Australia
Abel Tasman, the West Coast, four nights in Queenstown and Milford Sound in 11 days.
An 11 day South Island small group adventure from Picton to Christchurch by private coach: Abel Tasman, Pancake Rocks, Franz Josef, Lake Matheson, four Queenstown nights, a Milford Sound cruise and the Tekapo Dark Sky Experience.
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From
$2,259 AUD
per person
Booked with Wanderlust, an Australian travel business based in Byron Bay (ABN 34 636 612 523). We handle your booking ourselves, before and after you travel.
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The South Island in eleven days, Picton to Christchurch, with a guide, a private coach and a maximum of 24 travellers. It runs down the wild west coast and finishes at the lakes.
First comes Abel Tasman National Park, with a full day on the water and walking tracks. Then the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes, a rainforest stay at Franz Josef, and Lake Matheson on the way to Queenstown. You get four nights there, including two full free days, plus a Milford Sound day trip and cruise. The tour ends with the Dark Sky Experience at Lake Tekapo and a night in Christchurch.
Included are 10 nights of dorm-style accommodation and 10 breakfasts. It suits anyone starting from Picton who wants the South Island done in one go.
Abel Tasman National Park
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes
Franz Josef and Lake Matheson
Four nights in Queenstown with two free days
Milford Sound day trip and cruise
Dark Sky Experience at Tekapo
Your South Island adventure kicks off in Picton, the heart of the Marlborough Sounds. You drive through the Marlborough wine region to Marahau, where your accommodation sits right on the edge of Abel Tasman National Park. Stargazing and optional wine tasting round out the evening, and there is an optional group dinner.
Count yourself lucky: a full day in New Zealand's most popular national park. A water taxi takes you to Anchorage Bay past golden sand beaches and brilliant blue water, where you picnic on the beach and check out Cleopatra's Pools, moss-lined freshwater pools with a natural water slide. Then walk about 4 hours back, stopping for photos and swims in secluded bays. Kayaking, sailing, skydiving and canyoning are optional.
Buckle up for a big day down the wild West Coast, through Buller Gorge on a stretch of road named one of the world's top drives. Phone reception is patchy, but you will not need it with views like these. Stop at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes, then roll into Franz Josef, set in the rainforest, for a group dinner at your accommodation.
Ice, ice baby. Take a short drive to the start of the track, then hike through native bush and across glacial streams to the terminal face of Franz Josef Glacier for incredible photos. Prefer to rest? Soak in one of the largest spa pools in New Zealand at the Retreat. A heli hike and a kayak across Lake Mapourika are optional.
A scenic day with plenty of photo stops. First up is the mirror-like Lake Matheson for a short walk, then you head inland over the Haast Pass and along Lake Hawea into Queenstown. Once settled, explore the lakeside resort, which has over 100 clubs and bars to choose from.
Two full days in the adventure capital. Pick your own adventure: bungy, swing, jet boating, skydiving, mountain biking, ziplining and horse riding are all optional, or hike Ben Lomond, Queenstown Hill or Bob's Peak for free. Add the nightlife and mountain scenery and it is easy to see why backpackers struggle to leave.
Day two of your Queenstown free time. Keep ticking off bucket-list activities, hike one of the iconic peaks, take the TSS Earnslaw cruise across Lake Wakatipu, head to Arrowtown for a gold rush wander, or just chill on the lakefront and recover.
Hop on the coach for the scenic drive to world-famous Milford Sound, then board a boat and cruise past Mitre Peak and lush rainforest, with waterfalls thundering down if it has been raining. Fur seals, penguins and dolphins are all possible. The Milford Sound day trip and cruise is part of your tour, and you are back in Queenstown for the evening.
A short drive brings you to Lake Tekapo, an electric blue lake framed by the Southern Alps. Walk to the Church of the Good Shepherd, a stone chapel right on the lakeshore, for some of the best photos of the trip. In the afternoon you can choose the Dark Sky Project experience, an insight into Tātai Aroraki, Māori astronomy (optional). The Mount John hike and Tekapo Hot Springs are options too.
Drive to Christchurch, a cool city with the Avon River running through it, lush parks and laneway bars. Wander the streets to find street art and hidden eateries, visit the Botanic Gardens, check out the Riverside Market, shop, or hop on the tourist tram.
Your adventure ends after breakfast. Say goodbye to your guide and your new travel mates.
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Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.
"What an adventure!! Fantastic from start to finish. Our group had a wide age range but we laughed so much throughout the trip."
Colette B
Tripadvisor review
"I had an awesome time, everyday was a new adventure and I saw a lot of beautiful places! Also our tourguide … was great, thanks to his constant fun facts and surprise stops, the long bus rides never got boring. He’s a super funny and kind person! I can definitely recommend the trip, you will have the time of your life!"
Tina G
Tripadvisor review
"Stunning scenery, interesting activities and a driver guide who was knowledgeable and had a great energy and made me fall in love with his country."
Leone K
Tripadvisor review
Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.
New Zealand
9 days · 8 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
Auckland to Wellington
6 meals included
$1999 AUD
≈ $222/day
New Zealand
9 days · 8 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
Christchurch to Queenstown
7 meals included
$1999 AUD
≈ $222/day
New Zealand
17 days · 16 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
Auckland to Queenstown
13 meals included
$4399 AUD
≈ $259/day
From
$2259
