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Map of New Zealand South Island Family Holiday including New Zealand

Venture together into nature, past lakes and through kiwi territory

It’s time to explore the marvellous sights and sounds of New Zealand’s South Island with the kids, and this seven-day family adventure is just the ticket. You’ll all be in awe driving past some of mother nature’s most spectacular sights – the Crown Range, Lake Wanaka, Milford Sound, Stewart Island and Te Anau Downs, to name just a few. And with all of the adventure covered, the family will be cycling, hiking, paddling, cruising and animal spotting until your heart is content. So, come and see what all the fuss is about on this exploration of New Zealand’s great wilderness, with all of the hassle and worries taken care of by our expert local team.

Start
Queenstown, New Zealand
Finish
Queenstown, New Zealand
Destination
New Zealand
Style
Original
Theme
Family
Code
PHFA
Physical rating
Ages
Min 10
Group size
Min 4, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Jump in a kayak on Lake Wanaka and meander to Glendhu Bay, then swap the paddles for a water taxi as you go explore the predator-free conservation island of Mou Waho.

  • The scenery on New Zealand’s South Island is second to none. Traverse through lush ridges and gorges, and spend the day cruising through one of the world’s most admired natural wonders – Milford Sound.

  • Cycle as a family along part of the Otago Rail Trail, stopping to soak in the historic trestle bridges and lush countryside that has remained largely untouched since the gold rush days.

  • By staying on the wildlife mecca of Stewart Island, you and the family will have so many opportunities to head out exploring. Walk along the Rakiura track and ferry to Ulva Island – a natural habitat of rare plants and birds, including the kiwi.

  • This South Island adventure is specifically designed with families in mind. Enjoy a range of lodge and apartment-style accommodation, plus plenty of time to relax by the lakes or head out to dinner together.

Is this trip right for you?

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

  • There are several walks planned on this family holiday. A reasonable level of fitness and appropriate footwear and clothing will allow you all to fully enjoy this adventure.

  • This trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations and working with new partners can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

PHFA New Zealand Mou Waho Island
PHFA New Zealand Pax Biking on Otago Central Rail Trail
PHFA New Zealand Lake Wanaka Lonely Tree
PHFA New Zealand Milford Sound
PHFA New Zealand Ulva Island Kiwi bird
PHFA People Kayaking at Wanaka Lake Kayaking

Itinerary
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Welcome to New Zealand’s South Island. Make your way to a centrally located pickup point in Queenstown at 10 am to begin your family adventure. Once all families have arrived, leave this resort town in your dust and take a short drive to historic Arrowtown. This place was put on the map in the gold rush days, all the way back in the mid-19th century. Here, stop at a local cafe for an all-important welcome meeting where your leader will fill you in on the details of your trip. With all the formalities aside, head on a leader-led walking tour of Arrowtown, passing by the Chinese Settlement and gold miner’s village, old gaol and Dudleys Cottage. Jump back in your private transport and weave your way through the Crown Range before arriving at your self-contained apartments in lakeside Wanaka for the evening. You’ll have time to settle in plus take a walk along the Millennium Trail together, which hugs the shimmering Lake Wanaka.
Accommodation
  • Upton Apartments or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Arrowtown - Leader Led walking tour
  • Wanaka - Millenium Trail walk
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Please see the ‘Joining Point Instructions’ of your Essential Trip Information for more details on where to meet in Queenstown this morning. It’s very important that you listen up at the welcome meeting today as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details for each member of your family.

After an included breakfast, jump into a kayak and take an easy 2–3 hour paddle to Glendhu Bay, admiring the green landscapes that surround you. Then, take a water taxi to the predator-free island of Mou Waho – a true natural paradise in Otago. Be sure to pack your walking shoes as you’ll embark on a short 30-minute hike up to a viewing point where you’ll discover an island in a lake in an island in a lake in an island – yes, you read that right. It’s the natural equivalent of a babushka doll! Enjoy the views as you tuck into an included picnic lunch. This island is currently a conservation area for the inquisitive buff weka (a flightless bird) as well as giant crickets known as weta, so see if you can spot either. In the mid-afternoon, return to Wanaka via water taxi for an afternoon at your leisure. For the grown ups, you might want to check out some local wineries, or instead, perhaps get the whole family together and try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding on the lake. Tonight is all yours, too, so be sure to ask your leader for any restaurant recommendations they may have in town.
Accommodation
  • Upton Apartments or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Wanaka - Kayaking
  • Wanaka - Mou Waho Island walk
Optional Activities
  • Wanaka - Stand up paddle board hire - NZD20
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Enjoy breakfast together before driving to historic Alexandra, where you will spend the morning cycling on the renowned Otago Rail Trail to Clyde. The full trail which was originally a supply route for the gold fields runs for 152 kilometres, but luckily for you the ride today is only a small section. It’s the best way to explore the local area, so jump on your bikes and leave town via the Alexandra Historic Bridge on your way to Clyde. Stop to see remnants of the gold rush era and learn about how the landscape has been shaped by the sluicing technique for extracting gold. Keep following the Clutha (Mata-Au) River across an old trestle bridge and into Clyde, where you’ll have time to relax and perhaps refuel with your own lunch – and possibly an ice-cream! This afternoon, drive to Te Anau via the mighty Kawarau Gorge (approximately 3 hours). After settling into your lodge-style accommodation (located in Te Anau Downs), meet your leader and fellow travel families for a lakeside walk and dinner.
Accommodation
  • Te Anau Downs Fiordland National Park Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Te Anau - Lakeside walk
  • Otago Rail Trail - Alexandra to Clyde
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s cycling distance is approximately 25 kilometres (15 miles), with plenty of stops along the way.

Today is a truly a special day and you’ll want to have your camera ready – it’s time to cruise the incredible Milford Sound. This morning, board your boat for a cruise on the sound to see the scenic landscapes up close. It doesn’t matter what weather greets you here today as the landscape is on full display any time of the year. The deep blue waters shimmer in the sunlight, the rugged valley walls look eerie and mysterious when cloud shrouds its peaks, and even in the rain, natural waterfalls flow down the cliffs like veins in mother nature. Simply put, it’s a slice of paradise. En route, take the time to stop by Lake Gunn and Mirror Lakes for a short leader-led walk to admire these waterways. In the afternoon, head back to Te Anau Downs for a walk around Mistletoe Lake and to relax into the evening. If you’re feeling up to it, why not book into an optional Glowworm tour at night? This is the best way to see these creatures in their natural habitat.
Accommodation
  • Te Anau Downs Fiordland National Park Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Milford Sound - Cruise
  • Milford Sound - Walk to Mirror Lakes and Lake Gunn
Optional Activities
  • Glowworm caves - NZD98
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Tonight’s optional Glowworm Tour departs from Te Anau (approximately 20 minutes from Te Anau Downs) at 7 pm and runs until 9.15 pm. Consider booking via a booking agent or let your group leader know well in advance if you wish to take up this optional activity.

Have your headphones packed plus your best car games ready as today is a travelling day down further south on the South Island. Drive to Bluff, one of New Zealand’s southernmost points on the mainland, then jump on a ferry to Stewart Island (approximately 3–3.5 hours total). You will arrive in the late afternoon, where there will be plenty of time to settle into your retreat accommodation on the island. Tonight, you might like to join a local guide to go spotting one of New Zealand’s most famous animals – the elusive kiwi. Otherwise, the night is for you and your family to relax and recoup.
Accommodation
  • Rakiura Retreat (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Stewart Island - Wild Kiwi Encounter - NZD199
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

You may have thought that you’ve discovered all the nature that New Zealand has to offer in days’ past, but today, there’s more. Spend the whole day exploring the verdant interior of Stewart Island. You’ll walk along a section of the Rakiura Track – usually a four-day expedition, but for your family, an easy and short section along the beach. Don’t worry, it’s is no less beautiful and scenic than the longer version. Some time today you’ll also head to nearby Ulva Island to discover the mammals and birdlife that call this area home. Your guide will always be nearby to answer any questions you may have and help you spot the best wildlife out there. It’s no surprise that Stewart Island’s pristine shores are home to all of this natural wonder, and it’s all yours today to experience.
Accommodation
  • Rakiura Retreat (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Stewart Island - Guided Walk on the Rakiura Track
  • Stewart Island - Ulva Island tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning, gather the troops as you return via ferry and private vehicle to Queenstown. Along the way, you’ll stop at Invercargill for your own lunch, perhaps bidding farewell from here. Otherwise, continue with your leader to Queenstown where your family adventure will end on arrival at a central location around 5 pm.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today is the finishing day of your South Island adventure. You and your family may wish to leave the group at Invercargill after lunch (approximately 2 pm), or in Queenstown (approximately 5 pm). Be sure to let your group leader know this morning what your decision will be.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private minivan, Kayak, bike

Accommodation

Apartments (2 nights), Lodge (2 nights), Retreat (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Arrowtown - Leader Led walking tour
  • Wanaka - Millenium Trail walk
  • Wanaka - Kayaking
  • Wanaka - Mou Waho Island walk
  • Te Anau - Lakeside walk
  • Otago Rail Trail - Alexandra to Clyde
  • Milford Sound - Cruise
  • Milford Sound - Walk to Mirror Lakes and Lake Gunn
  • Stewart Island - Guided Walk on the Rakiura Track
  • Stewart Island - Ulva Island tour

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

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

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Important notes

FAMILY TOURS: Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.

AGE: Minimum age for children on this trip is 10 years old.

START OF TOUR
Your adventure starts on Day 1 in Queenstown at 10am.

MINIMUM NUMBERS
This trip requires a minimum of 4 clients booked and confirmed in order to depart

CYCLING
Bicycle hire is included on day 2 so we require all passengers height at the time of booking. Bike helmets are supplied also but you may wish to bring your own.

FOOTWEAR
We recommend you wear closed-toe shoes and suitable clothing for the walks and cycling.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.

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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