Price pp from:

$6,286
Snow-capped mountains and forest reflected in a clear lake, South Island, New Zealand.

Intrepid Travel: New Zealand South Island Adventure

Christchurch

Queenstown

12 days, 11 nights

Small Group Tours

From: $6,286 pp

Trip overview

From an ancient world of forests and glaciers to a culture of hospitality that has long defined New Zealand’s people, discover the best of the South Island on an Intrepid Original adventure. Make your way to the shores of the South Island’s biggest lake and sail the silent waters of glacier-carved Fiordland National Park. When it comes to natural wonders, it doesn’t get better than this. 

Is this trip right for you?
- This trip involves some walking over varied terrain and is best suited to travellers with a good level of mobility. Details on physical activities can be found in the itinerary.
- As this is a combination of two trips, your leader and the composition of your group may change in Queenstown. 
- Minimum age: 15 years old.

Trip highlights & inclusions

12 days / 11 nights
11 breakfasts

Christchurch

Queenstown

Hotel 3 star

Make an enquiry about this trip or build a custom quote

Price pp from

$6,286

Why Discover New Zealand

  • Wānaka-based specialists planning your trip from inside New Zealand.
  • One travel specialist to plan and book every detail from start to finish.
  • 24/7 in-country support while you’re travelling, so help is close if plans change.

Trip itinerary

Welcome to your Intrepid exploration of the South Island! Your adventure begins in Christchurch, where a welcome meeting will take place at 8am for you to meet up with your local leader and fellow travellers. After your meeting, it’s time to hit the road, first heading to Hanmer Springs in the Lewis Pass national reserve. Check out the natural hot pools surrounded by greenery as the snow dusted peaks of the Southern Alps look on. You can even opt to take a dip. Next up, travel to Reefton, a tiny town that punches above its size. Step back in time and meet a local story-teller, learning about the town's gold mining past, the miners' families, the storekeepers, and embrace the Cornish influence. You'll even have the opportunity to see the water powered gold stamping battery working. Head into the town centre proper where you'll meet the 'bearded miners' for a cup of manuka enhanced black billy tea and to watch the technique of gold panning. Finally, drive through the spectacular Buller Gorge to the town of Westport and perhaps round off the day with a group dinner.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting this morning as we will be checking insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let an Intrepid representative or your travel agent know. Find details of the meeting point in your Essential Trip Information.

Activities:

  • Reefton - Historic Town Visit
  • Reefton - Goldfields Museum with Local Storyteller
  • Reefton - Billy Tea with 'The Bearded Miners'

Staying in:

  • Motel (1 night)
People and bicycles outside shops on Reefton Street with cars parked along the road during the day. Credit: Intrepid Travel

Inclusions

Intrepid Travel

Billy Tea experience with 'The Bearded Miners', Reefton

Cape Foulwind walkway & lighthouse, Westport

Experience Hokitika Gorge & the mighty ancient forest of the West Coast

Goldfields Museum, Reefton, with local storyteller

Historic town visit of Reefton

Lake Matheson walk

Leader-led walk to Nugget Point & McLean Falls at The Catlins

Milford Sound day trip & cruise

Nile River Rainforest Train at Charleston

Okarito Lagoon walk

Punakaiki Pancake Rocks walk

Seal colony viewing at Tauranga Bay, Westport

Stewart Island scenic ferry crossing

24/7 support from the moment you arrive to the moment you depart

Talk to a local travel specialist. Enquire