What should I pack and how much luggage can I bring?

Packing for a trip overseas can be tricky, but we recommend travelling light. If you forget something, you’ll be able to pick it up along the way.Packing Tips:Clothing: Smart casual outfits are suitable for most occasions. Temperatures can vary, so pack light layers and a waterproof jacket regardless of the season.Shoes: Comfortable walking shoes are essential, but heavy hiking boots aren’t necessary.Accessories: Bring a sunhat, sunblock, sunglasses, and a swimsuit for beaches and hot pools.Luggage Allowance:To make travel easy, please limit your luggage to:1 medium-sized suitcase (maximum 23kg / 50lbs) – stored in the coach’s luggage compartment and not accessible during the day.1 small day bag or soft backpack – perfect for items you need during the day, like a jacket, sunhat, camera, or water bottle.

Included Meals & Experiences

Daily breakfastPrivate lunch at Akaunui Farm Homestead, CanterburyWelcome dinner at The Hermitage, Aoraki/Mount CookMilford Sound nature cruiseScenic flight from Milford Sound to QueenstownAbel Tasman cruise and guided coastal walkPicnic lunch in Abel Tasman National ParkLunch and wine tasting at FROMM Winery, MarlboroughFarewell dinner in Kaikōura

Sightseeing & Exploring

Lake Tekapo and Lake PukakiAoraki/Mount Cook National ParkLindis PassQueenstown and ArrowtownLake Wakatipu and WānakaHaast Pass forest walksWest Coast waterfallsFranz Josef GlacierPunakaiki Pancake RocksCape Foulwind seal colonyBuller GorgeMarlborough wine countryKaikōura coastline and wildlife

Fitness and Activity Level

This tour suits travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy spending time outside the touring vehicle. It is not a hiking holiday, but regular short walks are built into the itinerary, including forest, coastal and national park trails.Activity level: Active sightseeingWalking: Regular short and easy-to-moderate walksDaily movement: Expect plenty of time on your feetFootwear: Comfortable walking shoes recommendedHiking boots: Generally not requiredMobility: Not suitable for travellers who require a walker

Overview Itinerary FAQs Dates & Pricing Enquire now

12-Day Kiwi Active South Island Small Group Tour

Q: Who can join your tours?

Our tours are designed for travellers aged 15 and over. Unfortunately, we’re unable to accommodate children under 15 years old. Travellers aged 15 and above will be charged the adult fare.When it comes to age, it’s more about attitude than numbers! Most of our travellers are in their 50s and 60s, but we’ve welcomed people from 30 to 70-plus.If you’re wondering whether our tours are the right fit for you, take a look at our trip galleries on the website. If you can picture yourself enjoying a meal with fellow travellers after a day exploring New Zealand, you’ll fit right in!

Q: Can you accommodate special dietary requirements?

Absolutely! We’ve catered to a wide range of dietary needs over the years, including gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and food allergies. If it’s possible, we’ll make it happen.Just let us know your requirements in advance, and we’ll ensure everything is organised. If you have any specific questions, feel free to get in touch—we’re here to help!

Oct-Apr

South Island

MoaTrek

from

US$5886

per person

MoaTrek coach at Akaunui Homestead private lunch stop

Enquire Now

12 Day Kiwi South Island small group tour map with Moatrek

Experiences

Coach Tours

Small Group Tours

Hiking & Walking

South Island

Start: Christchurch

Duration: 12 days

Minimum Age: 15

This 12-day Kiwi South Island small-group tour is designed for active travellers who want more than a traditional coach itinerary. With a maximum of 18 guests, the journey combines comfortable touring with regular short walks, wildlife, local food, wine and time outdoors across six South Island national parks.

Premium experiences are already included, from a Milford Sound nature cruise and scenic flight back to Queenstown to an Abel Tasman cruise and guided coastal walk, a private Canterbury homestead lunch and Marlborough wine tasting. Multi-night stays in Queenstown, Punakaiki and Nelson give you more time to enjoy each region at a relaxed pace.

Happy guests kayaking on Kaikōura eco tour

Tour group overlooking Tasman Glacier lake in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park

Guests crossing bridge on Hooker Valley Track

Visitors walking on boardwalk at Mirror Lakes

Group photo beside scenic flight plane at Milford Sound airstrip

MoaTrek guests crossing the swing bridge over Blue Pools near Makarora

Coastal view from lookout at Punakaiki, West Coast New Zealand

Guided group hike on the Abel Tasman Coast Track

Hikers admiring coastal views in Abel Tasman National Park

Akaunui Homestead with swimming pool and garden

Traveller photographing Kaikōura coastline from lookout

MoaTrek small group posing at Lake Hāwea lookout at sunset

Guests walking scenic trail in Mount Cook National Park

Ladies shopping along Arrowtown’s historic main street

Cruise boat docked at Milford Sound with Mitre Peak in view

Guest walks solo along scenic Castle Hill limestone trail

Scenic flight aircraft on tarmac with Mitre Peak backdrop

Tour guests exploring Eglinton Valley in Fiordland

Tour Highlights

Maximum 18 travellers
Active small-group touring
Three nights in Queenstown
Multi-night stays in key regions
Milford Sound cruise and scenic flight
Abel Tasman cruise and guided walk
Premium food and wine experiences
Visit Six South Island national parks

Daily breakfast
Private lunch at Akaunui Farm Homestead, Canterbury
Welcome dinner at The Hermitage, Aoraki/Mount Cook
Milford Sound nature cruise
Scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown
Abel Tasman cruise and guided coastal walk
Picnic lunch in Abel Tasman National Park
Lunch and wine tasting at FROMM Winery, Marlborough
Farewell dinner in Kaikōura

Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Lindis Pass
Queenstown and Arrowtown
Lake Wakatipu and Wānaka
Haast Pass forest walks
West Coast waterfalls
Franz Josef Glacier
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
Cape Foulwind seal colony
Buller Gorge
Marlborough wine country
Kaikōura coastline and wildlife

This tour suits travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy spending time outside the touring vehicle. It is not a hiking holiday, but regular short walks are built into the itinerary, including forest, coastal and national park trails.

Activity level: Active sightseeing
Walking: Regular short and easy-to-moderate walks
Daily movement: Expect plenty of time on your feet
Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes recommended
Hiking boots: Generally not required
Mobility: Not suitable for travellers who require a walker

Itinerary

Day 1: Christchurch to Aoraki/Mount Cook

Akaunui Homestead heritage house near Ashburton in Canterbury

Leave Christchurch and travel south to Akaunui Farm for a private homestead lunch hosted by your local hosts. Continue through the Canterbury countryside to Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki before reaching Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Tonight, stay at The Hermitage Hotel and enjoy an included welcome dinner beneath the Southern Alps.

Meals: Lunch, dinner
Stay: The Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki/Mount Cook

Day 2: Aoraki/Mount Cook to Queenstown

Spend the morning enjoying Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, with time for a scenic walk or an optional glacier flight. Later, travel across the Mackenzie Basin and through the Lindis Pass to Queenstown.

Settle in for a three-night stay, giving you time to enjoy the region without changing hotels each day.

Optional Activities

- Aoraki/Mt Cook - Glacier Helicopter Flight & Snow Landing

- Aoraki/Mt Cook - Alpine Vista Helicopter Flight and Alpine Landing

- Aoraki/Mt Cook - Ultimate Alpine Helicopter Experience

Meals: Breakfast
Stay: Scenic Suites, Queenstown

Day 3: Milford Sound Cruise and Scenic Flight

Travel alongside Lake Wakatipu and Lake Te Anau before following the Milford Road through Fiordland National Park. Cruise Milford Sound beneath waterfalls and Mitre Peak, with opportunities to see seals and dolphins.

After the cruise, return to Queenstown by scenic flight over Fiordland and the Southern Alps rather than repeating the long road journey.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay: Scenic Suites, Queenstown

Day 4: Queenstown Free Day

Family enjoying a sunny day on the wooden pier at Lake Rotoiti with scenic mountain views

Enjoy a full day to choose your own Queenstown experience. Walk or cycle around the Wakatipu Basin, join a wine tour, take a jet boat trip, cruise Lake Wakatipu or simply spend time around the lakefront and town centre.

This free day adds flexibility to the itinerary and gives you time to choose activities that match your interests and activity level.

Optional Activities

Dart River Jet Boat Wilderness Experience

Central Otago Wine & Food Tour

Kawarau & Shotover Rivers Jet Boat Ride

Glenorchy Lord of the Rings Scenic Tour

Wine Sampler Tour

E-bike hire

Meals: Breakfast
Stay: Scenic Suites, Queenstown

Day 5: Queenstown to Wānaka

Guests posing beside a vintage car outside the Cardrona Hotel

Visit historic Arrowtown before crossing the Crown Range, with views back over the Wakatipu Basin. Stop at the Cardrona Hotel before continuing to Wānaka.

Spend the afternoon walking by the lake or choosing an optional local activity before staying beside Lake Wānaka.

Optional Activities

Wanaka - Lake Cruise and Island Nature Walk

Wanaka - Cruise and 4X4 Vehicle Adventure

Meals: Breakfast
Stay: Edgewater Resort, Wānaka

Day 6: Wānaka to Franz Josef

MoaTrek travellers pausing roadside at Lake Hāwea with a passing tractor

Travel beside Lakes Wānaka and Hāwea before crossing Haast Pass into the rainforest of the West Coast. Short walks along the way take you through beech forest, past waterfalls and out towards the coast at Ship Creek.

Continue to Lake Matheson for another walk before arriving in Franz Josef.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay: Aspen Court, Franz Josef

Day 7: Franz Josef to Punakaiki

MoaTours guests on a Franz Josef Glacier helicopter landing experience

Spend the morning in Glacier Country with time for a walk to a Franz Josef Glacier viewpoint or an optional scenic flight. Other optional experiences may include an Ōkārito Lagoon wildlife cruise.

Continue north through Hokitika, where there is time to learn about local pounamu carving, before arriving at Punakaiki for a two-night stay.

Optional Activities

Franz Josef - Twin Glacier Scenic Heli Flight and Snow Landing

Franz Josef - Tasman Taster Heli Flight and Snow Landing

Franz Josef - Okarito Lagoon Eco Tour

Meals: Breakfast
Stay: Scenic Hotel Punakaiki

Day 8: Punakaiki and Paparoa National Park

Layered limestone formations at Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, West Coast

Visit the Pancake Rocks and blowholes before spending more time around Paparoa National Park. Short walks reveal subtropical forest, limestone formations and the rugged West Coast environment.

The day may also include a visit to historic mining sites such as Denniston Plateau or Brunner Mine, with optional glowworm experiences available.

Optional Activities

Punakaiki - Underworld Rafting

Punakaiki - Charleston Glowworm Caves Tour

Meals: Breakfast
Stay: Scenic Hotel Punakaiki

Day 9: Punakaiki to Nelson

Guests walking through coastal cave onto beach near Cape Foulwind

Travel north to Tauranga Bay for an easy coastal walk to the Cape Foulwind seal colony. Continue through the Buller Gorge and Murchison before reaching sunny Nelson.

Stay for two nights, providing time for both the city and nearby Abel Tasman National Park.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay: The Tides Hotel, Nelson

Day 10: Abel Tasman National Park

Cruise along the Abel Tasman coastline past golden beaches, sheltered bays and forested headlands. Join your guide for a coastal walk, with the option to walk as much or as little as you prefer.

A picnic lunch is included, with time to relax on the beach or swim before returning to Nelson.

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch
Stay: The Tides Hotel, Nelson

Day 11: Nelson to Kaikōura via Marlborough

Marlborough vineyard rows with mountain backdrop in Blenheim, New Zealand

Travel through Havelock and into Marlborough wine country for an included private lunch and wine tasting at FROMM Winery.

Continue south along the dramatic Kaikōura coastline between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikōura Ranges. Tonight, enjoy an included farewell dinner.

Optional Activities

Kaikoura - Whalewatch Flightseeing

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: The White Morph, Kaikōura

Day 12: Kaikōura to Christchurch

Guests kayaking during golden hour off Kaikōura coast

Spend the morning enjoying Kaikōura’s coastal environment. Choose an optional whale-watching flight or kayak experience, or take a coastal walk to see seals.

After lunch, travel south through North Canterbury and Waipara before finishing the tour in Christchurch.

Optional Activities

Kaikoura - Kayaking

Meals: Breakfast

Frequently asked questions

Our tours are designed for travellers aged 15 and over. Unfortunately, we’re unable to accommodate children under 15 years old. Travellers aged 15 and above will be charged the adult fare.

When it comes to age, it’s more about attitude than numbers! Most of our travellers are in their 50s and 60s, but we’ve welcomed people from 30 to 70-plus.

If you’re wondering whether our tours are the right fit for you, take a look at our trip galleries on the website. If you can picture yourself enjoying a meal with fellow travellers after a day exploring New Zealand, you’ll fit right in!

Packing for a trip overseas can be tricky, but we recommend travelling light. If you forget something, you’ll be able to pick it up along the way.

Packing Tips:

Clothing: Smart casual outfits are suitable for most occasions. Temperatures can vary, so pack light layers and a waterproof jacket regardless of the season.
Shoes: Comfortable walking shoes are essential, but heavy hiking boots aren’t necessary.
Accessories: Bring a sunhat, sunblock, sunglasses, and a swimsuit for beaches and hot pools.

Luggage Allowance:

To make travel easy, please limit your luggage to:

1 medium-sized suitcase (maximum 23kg / 50lbs) – stored in the coach’s luggage compartment and not accessible during the day.
1 small day bag or soft backpack – perfect for items you need during the day, like a jacket, sunhat, camera, or water bottle.

Our tours are designed to suit a range of activity levels. If you’re reasonably fit and healthy, you’ll find the pace similar to having a busy day out exploring your own town.

Even on travel days, you’ll likely hit your 10,000 steps with short walks included in the mornings or evenings.

For those who enjoy walking, many of the hotels we stay at are within walking distance of town centres. Plus, destinations like Tongariro National Park, Mt Cook, and Queenstown offer excellent walking trails right outside your door.

Please note: For health and safety reasons, our tours are not suitable for anyone who requires a walker.

We understand that everyone wants a great view of New Zealand’s stunning landscapes, so we operate a seat rotation policy on all our tours. This ensures fairness and gives everyone the chance to enjoy different perspectives during the journey.

While we can’t guarantee seats near the front, rotating seats keeps things fair for everyone.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend bringing any medication you might need.

Absolutely! We’ve catered to a wide range of dietary needs over the years, including gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and food allergies. If it’s possible, we’ll make it happen.

Just let us know your requirements in advance, and we’ll ensure everything is organised. If you have any specific questions, feel free to get in touch—we’re here to help!

Departure Dates

Fixed departures between October and April. Please select a date in the enquiry form below. All dates are subject to availability.

Pricing

Cost per Person

October 2026 - April 2027

Twin: NZ$9,990
Single: NZ$11,290

Pricing: Single share price is based on one person in a single room. Twin share price is based on 2 people sharing one room. Prices are correct at the time of printing but are subject to change without prior notice.

Make a Booking Enquiry

BOOKING DETAILS:

Single supplement will apply for solo travellers. Subject to availability.

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TOUR QUESTIONS

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PAYMENTS

Deposit: 25% upon booking
Balance: 130 days before departure

CANCELLATIONS

Outside 130 days: loss of deposit*
Between 90 and 129 days prior to departure: 50% of tour cost*
89 days prior to departure: no refund
No refunds will be made after travel has commenced.

Note: *Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount. Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.