7-Day New Zealand South Island Tour Packages
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Insider tips: Recommended 7-day New Zealand South Island tour itineraries
Compiled by

MelissaNew Zealand South Island travel expert at TourRadar
7 Day New Zealand South Island Itinerary, incl. Christchurch and Queenstown
A 7-day South Island adventure showcases 5 highlights: Lake Tekapo's Dark Sky Reserve, Queenstown's adventure sports, Milford Sound's fiords, Franz Josef Glacier's ice formations, and Mount Cook's alpine vistas. Covers 1,500km with frequent scenic stops.
- Day 1
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
- Day 2
Lake Tekapo to Queenstown
- Day 3
Milford Sound Day Trip
- Day 4
Queenstown Adventures
- Day 5
Queenstown to Franz Josef
- Day 6
Franz Josef Glacier
- Day 7
Franz Josef to Christchurch
7 Days in New Zealand, incl. Queenstown and Wellington
South Island's highlights unfold in 5 days before reaching Wellington. Take in Queenstown's Remarkables, Mt Cook National Park, Christchurch, and Kaikoura's wildlife, ending with the scenic Marlborough Sounds cruise.
- Day 1
Queenstown
- Day 2
Queenstown Activities
Book the 8:30 AM Shotover Jet boat ride to beat the crowds. It's an exciting way to start your day. Later take the TSS Earnslaw steamship across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station for dinner. A recent visitor shared: "Watching the chef prepare our meal with local ingredients while looking out over the lake was a highlight. The farm demonstration afterwards gave us great insight into New Zealand's agriculture."
- Day 3
Queenstown to Mount Cook (256 km, 3 hours)
Start early on this scenic route. Stop at Kawarau Bridge to watch bungy jumpers and visit Gibbston Valley for wine tasting. The Lindis Pass sits at 971m - bring chains in winter as the road can get dangerous. Get supplies in Twizel since Mount Cook Village has no shops. Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre for mountain views and astronomy.
- Day 4
Mount Cook to Christchurch (327 km, 3.7 hours)
- Day 5
Christchurch to Kaikoura (179 km, 2.5 hours)
- Day 6
Kaikoura to Wellington
- Day 7
Wellington
7 Days in New Zealand South Island, incl. Queenstown and Christchurch
Diverse cycling routes span 499km across South Island over 7 days through 9 destinations. The path leads from Queenstown through Fiordland National Park, along the wild Catlins Coast to Dunedin, finishing in Christchurch with daily rides ranging from 34km to 98km.
- Day 1
Queenstown to Te Anau
- Day 2
Te Anau to Invercargill
- Day 3
Invercargill to McLeans Falls
- Day 4
McLeans Falls to Kaka Point
Morning riding includes challenging climbs on mixed terrain. Visit Cannibal Bay in early afternoon when sea lions are most active. You can add an optional ride to Nugget Point lighthouse for great coastal views but check the weather first. The exposed location can get dangerous in high winds. Possible total: 85km.
- Day 5
Kaka Point to Dunedin
- Day 6
Dunedin Peninsula Loop
- Day 7
Oamaru to Christchurch
What people love about 7-day New Zealand South Island tours
- Southern Voyager
I had an amazing time with Wild Kiwi! We got to see so much of the south island. It was very fast paced, but totally worth it! The transportation is sweet -- very comfortable and modern. The activities they offer were awesome as well. And the guide, Nick, was the BEST.
- Southern Loop
I had the best 7 days on my Southern Loop tour with Wild Kiwi. This tour blew all my expectations and it was awesome to check out the Upper South Island. My favorite spots were Kaikoura, where I went swimming with dolphins and also the Abel Tasman National Park. The vehicle was so comfortable and there was plenty of space to stretch out and being able to connect to the wifi was a bonus! The pace of the tour was great as there were plenty of opportunities to do lots of walks, activities and really explore the different locations along the way. Overall, I couldn't recommend Wild Kiwi enough.
- Trains, Fiords and Glaciers
Everything worked perfectly, no hitches, fairly straightforward, and we had plenty of time to ourselves. An unforeseen 3rd party accident meant a reshuffle which was catered for, without a drama. Thanks. South Island, in August is a treasure !
More about New Zealand South Island
10 day Tours2 week ToursNew Zealand North IslandMilford SoundNew Zealand NorthlandSouthern Alps