Wellington Trip Overview
Turquoise lakes, majestic glaciers, dramatic mountain peaks and the picture-perfect towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Franz Josef. With accommodation and some activities included (see below), our all-inclusive tours are hassle-free, authentic experiences for those short on time. This 10 day South Island tour is the ultimate South Island roadie visiting Kaikoura, Christchurch, Tekapo and back across to Christchurch via the famous Arthur’s Pass.
Additional Info
Duration: 11 days
Starts: Wellington, New Zealand
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Wellington Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Wellington, , New Zealand
Turquoise lakes, majestic glaciers, dramatic mountain peaks and the picture-perfect towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Franz Josef. With accommodation and some activities included (see below), our all-inclusive tours are hassle-free, authentic experiences for those short on time. This 10 day South Island tour is the ultimate South Island roadie visiting Kaikoura, Christchurch, Tekapo and back across to Christchurch via the famous Arthur’s Pass.
Itinerary
Day 1: Wellington to Kaikoura
Stop At: Wellington, Wellington, Greater Wellington, North Island
Interislander ferry service is New Zealand’s original Cook Strait ferry. Sailing between Wellington and Picton, the Interislander journey is considered one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world and one of New Zealand’s most iconic experiences.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: FROMM Winery, 15, Godfrey Road, Blenheim 7272 New Zealand
Wine tour and tasting along with cheese platters in the heart of the Marlborough wine region
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ohau Point Seal Colony, State Highway 1, Ohau Point, Kaikoura New Zealand
Check out one of NZ’s most populated seal colonies on your way to the marine capital of NZ, Kaikoura.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Dusky Lodge or similar
Day 2: Kaikoura to Christchurch
Stop At: Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, 40 Fyffe Quay West End, Kaikoura 7300 New Zealand
Check out the beautiful peninsula walkway finishing in south bay before making your way further south to the south island’s most populated city.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: All Stars Inn or similar
Day 3: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
Stop At: The Church of the Good Shepherd, Pioneer Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999 New Zealand
The most photographed church in NZ, sitting on the picturesque shores of the stunning lake Tekapo. You will soon see why this church is a photographers dream.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Mount John University Observatory, 422 Godley Peaks Road, Lake Tekapo 7999 New Zealand
Hike to the top of Mt John to get stunning 360 degree views of the lake below and the towering southern alps. This hike will not disappoint.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, Lake Tekapo 7945 New Zealand
Enter the world of the “Dark sky project,” where your guide will take you on a journey into the universe and a chance to learn more about our stars and moons
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Lakefront Lodge Tekapo or similar
Day 4: Lake Tekapo to Mount Cook National Park
Stop At: Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Mackenzie District, Canterbury Region, South Island
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a rugged land of ice and rock, with 19 peaks over 3,000 metres including New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Hooker Valley Track, Hooker Valley Road, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
Walk this track
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: YHA Mt Cook or similar
Day 5: Mt Cook to Queenstown
Stop At: Skyline Queenstown, Brecon St Top OF Street, Queenstown 9348 New Zealand
Eat a buffet dinner overlooking Queenstown
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Nomads Queenstown or similar
Day 6: Queenstown free day
Stop At: AJ Hackett Kawarau Bungy Centre, Gibbston Valley, Queenstown 9384, New Zealand
Ever since 1988, Aj Hackett has been in the business of fueling people with courage and adrenaline. Take an opportunity to Bungy/swing or catapult at one of the three sites located in Queenstown.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Shotover Jet Queenstown, 3 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown 9371, New Zealand
Adventurous boat ride through the Shotover River Canyons, at 85km/hour, with spins & spraying water.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Nomads Queenstown or similar
Day 7: Queenstown to Glenorchy tour (return to Queenstown)
Stop At: Glenorchy, Glenorchy, Otago Region, South Island
Road trip out the head of lake Wakatipu in the small town of Glenorchy. Here you take some walks and soak up the picturesque scenes before making your way back to Queenstown
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Nomads Queenstown or similar
Day 8: Queenstown to Wanaka
Pass By: That Wanaka Tree, 3 Tapley Paddock, Wanaka 9305 New Zealand
Take a snap of the insta-famous tree in New Zealand
Stop At: Roys Peak Track, Wanaka-Mount Apsiring Road Mount Aspiring National Park, Wanaka New Zealand
Walk this track
Duration: 5 hours
Stop At: Mount Iron Track, State Highway 84, Wanaka New Zealand
Get amazing views of Wanaka on this short hike
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: YHA Wanaka or similar
Day 9: Wanaka to Franz Josef
Stop At: Thunder Creek Falls, Haast Pass-Makarora Rd Haast River, Wanaka 9382 New Zealand
Check out this amazing waterfall
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Lake Matheson Walk, Lake Matheson Road, Fox Glacier, Westland Tai Poutini National Park New Zealand
Scenic views of Lake Matheson
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Rainforest Retreat or similar
Day 10: Franz Josef free day
Stop At: Franz Josef Glacier, Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park New Zealand
check out some of the many hikes or simply relax in the rainforest surroundings
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Rainforest Retreat or similar
Day 11: Franz Josef to Christchurch via Arthurs Pass National Park
Stop At: Arthur’s Pass National Park Visitor Centre, State Highway 73, Arthur’s Pass National Park 7654 New Zealand
Amazing views and walk in Arthurs Pass National Park
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Devils Punchbowl Walking Track, Punchbowl Road, off State Highway 73, Arthur’s Pass National Park New Zealand
a 2 hour hike to the famous waterfall in Arthurs Pass
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Castle Hill, Castle Hill, Canterbury Region, South Island
Check out this weird and wonderful rock formation
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
