Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch to Kaikoura
After leaving Christchurch, you'll arrive in Kaikoura in time to get out and explore the town's main attractions. You can book a whale watching tour or swim with dolphins if that interests you. By evening, there's time to relax on the beach or grab some fresh seafood for dinner, which the area does really well.
- Start point
- 12 Hereford Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand (Hotel Give, 07:30)
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Dusky Lodge)
Optional Activities
- Whale watching tour
- Swimming with dolphins
- Beach relaxation
- Seafood dinner
Landmarks/POIs Kaikoura - Day 2
Kaikoura to Kaiteriteri
The drive north takes you along the Kaikoura coastline with stops to watch seals lounging on rocks. From there, you'll head through vineyards toward Nelson, which gets more sunshine than anywhere else in New Zealand. The route continues to Kaiteriteri, where Abel Tasman National Park sits right at the edge of town.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Kaiteri Lodge)
Included Activities
- Seal viewing on the rocks
- Drive through vineyards
Optional Activities
- Walking adventure in Abel Tasman National Park
- Kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park
- Water taxi tour to Abel Tasman National Park
- Skydiving over Abel Tasman National Park
Landmarks/POIs Kaikoura Coastline Nelson Abel Tasman National Park Kaiteriteri - Day 3
Kaiteriteri to Westport
This morning involves either kayaking out to Split Apple Rock or taking a water taxi into Abel Tasman National Park for a walk through native forest. After lunch, you'll visit the Nelson Lakes wharf before heading toward Westport, a small surf town on the coast.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Bazils Hostel & Surf School)
Optional Activities
- Kayaking to Split Apple Rock
- Kayaking along golden bays near Kaiteriteri
- Water taxi to Abel Tasman National Park bays
- Morning stroll in native New Zealand forest
- Nelson Lakes wharf visit
Landmarks/POIs Split Apple Rock Abel Tasman National Park Nelson Lakes Westport - Day 4
Westport to Mahinapua
State Highway 6 takes you down the rugged Tasman shoreline with some real highlights along the way. You'll see the seal colony at Cape Foulwind, walk along raw beaches, and check out the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks formations. At the end of the day, you stay at the historic Mahinapua Hotel right across from Lake Mahinapua.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Mahinapua Hotel)
Included Activities
- Cape Foulwind seal colony walk
- Punakaiki Pancake Rocks viewing
Landmarks/POIs State Highway 6 Cape Foulwind Punakaiki Pancake Rocks Lake Mahinapua 
- Day 5
Mahinapua to Franz Josef
It's a short drive to Franz Josef, which serves as the gateway into the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage area. You'll have the afternoon and evening free to see what the area offers, with views of the glacier and surrounding mountains on clear days.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Rainforest Retreat)
Optional Activities
- Hiking with views of glacier and Alps
- Walking trails in Franz Josef area
Landmarks/POIs Franz Josef Glacier Aoraki/Mount Cook Te Wahipounamu 
- Day 6
Franz Josef
Another full day in Franz Josef means you can pick how to spend it. A heli hike onto the glacier is available if you want that experience, or there are free walking trails in the area. Lake Mapourika also has kayaking options if you prefer being on the water.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Rainforest Retreat)
Optional Activities
- Heli Hike tour on Franz Josef Glacier
- Walking trails around Franz Josef
- Kayak tour on Lake Mapourika
Landmarks/POIs Franz Josef Glacier Lake Mapourika - Day 7
Franz Josef to Wanaka
You're heading from Franz Josef to Wanaka today, which means crossing the Haast Pass. The drive takes you along crystal-clear alpine lakes where the mountains reflect in the water. Once in Wanaka, there's time to visit that famous tree (the one everyone photographs) and wander around the lakefront.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Adventure Hostel Wanaka)
Included Activities
- Haast Pass crossing
- Alpine lake scenery
Optional Activities
- That Wanaka Tree photo visit
- Lakefront stroll
- Winter skiing
- Snowboarding
- Mountain biking
- Mountain carting
- Day hikes
Landmarks/POIs Haast Pass That Wanaka Tree Wanaka 
- Day 8
Wanaka to Queenstown
This is a choose-your-own option day. If you're interested, Roy's Peak hike starts early and offers iconic views before you rejoin the group. Later, the drive to Queenstown goes through Lake Hawea and Crown Range with incredible mountain scenery. There's a stop at Kawarau Bridge if you want to try bungee jumping or other activities.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Nomads Hostel)
Included Activities
- Crown Range scenic drive
Optional Activities
- Roy's Peak hike
- Lake Hawea scenic viewing
- Bungy jumping at Kawarau Bridge
- Jet boating
- Scenic gondola rides
- Lakeside strolls
Landmarks/POIs Roy's Peak Lake Hawea Crown Range Kawarau Bridge Queenstown 
- Day 9
Queenstown
You're settling into Queenstown for at least three nights. The town sits on a beautiful lake with walking paths along the water if you want something relaxed. There's also plenty of adrenaline activities available if that's more your style.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Nomads Hostel)
Optional Activities
- Lakeside walks
- Adrenaline-pumping activities
Landmarks/POIs Queenstown - Day 10
Queenstown to Milford Sound
An early start gets you to Milford Sound, a UNESCO World Heritage area that covers 1.2 million hectares of wilderness. You'll stop in Te Anau for breakfast, then drive through alpine scenery and through the Homer Tunnel with photo stops. The boat cruise under Mitre Peak lets you look for dolphins, seals, and penguins, and there's a chance to see deep-water emergence before heading back to Queenstown.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Nomads Hostel)
Included Activities
- Scenic boat cruise in Milford Sound
Optional Activities
- Breakfast or light bite in Te Anau
- Marine wildlife viewing (dolphins, seals, penguins)
Landmarks/POIs Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) Te Anau Rahotu/Mitre Peak Homer Tunnel Piopiotahi Marine Reserve - Day 11
Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
Leaving Queenstown, you'll pass through Lindis Pass, an area famous from the Lord of the Rings films. There's a stop at Lake Pukaki where Mount Cook comes into view. Later, you arrive in Lake Tekapo, a town surrounded by snow-capped mountains and known for clear night skies in one of the world's largest dark sky reserves.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Lakes Edge)
Included Activities
- Mount Cook viewing at Lake Pukaki
Optional Activities
- Lakeside relaxation
- Scenic walkways
- Hot springs soaking
- Stargazing
Landmarks/POIs Lindis Pass Mount Cook Lake Pukaki Lake Tekapo - Day 12
Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
The final run takes you straight into Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island. There's time to see how the city has rebuilt since the 2011 earthquakes, check out street art, walk through the botanical gardens, and get a sense of the place and its recovery.
Included Activities
- Street art viewing
- Botanical gardens visit
Landmarks/POIs Christchurch Christchurch Botanical Gardens
