Price pp from:

$4,581
Lush green headlands surrounding a bright turquoise lagoon and white sand beach in New Zealand.
Nature

South Island Adventure

Wellington

Queenstown

12 days, 11 nights

Road Trips

From: $4,581 pp

Tour overview

Start your South Island adventure in Wellington, crossing the Cook Strait like a true explorer. Paddle through the golden waters of Abel Tasman National Park. In Kaikōura, spot some whales like spotting elytra before heading to Lake Tekapo, where the night sky glows like an enchanted book of constellations. Cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw, a vintage steamship worthy of a stronghold, then venture into Te Anau’s glowstone caves, where thousands of tiny blue lights create an underground spectacle. Drift through the misty fiords of Doubtful Sound, a serene and untouched wilderness, before ending with an adrenaline-fueled jet boat ride in Queenstown, a thrilling speedrun finale! This epic journey is packed with discovery, adventure, and breathtaking scenery, perfect for any explorer ready to craft unforgettable memories.

Tour highlights & inclusions

12 days / 11 nights
2 lunches

Wellington

Queenstown

Motels
Rental car included
  • Wētā Workshop Unleashed
  • Interislander Ferry Wellington to Picton
  • Toka Ngawhā Guided Paddle

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Price pp from

NZD $4,581

Why Discover New Zealand

  • Wānaka-based specialists planning your trip from inside New Zealand.
  • One travel specialist to plan and book every detail from start to finish.
  • 24/7 in-country support while you’re travelling, so help is close if plans change.

Trip itinerary

Welcome to Wellington

Wellington City is New Zealand's capital. It sits on a wonderful deep natural harbour and is surrounded by bush clad hills. The city centre itself is quite compact (only around 1 square kilometre) and so exploring on foot is relatively easy. From your city centre accommodation you can easily stroll the cafes and restaurants around Courtenay Place and if you arrive early enough New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa, is also close by.

Wide aerial view of Wellington Harbour with city, marina, hills, and blue water under clear sky

Accommodation

Illuminated hotel entrance to CityLife Wellington with shops and sale signs on either side at night.
Adina CityLife Wellington

Tour highlights

Tour group examines a large detailed castle model under purple lighting indoors

Wētā Workshop Unleashed

Interislander ferry Kaitaki with a kayaker on the water in front of mountain landscape

Interislander Ferry Wellington to Picton

Two groups kayak in double canoes on calm sea near small islands, mountains in background.

Toka Ngawhā Guided Paddle

Two whale watching boats on ocean with mountain range in background under clear sky.

Whale Watch Kaikōura Ocean's Cabin

Observatory dome with red light under a starry sky and mountains by a lake at night.

Dark Sky Project Summit Experience

Steamboat cruising on blue lake water with snowy mountains in the background on a clear day.

TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dinner

Blue glowing glowworms lighting up a dark cave ceiling.

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Boat traveling through a fjord with green mountains and clear blue sky

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Manapouri with RealNZ

Red Shotover Jet boat speeding through rocky canyon with tourists wearing life jackets and water splashing.

Shotover Jet Canyon Jet Boat Ride

Additional inclusions

Private Transfer Wellington Airport to your Accommodation

24/7 support from the moment you arrive to the moment you depart

Talk to a local travel specialist. Enquire