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With spectacular scenery and many adventure opportunities, this 8-day South Island adventure starts and finishes in the diverse city of Christchurch. Turquoise lakes, majestic glaciers, dramatic mountain peaks and the picture-perfect towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Franz Josef are all a part of this epic road trip.
With accommodation and some activities included (see below), our tours are hassle-free, authentic experiences for those short on time.
With spectacular scenery and many adventure opportunities, this 8-day South Island adventure starts and finishes in the diverse city of Christchurch. Turquoise lakes, majestic glaciers, dramatic mountain peaks and the picture-perfect towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Franz Josef are all a part of this epic road trip. With accommodation and some activities included (see below), our tours are hassle-free, authentic experiences for those short on time.
Includes
- Christchurch street art tour
- Arthur’s Pass & Castle Hill
- Devils Punchbowl hike
- Franz Josef free day
- Lake Matheson mirror views
- Scenic stops to Lake Hawea
- Wanaka & Mount Aspiring
- Queenstown free day
- Milford Sound cruise
- Hostel / Hotel Accom
- Small Group Adventure
- Experience driver guide
- Meals included
- Trip length: 8 Days
- Group size: Max 24
- Start: Christchurch
- End: Christchurch
- Vehicle: Airconditoned Mini Bus
- Sleep: Hostels & Homestays
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Pictures / Videos
Itinerary
See MapDay 1 – Welcome to Christchurch
Included Accommodation: Hotel Give (or similar)
Welcome to Christchurch - the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the start of your Southern Crossing tour. Ōtautahi (Christchurch) is a vibrant city alive with everything from art, exhibitions, history, and hidden gems. Check out the Riverside Markets for a coffee, beverage or bite to eat or stroll through the botanical gardens.
This evening, meet your Kiwi Experience Driver Guide and the rest of your new tour companions during a welcome evening.
- Welcome evening
Day 2 – Christchurch to Franz Josef
Included Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
Today we travel from coast to coast right over the Southern Alps passing through the Arthur’s Pass National Park, one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand. Arthurs Pass is a landscape of two halves, along the eastern side we’ll venture through riverbeds and beech forest, and on the western side deeply gorged rivers and dense rainforest. Along this road, we will stop off at the Devil’s Punch Bowl and the breath-taking Castle Hill. We arrive to Franz Josef in the afternoon, home to the Franz Josef glacier - a spectacular 5km long glacier. You’ll have two days here to unwind in Rainforest Retreat and visit the Franz Josef glacier.
- Walk the Castle Hill track
- Devils Punchbowl waterfalls
- Enjoy a pizza dinner at Rainforest Retreat
Day 3 – Franz Josef Free Day
Included Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
Incredible Franz Josef sits in the world heritage area, and the combination of alpine scenery and west coast rainforest makes for an epic setting for your free day. Immerse yourself in a unique opportunity today - carving your own Pounamu (Greenstone) jewellery. You’ll learn more about the cultural significance of pounamu as you engage in this authentic cultural experience and depart with your own special piece of Aotearoa New Zealand.
You’ll then get to explore the Franz Josef glacier, an ever-changing landscape of ice. Opt for the Heli-Hike adventure, allowing you to walk on top of the glacier itself. For a free option, walk through the rainforest to a viewing area where the icy wonderland lies just 750m away.
Included:
- Greenstone jewellery carving
Free Activities:
- Franz Josef Glacier walk
Paid Options:
- Glacier Encounter
- Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike
- Kayak & Walk
- Kayak Classic
- Neve Discoverer - 20 Minute Scenic Flight
- Off-Road Adventure Tour
- Skydive Franz Josef
- Tasman Experience
- Tasman Experience & 13,000ft skydive
Day 4 – Franz Josef to Lake Hawea
Included Accommodation:
- Hawea Hotel (or similar until 30 April 2026)
- Adventure Hostel Wanaka (or similar from 01 May - 31 October 2026)
- The Brownston Wanaka (or similar from 01 November 2026 - 30 April 2027)
From 01 May 2026, the overnight stop at Lake Hawea will change to an overnight stop in Wanaka instead. The bus will bypass Lake Hawea on the way to Wanaka.
We start the day off with a trip to the Franz Josef wildlife centre (included) where you can see the largest kiwi incubation and hatching facility on the South Island. You are guaranteed to see a live kiwi inside the open nocturnal house, as well as Tuatara, a reptile only found in New Zealand. Afterwards we head to Lake Matheson for a refreshing walk around the lake known for its perfect mirror reflection of Aoraki Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. The waters of Lake Matheson are dark brown, so on a calm day they create the ideal reflective surface, and by a happy coincidence, the mountains to the east are perfectly positioned to reflect in the lake. We'll then cruise up the last stretch of Highway 6, stopping at popular scenic spots along the way, and onwards to Lake Hawea. Lake Hawea is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise and a great place to swim, kite surf, kayak, bike, walk or just laze about on the lake’s edge.
Included:
- Thunder Creek Falls
- Lake Matheson mirror lake
- Fox Josef Glacier Lookout
Paid Options:
- West Coast Wildlife centre
Day 5 – Lake Hawea to Queenstown
Included Accommodation: Nomads Queenstown (or similar)
From 01 May 2026 due to the change in the overnight stop, your day will begin in Wanaka.
Today we head to Queenstown; known as the adrenaline capital of New Zealand. But before we get to Queenstown, we'll first stop in Wanaka; a resort town set on the southern end of its namesake lake with views of snow capped mountains. It's the gateway to the Southern Alps' Mount Aspiring National Park, a wilderness of glaciers, beech forests and alpine lakes. Make sure to check out #ThatWanakaTree and snap a pic of one of the most photographed trees in the world! Next up we’ll visit the world’s first commercial bungy site – The Kawarau Bridge. Only the bravest travellers will dare to sign up for this iconic bucket list bungy! Once we arrive in Queenstown, we will head to the spectacular waterfront; here, you can grab a bite to eat, perhaps enjoy a drink and enjoy the Queenstown nightline with all the crew!
Included:
- #ThatWanakaTree
- Kawarau Bridge Bungy Visit
- Arrowtown Visit
Day 6 – Queenstown Free Day
Included Accommodation: Nomads Queenstown (or similar)
Queenstown has something for everyone; here, you can seek adrenaline-fueled adventures or enjoy a more leisurely exploration of the natural playground. Each season offers its own unique vibe, and most activities can be accessed all year round. If you’re looking for adrenaline, bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting and sky diving are all available. If a more relaxed pace is calling, hire a bike, take a stroll, enjoy a boat cruise, relax at a spa, or enjoy one of the many vineyards in the area.
Paid Options:
- NZONE Skydive
- Altitude Day Tours
- Dart River Adventures
- Shotover Jet Boat Ride
- AJ Hackett (various options)
- Kawarau Bridge AJ Hackett - various options
- Canyon Explorer
- Kawarau White Water Rafting
- Shotover Canyon Swing
- Spirit of Queenstown
- TSS and Walter Peak dining
- Walter Peak Horse Trek and Cruise
- Kiwi Crawl
Day 7 – Queenstown to Milford Sound Return
Included Accommodation: Nomads Queenstown (or similar)
A trip to the South Island would only be complete with a trip to Piopiotahi, Milford Sound. As we venture from Queenstown bright and early, tuck into breakfast before we hit the road. Our first stop of the day is in the quaint town of Te Anau before continuing the breathtaking drive towards Milford Sound with scheduled photo stops along the way. Milford Sound is nestled within Fiordland National Park, known for its pristine wildlife, which marvels at any time of year and in any weather; Milford Sound is rich in geological formations, captivating waterfalls and, unsurprisingly, one of the most amazing scenic day trips to do in New Zealand. Enjoy a two-hour (Included) scenic boat cruise through the inky blackwater; keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, fur seals, and an abundance of birdlife; if you’re really lucky, you’ll spot the endangered Fiordland Crested Penguin. After your cruise, we return to Queenstown for the evening.
- Day Trip to Milford Sound
- 2 hour Milford Sound boat cruise
Day 8 – Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
We drive on through the stunning Lindis Pass and into the magnificent Mackenzie Country, home to Lake Tekapo. Here we will visit the charming stone Church of the Good Shepherd, sat next to the breathtakingly blue waters of the lake framed with colourful lupins. Afterwards we head to Christchurch where the tour concludes.
Free Activities:
- Church of the Good Shepherd
Included:
- Lake Pukaki Visit
