If you only have a short time to explore the largest island of New Zealand, this is the tour for you! Prepare for 8 days of spectacular scenery and lots of opportunity for adventure with this New Zealand South Island holiday package. Turquoise lakes, majestic glaciers, dramatic mountain peaks, golden tussock lands and the picture-perfect towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Franz Josef are all included on this week-long road trip!
This small-group guided tour of the South Island will visit Christchurch, Wanaka, Queenstown, Tekapo (an International Dark Sky Reserve), Franz Josef Glacier, and back across to Christchurch via Arthur’s Pass onboard the world-famous TranzAlpine train. You’ll have the option to visit Milford Sound, and you’ll stop at many other scenic spots along this South Island itinerary.
There’s a range of optional add-on activities: from adrenaline-pumping bucket-list items like bungee jumping, jet boating, heli-biking and sky-diving to more gentle activities like heli-hiking (okay for all abilities), quad biking, kayaking, scenic flights and hiking. None of these are compulsory; just add the ones you want.
Included highlights of the tour range from stargazing opportunities in Tekapo where you'll visit the only Dark Sky Reserve in the Southern Hemisphere to creating your own greenstone souvenir in Franz Josef.
Tour inclusions and exclusions at a glance:
What's included?
Items included in the cost of the tour
Tasty continental breakfasts every day
Experiences to teach you about unique Māori culture
Passionate Kiwi guides
Comfortable bus transport
High-end hostel accommodation (dorm share as standard)
Unparalleled stargazing opportunities in Tekapo’s Dark Sky Reserve
Christchurch City Tour
Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd
Carve your own pounamu (greenstone/jade) pendant in Franz Josef
Cross the stunning Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train
What's not included?
Items not included in the cost of the tour
Visas
Travel Insurance
International air tickets
Meals where not specified in the itinerary
Optional activities (i.e. canyoning, tubing, kayaking, flying, heli biking etc)
Tour options and upgrades:
29 tour add-ons available
Tour Add-On Options
Activity
Lake Tekapo - Dark Sky Project Crater Experience
Uncover the magic of the world-renowned Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve from Dark Sky Project's purpose-built stargazing observation craters, sheltered from the cold wind and light pollution. Explore the endless Southern skies, observe planets, galaxies, and the depths of the Milky Way.
Every night sky offers something different, and your expert astronomy guide will use handheld lasers to showcase the best of the evolving night sky.
The Crater Experience runs for 1 hour 15 minutes and includes: transport to and from Cowan’s Private Observatory, guided naked eye discovery of the Southern skies and viewing through our telescopes.
Please dress warmly and note that the start time will vary depending on time of sunset (could be 8pm or midnight!).
This activity is subject to weather conditions, however there is an indoor option should the weather be bad and you will receive a partial refund.
$67.22 USD
Lake Tekapo - Dark Sky Project Summit Experience
Embark on New Zealand's premier mountaintop stargazing experience. Dark Sky Project proudly offers exclusive stargazing tours from the summit of Mount John, home to the world-renowned astronomical research centre.
At an impressive 1,029m, Mt John offers unrivalled 360-degree views across the largest accredited International Dark Sky Reserve in the world.
On the night, your expert astronomy guide will bring the night sky to life, sharing the science and the stories of our Southern skies. Stargaze using the naked eye guided by lasers and then proceed to explore deeper through up to 16" optical telescopes. Take in the incredible Milky Way, far off planets, star clusters, solar systems, and even distant galaxies; every night sky beholds something different.
This exclusive Summit Experience runs for 2 hours, includes transport to and from Mt John, use of their ECW (extreme cold weather jackets) to keep you warm at the summit, and the full use of their telescopes.
Owing to the nature of the terrain on this experience, you need a certain level of fitness and be confident to walk 100 meters on gravel and climb a few steps in the dark.
Please dress warmly and note that the start time will vary depending on time of sunset (could be 8pm or midnight!).
$104.51 USD
Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise & Nature Walk (Unguided)
Enjoy a luxury boat cruise on Lake Wanaka to the remote Mou Waho Island nature reserve, home of the lake, on an island, in a lake! Mou Waho Island is a predator-free reserve with a natural glacial-formed lake at its summit. On Mou Waho you can see the rare flightless Buff Weka (extinct on New Zealand’s mainland since 1920) and the Mountain Stone Weta.
Some free time for a bush walk is included, you will have some time to of the island and panoramic views of majestic mountain and lake scenery.
Includes morning or afternoon tea.
$67.22 USD
Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise and Guided Nature Walk
Enjoy a luxury boat cruise on Lake Wanaka to the remote Mou Waho Island nature reserve, home of the lake, on an island, in a lake! Mou Waho Island is a predator-free reserve with a natural glacial-formed lake at its summit. On Mou Waho you can see the rare flightless Buff Weka (extinct on New Zealand’s mainland since 1920) and the Mountain Stone Weta.
A one hour guided bush walk is included taking you up to the lake right on top of the island and panoramic views of majestic mountain and lake scenery. This is rated as one of the top activities in Wanaka and not to be missed.
Includes morning or afternoon tea.
$89.82 USD
Lake Tekapo - Tekapo Springs Hot Pools
Experience the total relaxation of soaking in hot water in an alpine environment 720 metres above sea level. Our three hot pools are filled from an underground source near Tekapo; while the water is not geothermal it is exceptionally pure. Temperatures range from 36.5 to 38.5 degrees Celsius.
$19.77 USD
Wanaka - 20 Minute Flying Lesson
A wonderful 20 minute of air adventure experience for those who are wanting to experience flying a plane AND want to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Lake Wanaka with its snowy mountaintops and lakes. You will be sitting next to an experienced flight instructor and he will give you some control of the steering wheel. You will be climbing, descending, turning left/right…. It is so much fun and easy!
$190.94 USD
Wanaka & Hawea Bike Trails - E-Bike
Spend the day riding the Hawea and Wanaka Trails. Includes transport out to Hawea, e-bike hire, Safety briefing, lock, repair kit and bike pickup. You will need to bring a water bottle, suncream and mobile phone
$84.74 USD
Wanaka - Happy Hour Cruise (Sep-Apr)
Let’s face it, this is just a bit of fun - A Happy Hour on the lake with some great hosts!
Relax with a glass of chilled Pinot Gris and chat to fellow travelers as you absorb the mountain scenery in the evening light!
This one-hour luxury cruise has one local wine or beer and our NZ cheese board included in the ticket and is a great way to see the lake scenery before your evening meal. The cruise is fully licensed so further drinks can be purchased on board at super Happy Hour rates.
Cruise down the Wanaka waterfront and over toward the famous 'Wanaka Tree' before tracking up to Waterfall Creek and Ruby Island. We then head across to Stevensons Peninsula before returning via Beacon Point and Eley Point.
The perfect end to a great day or the perfect beginning to a great night.
August - May Only. Climb on the world’s highest waterfall cable climb, in Wanaka New Zealand. In just a few hours, you will learn all you need to know to safely ascend steel rungs and cross 4 suspension bridges as you make your way up the lower section of Twin Falls waterfall.
This tour includes approximately 1 hour of climbing and a 20 minute walk down plus training. No previous experience is required, just an adventurous spirit. If you can climb a ladder, you can do it!"
$112.42 USD
Wanaka - 12,000 feet Tandem Skydive
Skydiving is the ultimate adrenaline activity! Strap yourself to a beautiful stranger and fly up to 12,000ft before jumping out of the plane. Experience jaw-dropping views of Wanaka as you freefall through the air at 200 kilometres per hour towards the earth! No experience necessary - your expert skydiving instructor will tell you everything you need to know.
$214.10 USD
Wanaka - 15,000 feet Tandem Skydive
Strap yourself to a beautiful stranger and fly up to 15,000ft before jumping out of the plane.
$270.59 USD
Milford Sound 'Coach - Cruise - Coach'
As one of our most popular activities, this trip includes a scenic coach journey through Fiordland National Park to Milford, and a spectacular 90 minute afternoon cruise on Milford Sound.
Enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders whilst you relax on a modern, uncrowded luxury catamaran that has 3 different viewing decks, both indoor and outdoor. This full day Milford Sound trip also includes a number of scenic stops and short walks along the coach journey. A great value way to experience the wonders of the Sound.
What to bring: Lunch and snacks, rain jacket
Weather: In winter the road to Milford is occasionally closed for safety reasons when there's heavy snow or ice - we will of course refund you if your trip is canceled due to weather.
$132.75 USD
Milford Sound ‘Fly - Cruise - Fly’ Package
Experience the world-famous Milford Sound from both the air and water on this ‘fly cruise fly’ half-day package. Starting with a scenic flight from Queenstown to Milford over the snow-capped Southern Alps, you can expect breathtaking panoramic views of lakes, rainforests, waterfalls and mountains. After landing at Milford board your boat for a leisurely 90 minute cruise of the full length of the Sound. After the cruise, your pilot will bring you back to the aircraft for your return flight to Queenstown along a different - but equally impressive - flight path.
$364.36 USD
Queenstown - Dart River Funyaks
Funyaks are inflatable kayaks and an amazing way to explore the Dart River. Your experience starts with an exhilarating jet boat ride up the Dart River into the world-renowned Mt Aspiring National Park. Then travel back downriver in your unique Funyak exploring pristine waters as they trickle from the Southern Alps to Lake Wakatipu, along with hidden streams, rock pools and dramatic chasms. Enjoy a gourmet buffet lunch before heading via 4 wheel drive coach to a number of Middle Earth locations featured in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’.
Please bring:
Summer: Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, Insect repellent, camera and warm outer layer.
Winter: Wear thermals and warm clothing plus hat, gloves, woollen socks, windproof jacket, sunglasses, insect repellant and camera.
Year-round: Bring warm underwear or swimwear, a change of underwear and towel.
$242.34 USD
Queenstown - Shotover Jet Boat
Celebrated as ‘The World’s Most Exciting Jet Boat Ride’, the world-famous Shotover Jet has thrilled over 3 million people since 1965.
You’ll blast over 10cm deep water, doing 360-degree spins along the famous Shotover River and deep into the stunning Shotover River Canyons. At 85km an hour, your driver will skillfully glide the powerful boat past rocky cliffs, crags and boulders, and speed through the dramatic and narrow canyons.
Each ride lasts for about 25 minutes and lifejackets are provided.
$89.82 USD
Wanaka & Hawea Bike Trails - Regular Bike
Spend the day riding the Wanaka and HaweaTrails. Includes transport out to Hawea, Regular bike hire, Safety briefing, lock, repair kit and bike pickup. You will need to bring a water bottle, suncream and mobile phone
$56.49 USD
Queenstown - Nevis Bungy Jump - NZ's Highest
Are you brave enough for New Zealand’s highest bungy jump? At 134 meters you will experience 8.5 seconds of adrenaline pumping free fall on this truly exhilarating bungy jump over the Nevis River Valley.
The Nevis Bungy is located in the Southern Alps near Queenstown in New Zealand's South Island. It is the third highest bungee jumping platform in the world, suspended by high-tension cords which are fixed at both ends on either side of the Nevis River valley.
Please note the following weight restrictions apply: minimum 45kg and maximum 127kg.
Please note the following weight restrictions apply: minimum 45kg and maximum 127kg.
$223.14 USD
Queenstown Time Tripper - Underwater Experience
Queenstown’s only underwater experience takes you on a journey through time and legend beginning many millions of years ago.
Time Tripper takes you back to the beginning on a journey through time and legend, where you can experience 90 million years in just 30 minutes! As you wait for the next time jump window to open, you’ll get to see the beautiful love story and Māori Legend of Lake Wakatipu.
Your time travel pilot will guide you back 90 million years, through the time of the dinosaurs, take you to when New Zealand was formed, fly you deep into the earth when the Southern Alps were created and through the glacier that carved out Lake Wakatipu. Ending in present day Queenstown, you then experience adventure activities you can do – all from the comfort of your rumbling seat!
You then experience 15 minutes of underwater viewing where we feed the famous diving ducks, slinky eels and rainbow & brown trout that lie beneath.
$8.47 USD
Queenstown - 15,000ft Tandem Skydive
Harness yourself to an expert skydive instructor and jump out of a plane from 15,000ft. Then, accelerate up to 200 kilometers per hour as you freefall for 60 seconds towards the ground.
$290.92 USD
Queenstown - Canyon Swing
The canyon swing is a bit different to a bungy jump, as you’re secured in a full body harness which lets you depart from the 109 metre high platform in any position imaginable, plummeting into the spectacular Shotover River Canyon. There are over 70 different jump styles to choose from, some more scary than others, and the experienced canyon swing staff are masters at pushing your personal boundaries, however brave or timid you might be.
$146.31 USD
Queenstown - Kawarau Bridge Bungy
This is the World’s First Commercial Bungy Jump Site created by AJ Hackett. The Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge is a bridge which runs over the Kawarau River in the South Island of New Zealand. Here, with your heart pounding and mind racing, you can bungy jump 43 meters down towards the river below. You can even dip into the river and get wet if you want (this is known as a water touch bungy).
Please note the following weight restrictions apply: minimum 35kg and maximum 235kg.
$149.70 USD
Franz Josef - Glacier Heli Hike
A truly amazing way to experience Franz Josef, this heli hike experience starts with a scenic flight from Franz Josef Village to Franz Josef Glacier where you will land on the ice itself. Once on the glacier you have over 2 hours to explore this exquisite natural icescape. Your expert ice guide will show you the most safe and spectacular routes around the glacier, including narrow crevasses, towering walls of ice or even crawling through blue ice tunnels. No two trips are the same on this evolving natural playground.
A reasonable level of fitness and agility is required for this activity.
Included: all the gear you need to walk on the ice including boots, crampons and trekking poles, and your guide carries an ice pick so they can maintain your path as your trip progresses.
Please bring: warm, breathable base clothing such as merino, long pants for walking in (jeans are not suitable, tracksuits and leggings are fine), sunglasses (essential), sunblock, warm hat & gloves, camera or phone, water bottle, small snack.
$392.61 USD
Franz Josef - Heli Experience with Snow Landing
Soak up unparalleled views of Franz Josef Glacier and New Zealand’s West Coast on this 25 minute scenic flight with snow landing. Fly over the world famous glacier and through the Southern Alps to Mt Elie De Beaumont for a thrilling snow landing experience. See Mt Cook and Mt Tasman from the air and enjoy New Zealand alpine wilderness at its most rugged; rainforests, snow-capped mountains, glaciers and valleys. Glacier Country Helicopters is a local family owned and operated helicopter company based in Franz Josef Glacier on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.
$183.59 USD
Franz Josef - Glacier Kayak and Walk
A premium kayak tour is your opportunity to explore some of Westland’s oldest untouched rainforest! Enjoy exclusive access to our custom-built rainforest trail within the Okarito Kiwi Conservation area. On this kayak tour you will learn about the kiwi conservation, spot native birdlife and experience the pristine wilderness of the West Coast in a truly unique and remote part of Franz Josef Glacier.
Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee along the way, prepared by your kayak tour guide. This is an opportunity not to be missed and can be experienced by all ages and abilities.
$93.21 USD
Queenstown - Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour
Glenorchy 4.25 hour tour - For true Lord of the Rings fans, this is the trip that really does take you there and back again. This scenic sightseeing tour includes recognizable filming locations and stunning natural scenery. The Glenorchy Safari of the Scenes takes you from Queenstown to Glenorchy stopping at breath-taking viewpoints.
The route from Glenorchy follows the Dart River to the spectacular filming location for Isengard. This location offers stunning views of Mt Earnslaw. Heading to Paradise discover the location for the Forest of Lothlorien. Leaving Glenorchy and heading towards Queenstown you will stop at 12 Mile Delta to explore the location of the Ithilien Camp.
Also includes locations from Xmen Origins: Wolverine, and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and the Hobbit.
$152.52 USD
Queenstown - 12,000ft Tandem Skydive
What better place to skydive than Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of the World! Harness yourself to an expert skydive instructor and jump out of a plane from 12,000ft. Then, accelerate up to 200 kilometers per hour as you freefall for 45 seconds towards the ground. Your instructor will pull the parachute just at the right moment, slowing your descent to a peaceful glide and ending with gentle landing. No experience necessary!
$234.43 USD
Queenstown - Canyoning
Canyoning the spectacular Queenstown Canyon would have to be one of New Zealand's most exhilarating half-day experiences.
You’ll enjoy a true sense of adventure as your climb, swim and float through an awe-inspiring world of sculpted rock, crystal pools and crashing waterfalls - all in beautiful natural surroundings.
You don’t need to know how to swim or have previous canyoning experience, but you should be confident in the water. Your guide can tailor the trip to your level of confidence and ability - instructing you through every adventure and providing alternate routes where possible.
This tour is 4 hours in duration, with two hours in the canyon, and includes all equipment and instructions.
All you need to bring is swimwear, towel, and snacks.
Available October to April only
$123.71 USD
Franz Josef - Glacier Country Kayaking
3 Hour Guided Tour - Experience panoramic views of glaciers, untouched Jurassic rainforests, glaciers and the stunning Southern Alps on this 3 hour guided glacier kayaking tour in Franz Josef. Paddle deep into the heart of the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary via a rainforest creek and explore this protected natural environment with your knowledgeable kayak tour guide.
No kayaking experience necessary
Please bring: snacks, water-bottle, camera, sunglasses and sunscreen. In winter, wear 2-3 warm layers on your top half. Jeans are not recommended for this activity.
$81.91 USD
Accommodation Upgrades
Private Room Upgrade - Twin or Double
Upgrade your accommodation from Dorm Share to a Private Room (with a Double Bed or Twin Beds) for the duration of your tour.
Please note: Private rooms will have ensuite bathrooms where possible but cannot be guaranteed. Private room upgrades within 30 days of a tour's departure are by request only.
Tour Tip: If you are sharing a room with another traveler only one of you needs to purchase this upgrade!
$428.76 USD
Best Price Guarantee
We deal directly with each tour operator, which means we can guarantee you the best price.
If within 24 hours of your booking you find the exact same tour elsewhere for a lower price,
let us know and we'll refund you the difference!
Earn Travel Credits
When you book this tour and full payment is made, you will receive $34 in
travel credits to apply to a future booking with us within the next 12 months. Note:
Travel credits may not be applicable to earn if certain coupon codes or sale discounts
are applied to the booking.
No Booking or Payment Fees
When you book with a travel agent, you can be charged unexpected fees.
We are committed to never charging you hidden booking or credit card fees.
