Itinerary
- Days 1 - 5
Te Anau
Your second free day in Te Anau continues the same opportunities to explore Fiordland National Park's incredible fiords, or you can enjoy a more relaxed day based right here in town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Milford Sound cruise
- Doubtful Sound overnight cruise
- Helicopter flight over fiords
- Combined Milford and Doubtful Sound tour
- 4x4 adventure
- Guided hiking
- Kayaking
- Scenic seaplane tour
Landmarks Milford Sound Doubtful Sound Fiordland National Park 
- Days 6 - 9
Kaka Point
Relax in Kaka Point, a peaceful seaside village with laid-back charm. You can stroll along the sweeping golden-sand beach, go for a swim if weather allows, or simply enjoy the ocean air. Visit the local cafe for coffee or lunch with a view. Spot shags, terns, and other coastal birds. If you're more active, nearby walking tracks and viewpoints offer fantastic coastal panoramas, especially at sunrise or sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Beach walk
- Swimming
- Local café visit
- Coastal walking tracks
- Viewpoint exploration
- Pounawea visit (weather permitting)
- Jack's Blowhole visit (weather permitting)
Landmarks Kaka Point Beach Pounawea Jack's Blowhole - Days 10 - 12
Oamaru
Oamaru combines Victorian elegance with quirky creativity. You'll stroll through the beautifully preserved Victorian Precinct with cobbled streets lined with limestone buildings housing artisan bakeries, boutique galleries, antique stores, and steampunk curiosities. Check out the Steampunk HQ museum or the North Otago Museum. Walk or cycle a section of the scenic Alps 2 Ocean trail starting next to the campsite. Visit the Oamaru Public Gardens. By evening, watch blue penguins return from the sea or walk the headland trail for yellow-eyed penguins.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Victorian Precinct stroll
- Steampunk HQ visit
- North Otago Museum visit
- Alps 2 Ocean trail walk or cycle
- Oamaru Public Gardens visit
- Blue penguin colony visit
- Headland trail walk for yellow-eyed penguin viewing
Landmarks Oamaru Victorian Precinct Steampunk HQ North Otago Museum Oamaru Public Gardens Alps 2 Ocean Trail - Days 13 - 16
Wanaka
Wanaka sits on an alpine lake backed by the towering Southern Alps with natural beauty and outdoor adventure. For active travelers, tackle the short sharp climb up Mount Iron for panoramic views or challenge yourself on Roy's Peak Track, one of New Zealand's most iconic day hikes with 360 degree summit views. For a relaxed pace, kayak, paddleboard, take boat tours on the lake, cycle scenic routes, or stroll the peaceful lakeside trail. Explore the boutique cinema, quirky shops, excellent ice creameries, and food truck courtyard beside a historic waterwheel. Don't miss #ThatWanakaTree, a lonely willow in the lake famous worldwide.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Mount Iron climb
- Roy's Peak Track hike
- Kayaking on Lake Wanaka
- Paddleboarding on Lake Wanaka
- Lake boat tours
- Scenic bike rides
- Lakeside trail walk
- Boutique cinema visit
- Local shops browsing
- Ice creamery visit
- Food truck courtyard visit
- That Wanaka Tree visit
Landmarks Lake Wanaka Mount Iron Roy's Peak That Wanaka Tree Mt Aspiring National Park - Days 17 - 21
Hokitika
This morning you'll head inland on a short road trip to the stunning Hokitika Gorge where alpine waters shimmer in an unbelievable blue-green hue as they carve through dramatic rock walls. A gentle track leads across curved boardwalks and swing bridges winding through native beech and rimu forest. Viewing platforms offer picture-perfect angles of the gorge while the 90-metre suspension bridge provides breathtaking views over the river with the Southern Alps rising in the distance. Spend the afternoon enjoying Hokitika, a relaxed beach town, wandering amongst heritage buildings and browsing shops and galleries showcasing pounamu (greenstone) jewellery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hokitika Gorge visit (weather permitting)
Optional Activities
- Heritage building exploration
- Pounamu (greenstone) shop and gallery browsing
Landmarks Hokitika Gorge - Days 22 - 25
Kaikoura
Your free day in Kaikoura gives you a chance to experience marine life up close. Encounter whales, dolphins, seals, and countless seabirds by boat, scenic flight, or from the shore. Options include whale watching cruises, dolphin swimming, kayaking among fur seals, diving, and sea fishing with sampling the region's famous crayfish. Visit the Kaikoura Museum to learn about local natural history, Maori heritage, and the town's whaling past. Explore vibrant waterfront cafes and restaurants serving fresh seafood with ocean views or walk scenic routes around the Kaikoura Peninsula with dramatic cliffs meeting the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Whale watching cruise
- Dolphin swimming
- Kayaking with fur seals
- Scenic flight
- Diving
- Sea fishing and crayfish tasting
- Kaikoura Museum visit
- Waterfront café and restaurant dining
- Kaikoura Peninsula scenic walks
- Fyffe House visit
Landmarks Kaikoura Peninsula Kaikoura Museum Fyffe House - Days 26 - 28
Akaroa to Christchurch
You'll say goodbye to Akaroa this morning and climb out of the harbour over the ridgelines of Banks Peninsula, heading for Christchurch. Take the road less-travelled via Gebbies Pass, looping around the edge of beautiful Lyttelton Harbour with its volcanic hills and sparkling blue waters providing a dramatic final backdrop. Continue up and over the hills once more, arriving in the hill suburbs of Christchurch. Meander down into the South Island's largest city and the final destination for this tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Banks Peninsula Gebbies Pass Lyttelton Harbour
