Wild Kiwi - Southern Voyager
7-Day South Island Small Group Adventure
Tour Overview
The South Island's most iconic locations packed into 7 action-packed days. Start with stargazing at the world's largest Dark Sky Reserve at Lake Tekapo, spend 3 nights in Queenstown (the adventure capital of the world), cruise Milford Sound (UNESCO World Heritage Site), hike a glacier at Franz Josef, and wind back through the dramatic Arthur's Pass to Christchurch.
Travel in a luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a maximum of 18 like-minded travellers aged 18-39. Guaranteed departures every Saturday from Christchurch, year-round.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Drive south through the Canterbury Plains to the stunning turquoise shores of Lake Tekapo. Visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd - one of New Zealand's most photographed landmarks. Explore local bike trails, soak in the lakeside hot springs, and that evening, experience the world's largest Dark Sky Reserve for incredible stargazing (the clearest skies in the Southern Hemisphere).
Optional morning activities in Tekapo before the scenic drive south through the Mackenzie Basin and past Aoraki/Mt Cook (New Zealand's highest peak) to Queenstown - the adventure capital of the world. Three nights here means plenty of time to experience the city's incredible range of activities. Evening: skydiving, bungy jumping, canyoning, or ziplining options.
One of the most breathtaking day trips in the world - drive through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. The UNESCO-listed fiord features towering 1,200-metre walls of granite, cascading waterfalls, ancient temperate rainforest, and resident colonies of fur seals and Fiordland crested penguins. Optional cruise available (highly recommended).
A full free day in Queenstown - arguably the world's most adventure-packed small city. Choose from:
- Nevis Bungy (134m - New Zealand's highest bungy jump)
- Canyon Swing (massive 200m free-fall)
- Horse riding through the Wakatipu Basin
- Skydiving over Lake Wakatipu at 15,000ft
- Mountain biking on Queenstown Bike Park trails
- Skyline Gondola & Luge
- K Jet - jet boating through the Kawarau Gorge canyons
Leave Queenstown and drive north via Wanaka (a serene alternative to Queenstown with equally stunning lake views). Continue through the Haast Pass - a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of rainforests, mountain passes, and waterfalls including the stunning Thunder Creek Falls. Arrive at Franz Josef Glacier village on the Wild West Coast.
A full day to experience one of the world's most accessible glaciers. Options include:
- Guided glacier hike with crampons - walk on 300-year-old ice
- Helicopter glacier tour - the most spectacular views
- Heli-hike combo - fly up and hike down
- Quad biking through the rainforest
- River kayaking
- Glacier Hot Pools - relax in geothermal pools surrounded by rainforest
Drive back to Christchurch via the stunning Arthur's Pass - through the Southern Alps with dramatic mountain scenery and the famous Otira Viaduct. Stop at Hokitika (famous for its jade/pounamu carvings). Arrive in Christchurch in the evening. Tour concludes - seven days of pure South Island magic.
