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2026

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Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

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From
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US $2,027 per person

Big South

14 days
Start and end in Christchurch
4.8
12 traveler reviews
From
$2,252
-10%
US $2,027 per person
+ $336 GST

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

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2026

Jan
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Mar
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May
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Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
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Jul
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Nov
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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

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Best price guarantee Learn More

Active
Thrilling adventures designed to keep you moving
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity
Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 5 - 18
Ages 18-39
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Lake Tekapo

    Start point
    JUCY Snooze, 5 Peter Leeming Rd, Christchurch, Canterbury Region 8053, New Zealand (Outside Front EntranceOutside Main Entrance of Lylo Christchurch (Formally Jucy Snooze), 09:00 - 09:15)
    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Explore local bike trails at Lake Tekapo
    • Relax in lakeside hot springs
    • Stargazing at Dark Sky Reserve
    Landmarks
    Lake Tekapo
    Dark Sky Reserve
    Itinerary Image 1
  2. Day 2

    Lake Tekapo to Queenstown

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Landmarks
    Lindis Pass
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  3. Day 3

    Milford Sound

    Meals
    Breakfast (Breakfast on the vehicle)

    Included Activities

    • Drive to Milford Sound with photo stops
    • View Mirror Lakes
    • Transport to Milford Sound

    Optional Activities

    • Milford Sound cruise from $89
    • Stay in Queenstown for additional activities
    Landmarks
    Milford Sound
    Mirror Lakes
    Fiordland
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  4. Day 4

    Queenstown

    Meals
    Breakfast (Breakfast left in kitchen - self-service), Dinner (Group dinner)

    Included Activities

    • Group dinner and drinks

    Optional Activities

    • Bungy jumping from $205
    • Skydiving from $299
    • Paragliding from $239
    • Jet boating from $135
    • Canyoning from $219
    • White-water rafting from $199
    • Ziptrek Ecotours from $145
    • Mountain biking
    • Horse riding from $174
    • Kayaking
    • Quad-biking from $180
    • Luging
    • Canyon Swing/Fox from $165
    Landmarks
    Queenstown
    Itinerary Image 1
  5. Day 5

    Queenstown to Franz Josef

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Landmarks
    Wanaka
    Haast Pass
    Franz Josef
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  6. Day 6

    Franz Josef

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Stop at Franz Josef

    Optional Activities

    • Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike from $469
    • Glacier hiking
    • Helicopter tour
    • Quad biking from $180
    • Kayaking
    • Glacier hot pools
    Landmarks
    Franz Josef Glacier
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  7. Day 7

    Franz Josef to Christchurch

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Landmarks
    Hokitika
    Arthur's Pass
    Southern Alps
  8. Day 8

    Christchurch to Punakaiki

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Landmarks
    Lewis Pass
    Lewis River
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  9. Day 9

    Punakaiki

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowhole Walk
    Landmarks
    Pancake Rock
    Punakaiki Blowhole
    Itinerary Image 1
  10. Day 10

    Punakaiki to Abel Tasman

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Ohau Point and Cape Foulwind Seal Colonies
    • Abel Tasman National Park visit

    Optional Activities

    • Collect fresh green-lipped mussels
    Landmarks
    Cape Foulwind
    Nelson Lakes
    Abel Tasman National Park
  11. Day 11

    Golden Bay

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Optional Activities

    • Ngārua Caves exploration
    • Te Waikoropupu Springs walk
    • Wharariki Beach track walk
    Landmarks
    Ngārua Caves
    Te Waikoropupu Springs
    Wharariki Beach
  12. Day 12

    Abel Tasman National Park

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Optional Activities

    • Abel Tasman Kayak and Walk Experience from $150
    • Hiking parts of Abel Tasman track
    • Kayaking along coastal track
    • Wildlife spotting - Tui and Tuatara
    Landmarks
    Abel Tasman National Park
  13. Day 13

    Abel Tasman to Kaikoura

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner (Group dinner)

    Included Activities

    • Wine tasting in Marlborough
    Landmarks
    Marlborough Wine Region
    Marlborough Sounds
    Picton
    Kaikoura Coastline
  14. Day 14

    Kaikoura to Christchurch

    End point
    JUCY Snooze, 5 Peter Leeming Rd, Christchurch, Canterbury Region 8053, New Zealand (Outside Main Entrance of Lylo Christchurch (Formally Jucy Snooze), 15:00 - 16:00)
    Meals
    Breakfast

    Optional Activities

    • Seal spotting
    • Whale watching
    • Swim with dolphins from $180
    • Whale Watching Cruise from $150
    Landmarks
    Jucy Snooze Christchurch

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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Insurance
  • Additional Services

Operated by

Wild Kiwi

Gold Operator
Rating
4.7(218 reviews)
Response time
7 hours
Response rate
82%
Cancellation policy

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

4.8
Overall rating based on 12 Reviews
  • Itinerary
    4.8
  • Transport
    5.0
  • Guide
    5.0
  • Accommodation
    4.4
  • Food
    4.0
  • 4.7

Sort by

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  • S
    May 17th, 2024
    Tom and Robbie both were amazing tour guides. The big south was 10 out of 10 experience. Weather definitely will play...
    Show more
    Traveled in April 2024
  • R
    December 19th, 2023
    Ben and Daisy were fantastic tour guides. If you like smaller groups, then this is definitely the best way to explore...
    Show more
    Traveled in November 2023
  • A
    December 4th, 2022
    Definitely a good value for money, the itinerary is quite well done to cover the highlights of the South Island. A...
    Show more
    Traveled in November 2022
  • Big South reviewer 4
    November 11th, 2022
    Great tour! Tom was great the first week and Robbie was great the second week! An amazing two weeks!
    Traveled in October 2022
  • S
    February 26th, 2020
    My trip was absolutely amazing!! Thank you Tourradar and Wild Kiwi!!!
    Traveled in February 2020
    Reply from: Wild Kiwi
    Hi Sarah, thanks for your review! That's great to hear you had a great time exploring the South Island with Wild Kiwi! We hope to see you on tour again soon.
    Show more
  • J
    February 15th, 2020
    Overall, an amazing experience. The tour lets you be as social or as independent as you'd like, but you're missing...
    Show more
    Traveled in January 2020
    Reply from: Wild Kiwi
    Hi Jason, thanks for your amazing review! We are so pleased to hear you had a great time exploring the South Island with Wild Kiwi and our guides Julien and Telli! We hope to see you on tour again soon!
    Show more
  • K
    February 15th, 2020
    This tour has been enriching, fun, and a life changing experience. To meet complete strangers of different...
    Show more
    Traveled in February 2020
    Reply from: Wild Kiwi
    Hi Kenneth, thanks for your epic review! We are stoked to hear you had an amazing time exploring the South Island with Wild Kiwi and our guides Julian and Telli. We hope to see you on tour again soon! Europe or Australia might have to be next on your bucket list ;)
    Show more
  • Big South reviewer 8
    January 28th, 2020
    Had an absolutely awesome two weeks travelling the south island of New Zealand. It was hands down the most...
    Show more
    Traveled in January 2020
    Reply from: Wild Kiwi
    Thank you William for your wonderful review of your Wild Kiwi Big South tour. It was a pleasure to show you the best of the South Island with Ben as your guide. We hope to see you on board with Wild Kiwi again soon.
    Show more
  • S
    May 2nd, 2019
    Fun activities to choose from, just what I was looking for. Accommodation is not always as nice as they advertise it...
    Show more
    Traveled in April 2019
    Reply from: Wild Kiwi
    Thanks for your recommendation Shimeng! We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed exploring all that the South Island has to offer.
    Show more
  • S
    February 9th, 2019
    Ben has been an incredible tour guide! He shared his true passion, joy and knowledge with the group, and ensured...
    Show more
    Traveled in February 2019
    Reply from: Wild Kiwi
    Ben is great isnt he! We are stoked to hear that you had a great time exploring the South Island.
    Show more

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

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2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Upcoming departures
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Ends in1d1h42m8s
  • From Saturday
    16 May, 2026
    To Friday
    29 May, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    $336
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    23 May, 2026
    To Friday
    5 Jun, 2026
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    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    GST
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  • Instant Confirmation
    From Saturday
    13 Jun, 2026
    To Friday
    26 Jun, 2026
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    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    20 Jun, 2026
    To Friday
    3 Jul, 2026
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    From Saturday
    11 Jul, 2026
    To Friday
    24 Jul, 2026
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    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    $2,252
    US $2,027 per person
    GST
    $336
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Saturday
    8 Aug, 2026
    To Friday
    21 Aug, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $2,252
    US $2,027 per person
    GST
    $336
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Saturday
    15 Aug, 2026
    To Friday
    28 Aug, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $2,252
    US $2,027 per person
    GST
    $336
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Saturday
    5 Sep, 2026
    To Friday
    18 Sep, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $2,252
    US $2,027 per person
    GST
    $336
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Saturday
    12 Sep, 2026
    To Friday
    25 Sep, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $2,252
    US $2,027 per person
    GST
    $336
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Saturday
    3 Oct, 2026
    To Friday
    16 Oct, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,241 per person
    GST
    $336

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
We couldn't find results
Try a different search term or ask a question to this adventure's experts
  • E

    Erin

    Asked on January 23rd, 2026

    i have requested to download 2 brochures (mainly south island tours, included hop-on-off bus version) but did not receive them via my email. Would like to find out the itineraries available for south island tours - duration ranging around 8-10 days + the pricing + what else to be separately booked myself.

    Price / Availability
    Tour Details
    • Wild KiwiOperatorWritten January 2026

      The tours available on the 7th of March are:
      7-day Southern Voyager - $2249 per person
      7-day Southern Loop - $2199 per person
      14-day Big South Tour (which is a combination of the two 7-day tours above) - $4388 per person

      Our Adventure tours stay in flashpack accommodations in 4-8 bed dorms. You have the option of upgrading to a private room for a surcharge of $150 per room and night.

    • E

      Erin

      TravelerWritten January 2026

      Will the itinerary be different for winter period say 13 June? If me and my friend would like to add 2 days of Cardrona ski to our trip, how should we go about it?

    • E

      Erin

      TravelerWritten January 2026

      Also, will all accommodations have sufficient heating for winter period? Shower rooms are inside the room or outside?

    • Wild KiwiOperatorWritten January 2026

      The route will stay the same during the winter period but there may be slight adjustments due to weather and some activities are only available in the summer. The hostels will be lovely and cosy in winter so you don't have to worry about it being cold. The bathrooms are shared facilities seperate from the dorms.

      During winter you can organise to got skiing on your two free days in Queenstown, however this would be dependant on the slopes being open. There are three ski fields nearby; Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Cardrona. They usually open mid-late June depending on the weather conditions.

    • E
      E
      3 more answers
  • D

    Denise

    Asked on December 28th, 2025

    Is it OK to join the tour if I am 77 years old

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • Wild KiwiOperatorWritten December 2025

      Our Adventure tours are designed for 18-39 year olds. We have Premium tours without age restrictions like Ultimate South departing Christchurch 31st January

    • D

      Denise

      TravelerWritten December 2025

      How much is Ultimate South tour and how many days and where do you go

    • Wild KiwiOperatorWritten December 2025

      Adventure tours are designed to give guests the opportunity to travel with like minded individuals of their own age. The camaraderie developed on tour and the possibility of making lifelong connections is why many people choose to travel with us

    • D
      2 more answers
  • B

    Barbara

    Asked on October 5th, 2025

    what exactly does shared accommodation mean? Is it accommodation with common rooms but separate bedrooms or is it accommodation like school camp style (multiple beds all in the one room)?

    Accommodation
    • Wild KiwiOperatorWritten October 2025

      Accommodation is in mixed hostel dorms, creating a fun, social atmosphere throughout the journey ranging from 4-8 bed dorms.

    • B

      Barbara

      TravelerWritten October 2025

      With the mixed hostel dorms, is it just mixed with other people that are booked on the tour or are there other people as well?

    • Wild KiwiOperatorWritten October 2025

      All dorms room are exclusive to Wild Kiwi Guests only.

    • B

      Barbara

      TravelerWritten October 2025

      The advert says 'before you relax at the lakeside hot springs for some stargazing at the worlds latest dark sky reserve', but an earlier message said this isn't included. Can you please clarify what the advert is referring to?

    • Wild KiwiOperatorWritten October 2025

      On a clear night you'll be able to enjoy stargazing anywhere in Tekapo itself, or you can join a guided tour with telescopes and an expert guide if you wish to do so.

    • B
      4 more answers
  • S

    Steven

    Asked on September 4th, 2025

    Me and my partner have always wanted to explore NZ and as we age in Australia and therefore not with our family we thought Christmas should be the perfect time. However, $3500 is a little over our budget. Would there be any chance of a 20% discount per person and we could book today?

    Price / Availability
    Tour Details
    • Wild KiwiOperatorWritten September 2025

      Regarding our tour price, we hope you understand that it is already set to reflect the great value we aim to offer our guests. While we are unable to offer a discount, we're confident that you'll have a fantastic tour experience and at this time of year the tour will likely be fully booked as it will be peak travel season.

  • A

    Alyssa

    Asked on May 16th, 2025

    Is it okay to book the trip as a solo traveller? Is Vegetarian meals option available for all meals throughout the day at all places?

    Accommodation
    Meals
    Tour Details
    • Wild KiwiOperatorWritten May 2025

      Vegetarian options will be available to purchase throughout the tour. You can absolutely book as a solo traveller. Throughout your Wild Kiwi trip, you will be staying in shared dorms of 4-6 Wild Kiwi guests at hostel-style accommodations. There is the option to upgrade to a private room subject to availability for an additional cost of $140 NZD per room and night.

    • A

      Alyssa

      TravelerWritten May 2025

      Apart from VISA, what else should I check before booking this trip?

    • Wild KiwiOperatorWritten May 2025

      The tour departs at 9:00 a.m. on the first day, so it is recommended to stay the night prior to avoid any delays. It's best to stay at the Lylo Hostel in Christchurch, where the tour will depart from. There is nothing else you would need to keep in mind apart from your visa.

    • A
      2 more answers
  • M

    Marco

    Asked on March 25th, 2025

    Can I change my departure date after booking?

    Payments
    Tour Details
    • Wild KiwiOperatorWritten March 2025

      If you wish to adjust your departure date, just let us know and we will see how we can accommodate that.

  • A

    Alexis

    Asked on January 30th, 2025

    What happens if my flight timing is close to the tour's end?

    Flights / Transfers
    • Wild KiwiOperatorWritten January 2025

      If your flight is early, we recommend booking a post-night stay to avoid any tight connections.

  • L

    Lydia

    Asked on October 26th, 2024

    Is the bike ride at Tekapo on day 1 mandatory? as I cannot ride one. Are the heli-hike and skydiving activities available during this time? Is it possible to upgrade the room to non-sharing? if so, how much would that be?

    Accommodation
    Single supplement
    Tour Details
    • Wild KiwiOperatorWritten October 2024

      All activities mentioned on our website are optional and can be organised on tour. We hold allocations for all our most popular activities so our guests don't miss the chance to participate. The Heli-hike and Skydiving experiences run all year round but are very weather dependant due to high health and safety risks. Private room upgrades are $140 NZD per room per night and are subject to availability upon booking.

  • B

    Benjamin

    Asked on October 18th, 2024

    Are there discounts for group bookings?

    Price / Availability
    • Wild KiwiOperatorWritten October 2024

      Currently, we do not have discount codes available for group bookings.

  • D

    Dirk

    Asked on August 22nd, 2024

    How can I reach out with more questions?

    Travel Support
    • Wild KiwiOperatorWritten August 2024

      You can reach out to us via the Ask a Question button for any further inquiries.

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Wild Kiwi with your enquiry, they usually respond within 7 hours.
From
$2,252
-10%
US $2,027 per person
+ $336 GST

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Best price guarantee Learn More

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Good to Know

Tour ID: 110618

  • Currency
    $
    New Zealand Dollar
    New Zealand
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type I.

    Type I
    New Zealand
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before July 3rd, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after July 3rd, 2026, a minimum payment of 15% is required to confirm your booking with Wild Kiwi. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Wild Kiwi will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Wild Kiwi" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

Videos

  • Meet Robbie | Guide Video | Wild Kiwi Adventure Tours
  • Wild Kiwi Vehicle Tour | Wild Kiwi Adventure Tours
  • Wild Kiwi | Jump In
  • Wild Kiwi | Adrenaline Rush
  • Wild Kiwi | BBQ with a view
Meet Robbie | Guide Video | Wild Kiwi Adventure Tours

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
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