9 Day Adventure South Island Tour
- Trip Styles: Budget
From Queenstown to Milford Sound, giant glaciers to glimmering lakes. Sip cocktails at Lake Tekapo and watch the stars from natural thermal pools. Cruise through the mountains and jet boat in canyons. We want you to experience all of this on our 9-day small group adventure!
Experience the adventure of a lifetime with our 9-day tour of New Zealand’s stunning South Island, designed specifically for 18-30 year olds. Get ready to embark on an epic road trip that will take you through Queenstown and beyond, visiting all the best sights along the way.
Cruise through Milford Sound, jet boat through canyons, hike around Wanaka, stargaze at Mount Cook National Park, and more! Spend 8 nights in hostels in the heart of some of New Zealand’s most vibrant cities, where you’ll meet new friends and create unforgettable memories.
You’ll have the chance to meet new people from all over the world, and form new friendships that could last a lifetime. Plus, with a group leader on hand to take care of all the details, you can focus on enjoying yourself and making the most of your adventure. And don’t worry if you’re travelling alone – our tours are designed to be fun, social, and inclusive, so you’ll never feel like an outsider. So why not step out of your comfort zone and join us on the 9 Day Adventure South Island Tour – you never know who you might meet!
With 9 days of non-stop adventure, experience jaw-dropping scenery, addictive adrenaline rushes, and stunning hikes. We’ll even provide you with an included airport transfer to our hostel in Queenstown, where you’ll meet your knowledgeable group leader and crew of mates.
Our group leader will provide 24/7 support during your trip, ensuring your adventure is seamless and stress-free. Join us on the 9 Day Adventure South Island Tour for an unforgettable journey through New Zealand’s South Island.
NZ Adventure South
Our travellers often combine this trip with some of these trips:
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Add to Package ($2,299.00)
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Add to Package ($1,599.00)
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Total Price: $3,898.00Add All To Wishlist Browse Wishlist
- This item: 9 Day Adventure South Island Tour($2,299.00)
- 9 Day Adventure North Island Tour($1,599.00)
Itinerary
Kia ora! Landing in Queenstown, we’ll meet you at the airport and take you to our hostel to settle in and refresh. Tonight you’ll meet up with the rest of your travel crew and get excited about all the adventures yet to come in New Zealand!
Today we’ll show you around stunning Queenstown, a backpacker hub known as the adventure capital of New Zealand. The good news is that our first jolt of adrenaline isn’t far off, as this afternoon we’ll rush through Skippers Canyon at over 80 km/h on a jet boat ride. Tonight we’ll top off our first day of exploring by seeing what Queenstown has to offer after dark! (B)
Leaving Queenstown, today we’re heading to the majestic Milford Sound. We’ll hop on a boat to cruise around the fjord, feeling tiny amongst sheer cliff faces, ancient forests, and plunging waterfalls. Keep your eyes peeled for seals lazing about! If we’re lucky, we might even spot some seals lazing about. This evening we’ll get cozy in Te Anau, a charming town in the heart of Fiordland.
(B, L)
Driving through awe-inspiring landscapes that will have our jaws on the floor, we’ll stop at some notable Lord of the Rings filming locations nestled in the mountains. After soaking up the Tolkien- Esque vistas and taking thousands of photos we’ll arrive in Wanaka, a dreamy resort town hugging the sapphire lake.
Waking to the views of snow-capped peaks, today we’ll enjoy all that Wanaka has to offer. First up: a visit to the insta-famous ‘Wanaka Tree’, followed by a hike up Mt Iron that will reward our efforts with incredible views of Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, and Mt Aspiring National Park. This is the great outdoors at its finest. (B)
Waving goodbye to Wanaka, we’ll enjoy a scenic drive through the southern alps towards Tekapo. Known for its milky turquoise hue, Lake Tekapo is an alpine oasis – so have your phone charged and camera ready! This afternoon we’ll strap on our comfy shoes and stretch our limbs hiking the iconic Hooker Valley track. One of the most well-known walks in the South Island, this walk winds us through the valley to grant unforgettable views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand. (B)
Today we’ll have ample time to explore Lake Tekapo and its surrounds. Opt for another hike, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, or find a classic Kiwi meat pie to munch on. This evening we’ll have the exclusive chance to learn about the convergence of Maori mythology and modern science whilst relaxing at Tekapo Springs. Within an official dark sky reserve, this is one of the world’s best places for star-gazing, and watching the skies whilst soaking in naturally-heated pools is probably the best way to do it.
- Jet Boating through canyons
- Cruise the breathtaking Milford Sound fiord
- Hike Mount Iron & check out the famous Wanaka Tree
- Visit real filming locations used in the Lord Of The Rings and Hobbit trilogies
- Hike in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park to spot New Zealand’s tallest snow-capped peaks
- Experience the magical dark sky reserve while soaking in natural thermal pools
- Travel insurance is compulsory for this trip
- Once you’ve booked you’ll get access to ‘Manage Your Booking’ and the Travel App, which will give you all the information you’ll need on New Zealand and New Zealand Adventure,
It’s best to arrive on the actual start date as there’s no activities on day one, so you’ll have plenty of time to check in, relax and meet your group. If you do arrive in Auckland before your start date, we will still pick you up from the airport and will book you into the hostel from the day you arrive. You’ll just need to pay approx. $30 NZD for any extra nights when you check in.
Yes. Lots of people on our trips are travelling solo. But by doing our trip you’ll instantly be part of a group, so it’s a great way to meet others and make friends!
We always recommend travelling with a backpack and packing light! 15-20kgs of stuff should be plenty.