Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch to Franz Josef
Start your South Island adventure in Christchurch and head across the Southern Alps mountain pass. The drive takes you through dramatic alpine scenery before reaching Hokitika, a former gold rush town where a local Māori guide walks you through pounamu (jade) carving traditions and cultural significance. After that, you'll drive along the coastline heading toward Franz Josef, with ocean views opening up as you get closer to your destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic drive across Southern Alps mountain pass
- Pounamu (jade) tour with local Māori guide in Hokitika
- Scenic drive to Franz Josef along the coastline
Landmarks/POIs Southern Alps Hokitika Franz Josef Glacier - Day 2
Franz Josef
At Franz Josef you have two main options for the day. Either take a helicopter ride to see the glacier from above, or work with a Māori craftsman to carve your own pounamu pendant while learning about the stone's sacred meaning in Māori culture. Both activities connect you to the region's natural beauty and cultural heritage in different ways.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Helicopter ride over Franz Josef Glacier
- Carve your own pounamu (jade) pendant with a Māori mastercraftsman
Landmarks/POIs Franz Josef Glacier - Day 3
Franz Josef to Queenstown
Travel from Franz Josef toward Queenstown, making scenic stops along the way. At Haast Pass you'll see ancient rainforests, glaciers and waterfalls before heading to Wānaka for lunch by the lake. In the afternoon, you'll arrive in Queenstown where you can attempt the Kawarau Bungy Bridge if you're keen on adrenaline activities. Later, the Skyline restaurant accessed by gondola offers dinner with views over the town and surrounding mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Haast Pass with rainforests, glaciers and waterfalls
- Stop in Wānaka for lunch
Optional Activities
- Kawarau Bungy Bridge jump
- Gondola ride and dinner at Skyline restaurant (highest restaurant in Queenstown)
Landmarks/POIs Haast Pass Wānaka Kawarau Bungy Bridge Skyline Queenstown - Day 4
Queenstown
You have the full day free to explore Queenstown at your own pace. Walk around the town to get familiar with shops, cafes and the lakefront area. The town sits surrounded by mountains and offers plenty of adventure options if you want to try something, though there's no scheduled activities today so you can move at your own speed.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Queenstown at your own pace
Landmarks/POIs Queenstown - Day 5
Queenstown
Your second full day in Queenstown lets you choose your own adventure. Wine tastings and vineyard visits are available nearby, or you could go bungy jumping, ziplining, or hiking depending on your interests. During ski season, you have the option of taking an exclusive ski day-trip to Cardrona if you want to hit the slopes instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Wine country exploration and wine cellar tours
- Bungy jump
- Ziplining
- Ski day-trip to Cardrona (ski season only)
Landmarks/POIs Cardrona - Day 6
Queenstown
On your last full day in Queenstown, it's up to you whether to push harder with more adventure activities or take things easy and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. After several active days, some people prefer a slower pace while others want to fit in one more activity before leaving the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Adventure activities of your choice
- Leisure time enjoying the region
- Day 7
Queenstown to Te Anau
Head out to Milford Sound, one of the South Island's most notable natural areas, with dramatic mountain peaks and forest-covered cliffs. You'll take an included cruise through the fiord to see the landscape from the water. After that, you arrive in Te Anau where you can take a jet boat tour, explore the glowworm caves, or bike through native bush trails depending on what interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise of Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) fiord
Optional Activities
- Guided jet boat trip from Te Anau through Lake Manapouri to explore Fiordland National Park
- Glowworm caves visit
- Cycling trails through native bush
Landmarks/POIs Milford Sound Fiordland National Park Lake Manapouri Te Anau - Day 8
Te Anau to Lake Ōhau
Leave Te Anau and stop at Kingston for a farm experience supporting the Fairlight Foundation, an organization that teaches farming skills to local women and girls. From there, you'll head to Arrowtown, a historic gold mining town where lunch gives you time to walk around and see the old architecture. Later you'll continue to Lake Ōchau for your final night, with spectacular views of Mt Cook as your backdrop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to local farm in Kingston supporting the Fairlight Foundation
- Stop in Arrowtown historic gold mining town
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Arrowtown
Landmarks/POIs Kingston Arrowtown Lake Ōhau Mt Cook - Day 9
Lake Ōhau to Christchurch
Start at Lake Tekapo with its glacier-fed waters and clear blue color, then visit the Dark Sky exhibition combining stargazing, science and traditional Māori astronomy. You'll learn how Māori used the stars to guide harvests and discover why reducing light pollution matters for both scientific study and cultural practices. After that, you'll head back to Christchurch to wrap up your South Island journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Lake Tekapo
- Dark Sky Experience multimedia exhibition with stargazing, science and traditional Māori astronomy
Landmarks/POIs Lake Tekapo Lake Pukaki Geraldine
