Essential New Zealand: South Island Itinerary

Starting in

Christchurch, New Zealand

Physical Difficulty

2 / 5

Lunches included

1

Dinners included

2

Ending in

Wellington, New Zealand

Accommodation

Hostel (multi-share) (11 nights)

Transport

Private Vehicle , Ferry

Journey through the South Island of New Zealand on this 12-day adventure. Explore the limestone landscape of pancake-shaped rock formations and see the blowholes at Punakaiki. Take a ferry through Marlborough Sounds and spend a night at Lake Tekapo, known for its turquoise waters and snowy peaks. Spend two days in Queenstown and enjoy plenty of free time to skydive, surf, stargaze or unwind with your new friends.

Day 1: Christchurch

Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand. Your adventure begins in Christchurch – known for its rich Maori heritage and English-inspired architecture and gardens. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, you may like to stroll through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens or stop by the Canterbury Museum to learn about the region’s cultural heritage. After your welcome meeting, maybe head out as a group for a tasty meal at one of the city’s lively restaurants.

Day 2: Christchurch - Lake Tekapo

This morning, take a city tour of Christchurch. After a devastating earthquake destroyed much of the downtown area in 2011, the city has begun to rebuild in innovative and creative ways. Stop by the Christchurch Cathedral, which stood as a symbol of the city before collapsing in the earthquake and has now been replaced with an architecturally striking and quake-proof structure made from cardboard! After, say goodbye to Christchurch and drive inland to the striking Lake Tekapo. An eye-catching combination of purple lupins (season dependent), turquoise waters and snow-dusted peaks makes this one of the most photo-worthy spots in the country. On the way, you'll stop at Fairlie for a Southland-style lunch of mince pies and cheese rolls. When you arrive in Tekapo, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, which sits on the shores of the lake. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore Tekapo at your own pace – maybe stargaze from the summit of Mount John or unwind at the Tekapo Springs Hot Pool.

Day 3: Queenstown

Today, set out on an adventure to Queenstown. When you arrive, jump on the Skyline Gondola and take in the panoramic views of Coronet Peak, the Remarkables mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil. Then, race downhill on a luge (part go kart, part toboggan). Later, grab dinner at Fergburger – a popular ‘hole in the wall’ style restaurant known for their gourmet burgers. The rest of the night is free for you to continue exploring. Maybe head out into Queenstown’s vibrant nightlife – your leader will have the best recommendations of where to go.

Day 4: Queenstown

The day is all yours to discover Queenstown and the surrounding areas. There are loads of options to get your heart rate up – maybe shoot down the river on a jet boat, go river kayaking, spend the day at Milford Sound, or join a 4WD adventure through landscapes that inspired the Lord of the Rings movies. If you’d like to take things a little slower, you could walk around Lake Wakatipu for a good dose of fresh air and some epic views.

Day 5: Arrowtown - Queenstown

This morning, travel to Arrowtown – a historic gold mining town known for its charming buildings and beautiful scenic hill landscapes. When you arrive, walk through the town and hear stories of what life looked like at the peak of the goldrush era. Continue to Kawarau Gorge – a scenic river gorge in Central Otago, carved by the Kawarau River. Finally, head to Gibbston Valley and join a wine tasting at the largest wine cave in the country, in the region's oldest vineyards. Tonight, travel back to Queenstown and enjoy your final night on the shores of the lake. 

Day 6: Franz Josef Glacier

Hit the road and take in the scenic views as you head to Makarora Blue Pools Track. Spend the morning walking through native forests, over a swing bridge and along a boardwalk to the viewing platform to see the striking Blue Pools. Along the way, look for large trout feeding in the pools and learn about the ecosystem of this beautiful river gorge and surrounding landscape. Then, travel to Franz Josef Glacier (also known as Te Wahi Pounamu, meaning ‘the place of greenstone,’ due to the region’s abundance of this culturally and spiritually significant stone). When you arrive, spend some time exploring the area.

Day 7: Franz Josef Glacier

Set off on the Franz Josef Glacier Forest Walk this morning. As you walk through the rainforest and along the Waiho River, you’ll pass cascading waterfalls and towering peaks. Soak in panoramic views of the Franz Josef Glacier when you reach the end of the track, then spend the rest of the day however you’d like. Maybe kayak on the Glacier Lake, carve your own Pounamu necklace or relax in the Waiho Hot Tubs.

Day 8: Westport

Today, drive along the coast and explore the limestone landscapes of the pancake-shaped rock formations, blowholes and surge pools at Punakaiki. As you walk, take in the surrounding landscape of coastal forest, learn about the rich birdlife of the area and discover the bizarre shapes of the rocks, formed over 30 million years ago by acidic rains and wind. Continue your drive from Punakaiki to Westport, with the chance to stop by the nearby glow worm caves. When you arrive, maybe hire a surfboard and learn how to catch a few waves. Tonight, join your group for a barbeque dinner, which is a classic staple in any Kiwi household!

Day 9: Abel Tasman National Park

This morning, set off on a short walk to see the seal colony at Tauranga Bay. After, visit the Museum of Kawatiri (Westport). Spend time walking through the exhibition and learn about the rich Maori heritage of the people of the Buller District. Later on, travel to Abel Tasman National Park, known for the fur seal colonies, little blue penguins and bottlenose dolphins that call this place home. When you arrive, go for a walk through the park, take in the views or simply relax with your group at your accommodation.

Day 10: Abel Tasman National Park

Today is a free day to enjoy everything Abel Tasman has to offer. Maybe set off on a full day sailing adventure and explore the National Park from the water or walk along a section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track that’s known for panoramic views of the beach and sheltered bays. You could also go skydiving or unwind with a gentle walk. Whatever you decide to dive into, the Abel Tasman offers a simple, stunning backdrop to enjoy the day.

Day 11: Picton - Wellington

This morning, drive to Picton to take the ferry through the Marlborough Sounds – an extensive network of sea-drowned valleys at the northern end of the South Island. See the forested hills, sheltered inlets and sandy bays of the islands and if you’re lucky, you might be able to spot a dolphin from the boat. Tonight, you'll hit Wellington – the capital of New Zealand known for its food, coffee and art. When you arrive, maybe join your friends for dinner and drinks to cheers to the end of an epic trip.

Day 12: Wellington

Your trip comes to an end today. As there are no activities planned, you are welcome to leave at any time. If you would like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Essential Trip Information

Joining point

Haka House Christchurch, 36 Hereford Street, Christchurch Central, , Christchurch, 8013, NEW ZEALAND

Finish point

Haka House Wellington, 292 Wakefield Street, Te Aro , Wellington, 6011, NEW ZEALAND

Important information

1. Accommodation on this trip is in multi-share dormitories with shared facilities. Please refer to the ‘Is this trip right for you?’ section of your Essential Trip Information.
2. A single supplement (with shared bathroom facilities) is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip and is subject to availability. If you are a single traveller this will give you a single room, if you are travelling as a couple a double room will be allocated to you. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Emergency contact

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:





Intrepid local operator : Available for phone call on +64 9 520 5593

Is this trip right for you

Accommodation on this trip is in multi-share dormitories with shared facilities. Dorms consist of 4-8 beds. Our first preference is always single gender rooming allocation. If this isn’t possible, accommodation will be in mixed gender dorms. People travelling together may be separated due to rooming configurations. You may also be required to share with non-Intrepid travellers.

Why we love it

Explore Queenstown from all angles. Take the Skyline Gondola above the town for panoramic views over the Remarkables Mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu, then race downhill on a luge and stop for a feed at the popular Fergburger., Join a wine tasting at the largest wine cave in New Zealand and the region’s oldest vineyards in the Gibbston Valley., Spend a night at Lake Tekapo – explore the stunning purple lupins (in spring), turquoise waters and snow-dusted peaks and tuck into some delicious Kiwi kai (food) along the way, See all the highlights of the South Island on short hikes near Franz Josef Glacier and Makarora, soaking up the beauty of New Zealand’s varied landscapes – think glaciers, mountains, lakes and vast beaches., Soak up the country's natural wonders at Milford Sound or get your heart rate up with skydiving, surfing and more during your free time.

Group leader

All Intrepid group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. In New Zealand your group leader is also your driver, taking you from start to finish in a coaster vehicle. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Our crew are chosen for their driving skills, their knowledge of the country, their personality, and of course their leadership abilities. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.

Safety

TRAVEL ADVISORIES & ALERTS
We recommend that you check your government's foreign travel advisory for the latest information about the destination before you travel. You will also need to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. We also recommend saving the phone number for emergency consular assistance for your government’s consulate in the destination/s you’ll be travelling. Links to travel advisories and any current travel alerts for our trips can be found here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts

PERSONAL SAFETY
Ensure you have a secure method of carrying your passport, phone, credit cards and cash while travelling such as a money belt. Leave all other high value items, including jewellery, at home Use safety deposit boxes at hotels to store your valuables when available and ensure your luggage is lockable. Be aware of the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft. Exercise caution when walking at night, don’t walk alone and stick to well-lit streets wherever possible. Be vigilant on public transport and look out for your fellow travellers. Take precautions such as carrying your bag in front of you and never leaving personal items unattended.

LGBTQIA+ TRAVELLERS
Intrepid welcomes all LGBTQIA+ customers on our trips, however we operate in parts of the world that are less accepting. We support LGBTQIA+ customers to travel to these destinations and are committed to ensuring they face no discrimination on any part of the trip we control. We recommend you visit Equaldex (https://www.equaldex.com/) and your government's foreign travel advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers when choosing your trip.

Visas

PASSPORT
You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date.

We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends.

VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements

Some passport holders are required to request a NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) prior to travelling to New Zealand. It's important that you check the requirements prior to travel. For the most up to date information on this and all visa requirements, we recommend you contact the New Zealand embassy in your country or visit http://www.immigration.govt.nz

Last modified (date)

Information not available.

Validity

Validity: 01 Jul 2026 to 30 Jun 2027

Additional Information

Health

GENERAL HEALTH
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.

When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. 

Food and dietary requirements

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule, our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

New Zealand is renowned for its fresh air and clean waters. Fresh food, including dairy (amazing cheese and milk), produce, seafood and meat - especially lamb. From high end restaurants and gastro pubs and cafe's to local restaurants and suburban dairies there is plenty of choice for all budgets. Wine is also done extremely well in NZ and not just sav blanc, but excellent pinot's and cool climate red's.

Vegetarians and Vegans are well catered for in New Zealand and most restaurants and cafe's will have a good selection of vegetarian meals. Gluten and Lactose free diets are also well catered for.

Tap water is safe and delicious in cities and towns. Further out of town its best to check with your guide if in doubt. Please bring a reusable bottle and drink tap water where you can. You'll use less plastic, saving both the environment and money.

New Zealand has strict laws regarding arriving with fruit and veg into the country. Please pay attention to signs when arriving internationally.

Please budget approximately $20 per lunch, and $30-45 for each dinner, perhaps a little more if you intend to also enjoy a glass of wine or beer with your meal.

Money matters

SPENDING MONEY
When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling.

NEW ZEALAND
The official currency of New Zealand is the New Zealand dollar (NZD). Card payments, including digital card payments like Apple Pay, are the most common form of payment in New Zealand. Cash is accepted in most places and ATMs are common.

TIPPING
Tipping can be an appropriate way to recognise great service when travelling. While it may not be customary in your home country, it is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many of our destinations and is greatly appreciated by the people who take care of you during your travels. It is always best to avoid tipping with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes, as this can be regarded as an insult rather than the goodwill gesture it is intended to be.

YOUR GROUP LEADER OR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE
Tipping your group leader or local representative is highly appreciated if you feel they’ve provided outstanding services throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, as a guideline, the recommended amount is 4-7 USD or EUR per traveller per day (in a currency relevant to your destination). Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length and involvement of your group leader or local representative on your trip.

CONTINGENCY FUNDS
We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights. Make sure you have access to an extra US$500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved. The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of universal travellers, however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs.

What to take

Most travellers prefer to take a small to medium wheeled suitcase, which is a great size for the packing capacity in our private vehicles. Whatever you take, be mindful that you will need to be able to carry your own luggage, handle it at airports, take it in/out of accommodation and perhaps even walk short distances. We recommend you pack as lightly as possible.

If your trip includes travelling on overnight trains or primarily using public transport, the smaller your luggage, the easier it will be to store under or above bunks. Large suitcases may not be able to be taken on board. A lockable bag or small padlock for your bag will be useful, especially when travelling on public transportation as well.

When you're exploring during the day, you'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, a camera, a jacket and activity-specific items like a swimsuit, a waterproof pouch/bag for your phone, or hiking shoes.

Below we have listed the essentials for this trip:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list, CLOTHING & CLIMATE
New Zealand has relaxed attitudes to standards of dress, however there are a few practical considerations. New Zealand has a temperate climate but be prepared for colder temperatures, wet weather and a very strong sun, no matter the time of year. It is wise to bring layers for colder spells, and a sunhat and sunglasses are a must. New Zealand also receives quite a bit of rainfall throughout the year, and weather forecasts change frequently and rapidly. As you will spend a lot of time outside exploring it is essential that you bring wet weather gear, especially when you plan on doing some hiking., LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS:
Pack only your bare essentials. Due to limited space and strict road laws limiting gross weight of vehicles, you are required to limit your luggage to one reasonable sized suitcase or backpack (maximum weight limit of 20kg) and a small airways bag/day pack, which can be carried inside the coach. We cannot guarantee to carry overweight or oversized luggage., WATER BOTTLE
Please bring your own water bottle to refill. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please use the water dispensers which are provided on some of our vehicles and at some of our accommodation. When unable to avoid bottled water, it is better to buy the largest available and distribute it into your smaller bottle for the day. Some travellers like to bring a bottle with its own filtration system or water purification tablets. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip, you will need to carry at least 2 litres of water with you.

Climate and seasonal

Information not available.

A couple of rules

Intrepid won't tolerate any kind of violence, harassment (whether physical, verbal or sexual), or disrespect toward fellow travellers, our teams or local communities.

To ensure the wellbeing of everyone on the trip, decisions made by your group leader are final.

Romantic relationships between travellers and group leader or local representative are not permitted while on trip.

Any behaviour that prevents your leader from continuing the itinerary as planned, breaks local laws or opposes any of these guidelines may result in Intrepid denying your booking or removing you from the trip.

If something concerns you during your travels, please speak to your group leader immediately. Alternatively, you can contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in the Problems and Emergency Contact Information section of this Essential Trip Information.

Accommodation notes

ROOMING
Accommodation on this trip is in multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared bathrooms.

PRIVATE ROOM SUPPLEMENT
A supplement for a private room (with shared bathroom facilities) is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. If you are a single traveller this will give you a single room, if you are travelling as a couple a double room will be allocated to you. There is only a limited amount of private room supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book this service or enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.

Transport notes

Information not available.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses, including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region, please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative.

If you have credit card insurance, your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number, rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements. For example, some mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality. Travellers from the European Union, Switzerland or the USA who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below:


https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services

Australians travelling to New Zealand are eligible for publicly funded health care whilst in New Zealand. This medical care generally covers emergency treatment and is free.

Please note that Intrepid travellers still require comprehensive travel insurance to cover against emergency repatriation, personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.

Your fellow travellers

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS
Our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and don't involve a compulsory single supplement. Single travellers share with people of the same gender in accommodation ranging from twin to multishare. Some of our itineraries have accommodation booked on a mixed gender share basis and where applicable this will be specified in our Trip Notes. This only applies to accommodation during the tour - pre-trip and post-trip accommodation will be booked on a single room basis. 

Itinerary disclaimer

ITINERARY CHANGES
Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns.


OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist.

Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.