7 Days | Cross the Southern Alps into rugged, untamed coastal territory
Explore the narrow strip of South Island land sandwiched between the mountains and the Tasman Sea that’s home to some of the country’s most beautiful places. Millions of years of natural history are right in front of you in wild limestone rock formations, powerful glaciers, rushing rivers and surf pounded coast, while the much more recent stories of the gold and coal rush can be found in the heritage settlements and in the resolute spirit of the coasters. Take in highlights from Christchurch to Queenstown, Pancake Rocks to craft gin, kayaking to spa soaking. This is a coastal road trip to rival any other.
Trip overview
- Start
- Christchurch, New Zealand
- Finish
- Queenstown, New Zealand
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- New Zealand
- 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
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- PHSW
- Get out and see a different side to the South Island, making the most of the wide-open spaces of the rugged and largely unexplored West Coast.
- Go deeper into the history of the area with stories of the goldrush days during visits to Reefton, Kumara and Arrowtown.
- Take in the magic of the spectacular Fox Glacier region weaving through rainforests and a walk along shimmering Lake Matheson.
- Witness the stunning, millions of years old scenery at the dramatic Pancake Rocks and the Hokitika Gorge, and spot fur seals at Cape Foulwind.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Forest & Bird. Donations help them give nature a voice - protecting wildlife and wild places in Aotearoa New Zealand by advocating for conservation on the ground and at a government level. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
- With seven 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.
- This trip is the first part of a combination of 2 trips. Some of your fellow travellers may continue on in Queenstown. Please see our 'New Zealand South Island Adventure' (trip code PHSQC) for details.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 July 2023 - 30 April 2025
Inclusions
6 breakfasts
Private Vehicle
Hotel (5 nights), Motel (1 night)
- Reefton - Historic Town Visit
- Reefton - Goldfields Museum with Local Storyteller
- Reefton - Billy Tea with 'The Bearded Miners'
- Punakaiki - Pancake Rocks & Blowholes Walk
- Kumara - Glow Worm Cave Visit
- Charleston - Nile River Gorge Rainforest Train Ride
- Westport - Seal Colony at Tauranga Bay
- Westport - Cape Foulwind Walkway & Lighthouse
- Hokitika - Gorge Visit
- Okarito - Okarito Lagoon Walk
- Fox Glacier - Lake Matheson Walk
- Lewis Pass - Hanmer Hot Springs - from - NZD38
- Fox Glacier - Glacier Heli Hike - from - NZD655
Dates and availability
Important notes
START & FINISH TIMES
This trip starts at 8am in Christchurch on day 1 and finishes upon arrival in Queenstown on the last day at approximately 10:30am.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement 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. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
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