trip - NZD199
  • Queenstown - Skydiving - from - NZD379
  • Queenstown - Nevis Bungy - NZD290
  • Queenstown - Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Fly Day Trip - NZD598
  • Queenstown - Skyline Gondola - NZD46
  • Queenstown - Dart River Funyaks - from - NZD379
  • Queenstown - Time Tripper - NZD15
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Take the morning to tick off anything you didn’t get to see or do yesterday, then leave Queenstown in the rear-view mirror and begin the super scenic drive across the Crown Range to Wanaka. Along the way, stop off in the lovely little gold-rush town of Arrowtown, where the high street’s historic facades make it easy to imagine what life here once looked like. Arrive into Wanaka and enjoy a slower pace than high-octane Queenstown. With Lake Wanaka as the star of the show and surrounding mountains only complimenting its beauty, there’s no doubt this is one of the most attractive towns in New Zealand. Hit a hiking trail, explore on a bike or find a cosy cafe to admire the view.
Accommodation
  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Wanaka - Happy Hour on the Lake - NZD59
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Enjoy a morning at leisure for your own explorations of Wanaka. There’s no shortage of amazing things to see and do here, so be sure to chat to your leader for their top tips. You may like to take a pleasant bike ride along the shores of Lake Wanaka or get on the water and cruise to Mou Waho Island, where you’ll find an island in a lake on an island in a lake! There are heaps of beautiful short walks in the area, and a visit to the famous #thatwanakatree is a must. Depart Wanaka in the afternoon and venture further north, stopping off at a lookout point over either Lake Wanaka or Lake Hawea, depending on conditions. Your eyes will be glued to the window for this journey as you pass the impressive waterfalls of the Haast Pass and more spectacular coastline (your leader will make a few special stops along the way too!). Arrive to Franz Josef village, your base for the evening.
Accommodation
  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Included Activities
  • West Coast - Haast Pass
  • West Coast - Lake Hawea Lookout
Optional Activities
  • Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise & Guided Nature Walk - NZD159
  • Wanaka - Skydiving - from - NZD369
  • Wanaka - Flying Lessons - NZD278
  • Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise - NZD119
  • Wanaka - Waterfall Climbing - from - NZD199
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Franz Josef is the stuff of dreams, where glittering glaciers and soaring peaks provide a spectacular background to daily life. This part of the country is known as Te Wahi Pounamu, meaning ‘the place of greenstone’, due to the region’s abundance of this culturally and spiritually significant stone. Pay a visit to a local gallery and carve your own pendant while learning about pounamu’s importance to Maori culture. This afternoon, if you’d like to get closer to the Franz Josef Glacier, speak to your leader about the option of booking a helicopter ride to drop you on the snow, allowing you to then hike over the glacier’s surface. There’s also the chance to kayak over a glacial lake or chill out in natural hot springs. No matter how you choose to spend the day here, it’s set to be one to remember.
Accommodation
  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Franz Josef - Carve your own Pounamu Necklace
Optional Activities
  • Franz Josef - Glacier Lake Kayaking - NZD130
  • Franz Josef - Glacier Heli Hike - NZD585
  • Franz Josef - Heli Experience with Snow Landing - NZD295
  • Franz Josef - Skydiving - from - NZD339
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Travel up the wild and wet West Coast, where the country’s highest annual rainfall means the landscapes are unbelievably green and lush, standing in striking contrast to the blue ocean. Stop off in the town of Hokitika and pop into a pounamu factory where you’ll have the chance to pick up any final souvenirs to remember your trip. If time allows, you may have the chance to visit a kiwi centre, where delightful kiwi birds can be observed in a nocturnal house. Your journey may be nearing its end, but the last leg may just top them all. Hop aboard the iconic TranzAlpine train as you cross the Southern Alps through Arthur’s pass on your way back to Christchurch – you’re going to want to have your camera ready for this one! Arrive to Christchurch in the evening and perhaps head out for dinner and drinks with your group.
Accommodation
  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Greymouth - Tranz Alpine Train Journey
  • Hokitika - Mountain Jade Greenstone Factory
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your adventure comes to an end this morning, but if you’re not ready to go home yet, just get in touch ahead of time and we can arrange additional accommodation in Christchurch (subject to availability).
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

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
  • 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

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our New Zealand South Island Express trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

ROOMING
Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities.

PRIVATE ROOM SUPPLEMENT
A supplement for a private room is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. 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 note that due to the small properties we use there is only a limited amount of private room supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book this service or enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.

START & END TIME
This trip start with an early morning meeting over breakfast on day 1 and ends after breakfast on the last day.

MINIMUM NUMBERS
Please note 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.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
New Zealand is the adventure capital of the world, and there are plenty of opportunities for you to customise your itinerary with as much adrenaline as you like. However please note that a lot of activities you may be interested in can sell out well in advance of your arrival. To ensure you have the opportunity to participate in your chosen activities and don’t miss out due to unavailability, we have made a selection of those activities available to be pre-booked via your booking agent. Please see the daily itinerary and the 'optional activities' section in your trip notes for a list of activities you can pre-book. Not all activities may be available on your particular departure, and the list of activities is not exhaustive, as there are other optional activities that can be booked either via your leader or the relevant supplier on the ground. Please consult with your booking agent should you have any questions or require any further information on any of these activities.

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

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