New Zealand South Island Express

9 days52 reviews
Explorer
From
NZD $2,199

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

This is the New Zealand you’ve always heard about – endless lakes, snow-capped mountains and pristine glaciers. Spend nine 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
Accommodation
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (8 nights)
Days
9
Group size
Min 1 - 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

Original: 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

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.

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.

Spend a night seeing the stars of Lake Tekapo – this gorgeous bright blue lake is also a designated Dark Sky Reserve and after sunset, the sky comes alive with stars. Maybe watch the sky change colours at the Church of Good Shepard for one of the most gorgeous backdrops!

Soak in the beauty of Wanaka – from its centrepiece lake to surrounding mountains, you’ll uncover all this pretty little spot has to offer, including the iconic Wanaka Tree.

Wander around Arrowtown – a heritage town and living historic settlement that’s perfect for exploring on foot. This town, surrounded by sometimes-snowy peaks, dates back to gold mining times and is now a popular spot with cute cafes, small shops and scenic landscapes.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 05 June 2025 to 31 August 2026.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 September 2023 - 04 June 2025

Itinerary

Map of New Zealand South Island Express including New Zealand

Inclusions and activities

Meals

7 breakfasts

Transport

Private Vehicle

Accommodation

Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (8 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
  • 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 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 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). You may be required to share with non-Intrepid travellers outside of your group. People travelling together may occasionally be separated due to rooming configurations.

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. This trip is 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 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
NZD $2,199