South Island Tour From Christchurch to Christchurch via Queenstown

Welcome aboard! Today is the first day of our road trip! After a quick meet and greet in Christchurch, we load into our van and head west towards Rakaia Gorge for lunch. We then continue our way over The Rakaia Gorge Bridge which is a historic piece of architecture that dates back to 1945 and make our way towards Lake Tekapo. Surely a quick stop at the ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ – one of the most photographed items in NZ. We then get to enjoy a treat for the senses at the Dark Sky Project experience for a 45min guided tour which brings together science and Māori astronomy. After this you will give you time to settle into your accommodation which looks out at the intense milky blue waters of the glacial-fed Lake Tekapo. In your downtime, you can walk around town, or you can choose to soak and relax at Tekapo Springs with views of the brilliant blue of Lake, sparse golden mountain ranges, pine forest, and the pure blue skies of the Mackenzie Region. As the sun sets, watch the beautiful changing light and colours on the mountains and in the sky. At night, you can explore the local cuisines for dinner and hang out with your new crew. After you have the chance to have your mind blown and discover the wonders of the night sky with many outdoor stargazing tours to choose from!

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Included activities:

• Experience the historic ‘Rakaia Gorge’
• Indoor astrology experience – Dark Sky Project
• Visit the ‘The Church of the Good Shepherd’
• Indulge in the milky blue ‘Lake Tekapo’

In the morning, your guides will prepare a continental breakfast for you before we wind our way further south. We will pass Lake Pukaki which is the largest lake in the area, and it proudly shows off NZ’s tallest peak and our next spot to visit, Aoraki/Mount Cook. Take your time here exploring and a quick walk to view the largest glacier in the country. Afterwards we head towards a town situated on a lakefront and dwarfed by mountains they call Wānaka. After checking into our accommodation, you can wander the town and see why this place draws visitors from all around the world with unrivalled views of Mt. Aspiring National Park. The night is yours to try the delicious cuisines of this town and exciting nightlife.

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities:

• Experience NZ’s second largest lake – Lake Pukaki
• Visit NZ’s highest mountain Mt Cook
• Enjoy a short walk to the Tasman Glacier Walk

Wake up and enjoy your breakfast with panoramic views of the stunning Lake Wānaka. You’ll be happy to know we still have time for you to relax around Wānaka before heading to Arrowtown, New Zealand’s historic gold-mining destination. The Kiwi style ‘Wild West’ is full of funky cafes, charming wooden-fronted shops, and remnants of the gold rush era. Whilst you’re there, you should visit the replica miner’s huts, buy some flakes of gold, wade in the river where people still pan for gold or buy some old-fashioned sweets from the Remarkable Sweet Shop. Enjoy your lunch time here and after our visit, we head straight to the stunning lakeside town of Te Anau where we stay the night to prepare for tomorrow’s adventure. This picturesque township is the main visitor base for the glacier-covered wilderness Fiordland National Park.

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities:

• Get your photo at #ThatWanakaTree
• Explore Arrowtown – the Kiwi style ‘Wild West’
• Visit our famous ‘Remarkable Sweet shop’

After breakfast, we head to one of NZ’s most stunning attractions: the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, the Milford Sound. Deemed the world’s 8th wonder by Rudyard Kipling, this area has a magical combination of mountain peaks, forest-clad cliffs, and deep mysterious-blue waters. We really take advantage of this beautiful spot and include a 2-hour boat cruise on the sound itself. You’ll get up-close views of the impressive fiord and you will be in touching distance of the stunning waterfalls and local wildlife. Keep your eyes out for seals, dolphins, and more!

After our cruise, we drive back towards Queenstown whilst making stops at Eglinton Valley and Mirror Lake. On arrival, we’ll check into our accommodation and you’ll have some free time to go and explore this famous town! You can check out the world’s best burger joint (at least we think so)— Fergburger. And then, the night is yours. Have some drinks at the Ice Bar, take a trip through the haunted house, or head back to our accommodation to rest up for two more big days ahead in Queenstown.

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities:

• Milford Sound Boat Cruise
• Experience the beauty of Eglinton Valley
• Get an epic photo of the Mirror Lake

Today is your first FREE DAY and what better place than to enjoy it in Queenstown! The bro John Travolta once said, “whenever I get stressed, I just want to hop on a plane to Queenstown.” People come here from all over the world for Queenstown adventure holidays and the town has subsequently been nicknamed our adventure capital, and for good reason! It has to be seen to be believed and, with two more nights in this incredible southern paradise, you’ll get your chance to do as much exploring as you can fit in. Spend it how you want; bungy jumping, skydiving, exploring the town, soak up in the ONSEN hot pools (pre booking required)… the bucket list activities are endless!

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Included meals: Breakfast

Optional add-ons:

• AJ Hacket Bungy – $199-299
• ONSEN Hot pools – $99-199
• Shotover Canyon Swing – $199
• Go orange Jet boat – $99
• Shotover Jet boat – $129
• Skippers Canyon Jet – $159
• Shotover Jet boat – $129
• Kawaru Zipline – $49
• Ozone Skydive – $199-399
  and many more..

There’s only one thing better than waking up to a Friday – and that’s waking up to a Friday in the beautiful Queenstown! Now, if you didn’t manage to do or see everything you wanted yesterday, no stress! You have another full day to explore this adventurous town. At midday, however, we have an optional add-on for a spectacular guided tour of Skippers Canyon via the infamous Skippers Road followed by the thrilling jet boat ride through the Shotover River’s dramatic canyons! In this area, you will discover a land rich in gold mining history and breathtaking scenery, just a short distance from central Queenstown.

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Included meals: Breakfast

Optional add-ons:

• AJ Hacket Bungy – $199-299
• ONSEN Hot pools – $99-199
• Shotover Canyon Swing – $199
• Go orange Jet boat – $99
• Shotover Jet boat – $129
• Skippers Canyon Jet – $159
• Shotover Jet boat – $129
• Kawaru Zipline – $49
• Ozone Skydive – $199-399
  and many more..

To start our day we will have an early breakfast and head off to Cardrona, a historic village situated on the famous crown range road. You’ll be able to grab a coffee at the iconic Cardrona Hotel at the heart of the village while surely grabbing a photo while you’re there! We will then hit the road and pass by Lake Hāwea, a place of vivid beauty. We will then carry on to experience one of the best scenic drives in this area. Today, we pass by non-stop Aotearoa eye-candy through the Haast Pass which is highlighted by ancient rain forests, small glaciers, and awesome waterfalls. We might even get the chance to meet some penguins if we are lucky!

Before lunch, we’ll visit the famous Blue Pools which is only a short walk from the car park. The blue of the water is not to be believed, it’s clear, it’s pure and makes for one amazing photo! Afterwards, we will pass by more epic waterfalls and you will have a beachfront lunch prepared for you by the friendly guides. After we’re satisfied, we’ll then make our way to Franz Josef Glacier for the night. Once settled into our new home for the night, you can opt-in for a pizza night, check out the local restaurants in the area and even use the giant hot tub (at the accommodation) to finish off your epic day with the squad!

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities:

• Visit the iconic ‘Cardrona Hotel’
• View the magnificent Lake Hāwea,
• Experience one of NZ’s best scene drives – Haast Pass,
• Enjoy a short walk to the famous ‘Blue Pools’
• Explore Ships Creek Beach & many stunning waterfalls

After breakfast, you’ll get to learn the process of carving a special maori piece of jewellery from Pounamu known as ‘greenstone’, much of which has been sourced from local West Coast riverbeds. You even get to keep what you have made after as a souvenir. After this morning activity explore Franz Josef and all the wild activities on offer! You choose what you do for the rest of today! A popular thing to do is experience the original Franz Josef kayak adventure, epic helicopter tours and treks are also available for that unbeatable Instagram shot (your guides can give you some suggestions and help with bookings). We will then meet back to head out for a group dinner and make the most of our night there.

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities:

• Carve your own Maori Greenstone ‘Pounamu’ workshop

Optional add ons:

• Heli + Glacier Hike – $585
• Heli Trip – $300-529
• Skydive – $229-399
• Kayaking Tour- $125

Breakfast will be prepared early and you’ll have time to enjoy your last couple hours here as we depart at 9 am. We will load the van back up and travel to Christchurch – from one coast and head towards the other.  Explore some lunch options in Hokitika town and after this before we hit the road again to drive through the Arthur’s Pass, climbing to more than 900 metres through Arthur’s Pass National Park, is the highest and most spectacular pass across the Southern Alps. Halfway through we will stop to witness the Limestone rocks at Castle Hill, also known as Kura Tawhiti by the indigenous Maori Tribe Ngai Tahu and named the ‘Spiritual center of the universe’ by the Dalai Lama.  Once we arrive in Christchurch you have an opportunity for your last group dinner and night out with your crew before wrapping up the tour tomorrow morning.

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities:

• Enjoy exploring Hokitika townshop and the beach
• Explore Castle hill -, named the ‘Spiritual centre of the universe’ by the Dalai Lama
• Final night out with your crew in Christchurch!

Today is our check out day! After breakfast we wrap the tour up at 10:00am and say our good byes to all our new best mates! Your tour leader will be happy to help you plan your remaining travels or you could even join us for the next adventure in Nelson for our 4 day Abel Tasman Getaway! This can be purchased as a 14 Day Southern Adventure!

Included meals: Breakfast