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Peregrine Travel Centre

New Zealand South Island Express

New Zealand South Island Express

From $ 2,230 AUD

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Description

This is the New Zealand you’ve always heard about – endless lakes, snow-capped mountains and pristine glaciers. Spend nine days discovering the best of the South Island with a passionate local leader at the helm. Encounter creativity and resilience in Christchurch, gaze up at the stars in Lake Tekapo, get your adrenaline pumping in Queenstown, take your time in postcard-pretty Wanaka and see the mighty Franz Josef glacier. With thrilling activities available around every corner, this adventure is sure to get your heart racing (and that’s just from the views!).

Trip Name
New Zealand South Island Express
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
9
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Stand in awe of the epic Franz Josef Glacier – choose how you want to experience this incredible landscape, including the option to kayak over a glacial lake.
  • Dive straight into the adrenaline pumping activities of Queenstown (calling all adventure seekers!) or sit back with a glass of world-class local wine.
  • See the stars of Lake Tekapo – this gorgeous bright blue lake is a designated Dark Sky Reserve. Maybe watch the sky change colour at the Church of the Good Shepherd for one of the most gorgeous backdrops in the country!
  • Soak in the beauty of Wanaka – this pretty little spot has so much to offer and you’ll explore the lake, surrounding mountains and the iconic Wanaka Tree.
  • Wander around Arrowtown – a living historic gold mining town that’s perfect for exploring on foot. See cute cafes, boutique stores and scenic landscapes (including snowy peaks during winter and a landscape of colour in autumn).

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Christchurch
Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand. Your adventure begins in Christchurch – the largest city in the South Island. After being rocked by an earthquake in 2011, much of Christchurch’s downtown has been destroyed, but there are now tonnes of examples of the cool and creative ways the locals rebuilt what was lost across the city. One of the best examples of this is the Christchurch Cathedral – rebuilt out of cardboard, this is now one of the city’s most interesting architectural features. Tonight, you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm to get to know your leader and group. After, why not head out for dinner at one of the city’s excellent restaurants.
Day 2 - Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
This morning, head out with your local leader to get to know Christchurch. After exploring some of the sites, it’s time to get on the road and drive to Lake Tekapo – this spot is a designated Dark Sky Reserve and the lake is a truly stunning sight, with its bright blue waters and surrounding mountains. Keep an eye out for newlyweds snapping pictures in front of the Church of the Good Shepherd, which boasts one of the world’s most gorgeous backdrops! Night fall reveals a whole new side of Tekapo – this is one of the top spots in the country for stargazing, so if the weather’s right, maybe set your gaze up to the glittering stars above.
Day 3 - Queenstown
Rise and shine! If you’d like to really embrace the morning, maybe take a hike to the summit of Mt John for views of the Southern Alps. If you skip the walk, don’t worry, there’s still plenty of incredible views to be seen today. You’ll drive past the tussock lands of the Mackenzie Basin and the snow-dusted peaks of the Southern Alps today, as you travel down to Queenstown, making plenty of photo-worthy stops along the way. Swing by the Kawarau Gorge, where you’ll have the chance to take the plunge with a bungy jump if you’re feeling brave! Arrive in the adventure capital of the world and your home for the next two nights. Whether you’re into high-adrenaline experiences or sitting back with a glass of wine, Queenstown is sure to tick all your boxes.
Day 4 - Queenstown
The day is yours to experience all Queenstown has to offer. If you want to get your heart racing, look no further! Paragliding, jet boating, mountain biking, canyon swinging and bungy jumping could all be on the cards for you today – just speak to your leader. For scenery lovers, a day trip to Milford Sound is a must. Sail past outstanding mountains and plunging waterfalls as you cruise down the fiord - these views cannot be missed! For Lord of the Rings fans, maybe take a 4WD adventure through landscapes where some of the film’s scenes were shot. If you’re a wine lover, this is one of the top wine-producing regions in the world and there’s no shortage of fantastic wineries where you can sample some for yourself.
Day 5 - Queenstown to Wanaka
Take the morning to tick off anything you didn’t get to see or do yesterday, then leave Queenstown in the rear-view mirror and begin the super scenic drive across the Crown Range to Wanaka. Along the way, stop off in the little gold-rush town of Arrowtown, where the high street’s historic facades make it easy to imagine what life here once looked like. Take a walk around this gorgeous town, then continue to the huge Lake Wanaka – the star of the show. With the surrounding mountains, there’s no doubt this is one of the most attractive towns in New Zealand. Hit a hiking trail, explore on a bike or find a cosy cafe to admire the view.
Day 6 - Wanaka to Franz Josef Glacier
Soak up a free morning to explore Wanaka at your own pace. Maybe take a bike ride along the shores of Lake Wanaka or get on the water and cruise to Mou Waho Island, where you’ll find an island in a lake on an island in a lake! There are heaps of beautiful short walks in the area, and a visit to the famous #thatwanakatree is a must. Depart Wanaka in the afternoon and venture further north, stopping off at a lookout point over either Lake Wanaka or Lake Hawea, depending on conditions. Grab a window seat as you pass the impressive waterfalls of the Haast Pass and the spectacular coastline (your leader will make a few special stops along the way too!). Arrive to Franz Josef village – your base for the evening.
Day 7 - Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef is where glaciers and soaring peaks make a spectacular background to the slow-paced, daily life. This part of the country is known as Te Wahi Pounamu, meaning ‘the place of greenstone’, due to the region’s abundance of this culturally and spiritually significant stone. To learn more about pounamu’s significance in Maori culture, you can opt to visit a local gallery and carve your own pendant to take home as a keepsake. This afternoon, if you’d like to get closer to the Franz Josef Glacier, speak to your leader about the options available – there’s an option to kayak over the glacial lake!
Day 8 - Hokitika to Greymouth to Christchurch
Travel up the wild and wet West Coast, where the country’s highest annual rainfall means the landscapes are unbelievably green, standing in striking contrast to the blues of the ocean. If time allows, you may visit a kiwi centre, where kiwi birds can be observed in a nocturnal house. Drive on through Arthur’s Pass on your way back to Christchurch and enjoy the mountain scenery (making a couple of stops along the way for photos). Arrive to Christchurch in the evening and maybe head out for dinner and drinks with your group.
Day 9 - Christchurch
Your adventure comes to an end this morning, but if you’re not ready to go home yet, just get in touch ahead of time and your booking agent can arrange additional accommodation in Christchurch.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
13-10-202621-10-2026AUD $ 2,380-
27-10-202604-11-2026AUD $ 2,720-
10-11-202618-11-2026AUD $ 2,230-
17-11-202625-11-2026AUD $ 2,530-
24-11-202602-12-2026AUD $ 2,330-
01-12-202609-12-2026AUD $ 2,390-
08-12-202616-12-2026AUD $ 2,440-
15-12-202623-12-2026AUD $ 2,390-
29-12-202606-01-2027AUD $ 2,390-
05-01-202713-01-2027AUD $ 2,440-
19-01-202727-01-2027AUD $ 2,410-
26-01-202703-02-2027AUD $ 2,410-
02-02-202710-02-2027AUD $ 2,410-
16-02-202724-02-2027AUD $ 2,410-
23-02-202703-03-2027AUD $ 2,410-
02-03-202710-03-2027AUD $ 2,365-
09-03-202717-03-2027AUD $ 2,365-
16-03-202724-03-2027AUD $ 2,365-
23-03-202731-03-2027AUD $ 2,295-
30-03-202707-04-2027AUD $ 2,295-
13-04-202721-04-2027AUD $ 2,295-
27-04-202705-05-2027AUD $ 2,295-
25-05-202702-06-2027AUD $ 2,230-
20-07-202728-07-2027AUD $ 2,230-
17-08-202725-08-2027AUD $ 2,230-
14-09-202722-09-2027AUD $ 2,230-
23-09-202701-10-2027AUD $ 2,230-
28-09-202706-10-2027AUD $ 2,230-
12-10-202720-10-2027AUD $ 2,235-
26-10-202703-11-2027AUD $ 2,295-
16-11-202724-11-2027AUD $ 2,295-
23-11-202701-12-2027AUD $ 2,370-
30-11-202708-12-2027AUD $ 2,370-
07-12-202715-12-2027AUD $ 2,295-
14-12-202722-12-2027AUD $ 2,295-
28-12-202705-01-2028AUD $ 2,415-
04-01-202812-01-2028AUD $ 2,415-
11-01-202819-01-2028AUD $ 2,415-
18-01-202826-01-2028AUD $ 2,370-
25-01-202802-02-2028AUD $ 2,370-
01-02-202809-02-2028AUD $ 2,415-
08-02-202816-02-2028AUD $ 2,415-
15-02-202823-02-2028AUD $ 2,415-
22-02-202801-03-2028AUD $ 2,415-
29-02-202808-03-2028AUD $ 2,370-
07-03-202815-03-2028AUD $ 2,370-
14-03-202822-03-2028AUD $ 2,370-
21-03-202829-03-2028AUD $ 2,295-
28-03-202805-04-2028AUD $ 2,295-
04-04-202812-04-2028AUD $ 2,235-
11-04-202819-04-2028AUD $ 2,235-
18-04-202826-04-2028AUD $ 2,235-
25-04-202803-05-2028AUD $ 2,235-
30-05-202807-06-2028AUD $ 2,235-
25-07-202802-08-2028AUD $ 2,235-
22-08-202830-08-2028AUD $ 2,235-
26-09-202804-10-2028AUD $ 2,235-
10-10-202818-10-2028AUD $ 2,235-

Accommodation

Basic hotel (2 nights), Cabins (with shared facilities) (2 nights), Basic rooms (2 night), Motel (2 nights)

Transport

Private Vehicle

Map

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