Visit all the South Island of New Zealand’s iconic spots like Aoraki Mt Cook, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Wanaka, the West Coast Glaciers & Abel Tasman National Park. This South Island tour is the ultimate small group South Island 12 day itinerary, with all the world famous spots included in one very special tour itinerary. As well as the stunning South Island scenery, you’ll meet the locals and hear their stories, see our unique native wildlife up close, get out on the water and up in the air, enjoy fresh food & wine, make new friends and at the end of each unforgettable day relax in 4-star comfort.
(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner
The Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki/Mount Cook is an iconic hotel with a rich history spanning over 130 years. Located right in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, the Hermitage is the perfect base to explore the natural wonders of this stunning area, with a variety of accommodation options, a collection of dining establishments & unique activities whilst providing genuine kiwi hospitality.
Scenic Suites Queenstown provides a fantastic central Queenstown location. The hotel’s elevated position gives fantastic views of the Southern Alps and over Lake Wakatipu. It’s hard to go past Scenic Suites Queenstown with its convenience and quality of four-star apartment style accommodation.
Located right on the lakefront in Wanaka and a short drive from the town centre, Edgewater Resort has a beautiful scenic setting. All guest rooms have either an outdoor patio or balcony. Enjoy a tranquil and relaxing stay directly on Wānaka’s lakefront. You can relax by playing tennis or biking or relax on The Terrace and enjoy a drink or meal.
The Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier is close to the edge of one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions. In the heart of Franz Josef village and on the edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier is very close to the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier. The hotel offers everything you need to be able to explore this dramatic region in style and comfort. With an exceptional restaurant, serving hearty, West Coast fare, and the Moa Bar with its open fireplace, you are never without choice. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel.
This hotel offers complimentary WIFI throughout the property and has a restaurant and bar onsite. Equipped with handy amenities, guestrooms at Punakaiki Resort guarantee a comfortable stay, some rooms come with extra design features such as a balcony or terrace, all rooms have television and cable TV, there is also a refrigerator and a coffee or tea maker in the rooms.
This central-city hotel is locataed right on the river and just a few minutes walk from Nelson’s main shopping precinct. It has a lovely restaurant and bar overlooking the water. Many of the rooms offer Maitai River, poolside or Nelson city views and private balconies.
Set on the Esplanade in Kaikōura, The White Morph enjoys commanding views of the ocean and mountains, and gives you access to all of the region’s experiences. Only a 10 minute walk to downtown Kaikōura, the property has been beautifully placed so that you can take in the spectacular scenery of Kaikoura while enjoying the variety of attractions on offer. Rooms offer either partial ocean views or garden views and there is complimentary unlimited WiFi access daily and access to the on-site laundry.
All breakfasts are included in the tour cost, as well as some other meals including:
Christchurch is an fascinating city to explore. It was once a historic garden city. Since the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes it has turned into a fascinating city of regeneration and growth.
The central city is filled with cutting-edge architecture alongside some of the oldest buildings in New Zealand. But Christchurch is constantly evolving, always giving locals and visitors something new to explore. Expect street art and innovative projects, a bustling hospitality scene and established green spaces.
The Avon River runs through the city, bringing a natural landscape to the urban environment. Cruise along the picturesque river on a flat bottomed punt. Take a ride on a historic tram through the city. With wonderful parks and botanic gardens to explore Christchurch is a great place to visit.
Aoraki / Mount Cook, standing at 3,724 metres, is the highest mountain in New Zealand. It is located within Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
The park is home of the highest mountains and the longest glaciers. It is alpine in the purest sense — with skyscraping peaks, glaciers and permanent snow fields, all set under a star-studded sky. It is part of the Southern Alps, the mountain range running the length of the South Island.
A popular tourist destination, Aoraki /Mount Cook is also a favourite challenge for mountain climbers. Mt Cook, helped Sir Edmund Hillary to develop his climbing skills in preparation for the conquest of becoming the first person to climb Mt Everest.
Although the National Park encompasses 23 peaks over 3000 metres high, it is very accessible. State Highway 80 leads to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village beside scenic Lake Pukaki, which provides a comfortable base for alpine activities.
Far from city lights, the stargazing here is magnificent. Indeed, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park forms the majority of New Zealand’s only International Dark Sky Reserve.
Queenstown is a stunning resort town, renowned for its beauty and wealth of adventure activities, it sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps mountains, Queenstown is also a base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns.
Iconic adventure activities include bungee jumping off Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge and jet-boating on the Shotover and Dart rivers. And in winter, there’s skiing on the slopes of The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Cardrona ski resorts.
Queenstown is a hub of adventure, thrumming with adrenaline and an buzzing with a carefree sense of fun. But extreme activities aren’t the only options here. This world-famous resort town and its surrounding area boast many things to see, do, eat, drink and explore. Something for everyone at any time of year.
Famously described by Rudyard Kipling as the “eighth wonder of the world”, Milford Sound is a stunning fiord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island.
The “sound” was carved out by glaciers during the ice age like all modern fiords. But it’s majesty and the drama of its surrounding mountains is hard to match. It is known for the towering Mitre Peak, plus rainforests and waterfalls like Stirling and Bowen falls, which plummet down its sheer sides.
When it rains in Milford Sound — and it often does — those waterfalls multiply with magnificent effect. Whatever the weather it really is a breath-taking sight.
Boat tours are a popular way to explore the inky waters of this pristine natural wonder. The fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins. Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory offers views of rare black coral and other marine life.
Wanaka is a lively resort town surrounded by some stunning alpine scenery. It offers a picture-perfect location and easy access to the outdoors. The town has the buzz of a genuine alpine town and is the ultimate hub for outdoor adventures.
With Mount Aspiring National Park close by Wanaka is the perfect destination for exploring the Southern Alps. There are an abundance of activities on offer. Sky dive. Take a scenic flight. Go canyoning. Do some climbing or mountaineering. Or hike or bike on the hundreds of kilometres of local tracks offering iconic South Island views.
In summer, the crystal-clear water of the lakes and rivers are ideal for kayaking, fishing, lake cruises and jet-boating. And, in winter, Wanaka is a vibrant centre for skiers and snowboarders with four ski areas just a short drive from the town.
The drive north from Wanaka to the West Coast passes through the spectacular scenery of Haast Pass. Makarora, at the northern tip of Lake Wanaka, is a launching point for several multi-day walks in Mount Aspiring National Park. It also marks the start of the drive over the pass.
A number of shorter walks begin at the highway’s edge between Makarora and Haast. These lead you through rainforest to fabulous waterfalls. Favourites include walks to the Blue Pools, Fantail Falls, Thunder Creek Falls and Roaring Billy.
At the Gates of Haast gorge, many travellers stop to photograph the wild water as it crashes over the river boulders.
The basins gouged out by Hawea and Wanaka Glaciers are now under the waters of Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. Two arms of the glaciers joined at a narrow piece of land called The Neck, crossed on the drive to Makarora.
Franz Josef is the name of both the glacier and the nearby village. The small but lively Franz Josef Waiau village is surrounded by lush rainforest with the high snow-capped Alps rising above it.
There are many ways to take in the natural attractions within a short distance of the village. Your options include a cycleway, walks of varying lengths, guided walks, kayaking, and action adventures like rafting or skydiving. You can also visit the white heron colony or see the world’s rarest kiwi.
A short distance from neighbouring Fox Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier is one of the steepest glaciers in New Zealand. It descends from its origins high in the Southern Alps deep into the lush native rainforest of Westland’s National Park.
The glacier moves faster than your average glacier so no two days are the same. The main ice fall moves an average of 50cm per day, but steep sections can move as much as 10 metres in a single day. This creates some truly incredible features in the glacier such as ice caves, tunnels, seracs and crevasses; and all features are constantly changing and evolving.
Ōkārito Lagoon is a coastal lagoon on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Bounded by ocean, estuary, sea cliffs and lush forest, this small village offers unsurpassed views of the Southern Alps.
The lagoon is now home to around 30 permanent residents. But it was once a gold mining boom town. It is located 130 kilometres south of Hokitika, and covers an area of about 3,240 hectares, making it the largest unmodified coastal wetland in New Zealand.
Take the time to explore and imagine what it was like in days gone by. Donovan’s Store and the Ōkārito wharf offer opportunities to learn more about this town that almost reverted into the wilderness.
Hokitika is a historic town in the West Coast region of NZ’s South Island. Close to the mouth of the Hokitika River, this character-filled town is 40 kilometres south of Greymouth.
Historic Hokitika was first settled in 1860, after the discovery of gold on the West Coast. It is a place to appreciate the fascinating history of the West Coast. Visit to hear about the ship wrecks, gold miners and pounamu hunters.
The town was an important river port. And many ships came to grief on the notorious ‘Hokitika Bar’ – a sandbar that shifts with every tide.
Nowadays Hokitika is known as a Cool Little Town. There are some lovely old buildings on the town’s historic walk. You’ll also notice galleries specialising in pounamu jewellery and art works. And Hokitika’s iconic event is the Wildfoods Festival, held at the end of summer each year.
The Arahura River, entering the sea just north of Hokitika, is a traditional source of pounamu (greenstone). Gold jewellers, wood turners and potters provide other souvenir opportunities.
Punakaiki is a small community on the West Coast of the South Island, between Westport and Greymouth. The community lies on the edge of the Paparoa National Park.
The Pancake Rocks are a very popular tourist destination. At Dolomite Point south of the main village you can explore a limestone landscape of pancake-shaped rock formations, blowholes and surge pools on a short, paved walk.
This all-weather walk takes you through curious limestone formations of ‘Pancake Rocks’ and blowholes.
The blowholes form from a mixture of compressed water and air from caverns below being forced upwards. They create a huge wall of spray and are at their best around high tide when there is a south-westerly swell.
Spectacular views, geological oddities, coastal forest, rich birdlife and marine mammals are highlights along this walk.
With a seal colony, a lighthouse and panoramic views of mountains and coastline, the Cape Foulwind Walkway on the rugged West Coast of the South Island, is a great walk suitable for all abilities.
Beginning at the Tauranga Bay carpark you follow the easy walking path to the fur seal breeding colony, where you can see seals at any time of year.
From the seal colony follow the track along the coastal bluffs to the Cape Foulwind lighthouse. Along the way interpretation panels give a flavour of the region’s history, with stories of early explorers and industries.
Nelson is the main centre of the Tasman region. This is an extraordinary, vibrant region where art and businesses thrive together among a stunning natural landscape.
It is renowned for its sunny climate, produce and stunning natural landscapes. Indeed, its diverse geography captures everything from long golden beaches to untouched forests and rugged mountains.
Nelson Tasman has one of the largest concentrations of working artists and galleries in the country. You’ll find an array of traditional, contemporary and Māori, craftspeople living in the region.
And you’ll also find many ways to find something extraordinary to take home with you. Visit artist’s studios. Explore the weekend craft markets. Taste the delicious locally made artisan products.
Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand’s smallest national park. But it’s one of the most easily accessible and is unmatched for beautiful coastal settings and beaches.
The park is at the north end of New Zealand’s South Island near Motueka and Nelson. It’s known for the Abel Tasman Coast Track. This long trail, a 3-5 day walk, winds over beaches and across ridges between Marahau in the south and Wainui in the north.
This beautiful coastal area abounds with NZ wildlife. The headland at Separation Point is home to New Zealand fur seal colonies. Little blue penguins, bottlenose dolphins and seals inhabit the Tonga Island Marine Reserve.
Explore the park from land, on the water, or in the air, with cruises, water taxi services, kayaking options, heli-tours and sailing catamarans through its beautiful coastal waters.
At the northern end of New Zealand’s South Island, the Marlborough wine region is a wine lover’s dream destination. Explore award winning wines as unforgettable as local landscapes.
Many people join a guided tour, hire a bike or indulge in a leisurely lunch at a vineyard restaurant, and pair the wine with local produce to create the ultimate match made in Marlborough.
The Marlborough wine region is by far New Zealand’s largest, accounting for three quarters of the country’s wine production, 70% of its vineyard area and 85% of its wine exports.
Marlborough wineries offer a huge range of varieties, from exquisite Pinot Noir to intense Chardonnay, vivacious Aromatics and the region’s world-renowned Sauvignon Blanc. With more than 150 Marlborough wine producers, there is something for every wine lover here.
There are few places on earth like Kaikōura. A small coastal village, with a relaxed beachside vibe, it has some stunning views of both mountains and sea. And it offers to enjoy the bounty of the sea whether eating local kai moana or encountering local sale sea life off the coast.
The nearby Seaward Kaikōura Mountains, a towering snow-clad mountain range, provide a stunning backdrop over the town centre. Meanwhile, the town extends out to the Kaikōura Peninsula, where the waves of the Pacific Ocean roll in.
These mountains rise to heights of 2600m. And the undersea canyon that comes to meet them, plunges to depths of over 1200m very close to shore. These two factors alone make Kaikōura unique.
Stand on top of a snow-capped mountain in the morning. Whale watch or dolphin / seal swim in the afternoon. Then take in a gorgeous sunset while feasting upon fresh seafood beside the sea.
Cruise Milford Sound, the most well-known and accessible of all the fiords in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area. Its 16 kilometre (14 nautical miles) length is lined by sheer rock faces that soar 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) or more from the water.
Milford Sound is in the heart of a rainforest (annual rainfall is 6,813mm or 268 inches). This creates walls of temporary waterfalls on a wet day. In drier conditions this recedes to just two permanent waterfalls (Lady Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls). Glorious on a fine day, Milford Sound’s ethereal, moody beauty in the rain is equally spectacular.
On your leisurely and informative nature cruise, you’ll see towering cliffs and peaks. The spectacular 1692 metre Mitre Peak — NZ’s most photographed mountain — rises more than a kilometre straight out of the sea. Waterfalls cascade into the fiord. And luxuriant rain forest clings to sheer rock faces in this breath taking place.
Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand’s smallest national park. But it is one of the most easily accessible and beautiful coastal paradise settings. And you’ll see all the highlights along the coast on board this cruise.
See granite outcrops, golden sands and lush forest. Take in Split Apple Rock, Tonga Island Marine Reserve and Adele Island Wildlife Reserve. View sea birds and seals, with a chance to spot little blue penguins. Then relax with a comfortable Vista Cruise back to Kaiteriteri.
Akaunui Farm Homestead is located in the countryside near Ashburton. You’ll first see the historic brick house with generous verandahs and a covered balcony as enter the farm via the hedge-lined driveway.
The home was built in 1905 for Edward Grigg, a son of one of Canterbury’s pioneering colonial farmers, John Grigg. Grigg was a large-scale sheep and cropping farmer and the farm was originally part of the Grigg family’s massive Longbeach estate.
The land has long been in the family of current owners, Di and Ian Mackenzie, though. And Akaunui’s 600 hectares (1500 acres) is in vegetable and grain seed and sheep and dairy cattle.
Ian has previously served as the national grain and seed chair of the Federated Farmers of New Zealand. While, Di looks after the garden, originally landscaped by Alfred William Buxton (1872-1950). And Buxton’s typical garden features, including curved entrance drives and forest tree perimeters, can be seen at the property.
With more than 30 cellar doors offering tastings, the best way to explore the region’s wine trail is on a Marlborough wine tour. Sample some of Marlborough’s stunning wines right next to the vines the grapes were grown on. And learn about the distinctive flavours and arts of viticulture and winemaking that go into each glass.
New Zealand’s largest and most famous wine region, Marlborough produces over 75% of New Zealand’s wine. It is the undisputed home of Sauvignon Blanc — world famous for its intense and pure flavours.
“We both thoroughly enjoyed our Southern Beauty Tour. We had visited some parts of it previously, but having everything arranged for us, and listening to Tim’s commentary, made it a special time for us. Our guide Tim was remarkable. His local knowledge of each area was incredible, so much so it equalled the scenery in most cases. I took stacks of notes and learned so so much. He was also an excellent driver, and had a good sense of humour. Liked his knowledge of pre-European Maori life, and their legends too. Would be happy to be on another tour with him and MoaTrek.” Tony & Toni (Aotearoa) – November, 2020
“I liked everything about this tour. The accommodation was good, meals were great and our guide Tim was fantastic. The small group was especially good as it was easy to get to know each other. This was my first group tour so I didn’t know what to expect but it went really well. Big thank you to all the staff and especially Tim.” Julie-Ann (Aotearoa) – November, 2020
“I thoroughly enjoyed my trip, as I got to go to the scenic spots I have always wanted to visit, I don’t think you could improve this trip. Our guide was brilliant, he went over and above his duties. He had the perfect personality always calm and collected and an excellent driver. He was fun and we all enjoyed his company.” Julie-Ann (Aotearoa) – November, 2020
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