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South Island

Start: Christchurch
Duration: 7 days
Minimum Age: 18 Maximum Age: 39

The Southern Voyager is a 7-day small group South Island tour departing Saturdays at 9am from Christchurch for travellers aged 18–39. Travel with a maximum of 18 guests through Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wānaka, Franz Josef and Arthur’s Pass, with six nights of accommodation, daily breakfast and transport by Mercedes-Benz Sprinter included.

See the South Island in Seven Days

The Southern Voyager packs some of the South Island’s biggest landscapes into one week without turning the trip into a simple sightseeing circuit. Start among the turquoise water and alpine scenery of Lake Tekapo before spending three nights in Queenstown, giving you time to choose your own adventures as well as travel into Fiordland for Milford Sound.

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From Queenstown, travel via Wānaka and Haast Pass to the West Coast and Franz Josef, where you have another free day for optional glacier, helicopter, kayaking and outdoor experiences. The final journey back to Christchurch crosses Arthur’s Pass and includes the limestone formations of Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti.

Tour Highlights

  • Small group of up to 18 travellers
  • Three nights in Queenstown
  • Visit Lake Tekapo and Wānaka
  • Full-day trip to Milford Sound
  • Two nights in Franz Josef
  • Travel through Haast Pass
  • Visit Castle Hill / Kura Tāwhiti
  • Free time for optional adventures
  • Designed for travellers aged 18–39
  • 6 nights of flash-pack accommodation
  • 6 breakfasts and 1 group dinner
  • Mercedes-Benz Sprinter transport
  • Local guide-driver
  • Transport to Milford Sound
  • Lake Tekapo and the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
  • Church of the Good Shepherd
  • Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti walk

Optional activities are not included in the tour price and can be arranged with your guide while travelling.

Adventure Tours stay in a selection of trusted hostels, backpacker lodges and holiday park cabins around New Zealand. Accommodation is generally in 4–8 person shared rooms, with comfortable beds, warm rooms and clean linen. Continental breakfast is included each day, and private rooms can be requested, subject to availability.

Private Room Upgrade

Please note these rooms are not guaranteed to have ensuites. We will confirm your upgrade request by email if available.

Late Bookings & Accommodation

For bookings made within 14 days of departure, accommodation is subject to availability.

We’ll try to keep you with the main tour group, but this may not always be possible. You may stay in alternative accommodation or a room shared with guests outside the Wild Kiwi group.

Your final accommodation details will be confirmed by email once availability has been checked.

Deposits and Payments

  • Non-refundable deposit: NZD $400 per person.
  • Balance payment due 100 days prior to departure; non-payment may result in cancellation with applicable fees.

Cancellations and Refunds

  • More than 100 days prior to your departure date: Loss of deposit
  • Within 50 and 99 days prior: Loss of deposit plus administrative charge of $400 per person
  • Within 49 days prior to your departure date: No refund

**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. By submitting an enquiry, you confirm that you agree to our Terms and Conditions, including details on refunds and cancellations.

We highly recommend taking out a comprehensive travel insurance for protection against any disruptions or emergencies.

Frequently asked questions

The Southern Voyager includes six nights of adventure-style accommodation, generally in 4–8 bed shared rooms reserved for Wild Kiwi travellers. Travellers wanting more privacy can request a private room upgrade, subject to availability. Private rooms are not guaranteed to include an ensuite bathroom, and upgrade requests are confirmed separately.

The Southern Voyager includes three nights in Queenstown, with a full free day for optional activities or independent sightseeing. You also spend two nights in Franz Josef, giving you another free day to choose from available glacier and outdoor experiences or simply spend time exploring the West Coast at your own pace.

The Southern Voyager includes six nights of adventure-style accommodation, six breakfasts, one group dinner, transport by Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and an experienced local guide-driver. The itinerary also includes transport to Milford Sound and visits Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Wānaka, Franz Josef, Arthur’s Pass and Castle Hill / Kura Tāwhiti.

Optional activities are generally not included in the tour price unless specifically listed as an inclusion. You can choose additional experiences during your trip, giving you the flexibility to personalise your itinerary and budget. Available activities vary by tour and destination, so check the individual itinerary for the options offered on your trip.

Wild Kiwi Adventure Tours are designed for travellers aged 18–39. The small-group format attracts solo travellers, friends and couples looking for a social way to travel around New Zealand. You’ll travel with other people in the same general age group while still having time to enjoy activities independently.

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