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The biggest South Island adventure tour includes all of these highlights and more! Read the full itinerary and book it now!

Day 1 - Christchurch to Picton
We leave Christchurch this morning for a scenic drive to the port town of Picton with a stop to view a seal colony on the way. In the afternoon you have time to do the stunning Queen Charlotte Sounds Walk at the top of the South Island.

Day 2 – Picton to Abel Tasman
You have the morning at leisure to just relax or explore Picton further before we head through to Marahau. We stop for a wine tour of New Zealand’s premier wine region world-famous for its Sauvignon Blanc. After tantalising our tastebuds we head across to Nelson, the sunshine capital of New Zealand, then out to the Tasman region for the picturesque beaches and bays of the Abel Tasman National Park.

We stay in our exclusive campsite, with cabins located adjacent to the national park. Dinner tonight includes a taste of the local seafood (B,D).

Day 3 – Full day in Abel Tasman
An entire day to explore the Abel Tasman National Park. We have included a boat transfer out of the park so you can walk this famous coastal track, incorporating some of the world’s best beaches. Your guide will take you on a walk varying in length from 2 to 3.5 hours. You can upgrade to one of the other great options available to explore this fabulous area including sea kayaking or sailing. Any way that you explore it you will be amazed by this stunning region.

We self-cater tonight with BBQ facilities available and stay again at our exclusive campsite right beside the National Park (B).

Day 4 - Abel Tasman to Hanmer Springs
Today we set off early and head deep into the interior of the upper South Island passing through two more national parks enroute to the tranquillity of Hanmer Springs. The Kahurangi and Nelson national parks boast fabulous scenery and some great small hikes with craggy mountain ranges draped with beech forest to the lake’s edge. We then head for our first alpine pass to cross the main divide through the steep mountains, gorges, waterfalls, and trees, stopping in a number of places along the way to take it all in.

We arrive in the afternoon to give you time to soak in the hot pools at Hanmer Springs. We go for a group meal tonight (B,D).

Day 5 - Hanmer Springs to Christchurch via Kaikoura
The day begins with a small drive to the coast to head north for Kaikoura, a stop that offers a sanctuary of marine life in a concentration unmatched anywhere in New Zealand. Regardless of what you elect to do you will encounter marine life in many forms. Seals, dolphins, whales or the king of the skies, the Royal Albatross are all available to see. After a five hour stop to give you time to do even the longest of options we express south to Christchurch, the largest South Island city (B).

Day 6 - Christchurch to Franz Josef
We start early to cross the majestic Canterbury plains, over Arthur’s Pass and the Southern Alps. An optional extra is doing the famous Trans-alpine rail journey. Along the way we will stop for some walks and photo opportunities as the scenery is changing constantly. You will be inspired as you travel from the plains of Canterbury, to the mountains of the southern divide, the beech forests, and then on to dense rainforest. We stop in the small town of Arthur’s Pass in the heart of the national park before crossing to the wild west coast.

We stop in Greymouth to collect our train passengers then head south to Hokitika, famous for pounamu (jade). From here to Franz Josef the coast is littered with ancient trees, huge mountains, glacial carvings and remanets, which look like a prehistoric world. We stop at the local Bushman’s centre to learn about the local history before heading down to Franz Josef for its glacier. Lodge accommodation in the rainforest in the middle of Franz Josef tonight (D).

Day 7 – Full day at Franz Josef
Today is free for exploring this World Heritage area. As well as being visually stunning Franz Josef is very different from other glaciers around the world as it cascades through rainforest to an elevation only 300 metres above sea level. Your guide will take you on one of the many great walks but we highly recommend that you also pay to go on one of the guided trips where they give you special ice shoes (crampons) so that you can get further onto the glacier. Self-cater tonight – there are great local cafes and a kitchen at the lodge (B).

Day 8 - Franz Josef to Makarora
We follow the coast further south today for even more amazing scenery (including New Zealand’s most photographed lake), three or four great walks, waterfalls, stunning alpine views and a breathtaking alpine pass. We will arrive mid-afternoon at our wilderness accommodation at the foot of Mount Aspiring National Park. The locals provide arguably the most amazing activities from scenic flights to wilderness jet boating or a combination of both. Our accommodation tonight is in chalets (B, D).

Day 9 - Makarora to Queenstown
We have a guided walk in the morning in this stunning area then journey on to the adventure capital of the world, passing glacial carved lakes, mountains stripped of their trees by glacial activity, and a uniquely crafted landscape with a guided walk on the way. We stop at Wanaka for lunch before heading to Queenstown via the Crown Range mountain pass in summer; and in winter following Lake Dunstan to the spiritual home of bungy jumping.

Everyone has the option of observing or jumping themselves. We arrive at our accommodation in the afternoon ready for two days of whatever you choose to do, whether you want to scare yourself or simply enjoy this fantastic resort-style town. Your guide will take you on an orientation of the resort when we arrive and a tour of the town’s night spots in the evening for a fun-filled night (B,D).

Day 10 – Full day Queenstown.
Optional activities available (No meals).

Day 11 – Full day Queenstown.
Optional activities available (No meals).

Day 12 - Queenstown to Doubtful Sound
Today we start early for what is no doubt one of the major highlights of our New Zealand adventure. This morning we head to Fiordland National Park. The unique adventure begins at Manapouri town with a boat ride across this glacial carved lake to meet a bus which takes us up and over the Wilmot Pass where we board our vessel at Deep Cove for an involved wilderness experience in a place like no other.

Doubtful Sound is truly an amazing place; one of the most remote and untouched places on earth where you will see fur seals, Fiordland Crested Penguins and dolphins. The scenery seems like a lost world. We spend the day and the night on a purpose built boat which includes a dedicated nature guide and sea kayaks. We overnight in a secluded bay in the Sound. Accommodation on the boat and all meals included (B,L D).

Day 13 – Doubtful Sound to Central Otago
The morning is spent departing Doubtful Sound via two boat trips and a bus ride through the Fiordland National Park. We board our own mini-coach at midday and head on through the Otago region. We explore relics of the gold rush which was responsible for the European settlement of this area. We stay in our own exclusive accommodation in the middle of Otago gold country. (B, D).

Day 14 – Central Otago to Christchurch
We start with a fantastic unique activity. We grab our mountain bikes put them in our mini-coach and head out to sample part of the old Otago Gold Heritage Rail Trail. It is an ideal activity for riders of all abilities as you simply choose how far along the well-marked trail you want to be dropped to ride back to our base.

We then get back on the bus, follow another historic pass and express our way along the Canterbury plains flanked by the Southern
Alps to Christchurch, which is our home for the night (B).

What to Bring: Sturdy Walking shoes (ankle high), swimming gear, hat and sunscreen, motion sickness tablets, water bottle, towel and toiletries, warm clothing and waterproof jacket, insect repellent, camera.

Note: The 2 nights at Abel Tasman in our exclusive accommodation includes quad share cabins.
The Doubtful Sound cruise is a truly unique experience, however most cabins are quad-share and therefore upgrades are limited. We will confirm at time of booking whether twin/double accommodation is available.

The Doubtful Sound Cruise does not operate from May 24th 2009 – 15th Sep 2009, so during this time we will substitute with a Milford Sound overnight cruise.