14 Day Big South Adventure Tour

Our Big South adventure begins as we leave Christchurch at 9am for the Mackenzie Country, where wide-open landscapes and snow-capped peaks lead us to the brilliant turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo. Spend the afternoon exploring lakeside bike trails, soaking in the hot pools or simply taking in the spectacular alpine setting.

Included: Church of the Good Shepherd & Tekapo Dark Sky Reserve
Visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, beautifully positioned above Lake Tekapo with panoramic views of the Southern Alps. As night falls, enjoy the remarkable star-filled skies of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.

We journey south through the striking high-country landscapes of the Mackenzie region, passing mountain ranges, turquoise lakes and wide open valleys on our way to Queenstown. Set beside Lake Wakatipu and framed by the dramatic Remarkables, this lively alpine town is New Zealand’s legendary adventure capital. After settling in, enjoy time to explore the lakefront, discover local cafés and restaurants, or start planning optional adventures such as jet boating, bungy jumping, skydiving or a scenic gondola ride.

Today, we travel deep into Fiordland National Park, a dramatic wilderness of rainforest, glacier-carved valleys and towering mountains. Once in Milford Sound, choose an optional cruise to glide beneath towering cliffs and waterfalls while keeping watch for dolphins, seals and native birdlife.

Included: Transport to Milford Sound
Relax as we travel one of New Zealand’s most spectacular roads, with scenic stops through the heart of Fiordland. An optional Milford Sound cruise can be added, offering an unforgettable perspective of the fiord’s waterfalls, mountain peaks and wildlife from the water.

A full free day in Queenstown lets you choose your ideal adventure, whether you prefer high-energy thrills or a slower day soaking up the scenery. Take on a bungy jump, skydive, canyon swing, jet boat ride or scenic bike trail, or explore the boutiques, cafés and waterfront at your own pace. You may also wish to visit historic Arrowtown, ride the Skyline Gondola or enjoy a relaxed dinner overlooking Lake Wakatipu.

We leave Queenstown and travel via Wānaka and the Haast Pass towards the wild West Coast. Pause in picturesque Wānaka before the scenery changes from open alpine country to rainforest, waterfalls and rugged coastline. By evening, arrive in Franz Josef, the gateway to glacier country and one of the most extraordinary landscapes in New Zealand.

Today is yours to experience Franz Josef your way, where glacier ice descends from the Southern Alps into lush temperate rainforest. Choose an optional heli-hike or scenic flight for a dramatic view of the ice, or stay closer to the valley with kayaking, quad biking or a peaceful soak in the glacier hot pools. However you spend the day, the meeting of mountains, forest and ice creates a truly unforgettable setting.

We travel north along the wild West Coast, where dense rainforest, river valleys and dramatic coastline accompany us on the journey. Stop in creative Hokitika, known for its pounamu, beachside setting and relaxed local character, before crossing Arthur’s Pass through the heart of the Southern Alps. Towering mountains, braided rivers and deep valleys provide a memorable backdrop as we return to Christchurch, with time to explore its cafés and colourful city streets.

The second week of our adventure begins with a scenic crossing of the Southern Alps towards the West Coast. Depending on the route, we may travel through the beech forests, wetlands and river valleys of Lewis Pass, with plenty of opportunities to stretch our legs and photograph the changing scenery. Arrive in the beachside village of Punakaiki, perfectly placed beside the wild Tasman Sea.

Spend the day discovering Punakaiki’s dramatic limestone coast, where native forest, caves, rivers and wild Tasman Sea views create a remarkable natural playground. Walk beside the coast, join an optional kayaking adventure or simply relax by the beach and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this small West Coast village. As evening arrives, the sound of the waves and the surrounding forest make for a memorable night on the coast.

Included: Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes Walk
Walk among the extraordinary Pancake Rocks, layered limestone formations that resemble stacks of giant hotcakes. At high tide, watch as powerful blowholes send columns of seawater skyward through gaps in the rocks.

We continue north along the West Coast, pausing for lighthouse views, coastal scenery and wildlife encounters before travelling inland through the Nelson Lakes region. The landscape gradually shifts from rugged shoreline and rainforest to calmer inland lakes, forested hills and sun-drenched northern scenery. Arrive near Abel Tasman National Park, where golden beaches, clear water and granite headlands set the scene for the days ahead.

Today is dedicated to exploring Golden Bay, a spectacular region of windswept beaches, clear springs, limestone caves and remarkable coastal scenery. Discover Ngārua Caves, walk around Te Waikoropupū Springs—home to some of the clearest freshwater in the world—and take in the region’s peaceful natural beauty. Continue to Wharariki Beach, where vast dunes, dramatic sea stacks and the southern end of Farewell Spit create an unforgettable coastal finale.

Today is dedicated to discovering Abel Tasman National Park, famous for golden beaches, sculpted granite headlands and calm turquoise water. Walk a section of the renowned coastal track, swim in a sheltered bay or choose an optional kayak and water-taxi adventure to explore further along the shoreline. Keep an eye out for native birds and marine life as you relax in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful coastal environments.

We leave the coast and travel through the renowned Marlborough wine region, where vine-covered valleys sit beneath rugged mountain ranges. Pause for a tasting of the region’s famous Sauvignon Blanc before continuing south along the coast to Kaikōura. On arrival, admire the town’s remarkable setting, where the mountains rise dramatically from the Pacific Ocean and marine wildlife thrives just offshore.

Included: Marlborough Wine Tasting
Sample the flavours of Marlborough, New Zealand’s world-famous Sauvignon Blanc region, amid its picturesque vineyard landscapes. It is a relaxed and delicious stop before we continue south to Kaikōura.

Spend the morning enjoying Kaikōura’s exceptional marine environment, with optional opportunities to spot whales, see seals or swim with dolphins. The town’s deep offshore waters create one of the best wildlife-viewing locations in New Zealand, while the surrounding mountains make the coastline especially dramatic. We then return to Christchurch, bringing our 14-day South Island journey to a close with unforgettable landscapes, new friendships and plenty of stories to share.

Included: Kaikōura Coastline & Marine Wildlife
Experience the spectacular Kaikōura coastline, where deep offshore waters support an extraordinary variety of marine life. Keep watch for fur seals, seabirds, dolphins and whales as the mountains meet the sea.