South Island Adventure

From quaint Christchurch and picturesque Queenstown to the rugged mountains of the Southern Alps and the inspiring Milford Sound, this trip makes the most of the South Island's adventurous spirit.

Stay in the high country near Mt Cook, walk on a glacier, experience the beauty of the west coast and soak up the spectacular scenery on a rail journey through the mountains.

Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1 Christchurch
Be sure to arrive early and discover why Christchurch is known as the 'Garden City'. Visit Cathedral Square, enjoy a picnic in the leafy surrounds of Hagley Park or hire a punt and glide down the Avon River.

Days 2-3 Mt Cook
Traverse a patchwork farm landscape. Be dwarfed by spectacular Aoraki (Cloud Piercer) Mt Cook at 3,754 m (12,316 ft). Explore meadows, lakes, streams and glaciers that shelter the world's only alpine parrot, the kea. Spend some time at the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre and be inspired by the adventures of this great New Zealand hero. In spring and summer, spot the Mt Cook lily, the world's largest buttercup.

Days 4-6 Queenstown
Enjoy the adrenalin rush of bungee jumping, a gentle ride on an historic steamboat on Lake Wakatipu, or a postcard vista from the Skyline Gondola.

Days 7-8 Te Anau/ Milford Sound
Travel to Te Anau, gateway to New Zealand's spectacular Fiordland National Park. Head to Milford Sound and explore stunning fjords by kayak. Search out bottlenose dolphins, seals and crested penguins. There's plenty of free time to explore the region's other wonders. Visit nearby glow-worm caves, scuba dive or take a scenic flight.

Days 9-10 Wanaka
Nestled between the Southern Alps and a pristine glacial lake, Wanaka is a haven for watersports. Get another kind of buzz with a visit to Wanaka Beerworks to sample some of the microbrewery's prizewinning ales. For a quirky alternative, tackle the maze at Puzzling World - best done before touring Beerworks.

Days 11-12 Franz Josef Glacier
Clamp on some crampons for a guided hike across ancient ice and rock. Kayak, quad bike or simply relax near the Westland National Park.

Day 13 West Coast Pub
Buy jade souvenirs at the artisan town of Hokitika before exploring the Paparoa National Park, home to the famed Pancake Rocks. Hang out with the locals at a West Coast Pub and tuck into New Zealand home-style cooking. It's the perfect opportunity to learn some Kiwi vernacular - it's choice, bro.

Days 14-15 Christchurch
Delve into local West Coast history and charm with a visit to the local brewery or an exploration of old gold mining tunnels. Board the Tranz Alpine Railway, passing labyrinthine gorges and beech forests en route to Christchurch.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Hotel (2 nts), motel (9 nts), dorm-style hostel (2 nts), local pub (1 nt)