Small Group Tour
Small Group Tour
7 Day South Island Tour
Start: Wellington
Finish: Queenstown
This small-group guided tour of the South Island will redefine the meaning of mind-blowing. Head across the Cook Strait before cruising through the vineyards of the Marlborough region (stopping off along the way of course!), before marine spotting in Kaikoura and then hitting up the diverse city of Christchurch. From here, visit even more iconic destinations including Lake Tekapo, Wanaka and the adrenaline pumping Queenstown. With accommodation and some activities included (see below), our all-inclusive tours are hassle-free, authentic experiences for those short on time.
This tour departs at 7:30am from Wellington YHA (292 Wakefield Street, Te Aro, Wellington), where your accommodation has been booked for the night before departure. Breakfast starts from 6:45am at the hostel before departure.
Give us a call to secure your spot with a 10% deposit.
NZ $1244
Day 1Wellington to Kaikoura
Today you’ll kick off by experiencing what’s regarded as one of the most beautiful inter-island crossings in the world, the Cook Straight (included). Arriving into the top of the South Island we’ll journey through the dreamy Marlborough region, home to more vineyards than your eyes can see. Stopping off for a tasting (or two…) along the way (included) to Kaikoura to spot unique marine life and experience local Kiwi cuisine.
Accommodation
- Dusky Lodge
Included Experiences
- Inter-Island transport across the Cook Strait
- Wine tasting in the Marlborough region
- Kaikoura Seal colony
Day 2Kaikoura to Christchurch
Start the day with a sleep-in or for the more adventurous head out to sea to witness spectacular marine life such as dolphins, whales, albatrosses and so much more (extra activity). Around mid-morning, we’ll head up the Kaikoura Peninsula walkway to walk among a large seal colony (included). After a morning experiencing a real-life Planet Earth episode we’ll cruise to the diverse city of Christchurch, where we will go on a walking tour of the city (included) to learn about the street art, see the blooming botanical gardens, and learn about the history of a city that’s experienced so much in recent times.
Day 3Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
Saying goodbye to Christchurch, we’ll hit the road and cruise into the magnificent Mackenzie Country, home to Lake Tekapo. Here we will visit the charming stone Church of the Good Shepherd (included), sat next to the breathtakingly blue waters of the lake framed with colourful lupins. As night falls, we will visit the Dark Sky Project situated among the UNESCO Dark Sky reserve (included).
Accommodation
- Lakefront Lodge Tekapo
Included Experiences
- Dark Sky Project, Lake Tekapo
- The Church of the Good Shepherd
Day 4Lake Tekapo to Wanaka
Cruising past the ‘powerade factory’ Lake Pukaki (you’ll know what we mean when you see it) we head for Mount Cook village where we will enjoy a couple of breathtaking scenic hikes in the National Park (included) which will break your internet and blow your mind. Here you will have the opportunity to experience the Tasman Glacier by helicopter or take a scenic flight through the Mt Cook National Park (Aoraki). From mid-morning, we will continue to cruise through the National Park, through the stunning Lindis Pass through to Wanaka.
Accommodation
- YHA Wanaka
Included Experiences
- Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park hikes
- Roys Peak hike shuttle
Day 5Wanaka To Queenstown
Here in Wanaka, we will have the morning to hike the famous Roys Peak (included), snap ‘That Wanaka Tree’ or climb Mount Iron (included). For the more daring in the group, there’s the option to experience a via Ferrata ‘Wild Wire’ or hit up the lakeside trails on a mountain bike. Late afternoon, you can catch your breath in the back of the bus as we cruise through the Crown ranges and head for the adrenaline fuelled Queenstown. We’ll end the day heading up the Gondola (included) for a tasty dinner at the ‘Skyline’ overlooking Queenstown.
Day 6Queenstown
Carrying on the adrenaline-pumping theme, you have a full day to fill with activities that suit all budgets and appetites for adventure. Try your hand at activities such as white water rafting, bungy jumping, skydiving, jet-boating or canyon swinging… if you dream it, it probably exists here in Queenstown. Speak to your Driver Guide who will be able to point you in the right direction.
Accommodation
- Nomads Queenstown
Day 7Queenstown
Today we will head out into the heartlands of Otago to the picturesque town of Glenorchy to experience a scenic landscape brimming with southern charm before dropping you back into Queenstown where the tour concludes.
Included Experiences
- Glenorchy & Lake Wakatipu tour
What's Included
- 7 nights dorm accommodation
- 7 tasty breakfasts
- Inter-Island transport across the Cook Strait
- Wine tasting in the Marlborough region
- Kaikoura Seal colony
- Christchurch city street art tour
- Dark Sky Project, Lake Tekapo
- The Church of the Good Shepherd
- Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
- Roys Peak hike shuttle
- Skyline Gondola & Buffet
Optional Extras
Our Small Group Tours offer a fixed itinerary, with a few bucket list items included. There are plenty of additional activities you can add on to your experience as you travel.
What our passengers think
Fantastic Experience and Life-Long Friends
This was one the best experiences of my life. You'll meet so many people and make some friends for life... No one has a bad attitude and most are solo travellers.
A great and well organised adventure
For this short period of time it was the best decision to choose the Kiwi Experience bus tour. Everything was well organized and the activities were breathtaking. I am very thankful that I have been part of such a great experience.
Faq's
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I’m a solo traveller... will I meet other solo travellers?
Absolutely! The majority of our passengers are travelling solo. Kiwi Experience is a social experience guaranteed to leave with new friends from across the globe.
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Am I too old/young for Kiwi Experience?
We welcome the young, and the young at heart aboard our buses, there is no upper limit! There is however a lower limit; you’ll need to be 18 at the time of travel.
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What visas do I need?
Luckily, many nationalities are able to visit New Zealand for less than 3 months without a visa. However, if you are not from one of these countries, obtaining your own visa is your own responsibility. We ask that you check out the Immigration New Zealand website before booking your Kiwi Experience trip.
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Do I need travel insurance?
While not mandatory, travel insurance is recommended and should be taken out when travelling with us. As well as making sure your expensive stuff is covered, you should also get comprehensive travel insurance (covering you for all medical expenses you could incur while travelling).
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How much should I budget for each day?
We recommend you budget between $70 - $100 per day to cover food and super fun times. From time to time, it may be worth putting a little more aside to pay for the really crazy stuff like skydiving.
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How much luggage am I allowed to bring?
Passengers are allowed one 23kg suitcase/backpack and one day bag, as there are strict weight restrictions on our buses.
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