Essential New Zealand: South Island

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.