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9 Day, 8 Night guided adventure discovering New Zealand's South Island
All accommodation: Hostel (8 nights)
Meals: 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 2 dinners
Take an exhilarating jet boat ride through Queenstown's canyons
Marvel at the beauty of Milford Sound on a nature cruise
Visit Lake Tekapo hot pools
Orientation tours in Christchurch and Queenstown
Kayak on the beautiful Lake Wanaka
Fun & experienced guide providing 24/7 support
Convenient airport transfers in Queenstown
IMPORTANT:
The displayed itinerary is for 2025 and 2026 dates. If you plan to travel in 2024 your itinerary will be different. The 2024 itinerary does not include Christchurch and will instead start and end in Queenstown. For more information please contact us.
IMPORTANT:
The displayed itinerary is for 2025 and 2026 dates. If you plan to travel in 2024 your itinerary will be different. The 2024 itinerary does not include Christchurch and will instead start and end in Queenstown. For more information please contact us.
Home to jaw-dropping scenery, addictive adrenaline rushes and good times galore, New Zealand’s South Island is everything you’ve dreamed of. From Queenstown to Mount Cook and beyond, experience the scenic south on an epic 9-day small-group tour that’ll show you all the highlights, along with some off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Cruise stunning Milford Sound, jet boat through Lord of the Rings country, explore Wanaka and hike for epic views of Mt Cook, hike to iconic viewpoints and so much more! Oh, and you’ll be doing all this with a knowledgeable group leader and a new crew of mates. The trip of a lifetime just got even better …
Day 1: Christchurch
Kia ora! Landing in Christchurch, we’ll meet you at our hostel to settle in and refresh. Tonight you’ll meet up with the rest of your travel crew and get excited about all the adventures yet to come in New Zealand!
Accommodation: Haka House Christchurch Hostel (or similar)
Day 2: Christchurch – Lake Tekapo
Explore the lively city of Christchurch, where history and culture come to life around every corner, before heading to the stunning beauty of Lake Tekapo!
Accommodation: Haka House Lake Tekapo Hostel (or similar)
Day 3: Lake Tekapo
Today we’ll take a hike up Mt John where we’ll get 360-degree views of the Southern Alps before soaking our tired muscles in some hot pools.
Accommodation: Haka House Lake Tekapo Hostel (or similar)
Day 4: Aoraki/Mount Cook to Wanaka
Enjoy a scenic drive through the southern alps towards Tekapo. Known for its milky turquoise hue, Lake Tekapo is an alpine oasis! This afternoon we’ll stretch our limbs hiking the iconic Hooker Valley track. This walk winds us through the valley to grant unforgettable views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand.
Accommodation: Haka House Wanaka Hostel (or similar)
Day 5: Wanaka
Today we’ll check out the highlights of Wanaka, including going kayaking on the stunning Lake Wanaka and discovering the famous Wanaka Tree. We’ll later hike up Mount Iron for stunning views of the local area including The Pisa range, Upper Clutha Basin and the mesmerising Southern Alps.
Accommodation: Haka House Wanaka Hostel (or similar)
Day 6: Wanaka to Queenstown
Today we’ll travel to the beautiful city of Queenstown. For those on the NZ Intro South work add-on, later that afternoon, our team will help make sure you’ve got everything sorted for living and working in NZ, and get you signed up to our NZ Jobs Program.
Accommodation: Nomads Hostel (or similar)
Day 7: Milford Sound
Leaving Queenstown, today we’re heading to the majestic Milford Sound. We’ll hop on a boat to cruise around the fjord, feeling tiny amongst sheer cliff faces, ancient forests, and plunging waterfalls.
Accommodation: Nomads Hostel (or similar)
Day 8: Queenstown Jet Boating
Today we’ll show you around stunning Queenstown with an orientation walk. The good news is that our first jolt of adrenaline isn’t far off, as this afternoon we’ll be zipping through Canyons on a jet boat going over 80 km/h. Tonight we’ll get together one last time for our farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Nomads Hostel (or similar)
Day 9: Queenstown
This morning your unforgettable South Island adventure comes to an end. Check out and journey home.
Departure info:
Your tour departs from Queenstown Airport, Sir Henry Wigley Drive, Frankton. Please advise The Operator of your incoming flight details at the time of booking.
Minimum age is 18 years
The tour itinerary may be subject to changes due to unexpected circumstances or events, & inclusions may be replaced with an alternative of equal or greater value
Travellers must hold & maintain valid travel insurance to participate in the tour
Travellers must sign a waiver form prior to participation in any tours
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Yes. Lots of people on our trips are travelling solo. But by doing our trip you’ll instantly be part of a group, so it’s a great way to meet others and make friends!
No worries. Unless you tell us otherwise we’ll automatically book you into our accommodation from the day you arrive, and you can pre-pay for this before you leave. If you’re staying at our accommodation we will provide an airport transfer even if you arrive a day or more prior to the tour.
The country’s rugged beauty and varied landscapes mean it’s always a good time to go backpacking in New Zealand! The summer months (December to March) bring long, sunny days perfect for spending outdoors, the winter months (June to September) bring snow to the South Island and parts of the North, and the shoulder seasons bring milder weather and fewer visitors.
We always recommend travelling with a backpack and packing light! 10-20kgs of stuff should be plenty!