Original
Explorer
New Zealand South Island Adventure
12 days • 4.3
4.5
Excellent
26 reviews
12 days
Start
Christchurch, New Zealand
Finish
Queenstown, New Zealand
Trip Code
PHSQC
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
11 breakfasts
Transport
Private vehicle, Ferry
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights), Motel (3 nights), Lodge (1 night)
From £3,159(12 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Take in the magic of the spectacular Fox Glacier region weaving through rainforests and a walk around the shimmering Lake Matheson.
Witness the stunning, millions of years old scenery at the dramatic Pancake Rocks and the Hokitika Gorge, and spot fur seals at Cape Foulwind.
Soak up the silence of Milford Sound on a cruise across its waters – you’ll be left speechless by the hundreds of tumbling cascades and deeply forested mountains.
Cross the Foveaux Strait to unspoilt Stewart Island and spend two days cruising the bays and inlets to spot penguins and seabirds and walking along its forested coastal tracks in search of kiwis.
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 2 trips, your leader and the composition of your group may change in Queenstown on Day 7.
Itinerary
Satisfy all your senses in the spectacular South Island
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 a 12-day adventure. Take in highlights from Reefton to Fox Glacier, Pancake Rocks to botanical gins, kayaking to spa soaking. Make your way to the shores of the South Island’s biggest lake and sail the silent waters of glacier-carved Fiordland National Park on an unforgettable cruise on Milford Sound. Cross to the cliffs of the Catlins and hike to coastal caves, then span the gap to untouched Stewart Island to explore the wilderness, listening out for the call of the kiwi. When it comes to natural wonders, it doesn’t get better than this.
Inclusions
Meals
11 breakfasts
Transport
Private vehicle, Ferry
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights), Motel (3 nights), Lodge (1 night)
Included activities
Reefton - Historic Town Visit
Reefton - Goldfields Museum with Local Storyteller
Reefton - Billy Tea with 'The Bearded Miners'
Punakaiki - Pancake Rocks & Blowholes Walk
Charleston - Nile River Gorge Rainforest Train Ride
Westport - Seal Colony at Tauranga Bay
Westport - Cape Foulwind Walkway & Lighthouse
Hokitika - Gorge Visit
Okarito - Okarito Lagoon Walk
Fox Glacier - Lake Matheson Walk
Milford Sound - Nature Boat Cruise
Milford Sound - Leader-led walk to Milford Lookout
Milford Sound - Walk to Mirror Lakes & Lake Gunn
The Catlins - Leader-led walk to Nugget Point & McLean Falls
Stewart Island - Scenic Ferry Crossing
Optional activities
Lewis Pass - Hanmer Hot Springs - from - NZD40
Te Anau - Glow Worm Cave with Cruise & Guide - NZD135
Stewart Island - Village & Bay Trip - NZD59
Stewart Island - Wild Kiwi Encounter - NZD249
Stewart Island - Beaks & Feathers Kiwi Spotting - NZD175
Stewart Island - Ulva Island Explorer - NZD129
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
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Important notes
START & FINISH TIME
This trip starts at 8am in Christchurch on day 1 and finishes upon arrival in Queenstown on the last day at approximately 2pm. Please take this into account when making onward travel arrangements.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Reviews (26)
5 stars
18
4 stars
1
3 stars
3
2 stars
4
Janet
Mar 26, 2025
I had the best time on the intrepid New Zealand South Island tour. It was beyond my expectations so remarkable and amazing at every turn. Our tour leader was brilliant and accomodation was always in town, very clean and comfortable. I will be travelling intrepid again and again.
David
Mar 20, 2025
Intrepid took care of me literally from the back my expectation was to see a country. I’ve never been exposed to some detail show me what the everyday person doesn’t get. Introduced me to new people let me drink and eat with the locals perfect.
Carolyn
Mar 03, 2025
A trip of a lifetime - South Island NZ. I would truly recommend this trip to everyone. It covered such a vast area from Christchurch to Stewart Island back to Queenstown. Travelling from towns to mountains to coast and seeing rivers, lakes, mountains, islands and more. Walks and hikes each day! Accommodation and transport excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip. Excellent exclusions to pick from. Yes wonderful marvellous terrific!!
Michael
Oct 07, 2024
This incredible adventure was the best way to see the South Island. our guide was a blast and helped us learn the natural and human history of this amazing land with the time spent on Stewart Island really bringing it all together. It is well worth the time to do the whole trip, and you'll want to come back and do any of the bits that you missed.
Stephen
Apr 18, 2024
Great itinerary subject to weather conditions but terrific none the less.
Dhiviyan
Jan 19, 2024
The Intrepid, South Island West Coast Tour, is an amazing opportunity to get to see and enjoy the West Coast and all that it has to offer. Throughout the Journey, you will get to see various environments, such as coast beaches, rainforests, glaciers and idyllic lake towns.
Patricia
Jan 18, 2024
An excellent trip, many quiet places, and time to look and learn. Jef was an excellent guide. Highly recommended.
Lee
Jan 13, 2024
I’ve said it all in the survey but. Outstanding Mind blowing experience Best holiday of my life Jef our tour guide was unbelievable.!!!
Ilse
Dec 28, 2023
I really loved this trip, I have seen wonderful places, which I wouldn’t visit on my own.
Ann
Nov 07, 2023
Jef ,our tour guide ensured we had a very special visit to his country. He recommended extra activities we could undertake, made connections with all the local operators, organised our meals and suggested great palces to eat. The locations we visited were stunning full of new discoveries, wonders and adventures shared with friendly co-travelers.
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