South Island Coast & Trails Walking Adventure

Your 10-day South Island walking adventure begins with a relaxed introduction to New Zealand's spectacular coastline. Leaving Christchurch behind, we'll travel north to Gore Bay, where you can stretch your legs, breathe in the fresh sea air, and ease into New Zealand time.
From here, we'll continue to Kaikoura, a seaside town renowned for its abundant marine life. A short coastal walk offers the chance to spot New Zealand fur seals resting on the rocks or playing in the water below. You'll also see sections of coastline lifted during the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake, a fascinating reminder of the powerful natural forces that continue to shape this landscape.
Tonight, we'll gather for dinner, get to know the group, and look ahead to the incredible walks and experiences waiting for us over the days to come.
Accommodation: The Fairways, KaikouraView More
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Leaving Kaikoura, we’ll follow the coast north before turning inland toward the Pelorus River.
This afternoon’s walk follows a gentle trail through cool native bush beside clear, green water. It’s a peaceful place to start exploring the South Island on foot, with forest wrapping around the track and the river never far away. The Lord of the Rings Movie fans may recognize the area from the barrel rider scene in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
After a delicious picnic lunch, we’ll continue to Nelson and visit Brook Waimārama Sanctuary. The sanctuary protects native forest and some of New Zealand’s rare and endangered species, including tīeke, tuatara, kākāriki, and karaka.
It’s a day that sets the tone for the journey ahead: easy-going walking, native forest, and time to notice the small yet incredible details along the way.
Accommodation: Rutherford Hotel, NelsonView More
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 2 miles (3 kilometers), 1-2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 65 feet (20 meters) ascent, 65 feet (20 meters) descent

Today you’ll explore one of the South Island’s most recognizable coastal landscapes, Abel Tasman National Park. We’ll begin with a water taxi ride through sheltered blue water before landing near Awaroa. From here, you’ll walk a section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, weaving through native forest beneath rimu, tōtara, and rātā trees.

Around halfway, we’ll stop at Onetahuti Beach for lunch on the golden sand. There’s time to slow down, take in the view, and enjoy the contrast between forest and sea before continuing toward Tonga Quarry. If conditions suit, you can finish the walk with a refreshing swim before the boat collects us.

You'll discover why this stretch of coastline is considered some of the South Island's best walking, with fantastic trails, native forest, clear water, and wide beaches.
Accommodation: Rutherford Hotel, NelsonView More
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 2.9 miles (4.7 kilometers), 2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 260 feet (80 meters) ascent, 260 feet (80 meters) descent

Today we head for the West Coast, where the character of the trip changes again. At Cape Foulwind, you’ll walk to a viewpoint above a New Zealand fur seal breeding colony before continuing toward the lighthouse. The track opens onto broad coastal views, with the Tasman Sea stretching away below.

After lunch, we’ll continue south to Punakaiki and walk the Truman Track. The trail winds through dense native forest before emerging at a pebbled bay backed by sandstone cliffs. We’ll finish the day at the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes, where layers of limestone have been shaped by wind and sea over thousands of years. 

This is a classic West Coast New Zealand walking experience, with rainforest, wildlife, and rugged coastline all packed into one day.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Punakaiki, PunakaikiView More
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cape Foulwind Hike: 2 miles (3.5 kilometers), 1 hour
Elevation Gain/Loss: 65 feet (20 meters) ascent, 210 feet (65 meters) descent

Truman Track Hike: 0.8 miles (1.4 kilometers), 0.5-1 hour
Elevation Gain/Loss: 130 feet (40 meters) ascent, 130 feet (40 meters) descent

Pancake Rocks Hike: 0.65 miles (1.1 kilometers), 0.5-1 hour
Elevation Gain/Loss: 95 feet (30 meters) ascent, 95 feet (30 meters) descent

We’ll begin the day on the Pororari River Trail in Paparoa National Park. The path passes beneath limestone cliffs and through dense temperate rainforest, where southern rātā, rimu, and nikau palms thrive in the damp coastal climate. The forest feels lush and close here, with every bend revealing another layer of green.

After the walk, we'll continue south along the coast to Hokitika, a creative West Coast town known for its pounamu (greenstone), arts scene, and rugged beach. There'll be time to browse local galleries, visit pounamu carving workshops, and soak up the town's laid-back character before we carry on to Franz Josef.

By evening, you’ll be in the heart of glacier country, with rainforest climbing the foothills of the Southern Alps around you.
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat, Franz JosefView More
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 4.6 miles (7.5 kilometers, 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 459 feet (140 meters) ascent, 426 feet (130 meters) descent

This morning we’ll head to Okarito, a small coastal settlement tucked between lagoon, forest, mountains, and sea. You can take to the water by sea kayak and glide across Okarito Lagoon and see the spectacular snow-capped peaks in the distance. The lagoon is also an important habitat for native birdlife, including New Zealand’s white heron.

After kayaking, choose to stretch your legs with a walk through the coastal landscape or simply enjoy the slower pace of this quiet corner of the West Coast.

Back in Franz Josef, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy. You might opt for a hot tub soak, take some downtime, or simply enjoy a relaxed evening before dinner on your own. If you'd like any recommendations your guides will be happy to help.
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat, Franz JosefView More
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Kayaking: 2-4 hours

Hiking: 2.6 miles (4.2 kilometers), 1-2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 394 feet (120 meters) ascent, 394 feet (120 meters) descent

Today you’ll walk into the Waiho River Valley for views toward Franz Josef Glacier. This is one of the most unusual landscapes on the South Island, where glaciers descend from the Southern Alps toward temperate rainforest. As you walk through the valley, you’ll see how ice, water, and rock have shaped the land around you. Ahead, the glacier sits beneath towering mountain peaks, while native rainforest cloaks the lower slopes, creating a striking contrast found in few places on earth.

Later, we’ll continue south through lush forest and stop at historic Ship Creek. Here, we’ll walk through kahikatea forest and get a sense of what this part of the West Coast may have looked like long before roads and settlements arrived.

Tonight, we’ll stay in Makarora, where mountain views sit right outside your window. With very little light pollution, it's also a wonderful place to step outside after dark and take in a sky full of stars.
Accommodation: Wonderland Lodge, MakaroraView More
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 66 feet (20 meters) ascent, 66 feet (20 meters) descent

This morning, the landscape shifts from dense beech forest to drier, more open country as we make our way toward the beautiful town of Wanaka. After lunch, we'll walk the Mt Iron Track. The steady climb is rewarded with panoramic views of Lake Wanaka, the surrounding peaks, braided river valleys, and the mountains of Mt Aspiring National Park. It's a great chance to take in the scale and beauty of the Southern Lakes region before continuing our journey.

From Wanaka, we’ll cross the Cardrona Saddle toward Queenstown. On the way, we’ll stop in Arrowtown and explore the historic Chinese gold-mining settlement, where the stories of early immigrants offer another layer to the South Island experience. It’s a fitting transition from coast to mountains, and another reminder of how varied the South Island coast and trails journey has become.
Accommodation: Voco Queenstown, QueenstownView More
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hiking: 2.8 miles (4.5 kilometers), 1-2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 722 feet (220 meters) ascent, 722 feet (220 meters) descent

Today is yours to experience Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital, however you choose. If you're keen to keep exploring, take to the trails, ride the Skyline Gondola for spectacular lake and mountain views, try your hand at fishing, or add a little adrenaline with a jet boat ride. Prefer a slower pace? Spend the day discovering local wineries, browsing boutique shops, lingering over lunch by the lake, or unwinding with a spa treatment.

Set against the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by dramatic alpine peaks, Queenstown is the perfect place to shape a day around your own interests. Your guides will be happy to share their favorite local spots and help you make the most of your time here.
Accommodation: Voco Queenstown, QueenstownView More
Meals: Breakfast