- -Visit Kaikoura
- -Visit Hokitika
- -Stay in the scenic Franz Josef Glacier region
- -Visit Lake Matheson
- -Orientation of Wanaka with Trip Leader
- -Arrow River Bridges cycle ride
- -Orientation of Queenstown with Trip Leader
- -Scenic cruise on Milford Sound (including lunch)
- -Wine tasting in Central Otago region
- -Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd
Your dream trip starts here
Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island
Trip overview
TRIP VIBE = iconic sights and in-depth adventures with a local Trip Leader.
Take 10 days of pure unadulterated Kiwi adventures and turn them into a trip of a lifetime. From the adrenalin-pumping capital of Queenstown to the jaw-dropping scenery of Franz Josef, Milford Sound and Wanaka, this is your chance to see all this great southern island has to offer – with a bunch of mates just as stoked to be here as you are. It’s time to dive in: you ready?
Worth noting…
On this trip, you’ll get two in one – your Trip Leader is also your Driver.
FYI all optionals are weather dependent.
Tales from Topdeckers
Trip itinerary
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Christchurch – Kaikoura – Hamner Springs
2In the mood to see Mother Nature showing off? Say hello to Hamner Springs. But first up: B-E-A-Utiful Kaikōura. Options here = soak up the laid back atmosphere in town, take a hike around the peninsula, keep your eyes peeled for Giant Sperm Whales on a whale-watching tour, or get your butt down to one of the seafood caravans on the foreshore for some fresher-than-fresh crayfish. Fancy a spa afternoon? Once we reach Hamner Springs, make your way to its natural thermal pools. There’s 22 in total, plus the complex also hosts New Zealand’s biggest water slide: the Conical Thrill.
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Activities
- Visit Kaikōura
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Your Options
- Whale watching in Kaikōura: prices available locally
- Visit Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa: prices available locally
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Activities
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Hamner Springs – Hokitika – Franz Josef Glacier Region
3You’re in luck – today we’re heading to one of New Zealand’s most famous glaciers. En-route, we’ll make a photo stop in historic Hokitika. Head to the beach and find the quirky sculpture made by the locals. Gift a pounamu (greenstone) to your new travel BFF for good luck. Or give ‘mountain oysters’ a try (hint: Google it first). Then, it’s time to roll into the jaw-dropping Franz Josef Glacier region. Here, you can work up an appetite during an optional kayaking session on Lake Mapourika. Need somewhere for dins? Your Trip Leader’s got the recs.
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Activities
- Visit Hokitika
- Stay in the scenic Franz Josef Glacier region
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Your Options
- Kayaking on Lake Mapourika: prices available locally
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Activities
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Franz Josef Glacier Region – Lake Matheson – Wanaka
4Rise and shine! If the weather is good, you’ll have the chance to tour this chilly playground on an optional heli-hike. Strap on your crampons and pile into the chopper – we’ll head up to 800m above sea level to explore the maze of ice formations with an expert local guide. Then, it’s time to move on to Lake Matheson. Cue: snapping photos that’ll make your friends back home jealous AF. Later, we’ll arrive into Wānaka: a lakeside, alpine town with some ‘holy-sh*t’-worthy scenery. Get your bearings during an orientation with your Trip Leader. After snapping endless photos of this beaut town, gather your mates for dinner. Our pick? Francesca’s Italian Kitchen for yummy wood-fired pizza.
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Activities
- Visit Lake Matheson
- Orientation of Wānaka with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Your Options
- Glacier heli-hike excursion in Franz Josef Glacier region: prices available locally
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Activities
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Wanaka – Arrowtown – Queenstown
5Set the course for Arrowtown and stretch out those calves – there’s a cycle along the banks of the historic Arrow River in store for today. Venture through some ‘holy-sh*t’-worthy scenery and cross awe-inspiring suspension bridges. Then: we’ll turn our attention to the adventure capital of the world! Get the lay of the land with your Trip Leader before enjoying some free time. Opt to race your Topdeck buddies on the sky-high luge track. Or try bungy jumping and try not to stack it in front of your trip mates. Then, there’s a group dinner on us at Fergburger. Tonight you can hunker down in World Bar – with world-famous teapot cocktails, it’s the perfect spot to make a plan for your full day in Queenstown.
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Activities
- Arrow River Bridges cycle ride
- Orientation of Queenstown with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Your Options
- Bungy jumping in Queenstown: prices available locally
- Gondola and luge adventure in Queenstown: prices available locally
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Activities
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Queenstown
6If Queenstown had a Hinge profile it would read: fun-filled outdoor enthusiast – looking for a fellow adrenalin junkie to share adventures with. And all its pics would be of people throwing themselves off extreme heights. Swiping right? Hell yes! Skydiving. Jet boating. Canyon swinging. You want it, this place has it. And you’ve got 24 hrs to embrace it all. DW if all the above makes you want to run and hide – there’s more here than death-defying antics. Take the skyline gondola for some incred views over Lake Wakatipu. Or visit Queenstown Gardens for stunning scenes of the The Remarkables. Tonight: head to the Cookie Bar. We’re talking warm cookies, freakshakes, s’more, ice-cream...*wipes drool from chin*.
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Your Options
- Jet boating in Queenstown: prices available locally
- Canyon swinging in Queenstown: prices available locally
- Skydiving in Queenstown: prices available locally
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Meals
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Queenstown – Te Anau
7There’s time for one last adrenaline rush and a final feed before we wave goodbye to Queenstown. Soak up all the incredible views racing past the coach window as we make our way to Te Anau. Stretch your legs with a walk around Ivon Wilson Park. Or keep your eyes peeled for rare tuis and kakas in the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary. Tonight: seek out the resident glow worms on an after-dark adventure – just ask your in-the-know Trip Leader.
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Your Options
- Visit Te Anau Bird Sanctuary: free
- Glow worm cave tour in Te Anau: prices available locally
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Meals
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Te Anau – Milford Sound – Te Anau
8Today, it’s time for a trip to the mesmerising Milford Sound. Plaster your face to the window as we take the scenic route through Fiordland National Park. Then, the main event: a cruise on the Milford fjord complete with thundering waterfalls, razor-edge cliffs and resident seals. This place is National Geographic on steroids (like Schwarzenegger steroids). Tuck into lunch on board surrounded by a view you’ll tell your children (12 cats) about for years to come. Back in Te Anau, gather your mates and explore the local haunts – your Trip Leader knows ‘em, just ask.
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Activities
- Scenic cruise on Milford Sound (including lunch)
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
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Activities
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Te Anau – Cromwell – Lake Ohau
9Fuel up with an included brekkie ‘cos it’s time to make tracks to the final overnight stop of our epic NZ South Island trip: Lake Ōhau. First, there’s a wine tasting tour on the cards in Cromwell. The Central Otago town is famous for its Pinot. Prefer a cool glass of Savvie B? There’s plenty of that, too. Then, onto Lake Ōhau. Nestled between towering mountains and overlooking the sparkling lake, it's the perfect place to spend the last night of our southern expedition. We’re gonna give this trip the send-off it deserves at tonight’s final group dinner.
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Activities
- Wine tasting in Cromwell
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Activities
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Lake Ohau – Lake Tekapo – Christchurch
10Ok, nobody panic – the tour’s coming to a close. But we’re sure as hell not done yet! Lake Tekapo is calling. Add one of New Zealand’s most photographed buildings to your camera roll with a visit to the Church of the Good Shepherd along the shoreline. Then, we’ll make tracks for Christchurch where it’s time to say goodbye. Eight days. Countless thrills, spills and good times. You embraced it all and shared the adventure with a bunch of strangers who are now like family. Reunion trip next year? 100%.
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Activities
- Visit to Church of the Good Shepherd
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Activities
Your Inclusions
Activities
Accommodation
- 8 nights in hotel-style accommodation (twin or double), 1 night in a hostel (twin or double)
Transport
Air-conditioned minicoach
Your Options
FYI: these are optional activities available locally. Things might change – prices are here to give you a rough idea.
-Whale watching in Kaikoura: prices available locally
-Visit Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa: prices available locally
-Kayaking on Lake Mapourika: prices available locally
-Glacier heli-hike excursion in Franz Josef Glacier region: prices available locally
-Bungy jumping in Queenstown: prices available locally
-Gondola and luge adventure in Queenstown: prices available locally
-Jet boating in Queenstown: prices available locally
-Canyon swinging in Queenstown: prices available locally
-Skydiving in Queenstown: prices available locally
-Glow worm cave tour in Te Anau: prices available locally
-Visit Te Anau Bird Sanctuary: free
Other information
Optional activities
All optional activities are subject to availability, but there’s *always* something lit to do in New Zealand! Wanna see whales IRL in Kaikōura? You’ll need to pre-book it via Your Options in the Topdeck Travel app at least two weeks before your trip starts.
Views & reviews
Latest reviews
Average rating based on 31 reviews-
Anonymous October 2024
Excellent tour, well organised with good food and accomodation for the price. Trip leader was great ☺️ would recommend to new travellers.
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Daniel September 2024
Tim was an excellent guide and his intricate knowledge of all components of the trip was great. Trip went for a good amount of time and accommodation was overall amazing with the exception of the last night at the ski lodge. Highly recommend this trip.
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Anonymous July 2024
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