Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch and settle into Hotel Give from 2pm onward. This evening at 7pm, you'll meet your driver guide and the rest of your tour group for drinks at a local bar, so you can get to know everyone before heading out.
Included Activities
- Welcome drinks with tour group at local bar
- Day 2
Christchurch to Kaikoura
The day starts early as you head toward the east coast. You'll stop at Tawanui Farm to see what life's like on a working sheep and beef farm, watch the sheep dogs in action, and hand-feed some animals while learning how they manage the land. After that you'll continue on to Kaikoura where you can spend the evening walking the beach or trying some fresh seafood.
Included Activities
- Tawanui Farm visit - sheep and beef farm experience with animal feeding
Optional Activities
- Whale watching in Kaikoura
- Swimming with dolphins in Kaikoura
Landmarks/POIs Tawanui Farm - Day 3
Kaikoura to Abel Tasman National Park
Traveling north along the Kaikoura coastline, you'll make stops to watch seals lounging on the rocks. Then you'll pass through the Marlborough region where you'll taste local wines and gin. The route continues on to Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park, giving you time to see what the area has to offer.
Included Activities
- Wine and gin tasting in Marlborough region
Optional Activities
- Hiking the Coastal track in Abel Tasman
- Kayaking in Abel Tasman
- Sailing in Abel Tasman
- Water Taxi into Abel Tasman National Park
Landmarks/POIs Abel Tasman National Park Marlborough region - Day 4
Abel Tasman National Park
This is your free day in Abel Tasman National Park. You can choose to hike, kayak, sail, or take a water taxi tour depending on what sounds good to you. Your driver guide will help you figure out the best way to spend the day exploring the golden sand beaches, forests, and clear waters.
Optional Activities
- Hiking the Coastal track
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Water Taxi into Abel Tasman National Park
Landmarks/POIs Abel Tasman National Park - Day 5
Abel Tasman to Hanmer Springs
You'll stop at Nelson Lakes for photos and to take in the views, then head to Hanmer Springs. This area is known for its natural hot pools and the surrounding mountains and forests. There are walking trails in Heritage Forest and Waiau Gorge if you want to stretch your legs.
Landmarks/POIs Nelson Lakes Heritage Forest Waiau Gorge - Day 6
Hanmer Springs
You have the full day in Hanmer Springs with included entry to the thermal pools and spa. You can soak in the 22 outdoor pools, try out the hydroslides, or go on the Conical Thrill aquatic ride. If you want more action, optional activities like forest hikes, mountain biking, horse trekking, bungy jumping, or jet boating are available.
Included Activities
- Entry to Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa - 22 outdoor thermal pools with hydroslides and Conical Thrill aquatic ride
Optional Activities
- Forest hiking
- Mountain biking
- Horse trekking
- Bungy jumping
- Jet boating
- Skiing (winter)
Landmarks/POIs Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa - Day 7
Hanmer Springs to Christchurch
You'll travel back to Christchurch from Hanmer Springs and stop at Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park along the way. The park sits in the North Canterbury landscape with views over the Waipara River Valley and has a good collection of both large and small artworks to walk around and see.
Included Activities
- Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park visit
Landmarks/POIs Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park - Day 8
Christchurch
You have the full day to explore Christchurch. This afternoon you'll join your driver guide for an included street art tour that takes you through the city to see murals and graffiti art while learning about the city's history with urban art and how it's become known for it.
Included Activities
- Christchurch Street Art tour - street art, murals and graffiti art with urban art history
- Day 9
Christchurch to Franz Josef
You'll travel coast to coast over the Southern Alps through Arthur's Pass National Park. The landscape changes as you go, with shingle riverbeds and beech forests on one side, then dense rainforest on the other. You'll stop at Devil's Punchbowl and Castle Hill for photos and to walk around a bit.
Included Activities
- Devil's Punchbowl scenic stop
- Castle Hill scenic stop
Landmarks/POIs Arthur's Pass National Park Devil's Punchbowl Castle Hill - Day 10
Franz Josef
You have a free day in the Franz Josef glacier area, which sits in a world heritage zone with both alpine scenery and west coast rainforest. You can walk the many free trails on your own, or if you want, there's an optional heli-hike glacier experience available for an extra cost.
Optional Activities
- Heli-Hike on the glacier
- Walking trails in Franz Josef area
Landmarks/POIs Franz Josef Glacier - Day 11
Franz Josef to Lake Hawea
In the morning you'll head to Lake Matheson to photograph the mirror reflection of Mt Cook and the Southern Alps if the conditions are right. From there you'll continue up Highway 6 making scenic stops, then head toward Lake Hawea for the evening.
Landmarks/POIs Lake Matheson Mount Cook - Day 12
Lake Hawea to Queenstown
You're traveling to Queenstown, which is known as the adrenaline capital. The first stop is Wanaka, a resort town on its namesake lake with views of snowcapped mountains and access to Mount Aspiring National Park from there.
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wanaka Mount Aspiring National Park - Day 13
Queenstown
You have the full day in Queenstown to try adventure activities. You can choose white water rafting, bungy jumping, skydiving, jet-boating, canyon swinging, or other options depending on your budget and how much adrenaline you want. Your driver guide can help point you toward what fits you best.
Optional Activities
- White water rafting
- Bungy jumping
- Skydiving
- Jet-boating
- Canyon swinging
- Other adventure activities in Queenstown
- Day 14
Milford Sound Day Tour
An early departure from Queenstown takes you on a full day Milford Sound tour. You'll stop in Te Anau for breakfast or coffee, then make photo stops at Mirror Lakes and the Chasm before going through Homer Tunnel. The main event is a scenic boat cruise through Milford Sound where you'll see tall peaks and waterfalls, then you return to Queenstown.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast, coffee or snacks in Te Anau)
Included Activities
- Milford Sound scenic boat cruise - 2 hours exploring peaks and waterfalls
Landmarks/POIs Milford Sound Mirror Lakes The Chasm Homer Tunnel Te Anau - Day 15
Queenstown to Christchurch
You'll travel through Lindis Pass into Mackenzie Country and stop at Lake Tekapo. There you'll visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, a small stone church right next to the blue water with colored lupins around it. From there it's on to Christchurch for your final evening.
Included Activities
- Church of the Good Shepherd visit at Lake Tekapo
Landmarks/POIs Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd Lindis Pass Mackenzie Country
