South Island Adventure in New Zealand: A Hiker’s Dream Journey in Nature’s Wonderland 13 Days
-
South Island Adventure in New Zealand: A Hiker’s Dream Journey in Nature’s Wonderland
-
South Island Adventure in New Zealand: A Hiker’s Dream Journey in Nature’s Wonderland
-
South Island Adventure in New Zealand: A Hiker’s Dream Journey in Nature’s Wonderland
-
South Island Adventure in New Zealand: A Hiker’s Dream Journey in Nature’s Wonderland
-
South Island Adventure in New Zealand: A Hiker’s Dream Journey in Nature’s Wonderland
-
South Island Adventure in New Zealand: A Hiker’s Dream Journey in Nature’s Wonderland
-
South Island Adventure in New Zealand: A Hiker’s Dream Journey in Nature’s Wonderland
-
South Island Adventure in New Zealand: A Hiker’s Dream Journey in Nature’s Wonderland
-
South Island Adventure in New Zealand: A Hiker’s Dream Journey in Nature’s Wonderland
-
South Island Adventure in New Zealand: A Hiker’s Dream Journey in Nature’s Wonderland
-
South Island Adventure in New Zealand: A Hiker’s Dream Journey in Nature’s Wonderland
-
South Island Adventure in New Zealand: A Hiker’s Dream Journey in Nature’s Wonderland
Highlights
- Duration: 13 Days
- Comfort: 66.6666666666667%
- Language: English
- Rating: 80.0%
- Trip ID: 88956
- Start Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
- End Location: Queenstown, New Zealand
-
Guaranteed:
Yes
Your Satisfaction is Guaranteed!
- AdventureLink has carefully handpicked the tour operators in our portfolio to give you the best possible selection and experience
- AdventureLink does not pay the operator until your trip completes in order to ensure the highest possible standard of care
- Primary Activities: Hiking
- Other Activities: Wildlife, history, national parks
- Activity Level: Basic
- Day 1: Arrival At Christchurch And A Tour On Kaikoura Coast
- Christchurch, on New Zealand’s South Island, is the starting point of our
journey, and we meet the group and Trip Leader at the airport in the midafternoon.
We then head north to Kaikoura, a fishing town nestled between the
often snow-clad Kaikoura Mountains and the sea on the stunning Kaikoura
Coast. We enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation in the evening. Overnight in
Kaikoura...D
Total Driving Time: 2.5 hours- Lodging
- Waves on the Esplanade
- Description
Kaikoura is a quiet town spread out along the coastline, and the ocean views are sensational from our accommodation, with its great location on Kaikoura’s main street. Here we share modern, well-furnished two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments with spacious living rooms, kitchens, and balconies for enjoying the view. Each apartment has two bathrooms (one bathroom is en suite and the other is in a hall, but both bathrooms are private). It’s just a 5-minute walk to our Dolphin Encounter base, where we get outfitted for snorkeling with Kaikoura’s friendly pods!
- Day 2: Swim With Dusky Dolphins
- Maori have inhabited this enchanting coastal region for the last 900 years. The
original Maori name for Kaikoura was Te Koha O Marokura (“The Gift of
Marokura”), named for Marokura, a god who shaped the area with a magical
sword. Today we board our boat and head out into the bay to swim with some
of Kaikoura’s famous local personalities—the playful wild dusky dolphins.
With wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins, we enter the world of these amazing
marine creatures. After lunch, we hike along the beautiful Kaikoura Peninsula,
with magnificent views of bush-clad hills and mountains, plus a chance to see
the native New Zealand fur seals basking in the shallow waters. Overnight in
Kaikoura...BLD
Total Hiking Time: About 2 hours- Lodging
- Waves on the Esplanade
- Description
Kaikoura is a quiet town spread out along the coastline, and the ocean views are sensational from our accommodation, with its great location on Kaikoura’s main street. Here we share modern, well-furnished two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments with spacious living rooms, kitchens, and balconies for enjoying the view. Each apartment has two bathrooms (one bathroom is en suite and the other is in a hall, but both bathrooms are private). It’s just a 5-minute walk to our Dolphin Encounter base, where we get outfitted for snorkeling with Kaikoura’s friendly pods!
- Day 3: Wine Tasting Amid The Vineyards Of The Marlborough Region
- We head to the northern tip of the South Island. Along the way, we enjoy a
picnic lunch and wine tasting amid the vineyards of the Marlborough region,
renowned for its crisp white wines. In the afternoon, we visit the village of
Havelock in Marlborough Sounds, with its sheltered bays, coves, and native
forests. A small Maori population lived in Marlborough Sounds many centuries
ago, and the first European arrival was Captain James Cook in 1770. Sixty
years later, the first European settlers arrived to set up whaling stations. In
the very late afternoon, we arrive in the “city” of Nelson, known to have the
best weather in New Zealand. This eclectic community is a haven for artists,
horticulturalists, and adventurers. Overnight in Nelson...BLD
- Lodging
- Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco Hotel
- Description
With a waterside setting on the Waimea Estuary outside Nelson, the Grand Mercure is a new resort laid out like an English village, complete with pedestrian streets and an inviting village green. Our accommodation at the resort is in shared two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments with living rooms, kitchens, and patios. Each apartment has private bathrooms (one bathroom is en suite and the other is in a hall, but both bathrooms are private). The Grand Mercure also offers a pool, laundry facilities, spa services, hair salon, and shops. The restaurant, the Orangerie, is very good, with a menu that blends local ingredients and French style.
- Day 4: Tour To The Abel Tasman National Park
- Our journey takes us along the coast to Kaiteriteri, where we set out on a
scenic jaunt by water taxi to reach Abel Tasman National Park, with its golden
beaches, aquamarine waters, native forests, and magnificent coastal trails.
Wading to shore from the boat, we head out on a coastal trail through mystical
fern forests, onto soft, powdery wilderness beaches, past lagoons with crystalline
waters, and up into headlands, with fantastic coastal views all along the way. At
hike’s end, we arrive at Awaroa, our stunning accommodation for two nights.
Located in the heart of the national park and only accessible on foot or by water, Awaroa is a superb 4-star lodge set in a 47-acre private reserve inside
Abel Tasman National Park itself. Overnight at Awaroa Lodge...BLD
Total Hiking Time: About 4 hours- Lodging
- Awaroa Lodge
- Description
The location of this place can’t be beat—it is surrounded by native bush and pristine beaches right in the heart of Abel Tasman National Park. The lodge is accessible only via trail, boat, or helicopter. We arrive by water taxi, hop into the water, and wade to shore to reach the lodge. Rooms are small but lovely, with sunny private decks. The restaurant is very good, well known among the hikers and yachters who frequent the area. From the lodge, we can hike right from our rooms onto Abel Tasman’s stunning trails.
- Day 5: Exploring The Extraordinary Setting Of Awaroa Lodge
- Today is all about exploring the extraordinary setting of Awaroa Lodge. We
can wander the beach and enjoy a swim in the turquoise waters, hike along the
skyline trail for incredible views of the estuary and the Cook Strait, or walk
the boardwalks through the Awaroa wetlands. Abel Tasman is a renowned
sea kayaking paradise and there is the option (at extra cost) of a sea kayaking
excursion. The Trip Leader is available to lead a more extended hiking excursion
and will organize the day according to group interests. Overnight at Awaroa
Lodge...BLD
- Lodging
- Awaroa Lodge
- Description
The location of this place can’t be beat—it is surrounded by native bush and pristine beaches right in the heart of Abel Tasman National Park. The lodge is accessible only via trail, boat, or helicopter. We arrive by water taxi, hop into the water, and wade to shore to reach the lodge. Rooms are small but lovely, with sunny private decks. The restaurant is very good, well known among the hikers and yachters who frequent the area. From the lodge, we can hike right from our rooms onto Abel Tasman’s stunning trails.
- Day 6: Visit To The South Island’s Wild West Coast And Paparoa National Park
- Leaving Tasman Bay, we head around to the South Island’s wild west coast.
The West Coast is New Zealand’s cultural heartland, full of legends and stories
and populated by only 31,000 people who are known to New Zealanders as
Coasters. Isolated from the rest of New Zealand by the Southern Alps, Coasters
have a distinctive culture of their own. Today’s hike takes us to Cape Foulwind,
named by Captain Cook for the weather he experienced while rounding it. A
breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals resides along the cliffs here. In the
afternoon, we head to Paparoa National Park, the first “scientific” national park
in New Zealand, its boundaries carefully chosen to encompass a complete range
of ecosystems. Paparoa protects some of the most inaccessible native bush and
lush forest in the country. Its rugged coastline features spectacular cliffs and
water-sculpted limestone blow holes, including the famous limestone stacks
called the Pancake Rocks. Overnight at Punakaiki...BLD
Total Hiking Time: About 3 hours- Lodging
- Punakaiki Resort
- Description
With a stunning location on Punakaiki Beach next to the Pancake Rocks, this is the perfect place for us to stop after our day’s drive along the South Island’s gorgeous west coast. It is a modern hotel complex nestled among tree ferns and featuring views of the Tasman Sea. We enjoy a wonderful sunset view over the west coast’s wild ocean as we enjoy dinner at the restaurant.
- Day 7: Visiting The Old Gold Mining Town Of Hokitika And Fox Glacier
- This morning, we can take a relaxed walk on the beach in front of our hotel
or hike along the tea-colored Pororari River through a magical “lost world” of
subtropical rainforest. We continue along the West Coast, visiting the old gold
mining town of Hokitika, first settled in 1860 as the bustling center of New
Zealand’s West Coast gold rush. Today the town is famous for its artisans,
jade carvers in particular, and we have a chance to wander among the many
intriguing studios and shops. Our afternoon hike through temperate rainforest
follows the route taken by early guided parties to access the Fox Glacier.
Overnight in the country town of Fox Glacier Township...BLD
Total Hiking Time: About 3 hours- Lodging
- The Westhaven
- Description
A minute’s walk from the cafes and pubs in the “one street” town of Fox Glacier Township, the Westhaven is a nice new motel with clean, comfortable, and spacious rooms. There aren’t many choices in this little village, and the Westhaven has a great location and a friendly staff. The electric blankets and heated bathroom floors are a nice touch.
- Day 8: Fox Glacier Hike
- On the mighty Fox Glacier, flanked by emerald rainforests and
framed by the snowy giants of the Southern Alps, our exciting
glacier walk gives us up-close perspectives of a sea of jagged
ice. We spend the morning hiking and exploring this immense,
ever-changing mass of ice and rock. Special crampons for our
boots are provided for the hike on the glacier itself. As we
hike, we may hear the glacier creaking and groaning around us.
The Fox Glacier is the longest and most magnificent of New
Zealand’s West Coast glaciers and, remarkably, it ends in a
temperate rainforest just a few miles from the sea. Overnight in
Fox Glacier Township…BLD
Total Hiking Time: About 4-5 hours- Lodging
- The Westhaven
- Description
A minute’s walk from the cafes and pubs in the “one street” town of Fox Glacier Township, the Westhaven is a nice new motel with clean, comfortable, and spacious rooms. There aren’t many choices in this little village, and the Westhaven has a great location and a friendly staff. The electric blankets and heated bathroom floors are a nice touch.
- Day 9: A Serene Forest Stroll On The Nature Path Circling Lake Matheson And Wanaka
- This morning, we take a serene forest stroll on a nature path circling Lake
Matheson, where the snow-capped reflections of Mt. Cook (New Zealand’s
highest peak) and Mt. Tasman are often perfectly mirrored. Leaving Fox
Glacier Township, we head out for a short walk on a rainforest track to Munro
Beach in search of the rare Fiordland crested penguins, then continue our
morning drive on the Heritage Highway along the Tasman Sea. After a picnic
lunch amid the dramatic scenery of the Haast River, we continue over the main
divide into the Southern Lakes district and check into our bed-and-breakfast
accommodation in the pretty township of Wanaka, set at the end of sapphireblue
Lake Wanaka. In winter, Wanaka is a picturesque ski resort...BLD
Total Hiking Time: About 3 hours- Lodging
- Te Wanaka Lodge
- Description
This is a cozy B&B with great hosts in the quiet lakeside town of Wanaka. The rooms are small but very clean and nicely decorated. Tea and cake is always available and the hot tub in the courtyard is perfect after a good hike. It’s a pleasant five-minute walk to the restaurants and shops.
- Day 10: Drive Through The Majestic Matukituki Valley In Mount Aspiring National Park
- We drive through the majestic Matukituki Valley in Mount Aspiring National
Park to start our day’s hike through a spectacular river gorge ending in a
natural amphitheater—the perfect place for a picnic lunch. Surrounding us are
hundreds of waterfalls pouring from hanging sheets of ice and over vertical
cliffs. Some evaporate before they reach the ground while others produce
brilliant rainbows. Keas, the world’s only alpine parrot, soar on the updrafts and
the air is filled with their distinctive calls. Declared a World Heritage Site, this
immense alpine reserve is dominated by a pyramid-shaped peak of snow and
ice that the Maori call Tititeaor (“Upright Glistening Mountain”). At 9,961
feet, Mt. Aspiring towers above a sea of mighty peaks and more than 50 named
glaciers. Later this afternoon, we head back to our lodge in Wanaka. A soak in
the hot tub under the stars is the perfect way to sooth aching muscles after a
full day of hiking. This evening, you are free to explore town and enjoy dinner
in one of its numerous excellent restaurants. Your Trip Leader will be happy to
make recommendations. Overnight in Wanaka...BL
Total Hiking Time: About 4-6 hours- Lodging
- Te Wanaka Lodge
- Description
This is a cozy B&B with great hosts in the quiet lakeside town of Wanaka. The rooms are small but very clean and nicely decorated. Tea and cake is always available and the hot tub in the courtyard is perfect after a good hike. It’s a pleasant five-minute walk to the restaurants and shops.
- Day 11: Watch Bungy Jumpers Leap Off The Historic Gateway Of Queenstown
- We head over the Crown Range and into the Wakatipu Basin. At the Kawarau
Bridge, we stop to watch as bungy jumpers leap off this historic gateway
to Queenstown. The stout-hearted among us might want to “have a go” or
encourage someone else by offering to take photos. After a visit to the historic
gold mining town of Arrowtown, we enjoy a picnic lunch and sample the pinot noir wines that Central Otago is famous for. In the afternoon, we arrive
in Queenstown, a once-sleepy lakeside village that has become known as the
adventure capital of New Zealand. Queenstown is nestled at the base of the
Remarkable Mountains on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, perhaps the most
haunting of Central Otago’s lakes, with its serpentine shape and rhythmic
“breathing tides.” According to Maori legend, the lake was formed when an
evil sleeping giant was set on fire by a brave youth. Overnight at our lodge in
Queenstown overlooking Lake Wakatipu, set beneath the mountains. With
over 100 restaurants to choose from, we explore Queenstown on our own for
dinner tonight. This is a great place for shopping and nightlife, too. Overnight
in Queenstown...BL
- Lodging
- Novotel Queenstown Lakeside Hotel
- Description
The Novotel has a perfect location directly on Queenstown’s picturesque lakefront. In the heart of town but on a quiet side street, it has modern, clean rooms, stylish decor, plenty of amenities, and a great location for all that Queenstown has to offer. From the lobby, restaurant, and many rooms, there are beautiful views across the lake towards the snow-capped mountains.
- Day 12: Visit To Fiordland National Park And Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
- This morning we drive to Milford Sound through upended land that was
carved, tumbled, and jumbled by grinding glaciers during the last Ice Age.
Along the way, we stop for short walks at areas of interest in Fiordland National
Park, the largest national park in New Zealand. Arriving in the late afternoon
at the town of Te Anau, the gateway to Milford Sound, we board our vessel
for a cruise through this spectacular body of water. Set among the towering
peaks of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound is a deep watery chasm that
flows to the Tasman Sea. It is one of the world’s most spectacular meetings of
mountain and sea, where 4,000-foot-high walls rise directly from the water’s
edge. Our cruise takes us out to the edge of the Tasman Sea, where we anchor
for the night in sheltered Harrison Cove beneath towering Mount Pembroke.
Before sunset, we can explore the fjord by kayak or tender craft, or simply relax
on the deck of the vessel to enjoy the vistas. To spend the night enveloped by
the majesty of this environment is simply the best way to experience Milford
Sound! We have our farewell dinner this evening. Overnight aboard in private
cabins with ensuite bathrooms...BLD
Total Hiking Time: About 1 hour- Lodging
- Milford Mariner
- Description
For our overnight cruise in spectacular Milford Sound, we have comfortable private cabins with en suite bathrooms on the 60-passenger Milford Mariner, a traditional-style motor vessel with staysail schooner-rigged sails. By choosing an overnight cruise rather than a day cruise, we get to explore the full length of this world-famous mountain fjord, experiencing its many moods as the light changes from day to night. Along the way, we keep an eye out for wildlife including penguins, dolphins, and seals, with options for exploring by small boat or by sit-on-top kayak with the onboard naturalists. The chef serves up delicious meals in the dining salon.
- Day 13: Depart
- Awaking to the silence and serenity of Milford Sound, we have breakfast on board as the ship returns to shore. We disembark and transfer to Queenstown airport, arriving about 3:00 pm to depart on homeward-bound flights, or join our Hollyford Track Extension. Due to Hollyford Track departure schedules, the extension may require pre-track extra hotel nights in Te Anau or Queenstown. Note: Since our trip doesn’t spend much time in Queenstown, we highly recommend you extend your stay by at least a day in this beautiful little town, with its spectacular location and wide variety of activities available. We’re happy to book extra hotel nights for you at the recommended hotel (an “on your own” expense)...BL
Trip Includes
- Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
- Accommodations as noted
- All meals except 2 dinners
- Land and boat transportation as noted in the Full Trip Brochure
- Airport departure transfer to Queenstown airport
Trip Excludes
- International airfare
- Airport transfer on arrival in Christchurch
- Any meals not specified after each itinerary day
- Airport departure taxes
- Optional activities
- Optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff
- Additional hotel nights that may be necessitated by airline schedule changes or other factors
- Pre-trip expenses of medical immunizations (if any)
- Travel insurance,
- Passports and visas
- And other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic drinks, laundry, etc.).
Trip ID#: 88956
CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable
Gian Tordi
About Gian
Gian Franco grew up in Europe and has traveled extensively and can help you with all your travel planning needs. Gian Franco’s expertise is primarily in Europe, but he has travelled around the world and speaks six languages. Previous to AdventureLink, Gian worked as a personal travel consultant and tour guide and his passion is putting together customized travel itineraries. Gian Franco will guide you through the process of picking the right trip and customizing the experience to meet your exact requirements!
- Destination expertise All Countries
- Activity expertise All Activities
- Recommended trips
Sending contact request... Please wait.
Enter your phone number below and we will call you immediatly and connect you with Gian.
There is no charge to talk to Gian or for the phone call. It's 100% free. We want to help you plan an unforgettable trip.
(e.g. romantic getaway, hiking trip, cycling trip)
Let us know what you want to do and why you're doing it. Are there any goals you want to achieve on this trip?
Enter your phone number below and we will call you immediately and connect you with one of our Expert Agents!
There is no charge for the phone call or to talk to one of our Expert Agents -- it's 100% free! We want to help you plan an unforgettable trip.
Enter your phone number below and we will call you immediately and connect you with customer service.
Authenticating... Please wait.
- Largest Selection Choose from over 14,000 adventures across the globe.
- Best Operators Each trip and tour operator is hand selected and vetted by our curators.
- Guaranteed Trips We don’t pay the tour operator until your trip completes in order to make sure you get what you paid for.
Registering you... Please wait.
You have selected two trips. You can compare these trips or add another.
Loading...
The maximum number of trips you can compare is three.
Click here to exit or Click below to compare trips.
Our tour operators are happy to assist you in creating just the right trip; fill out the form below and we'll give you a custom quote.
month / day / year
New Zealand is incredibly welcoming—great food, good fun, and a world of waterfalls.
Overall Rating
80%Guide Rating
80%Value Rating
80%Itinerary Rating
90%Accomodation Rating
90%The trip was spectacular. Like other WT trips, the itinerary started out amazing and seemed to get more spectacular every day. I would encourage anyone to go on this trip!
Overall Rating
90%Guide Rating
70%Value Rating
60%Itinerary Rating
90%Accomodation Rating
100%I think this trip allowed me to see places and have experiences that I would not have seen or done on a do-it-yourself trip. This was a wonderful trip with a great group of people.
Overall Rating
90%Guide Rating
90%Value Rating
80%Itinerary Rating
90%Accomodation Rating
80%The variety of hikes, scenery, and activities together with a great Trip Leader made this a fabulous trip.
Overall Rating
90%Guide Rating
90%Value Rating
60%Itinerary Rating
80%Accomodation Rating
70%We’ve traveled a lot and this was one of the very best trips ever!
Overall Rating
90%Guide Rating
60%Value Rating
60%Itinerary Rating
80%Accomodation Rating
80%Good trip design combined with the island’s natural beauty made this one of the most memorable trips I’ve ever taken.
Overall Rating
90%Guide Rating
70%Value Rating
50%Itinerary Rating
90%Accomodation Rating
50%I may repeat this trip in the future. I bet I will be telling my children and grandchildren about this trip.
Overall Rating
70%Guide Rating
50%Value Rating
60%Itinerary Rating
90%Accomodation Rating
80%One of the best trips of all time.
Overall Rating
90%Guide Rating
90%Value Rating
50%Itinerary Rating
80%Accomodation Rating
60%I felt that I was able to see all the highlights of the South Island on this one trip!
Overall Rating
70%Guide Rating
50%Value Rating
50%Itinerary Rating
90%Accomodation Rating
80%One of the best trips of a lifetime!
Overall Rating
70%Guide Rating
70%Value Rating
60%Itinerary Rating
90%Accomodation Rating
50%"This was just about the most perfectly planned, executed, and delivered tour I have ever been on. The pace, scenic hikes, lunch picnics, dinner barbecues, cafes, and hotels were all so well planned and the food all along the way was over the top delicious. It was just awesome!"
Overall Rating
80%Guide Rating
70%Value Rating
70%Itinerary Rating
80%Accomodation Rating
90%"Loved this trip...New Zealand is so beautiful!"
Overall Rating
70%Guide Rating
80%Value Rating
70%Itinerary Rating
80%Accomodation Rating
70%"The itinerary, from dolphins to Milford Sound, was truly exceptional. The variety of experiences and consistency of hiking opportunities made this one of our favorites out of many successful Wilderness Travel adventures."
Overall Rating
80%Guide Rating
90%Value Rating
80%Itinerary Rating
90%Accomodation Rating
80%