7 Day Southern Loop Adventure Tour

Meet your guide and fellow travellers in Christchurch at 9am before setting off across the Southern Alps towards New Zealand’s wild West Coast. Travel through beech forests and alpine wetlands and along the Lewis River, with scenic stops along the way before arriving in the coastal village of Punakaiki.

Spend the day exploring Punakaiki, a spectacular coastal destination surrounded by limestone cliffs, lush forest, caves and pristine rivers. Your guide will help you make the most of the area, from admiring the famous Pancake Rocks to choosing an optional adventure along the rugged West Coast.

Optional Activities:

The Paparoa Experience – Explore the Paparoa National Park on a guided adventure through its spectacular rainforest and limestone landscapes.

Underworld Rafting – Journey through an underground cave system, combining caving, tubing and glowworm viewing.

Paddle N' Carve – Paddle along the beautiful West Coast before trying your hand at traditional Māori carving.

Glow Worm Cave Tour – Venture into a dark cave system to discover thousands of tiny glowworms illuminating the underground walls.

Continue along the wild West Coast with scenic stops for lighthouse views and encounters with local wildlife, including seal colonies. Travel inland through the beautiful Nelson Lakes region before reaching Abel Tasman, where you can relax or join an optional adventure.

Optional Activities:

Sail Abel Tasman – Cruise through the national park’s clear waters while enjoying its golden beaches and beautiful coastal scenery.

Abel Tasman Water Taxi – Travel along the park’s coastline by water taxi, providing a scenic and convenient way to reach its beaches and walking tracks.

Sail & Walk – Combine a scenic sailing journey with a guided or self-guided walk through Abel Tasman’s beautiful coastal landscapes.

Head with your group into Golden Bay, a spectacular corner of the South Island known for its beaches, wildlife and dramatic coastline. Explore Ngārua Caves and Te Waikoropupū Springs before following the track towards Wharariki Beach, one of the region’s most spectacular coastal landscapes.

Included: Ngārua Caves
Explore the fascinating limestone formations and underground chambers of Ngārua Caves, where stalactites, stalagmites and fossils reveal the region’s ancient geological history. Your guide will lead you through this atmospheric cave system as part of your Golden Bay adventure.

Included: Te Waikoropupū Springs
Walk through native forest to Te Waikoropupū Springs, renowned for having some of the clearest natural waters in the world. The tranquil setting and strikingly blue pools make this a memorable stop in Golden Bay.

Included: Wharariki Beach
Follow the track to spectacular Wharariki Beach, where enormous sand dunes, rugged cliffs and offshore rock formations create one of the South Island’s most dramatic coastal scenes. Take time to explore this remote stretch of coastline before returning with the group.

Return to Abel Tasman National Park for a full day surrounded by golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs and clear coastal waters. Your guide can help you choose how to spend the day, whether you want to hike part of the famous coastal track, kayak along the shoreline or simply relax on the beach.

Optional Activities:

Skydive Abel Tasman – Freefall above the stunning Abel Tasman coastline with spectacular views of beaches, forest and mountains.

Canyoning Abel Tasman – Explore hidden canyons with a thrilling combination of swimming, climbing, abseiling and natural water slides.

Kayak & Water Taxi – Paddle along the sheltered coastline before returning by water taxi for a fun combination of adventure and sightseeing.

Kayak & Walk – Combine kayaking with a scenic coastal walk to experience Abel Tasman’s beaches, forests and turquoise waters from different perspectives.

Leave Abel Tasman behind and travel with your group towards the renowned Marlborough wine region, stopping to enjoy its famous vineyards and Sauvignon Blanc. Continue south to Kaikōura, where rugged mountains meet the Pacific Ocean and an incredible variety of marine wildlife thrives just offshore.

Included: Marlborough Wine Tasting
Sample award-winning wines in one of New Zealand’s most celebrated wine regions while taking in the picturesque vineyard landscapes. Marlborough’s Sauvignon Blanc is the star, but there are plenty of other varieties to discover.

Optional Activities

Seal Kayak Kaikōura – Paddle along the Kaikōura coastline for close-up encounters with playful New Zealand fur seals.

EcoZip Kaikōura – Fly through native forest on a thrilling zipline adventure with spectacular coastal and mountain views.

Kaikōura Scenic Flight – Take to the skies for panoramic views of Kaikōura’s rugged coastline, mountains and surrounding ocean.

Kaikōura Peninsula Walk – Follow the scenic peninsula coastline while enjoying views of the mountains, ocean and local marine wildlife.

Spend your final morning in Kaikōura choosing from the region’s incredible wildlife experiences before joining your guide for the journey back to Christchurch. Look out for seals along the coast, or take an optional whale-watching or dolphin-swimming adventure before saying goodbye to your Wild Kiwi group.

Optional Activities:

Whale Watching – Head offshore to encounter giant sperm whales and other marine wildlife in their natural environment.

Pilot A Plane – Take control of an aircraft under the guidance of an experienced instructor for a unique flying experience.

Swim With Dolphins – Get into the water for an unforgettable encounter with wild dusky dolphins in their natural habitat.