South Island Highlights Adventure

Explore the highlights of New Zealand's South Island, hiking world-renowned Great Walks, cruising Milford Sound, and discovering the beauty of Aoraki / Mount Cook and Central Otago. Adventure the active way with local expert guides and a small group of like-minded travelers.

Start - End: Queenstown - Christchurch

Total trip: 5 days

Average group size: 12 people

Level: 3

from NZD 6,199/pp including taxes and fees

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This five-day adventure showcases some of New Zealand's most celebrated natural wonders in one seamless journey.

Experience the extraordinary South Island with a small group. You'll hike sections of two of New Zealand's famous Great Walks, the Kepler Track and Routeburn Track, cruise beneath magnificent cliffs and waterfalls on Milford Sound, cycle the spectacular Queenstown Trail, and explore the alpine heart of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.

Along the way, you'll travel through the wild beauty of Fiordland National Park, cross the rugged Lindis Pass, and experience the ever-changing landscapes that make New Zealand so special. From glacier-carved valleys and soaring peaks to vineyard-covered hillsides, turquoise lakes, and some of the clearest night skies in the world, every day reveals a new side of the South Island. With expert guides, small groups, and hand-picked accommodations in remarkable locations.

Trip Highlights

Hiking

Routeburn Track

Iconic alpine hiking through beech forest, mountain passes, and wildflower-filled meadows.

Hiking

Kepler Track

A spectacular Great Walk showcasing Fiordland's lakes, forests, and alpine ridges.

Hiking

Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park

See New Zealand's highest peak, and hike through surrounding glaciers, alpine trails, and Southern Alps scenery.

E-Biking

Queenstown Cycle Trail

Ride scenic trails through the famous wine vineyards of Gibbston Valley, beautiful lakes, and historic Arrowtown.

Cruise

Milford Sound

A bucket-list item. Cruise beneath towering cliffs and waterfalls, with chances to spot dolphins, penguins, and fur seals.

Day by day trip

Explore South Island highlights on foot, by bike, and from the water.

Day 1

Hike the Kepler Track

Your South Island adventure begins with a scenic drive around Lake Wakatipu, leaving Queenstown and the Remarkables behind as we make our way west to Te Anau, the gateway to the Fiordland region and famous Milford Sound.

This afternoon, you’ll step onto the Kepler Track, one of the New Zealand Great Walks. The trail winds through mountain beech forest and alongside the Waiau River, giving you first taste of the mighty landscapes ahead.
Tonight, we’ll settle in beside Lake Te Anau, with time to relax, enjoy the view, and share dinner together.
Accommodation: Matai Lodge, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 6 miles (9.5 kilometers), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 165 feet (50 meters) ascent, 165 feet (50 meters) descent

Day 2

Cruise Milford Sound and hike the Routeburn Track

Today is particularly incredible. We’ll make an early start for Fiordland National Park, traveling through the Homer Tunnel before descending through a glacier-carved valley toward Milford Sound. Once we reach the water, we’ll board an early cruise and head out into the fiord. Sheer granite walls rise straight from the dark water, waterfalls spill down the cliffs, and fur seals or dolphins may make an appearance along the way.

After the cruise, we’ll swap the boat for hiking boots and head into another corner of Fiordland. You’ll hike part of the iconic Routeburn Track, a New Zealand Great Walk known for its spectacular mountain scenery. The Routeburn Track is longtime guide favorite with sweeping views across the Hollyford Valley and toward Lake Marian and Mt Christina.

It’s a full day of classic New Zealand highlights, from deep fiords to impressive mountain trails, before we return to Te Anau for a relaxing evening.
Accommodation: Matai Lodge, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 4.2 miles (6.8 kilometers), 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1540 feet (470 meters) ascent, 1540 feet (470 meters) descent

Day 3

E-bike the Queenstown Trail and cross Lindis Pass

After breakfast, we’ll head back toward Queenstown and trade hiking boots for e-bikes. You’ll ride a section of the Queenstown Trail along the Arrow River, crossing the Edgar Bridge and following the trail toward Gibbston Valley.
Along the way, there’s a chance to watch bungy jumpers launch from the historic Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, the birthplace of commercial bungy jumping. From here, we’ll continue through Gibbston Valley before finishing the ride with lunch at The Church Cellar Door & Café. If you’d like, you can sample some of Central Otago’s local wines while you’re there.

After lunch, the journey continues north. We’ll cross the tussock-covered Lindis Pass and enter the Mackenzie Country, with the Southern Alps stretching across the horizon.

The Queenstown to Mt Cook journey is a highlight in itself, with the scenery shifting from river valleys and vineyards to broad alpine country. Tonight, we’ll stay within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. If the skies are clear, step outside after dark and look up... you won't regret it!
Accommodation: Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Lodge, Mt Cook
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 10 miles (16 kilometers),1.5 hours
Elevation: 360 feet (110 meters) ascent, 492 feet (150 meters) descent

Day 4

Hike in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park

Today is all about the high country. Aoraki Mt Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain, and you’ll spend the day hiking in the national park that surrounds it. Many view Mt Cook National Park as a hiking paradise. Depending on conditions and how much challenge you’re looking for, there are two beautiful options.

For a bigger day on the trail, you’ll climb toward Sealy Tarns and, if time and conditions allow, continue toward the main ridge above Mueller Glacier. It’s a steep, rewarding hike through true alpine terrain. As you gain height, the views open across glaciers, valleys, and the surrounding peaks. Weather matters here, and conditions can change quickly, so your guides will choose the best option for the day and are experts at supporting our guests.

Accommodation: Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Lodge, Mt Cook
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Mueller Ridge Hike: 4.4 miles (7.2 kilometers), 5-6 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,200 feet (975 meters) ascent, 3,200 feet (975 meters) descent

Hooker Glacier Hike: 5.6 miles (9 kilometers), 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 328 feet (100 meters) ascent, 328 feet (100 meters) descent

Day 5

Travel to Christchurch

After breakfast, we’ll leave Mt Cook and make our way to Christchurch.

In just five days, you’ll have hiked sections of two New Zealand Great Walks, cruised Milford Sound, biked through Central Otago, crossed the Mackenzie Country, and explored Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.
It’s a short New Zealand adventure, but one packed with some of the country’s most memorable landscapes and experiences.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

If you'd like to see more of New Zealand. You can extend your trip and see what the North Island has to offer, including Maori cultural experiences, pristine beaches and geothermal hiking. Check out our North Island Adventures or chat with our friendly team.

This trip includes:

4 nights’ accommodation
4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
Our own highly experienced guides, driver, and chef - with you from start to finish
Industry leading Guest-to-Guide ratio (averaging 6:1)
All activities outlined in the itinerary
Delicious and nutritious snacks to keep you fueled
All necessary equipment (well-maintained and safe) for activities
Hiking poles for the duration of the trip
Transportation in our air-conditioned vans - safe, clean, modern, and comfortable!
Your queries answered by our knowledgeable Customer Care Team - only a call, chat, or email away
You’re “trip ready” with our Customer Care Team’s calls prior to your trip
“My Account” - your own online space with everything required for your adventure

FAQs about this trip

From distances, to what to pack, to the types of lodgings where we stay. Read through our FAQs so you know how best to prepare for your incredible trip exploring New Zealand's highlights.

Where does the trip start?

On the first morning of the trip, please meet us in the lobby at Rendezvous Heritage Hotel or Voco Queenstown, depending on departure date, at 8:00am, our designated departure point for all guests on your trip. Please make your own arrangements to get there. You are welcome to book your pretrip stay at this hotel directly or any other hotel in Queenstown - that's up to you. Be prepared on the day with your daypack, comfortable hiking shoes ready for our walk in Kaikoura.

Where does the trip end?

Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Christchurch Airport (CHC) in time for flights below or anywhere in Central Christchurch around 3pm.

What flights do you recommend?

Arrival: We recommend arriving in Queenstown the day before your trip begins, or earlier, to accommodate potential flight delays and give you time to explore the city before your adventure starts.

Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, we recommend departing from Christchurch after 4pm domestic and 5pm international flight departures. Earlier flight times will require a separate transfer booked at your own expense

What are the accommodations we stay at on this trip?

We’ve selected the accommodation on your trip for the stunning settings, unique character and adventuresome feel. We prefer to stay in quaint, comfortable bed and breakfasts, lodges and apartments, some of which have private bathrooms and some shared bathrooms. You may be sharing a two bedroom apartment or bathroom with other group members at some stage. Some places are fairly basic – like the huts on the Nelson Lakes hiking option, or the chalets at Wonderland Makarora Lodge in Mt Aspiring National Park – and the true Kiwi experience makes it all worthwhile.
Where you’ll be staying each night is detailed on the trip itinerary above. Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may stay somewhere different, which will always be a similar standard and just as comfortable. If you've selected a single supplement for your trip, the Nelson Lakes hiking option is not included as no single rooms are available in the huts, and the single supplement price takes this into account.

While there are laundry facilities at most locations, they may not be convenient or there may only be one machine to service your entire group. We recommend bringing enough clothing to only have to do laundry a couple of times during your trip. The best time will be during your two night stay in Queenstown.

Will my accommodations be exactly the same as those featured?

Occasionally, your accommodations may differ from those featured, but they’ll always be hand-picked by our expert team with care. We’ll send your final accommodation list a month before your trip begins, so you’ll know exactly where you’re staying before you set off.

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Go Back-to-Back in New Zealand

Save 10% on a trip — plus we’ll throw in a connecting flight for free*

We want you to experience all our amazing home of New Zealand has to offer. That’s why we’ve created an incredible bucket-list bundle like no other:

Book two epic adventures to New Zealand and you’ll save 10% on one trip — plus we’ll cover your internal flight so you can get from one adventure to the next.

*Terms and conditions apply - see below

Terms and Conditions:
• Offer valid when booking any two New Zealand trips and a connecting flight at least 120 days prior to departure.
• Simply provide your flight receipt at least 120 days before your first trip, and the value will be deducted from your final payment.
• The flight must connect the endpoint of your first Active Adventures trip to the starting point of your second trip.
• A 10% discount will be applied to the lower-priced trip.
• Offer cannot be applied to existing bookings.
• Trip combinations are subject to availability.
• If either trip or the flight is amended or canceled for any reason, all change, cancellation, and rebooking costs are the guest's responsibility.
• This offer is not combinable with any other promotions, discounts, or loyalty rewards.
• Additional restrictions may apply.

Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full

By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.

We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance, you can find details here.

*Terms and conditions apply - read more here.