18 to 35s Essential New Zealand: South Island (11 destinations)

Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Christchurch

   Christchurch Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Stroll through Christchurch Botanic Gardens
   • Visit Canterbury Museum to learn about the region's cultural heritage
   • Head out with group for dinner at one of the city's restaurants

   Landmarks
   Christchurch Botanic Gardens
   Canterbury Museum

   

2. Day 2

   Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

   Christchurch to Lake Tekapo Show on map

   Meals

   Lunch (Southland-style lunch of mince pies and cheese rolls in Fairlie)

   Included Activities

   • Christchurch city tour
   • Visit Christchurch Cathedral
   • Fairlie - Southland style lunch
   • Visit Church of the Good Shepherd

   Optional Activities

   • Stargaze from the summit of Mount John
   • Visit Tekapo Springs Hot Pool - NZD50
   • The Summit Experience - NZD209
   • The Crater Experience - NZD129

   Landmarks
   Christchurch Cathedral
   Church of the Good Shepherd
   Lake Tekapo
   Mount John

   

3. Day 3

   Lake Tekapo to Queenstown

   Lake Tekapo to Queenstown Show on map

   Meals

   Dinner (Dinner at Fergburger, a popular 'hole in the wall' style restaurant known for their gourmet burgers)

   Included Activities

   • Queenstown - Skyline Gondola
   • Queenstown - Luge
   • Queenstown - Fergburger

   Optional Activities

   • Explore Queenstown's nightlife (recommendations from group leader)

   Landmarks
   Skyline Gondola Queenstown
   Coronet Peak
   The Remarkables
   Lake Wakatipu

   

4. Day 4

   Queenstown

   Queenstown Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Shotover River Jet Boat Ride - NZD169
   • River kayaking
   • Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Coach Day Trip - NZD274
   • Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour - NZD285
   • Walk around Lake Wakatipu
   • Nevis Bungy - NZD395
   • Time Tripper - NZD20
   • Canyoning - NZD239
   • Canyon Swing - from NZD295
   • Dart River Funyaks - from NZD495
   • Kawarau Bridge Bungy - NZD320

   Landmarks
   Lake Wakatipu
   Milford Sound

   

5. Day 5

   Queenstown to Arrowtown to Queenstown

   Queenstown to Arrowtown to Queenstown Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Arrowtown - Village visit
   • Queenstown - Kawarau Gorge
   • Gibbston Valley - Wine Tasting

   Landmarks
   Arrowtown
   Kawarau Gorge
   Gibbston Valley

6. Day 6

   Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier

   Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Makarora - Blue Pools Track

   Landmarks
   Makarora Blue Pools
   Franz Josef Glacier

   

7. Day 7

   Franz Josef Glacier

   Franz Josef Glacier Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Franz Josef Glacier - Forest Walk

   Optional Activities

   • Glacier Lake Kayaking - NZD165
   • Carve your own Pounamu Necklace - NZD94
   • Waiho Hot Tubs - from NZD89
   • Lake Mapourika Scenic Cruise - NZD125
   • Quad Biking - NZD244
   • Heli-Hiking Tour - from NZD695

   Landmarks
   Franz Josef Glacier
   Waiho River
   Glacier Lake

8. Day 8

   Franz Josef Glacier to Westport

   Franz Josef Glacier to Westport Show on map

   Meals

   Dinner (Kiwi barbeque dinner)

   Included Activities

   • Punakaiki - Rocks & Blowhole Visit
   • Westport - Kiwi BBQ Dinner

   Optional Activities

   • GlowWorm Cave Adventure (Charleston) - NZD165
   • Westport - Surfboard Hire - NZD45
   • Westport - Surfing Lesson - NZD90
   • Underworld Cave Rafting (Charleston) - NZD245

   Landmarks
   Punakaiki Rocks
   Punakaiki Blowholes

9. Day 9

   Westport to Abel Tasman National Park

   Westport to Abel Tasman National Park Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Westport - Seal Colony at Tauranga Bay
   • Westport - Kawatiri Experience

   Landmarks
   Tauranga Bay
   Museum of Kawatiri
   Abel Tasman National Park

10. Day 10

    Abel Tasman National Park

    Abel Tasman National Park Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Abel Tasman National Park - Full Day Sailing - NZD213
    • Abel Tasman Coast Track walk
    • Abel Tasman National Park - Skydiving - from NZD280
    • Abel Tasman National Park - Cruise and Anchorage Walk - NZD138
    • Abel Tasman National Park - Canyoning - from NZD319

    Landmarks
    Abel Tasman National Park
    Abel Tasman Coast Track

11. Day 11

    Abel Tasman National Park to Picton to Wellington

    Abel Tasman National Park to Picton to Wellington Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Picton - Ferry through the Marlborough Sounds

    Optional Activities

    • Dinner and drinks with group in Wellington

    Landmarks
    Marlborough Sounds
    Picton

    

12. Day 12

    Wellington

    Wellington Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Wellington - Botanic Garden - Free
    • Wellington - Cable Car (return) - NZD12
    • Wellington - Te Papa Museum - NZD35
    • Wellington - Mount Victoria Lookout - Free
    • Wellington - Weta Workshop Tour - NZD45
    • Wellington - Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary - NZD26

    Landmarks
    Wellington Botanic Garden
    Te Papa Museum
    Mount Victoria Lookout
    Weta Workshop
    Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary